oil

It's Chanukkah. I've been planning my latke approach for a few weeks now, so the results are extra special. "Regular" potato with dill and fresh parsley; Curry sweet potato with leeks; and chipotle beet.

Fun to make.

full

I feel like such a grown-up - the best part of my day today was after work.

- Bought some great new kicks. A little off-message, but I'm still juiced to rock em.
- Sang great music with the PEBCC alumni choir in preparation for two concerts in early December.
- Caught the encore set of the Ray Ray show at the Fox (couldn't hear anything, but he looked great). No ticket required, apparently.

But most exciting, walked past our NEW TICKET WINDOW! Soon to be up and running... get ready!

roller skates

As a kid, roller skates were a means of transportation in the neighborhood. Recently, they've joined a league of their own. One of my favorite pasttimes more recently was "club games" - coming up with ways to entertain myself and my loved ones at the expense of not-so-innocent party-goers around town.

One favorite is "Roller Skates". Participants earn points by identifying the fastest rollers in the crowd and convincing her to trade (her ridiculous) shoes with you(r much more comfortable ones). It's a hard game.

I became very curious about roller skates - where to buy them, etc. - so I've been on a hunt. Here are my spoils:

littles

little people: mini-futbolistas at la escuelita next to my office
little wins: no fights at the front office coordination meeting
little snacks: small apples in the field trip focus group
little truths: musical differences between oakland and frisco, soul

it's the little things...

mixed

Most of the time, I need stuff that can help me keep my head high above the pain and heartache that fill my days. Sometimes, though, there's so much going on that even the strongest pick-me-ups can't lift me high enough and the illusion gets shaky. Today was one of those days. I will continue to be sad and terrified by how easy it is for adults to demonstrate their disrespect for young people by stripping out all of the supports that make it even halfway bearable to navigate through changing expectations and real decisions. I want to believe that I can impact that. I want to continue to shift those priorities. I want my future generations to have a foundation to continue this work for their future generations. I want to win.

Sometimes, though, I can get swept up in the fervor and turmoil and forget the values that ground me in this work. I can get panicky and careless. I can act outside of myself and forget.

I am grateful for the small number of people who can see that happening in me and know how to get through my brambles to stay close to me and remind me of what I already know in the different ways I need to hear it. More than any pick-me-up, I get so much from those who know how to hold me down.

skin

Crazy hard week last week made me make an appointment at the Korean spa in SF. When Jess, Tracey, and I tried its LA-counterpart last spring, I didn't know what to expect and my life was changed forever. The SF version is closer, and maybe a little cleaner, and I couldn't pick a better place to shed a lot of emotional and physical skin right now.

After a spontaneous nap, I had pupusas and brave conversation at a spot in West Oakland I'd never tried before and will go to again next time the bridge is broken and I have a fried cheese craving.

Watch out this week, if I see you, I might make you touch me.

stress + music = supergreat

Spent this morning at an early meeting where we presented our budget woes to the OUSD Principals - how would YOU cut $28 million from a budget of $252 million?

Spent more of the morning helping with some tedious details at a deep east middle school - and busted two girls cutting school on pajama day.

Spent the afternoon helping with some tedious details at a shrinking elementary school - found some small space to laugh.

THEN, got a surprise gift from one of my favorite colleagues - the newest Cecilia Bartoli CDs PLUS the accompanying 100-page castrato dictionary!! Opera nerd SCORE!

THEN, I didn't get stuck on the Bay Bridge. Again. Scary.

neighborhood excitement

A mysterious event happened across the street this morning. I was completely puzzled, until these two finally emerged from the apartment (red umbrella for luck and protection), off to celebrate their lives together.

Maybe I'll still find that Chinese quincenera someday...

ladies

I don't think I've laughed that much in such a short period of time. And ate and drank well too.

challah + me'shell

Friday night fun: shabbos dinner with one of my favorite families plus a mind-blowing show by one of my favorite musicians... plus homemade challah and the continuing success of The New Parish.

Killer.

success!

Tonight, we celebrated the 3rd annual Oakland Unified School District Expect Success awards. I was honored to be in the room with so many incredible people, committed to the daily success of Oakland students and families.


From our small corner of the district, Operations Support was pleased to honor Linda for her hard work and passion for what's right for kids.

Onward!!

oakland nature

Busy day (mostly in my car). It's fall.


And we have rainbows.

special time

I'm pretty transparent about my love for Isaiah. We've been special friends for about three years now and I only hope that I get to be his buddy for a long long time to come.



