Friday, March 15, 2024

STUNNING! worth every hoop one must jump through.. to us! (sandra! & robert!)


 BREEZE of INNOVATION    -don't remember how i first came across it; but i remember my initial reactions:  STUNNING!    -research; research; read...    and just gets better and better!  gorgeous, magical lights, a stage for bands [and just as the headframes make the most awesome stages for bands performing at the montana folk festival..  a stage/concerts on this in San Jose, CA!!]   -cafes..   views! as you walk up and along and around..    do take a look on youtube.. 

and i remember thinking/writing:  but San Jose is not currently ready for; or worthy of..    -because, based on what we've been seeing; until SJ/SCC address the issues of encampments, graffiti..  until they can reduce crime and increase safety and cleanliness..

this GORGEOUS, STUNNING, AWESOME sculpture would last around...   less than 24 hours.  that's was my guess

****

fast-forward, to when robert & i met directly, and in person, with Steve Borkenhagen, Exec Dir, of Urban Confluence, and this project!    -lots to read about regarding the origins; the design competition..

read more if inspired; i'm going to let you join us at Voyager Coffee, San Pedro Square, in Downtown San Jose, during our conversation with Steve

us to steve:    When we were leading the NOTonNOBLE protest, we had discussed amongst ourselves at that time..   wow! like how much energy it was taking..  the 80+ hour weeks we were putting in..  how taxing on every level..   but we fought, fought, fought..     and thought,    -how wonderful it would be, if we could be using this time and energy toward something good and beautiful, vs. fighting evil,  -know what we mean?     Breeze of Innovation is something we can be FOR; we can fight for...  it's an answered prayer for us..  we love it and want to learn more..

and of course, we shared our concerns about san jose being ready, clean enough, safe enough for something so magnificent   -very concerned about anyone spending that much time, money, effort etc. for something that wasnt going to be properly valued; appreciated;  -protected-

and that's when he educated us

steve to us:   do you understand about what a conservancy is? (does?)

      -and we did not.

he went on to explain, that let's say breeze of innovation is successfully built on plaza de cesar chavez.. which is in downtown and is surrounded by hotels, businesses, restaurants,   -these surrounding entities have a vested interest in protecting the landmark sculpture for all their guests...

and, in my own words, now, what i understood immediately is this:  oh! SJPD will not be responsible for protecting, cleaning, maintaining..   -because they are already overwhelmed..   

so as long you have -several- entities, each with their own funds and human resources dedicated toward protecting..     well, now it stands a real chance!

   -and once it was clear to me, to us; that breeze of innovation has a real chance,  1. to exist at all, and 2. to be protected and enjoyed by the masses..

lets do this thing!  it cant happen fast enough!

and our conversation had a longer depth; and wider spectrum of topics, but.. i want to stay focused on breeze of innovation;  and..   conservancy..   which i realized, is what our sacred perc ponds have in a kind of natural and organic way..       i mean, thank God, we do have parks & rec, and the valley water who have a vested interest in protecting; but..     there are a whole lotta neighbors; everyday people who enjoy the perc ponds..   and without being paid to do it; or asked to do it; or recognized for it

    -we have a vested interest in keeping our sacred perc ponds; sacred.   free from graffiti, garbage, etc.  and there are so many unsung heros, who, when walking through..   pick up garbage/trash/litter...  who cover up/remove graffiti    -our vested interest is in getting to continue to enjoy, walk, bike, hike, bird watch, explore, fish, picnic..       and for our kids; and our grandkids to enjoy the same.     and it is a sad story that we need so many individuals and services to do this work on an ongoing basis; but we feel and honor that responsibility   -and dream of the day when a caught n' consequences task force helps prevent the park property destruction/vandalism in the first place.

and you know what i would do given the chance:   1.  clean it up    2.  public apology   3.  write an essay why this is wrong, and why you will not do it again       -and if you do get caught a 2nd time;  straight to jail write after you 1. clean it up   2. apologize publicly   3. write an essay why it is wrong and why you will never do it again

anyway.. 

now let's talk location.  you can research that breeze of innovations location has already moved a couple times for a variety of reasons..   

the current vision for the location is plaza de cesar chavez, and let's just say an early "happy birthday to.."   -because march 31st is..

from the picture this looks good...  it is in downtown...   it is surrounded by businesses with a vested interest in its protection..     all good really;  it would bring more attention to; awareness of cesar chavez..    

