Just Another Day in My Neck O' the Woods

© 2005 Annabelle A. Udo

Chevron Gas Prices o' the Day (19th Avenue)
$2.97
$3.07
$3.17

The neighbor downstairs seems to arrive home every night as if stumbling drunk or just merely pissed off at the world. Under my feet I can feel the angst of his day--of heavy objects being bumped into and moved across the hardwood floors, the toilet seat being slammed up then slammed down, the clacking of pans being rifled through. He is a one-man chaotic band. At one time, the previous neighbor's dog would only bark when its owner had someone to make love to. . .these days, it's all about the emotions of an anonymous bachelor that rumble beneath me. Meanwhile, outside and into my window, pizza and pho create an undigestable aroma that intensifies as it gets closer to midnight. I burn incense to extinguish the smell of this culinary culture clash and I go to sleep. . .and I drift. . .into Tibetan clouds, into the red dust of a New Mexican dawn and into the blue moon of a twilight stroll. The unrecognizable sun arrives and sulks through the dismal fog of another San Francisco day. The early morning bagpipe player wails in the distance. I am tired and await tomorrow by the fire, blowing on the wood beneath its flame

In the Mood for Love

© 2005 Annabelle A. Udo

Chevron Gas Prices o' the Day (19th Avenue)
$2.97
$3.07
$3.17

There are times when the phone doesn't ring and all is silent. The moon is covered by midnight clouds and the air is humid and still. In the distance are the lapping waves of the distant ocean as if the sound of a kitten drinking milk from its dish. And I am alone. Alone in my own contemplation and wonder of this confusing and scraping world in which we live.

In my compartment of thoughts I dream and sing and dance in much the same pattern as when I was born--with flowers springing from the ground with each step and butterflies fluttering with each exhalation I breathed. Today, it all seemed different--thinking there were little reminders of this joy. But as I walked along the world today from the bathroom to my workstation, I realized at that very moment it will never happen again. That very stroll could not be replicated even if I were to follow the same cadence, the same breath, the same sway--it could not happen in the exact same manner because for every second the saying is true that "one cannot step in the same river twice."

So, in that one episode of my life it all came together--that we only have one chance and one shot at it all. And if we are given only 100 years to live as earthly beings on this planet, in this universe, amidst these cosmos with Heaven only another stratosphere away, then I want to be here Now, not later or in my past. It's all a continuum with footsteps of my own, following only the rhythm of time and space--doing all things with great passion, deep humility, without ego, with good intentions and a beautiful glass of wine.

House of Spines

© 2005 Annabelle A. Udo

Chevron Gas Prices o' the Day (19th Avenue)
$2.97
$3.07
$3.17

The library has a welcome mat all its own--you can walk in there stinkin' drunk or if it's Laundry Day you can disrobe your identity as fashion maven and unashamedly wear sweats and flip-flops.

The library redefines the phrase "public space"--I mean, the bathroom signage even has to let you know that the sinks are not for bathing. There's always a dismal line at the overdue fees counter and the security guards are ready to pounce on anyone with a book that sets off the alarm. There's always the snoring homeless guy in the International section who you could swear is an old professor of yours because you recognize the suit he's wearing. The lobbies are constantly full of pedestrians hurriedly crossing each other's paths as if at Grand Central station rushing to catch their train or to purchase a ticket. Yea, it's a busy place. I would hate to work there just as much as the people who work there hate working there.

Nevertheless, I do have fond memories of the ol' bookmobile back in the day rumbling up by the schoolyard. One of my favorite books was called "The Big Jump." At one point, I thought I wouldn't have to return the book because the bookmobile stopped arriving at my school. Of course, the bookmobile was part of some biblio-network and much to my dismay of thinking I would not be keeping the book, my parents received an overdue notice. Lady Luck was upon me as it turned out that the fine was equal to the cost of the book and my parents decided to purchase the book for me. So, eventually, things all worked out in the end. .. and I still have "The Big Jump" in my collection of childhood memorabilia. . AND, today, gas prices are "down" by 2 cents.

A Worldly Citizen

© 2005 Annabelle A. Udo

Chevron Gas Prices o' the Day (19th Avenue)
$2.99
$3.09
$3.19

I have been waking up with feelings that I'm in another country living the life as a woman with a different ethnicity and another language on my tongue. My urge strengthens as I search for the arched window with silken curtains that opens out to the view of a densely populated town by the sea. . .and I inhale the deep aroma of the darkest grinds of coffee here on earth. I stretch as if wearing a long, white, transparent gown and my swollen breasts become noticeable in the dim light of the morning.

Slowly I turn my head towards the mirror and I see who I am today--a sister to my siblings, a daughter to my father and mother, a neighbor to the gentleman and his dog, a friend to my childhood classmate, a stranger to the passersby on the street.

My soul seems to be transient--hopping from one land to the next--sitting by fires flickering in the desert night or bathing in the rain during the light of day.

It is here where I can rest. . .be myself--without the pollution of speeding cars or the grumblings of somebody else's judgment.

Here I am--a place for me to be in solitude. The riddle of my life is that I can belong when I'm everywhere but nowhere can I be found in just one place.

APOP Hawaiian Cultural Center: Keeping the Ancients Alive

© 2005 Annabelle A. Udo
(published in "AsianWeek" for August 18, 2005)


Photo by Annabelle A. Udo

Chevron Gas Prices o' the Day (19th Avenue)
$2.99
$3.09
$3.19

The Aloha Pumehana ‘O Polynesia (APOP) Hawaiian Cultural Center nestles itself in a quiet South San Francisco residential neighborhood. It is a home away from home bejeweled with tapestries that honor the ancestral spirit of Hawai’i.

Established in 1994, it is the first Hawaiian dance company in the United States to own the land and studio in which they study and practice, bringing the Hawaiian experience to the Bay Area and making its commitment to preserve Hawaiian culture and traditions through education and performance. The center offers an array of public classes including lei making, hula, ukekele, how to make natural dyes, as well as courses on Hawai’i’s history, geography, and language through mele (chant) or oli (song). Under the direction of kumu hula (hula master), Kāwika Alfiche, the school has more than 100 students ranging in age from 5 to 75.

“To us, hula is not just a physical dance aspect, it’s a religious aspect,” says Alfiche. “It’s also getting your hands dirty by growing the plants from which we create the implements that we have to wear and use in performances. It’s all-encompassing—it’s emotional, physical, and it’s spiritual.” Alfiche, who has studied under an extensive lineage of Hawaiian hula masters, gives credit to his late teachers, Kumu Ray Kahikilaulani Fonseca, Uncle George Lanakila Keikiahiali’i Naope, and Auntie Harriet Spaulding.

Alfiche found a need to create a community resource center to fill the cultural void for Hawaiians living on the mainland. Given the dwindling native Hawaiian population, he feels the importance of preserving the traditions integral to the perpetuation of Hawaiian culture.

“Up until 1970, it was illegal to teach Hawaiian language so we couldn’t even teach it in schools,” he said. “At that time, there were only 5,000 native speakers, hula was banned for close to 100 years and it wasn’t allowed to be done publicly. What we are left with today is what is remembered and what can be passed on.”

However, Alfiche has observed a shift of interest with the younger generation who are now revisiting the cultural traditions of their kupuna (elders) who have long been the caretakers of knowledge. He commented, “The kupuna are dying quickly and they are the ones with the true stories. The weight falls on this generation to find out the answers before the stories become extinct.”

Alfiche and Halau ‘O Keikiali’i, his troupe at the APOP Hawaiian Cultural Center, continue to supply their audiences with an inexhaustible amount of dance and music performances. Their recent piece at the 27th San Francisco Ethnic Dance Festival this year at the Palace of Fine Arts, featured a hula written originally as a prayer for Hawaii's seventh ruler, King David Kalākaua, as he set out on his journey to circumvent the globe. King Kalākaua, who was best remembered for restoring Hawaiian culture and going against the missionaries who had banned hula and other Hawaiian traditions, never made it back to his native Hawai’i. He spent his last days in San Francisco and passed away in 1891.

The essence of the hula performed by Halau O’ Keikiali’i is filled with ancient chants and movements passed from one generation to another. The storylines evoke the naturalistic experience of the islands’ lush terrain while also honoring significant deities, leaders and ancestral places that are a vital part of Hawai’i's history. The text of the songs often have an additional layered meaning, which is believed to be prophetic codes of conduct to guide generations to understand cultural etiquette. For more information about the Aloha Pumehana ‘O Polynesia (APOP) Hawaiian Cultural Center, call 650.588.1051 or visit www.apop.net.

