Hmmmm....well I am sure I have peeked some interest with the title of today's blog. I'm sure you are wondering what I am talking about.
Well, one of my recent explorations into the "unknown" was a visit to an "intentional community" or "IC". Using "Wikipedia" for a clear definition it is: a planned residential community designed to promote a much higher degree of social interaction than other communities. The members of an intentional community or IC typically hold a common social, political or spiritual vision. They also share responsibilities and resources. Intentional communities include cohousing, residential land trusts, ecovillages, communes, kibbutzim, ashrams, and housing cooperatives.
After having left Bethel, NY I drove to the Hudson Valley area to visit an IC for a day or two and ended up staying for four days. I will withhold any names to "protect the innocent" : ) but will tell you that not only is the concept of "intentional communities" a very attractive idea but is one that is catching on quickly as our country becomes more and more expensive to live in.
I can only speak for myself here, but I really do seek to live my life with more free time and forgo acquiring material goods (not only does one pay an initial cost for the item but generally has to pay for the upkeep on the thing especially if it is a toy of some sort). Sharing housing and living expenses with like-minded people just seems like a "no-brainer" to me.
I know that most people, when conceptualizing "intentional living" have thoughts of "Jonestown" and other religious "communes" of the 60's and 70's going thru their minds, but just as there are negatives out there, there are also positives as well. The oldest existing IC is located in Summertown, TN...."The Farm" which was formed by a group of San Francisco hippies who traveled by school buses in 1971. Although there have been many changes (positive and negative) The Farm is still functioning and providing classes/workshops and ways of living & being that are having huge positive impacts in lives of people who really desire a more centered and peaceful way of life. I have visited there and recommend others to do so as well.
The IC home I visited was a really incredible place. I am giving serious consideration to moving into one and am putting my "feelers" out to find a home situation that would be beneficial for me and those I would live with. : ) I am particularly attracted to a farm-like environment where I could learn about growing food and learning animal husbandry. Raising chickens and learning how to make yummy cheeses would be a hoot!
For those of you who want to check out some intentional communities go to http://www.ic.org/ for locations in the US as well as around the world!!!!
Have a blissful and educational day!!!
XOXOXOXXO
Emma
Friday, August 31, 2007
Wednesday, August 22, 2007
"Mrs. Warren's Profession"
I wanted to comment on a play I saw while in Stockbridge, MA last week. I went to a beautiful old wooden playhouse "Berkshire Theatre Festival" last Thursday to see George Bernard Shaw's play "Mrs. Warren's Profession" written in 1902. Imagine, writing a play about prostitution with sympathetic tone prior to women having their civil rights recognized! I knew I had to see this play for my own eyes and I am glad I did.
I noticed during the intermission that some people left the theater and didn't return. I am confident it was not due to the acting, but rather the content of the play that caused people not to return for the rest of the show. I would like to think that it was due to a misunderstanding of the times that women were in such desperate situations that selling the use of their genitals was better economically than selling any other talents they might have had.
Today, I would like to see a play written about a woman whose views on sexuality are such that she sees her body as a temple, her personality as a goddess, and the gift of herself (mind, body and soul) to other people as just that....a gift!
The fact that the receiver of this woman's "gift" offers her a gift of currency in exchange for her time should not be seen as some ill-gotten-gains! By no means is there anything vile about the consensual interactions between two people. There are other cultures on our BIG BLUE PLANET that do not see our societal norms as right for them. And luckily, ours is not the only society on the planet!!!
After seeing this play I am so grateful for the many hundreds of thousands of women who lived before me who fought, struggled and yes, even died to give me the civil rights and a life that I do enjoy. It is my job to do my part in continuing the bettering of women's lives so that one day we will see all chosen lifestyles, workstyles, and lovestyles as acceptable in our society. Our job (men and women) is not complete, and we must learn to see activism as natural as brushing our teeth, going to work, and making love!
I highly encourage you to "Google" the play to read a bit about it. It was really wonderful and thought provoking! And then check out one of my favorite books on sexuality "Sex Matters: Sex and the Superconsciousness" by Osho. Happy Reading!!!
Have a blissful day!!!
XOOXXO
Emma : )
I noticed during the intermission that some people left the theater and didn't return. I am confident it was not due to the acting, but rather the content of the play that caused people not to return for the rest of the show. I would like to think that it was due to a misunderstanding of the times that women were in such desperate situations that selling the use of their genitals was better economically than selling any other talents they might have had.
