This year goes to 11.

Happy New Year!

Perfect way to start my day: steaming cup of tea, just finished breakfast, cuddly cat in my lap, and Brother Ali on the stereo.


Transition
I just finished perusing Up trees a misspelled, awkward blog with some pretty pictures about a guy who's interviewing people in trees, one every day. I like his enthusiasm, his creativity and I bet the project is really fun. I got there from a blog I read about Transition.. I got *there* from a Transition Towns Training I attended in the fall. If you don't know what Transition is, it's my favorite approach to "environmentalism" I've seen yet. Everyone is invited and welcomed to a free-formed group of people interested in a vision of what their local community will look like in 20 years. The main issues are those of climate change and peak oil, but without any blame or doom-saying... the emphasis is on getting moving and doing the things you love and teaching those things to the people around you. So far so good. I'm meeting with the folks from the JP Transition Town Training next weekend, and I'm really excited!

2011 Intention
It's funny... I was about to say that I have a tradition of choosing an intention for the coming year. I checked back to look at January blog posts past only to find that this isn't true. I know I did once, way back in 2005, maybe?

This is hilarious, because the intention I chose for myself this year, is to follow-through! So, next year, you'll find a 2012 intention here and know that I succeeded. In my work, my school work, my relationships and my personal life, I want to make good on some of the big ideas I have.


Our House is Empty Again.

On December 20th our friend Lexi came to visit, and this started the great visit of 2010... with one day (the 22nd) excepted, we had guests until January 2nd! We are always delighted to see her, and it was even more delightful because she came with Boston's first snow of the year. We walked out to the new restaurant Canary Square in the snow. I was choked by sharp snow crystals, but couldn't help laughing despite the danger. It was a lovely evening together.

The next day, my sister arrived (12 hours late!) and headed out the next day for a round of visiting. Ivo, her husband arrived on the 23rd and then we all headed to my mom's place in East Providence. The 26th brought a huge blizzard and the Sprayberries! We spent the 27th watching Chelsea LOSE to Arsenal (1-3) and the rest of the time playing board games. Jessy and Ivo decided to skip New York because of the weather, so we had them with us when we headed to Westport for a quiet New Year's evening with Susanna and some friends. It was amazing; calm, cozy, and nourishing. If we spend all year doing what we do on New Years eve, then we're looking at a year full of great conversations, good food, and yes, more games. Jessy and Ivo left on the 2nd, and now we're back to work, back to real life. (Almost... my classes don't start until the 14th, so I am taking it a little easier than usual.)