Garrr-dening: Time to Get Gracking

Bright summer day! New project underway!

Exciting news! My new summer project is to construct a system for gardening with limited space. As an apartment dweller, I share a walkway balcony that faces our building's courtyard. The walkway itself is only 4 feet wide and provides about 16 feet of space across the face or our apartment. On one side, I've designated a space 1.5' deep by 6' long by 7' high to build a 'garden rack'--or "grack"--which will house three or four 'shelves' or planters. On the top will be room for herbs and flower, the middle will house lettuces and other greens, while the bottom will be a deeper bed suitable for deep rooted vegetables such as carrots, radishes and potatoes.

While I've purchased the bulk of the lumber for the Grack and begun putting some of the pieces together, I wanted to first make sure that I could bring a seed to life. It has been years since I've planted a garden. And my last attempt was when I was nine or ten, planting our family greenhouse in Colorado. A substantially bigger enterprise. I realize, though that it was simpler. Our garden was a simple dirt bed dug into the soil of the yard beneath the greenhouse.

As I enterprise to make a suitable growing system in an urban apartment-dwelling setting, I see many more challenges. In addition to the space issue, I have pushed to make this as organic and natural as possible, reducing the waste, pollution and footprint this little garden produces.

As such, I've laid out these guides for myself:

- SEED: the seeds which I purchase for the garden will be organically cultivated and absolutely NOT GMO's. While my first batch was shipped to me from the family-owned business Botanical Interests in Colorado, I found a local store that sells their seeds. While I still want to use them, I am thinking about finding a local supplier to cut down on the emissions associated with transporting the seeds to California from Colorado.

- SOIL: only organic. And I'm using 100% natural burlap to enclose my soils within the beds, avoiding plastics, which retain water and reduce soil contact with the wood, but obviously become an ecological hazard when discarded.

- SUN: I have been thinking about whether or not, in cultivating my seedlings, I should use artificial light sources in the beginning. While the balcony does face east and gets a generous seven+ hours direct morning sunlight, I have heard that seeds need more than just that to begin strong. I don't want to increase the footprint, even if using low-watt compact florescent equivalents. We'll see how well I do with the seedlings before a final consensus is arrived at.

- GRACK: the rack itself has been constructed of Douglas fir and cedar lumber farmed responsibly and certified by the FSC or SGS. I've decided that I will not treat the wood, despite parts of the Grack coming into contact with the soils, to avoid the stains and protectants getting into the veggies. As such, I've modified the design of the structure to allow for minimal soil contact--through burlap lining and removable side slats--making it easy and cost effective to only have to replace a small amount of wood if it does get too worn to be usable. I've also chosen cedar for the parts of the structure that will come into contact with the wood, as it has a tough durability in regards to soil and is used often in above ground planters.

I've decided that my first successful bell pepper plant will be named Domino. No idea why, just so. :-) I will use the blog to keep record of my advances and hope for a fruitful harvest in the near.

Yosemite: A Convenience or An Opportunity?

A draft I just found in the draft box. Now I can post with pictures...

Travis and I just returned from a weekend getaway in the north at Bass Lake and Yosemite National Park. We stayed at a lake house with twelve of the cast of Scandal! Big Top Trouble and visited the Yosemite Valley yesterday afternoon.

One of our adventures over the wonderfully relaxing and exciting weekend was our eight-mile roundtrip hike to the top of the Yosemite waterfall where we recorded his weekly vlog from the summit. There were a large number of people at the top of the waterfall and along the climb—surprising for the extraordinary effort it took to complete the four-hour hike up the steep switchbacks. We were able to see most of the valley and Half Dome for at least half of the hike and reveled in being misted in the spray from the powerful plunging plume to our right. (Alliteration anyone?)

It was an extraordinary experience to be in the valley with all of the waterfalls and the lush vegetation and sheer cliffs of granite. However, I realized very early on that the valley was crowded with thousands of people clamoring to see Half Dome and the extraordinary waterfalls. The sentiment of the crowd—as far as I could glean—was of awe, but not a respectful awe.

Rather, the Yosemite Valley has turned into a drive-in amusement. It was a convenience rather than an opportunity. I’ve often noticed this when visiting other national parks. Guests drive for hours to see the natural occurrences that have become undeniable symbols of the American landscape. A family will hop out of their car for a few minutes to take pictures and then storm back into the comfort of air conditioning and cooler full of juice boxes. So lost seems to be a desire to explore the natural beauty that is provided. While exploration and engagement with these parks takes an immense amount of respect and knowledge, the passion for appreciating that beauty has been lost.



