The Deacon at St. Margaret's Church in Woodbury Heights this morning spoke words of truth. A baby "needs" its pacifier and blanket. A teenager "needs" their cell phone and internet access. An adult "needs" their credit cards and cars. What do we really need to survive? Food. His homily was good. Well-arched and came back to the point of Jesus, the bread of life, being what we really need.
Ideas of money stay in my brain another day. Feeling embarrassed when I don't money in the collection. Wondering if I'll survive the month and a half or so without a paycheck. Money exchange for Israel. Money money money.
The Deacon also said "if you are what you eat...what are you?" of course suggesting the bread of life. Health nuts nowadays say to eat "clean" to really feel good and in tip-top shape. Why does eating bad feel so good too? Pizza fries cookies cheese. I always thought...stop eating bad! It's expensive AND unhealthy, so if you make good choices, you can be SKINNY HEALTHY and RICH! What is the temptation and indifference?
At the church I saw a few old friends' moms. One Mom was SO HAPPY to hear my story and introduced me to the priest and drove me to my car since I had to park far away. It was sweet :)
It's hot here. Humid. I leave for Israel tomorrow and I don't know what I'm doing. Amen.
Sunday, June 7, 2015
Saturday, June 6, 2015
The Best Things in Life Aren't Free
My brain went on a thinking spree (I know, dangerous) on my final stretch of the drive today. I stopped in a little town called Natural Bridge in hopes I could hoop with the Natural Bridge. A giant brick building guarded the bridge. I got my camera ready and stepped inside the building. There ya have it...$28 for a guided tour of the bridge. No one permitted beyond doors unticketed. If it's natural, shouldn't it be free to see? I understand having a gift shop, donation option, or offering tours, but it's not like a celebrity's house...it's nature. So let me walk around the freaking building and see it.
There are songs on my current roadtrip CD that directly relate to the necessity of having money.
Jessie J's "Price tag" says to "forget about the price tag" and focus on the truth and the love in the world. Easier said than done. The guy who raps in it even saying that he needs his 6-string guitar, which someone had to pay for, ya know?
I think of the things I "couldn't live without," happily, at least. I would want a piano in my life. Whether I owned it or used it at a church or school. Still, someone had to buy it. I've told people that I could teach children music without a single thing. Just our voices, body percussion, and concepts/ideas. Totally possible. Still totally meaningful. But what makes music class REALLY fun is all the TOYS and COLORS and TECHNOLOGY and INSTRUMENTS. I've used hundreds, maybe over a thousand or two of my own dollars on puppets, children's books, bean bags, instruments, and more puppets. For the thing I get paid for.
On the other hand, some of the best things in life are free. Hugging, singing, dancing, climbing a tree, telling someone you love them...
Ingrid Michaelson's "You and I." I love this song, but it's paradoxical as it starts with "Don't you worry there, my honey, we might not have any money, but we've got our love to pay the bills." Very Sonny and Cher. But then the song goes into a chorus of "Let's get rich and give everybody nice sweaters..."
Travie McCoy/Bruno Mars' "Billionaire" has a similar irony. Wanting to be a billionaire "so frickin bad," but then going on to list all of the kind things he would do for others with that money. Seeming selfish but not.
This makes me think of something I've been fighting with recently...people say "oh you don't have to spend money on me," but IMAGINE being the one who doesn't buy Christmas gifts, or birthday gifts. Or the boyfriend who doesn't get his girl flowers/chocolate/card/cute stuff on Valentine's Day. Society makes us feel like jerks for not spending money. Yes there's other gestures that don't require much money, but still most likely we're judged if we don't give all our money in its various forms away to our friends, family, and homeless people. I thought it wasn't about the price tag.
Anyway...this Birthright trip I'm about to take is "free," besides the $250 deposit, the $70 fee for transport, the getting to the airport and back, the lunch everyday, and the extra cash one is bound to spend.
I saw a baby tonight. OMG GIMME.
