Natural Child - Crayons Not Included

Mother's Day Historical Remake

2010-04-24T07:46:00.002-05:00

The Honeymooners, the birth control pill, and Mother's Day – sounds like the opening line to a bad joke but all three have at least one definitive thing in common - May 9th.

On May 9th 1971 The Honeymmooners aired its final episode – a rebroadcast episode by Jackie Gleason. Who can forget The Honeymooners with characters, Ralph and Alice Kramden and Ed and Trixie Norton, establishing some of the finer comedic moments in U.S. Television history with fabulous dialogue such as, “One of these days – POW! Right in the kisser! and... One of these days Alice, straight to the Moon!"

Also on this day - May 9th 1960 - the FDA approved the sale of the ever-controversial birth control pill. To this day the battle wages between the sexes, the churches, and the government.

Mothers Day stands apart from these other two historical aspects as the date fluctuates yearly. Celebrated the second Sunday in May, this year – in 2010 – the second Sunday happens to be May 9th. While your own mother may not make history in the grandeur sense – she is one of the founding partners of your existence and perhaps as a result you’ll remember her with flowers, brunch, The Honeymooners box set, or some other gift of appreciation. What memory will you create for your mother this Mother's Day, May 9th 2010?

Image by Classic TV Moments

Join Hearts With 1800flowers

2010-02-11T17:20:00.004-05:00

Don't ask why - I'm not a hopeless romantic but suddenly the idea of the Twilight series and 1800flowers.com joining forces is almost too tempting for even me to resist. Suddenly, without mercy, Valentines Day is knocking at my door, chomping at the bit, biting at my neck, draining me dry, kicking, screaming, clawing, scraping - apply whatever cliche - it all effects one rapidly beating A.K.A. - heart. And, seeing how MSNBC recently singed out 1800flowers for their greater pricing transparency and more honest pricing polices than their competition - if you're thirsting for blood-red long stem roses, perhaps some chocolates, a couple of movies and the very sexy, penetrating stare of one young, handsome vampire - than you won't want to miss Twilight Valentines Day Flowers. Of course, if you're in a relationship, you may want to make sure your significant other is not the jealous type - or he has the wherewithal to transform himself into your very own personal, soul-quenching vampire!

image by askchianelli.com

Shower Yourself With Flowers

2010-02-07T15:47:00.004-05:00

Shall I compare thee to a summers day? Thou art more lovely and more temperate. William Shakespeare

Love can be insanely wonderful, joyous, with cause to celebrate - oozing out of your pores and touching all who come in contact with you. You emit a warmth or sour taste to them depending upon whether they too are in love, they love love, or if they have been shunned by love, or they are simply out of practice in love. Love can be rueful, full of heartache and tears when not met with it's reflection. But, when it IS - it is magical.

Regardless of your state of love, flowers have the medicinal powers to increase or ease the sensations present. Valentine's Day is a very good excuse to give flowers to someone you care about - even if that someone is yourself - or roses, specific to your hearts desire! Look love in the eye today! Your own reflection is love - the love you send and receive to yourself or others. Why wait until February 14th? Celebrate love today and everyday!

Sherrilyn Kenyon, "The League" Book Series and Video

2009-11-19T22:40:00.006-05:00

New York Times #1 Bestselling author, Sherrilyn Kenyon, has done it once again. In “a world where corrupt assassination politics dominate everything,” Born of Ice takes you on the third part of The League trilogy, due to fill bookshelves in bookstores everywhere beginning December 1^st. If you’re lucky, you might be able to nab yourself an autographed copy. Check out her website to find her schedule of upcoming book signing events.

Born of Ice steps into a paranormal futuristic arena where good meets evil and where the two intersect, a grey zone and questions about morality coexist. Devyn Wade, our hero, faithfully supported The League until he learned about the innocent loss of blood and life. Now, he will stop at nothing to ensure that those in need of medicine, food, and other supplies necessary for survival, get these essentials. He is an evangelist, a Robin Hood of the ages going to great lengths to provide for the weak, the starving, and the poor and to right the ways of structure and politics.

System Engineer, Alix Garran, a woman on the run from her past has joined Devyn's mission, giving her own life new meaning. The two must learn to fight together or fail as the past races to catch up and rivals ensue with deadly vengeance.

Bull or Bull Shark?

2009-10-22T21:48:00.017-05:00

“Don't let your fingers dangle in the water. And, don't you worry 'bout the Day-Glo orange life preserver. It won't save you. It won't save you. Swim for the shore just as fast as you are able. Swim.” Further along, “It's murder out there, murder out there. Sharks patrol these waters." Morphine.

While these lyrics are a metaphor, they swim through my head as I compose the following short funny story... although, not entirely; More like, "food for thought."

One day I tell my stepsister about my fear of water. There are several reasons behind said fear but I'll reserve those worries for another time. Anyway, I tell her about the Bull Shark... a fast moving, carnivorous shark, oftentimes mistaken for the Great White, with the ability to swim in as little as two feet of either salt or fresh water. She doesn't believe me, goes home and looks up this information only to discover its accuracy and truth. This resulted in her newfound fear of water, which (by the way) was not my intention. So, here she is visiting on a separate occasion when I launch into another story about something or other (I forget what) but she stops me. She does not want to hear it, whatever it is, for fear she’ll abandon doing something else she once enjoyed as the result of whatever it is I have to say. The funny thing is... I think it had to do with online dating or something. Well, I guess that is pretty frightening when you think about it. Sure, you know someone who met someone online and now their married. Well, before we all place faith in “that system” let’s see how long their marriage lasts, shall we? Anyway, I digress…

Allow me to introduce the BULL SHARK (Carcharhinus leucas). This shark is perhaps the deadliest when it comes to shark attacks… reason being, they can swim in such shallow waters thereby putting swimmers, divers, and surfers at greater risk than other “man-eaters,” such as the Great White, Tiger and Hammerhead. It is not that the Bull sets out to target and kill a human. In fact, the Bull’s eyesight is better than ours and their sense of smell can detect a drop of blood a quarter-of-a-mile away. It is confusion that is accountable. The Bull shark, aptly named for their blunt snout, habitually warns their prey with a head-butt before attacking and normally feeds upon other fish, sharks, dolphins, stingrays, pretty much anything in its path that is edible. Unfortunately for humans, sometime we get in their way and an arm or leg is mistaken as a fish.

Another reason humans are at greater risk for attack by a Bull Shark over any other shark is their adaptability to fresh water. Their blood is able to release its salt concentration by up to 50% providing them the ability to swim in rivers, estuaries, and lakes. How do they get there? Perhaps when a flood occurs breaching barricades, a shark enters and misses its chance to leave before the waters recede. Most sharks would certainly die but, in the case of the Bull (and River Shark – a true fresh water shark), it could actually maintain and multiply upon reaching sexual maturation, occurring between 8 - 10 years old (assuming another of the opposite sex is patrolling the same waters), thereby creating schools or pairs of sharks in the strangest of places… like for instance, Lake Michigan. Bulls have been found as far as 1200 miles up the Mississippi River, the Amazon, along the shores of New Jersey, Massachusetts and elsewhere around the world. These creatures have the sustainability to survive (unless man destroys them first). Fortunately for them, they are not at high risk as of yet, although studies do show a decrease in numbers and more than likely there will continue to be a decline for years to come. But for now, they’re safe. Question is, are you?