Tonight, over dinner, music time, and bedtime, Isaiah:

• had a Shock-G moment ("I like my oatmeal lumpy.")
• sang me a song about all of his fingers ("How are you doing today? Very well I thank you.")
• tried to convert me to bananas ("But we have very very delicious ones in our kitchen.")
• asked attentive questions ("What is a vacation? Did you fly on a Southwest plane? Did you go to nee-ew yohk city?")
• rocked out with me
• read a lot of stories about how things work ("Why does a miller use a grindstone? Why are all of those pigs sleeping in the same bed?")
• named and re-named all of his stuffed animals
• successfully convinced his 4-month old brother that spinach in a tortilla was actually an ice cream cone
• yelled things to make me laugh ("Shabbat hooray!")
• left me with a cliffhanger on how pumpkins grow
• willed me to sing "Somewhere Over the Rainbow" in Spanish (arcoiris!). Twice.

Definitely made it easy to forget the early morning anxiety and endless work day.

lake music

I woke up crazy early this morning and went for a walk around the lake. Beating the sun to the day makes me feel smart and powerful for some reason.

Besides the killer views, the soundtrack really makes the difference. Many thanks to the podcasters (etc) known as Matthew Africa and Sake One for the morning accompaniments.

mantra

I had a rough September.

Thanks to Jamilah for the help with kicking off October:

True. True.

we don't eat enough curry goat

Had dinner with my mom and cousin at Sweet Fingers in San Leandro. Really excited for the leftovers.

first day of school?

So I know my pick-me-up for the first day of school should be something about kids, now that they are all freshly scrubbed and assigned to classes, but getting to an elementary school at 7:30am to be a first day of school partner doesn't really get things started on the right foot for me. I learned that while I am highly educated and experienced, I am not good at papering and bordering bulletin boards.

Anyway, thankfully I don't have to depend on work to pick me up. Watch what happens when one of my favorite people does one of my favorite things at one of my favorite places.

cheating

I'm not sure how many times I'm allowed to use this, but it pretty much works every time.

dear chilaquiles

I know better than to use food to make myself feel better. But when you put together chips and cheese and eggs and crema and chicken and onions, it's hard to see anything else as a pick-me-up. Especially after another 12 hours of work.

chug chug chug chug chug

It's not the work that's getting me down, it's the volume and intensity that made me cry at my desk for a minute.

This helped. Click for more.

new zealand

Started out this morning a little hyped, then got a little disappointed, then got fired up for kids, then got heart-full for popsie.

Now I'm trying to finish the two things I didn't finish today, staying focused on the kids running around in the dim light at the end of this little tunnel.



Thankfully, I have Jemaine to make everything alright. Conditions are perfect.

chickens, dads, and berries

chels' dad came to the party.

and then, chels went berry-hunting. and won!!

4 things

i did four things today.

1. Slept
2. Walked/Ran around the lake (special thanks to DJs who post mixtapes for me to download)
   
3. Made a pizza
4. Watched TV

happy happy happy happy happy

creepy good

Seph and I went to see Rear Window at the Paramount. My first Hitchcock movie, my first time at the culty-fun old-movie-night-at-the-Paramount, my first time being surrounded by over 3000 people I don't know in my own town, and my first time in the high high balcony.

In other firsts, I met Jackson yesterday. He slept the whole time, but when you're 8 weeks old, you get to do that. I think I'll like him, but I can't say for sure yet. We have time.

jetting

I'm going on vacation soon. 12-hour days make me tired. ATL "housewives" are crazy. An hour and a half in the car in traffic is not the best for my car. The Outkast tribute makes time go by really quickly (especially the Bombs Over Baghdad slowdown). People are testing me and my sunshine. I have a new shirt design in mind (NO STANKNESS). I'm too tired for snuggles.

updownupdownupdownupdownupdown etc.

humble + fried cheese

Today at 6am, a man came and cut a square in my office carpet, in preparation for drilling a hole in the floor. Today, at 6pm, while I sat working at my desk, that same man grunted a lot while he dug a 5 foot hole through the concrete and dirt next to me. Next, another man put some white tubes in the hole in the floor and asked me not to touch them until he came back for them. Then he put a large orange cone over the white tubes, for safety. He'll be back on Friday.

In case I'd let my place on the Executive Team go to my head, this decidedly knocked me back down to earth. A little humility is good for everyone.

But then I had fried cheese in the car with Chels.

And then I picked up my mama from the airport!

Great day.

stretch

A's didn't win.
Tash is NY-bound tomorrow.


BUT
I scored good parking!

