a charming berkeley evening
this evening, once again, turned out to be serendipitously beautiful. the ischool tea was at 5 and after saying hello to all the folks i knew and exchanging joyful pleasantries ('workplace' get-togethers were never so fulfilling; i'm in love with faculty, staff, students alike.), i walked back home in the glorious sunshine, immensely grateful for the months of sunlit retreats to come.
as i walked past pegasus, i decided to step in and pay my weekly homage, when i ran into a friend. he was headed to half-price books, then cheeseboard, and asked me to join. i did so freely. we walked several blocks to half-price first, where i upped the count of my translations of the gita (now 4) and also purchased the gospel of sri ramakrishna (that i've been seeking for a while). from there, we walked to cheeseboard, another several blocks away, in the heart of gourmet ghetto.
walking down shattuck may just be one of the most 'berkeley' things to do. on the way, we walked past many very berkeley restaurants, such as chaya, cafe gratitude, chaam, chez panisse, the mint leaf, etc. a even took me inside cafe gratitude to show me a canvas with a quote by ramana maharshi - 'there are no others.' we reached cheeseboard and found that today's pizza was a zucchini, hazelnut pesto, arugula special. there was live jazz, and perhaps the most lively atmosphere i've ever enjoyed. i may not be big on pizza, but i wouldn't sacrifice those 20-30 minutes of live life for anything. the pizza was the side; the dinner was unbeatable.
we walked back, taking in the berkeley atmosphere as we did so. every few blocks were graced by live musicians, also probably homeless. the nature of berkeley lies in the space between the black and the white. perhaps that is why it is oh, so colorful.
and when my heart fills itself thus with love for this precious little town, i'm forced to wonder - is it really the place, or is it me? is this normal? to become one with one's surroundings so completely? do i need to shake myself awake? or am i already there?
as i walked past pegasus, i decided to step in and pay my weekly homage, when i ran into a friend. he was headed to half-price books, then cheeseboard, and asked me to join. i did so freely. we walked several blocks to half-price first, where i upped the count of my translations of the gita (now 4) and also purchased the gospel of sri ramakrishna (that i've been seeking for a while). from there, we walked to cheeseboard, another several blocks away, in the heart of gourmet ghetto.
walking down shattuck may just be one of the most 'berkeley' things to do. on the way, we walked past many very berkeley restaurants, such as chaya, cafe gratitude, chaam, chez panisse, the mint leaf, etc. a even took me inside cafe gratitude to show me a canvas with a quote by ramana maharshi - 'there are no others.' we reached cheeseboard and found that today's pizza was a zucchini, hazelnut pesto, arugula special. there was live jazz, and perhaps the most lively atmosphere i've ever enjoyed. i may not be big on pizza, but i wouldn't sacrifice those 20-30 minutes of live life for anything. the pizza was the side; the dinner was unbeatable.
we walked back, taking in the berkeley atmosphere as we did so. every few blocks were graced by live musicians, also probably homeless. the nature of berkeley lies in the space between the black and the white. perhaps that is why it is oh, so colorful.
and when my heart fills itself thus with love for this precious little town, i'm forced to wonder - is it really the place, or is it me? is this normal? to become one with one's surroundings so completely? do i need to shake myself awake? or am i already there?
1 comment:
hmmm... a good observer with a keen memory! a
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