Wednesday, August 27, 2003

I took a look at my site meter today and noticed that someone had visited my site directly from another blogging site. So I visited there, and LO AND BEHOLD the blogger had put a direct link to Harmonic Convergence right on her blogroll! I guess this is no big deal for those super-duper bloggers who post interesting links and long daily essays with deep thoughts about life and philosophy. But I don't think of this blog as something that strangers might want to read - at least not regularly enough to warrent a link. But on the other hand, I have lots of links and bookmarks to unknown bloggers all over the world. I like to read the latest theater reviews by the gay man in NYC who travels a lot to Cape Cod. I like to keep up to date with the woman who just sent her daughter off to school. And I browse through their links. The blogging community grows and grows, and yet it feels like a place where people peer into windows at night, eavesdrop on conversations, and rarely engage.
Leah Brooks at 9:22 AM

Monday, August 25, 2003

From Phoenix

I write this from a fancy suite (I got upgraded) at the Marriott Desert Ridge in Scottsdale, AZ, which really is just part of the sizzling sprawl that is Phoenix. It's 10:30pm, but the heat continues outside. It's not the heat of the day that is shocking to us from the coast: it's the nighttime temperature. We exited a restaurant and I had the distinct impression that a giant truck or furnace had been emitting waves of high-intensity heat into the parking lot just before we came out. It couldn't possibly be natural! Back at the hotel, I decided on a dip in the pool, and discovered that the water is actually warmer than the air. None of the pools were deeper than 4 feet, so I guess they just simmer all day and retain that heat (it must be above body temp) all night long. Well, I did feel slightly cooler after getting out of the water.

The far-off lightening of the Baja monsoon made dramatic silhouettes of the desert mountains.


Leah Brooks at 10:37 PM

Friday, August 22, 2003

Expanded families

When I was growing up, I was somewhat of a celebrity for having 4 siblings, which was considered a large family. Today, if that's all we were counting, I would be even more famous - no one has more than three kids, it seems.

But these days, the family is so much more than just a collection of siblings. The family, as we know it, has expanded in all directions... People tell me of how involved they are with adopted kids, the ex's kids, the former in-law's second cousin-once-removed. We had dinner last night with our (not by blood-related) niece and nephews, and their two moms (now divorced), one mom's new boyfriend, her ex-husband and his daughter (by his second wife), their uncle (by blood), two more aunts (not by blood but by choice), and a grandmom. I think those kids will have to make diagrams to explain all these people. But maybe it needs no explanation - we find ourselves in the family by coincidence and then stay by choice.
Leah Brooks at 2:19 PM

Wednesday, August 20, 2003

Next week I'll be going to Phoenix for a Filemaker Developers' Conference, and three weeks later, going BACK to Phoenix again for the Sweet Adeline convention. The week after that, Barb and I will be driving to Zion and Bryce National Parks for a desert hiking vacation. I'd better start hydrating now for all that time in the heat, air conditioning and dust!

Barb is starting to volunteer at the humane society and we are investigating breeds for our next dog. In the meantime, Rudy (our cat) is enjoying attention that he hasn't seen for the three years we had Bailey! He even sat on my lap the other night. Poor guy, I know he'd like to be the only pet, but that is not to be. Next time, though, we hope we'll do a better job of introducing the two pets.

We saw "Legally Blonde 2" last night as a special night out for Ariana's 10th birthday. It was very cute, and had lots of dogs in it, as well as politics, so Barb REALLY liked it. I enjoyed seeing Reese Witherspoon dressed like Jackie Kennedy.



Leah Brooks at 12:40 PM

Thursday, August 14, 2003

They say it's getting harder and harder to hold one's head up as a Californian. Well, I don't know - I do love my chosen state, but not for its elected officials. I picked this location in 1979 because of the crashing surf and the redwood trees and Yosemite and the early, long springs and the changing colors of the rolling hills. I love the diversity: the murals of the Mission and vegetarian potstickers, the jazz street fairs and the accordion festival, gay freedom month and lesbian feminist comedians.

They say they all the fruits and nuts settle here on the west coast. If that's the worst label they can saddle me with, I can handle that one. If the rest of the country sees the recall election as just another example of how crazy we get after roasting in the heat and having our brains jiggled loose from earthquakes, well, that's okay.

But what I'm more concerned about it that this wacky election is just another loose brick in the tumbling edifice that once was a democracy. Low voter turnout, dangling chads, and now this.

Leah Brooks at 10:12 AM

Monday, August 11, 2003

Goodbye, Bailey!


Barbara has been eloquently writing about our loss, in thank-you notes and via email, to those who wrote and called us in sympathy. I feel less able to put down in words what the experience has been. Our dog Bailey was such a full member of our family - she never left Barbara's side. She was at every holiday function and most of our daily ones, as well. Although we only adopted her a few years ago, it feels as if we have always had a dog. Her advanced age was always evident, since she had arthritis, but never held her back from joining us on our hikes and other activities.

The day she died, her eyes were so full of pain and sadness. I'm trying to remember them instead as they are above, so full of love and energy.
Leah Brooks at 4:52 PM

Tuesday, August 05, 2003

Read all about our dear friends Dan & JL in today's USA Today. The photos in the print version of the paper were taken by our friend and former housemate Martin Klimek, and the whole thing orchestrated by our friend Janet Kornblum, who works for USA Today.

I have only seen the Queer Eye show a couple of times, and think it's great they have finally found a way to illustrate the "gay designer gene" for the public. I only wish I had that gene!


Leah Brooks at 2:49 PM

Monday, August 04, 2003

This past weekend, the Pacific Empire chorus music leadership team enjoyed our annual retreat in South Lake Tahoe. We have our rituals, like initiating the first-timers, our stretch/warmup break with the women of the black forest (aka Sonja and Brigitta), going to the casino for a show. We also have great classes and exercises that give birth to new ideas, heartfelt discussions about how to do our jobs better, and truth-telling and risk-taking sessions that always cause some tears to flow. I feel honored and proud to be a part of such a great team.

Some day I hope to go up to Lake Tahoe and spend more time in the great outdoors. It's so gorgeous! and we spend most of our time at retreat in the tiny little cabin. But on my early morning walks by the lake, I took a few photos to try to capture and remind myself of the jeweled beauty of this amazing lake.




















Leah Brooks at 4:25 PM