Perhaps we are too comfortable with our modernized suburban or urban daily lives to care to explore the parks. Or perhaps an opportunity for a few minutes at a lookout with a couple of snaps of you and Old Faithful is all that is needed to get by on our week-long vacations escaping the grind. I however, am not satisfied with such a glimpse. The four hours that we took to hike from the valley floor into the heights of what some call the most beautiful place in America was worth more than the aching knees and dirty hands. Travis and I were able to share an accomplishment beyond driving in and driving out. And let me tell you, the view from the heavens was extraordinary!

RwmW

Profundity within Simplicity: A Really Great Day

I may have had the perfect day yesterday.

Trav and I woke up a little late and after walking Dotty, rode our bikes down to Pan Pacific Park to play capture the flag with the V.G.L. - Varsity Gay League. Trav had seen an open invite on Facebook and we decided to try something new, meet some new people, and socialize - something we've had very little time to do over the past few months with work being so crazy!

We played two games of capture the flag over four hours with two teams of upwards of 35 people each. And we took over the whole park! Dodging a quinceanera, sunbathers, people with dogs and kids, a hoola hoop class and the assortment of joggers and bikers, we had a kick ass time!

Afterwards, Trav and I rode home and stopped at Trader Joe's to put together a huge lunch of fried rice, chicken burgers, Cuban-style beans and cottage cheese.

Then we rode our bikes to the subway and--yes, in LA--took the subway over the hill to see How to Train Your Dragon at Universal. The movie was adorable and we left the theater sore and smitten and brilliantly content. Rounding out the night with tea and an episode of Star Trek: Next Generation, I felt like I'd had a day for the history books.

The simplicity of good people, strenuous excercise, leaving behind the week's stress, finding an alternate way to get around besides climbing in the car--a constant source of negative energy for me--and the opportunity to allow myself to recognize the profundity within the simplicity of the day, was extraordinarily rewarding.

Check out some photos of capture the flag here:

http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=33301641#!/photo.php?pid=5792230&id=113620386054&fbid=426638316054

And what about this little diddy I ran across via a friend?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T7WxTP3ger8

So here's a cool little project that the LENS blog at the NYTimes is putting together:

http://lens.blogs.nytimes.com/2010/04/08/about-3/

May 2, at 15:00 hours UTC, they're challenging people to take a photo. The compilation will be a mosaic of a moment in time across the globe. I'm so excited! Although it will be 9:00am in LA, so I'll have to get a good night's sleep...

Sandcastles

My brother was in town last week for Spring Break. He forwent a trip to Mexico to come hang out with Trav and I and we had a great visit. The day before before leaving, he and I decided on a day trip to Malibu for some beach time. We built a sandcastle. We tanned. We thought. We appreciated being on the beach in that moment, in that place.

Now that I see my brother much less often than I did during the eighteen years we were roommates, I appreciate the moments when we do get to hang out. When we get to drink cheap beer and pile up sand whilst talking about his plans for the future and while I recount what I want to do with my life. My brother is, I realized, one of the best friends I have. He knows quarks about me that even my best friends may not. There's something very valuable about knowing that someone shared the childhood experience with you in the way that a brother does. So here's to sandcastles...

and to brothers.

Brian Gerald

http://www.briangerald.com/

Check out the new website of my good friend, Brian - a living, breathing, wonderfully inspired and constantly inspirational activist, filmmaker, philosopher, wanderer, speaker, and friend.

Reform

As the swirling reaction to the landmark health care reform ensues and the country continues to divide itself, it's nice to know that we've knowledge from behind to keep hope for ahead:

"I am certainly not an advocate for frequent and untried changes in laws and constitutions. I think moderate imperfections had better be borne with; because, when once known, we accommodate ourselves to them, and find practical means of correcting their ill effects. But I know also, that laws and institutions must go hand in hand with the progress of the human mind. As that becomes more developed, more enlightened, as new discoveries are made, new truths disclosed, and manners and opinions change with the change of circumstances, institutions must advance also, and keep pace with the times. We might as well require a man to wear still the same coat which fitted him when a boy, as civilized society to remain ever under the regimen of their barbarous ancestors."

