Wil in Santa Cruz

His Majesty Kiana and RubyArt "for Daddy"

2010-02-10T22:56:00.000-08:00

With all the use of social networks, for me, FaceBook, its difficult to maintain this one. That and the insane busy lifestyles I'm both apart of and witness constantly. Though painful, I'm looking forward to the collapse of this society. It is not sustainable, even in my most conservative dreams. Too many people into too much denial and distraction. I'm not saying that I know the future, I just know that what we're doing today, what we're attached to, won't sustain us, won't maintain us. Yet with all the fear and shame and frustration in each of us (okay, I'm writing this, so I'll say, "in me" - yet I've owned my Demons and they're not very housebroken), I'm not optimistic. I challenge you to make me wrong. I so wish to see all of us blossom into what we're capable of, I'll happily own being ignorant of the sudden blooming of us all. I'll even share it on FaceBook.

The Cathedral of Ulm

2010-01-20T23:02:00.000-08:00

The Worlds Tallest Catherdral is in Ulm, Germany. Amazing in many ways: it took over 500 years to complete, was built from the funds and donations from the people, not the wealth of the powerful, it stands over 165 meters, or 500+ feet in height, AND it's highest reaches are available to tour!

Wow was this boy excited and scared (once I got up there)!

Annette's brother, Florian, and family live in Ulm. Getting to the top was nothing new for them. This is from about 2/3rds the way up.

The view from Florian's Apartment. Quite Inspiring!

Another fun fact about Ulm is that it is the birth place of Einstein.

Slaying the beast?

2010-01-20T22:55:00.000-08:00

Never been a big fan of St. George (or whoever) killing the dragon. It is supposed to represent the intellect or the church (faith) dominating the mystery of nature. For some reason that's never sat well with me, maybe because it is in nature that people tend to discover what's often best in and for them.

Anyway, this statue is in the main square of Tubingen, Annette's home town. The town is very picturesque of old Germany. Not much damage from WWII and perhaps the oldest university in West Europe. Kepler had (its still there) his observatory there.

We're off to Germany!

2009-10-13T18:28:00.000-07:00

Oder, wir gehen zu Deutschland!!
I'm so excited I can hardly sleep. This Thursday Annette and I are heading back to Germany. It's been a couple years for her, 40 years for me. She'll be returning to her Dad's 75th Birthday and giving a talk in Heidelberg and I'll be visiting the apartments and the city of Heidelberg, where, oddly enough, I used to live when my Father was stationed there on his second t.o.d. in that country.

I'm curious as to what hidden memories will be stirred as I explore the streets. I have several, like when I took off on my tricycle to do a road trip and got as far as the autobahn before I was spotted by my brother. When that old white Ford station wagon caught up to me, boy did I get a spanking! I was 4 years old at the time and we'd just gotten back from a road trip across the Alps and down to Spain, if memory serves. I just didn't want the trip to be over!

A wonderful drumming experience Sunday before my cave trip into Hurricane!

2009-10-12T22:25:00.000-07:00

From Deep in the Sierras

2009-10-10T13:57:00.000-07:00

I just got back from a caving trip of Hurricane Crawl, inside Sequoia National Park. I've been wanting to do this trip from more than a decade. Fewer than 100 people have entered this cave, so I felt very blessed to get access with the Park's Cave Specialist, Joel Despain.

It was a grueling trek with narrow passages some over 80 feet high with cascading flowstone of white and orange, grittering in the dark. Deep inside we found large rooms, some with pools, now seasonally dry like this one. The oscillations of top of the water level and the super concentration of dissolved calcite creates interesting textures and formations.

These beautiful formations are decorating part of ceiling of Pumpkin Palace. The photos hardly do them justice.

this answers some of my reasons for my love of the outdoors

2009-09-28T21:30:00.000-07:00

ALL ABOARD!!

2009-09-21T11:17:00.000-07:00

Ruby's taken an interest in trains as her Dad and her Grandpa Richie are a bit nutts about them. So this weekend I took her to first real train ride at the Roaring River Camp's narrow gauge #1 engine Dixiana runs about every 2 hours. She was a little scared at first, but sitting near the back and on my lap she quickly was more interested and having fun than worried. "Choo-choo!" was her words for the weekend mosty, with each arm moving like a train's pumping pistons. It's really endearing. Here we are at the top of Bear Mountain in Felton, the turn-around point of the trip. Sorry to Grandpa Richie as I know he tried to do this earlier with her, but she was too scared then. I hope we have the chance to do it all together soon!

Hey All!

2009-09-21T10:45:00.001-07:00

Harold makes an appearance for those of you who check this site.

By the ways, who is reading this lately? I know between not being able to add fresh material recently and having a silly Facebook account, folks aren't stopping by so much. How's about a comment so I can get an idea of effectiveness of this blog? Thank you so much!!

