Depression- NY Times
Just got through this article and really enjoyed it. Basic premise- wisdom comes at the price of pain. Also ties the depressed affect to creativity. I know when I have the creative itch it can be compared to an almost manic feeling. Especially writing.
It is windy today, not much waves, Treva feels a bit sick, Astrid wants a playdate, I am trying to catch up on emails. Mom comes tomorrow, Meleah and Adam left yesterday.
That's all I can think of, I must not be depressed.
Sunday, February 28, 2010
Thursday, February 25, 2010
Good one...
Like Rome Before the Fall? Not Yet
What would our "noblest traditions" be, I wonder? Having grown up in the shadow of Thomas Jefferson's Monticello I would hope it would be the dreams and hopes of our forefathers.
Where are they now? What would TJ say about the partisan bickering and stalemate?
Newt Gingrich has raised more campaign money than any other potential candidates for 2012. How's that for encouraging?
Obama in 2012 has started their machine- it will be based out of Chicago. Please read the history of Chicago politics wiki if you have not already.
On a lighter note... I watched the Notebook and the Hurt Locker over the last few nights. Wow, you weren't kidding when you said the Notebook was a crier, Steve. Thanks for that. When I was telling Treva the plot I was crying and laughing at the incredible pathos- the only way it could have been more is if the final scene was littered with puppies gasping for their last breath when the nurse enters the room. I won't give more away- the ending is hardly a surprise but anyway.
As for the Hurt Locker, I find it interesting that our more recent wars do not have the same branding as the past conflicts in say Viet Nam. There is no generational message or movement that coincides, of which I am aware. There is a resurgence of new folk music, which indicates a grasping at times that are more simple or a stripping away of conceits but I am not sure there is the same cultural shifting. Maybe it is happening and I can't hear it down here or I am too jaded to see the difference between hippy as a fashion versus a real belief set. I do see my fair share of hippies down here, don't get me wrong, but I have not seen any manifestos or any attempts at a real higher cause (get it, there is a pun in there somewhere). Maybe the fact that there is no draft so there is no equal sharing of the burden of war gives our current conflict a disconnectedness.
Perhaps this will all be uncovered later and I am the Mr Jones per Bob Dylan and just don't get what's going on. It wouldn't be the first time.
What would our "noblest traditions" be, I wonder? Having grown up in the shadow of Thomas Jefferson's Monticello I would hope it would be the dreams and hopes of our forefathers.
Where are they now? What would TJ say about the partisan bickering and stalemate?
Newt Gingrich has raised more campaign money than any other potential candidates for 2012. How's that for encouraging?
Obama in 2012 has started their machine- it will be based out of Chicago. Please read the history of Chicago politics wiki if you have not already.
On a lighter note... I watched the Notebook and the Hurt Locker over the last few nights. Wow, you weren't kidding when you said the Notebook was a crier, Steve. Thanks for that. When I was telling Treva the plot I was crying and laughing at the incredible pathos- the only way it could have been more is if the final scene was littered with puppies gasping for their last breath when the nurse enters the room. I won't give more away- the ending is hardly a surprise but anyway.
As for the Hurt Locker, I find it interesting that our more recent wars do not have the same branding as the past conflicts in say Viet Nam. There is no generational message or movement that coincides, of which I am aware. There is a resurgence of new folk music, which indicates a grasping at times that are more simple or a stripping away of conceits but I am not sure there is the same cultural shifting. Maybe it is happening and I can't hear it down here or I am too jaded to see the difference between hippy as a fashion versus a real belief set. I do see my fair share of hippies down here, don't get me wrong, but I have not seen any manifestos or any attempts at a real higher cause (get it, there is a pun in there somewhere). Maybe the fact that there is no draft so there is no equal sharing of the burden of war gives our current conflict a disconnectedness.
Perhaps this will all be uncovered later and I am the Mr Jones per Bob Dylan and just don't get what's going on. It wouldn't be the first time.
Saturday, February 20, 2010
Sayulita days, pt. 1
I love our town. Seriously. We have our down days but mostly it is gravy on top of gravy. Things take longer. There is a certain circuitous route to accomplishing the most mundane tasks. It took 3 days to purchase medicine for a stomach thing. Eeesh.
