01-25-11 - You're gonna hear me on your radio

01-25-11
Radio, on your radio.
You're gonna hear me on your radio
26 miles
Yesterday I sent a note to Nicole Sandler who produces an internet radio show called “Radio of Not”. I knew her from when she produced the mark & Brian show in LA and we’d sort of kept in touch over the years via email/instant messaging and now, Facebook.. I’d seen that she’d taken up the cause of 99er’s and suggested that we might talk about where our mutual interests might dovetail. She said she’d call me today around 8:20.
The sun rose at 7:30 and I got up, had a little breakfast and climbed to the top of the him in front of me and sat cross legged watching the sunrise across the wonderful view in front of me. Mischa in my lap I think of the Yes song “Heart of the Sunrise’ - “Sharp. Distance. In to the Heart of the Sunrise”
I wonder what Nicole and I will go over, how it might work for both of us. My example of being a homeless 99er, could that be a catalyst for someone in congress to do something to help the millions of 99er’s as well as the millions above that that are just long term unemployed that still have the safety net of benefits.
I get the call, feeling good, looking at beauty. Then Nicole 4 words that stun me. “You’re on the air”.
What?! I’m not prepared! I just thought we’d have a talk about he possibilities and how we could help each other. Like a line from a movie I can’t place at the minute “Don’t understand me so quick”. I try to get through the interview as well as possible but my mind is reeling as I try to respond with some useful coherent answers to her questions feeling all the time like I’m blowing it and not giving her what she wants/needs or getting across what I need/want to say. I think I can hear her disappointment for placing the call. Why didn’t she talk to me first?
Well…it’s my first radio interview and it’s exposure. I can say “I’ve been interview on the radio for this journey”. It had taught me some things. Have some stories to tell about the people you’ve met. Decide if this is a crusade for all 99ers or just my personal journey. Make clearer communication to the people you communicate with.
I had mixed feeling about the interview. I didn’t feel I did very well. I didn’t know if I’d done anything to help anyone, Nicole’s show; 99er’s or myself. “Radio or Not”, indeed.
Well, what a way to start the day. And the view was still magnificent.
To shake off the feelings of failure from the mornings talk I walk to the Anazazi ruins with Mischa.
It is an interesting path out to the hill and I keep following pathways that never seem to get to where I am trying to get to. I back track and follow around the hill until I find a section of cut barbed wire that leads into the back entrance to the site. It is a well displayed dig. I wonder how many people will ever actually get to see this place. Mischa and I may be a few of only a few hundred in a decade, or an eon.
It seems a shame.
Getting back is easier than getting there and we make quick time of it.
Time for a little lunch and then I make a list of things to do and get in Hurricane..
I also go thru my AAA camping guide and try to plan out my week there.
We go into Hurricane and I do the usual Internet session. Mischa’s good with that.
I go to the bank, I get a small led lantern form Wal-mart and head back.
A good full day.
We eat dinner and head in for the night. The wind is riasing up and buffeting the tent.
It seems to be constant. And it threatens to pull the tent apart when it’s not pushing the sides in on us.
At a point the wind fly is flapping so fast and violently that I can’t think.. I climb out of the tent and angrily remove the fly, fighting it at times like it was a devil bat.
And the wind subsides.
Is the trickster god Coyote playing games with me?
Are the ghosts of Anazazi warriors having sport?
Fine. You got the fly off. Why?
I look up at the stars.
Oh.
OK. Good call.
I get back in the tent.
Close the privacy flap of a “front door”.
The howling winds return.
After 15 minutes of constant barrage of wind I finally capitulate.
I tie back the privacy flaps and the tent is now a flow thru tent-bag.
And the stars are a magnificent blanket.
I realize that the wind has been warm and that with the sleeping bag and comforter Mischa and I have both been warm and comfortable asidee from the noise and pressure the wind had put on the tent.
Now it is peaceful and comforting with a magnificent star field above.
Thank you grandfather, for showing me your wisdom, I say aloud to anyone listening, Coyote, Anazizi or even Chief Dan George.
A peaceful night of sleep follows.