A Short, But Full Life: Erica Tabachnick

It was 1986. I was a young lawyer with a new job at a government office. Erica was not much older, but she was more experienced at the work of the place. She was one of a few who taught me. We became work friends. In our case, that meant we hung together when we were at work, lunch, consultations and complaints about the work we did, as well as her mentoring someone, me, still learning the ropes. We did not do much outside of work, so it wasn't as intimate a friendship as I have made with other such colleagues. No reason I think, except maybe she had a husband and two kids and our lives were on different paths.
It's always when such a person dies that you, I, wish it had developed into something more.
But the window of opportunity has passed. She is gone, too soon, what was it that someone said, "betrayed by the body she was so comfortable with", with an ovarian cancer, I understand, that spread finally too much for her to fight.
At the Hollywood Forever cemetery yesterday, packed with people in the little chapel, and overflowing, I heard things I did know, about how she was a bit of a hippie, how she loved to dress in color and quirky fashion, how untraditional were the decoration schemes of her office, which I myself had seen and loved, how she was a cover of calm for those other of us who tend toward the more impulsive and noisy. That she was a good lawyer, this I knew from being on both sides of the fence with her, when we were both prosecutors, and then after 1995 when she went to the defense side and quietly, persistently, argued for her clients. But I did not know about the belly dancing. I did not know she had a brother who viewed her as something of an "earth goddess". I did not know that the man she married was a childhood family friend. I knew she was fearless, but did not know that fearlessness failed to extend to trying cilantro. I did not know she was a gourmet. I knew she was liked, but not by this many people and as intensely. It is always humbling to see those few memorials where someone now gone is so much a loss for so many. I doubt I will ever have that honor, although I am somewhat ashamed that I would wish it, anyway.
She should not be gone, but there was no doubt of the impact she made right till the end, with humor, love, and courage.
I wish I had known her better. But I am glad I knew her at all.

An Avatar Analysis

One of the definitions of an "avatar" is an "entity in human form". This interests me because one of the definitions or descriptions of "djinns" are creatures, more than human, but less than divine, which also take human form, often changelings, left in place of human children. I am a djinn in name only, I am glad to say, a gift of poetry from my parents. But the young man played by Sam Worthington of the movie of that name, "Avatar" steps into a body created by the DNA of human and Navi (the natives of the planet which has valuable minerals human beings want to mine), in some fashion that isn't quite explained, and learning the stories of their people (and of course falling in love) he becomes truly one of them, and fights for them against the corporate and military complex.

That aspect of the movie, the BAD BAD military and corporate hack and their minions against the pure people with their Tree of Souls--was typical of the political propaganda of the day, of my friends of the left. Life is so much more complex than secular religion allows for--but still much in the movie speaks to a greater, mythic consciousness, that it should not be discarded by ideologues on the right, who, I understand have had their critique of the film. And while God, that is the Supreme Creator of the World, is not acknowledged in favor of an Earth Mother of which all beings are a a part (the reason I completely understand, the Vatican had a problem with this film), I could take the latter and for myself make the Creator the umbrella of it all, that is, the idea of souls on earth and elsewhere (heaven for me) being interrconnected, and in a sense, intermediary for the living. But for me, God is the center of this all. He is "I AM". And while the film is correct that there ARE things more important than making money and garnering power, it is not because of Mother Earth, per se. Human beings trend toward religious thinking, even if god is remade into nature. Yes, as the caretakers of this planet, we have both dominion and obligation, but it is that which was given to us, by the Prime Mover. Where does earth otherwise garner her power?

My friend known as "momwards" on line instant mailed me that she wished she was sitting at the Tree of Souls in and during the movie. I am blessed in my faith, for in sitting before the Tabernacle, before the God of our Fathers, who saved all souls, I am with all who came before and who will come after me.

Blink, and It's 2010

So. Here we are. A fresh new year upon which to trod. Will we do better this year? I do not speculate. Today, at least. Today, I revel in the quietude of a civilization hushed by after party exhaustion. I went to Mass to set myself upon the right road to begin with, and then we shall see what Graces are proffered, and accepted by me. Pretty crowded even though New Year's is no longer a holy day of obligation! Then to the happily open Starbuck's for a Venti Mocha and sandwich, the paper and a call from a friend. I may be wending my way south this afternoon to touch base with friends literally on their way back east, although with more storms coming that leaving may be delayed.

As for last night's revelries for me and my friends--it was pleasant and rather sedate, dinner at a true favorite restaurant "Jar". Most of the gathered I did not know, two I did, but I found it engaging, particularly as the mood was good, the other customers were humming with anticipation, and the libation was sufficient to the occasion.

I have a new toy, courtesy of Len of "Len Speaks", a Flip video camera. Just about the size of a nano ipod, it takes about an hour's worth of activity that can be downloaded immediately to computer or cd or both. I took a fair amount of footage last night, for my first effort, and most of it was terrible, but the very beginning, while Len and I awaited the rest of the crew sets the tone for what was the rest of the lovely evening setting us forth upon the new decade, the clink of glasses (they were margaratini's) and good cheer was great. I tried to upload it here, but so far, no luck. Hopefully, upon the response from customer support, I'll be able to do it! Meanwhile, just imagine two frosty martini glass with salt thinly placed around the rim. Yum! Happy New Year to All!