Wil

Having Technical Difficulties...

2009-09-14T21:49:00.000-07:00

Please Stand By....

No it didn't snow here, and no, we're not on vacation anywhere there is snow.

I haven't updated my blog in over a month because of problems with my computer's memory being over-full and I've got no time to really fix it so as to upload new photos. Plus I'm serious about spending less money to buy new gear, so things have to be sorted out the old fashioned way - with a hammer! NO! That would be quicker, but not so sustainable. So come back for more soon....

Mr. Toad's Wild Ride

2009-07-30T17:30:00.000-07:00

This has been a week of firsts for this boy.

Sunday, at a pool party with one other family and in a moment of stupidity - I was butterfly swimming across a pool that I wasn't familiar with, I did one rep too many and impacted the shallow step which did extend out into the pool by an uncharactisticly 3 feet. Great for the little ones, not so for formally aspiring swimmers!

KRAK! I hit my forehead and nose flat against the step. I came up thinking, "Okay, you idiot, compose yourself, shake off the stars, and get back to entertaining the kiddos." I was cupping my face, but I couldn't see the stars do to the blinding pain that just wouldn't subside. After a moment I could hear my friends asking me if I was okay. Jokingly I said that I might have broke my nose. Then I felt it!! (in disbelief) It was smashed to one side! NO WAY! Then there was a ton of blood and everything was shifted to getting the kids out of the pool and me to the hospital. What a spoiler!

So that was Sunday. Its now Thursday and I've been lying low, taking the week off, healing. Annette's been extrodinarily helpful getting me to both Urgent Care for the initial stitches - 7, and then to the specialist on Monday to get the nose reset. Poke! Snap! Ouch! All in about 20 minutes. It was broken in 3 places. The swelling's been going down and there's a little color around my eyes, though much less than I really expected. Some of Annette's herbs I attribute to this.

Feeling a little more pluck, I decided to test my ability to exert myself by a bike ride to and from Santa Cruz (about 12 miles roundtrip by road and an elevation difference of about 700 feet. On Tuesday I'd done a 2 mile walk and had felt some exhaustion and head weariness. But cabin fever was setting big time I had some errands to run in Santa Cruz. Plus there was Annette's new (via a yard sale) mountain bike. It was exactly like the mtb I have, only this one's a size smaller (and thus lighter!) and 3 years older. It was a great score at the yard sale. And should worse, come to worse, there's the public bus that runs from SC to Felton, so I was covered if I'd done too much.

Learned a lot of new things about the local geography, history, and demographics - returning via the train tracks was gradual with an incredible view!! And the bike was well up to the challenge, as I was. I did walk up a few steep parts and took a couple breaks but now I'm feeling more like getting back to solarizing the South Bay! (really?) I have been enjoying writing some over the last couple days.

Hope you're all doing well....

Going to the World Music Festival

2009-07-22T20:35:00.000-07:00

I took Ruby to the World Music Festival at Grass Valley (sadly Annette couldn't get to come). Good Friends and music all around but a special shout-out to Karen Folger and Jon Bowls for hangin' with me and the Rubster (esp Karen for watching RJ while I had to do those early morning bathroom runs - single moms, how do you manage! Too busy for photos at the actual event, but seeing all that talent (Los Lobos, the Indigo Girls, Om Ensemble, Fishtank Ensemble and too many others) and Ruby dancing on the lawn with others - super great.

I received numerous comments from folks on how great it was to see a single dad taking his daughter to such an event. One guy claimed he was a therapist and after seeing me felt a renewal in his faith in men as fathers. He'd seen too too too many fatherless children in his line of work. Renewed my energy in the moment as keeping track of a two year old while tending to camp needs can be a challenge!

Cat Zen

2009-07-03T12:32:00.000-07:00

Thought I'd wish you my own form of happiness and reflection for the 4th. "Zen Out" while you can!

Outdoor Ed

2009-06-14T21:43:00.000-07:00

I'm really fortunate as I live very close to Henry Cowell State Park. A short walk links where I live to some wonderful outdoor places allowing me to bring Ruby in touch with fun and nature. She likes both being carried and having time to explore. I've got the irrational fear of some mountain lion running off with her even when she's about 15 feet away - with this underbrush, it is good to keep tabs on her - she can be pretty fast when she's a mind too.

Some Solar Projects are Cool

2009-05-28T08:53:00.000-07:00

A living roof garden next to a small array was an interesting and challenging project as it required a lot of work with the home owner and his daughter who designed the project.

A little concern with the sprinklers placing mineral deposits on the system - but that's something they'll work out.