I'm stretching.

best hats + DUB for the A's

let's go oak-land! clap clap clap-clap-clap.

semi-suburban sunday

Do your suburbs have beach?

small burgers

Workweek from down below over, and Merritt has started making personal burger cakes.

old clothes + toes

Day 2 of new principal training made me almost lose my fire, but not quite. Apparently when everything seems to be crashing down around me, all I need are the ratty old lounge pants I'm not allowed to wear outside anymore and red toenails.

Also, a Real Housewives of Atlanta spree helps for context.

somehow

I worked a 14-hour day today, and I'm STILL fired up about Oakland schools.

fired up

I spent today in the OUSD executive team retreat. I won't go into deep detail, but I am fired up about my work and what we are doing to serve children in Oakland. I feel so focused, I'm not even phased by all of the things I have to do this week.

I am grateful.

I'm also glad Ariel was born, but that's not unique to today.

semi-suburban saturday lady

I had a little bit of a to-do list today.

Got everything done, mostly because of delicious brunch.

Trying not to be annoyed by the failed movie attempt, but I'll have other chances I think.

birthdays

Today had many highlights, but at the top top top was celebrating the birthday of two of my favorites.

Nir, thanks for your quiet consistency, solid perspective, humor, and surprise visits.

Pedro, thanks for setting a good example and always always writing me back.

I toast you both - so glad you were born.

korexican, old friends and new

I got to catch up with one of my favorite people from high school at lunch today and got a really great crash course on the product chain - so much fits in to OUSD! Anyway, thanks Presto, for the context and the humor. Come back again soon!

(I am not going to mention the pirate band I avoided at Quinn's Lighthouse after work today. Oops.)

Then, got a last-minute invite to get Korean BBQ with a new friend. Lots of jokes and meat later, I scored a parking spot a block away from my house. Yesss!

legacy

Today, I'm celebrating my dad's 61st birthday.

One of the blessings that comes from living 15+ years without your father is that you get really good at guessing at what would have made him proud or happy or angry or confused or curious. You get to keep and access a strange rolodex of memories and try to apply them to new situations and relationships to piece together an idea of how he'd see the world and advise you on your path.

My dad has been on my shoulder for as long as I can remember. Today, on his birthday, I am grateful for all of the times he's protected me, steered me away from trouble, sent signs I saw, sent signs I didn't see, gave me a model to follow, and challenged me with mysteries.

One of my favorite stories about my dad (you know I have a lot) is about his relationship with music, particularly his violin. He was an amazing violinist, making girls carry his instrument home so he could practice and not sacrifice looking cool. He earned first chair in his high school symphony orchestra, just before the racist school administration dismantled the group rather than seeing a young Black man in that leadership position. He passed this untraditional love on to me, playing the Moonlight Sonata on my mom's out-of-tune upright in the living room, interspersing Tchaikovsky with "Hit The Road, Jack" and Stevie Wonder records. We wore out a Yitzak Perlman tape AND a tape of Hendrix's Star Spangled Banner on our road trip to Indianapolis when I was eight.

Today, Tash heard about a program in Baltimore that gives young string players a chance to practice and perform in the summer - Thrive City String Academy. I made a little donation, in honor of my pops and his violin.

This story isn't over. Thanks Dad. I'll keep trying to fill your skates.

great day

Alex (fancy red soccer shoes) and I walked over to Lakefest and checked out the booths, snacks, drinks, and music. Then we were joined by Tash, Chels, and Kari, then Adrionna, and later, one of the summer interns in my office next door. After some great music from Kev Choice and Pep Love, we headed east to Fruitvale Chicken (not the right name) for the best chickens and karaoke en espanol. Full and happy, we headed over to Somar for some MAJOR fun, and somehow managed to get home in time to go to work the next day. Oh, and I didn't order the camarones de momia - couldn't make it feel right.

sunshine and farmers

There are lots of nice things about Oakland. There are lots of nice things about summer. One of the best things about Oakland in the summer is that there are delicious fruits and vegetables everywhere and that it's socially acceptable to enjoy a cold adult beverage in the middle of the day.

Easy Lounge is not really a place I like to hang out (too many negative points on the music, frequent fliers, and smokers scales), but on Saturday afternoons, they pull together three drinks based on what was good and fresh at the neighboring farmers' market. Some days are better than others, but these were particularly successful.

