DAY 331
02.29.08
TREE 195
What a kickass hackberry! When I dropped to the ground after finishing my climb I was pumped up! And that is the phrase I said out loud to myself because it was such a good tree climb. Even though it’s the second time.
This week has been very interesting and very good. Cincinnati, though confusing, is growing on me. And like predicted, I just got comfortable finding my way around in time for me to leave tomorrow. Last night was fun. I painted Obama lawn signs with union workers and artists. Then today I finally got to canvass with someone. Nick Schuh, a 24 year old Cinci native. Catholic and former student of Nativity, Bob’s school. Small world. We went to West Cincinnati to some rougher parts. Nick slowed me down a little because I was told to just identify the supporters. He, however, wanted to have a lengthy debate with every person. Still, it was nice to have company.
Then I had a very nice fish fry dinner with two nuns and a 97 year old man. Two of them happen to be relatives of mine and it was really nice to discuss politics and life with Arthur. It felt good to spend time with relatives I never have before.
Then after eating I drove up I-71 to the exit past King’s Island. I pulled off Exit 25 and got gas, then went down the street and parked at the clinic by my kickass hackberry.
I planned this day just so that I was here at dark. I thought maybe the amusement rides would be lit up, but they weren’t. It was still nice to be under the cover of darkness to avoid any hassle from the Firemen across the street.
I touched my hand to the rough, rigid bark and it energized me. This kind of tree is one I never knew about before working at Greenhaven. Aaron taught me how to identify it by its distinctive bark on my third day. It’s a nice hard wood with strong limbs.
I pulled myself up the skinny, craggy branch that hung down. I adjusted my hands to the larger limb and pulled myself up. From there each step was as familiar as if I had climbed it yesterday. I moved quickly and without doubt or worry. Movements and visions from the first climb filled my thoughts. I was moving so much faster this time. Former difficult spots were non-issues. I paused at one branch to take pictures of the hollowed out trunk,
then moved on to my ribbon.
The gentle cold breeze was soothing after climbing had warmed me up. I ripped off the pink ribbon and stuck it in my pocket.
I stood there remembering things people had said to me at Andy’s engagement party after I told them I just climbed this tree the first time back in December. Looks of worry and disbelief. Now no one was around. I had no place I had to be and I could just take my time. I shot pictures as best as I could with the lack of light and soft breeze.
Then I put the camera back in my jacket pocket and enjoyed the moment. There is something about being up high in a tree and looking down at all the people going by in cars and living their lives that heightens my feeling of freedom. That feeling was strong tonight. I climbed back down,
loving every second of every move till I touched ground. There’s no wonder I exclaimed, "What a kickass hackberry!"
3-12-09: Arthur has since passed away. I felt very fortunate that I got to spend that dinner with him. He was a big Hillary supporter. It seemed he really wanted to see a woman in office before he died. I tried my best to argue for Obama, but he wasn’t hearing it. I also found that most of my relatives from Cincinnati are quite liberal. I had no idea. It is my mom’s family and my mom has never struck me as liberal. She is the definition of "swing voter." She usually makes a pro/con list for each candidate and which ever is up she votes for. That is till that last election. Sarah Palin showed up on the scene and my mom was won over by her folksy ways. I had countless arguments with her about this, because before her, she was leaning towards Obama. So frustrating. Even my dad, a life-long Republican, took an online questionnaire which was supposed to help you discover which candidate was more in line with your views. At the end of it he was +3 for Obama. I think he just laughed and voted for McCain. Kentucky was a complete wash anyway. Grrrr. But look who’s president.
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February 28th 2009. My second day in Boston and nearing the end of my month long trip. We went to the ICA (Institution for Contemporary Art). It is an awesome building and it had a collection of good shows. One featured 4 local Boston artists. Another was a collection of work loosely tied together by the idea of the portrait. And the big exhibit was Shepard Fairy: Supply & Demand. It was quite impressive. He has been very prolific and his work is beautifully graphic and attractive. But there were all these themes that dealt with anti-capitalism, anti-war, anti-consumerism, anti-government. Yet he’s making a killing on his work. I watched a video at the museum and he said he was an artist more than activist. Is that his excuse for not practicing what he preaches? It felt hypocritical, but I still thought the work was pretty awesome.
As we walked to the ICA I felt oddly at home. We were walking along the water on a boardwalk then I realized why:
Of course I had to get the picture.
Then later that day, James and I went back to the Public Garden so I could climb a tree. This time I really wanted to climb one of the many Dawn Redwoods they had. They are from China and have a very tall and straight trunk that ends in a point at the very top, with a good many branches all the way up.
I found one away from the bustle of the main paths of the park.
James sat on a bench nearby and I got to my climb. The first branches were easy to reach and it was a quick climb to the top with no difficulties.
I was very high and the effort had warmed me up. I looked around me at the Boston buildings
and park below.
It was very beautiful.
Another amazing climb in Boston on a tree type I had never climbed before (I think). James was below still on the bench talking on his cell phone.
I shot many pictures and felt a real sense of accomplishment and satisfaction. I finished my shots, took my last look around then told James I was on my way down. I scrambled down the branches and dropped to the ground. Then we went back to James’ place to watch some movies and relax and talk.
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A quick Post Script. One of the movies we watched the documentary Man On Wire. What the rope walker said about his passion hit home. I feel almost exactly the same about my tree climbing. If you were curious about why I do these things, watching that movie could give you a little insight.