Today, I would like to see a play written about a woman whose views on sexuality are such that she sees her body as a temple, her personality as a goddess, and the gift of herself (mind, body and soul) to other people as just that....a gift!
The fact that the receiver of this woman's "gift" offers her a gift of currency in exchange for her time should not be seen as some ill-gotten-gains! By no means is there anything vile about the consensual interactions between two people. There are other cultures on our BIG BLUE PLANET that do not see our societal norms as right for them. And luckily, ours is not the only society on the planet!!!
After seeing this play I am so grateful for the many hundreds of thousands of women who lived before me who fought, struggled and yes, even died to give me the civil rights and a life that I do enjoy. It is my job to do my part in continuing the bettering of women's lives so that one day we will see all chosen lifestyles, workstyles, and lovestyles as acceptable in our society. Our job (men and women) is not complete, and we must learn to see activism as natural as brushing our teeth, going to work, and making love!
I highly encourage you to "Google" the play to read a bit about it. It was really wonderful and thought provoking! And then check out one of my favorite books on sexuality "Sex Matters: Sex and the Superconsciousness" by Osho. Happy Reading!!!
Have a blissful day!!!
XOOXXO
Emma : )
Sunday, August 19, 2007
Trying to Capture Lightning in a Bottle
I am sure you've heard the old saying....trying to recreate some memorable event can be like trying to capture lightning in a bottle. Well....this is true of my return to Bethel, NY to celebrate the 38th anniversary of Woodstock.
Times change....In my naivety I believed that my second trip back to Yasgur's farm would yield some wonderful experience...another inkling of what the original 3 days in the garden event might have been like. Well....just like most things around me....the corporate world has gobbled up yet another piece of history and is now marketing it back to us.
Yasgur's farm is now "Bethel Woods Center for the Arts". The perfectly paved roads leading to a fenced off parking lot and well-maintained sodded hillside that empties into a "4,800-seat copper-covered pavilion". This well-oiled machine of a venue has all the amenities that were missing at the original festival site....plenty of toilets (well-staffed for cleanliness and your satisfaction), a huge food concession stand with Slush Puppy frozen drinks and lots of Budweiser beer choices so you can enjoy the show, and even fixed ATM machines around the complex so you never have to worry that you will run out of money! Everything is at our fingertips...all you need is plenty of money to be able to enjoy the show.
Needless to say the show was a disappointment. Richie Havens was the opening act and it was a good performance, but the turnout was very low and the weather really changed quickly from a mild temperate evening to high gusting winds, frequent showers and a drop in temperature at least 5 degrees in a matter of minutes. By the time Arlo began I was freezing and couldn't stay outdoors. The policy of the venue is that once you leave you may not return. Harsh conditions to say the least.
I found the real party and it wasn't at Bethel Woods...it was at Hector's Inn...just down the road. A bunch of people (some of which were at the original festival 39 yrs. ago) were gathered at this groovy local bar to celebrate with free music (anyone could join in and play or sing with the bands) and they didn't mind if you brought your own beverages. The owner, Jerry, was a kinda stodgy old character & even kinda acted like he wasn't in the least bit interested in what was going on....but at some point I flashed my tanned "betty's" at him and he came alive after that! Now, he could hear the conversations and even chime in. I swear you'd have thought I did well more than flashed the old guy but hey...sometimes it doesn't take much to make someone happy...ya know? : )
It was an all-nighter and there was plenty of opportunities to "keep warm" that night, but I thought it better to pass on the kind offers.
Yes, Hector's Inn is the place to visit the next time you're passing through Bethel, NY....friendlier, cheaper, and real-down-home hippie folks!!! But for God's sake...don't let the word out.....otherwise it will end up being "Hector's Inn Center for the Arts" !!!!!
PEACE & LOVE !!!
Emma : )
Times change....In my naivety I believed that my second trip back to Yasgur's farm would yield some wonderful experience...another inkling of what the original 3 days in the garden event might have been like. Well....just like most things around me....the corporate world has gobbled up yet another piece of history and is now marketing it back to us.
Yasgur's farm is now "Bethel Woods Center for the Arts". The perfectly paved roads leading to a fenced off parking lot and well-maintained sodded hillside that empties into a "4,800-seat copper-covered pavilion". This well-oiled machine of a venue has all the amenities that were missing at the original festival site....plenty of toilets (well-staffed for cleanliness and your satisfaction), a huge food concession stand with Slush Puppy frozen drinks and lots of Budweiser beer choices so you can enjoy the show, and even fixed ATM machines around the complex so you never have to worry that you will run out of money! Everything is at our fingertips...all you need is plenty of money to be able to enjoy the show.
