mejor en bici

Today on my bike ride to work i:

-stashed a mostly great-looking futon for later retrieval

-saw a party in progress on a front lawn.
From what i could tell as i whizzed passed, 'twas being conducted by & large in ASL.

headfingers

my fingers are cold, my head is hot—put them together, now they are not!

waiting

waiting

“people watching
watching people
waiting”

waiting

1. breathe!
2. pause, relax
3. close your eyes
(inhale…exhale…)
4. sit up straight
(breathe deeply)
5. listen
(keep on breathing throughout…)

listen for something
listen for sounds
try to pinpoint voices, footsteps of passersby, familiar sounds, strange sounds even.
much more bedeutsam than that though: animal noises, the rustling of the wind,
now and again overhearing what little kids are saying/snippets of other people’s conversations; which are often hilarious, or at least slightly amusing—enough to make you grin.
to make you turn up the corners of your mouth, smile, laugh quietly to yourself.
(before you closed your eyes, you could see what the tinyboppers were doing too, which was often more hilarious than the chatter! …or more hilarious overall, both things combined)

imagine a Native American man; the Native American people!
nativos, ursprüngliche Einwohner, indigenous persons

sounds in the harmony of the forest: more natural
ability to discern. to listen. to hear!
the buffalo, “the wolf cry to the blue corn moon. the voices of the mountains.” the Voice.
sounds of modern machinery? of course not.
…certainly not like that plane you’re hearing overhead
(floating peacefully, feather-like—turbine jet-engines notwithstanding—up toward the stratosphere, though it will never reach it)
…certainly not that gas weedwacker or lawnmower or hedgetrimmer or whatever the deuce it is

today i sat and waited.
imagined my perpendicularly planted feet extended into the concrete, into the topsoil, into the earth’s crust, the tectonic plates, the Heart of the Earth.

waited

waited

waited…
.
.
.
waited for an Earthquake.

Providence meets 11:59pm – 12:00 am

Today i had one of the most hectic days i’ve experienced at my current job. ‘Twas challenging; i was there late, i locked up after everyone else had gone home.

Aeroplane rising, lifting, drifting, soaring into sunset. Wind through my hair, wind at my back, wind in my face, wind pushing back.

My brother.

On my bike ride home from work, a punk in a black pickup truck deliberately tried to nearly hit me. I was trying to make a left turn and had my hand out to signal said intention. Some horns blasted, his truck grazed me on the right, i leaned left. I somehow also managed to knock his truck on the side with my knuckles. I made it home without so much as a scratch. Some people in a nearby apartment building must have seen or heard the incident and were peering out their screen door on the second floor. A guy and a girl. The girl asked, “Are you ok?” Me: “Yeah. Thanks.” Pheromone seems to be much more empathic than testosterone most of the time? Concerned about the proper things.

Kirsten and Baby + Elizabethtown + dinner.

Come to find out all the dishes are done! The first round of baby shower items is stacked nicely on the second couch, just waiting to be put in storage, be dealt with, duplicates gifts returned to the store.

Life is grand!

“God is alive, magic is afoot.” –BSM

Please share the road.

Birth forthcoming.

Baby.

…y bendiciones.

She Blinded Me With Science!

Yesterday, in response to a comment to a colleague of mine that "There's always time for science!" (related Bone gag sequence hopefully to follow) he told me that Thomas Dolby is his hero.  Of course i did an internet search for the fellow and yielded first the other Thomas Dolby, but then found the magical and enchanting intended result.

Today on my bike ride to work

i was very tempted to flip off a Hummer H3.

Death in the Pot

Elisha returned to Gilgal and there was a famine in that region. While the company of the prophets was meeting with him, he said to his servant, "Put on the large pot and cook some stew for these men. One of them went out into the fields to gather herbs and found a wild vine. He gathered some of its gourds and filled the fold of his cloak. When he returned, he cut them up into the pot of stew, though no one knew what they were. The stew was poured out for the men, but as they began to eat it, they cried out, "O man of God, there is death in the pot!" And they could not eat it. Elisha said, "Get some flour." He put it into the pot and said, "Serve it to the people to eat." And there was nothing harmful in the pot.

Time Capsules

Aren’t they great? I first learned about the existence of time capsules, at least in the sense of US cities creating them and later opening them, in the City of Downey, California. I went to Downey to visit my good buddy Dillon when he was working "Downey" there (that was for you, Aro) and Kirsten and i were still in SoCal at school. I went to Downey early to beat the traffic and ended up exploring the civic center area and Downey city hall looking for cool things to see and find out about. I discovered a theatre (which was closed) and explored the rather unexciting town hall, where i suppose i learned some things. But as i made one last visual sweep of the premises before leaving, what did i discover but a secret TIME CAPSULE!!!