There are songs on my current roadtrip CD that directly relate to the necessity of having money.
Jessie J's "Price tag" says to "forget about the price tag" and focus on the truth and the love in the world. Easier said than done. The guy who raps in it even saying that he needs his 6-string guitar, which someone had to pay for, ya know?
I think of the things I "couldn't live without," happily, at least. I would want a piano in my life. Whether I owned it or used it at a church or school. Still, someone had to buy it. I've told people that I could teach children music without a single thing. Just our voices, body percussion, and concepts/ideas. Totally possible. Still totally meaningful. But what makes music class REALLY fun is all the TOYS and COLORS and TECHNOLOGY and INSTRUMENTS. I've used hundreds, maybe over a thousand or two of my own dollars on puppets, children's books, bean bags, instruments, and more puppets. For the thing I get paid for.
On the other hand, some of the best things in life are free. Hugging, singing, dancing, climbing a tree, telling someone you love them...
Ingrid Michaelson's "You and I." I love this song, but it's paradoxical as it starts with "Don't you worry there, my honey, we might not have any money, but we've got our love to pay the bills." Very Sonny and Cher. But then the song goes into a chorus of "Let's get rich and give everybody nice sweaters..."
Travie McCoy/Bruno Mars' "Billionaire" has a similar irony. Wanting to be a billionaire "so frickin bad," but then going on to list all of the kind things he would do for others with that money. Seeming selfish but not.
This makes me think of something I've been fighting with recently...people say "oh you don't have to spend money on me," but IMAGINE being the one who doesn't buy Christmas gifts, or birthday gifts. Or the boyfriend who doesn't get his girl flowers/chocolate/card/cute stuff on Valentine's Day. Society makes us feel like jerks for not spending money. Yes there's other gestures that don't require much money, but still most likely we're judged if we don't give all our money in its various forms away to our friends, family, and homeless people. I thought it wasn't about the price tag.
Anyway...this Birthright trip I'm about to take is "free," besides the $250 deposit, the $70 fee for transport, the getting to the airport and back, the lunch everyday, and the extra cash one is bound to spend.
I saw a baby tonight. OMG GIMME.
Friday, June 5, 2015
You're the only Ten I See
I feel stuck in Tennessee…might never get out.
I rolled down Broadway at about 7:30PM and mustered up the courage to go hoop. I was mostly nervous because of how many people there were and I like to find places that don't have many people so they won't steal my stuff. I found 3 shots that'll do. As I walked with my camera/tripod and hoop over my shoulders, people waved at me and said "hula-hoop!"
I put my stuff back in my car and walked around looking for a place to sit my butt and be awkward, but it was hard because the places with live music were packed and really dark and loud, and the sports bars were quiet and nearly empty.
I slept in the back of my car in a hotel parking lot which was fine, but I was paranoid all night. The sounds of the garbage trucks and voices of people in the distance freaked me out and sent me into a panic every hour. When I woke up at about 6:30am I was terrified to see a truck facing the front of my car with an old man smoking a cigarette. He was talking to a gentleman in the car parked next to him. WHY did he pick THAT spot of the whole lot? They talked and I laid there stiff until I yet again mustered up the courage to climb in the front seat and drive off. I don't know what I was so afraid of. They saw me, but just chuckled as I head off on my way.
I hooped at the Grand Ole Opry and hit the highway.
I stopped in Sevierville, TN (Dolly Parton's hometown) and thought that while I was there I should go to Dollywood. I drove there and paid the $12 parking. I took the little tramcar to the park and saw the big line. Ain't nobody got time for this. When I saw that the entrance fee was $62 and then I'd also have to wait in line and wait for a show to start, I decided to just go back. I made sure to tell Dolly (thru our spirits) that I appreciated her but I was going to be on my way.
I think my favorite experience of Dollywood was when the hostess lady announced that it was National Doughnut Day and you can go to Dunkin Donuts for a free Donut (with purchase of drink), and a teenaged boy shouted "KRISPY KREME FOR LIFE." Giggle.
