It's Been Almost 3 Years...

since I wrote the below entry in my journal. Time is amazing. That heavy blanket of darkness has been untucked by the gentle, loving, strong, faithful, and ever-so MERCIFUL hands of God. I am flying now, at least for a little while. I can't see that far ahead. Maybe I'll land in a valley. Maybe I'll stay up here. Wherever I go, God will be with me. That's all I really want. Psalm 139.

12-29-02, Sunday

Floating, tossing, turning on this
sea of confusion
feeling myself getting
swallowed up
then spouted up
through the belly of
life, love, and fear
Sometimes I see the sun
feel the sun
but sometimes my eyes hurt
and the skin of my soul burns
and I hide
back in the belly’s darkness
afraid to give up its safety
of not being able to see
so that I won’t have to
see
and won’t have to give away
that which I think is
what I need

Untuck my blanket of darkness, Father
and lift me up from
this bed of slavery.

I need to fly
in Your air and be blown
by Your breath in and all
around me.

Sunflower
You grow wherever
you want to
Stretch
RISE
Face
the sun
Soulflower

Yummmmmm!!!!!

I'm Going to the Oprah Winfrey Show!

http://www.theonion.com/content/node/40759

I Feel Like I'm Meeting a Movie Star

I woke up to a call from Erika this morning at around 6:30. She and her family and friends had just made it to Lufkin. After our conversation, I walked outside to see what I could see... beautiful. Wow. The air was cool and dry. The sky was a bright blue with lines of golden clouds here and there. The birds and butterflies were fluttering around and above me. It was definitely the most beautiful morning I had experienced in H-town in months.

After I went back inside, I got ready to meet Andrea and Stephen at Cafe Artiste. I was hoping that they would be open again today. As I drove down Mandell and saw cars parked in the street in front of Artiste, I was very, very happy, grateful, and excited. :) (I think Cafe Artiste should win a city award for serving YUMMY food and coffee during this time.) Breakfast was delicious, of course. Company was fabulous. Our company included a new friend named Mike. I met him when I was at Cafe Artiste yesterday. He was ready to go to Austin but, like me, was hesitant to hit the road at all because of the traffic problems. It was fun to run into him again today. I invited him to sit with us and I'm soooo glad I did. He is fabulous. :) We all laughed so much together at so many funny stories, jokes, movies, and life stuff. There was only comfort, delight, and maximum joy at our booth at Cafe Artiste. :)

After Artiste, in the mid afternoon, I went back to my apt. and once again looked up at the sky. Guess what. It was covered with lots of clouds that still had their own identities and were stacked sideways across the ceiling of the sky. Maybe there were a couple of small blue spots, but that's it. All of a sudden I realized ~ This is Rita. These clouds are the same clouds that we've been watching on the internet and on the news. They are the very same ones that were a part of the wild spiral whose name is Rita. I was in complete awe. I felt respect for her. I also couldn't believe that it was really her. It was so surreal. The only experiences that I had had before that moment that filled me with similar emotions were the times when I crossed paths with famous people... like when I saw Caroline Kennedy in my train car (less than 10 feet away from me) after the Yankees/Astros game in the Bronx a couple of years ago (same game where Basim saw me!). I really had a hard time wrapping my mind around the fact that she was real and that she was right there. I was looking at the daughter of the late JFK. Whoa. And Rita.... Whoa. I feel lucky.

Nathan Herrington and I just got back from Rudyards (an old neighborhood bar). It was packed with great people. We sat on a table by the window so that we could see Rita show her stuff. We ate yummy food (mmmm-mmmm french fries) and drank yummy drinks (woodchuck granny smith apple cider is so drinkable!). I also had a cigarrette (why not?) and actually smoked the whole thing (how about that, e?!). When we walked out of Rud's, we felt our first sprinkles of Rita on our skin. Pretty cool.

We drove around the neighborhood to get a few more things done and GUESS WHAT. The air all around us became so incredibly golden yellow. It was the goldish color that I imagine is always in Italy (Barrett's friends, Peter and Rob, described the air there to me one time). And then...

