flash back to bcn

When I lived in Barcelona, I did a lot of meandering... I mean A LOT!! It was my favorite thing to do alone, or with others. While we walked the secret alleys and cobblestone streets, my friends and I often came across an incredible street performer with a warm smile and a guitar. His name was Clarence and we got to know and appreciate him as the background music to the city we loved so much.

After my study program was over, my parents came to visit and we explored together. I remember my last day in Barcelona, I was shopping with mom and dad. We were running late for our flight, emotions, tensions and the summer heat were high and I got upset with them over something... of course I don't remember now exactly what about.  With a melancholy desire to just be alone as I said goodbye to the city I loved so much, I ran a bit ahead of my parents toward the metro. As I descended the stairs to the sweltering underground station, I heard the most familiar guitar strumming and a soulful voice singing Tracy Chapman's Fastcar. I didn't walk swiftly, I RAN toward the music, through filthy hallways and past bustling commuters. When I found him with his bouncing dread locks, flowing linen shirt and pants, and his blindingly bright white teeth, the bustling quieted and I stood still to listen. And as I listened, tears ran down my cheeks, I began to cry, then I began to sob. It's cheesy, but I feel like he knew as I faced him with the most overwhelming sadness in my eyes. 

A friend sent me this beautiful video today. Sure enough, guess who it was. While it looks as though he's on the move throughout Europe, I again got a little teary eyed to see that Clarence is still bringing inspiration to passers by. Hope you enjoy!

Playing For Change | Song Around The World "Stand By Me" from Concord Music Group on Vimeo.

Spring Party

When you sell butterflies, spring is THE BUSY TIME!! With every teacher in the country wanting to grow their own caterpillars in the same 3 month period, life at Insect Lore gets pretty crazy. My boss likes to celebrate the end of the madness with an annual Spring Party. He and I came up with a fun idea that would be a little different than what our employees are used to. I chartered a bus for the crew down to L.A. and we spent the evening in a VIP suite at Lucky Strike with the swankiest bowling around! 

Our Suite

Don't let the form fool you, I'm awful!

Unlike me, this boy can BOWL

Company shot

BLAST!

on the road

I didn't have much planned for last weekend except for this lovely lady's graduation party. But on Saturday morning, I was nudged awake by the faint vibrations of my cell phone. I pulled out my psychedelic tie dye ear plugs and spoke a husky morning hello. Daniel replied, "Get up! I'll be there in 30 minutes, we're going on a road trip!"

I wasn't excited to be awake, but I was excited for the spontaneous trip. He picked me up and whisked me to the Red Wagon - the perfect little greasy spoon to start the day off! Over french toast and much needed coffee, I asked where we were going - "Oakdale!" he said. 

While I often say that Daniel and I grew up together, which we did to a certain extent, much of his childhood was spent in Oakdale and Waterford up in Stanislaus County. I've always found it strange how I seem to know him better than anyone, yet have never been exposed to that part of his life. I was so excited and so touched to finally be experiencing this milestone. 

And with full tummies, we were off! We stopped at Flying J truck stop for gas and waters. We saw several cars that looked like this

and I remembered what day it was. The Saturday after the Prop 8 decision was made was designated as the day to Meet in the Middle. The rally was to either celebrate a victory or protest an injustice (sadly, it was the latter), depending on the outcome of the Supreme Court decision. The rally was to take place in Fresno. It has been said that this issue will be won or lost in Central California, where conservative politics reign supreme. For this reason and to symbolize the importance of compromise, Meet in the Middle was held at Fresno City Hall. Daniel and I decided we had to drive by to witness it on our way. 

We hopped on the 99 and headed on up, til our next stop near Pixley. We happened upon a random car show and bought a $5 bag of cherries for $4.50 (which Daniel was VERY excited about)

a magenta bug thrown in with classic cars - sure

showin' some love

Next stop, a drive by of the Meet in the Middle Rally at Fresno City Hall, 

then we were Oakdale/Waterford bound

As the grass got greener, the temperature went down and the cows became more plentiful, I could see Daniel getting more and more excited to be going home. I got see his 

Elementary School where he and his best friend got beat up for the first time

Junior High

and one of his 4 high schools (Oakdale High, he says, is Varsity Blues in real life)

He showed me this random small town gem

I saw where he met his childhood best friend, Matt on Halloween 19 years ago (they met on the sidewalk by the fence that separated their two houses)

I saw where he held his first job (though I told him that Papa Murphy's is a chain and is therefore not THAT cool)

We checked out the Armory where his Grandfather worked and where Daniel learned to drive a Hummer at 6 years old

We drove by his uncle's dairy

down the aptly named "Vierra Lane"

We stopped to smell the roses along the Oakdale-Waterford Hwy

and stopped by the Bait Barn (which apparently is really cool because it's open 24 hours!)

Daniel showed me where his beloved Grandpa and Grandma (Pop and Grammy as they're known) lived. I am so sad that I never got to meet them, but I love to listen to Daniel and his family tell stories of how special they were and how much they loved their kids and grand kids.

One of the biggest highlights was stopping for lunch at the very famous Fararesee's with Daniel's childhood best friend Matt, his fiance Stephanie and baby Talula (don't you just LOVE that name?!).  I don't know how I managed to not get a picture of them. I was slacking... I've heard stories about Matt for over 10 years, but had never met him. I was so excited to finally be a part of Daniel's life in that way. We laughed and Matt and Daniel enjoyed a much needed reunion. 

We went a little crazy toward the end of the trip. Sitting in the car for 8 hours gets tiresome for even the hardest of hardcore roadies, but we had the most wonderful time. I was quizzed on where we'd been and what we had seen. And I quizzed Daniel on the confusing timeline of his childhood. We discussed the ups and downs of a somewhat tumultuous time in his life, but as he always does, Daniel brought it back to laughter. 

Childhood, for anyone is such a sensitive subject and reveals the most open and unresolved wounds in a person's life. It also is the topic of the most nostalgia and joyful simplicity. I felt so honored to have the man I love take me on this journey of such emotional complexity and to show me some of the things that have meant the most to him. It is a great thing when you can find ways to learn even more about your best friend :)