Lace Up

Excuse me for my absence. It's been almost two months....woah...time flies. Autumn has finally given away to the chill of Old Man Winter. I'm actually looking forward to it, especially the snow. It'll be nice to hit the slopes in evenings. While the winter brings glad tidings, the shelter is buckling down to accommodate the masses. Tonight will be the first of our warming center hours where we are open all night. The Emergency Sleeping Program runs year round upstairs; however, we open our main floor to men who can't get a bed when the temp drops below 20F. Should be interesting to see how it runs.

Oh, since I mentioned running...I'm addicted. I ran 10 miles last week, the longest I've ever gone in my 22 years on Earth. I ran my first 5k this morning in 20:57. I can't stop! I recently finished the book Born to Run which was a huge inspiration to get out on the road. I feel that it is affecting other areas in my life in that I have this renewed energy to be progressive and motivated. I've been doing runs every week with the Flying Irish running club in downtown Spokane. I've put together a proposal for a program called Run to Overcome at the House of Charity. If approved, the program will aim to improve the mental and physical well-being of homeless individuals while attempting to instill constructive skills to overcome unhealthy behaviors/lifestyles.

It was been a busy time of year, but it's all good stuff. Long hours at the shelter are a bit tiring but the steady flow of exercise is keeping me chipper. My housemates and I have really blended well. It am recognizing more and more how valuable to this experience and how lucky we all are that it is working out so well. A few of them like to run and all of them enjoy a good dinner and libation! Yet, because relationships have grown out here, they have not filled the void of friends and family back home. I continue to miss all of you, but am settling with the disconnect. I can't tell you how much I look forward to coming home at Christmas! Jubilation is well over due.

While it seems to be a ways off, I've started to take steps in preparation for next fall. I'll be taking the GRE just before I come home in December. I'm thinking I'll apply to a few programs - UNH M.S in Kinesiology and Fordham for an M.A in Ethics & Society (to name a couple). My interests are a bit broad, as I'm torn between pursuing exercise science/environmental or a more philosophical path in ethics and moral theology. It'll be a lot of work but it's quite exciting. I'm dying to get back into the atmosphere of academia.

I do feel that I have learned much during my 3+ months in Spokane. I have been able to put life skills into practice at the shelter, and am content that I can introduce new ideas to the position. Folks are trying to convince me to stay a second year, but I know I belong back in New England for the time being.

Snowfall is much anticipated...Mother Nature, please overfloweth...

Leaves Fall

Fall has officially arrived, and the crisp Autumn air fights to take over as Summer's last gasp to linger in the year prevails. The sun sets brilliantly, displaying a fantastic encore of orange and red hues on the canvas of the city before it rises on another part of the globe. Leaves have begun to fall. Their crunch beneath my tires brings me back to Fall days in the yard among the canopy of the old maple. I expect the arboreal color change but it is slow to come. I guess one could say the sound of this season is one of settling, as memories of past New England falls have kept me dreaming, and as my emotions have calmed since coming here in late summer. I am becoming ever more grounded in this place, for I know it is the reality that I chose and one that I am
accepting.

Last week I went to talk with Freshman students at Gonzaga. I sat in the front of the classroom waiting for the Q&A session to start. We were delayed by the sounding of bells. That sound, a sound that rings, that rang for four years at Saint Anselm, making me aware of the time, and of Benedictine monastic tradition. It brought a smile to my face, knowing that I had actually graduated out of academia for the time being. I guess it was neat to contribute, little as it was, to a new college community. I hope to continue to do so - it keeps me intellectually sharp! [insert laughter].

As far as soccer goes, there has been a slight change of plans. We didn't get a chance to enter intramurals at GU, so I've joined a Men's Open league in Spokane. It has been pretty fun, not too serious but just enough. Aside from soccer, I've been running quite a bit. It's become a release to life's chains, in any form. I used to hate running, because it came in the form of punishment in sport, mainly in high school. Now I can run when I want, at my own pace, with no restriction. And who would have thought, I actually enjoy it. Funny how psychology can be so telling.

