nakedjen

When One Voice Is Silenced, We Are All At Risk

Thank you, to all of you, who tuned in from all over and listened to the radio program on Friday.  I loved hearing from you and also loved getting your kudos.  It was nice to hear that you thought I sounded at least somewhat coherent.  I did have a lovely time.  The folks at KRCL are fantastic folks.  Really.

If you were listening, you heard me talk a lot about how the exposure of our children to public nudity is truly a parental responsibility.  I meant that.  I do think it does take a village to raise a child and I have certainly contributed and done my share of helping to raise some pretty fantastic children on this planet.  I'm proud of my contribution!  But when it comes down to the moral safety of these children, to the things to which they are truly exposed, to their own values and the ways in which they see the world, I do feel that the parents play the primary role. 

You can disagree with me if you'd like.  I know and respect that each of you has your own opinion about this and that they are as varied as the there are types of people walking on this planet.  That's what makes life so very interesting. 

One thing, though, that is beginning to truly disturb me about our country (and here, I truly am talking about America and not the rest of the world) is how very conservative we are becoming.  How we seem to be taking more and more steps backwards.  We are becoming less and less tolerant.  Less and less open hearted.  Less and less accepting of those whose viewpoints are different than our own.   

All those civil liberties and rights that were fought so hard for and won beginning even during World War II and going forward are very systematically and slowly being stripped away in the name of Freedom. 

What freedom?  We're allowing ourselves and our voices to be shackled.  Is that freedom? 

I read this article today and was truly saddened by the possible implications for our First Amendment rights.   Because I am a woman who writes and publishes very openly here on the Internet about very personal and naked things, the idea that Karen Fletcher would be prosecuted for publishing fictional stories on the Internet truly is disturbing. 

Let me say that again.  They were fictional stories.  That she was writing to help ease her own pain.  When did we become a country that was intolerant of people writing to ease help themselves heal from their own pain and suffering?

I know that because she published these stories on the Internet she caused some sort of hullaballoo.  But let's think about this from a more moral and logical standpoint.  Yes she self-published her stories on a private web site on the internet.  Did she force me to read them?  No, she did not.  Did she send them to people who didn't want to know about them?  No, she did not.  Did she spam innocent children's email addresses with these stories and pollute their minds with these images?  No, she did not.

She wrote stories to help her heal from her own private hell.  Fictional stories.  She published them on a private, password protected website.  What on earth is wrong with that? 

When we start to prosecute writers for writing private material that is not even truly publicly shared we're crossing a very scary line.  Our rights as writers, as human beings in this country are becoming tenuous at best.

It makes me truly sad that Karen Fletcher feels she can not fight this.  I know she has to do what is best for her own mental health.  But I feel that this loss is a loss for all of us, not just for her.

If It's Friday, I Must Be Naked!

I know it's an old photo.  But you know what?  I can't help but look at it and smile the biggest and happiest smile. 

Today, folks, is Friday as you all may very well know.  Fridays, around these parts, we sometimes like to take our clothes off and get naked.  We call them Naked Fridays.  I started Naked Fridays back before I even started this blog.  I bet some of you didn't even know that, did you?  I'm also guessing that there are some of you who also have no idea why I started Naked Fridays and what they're really all about.

I'm going to tell you.

The reason I'm choosing today to tell you as opposed to last Wednesday or the second Tuesday from March 23, whenever that might have been, is because, well, obviously, today is Friday.  So it kind of sort of makes a little bit of sense to explain it today.  But also it just so happens that the good folks at KRCL radio here in Salt Lake City are going to have me on as a guest!  Can you believe that?  Public radio in Salt Lake City has asked me, Nakedjen, to be a guest?!  I just want to take this opportunity to point out that I lived in the Bay Area for 20 years and was never once invited to be the guest on a radio program while I lived there.  I move to Salt Lake City, a move that was seriously questioned by most of my friends and family, and what do they do?  They invite me to come and be a guest on the radio.  I'm not kidding about Salt Lake.  I really do like it here!  And not just because everyone is being so damn nice to me all the time!

Anyway, I was explaining about Naked Fridays. 

Even before I began this blog, I was already known on the Internet to lots of really fabulous people as Nakedjen.  And a lot of these fabulous people had some pretty unhappy feelings about their own bodies.  Feelings of hatred and remorse and guilt and shame. 

It bothered me that these beautiful women (and men) were so tormented by the shape of their own bodies.  They would share with me how they avoided mirrors.  How they would wear clothes a little too big to hide their shape.  How they avoided swimming pools and locker rooms and didn't even allow their own wives or husbands to see them naked. It was just awful to me.  Such self-hatred can only lead to bad things.  If we can't love ourselves first, how can we possibly be open to loving others?