This very large array we did not install, but were so impressed by the size and ingenuity behind getting this thing on a curved roof that we had to stop and inquire. You're only seeing about a third of the system. The owners were VERY happy with it and the inverters you see on the wall are there for expanding the system. It's unlikely that they'll ever be used here as the system has exceeded the expectations of the businesses using the electricity.

My good friend and fellow solar wrench turner JB!!

These types of things makes me feel good about what I'm doing for a career. I wish everyone felt moments of gratitude such as this!

Sense of Place

2009-05-25T21:25:00.000-07:00

Well it's been a month since Annette and I have moved into our new 3 bedroom home on the San Lorenzo River. Plenty of room for guests and good times to come. Leaving the old, small (illegal), converted, two-car garage had it's bitter-sweet moments, such as pictured here with the growth of RJ documented next to the bathroom door jam. Strange as it may seem, I wanted to strip off that part of the drywall and attach it to some new place here on Lazy Woods Road. But reality set in with so much to do here - and it's looking positive for a house warming party happening here soon. And Ruby's already looking for a new place here to have us track her growth.

We had her last weekend while her Mama was out of town and of course, she was sick, flu and fever. Lots of quiet time and we had the "stay in bed because it's good for you" talk, which she co-operated with quite well - we'll see about that when she's a teen.

Easter time and moving

2009-04-30T13:25:00.001-07:00

Well I'm hoping that you've had a great transition into Spring, aka Easter. The family unit of Ruby, her Mom and I, plus several friends gathered at the Sloans for a brunch time bbq and potluck. Really nice day. Ruby and her friends had fun hunting for eggs. She had to be taught the concept of egg hunting, but was quickly getting the idea. Too young for cheap chocolates or processed sugar, the goodies inside were none-the-less yummy or fun.

And now for something completely different:

This boy's done packed up his home near the ocean and moved it up into the Santa Cruz mountains. Just between the towns of Felton and Ben Lomond is Lazywood Drive and I'm now overlooking the San Lorenzo River. I'm happy to be back where the conifers dominate, yet in a riperian zone of lush hardwoods and shrubs. The cats are having a time of acclimation and just made a break for the outdoors. This is on day 3 of living here, so hopefully my critter Mancha will come back for chow!

Monterey Bay Aquarium

2009-04-17T10:17:00.000-07:00

Hello Everyone! We've been very busy here. Work, for me, is always demanding, about 12 hours a day is committed to getting me to, at and from work. Not too fun and I'm looking to improve that situation. But it's only 4 days a week. Fridays are for Ruby and I to explore our world.

Last Friday we and a friend Annette went to the Monterey Bay Aquarium. We didn't realize that it was the premier of their new display of Seahorses, Pipefish and Seadragons. Ehw's and Ah's all around! Annette, having spent part of her career as an underwater archiologist was particularily thrilled.

And though Ruby had some interest in the creatures inside the tanks, she had more fun with a pigeon which was after our brunch break snacks.

Of course the big aquarium was an interest as was the deep sea exhibit

Now that was Friday's fun. But Saturday ended up with some big news:
We've got some place new to live. Our little studio is just too small and
the stairs up to the loft sleeping area was too steep for my sanity when
the Rubester was wanting to climb or go downstairs. Moving will be
happening the second week in May, so if you're not doing anything, we
could use your help!! Have a great weekend!

A Long Weekend With Ruby

2009-03-22T20:52:00.000-07:00

It's difficult to say how things are going at any given moment. If you'd asked me Saturday, "Challenging" would have been a polite response as the day consisted of trying to visit the Bonny Doon Ecological Preserve, only to discover that it was completely closed due to a massive fire.

In route to Plan B, Henry Cowell State Park, we had a rear tire get shreaded (literally punched open) and thus had to limp to the Sears Automall to get two new tires - oh those Rice-burning Subs can only have sets of tires replaced, not just one! And then, when we're out of the mall, its raining.

Through it all, Ruby is a champ. Sure she wasn't too thrilled to be put back in her car seat shortly after our arrival near the park, but she didn't mind the mall's food court and children's play area. Kinda like a dog-park for many of my older siblings out there. Sit back and watch what kids will do with each other in a relatively safe environment. Of course, with me there, there's one kid who's just too big to jump on things, so I get to spot some of Ms. Ruby's more ambitious climbings.

Now if you were to ask me today, well, despite the hang-over of yesterday - Ruby's angelic resemblances seemed to have disappeared after sundown - today was great. The weather was very chaotic - very sunny, with darkly scattered clouds, which the wind freely, and very strongly, blew about (with some rain!), and Ruby and I had a blast with friends and neighbors and each other.

Ruby's Mama and Nana arrived from their trip late Sunday to smiles, hugs and kisses. A happy ending. Now I get ready for my work week....

2009-03-15T19:06:00.000-07:00

Ruby explores Henry Cowell State Park in the Santa Cruz Mountains.