   but why does downtown get all the cool stuff?  why not BEAUTIFUL BERRYESSA!..   we want our own sonic runway, and we would LOVE to have BREEZE of INNOVATION..   as you can see by our collective and ongoing efforts to keep our sacred perc ponds; sacred   -we already have a track record of caring for, valuing, appreciating, protecting..      

        pause. daydream..   entourage, pride n joy, masses of people (just like barones/fortino) -slightly intoxicated happy dancing people at this live concert at the most stunning venue of all venues in the world!

play:   what is it about lights?  they are just so magical.  they transform and elevate and enchant everywhere you find them...  Christmas trees, boutiques, Disney's electric light parade, the water/light/music magic..    -when we light up our yard art..    when they twinkle as decor in restaurants..  when lights are strung along a walkway; when they accessorize an arch, an entry, a patio

when they are white; when they are a variety of colors, when they blink in different patterns..  when they dance with music..  the best!

they just consistently make magic.     -speaking of..   those (14)  historic headframes from the copper mine heydays in butte montana..    -someone(s) very intelligent spearheaded having them decorated in lights..    this just immediately elevated their appearance at night, making them beautiful and visible from long distances; and elevated their status as the historic icons they are

back to San Jose, and Breeze of Innovation..   plaza de cesar chavez is just too small from our point of view..  a couple acres.  if breeze of innovation looks in the real world, as i see it in my imagination based on the youtube, and online pictures..

it needs and deserves MANY ACRES..  to really be all that it can and should be; to properly handle the local people/tourist traffic

so, on my own..  (remember, i am a location scout by nature) i started looking at alternative locations for this best venue of all venues in the world..  this stunning, magical place to visit, hang out and enjoy

     ...for live bands... for picnics, romantic strolls up to inspiring views...  cafes...  restaurants...  weddings, special events..  small business boutique shopping..          -of course the lights in the rods..  they will need to be able to change color!   -wonder what it looks like, by day..  when the lights arent lit..

anyway..  plaza de cesar chavez; too small...     beautiful berryessa..; not to be ruled out...  but where else?  where else?    

and it came to my mind..  where else in san jose do they already have a track record of valuing, protecting, appreciating, maintaining beautiful things?   where else in san jose, is it, ALREADY, clean and safe and pleasurable to visit, shop, enjoy live music, a pretty landscape, decorations

and, it is the 10th largest city in the nation, and i don't believe i've visited every single area... (although during NOTonNOBLE we did go to just about every. single. park. and. elementary school.)

but.. 

"of course!  Santana Row!"   -Valley Fair Mall..   gorgeous, clean, safe, pleasure to shop at; easy to bring guests/visitors and feel good about..    Santana Row..  with their beautiful hanging baskets of flowers..  pretty, pretty landscapes..   fancy stores..   wonderful variety of restaurants..   impressively convenient parking..     without realizing it, -before our conversation with Steve Borkenhagen..

well, obviously, Santana Row has a strong conservancy!  this area is well taken care of; consistently

so, ... i started looking at maps of the area..    -and i think..   across the way from...

and its been one of my fascinations my entire life; having lived in over 30 different neighborhoods in the bay area

how culturally different (safe and clean to dangerous and littered), how sometimes just one or two blocks can make all the difference..   -why some bad neighborhoods spread and grow and keep claiming more territory    

but here, don't we have a chance to take a great area, and let it spread and grow and claim more territory..

yes.

and only very briefly before i close:  i wonder if i can help the graffiti taggers of any given neighborhood understand?     graffiti is to property as smoking is to lungs.   you are voluntarily destroying your own chance at having a better environment.  vandalism does zero to improve your circumstances  -you just add to the ugly.       -love that analogy, what movie? denzel washington  'like getting in the boxing ring and hitting yourself in the face'

good exercise/question: would your neighborhood be a good host for something as beautiful and magical as breeze of innovation?   -when investors/artists drive by or walk around your neighborhood, do they want to invest?  or keep looking elsewhere... 