R A I N B O W.

Nathan and I, in the middle of all of this golden air and light sprinkles, saw a huge and very full rainbow. Peace. Promise. He gave it to us BEFORE the storm, you guys....

sweetness, gentleness, and mercy
pouring down into our minds
in colors vibrant.

Nathan and I then took Richmond east to Montrose. I heard Nathan say, "Look behind us, Diana." I turned around and saw it. The sun was huge and glowy gold and it was sitting on Richmond. It was magnificent.

The sky continued to grow in beauty. There were dark areas and sun lit areas. Sprinkles fell all the way home.

We are now at the Herringtons and this is where we are settling. People are watching Die Hard upstairs. I see big palm tree leaves blowing around wildly outside. I also hear the movement of her outer edges. Still, it doesn't feel like a crazy storm is going to happen at all.

Kaveh Kanes

It's where I've been since I left Cafe Artiste. I like open places. Ben is cool... I mean, Ben is "Cool McSuave". Right, Ben? #1: He's open today. #2: He thinks that hurricanes shouldn't have names like "Rita" that make you think that she's coming over with a couple of her friends or something. He thinks that hurricanes should have names like "LUCIFER" or "Beezlebub" (or whatever that name really is) because THEN he would be like, "Now I'm scared."

The Amazing Postman

My friend Jim and I were sitting at a booth at Cafe Artiste earlier, just chatting about life, soul, and journeys. He was looking out the window as he was talking. In a moment, his eyes grew peacefully brighter as he said, "There's a postman driving by." I turned in excitement to see the truck driving south on Mandell. We had about 15 seconds of quiet delight after the sight. About a minute later in the conversation that we had picked back up, we realized how amazing something so small and usually taken for granted can become at such a time as this. The postman was definitely a symbol of optimism and persistence in our hearts as we soberly looked at what may come in the upcoming 48 hours. The funny thing is that I could barely stand to watch Kevin Costner's movie "The Postman" because it was completely unbearably CHEESY. :) In fact, at one point during that movie, my sister and I looked at each other and broke down in such deep laughter at how ridiculous it was that we had tears welling up and drenching our eye lashes. It's funny, life, you know. :) Now I might have to see that movie again. Actually, maybe not. What do you think, Donna? Could you take it again? You know Dad could. That
's so funny. He loved that movie.

On the side, do you all ever feel that nature is terrible and admirable at the same, very same time? Is there a word that can label that emotion?

Rita and Me

I think I might be staying here in Houston. Since early this morning, my car has been packed with my photos, old journals, some poems I wrote on old tablets, school work, and a few other essentials. The red light for me has been the highways leaving Houston ~ they are absolutely not an option at this point. They are packed and slow-moving, if moving at all. People are running out of gas. The gas stations are either closed or out of gas themselves.

The sweet and good news: I just met some very good and nice people at Cafe Artiste and they asked me to stay at their house as a guest during the storm. They told me that at this point, it is much safer to stay in Houston than to leave it. It's strange emotionally because I wanted to stay, but I planned to leave. For real. Now I might be staying because I might not have a choice.

The details of my new friends' offer bless my mind with an awe of God's moving hand in my daily life. The house is very strong and it's close to Lamar High School. That means that it's easy to get to and I get to stay in the general area that has been a big part of my life for a long time. Also, this couple and I have mutual friends. The cool thing is that he offered his house to me before we figured any of that out. It's pretty amazing how things work out. There are so many good people out there. :)

Blessings to all. I'm thinking about 'all and I definitely love each one of you.

Where's Ted?

Wha' ho-ppened???

PEOPLE, YOU'VE GOT TO SEE THIS!

Check this out PRONTO!: http://mikehon.com/?p=235

Leave a comment and be delighted!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Hmmm....

I ran across a video tape this morning (I'm still in the process of unpacking my apartment). It was from 2002 and the label said, "Erika the Stalker." So basically, Erika followed me around for a day and video taped me all over Houston. What do you all have to say about THAT?

