Kokochi

Capoeira at the de Young Museum

Click to see video.	Click to see video.

This is from Friday...when Dav and I went to the de Young Museum for an event that honored various student-made art. Part of it was a show put on by Elida's Capoeira group. It was fantastic and instantly upped the energy in the lobby area with their music, beats, and strong movements. Dav and I had front row seats : )

at the Shooting Gallery

Dav and I stopped by briefly to check out Yumiko Kayukawa's work at the Shooting Gallery. I liked her stuff, but was actually drawn more to another artist's work of everyday SF buildings/cityscapes. I failed to pick up the name...but I'll find out, as we bumped into friends there and they should know [the artist is Kim Cogan]. The paintings were oil, but when I took the pictures, it really looked real as if peering through a window.

Painting with light

Last night we had tons of fun at Julian Cash's where he did "painting with light" photography. In a dark room, he left the shutter open for however long he wanted, using various light toys to "paint" the darkness. I had no idea about this, and loved it!

[Click on the photos to enlarge.]

A morning exchange

While waiting to catch the bus to work...out of the blue, a man approaches.

[man] you're going to have a baby girl, aren't you?

[me] ah, yeah

[man] wondering how I knew, huh?

[me] yeah...

[man] I just know these things. I have 2 boys and I knew when my wife was pregnant even before she did!

[me] wow...actually, it seems like every baby I meet these days is a girl. where are all the boys? ... we don't have a name yet

[man] oh, it'll come in your sleep. don't worry

[man] she's going to be a beautiful baby girl

[me] <smiles and is very happy>

By the way, it's 2 months 'til July 2nd...the supposed target date of Gargle's arrival. I like the suspense that she could arrive early or late. Nevertheless, the clock is beginning to tick louder...and I still can't believe she'll be here soon!

My sack artist

To balance out my previous posts, allow me to add a furry one.

Here is Kats, the world's best professional sack artist. When Dav and I wake up, Waka is usually first to the door, ready to start her day after several loud meows. Kats, by contrast, doesn't budge. Oftentimes, I'll climb over him to get out of bed, take a shower, and he's still curled up under the covers when I come back. If he had to go to work, this habit would be problematic. But if I were him, I'd be snuggling forever too! I just love petting him at these times, when he's clearly still very groggy and sleepy, and barely opens an eye to check me out.

17 days old

I can't help it. Everywhere we go, everyone we talk to, it's BABY! Honestly, I'm not trying to focus on babies, but they're everywhere. I don't think I'm just noticing because I'm pregnant either...

However, I'm thrilled to show you Pete and Katia's baby girl who is just 17 days old! Check out how tiny she is compared to my hand. She was chill and sleeping perfectly the whole time we visited. She made some cute cooing sounds too.

Katia is amazing. She gave birth at home, 32 hours of labor using a birthing tub. She looks great and has recovered quickly. I'm so lucky to have her as a role model (um, not the home birth part...I'll be at the hospital for sure) to see her transition from Burning Man camp member, to pregnant woman, to mother. To us, our babies being 3 months apart seems huge, but assuming our girls grow up together, they'll feel like twins.

It really is amazing to finally meet the baby (name not announced just yet), imagining someone along her lines is in my belly. I'm *still* not comprehending there's a being in there, but apparently that's how it goes. There's just no easy logic to understand this process so disbelief, denial, blissful ignorance is my reaction ; )

After meeting all these babies, talking to both new and experienced parents over these past few months, I guess it's sorta dawning on Dav and I what our art project really is. I'm beginning to look forward to staring into a face that is made from both Dav and I...

Shernaz

Shernaz worked at Six Apart for a short while until she gave birth to her beautiful baby girl Carina (with the most gorgeous eyes and eyelashes!). I was so warmed when one day I received a box in the mail from her that contained maternity clothes and books. There was one tiny tiny pink baby jumper suit that I couldn't believe a human would fit into.

Then last week, Shernaz emailed me. Now that Carina has grown out of her initial wardrobe, Shernaz offered to give clothes to us. I'm so overwhelmed by the amount of "stuff" people say we'll need, and especially concerned that babies outgrow it all so quickly. So I'm very pleased to have second-hand items. Thus, yesterday, Dav and I drove down to visit with Shernaz, and received three gigantic bags of the cutest outfits ever!! I have to admit looking at the adorable clothes made me a bit excited to dress Gargle.

It was also super cool just hanging with Shernaz, hearing stories and sharing this baby journey. I can't explain how important it is to hear other women's experiences, and just feel supported. And I feel very blessed that we're receiving a lot already. I'm quite confident we won't have to buy much at all.

Anyhow, it was sure nice seeing radiant Shernaz, and meeting Carina. Thank you!!

Fwd: RV Pictures

How funny...Dav forwarded me pictures of an old RV we're considering buying...and he mistakenly sent it to Kokochi. So for the day, there were a bunch of pictures showing off this 70's decor RV with no explanation; that was a pretty hilarious posting for a day...

Yes, we are entering RV land. Or seriously thinking about it...for Burning Man. I love camping in our gigantic tent, and the connection to the desert you get from living "in the dust." However, with Gargle on the way, we're having to be more practical. Now, this might come as a shocker to you all that we are even thinking of going to Burning Man since Gargle will be just 2 months old. But here is the deal: if we don't try to plan, we definitely won't be able to go. If we prepare to go, then we may be able to go *if* she is doing well, if I've recovered well and have energy, and we feel confident as parents.

We are carefully researching issues - and have lots of feedback about the difficulties I'll face physically, how dehydration is a main concern triple normal rates, how I may never even be able to leave the RV anyway, or even how driving to the playa might take forever since we'll have to stop for breastfeeding every 2 hours and have to take her out of the car seat. Lots to think about. We're not stupid or brash, and certainly won't push this in any way. But just in case there is no reason not to go, we want to be ready. Thus the RV.

I can't imagine experiencing Burning Man from the comforts of an RV. No more 24 hours of setting up camp, we'll actually have a kitchenette, and even a full bed!

We'll keep you posted how the reality shapes. I'm fully aware that once Gargle is here, lots of changes that we can't fathom now will happen. *If* we go, I plan to fully document it for others as it shall be quite the experiment.

The coolest car ever

Parked by Klein's Deli in Potrero Hill.

Paul and Jenn

After DC, we drove back to NC for one last night with Dav's old gang there. We had dinner with Paul and Jenn who live in the cutest house in Durham with their dog Bernie. Paul is really into music, so we got to enjoy some rare vinyl finds, and Dav scored some great CD copies.