Wheels in Motion

Tonight I took Willem to a screening of Wheels4Life: The Film, which documents the work that Hans Rey's foundation is doing in Tanzania to bring bicycles to people who desperately need transportation in order to work, get to school, or get medical care. Hans is a world-famous mountain biking champion and local legend; he is to trials riding what Tony Hawk is to skateboarding--the original and best, a godfather of sorts. The film was incredibly moving; I was blown away by the difference Hans and his wife Carmen are making in the world. Willem was too, and said so.

The screening and after-party was hosted by our friend Andrew Herrick's company, Crank Brothers (they make high-end, design-y bike components) and was open to the community. So, in essence, Crank Brothers opened their doors and turned their annual holiday party into a raucous, festive fundraiser for a very worthy cause. How great is that?! I found out later that something like $19,000 was raised, all of which will go toward Wheels4Life projects in India and Africa.

I love living in Laguna for many reasons. But I think what I love the most about it is the many creative, talented people here who use their power for good. My heart is full.

raffles, live auction

raucous fun for a good cause

love is in the house

Winter Wonderland

I know there's rain in the forecast, but until then I'm loving the mild, sunny days we're having.

Laguna winter:

flip-flops all day, a sweater

when the sun goes down.

St. Lucy

It's a quiet winter day here in Laguna beach, and I feel like I don't have much to write about. Looking for inspiration, I looked through a few of the books on my desk and checked email. Aha. The "saint of the day" email I subscribe to informed me that December 13 is the feast day of St. Lucy, also know as St. Lucia. Not a lot is known about her, except that she was a young woman trying to live a life of virtue in pagan Sicily during the Diocletian persecution. She pledged her virginity to God, and was "outed" as a Christian by a disappointed suitor when she refused to marry him and gave her dowry to the poor. Subsequently, she was executed in 304 A.D. She is known as the patron saint of the blind on account of the grotesque manner in which she was martyred, which I don't really want to go into here because it makes me queasy.

Lucy, Lucia, Lux:

The girl who said,

You cannot bend my will to your purpose.

Turtle

David is in Hawaii, his last business trip of the year (thanks be to God!) He emailed me this picture of a turtle who looks like such an absolute sad sack that it made me laugh. But come to think of it, I'm feeling about the way this turtle looks--kind of beached and depleted. I've been struggling with my commitment to write every day and have gotten behind and am trying to catch up. I don't feel very Christmasy and the poetry is just not coming.

Help, I'm stuck!

Can someone give me

a shove toward the water?

Humbug

I love all the Christmas fixings, but sometimes the list of stuff that I'm "supposed to" do by December 25 kind of bums me out. I'm not feeling very festive or jolly...yet.

Christmas cards--order.

Christmas tree--get, decorate.

Christmas spirit--need.

Antique Antlers and Airport Security

When you carry on

the deer antlers you bought in

an antique store in

Hanoi (carefully wrapped, of

course), be prepared for

some strange looks as they pass through

the x-ray machine.

How to Cross the Street in Hanoi:

Carefully, but confidently.

Step into the roadway.

Walk with purpose and conviction

and pray without ceasing.

Do not stop or you will be hit.

Keep moving, as motorbikes and cars

flow around you like water,

until you reach your destination.