I have finally finished Michael Pollan's Second Nature. It was a fantastic read, and really gets me thinking about gardening when I get my own place. I never knew how much the idea of a garden can extend to one's relationship and outlook on the natural world, and the high level of understanding that is the result. Pollan's vocabulary was expert to say the least, and slowed me down here and there. Nonetheless, his ability to incorporate subtle humor with legitimate insight and wisdom from growth as a gardener was both clever and learned.

Thoughts have been gathering in my mind as to best go about writing my experience at the House of Charity. I feel that it may become dialectic, in that I may write and then comment on that piece or respond to it in some way as the year progresses. My first will come soon, just not now. There is a lot to say, but I don't want to get caught rambling. I'd like to do both of us justice and be clear and to the point, sort of a premeditated meditation on the subject.


I had the chance of checking out an indie-rock band out of Portland called The Thermals. They played at a small venue, similar to the Great Scott in Allston (for those who are familiar). The prelude to their performance was a brand new band by the name of the Young Professionals. This was their first live show ever, which didn't seem to be the case. They gave off impressions of Cake and The Temper Trap, embracing a wide range of melody, while doing their best to highlight all musical aspects they had in their arsenal. The drums really did it for me though. I wish I could share, but they aren't online yet. They are Spokane locals, not to be confused with another band out of Florida. I will be sure to keep my eye and ear out for them in the future.

So long for now. Sufjan Steven's new LP is streaming below on NPR. Happy listening!

http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=130049247

Peace and Love

Natural Lyric

The season is changing. What started as a string of brilliant, dry summer days has given way to the reality of Mother Nature - clouds have been lingering, the mornings are darker, and rain has been falling more often. The moisture is a relief for the land, but a wake-up for my senses and humanity. Traveling to the Twisp river in North Central Washington (about 4 hours from Spokane) for some camping last weekend did just that. It re-awakened my senses, breathing fresh air away from the city and seeing the intimidating peaks of the North Cascade Range. We camped at 4,1oo feet near Black Pine Lake, 8 miles into the wilderness on gravel road. Given the elevation and seclusion, it got pretty chilly when the sun set behind the mountains to the north. I expected it to be crowded, but I did not realize how far we were going to be from the road. It turned out to be very mellow, as it should be. We spent our days exploring the surrounding area, building fires and stargazing. We were able to go for a leisurely hike up War Creek trail which bisects two
pockets of mountains in the range. It eventually turns and climbs in elevation, reaching Juanita Lake, about 6,000 ft. above sea level. I desired to make it there, but we decided to traverse only a third of the 9.3 mile trail. A few passing showers greeted us on our return, looking like a blanket of water gently covering the acres of pine along the mountainsides.

Back in Spokane now, looking forward to the upcoming GU intramural soccer season. A couple of my housemates and I rode into town last night to see a band by the name of Japandroid. The venue had pretty poor sound quality but the two person band threw out a lot of sound. The were synchronized and tight, but lacked in lyrical creativity. Nonetheless, it was good to see some live music again.

Give "Djohariah" off Sufjan Stevens' new EP All The Delighted People a listen. It is a 17 minute jam that rolls over and over, giving off tones of Pink Floyd and even Edward Sharpe near minute 10. The song returns to the normal Sufjan sound, producing a spontaneous calming that grasps your subconscious. Three minutes of this gives way to an electronic addition, reminiscent of a slow moving Postal Service track. Just processing the massive audio dynamic of the tune is a project in itself. "Djohariah" needs to be listened to again to soak in the lyrical impact.