Needless to say the show was a disappointment. Richie Havens was the opening act and it was a good performance, but the turnout was very low and the weather really changed quickly from a mild temperate evening to high gusting winds, frequent showers and a drop in temperature at least 5 degrees in a matter of minutes. By the time Arlo began I was freezing and couldn't stay outdoors. The policy of the venue is that once you leave you may not return. Harsh conditions to say the least.
I found the real party and it wasn't at Bethel Woods...it was at Hector's Inn...just down the road. A bunch of people (some of which were at the original festival 39 yrs. ago) were gathered at this groovy local bar to celebrate with free music (anyone could join in and play or sing with the bands) and they didn't mind if you brought your own beverages. The owner, Jerry, was a kinda stodgy old character & even kinda acted like he wasn't in the least bit interested in what was going on....but at some point I flashed my tanned "betty's" at him and he came alive after that! Now, he could hear the conversations and even chime in. I swear you'd have thought I did well more than flashed the old guy but hey...sometimes it doesn't take much to make someone happy...ya know? : )
It was an all-nighter and there was plenty of opportunities to "keep warm" that night, but I thought it better to pass on the kind offers.
Yes, Hector's Inn is the place to visit the next time you're passing through Bethel, NY....friendlier, cheaper, and real-down-home hippie folks!!! But for God's sake...don't let the word out.....otherwise it will end up being "Hector's Inn Center for the Arts" !!!!!
PEACE & LOVE !!!
Emma : )
Wednesday, August 15, 2007
Adios Providence & Boston
Well....I am just so frustrated with my work experience in New England...I just need to vent today.
Geez....I don't know if it is something in the water or the culture of life in the cities of New England but the experiences with gentlemen (with the exception of 2 very "in-the-moment & open" gentlemen) in Boston and Providence have been pretty un-memorable. Having people book time with me and then either not show up (and then give some lame-ass excuse like "I broke my leg and just got out of the hospital") or cancel due to having to work overtime or having a "crisis" in the family (the timing is hard to accept) within an hour of our meeting just annoys the crap out of me.
Hey.....in my Eros ad I clearly state "How you do anything is how you do everything." Maybe I am having an "intollerable moment" but I am soooo angry that I have been attracting men without integrity. What does this say about me? Good question. I think tomorrow when I check out of my room, I will go find a field somewhere along my travels to Stockbridge, MA and sit and ponder why this is happening to me at this time. I am sure I will come up with something rational and hopefully will help me look at my experience in New England differently.
I am grateful for having met a couple of very interesting men...one who shared some very political and philosophical conversations with me (and told me how the Italian men would LOVE my figure...that means a lot to me) and one who took me shopping to help me find some much needed sexy pantyhose (without anything in return). Thanks for those good memories.
To the tow-truck company "Happy to Tow" (yeah, I bet you are at $135 a tow!!!) and the meter-maid cops in downtown Providence......a little bit of philosophy I have learned early in life " What goes around comes around".
Looking forward to getting out of the cities and into the country!!!! I've got to get back to the garden!!!
XOXXOXO
Emma
Geez....I don't know if it is something in the water or the culture of life in the cities of New England but the experiences with gentlemen (with the exception of 2 very "in-the-moment & open" gentlemen) in Boston and Providence have been pretty un-memorable. Having people book time with me and then either not show up (and then give some lame-ass excuse like "I broke my leg and just got out of the hospital") or cancel due to having to work overtime or having a "crisis" in the family (the timing is hard to accept) within an hour of our meeting just annoys the crap out of me.
Hey.....in my Eros ad I clearly state "How you do anything is how you do everything." Maybe I am having an "intollerable moment" but I am soooo angry that I have been attracting men without integrity. What does this say about me? Good question. I think tomorrow when I check out of my room, I will go find a field somewhere along my travels to Stockbridge, MA and sit and ponder why this is happening to me at this time. I am sure I will come up with something rational and hopefully will help me look at my experience in New England differently.
I am grateful for having met a couple of very interesting men...one who shared some very political and philosophical conversations with me (and told me how the Italian men would LOVE my figure...that means a lot to me) and one who took me shopping to help me find some much needed sexy pantyhose (without anything in return). Thanks for those good memories.
To the tow-truck company "Happy to Tow" (yeah, I bet you are at $135 a tow!!!) and the meter-maid cops in downtown Providence......a little bit of philosophy I have learned early in life " What goes around comes around".
Looking forward to getting out of the cities and into the country!!!! I've got to get back to the garden!!!
