a trip on the train ... to ashland and back!

it has been a number of years since i've been to ashland, or, to participate in the oregon shakespearian festival.  so, this was the year, and I decided to go by train!  trying to be very 'green'.  being on the train isn't so bad; it is transferring to a connect off the train that makes you want to change your color to RED!  so, traveling green was a bit of a challenge, but not awful!

i visited old friends and met new ones; the weather was great, and the bed and breakfast i stayed in, blue moon, is something i can highly recommend; restful, quiet, close to downtown, good food, clean and comfortable! 

so it is almost like william shakespeare is on the scene, although he might be scratching his head in amazement!  here's why:
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this picture was taken along the creek that flooded several years ago, adjacent to the festival itself.  the first play i saw was in the evening in the elizabethan theatre, but it wasn't by will ... it was by stephen (soudheim) -- 'into the woods' ... a musical about all those great fairy tales we know -- with a twist!  so fun!  a great evening under the stars....

sunday saw the day begin with worship at first congregational united church of christ, followed by another (non-will) production of a mark bedard adaption of irving berlin and george s. kaufman's musical hit, 'the cocoanuts' ... the marx brothers at their best, with plenty of audience participation, and more laughter than anyone could guess for the sabbath!

evening brought my first will play, 'the tempest', one of the romance plays; with denis arndt doing a very reflective rendering of  prospero, who is on a spiritual journey toward forgiveness and reconciliation .... well done, but listen closely!

one of the reasons i attend the festival at this particular year is to participate in daedalus (based on the greek myth); the festival's hiv/aids benefit; this year's daedalus was dedicated to the researchers and advocates who perished aboard malaysia airlines flight 17; a meaningful time, and a remembrance (the naming) at the end of those remembered who had died of this awful disease; one of my high school classmates associated with the festival was included in the naming.

tuesday brought two delightful will productions.  the first, performed with an almost completely african american/black cast, was 'the comedy of errors', set in the harlem of duke ellington and langston hughes.  this comedy deals with the search of lost twin boys and their twin servants and makes way for the experience of mistaken identities.  loss and separation are re-united!

between shows at blue moon, while sipping on iced tea and delights, i could listen to the soothing sound of water, even though there was caution to be water-wise!  port, a new found experience for me, was also offered in the evening.

but before port, came my final will experience:  the two gentlemen of Verona -- done, effectively and a twist to historical theatre, with an all-female cast!  this is an adventure of finding yourself without losing your friends; a wonderful evening under the stars!

had i not taken the train, letting me off in klamath fall or, where i caught the connection to ashland, i would have missed the beautiful scenery one does not see on highway 5 -- and the beauty which is oregon!  my story of 'traveling green' concludes with these disclaimers; don't be in a rush as you'll encounter delays; you might want to invest in a sleeper car if you want your own space, and when you are traveling, look for a train that takes you directly to your destination, or you might be a bit surprised by the added length of your trip.  aside from that, you get to see some interesting stuff -- even at night!  and, traveling back to san jose, you'll see (the back-end of) the new sports arena for the giants and 49ers...  so, there you have it!  plan your trip on the train, today!
   

music . . . .and 2 reasons to bike! . . . a show of support

since the building of a sports center in santa cruz, the civic auditorium has become more of a location for events; music is one of the prime events!

each year, santa cruz is the host for the cabrillo festival of contemporary music (finishing its 52nd season).  outstanding musicians, great performances, and world-class music fills the air for about two weeks!  lucky us!!

one of the great best-kept secrets is the open rehearsals where you can just go in and sit quietly to their practice time ... nearly as exciting as the concerts themselves!

marin alsop has been conducting here for years; she serves as the music director for the baltimore symphony orchestra, and the sao paulo symphony orchestra.

i had the pleasure to sit in on the rehearsals for two pieces; brett dean's u.s. premiere of 'fire music' -- a powerful piece that included the main orchestra (including three percussion sections!) with three ensemble groups set around the auditorium.  very exciting indeed.  the other piece was a world premiere and festival commission of gabriella smith's 'tumblebird contrails' -- an awesome piece; and gabriella was on hand to help make the piece the best it could be!

funny enough, i went to a celebratory lunch out-of-town for a friend of mine on monday who was honored for his 15 years working for at&t; another guest at this celebration was the partner of one of the percussionists!  to say it is a small world would be an understatement!
  