Okay, they do have SOME big trees here...

The Ravages of Time

2009-02-28T18:02:00.000-08:00

The Weather's really been taking quite the presence on the stage that is Santa Cruz this last couple weeks. With wave surge, the sand makes grand changes to our beaches here. These old piers made their appearance last weekend. Now what do you suppose they used to do?

The storm also dropped three large branches from the neighbor's towering Monterey pines into the back yard, encouraging the homeowner to hire a crew to clean up the remaining branches over the property and the additional sunlight is very nice to have here.

A few months ago, I installed a solar tube (aka fancy skylight) into my kitchen area. Wonderful illumination and a more pleasant place to be in then the place it was which was an over-shaded kitchen cubby.

Today I just finished a nice long mountain bike trip into the Santa Cruz mountains. 26 miles and lots of elevation moved through. The bike's been a great machine, but I can tell it could sorely use a tuneup. I may be pooped, but it feels great!

Got money will power...

2009-02-15T12:44:00.000-08:00

Revisiting the world's largest residential solar array, now complete. 150 KW, 720 modules all on a copper standing seem roof, which covers a riding arena. Ah to have mega bucks... All this and MUCH MUCH MORE for a family of 4...

'tis we call 'green washing'...

disgusting.

If you're potty-training a toddler...

2009-02-15T12:37:00.000-08:00

... you gotta show her how it's done right!

Yep, she's taking after her old man, though she's still
a little stinker - her diapers don't allow her the liberty to drop her drawers when she needs 'em to, but one thing at a time!

2009-01-30T08:06:00.000-08:00

Frosty Morning to you!!

These days I've been carpooling over to San Jose area (aka the South Bay) to work on the world's largest residential pv solar installation. 150 Kilowatts! That's huge, Huge! All on a copper, standing seam roof - about a million dollars to keep the ground below dry - and the 3,000 landscaping lights powered. This place is obscene in its ambitious opulence, but the carbon offset from this install won't change much overall, but every bit helps. We arrive to a very frosty job site, but it soon gets bearable. This picture shows the array about half done, not counting all the wiring - saving that for Monday... Everywhere the modules sit - their all frosty white - is on copper, with each one foot section from rain gutter to peak costing about $700 dollars. Must be nice to have money, A LOT of money...

2009-01-30T08:01:00.000-08:00

Good Morning!!

Ruby says hello from the beach. We're having our weekend time a little more concentrated as Daddy's schedule has become a bit more complicated. Changes are affecting so many of us these days. I hope all changes in your lives come to a positive place, even if they look challenging at first!!

You Get What You Need...

2009-01-15T20:46:00.000-08:00

I have many stories from my three week visit to Guinea. Some harrowing, others boring to endure in both the experience and in, perhaps, the telling.

These photos are from the village Oroko (or Woroko or Ourouko) I visited. My drum teacher Wadaba and his family call this place home. I am glad to finally see this place. It is an extreme place and the lifestyle here demands everything and in doing so, the interconnections between family and community become paramount.

To get there we had to cross the Niger River, which is very wide, yet very shallow.

Forgive some of the focus problems on this video: low lighting and smoke gave me a challenge, but I hope the fun and mystery of the village Fet, or celebration, is conveyed. The hosts were so generous, they even performed a mask dance, which is unheard of according to many who've ventured to haut Guinea in these modern times.

Bye-bye, I'll Miss You Little Ms. Ruby most of all....

2008-12-10T17:43:00.000-08:00

This will be my last post for about a month.
Yeah, I'll miss that playful side, attitude and words will all be grown more when I return in a month. Africa's going to be a great adventure, but I think after a few days I'll be missing someone...

I hope You ALL have a great holiday, whatever your faith, and that the new year brings you all that you require.

Peace, Love, and Playfulness,

Wil

Who Needs TV...

2008-12-05T09:41:00.001-08:00

when you've got a terraquarium!

Ruby is very fixated on Harold the snake and his aquarium buddies, which are two fat goldfish and two snails. We get home and the first thing she wants to see is Harold, so I pull up a chair, get her a sippy-cup of goat milk and she entertains herself for a good 10 to 20 minutes. Sometimes we pull Harold out to slither around and Ruby's a little timid about him, but she's still fascinated. It being really cold lately, Harold's taken to hiding a bit more, but when Ruby's asking for him, sometimes he's just gotta make an appearance....

A Fine Trip to Sequoia

2008-12-02T20:57:00.000-08:00

Fall has definitely come to the Sierra's as my visit over Turkey Time weekend showed me. A wonderful road trip to see friends and family, eat good food and visit old stomping grounds up in the park. I just cannot get enough of these mountains, no matter how much I'm in Santa Cruz, my heart's in these mountains. I only have one Love that trumps it, and you gotta know what I mean.

