Serendipity
Like I said, I would just follow where the wind takes me...man, did it take me to some unusual spots. Wednesday morning, I started driving down Valley Circle Blvd, passing the park, the Numero Uno, bike shop...nope, no strong calling to go there. Then, St. Bernadine Church was to my left and in slow motion, I pulled into the parking lot, it was morning recess and the kids were outside playing. I walked inside the church, knelt down, said a prayer, then sat there as if I was people watching. The church was filled with sunlight, and felt warm and comforting to be there. I read the bulletin and was surprised to find that the former priest and principal from my K-8 school were now there. This morning I researched St. Bernadine. Turns out he was a priest, preacher, writer and is the patron saint of communicating peace and love. Funny thing is, that's exactly what I prayed about - a family conflict which I think could be resolved if people just listened and didn't speak so negatively.
After church, I drove down Platt Blvd. and noticed a Spanish style mission to my right, across from West Hills hospital. It's called the Hidden Chateau & Gardens. I pulled into the lot just as a woman was opening up. To my surprise, it was a gallery. I walked around, found a lot of cute stuff I don't need, then started talking to Jill, the owner. Turns out the store used to be a horse stable for a silent movie actor whose larger estate is up the hill. Somehow we started talking about her plans for the place. She owns 2 acres next to the store and wants to build a performing arts theater and is looking into making it into a non-profit. Um, hello?? That's what I do! I gave her my info and we said we'd connect soon.
So, back in the car and nowhere I needed to be. Out of nowhere, I felt this urge to go back to my old h.s., Cleveland. I walked in, got a visitor pass and started walking around. Turns out Cleveland has a new dope media dept. The kids learn filmmaking, editing, producing, etc. They even have this program called TIME, a film exchange program. Last year, the kids traveled to Korea and did a documentary with h.s. students there. This year, they're going to Belize! I talked to 3 teachers about the possibility of teaching there one day and they suggested I talk to the assistant principal. The AP turned out to be Mr. Harry Ibach, my old photography teacher. I told him how I thought of him a few years ago, when I taught photography in Switzerland, but got a D in his class. He laughed, and said whenever I'm ready or close to finishing my credentials, to send my info over. Can this day get any weirder?
Does Superman running in front of you count? Yep, Superman!! I pulled into the TJ Maxx parking lot in Granada Hills and there he was, in all his blue and red glory, is Superman running across the parking lot! I wasn't sure whether to laugh or rub my eyes. I get out of the car, then notice a film crew and a guy 10 feet away. He looks like he's part of the group so I ask him what's going on. Turns out they're LA Film School students doing a commercial for Blockbuster (I seem to be having a lot of these, 'turns out' moments).
Found nothing at TJ Maxx. I was looking for a pair of cheap sneakers so I could take the train downtown and walk around. So much for making plans. Made me think of the quote, "If you want to make God laugh, make a plan." Since I was on that side of the Valley, I went to my all-time favorite place for strawberry shakes, Frosty Queen! It's been there since the 70s and the only place I order shakes. Yumm! I drive up White Oak Blvd. and remember it was my favorite street to ride a bike b/c the streets were wide and always had shade from the pine trees. I turn right on SF Blvd and head towards the cemetary to visit pops. I always look for this one tree near his plot, it's my landmark. I walk over and notice that his plaque is dirty so I go to my car and get the car washing bucket and sponge that I keep in my trunk. I wash it, but it's still not shiny. I look in the bucket and see ArmorAll wipes. Yes, I Armoralled my dad's plaque. I called my mom to tell her and she laughed.
I start driving up Balboa Blvd, passing Devonshire and think about Oak Park, the house I grew up in and regret that we sold. Just as I park across the street from my old house, the owner pulls into the driveway. I say fuck it, and I go up to the owner and introduce myself. We talk for about 20 minutes - how he and his wife got their masters degree, so they haven't done much to the house; his wife is a teacher and he works with sports teams; his daughter is 14 yrs old now; I tell him I used to sneak out the side sliding gate; he laughs and says thanks for the warning; he says they're really happy at Oak Park. Then, I give him my info and tell him if he ever plans to sell the house, to please call me. He says, we should have a bbq sometime soon and I say, 'Absolutely', then drive away. I've missed that house, everyday, the last 5 years. Especially now, that we can't find an affordable house. The feeling of regret has weighed really heavily on me, but, now, I think I have closure...
I'm back on Balboa Blvd and I remember that there's a Japanese Garden on Woodley and Burbank. I drive in, pay my $3 and am surprised by how beautiful and vast the place is. I start on the path and reach a fork in the road. What is this, I think to myself? Can this be any more cliche of a day? I take the road to the left and notice that unless I back-track or start from the beginning, I won't see what's on the road to the right. Ok, I get it, God. It's like the choices we make in our lives. I end up at the Tea House which overlooks the entire garden. It's so serene. Then I take the path up to this hut, then back down the same path. I'm not sure what this path represents, and by this time, I'm both openminded and cynical about the lesson I'm supposed to learn today. The path ends at a flight of stairs which lead you to the viewing tower. It's hard to articulate, the feeling of seeing the garden from the tea house, then from the tower, all I know is, the man who designed the garden was seriously zen, spiritual, one with God, something...If you ever go, go by yourself, it's a great place to meditate.
