I have created an easy to read holiday (read Christmas) letter this year. If you are only interested in certain categories, then scroll to that category. If you are only interested in a certain individual, scroll to that person. If you are a glutton for punishment, read the whole thing.
Donna has created a year round garden that is a wonder to behold. Her new crop this year is broom, our slogan “Sweep your way into people’s hearts.” We are looking at it as our next cottage industry that may bring out of the ranks of the lower middle class. Ed spent two weeks in Toronto studying classical realism at the Academy of Art. Weekly he stares and draws naked people at the local art center. Truckee enjoys the San Francisco social life from the Western Addition and help pull a local non- profit away from the precipice of doom. Anna, a high school senior, goes to school, works in a bakery and sleeps. Joey, a junior, goes to school, plays drums and sleeps.
WORLD OF WORK
Truckee
Film Arts has been a source of worry for eldest son. It seems that the Dot-Com crash and many years of mismanagement have put the non-profit into an even less profitable pickle. The past year has seen numerous layoffs, yet from it all Truckee has managed to finagle a four day work week with his previous five day salary. Bravo! These tribulations may set the stage for Truckee’s next jump on the career ladder.
Anna
Has jumped into the work world of her dreams full tilt or (I should say) full tort. She has gone from cashier to kitchen pie baker. So much so that she saved Thanksgiving at Village Bakery when the chief pastry chef was out, making and baking over 150 pies in one evening and early morning. The fringe benefits to the family can be seen in our Christmas photo. Note the “love handles.”
Joey
Insists that his work is practicing the drums. He also has a Monday night dish date at our house. If one considers it work(he does), he plays in both Band and Orchestra at Analy, runs cross country and track and practices with his band on weekends.
Donna
Is no doubt the favorite nurse at Juvenile Hall. She is on to the con games of the young inmates but mostly brings home tales of their innocence and sweetness. The competent staff is another story. Although Donna works with some very skilled people, the county continues to send an array of competent nurses who quickly leave because of the weekend scheduling or incompetent nurses who won’t leave, at least not voluntarily.
Ed
After teaching the notorious class of 2010 for two years in a row, Ed opted for a fresh group of (what else) freshmen. He is using his computer skill to bring curriculum into the twentieth century. Check out: sssurveyatanaly.pbwiki.com – put a /Period-2 next to that for a very special project. Students will have to wait for the twenty first century.
OTHER INTERESTS
Truckee
continues to do some art direction on local films and is pursuing an avid interest in technical gadgets. He maintains an interest in all kinds of science, especially astronomy. He energetically embraces the active social life of a twenty- something in San Francisco. What did I hear about a fondue-absinth party?
Anna
Is baking, baking, baking. She remains tied to her cell phone and friends in Alaska. In her heart she want to be a part of the family band. She is organizing her jazz standards and developing a set list at this very moment. Michael Bublé is her latest heart-throb.
Joey
Is the consummate online composer of techno music. He performed solo at the Analy Talent Show this year playing the dumbek and the didgeridoo. You can find the video on Youtube. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gUAXb-zsIVI
Donna
Sunset magazine provided a winter inspiration for Donna this year. Color photocopies of fall leave, cut and mounted. They almost made their way into our Christmas card- which I am sure that you have not received yet. Donna also led an evening of egg decorating.
Ed
Has begun taking Russian at the Junior College on Monday evenings with the hope of soon traveling to Russia and eastern Europe. Unfortunately the stars and the monetary exchange rate are not lining up in his favor. A few things on the back burner that might pan out are a trip to Greece with some high school students or perhaps a trip to Normandy with father-in-law, Bill.
MUSIC
Truckee
Since Lark in the Morning Music Camp Truckee has been practicing fiddle. He also puts an hour a day into practicing guitar. He looks forward to going to Lark next year and taking Sylvia Herrold’s advanced swing guitar workshop.
Anna
Even though she still possesses the voice of an angel and rumor has it she sings in the shower when no one is home, Anna still is hiding her musical gifts under a bushel basket. There was one a rumor she wanted to play the fiddle, but only a rumor.
Joey
At this very moment I hear a double base peddle vibrating on the ceiling above me. Joey has had three variations of his metal group. Paul, the longest running bassist, has given his weekends over to his studies. There was a brief interlude with young woman playing bass and now Harley has stepped in as the new bassist. Eric and Joey are the two consistent members.
Donna
Is the name Malichenka or Rasbutti? Donna’s Balkin trio with Elan and Tabitha continues to sound better and better. We hope that the gifts of Christmas will add a rhythm section to the “What’s its name?” Trio. And Tabitha marriage to Davide has brought us closer to West African musicians in the area, a musical treat.
Ed
Marimba Sebastopol, Sebastopol Marimba, SoCoMarimba, Sonomarimba and finally Sonoma Marimba, Zimbabwe Marimba group has a solid 6 and sometimes 7 who practice weekly and have performed a couple of fun gigs this year (Sonoma County Wood Workers, First Night: Downtown Santa Rosa and a Mega-Party on the outskirts of Petaluma. Looking for volunteers who like heavy lifting.
A great workshop at Lark Camp has further driven my interest in playing gypsy jazz. The only thing that is needed now is more practice time.
THE FUTURE
Truckee
In the coming year we probably will see Truckee change jobs, he hope in some area that is more hands on, technical and perhaps electronic. This kid is going places.
Anna
The CIA may be in Anna’s future. Don’t worry. The Culinary Institute of America is one of the best culinary schools in the United States, located in the former Christian Brothers Winery in Saint Helena, Napa County. The second possibility is the attending the University of Alaska in Anchorage.
Joey
Is getting more serious about school and in the next year he will probably apply to a number of UC’s and State schools. He has been drumming sans teacher for about six months now and has expressed an interest in getting a new drum teacher and expanding his musical horizons.
Donna
Will probably stay in her present work position for the next year but not forever. We look at the maybe getting some kind of work overseas.
Ed
Has decided to continue at Analy and teach the same subject for two years in a row for a change. He is working on getting some dynamic curriculum on line. He also looks forward to using the web to promote some of his artistic and musical interests.