KALEO CAFE
In June 2000, Alfiche and Ulysses Kia`i Maurille, opened the Kaleo Café, located at 1340 Irving Street in the Sunset District. Joined with partners, JR Tarape, Kimo Rosenbaum, Ryan David, Mit Kamana`o Maurille & Artemis C. Maurille, the cafe was just another avenue of bringing a Hawaiian presence to the Bay Area. Its name, "Kaleo", roughly translates in Hawaiian as a "saying or expression"; or, as two separate words, "ka" "leo", literally means "the voice." A deeper meaning of “kaleo”, is the exchange of "leo" (voice) with close friends and family. For more information about the Kaleo Café’s Friday “Cafeoke” (karaoke) nights, live entertainment, poetry/literary events, and ukele lessons. For more information about the Kaleo Café, please call 415.753.2460 visit www.kaleocafe.com.

“NĀLEI” CD INFORMATION

“Nālei” is a beautiful collection of original Hawaiian music arranged and composed by Kāwika Alfiche. Featured on this 14-track compilation are “E Pā Mai Ka Makani” (“Gentle Breezes Blow My Way”) and “Hōkūlani” (“Starlit Heavens”) which are expected to hit the airwaves this year in Hawai’i and on the mainland. Characteristic of traditional Hawaiian style instrumentation, “Nālei” revisits the breadth of the ukulele, ipu heke (gourd drum), `ili`ili (river stones), Pahu (shark skin drum), and Kiho`alu (slack key guitar). In addition to the Kawika’s are (Bassist) Steve Espaniola; (Guest Vocalists) Jiana Alfiche and Kalei Alonzo; (Keyboardist) Mit Kamana`o Maurille; (Tahitian Banjoist) Kale Ancheta; and Hālau chants by Hālau 'O Keikiali'i. Online CD orders can be made by visting www.kawikaalfiche.com

Vertiginous Moments

CHEVRON MARQUEE,
originally uploaded by Salon de The.

© 2005 Annabelle A. Udo

Chevron Gas Prices o' the Day (19th Avenue)
$3.03
$3.13
$3.23

All the things that remind me of San Francisco are disappearing fast," says the character Gavin Elster in the 1958 Hitchcock film "Vertigo." Today, I say the same as the wafting smell of my neighbor's stale cigarette burns through my fresh morning air and the gibberish screams of the homeless woman with beef jerky skin pierces through my Sunday morning silence. These days, congestion is due to the freeways and not nasal passageways. The anonymous tides of a new population arrive in a City that once had charm and not snobbery. All the women look like Dido, all the homes are catalog showrooms, all the lounges and restaurants are chic, and people with body piercings and tattoos on the outside are really yuppies on the inside.

I meditate:
Let us reflect on a bright sunny day with the vivid colors of fresh laundry,
Let us read the foggy penmanship that is San Francisco's signature on the document of Life,
Let us take a walk with our shadows along the labyrinth of Time,
and let us talk to the rainbow that carries the beads of the sun and the rain.
Oh, amidst this massive movement of mayhem, we have always known that the beauty of San Francisco will never depart!

I wish I were in Mayberry

© 2005 Annabelle A. Udo

Chevron Gas Prices o' the Day (19th Avenue)
$2.99
$3.09
$3.19

In the late '70s, my father used to journal gas prices in a generic notebook that he wrapped neatly with a heavy duty paper grocery bag. Part of his "Fuel Chronicles" included a faded newspaper clipping hanging in the garage with a headline that says "Gas prices expected to hit $1." That week, people lined up at the stations as if there was a shortage, but the thought of $1 for a gallon of gas at that time was outrageous.

In the early '80s, I fondly remember when gas was 89 cents a gallon--and that was for Super Unleaded. Gas prices weren't on our minds--just having gas in the tank was all we needed so we can cruise down the avenue--back and forth, back and forth, until our tanks were almost empty. If 4 people pitched in $1 you could fill the rest of your tank and even have a few dollars left to get some fries at the late-night drive-thru.

Back in the day, we had the luxury of being a driving culture, not necessarily out of necessity, but because gas was secondary and it was all about driving and having fun.

Now, as I open my window and the framed view of San Francisco is no longer of interest to me--living in the City seems as if it's all about survival. It seems that the gas price fairy came in the night and added 2 cents to the Chevron marquee.