DAY 32

DAY 32
05.06.07
TREE 38

I had seen this tree, or at least noticed the possibility of climbing this tree earlier in the week. It lines the main drive into Mount St. Francis. It is a peculiar tree, much like an evergreen but with some deciduous characteristics. The trunk is strong and straight with many strong branches coming straight out. The needle-like leaves are little and green, but most interesting is the flaky, long, stripped, grey bark with red and yellow and a little green underneath. Once I started I just kept climbing and climbing till I got to the very top. I was higher than any building around and had a tremendous view. I could sit down and relax and enjoy this most perfect of clear, warm days. It helped me to clear my mind of the negative and frustrating thoughts. I believe it is the highest I have climbed so far, but it is really hard to tell. I really love this tree and can’t wait to climb it again.

5-6-08:  My “negative and frustrating thoughts,” …well, it takes me a few more months for me to start sharing any real personal thoughts and details.  I think I had always pictured this project being shared with the public and felt it wasn’t the place for stuff I may reserve for a diary.  At times it became my diary and I don’t know how I am going to feel when it’s time to post those.  Even considering sharing what those negative and frustrating thoughts are right now is hard.  I’ll say this… I had a phone conversation around this time with my friend, Ben Griggs, where I said some things about being nervous about getting married and going back to Portland after my residency.  And that is all I feel comfortable saying.

I went to see Mel Chin, a conceptual artist, give a talk and show a film at the New Center for Contemporary Art yesterday evening.  He has started some pretty amazing projects that attempt to solve some really big problems.  One is fundred.org where there is a lesson plan for children to design their own $100 bill.  Mel will then have all the bills collecting with a bank truck that runs on vegetable oil and delivered to Congress along with a real, scientific plan to fix the lead problem in the soil of New Orleans.  (The passord is paydirt)  The goal is $300,000,000.00 so get drawing… he said the age limit of the children is 125.  You have to print the template out on a sheet, both sides… when finished drop it off at one of the designated pick-up sites. 

Charlotte came with me and afterwards we hung out with some people and searched for a tree to climb.  She thought it would be funny to get a picture of me climbing this tiny ass tree.  I explained to her how to use my camera… but she didn’t listen.  This is what resulted:

Charlotte also climbed a tree downtown.  I got a picture of that and only now, after looking at it, realize her pants are little low.  Oh well, I hope she doesn’t mind:

Then I did find a tree to climb by the Mid City Mall on our way to the Back Door.  It wasn’t that hard of a climb or that interesting.  I took some pictures and got one of the best blurry pictures I’ve ever gotten: