"I would drown if it wasn't for water." That's what I read today, as I peed out all the water I had consumed this morning. I was staring at a few carefully scrawled words that had been placed on the wooden doorway above me, placed crookedly on the brilliant, white paint. The words appeared to be written with a standard, black sharpie. And there was water all around me. For some reason, I began to smile, playfully.
I have gazed at those words written on the bathroom wall for many days before this day, and pondered about the author-- a friend of mine named J Kirk. I have thought, as I thought today, that I may never have read truer words. Water, which is all consuming, all flowing, and absolutely un-knowing. I've wondered how this phrase can be such an ironic truth, and I have wondered about water, without which, I would drown into sorrow, would drown into a shadow of myself and would drown, unbreathing into a dusty, desert landscape.
My friend, J Kirk, started his business in this ordinary building 3 years ago, (I think), and has been filling it up with poetry, with art, with music, and most importantly, with community since its inception. His door opens up to share a sidewalked-space of about 6 feet with the doorway of my father's business, (my father is a number-crunching accountant). Every tax season, and many other days not involving calculations, I have excitedly watched insiders and outsiders step through J Kirk's doorway and reel (in a good way) upon the sight of compostable cups and upon the smell of the roasting, organic and fair trade coffee beans. I have watched J Kirk grow his business as I have simultaneously watched him grow a small green movement in our town. I have watched him grow inspiration. And, in a totally non-stalker-ish way, I like watching him grow. J Kirk's business is called Yo El Rey, and it is a small coffee shop, set just off a small street in a small town called Calistoga. I urge you to come see for yourself.
This blog will be my first, and with it I hope to promote sustainable and creative ideas. I will write about what I see and hear within the many communities that I dwell in, dance in, and draw in. And I will begin to promote ideas that I think can grow from here outward, which will hopefully inspire us to use less, to think more, and to give when we can. I have always done outreach-- ha, now this is ShOutreach! So listen up!
And ps- listen to The Past Recedes by John Frusciante.