   -just the absence of graffiti can elevate an area 10 fold; the opposite also being true.

hallelujah & amen

Thursday, March 14, 2024

The Art of the Will Spill by (me!) ~topps


 the words are there

towards the back; or at the bottom on a per diem basis

sometimes those words; they are light and float write to the surface; allowing me to just skim the surface for an epic poem

but sometimes they're heavy and dense; each word worth its wait in gold

i need to reach

   -sometimes i reach down, reach in, reach around and through and there it is!

but more often than not

i need to tilt the container, let gravity be gravity,  let a certain amount of words just spill out all over the place because they are literally in the way

and i can't write what i want to write until i'm willing 

and willing spills is its own art form; will spills demand to be left write where they land

you do not spend any time cleaning them up, organizing, re-writing

will spills are not drafts

they are biodegradable but unwasted words; a rather natural break-down occurs

doesn't it. 

****

and with this in mind, 

  ** it was at the let love connect the world performance..  sometime during the performance, a narrator said something like:  'as we enter the A.I. world, we (pray? hope?) that the love that is in human DNA will be carried forward with us..'

and the show went on..

but my heart and mind returned  -A.I. can never yield true, genuine love.  LOVE is a fruit of the human spirit; not the flesh; LOVE is not tucked within the strands of human DNA; LOVE is not x-ray-able; LOVE is not quantifiable; LOVE cannot be programmed or coded

    -it can be imitated; mimicked, but the imitation and/or mimick is void the genuine spiritual experience. [but always reliant on an original]  LOVE is the internal interpretation of a knowledge; feeling.  and God is  LOVE..

so, we should not count on A.I. to  bring string love along via a complex molecule,  -should we.  We might instead consider asking and inviting and welcoming   -in fact, recognize the necessity of our infinitely loving and eternal God. 

1 John 4: 7-12

Questions from the onset:  -spirit of generosity; mercy; grace   -decision to forgive/receive forgiveness;  faith, hope    -that mysterious 'care' neuron    -are you under the impression DNA contains?  -the truth that sets us free     that A.I. has the power, authority to sanctify

*****

-prayers, prayers, prayers with an ongoing telepathic itemized list..   trivial to vital; material to spiritual..

   -prayer semantics   -long ago changed; stopped praying someone i can trust and pray instead,   someone who is trustworthy

more recently,   -do forgive; do forgive...   the scripture says, ask...   Ask, 

Ask 

Seek

Knock       ... not Tell, Sit Idle, then Barge In..

*****

...  would be my hope, living to get to be a great grandma!


****

swimming in a million answered prayers; and there appears to be no cap on how many great days, great experiences, great YEARS even, in a row..    -the promised land

***

  -that helped.   and the will spill; as common/identifiable to writers, as {insert best analogy here}is to   

amen. 




Tuesday, March 12, 2024

high, HIGH, recommend! "encore!" by ~topps


we loved it, robert & i.    -i laughed out loud several times -a treat in and of itself.  light-hearted humor.  the premise is wonderful..   -easy, actually, in this digital era, to imagine.. (no pun intended); having an enormous amount/piece of true history utterly deleted and inaccessible -erased from the world wide web; online access

it's going on as i write this; individual's are at the mercy of coders, programmers,  -search capability

/and a very valid reason to hold on tight to BOOKS, paper,  -writings from the before

different subject though, let me return:     and while it is easy to imagine an entire piece of history suddenly inaccessible/erased from online searches

the writers/directors require (ask) the audience to just kind of go along with the sudden absence of any/all non-digital, tangible validation; evidence, if you will; like.. albums, posters, etc.

i was glad to go along with the overall premise, and just 'let it be'

i realized the demographic of  'beatles purests' ive met throughout the years, -well, i could already hear their argument, which goes something like this:     because the beatles music itself is all masterpiece, and revolutionary    -just about ANY story you tell, ANY movie you make,  which uses and shares beatles  (oh, so sorry, please forgive, i mean) Beatles music,  is by default,  going to be great.

but their point:  the movie will not be great because of the writing or story; its great because of the music  -and this does give me pause.   how much to credit who for what?

but i love the movie.  cast, stellar.  writing, fun.  direction; wonderful.   editing  -what needed to be done to move the story forward; done with creative flair

i love that it is PG13   -would love G even; and enormously grateful it was not R (which, in 2024, is more like XX was in 1970's    -and this mainstreaming of sleaze makes me recoil inside.., but again, different topic, allow me to return)

i love the music..   i can sing along with just about every...

but, let me share this, at the high risk of losing 10 friends the moment i do:

if you said, 'Sandra.. free tickets to see the Beatles  or Pay to see Entourage   -concerts are same night; choose

this would be a no-brainer for (me!)   /yes.. hear Beatles friends  proves you have no brain..

