“So what do you think about the monkey problem?” the first thing I thought when I heard the lunch table beside me was, did I miss something? I tend to stay on top of what’s going on, maybe this was new? Then I heard the explanation, during last season’s Amazing Race monkeys were behaving like Yogi Bear in Jellystone and snitching picanic baskets.
Actually there is growing concern regarding the aggressive behavior of baboons but it appears the aggression is attributable to human activity and interaction, something I’m sure was explained in detail by the Amazing Race producers.
On the whole the conversation between these four late 20’s early 30 something’s was vapid and shallow at least on the part of the bank employee who regaled his lunch companions with the marvels of tax deductible expenses like BlackBerry’s and how through the wonders of Tivo he manages to catch all his favorite shows except the season finale of AR. “Oh, that’s right you’re from Montana aren’t you? Where in Montana? Is it like the movie A River Runs Through It? Do you fly fish?” By the time this table had finished their meal I was looking for the mute button.
I don’t know if it was the afternoon heat or the fact that I have pent up emotions surrounding the hospitalization of both my parents for separate, life threatening, conditions or maybe it was just that my love of conversation for conversation’s sake was being assailed by this banal banter. Whatever the reason, the smug sense of self importance leaking from this lad rubbed me the wrong way.
Hey, have you found Twitter.com yet? Well I guess if you’re reading my rants and rambles you’ve noticed the rolling scroll on the right side of the page. I love Twitter, I knew I would when I learned how much of an impact it played in our last presidential election, the Mumbai bombing and the Iranian unrest. I imagine Twitter to be what Letters to the Editor used to be, without the edits and time delays and if you can get past all the spammy, get rich/get followers junk.
I’m a bit of a narcissist, what writer/twitterer isn’t? I understand the urge to monopolize conversations and believe what I have to say is utterly captivating, particularly to a captive audience. Luckily I also have a healthy dose of humility and recognize that while the universe is unfolding as it should (thanks Max Ehrmann) this phenomenon isn’t due to my particular brand of brilliance.
I really don’t take myself seriously, unlike the guy I was standing next to at the Italian Street Painting Festival earlier in the day on Saturday. When we heard a balloon pop he commented “they’re shooting at us.” I immediately replied “I should probably move because if they’re shooting, it’s at you.” He wasn’t amused. Benjamin Franklin’s caveat in How to Please in Conversation, “raillery is a part of conversation…use it with all the caution possible,” might’ve come in handy before I responded. Oh well, there’s always next time.
Saturday’s lunchtime conversation may have gone unnoticed were it not symptomatic of some larger conversations going on here in Martinez; conversations where, like the couple at my neighboring lunch table, citizens are being talked at, where self and special interest’s abounds and humility, self deprecation abases.
The art of conversation is in decline, so states the premise of a book I’m reading. If we lose our ability to purposely seek out ways to challenge our ideas, our premises and listen to what others have to say; if the art of conversation really is in decline here in Martinez, can community be far behind? I hope not, meanwhile I’ll just keep tweeting. Feel free to follow me and poke fun. I promise I can take a joke, just look at my last boyfriend...
Monday, September 28, 2009
Sunday, May 17, 2009
Happy Mother's Day Martinez
Okay I’m a tad tardy, normally I would finish that with “so shoot me” but I’m think’n there might be a taker or two…Well no matter, to all the mom’s out there I hope your day was wonderful. Personally I’d like a do over but hey we can’t have everything.
I have been mulling the proposed senior housing project since its inception, but hesitated in offering an opinion because I hadn’t taken the time to learn more about it. This week I popped my head in at the design review committee meeting and unfortunately my initial impression of the project proved to be correct. While mine may not reflect the opinions of the neighbors who would be directly impacted; I believe it’s valid nonetheless.
Sanctimony aside, whether or not the City of Martinez needs additional low income senior housing, what I heard and saw described at the design review meeting leaves a lot to be desired. I’ll get round to the grossly exaggerated economic benefit to the downtown another time, since my understanding of the residents who will be served supposedly fall into the ultra low and low income categories. If that’s the case then the notion the majority of these residents own transportation sounds a bit like puffery to me. A quick comparison of Aegis’s property on Oak Park Blvd. in Pleasant Hill offers a stark comparison to the proposed design with its curved driveway where residents are easily picked up and dropped off, under a height appropriate protective carport, just outside the main entrance. Inadequate parking aside how does the current design address easily accessible alternate modes of transportation? It doesn’t.
My Mother’s Day was spent decompressing from this year’s hospital stay for my own mother. As many of you reading this know she has COPD, i.e. emphysema, and around my house we all hold our collective breathes during cold and flu season. I thought we were home free when the holidays between Thanksgiving and Easter had passed without incident, that is until my housemate knocked on my bedroom door at 1:30a.m. alerting me to the 911 call.
I’ve come to see our close proximity to the emergency room as a blessing and I love the team of doctors and specialists who provide my mother’s care. She loves them too. I keep thinking Dr. Suchow will squeeze what remaining air she has clean out of her lungs when we go in for her quarterly check-ups. I can’t imagine what it would do to her mental health if we ever had to move away from her care providers. At the design review meeting a question was raised about the commitment to maintain this project as senior housing and not something easily morphed into a catchall low income project. I don’t believe that question was answered so let me restate it here and ask a qualifying question, where are these underserved seniors currently?
Another comment compared the project design to a big box something plopped on a piece of land without care or consideration to the surrounding neighborhood designs, much less the downtown specific plan. While that is a valid concern, I’m more concerned with tucking away a highly vulnerable group of residents into a remote corner of our city where ease of access to basic needs like medical clinics, pharmacies and hospitals appear to have been ignored.
