It was dismal without customers in the big box last night. I guess
everyone was home watching their funds dwindle or shaking their
fists and muttering at the TV. I need to dig out all my positive
thoughts about Not Being Defined By How Much Money We Have,
but right now it ain't easy. For millions of us...
They call me: stein, msmas, mush, m.a., mary ann, mary lou, mary om, or just plain mary (and you may too)
Tuesday, September 30, 2008
Monday, September 29, 2008
lucky us!
Last night we were able to help The Great Plotniks celebrate their
38th anniversary and we had a fabulous time at the A 16 out on
Chestnut. Husbando and I never ventured there (despite many glowing
reviews) because we thought it was always packed. It is, and for good
reason, but TGP determined that if we arrived before 6pm, we would
find the most perfect table. We parked in a driveway on Lombard
and dashed in for a festive dinner of pizza, lamb (me), chicken meat
balls (the two men) and pork (Ms. Plottie). This is an Italian restaurant
named after a highway in Italy that is known for its delectable cheeses
and meats, I guess. The one dessert was too much for 4 people to share
and the coffee rich and worth losing a little sleep over. We didn't get
a parking ticket and we did have a v. special evening. Thanks, TGP, it
is always a pleasure celebrating the perfect marriage.
Photo ~ borrowed from the internet. Amazingly, no one took food
pictures for our blogs. Are we getting too sophisticated?
38th anniversary and we had a fabulous time at the A 16 out on
Chestnut. Husbando and I never ventured there (despite many glowing
reviews) because we thought it was always packed. It is, and for good
reason, but TGP determined that if we arrived before 6pm, we would
find the most perfect table. We parked in a driveway on Lombard
and dashed in for a festive dinner of pizza, lamb (me), chicken meat
balls (the two men) and pork (Ms. Plottie). This is an Italian restaurant
named after a highway in Italy that is known for its delectable cheeses
and meats, I guess. The one dessert was too much for 4 people to share
and the coffee rich and worth losing a little sleep over. We didn't get
a parking ticket and we did have a v. special evening. Thanks, TGP, it
is always a pleasure celebrating the perfect marriage.
Photo ~ borrowed from the internet. Amazingly, no one took food
pictures for our blogs. Are we getting too sophisticated?
Sunday, September 28, 2008
blues by the bay
Can you see Ruthie Foster? She was our favorite yesterday at the San
Francisco Blues Festival on the Great Meadow, Fort Mason. We go
every year and part of the enjoyment is that not much changes. Same
food that smells better than it tastes, same crowd that starts drinking
at 10am (not us) and this year two booths and one table devoted to
Obama merchandice.
And it is ALWAYS beautiful weather ~ one would think that after all
these years and a hearty supply of sun screen, we might actually
bring a bottle with us. No, that would cause the universe to crumble,
so, as usual, we sit and mutter about too much sun on our skin. But we
mutter to some very fine music and great people-watching.
Francisco Blues Festival on the Great Meadow, Fort Mason. We go
every year and part of the enjoyment is that not much changes. Same
food that smells better than it tastes, same crowd that starts drinking
at 10am (not us) and this year two booths and one table devoted to
Obama merchandice.
And it is ALWAYS beautiful weather ~ one would think that after all
these years and a hearty supply of sun screen, we might actually
bring a bottle with us. No, that would cause the universe to crumble,
so, as usual, we sit and mutter about too much sun on our skin. But we
mutter to some very fine music and great people-watching.
Saturday, September 27, 2008
a boy and his dog
Because of or despite Oprah, I bought Edgar Sawtelle last week
and I am enjoying it immensely. It is 40% off at the big box,
so it is a lot of book for not too much money. You have probably
already read or heard about the plot, but for people who love
dogs (and some people), it is a pleasure indeed.
We returned home yesterday and Husbando got right to the
washing machine as I puttered around, making sure msBook
plugged in properly, working on my bank account, etc. Of
course we watched the debate and of course we sneered at
McCain. My favorite line, "I have a bracelet too!"
and I am enjoying it immensely. It is 40% off at the big box,
so it is a lot of book for not too much money. You have probably
already read or heard about the plot, but for people who love
dogs (and some people), it is a pleasure indeed.