Then it rained really hard on the road and i got scared and now I'm in a Subway being scared.
I still have no idea where I'm going. But I should get to Aunt Lesley's by tomorrow afternoon.
I rolled down Broadway at about 7:30PM and mustered up the courage to go hoop. I was mostly nervous because of how many people there were and I like to find places that don't have many people so they won't steal my stuff. I found 3 shots that'll do. As I walked with my camera/tripod and hoop over my shoulders, people waved at me and said "hula-hoop!"
I put my stuff back in my car and walked around looking for a place to sit my butt and be awkward, but it was hard because the places with live music were packed and really dark and loud, and the sports bars were quiet and nearly empty.
I slept in the back of my car in a hotel parking lot which was fine, but I was paranoid all night. The sounds of the garbage trucks and voices of people in the distance freaked me out and sent me into a panic every hour. When I woke up at about 6:30am I was terrified to see a truck facing the front of my car with an old man smoking a cigarette. He was talking to a gentleman in the car parked next to him. WHY did he pick THAT spot of the whole lot? They talked and I laid there stiff until I yet again mustered up the courage to climb in the front seat and drive off. I don't know what I was so afraid of. They saw me, but just chuckled as I head off on my way.
I hooped at the Grand Ole Opry and hit the highway.
I stopped in Sevierville, TN (Dolly Parton's hometown) and thought that while I was there I should go to Dollywood. I drove there and paid the $12 parking. I took the little tramcar to the park and saw the big line. Ain't nobody got time for this. When I saw that the entrance fee was $62 and then I'd also have to wait in line and wait for a show to start, I decided to just go back. I made sure to tell Dolly (thru our spirits) that I appreciated her but I was going to be on my way.
I think my favorite experience of Dollywood was when the hostess lady announced that it was National Doughnut Day and you can go to Dunkin Donuts for a free Donut (with purchase of drink), and a teenaged boy shouted "KRISPY KREME FOR LIFE." Giggle.
Then it rained really hard on the road and i got scared and now I'm in a Subway being scared.
I still have no idea where I'm going. But I should get to Aunt Lesley's by tomorrow afternoon.
Thursday, June 4, 2015
Getting Old
After the worst traffic ever in the history of the universe (Dallas rush hour), I got to AJ's in Shreveport very late. The first thing I did was lie on the floor. AJ was a happy welcome along with his roommate and roommate's cute girlfriend. A nice clean and comfy apartment. We played ukulele and talked about everything. We didn't get a picture this time, but it was great to see each other for our 15-year anniversary of being friends.
I'm somewhere in Arkansas headed towards Nashville. I'm hoping to get there before dark. Road-tripping this time around is a constant battle between wanting to keep going and wanting to stretch. Recently I was in the hospital with bad back pain, so I feel like I'm getting old. My sciatica/back/legs/hips/butt. Already complaining. Oy.
These trips are worth it just for the thrill of the open road, when "here I go again" or "life is a highway" kicks on, and the small miracles that happen throughout. I realize more and more that I don't have this freedom forever. I want a family. There's babies everywhere.
Right now it's just about going. Hoop later.
I'm somewhere in Arkansas headed towards Nashville. I'm hoping to get there before dark. Road-tripping this time around is a constant battle between wanting to keep going and wanting to stretch. Recently I was in the hospital with bad back pain, so I feel like I'm getting old. My sciatica/back/legs/hips/butt. Already complaining. Oy.
These trips are worth it just for the thrill of the open road, when "here I go again" or "life is a highway" kicks on, and the small miracles that happen throughout. I realize more and more that I don't have this freedom forever. I want a family. There's babies everywhere.
Right now it's just about going. Hoop later.
Wednesday, June 3, 2015
Amarillo x 4
My goodness it's been long. Right now I'm in Amarillo for my 4th time and I have just enjoyed a juicy, delicious 8 oz steak at The Big Texan. I look like this now...
