Estar Solo

Dicen que escribir en un blog

Es una forma de terapia

Que alivia el ser...la condicion...la tristeza

A veces es muy dificil mantener

El papel de un ser que hace reir a los demas

Es un papel dificil...como la opera donde

Aquel "pagliaccio" deve reir...

Pero se queja de algo

Ahorita en este momento

Me ha entrado una soledad

Una inquietud

Una tristeza

Trate de regresar una llamada

No contestaron

Y como me siento ahorita

Me vale!

De vez en cuando me pongo asi

Es muy dificil conquistar la soledad

Ahorita no puedo confiar con nadie

Me hacen falta mis seres queridos que se han

Mudado de esta casa

Claro- tienen sus vidas propias

Pero a veces duele tener que mantener un disfraz

Para poder estar comfortable con ellos

Quizas esto sea el resultado

De mi primer semana de trabajo

El fallecimiento de la mamá

De una de mis compañeras de trabajo

Y se acerca el anniversario de mi madrecita querida

Quizas esté cansado

Me pongo a pensar en las amistades

Que he tenido

Que se han ido

Sea por motivos de fallecimiento

O de mudanza a otro sitio

De las amistades que pude tener

De las amistades que no quisieron ser

Estoy harto de ser aquella persona

Que da los buenos dias o saludos matutinos

Y no hay respuestas

Como si uno no exista

Poner todo mi esfuerzo en unas posibles amistades

No vale la pena

Bueno, creo que me he lamentado demasiado

Mañana es otro dia

Sé que me sentiré mejor

Gracias blog

Por dejarme compartir contigo

Las lagrimas que derrota mi

corazón

Three More

Three more notable celebrities have entered immortality. Ellie Greenwhich, composer and lyricist from the 60s; penned some of the most beloved anthems of that time such as Chapel of Love, River Deep Mountain High. The Broadway musical Leader of the Pack used her songs to tell her story.

Dominick Dunne, author of crime dramas; he was also the father of actor/director Griffin Dunne and the late Dominique Dunne. She portrayed the eldest daughter in the first Poltergeist film.

Senator Edward M. Kennedy. The last of the Kennedys who spent a lifetime in service to our nation in the Senate. Who can forget his eulogy for this brother Robert- showing composure. The Kennedy family is the closest thing our nation has to a royal family.

Three incredible people from different walks of life. They remain with us in their songs, stories and political victories and defeats. May their lives inspire us to reach our full potential know that even though we are not celebrities, we do make a difference to those who love and surround us.

One last note...my sincere condolences to the family of my blog pal, Yellow Rose, on the loss of her mother, Mrs. Cardwell. I didn't know her personally, but my blog pal would recount stories of this mother, wife and amazing human being. Rest in peace, Mrs. Cardwell, Ellie, Dominick and Ted.

Looking Back

It is already late August. School has already begun; I have a new group of children to inspire, to encourage, to teach. The last few weeks for me have been inspiring, encouraging and full of teaching moments. My friend from Spain has returned home, hopefully with new insight of what the United States is. It was a wonderful experience to share my nation, my state and my city. And it was wonderful to listen and learn to the European point of view about our America. It was very refreshing to learn that we all share the similar environmental, political, and just plain familial problems. I think the best thing about this whole experience was rediscovering Northern California- from the county fair in Santa Rosa to the wonderful, peaceful atmosphere of the mission at Carmel. And to go through San Francisco, my hometown. It's been a while since I've been to Fisherman's Wharf, with its kitschy tourist traps, the smell of crab cooking and the saltiness of the bay and the amazing vistas from any point. And traveling on Muni and BART, not that bad. The buses and trains seemed to be on time. And downtown was actually clean. And to hear the chatter of all visiting languages: German, Japanese, Italian (got to carry brief conversations in Dante's language) and English...the UK variety. We have world class museums; I was very impressed with the MOMA and its Richard Avedon exhibition. The new Academy of Sciences is spectacular. And overall, San Franciscans- I think we are friendly people willing to help out those visitors from abroad. I am so very glad that my friend chose the West Coast as his first American visit. The closest thing to the insanity of the East Coast we have is the Los Angeles area. But, I digress. It is wonderful to share something with someone new, in this case a city. I am hoping that his word of mouth will allow for future opportunities to share this side of the United States with friends from abroad.

"Los Angeles is not a circus; Los Angeles is a zoo.

"So New Yorkers say."

Dialogue between Armando and Lewis in Escape from the Planet of the Apes

Have I Stayed Too Long At the Fair?

