Get Happy

I recommend The Happiness Hypothesis: Finding Modern Truth in Ancient Wisdom by Jonathan Haidt. I read the first chapter a couple of years ago and then let it sit on the shelf, but the first chapter is not the best chapter. When I resumed my read after the long hiatus, I was impressed by the careful attention Haidt pays to a range of pcychological studies that address various aspects of happiness and fulfillment. This book is part of the larger movement called Positive Psychology, "founded on the belief that people want to lead meaningful and fulfilling lives, to cultivate what is best within themselves, and to enhance their experiences in love, work and play." A little positivity can probably do a lot of good.

It's Been a Year

It's time to start writing again. This year has been full of many things. Travels, music and people. More later, as I think I'll go to church this morning and perhaps to a Cajun music and dance event this afternoon. I'm recovering from a goulish night.

Leaves!

Through the gray skies and rain, Portland does have a good showing of fall colors. Here are some nice ones near my neighborhood. I especially like the leaves on the ground. Teddy Roosevelt definitely belongs on a horse amid the trees.

I went to the ocean

I've lived within 100 miles of the ocean my whole life, but rarely visit, and when I do, I'm delighted. Last weekend, I went to Cape Lookout State Park near Tillamook, OR. I stayed in a yurt and listened to the rain on the roof while eating camp food, playing board games and reading. The yurts are small cylindrical houses, about 15 feet in diameter with conical roofs and skylights at the top. They have lights and heaters, so it's winter camping in luxury. I recommend them.
In the morning, we set off for a muddy, misty hike toward Cape Lookout point. Walking along the edge of a tiny peninsula, we got great views of the coast from many directions. This might have been easier in summer, but I liked the fog. Oregon wilderness always feels a bit prehistoric to me, with all the ferns and moss.
What's with sea foam? I don't think I've ever seen sea foam like this.
We did not forget the Tillamook cheese, and stopped at Blue Heron wine and cheese, where they have a pretty good petting zoo and even have an emu.

Congratulations on your new president!

We did it! And we were not thwarted by the electoral system this time. Now we just have to wait until January to see what this man can do.

This was a good election in so many respects. A few downsides from my view are Gordon Smith beating out Jeff Merkley for senate (Oregon), and the passing of California's Prop 8, reinstating a ban on gay marriage.

Nevertheless, there is much to celebrate, including great results on the Oregon statewide ballot measures. Of particular interest, we voted in opposition of a "top two" open primary system in the state. This is an interesting concept that seems like a chance to get candidates who better represent that voters into the general election. But, it would actually cause parties to split votes among a slew of candidates in the primary, potentially advancing only candidates that are supported by a unified minority. Two general elections is not good for minor party candidates, or major party candidates either. So, good job, Oregonians, on voting that down.

I'm also impressed to see that school bonds passed in many places, demonstrating voters' commitment to education and children even during an economic disaster.

Voter registration and turnout was great, so I hope that continues for near-future elections.

My classic CDs

We all must go through the cycle of buying new CDs, listening to them religiously for a while, and then forgetting about them when other new music replaces them. This weekend, I decided to go back to not just my all time favorites, but a broader sample. I flipped randomly to a page of my CD holder and made myself choose one of the 8 CDs that appeared (pretty lenient anyway). I ended up listening to Mark O'Connor "Heroes", the Macalester College orchestra playing Vivaldi, and Gaelic Storm "Tree".

Heroes was a favorite of mine at one point in large part because of the concept-- the whole CD is fiddle duos with Mark O'Connor and another fiddler who inspired him. That means a good range of styles on one disk. There's Texas Swing, some Bluegrass, and even some Indian music. And, man are those good fiddlers!

The Mac orchestra is a bit sloppy at times, but it's good to reminisce. Plus, I love listening to the Four Seasons.

Gaelic Storm's CD was my favorite of the three. I love the songs. I want to sing along and learn to play the fiddle parts. This is the band from the lower decks in the movie Titanic. They are a good trad/non trad Irish band and have some funny songs and pretty songs in this collection. Nice percussion, vocals and fiddle.

Halloween!

Halloween used to be a big production, with months of forethought. My mom sewed multiple costumes for me, which were frequently used for several years. One year, she made me a Wendy dress out of an old sheet, and I went with my neighbors Peter Pan, Captain Hook and Tinkerbell.

I miss trick or treating, and I miss dressing up. My neighborhood doesn't have enough kids for me to stay home with a bowl of candy either.

This year, I discovered something fun to do: Trick or Vote. With Halloween just four days before the big election, Portland (and 50 other cities in 40 states) are doing a fun get out the vote campaign. I get to go door to door in costume, but this time, I'm asking for a pledge from people that they will vote their whole ballot and get it in by the deadline. There are a lot of important issues on the ballot in addition to the president, so we hope to encourage people to look at all the candidates and measures. It's nonpartisan, which makes it easier to reach out to everyone.

After much deliberation, I finally settled on dressing as Beethoven because my hair is just right for it. I've compiled a black coat, white tights, short pants, a white frilly shirt, and a red scarf.