So I started Naked Fridays.  I encouraged these people to spend a little time naked.  It could be 30 seconds.  It could be 30 minutes.  It could be all day.  But on Fridays, I encouraged them to get truly naked and celebrate the beautiful bodies that were uniquely theirs and theirs alone.

No one else has a body just like yours.  No one.  And let me tell you, no one else is as perfect and beautiful as you are, either. I know, I know.  Those of you who are uncomfortable being naked are shaking your heads and perhaps even laughing at my new age mumbo jumbo. But let me share this with you. I have received thousands (yes thousands) of emails from people all over this planet who have celebrated their naked bodies on a random Friday and realized that, yes, they are beautiful.  That yes, their body is worth cherishing.  That, yes, a naked body is a gift.  A gift that should never be shamed.

It makes my heart swell to know that there are so many lovely people in this world who have taken the chance, who have gotten naked, who have learned to love themselves just a little bit more because of Naked Fridays.  It really does. We're all only given one body during our journey on this earth.  Don't you think it's a good idea to really cherish and celebrate it? I do.  So, if you're in Salt Lake and within listening distance, feel free to tune in today and hear me blather on about this and other things from 6-7 p.m. on KRCL.  But if you're not?  I suggest that you go get naked.  It is Friday after all.

I Really Miss You, Uncle Jake!

It's probably no surprise that I'm still on the list of dog activists in Santa Cruz.  They're still trying to convince the city that they need an off-leash dog park within the city limits (and a beach!) for their dogs to have off-leash recreation.

As all of you who are regular readers of this blog know, I couldn't agree more.  I worked tirelessly to ensure that we'd have off-leash access for our dogs in Santa Cruz, but it was a losing battle.  And now, well, Buddha and Stella and I live in Salt Lake City where we do have some very amazing and beautiful parks for off-leash access.  The dogs and I run and hike together for over five miles every single day.

i am curious if there is another spot those regulars who used to visit dog beach / it's beach ~
now go to.  I ran into Jake's master today, we were both lamenting how the community just
does not exist now... and how sad our dogs are when we risk it and opt to get caught and
pay the fine. 
what would be an appropriate alternative ~ if there has not been one suggested ~ to meet on
a regular basis, like we used to at the now defunct dog beach? 
thanks in advance...

Today, I received this email.  And I have to say it brought real tears to my eyes.  Jake's master is one of my very closest and best friends from the dog park.  He befriended me the very day I arrived with Buddha and Stella.  Jake quickly became Uncle Jake to the puppies and Mike, Jake's owner, quickly became my old curmudgeon friend who even protected me from the crazy man with the knife!  Mike never believed that I was actually married to DearSweetDave and it was our own inside joke that David was just an actor whom I had hired to come to the dog park occasionally and "pretend" that he was my husband. 

When Mike and Jake lost their housing, I took pictures of Jake and created an advertisement for them on Craig's List saying that Jake needed a dog friendly home in Santa Cruz.  It worked and they found a really nice place to live.  I don't think anyone was quite as sad to see me leave Santa Cruz as Mike and Jake.  I do miss them quite a lot.

I'll say this again.  Dog parks are more than dogs running around barking and playing.  They're about the larger community of dog owners.  They're about exercise for both the dogs and their humans that help break down walls and truly create COMMUNITY.  They're about bonds between humans and their dogs, dogs and other dogs, and neighbors with each other. 

What's so wrong with that?  Santa Cruz touts itself as a peace loving and promoting COMMUNITY.  It is, unless you own a dog.

Architecture Matters

The architect and I (I'm going to tell you right now that at least in the near future there will probably be quite a few blog entries that include sentences that say..."The architect and I...") spent a large part of yesterday afternoon sitting on a patio in the sunshine outside of one of our many cafes here in Salt Lake discussing architecture.

I suppose it only makes sense that we might be discussing architecture given that the architect is, in fact, an architect.

What we discussed was his desire to work on great projects.  And what exactly comprises a great project.  Because certainly that word great is so subjective.  What is great to me, for example, could be positively dreadful to you.  And what is great for you might make me want to throw up a little bit.  You get where I'm going with this, right?

And the architect is, I might point out, currently gainfully employed.  He has the opportunity to actually participate in and work on what many in this town and perhaps even this country would consider great projects.

I think it's a tad too early for me to tell you what the architect considers to be a great project. 

I will just tell you the most important thing I learned yesterday:

Architecture matters.  A lot.