returning to church on tuesday, i discovered our fellowship hall filled with young-adults who had biked cross country to raise money for affordable housing -- a most worthy commitment.  'bike & build' have done this for years, and end their time in santa cruz, staying in our fellowship hall, as they fly back to their respective homes ... this morning, one of the bikers left for his home in germany!

what a sense of dedication to raise funds for others!  what a sense of service; and a healthy way of doing it as well.  i'm honored that the united methodist church of santa cruz can help end their journey with a place to stay as they prepare to return to their day-to-day activities.

this is a reminder of how important it is to be able to share a part of who we are with others.  these folks stand as a reminder to all of us; each one of us can have something we believe in and are committed to outside of ourselves that 'gives back' to others in our world; what do you do in your daily lives that helps to make the world a better place each day?

if you haven't had an opportunity to physically do something for another today (of this week, or this month, or this year), let me offer an you another reason to bike.  and even if you have done something for someone else to help make their lives better in some way, here is another opportunity!

there is a young couple in our congregation who are both going to school; they help to coordinate our weekly efforts with the faith community shelter in our community -- a traveling shelter for up to 18 folks who are homeless; our day to supply dinner, overnight shelter, and breakfast is on fridays.  we are working to provide folks in the shelter a 'step-up' program; offering resources to settle into permeate housing, schooling and job resources, and community support.

not only do jonathan and jen work, go to school, and coordinate our program, they also bike everywhere ... and they are biking to support and raise funds to find a cure for aids!  such a worthy effort could certainly be a way to show support for others; simply hop onto the links below to extend yourself into the cycle of support . . . .  won't you join me in helping to make a difference . . . . 

jonathan's donation page:  http://encompasscs.donorpages.com/SurfCityAIDSRide/JonathanBruce2014/

jen's donation page:
http://encompasscs.donorpages.com/SurfCityAIDSRide/JenniferBlack2014


  

the unexpected happened . . . .

 the unexpected happened . . . .  it rained this morning.

ok, the rain was just a few drops; enough to get my paper wet (a bit) and to make the ground (kind-of) wet.  BUT, it was rain none-the-less!  the rain was loud enough (with my windows open) to awaken me from a very sound sleep.

the unexpected happened . . . i slept eight hours! 

part of my well-being challenge is to get eight hours of sleep on a consistent basis.  and i am.  i will admit, however, that the well-being challenge, while going quite well for me, is also driving me nuts!  i get periotic notices throughout my day about someone posting a comment; people i do not know from around the nation giving me encouragement ... and while that is very nice and kind, i find myself distracted by the very program that is intended to be for my well-being.

when the unexpected happens, it is time to explore what actually IS happening.  and so i've taken some time to reflect.  social net-work, for which this well-being program combines, is an aspect of life i hadn't count on; i've become like a dog who has been trained by the sound of a 'ding'; every time i hear that 'ding' on my computer or my iphone, i feel the 'need' to respond.  ok, so i'm overly curious, and i can't wait to find out some important message. 

social media, i've come to realize, is supported by the commercial industry.  not being so high tech, i have been informed that i can opt-out of that which annoys me, and return to my focus on well-being.  but for those who know me, you'll know that the real reason i don't 'opt-out' is that i might miss something!  soooooo .... i have to figure out another way to deal with social networking and still be able to focus on my well-being.

thus, the picture of the lighthouse with the crashing waves.  somehow, the calm of the lighthouse does not get disturbed, for me, by the crash of the waves.  and why might that be, you ask?  i've no idea.  but, it is fine for me to experience the crash of the waves on the shore; soothing, in fact; not distressing to my well-being ... the unexpected happens!

and so, perhaps i need to do the unexpected for me, and spend more time being enriched by the community in which i live. 

last week, someone mentioned how people use to ask her while she was living in santa cruz, 'do you go to the beach every day?'  her answer was 'no.'  i totally understand that!  and yet, for my well-being, perhaps i need to be doing two things . . . let the 'dings' happen and not let them rule my life, and make it a point to go to the shore of renewing waters every day.  what a concept!

so, i've left a picture of the boardwalk for the end . . . . and i'll just ask you -- are you finding the unexpected happening in your well-being?