Highmoon's Ponderings

At some point last year, while I was traveling back and forth between Miami and Puerto Rico, we decided to make a significant change to our diets. We keep kosher, so that overrides everything, but beyond that, we made a conscious decision and effort to start eating both locally and organic as much as possible, both for our own health and for the general benefit of the world. When we moved to our new apartment, among the things we downsized in order to make the move easier and get rid of some clutter, was the microwave. That was in November and rarely in the last seven months have we honestly wished we had one; breakfast may take a little longer to prepare, and I’m probably one of few who has four burners going at 7 AM, but it’s not an impossibility. We’ve learned that we enjoy a lot of foods we used to microwave a lot more now that we actually cook them. Along with this switch we decided to do our best to increase our rate of exercise, though this one has been a far more inconsistent resolution.

However, the simple truth is that in the last year I was at one point at the heaviest I’ve been in my life, clocking in at 360 lbs. I am not that weight right now, but I’m also not that much better: I’m 346 lbs as of Wed, June 30, 2010. Clearly something needs to change.

I’m choosing today to mark the start of that change.

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I knew of Imogen Heap; her name is uncommon enough that once you hear it, it tends to stick in your memory. I knew of her from the song “Let Go,” featured years ago in the soundtrack to Garden State (though it took some time before I learned that strange voice belonged to a woman!). Beyond that I had heard a couple songs here are there, especially on Pandora, where her music would sometimes come up as part of some of my playlists. So I knew of Imogen Heap, but I didn’t really know Imogen Heap. Until last night.

It was my wife’s idea to go see her in concert at The Fillmore in Miami Beach; tickets were cheap, general admission and given her non-top-40-radio status, the attendance would probably be manageable. Sure! And then it snuck up on me. Yesterday I played her latest album, which you can stream from her website, but that was it. I was going in cold, ready to soak up the new music.

There were three short opening acts: Euphoria, a trio of high-school kids from Boca Raton who won a contest held by Imogen; Geese, a violin/strings duo who are also part of Imogen’s band; and Ben Christophers, a guy and his guitar, also part of Imogen’s band. They each played 3 songs (Ben did 4) and were each good. The kids from Boca were very good for this being their first show (and what a show!); Geese was weird (in a good way), using computers, loops and effects to create soundscapes; and Ben was fine with his guitar, especially on a very trip-hoppy number that actually got the audience listening. About half an hour after these three acts were done, Imogen took the stage.

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There was a phrase my Mom used all the time. It was like a mantra, and I don’t know about my sisters, but it got etched in my mind as a clear message of how Life works and how we should live it.

“Lo mejor que hizo Dios fue un dia despues del otro.”
(The best thing G-d made was one day after the other.)

Sunrise on South Beach, by Daniel M. Perez

It’s all about letting time pass and being open to the healing it brings.

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Cancer and death are two topics that have been on my mind prominently recently. Starting last week with the weekly episode of Grey’s Anatomy, which brought to mind both my deceased parents, continuing to a realization–and vocalization (to my wife in person, and on my blog on Mother’s Day for a short period of time before I deleted for the time being)–of the true theme of my game in progress, to Mother’s Day and lastly to the events of last night and today for someone whom I only know via online circles, but whose story I’ve been following for a year or so. To say that my thoughts have been on the heavy side would be a gross understatement.

This is going to get long and a bit emotional, in case you don’t feel like reading any further…

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Fellow RPG Blogger VulcanStev (Steve Nibbelink) is going through a really tough time. His wife, Virginia, has very advanced cancer and is currently hospitalized, soon to enter hospice. Steve and Virginia have been married for 22 years and are parents to 3 children. You can read Steve’s own posts and updates on his blog:

http://vulcanstev.wordpress.com/category/mrs-vulcan-stevs-fight/

Last year, while I was away in Puerto Rico attending to my Mom, who was also dying of cancer, a lot of friends and friends-I’ve-never-met-in-person chipped-in to help out with whatever cash they could. Aside from the warm feeling of knowing so many people cared, I cannot tell you how helpful that money came in. Caring for a person with cancer takes a toll on everyone and everything, and a few extra bucks can mean a world of difference.

Last year folks helped me. Today, I am pledging my help to Steve, and asking all those who can to chip in whatever they can. Click on the ChipIn button and follow the instructions.

http://vulcanstev.chipin.com/vulcanstev-solidarity-fund

I’ve set it up for 2 weeks collection time so we can get this over to Steve as soon as possible. Also, spread the word among your networks.

Thanks for for reading, for helping, and above all, for keeping a human being in need of support in your mind, heart and prayers.?

Happy Mother’s Day, Mom. Wherever you are. I love you and miss you.