Le Summer Solstice

SUMMER is officially here! The sun was at its highest peak today at 2:06 PM (eastern, of course) giving my shadow a much needed break. Being well out of school and unemployed at the moment one might think I am unable to fully appreciate the beginning of the summer, but one would be wrong. Bring on the beach, the BBQ's, the flav-o-ices, the sand in the car, the sunscreen running dry, the lightning bugs, the frozen rum drinks, the tan lines, the aloe for the burn lines, the heat, the humidity, the finding friends of friends of friends with pools, the warm nights, the firework displays, the inevitable weddings, the ice cream truck's daily arrival and ceaseless anthem, the laziness and the love!

Bloomsday: Some Day I Will Deserve To Celebrate

Tomorrow, June 16, is Bloomsday, a celebration of the fateful day when the hero of James Joyce's Ulysses, Leopold Bloom, made a journey through Dublin that echoed the voyage of Odysseus. I will no doubt find myself sipping a glass of Jameson or draining a pint of Guinness but sadly the taste will match the bitter reality of my shame. Shame, you see, for I have yet to actually finish reading Ulysses. I cannot even honestly write that I have given it more than one serious effort, and that was a few years ago with a group of friends and strangers who not surprisingly lost our motivation to continue to do anything biweekly save for meeting in an Irish pub, reading be damned.

Beside me sits the copy I purchased with so much enthusiasm but which now seems as faded and forgotten as the t-shirts I cannot discard. I did manage to include it in the move from California, and the reason it is so accessible now is that I at one point considered bringing it with me to South America. I believe its weight, both physical and literary, helped me ignore that idea. My bookmark still lives between pages 180 and 181 though I know perfectly well that I shall I have to start from the beginning should (when!) I find the determination within to try again. I look at this photo of Joyce and I like to think he is both laughing at me yet understands completely.

Happy Bloomsday, here's inspiration from the man himself:

A man of genius makes no mistakes. His errors are volitional and are the portals to discovery.

Summer Storm

I could smell it in the air before the first rolls of thunder sounded. Seated at my desk on the third floor I have a perfect view of the neighbors' roofs and the clouds above them. The trees look a bit muted against the grey skies but will be glistening green once the summer storm passes and blue prevails above. The rain has started to fall, gently so far, not enough to silence the birds. Can anything smell so pure and as sweet as a summer storm? The wind has joined the storm's symphony, making the chorus of leaves and branches sing and dance. I am on notice now to watch the windows as the rain starts to fall harder. Did I close the windows in my car? Is that rain I feel on my hand? Not the best place to have the laptop I suppose, but a price we pay for a good view. Perhaps I should stop, but I already see a hint of light and soft blue peeking through the clouds a few blocks over. I missed this in California, a beautiful summer day with enough sense to welcome a passing rainstorm, a drink for the gardens, a rinse of the world. Shall I run to the driveway and jump in a puddle? I would if it was hotter outside, but really August rainstorms are perfect for puddle splashing. The birds are quiet now, I don't even hear any cars on the street, just the rain, and the thunder, and clicking of the keys under my fingers.

And as quickly as it began, it is ended.

Strawberries anyone?

Talk about living the dream. I just spent a few days on the farm with Dakota, enjoying the endless curiosity and energy of her two years and our shared love of the strawberry patch. I cannot describe how beautiful it is to simply walk outside to an endless, organic snack supply. She matched me berry for berry (her parents are convinced she eats her weight in strawberries) but thanks to Tommy and Tricia's growing skillz there were still plenty left for the shareholders who arrived Tuesday afternoon to collect their veggies and pick their own berries. This week's share included kohlrabi, spring turnips, bok choy, butter lettuce, basil, cucumbers, radish and of course the greatest berry known to humankind.

"Doubtless God could have made a better berry (than the strawberry), but doubtless God never did." William Butler

Amen.

Employment... What's that?

It is time. I wish beyond reason that this life of travel and leisure could continue unabated but alas I have yet to achieve the status of "independently wealthy" and so it is time to find a job. Not just any job will do, however. I anticipate that my next full-time, nine to fiver will last a few years and I would rather be interested and challenged than simply going through the proverbial motions. The question is what will hold my interest? If I continue in the fundraising world I want something that will offer me the chance to further my education (a university perhaps?) or contribute to saving the world with a dose of travel (Save the Children? Doctors Without Borders?). Or there is the idea of signing on with one of the Democratic candidates and throwing myself into the madness of politics full-time. I am so completely disgusted with the current administration that it makes sense to do something more than sign online petitions and vote. anyone who knows exactly how to get a paying (albeit poorly) job with a campaign do please post a comment. Another option is to follow another dream and find a job, ANY job, at NPR as all my emcee skills are withering in the dust save for calling poolside Bingo at Elisha's Palm Springs birthday weekend. I realize the chances of charming my way into a spot on Morning Edition or All Things Considered with zero experience are slim and am willing to start in the mailroom. At the ripe young age of 31. But why not be bold? I quit the old life and drove over 3,000 miles to the east then traipsed around Latin America for three plus months to do what, fall back into a familiar and safe rhythm? Hell no.

As wonderful as it is to consider all these options, and as lucky as I am to have the safety net of family and friends under me, the bank account is in as small a place as when I was lifeguarding in high school. Unfortunately the high-yield, zero commitment catering gig I lined up for next weekend evaporated in the smoke of the BBQ I was to be serving. Do I hold out for more summer opportunities like that or set full attention to the resume and interview process? Do I chase the money or the dream?

Viva los suenos!!!