Pay It Forward Carl Sgro Style - Reputation Management

2009-10-13T12:37:00.000-05:00

True story. As a kid, my grandfather had a boat. He would take us (us being my entire family - brother, sister, mother, father, cousins, aunt, uncle, grandmother, and the dog) out on his boat to enjoy a day of fishing. His mastery and command of his vessel led me to believe he was the founder of the ocean and all things hidden beneath its surface. On one particular day, as my papa doled out the fishing poles to us kids, he turned to me and stated he had “run out” [of fishing poles]. The look of disappointment on my face must have registered and Papa said, "All that's left are shark poles. You can use one of them instead." Now, I'm not sure which was more obvious, my disappointment or the sudden onslaught of fear I attempted to hide as I feigned enthusiasm. What would happen if I caught a shark? Surely, I'd be pulled overboard and eaten alive. All I wanted was to catch a sunfish, but, now I'd have to reel in a shark? Well, at the end of the day I caught nothing. Zero. Nada. I was greatly relieved although, I claimed to be upset by the fact I hadn’t caught a shark. My papa put his arm around my shoulder, winked and said, "Maybe next time."

This image of a grandfather taking his grandchildren fishing is nothing out of the ordinary. But, a man by the name of Carl Sgro has taken something ordinary and made it into something extraordinary. Carl Sgro, a tournament-quality bass fisherman who studies fish habits and behavior, who has fished in inlets and lakes from Maine to Florida, has founded a wonderful program in his local community, “Take A Kid Fishing.” Perhaps this is the result of not only his enthusiasm and appreciation for the sport but, a childhood memory of fishing with someone special. Perhaps this memory was so profound, the desire to give a similar experience to kids today sparked its growth? Regardless of where the motive stemmed, similar programs have popped up all over the world. While I cannot make the claim Carl Sgro made this happen, I imagine him to be somewhat influential. Is there an experience from your childhood you can pass on to your children or community? If so, pay it forward… Carl Sgro-style!

Time For Breakfast

2009-10-13T11:37:00.012-05:00

Tick… tick… tick, an annoying sound reminding me it is time to get up and start my day. Who do I blame? Jost Bürgi? After all, he did invent the minute hand back in 1577. Although, it had its fair share of problems and as a result in 1656 Christian Huygens created the pendulum clock. Or, do I blame the Egyptians, the Hindus, the Greeks for having recognized time in the first place with water clocks, the hourglass, and sundials? As I lay staring up at the ceiling, pillows perfectly molded around my head, blankets embracing me with warmth and security, I ponder; how many others are ticked off? Perhaps I should blame myself for not purchasing the clock radio or the one with the dim lights? On that note, there is the borborygmus, the rumble in my tummy reminding me I am hungry and I toss off the covers, quickly exposing myself to the cold elements of morning. Shivering, I grab my bathrobe thankful for the man or woman who came up with this nifty design.

Otter (Lutra Canadensis), an appropriate name for my feline, rubs against my legs then darts and weaves around my ankles with every step I attempt to take forward, a testament to his hunger and urgency to eat breakfast. I almost laugh out loud at the very word, breakfast… break fast… not to be confused with the tempting French breakfast, Le Reacquisition… a meal consisting of one or more alcohols mixed together. I opt for a cup of coffee, a couple of eggs and toast lightly buttered, instead and Otter will have a can of 9-Lives if he doesn’t cause me to fall and break a limb beforehand. After a dozen or so near mishaps, I manage to peel back the lid on his food and dump its contents into his bowl as he descends, lapping at his meal with no sign of stopping to even glance in my direction as a means of thanks. The sound he makes is downright frightening making me think I’d lose my hand if I attempted to touch him or his dish. As I rinse the can, about to toss it in with the recycling, I decide to read the ingredients to see what it is that causes him to go bizerk. “Meat by products, water sufficient for processing” further down, “pantothenate, riboflavin supplement, pyridoxine hydrochloride, menadione sodium bisulfite, sodium nitrate.” He seems happy. None-the-less I am left with a look of stupor wondering what the hell it is he’s actually eating and, furthermore, what’s in my food? I grab a loaf of bread and look… “Whole wheat flour, water, wheat gluten, high fructose corn syrup, 2% or less of: mono and diglycerides, dough conditioners (sodium stearoyl lactylate, calcium iodate, calcium dioxide), calcium sulfate, extracts of malted barley and corn, dicalcium phosphate, diammonium phosphate, and calcium propionate (to retain freshness).” All I know is, this is nothing like mom used to bake. Well, at least the eggs are safe. The container reads “No antibiotics. No hormones.” Lutein and zeaxanthin are good for your eyes; choline aids brain development, and folate – all kinds of goodness generating new cell growth, protecting against anemia and serious birth defects, not that I’m planning on having a baby anytime soon, if at all.

Ahh, my beloved coffee! For years I have listened to the scare-tactics and back-and-forth arguments of damaging side effects verses medical benefits. Arguments claiming you stunt growth, cause heart palpitations, anxiety, liver damage, cancer and other serious illnesses. On the flipside I’ve heard (or maybe I simply want to believe) when coffee is consumed in large quantities it actually prevents type 2 diabetes and reduces heart disease. Then I wonder aloud, “Am I at risk of diabetes and heart disease?” I determine I am an unlikely candidate as neither run in my family but for the sake of others I will brew a large pot to play it safe; seven scoops of bold roast to seven cups of water. Coffee contains antioxidants and tannin. Caffeine opens blood vessels, stimulates circulation, reduces asthma and it is the ergogenic of choice propelling me through my morning and workday.

Otter finishes eating his breakfast and moves to bask in the sun filtering through the window as I decide to proceed with my meal as planned although I opt for one slice of toast instead of two. I grab a cast iron skillet because Teflon produces pefluoronated compounds; hydrogen fluoride, carbonyl fluoride and perfluoroisobutylene which when heated can increase the danger of Teflon toxicosis causing shortness of breath, irritation to the nose and throat along with other flu-like symptoms sometimes including death.

I’ve been up for all of 15 minutes and already life is looking grim. I toss the pan on the stove, turn up the flame, add a small amount of olive oil, and wait for it to heat before cracking two eggs. I depress the lever on the toaster. By the time it pops the coffee should be brewed, the eggs over-medium, and the toast crispy. Note to self; be sure to use an oven mitt so as not to burn myself on the skillet handle like I did the last time. Arranging my food on a plate in a presentable manner, I think what else is in my cupboards that are potentially harmful? Maybe I should move to the country and grow organic food free of pesticides, preservatives, and other additives but in this day of economic duress, the thought is far easier than application. Looking up at the clock I’ve somehow managed to time everything just right. I sit and pick at my mostly healthy breakfast and wonder if I should thank Jost Bürgi and Christian Huygens, for it appears I’ll make it to work on time… again!

Copyright © 2009 Alyssa Polacsek, Lakota Films, LLC & Natural Child Blog

Deconstructing Mother Nature

2009-07-03T14:16:00.005-05:00

There has been so much destruction in the past century as a result of greed, naiveté, and the sense “someone else will take care of it” that it is high-time and past-time we clean up our mishaps because no one else is going to take care of it. Mankind over-produces, misuses and mismanages in a multitude of facets (increased population, manufacturing, waste buildup, green house emissions, roadway construction, housing developments, business assembly, and much more). We interrupt the cycle of nature but fail to contemplate the potential for disaster 100 - 200 years down the line let alone 10 – 20 years. We have exhausted both natural resources and ourselves as a result of manufacturing that which improves quality of life without replenishing what we have destroyed in the process. This is not fair to our children. It is not fair to us. It is certainly not fair to Mother Nature and the other inhabitants with whom we share this planet!

The media has a responsibility to use its influential power to propagate the changes we need to make in order to survive. Though it is difficult to imagine our own extinction, recent trends in global warming, the extinction of other species, disease, and ignorance, are all cause for alarm. Through art, television, film, theatre, and music we have the ability to teach the necessary skills to amend these damages or at the very least, slow the process down.

Having worked in the entertainment industry I am familiar with the all too consuming belief “Nobody watches that stuff but we have to air it, so put it on at 3am.” This exemplifies the cyclical path we have been on for years and this path clearly does not work. There are very successful production companies out there. They know how to appeal to their demographics. They are creative. Do the math! Put the pieces of the puzzle together and feed the demographics’ with the idea of “how cool” it can be to clean up the mess rather than leave it for someone else; because a day might come sooner than expected when that "someone else" no longer exists.

Copyright © 2009 Alyssa Polacsek, Lakota Films, LLC & Natural Child Blog

If the shoe fits...

2009-06-02T17:42:00.005-05:00

I have yet to find a pair of boots that fit me properly for starters. I have gone through every pair of boots for women sold at Adventure 16 and EMS Sporting Goods and the best boots I have discovered thus far are the Hi-Tec Banshee I purchased for $19.97 online at Campmor. I am a salespersons nightmare when it comes to my feet. My feet are nothing out of the ordinary, just problematic to fit and tough to prevent bruising due in-part to a high instep and the pounding they take. This, however, does not stop me.

I research my gear before purchasing for financial reasons as well as practicality, fit, ability to withstand stress, weight, versatility, and so on. According to others, I am tough on gear as I leap rock to rock with a full pack on my back or scramble over boulders or squeeze through small spaces almost unnatural for the human body to pass.

In the few years that I have become a peak-bagging, mile-consuming junkie, I have summated Mt. Fuji, Mt. Whitney (winter & summer ascents) Mt. San Gorgonio (Extreme day & Weekend), Mt. San Jacinto, Mt. Baldy (winter ascent up the bowl), Palisades Glacier, King’s Canyon, Grand Canyon, sections of the Rockies, a few hundred miles on the PCT and the AT and more, all in preparation to challenge myself for Denali. For the past year I have been researching mountaineering courses with RMI, AMS and others determined to rise to the next challenging step, Mt. Rainier clearly being thus.

I continuously strive to make a difference in this world. I am an avid supporter of organizations such as the NRDC, Defenders of Wildlife, The Nature’s Conservancy, etc. and I am a member of The Outdoors Club, AMC, SAG, and AEA. I have an interest in organizing a climb for charity whereby profits will go to raise awareness and protect our natural resources from further depletion and/or extinction. I also work on films that gravitate towards humanistic causes which I further demonstrate my support by participating in marches, walks, and fundraising opportunities alike.

All of this said and done, I recently ordered a subscription to Backpacker magazine and received my first two issues as of yesterday and voila, there before my eyes was an opportunity staring me in the face to join you in accomplishing one of my said mentioned goals... to climb Mt. Ranier. When?

Copyright © 2009 Alyssa Polacsek, Lakota Films, LLC & Natural Child Blog

tree

2006-09-23T21:53:00.001-05:00

Wednesday, August 30, 2006

Nebulous fortune
small, seedlings desire
Wings to span
across, mountainous ranges
Far as eyes carry
dreams, tiny tales
Spinning tangled webs
glory, coveted bundle
Nurturing thirsty mouths
feeding, dying for love
Vying for affections tongue

Copyright © 2009 Alyssa Polacsek, Lakota Films, LLC & Natural Child Blog

Man on the Moon

2006-09-23T21:51:00.003-05:00

Monday, August 07, 2006 3:29am

The man on the moon was smiling down upon me last night. I looked into his eyes and the miles separating us were nearly nil. I could have touched his cheek. I slowed my pace allowing the breezes to dance between us... breathed it in and exhaled as we said 'goodnight'.

Copyright © 2009 Alyssa Polacsek, Lakota Films, LLC & Natural Child Blog

Alaskan Pipeline Down

2006-09-23T21:50:00.002-05:00

Tuesday, August 08, 2006 7:03am

BP figured they didn't need to bother using a "pig" (a device to clean oil lines) for the last 14 years thinking it was unnecessary. That sounds a little like not brushing your teeth if you ask me. You're only asking for trouble... cavities... and, in this case, corrosion so bad it'll take a few months for them to repair a 16-mile section. That spells D-I-S-A-S-T-E-R! How long will it take them to spill another few thousand gallons of oil into the Arctic waters of Prudhoe Bay? Never mind driving the costs of gas and oil up, that pales in comparison to the potential spillage, pollution and havoc it could unleash upon the wildlife and environment.

Here's my prediction: They (the oil companies) will JACK their prices claiming it is out of their control and necessary until they complete the task (which they estimate will take 2 -3 months) THEN, I think they'll BOTCH the job and spill oil, DRIVE the prices up even higher because the reserves will have dried up (or this will be their claim)... THEN, they (the Bush Administration) will attempt to open the Arctic to drilling once again because they are hell bent on making this happen regardless of how many times the NRDC and other organizations have clearly demonstrated there are other means available BUT those won't line their pockets! The majority of this country is opposed to drilling in the Arctic (for the time being) but when all is said and done, our government and oil companies will continue to work together until they get what they want regardless of how much it costs us...and, I'm not talking money! Im not saying they shouldnt fix the pipeline, Im just saying it spells trouble!

I hope Im wrong in my prediction but I wouldnt doubt for a second that this would be the attempt and ploy of the oil companies and the Administration. It is up to us to stop them! I dont trust em. Never have; never will! Remember to pick up the phone and call your Senators when the time comes to oppose drilling yet again. It can make a difference! If we dont speak up, our Senators are liable to fold under pressure and be swayed to turn a blind eye with the others who already have.

I think this is a conspiracy theory in the works.

Copyright © 2009 Alyssa Polacsek, Lakota Films, LLC & Natural Child Blog

Legs, Skinny As My Wrist

2006-09-23T21:44:00.001-05:00

Wednesday, August 16, 2006 9:35 PM

She had the face of a 19 year old; body of a 90 year old, and she was as skinny as a 7 year old... perhaps skinnier. Her face was gorgeous; her body grotesque. I imagined her swollen organs inside giving her the only shape she had... a puffed out belly similar to starving children in third world countries. She sat and worked on a crossword puzzle as eyes gazed upon her with a yearning to feed her. She looked at no one. She only looked up once... to exit the train at her stop.

Copyright © 2009 Alyssa Polacsek, Lakota Films, LLC & Natural Child Blog

I had a dream...

2006-04-22T00:48:00.001-05:00

my shoes were on the wrong feet all day long. No one pointed it out to me and I never noticed. Finally, my ex-boyfriend told me. Initially I was upset with him for not letting me know earlier. A moment later I didn't care because the shoes didn't bother my feet and I didn't mind being a little different from everyone else around me. Although, when I looked down at my feet I was wearing shoes I would never wear...high heeled canvas sandals with laces that tie around your ankle...my toes pointing outward almost like a dancer in first position.

Copyright © 2009 Alyssa Polacsek, Lakota Films, LLC & Natural Child Blog

Stream of ...

2006-03-20T16:47:00.001-05:00

Random. Thoughts. Nothingness. Blank screen. Picture. Image. Movie. Titles. Songs. Lyrics. Dreams. Die. Overturn. Underage. Beastly. Grotesque. Muffin. Dog. Snot. Crap. Shit. Fuck. Die. Live. Die. Verge. Merge. Cry. Pain. Ocean. Wave. Crest. Teeth. Smile. Pony. Horse. Cow. Crow. Feet. Wrinkle. Time. Old. Young. Naive. Genie. Leparsy. Disease. Grow. Up. Down. Around. Town. City. Mile. Nile. River. Tears. Whither. Winter. Decrepit. Deceipt. Receptive. Belief. World. Yours. Mine. Ours. Nothing. Ever. Lasting. Licks. Moon. Crescent. Slice. Piece. Peace. Love. Understanding.

Copyright © 2009 Alyssa Polacsek, Lakota Films, LLC & Natural Child Blog

I Only Have One Heart

2006-01-14T20:42:00.001-05:00

The heart remains empty and cannot heal because the words behind the apologies are void of sincerity. Blank pages in your dictionary depict words scrambled in a heap at the bottom of each page because the words lack true meaning and therefore they fall into a cluster. Similarly, the apology falls like dust to the floor because I have heard it so many times before.

I am struggling to find new meaning to my life. Every path I follow leads me back to this place. It is a labrynth.

Copyright © 2009 Alyssa Polacsek, Lakota Films, LLC & Natural Child Blog

The Rebel by Mari E. Evans

2005-12-02T20:26:00.000-05:00

When I
Die
I’m sure
I will have a
Big funeral…
Curiosity
Seekers…
Coming to see
If I
Am really
Dead…
Or just
Trying to make
Trouble

Mari E. Evans

First Entry - Learning to Blog

2005-12-01T19:37:00.001-05:00

Journaling, Realizing, Waking, Dreaming, Creating, Living, Learning, Understanding, Loving, Forgiving, Planting Trees, Climbing Mountains, Painting Pictures, Blowing Bubbles, Playing Games, Shaping Objects, Cleaning Clutter...

Sanctuary...

Peaceful...

Pillow...

Copyright © 2009 Alyssa Polacsek, Lakota Films, LLC & Natural Child Blog

The Adeventures of Faust (story in progress)

2005-07-16T16:29:00.001-05:00

The Adventures of Faust
Part I
By Alyssa Polacsek

To Max on his birthday, 2004,
without whom
this story would never have been told.

Once upon a time in a land not so far away, down by the pond filled with thousands of lily pads and more flies than one frog could ever consume without running the risk of turning into a piggy, there lived a frog who stood out amongst the backwash of green and springtime forest. His name was Faust. Faust was not a typical frog even by his looks alone. Faust was blazing orange and neon yellow with spindly legs that could keep him hopping hour-upon-hour extending farther and longer than the other frogs ever dreamed possible. Faust was what his mother oftentimes referred to as being “a hyperactive child.”

If he wasn’t playing leap frog or racing the others around the pond, Faust, in all of his glory with boundless energy could be found entertaining his friends with tales of kings and sorcerer’s, acting out all of the players as well as narrator. Faust would rally his listener’s to play their part with “gasps” and “awes” and “cheers” and “jeers” as needed, and they did so with joy. He would spin his tales until his last listener was beckoned home for dinner and he was left to amuse himself with an extraordinary ending after which he would hop home to see what his own mother had cooked for dinner.

Every once in awhile however, Faust’s mother would come tugging on his ear after calling his name repeatedly, ringing the dinner bell unnoticed by this boy’s “selective hearing.” On those occasions Faust would cry out in character “Let me go free!” and “This behavior is unjustified and will not go unpunished by the gods.” The crowd was spooked into believing Faust’s mother was the Evil Queen of Doom delivering him a horrible fate. Sometimes his mother played along and scared the crowd into believing she was wicked. And when she did not play along, they believed her to be wicked anyway, for Faust could be heard crying out in the distance as his mother huffed in her struggle to get him home.

Faust’s mother was not really wicked. For any mother that would play along in her son’s games surely cannot be all that bad. Faust knew this to be true and he loved his mother more than anything else in this world. She was his best friend and she worked hard to feed him, clothe him, bathe him, and tend to his skinned knees and chaffed scales when he had played too hard. Each night she tucked Faust in bed and spun a tale more magnificent than Faust had ever told.

Faust closed his eyes and began to drift to the lilt in his mother’s voice …at times a soothing, cunning whisper welcoming the journey and dream.

Faust found himself in a canoe struggling to paddle against the current in an urgent attempt to deliver a message to the Green Cat of Bangladesh. This is a task more difficult in nature due to the constant change in direction, flowing sideways, upstream, downstream, and at times revolving in the same way as a Ferris wheel.

Copyright © 2009 Alyssa Polacsek, Lakota Films, LLC & Natural Child Blog

The Ford NYC Triathlon

2005-07-13T14:25:00.001-05:00

I did it in 3:25:55!!!

First, thank you to everyone that came out to support me! It was awesome!!! Darlene, Chris, Kate, Kyle, Kate's Brother Chris, My mom and Jack, Laura & George, my dad & Francine, it was so great to hear you cheer for me. Also, thanks to my coaches: Scott, Earl, Dave, Kim, Meghan, Jay, my mentor Amy & my adopted mentor Jay, and Kristine along with her staff for making this event possible.

Here's the story...

The day before race day there was much to do including riding up to the course to visualize our race. Staring at the Hudson River in an attempt to take it in and remain calm I noticed a dead rat floating in the water and several other unmentionables that were almost as nasty. Great! Dead rats, condoms, cigarette butts, bottles, and more…all make for a lovely swim. I'm amazingly calm!

That night I tried to heed the advice of one of our swim coaches, Earl, telling me to viisualize my race in its entirety and that this process is very important to doing great. Problem one: laying there in bed visualizing I kept dozing off before I finished the race in my mind. So, I would wake back up and start all over again. Needless to say, I did not get much sleep.

I woke up at 3:45AM (the alarm was set for 3:23AM). No problem. I had everything ready the night before. I quietly got dressed, loaded my bags and walked out the door at 4:15AM. I had to be at the transition area by 4:30AM. I stayed in the city with my mom and step-dad in order to get as much rest as possible and avoid having to deal with a subway early on a Sunday when they are problematic to begin with.

Arriving at the transition area at 72nd Street I was labeled with a grease pencil #674 on my left arm and left thigh and my age was penciled onto my calf. "I feel 23. Do you need to write &$%#@?" I entered the enclosed area with almost 800 bikes racked from the night before, found my bike and set my stuff up in a matter of minutes. It seemed too easy to me because as I looked around others were working furiously. I double checked my set up and it looked good. I lubed up, “If you love it, lube it!” the phrase Earl bestowed upon us. Sunscreen is next. What do you know? The grease marking smeared my age. Darn!

Next, I began to stretch and focus on my nerves. I did a little yoga and inspired a few others (their words) to do some too. Finally, it was time to head to the barge at 98th Street for the start of the race at 6AM. I grabbed my wetsuit, lube, bathing cap & goggles and walked with the entourage of women. Once up at 98th Street, I tossed my sandals and shorts into a bag & threw it into the box with my number. These items would be later transported to the finish line for pick up. How convenient.

I was in the 6th wave of women to swim, 6:20AM, donning white bathing caps. I cheered the other waves in front of me. I jumped up and down in excitement because the tide was going with us. I was thrilled! My fear of water would be shortened by such a great force of nature.
Next, it was my waves turn to line up on the barge. I was one of the first women to walk out onto the platform. Scott Willett, one of my coaches was out there and gave me a huge hug before I took my place to the far right where we had been advised to go. I jumped into the water without hesitating and grabbed onto the rope that would prevent us from floating away. I informed others around me that I would be holding the rope even after the horn blew. I don’t like being splashed, kicked or swam over. This would help prevent such things from happening. The horn blew and they were off. After about 3 seconds I took off. Suddenly, I heard my name, “GO ALYSSA!” I looked up and there were Darlene and Chris waving to me. I stopped swimming and put both hands into the air and waved back hooting and hollering to them. Oh yeah, I was in this race to win! Ha! I only had two goals, to finish the swim and to cross the finish line.

The water helped move me along. It was murky green…then, brown…and graphite black. I could not see my hand in front of my face. I was one of the few that preferred not to see what was around me. Yuck! A cigarette butt. Ew! Something slimy…I don’t want to know. A few moments of panic and I flip onto my back and look up at the sky to calm myself down. I flip back over and swim. I don’t feel like I am going anywhere. The tide has started to change direction and is now going against me. I wind up outside the buoy close the wall. No! I know that is where all of the real nasty stuff is lurking. Swim. Swim harder. Get back into the lane and away from the wall. I am almost there. 300 more meters. I hear Darlene cheering me all along the way. I feel the ground. I am there. A hand reaches down to help me up the ramp. 35 minutes…1 mile.
I am bursting with energy in this moment and I rip at my wetsuit pulling it down to my waist before anyone around me has theirs unzipped. My family is straight in front of me beaming with pride. My dad is crying as is my mom. Later, I am told they were both worried because they couldn’t find me in the water and they hadn’t seen me get out. Then, when they finally saw me, they were overwhelmed with joy! My dad put his hand in the air and I gave him a high-five as I ran by. This moment was the hightlight of the event. It was intense & ultra exciting! The perfect finish to concquering my fear.

A quarter mile run barefoot on pavement to the transition area. I am limping. I am not sure why.

I waste a little time in the transition area. I rip the wetsuit completely off, place it in a bag along with the goggles and bathing cap. Dry my feet off. Throw my socks and running shoes on. Pull on my bandana, baseball hat, sunglasses and helmet. Click! Toss the singlet over my head and pack the back pocket with Gu, an energy bar and a banana. I un-rack the bike and head to the start.
I am on the bike and I am told to slow down…curves ahead and merging with others. Up the hill, around the rotary, a hard left and I am on the Hudson Parkway. According to Chris and Darlene they could not get a picture because I went riding by too quickly. All they heard was “On your left” and I flew by passing others along the way.

What a beautiful ride! The water and skyline are tranquil. There are lots of rolling hills. Racers are on the side of the road fixing flats, bandaging wounds and cursing. There are arguments. There is glass on the road, drain grates, pot holes, toll booths and aggressive behavior as well as team spirit. We cheer one another on as we pass or get passed. The rules of the road don’t always exist. People are drafting and no one is backing off when they should…myself included except when it could be dangerous. Even then, some don’t pay any mind. Some idiots pass people on the right! Amazing! This is a blast!

I am not drinking nearly enough liquid. I realize this but I keep going. I’ll drink when I get to the top of the next hill BUT then I am flying downhill and I don’t want to slow…so, I don’t. All the way to Yonkers, turn around and head back the direction I came. Pass the exit & continue south, a sharp turn around a cone, head north again to the exit. There is my wonderful, crazy family running around on Parkeway towards the end of the 26 miles. George shouts, “Alyssa! Stay to the left!” I avoid huge pot holes by listening to his warning. An official shouts, “Slow down! Sharp turn ahead!” I slow and I am behind a rider going much slower than I but I hang there not sure if I am allowed to pass. I wait about a minute and then pass because I cannot contain myself. Next, I am off the bike and limping into the transition area once more. 1 hour 28 minutes – 26 miles. My legs are a little wobbly. Rack the bike. Remove the helmet because “I don’t wanna be that guy running with their helmet (which, by the way, I saw someone do later). Quickly, I throw off what I don’t need and head out for the run.

I am limping still. Urgh! Now, my left leg is cramping and so is my abdomen. Plus, I have to go to the bathroom. Hopefully, I spot a port-a-potty along the way. The police have stopped traffic along 72nd Street. I am hobbling. It is making me mad. I push. I have to stop and stretch. I push on again. The first mile is long. There is a water station. I grab a cup, take a swig and toss the rest over my head. Cool off! I have 5.2 more miles to run and I am in pain. I keep searching for Ken, my running partner the last few training sessions. He is nowhere to be found. Damn it! There’s a TNT person UP AHEAD. I can't seem to catch up. There GOES a TNT person cheering me along as they pass me by. Augh! Take me with you! Everyone I passed on the bike is now passing me on the run. Push. Stop. Stretch. Limp. 2 mile mark…take a swig of water and douse myself with the rest. I repeat this sequence at each mile mark. 2.5 miles to go and I hear a voice behind me. It is Mandy, one of my teammates. “I need you Alyssa. And, you need me. Let’s run together.” Great! She is running a faster pace than I and I need to stop and stretch BUT she does not let me! “No you don’t! I am not letting you stop! Breath deep. Stand up straight.” Take smaller steps. Say, I LOVE TO RUN on each step.” Step – I, step – LOVE, step – TO, step – RUN! It is working. I am running with her and trying to ignore the cramping down the back of my leg, across my ass and abdomen. I still have to go to the bathroom and the limp keeps coming and going. We are almost there. She tells me she can see the finish line and boom! I break into sprint. A second later I see Mandy out of my peripheral vision start to do the same. Damn it! I want this to be over with. I am sprinting BUT the finish line is NOT where I thought it was! Crap! I remain in a sprint and I see it in front of me…a short distance but long enough that I want to kick myself for sprinting too soon. I hang in there because the crowd is huge and I don’t want to stop. I see the clock above reads 3:44:something. I cross the finish line.

My official time is 3:25:55.

The run was horrible as you can see. It took me over an hour. I will do another triathlon. This time, I did it to complete the race. Next time, I will race myself. Now that I KNOW I can swim a mile I can focus on training all three areas swimming, cycling, running in an effort to trim time.
Guess what? I AM A TRIATHLETE!!!

My family and friends were all at the finish line to greet me. They hugged me! They didn’t care that I was stinky and sweaty and bathed in Hudson slick. They were too thrilled to keep it to themselves, as was I.

It is not often that my mom & dad are in the same place at the same time. Usually, there has to be a wedding or a funeral. But, here they were! I am totally happy!

The next day when I awoke my ankle was bruised to the bone. Perhaps this is why I was limping. Suddenly, I remembered someone had grabbed me by the ankle while swimming. It may have been an accident. Or, they could have been trying to pass me. I don’t really care. I am also astonished my muscles are NOT aching or cramping. By the way, I drank half the fluids I should have on the bike which explains the cramping while running. Live and learn, right?
AGAIN, thank you EVERYONE! There were 214 Team in Training members participating in this race of over 2000 people. Together we raised more than $630,000. For every mile, $19,000 goes towards helping people battling blood cancers to live better lives. The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society makes this possible and YOU helped make this possibility a reality. Thank you!

***COMPLETED in HONOR***
* Jack & Francine Polacsek (Leukemia & Lymphoma) * Daniel Morris, 32 (Leukemia) * Gayle Silverman, 24 (Leukemia) * ALL individuals who are battling blood cancers.

***IN MEMORY*** *
*Frank A. Rolston - lost his battle to Leukemia shortly before Christmas 2004

***Special Thanks*** *Anonymous (you know who you are)*Laura - thanks for the bike!
*George - thanks for helping load it into the car & prep it *Nan Williams, Kate Rolston, Kyle, Darlene, Chris (a loveable pain in the ass!)
*Pamela (Reminding me not to give in to defeat)
*Tony & Kin at Brooklyn Heights Bike Shoppe - You Rock!
*ALL OF YOU *Veronica, Quinn, Thumper & Gizmo because everyone needs a little dog & feline nudge, kiss, woof and meow to get you through a triathlon.

Peace & love always!

Copyright © 2009 Alyssa Polacsek, Lakota Films, LLC & Natural Child Blog

Harley - 15 Years!

2004-01-05T13:33:00.001-05:00

For those of you who don't know, my cat Harley has been sick the last few weeks and he finally decided it was time to sleep peacefully. He was 15 years old and he was a true gentleman. He would stand back and let the ladies eat first. He would wait patiently for the stroke of a hand. Now, he is running in the grass with Bubba, Witchy, Houdini & Cody...chasing field mice and swatting at bugs and butterflies...lounging lazily in the sunshine...climbing trees and playing. That is the vision I provided him. Quinn, Thumper and Gizmo and myself and everyone else will miss him. We had some quality time together these last few weeks. Here's to Harley!

Love and peace!

Copyright © 2009 Alyssa Polacsek, Lakota Films, LLC & Natural Child Blog

White Out on Mt. Baldy

2003-11-28T13:21:00.001-05:00

Hey All!

I backpacked Mt. Baldy this weekend in rain, sleet, snow and near whiteout conditions at times, but I am back safe and sound and I had a blast! It was a true challenge. Some of you are familiar with Baldy...I went straight up the bowl (which, apparently not many folks do...there is no trail)...came up onto the Devils Backbone and followed the ridge to the summit. We came back down on the trail because the weather was getting pretty harsh. You can't even tell that I am at the summit in the pics...but, the ones with the dog, those are the shots on the summit. Fortunately (if you are my parents) and unfortunately (if you are me) there are no pictures in the most difficult of places in the bowl...too dangerous to pull out the camera. I lost my footing a couple of times but caught myself. It scared me, but I got an adrenaline rush that got me out of there. I used the ice ax once and in the future I will be sure to have one on me at all times in these types of conditions. Anyway, enjoy the photos. Mom, Dad, Jack & Francine...you can breathe now. Click on the link to see the pics. Oh! We got very lucky because the Sierra Club Ski Hut was opened...so, we stayed there. It was warm & dry...although, I did smack my face pretty hard on a wooden beam above my head when I sat up at night. Ouch! It's fine! I feel good!!!

Love ya!

Copyright © 2009 Alyssa Polacsek, Lakota Films, LLC & Natural Child Blog

Mt. Whitney - 2nd Time

2002-11-04T13:50:00.002-05:00

Can you say COLD? Better yet...how about FREEZING!?

Friday, we (myself, Alfonso, & Chris) headed to Lone Pine Camprground (6,000 feet) to acclimate overnight for what was in store the next day! We sat around a campfire (which I have not sat around a fire in several moons), smoked a ceremonial pipe (consisting of sage, rosemary, mint...nothing illegal), and went to bed. It was quite cold! Around 38 degrees.

Saturday, we got a late start...none of us are early risers...besides, it was freagin' cold out there! We hit the trail at 11:45 AM. We stopped along the way at Lone Pine Lake for a snack and some photos. Then, we tromped around Mirror Lake for a bit. Finally, we headed to our final destination...Trail Camp (12,000 feet - 6 miles in all). And, if you thought last night was cold...our water froze in a matter of minutes! I KID YOU NOT! We managed to keep it from doing so entirely, but just to give you an idea of what "cold" really is, there were several times when thirsty that we would have to chew on ice. It gets dark very early. We were in our tent and sleeping bags at 6:30PM.

Sunday, another late start...we hit the trail at 9:15 AM...5 miles to go...We summitted at 12:45. How the hell I did this the last time in 2 hours and 20 minutes is beyond me! Perhaps the cold is a factor?! We used crampons (metal spikes that attach to your boots) on the switchbacks (of which there are far too many!) to move along the ice and snow with confidence. They were fun!!! They take more leg work though! Anyway, we stayed at the top for a quick phone call to my dad on someones cell, a few photos, a snack, some small chat with others up there, then we headed back to Trail Camp...another 5 miles...and, we were down by 3:30 PM (about 2-3/4 hours)...again, not sure how I did it in 2 hours the last time! Urgh! Anyway, we napped &amp;amp;amp;amp;amp; ate & packed up...hit the trail at 5:30 PM...IT IS DARK....headlamps were on...only 6 miles to go...we ran into three others heading down that only had one bike light between them. So, we put them in our group and I, ME, Alyssa, lead us all down and out. I tried to get out of it several times, but they liked me in the front and I kept a good pace for all of us tired asses! There was fog to contend with and, did I mention IT WAS DARK!!! We got off the trail a couple of times but we figured it out in a matter of moments. Those 3 boys would have been screwed. Their light died and they were not equipped to camp. We were in the parking lot by 8:30 PM and they were very happy we ran into them. We were all happy to be back to the car and driving home by 9PM. So, Saturday, we hiked 6 miles...and, Sunday, we hiked 16 miles! My name is Poop Deck Charlie!

I'm going to Chipotle for lunch right now and ordering a big fat vegetarian burrito with lots of guacamole! YUMMY!

Copyright © 2009 Alyssa Polacsek, Lakota Films, LLC & Natural Child Blog

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2002-10-28T02:00:00.000-05:00

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Bubba - 16 Years!

2002-09-03T14:02:00.002-05:00

To all of you who have ever known and loved Bubba.

Today is a very difficult day for me. Bubba is about 16 years old and I have had him since he was about 3 years of age. Bubba is getting wobbly in the legs, not eating, and a few other things I won't go into, but I don't want him to suffer and he has had a good life. He and I are spending the day together...we're going to the dog park one last time so he can announce to all the youngsters his final words of wisdom. He is eating hamburger...he hasn't eaten in a couple of days now, so this is good. That's my boy!

Bubba History: Bubba was found in a dumpster with a broken rib, a hernia, dreadlocks (we take after one another...for those of you who haven't seen me in awhile, I am locking my hair), an inverted eyelid, and larangitis. I was always a big-dog person until Bubba came into my life. Bubba has a HUGE heart! And, a HUGE personality! He did an amazing Marlon Brando impression from "The Godfather" in his younger years. He starred in an NYU film (which he auditioned for the part outside of Port Authority...he was great!) and he was in 2 productions of "The Cherry Orchard," which some of you were in with him. Bubba is an avid camper. He loves the sun and the shade. He loves to sleep belly up in your arms and snore while you shake his leg and say, "The turkey's done." He loves cats...for awhile he thought he was one...even went so far as to try to use the litter box and lay on the kitchen table. He was so pleased with himself! Bubba has travelled all over the country; California, Oregon, Washington, Canada, Montana (where he almost got arrested for having a corn cob pipe in the VW which contained resin...no, Bubba didn't smoke, but my ex did), Colorado, Wyoming, Vermont, NY, and many other states. He has climbed mountains...and been carried up several too. He used to play with Taz...his stuffed animal which he claimed as "his" the first day he came to stay with me...up until which had been mine. I had no problems giving it to him...he was so excited over it! Bubba has been the most loyal friend! I love him! And, I will miss him very very much! Here's to Bubba! (This is where you raise your glass and toast him!) Thanks.