because i'd rather spend an evening dancing and listening to live music vs just listening,  and Beatles music to me is listening music.   i am highly sensitive to lyrics; the writing, the story of any given song

which is another reason i love this movie and the Beatles music which inspired it

anyone remember when i 'Christianized' Too Short's song and rewrote the lyrics for fun..  making it a little 'cleaner'

well, you do not need to..   that is i do not need to, even just for fun and experiment, re-write and Christianize or clean up any Beatles music lyrics

and they certainly are not a Christian band, but their lyrics were written during a more 
 
    -during a less sleazy time.

it was not, in my opinion, a 'more innocent' time; but it was a less sleazy time

and that's 200 more pages, so let me skip that too..

all anyone needs to do is juxtapose any Beatles lyrics from their era to the current  (i've mentioned this exercise before:   Stevie Wonder's Days  I WISH song,   and Train's song: Calling All Angels)

      -and that lily james;  i hope she regards it high praise how often she reminded me of keira knightley;   -some of the mannerisms from another masterpiece movie:  the imitation game

and speaking of masterpieces..   part of the reason i was extra interested in this movie, yesterday, is because i saw an association with slumdog millionaire; which i also consider a masterpiece

so, 

PG13; loved the premise; glad to along for the ride; stellar cast across the board; joy/laughter; masterpiece/revolutionary music i know the lyrics to and can sing along and re-appreciate; loved how creatively and fun the music/lyrics were incorporated into the greater story; delighted in the 'messages' of the movie   -temptation to claim lyrics/music as your own when it appeared there was no risk in getting caught; living a lie;  the effort to come clean..    the enormous JOY and happiness great music brings people, families, societies;  -the lure of fame/fortune; the emptiness of fame/fortune;  -being the parents/friends of a famous person..   the presence/accessibility/absence/erasing of memory itself; 

the value of shared memories; true love, friendship.. 

and there is more of course, 

but,   HIGHLY RECOMMEND.   and "THANK YOU!" for this movie

"ENCORE!" to the Beatles, and "encore to THE ENTIRE TEAM involved in the making of Yesterday"

amen & amen. 

      -speaking of; i did a brief search because i do want to know   -would love to know Paul McCartney's TRUE thoughts on this film...

    -still searching...   still searching...    -gave up. 

Sunday, March 10, 2024

Celtric Cross Bliss 2024 yard art by (sexy! & topps!) #bliss


#bliss






and big public "THANK YOU!" to Jerry Heinrichs for these two awesome paintings!    -for super bowl LVIII he had painted a 49er helmet, and KC helmet..    and in the spirit of our yard art itself..   (create, clean/remove; create anew...)

Jerry painted write over the helmets creating a new empty canvas    -and enjoyed the fun process of painting again

*on the topic of poetry:  we do change the st patricks theme yard art from year to year and do not duplicate previous designs; but i keep posting the same poem...    would have to research to remember what year i first wrote it..     what i have changed is the font size/presentation

we count it all joy!   Thank You Jesus,   hallelujah & amen


 

Wednesday, March 06, 2024

Deuteronomy 7:9 ...faithfulness, love, mercy .... mutual love to a thousand generations









 

Monday, March 04, 2024

... who can help (me!) meet kathryn bigelow in person.....


 ...she would understand one of my (many) creative goals...   

adding to prayer list..   hallelujah & amen 

5 star documentary for (me!) ~topps, writeousmom Long Shot: The Kevin Laue Story

it was to meet, via movie, a pleasanton, ca hometown hero.  and i loved the individual life story for all the beautiful lessons..   and then extra loved the whole thing exactly because pleasanton, the town, and livermore..  and places dear and familiar to me serve as the location.   -what an overcomer, this young man..   and his family too..      they glorify God's name

hallelujah & amen

 

Saturday, March 02, 2024

Not intended as a one panel comic; but it is for (me!) ~topps

so, i was in a situation where i had to wait for a few long minutes, and picked up a magazine to browse through to help pass the time.  i did not pick up a book of comic strips..  just a (cant remember name) generic domestic living kind of magazine   -the kind packed with ads for products, vacation/travel ads and articles, interior design ideas/ads, etc.

but when i randomly flipped to the best vegetable/fruit peelers page...  


 you woulda thought i came across a gary larson far side comic; or ran across a brilliant one liner in the new yorker.  - had to laugh -

here's why:     (from the ricks picks in downtown pleasanton cnf archives)