So Profound Was Their Love...

... they needed no words to express it.

Today is our fourth anniversary. Though in the past I've been prone to somewhat elaborate posts on such romantic occasions, today I'm reminded of something simple and beautiful. So, this is for you,  Captain.

Even before we were seriously dating, I was at your apartment and we were playing some favorite songs for each other. I don't remember now what I played for you, but I remember one you played for me: Phillip Glass's "Knee 5" from his opera Einstein on the Beach.

"And what sort of story shall we hear ? Ah, it will be a familiar story, a story that is so very, very old, and yet it is so new. It is the old, old story of love.

Two lovers sat on a park bench with their bodies touching each other, holding hands in the moonlight.

There was silence between them. So profound was their love for each other, they needed no words to express it. And so they sat in silence, on a park bench, with their bodies touching, holding hands in the moonlight.

Finally she spoke. "Do you love me, John?" she asked. "You know I love you. darling," he replied. "I love you more than tongue can tell. You are the light of my life. my sun. moon and stars. You are my everything. Without you I have no reason for being."

Again there was silence as the two lovers sat on a park bench, their bodies touching, holding handls in the moonlight. Once more she spoke. "How much do you love me, John ?" she asked. He answered "How much do I love you ? Count the stars in the sky. Measure the waters of the oceans with a teaspoon. Number the grains of sand on the sea shore. Impossible, you say. Yes and it is just as impossible for me to say how much I love you.

"My love for you is higher than the heavens, deeper than Hades, and broader than the earth. It has no limits, no bounds. Everything must have an ending except my love for you."

There was more of silence as the two lovers sat on a park bench with their bodies touching, holding hands in the moonlight."

It was the first time I can remember listening to Philip Glass. I was struck by the beauty of this song and the poetic simplicity.  Mostly, though, I realized that this was a song that had profound meaning for you, and that it was deeply romantic, and I wondered if you intended to share that with me. It was exciting and nerve wracking all at once in a good way.

So often when I think of those early days, I think of this, and I still get excited about being on that metaphorical park bench with you. Someday, I hope we can see this preformed. In the mean time, I guess a different Glass opera will have to do.

Love you, darling dearest.
- Your Lady

"I Met a Girl Who Sang the Blues..."

“… and I asked her for some happy news, but she just smiled and turned away.”

It’s just a couple of days after election day, and after one of the most toxic, visceral, and divisive American presidential election seasons in most people’s lifetimes (or so I’m told), Donald Trump is President Elect. A lot of people I know across the political spectrum are trying to find how to recover from a time of such polarized negativity. For what it’s worth, here are my thoughts on the race, post-mortem:

Was the Republican candidate, Mr. Trump, the embodiment of many of the unacceptable, hateful, and harmful social behaviors I condemn regularly as a public educator? Absolutely.

Was the Democratic candidate, Secretary Clinton, far too tainted by scandal, arrogance, and implications of corruption to warrant the good will necessary for a viable campaign? Absolutely.

Regardless of personal political preferences in this election cycle, this presidential race has been downright depressing. And now that it’s over, we’re still left with first of the two unappealing options above.

On November 9th, this was how I started the English class with my freshman and sophomores:

a. What is good sportsmanship? Why is it a value that is important to society?

b. What is something that brings you hope and joy?

It was as much for the kids as it was for myself. For the complaining we do about them, teenagers can be pretty insightful. Their answers were heartening:

“Being a good sport is caring more about your team than yourself.”

“Don’t brag or be a jerk when you win.”

"Good sportsmanship is everybody giving each other high fives at the end of the game."

“Don’t feel bad or complain when you lose. Feel good that you did your best.”

“People don’t want to play with you again if you’re not a good sport.”

“It’s about respect for yourself, for the other team, and respect for the game.”

Obviously we weren’t just talking about sports. We talked about how, no matter what our political views are, what matters is that we keep playing. Sometimes you win, and sometimes you lose, but it's important to continue to engage in the political process and be a good sport about it.

I also told them one of my happy thoughts is that they probably have strong feelings about politics after this, and that’s a good thing. I’m excited that there are so many young people who, as a result of this negative political climate, will be more engaged in politics. That’s what makes for a healthy democracy.  

We shared some happy thoughts, and then we got on with our work for the day. Then I went home and didn’t have to be the grown up, and I still don't feel great about things. I guess there’s an inevitable aftershock from this election. People have to figure out how to be normal again.

On a more personal note:

I’ve always felt good about being able to respect politicians with whom I disagreed because I believed that they were honestly doing what they felt was best for their country and community.   While I can not respect Donald Trump, it is not for his supposed views on policy. I will always feel that his unfiltered messages of hate and refusal to participate civilly in discussion are hurtful to democracy and fundamentally wrong. I hate that a lot of people feel less safe in American than they did before.