While it’s true we have a gem of a county hospital, unless these seniors are already accessing this particular site and network what was the thought, they’d just change plans, doctors, hospitals and pharmacies with no ill affect to their mental health?
In my opinion, if RDC, the County and the City of Martinez really wish to serve this vulnerable segment of our society, they’re going to have to do better than this particular plan at this particular site.
I have been mulling the proposed senior housing project since its inception, but hesitated in offering an opinion because I hadn’t taken the time to learn more about it. This week I popped my head in at the design review committee meeting and unfortunately my initial impression of the project proved to be correct. While mine may not reflect the opinions of the neighbors who would be directly impacted; I believe it’s valid nonetheless.
Sanctimony aside, whether or not the City of Martinez needs additional low income senior housing, what I heard and saw described at the design review meeting leaves a lot to be desired. I’ll get round to the grossly exaggerated economic benefit to the downtown another time, since my understanding of the residents who will be served supposedly fall into the ultra low and low income categories. If that’s the case then the notion the majority of these residents own transportation sounds a bit like puffery to me. A quick comparison of Aegis’s property on Oak Park Blvd. in Pleasant Hill offers a stark comparison to the proposed design with its curved driveway where residents are easily picked up and dropped off, under a height appropriate protective carport, just outside the main entrance. Inadequate parking aside how does the current design address easily accessible alternate modes of transportation? It doesn’t.
My Mother’s Day was spent decompressing from this year’s hospital stay for my own mother. As many of you reading this know she has COPD, i.e. emphysema, and around my house we all hold our collective breathes during cold and flu season. I thought we were home free when the holidays between Thanksgiving and Easter had passed without incident, that is until my housemate knocked on my bedroom door at 1:30a.m. alerting me to the 911 call.
I’ve come to see our close proximity to the emergency room as a blessing and I love the team of doctors and specialists who provide my mother’s care. She loves them too. I keep thinking Dr. Suchow will squeeze what remaining air she has clean out of her lungs when we go in for her quarterly check-ups. I can’t imagine what it would do to her mental health if we ever had to move away from her care providers. At the design review meeting a question was raised about the commitment to maintain this project as senior housing and not something easily morphed into a catchall low income project. I don’t believe that question was answered so let me restate it here and ask a qualifying question, where are these underserved seniors currently?
Another comment compared the project design to a big box something plopped on a piece of land without care or consideration to the surrounding neighborhood designs, much less the downtown specific plan. While that is a valid concern, I’m more concerned with tucking away a highly vulnerable group of residents into a remote corner of our city where ease of access to basic needs like medical clinics, pharmacies and hospitals appear to have been ignored.
While it’s true we have a gem of a county hospital, unless these seniors are already accessing this particular site and network what was the thought, they’d just change plans, doctors, hospitals and pharmacies with no ill affect to their mental health?
In my opinion, if RDC, the County and the City of Martinez really wish to serve this vulnerable segment of our society, they’re going to have to do better than this particular plan at this particular site.
Monday, May 11, 2009
Anchors Aweigh
I mentioned in an earlier post that Krystal would be coming home for our 4th of July celebrations unless something intervened. Well when you're in the military, something always intervenes...
Thursday, April 30, 2009
Foster A Dream
From my Friends at Foster A Dream:
On April 30th, 2009, we have partnered with the Harlem Ambassadors Basketball Team to present exciting entertainment for a great cause. This amazing night will bring smiles to all ages, while benefiting Bay Area foster youth. Be a player, supporter, or simply enjoy the fun and laughs as our “Dream Team” competes against the Harlem Ambassadors!
Date: April 30th, 2009
Game Time: 7pm
Location: Alhambra High School in Martinez, 150 E Street, Martinez, CA
Tickets: $10 for adults, $8 for Students and Seniors, and kids age 5 and under are free!
Exciting entertainment, game memorabilia, concessions, prizes, and more!!!
On April 30th, 2009, we have partnered with the Harlem Ambassadors Basketball Team to present exciting entertainment for a great cause. This amazing night will bring smiles to all ages, while benefiting Bay Area foster youth. Be a player, supporter, or simply enjoy the fun and laughs as our “Dream Team” competes against the Harlem Ambassadors!
Date: April 30th, 2009
Game Time: 7pm
Location: Alhambra High School in Martinez, 150 E Street, Martinez, CA
Tickets: $10 for adults, $8 for Students and Seniors, and kids age 5 and under are free!
Exciting entertainment, game memorabilia, concessions, prizes, and more!!!
Sunday, April 26, 2009
Earth Day 2009
Thougth I'd take a break in honor of Earth Day and share a few pics from Bidwell Park. A friend saw a television show featuring the park and before I could blink we were in the car making the 150 mile pilgrimage. I don't recommend trying to make this a day trip like we did, apart from the wear and tear on the body, there is just too much to see and explore.
The body of water is called Big Chico Creek, kinda puts our own Alhambra Creek to shame although not in the way you might think. Bidwell Park is a municipal park and based on the reception I had when veryfing directions at the local 7 Eleven, one that Chico residents recognize is an attraction for day tourists like me.
Well Earth Day 2009 is over, I attended our own Earth Day Birth Day event at the John Muir site, saw Earth on opening day and spent a day gazing at butterfiles and fish fry, and while I did start this post stating I was taking a break from the tone of this blog, here's hoping that the folks seeking photo ops last week come to appreicate that there's more to honoring the spirit of John Muir that pressing flesh and kissing babies.
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