Looking over the pics I see what could be perceived as permissiveness; the kids on crazy scary rides, the bar and free flowing Modelos, the mechanical bull, the hot dogs wrapped in bacon and deep fried, the bb guns fired by 6 year olds, the electric lines on the wet wet ground, throwing rocks to smash bottles in order to win beers, etc. The thing I feel is different is that the kids are there with their families and the other kid's families are there, too. That is not to say there aren't unsupervised activities among the teenage crowd- there were some questionable stuff going on among the older kids. I was a teenager once too. But I for sure wouldn't have even been in the same neighborhood as my parents and their friends. No, I would have been far far away. I guess I am only seeing the ones that are somewhat tied into a community fabric and not the ones inside doing things worse than sneaking a beer.
Well I digress. Here are the pictures.
Looking over the pics I see what could be perceived as permissiveness; the kids on crazy scary rides, the bar and free flowing Modelos, the mechanical bull, the hot dogs wrapped in bacon and deep fried, the bb guns fired by 6 year olds, the electric lines on the wet wet ground, throwing rocks to smash bottles in order to win beers, etc. The thing I feel is different is that the kids are there with their families and the other kid's families are there, too. That is not to say there aren't unsupervised activities among the teenage crowd- there were some questionable stuff going on among the older kids. I was a teenager once too. But I for sure wouldn't have even been in the same neighborhood as my parents and their friends. No, I would have been far far away. I guess I am only seeing the ones that are somewhat tied into a community fabric and not the ones inside doing things worse than sneaking a beer.
Well I digress. Here are the pictures.
Wednesday, February 17, 2010
lordy
I wonder what this is all about. What a day, brimming full.
I was responsible for a few things for the CVIS auction this morning- trying to get the brochure done in time to grab John and run to Punta de Mita. Josué had offered to take us out on his boat, we are working on some trade- boat rides for some design work and I gave John a traded trip for his birthday. It stormed last night and I was thinking to cancel but Josué said no way, it was offshore and going to be good.
I tried to get the most done I could and decided that it could be done after the boat trip. I picked up John and we headed over to Punta de Mita. We met Dorian and Libby on the beach and then Josué brought his panga around and off we went. Past Anclote, past el Faro, past Bahia and to a break- I don't know the name. The sky was dark, the breeze coming offshore and we jumped into the water. As I dove off the boat I was thinking about the divers who make no splash and thinking how I was just like that, until I came up to grab my board and Dorian and Josué were soaking from my splash. Oops.
The waves were coming in from the nw and wrapping around this huge rock island. They'd peak right around this rocky boil and then form up these amazing slabs. Not the upright freight trains at lancha that sometimes just crush you but these pretty gentle well shaped cups. In recollection we figure head and a half or 2. Pretty big. I truthfully didn't catch much but there was one that made me want to just stay there in the rain and wind. We had the hardest rain I have ever had just sitting around in the middle of the water. We were cold but we were damn stoked.
Josué caught one while I was inside trying to paddle back out and he sprayed me big time- as recompense for the earlier soaking, if you ask me. Well deserved perhaps.
On our way back to the boat, after we all decided we were going to freeze to death, a group of whales were spotted; tails and fins jumping and waving. Such a wondrous thing.
I was worried about John getting sick again so we cranked the heat once we got back to the truck. Amazing to be using the seat heaters in 70 degree weather but I guess I have gotten a little adjusted to the tropics and it felt freezing.
The fundraiser got postponed due to weather and I had to try desperately to get ahold of Shana and David in Chacala at a house with no listed number. I tried everything I could think of, every person and Rod from Avalos Real Estate who lives out there but was here worked the coconut telegraph magic and they got 3 messengers telling them not to come!
The dark hours were spent with the family, huddled in our bed watching Battlestar Galactica on the computer. Cuddly.
Ah, Mexico. I don't deserve it.
I was responsible for a few things for the CVIS auction this morning- trying to get the brochure done in time to grab John and run to Punta de Mita. Josué had offered to take us out on his boat, we are working on some trade- boat rides for some design work and I gave John a traded trip for his birthday. It stormed last night and I was thinking to cancel but Josué said no way, it was offshore and going to be good.
