June—5th Month

Spring

“And rapidly backwards and forwards/The early bees are assaulting and fumbling the flowers:/They call is easing the Spring.” This is a line from Naming of Parts, a poem by Henry Reed. The poem has several themes but basically is juxtaposing Man vs. Nature. The title alludes not only to the military training that is happening, or the description of the garden, but to Genesis, when the world was new and Man had to name it to make it his own. This theme seems very fitting for my 5-month report because there is no better example of Man’s battle for balance than NYC. Spring is here with its rains, humidity, and blossoms, which are juxtaposed with the concrete and busy people weaving through the streets…

Last week my sister, Irma, and a friend named Monica came to visit. It was their first time in NY and they enjoyed themselves by sighting seeing, shopping and going out at night. Of course, I wasted no time exposing them to my NYC. First up, Irma and I spent a Saturday morning roaming the city. We started in Central park and weaved our way south to the Village—traveling through a street fair—weaving through people and buildings and time. In the evening it was VIP tickets to the Alejando Sanz concert, courtesy of Verizon Wireless. Not only were the seats in front of Mr. Sanz’s wife and child but they also provided an opportunity to meet him at the after-party. That same night we headed to a private party hosted by Hennessey titled Orchid, with live music and a lounge decor. Honestly, I don’t think they ever recovered from that fist night or the second or the third, etc…

For those of you wondering, the trip did involve a night at Zona Rosa and us celebrating Cinco de Mayo (my first time in over 10 years) at a restaurant/night club called Noche. The night included a five-course meal paired with different tequilas for each course. We ended the night at a salsa club called the Latin Quarter (LQ). We were guests of owner Ralf Mercado, owner of Zona Rosa and previously a record label owner--that included artists like Celia Cruz and Marc Anthony.

I give credit to Irma and Monica because they ended their trip with a non-traditional Helicopter ride. Remember, NYC is not about money, it is about time and they saved plenty of it by getting a birds-eye view of the city. Honestly, it was fun for me to play tour guide and it makes me glad that I can offer an excuse for my friends and family to visit NY. So, if you haven’t planned your trip here yet, there is still time…

My visit to LA in April was very beneficial. It was full of work, family, friends, fun and sun (thanks Sandi for the convertible). But it was also a time of resolutions. I love LA and it was great to spend time with my friends and family (I even got to the beach four times), but I realize that NYC is the place for me at this stage in my life. I learned that letting go doesn’t mean forgetting or losing; it is about change--change to keep growing. I had always been one to welcome change, even encouraged it, but some how I became afraid to take risks and that stifled my development. Now, I am back on track and welcome my new environment—I am making it my own. I can’t deny that there is a lingering sense of loss but it is eclipsed by a new sense of freedom and discovery.

This brings me back to NYC…and the weeks since my last report and before my LA visit. I continue to discover new parts of the city, new restaurants, galleries, shops and meet new people. I have kept reading and recently finished Angels and Demons by Dan Brown--I liked the Da Vinci Code more. I have begun reading the Celestine Prophecy so my next report should include what I learned from it. In a future report I might include my theory about fate but for now it is enough to say that the book reinforced my belief that everything happens for a reason. People you meet, places you go, things you discover are all interrelated to the paths we choose.

I apologize for the lateness of this (May) report but being home locked-up writing was not the way to welcome Spring. My next report should come this weekend and hopefully catch you all up.

PS: Here is the compete poem for your reading pleasure. Let me know if you want to discuss.

Naming of Parts

Today we have naming of parts. Yesterday,
We had daily cleaning. And tomorrow morning,
We shall have what to do after firing. But today,
Today we have naming of parts. Japonica
Glistens like coral in all the neighboring gardens,
And today we have naming of parts.

This is the lower sling swivel. And this
Is the upper sling swivel, whose use you will see,
When you are given your slings. And this is the piling swivel,
Which in your case you have not got. The branches
Hold in the gardens their silent, eloquent gestures,
Which in our case we have not got.

This is the safety-catch, which is always released
With an easy flick of the thumb. And please do not let me
See anyone using his finger. You can do it quite easy
If you have any strength in your thumb. The blossoms
Are fragile and motionless, never letting anyone see
Any of them using their finger.

And this you can see is the bolt. The purpose of this
Is to open the breech, as you see. We can slide it
Rapidly backwards and forwards: we call this
Easing the spring. And rapidly backwards and forwards
The early bees are assaulting and fumbling the flowers:
They call is easing the Spring.

They call is easing the Spring: it is perfectly easy
If you have any strength in your thumb: like the bolt,
And the breech, the cocking-piece, and the point of balance,
Which in our case we have not got; and the almond blossom
Silent in all of the gardens and the bees going backwards and forwards,
For today we have the naming of parts.

--Henry Reed