HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!!
Hey, mishpuha!
2003 is in its last day - I am taking stock.
War and destruction in the word - brought by our unelected junta.
Still, on a smaller level, seeds of change are sown in the fabric of the darkness.
Politically, I was part of a movement that brought a candidate in the presidential race - who will win the nomination and beat bush in 2004 (you heard it here first).
Locally, our activism was able to stop a power grab by the NYC's billionaire mayor. He invested 7.3 million of his personal money in a campaign to render the democratic party powerless in NYC. With some enthusiasm, shoe leather and the truth, we defeated this referendum by 70% to 30% of the vote.
Personally, a good year as well. We had a rainy summer and fall, lots of mushies, lots of love.
Maya is in a new school, Children's Workshop, in K-1. She reads and writes and loves it! (working these days on a letter to her teacher about cooking a dish from to cookshop recipee book - her idea)
Of course the most significant event in our life this year was joining the Dias y Flores community garden in May, after the Rites of Spring parade.
It transformed our entire year, this little piece of NYC. The summer blackout became a party because of it, Dolores's sculptures grace the gates, our lot, Halloween taught Maya that "giving is better than receiving", the Winter Solstice was magic...And we'll sing there again tomorrow, all in the family & all the garden members and whomever wants to join us - the doors are open!
It's a symbol of hope for us!
Here's to whishing 2004 an even better year to all of us - may all your wishes come true!
I can see baby new Year approaching now!
Wednesday, December 31, 2003
Sunday, December 21, 2003
Back from the garden!
I got this card from Victor.
The garden was a dream! The former pit of our pond had a wheelbarrow in it where a bonfire was on. Next to it a fir tree (real, living one) was decked in red and green lights. A pot of hot chocolate was brewing next to the fire. Our garden people were gathered around the fire with song sheets caroling. Victor braved the cold playing the guitar to accompany. Some were doing percussion with sticks and barrels/canisters - and that worked beautifully for the "Little Drummer Boy" finale.
We had such a great time we decided to do it again on New Year's day. I'll teach them "Sorcova Vesela"
I got this card from Victor.
The garden was a dream! The former pit of our pond had a wheelbarrow in it where a bonfire was on. Next to it a fir tree (real, living one) was decked in red and green lights. A pot of hot chocolate was brewing next to the fire. Our garden people were gathered around the fire with song sheets caroling. Victor braved the cold playing the guitar to accompany. Some were doing percussion with sticks and barrels/canisters - and that worked beautifully for the "Little Drummer Boy" finale.
We had such a great time we decided to do it again on New Year's day. I'll teach them "Sorcova Vesela"
Happy 7th Anniversary to us!
Today Victor and I have 7 years together. We are also preparing the Solstice celebration (it will come at 2 AM here). So, for tthe darkness we ate some black foods (rice and black beans, chocolate and blackberry jam). We exchanged presents and we are now going to the garden for a solstice hot chocolate and songs gathering. Tomorrow, we'll eat yellow foods for the sun!
Happy winter solstice, everyone!
Today Victor and I have 7 years together. We are also preparing the Solstice celebration (it will come at 2 AM here). So, for tthe darkness we ate some black foods (rice and black beans, chocolate and blackberry jam). We exchanged presents and we are now going to the garden for a solstice hot chocolate and songs gathering. Tomorrow, we'll eat yellow foods for the sun!
Happy winter solstice, everyone!
Where Political Influence Is Only a Keyboard Away
More than ever, the Internet gives people a connection -- and a voice -- in campaigns.
LINK
  By Matea Gold, Times Staff Writer
NEW YORK — Every morning, before her 5-year-old daughter wakes up, Leah Faerstein sits down at her computer in her East Village apartment and logs onto Democratic presidential candidate Wesley K. Clark's Web site.
A few years ago, Faerstein was politically indifferent and didn't own a computer. But now the stay-at-home mom spends hours a day on Clark's Web log, or blog, munching on chocolate Clark bars and chatting with other aficionados of the former NATO commander. Â
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 Recently, she was thrilled to hear Clark use a phrase about democracy that she had suggested on the blog.
"I'm not going to take the credit," said Faerstein, 50. "But I think it's osmosis. There's a back and forth between us and the campaign. I couldn't feel more connected."
Faerstein is one of hundreds of thousands of people who have turned to the Internet this year to participate in national politics, relying on a technology that is playing a central role in the way citizens are experiencing the 2004 presidential campaign.
More than ever, the Internet gives people a connection -- and a voice -- in campaigns.
LINK
  By Matea Gold, Times Staff Writer
NEW YORK — Every morning, before her 5-year-old daughter wakes up, Leah Faerstein sits down at her computer in her East Village apartment and logs onto Democratic presidential candidate Wesley K. Clark's Web site.
A few years ago, Faerstein was politically indifferent and didn't own a computer. But now the stay-at-home mom spends hours a day on Clark's Web log, or blog, munching on chocolate Clark bars and chatting with other aficionados of the former NATO commander. Â
 Â
 Â
 Recently, she was thrilled to hear Clark use a phrase about democracy that she had suggested on the blog.
"I'm not going to take the credit," said Faerstein, 50. "But I think it's osmosis. There's a back and forth between us and the campaign. I couldn't feel more connected."
Faerstein is one of hundreds of thousands of people who have turned to the Internet this year to participate in national politics, relying on a technology that is playing a central role in the way citizens are experiencing the 2004 presidential campaign.
Monday, December 15, 2003
Thursday, December 04, 2003
NYC
Today, Victor and I went with Maya's class to a field trip: a Broadway play. Best deal in town $1 per family!
The play: The 3 Little Pigs was made very funny by the audience reaction (the whole room was schools).
At the end the actors chatted with the kids. Best exchange:
Kid (to Wolf): I liked it when you kept trying to eat those pigs.
Wolf: Thank you!
In other news: I gave an interview to a LA Times reporter about the Clark campaign & internet (she read my blog at CCN and wrote me). I hope she won't spin me. We had 2 phone conversations and 3 e-mails, so this time I may be featured.
Today, Victor and I went with Maya's class to a field trip: a Broadway play. Best deal in town $1 per family!
The play: The 3 Little Pigs was made very funny by the audience reaction (the whole room was schools).
At the end the actors chatted with the kids. Best exchange:
Kid (to Wolf): I liked it when you kept trying to eat those pigs.
Wolf: Thank you!
In other news: I gave an interview to a LA Times reporter about the Clark campaign & internet (she read my blog at CCN and wrote me). I hope she won't spin me. We had 2 phone conversations and 3 e-mails, so this time I may be featured.
