time warp

Yes. I know. I havent written in 2 weeks. I have been in a whirlwind time warp that is called Phoenix Arizona. It is almost a complete opposite to what I have been living for the last 9 months. Add that to the fact that I can go from LV to Phx in about 3 hours time and 100 dollars cash. From forest to desert- community to individualism- clouds to sun- 40 degrees to 80 degrees- biking to driving- lichens to orange blossoms-love to fear- that is a major transition to make in just a few hours. I am used to a more natural pace of travel, and actually, I am getting used to a more natural pace of life all around.
Visiting the city I grew up in, validated almost all of the reasons I moved to oregon. The biggest one is community. I love my phx people...my permie family, my alternatives cafe family, my azmamas tribe, and my real family.... and.... it is just so weird to have my families spread out over an 80 mile radius. Weird and unnatural for me. My need for connection and community is so strong, as is my need for NOT driving... I could hardly handle the phx reality. I felt sad that so many people struggle so much because they have chosen individualism/isolation and have so little support. People choose jobs that are so far away, they spend more time with their cars than their families.
I am seeing good projects happening and attitudes changing. Good things are happening there... more and more good things- I think. It is so tempting to want to stay, just to teach people and create great things and smell the orange blossoms and bike around in the 75 degree evenings mmmmmm... but, I love it here. I am teaching here. I bike here.
those orange blossoms will just have to wait until the next time I can soak up the sun.

if any az people are reading this and want ideas to create community in your neighborhood...
check out
portland city repair project
or take a trip to tucson and visit the dunbar springs area
or look up info about transition towns
join the phoenix permaculture guild
meet your neighbors
do something