17 May 2002 (Friday)

circlesong six

At the end of another Atticus-Finchlike quest, I've uncovered the identity of a song I fell in love with a few months ago. Bobby McFerrin, Circlesongs, track 6. A tired websurfer smiles, and pitches camp.

That is all.

posted by enjelani @ 06:01 PM PST [ link ]

under the dog-star sail

Planning vacations is like a miniature version of planning life for me -- a small-scale dry run. It begins with a dream, a scrap of whimsy: ooh, that would be nice, I think, and the thought hovers in the back of my head, glowly more brightly with each passing day. Research and active daydreaming ensues; the picture gets sharper. Then an assessment of reality's restrictions: financials, available time, skill qualifications and physical/mental preparedness for the intended adventure. And then at some point, fate willing, the *gulp*-here-it-goes moment, the jump across the crevasse, and before I know it I'm knee-deep in itineraries, guidebooks and confirmation numbers, clutching my much-creased papers on the way to the terminal.

Whee!

>> more...

posted by enjelani @ 04:58 PM PST [ link ]

16 May 2002 (Thursday)

and we'll figure it out from there

From: Ava
To: Enjelani
Subject: RE: the trip

Right -- so I talked to J, and he (who used to guide in Alaska) said: "Five days. If I had five days in Alaska, I'd fly into Anchorage, not spend a moment there, and hop onto a train to Denali. On the way back from Denali, stop and spend a night in Talkeetna... a little microcosm of all that Alaska is." I can't think of anyone whose travel sense I respect more than J's, so I would suggest we do this-- taking a train across Alaska sounds absolutely lovely. :)

What days were we thinking again? He says we should probably make our reservations as soon as we can, given that it's high season there.

Here's the link about the train:
http://www.akrr.com/passenger/summer_schedule.html

Ava

I've been telling people about this trip we're taking, and they always go "Oh cool -- what're you going to do?" And I always go, "...do? It's Alaska. I'll be hanging out with E. What else do I need to plan?"

posted by enjelani @ 02:31 PM PST [ link ]

15 May 2002 (Wednesday)

to you, yes you

All of you out there who read this thing, who listen to my rambling thoughts, who watch with me as my life unfolds a day at a time: thank you. I treasure your company. Seriously.

posted by enjelani @ 08:08 PM PST [ link ]

meet the cleavers

Our Mother's Day present last weekend was to let Mom hop on a plane to New Mexico, where she met up with Dad and their crew of good friends (they toured New Zealand together a few summers back). Meanwhile, back at the ranch, I shuttled Liz around to her Girl Scout troop meetings and piano lessons and dance classes; Emmett came home from school for the weekend, and covered for me when I had to go to work. Late Friday night we made hot cocoa and climbed giggling into the sumptuous king-size bed in the master bedroom, like a band of orphans who'd stumbled upon an abandoned mansion. On Sunday Liz treated Emmett and me to homemade strawberry-pineapple-and-mango sorbet, and the three of us swept through the house with rags and mops to complete Part 2 of our gift to Mom.

We picked her up at the airport Sunday night. After we dropped her off at her car in long-term parking, she pulled up next to us at an intersection, and -- get this -- drag-raced us down the expressway back home. My mother. Revving her engine at a red light. Jesus.

My family is not without its issues and struggles and personality mismatches (my dad and me being a case in point), but for most part it boggles my mind how close we are, how good a time we have together, and how effortless it all is. It's not a normal situation, from what I gather. I suspect the majority of my blessings in life stem from this one source.

posted by enjelani @ 03:14 PM PST [ link ]

14 May 2002 (Tuesday)

atticus finch lives!

They are alive and well, in post-production for their next release, and I had good reason to be intrigued. I love it when this happens.

>> more...

posted by enjelani @ 12:25 PM PST [ link ]

13 May 2002 (Monday)

heyahowzitgoin

Earned July's rent this past weekend. Earned June's rent the weekend before that. Getting there. Tired, though.

Just saying hi for now. Will post for real later. May even use pronouns. Exciting!

posted by enjelani @ 10:20 AM PST [ link ]