Add in buddies (Tash and Alex) and it's a win all around.

sasha fierce

She flies through the air:


And apparently loves Jamaica:

Other highlights: wedding dress, wind, leopard print metal costumes, pretty dancer mens, and the hits. Thanks, B.

neighbor + korea

I haven't had second dinner in a really really long time, but when your neighbor says he's got the line on korean fried chicken, you don't really have a lot of options. What I didn't know was that there would be korean conch salad (YUM), two kinds of fried chicken, AND a huge plastic bottle of beer. Score one for the koreans and another one for the vecino.

laughing buddies

Sometimes I have no words. Sometimes it's because I can't breathe from laughing too hard. Thanks Chels - for the cheese, the dance moves, the stories, the shyness, etc.

charges

I had the honor to meet several of the SF8 before they were the SF8. I am grateful for the work they have done for our community - 30 years ago and recently - and for the inspiration their continued legacy provides for young people and older young people in the movement.

Today, all charges against most of them were dropped. There is a lot to celebrate. However, the spotlight on state-sponsored torture and abuse of the legal system continues everywhere. That doesn't sound like a pick-me-up, I know.

Watch this, and learn about what you can do to stop this extra-legal activity.



Also, welcome to the CIA, FBI, DHS, NSA, and whatever other "security" agencies have now decided to follow my postings. I'll try to keep you entertained.

nicest guy in town

When I worked in the west bay, I would make it a point to walk three blocks on the hardest days for pretty much the best thing baking in the neighborhood - brioche bread pudding with seasonal fruit at Tartine. It was always sad when I'd stand in line for twenty minutes and then peek over the top of the bread pudding flat and see the bread pudding covered in devil fruit. The walk back to the office could not have been longer.

Now that my life is so easy-bay-centric, my favorite special treat is one of those memories that always puts a smile on my face and a rumble in my stomach, definitely worthy of the special trip I never manage to find time to take.

Enter the nicest guy in town. Thanks to SF's favorite lots-of-things, my mid-morning work headache is the furthest thing from my mind and the demands of the afternoon are nothing I can't handle. This still-warm special delivery features raspberries and nectarines (aka winner fruits) and the side of Jew-cookies should last me right up to Pesach next year (okay, probably not).

Thank you, Stefan, you have earned yourself magic jew medicine for life.

incredible

Today isn't half over yet, but I can't imagine anything else will be able to pick me up higher than this.

Welcome Tony Smith to OUSD!!

finally

So June has been all about searching for a perfect new apartment, packing up four years + of stuff I need and stuff I don't need, moving it (special thanks to buddies Alex, Seph, Tash, Marty, and Kasha for carrying things down and up stairs), and now living in an apartment that fits me and slowly pulling my present and future out of boxes.

I'm leaving a lot behind on Magnolia - lots of physical stuff, heartache, laughter with people I don't know anymore, and a ton of emotional baggage. I'm feeling light and free and open to possibilities in the new neighborhood.

Goodbye Magnolia. Thanks for holding me so well for so long.

new homey

I met this guy out at my dad's park. He was shy, even though I was really nice.

last day of school (for teachers)

most beautiful place, with buddies, and a pops lookout.


fancy jewelry and advice:

yums

Basically, it doesn't get much better than this.

bringing it

Some people bring their "A game" to the club. I brought my aleph game. It didn't yield what most people expect bringing game to the club to yield, but it was fun.

at least there are no mice

Late night, early morning fog (in my brain, to match the common bay area weather forecast) got shaken up this morning. It's been awhile since I resorted to "at least..." when trying to find the joy, but today is special.

Even though I'm overwhelmed with work and no-love and all that, at least there are no mice in my house and no mouse droppings next to my pillow.

Thank you to Oakland-bound Tash for the early morning perspective. No fog! All clear!

snaps

Okay okay, I slacked on this. Don't worry, I also slacked on doing things that make me happy - I haven't been running around doing great things and not sharing them. Today's highlight is this:

animals

I like em!

snacks

nothing like vacation for good eats - best mofongo ever, pre-pesach challah grilled cheeses with tomato and bacon, sunday brunch, plus a variety of homemade yummies... surprisingly, i still fit into my clothes.

buddies, part 2

I've been reflecting about how tricky it has been to come back from my vacation. If vacation had been 9 days of sitting on the beach, it would have been almost easier to come back to my real life of running around and keeping to a busy schedule. But this vacation was pretty much a glimpse at what life could be like if I didn't have someone else's schedule to keep to. Could my real life really be full of catching up with my folks, riding the subway/bus/train to delicious drinks and homemade snacks and fancy half-price sushi? It could. But it's not. But it could...