I tried to get the most done I could and decided that it could be done after the boat trip. I picked up John and we headed over to Punta de Mita. We met Dorian and Libby on the beach and then Josué brought his panga around and off we went. Past Anclote, past el Faro, past Bahia and to a break- I don't know the name. The sky was dark, the breeze coming offshore and we jumped into the water. As I dove off the boat I was thinking about the divers who make no splash and thinking how I was just like that, until I came up to grab my board and Dorian and Josué were soaking from my splash. Oops.
The waves were coming in from the nw and wrapping around this huge rock island. They'd peak right around this rocky boil and then form up these amazing slabs. Not the upright freight trains at lancha that sometimes just crush you but these pretty gentle well shaped cups. In recollection we figure head and a half or 2. Pretty big. I truthfully didn't catch much but there was one that made me want to just stay there in the rain and wind. We had the hardest rain I have ever had just sitting around in the middle of the water. We were cold but we were damn stoked.
Josué caught one while I was inside trying to paddle back out and he sprayed me big time- as recompense for the earlier soaking, if you ask me. Well deserved perhaps.
On our way back to the boat, after we all decided we were going to freeze to death, a group of whales were spotted; tails and fins jumping and waving. Such a wondrous thing.
I was worried about John getting sick again so we cranked the heat once we got back to the truck. Amazing to be using the seat heaters in 70 degree weather but I guess I have gotten a little adjusted to the tropics and it felt freezing.
The fundraiser got postponed due to weather and I had to try desperately to get ahold of Shana and David in Chacala at a house with no listed number. I tried everything I could think of, every person and Rod from Avalos Real Estate who lives out there but was here worked the coconut telegraph magic and they got 3 messengers telling them not to come!
The dark hours were spent with the family, huddled in our bed watching Battlestar Galactica on the computer. Cuddly.
Ah, Mexico. I don't deserve it.
Tuesday, February 16, 2010
Revolution!
Here's what I just read-- The Lean Years -- and it makes me seething mad.
Look, I realize I moved and got an fm3 visa and my opinion of things back up there are pretty much on my sleeve. Maybe I forfeited my rights to yell from the palapa that shit needs to change- and for real this time. I read the news, mostly the leftist New York Times and see that Dems are bailing out of both houses and things are going to swing back to the Reps this next election cycle. It just is going to happen. So there will be more gridlock in the House and Senate and god only knows if this nuttiness about the Tea Partiers is going to take hold but when people are hungry and hurting they want to believe that someone is listening and that they'll do their best for them. What better than the total opposite of what didn't work the last time- even if they are batshit crazy? Why not?
The numbers for the bank bailout are only the slightest bit lower than what it would cost the government to help people's slipping mortgages. Something in the 725 billion range. But that is not going to happen. Why? Because no one wants to help their neighbor. Why should Joe Blow who didn't get in over his head help out those that did? Why, that is communism and socialism and THAT is NOT going to happen. Not while there are honest hardworking financial institutions to payoff.
And what about change? What about voting for the other guys? Nope. Because it doesn't make a damn bit of difference if there are Blue or Red representatives. When I am dealing with a child who wants to go outside and break glass in the street (hypothetical, really) I give them two options- neither of which are breaking bottles in the street. Do you see any similarity?
I loved believing in Obama. I felt remorse about leaving when I thought about the amazing things that were going to happen. Like new energy. Like health care. Like reduction of WAR. We grabbed Belen to watch on our computer like it was the dawning of a new era. Hmm.
I read a good bit about Chicago politics because my grandparents lived there, my mom grew up there. It is no place for someone who does not understand capital P politics. If you missed it- Political history of Chicago Mayor Daley is still the Mayor. Okay, you tell me that Obama came up through that without playing the game.
I am not railing against him, much. I hated me some GW Bush and Cheney spoke at my graduation so I understand that the offered alternative is worse. But that is what I am trying to say- when did it get to be okay to just get the less bad thing? Where's the Work Progress Administration? How come the fricking underpants bomber nets the Homeland Security billions more? What is the damn plan? I don't see any change. Lasting change. Education. Infrastructure. Energy.
We are just being offered a "choice" to keep us placated. There should be uprising. Or up-rooting. It is a big damn world and if I hadn't already jetted I would be thinking about somewhere else. Because I want someone to show me how 10 or 20 years from now is going to still be the American Century.