Allez

I woke up this morning feeling a bit tired from a softball game played at the local park just yards away from the JV house. It was the first time I had played since baseball at Saint Bernard's in 2006. I thought I had lost my glove before going to college, but found it in the basement days before heading out West. It felt great to get back into the swing of a sport that defined my entire childhood. I was surprised that the memories and old skill of playing baseball came back so easily, something that people generally referred to as 'like riding a bike'. Speaking of bicycles, I have been riding to work everyday on a mountain bike. It's a beast compared to my road bike at home, but it does its job. Feeling a bit of nostalgia from days on the Allez, I sought out to get my hands on a used roadster to putt around the city on. I hadn't had any luck on craigslist, and was tight on other options. Then, a few days ago, I met a dude at a bar who rode up on a bike that grabbed my eye. I asked him where he had acquired it, and then found out that he was selling another of similar style. We made a deal and the rest is history. A French frame, something that I will definitely take back East when my time here is done.

So, with a dependable set of wheels underneath my feet, and a city that continues to produce gems, whether a cool bar, eatery or park, I am becoming more comfortable as the days progress. I continue to meet new faces and gain more knowledge of my surroundings, both culturally and geographically. I cannot write that I am comfortable at my placement, considering our understanding of the word. I can say that I feel more accepted, as I get to know the ins and outs of the House of Charity, and as I become more familiar with the many clients who come through the doors. The nature of the position doesn't allow one to be comfortable, as every day is different. There are highs and lows, defined by my mood of the day, and of the happenings at the shelter. It has only been two weeks, yet it seems like it has been much longer. That attitude may change when four new AmeriCorps volunteers begin on Wednesday. It will be a regression back into training, back to square one in a sense. I am fortunate that I got a head start so that things may come a tad easier. Who really knows though until it happens.

Besides getting out on the bike, I haven't had much time to explore the natural world outside of the city. Myself and another JV traveled to Riverside State Park last Sunday to scope out possible hiking trails. I never did make it up Mt. Spokane or her neighbor Mt. Kit Carson to the East, as I felt company necessary for the virgin ascent of a new peak. My housemates and I do have plans to go camping on Labor Day weekend, either to Northern Idaho or North Central Washington.

Entertainment has been consistent. I am reading Second Nature by Michael Pollan, author of The Botany of Desire. It is quite good so far, a necessary read for the gardening enthusiast and conscious stewards of the environment. I have been searching out opportunities to go see live music, but most is in Portland and/or Seattle. Arcade Fire's new album The Suburbs has been on repeat, followed close by The Black Keys Brothers. Any fans of alternative and blues rock will enjoy. Consider giving them a listen. Also, a fun tune off of Ra Ra Riot's latest release The Orchard is "Massachusetts", reminiscent of Cape Cod lovers Vampire Weekend. It is a nice reminder of beach days and sailing in the sunfish during the warm summer months. It might be a bit poppy for some, but keeping an open mind, one will find him/herself involuntary taping foot and finger.

It is strange not going back to college, highlighted by the many move-ins by GU students in the neighborhood. Though different it may be, I am very happy to be here, experiencing a true change of pace. I do miss New England and the brilliant Fall season that is soon to come. Know that you are all on my mind, and know that your attention to this is reassuring.

Be Well.

from Spokane

I have arrived in Spokane, WA and have settled in at the house. Orientation last week was held at Camp Adams, 45 minutes south of Portland. Being pretty tired from travel added to the jam packed week that began by meeting a bunch of new JVs and those that I had been in contact with prior to coming to the Northwest. Last week was great though. Got to play some soccer, swam under the stars and became comfortable with those around me. I start work at the House of Charity on Wednesday (8/11). I've been learning more about my duties, which sound both intriguing and challenging.

For those of you familiar with Worcester, Spokane is a lot like it. The city has been doing a bit of renovating, so it's a pretty nice place. My roommates and I are planning to kayak and hike over the next few weeks. I'm still a bit new to this situation, so forgive me for being sporadic and/or vague. More to come.

Kevin

Prologue

Hello All,

I'll be posting on this site throughout the year, hopefully every week. Starting in mid August, I will use this to fill everyone in on what's going on out West and how things are going. It's difficult to explain what I will actually be writing, but it will come. Please share any comments, advice, likes or dislikes about what you read, I'm looking forward to it.

Mahalo