We returned home yesterday and Husbando got right to the
washing machine as I puttered around, making sure msBook
plugged in properly, working on my bank account, etc. Of
course we watched the debate and of course we sneered at
McCain. My favorite line, "I have a bracelet too!"
Friday, September 26, 2008
did you say summerland?
Summerland is about 5 miles south of Santa Barbara. It used to be
a typical little beach town with a couple of liquor stores and a post
office. In some ways (above) it reminds us of Mendocino. There are
still a few tiny beach cottages with yards needing work, paint that is
peeling off, property worth millions. Hooray to those home owners!
Then there are the mansions and they are quite beautiful. Somehow
everyone lives in peace and harmony, to my knowledge anyway.
Here, for the blogmaid, is the platypus of Bliss. Missing two legs,
one eye, and some stuffing.
Yesterday was lunch at the Cajun Kitchen in Carp and dinner at
the Nugget here in Summerland. In between ~ lots of coffee and
reading and sunshine. Good talk too, always. Home today...
a typical little beach town with a couple of liquor stores and a post
office. In some ways (above) it reminds us of Mendocino. There are
still a few tiny beach cottages with yards needing work, paint that is
peeling off, property worth millions. Hooray to those home owners!
Then there are the mansions and they are quite beautiful. Somehow
everyone lives in peace and harmony, to my knowledge anyway.
Here, for the blogmaid, is the platypus of Bliss. Missing two legs,
one eye, and some stuffing.
Yesterday was lunch at the Cajun Kitchen in Carp and dinner at
the Nugget here in Summerland. In between ~ lots of coffee and
reading and sunshine. Good talk too, always. Home today...
Thursday, September 25, 2008
dogs, fish, birds & friends
You remember Bliss and Auri from last year. They are so easy to
be with and are true beach dogs, it's extra nice to beach walk and
watch dogs dash about off leash. We went to Padaro Beach as
always. Lovely weather here.
Here is Ginger's newish aquarium. I've discovered that it's difficult to
take good fish photos, but there are a bunch of beauties in here. Last
night we watched a miniature star fish "walk", as well as Nemo and
other colorful swimmers.
Joan (Hoan) joined us for lunch after her class. She teaches bird
watching. I made the mistake of thinking I saw a canary in Ginger's
tree and in fact it was a Wilson's Warbler ~ a bunch of them actually.
Bright yellow guys who are only here for a brief time before heading
to even warmer weather. Hoan always has her eye in the trees, I
love that. The food at Zookers is terrific, by the way.
We were all tired after another busy vacation day.
be with and are true beach dogs, it's extra nice to beach walk and
watch dogs dash about off leash. We went to Padaro Beach as
always. Lovely weather here.
Here is Ginger's newish aquarium. I've discovered that it's difficult to
take good fish photos, but there are a bunch of beauties in here. Last
night we watched a miniature star fish "walk", as well as Nemo and
other colorful swimmers.
Joan (Hoan) joined us for lunch after her class. She teaches bird
watching. I made the mistake of thinking I saw a canary in Ginger's
tree and in fact it was a Wilson's Warbler ~ a bunch of them actually.
Bright yellow guys who are only here for a brief time before heading
to even warmer weather. Hoan always has her eye in the trees, I
love that. The food at Zookers is terrific, by the way.
We were all tired after another busy vacation day.
Wednesday, September 24, 2008
from pismo to summerland
This is the side entrance to Splash Cafe, it's a much-loved seafood spot
in Pismo and I think that is based on the fact that there isn't a lot to
choose from. I remarked to the waitress that I'd never had steamed
clams in a plastic container before. She cared. Husbando reported that
the fish and chips were better at Catch in SF, but we are not foodies,
oh no, not us. We are the salt of the earth. So that was yesterday lunch.
But this is what it's all about for me. I walked for about an hour on the
beach. They seem to have a strict leash law here, but still lots of dogs.