I end the evening by relaxing in the jacuzzi for 20 minutes, then lay on the lounge chair with a copy of Real Simple magazine and a bottle of water.
Shake $3.95
Japanese Garden $3
Real Simple $3.95
A day of serendipity...Priceless
After church, I drove down Platt Blvd. and noticed a Spanish style mission to my right, across from West Hills hospital. It's called the Hidden Chateau & Gardens. I pulled into the lot just as a woman was opening up. To my surprise, it was a gallery. I walked around, found a lot of cute stuff I don't need, then started talking to Jill, the owner. Turns out the store used to be a horse stable for a silent movie actor whose larger estate is up the hill. Somehow we started talking about her plans for the place. She owns 2 acres next to the store and wants to build a performing arts theater and is looking into making it into a non-profit. Um, hello?? That's what I do! I gave her my info and we said we'd connect soon.
So, back in the car and nowhere I needed to be. Out of nowhere, I felt this urge to go back to my old h.s., Cleveland. I walked in, got a visitor pass and started walking around. Turns out Cleveland has a new dope media dept. The kids learn filmmaking, editing, producing, etc. They even have this program called TIME, a film exchange program. Last year, the kids traveled to Korea and did a documentary with h.s. students there. This year, they're going to Belize! I talked to 3 teachers about the possibility of teaching there one day and they suggested I talk to the assistant principal. The AP turned out to be Mr. Harry Ibach, my old photography teacher. I told him how I thought of him a few years ago, when I taught photography in Switzerland, but got a D in his class. He laughed, and said whenever I'm ready or close to finishing my credentials, to send my info over. Can this day get any weirder?
Does Superman running in front of you count? Yep, Superman!! I pulled into the TJ Maxx parking lot in Granada Hills and there he was, in all his blue and red glory, is Superman running across the parking lot! I wasn't sure whether to laugh or rub my eyes. I get out of the car, then notice a film crew and a guy 10 feet away. He looks like he's part of the group so I ask him what's going on. Turns out they're LA Film School students doing a commercial for Blockbuster (I seem to be having a lot of these, 'turns out' moments).
Found nothing at TJ Maxx. I was looking for a pair of cheap sneakers so I could take the train downtown and walk around. So much for making plans. Made me think of the quote, "If you want to make God laugh, make a plan." Since I was on that side of the Valley, I went to my all-time favorite place for strawberry shakes, Frosty Queen! It's been there since the 70s and the only place I order shakes. Yumm! I drive up White Oak Blvd. and remember it was my favorite street to ride a bike b/c the streets were wide and always had shade from the pine trees. I turn right on SF Blvd and head towards the cemetary to visit pops. I always look for this one tree near his plot, it's my landmark. I walk over and notice that his plaque is dirty so I go to my car and get the car washing bucket and sponge that I keep in my trunk. I wash it, but it's still not shiny. I look in the bucket and see ArmorAll wipes. Yes, I Armoralled my dad's plaque. I called my mom to tell her and she laughed.
I start driving up Balboa Blvd, passing Devonshire and think about Oak Park, the house I grew up in and regret that we sold. Just as I park across the street from my old house, the owner pulls into the driveway. I say fuck it, and I go up to the owner and introduce myself. We talk for about 20 minutes - how he and his wife got their masters degree, so they haven't done much to the house; his wife is a teacher and he works with sports teams; his daughter is 14 yrs old now; I tell him I used to sneak out the side sliding gate; he laughs and says thanks for the warning; he says they're really happy at Oak Park. Then, I give him my info and tell him if he ever plans to sell the house, to please call me. He says, we should have a bbq sometime soon and I say, 'Absolutely', then drive away. I've missed that house, everyday, the last 5 years. Especially now, that we can't find an affordable house. The feeling of regret has weighed really heavily on me, but, now, I think I have closure...
I'm back on Balboa Blvd and I remember that there's a Japanese Garden on Woodley and Burbank. I drive in, pay my $3 and am surprised by how beautiful and vast the place is. I start on the path and reach a fork in the road. What is this, I think to myself? Can this be any more cliche of a day? I take the road to the left and notice that unless I back-track or start from the beginning, I won't see what's on the road to the right. Ok, I get it, God. It's like the choices we make in our lives. I end up at the Tea House which overlooks the entire garden. It's so serene. Then I take the path up to this hut, then back down the same path. I'm not sure what this path represents, and by this time, I'm both openminded and cynical about the lesson I'm supposed to learn today. The path ends at a flight of stairs which lead you to the viewing tower. It's hard to articulate, the feeling of seeing the garden from the tea house, then from the tower, all I know is, the man who designed the garden was seriously zen, spiritual, one with God, something...If you ever go, go by yourself, it's a great place to meditate.
I end the evening by relaxing in the jacuzzi for 20 minutes, then lay on the lounge chair with a copy of Real Simple magazine and a bottle of water.
Shake $3.95
Japanese Garden $3
Real Simple $3.95
A day of serendipity...Priceless