I guess that is okay, too. Number two or three in world power is pretty good.
But if my interpersonal relationships serve as any lesson for the future imagine this scenario... The guy in high school who was the most popular- the rich jock who got all the girls? You picturing him? He went on to college and got a business degree and still got all the girls? He got a good job and made a bunch of money and got used to living pretty large. Say he had a locker full of guns-n-ammo and was used to being the biggest baddest of all his friends. They all went to him and well, he's kinda like the Godfather but without the honor. Okay- you got the image? Now imagine he fell behind. He didn't take care of himself, he had too much debt, no planning for the future, no thought about the greater good. He gets lapped. He's flabby, he's overwhelmed with debt, he never trained for any new skills.
How is he going to feel when he's not the one who speaks loudest? The "last superpower" isn't going to be the most fun person at the party. Not gonna play too nice. Going to be pretty isolationist- but bitter. Mmm, that sounds fairly ugly.
Please show me I'm wrong.
I'll be the guy mumbling to himself in the lineup in front of the break at la lancha.
Look, I realize I moved and got an fm3 visa and my opinion of things back up there are pretty much on my sleeve. Maybe I forfeited my rights to yell from the palapa that shit needs to change- and for real this time. I read the news, mostly the leftist New York Times and see that Dems are bailing out of both houses and things are going to swing back to the Reps this next election cycle. It just is going to happen. So there will be more gridlock in the House and Senate and god only knows if this nuttiness about the Tea Partiers is going to take hold but when people are hungry and hurting they want to believe that someone is listening and that they'll do their best for them. What better than the total opposite of what didn't work the last time- even if they are batshit crazy? Why not?
The numbers for the bank bailout are only the slightest bit lower than what it would cost the government to help people's slipping mortgages. Something in the 725 billion range. But that is not going to happen. Why? Because no one wants to help their neighbor. Why should Joe Blow who didn't get in over his head help out those that did? Why, that is communism and socialism and THAT is NOT going to happen. Not while there are honest hardworking financial institutions to payoff.
And what about change? What about voting for the other guys? Nope. Because it doesn't make a damn bit of difference if there are Blue or Red representatives. When I am dealing with a child who wants to go outside and break glass in the street (hypothetical, really) I give them two options- neither of which are breaking bottles in the street. Do you see any similarity?
I loved believing in Obama. I felt remorse about leaving when I thought about the amazing things that were going to happen. Like new energy. Like health care. Like reduction of WAR. We grabbed Belen to watch on our computer like it was the dawning of a new era. Hmm.
I read a good bit about Chicago politics because my grandparents lived there, my mom grew up there. It is no place for someone who does not understand capital P politics. If you missed it- Political history of Chicago Mayor Daley is still the Mayor. Okay, you tell me that Obama came up through that without playing the game.
I am not railing against him, much. I hated me some GW Bush and Cheney spoke at my graduation so I understand that the offered alternative is worse. But that is what I am trying to say- when did it get to be okay to just get the less bad thing? Where's the Work Progress Administration? How come the fricking underpants bomber nets the Homeland Security billions more? What is the damn plan? I don't see any change. Lasting change. Education. Infrastructure. Energy.
We are just being offered a "choice" to keep us placated. There should be uprising. Or up-rooting. It is a big damn world and if I hadn't already jetted I would be thinking about somewhere else. Because I want someone to show me how 10 or 20 years from now is going to still be the American Century.
I guess that is okay, too. Number two or three in world power is pretty good.
But if my interpersonal relationships serve as any lesson for the future imagine this scenario... The guy in high school who was the most popular- the rich jock who got all the girls? You picturing him? He went on to college and got a business degree and still got all the girls? He got a good job and made a bunch of money and got used to living pretty large. Say he had a locker full of guns-n-ammo and was used to being the biggest baddest of all his friends. They all went to him and well, he's kinda like the Godfather but without the honor. Okay- you got the image? Now imagine he fell behind. He didn't take care of himself, he had too much debt, no planning for the future, no thought about the greater good. He gets lapped. He's flabby, he's overwhelmed with debt, he never trained for any new skills.