When I was growing up, Pismo Beach was a place where "cheap" girls
went to pick-up sailors, so of course I never got within 60 miles of it.
Now it is chi chi and cutesy and, I presume, expensive, although we
saw a lot of For Sale signs on homes. I took the above photo with Ms.
Mistress J in mind ~ nice, no?
The 2 hour drive to Santa Barbara was pleasant except for some road
construction/detour stuff, but we were not in a hurry. Ginger and the
dogs greeted us and we walked the nabe before settling in for drinks
on the back deck, then dinner. We have our own house here, almost.
A bathroom for Husbando and one for me, and we might never leave.
Over our candlelight dinner we had time to catch up on all sorts of
news. There are lots of Obama signs here ~ hooray.
in Pismo and I think that is based on the fact that there isn't a lot to
choose from. I remarked to the waitress that I'd never had steamed
clams in a plastic container before. She cared. Husbando reported that
the fish and chips were better at Catch in SF, but we are not foodies,
oh no, not us. We are the salt of the earth. So that was yesterday lunch.
But this is what it's all about for me. I walked for about an hour on the
beach. They seem to have a strict leash law here, but still lots of dogs.
When I was growing up, Pismo Beach was a place where "cheap" girls
went to pick-up sailors, so of course I never got within 60 miles of it.
Now it is chi chi and cutesy and, I presume, expensive, although we
saw a lot of For Sale signs on homes. I took the above photo with Ms.
Mistress J in mind ~ nice, no?
The 2 hour drive to Santa Barbara was pleasant except for some road
construction/detour stuff, but we were not in a hurry. Ginger and the
dogs greeted us and we walked the nabe before settling in for drinks
on the back deck, then dinner. We have our own house here, almost.
A bathroom for Husbando and one for me, and we might never leave.
Over our candlelight dinner we had time to catch up on all sorts of
news. There are lots of Obama signs here ~ hooray.
Tuesday, September 23, 2008
"drive", she said
I'm sitting in the lobby at the Edgewater Inn here in Pismo Beach
(memo to management ~ rattan chairs will keep guests from sitting
too long) after a good night's sleep and a swim in a totally empty
pool. This is a view from our $99 room when we first arrived. I took
some sunset photos, but they didn't do justice to the red wonder. I
love being someplace where people line up to watch the sun go down.
Isn't this the way it's supposed to be?
We had an OK dinner here, but of course we are spoiled by great
food in SF and we try not to be critical when we travel. (Try and
fail sometimes.) In any event, it was a treat to walk to dinner
and to be in SoCal. Always interesting to me how getting away
physically from the source of stress (currently it's the work life)
can calm me and give me strength to face the future. Sometimes
the "leap of faith" they talk about is just the simple knowledge
that I can put one foot in front of the other and be OK. What's
so difficult about that?
This morning we walk the beach, have lunch and head to Ginger's
in Summerland. Another clear and sunny day!
(memo to management ~ rattan chairs will keep guests from sitting
too long) after a good night's sleep and a swim in a totally empty
pool. This is a view from our $99 room when we first arrived. I took
some sunset photos, but they didn't do justice to the red wonder. I
love being someplace where people line up to watch the sun go down.
Isn't this the way it's supposed to be?
We had an OK dinner here, but of course we are spoiled by great
food in SF and we try not to be critical when we travel. (Try and
fail sometimes.) In any event, it was a treat to walk to dinner
and to be in SoCal. Always interesting to me how getting away
physically from the source of stress (currently it's the work life)
can calm me and give me strength to face the future. Sometimes
the "leap of faith" they talk about is just the simple knowledge
that I can put one foot in front of the other and be OK. What's
so difficult about that?
This morning we walk the beach, have lunch and head to Ginger's
in Summerland. Another clear and sunny day!