They had sealed it in like the 40s or 60s or something, and i remember getting really excited because it was going to be opened in just a measly some-odd few years! I quickly jotted down a note in my mental calendar to journey back to Downey to see the opening of the time capsule! …i guess that note must have gotten accidentally erased or something. I don’t know if they’ve already opened it or if i can still make it down there to see the excitement. What do they have in there? "Historical Documents" of the Galaxy Quest missions? Bodies? Historical junk? Space rocks? Answers to the question of whether or not Americans landing on the moon on the Apollo missions was a hoax? I guess there’s only one way to find out.

Anyway, two Sundays ago (Sunday June 22, 2008) i made an epic walk from post-church lunch and hanging out in Mountain View to our apartment in Menlo Park. Kirsten went to the mall with Katie. Ed joined me via modern telephony for the later portion. On my walk i stopped at a few historical Palo Alto plaques i had wanted to read (there are still several on my list of historical things to check out and learn about) and happened upon a few things i did not expect: i learned about the making of a park in Palo Alto, looked at some old, then-controversial murals at the former Palo Alto Medical Clinic, gathered some websites about photovoltaic systems and renewable energy, and viewed a rather complex public art/science/public service exhibit at Palo Alto City Hall. A review i read later called the exhibit "narcissistic"--which it may well be. Aside: at the park i saw how the whole community poured into making the park, planting trees and pooling resources to make it a reality. At the Clinic i observed the cool, old architecture, some towering oak and jacaranda trees, and the murals by a guy who had developed his style based on the work of Diego Rivera. City Hall included the Color of Palo Alto exhibit, and some cool quotes from M.L.K. Jr. and Coretta Scott King in the recently christened (January ’08) King Plaza--incidentally where City Hall, the art etc. project and the TIME CAPSULE are located. Yes, this is about TIME CAPSULES.

So, it happened then that i happened upon another time capsule, this time in Palo Alto, which is slated to be first opened in 2019 or so and three more times subseqently after that (to take photos of what’s in there and put it back? to add to it?). Another time capsule i can think of that i’m aware of is the one located in Chapman University’s Law School building within the slate tile wall. There are probably others that i have seen and accidentally forgotten about or been near but not noticed. Anyway, hopefully soon i and whoever will join me on such adventures can journey to a distant or not-so-distant land to experience the mystery and wonder of time capsule opening ceremonies. Any takers?

Also! Another cool thing i recently learned about related to time capsules—probably mostly because they also have the word "capsule" in their title—are capsule hotels.

SIL Giants

...and they called them the Giants of the Academic World:
Hey folks! So yeah, a few people from my work organized an outing to Giants' Stadium! Thirteen of us from SIL saw the SF Giants edge the Detroit Tigers in that beautiful bayside park! If you haven't been to the park, you're missing out on one of--if not THE--best parks in MLB. They host other (sometimes cheaper) events there too, including free opera tonight and a free concert tomorrow night! As you can see, us teachers and a few sig-others all huddled together for warmth, which is great for building rapport between colleagues...and perhaps a bit of funny business.

The cluster to my right includes department chairs S. Riley (Science), J. Wilmore (History...one of my 5 bosses), and A. Sarver (English...another of my 5 bosses). Also represented are the Country of Australia (R. Gowers, the very old man to my left - English, literature, history), Nick ? (math) + fiancé (Stephanie?), M. Harker (biology, Spanish) + boyfriend (?), recently departed K. Chew (science) and her friend, A. Press (literature, history, whatever), and of course my beautiful bride Kirsten (Christmas-themed blanket, center). By the profuse question marks you can see that i know all of my co-workers very well...

Behind us sat a dude who brought a nice shiny trumpet on which he showcased his skillz for crowd-riling, "CHARGE!", the Dearth Vader theme song, and other fun jingles. From Richard i learned why "Lou Seal" is the Giants' mascot instead of, well, a giant! Apparently in the days before MLB came to SF a local coast league was called the Seals and/or played at Seal Stadium and Lou Seal is an extension of that local history. Plus, as Richard also added, a seal is much cuter and not as homely and intimidating as a giant might be! Besides, how would they actually pull off a giant, anway?!?! Summer project...

