The View From Here

This photo was shot earlier in the week from high above Lake Tahoe by Aidan, who was snow-boarding.

Today an independent film crew came by to film me talking about my first book, Circle of Poison, co-authored with Mark Schapiro. That book was published 33 years ago but continues to draw interest from people concerned about the global effects of pesticides on our health and environment.

The crew stayed around after the session and filmed me in my apartment as I dug out old copies of translations of the book, posters, and other materials.

It was a more personal look at my life as a writer than anyone else has filmed, and I'm sure most of it will land on the cutting room floor.

But I am thinking of asking them to save that excess footage for my children and grandchildren to see after I am gone.

Good idea?

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Happy New Year 2014!

Thanks to text messages I could follow my two youngest sons' progress yesterday, New Year's Eve, as they drove back to the city from Lake Tahoe. Also, we stayed in touch as they partied late into the night. Dylan got here around 2 a.m.; Aidan to his Mom's house about 3 a.m. or after.

Today Dylan went back up to Tahoe with friends, and texted me about his progress. This works for a nervous parent like me.

Aidan recovered from hard partying. I went over to El Cerrito and a BBQ cooked by my son-in-law Loic. Peter flew back to Seattle. Aidan's spending tonight with me; we both have to work the next two days.

Happy New Year everyone.

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History's Echoes in a Garage

I spent most of today helping other friends clean out boxes and boxes of papers from my late friend Raul's garage in Berkeley. It was a sobering experience, as I have been trying to get rid of my stuff for years now, and have succeeded in reducing the pure volume of material by maybe 25 percent.

But what should be saved? And who should decide?

Pack-rats like Raul and me save all sorts of things, some trivial, some no doubt important from some perspectives.

A century from now all of this would be invaluable. Now?

Among the things I found was an old rolodex from the '80s. My home number was in there from where I lived at the time -- in the Haight.

I also found a paper written by one of Raul's students at SF State 28 years ago. She is now a senior editor at the station.

Plus a copy of "Raising Hell," the textbook Dan Noyes and I wrote 32 years ago. Raul had it marked for use in the classes he was already teaching three decades ago at SF State.

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Visualize the Wind

Look at this very cool wind map of our planet. It is mesmerizing.

I have always been fascinated by the very basics of things around me: the air, the sky, the moon, the sun, the soil, flowers, trees, animals, birds, the light, and sounds, and the strange feelings all of these elements evoke inside us.

This one is about the wind.

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Day After Christmas

Merry Christmas

Spot the tiny helicopter in the last photo, flying off into the sunset. Hint: Click on photo to enlarge...

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Christmas Eve Post

The kids and I went to our favorite brunch place today, and then Julia and I finished up our Christmas shopping. It's a lovely afternoon here with temps in the 70s. I was able to buy my children and their children many more presents this year now that I'm employed.

What a blessing that is!

Recently we celebrated pie day at KQED (above).

Tonight I plan on going to a party for a little while. Tomorrow, Christams, across the Bay to gather with the family.

Merry Christmas everyone!

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