Coal Plants Spewing Mercury

Internet, I have some questions. 

In particular, I want to know what you all happen to know about coal plants and their cost to our environment?  How much electricity and power they really do provide?  At what cost? 

Did you know there are currently three new plants being planned for construction in Nevada?  And that Salt Lake City is downwind of these three plants?  And that according to the gentleman who I met and heard speak on Saturday that this could quite possibly mean that I'll be inhaling even MORE mercury particulate than I already am?

Did you know that I already was? 

The architect and I attended a Sustainable Living Fair this past weekend.  We heard a lot of very interesting speakers and met a lot of wonderfully interesting people. 

But most importantly, I think I have a very new and important cause.

So, tell me what you know, Internet.  About those coal plants.  Because I'm very concerned!

5,4,3,2,1

5.  Glen Hansard, of The Frames and The Swell Season, depending on which one you're choosing to follow, told us on Friday evening that "Shopping centers are taking over your fucking country!  You've got to resist!"  I couldn't agree with him more.  I think that very statement brought tears to my eyes. 

The concert brought bliss to my ears and my heart.  It was just plain loverly (as the Irish are wont to say) and I encourage all of you to put on your shoes, get out of the house, and gogogo see them if they're playing anywhere near you.  Of course, because I'm an environmentalist, I'm going to encourage you all to walk, as the architect and I did, to the show.  Or, perhaps you can take public transport?  Or if not, then at the very least carpool together.  Gather all your friends and make a grand night of it. 

But do go.  They're fabulous and not just because they won the Oscar for Best Original Song this year, either.  I'd have gone even if that hadn't been the case.  The evening of music was worth every.single.penny that I paid.  How often do I say that?

4.  I will be employed (yes EMPLOYED) for the following few weeks by none other than the University of Utah Hospital.  I spent the last week there working, as well, and let me just say this.  I am now officially terrified to EVER be a patient in a hospital.  The University of Utah hospital is actually one of the best in the country (according to all their literature) and I know that doctors are only human and that nurses are only human and that, well, we're all only human.  But goodness gracious, I'm also realizing that this whole practice of medicine is just one huge fucking guessing game and that when you're in the hospital?  The guessing game becomes even a tad more complex because this doctor just might not talk to that doctor who might also be not paying attention while making his rounds that particular morning and might just prescribe the wrong medication.  Oops!  It might do well for those doctors to remember that we're not selling auto parts here!  These are living and breathing human beings.  At least they were when they arrived.  It's our job to make sure they stay that way!

3.  I spent part of yesterday attending a little thing called Code Away.   I want to tell all of you that I was never really a part of the Silicon Valley geek scene when I lived there.  I mean, technically, I suppose that I was, because I worked in the technology sector and I had good friends who were most definitely geeks.  But I didn't attend geek get-togethers.  Unless, of course, we consider my adventures with Dave Winer.  But I consider those just very special gatherings with a very special group of friends who happen to all be Silicon Valley luminaries.  Why I was there, well, is any body's guess?!? 

But back to Code Away.  And my arrival in Utah.  It was made all the better by Laura Moncur and her husband Michael.  Who greeted me with open arms and said, "WELCOME TO UTAH!" and made sure that I knew my way around Salt Lake City before I had even unpacked my suitcase.  They are the sponsors of Code Away and Laura is quite good at making sure that I am always informed about the geek happenings here in Salt Lake.  She's also always willing to give me a ride (CARPOOL) if I want to attend. 

Thus, I have been to quite a lot of fun blogger dinners, Code Away (yes, me, the girl who can't even spell Code is attending Code Aways) gatherings and even Geek lunches where the talk is so technical I really do feel like the token blonde babe who is there to provide a distraction! 

But my attendance at all of these functions has meant that I've made lots of fun, new friends and even just yesterday I met someone who also just moved here from California (hi Kevin!) and he lives right around the corner from me.  How cool is that?  Sometimes, it pays to be a geek.  Or even a geek in training!

2.  My sister, NeverNakedBeth, has told me over and over and over again, that the kids in Utah are just plain talented.  That it is part of the Mormon culture to excel in music and voice (you want to grow up and be in the Tabernacle Choir) and theatre and this is one of the reasons so many movies are shot here in Utah.  I have actually been working as an extra for the film industry since I've arrived here and I am quite amazed at how many movies and television shows are shot in Utah. 

NeverNakedBeth, as those of us who have been paying attention know, is a middle school English teacher in Lehi.  She is part of the team that puts on their Spring Musical Production each year.  This year, because I happen to be living in Utah, she asked me to come and see their production of Seussical. 

