November is writing month

Officially it is about writing a novel. Well that isn't going to happen. I did start one, and I have notes but no where is there time to write 1,667 words per day in the month of November. Are they fucking joking me?

So I thought it would just be a month of writing, a sort of cathartic and creative and maybe just amusing. It might get a bit sad or punch him in the face but I make no apologies because it's my blog. And I am counting this entry, writing about writing which is a bit dollar store but I love shopping at the dollar store so there it is.  

It's my bright idea to get things moving. 

I guess I need to add that many of these photos are taken by me so don't use them without written permission. Don't be an ass.

It's always the next chapter

I abandoned this blog for a variety of reasons. The brightest was being burned at the stake. My partner, who became my husband did nothing to save my name which in hindsight might have been a warning sign. I don't actually need anyone to fight for me, but allies are always a good thing in battle and it has been a battle for 7 years now. 
Out of the ashes I rise like a Phoenix, screech towards the sky and take flight again. 

A new day, the same fight and I ask myself very similar questions about humanity. As the context or faces change in my life and I see the kindness and the smiles drain away, I wonder when people will wake up. 

When will they see each other, the sameness? When will they allow the divide to melt away and begin to understand that the separateness that they feel is an illusion?

I was going to start in a new and fresh place to write and post. A new beginning of sorts but the changed my mind. I'll just dip back into the past 7 years like a dream sequence in a movie instead, maybe disjointed and a little out of sync with time but then again isn't all memory like that at some point? 

Seven years later, I might not have chosen my throne wisely.

I Got Left Behind

I did a t-shirt...here is the link if you want to order one:

http://www.cafepress.com/frayedmargin

it continues in California...

I've been back for 6 months now. A LOT has happened and it's difficult to explain in a text box so I put together a little slideshow that can at the very least give a glimpse.

I do miss Firenze, the work and the fantastic people that got to know. Time marches on and all each of us can do is try our hardest to do our best.

Here is the link:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x0JT7UALz80

Layers

If we each peel back the layers of self, perception and how we interact we can see that life is very simple. It goes on without us, with us and in spite of what we think. I've arrived back to California without many expectations, just armed with hope.

During this last month I've learned a few things about other people and myself. The startling thing is that in the end it only really matters how I love and learn.

So the job hunt continues, it's similar to having a job that you just don't want to roll out of bed to do. It really is exhausting! So I look at the little things to be grateful for, internet that works, and beautiful house(s) that I've been lucky to stay at. A cell phone that kinda works and so many people that are cheering me on.

I am grateful.

And now...

I've had a chance to reconnect with friends, and meet some new people since returning back to the States and it's been so fantastic. So many people have greeted me with love and welcomed me back into the fold. I've had a chance to remember why I call them friends. The new friends have been so kind and helpful, extending themselves in many personal ways to help me along my journey. I am infinitely grateful.

So I continue to job hunt in the Bay Area and travel the beautiful coast of California in search of my next stop. I've been a bit of gypsy, enviable by some, living out of my suitcases and waiting to settle in. It's about having a deeper understanding I guess. You never really know until you've lived it. I can put a check mark next to the gypsy archetype....

A deep sigh...

I've been back for less than 3 weeks now and am adjusting slowly. I have a lot to be grateful for, the kindness and generosity of Allyson and Michael is humbling. I actually don't know what I would have done without them. And now I head off to get my car back from John who has generously stored it for 10 months now. These three people are made of solid gold. I've spent the majority of my time on the internet looking for places to land and work. Not easy in this economy but tomorrow I have a phone interview and I'm hopeful. It isn't the perfect restoration job that one fantasizes about but...it's a job which I need desperately. What to do first, find a place to live or a job? That has been the big question so I am tackling it by doing them simultaneously. On a more personal note, it looks as though I might have a boyfriend. I met Michael before I left for Florence and throughout my stay in Italy we grew closer. I've spent the last 2 weekends with him and now we are considering moving in together. Yup...after almost 12 years I might actually have a boyfriend. It's all a bit complicated but we are working at it. So off I go from Allyson's extremely gracious hospitality...next stop John's house and then to Stephanie's. (This photo is Michael and I...)

Boy do I want to unpack my suitcases!