-- Th. Jefferson to Samuel Kercheval, July 12, 1810

Photography

I've wanted for ages to buy a still camera. When Canon came out with the 7D, a beautiful hybrid of still and motion photo possibility, I set my sights on that. Now with the release of the Rebel T2i, a slightly less intricate, but altogether almost-equivalent camera, I'm seeing my fantasy coming closer to reality. I've already started saving. In the mean time, I think it's wise to share some of my favorite photography bits and pieces...

Arsonist Photography | I first met Christian, founder of Arsonist, when I first met my lovely boyfriend. He was getting his headshots redone and the three of us ventured into East LA to have a photo shoot. I tagged along as a "stylist" - pretending to pick at T's messy hair or fix his shirt collar - when really I was there to flirt with my soon-to-be-boyfriend. That aside, Christian does wonderful work - fresh and clean - while bringing out the most wonderful and unique aspects of his subjects and their portraits.

http://www.arsonistphotography.com

Lens, NY Times | The photo blog from the New York Times features the most current photo-journalistic ventures. With my apt love for documentary filmmaking comes a similarly keen interest in photo journalism. Both require risk and commitment while never guaranteeing that the moment will actually be captured. The liveliness of the photo journalist is something which I aspire to in staged photographs, whilst the determined beauty that can be had from a staged photograph needs to be seen in the moments that fleet away in front of a war correspondent or photographer hiking through jungle canyons.

http://lens.blogs.nytimes.com/

Pete Souza | I've always had a love of the American presidency. I've often said that I would want to be President only to live in the house and ride on the jet. My ambition is surely for all the wrong reasons, but I've always found a fascination with the rich history, traditions, customs and oddities that have come from the stories of our presidents. I've researched the White House, its builders, its renovations, its rooms and their stories. The homes of presidents, particularly one Th. Jefferson, and have fallen in love with the objects and establishments that have seen the events of our country unfold. My current attachment to this story is through the White House Photographer, Pete Souza. During the Bush years, I hardly saw photos of the President working or living. With this administration and its openness, I have seen things about the day-to-day presidency that I find fascinating and never thought I would have seen.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/thewhitehouse

Troy Paiva | A wonderful photographer who has set out to document Old America by night--the passing fad fading into the oblivion of its own aspiration. Or at least that's what I take from his vibrant, saturated images of broken down cars and ghost towns. Check out the full gallery set here:

http://www.lostamerica.com/

Boston Response

So here's the thing. I've been away for a very long time. And I say that as if a screaming mass of thousands has been clamoring since June 15 of last year to hear my next utterance. Well I'd like to think they have...

It seems that I could make another excuse for why I was gone so long. Following that, I'd promise to stay loyal to the blog. Again. But I've realized that the reason why it has been so long since I last posted is because I didn't really have anything to keep me accountable. Ya know?

Since my last post, however, I think I've found a number of things to keep me accountable. First and foremost is a change in attitude and the commitment to developing this space as a venue for the professional, creative, social, productive and downright playful facets of my life to take shape and cultivate.

I went to Boston at the beginning of this year, hoping to take a large step in my career. I was to work on a project which would not only pay well and provide a wealth of experience, but which could very well have set me on the fast track to the kinds of projects that people straight out of college hope for.

That project fell through. With its demise came a wealth of knowledge to protect my career in the future, some amazing contacts in the industry, wonderful new friends on an East Coast which had until now remained a mystery in my wholly Western-raised mind, and a wonderful experience in a brand new city!

I ate great food and drank great wine and beer. I connected with a city whose history is far richer and deeper than any other place I've been, aside from my brief trip to Europe in high school. For someone with an almost absurd love of history, and specifically, American history, this opportunity to explore sites and stories about our country's founding was an opportunity I'm glad to have had. Cruising the streets seemed more like a trip to Disneyland at first, mostly because the architecture seemed to be in caricature. What was so fascinating was that this place had existed so long ago, still exists, and continues to evolve with a connection to its rich past, while maintaining a vibrant modern existence.

Growing up in Colorado and living in Los Angeles, my perception of the East Coast has always been a fuzzy impression made by acquaintances from the region. Aside from friends, New England existed in my middle school text book as a product of the 16 and 1700's and the brief trips to New York I've experienced over the years.

