Intro

Welcome to a story, or stories I should say. A compilation of adventure tales. An ongoing itch to see, smell, and touch the world, or at least the deserted roads and rarely trampled mountains of America. Characters within the descriptive paragraphs of these stories carve out the coming and going companions in life; vital life people and pieces that parallel a universe for moments, days, years. And then spear off, leaving granules of magnificent memories of magical places. They leave a lasting trace, a gained sense of courage to stand tall on oxygen deprived mountains and shout absurdities like: I love you Ralph! Ralph is a teenage reindeer stuffed of the finest synthetic polyester fiber poof; he says made in Indonesia but really tells me he is from the North Pole. Delivered through a chimney one December night 20 years ago, we instantly became cuddle buddies upon that morning's sunrise. He is the instigator. The inspiration. And the imagination. He breathes creativity. Laughter. His is a dear companion. And yes, at 4lbs he tags along atop a pack or strapped to a rack. In delirium of 107 degree heat, the small possession of material belongings gain a persona. Innate objects become friends of the road and trails. And as for the humans who accompany, their presence reads priceless. Without O'Reilly, a 29 year old New Hampshirian with superior taste buds, the mathematical six foot four inch tall German, or handful of organic peanut butter and 99 cent jam eating munchkins, there would be a lot less excitement. The encounters we make with our specie, encapsulating the world with their awkward ways and over consumerist love, somehow we have managed to become overly adored creatures. Their generous hearts restore a faith that goodness prevails in the upheaval of a sometimes lost humanity. As for myself, I'm just the navigator, paddling up the stream of life munching on Clif Bars, with an iPhone documenting the frailties and goodies underneath all the simplified complexities in the world we reside. So again, I welcome you to get lost and dream a little through this typed text and your imagination. My name is Kristen Gentilucci. I live in Berkeley California and I love dogs.


Friday, August 10, 2012

Day 53. Home is a light creamy pink.

Build Day Payson AZ

33 people, 8 hours, 2 houses, complete paint jobs inside and out. The organization is called Time Out, a shelter for abused mothers and women and Habitat of Payson donated us to them for the day. It was truly rewarding day, a non profit helping a non profit helping a non profit. The site and people are all confidential for their safety so unable to share their stories comes ours. Hovering high and low in an unventilated bathroom all day with a can of light cream paint, I wondered why when the day completed reality felt a little loopy. A day of brushed fumes will do that I suppose, but it makes a weed wacker quite an object of entertaining grassy fun.

The mountain town of Payson treated us so well. The bike shop reached out its arms in love, the radio demanded we share our stories, every market in town seemed to donate veggies, fruits, all the desired items we could fathom, the karaoke bar let us take over their joint, and topping the night off they provided a personal concert of a local singer and song writer. With narcolepsy setting in again, it is way past pillow time.