Daylight

Three o'clock in the morning
It's quiet and there's no one around
Just the bang and the clatter
As an angel runs to ground- U2


We were cautiously navigating down the hill trying to piece together the story from last night between fits of laughter.

How did we get home? The limo or the mercedes? A taxi I think. Wait we took a limo? When we walked out of Harlot. How did we get to the afterhours? We didn't go in we were home by 3.

Look! I pointed at the wings on the floor there is an angel in town. Oh, they are beautiful- there is actually only one wing. I want to take a picture. I need soup- can you take it later?

Oww, why does my knee and my hip hurt? I think I fell. Yes, you did I saw you. I only remember sitting on the floor because my heels were too high. We were siting in front of a church right? Maybe but remember when we we got out of the limo because I wanted to sit on the sidewalk. The guy freaked out that I wanted to sit on the floor. He wouldn't leave til I got up.

Oh, can we walk in the shade. I want to walk in the sun. Ugh, I can't believe we have to get to brunch like this. I hope the soup fixes us. Trust me, it works. Where are your sunglasses?

We were the first ones inside. Got to see them leave the offering for their Buddha, tea and a bowl of food. We drank lots of water. Did you bring your phone? No, did you bring yours? No and I don't know what time it is. Wait did they change the time?!

The soup helped. We walked past a store with playa gear in the window. Lets go in! We don't have time. I need sunglasses, I want to get back to the wings before someone takes them home. Once inside I saw a pink furry hat with little ears- oh, I want that for burning man. The shop owner overheard and asked me if I had a good experience? Yes, it was great and I am going back. We have it in different colors. I like pink, I really liked all of the art and everyone I met, I spoke as I tried on the hat- oh it is perfect!

We had his undivided patience and attention and we laughed when he asked were you two out til six in the morning? Nooo, but we just had soup and we feel so much better than when we woke up. You two are going to have a beautiful day. We are trying to make it to our friends birthday brunch but we started celebrating last night so we think she will understand. You will get there and have a great time, you have made my day.

The angel wing was still there. Later after brunch the wing had moved into the branches of a nearby tree...

Cositas y Cuentitos

What a week, of new and renewed experiences...

Walking back from the university I stopped and picked up some produce at the local market. As I was walking a street kid asked me for cash. I don't usually give cash unless they are elders. I shook my head and said, 'sorry.' He wished me a good night, so I stopped and said, 'would you like some food? Its organic.' Immediately I thought what a silly thing to say. He said, "yes- even better," and with a smirk I handed him some fruit. "Blessed be, lady," he called after I had walked away.

Halfway to Burning Man 2008! Started the buzz and it seems we are heading back to the BRC Playa.

Heard from my good friend whose family relocated to Portland. She landed a university job merging her love of yoga and her graduate studies in psychology. She said that next year she wanted me to be her guest at a yoga intensive in Quintana Roo. I promised to make it up to visit with her and her almost one year old son before then.

Spring is in the air, and heard a new line from a guy as I walked up to university. "If I followed you home would you keep me?" blushed and did laugh and look but only because he was cute.

I mark time with solstices and equinoxes, and Spring is almost here. Decided to try my hand at the Japanese eggling I received over Christmas. Hopefully the petunias will bloom.

Celebrated with my grant colleagues funding over sixty fellows seventy thousand dollars for their social justice service learning projects. It has been such a good experience to come full circle setting up systems and reviewing proposals for the in-house grant. Just thirty thousand left to fund, love my job.

Met a friend for dinner and it was magical, the kind of place you always walk by and is never open. I told him I always thought it was some sort of santeria boutique. It was the perfect night for the secret little world of Radio Habana Social Club to open for us. We drank our goblet of Sangria and although we thought to share a plate they insisted on bringing us two and charging us only for one :)

Muy Nice

In the city.

The year is ending on a particularly high note! Love the job that allows me to review proposals and fund programs working towards social justice and service learning. It puts me in such a good mood. Clearly good enough to withstand the demands of the dissertation committee.

Reconnected with former friends in LA, and heard from friends in New York and Philadelphia. The holiday's seem to find everyone in a really good place.

Naughty & Nice was quite a holiday hit. Many lovely people, too much bubbly and over $600 raised for our philanthropy. My friend makes the best food and the pink tree was quite the hit too. How could I forget the geneticists art deco engagement ring and the other ABD's Ruby on platinum engagement ring. Seems I will be attending at least two weddings this summer!

In the mail received a post card inviting me back to the playa, Burning Man 2008 in BRC August 28th to September 1st. Just in time to make my Christmas list.

Made it downtown to the new Barney's New York to pick some holiday thank you gifts, the new Kate Spade also. Checked out a new restaurant in the historic Filmore Jazz District- 1300 Fillmore. Impeccable service, and from me that means a lot, couldn't ask for better company either.

The merrymaking continues down at the embarcadero for holiday cheer and ice skating...

La Playa )'(

Going a mile a minute...When the double rainbow was sent to me, it took me back to my time on the Playa. Already looking forward to next year at Black Rock City.

Today I will ambitiously take on the following:
*Follow up on mundane paperwork
*Drop off dry cleaning for same day cleaning to be packed for LA
*Campus library to check out another Foucault and return books I am not using
*Read articles printed last night
*Shop? not sure I love the shoes, should check one more store. Love my new dress!
*Cobbler, I bet that is where my favorite suede boots are!
*Edit PowerPoint for Professor, headed to the conference we were both invited to
*Confirm drinks with fellow Chicana Dissertation Crazed friend!

Lotus an the Playa

Some things you just have to experience for yourself...a beautiful time that I would repeat time and time again.

Photos by Particity )'(