Love, Bubba's MOM!

Copyright © 2009 Alyssa Polacsek, Lakota Films, LLC & Natural Child Blog

Mt. Whitney - 1st Time

2002-08-05T12:31:00.001-05:00

Thursday: Well, I drove up with 2 strange men, Mark and Carl (and believe me, they were in fact strange). We pulled into the base camp at around 8PM and pitched our tents. Denise (from San Jose) was already there. And, Denelle (from Pasadena) pulled in at around 10:30PM. I knew none of these folks before this trip except for Mark whom I met on another hiking trip but only talked with for about 5 minutes. I was the butt of all jokes the entire weekend. I am known as "chipmunk lover." Our leader, Mark, is known as "Turtle," not because he was slow (which he was not) but because whenever he was inside his tent (A-frame) and he would poke his head out...he looked like a turtle stretching his neck out of its shell.

Anyway, there are loads of bears. BEAR CANISTERS are required. At the base camp there are storage containers to put all of your food and toiletries in because the bears haven't figured out how to get into them yet. Ours was missing its handle and we decided a bear had it and was using it regularly to get into this storage bin as it pleased. ha ha ha. Bear hangs don't work! They have figured them out! They have learned form such pros as Yogi and BooBoo. I only heard a bear once throughout the night, but apparently (and there are pictures to prove it) there are many on the prowl. DO NOT LEAVE ANY FOOD ITEMS OR TOILETRIES IN YOUR CAR EITHER...THEY WILL RIP THE CAR WIDE OPEN TO RETRIEVE IT! For those of you hiking at the end of August, check out the photos at the trailhead.

Friday: We hit the trail at about 8:30AM. Each of us carrying about 40-45 pounds on our backs. One mile in, Denise got a blister on her heal. We stopped to put moleskin on it and continued on. At about 2.5 miles there is a spectacular lake (Lone Pine Lake)...clear blue water and rocky formations all around...a breathtaking view and man would I love to live there! (Drop your packs before hiking down to the water). Stayed there for about 30 minutes.
By the third mile at Outpost Camp, Denise had blisters on both feet and they were bleeding...NOT GOOD! She decided to stay at there on her own...she would re-evaluate her condition the next morning to determine if she could make it or not, and if not, she would camp for the weekend where she was. Which, Outpost is quite lovely...waterfall right by where you pitch your tents, plenty of trees...lovely place to camp! Convenient "Solar Houses" for human waste...no urinating....just poo! Can be difficult for the ladies to separate the two...sick joke! We stopped for about another 30 minutes to eat lunch.

Onward and upward. More lakes and rivers along the way. Smoke is visible...very haze-like, sometimes a faint odor here and there...fires are still burning! Gorgeous views all the way.
We all went at our own pace. Carl was a speed deamon. He was the 1st to Trail Camp (12,000 feet). I was the second one to arrive at about 2:30PM. I was greeted immediately by a Marmot...a weasely, ferret-type of critter. And, of course, I was ooh-ing and aw-ing, wanting to take it home with me. I chased one later on to get its picture. Poor thing. I terrorized it, not intentionally, but it was so cute I had to capture it on film. SNAP! Got it!

A while later Denelle and Mark arrived and we pitched our tents and ate dinner. There is a lake to pump water for drinking. This is the last source of available drinking water, so be sure to replenish here. We lounged and laughed and drank tea. 9PM someone emerged on top of the rocks overlooking our site and we hear, "I found them!" It was Denise!!! She made it! She met 2 men (Paul & Stuart - Stuart had type 2 diabetes), they wrapped her feet with moleskin and duct tape and proceeded slowly together to Trail Camp. She had also lightened her load by leaving her tent and sleeping pad, etc. at Outpost Camp. What a trooper! I jumped up and gave her a huge hug! She is awesome! And, let me tell you, her heals were nasty looking!
The "solar houses" became the general topic for discussion amongst plenty of other bathroom talk. Such "potty mouth!" Anyway, lines formed, and of course we all know what we are going there to do...it is not a time to be shy. It was amusing! Sick, sick, sick...plus, there was discussion about the man who was arested for hiding in outhouses with a garbage bag and taking pictures of ladies. NASTY!!! Needless to say, it is difficult not to think about it whilst in one of the solar houses. A word of caution, DO NOT THROW ANYTHING OTHER THAN TISSUE PAPER in these things, because the park rangers have to close them otherwise and clean them out...and that is unfortunate for you and especially them. I had to wait an hour!

The stars were brilliant. Weather - freezing cold at night! Warm sleeping bag nice! Oh! BEAR CANISTERS are required...the rangers DO patrol and take any food that is out!!! It didn't happen in our group because we had the canisters, but it did happen to others!
Saturday: We ate and packed all food items up in canisters...threw all of our gear into our tents...in case of rain (storms can come in suddenly)...and hit the trail at 8:30 AM. Switchbacks and more switchbacks (something like 96-98...arguments about the exact number). Up and away. Carl took off like the speed deamon he is and he summited in 2 hours. I came up 20 minutes after him. Not Bad for 5 miles...most of which is uphill and you are completely exposed to the elements. Bring warm clothing and/or rain gear...or both! WOW!!! What a view! What an awesome feeling of accomplishment! Sid knows what it feels like...and, he's gonna do it again! Incidently, if there are any changes in your plans, please keep me in mind...I'd love to go again!!! Anyway, up in 2 hours and 20 minutes...down in 2 hours to Trail Camp again. We could have gone all the way down, but we had planned to stay another night...and, it made for an awesome time. I cannot recall the last time I laughed so hard. We laughed all weekend long! A chipmunk made its way into Carl's fanny pack and ate some food. He wacked his bag and the chipmunk took off and needless to say, I became dubbed "Chipmunk lover" as a result of my defending the chipmunk! I won't go into all the details. But, there was talk about Carl getting a Daniel Boone type of hat made from a chipmunk...all joking at my expense of course! But, there was plenty of joking at everyones expense at one time or another!

Sunday: We hiked down and out and bought our t-shirts that we earned. I hiked down in 2 hours and 20 minutes again. Then, we went and ate a big meal! YUM! Actually, I brought excellent food on the trip...I brought enough for everyone, but I eat a lot, as most of you are aware. They learned my eating behavior quickly and were never surprised when I would announce, "I'm hungry!"

This group of strangers that came together had an awesome time together! Thank goodness we all got along so well! This was an incredible experience and I am trying to figure out what I will hike next! Any suggestions?

Pete, it was awesome to see you guys! Wish we could have hung out longer. Next time! Hope you had a great show in Santa Monica w/Graham Parker and a safe trip home!
THE END!