My 3rd time in Amarillo (last July - 2014) is worth story-telling...
Well, the past year of my life has been hilariously atrocious. A friend of mine and I started saying..."Next a dragon is going to fly in the window and ask if I'd like to have a spot of tea and I'll respond 'Earl Grey, please.'"
So last July I decided to hit the road, just to smell the air of a different state. I tried to head South to get to Austin to jump in some watering holes, but before I even reached the the NM-TX border, I was in trouble.
My car was freaking out. Screeching and wobbling. So i pulled over and called AAA, cried a bit as i had no idea where i was and AAA couldn't find me, and I had very little phone service. I hooped on the side of the road and played some hymns on my ukulele while I waited for the tow-truck.
The tow-truck driver was informative and annoying. I couldn't stand the ride and it wound up almost $300 for the tow. He dropped me off at the Toyota dealership in Clovis, NM, where I cried and tried not to move as my sunburn was horrible at that point. A long time later, the car guys said I was good to go. A rock. Was in my brake thing. I cried in happiness this time.
I decided at that point, with such a detour, to not go all the way to Austin. I turned upwards and figured I'd go to Amarillo to say hello to it. I'd still be feeling the air of a different state. I went into the Big Texan and sat at the bar.
The man next to me was ginormous. A trucker, probably in his 30s, long shaggy greasy hair. I tried to talk politely to him. He said things like "wow that's a lot of jalapenos, i'm surprised i don't mess myself right here on this chair," and "it's too bad i chose to work for a living."
Another gentleman came and sat on the other side of me. He was moving to Arkansas and looked forward to his retired life of playing golf. Very nice.
When retiring gentleman left, my other friend started making fun of him, saying that golf is stupid or whatever. I told him - ya know what, I couldn't care less about golf, but if for even a moment it makes this guy happy, then God bless golf.
I was eager to make this man crack. There had to be SOMETHING he enjoyed or could be happy about. I realized there was no cracking. He continued to insult me for being a "female." I walked away. God bless him.
Then I went home. A few months later I got a new car, followed by some shananigans, followed by some more shananigans. The glue that held me together was my school. So supportive and loving - both staff and students. My Spring Concert was unbelievable, if I do say so myself. My kids brought it to the next level of awesome.
Now I'm headed East to be with the family, then flying to Israel for my Birthright trip June 8-18, then doing the reverse. I plan to hit Iowa, Nebraska, and Kansas on the way back, bringing my state-hooping total to 35.
Here I go again on my own...
My 3rd time in Amarillo (last July - 2014) is worth story-telling...
Well, the past year of my life has been hilariously atrocious. A friend of mine and I started saying..."Next a dragon is going to fly in the window and ask if I'd like to have a spot of tea and I'll respond 'Earl Grey, please.'"
So last July I decided to hit the road, just to smell the air of a different state. I tried to head South to get to Austin to jump in some watering holes, but before I even reached the the NM-TX border, I was in trouble.
My car was freaking out. Screeching and wobbling. So i pulled over and called AAA, cried a bit as i had no idea where i was and AAA couldn't find me, and I had very little phone service. I hooped on the side of the road and played some hymns on my ukulele while I waited for the tow-truck.
The tow-truck driver was informative and annoying. I couldn't stand the ride and it wound up almost $300 for the tow. He dropped me off at the Toyota dealership in Clovis, NM, where I cried and tried not to move as my sunburn was horrible at that point. A long time later, the car guys said I was good to go. A rock. Was in my brake thing. I cried in happiness this time.
I decided at that point, with such a detour, to not go all the way to Austin. I turned upwards and figured I'd go to Amarillo to say hello to it. I'd still be feeling the air of a different state. I went into the Big Texan and sat at the bar.
The man next to me was ginormous. A trucker, probably in his 30s, long shaggy greasy hair. I tried to talk politely to him. He said things like "wow that's a lot of jalapenos, i'm surprised i don't mess myself right here on this chair," and "it's too bad i chose to work for a living."
