 In this episode I talk about Claudia and the Phantom Phone Calls. I just realized that I have been calling this book, Claudia and the Phantom Caller my whole life! In fact when I recorded the podcast, that's what I said! Eek, sorry for the confusion. Also this was the first time I tried using a field recorder to record the podcast. Sorry if the sound is a bit low. I am constantly learning how this podcast thing works. Thank you to everyone who's listened to the podcast. I'll be reading "The Truth About Stacey" next. Send in your questions and comments to [email protected]. Tell me your thoughts on the book or any other BSC questions and comments at [email protected].
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In 2010 I ran/walked 13.1 miles in the inaugural Los Angeles Rock and Roll marathon. I trained with the American Heart Association since their fundraising goal ($500) was doable in my eyes. Training would be held on Saturday mornings at Griffith Park. Our group would gather and it was a wide range of folks. Young kids, older folks, ladies that looked like titas, and me.
We all had our reasons for being there. Mine was to cross off doing a marathon from my bucket list while also raising money for an organization that worked to fight heart diseases like the stroke my mom suffered from when I was in college. I thought that if I did a half marathon I could build up to a full marathon. Ultimately I learned that marathon running was not for me. Finishing that race was my accomplishment. I did those hilly 13.1 miles and no one can take that away from me. When we would train at Griffith Park, one of the older ladies caught up with me and saw me struggling. She struck up a conversation with me as were walking the path. I learned she had been training with American Heart Association for years. She enjoyed challenging herself. As she spoke to me I would see folks in our training group pass us. My frustration at being lapped was obvious. The woman paused and told me, "You know what helps me is to remember that a marathon is a race against yourself. You are where you are supposed to be." We walked silently next to each other. I let her words resonate. Perhaps it is the Virgo, type A in me, I am one who likes to accomplish goals and it is hard for me to take a step back to enjoy the journey. For most of my life I have always looked forward, looked towards the next big thing, the next big event that I need to tackle. Reflecting on my place in life is not something I normally do. Summer brought on several transitions. I said goodbye to a very dear friend who's passing reminded me to keep in touch with folks who matter to me. I've made efforts to connect with folks and to not get caught up with being busy. Being busy made took me away from writing and from recording the podcast. Being busy distracted me from the things that matter, things that keep life less stressful. January may be the start of the calendar year, but Fall always feels like the start of a new year. Recently those words have resonated with me again. "You are where you are supposed to be." It feels like I have been trying to shoehorn my way into situations and for once I am going to listen to those words. I am where I am supposed to be. Self care and intentional choices are at the forefront of this life. I am where I'm supposed to be and I will be where I need to be in the future. This Virgo mind is going to try to calm itself and enjoy the journey. Music is a big part of my life. When I was young I would sit next to my boombox and diligently try to figure out the lyrics of songs, writing them in a notebook. I can recall the slow process of listening, hitting pause, writing the words down, rewinding a few seconds, then starting the process all over again. This is what you had to do if a cd or cassette tape didn't come with lyrics. This is what you had to do if you really wanted to master a song. Last month Mike and I were asked to participate in a collaborative project that revolves around "The Songs We Carry." The project is by The Music Center, Super Astig, Search to Involve Pilipino Americans (SIPA). The final product is Pop-Ups! A pop up museum located at The Music Center. The process started as a writing group. We gathered at SIPA with old and new friends. Listened to songs we have chosen and began writing responses to prompts. These notes became the base for the stories and poems we would later record. It reminded me of an old tumblr I did, My Life In Five Songs. I asked folks to give me five songs and what they meant to them. When I was working on 'The Songs We Carry' I went back to my own 'My Life In Five Songs' and picked one that resonated with me the most, Sonic Youth's Superstar.  On Saturday, October 11th at The Music Center, come check out Pop-Ups! The Pop Up Museum will have stories and poems by several folks about songs that they have chosen. The songs that they carry with them in their own lives. What did I write about Superstar? You'll have to come down and check it out! Do you have a song that you carry with you? What does it mean to you? Share your own story by submitting your song on The Songs We Carry tumblr!
Hope to see you at Pop-Ups this weekend friends! 
See you all at Grand Park for FPAC this weekend! Mike is deejaying the spoken word slam, so we'll be there in the afternoon! Follow me on tumblr (http://obliviousnerdgirl.tumblr.com) for updates! Metro Purple/Red Civic Center stop leads you right into the festival! |
#ColorYourTroublesAway Organizer of coloring events in Los Angeles|#TFAL#TFALpodcast This Filipino American Life podcast @tfalpodcast|Writer of ObliviousnessFollow me on instagram (@obliviousnerdgrl) for daily obliviousness and teaser sheets for Color Your Troubles Away! Archives
July 2017
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