Thank You Aunt Sis....

2008-11-21T19:33:00.000-08:00

Hey Everybody!! Another Friday, another set of adventures with Ruby. She's exploring her world. Sometimes with both hands free, yet still carrying things (you should see her impression of a parent *a-hum!* talking on the phone while multi-tasking. She's got the phone-shoulder cradle action down to a science - scary! ).

Anyway, her Aunt Sis, aka KJ or Kim to us sibs, and her cousin Jess, sent her this really nice purple outfit recently. She looks great in it and of course her mama likes it with its shades of color and polka-dots.

Hope everything's good in your world!!

Ruby checks in Sunday afternoon...

2008-11-16T18:42:00.000-08:00

2008-11-16T18:17:00.000-08:00

Another blessed day in the Sierras! Last weekend had me visiting my old stomping grounds around Three Rivers. Originally I was going to Mineral King, but a sitting with the sky informed me that rain was likely, the day short and my hiking partner not necessarily up to a uber-demanding hike (sometimes just what I like....). So we stopped at the fire road up to Case Mountain, which something I've been wanting to explore for more than a quarter century (no joke folks). It was worth the wait with beautiful vantage points, excellent weather for the altitude and great connecting with my buddy Jon. You never know what else you might encounter.......

Keio, Mamady, and I are going to Africa!!

2008-11-16T18:02:00.000-08:00

Keio, and Mamady "Wadaba" Kourouma came to Santa Cruz about two weeks ago. It was great to see them again. They have both been West African drumming teachers for me of the Malinke tradition, and that Sunday, Wadaba taught a new, and somewhat complicated, rhythm. Please don't ask me to recreate it - my memory's SO bad!

About a month ago I decided to go back to Guinea with them on their annual visit to Wadaba's village of Oroko. I leave December 12th. And while I'm gone, I've got a friend staying with the critters and keeping the plants alive. I'll be in Casablanca for 12/13, my birthday. Unfortunately I won't get to see the city as I'll be waiting for my connecting flight to the Guinean capital of Conakry. I'll stay there for a week or so, and then we travel to Oroko, about 10 days there, more time in Conakry, and then return mid-January. Wish me luck!!

2008-11-02T21:14:00.000-08:00

Happy Halloween y Dia de los Meurtos.

Friday started out with Ruby and the rainy coast that is Santa Cruz. Her ladybug raincoat and booties were perfect - roomy enough for this winter season for her to grow into.

And after the beach and her nap, there was time for play indoors, where Harold the Cornsnake had a chance to come out and socialize. He was full of mouse and very docile.

And finally we went to downtown Santa Cruz to meet up with her Mama and Nana.
The bunny and carrot -
quiet endearing.....

Footsteps

2008-10-22T22:21:00.000-07:00

Ruby's more toddler now than baby. She's runnin' around, loves to explore.

I feel blessed to have her in my life.

My time here in Santa Cruz has its challenges, seeming always something new zings its way...
isn't the old curse something like:
"may you live to experience 'interesting' times."
On what level was that first intended? Personal, social, political, vocational or.... fill in the blank for what so many people find interesting...

A lot of my personal journal entries start with...

2008-10-13T22:43:00.000-07:00

..."it's been a while"...

Meaning that Time wings on! darn it!!

I've been to the Sierras and back on a MKP retreat,
I've resown my garden of its salad greens,
Steamed cleaned the carpet,
landscaped the back yard,
Installed both PV and Thermal solar projects,
Insulated my water heater (still need to insulate the hot water line)...

and since my last entry, Ruby's grown about half an inch.
... literally.
I've got the door jam for proof.
She's grown 2 and 3/8ths inches since I started when she was 11 months.
She had the walking thing down then.

And she's starting to appreciate the modern techno wonders of the world...
in this case a deactivated cell phone from
Daddy-o.
We'll see how long it lasts...

She likes visiting the neighbors and their dog Sage.
and being pushed around on her tricycle - her feet don't reach the pedals yet. I'd like to find or make one of those little wooden horses with wheels that's just her size...

Maybe tomorrow after work... maybe next Saturday... but hopefully before she's driving!!

She likes to do that too!!

Another Major Solar Installation

2008-09-11T22:25:00.000-07:00

I'm exhausted. With 4 10-11 hour days of hard physical/mental work (my favorite combo), and helping make the world a slightly better place, I'm ready for my weekend. However, Saturday's still a day I'll be working and Friday and Sunday, I have my beautiful girl Ruby, so this weekends' full. {A shout out to my Sis KJ & her budding daughter Jessica, who are coming to visit Sunday!!}

The weather's been amazing this last week. Initially the days spent installing the array were quite nice, clear and mild. Then we had a major heat wave (for Monterey Bay but also definitely for those of you in the Central Valley) where the roof temps got to well over a hundred degrees. This week, the days started in a fog and kinda drizzly. Aside from being a little slippery, the cool was most welcome. If the clouds weren't there, we'd be looking down upon Watsonville/Santa Cruz and most all of the Monterey Bay from here, over 2,000 below.