How is he going to feel when he's not the one who speaks loudest? The "last superpower" isn't going to be the most fun person at the party. Not gonna play too nice. Going to be pretty isolationist- but bitter. Mmm, that sounds fairly ugly.
Please show me I'm wrong.
I'll be the guy mumbling to himself in the lineup in front of the break at la lancha.
Sunday, February 14, 2010
Goings on
Whew, craziness. We had friends in from pdx, friends from Denver and stuff to do with friends in town. It's like we exist or something. It was wonderful seeing/hearing from our out of town buddies that our little pueblo is wonderful. It really is a great spot. It was great to reconnect with Shana and her husband David- who I hadn't seen since their wedding some 9 years ago! Shana and I have kept in touch pretty well over the last years, really great to have them stay with us for a short time.
The Hotz clan had a good time, I think they really took the town for the best it had to offer. An amazing house on top of snob hill, boat rides with Enrique, lotsa good dinners. Wow. They brought wonderful gifts, sad to see them leave.
Mitch was here for a second and got to have dinner over at there house and then went to wish our friend John happy birthday. Friday I had the chance to go with Mark and Gabbi to pv for a b-day breakfast for Mark. Insanity. I swear to god I am not social.
I took two day off surfing and got back to it this morning. Swell is coming through, going with John and Johann manana, a little freaked because they both CHARGE and well, my 8 footer does not feel super solid on the huge ones. Sometimes you need a kick to get your shit straight so a little grrr will be good. I hope...
I made Treva a rusty barb wire heart wound with this crazy vine from the lot next door, oh so topical, no?
Hey- I thought the Invention of Lying was a damn enjoyable movie. Love that RIcky Gervais. Damn.
The Hotz clan had a good time, I think they really took the town for the best it had to offer. An amazing house on top of snob hill, boat rides with Enrique, lotsa good dinners. Wow. They brought wonderful gifts, sad to see them leave.
Mitch was here for a second and got to have dinner over at there house and then went to wish our friend John happy birthday. Friday I had the chance to go with Mark and Gabbi to pv for a b-day breakfast for Mark. Insanity. I swear to god I am not social.
I took two day off surfing and got back to it this morning. Swell is coming through, going with John and Johann manana, a little freaked because they both CHARGE and well, my 8 footer does not feel super solid on the huge ones. Sometimes you need a kick to get your shit straight so a little grrr will be good. I hope...
I made Treva a rusty barb wire heart wound with this crazy vine from the lot next door, oh so topical, no?
Hey- I thought the Invention of Lying was a damn enjoyable movie. Love that RIcky Gervais. Damn.
Friday, February 12, 2010
Dang big fish
Check out those choppers. What do they eat? My god. That is what is swimming around under me when I am in the water.
- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone
- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone
Monday, February 8, 2010
sheesh
I just read my wife's blog about all the stuff she did this last weekend. My list is equally impressive.
I surfed a bunch.
I took some naps.
I got my iphone all hooked up and stuff.
I went through all my contacts and eliminated all those that were dumb. If I can;t remember your face you were deleted. If I tried to contact you in the last few years but you never responded- you are out. It felt pretty good to eliminate all these people who I have come to realize were not friends but just business. Weird for me because I never really separated the two things when I worked but now I see that there is a difference between a friend and someone you work around. Huh, who knew?
We had dinner with the Hotz and crew tonight, so many people and so many kids. It was nice.
If you read treva's posting here's what I contributed to the painting of the words over the door...
Sunday, February 7, 2010
Toys and weather
The hotz's arrived safe and sound and brought a bevy of goodies from the land up north. Astrid got her new wii game, Treva some new duds and I got a newish iPhone and a 1 mm surf top. I felt like a sausage in a tiny casing, hopefully it will give a little when I use it more.
I spoke with my mom and Jack in va and they have a million inches of snow and no power up in the mountains right now. Luckily they have plenty of food and wood and snow to melt for water. Scary!
Not much surf, we'll see later today.
- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone
I spoke with my mom and Jack in va and they have a million inches of snow and no power up in the mountains right now. Luckily they have plenty of food and wood and snow to melt for water. Scary!
Not much surf, we'll see later today.
- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone
Friday, February 5, 2010
I am le tired.