The rich brick of Beacon Hill, the Boston Common and the central burial ground (not a "cemetery") host the homes, promenades and graves of individuals who founded our country, fought our Revolution, and experienced the presidency of my personal favorite, Thomas Jefferson. On one of my first days in the city, I grabbed a chai latte and wandered in front of the Statehouse (what a beautiful gold dome, reminiscent of Colorado's) and weaved my way through the graves of this tiny piece of Revolutionary America.

A lunch at Petite Robert Bistro produced a moderately entertaining croque monsieur and good conversation with a new friend. Wandering through what is the "gayborhood," I discovered another wonderful part of the city. Unlike LA, where West Hollywood is the concentrated center of gay life, or San Francisco's Castro, the city of Boston hosts the gays everywhere. A sophisticated, less showy and more subtle gay presence was not a bad thing, rather proof that Boston is a wonderfully gay city and doesn't need to flash, superficiality and glitz that LA uses to advertise its own specific gayborhood. Two words: quaint and sophisticated.

The North End, with streets so narrow and pitched it's a wonder the city has been able to host the car, a rich Italian presence gave way to the Old North Church where Paul Revere was signaled as to the British method of advance on the city. His home, also a relic to be enjoyed, had me wishing I was born into the earliest generation of our nation.

My two weeks in the city and out--a day trip to the North Shore was a wonderful, sunny experience--gave me a fresh perspective on myself and my career. The inspiration that I draw from for my own creative enterprises has been broadened. And it just takes a trip outside one's ordinary.

Great food, wonderful people, decent weather. Ok, the rain was too much, but it reminded me of home and not the monotony of Los Angeles sunshine. So yes, great food, wonderful people, great wine, decent weather and new experiences. Thank you Boston!

----

If this post doesn't make up for some of my absence, then nothing will. Boston was a blast, I can't wait to return, and the mindset/experience it gave me gives me more to be committed to as I venture forth in this thing called vie.

Yeah, I gotcha w that one. "Vie" you say. Yes, vie.

Now for some of my favorites. The list below is mostly for me to remember when I visit Boston next, but be sure enjoy it as well...

HIGHLIGHTS
{roughly ordered FOOD, then DRINKS, then OTHER}

Toro | can anyone say wonderful tapas and $5 grenache? the tuna belly was amazing (unlike the only unfortunate thing about T.W. Food--the tuna) and the packed house was full of energy

T.W. Food | they took our jackets at the door. they took our jackets at the door. find me one place in LA that does that. (and the genuine service, cozy, ten-table atmosphere, paired with simple, yet fantastic flavors and a bottle of good wine made this splurge a "schplürage." [see: http://gourmanderie.blogspot.com/2010/03/tw-food-review.html]

Espresso Royale Cafe | a wonderful college coffee and sandwich shop of the BU variety

Coppa | i had a wild boar ragu over fettucini. yes, you read that right. boar. and also made the awesome discovery that Red Sripe comes in cans?!?! yes, it does.

Border Cafe | i owe Carolyn for this treat - great margaritas, awesome Mexican food and good company

Grendel's Den | (my fave by far) tucked underground, a host of college kids, working types, and bartenders who know their beer (or at least the one guy did), a nice little jaunt

Torey Row | newer, attempting to be classy w the Cambridge crew. nice enough. ;-)

Charlie's | oh Charlie's, I still don't know how I feel about you...

Upstairs on the Square? Common? | Chris, help me out w this one. campy as hell, but wonderfully cozy w a fireplace and attentive team

Sam Adams Brewery | duh!

People's Republic | started one of our crawls, not a fantastic setup and rather deserted on Valentine's Day (:-), but worth a shot

Good Harbor Beach | my first touch of the Atlantic

the Liberty Hotel | where I stayed, the old city jail redone into a four-star hotel

South End Formaggio | wonderful, wonderful cheese and charcuterie - will be a return visit when I go back! [268 Shawmut Avenue]

Museum of Fine Arts | more John Singer Sargents than you can shake a stick at!

Sleepy Hollow Cemetery | the graves of Henry David Thoreau, Nathaniel Hawthorne, Ralph Waldo Emerson and Louisa Alcott are all within ten paces of one another

Rockport and its little harbor | so damn adorable, see photo

Tuscanini's | the equivalent of 21 Choices here in LA, where flavors are original, unexpected and of the taste-bud-bursting variety

...and last, but not least

Diesel | hipster coffee shop where I'd love to sit with a book for a day. just to people watch.