After a couple years (yes years) of plans, hopes and challenges, work progressed to the point of completing installation of the 5 large arrays (4 are currently pumping juice into the grid and off-setting a lot of kWh for our client, Mt Madonna). This last assembled array (pictured here with us "ohm"ing the resistence away) was almost 170 modules for the large spread on the roof with another 70 on lower sections of the building.

I hope you're days are going well!!

Adventures in the Sierra

2008-08-19T16:10:00.001-07:00

The magic of intuition drew me to this cut log lying beside the trail. The log was big, but after a quarter century of hiking the Sierras, I've seen a way to many cut logs to care. But it'd been a while since my last long hiking trip and this was going to be a doosy. So instead of just blowing off the inner call, I looked a little more carefully and there she was, staring
back at me. Lizards are special creatures from the Native
perspective: they're dreamers, with knowledge of the future. And what a trip this turned out to be. I wish this one had shared its secret: I spent half the trip worried and pushing myself to the trailhead as my hiking companion got lost halfway through - never showed up at camp as agreed upon. Despite how bad that could sound, I had complete confidence that he would extract himself - it was up to me to be there and ready for action if he didn't materialize. He did, a day before I got out: 63 miles with 6+ high passes accruing more than 3 miles in vertical feet. My dogs were tired!!

John Muir called the Sierra Nevada the "Range of Light" and from my time there, I couldn't agree more!

This is looking East where the low 'V' on the left I would eventually have to pass and it was after this day I was committed to more quickly return to the trailhead instead of searching all the landscape behind me.

It's Been a While

2008-07-30T19:07:00.000-07:00

Well this boy's been just too busy for words - and since there's very few of you checking in, I don't always feel compelled to add, but that's not very optimistic of me, is it?

So since last time I blogged, I've been to the California World Music Festival and a great drumming get together in Auberry. Both were fantastic and a great chance to be with friends who've been deeply missed. Unfortunately, my dear Ruby was not involved much in either event and subsequently I have seen a little less of the girl. And guess what? She's about to be one year old!! Yoiks!! And to celebrate both her's and some other kiddo's BD's, this family unit - Ruby, her Mamma & me went to Three Rivers to hang with grand parents, friends, their young children, and family. Too much fun. Plus, while in 3R, I got to go to Sunday Night Drumming with the KRDC! Ruby did visit with that for a brief time - but crashed soon after. Mom came down and rescued her back to Grandpa Richies.

Independent Energy in the News

2008-07-03T23:33:00.000-07:00

Click Here to read about a solar installation I'm working full time upon.

Play Date and Gardening

2008-07-02T21:15:00.000-07:00

Last weekend was another baby's birthday. There are so many around Santa Cruz, I honestly forget who's BD it actually was. It was the significant 9 month celebration, or as I like to call it the "Now More Out Than In" event.

Ruby made new friends and got to play with her pal Jaden. The toys kids have now a days - gez, more electronical, more 'safe' (unless you count lead paint and off-gassing plastics), and definitely bent towards 'inspiring' (read 'directing') our little rug rats' imaginations. Still reviewing these things on a case-by-case basis....

Ruby loves to explore things and that's healthy and normal for a toddler. My garden is starting to take off and though she likes the plants and flowers, what she really goes for is the plant's identification tags, you know, those colored plastic things that come with the plant (or plants if you buy them small enough), and so now I'm not sure what's what. Actually, I'm only confused between me broccoli and kale, but they're getting bigger and easier to tell apart.

The garden's been a great contribution to my sanity and my relations with my neighbors, especially since it turned an eyesore part of their yard into a thriving place to retreat to. Jane, the matriarch of this homestead (the entire house is a rental, I just live in the converted garage) has decorated the garden with whimsical items she's collected over the years - small statues, bits of driftwood and glass bobbles. The peas and tomatoes are starting to flower, so soon we'll be enjoying more good things from here!

A Great Way to End the Work Week

2008-06-27T08:07:00.000-07:00

I work 4 - 10's (sometimes more, sometimes less). This Thursday was special in that the local band Sambada (Latin fusion & hip hop) put on a free show down at the harbor beach. All my co-workers were going with their families so I went there too! And who should I encounter there? Why none other than Ruby and her Mommy (and Karen, Ruby's once weekly care taker [and wife of my friend and co-worker Josh] - she's due to have her second baby ANY day now).

