I have been negligent about my blogs, and won’t make amends
in this single post at the holYdaze (yes, they are SUPPOSED
to be “holy” and they OFTEN leave us in a daze, especially in how these days
get converted from spiritual solace and inspiration into consumer orgies
[pepper spraying your competitors in the malls to get the advertised specials]
and unfulfillable personal expectations [in the face of dysfunctional family,
friends, and self]).
First, regarding the holYdaze…
Hanukkah began a few daze ago. It was marked by my first
exposure to Adam Sandler’s classic "Hanukkah Song" (yay to us jewish guys on the Mary
Tyler Moore reference in the NEW revised version I heard on the radio!), as well as the great and perplexing "How do you spell Ch(H)anuk(k)ah?" song by the hilarious LeeVees! I don’t keep this holYdaze (any of the 8 days of them!), but I DO
still remember the blessing over the candles (thanks to endless repetition as a
youngster, as well as my excitement over each day’s gifts!). I particularly
remember my Mom at this time, including her boundless love, reverence for a religion she didn’t get
the education to understand, and her time- and labor-intensive food preparation (yay latkes!).
Then, last night I went to a winter solstice party that
has a rather long local tradition. Every year the participants light a backyard
bonfire before sunset, and one or more folks kept that blaze going until first
light of the following day to ensure the return of the SUN! It was a VERY
eclectic group of pagans, ganja bud trimmers, and science fiction aficionados
last night, and then there was “the professor anthropologist.” I want to thank
the folks that tolerated my presence there, and hope that I wasn’t too
condescending in my attitude and comments; it’s something that is still a
struggle, a self-righteous way to separate “them” from “me,” but it is worth
the effort for me to try to “be here now.”
Tonight a local couple are hosting me for Mexican food, and
then we will go to a forum of the would-be congressional candidates for our district in the upcoming 2012 elections.
The man of the house has been rebuilding my ancient (1970s) but beautiful bike piece by
piece, while the woman has given me “special” Humboldt cookies. I tried to “return”
the favors with blue sour cream cornbread and a book about Spanish anarchism,
but they have now responded with more fun and favors. Maybe this is what
friendship looks like – a virtuous cycle of giving, receiving, and giving more?
I have almost forgotten the give-and-take of friendship, just as I had of love.
Now, so late in life, I’m trying to learn how to take part in human interactions,
and it’s both fun and frightening.
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| My fav, and the Xmas special in most of Mexico, tamales with all the trimmings! |
Tomorrow, according to local “free forum” radio station KHUM
(also linked at my Eureka blog) is (Seinfeld-inspired) “festivus” (a holYday for “the
rest of us”)! My new LOVE has said she is inclined to visit me after a long day
of work, so I need to scrounge up an aluminum pole, and we’ll air grievances,
engage of feats of strength, and explain everyday events (like our growing love
for one another) as festivus miracles!
She will stay for the Xmas weekend, so we’ll have to find
more fun things to do… KHUM is threatening a long awaited rainstorm, so it may
be indoor activities; wish us luck finding something to do! Suffice it to note
that I first experienced the virtuous cycle at full strength in this new and
growing relationship, and that it is both rewarding (she bakes THE best
holYdaze cookies!) and scary (vulnerable?) for the expert “bridge burner.”
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| Her's are MUCH nicer (and more natural), but these fit the stereotype better! |
Finally, there are all the other holYdaze events, including
Kwanza and the New Year. As I explained in my very first blog post, after
years of scorning the USA, the 4th of July has become MY own day of
personal independence; now I hope to make the annual winter cycle of events a
time of appreciating friendship and love after years of self-denial and overt
cynicism. Although the fears that generated those attitudes are still there, I
am more aware of them, and am choosing to laugh at and discuss them!
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| While WE associate fireworks with the 4th of July, Mexicans often have them for every religious fiesta, including those related to the birth of Jesus... |
Second, at this joy-filled time, let me acknowledge my
recent dereliction of duty to my reader. As you can intimate from the above, I
have been (for once!) busy practicing what I preach. In addition, I continue to
volunteer at the wonderful Food for People (on a busier holYdaze basis); we ran
out of our holYdaze meats (hams and chickens) briefly yesterday, so think about
making a $$$ contribution if you can (see my Eureka blog, wherein I provide a thick description of this wonderful Humboldt County institution).
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| The man in the suit says, "Excuse me. I'm going to need this [food (corn for making 'ethanol')] to run my car!" |
Furthermore, I have been preparing to return to the classroom.
Aside from the reading of texts, preparation of lectures and assignments, etc.,
I am trying to prepare psychologically to approach teaching in a whole new way,
after 2+ decades of hit-and-miss efforts. Wish me luck!!!
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| This is an international example of hate mail off of the Internet. It was sent to a teacher by someone who clearly didn't appreciate their educational experience... Glad to know I'm not alone! |
On a related note, I am also rewriting my Oxford Uni presentation for possible publication. It is the necessary next-step in returning for a planned 2nd workshop, possibly
as early as this winter!
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| I want to go back!!! |
Finally, to my long-patient reader, I promise to try to post more regularly on
all of the above and other new situations and events in the coming year. Meanwhile, I wish you and yours the very best
holYdaze, with love and friendship circling all around you within a universe that meets
your needs and inspires your work and play. Look for this affirmation here, there, and everywhere (including this beautiful and amazing story of love lost and then found at 40,000 feet)!