However, I also believe that a majority of people agree with me that Tump's flaunting of social codes and propriety is wrong. It was a weird situation, and while it doesn’t excuse Trump, I still think that most Republicans are reasonable people and do not think hate speech, bullying, or sexual assault are okay. A large number of Republicans I know are reeling from the frustration of having this man as the highest ranking politician representing the party. 

I feel like this is applicable to a lot of people in this country right now for different reasons:

Life goes on. And we’ll keep moving forward because the alternative is to be stuck in this really unpleasant place, and nobody wants that.

I processs things with words and needed to get this out of my system, so thanks for reading if you did.

Coming up next, things that have nothing to do with politics.

Much Love,

Alison

Summer's over. Get back to work.

Yup, all the kids are going back to school. Well, actually, John's only going to school because Alison is teaching. Yes, she got a job at a local high school! She may even choose to talk about it sometime, with fear for her anonymity (if that is a concern).

My family made it out Californee-way for the 4th of July. Well, everyone except Alison, John, Eric, and Krystal. Since we were a small crew, we were able to get around a bit. Like to the Donut Man, to take pictures.

Or to Santa Monica. I guess it was important that I at least show up once, to say I've gone as a Southern California resident.

I didn't really care much for the preaching and buskering, but the weather was nice. I wasn't particularly keen on springing for tickets to the park either. Mom and Haley seemed quite taken with Bubba Gump...which I wasn't very interested in at all.

I didn't have any spinach with Popeye, but their fish and chips were pretty good.

It was interesting to note that Rte 66 ends at Santa Monica. I suppose we could have driven it all the way from Glendora if we were willing to drive for 3h.

Alison and John finally showed up and got to join in on the fun. Dad and John took a trip to the semi-local playground.

There was a ward breakfast on the 4th of July. John was most interested in the balloons.

The Scouts performed admirably in the flag raising.

We partook in the yearly ritual of observing young Will Smith's chest as he talks about the 'quake near Los Angeles.

Then we went to Knott's Berry Farm. I haven't been since I was in high school, with a group of not-interested-in-good-rides. We had a kid, so we spent of the time in Camp Snoopy.

John was thrilled with the prospect of going on a ride all by himself. He couldn't figure out the controls of the Red Baron airplane--namely, you need to pull the stick toward yourself to go up.

The main event was the firework display at the end of the day. Alison, Haley, and I got to ride a grown-up roller coaster (Silver Bullet, which was the funnest ride I've been on in a long time). As we went up the long lift hill, we saw fireworks all over Orange County. It was probably the coolest visual that I had absolutely no way of capturing.

The next day, we went to our favorite breakfast spot, Flappy Jack's.

I had to go back to work, and I was working the 3-11 PM shift on our thermal vacuum test. I basically only saw my family in the morning before I shipped off. I think they went to the beach and other such fun things while I got to watch monitors and occasionally command some heaters.

Then the other side of the family rolled into town, which meant a requisite visit to the Disney zone.

I didn't go in though. Work and such.

Acquired an old favorite book:

We went with Rob and Michelle (who had better seats than us) to see Bret and Jemaine at the Greek Theater. I didn't capture the burning Long March 7 booster on camera, but I certainly saw it streaking over Griffith Observatory.

The mall in Arcadia was a big hit, at least with the rides. Good luck finding anywhere to park though.

Din Tai Fung. The kids weren't super thrilled. They just didn't know what they were missing, 'sall.

A cousin sleepover...John only annoyed Ryan a few times.

Spending some time in the "rocket chair" at Legends Diner.

Photo sessions near San Clemente Pier.

The real attraction were the new Pokemon. I'm like, level 8 now. Watch out.

Crystal Cove Chilaquiles. Seriously good.

Everyone continued to have fun while I returned to work. Got a flat for my troubles. It actually turned out to be doubles. Good thing the tires were repairable at the local BIG O.

Some shots of our dubiously rented beach home. I enjoyed it, at least.

Legos Downtown.

Hat party! Because, why not.

Got this in the mail. I burned it. That's right, I BURNED IT.

Had to go to Boulder, CO for a civil space contract. Bulldog is a good smooth root beer locally available.

The first time I've ever found quinoa tasty.

Awake at 2 AM to take my early shift on console.

Because of rapidly changing schedules, I found myself with the majority of a Saturday to do whatever I pleased in Colorado. Got some good breakfast and headed to Rocky Mountain National Park.

I was fully intending on taking a stroll, but at 11,000 ft the air is significantly colder than for what I was equipped. Basically, it was all I could do to snap some pictures and jump back into my warm car.

Apparently, before the area was formally parkified, people built their own little resorts and retreats in the area. Horseshoe Inn was one of these, and the park service demolished it to reclaim the land for nature.

After all this, I had a nice wait in DEN before I could go home again.

That's all that I have over the past few months. Alison has more, as you can tell.