{P}ortland {N}etworks {C}ollide & {A}lign

A few weeks back, my previous career at the Pacific Northwest College of Art (PNCA) collided with my current line of work as Portland's Green Building Policy Coordinator. A string of hand-me-down emails from the Mayor's office led to an ecocharette invite for PNCA's green renovation of their historic 511 Building.

In 2007, as I was wrapping up 7 years of teaching Natural Science, PNCA purchased this stately building for the grand total of $1. A sweet US Department of Education deal once the building becomes vacated by it's only tenant, Dubya's Department of Homeland Security. Fast forward to 2011, and PNCA's dream building is finally becoming a reality.

The charette was filled with PNCA faculty, students & staff from my past mixed with green building colleagues from the present. I was pleasantly surprised to find PNCA's commitment to establishing the 511 Building as the cultural center of an EcoDistrict - the next generation of green building at a neighborhood scale AND the primary focus of my current work. From that point forward, a constant string of professional and personal connections have been intertwining with PNCA folks.

At times the coincidences have been exceptionally bizarre. Earlier in the year, I bought online electronic tickets to a Thermals explosion for Bunny & I. On the day of the show, she couldn't make it. Lilly pleaded to fly backup. Too loud, and too late for 'Lil, so I flew solo. Contemplating all the latest cosmic PNCA connections, I rode down to the show wondering whether our stars would align. Sure enough, I arrived to a loooooonnng line, and at the very end there stood a former PNCA maintenance dude + date.

We joked around as the line crept forward. Then he entered the SOLD OUT show while I was stopped by the doorman. Unfortunately, my online order had not registered with the electronic WILL CALL. If I could only access my email on a smart phone, I would pull up the ticket confirmation. But alas, I am dumber than a doornail when it comes to cell phones.

Disillusioned by the night, I unlocked my bike and started heading back home when my intuition wisely reminded me that this PNCA connection was no coincidence. Being a good listener, I turned around and locked back up again. Within minutes I was given entry as one stranger pulled up my email confirmation and another one bought Bunny's ticket. And, The Thermals delivered a non-stop-slam-dance-sweat-fest. What a RELIEF!?!

Last Monday, The Thermals rocked out again with a surprise show at the century-old Oaks Park roller rink. Lilly learned to rollerskate the week before, and we scored a couple of free tickets.

On the last visit to Oaks Park in 2006, I busted my ankle horribly. When the music is booming, I can't help but fly around the rink with little regard for safety. Fortunately, no injuries this time, and we ran into Lilly's former babysitter for a few rounds.

Newlyweds

On the night of 10.15.10, we headed down to the Portland Art Museum hoping to get hitched to art. Within minutes of searching, I found my Art/Life Partner: a fifth century Chinese Bhudda head that immediately captured my attention with those divine eyes. Still, I like to know all my options and subsequently surveyed each museum floor, only to return back to the beginning with Bhudda. By that time, my real life partner, Bunny, was on board, too. Having married herself in a separate project earlier that day, this was her second ceremony as the good Rev. Ariana wedded us into a 1-year nuptial commitment with Art/Bhudda/Life.

And then a door opened. Being raised agnostic, I was neither attracted nor repelled by religion. Still, I am completely fascinated by strange coincidences and hold a strong belief in being guided by spirit. Several weeks, after our Art/Life marriage, Bunny asked,

"Since our night at the art museum, have you been noticing connections to Bhudda like I have?"

"No," I responded, "but maybe I should raise my awareness."

A few days later, she was in the midst of a rough spell, so I suggested a visit to the Japanese Garden with the kids to be get inspired by the Zen vibe and Fall foliage. En route to the garden, we stopped at a stranger's house who was selling an unusual commuter bike - a no-brainer for only 40 bucks. Moments after the test ride, we stepped into an antique store down the block and unexpectedly entered a showroom full of Chinese Bhuddas. Suddenly everything seemed sacred.

Trees.

Streams.

A sculpture and raked garden titled, Bhudda Herding Cats.

Lilly immersed in a silk screen installation.

Thanks to Lilly, Bhudda joined us for a holiday 'honeymoon' to Maui. While visiting a friend, she commented on the spines of a book series that collectively completes a head. Turns out that these Tezuka graphic novels depict a fictional life of Bhudda. We promptly reserved the series from the library and they arrived a couple days prior to our vacation. Perfect timing since Lilly, age 7, very recently dove into the joy of reading. The graphic novel completely captured her attention and she finished the last book (over 1,000 pages!) on our return flight home.

I was reading the series in Maui, too, and at one point, several of the characters describe our innate connection to nature and a divine ability for some to mind-meld with animals. The next day, we were playing at a beach, when a big, beautiful macaw swooped over us and then landed into the yard of a private home. Lilly followed its flight path and engaged in a conversation with the resident. Turns out that he had lived next door for many years with a Bhuddist monk who passed away. Shortly after, the macaw arrived and started living under his shelter. And soon after that, a mutual friend told him a promise from the monk, "After dying, I will return as a bird to continue teaching to my disciples." The macaw has continued to reside with him for the last 7 years.

Our newlywed life with Bhudda is brimming with sacred art, strange coincidences and spiritual connection to nature.

Mele Haole Haleakala Kalikimaka

With gracious help from Auntie Shanna, we escaped to Hana on the Winter Solstice for an exceptionally rare overnight date.

Heavenly Hana. Even with its continual rain, this legendary paradise delivers a full dose of romance with every visit. Dining over local fare, the full moon rose from the ocean through silver-lined clouds and swaying palm trees. A beacon of light on this darkest day of the year. We soaked in a moonlit sauna, then returned to our yurt where gentle waves lulled us into a deep slumber.

A constant rain the next morning sent us in search of sun. At the end of a windy side road down to Nihaku, we found sunlight along with giant waves crashing into a jet black shore.

We also randomly ran into a French family that Bunny had met on Baby Beach a few days earlier while I was off on an upcountry bike ride. Being a fellow bicycling fanatic, Bunny encouraged me to contact the French father, but it wasn't until Nihaku that we connected. Within minutes of meeting, a ride was planned the next morning to Haleakala Crater - a climb so grueling that I never would have considered it on my own. The summit was covered by a cold, dense fog, but here's what it looks like on a clear day :~)

And here's some more pic's of our Mele Kalikimaka with the Maui Ohana.