I have been racking up 2 a day surf sessions by some fortunate stroke of luck. Yay me! Mornings I'll ride the short board which reinforces the fact I've been at this for just about a year because I have to work so damn hard to ride the waves. Afternoon I'll grab the longer board because I am tired. So great. The sunset is amazing because as you catch a wave it casts its shadow over you and the world goes dark just before the wave sweeps you up. Scary and awesome.
We watched Sherlock Holmes and I stayed awake through the majority. Very nicely done, I enjoyed it. Jude wasn't annoying at all.
My new glasses came from the lab and the left lens is not correct. This sucks because it is at least a two trip fix and so many hours of time. Argh.
Treva worked in the yard and it looks amazing. We are going to have a raised bed for yummy edibles. So excited about that.
Okay, sweet dreams out there.
One last thought, sad about the space program. I wish we weren't fighting wars. I wish that obscene amount of energy was going to something productive instead of killing people who want to kill our people for killing their people. I wish.
We watched Sherlock Holmes and I stayed awake through the majority. Very nicely done, I enjoyed it. Jude wasn't annoying at all.
My new glasses came from the lab and the left lens is not correct. This sucks because it is at least a two trip fix and so many hours of time. Argh.
Treva worked in the yard and it looks amazing. We are going to have a raised bed for yummy edibles. So excited about that.
Okay, sweet dreams out there.
One last thought, sad about the space program. I wish we weren't fighting wars. I wish that obscene amount of energy was going to something productive instead of killing people who want to kill our people for killing their people. I wish.
Wednesday, February 3, 2010
I'll huff and I'll puff
Huge storm last night after a full day of rain and guess what- our big plantain trees blew down in the back yard! While this may sound like a problem or a setback I am sorta stoked. WHen the backyard was barren it was the anchor point but the fruit the provided was mehh and I think a cool type of palm would be better. Anyway- hope the surf is good after the storm!
Monday, February 1, 2010
Holiday
Today was the day of the constitution here in Mex, a day off from the stress of... well you know. The schools and banks were closed and the town was full up with city folks making the best of their three day weekend. We took grandma Irene to the airport after I grabbed a little surf in the early morning. There was decent swell and I am getting the hang of the new little board. Basically I need about a week straight of riding any particular board before I really start to feel it.
Walking back out of the spot this evening (yes, two sets in one day!!!) I pulled cotton from the little bush growing on the side of the road. How cool is it to have cotton growing right there out in the wild? I think pretty cool.
Our friends Tamra and Theo had their house burgled last night and they took their computers. I feel so bad for them, that totally sucks. I hope they recover their data or something. What jerks to steal a computer. It just makes someone's life a total drag. Arg. We are in full vigilance mode with all entries locked and bolted.
"In a town this size there is no where to hide..." John Prine
Now I go to watch the rest of the Patti Smith movie, if you haven't started it get on it!
Also my mom intimated that I was starting to speak "surfish" which I think is an excellent name for the bro brah lingo. It made me laugh out loud because Treva accuses me of wanting to speak elvish- the language Tolkien created that led to his writing of the Lord of the RIngs. He wrote the trilogy plus the Hobbit so that he could have a world in which his language(s) could live. So for me surfish is the perfect mix of my love of all things nerdy and the world of the water. Perfect!
Walking back out of the spot this evening (yes, two sets in one day!!!) I pulled cotton from the little bush growing on the side of the road. How cool is it to have cotton growing right there out in the wild? I think pretty cool.
Our friends Tamra and Theo had their house burgled last night and they took their computers. I feel so bad for them, that totally sucks. I hope they recover their data or something. What jerks to steal a computer. It just makes someone's life a total drag. Arg. We are in full vigilance mode with all entries locked and bolted.
"In a town this size there is no where to hide..." John Prine
Now I go to watch the rest of the Patti Smith movie, if you haven't started it get on it!
Also my mom intimated that I was starting to speak "surfish" which I think is an excellent name for the bro brah lingo. It made me laugh out loud because Treva accuses me of wanting to speak elvish- the language Tolkien created that led to his writing of the Lord of the RIngs. He wrote the trilogy plus the Hobbit so that he could have a world in which his language(s) could live. So for me surfish is the perfect mix of my love of all things nerdy and the world of the water. Perfect!
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