Monday, September 22, 2008
history, music and idealism
Our first ACT of the season ~ new time, new seats. Because of
work conflicts we upgraded a little to Sunday nights at 7pm
and ended up in the 3rd row (with lots of leg room) and as
a result we could hear every brilliant word of Tom Stoppard's
Rock 'n' Roll which we both thoroughly loved. The play
chronicles 30 or so years of the life of a professor and his
family and students, with a rich background of music that
binds the whole thing together. It takes place in Cambridge
and Prague and I learned things about the revolutionary
history of Chechoslovakia that I must have been too busy
(ahem) to remember. Yes, find a ticket and see this play
and do read our very favorite blogger/reviewer here.
Sunday, September 21, 2008
lighten up, ms. commano!
Too many dreary posts from me lately ~ politics, the economy
and our house re-mo that never ends. Here is RR in her 2008
Halloween costume ~ who can resist a white cat with pink trim?
This is just what the spin doctors ordered right about now.
Tomorrow we head to Pismo Beach and then on down to Santa
Barbara for a few days away from it all. Ron the house painter
will continue to work and the world will stop being so topsy
turvy, I sincerely hope.
and our house re-mo that never ends. Here is RR in her 2008
Halloween costume ~ who can resist a white cat with pink trim?
This is just what the spin doctors ordered right about now.
Tomorrow we head to Pismo Beach and then on down to Santa
Barbara for a few days away from it all. Ron the house painter
will continue to work and the world will stop being so topsy
turvy, I sincerely hope.
Saturday, September 20, 2008
always back to books
I finished Home last week (fabulous) and am now living in the
Channel Islands when the Germans occupied it for five long
years during World War II. The Guernsey Literary and Potato
Peel Society is a novel based on fact and uses back-and-forth
letters to tell the story. From time to time I need to remember
how strong people can be during times of crisis and this little
USA "money problem" that we currently face will somehow
all work out. I do hope this socialism solution will trickle down
to help some of our needier brothers and sisters.
Channel Islands when the Germans occupied it for five long
years during World War II. The Guernsey Literary and Potato
Peel Society is a novel based on fact and uses back-and-forth
letters to tell the story. From time to time I need to remember
how strong people can be during times of crisis and this little
USA "money problem" that we currently face will somehow
all work out. I do hope this socialism solution will trickle down
to help some of our needier brothers and sisters.
Friday, September 19, 2008
american logic
Thanks to Jon G. for his e-contribution today:
I'm a little confused. Let me see if I have this straight...
- If you grow up in Hawaii, raised by your grandparents, you're
"exotic, different."- Grow up in Alaska eating mooseburgers, a quintessential American story.
- If your name is Barack you're a radical, unpatriotic Muslim.
- Name your kids Willow, Trig and Track, you're a maverick.
- Graduate from Harvard law School and you are unstable.
- Attend 5 different small colleges before graduating, you're well grounded.
- If you spend 3 years as a brilliant community organizer, become the first black President of the Harvard Law Review, create a voter registration drive that registers 150,000 new voters, spend 12 years as a Constitutional Law professor, spend 8 years as a State Senator representing a district with over 750,000 people, become chairman of the state Senate's Health and Human Services committee, spend 4 years in the United States Senate representing a state of 13 million people while sponsoring 131 bills and serving on the Foreign Affairs, Environment and Public Works and Veteran's Affairs committees, you don't have any real leadership experience.
- If your total resume is: local weather girl, 4 years on the city council and 6 years as the mayor of a town with less than 7,000 people, 20 months as the governor of a state with only 650,000 people, then you're qualified to become the country's second highest ranking executive.
- If you have been married to the same woman for 19 years while raising 2 beautiful daughters, all within Protestant churches, you're not a real Christian.
- If you cheated on your first wife with a rich heiress, and left your disfigured wife and married the heiress the next month, you're a Christian.
- If you teach responsible, age appropriate sex education, including the proper use of birth control, you are eroding the fiber of society.
- If, while governor, you staunchly advocate abstinence only, with no other option in sex education in your state's school system while your unwed teen daughter ends up pregnant, you're very responsible.
- If your wife is a Harvard graduate lawyer who gave up a position in a prestigious law firm to work for the betterment of her inner city community, then gave that up to raise a family, your family's values don't represent America's.