Copyright © 2009 Alyssa Polacsek, Lakota Films, LLC & Natural Child Blog

Nightmare In Big Sur

2002-02-22T13:47:00.003-05:00

Big Sur wrap up:
Saturday, 5:59AM, alarm clock goes off...
Rise at 6:30am...
On the road by 8:10am...
A six-hour drive along the coast…
A sunny, beautiful day with a bit of a nip in the air…
I swear I see some sea lions...
Occasionally the ocean sprays up and over the road…
A times, I am driving high above the surf hanging onto the curves in the road…
It’s a fine day…

I plan to camp at Botchers Gap. I’ve never been there before. I do not know if it is a campground per se, meaning, close to a main road with lots of family bells and whistles (i.e. laundry facilities, playground, showers, store, etc). Based on what I’ve read it could be quite spectacular with only a few campers, pit toilets and a fire pit…, which is what I am in search of…some civilization, but no crowds and definitely NOT a lot of amenities.

Park it at Botchers Gap (north of Big Sur)…eight miles inland on windy roads in the middle of the redwood forest. Out in the middle of nowhere…alone…no dog…no friends…alone…with the exception of one couple and their dog who have pitched a tent just down the trail from mine. She’s pregnant…looks to be any day now. Thank goodness, I am not entirely alone in the woods.

Head back out to the main road (another 8 miles) to a Cliffside restaurant to use their payphone (doing the responsible thing…letting someone know exactly where I am… just in case). Spectacular view from here.

Head back to Botchers Gap and it begins to downpour. Manage to get a fire going to eat dinner consisting of steak kabobs and tomatoes, onions and green peppers. I am drenched. I did not bring any rain gear. I don’t own any for that matter. Well, I finally move it inside the tent by 7pm for the night except for the occasional mad dash to go pee. On one of my mad dashes I notice the other couple has packed up and is leaving...so, now I am ALONE …with my nightmares (and I have some disturbing ones at that. I dream my hair is dreaded and half the dreads keep breaking...I dream I am speaking with Philip and his face appears to have wax drippings and a beard. He reaches up to touch the side of his face and some of the drippings and beard fall off. I mention it to him and ask how this has happened. He tells me there was a woman who enraptured him and she ask that he put Vaseline on his face and set it on fire to prove his love for her…which he did (I believe this dream was as a result of reading a part in a book right before going to sleep where a man married a woman who had a child with another man and she had been a prostitute and a drug dealer - she charged her husband for sex on their honeymoon). The most disturbing dream...an arm reaches into my tent, grabs my leg and says, "check out the program" in the creepiest of voices as they drag me out. It is very vivid…very real...and I awake to find I am still alone with the sounds of the rain, tent flap closed, unable to distinguish one sound from the other out there. Somehow I manage to sleep pretty soundly the rest of the night.

Next morning: I pack it up...
I'm going to find a motel...nope...No Vacancies anywhere...
So, I pick up a young couple trying to hitch hike to Ventura (an hour outside L.A.). I drive south for about 20 miles, decide to head back to Big Sur to camp at a campground. The couple comes with me...my tent is big enough for all 3 of us...which is good 'cause it rains again. At about 5:30pm I take a stroll to the entrance of the park only to pass a creepy guy (dressed in navy blue rain gear carrying a small bundle). Hours later he passes our site still carrying the small bundle. The young couple goes to sleep. I stay up and stoke the fire. About 11pm creepy guy comes quietly strolling along and aims his headlight at our site and me. I flash a light back at him. He strolls past, stops abruptly, and aims his light at me again...he is still carrying his bundle. I decide to go into the tent. He continues to flash his light for about 1/2 hour every so often. There are no rangers to inform…or at least they have not been by in awhile…maybe I’ll head to the front gate…but, by the time I decide to do so I think the guy may be lurking around my car. I decide I’m safer inside the tent with the two hitchhikers and my knife. I plot all of the possible defenses that may become necessary with creepy guy strolling about quietly. If he douses the tent in gasoline and sets it on fire, we will cut our way out with my knife. If he reaches inside, I will slice his hand…and so on. I am just about to fall asleep when I remember my nightmare "check out the program." Was that a premonition? But, I’ve plotted my possible defenses, so I am ready and I can go to sleep now.

Next morning...no sign of creepy guy. We watch the other campers across the way as if they were a regularly scheduled program on television...I'm sure we are obvious in our staring...we have the "I haven't had my cup of coffee yet" glare. But, there is nothing better to watch. We pack up.

I drive them to Ventura. We stop along the way at the Henry Miller Library. We stop and admire the view a few times. We stop and take a hike out to some Cliffside rocks...beauteous. We stop for food. We stop to look at the Elephant Lions and sea lions...we see them mating...fighting...WOW! Oh! Did I mention that I twisted my ankle the night before...threw my knee out the next morning...and awoke with cramps on Tuesday...cranky as all hell and in pain...I am 23 damn it. I am 23 damn it! Deny. Deny. Deny. So, there you have it folks. It was an adventure...to say the least. It was torturous and yet somehow delightful.

Copyright © 2009 Alyssa Polacsek, Lakota Films, LLC & Natural Child Blog

Foundations & Others

1990-12-09T20:14:00.001-05:00

I wrote these back in 7th & 8th grade.

Foundations
(Ring around the roses)
Mountains of the moon
Standing in the blue light

Shattering elaborate dreams
(Pockets full of posies)

Scarlet rains
Stain sidewalks and faces of our children
Wounded freedom etched by violence
(Ashes, ashes)

Memories kept in wooden boxes
Hitler punished the Jews
The city is the burial ground
Buildings are the coffins
The body of a mother,
A friend,
A stranger
Smile, I’ll smile back at you
(We all fall down)

Copyright © 2009 Alyssa Polacsek, Lakota Films, LLC & Natural Child Blog
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Crowds mingle
Whispering perspiration
Upon my skin
Glowing dew
Caress with fingertips
Traveling packs
Of men
Of women

Copyright © 2009 Alyssa Polacsek, Lakota Films, LLC & Natural Child Blog
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Take your time
With me
My mind (my heart)
Precious as a pearl
Fragile
Crystal
Breaks

Copyright © 2009 Alyssa Polacsek, Lakota Films, LLC & Natural Child Blog
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A mask to cover identity
And a smile is but a lie
There are lords and
There are creatures
We are all hidden in disguise

Copyright © 2009 Alyssa Polacsek, Lakota Films, LLC & Natural Child Blog
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Hold me tight if you dare so do
You know how I might reply on
Talents such as yours and mine?
Count the numbers one and two ‘til
Ten or twelve on
Full moon’s glow that’s bright and
Sharp like the eagles eye
Spots the mouse from the sky
Across the world
In a field I see a
Painting of you and I.

Copyright © 2009 Alyssa Polacsek, Lakota Films, LLC & Natural Child Blog
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Ghost in a sea of misery
Condemned to the life of tragedy
Illusions are all a fantasy
You’re a rebel of today’s society

Copyright © 2009 Alyssa Polacsek, Lakota Films, LLC & Natural Child Blog
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We have become loose leaf
Notebook paper scattered about
We are free to fly wherever we wish
Do not crumple loose leaf
Notebook paper and throw it away
For you are crumpling up
My mind and forcing me
To stay imprisoned

Copyright © 2009 Alyssa Polacsek, Lakota Films, LLC & Natural Child Blog

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Two beasts made love as children
Young and fresh as the dawn
The wet dew
Comes
From caressing night
Into day

Copyright © 2009 Alyssa Polacsek, Lakota Films, LLC & Natural Child Blog

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Our hands create our minds

Copyright © 2009 Alyssa Polacsek, Lakota Films, LLC & Natural Child Blog