I turn my head to sky rains falling,
wash the wounds of numbness from my soul.
Turn my heart in tides of fierce renewal,
where love and rage run whole.


-Carolyn McDade

This is the song that never ends,
It just goes on and on, my friends,
Some people started singing it, not knowing what it was,
And they'll continue singing it forever, just because,
This is the song that never ends,
It just goes on and on, my friends,
Some people started singing it, not knowing what it was,
And they'll continue singing it forever, just because,
This is the song that never ends,
It just goes on and on, my friends,
Some people started singing it, not knowing what it was,
And they'll continue singing it forever, just because,
This is the song that never ends,
It just goes on and on, my friends,
Some people started singing it, not knowing what it was,
And they'll continue singing it forever, just because,
This is the song that never ends...

Happy Belated Birthday, Mike!

I wanted to post this the day after. I hope that it still makes you realize that you are a super special dude. Congrats on another year AND many cheers to MANY beers. :)

And Adam Everett is CUTE!!!

I Don't Make the Guy Who Sells "Peanuts!!!" at Minute Maid Park Nervous

Thanks for inviting me, Dennis! It was a fun night with everybody. :) :) :) I had a very good time. Go Astros!

Foreign Aid for Katrina

This makes me happy: http://edition.cnn.com/2005/US/09/06/international.aid.flows/

I found it on Nathan Herrington's blog. (http://algoprofundo.blogspot.com/).

I Bought 10 Pairs of Colorful Socks Yesterday

For Ted, The Queen, and My Kids:

I Make Stars Nervous

This one's for you, E.

Check These Out

An article to read:

(copy and paste after http:// in the address bar)
news.yahoo.com/s/usatoday/20050908/ts_usatoday/
katrinaweighsheavilyonfirstresponders

The best link ever:

http://news.yahoo.com/katrinahelp

And finally, on the side:

Stay tuned for a story from my classroom. It has to do with a trip to Europe and the tooth fairy. :) Pretty amazing stuff, I promise.

A Better Number: 832.423.2974

If you want to buy bus tickets (you would be the one to buy them directly for the person... like, you would call Greyhound, etc...), call Shirley Butler at 832.423.2974. If you get her voicemail, leave a message with your name and number and when you can be reached. You may also want to email her at squirley2929@sbcglobal.net and ask her to email you a profile of some of the people who need bus tickets and do not have the resources to buy them.

This is an amazing effort by many beautiful individuals everywhere to help many beautiful individuals from Hurricane Katrina.

Much love.

713.853.8425

UPDATED ON Thursday, Sept. 8, 2005:

I noticed that there are times when the above number is busy for long enough periods of time. If you call and it is busy, call Shirley Butler at 832.423.2974. She has the data for all of the people who have bus transportation needs. If you get her voicemail, leave a message with your name, phone number, and email address on it. Also, here is her email address: squirley2929@sbcglobal.net.

Katrina Caravan

If you want to buy somebody from Hurricane Katrina a bus ticket, call this number at the George R. Brown. It's the *long distance* transportation desk there. Tell the volunteer that you want to buy a bus ticket(s) for anybody (or a couple, a family, etc...) who needs one and they will tell you the person, their info., and what you need to do to help in that way. You will probably be the one calling Greyhound or whatever to reserve the ticket for that person. You may have to create a secret password for that person or something. I'm not sure. But it will be easy to figure out for yourself once you make the calls. This is a very easy, immediate, and direct way to help people reunite with lost loved ones. :)

IMPORTANT: PLEASE PASS THIS INFORMATION OUT TO EVERYONE YOU KNOW SO THAT THEY CAN HAVE THE OPPORTUNITY TO HELP. Plus, please tell them to pass the info. on, too.

A quote:

"How wonderful it is that nobody need wait a single moment before starting to improve the world." -- Anne Frank

We can do this.