For my regular readers out there: i may have already reported this, but my current job is at a place called the School for Independent Learners (SIL here and above) where i teach/keep attention focused on: Spanish, Modern American Music History, Language and Composition (English), and anything else they throw at me that i think i can handle. I hope to get a German curriculum approved for the fall so i start teaching Deutsch, too!

TTFN!

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Dish Hike

So! Two Sundays ago Kirsten and i conquered the locally renowned "dish hike" at Stanford University before heading off to church at PBC. 'Twas hot and schweaty (and a little rushed), but we made it out alive!

A few days later we took on a smaller portion of it in the evening right before closing time. We found out the 2nd time from a slightly grouchy security guard (they were closing and he probably just wanted to go home) that the main dish path loop is 3.7 miles. There are some other side trails which give access from different directions around the open space and which add a bit more distance to that number.

It's really quite beautiful and if you have a chance when you're in the area you should really check it out. There are some great views of the SF Bay and peninsula (especially on clear days). Enjoy some of my photos:

Golden rolling peninsular hills, Silicon Valley below and the East Bay's Diablo Mountain Range in the distance:
Stanford University with its landmark Hoover Tower and more of the Peninsula:
The Dish from afar (there are actually at least two dishes--this is the big one):A beautiful tree in bloom:
Kirsten on the trail, oak trees, golden brown hills, and dish:Cragged oaks + hills + dish:Another wide shot:Extreme close up!On the northerly side we came across this curious round building with some solar panels on top. From a distance and even close up it looks like the roof is only three feet or so off the ground! I suppose it must go under ground--let me know if you know anything about it!

Mystery Spot

Last Friday, Kirsten took me on what was publicized as a "Mystery Date"... i should have caught on.

Anyway, the drive up into the Santa Cruz mountains was BEAUTIFUL and destination #1 was the famous Mystery Spot. Needless to say, it was and is mysterious!

I had heard of this place growing up and often saw/see the bumper stickers gallivanting about, which the Mystery Spot shamelessly distributes to each tour (IF you remember the tour guide's name at the end...or even if you don't).

It messes with your perception or your magnetism or whatever. There is, like, molten magnetic lava under the Earth's crust in that 75 foot (23 meter) radius which rotates opposite the Earth's rotation in space or there are magnetic alien spacecrafts under the soil or whatever. All i know is, both Kirsten and i felt a little dizzy and weird. Apparently compasses and other instruments don't give correct readings over the patch of ground. 'Twas great fun!

Here are some photos of the pre-tour mountain beauty:
Ah, beautiful, fragrant redwoods! In the second photo above you'll notice all the branches grow on one side of the tree only. Our guide said this was due to the mystery of the Mystery Spot (there were other leaning trees and still others with weird crooked growth patterns, probably due to abnormal magnetism or your hallucination).

And now! The Spot!
This pendulum swung further on one side and was more difficult/heavier to push that direction than the other:These are just some other random blurry people on our tour being perspecto-magnetized:
Although this last photo of us at the Spot is slightly blurry too, the blurriness is not due to the mystery, but rather our tour guide's unsteady hand and/or ineptness at taking clear photos with a digital camera!


Then we went to destination #2 which was the beach--that patch where the Boardwalk is in Santa Cruz--where we relaxed and enjoyed the crashing waves with rainbow mist being blown back off the crests.
Before we left i snapped a shot of my beautiful ballooning bride and our little baby bundle (we found out earlier that day too that it's most probably a girl--there's always that chance of error, but the ultrasound doctors seemed pretty sure!):
Destination #3 was See's Candies for a half-pound box of chocolate and at Dillon's recommendation destination #4 was Seabright Brewery where we happened to catch a cool blues band called Swing Shift in addition to some yummy eats.

All in all, a grand day!

He makes the sign of the Z!

Ye few frequenters of this blog may have noticed that i have an occasional flare for slightly gross, certainly bathroomy humor from time to time. My standard disclaimer will appear again here: if you don't want potty images, skip this and read another post!








So! This particular bathroom seems to have proven magical as this is the 2nd story inspired from within its hiney hiders--Lo! Ye Olde Menlo Park Public Library Bathroom!

Today something came out of me
that made the sign of the Z!

I thought to myself, "Self,
Zorro has been here!"

That is all.

If you want the happs, Kirsten's blog is best

Because of my newly quite busy work schedule, i have been finding less free time to ruminate on things and subsequently post about them on the 'net. However, Kirsten has recently posted a barrage of life and pregnancy related blurbs and photos on her blog, and for her part has captured pretty well how thing are going for us right now and what the happs are. Check it out!