Another gentleman came and sat on the other side of me. He was moving to Arkansas and looked forward to his retired life of playing golf. Very nice.
When retiring gentleman left, my other friend started making fun of him, saying that golf is stupid or whatever. I told him - ya know what, I couldn't care less about golf, but if for even a moment it makes this guy happy, then God bless golf.
I was eager to make this man crack. There had to be SOMETHING he enjoyed or could be happy about. I realized there was no cracking. He continued to insult me for being a "female." I walked away. God bless him.
Then I went home. A few months later I got a new car, followed by some shananigans, followed by some more shananigans. The glue that held me together was my school. So supportive and loving - both staff and students. My Spring Concert was unbelievable, if I do say so myself. My kids brought it to the next level of awesome.
Now I'm headed East to be with the family, then flying to Israel for my Birthright trip June 8-18, then doing the reverse. I plan to hit Iowa, Nebraska, and Kansas on the way back, bringing my state-hooping total to 35.
Here I go again on my own...
Monday, July 29, 2013
Wyoming and Colorado
Wyoming was less than an experience and I didn't even hoop there. I figure I'll need to get to Yellowstone and hoop with Ol Faithful sometime.
Just fields, then when I got to Cheyenne a huge lightning storm attacked me.
In Boulder, CO I stayed with my friend Kat's mom who was hilarious and we talked for hours and hours about life, travel, jobs, languages, and more. I secretly teared up, being so happy to talk to someone so special. What a spirit she was, with stories and dreams still to live. I could tell where Kat gets her stunning personality and stellar listening skills.
A comfy bed did me some good and I found places to hoop in Boulder, Denver, Colorado Springs, and Pueblo.
I did not like Denver. I did not feel safe. Lots of homeless lots of gross. Man on bike...
"You want to work your hips? I'll give you something to work your hips on!" Disgusting.
Garden of the Gods I got rained on hard. Seven Falls was fun and I climbed lots of stairs.
I got home to Santa Fe and ran in circles around our living room, waking G&G up and we went food shopping at Walmart at midnight. Went back to Colorado with them for a weekend for Gerard's best friend's wedding in Ft. Collins. I danced all night. It was a beautiful time and I felt blessed to have these two in my life. They lift me up so high.
Just fields, then when I got to Cheyenne a huge lightning storm attacked me.
In Boulder, CO I stayed with my friend Kat's mom who was hilarious and we talked for hours and hours about life, travel, jobs, languages, and more. I secretly teared up, being so happy to talk to someone so special. What a spirit she was, with stories and dreams still to live. I could tell where Kat gets her stunning personality and stellar listening skills.
A comfy bed did me some good and I found places to hoop in Boulder, Denver, Colorado Springs, and Pueblo.
I did not like Denver. I did not feel safe. Lots of homeless lots of gross. Man on bike...
"You want to work your hips? I'll give you something to work your hips on!" Disgusting.
Garden of the Gods I got rained on hard. Seven Falls was fun and I climbed lots of stairs.
I got home to Santa Fe and ran in circles around our living room, waking G&G up and we went food shopping at Walmart at midnight. Went back to Colorado with them for a weekend for Gerard's best friend's wedding in Ft. Collins. I danced all night. It was a beautiful time and I felt blessed to have these two in my life. They lift me up so high.
South Dakota: Rush No More
The Enchanted Highway led me South into South Dakota and I grew very tired from my blissful sleep in the back of my car. As I drove through pastures green I started crying in weariness. There's nothing in Northwest SD. Pulled over for a nap that made me more tired. Cried and cried until Sturgis, SD where I found the nearest Super8 in all its motorcyclist glory and passed out for 12 hours.
It was the day. When I was 4 or 5 years old, I had a dream that my Bubby was driving and as I looked through the windshield from the backseat, I saw Mt. Rushmore up ahead. I knew that this day when I finally made it to Mt. Rushmore, I would be with her again.
