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.


Saturday, July 7, 2012

Day 19. They call me grandma

Columbus, Ohio. I wanted to say I've never been happier to be out of the beaming sun on a 105 degree day, but I am not sure if building a house is much better, especially in a 1/2 insulated attic.

Habitat of Columbus will build 23 houses this year. 49 years old Jay from Africa, a father of five, aged 4 to 14, the recipient to be of this house worked side by side with us all day. No need to pee here, all liquids just pour out our skin and veins. We tried not to leave puddles, but that was tough. With 2 days building here, progress is visible.

After thrift store mania and laughs over dinner with grandparents it was time. Time to take antsy Alex out for her first legal cocktail. I must be too old for this, 6 years ago, one too many hangovers, i wanted to tell her, its not worth the hell of tomorrow. But with 32 of us buying her 21st birthday drinks i doubt she'd remember that. I'm old, too old for this, but in a good way. After 3 beers I jumped on the idea of ice cream and bedtime with the youngsters of the group. Bored of watching people drink, the underagers and I headed over to famous fabulous Jennis Ice Cream shop where there must have been a cow out back. As fresh as the raw milk I used to drink, they flavored their frozen milk with everything goat cheese red cherry, whiskey pecan, salted carmel, to wheatgrass pear and vihno verde sorbet. I love bring old, you can really say, been there done that with pride. And sleep soundly. They call me grandma. I take it as a compliment.