I'm kind of progressively old-fashioned...I guess. Live/work in the city, but frequently spend eves and weekends on the trail (Marin Headlands, Point Reyes). Not in an extreme sporty kind of way, but in a commune with the trees and critters kind of way. I've taught nature awareness with adults and still do with kids. People who know me wonder why I continue to live in the city. I do like being here...the diversity, the vibrant flow...but I also relish getting out very regularly to savor the energy of greener places.

Of course, I'm trying to find the meaning of life...or, rather, defining the meaning of life for me. Don't think I'm going to find a pre-fab, packaged deal that does it for me. Tried that. Was a religious studies major in school before flushing the whole thing and starting from scratch. Spirituality now is mostly about tenderness towards those beings I encounter--human and otherwise. That's enough for me. If I can continue to progress in that department, I will consider this a life well-spent. Wild animals seem to like me, so I take that as an encouraging endorsement.

And...I enjoy being silly and playing with words and laughing a lot...I think I was in a more direct mood/mode when I did this profile.

I am contemplative, perceptive, and nature-loving

Teaching children full time as a way of healing the planet. Focusing mostly on themes of emotional and natural intelligence. I try to fit in as much music, meditation, conflict resolution and nature frolic as I can. This has taken a tremendous amount of dedication and I have created a great deal of the curriculum I use with the kids.

Aside from that, I meditate, walk, watch birds, hang out in the silent stillness of meadows, read, watch films, enjoy heart-to-heart sharing with people...and, to tell you the truth...stress out about my job (the kids) much more than I should. I'm getting better around this. Teaching is hard but good.

Writing poems that people seem to actually like. Writing songs that are decent. Unusual. Finding and hanging out with birds and assorted wild mammals when I go hiking. Communicating and connecting and being precise and warm at the same time. Inspiring kids.

I do feel very confident that I can express to people what I'm feeling. And I am naturally curious about what others feel.

I think that I--in true Libra fashion(if that means anything)--am very balanced between mind and heart.

And as a Scorpio (cusp and rising, and that's about the extent of my astrological knowledge), I treasure true and deep intimacy of all kinds.

I look younger than I am.

Movies: Just saw Enter the Void (2010)--that one tends to seriously divide people, but I thought it was magnificent. Enjoyed Silver Linings, Beast of Southern Wild, and Happy People recently. Old faves are Man Facing Southeast, Himalaya, Rachel Getting Married, Constant Gardener,

Books: Just now reading "Buddha's Brain"--good stuff. Pema Chodron, shamanism, nature and nutrition, David Foster Wallace (who is a recent delight to me), poetry--various Sufi, Neruda, Oliver, Whyte. Really inspired by the work of Brian Swimme and his "Universe Story" a new/old cosmology based on the revelations modern science has offered us.

Music: Mostly acoustic, insightful...Tina Malia, worldy-dancy but not too techno...like to write and play my own songs

Hmmm.
I do OK with very little, but...

1. Spaciousness...nature nearby and often visited
2. Silence...forgetting who you are to remember who you are
3. Kale...love the stuff--and other assorted veggies (blueberries and a blender could be included here)
4. Words...written, spoken, or sung
5. Walking...hopefully I'd be OK if I couldn't walk anymore, but I appreciate the hell out of it while I can.
6. A cozy bed is pretty important

How best to navigate this life. How to honor the gifts of my talents by developing them...and thus, I hope, helping other folk.

Sometimes I wish for more than I have, and sometimes I feel incredibly lucky as I am.

How I would proceed if I switched jobs.

How to find a way of relating where two people actually do flourish as individuals as a result of the coming together.

How will humans get themselves out of this big mess.

Grading papers or movie-going, or eating with somebody and watching a DVD. Maybe just skipping out and taking a walk down to the rocky beaches of Land's End. Honestly not much of a bar/club person. I enjoy it sometimes, but I don't like super-loud places or aggressive people. Playing a game or some music with 5 or 6 friends would be my ideal--or lounging with the beloved.

I took the photo of the bobcat after sitting by it and singing for about 15 minutes. I didn't want to pull out the cell phone camera until after it was making its way back to its home somewhere in the Marin Headlands.

PS Somebody complained about my bobcat photo (because I wasn't actually in it) and OKC removed it. How sad. It was just a cell phone pic of a bobcat walking away. Hmph.

OK, I put the bobcat back.

you feel resonance.