Anyway, my lingering vacation energy is linked back to these sweet faces (and a few others I didn't catch on digi-film). To Ari, Tashi, SJB, Susa, Chanthip, Nickedy, Lanuz, Bryan, Kari, Cesar, Johnny and Tiffany, Norsie, Stosh, Ped, and Ernie - thanks for the reminders! Love love love.

bedtime twins

Vacation was great. More highlights to come, but this special request needed to be granted. Basically, it's important to look your best for slumber parties. Basically.

crabs, appalachia, bubbles, and pants.

Friday, I spent some time with these guys.


And Saturday with this guy.

And Sunday with these guys.


All good times, but nothing as exciting as my growing pile of clothes that don't fit.

celebration walk

Today, at PLACE@Prescott, an amazing little school in West Oakland, the entire student body took a Celebration Walk around their campus. The kindergarten students held little flags they colored with the UFW symbol. Older students carried posters they made and essays they wrote about farmworkers and grapes and freedom. All of the students chanted "Yes We Can" and "Si Se Puede". This Friday afternoon activity was the culmination of a week of study to honor the memory and legacy of two important leaders born in this season - Marcus A. Foster and Cesar Chavez. It was an honor to cheer on these eager scholars as they continue the work of our ancestors.

I took a made-it-through-another-week celebration walk of my own after work - around Lake Merritt. The construction is pretty massive, but I'm looking forward to being able to get up close to the water again. Three day weekend!!

strugglin

Today started with another first-thing phone chat with Carolina, house phone to house phone. I'm lucky to have friends who are thoughtful and smart and humble.

Next, an email from David that made me simultaneously fired up and heart-full and weepy. I'm lucky to have friends who are honest and reach out and take big risks (and encourage me to, too).

At work, I made some big strides at one of my elementary schools and felt really proud when the Principal trusted his own (new) wisdom about how to engage his school community in an effective way. I'm lucky to have a job where I get to feel peoples' hard work for kids and be a strategic thinker and laugh really really hard.

At the next school, I helped my 8th grade history teacher reformat something in Excel and earned an invitation to his retirement party. Another man, who had screamed at me and other staff members two weeks ago shook my hand hello and I almost fainted from surprise (no head lacerations!). I'm lucky to have a job where I can represent positive change in a notoriously frustrating system and support people who fight every day to make sure Oakland kids know there is more to life than murder.

I came back to my office to a flower arrangement from a Principal I helped yesterday. I'm lucky to have a job where I can help people look good and get some acknowledgment in return.

Jess called and we caught up on the whereabouts of the Korean taco truck and using the ten commandments to modify the behavior of elementary school students (aaah!). I'm lucky to have friends who can make me laugh and make my stomach grumble.

Josh and Sara and David made me feel better on the internet. I'm lucky to have friends with quick access to really really cute kids.

My next door neighbors (ages 5 and 6) were playing on my front steps and teaching each other important life lessons about getting angry and protecting your stuff from the urban miners in the neighborhood. I'm lucky to have a house, especially one in the middle of this Magnolia family.

I did more sit-ups than I usually do at the gym. This had nothing to do with luck.

I'm probably forgetting a bunch of things. Not bad for a day that I was pretty sure was going to make me lose it.

preparing

i'm looking forward to spring break. thanks, target.

drinks

Long week. Jeannie martini at Z Cafe helps. Continuing in my effort to put black pepper in all of my drinks.

sneaky squirrel

Venice has a sneaky squirrel too.

i don't hate LA

So it's winter, but you wouldn't know it from the weather in Venice. I had a great weekend with my buddies in the southland, almost enough to keep me floating through another crazy day at work. Next time I need korean taco truck, canals, bikes, pinkberry, big laughs, iphone navigation, beach sandwiches, and a vigorous milk scrub, I'll be hopping in my car and using my 3/4 tank of gas for good.

Only thing missing was a hug from my macalester-twin - Shana, I'm comin' back!

sweetness

Like many parts of my life right now, this little jar is simultaneously my tiny pleasure and a frustrating pain. I saw it on the shelf and got excited - who doesn't love honeycomb? My mom had two honeycomb candles that I always loved to smell... what a treat to have that smell IN my honey! What it doesn't say on that cute little label is that honeycomb is essentially wax, but in tiny flakey form held together by the sticky honey. Don't try to take a chunk of honeycomb and put it in your tea. You'll end up with a nice layer of white wax over the surface, making it a little difficult to get to the perfect honey-y goodness underneath.

It's been a week of trying to dig through the wax surface to get to the perfect honey-y goodness. The sweetness is slowly showing itself, but not without a lot of prodding and coaxing. Each little waxy flake is a reminder that there will be rough spots in this life and all of them count for something.

That was hella new age. Eh.