Last Sunday I took my Zaragozan friend to the Sonoma County Fair in beautiful Santa Rosa, about a 53 mile drive north of San Francisco.  The theme of the fair this year was The Land Before the Fair.  The weather was beyond spectacular- mid 70s and a very mild, cooling breeze.  Santa Rosa can get into the 90s; you might say the weather was unusually cool for this time of year.  We got there a little after two, leaving San Francisco in the middle of the daily battle of fog vs. sunshine.  Being that it was the weekend, the fairgrounds were packed.  I think a lot of people are doing lots of local trips.  But that is part of the fun of going to a fair...the people.  People of all sizes, shapes, colors, clothing styles, ages...a kaleidoscope of humanity sharing happiness, good food, great times.  We started with the pavilion that housed quilts, baked goods, drawings, agricultural stuff- awesome.  Photography and paintings were viewed and admired for a long time.  After, walked through the Mexican Village and the distinct aroma of Mexican fast food hit the nostrils.  A band was playing a pretty good rendition of La Bamba and Guantanamera- two musical selections that are stereotypical of Latin America.  Having survived this section, we proceeded into the Hall of Flowers which was amazing this year.  A Jurassic theme; the paintings on the wall were worthy of comparison with the best matte work of a long gone Hollywood.  The floral displays defied description.  One of my faves was a brontosaur made of flowers, seeds and red peppers.  Then through the pavilion where things were being sold...candies, Jacuzzis and my traditional 4 new ties for school.  Hunger eventually hit us and I introduced my friend to his first corn dog.  Corn dogs are such a treat at fairs.  As I overheard a seller, the food sold at the fair was fat free, sodium free, and calorie free.  If you do not ingest at the fair, all calories are doubled once in the parking lot!  Dessert consisted of ice cream cones- he had mocha nut and I had rocky road...delish!  The inevitable romp through the bovine pavilion brought farm memories for my friend.  The final section was the carnival area. Not much new in the rides department; in fact they looked like the same rides from 7 years ago.  I must say that visiting the county fair is a trek through American ingenuity, progress, abundance and pride.  At such events, all ethnic groups unite; all ages seem polite towards each other; again a great feeling of pride as to what a local community can produce and share with the world.  I look forward to going to Santa Rosa next year.  

"Our state fair is a great state fair

 Don't miss it

 Don't even be late"

from STATE FAIR by Rodgers and Hammerstein 

I Left My Heart

I have not really gone downtown San Francisco in a very long time.  I figure that living close to Serramonte and Tanforan shopping centers I can do all the shopping on the Peninsula.  And there are several good restaurants there, too.  Today I acutually took a Muni bus, the 14 Mission and showed my Spanish guest downtown.  He was not impressed with Muni; too many stops!  We got off at 5th and Mission and proceeded towards Market Street and I felt like a child in a theme park.  The streets were crowded, of course, and there were lines to board our National Landmarks that move...the cable cars.  Tourists, locals, workers, etc made today's experience a wonderful one.  The weather was spectacular.  Sunny and somewhat warm and occasionally a cool breeze.  We walked up to Union Square, which was being readied for some gastronomic event.  The St. Francis hotel was flying the flag of El Salvador, next to our flag.  Lots of memories of childhood and Union Square, remembering the hundreds of pigeons that flocked the benches and walkways.  Neiman-Marcus was stunning as always.  But my favorite part is the beautiful stained glass roof, a remnant from a by-gone era- the old City of Paris department store.  Speaking of remnants, we proceeded to the Westfield Mall in the old Emporium building.  Such memories of that place, too.  The bargain basement, which we could afford.  The center is huge, housing lots of high priced boutiques and shops, such as Bloomingdale's  and Nordstroms.  A Japanese tourist headed towards my friend inquiring where Powell Street was.  My friend was speechless as I told the young man were to go.  He was actually about a block away.  I suppose when you have a camera in hand, you are not a local!  So, my friend was anxious to resolve a financial problem- he had some traveler's cheques (remember those?) and wanted to see if they were still valid.  We proceeded towards the Financial District; Bank of America and went to the Foreign Currency window.  Long story short, problem was resolved.  We proceeded down California Street towards the Embarcadero.  We stopped at Vaillencourt Fountain.  I must admit I have only seen it in postcards or driven by.  Today I got up close and personal; felt a cool mist and enjoyed the fountain along with everyone else.  Crossing the wide boulevard we headed towards the Ferry Building and again I was surprised.  Such hustle and bustle.  We had a delicious lunch, Chinese chicken salad and shared a table with two wonderfully and chatty Fijian women and their gringo pal.  Walking through the Ferry Building's food court was great- the smells of international and local cuisines, coffees and desserts.  Yummy!  We proceeded to see the view from a pier.  Lo and behold, a former student of mine, Maude Wilson, hugged and shocked me.  She works in a building across the street from the pier and she was taking full advantage of the awesome weather.  The picture opportunities were wonderful from this vantage point.  Soon it was time to come home.  We boarded BART and in 15 minutes we reached our destination, Balboa Park Station.  My friend's only negative comment regarding BART is that the stations were not announced.  I know they used to, but I agree.  Especially for visitors who don't know what stations are approaching.  Needless to say, it was a wonderful day to rediscover my hometown.   Sure it has its problems like any other major metropolis, but it is home.   If you read this and have never been to San Francisco, make it a point to visit.  If you are from the San Francisco Bay Area, make it a point to re-acquaint yourself with this beautiful city.  A world class city, a city I am proud to call home!  Go 9ers!  Go Giants!

San Francisco, open your Golden Gate, you let no stranger wait outside your door...