XOXXOXO
Emma
Monday, August 13, 2007
Cheese & Gardens
Hello my friends...
Well, Burlington, VT was certainly a great spot on my northern trip! I attended an artisan cheese conference where I immersed myself in tasting and learning about one of the most amazing delicacies anyone can put in their mouth......I am talking about cheese of course ; ) To get a good education I registered for 2 workshops (cheese tasting- learning how to distinguish flavors properly and learning descriptive terms and the marriage of beer and cheese- a pairing of various styles of beer with a complimentary cheese....this was AMAZING!) and attended 2 events where you met with the cheese makers and sampled cheeses, butters and yogurts. We took a marvelous dinner cruise around Lake Champlain one evening and on the last day attendees were able to purchase some of the most amazing cheeses for as little as one dollar! The cheese makers did not want to have to carry their wares back home....we were happy to take them off their hands : )
Boston was a fun town. It had been 20 yrs. since I was last there and the changes were pretty glaring. I was shocked at all the skyscrapers that are now hovering over Faneuil Hall and the downtown area....it's beginning to look a lot like NYC. The North End and Cambridge Square were really charming areas. The food in the city is pretty amazing and with perfect weather I was able to walk miles around the city and enjoy my stay there. Since bookstores are one of my favorite places to hang out in I was in my glory when I stumbled upon a wonderfully radical new/used little shop on Columbus Ave called "Lucy Parsons Bookstore".
My only complaint about the city was having my car towed, in my opinion, illegally by a private tow company on a side street near Northeastern University. The tow company was hired by a condo association claiming to own the side street for condo owner parking. I would never have illegally parked in private parking if I had seen "no parking" signs posted. I really question the legality of their signs saying they "own" the street for their building residents since I am pretty confident the street was paved using taxpayer dollars...but that is something I can follow up on in a letter to the city to seek resolution). No, my life isn't all "cheese & gardens", sometimes there are wrenches thrown in to keep my life in check. : )
My purpose for being in Boston was to attend the "Beantown Diggs Community Gardens" event. I am a firm believer that community gardens are a great way to bring neighbors together, bring pride and collective ownership to a neighborhood and helps promote creativity among the people who live near them and participate in gardening. I discovered this amazing concept while living in Portland, OR and whenever I see beautiful flowers/plants/trees/herb gardens and food crops I smile ; ) At the risk of sounding like a hippie I will post lyrics from one of my favorite rock songs.... When you read them (or sing them) you will understand how gardens make me feel.....
Well I came across a child of God
He was walking along the road
And I asked him tell where are you going
This he told me
Well I am going down to Yasgur's farm
Going to join in a rock and roll band
Goin' to get back to the land to set my soul free
We are stardust,
we are golden
We are ten billion year old carbon
And we got to get ourselves
back to the garden
FLASH FORWARD....2007
Wow.......what a trip!!! I am traveling south now to Rhode Island for a few days then up to western Mass to see what I expect to be a fabulous play "Mrs. Warren's Profession" (let your imagination run wild guys!!!).
Check back in another week for the LATEST on Emma's Adventure!!!
XOXOXXOX
Emma : )
Well, Burlington, VT was certainly a great spot on my northern trip! I attended an artisan cheese conference where I immersed myself in tasting and learning about one of the most amazing delicacies anyone can put in their mouth......I am talking about cheese of course ; ) To get a good education I registered for 2 workshops (cheese tasting- learning how to distinguish flavors properly and learning descriptive terms and the marriage of beer and cheese- a pairing of various styles of beer with a complimentary cheese....this was AMAZING!) and attended 2 events where you met with the cheese makers and sampled cheeses, butters and yogurts. We took a marvelous dinner cruise around Lake Champlain one evening and on the last day attendees were able to purchase some of the most amazing cheeses for as little as one dollar! The cheese makers did not want to have to carry their wares back home....we were happy to take them off their hands : )
Boston was a fun town. It had been 20 yrs. since I was last there and the changes were pretty glaring. I was shocked at all the skyscrapers that are now hovering over Faneuil Hall and the downtown area....it's beginning to look a lot like NYC. The North End and Cambridge Square were really charming areas. The food in the city is pretty amazing and with perfect weather I was able to walk miles around the city and enjoy my stay there. Since bookstores are one of my favorite places to hang out in I was in my glory when I stumbled upon a wonderfully radical new/used little shop on Columbus Ave called "Lucy Parsons Bookstore".
