Big Sur, Yes Sir

I've been coming up to Esalen regularly for about 3 years now and it never disappoints. I do find that I take the same pictures year after year. The property is a photographer's dream. These photos were taken on my cell phone. I can only imagine what a 'real' camera would capture.

Big Sur is notoriously moody with fog and marine layers, but not this time. It was sunny and in the 80's the entire trip.

This year I brought with me Henry Miller's "Big Sur and the Oranges of Hieronymous Bosch" which I'd purchased on a trip up here a few years ago at the fantastic Henry Miller bookstore a few miles North of Esalen off Highway 1.

Miller lived and wrote in the area for fifteen years and this book details what it was like being an artist, and all the characters who lived and worked in this part of the world when he did.

If I were a 20-30 year old guy, Henry Miller would be my idol. This book in particular gives permission to be an artist. Hell, as a 40-something-year-old woman I'm still in awe. His voice is so encouraging, funny and confident, and he writes about the area with such knowledge and passion.

I'm holding the book in front of the same mountains that are on the book cover (I think)

And just to bring things back full circle...

Sitting in my dining room is this postcard from Henry Miller himself. (see below) My mom's friend from Montreal, Isabelle, had written to him asking about farming opportunities in Big Sur (from what I understand, she didn't give a crap about farming opportunities, she just wanted to connect with the man himself) He wrote her back and she saved the postcard for the rest of her life. When she passed away, her other friend (my mom's best friend Ruth) recovered the card and gave it to me where it now sits framed in my home. This postcard has made a circuitous journey, but I'm honored and grateful that it landed in my hands. Now more than ever I feel connected to this wonderful piece of memorabilia from this iconic author.

Girlfriends Book Club: Things That Make You Go Wow - by Melissa Clark

Girlfriends Book Club: Things That Make You Go Wow - by Melissa Clark: "I have not laid eyes on my WIP in weeks, maybe months. Instead I've been spending my writing time reading. The other day I finished the fan..."

Downtown

Suddenly, I find, my life is taking place downtown.

Last week I was on jury duty. Now, don't get me wrong, I love a good courtroom drama, but the flourescent lights were so... flourescent, the judge droned on and on, some other jurors were so annoying and the walk from Disney Hall, where we had to park, to the Criminal Courts building was just plain painful in slightly heeled sandals. Did I mention that the defendant was defending himself? Thankfully I had this fantastic book to keep me company.

On Friday, post jury duty, I had a reading downtown, however I wasn't dressed for a reading nor did I have any of my books in the car. After court I had to drive home (over an hour), shower, change, grab books and hop back in the car (almost 2 hours in peak traffic) to head back downtown for the reading. The night was a blast, but as I was saying my goodbyes, I experienced auras that signified a migraine was coming. And it came, keeping me company on my schlep back home.

Next semester I'll be teaching a course at my college's downtown campus, as well as teaching a few courses through this downtown writing salon. Oh, it's a lot of driving, but I'm excited to explore some restaurants, neighborhoods and other sights that I normally wouldn't get to see.

And then there's this spot that I imagine I'll be frequenting on my drive back home to the west side. Aaah. That might make it all worthwhile.

Some Writing/Teaching news...

I spent last Sunday night reading the terrifying, haunting, overwhelming "A Stolen Life" by Jaycee Dugard. Why did I read this cover to cover before going to bed? Um, not sure. The psychological enormity of the situation is beyond comprehension. Dugard proves to be an excellent writer - even her journal entries written at 11-years old show what a good writer she is.

Speaking of writing, I am on a panel this weekend and then teaching a few classes here as well. I'm looking forward to a new crop of people and the yummy food and drink that accompanies these events!

In other writing news, my piece, tentatively titled, "Rachael Ray Saved my Life" will be included in an anthology titled, "The Dish: Making the Food that Makes Your Family," forthcoming from Shambhala Publications (Fall, 2012). My friend Lisa co-edited this anthology with Caroline Grant and the sale of this project earlier this week marks the end of a very long search for the right publisher and the beginning of an exciting new chapter for them. I couldn't be more thrilled for them!

5 Random Thoughts

1. I am teaching at this wonderful organization. Browse the menu of writing courses to see if anything sparks your interest. I am teaching a 1-day course titled, "Imagination Vacation," as well as co-teaching a longer novel writing workshop.

2. Happened to catch Jennifer Aniston on the James Lipton show earlier this week. I was so struck by her discomfort. She was constantly tugging on her hair, answering long questions with awkward one-word bites and making faces that expressed such sadness. Did anyone else happen to see this? What up with her?

3. You know you're living in L.A. when you've been invited to three "carmaggedon" parties. For the abroad readers: The 405 Freeway, a main driving artery, is being shut down this weekend for major construction. According to the media this is going to disrupt L.A. like no other. We'll see how it all plays out...

4. Many, many Canadian cousins visiting this month, eh?

5. Preliminary plans underway for the "25-years since we met" college party. I'm not sure when I became a reunion organizer, but I suppose I named this blog "Connections Clark" for a reason.

East Coast Trip, Summer '11

I just returned from the most wonderful trip to Boston and New York. Since I am still jet-lagged (why do I have such a dramatic reaction to 3-hour time differences?) I will save the stories for another time and just post some pictures. I am so grateful to the many friends with whom I stayed, and all the fun adventures. This trip had nature as its theme. To the left is a picture of the beautiful Fells, in Medford, MA. We went hiking there one afternoon.

Below, and having nothing to do with nature, is the luxurious condo building, The Charlesview. Why do I have a picture of this? Because it used to be my college dorm called "Fensgate." As my friend Noelle wrote, "If those condo owners only knew..."

I hadn't been to Boston in close to 19 years. So much has changed, yet so much has stayed the same. What a beautiful city. It felt like every building held a memory.

The Harvard Yard - still as gorgeous as ever. By the way, all these photos were taken on my cell phone. Not bad, right? Speaking of right, to the right is a picture of the High Line in New York. This elevated railway was converted to public gardens. I love how the flowers in this picture mimic the skyscrapers of NYC.

After a few days in the city, running around like a crazy person, I went up to the Catskills where my friends own a home. Ah, finally, rest and relaxation.
Self-portrait: cocktail hour in Andes.

My four-legged boyfriend, Teddy. I love this dog so much that I'm seriously considering adopting a Chesapeake Bay Retriever. I know they are big but...

Trying to get boyfriend Teddy to pose for the camera (but he only has eyes for me).

I bounced home on one of the most turbulent flights I can remember. What was up in the atmosphere yesterday? Oh, sidebar, both pilots - going to and coming back from the East coast - were women! I know it's 2011 and I shouldn't be shocked that women fly planes, but c'mon, it was kind of cool.