Now, people, anyone who knows me well, will tell you I'm not a huge fan of musical theatre.  They'll also tell you that I'm a HUGE SNOB when it comes to theatre productions in general.  I can't help it.  I studied theatre in college.  I spent two years studying theatre in London with the best of the best.  Even when I attend theatre in London or New York, I still have a hard time just relaxing and enjoying the production because I see and hear all the mistakes. 

I am here to report, however, that last night's Alpine/Highland Middle School (yes MIDDLE SCHOOL) production of Seussical was absolutely top-notch.  I think even Simon Cowell would have been ready to sign some of those kids for a chance at being a pop star on American Idol.  And let's not forget that David Archuletta happens to be from Murray, a town just up the road from this very Middle School.

I was prepared to be holding my head and my ears and to make excuses to my sister about how "nice" the production was, but truthfully, it was really quite good.  Those kids could really sing.  Not just sing.  But they were ready for Broadway singers.  And they could act.  And they could dance.  And the costumes were professional.  I'm not just saying this because to be nice to NeverNakedBeth.  She doesn't even read this blog.  Honestly, I really was impressed.  And as I said, I'm never impressed.

So Bravo, kids!  You scared me, honestly, with how mature you all seemed.  You all felt much older to me than 7th graders.  But I suppose when you've been acting and singing and dancing since birth, you're just mature beyond your years. 

1.  The new moon is tomorrow.  Last year, on the May New Moon, I burned my pillow.  If on that very sacred night, when I was releasing all my dreams and nightmares into the Universe, you had told me that a year later, just 12 new moons later, I'd be divorcing my DearSweetDave, living, no thriving really, in Salt Lake City, working for Sundance and the University hospital, spending time with the architect and contemplating a very cool new business venture as well as the purchase of my own house?  Well, I'd have asked you what crack you were smoking?  Seriously.

It is often sometimes difficult for me to believe that this is my life.  But I want to share with all of you who have traveled this road with me over the last year that I am, honestly and truthfully, happy.  I have hope.  My heart has not been irreparably damaged.  I am still quite capable of love.

As I said recently, I know that happiness is not about where your feet are planted.  It isn't about being in Santa Cruz.   Or even about being in Salt Lake.  It's about being at peace in your heart. 

I am at peace.  In my heart.  And I can only wish the same for all of you.

There Was Snow, But Where Were the Marches?

It's May 1.  May Day.  International Workers' Day for many workers all over the world.

In Salt Lake City, I couldn't find a single protest.  A single march.  A single mention, even, that today was May Day.

There was lots and lots of talk about the snow.

And yes, I was just as surprised as everyone else to see it this morning even though I had seen it last night. 

But no mention of May Day? 

Come on Salt Lake.  Certainly we can all do better than that.

Meanwhile, I had quite the epiphany today.  I'm not prepared to share it right now.  But I promise I will in the coming days. 

Stay tuned. 

I Don't Think We're In Santa Cruz Anymore!

My lovelies of the Internet...

My calendar says that it is April 30, 2008. 

I just looked up from my computer, where I have been typing furiously on work related activities.  It is, honest to goddess, SNOWING outside.  Huge, fat, white, fluffy flakes.

Either my calendar is broken or I've been drinking the funny Kool-Aid again.

Or...as Dorothy has often remarked while sporting those very special red sparkling shoes, "Buddha and Stella, I don't think we're in Santa Cruz anymore!"

What He Said

"Let's go and grab the dogs and take them for a hike on the Bonneville trail," said the architect.  "And then we can sit and take notes and talk more about all of this."

That one simple sentence has made my heart smile in ways I didn't know was possible.

When you're up there, by the way, if you look off into the distance you can see the ocean.  At least I can.  Because that's what my heart wants to see.  It was there.  I just know it.

Happy Birthday, NakedMom

Forty four years ago, NakedMom gave birth to me and became my mother.  But 21 years before that (I'll let all of you do the math since she gets really pissed at me when I tell people how old she is) her mother, Nana, gave birth to her on this very day. 

As you all know from reading this blog, NakedMom is both my biggest cheerleader and sometimes my absolute biggest critic.  I suppose that comes with the title MOM. 

She worries because I am her daughter that perhaps I am just a tad TOO NAKED on this blog, that I bare my soul just a bit too much, that the whole world doesn't need to know EVERYTHING that I tell them. 

But I will share that it is precisely because she is my mother that I do absolutely everything that I do.

I'll let you come to your own conclusions about why.

Happy Birthday, JoJo.  May you continue to live a long and very happy life.