My only complaint about the city was having my car towed, in my opinion, illegally by a private tow company on a side street near Northeastern University. The tow company was hired by a condo association claiming to own the side street for condo owner parking. I would never have illegally parked in private parking if I had seen "no parking" signs posted. I really question the legality of their signs saying they "own" the street for their building residents since I am pretty confident the street was paved using taxpayer dollars...but that is something I can follow up on in a letter to the city to seek resolution). No, my life isn't all "cheese & gardens", sometimes there are wrenches thrown in to keep my life in check. : )
My purpose for being in Boston was to attend the "Beantown Diggs Community Gardens" event. I am a firm believer that community gardens are a great way to bring neighbors together, bring pride and collective ownership to a neighborhood and helps promote creativity among the people who live near them and participate in gardening. I discovered this amazing concept while living in Portland, OR and whenever I see beautiful flowers/plants/trees/herb gardens and food crops I smile ; ) At the risk of sounding like a hippie I will post lyrics from one of my favorite rock songs.... When you read them (or sing them) you will understand how gardens make me feel.....
Well I came across a child of God
He was walking along the road
And I asked him tell where are you going
This he told me
Well I am going down to Yasgur's farm
Going to join in a rock and roll band
Goin' to get back to the land to set my soul free
We are stardust,
we are golden
We are ten billion year old carbon
And we got to get ourselves
back to the garden
FLASH FORWARD....2007
Wow.......what a trip!!! I am traveling south now to Rhode Island for a few days then up to western Mass to see what I expect to be a fabulous play "Mrs. Warren's Profession" (let your imagination run wild guys!!!).
Check back in another week for the LATEST on Emma's Adventure!!!
XOXOXXOX
Emma : )
Thursday, August 2, 2007
New England in the Summertime !!!!
Well...hello my friends.... Hope you are having as wonderful a summer as I am : )
I have been playing these days in the northeast. Last weekend I was taking my clothes off in public on Martha's Vineyard at their clothing-optional beach at Gay Head. I cannot recommend this beach enough! Although the clothing preferred people like to walk past us nudists and nonchalantly glance at us, there is no hostility aimed at us by anyone or by Bible-thumpers wishing to make us "ashamed" at our nakedness : )
In fact, the artists that make their presence known at the beach are very cool!!! A photographer who teaches at a small northern private college was there both days taking photos of willing participants with his turn of the 19th century camera! And another artist takes large egg rocks and makes freestanding structures with them. They look like they must be connected to balance on top of each other!!!
Martha's Vineyard is a really charming island to explore and enjoy. I would also recommend checking out Newburyport, MA. It is a charming old waterfront town that looks like it is trapped in the early 1900's! They are celebrating their annual "Yankee Homecoming" and this year is the 50th year.....go see it if you can.
The rest of this week I am in Burlington, VT to learn about artisan cheeses at a cheese conference! Oh my how extraordinary cheese can be if you seek out the small, independently owned dairy farms!!! I am taking a cheese and beer pairing workshop tomorrow! Life doesn't get much better than this gentlemen!!!!
Next week...mark your calendar to see me in Boston, MA !!! I will be there from 8/8 until 8/12! Let me teach you what I have learned !!! : )
XOXXOXOXOXOX.....
Emma : )
I have been playing these days in the northeast. Last weekend I was taking my clothes off in public on Martha's Vineyard at their clothing-optional beach at Gay Head. I cannot recommend this beach enough! Although the clothing preferred people like to walk past us nudists and nonchalantly glance at us, there is no hostility aimed at us by anyone or by Bible-thumpers wishing to make us "ashamed" at our nakedness : )
In fact, the artists that make their presence known at the beach are very cool!!! A photographer who teaches at a small northern private college was there both days taking photos of willing participants with his turn of the 19th century camera! And another artist takes large egg rocks and makes freestanding structures with them. They look like they must be connected to balance on top of each other!!!
Martha's Vineyard is a really charming island to explore and enjoy. I would also recommend checking out Newburyport, MA. It is a charming old waterfront town that looks like it is trapped in the early 1900's! They are celebrating their annual "Yankee Homecoming" and this year is the 50th year.....go see it if you can.
The rest of this week I am in Burlington, VT to learn about artisan cheeses at a cheese conference! Oh my how extraordinary cheese can be if you seek out the small, independently owned dairy farms!!! I am taking a cheese and beer pairing workshop tomorrow! Life doesn't get much better than this gentlemen!!!!
Next week...mark your calendar to see me in Boston, MA !!! I will be there from 8/8 until 8/12! Let me teach you what I have learned !!! : )
XOXXOXOXOXOX.....
Emma : )
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