Momma was there to enjoy the show with her friend Gina, whose kids' dad leads the band! So many over-lapping connections! But that's life in community, my Friends!! There were so many families there the band turned down the volume so everyone could have a great time and still not hurt little ears. I had a blast dancing with my girl and also taking her to explore the beach. She was pouting and upset to go home, so we know she was having a lot of fun.

Montanians in Santa Cruz

2008-06-27T08:01:00.000-07:00

Early this week, friends Darren and Tess and their pooch Raley came through the area, catching up with their many friends in the state. Last time I saw them was during my motorcycle trip in 2006. I've known them for about 7 years from my days working in Sequoia National Park. I got to meet a couple of their friends here in town - always nice to expand one's circle of contacts!

Happy Summer Solstice! (belated)

2008-06-27T07:54:00.000-07:00

Whew and wow, so much going on! Last weekend I returned to Santa Barbara for my favorite parade: the Summer Solstice parade! Terry and his adorable daughter Natalie were in it to drum and dance the full route with their ensemble. I helped by pushing a cart with base drums and playing bell. Fun fun! Couldn't ask for a more beautiful day.

Father's Day with Ruby

2008-06-15T22:04:00.000-07:00

Today was a great day. First I got to sleep in to 7:15 AM, then met up with Ruby's Momma and Nana for breakfast. I hafta admit, I got a little spoiled on the Eggs Benedict... And Ruby was in a great mood. Sunday's Father's Day and I'll be with her almost all day, and so after breakfast, she rides in my car. She was SO tired (being the time for her morning nap) and the lulling of the road just makes her fall asleep. So cute, but she needed a new diaper, so I had to keep her awake for another 2 minutes until we were home and changed.

I am glad she's gotten to visit my place more and that Shannon is very positive about quality time and involvement from my end. That also allows her to go to sleep more easily as she is a very curious child. With in a couple minutes of her fresh diaper, she was out, however I think the new diaper soon met a similar result as the previous one. Oh well, that's what they're made for...

Refrigerators are magnet central and she like to play with the small collection of critters and colorful things stuck there. We also spent time outside gardening, in the sand box, and for a short bike ride before she was tuckered out again, and the cycle continues... She probably having another growth spurt or is teething or something (always something, right?). But she's such a good natured, and healthy child. I couldn't have hoped for a better.

After Shannon came by to get her, my neighbor Keith came over for a couple games of chess, which he soundly beat me. A great opponent, to be sure. After that thrashing I went on a nice long bike ride along the coast and saw the sunset.

I hope your Father's Day was as good to you too!!

At 4 Mile Beach

2008-06-08T22:27:00.000-07:00

Santa Cruz is well know for its surf spots. There are numerous beaches with a variety of names. Visiting them has become an interest of mine (as if I needed a good excuse!). Ruby loves the water, seeing the waves and wildlife, and touching sand, shells, and rocks. We went out to 4 Mile Beach today. "Why's it called that," you may ask? Well because its 4 miles north of Santa Cruz. Apparently there also a 3 Mile Beach also, but you gotta risk a ticket to get to it, and though I may not be intimidated by the threat, I'm not willing to take Ruby on a jaunt with Johnny Law.

So 4 Miles was very nice, but it was extremely windy. The ocean waves were all white capped and spray was blown off the crashing crests as the water did its final approach to the beach. Ruby loves the wind too, however his Dad (and her Momma, I've recently learned) doesn't like it so much. We found the north end of the beach was protected by a cliff so we took advantage of that and had a lot of fun in the sun and sand.

Just a Modest Home in the Hills

2008-06-03T22:09:00.000-07:00

I have the great fortune (though not necessarily making a fortune) of installing solar. It's a lot of hard work, but the rewards are multifaceted. This is a VERY LARGE hot water, or thermal, installation on a "home" (if 6,000 sq feet fits your idea of a home) that will be published in a major magazine. It is near Seaside, looking Northwest, and across Monterey Bay.

If you were to adjust your gaze North and then East, you would see then next two shots.

This wood is blue to protect against termites and mold. Its a sprayed chemical that is purportedly basically borax (like the cleaner).

This is the third building and is ideal for your workshop, office and boat (yes, there is a space for you to park a boat). It is also the site of 60 solar photo voltaic modules generating A LOT of juice. 6.8 kW around 9:30 this morning under cloudy skies.

Play Time with Jaden

2008-06-01T20:32:00.000-07:00

As many of you may know, "Sex in the City" is very popular right now. These two's mommas (and 5 others) opted to have a date of it this Sunday. So some of us dads decided to have some fun of our own with the little ones (don't worry, those bottles are empties). Ruby loves her friend Jaden. He's a week older and their moms have been best of friends for quite a while. Jaden's dad's a great guy and we had a whole lotta fun with the munchkins.

