Placenta

I had quite a busy four days of traveling and getting away from that hot George H. W. of a house. Friday of last week was declared Spare the Air day because the air quality of the bay area was projected to be unhealthy. This meant that the different public transit districts were offering free rides all day, and they would be reimbursed by a grant offered by the Bay Area Air Management District. I took advantage of this and spent the day in San Francisco with the sausage queen and his boyfriend, and I had a great time.^{1 Apparently the infamous hill where the Cathedral of St. Mary is located is called--Cathedral Hill.}

Saturday was spent on my parent's boat with my grandparents as well. We launched the boat at "The Delta," the brown, monument less system of natural and man-made waterways where the Sacramento and San Joaquin rivers flow into the San Francisco bay. My family spent the day wakeboarding and tubing behind my parent's $45,000 dollar boat (they say they can't afford to pay for my schooling). My grandfather really wanted to wakeboard, this was a desire that we had to kill because he has a severely arthritic knee, and is completely un-coordinated. Instead we persuaded him to ride on the tube with my little brother (I'll never forget the sight of my 68 year old grandfather being pulled over the water at 20 mph). My grandmother was content with the tube ride (she was a surfer in the 1950's and an accomplished skier [snow and water], and doesn't have the same sense of pride that her husband does).

Sunday was of course San Francisco pride, and after going, I think every GLBT person needs to attend this parade at least once. Not for the parade itself, but because the Caltrain was standing room only. Because BART was running 10 car trains that were filled to capacity. Because it is the single largest tourist event of the year for a major metropolitan area. Because I'll never feel that I'm some kind of freak or insignificant minority again.

Unfortunately through no fault of my own, I missed my Caltrain connection and was forced to spend an hour at the Millbrae station waiting for the next train, causing a serious breach into my precariously planned packing time. Long story short, I stayed up late and woke up early.

Surprisingly, Monday was one of the most enjoyable mornings I've ever had. Travel by train is severely underrated,

1. No lines

2. The seats are not nearly as crammed together as they are in economy class

3. No TSA (I hate those bastards, they take out the fact that they have a crappy job on people who are off to better places)

4. The train cars are clean, quiet, climate controlled boxes that float across land, allowing one to observe the city and countryside up close

5. No TSA

6. One can move about as one pleases

Even the 6-7hr bus ride wasn't nearly as painful as I thought it was going to be, in fact, it was enjoyable for most of the ride. The bus was nearly brand new, the drive up was spectacular, and the people were comparable to the average mix that one would find in an average economy class (the extra cost over taking a greyhound keeps more of the undesirable types from taking Amtrak).

Did I mention that the drive was spectacular? I must say that my noise cancellation headphones and iPod really made the difference; I'd defiantly recommend bringing something along those lines if anyone attempts to make the trip up here via Amtrak.

Eureka, from what I have seen so far is an interesting little town. The weather is identical to that of Santa Cruz, and the town is full of Victorian Era buildings. One major difference between the two towns is evident when looking at the collection of downtown retailers in Eureka versus that of Santa Cruz, no chain stores are present whatsoever (with the exception of Ramones Bakery [A local chain]), people here shop at the coop because they really do believe in the importance of locally owned businesses. The outskirts of Eureka along the 101 are full of shopping centers that serve the more conservative residents around the Pacific Lumber mill and those who live in the mountains.

Pacific Lumber unfortunately is a major part of the Humboldt area. The drive near Eureka is full of sections of missing forest where green grasses have filled in the gaps in the mountains where trees used to be. I didn't realize what I was looking at until I saw a fleet of logging trucks merge on to the highway.

(Just as a reminder) I'm staying with my Aunt and Uncle in their newly renovated and soon-to-be-sold Victorian house just off old town Eureka. I'm here as an all around handyperson (housework, renovation, and most importantly child care).

The Family.

Peter Moore

Age: 51

B.A. Oxford University

M.A. Harvard

Occupation: Musical therapist

Peter's ex-wife kept his last name because apparently he's well known around here as an excellent therapist. From what I hear, she's crazy.

Amanda Moore

Age: 30-ish

Occupation: Herbologist, Mommy

Amanda frequently makes her own Kombucha, Beer, Yogurt, Sourdough Bread, Tea, and one day hopes to run her own organic family farm. She is also an advocate of the anti-soy movement, and is in the middle of yoga instructor training classes (she has postponed this in preparation for the birth of her next child).

Maisey Moore

Age: 4

Interests: Ponies, make believe, playdoough cooking

An hour after I arrived on Monday, Maisey had me write a letter on her toy laptop to the Eureka Superior court regarding her disappointment with the judges inconsiderate ruling to suspend her father's license for 30 days, just weeks before her sister baby is due. (She's 4 years old)

Benjamin Moore (Benny, Balloon)

Age: 2

Interests: Day-Glo orange traffic cones, vacuum cleaners

Lilliana Moore

Interests: Her mother's placenta