Back to The Ojai Post home

Chris T. Wilson

Founder, Ojai Media
805.208.9254

Hi, I’m Chris Wilson. I’ve been pleasantly stuck in Ojai since 2001, and as far as I’m concerned that’s long enough to say that I’m from here. I was born in the Pacific Northwest where skies are grey and hills are green. I studied journalism at Washington State University, and then rolled to California to practice writing in various forms and enjoy golden hills and blue skies.

Here in Ojai, I found a blend of creative and casual that rings my bell. So I’ve stayed and become a writer for hire. I teach English to 11th graders at a private boarding school. I’m the secretary for the Art Center board of trustees, and I pedal round town on my Schwinn beach cruiser. Longest ride to date: Oxnard airport to Ojai, about 25 miles in 2 hours 45 minutes.

I’ve reported the news, featured the fantastical and profiled multiple personalities for three California community newspapers: Kern Valley Sun, Half Moon Bay Review and Ojai Valley News. I love small-town life.

Recently I launched the one-sheet Pink Minute paper to amuse my creative self. Watch for it around town from time to time. For extra duckets, I’ve sold scooters, assembled and sold musical instrument lamps, wired an electric car, caught Casitas bass, lent my creative direction to the launch of a bridal magazine, and sold and designed advertising. I created an Ojai Face design and made an online store with t-shirts, coffee mugs and mouse pads. I wash windows and date a beautiful blues singer and I just associate produced a brilliant theatrical performance of The Oblong Man with Demitri and Peachtree. I’m writing a self-empowerment book called “Be the Job.” Planning a diet book with a doctor friend in Utah and an easy exercise routine called “Yoga Naluvit.”

And I’ve done a few things that I won’t be mentioning here. Let’s just say, I’ve keep my vision fresh and my senses indulged.

I cherish late night walks in the empty streets of downtown Ojai with soft air perfumed by roasting coffee, a waxing moon that drizzles stucco in romance and music that leaks from the public house all sweet and bumping. I love Pixie Tangerines, thought-free strolls on Shelf Road, and long drawn-out pink moment sunsets. Who doesn’t love the end-of-day light on the hills? Emo kids don’t answer.

And yet all this punch bowl valley bliss is spiked bitter sweet by the memories of friends who’ve checked out or moved away.

I well up tears missing the Brew Pub’s spotty service, limited selection of drinkable beers and bad live-music acoustics. I hunger for a Caesar, a barley wine, a grumpy Alex (now wintering in Maine) and some jack-cheesed, jalapeno-hopped up super-duper fries. I miss Danny Miller and the House of Whimsy trailer park elf garden. But we can go see him in Hawaii.

And those who have passed, like the tender and kind-hearted vampire Christopher Columbus who spoke of coffins, sulked like a Stone and loved his little Sydney. But I still feel like he’s around. I miss you too Steve Ruffino, with your baguette-n-red wine, flying fish, needle sucking oil rigs, and all your other life consuming junk.

There’s much more to say, shout and type. So check in on this blog and I’ll see y’all on the porch. Peace {///////////}~~

Entries by this author:
May 08, 2008 - Ojai's Alive Arts & Music Festival
January 11, 2008 - Death of Bessie Smith at Zalk
January 05, 2008 - Shooting at the Fox St. Car Wash
December 09, 2007 - Take 60 & Call Me in a Few Weeks
December 08, 2007 - (re)Launch of Pink Minute
March 17, 2006 - saw Ashes and Snow... loved it
March 06, 2006 - Sunny Morning Bike Ride to the Grocery