What, why, and how come, are the questions of the day that give entry into the world. A few times now we've encountered churches - there's that cute little onion domed greek orthodox church on capitol hill for example, - so that I've heard the question "What's a church - Was ist eine Kirche?" more than once. It's hard to explain god to a 3 year old, much less the structures of organized religion, so I've always told her I would take her someday. That day was yesterday.
Actually, we've tried on a few other occasions, but the churches were always locked. In Europe, this would be unheard of, where accessibility to god's sanctuary is 24/7.
Religion has always fascinated me - how can it not with its elaborate rituals and attempts to address the fundamental existential questions of humanity - but at the same time, I could never choose a religion out of the simple fact that each one implicitly states that they are the way, which automatically sets up opposition, and contributes to the strife and devisiveness of the world. The world is littered enough with religious wars. I'd prefer not to contribute, but would rather just practice what they all preach, peace.
I don't go to church very often, but I like the idea of it, especially in a St. Francis sort of way, nature being by far my preferred cathedral. The wilder the better, so as to invite as much of gods creation as possible. Today though, that was more than a tricycle ride away, not to mention a bit beyond our immediate mission, which was to go to a church built of walls. We ended up going to St. Peters, the closest church within tricyling distance. The congregation, as it turns out, is predominantly philipino-american, very much a Beacon Hill church, though when the pastor launched into his sermon, I wasn't so sure I was in a church...
He talked of the air we breath, pollution, the melting ice caps, the degradation of the waters of the puget sound and the duwamish, and how we, the "civilised" people, who took the land from the indians, are now raping that land, our land. Those were his words. I was stunned. It was beautiful to hear the ugly truth, because we so rarely do - not from our leaders, not in our schools, and only rarely in our daily business-as-usual lives. And not least because we're so busy being civilised... and here was this message coming from an institution that had participated in the "civilising" of the indians. He went on to talk of the dismal state of health care and how not voting, in our country, was simply irresponsible. When he was done with his sermon I had an impulse to start clapping, but this was a church, so the pastor solemnly sat down, and after a few more moments of silence everybody got up and sang a hymn. I liked the part where everybody turns around and greets those they're sitting next to. I wasn't sure what was going to happen after the service was over. I was kind of hoping there'd be a gathering. An opportunity to meet and talk. But mostly everybody just filed out and into their cars. Or in our case, onto a tricycle.
9.23
Monday, September 24, 2007
dada, "What's a Church?"
Saturday, September 22, 2007
Bridge Motel r.i.p.
Slated for development, the Bridge Motel's last dance was with artists. I've got some footage of the performances and installations, that when I get around to editing, I'll post here.
9.15
Wednesday, September 5, 2007
Up Swamp Creek
Not often when backpacking does one get such spacious accommodations with full kitchen and, when the mists do part their swirling veils - such stunning views. Tents aren't too bad either, but this was a treat. We didn't see much the first day which made it all the more glorious upon waking. Baker, Shuksan, Goat, the Pickets behind us, the canadian Cascades up North, the clouds below. With so many photo ops it didn't take long to figure out that the fresh battery I had put in my camera before leaving wasn't fresh at all... it was dead. When I got done kicking myself I borrowed my brothers camera... which soon stuttered to a halt as well. But not until after we climbed Larrabee the next day, a red pile of rubbley rock, but a fun scramble nonetheless.
After two nights on Winchester we headed cross country over to the Yellow Aster Buttes. Initially we tried to navigate a ridge line that on the topo looked to be a promising possibility until real life cliff bands proved otherwise. Eventually the other side of the ridge worked out nicely, with a snowfield up top providing a fun glissade down into the valley. Tomyhoi, the other mountain we were going to climb, was not to be had. After a full night of rain (in tents and bivy), and thick morning fog, our trajectory turned downward. Out we trudged on a boletus lined trail, going as we came, in the mists.
8.23-27
Monday, September 3, 2007
Dabob Bay
A friend who I've known longer than any other friend in Seattle just built a cabin overlooking Dabob Bay. It's really beautiful. We went out to visit, and dig a compost pit... and eat crab.
Aug. 3-5
Sunday, September 2, 2007
Posessed by the Acoustic Spirit
We Love the I-90 Tunnel, Beacon Hill's bipedal gateway to Lake Washington
:late July
April 06:
These photos are from a peaceful midnight musical gathering in the tunnel. It was fun while it lasted - you can see the police headlights coming down the tunnel, spurring on the performance.