I loved it there. All the silly tourists with their awkward pictures and the old white guys with their asian wives. In my own world, I hooped and walked. A cute little asian girl told me "that was like the cupid shuffle! Left left...right right...around and around..." Hilarious.
It was at Crazy Horse, my next stop, that I committed to a billboard I saw. Rush No More. I've been so stressed that I'm not traveling the country correctly. There was really no reason to get home, except for to get home. Rush No More was a motto to take it as I wanted to take it. I did not have to do things in an order. Being on my own, I could make every choice. To eat here, see there, listen there. No rush. Just be.
I was sure to hoop with Crazy Horse, as it may be many more years until it is complete and it will be cool to see the difference.
Keystone, SD is a place I certainly want to return to. Though touristy everything, those things are freakin sweet! I wish I would have stopped some more places - movie sets, funlands, and more. I also want to explore the Badlands when I am in the right mindset.
My lowest moment of the whole trip...
I decided to see one monument of the Black Hills before exiting the state. Jewel Cave National Monument seemed on the way so I put it in my navigation and drove. Siri took me onto a dirt road and I thought...well...it's gotta be, if it's a natural cave thing...
I followed the rocky dirt road for a few miles and it got more and more narrow. Shit...ok...Rush No More...
The area looked like it had been ripped apart by a bad storm or a fire. Weird dead trees...hey look a cow...hey look lots of cows...hey look...
A fricking red gate. In my narrow road. To my left...a ditch of cows. To my right...a wall of rock. Forward...cow and red gate. Behind...rocky road that scraped the bottom of my car. Stuck in the middle of nowhere. No phone service. Gonna die and get eaten by cows.
I did an Austin Powers thing and did maybe 48 tiny turns, scraping my car on the rock as to not fall in the ditch of hungry-looking black cows. My poor Prius.
I didn't die...just incase you wondered.
It was the day. When I was 4 or 5 years old, I had a dream that my Bubby was driving and as I looked through the windshield from the backseat, I saw Mt. Rushmore up ahead. I knew that this day when I finally made it to Mt. Rushmore, I would be with her again.
I loved it there. All the silly tourists with their awkward pictures and the old white guys with their asian wives. In my own world, I hooped and walked. A cute little asian girl told me "that was like the cupid shuffle! Left left...right right...around and around..." Hilarious.
It was at Crazy Horse, my next stop, that I committed to a billboard I saw. Rush No More. I've been so stressed that I'm not traveling the country correctly. There was really no reason to get home, except for to get home. Rush No More was a motto to take it as I wanted to take it. I did not have to do things in an order. Being on my own, I could make every choice. To eat here, see there, listen there. No rush. Just be.
I was sure to hoop with Crazy Horse, as it may be many more years until it is complete and it will be cool to see the difference.
Keystone, SD is a place I certainly want to return to. Though touristy everything, those things are freakin sweet! I wish I would have stopped some more places - movie sets, funlands, and more. I also want to explore the Badlands when I am in the right mindset.
My lowest moment of the whole trip...
I decided to see one monument of the Black Hills before exiting the state. Jewel Cave National Monument seemed on the way so I put it in my navigation and drove. Siri took me onto a dirt road and I thought...well...it's gotta be, if it's a natural cave thing...
I followed the rocky dirt road for a few miles and it got more and more narrow. Shit...ok...Rush No More...
The area looked like it had been ripped apart by a bad storm or a fire. Weird dead trees...hey look a cow...hey look lots of cows...hey look...
A fricking red gate. In my narrow road. To my left...a ditch of cows. To my right...a wall of rock. Forward...cow and red gate. Behind...rocky road that scraped the bottom of my car. Stuck in the middle of nowhere. No phone service. Gonna die and get eaten by cows.
I did an Austin Powers thing and did maybe 48 tiny turns, scraping my car on the rock as to not fall in the ditch of hungry-looking black cows. My poor Prius.
I didn't die...just incase you wondered.
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