Ruby's phirst photo?

2008-05-31T07:51:00.000-07:00

We were returning from our bike ride and Ruby seems to love her helmet.

I let Ruby have a little close time with my iphone while it was in camera mode and this is what she snapped! Cute pheet.

I'm not that delusional to think it was more than random, but hey, some of my random shots have been amongst my favs.

Yard Sales Can Have the Best Stuff

2008-05-27T21:00:00.000-07:00

Yeah, that's where I tend to get many of my things, and yes, that means Ruby's things too...
She LOVES some of her toys more than others like this musical walker - $3 from my new acquaintances around the corner - she enjoys A LOT. When it is on, she dances, rockin' up and down...it's SO cute. I hope her spirit for music stays with her. Knowing her parents, that's probably likely...

From Sequoia With Love

2008-05-26T21:22:00.000-07:00

So I'm back from the land of the Big Trees, the land of blooming dogwoods and haphazard weather. Was your weekend rained out too? I started hiking Friday, the South Fork of Sequoia National Park and it was beautiful. The plants were lush and green (as was the poison oak!); the dogwoods in full bloom contrasting against the deep reds of the trees; overcast so as to have no shadows (great for photos!) but, but, these same clouds
brought first rain, then snow, wet, gropplely snow. It comes
down like a flake, but its all wet and soon so was I. I was prepared, but then it got very cold. The next morning, my soggy boots and soon to be immersed socks were not welcome participants to my adventure.

The cold and swollen rivers (I'd had two crossings planned) help make up my mind for me to bail and go back to Tres Rios to visit with friends. A great plan B. Sunday evening was a potluck feast with many great friends. Though it was raining still, our Sunday night drumming still went on as it always has for the last 16 years.

I also got to chat it up with happy new parents Savy & Danny Boiano, whose new baby girl, Ella Ruby Boiano is doing well. I was very excited that they chose same middle name as my girl Ruby. I guess that she does make an impression.

On the way home, I discovered that I had a stow away: a beautiful and amazingly tame blue-belly lizard. This guy wasn't skittish, didn't drop the tail when grabbed and stayed calmly on my shirt while I was busy on my last errand leaving the Visalia area. Its been reintroduced to the Santa Cruz area (there are already blue-bellys here, so I'm not introducing a non-native y'all) and will eat up lots of garden bugs (I hope).

A Visit After Work

2008-05-20T20:07:00.000-07:00

Yep, it looks like Rubester is already learning to walk! The two photos are documenting her longest distance yet - about four steps, or about 10 inches in distance. Funny, she does it better when she's distracted...

I'm trying to visit with her as much as I can before the long weekend. Last weekend took me to a Crystal Cave Trustee meeting at the cave. Little did I realize until just setting out that access wasn't going to happen. It seems that some dynamite from the 1930's was still in the cave (it was set, but didn't detonate! ) and it was discovered just a day before! That was unexpected. With me going back for my own explorations, and Ruby and her Mommy going away for the long weekend, I'll be missing her again. She's growing and developing more and more; each time I get to she's got something new to share. She's become great at sharing; she sometimes crawls right over when I signal that I'd like to see her; she's determined and at times this really shows on her face! And I already mentioned that she's walking! Look out world! here comes Ruby!!

Returning to the Mountains

2008-05-19T20:21:00.000-07:00

The Sierra Nevada is my home. I've spent a lot of time since I was a kid in the 70's exploring them and I miss being there greatly. I'm looking forward to what free time I have so that I can return to continue my relationship with this grand place. This coming Memorial Day weekend is allowing me such an opportunity! Whoppie!! I'll be searching for the King Arthur tree, number 10 (I'm not counting the Washington tree anymore - Sorry! it burned up, get over it!) in the count of most massive trees on the planet. I'm just happy to soon be hiking in the mountains again.

Ruby Loves her kitty, Mancha

2008-05-19T14:38:00.000-07:00

Ruby has two feline friends when she visits me. They've taken her presence with a good degree of patience. The key baby signing words are "gentle, gentle..." as she does have a strong grip. She hasn't realized yet how these cat expect to be catered to, pursued or lured in order to play with them, but she's learning...

The Many Faces of Ruby

2008-05-19T13:13:00.000-07:00

As some of you may already know, I moved here to Santa Cruz to be near my daughter, Ruby. She's about 10 months old now and is doing extremely well. She sometimes seems like an old soul, especially when you see how she experiences things. Here she is with her Grandpa Richie to show what I mean.

Hello

2008-05-15T22:24:00.000-07:00

Welcome to my blog page. I've been wanting to do this for quite some time and am finally getting it together. I hope to share my goings-on here in Santa Cruz, catch you up a bit about my life before coming here, and my views and hopes of and for the world. I hope to hear from you!