This weekend Kirsten's dad Stan is in town visiting us and we also had our good friend from Chapman Kelly Mahon in the house Saturday. Last night we all went for an excursion up to San Francisco which included: meeting up w/former roommate of mine Chris Paizis, driving down the famed windy section of Lombard Street (i think that was my fifth or sixth time, probably--i should start keeping a tally), and dining on various delectable chowders in bread bowls at the Blue Mermaid restaurant near the water. Afterward, we witnessed several night battles between loud, obnoxious, lumbering, giant beasts. Oh yeah, and a shouting match between some angry humans. Huzzah!

Wisdom of Ear, Disappointment by Way of Eye?

Yesterday as i was biking to work, i passed an auto repair shop.
I probably subconciously heard--but it didn't register--a loud, massive airplane overhead.

...that is, until an older mechanic came barreling out of one the two open garage doors.
Hand sheilding his eyes, up he gazed.

I looked up myself and saw (and now really heard) the multi-engined lumbering beast.

Then he turned back. Dejected? Relieved? Disappointed?

Those ears must have heard something these ears did not.

what a ride it was!

An out-of-body experience

Zombie Culture

*Disclaimer* This piece didn't turn out quite as well as i would have liked, but in the interest of keeping material flowing and preventing my brain from damming up i'm going to leave it up here. I feel like it's too preachy or something. Too cynical perhaps? Maybe the basic idea is just BAD.... I may tinker with it a bit later, but for now it stays as such. If anybody cares to let me know what they think from a writing standpoint, feel free!
Admittedly, i sometimes want to do this. Maybe it's more like often i want to do this. Especially in my younger days (hehehe...read: middle school and high school) i'd put music in my CD player and try desperately to zone out. Sometimes i still do i guess, every once in a while, just for the sake of zoning out.

I saw this message on an airplane not too long ago and it really struck me: how much does our media culture affirm this way of looking at media?! I suppose perhaps printed media such as magazines or (comic?)books don't have as much of a "for entertainment only" bent to them as say popular radio or film, though obviously some films and songs more than others inevitably draw the listener or the viewer out of themselves and into another world. Certainly some forms of media issue an unavoidable challenge or call for change and all forms contain some--if not a lot of--material intended to entertain.

I suppose "zone out" could be interpreted in that way too--that we would be entertained by something, be drawn into an entirely new world and forget our problems, our bodies, our self-addiction, or our physical location at least for a time. And hey, i enjoy being entertained as much as the next guy. But after a while it starts to seem like the getting lost becomes the point rather than perhaps experiencing something that might have some truth to speak into our day to day experience. Personally, when i get too accustomed to the "plug in. zone out." mindset, it becomes more difficult for me to see films or hear music or even listen to other people talk and realize, "Hey, this might have some sort of light to shed on life, existence, the cosmos, the Divine!"

Lastly, (my eco-conscious self needs to sneak in another possible interpretation here) one could say "plug in. zone out." were a call to drive electric vehicles powered by renewable energy. Then maybe we'd be able to "zone out" from conflict in the Middle East, relax as we're able to breathe a little easier, and...because the world's not going to melt? Eh, i guess it's destined to melt anyway regardless, now it's just a matter of when.

What do ye think?

In any case, note to self: remember to breathe, remember to notice.

My Dad as Brad Pitt

The written caption reads: "Have you seen Paul Choate & Brad Pitt in the same room? Huh?"

I'm famous on the internet! Again!

I'm not sure if i've officially shared this before, but i added a link to the left navigation section for one Bethany Keely who maintains a terrific quotation mark abuse blog. Definitely worth checking out. Here's what i wrote her:

"Hello Bethany!

My name's Aaron Choate and i'm currently a resident of Menlo Park, CA. I found out about your website from an article re-run in the Honolulu Advertiser (copied from an AP press release in NY by Jocelyn Noveck) while my wife and i were on our honeymoon on the island of Kauai. When i saw the article, i immediately identified with your pain and in fact had already begun photo-documenting such "occurrences" myself. One such photo i had taken (and it's taken me 6 months to send it!) is the attached photo taken in the "restroom area" of the Catalina Express landing "lounge" in "Long Beach, CA". A friend of mine--Kyle Warner--grew up on the island, and we were going to visit some of his family and enjoy the Catalina Island lifestyle for a few days. He was witness to the "restrooms" as well.

Thanks for your stellar work!

-Aaron-

p.s. please let me know if this one is honored with an appearance on your blog!"

And guess what? She did!
Not only that, someone else had seen that exact sign too and i beat 'em to the punch!

"Restrooms"