Our government is helping and will continue to help these victims, but this is something that we can do for each other without waiting or depending on our government. I have seen that it makes a deep impact on the hearts of these people when their *brothers and sisters* reach out to them. They are amazed by all of the love that is in the hearts of so many.

Sweetness. Kindness. Community. Being there. It gets real tender real quick.

Love to you all.

I've been at the George R.

The George R. Brown rocks. The people of New Orleans have such a peaceful, protected, and wonderful temporary home there and so many of them have expressed deep gratitude for everything that everybody is doing to help them and make them as comfortable as possible. This guy named Ronnie, who was stuck at the Convention Center in New Orleans until Friday, said, "This is heaven." He also said that his first night at the George R. was the first night of real deep sleep that he had gotten since the beginning of it all. There's so much more that Ronnie said, and I will share that at a later time.

For now, here's a quote that I found a couple of weeks ago at an art showing:

"A man who possesses a veneration of life will not simply say his prayers. He will throw himself into the battle to preserve life, if for no other reason than that he is himself an extension of the life around him." - Albert Schweitzer

Much love to ALL of the people in the world... we are an extension of each other. And to the people who are calling the George R. your home for now~ I feel blessed that I get to see you rest and hear you breathe as you sleep. I feel blessed that I get to spend time with you while you are awake. I feel blessed that I get to eat with you. I feel blessed that I get to see you find your family and friends from whom you have been parted by what Ronnie calls "the two category fives."

Peace. Love. Blessings. Hope.

New Orleans

Visit me New Orleans
Your beautiful skin
Wild soul eyes

Our time again together
has come by surprise

You never stopped dancing
mysteriously in my heart
since the first time I went to you
all this time we've been apart

And now you are near again.

And I am there again.

But I am here.

And you are not there.

I can feel the warmth of your skin
next to my face.

My eardrums are vibrating
to
the

beat

of

your

heart.

This intimacy between
you and me is

cherished.
protected.
held.

And you are beautiful to me.

Rest sweet New Orleans. Sleep sweetly. Gather your strength again. Let's take care of each other now.



(I got to write this poem at the George R. Brown at 5 a.m./Sunday morning in the big area where everybody was sleeping. It was the second evening of shelter there. I was just about to leave to go home, but I couldn't until I poured out what had been going on inside of me.)

Hey, Trey.

Picture this:



Oh, wait. You're blind. Oh, well. I hope your eyes get better. Don't lose hope:

DESPERATE FOR HELP

A parent of one of my students just got back from dropping things off at the Astrodome here in Houston. That's where THOUSANDS of refugees are right now. She said that it was like a terrible scene from a bad movie. People are SICK, EXHAUSTED, and DESPERATE. Moms don't have things like wipes for their babies. Babies are dehydrated and in need of things like PEDIALYTE http://www.pedialyte.com/. People are in need of body wipes because they haven't taken a shower in forever. It might be good to bring things for them to read and do, too.

It's easy to bring things to the dome. All you have to do is drop them off and YOU CAN BE SURE that people will get them and USE THEM RIGHT AWAY.

They are ABSOLUTELY IN NEED OF OUR HELP and helping immediately is ABSOLUTELY EASY. Please don't be under the impression that it will be hard. Please know that you can do a lot even if it seems like just a little. Even one bottle of pedialyte or one box of wipes or something else is a VERY BIG DEAL TO SOMEONE WHO DOESN'T HAVE ANYTHING and is SUFFERING SO MUCH.

Please go to the Astrodome today if you can.

Help for Katrina Victims

"How wonderful it is that nobody need wait a single moment before starting to improve the world."
-- Anne Frank

Please pass this on to people so that we can help as much as possible:

(People who don't live here in Houston can find ways to help, too. Even just passing this information along to all of your friends will make a huge difference.)

http://www.click2houston.com/news/4915332/detail.html

http://www.click2houston.com/entertainment/4913764/detail.html

http://www.click2houston.com/news/4920352/detail.html

And if you want to volunteer, here is a quick link:
http://www.volunteercenter.us/rsvp6.htm