himyf

the year 2035

kids, i'm gonna tell you an incredible story.

25 years ago, (before i was mom) i had this whole other life.
it was waaaay back in 2010, i was half the age i am now...on my way to becoming a city planner and living in oakland with your auntie frances, auntie bev and mochi, auntie bev's dog.

it was great. we were young college grads, traveling as often as our vacation accruements & disposable incomes would allow, and only really certain of our favorite bar in the city.

don't get me wrong though. our early twenties weren't all handshakes and happy hours. we had just capped off one hell of a decade. i know people my age say we grew up in the 90's, but it was really the 00's when we became adults: maneuvering our way through high school and then college, acknowledging the rough realities of society and the world; and eventually stumbling into careers (or grad schools) to stake our niche to meet these challenges.

by the time 2009 rolled around, we thought we were primed for a new beginning. it was the year barack obama became the 44th president. your uncle vaughn, auntie melissa and i even went to washington dc to see that historic inauguration. but i will get to that part of the story in a little bit...

as i was saying, 2009 started off with a lot of hope. unfortunately as the year progressed, it seemed like there was always another tragedy, another death, another disaster. and to add, the decade ended with the state budget still in the dumps, "the great recession" continuing to afflict our national economy, and a handful of friends and relatives unemployed.

seems like a grim context to start a tale, but kids, this is the story of how i met...

good night, travel well

1. just caught a free advanced screening of "up in the air." i would probably have not made an effort to go to see it, but it turned out to be enjoyable, albeit bittersweet. in this world of constant exchange and excess, motion and movement...it definitely makes you think about who you value and how others may or may not value you.



i'm no 10 million-mile frequent flyer, but i've been on enough flights to have my own system of flying and getting through security as clooney's character does:

- nothing in pockets except i.d. & boarding pass
- eyeglasses over contacts since eyes dry out easily with the recycled airplane ventilation
- slip-on shoes & clear toiletry bag in first bin (jacket too if i'm wearing one)
- laptop in next one
- then personal item (usually backpack)
- and finally my carry-on

the logic: the x-ray technician typically takes a couple extra seconds looking at the silhouettes of my laptop and the mess of cameras and cords in my backpack. this buys me time to put on my shoes and keep tabs on my laptop. and now i've given away my tricks. =X

2. poem quoted from a book i was reading on the bart ride home from the movie

"always keep ithaca in your mind.
to arrive there is your ultimate goal.
but do not hurry the voyage at all.
it is better to let it last for many years,
and to anchor at the island when you are old,
rich with all you have gained on the way,
not expecting that ithaca will offer you riches.

ithaca has given you the beautiful voyage
without her you would have never set out on the road."

- "ithaca" by constantine cavafy (1911)

3. ohhhhh...the e-mails and planning have begun in anticipation of the homecoming of california's prodigal sons and daughters. just a few more weeks until you all are home for the holidays and we are reunited. i wish you all safe travels on your return to ithaca!

let the sun set on this decade

because i can't take anymore
tragedy, loss & heartache