I finally put together a small VIDEO of my experience knocking down the old house on Willow Lane. Before, there were still images… now, I’m posting moving images.
It was like folding in a cardboard box. It’s hard to believe we live in these things and think they are so solid. No wonder twisters turn whole towns in to firewood!
The Washington Post published an important article that highlights how the huge invasion of energy interests into Colorado has united traditional antagonists in a common cause.
This article clearly relates how the concerns of ranchers, land holders and environmentalists are overlapping. The energy companies have overstepped their privileges. Privileges that were given to them by the Bush administration in a manner that circumvented the will of the people. So much of the work done by the Clinton Administration has been reversed to make way for a sell-out of the people’s common areas. Our interests are of no concern. The energy companies know how to get what they want. They know how to manipulate Washington, Denver, the counties and the private land-owners. They set their sites on a target and have the resources to flood the system with money and favors.
It is my opinion that the Bush Administration, eager to return the favor of their donors, are destroying public and private lands without regard for the long-term environmental and social impact. My family has been approached by Gunnison Energy (a Koch company) and spent six hours with them hearing their arguments for why drilling on our land would be such a benefit. They showed us other drilling wells and the “man-camps” that monitor them 24/7/365. Their enthusiasm for their jobs reminded me of a drunk who is so delighted with his inebriated state that he has no awareness for the harm he commits.
Here’s a quick glimpse of the house coming down in slide format. Soon I’ll put up a video with me in the driver’s set of the excavator…
Here is a quick video presentation in the pecha-kucha format of 20 slides at 20sec/slide. Don’t know much about it except what Daniel Pink says in this video. You can learn more at: pecha-kucha
In the meantime, this is an interesting video about making signs more empathetic. It doesn’t take much, but its a great reminder the next time a project calls for this approach.
We just found out yesterday that my wife has cancer. What a bizarre thing to type.
Cancer…
The word instills fear, confusion and images of physical exhaustion during extended treatment. An outside agent that has entered our bodies to reek havoc. A parasite to which we play host. For most of us who lead quiet lives not threatened with apocalyptic events (war, famine, plague, genocide, etc.) only a few threats remain constant and unexpected. Cancer is one of those.
I feel almost numb. I don’t have an immediate reaction of sadness or anger or fear. I simply don’t comprehend the “meaning” of this event yet. I can’t help but wonder if I’m being callous or simple. I know in my heart that this isn’t the case. I don’t feel a need to get dramatic and fall on the floor weeping. I’m not the type of person to pull my hair and moan, “oh the injustice!” I generally am a person of action. I gravitate towards the British “stiff upper lip” outlook- find out the facts; make an informed decision; and support those in need through out it all.
In the meantime, I will continue to tell her that I support her. I will show my love. I will demonstrate that she is not alone. When cancer strikes, it is not solely the disease of the stricken. It is an event that mobilizes the community which surrounds it. Cancer will become a word of love and support, not isolation and mortality.
How does a six year old with no music lessons, no guidance, no instruction pickup a set of drum sticks and start making rhythms that actually sound good? I have no bloody idea!
The Maytrees, by Pulitzer Prize winner Annie Dillard was just promoted on NPR with a radio interview. It struck me because of her insistence on brevity. Annie Dillard’s new novel was once 1,200 pages, but she shortened it to just 216 by focusing solely on the central love story. In her interview, she emphasized editing descriptive words to a minimum.
Superfluous… not encouraged.
The computer was identified as a tool of disservice. It encourages writers to unnecessarily expand on every thought. The speed of a keyboard facilitates instant “chatter to page” excess. Good writing demands slowing down the brain. Contemplative states produce definitive conclusions. Interesting point of view that I’d like to emulate.
The radio interview revealed her desire to retire from writing and pursue other interests! It is always encouraging to hear someone who has gained attention in their field, express a desire to move towards other modes of expression. Time will tell if a writer of such discipline and status can do such a thing. As an artist, how do you stop the words?
I’m going to begin trolling for widgets that I can add to this blog. Here’s the first from RockYou.com with images from Dervish Toys and the Faery Folk collectible dolls…
Looks like this is just another slide show.
Here’s a widget from Slide:
Ok, so its not the most attractive title, but it’s not my quote… “Ditch Bitch” is the self appointed name given to a woman named Judy who has taken the lead with the unincorporated ditch that runs through the property.
This morning I went to the mosquito infested property to propose my idea of moving the ditch about 20 ft. north in a 100 ft. section to give me some more workable space for the house foundation. I met with Judy X (name eludes me) and Paul Nezlanic (sp?). Paul is an old ranch had fellow who knows the lay of the land and the water rights in the area. I have no water rights, but the ditch runs through the property.
We walked the ditch, discussed its condition, where I would move it and what part would be pipped. After some back and forth, they realized this was NOT the Slough Ditch, but a part of the Banning Lateral. In other words, it was a secondary ditch that is a seasonal overflow route. Well, that made all the difference in the world!
Afterwards, I went out to Rose Ln. to inspect a culvert diameter that Paul encouraged me to use. Their I met an older red pickup truck. It was classic- the woman in the driver’s seat was smoking her fifth cigarette of the day (it was 8:30am) and seemed to have a few broken teeth! Her friend was a guy who looked to be in his sixties, but was probably late 40’s. His bulbous, veiny nose revealed a lifetime of hard drinking.
The upshot of the whole affair- I can move the ditch…
Now I just need to get it in writing, or should I blow that off and just get a handshake? That’s more like how I’d like to handle it.
