Sun Day

Dear J-

So just one day off work and how do you spend it? Some would say that the hour or so I was horizontal was unproductive, but I got some reading done and kept figgy out of theVet’s hair long enough to get allow her to nap and that’s a big win for any pregnant lady. figgy was so taken with the donations-accepted balloon vendor (we gave $3 and probably should have given more) and his recreation of Ariel that was detailed enough to require a little purple twist for the seashell bra that she spent the rest of the day happily running around, balloon in hand and twisting her limbs into impossible contortions. So yeah, we were being cheap today, but not without reason.

Earlier, we also got to ride the carousel at Balboa Park together and that counts for much in my mind. You don’t easily change early habits and I was never fond of the Spokane Carousel, where loud organ music and dizzying speed coupled with a generic mistrust in any physical feats made every ride an exercise in gritted teeth and waiting for the damn thing to stop already. figgy on the other hand lights up at all kinds of rotary motion and is already insisting on a ride every time we stop by. I could get used to this.

Mike

Parkour Park

Dear J-

This morning I heard they were offering free admission to the Reuben H. Fleet Science Center — our local Discovery Museum — and that was reason enough to go. We’ve been before, both with and without figgy; every time I walk by the building, goggle at the size outside, and end up walking out a couple of hours later wondering where all the exhibits are. There are quite a few, and plenty of hands-on fun things to do; still, though, the variety isn’t quite enough to completely arrest an active toddler.

Once we had left (only one small meltdown later) we made our way down a few yards away; if you’re walking down El Prado from the fountain towards the Museum of Art, you can take a left into an idyllic bowl called the Zoro Garden. The story that I’ve heard is that during World War II, with the Naval Hospital running full-tilt, injured vets would rehab by navigating the garden paths spiraling around the garden. We made our way down amongst the butterflies and hummingbirds so we could share in animal crackers and milk. After a short time, we were joined by a parkour club jumping at walls; this put me in mind of this season’s premiere of The Office, yelling out “Parkour!” and jumping madly on various things.

We either see obstacles as barriers or challenges; I was irritated at having to deal with people running through our little oasis, but it’s a public garden, and everyone’s able to use it as they see fit. Later it came to me that ultimately it’s our choice: we choose to be irritated, or we choose to accept; we choose our response, and it’s a lesson that we’re all going to have to learn.  I have to work tomorrow, and rather than bemoan my all too likely fate, I’m going to pack as much weekend into today as possible.

Mike

Steam Powered Giraffe

Dear J-

They say that Balboa Park is San Diego’s backyard — it’s true to the extent that any backyard has, you know, crowds of strangers forming and coalescing, the tides ebbing and flowing through your carefully manicured landscape.  The point is that it’s a open green space in easy reach of everyone, and like any urban park, it’s got all kinds of performance art and recruiters (“Free Stress Test” = wanna be a Scientologist?) on the main drag.

Today we were treated to a performance by singing mimes, Steam Powered Giraffe; if you haven’t caught up with him, J-, your ex-debate partner Charlie was part of a band back in Chicago, and I appreciate how difficult a life it can be.  Any kind of artist needs to find some way to stand out — books have evolved steadily more colorful plumage to attract our attention; compare dust jackets from, say, 1978 with dust jackets today.  They seem a pleasant enough group, but the facial makeup has a bit of an off-putting effect; the outfits are well-enough imagined for steampunk (neo-Victorian, mostly by dint of their hats), so that fits the theme nicely.

This is the modern world; we advertise on craigslist and eBay, we write in blogs, we post pictures for the world to see, we link lives and relationships on myspace and facebook.  And, of course, we watch videos on YouTube.  I find live music a bit intimidating; you can see their faces, but they have instant feedback watching yours, too.  So I hide in the glow of the monitor, behind a viewfinder in life; watching and watching.

Mike