- If you're husband is nicknamed "First Dude", with at least one DWI conviction and once was a member of a group that advocated the secession of Alaska from the USA, your family is extremely admirable.
OK, much clearer now.
Thursday, September 18, 2008
when work isn't work...
I had a delightful time with Herbert Gold last night ~ yes, he is
exceedingly charming and very witty. For instance I bought him
a chai latte and he said, "does this mean I have to take you to
the theatre?" The audience was small but worshipful and we
did sell a few books. But best of all, I got to sit and listen.
Here's the story that Karen commented on in a previous post.
Herbert had a crush on a dancer and she was aware of this.
When they finally had their first date and they were sitting
next to each other in a restaurant or bar, she pulled his pants
away from his waist and dumped ice cubes "down there".
His eyes crinkled and he laughed all over again at the memory.
Herbert loves San Francisco and walks the city at all hours,
spending lots of time in the Tenderloin where he does much
of his writing. He particularly enjoys the restaurants in the
Little Saigon area. I did not have to show him around the big
box because he says he spends many hours with us and yes,
he is working on his next book ~ a novel about a murder in
the Tenderloin. Can't wait!
exceedingly charming and very witty. For instance I bought him
a chai latte and he said, "does this mean I have to take you to
the theatre?" The audience was small but worshipful and we
did sell a few books. But best of all, I got to sit and listen.
Here's the story that Karen commented on in a previous post.
Herbert had a crush on a dancer and she was aware of this.
When they finally had their first date and they were sitting
next to each other in a restaurant or bar, she pulled his pants
away from his waist and dumped ice cubes "down there".
His eyes crinkled and he laughed all over again at the memory.
Herbert loves San Francisco and walks the city at all hours,
spending lots of time in the Tenderloin where he does much
of his writing. He particularly enjoys the restaurants in the
Little Saigon area. I did not have to show him around the big
box because he says he spends many hours with us and yes,
he is working on his next book ~ a novel about a murder in
the Tenderloin. Can't wait!
Wednesday, September 17, 2008
who can sleep?
Wowza, what a turmoil this country is in right now. I like my friend
Karen's positive outlook and she lives right there in NYC, in the heart
of it all. Obama seems in charge now, prepared for this disaster while
McBush is on the defensive, as well he should be since he is so much a
part of this old-white-boy-big-money-greed-rules! network. Remember
the Keating Five scandal? McCain was #1 or #5, who knows? In any
event, this too shall pass and if we get Obama-Biden in, it works for me.
I just won't click on my retirement fund link for a few months...
Karen's positive outlook and she lives right there in NYC, in the heart
of it all. Obama seems in charge now, prepared for this disaster while
McBush is on the defensive, as well he should be since he is so much a
part of this old-white-boy-big-money-greed-rules! network. Remember
the Keating Five scandal? McCain was #1 or #5, who knows? In any
event, this too shall pass and if we get Obama-Biden in, it works for me.
I just won't click on my retirement fund link for a few months...
Tuesday, September 16, 2008
a san francisco treasure
Sorry this picture is so small, it's a computer thing. Tomorrow
night (7 pm) Herbert Gold will be at the big box to discuss
and sign his memoir Still Alive! A Temporary Condition,
and since it was my idea, I'm going to host the event. Needless
to say, I'm nervous. I brought the book home and have been
doing a little Gold research, hoping to be somewhat coherent.
Mr. Gold is a local author of 18 novels including Fathers and
A Girl of Forty. He has lived in a railroad flat on Russian Hill
for nearly half a century. Still Alive! is part memoir and part
meditation on love, aging and life. "Every grief is unique. Life
doesn't necessarily make us better; that's not life's business.
Life gives what it gives, takes back what it takes back, and it's
our business to sort things out for ourselves as best we can."
Herbert Gold frequented and chronicled the Beat Generation ~
Kerouac, Ginsberg, Burroughs, etc. He was born in Cleveland,
lived in Paris and Haiti. What a life...
night (7 pm) Herbert Gold will be at the big box to discuss
and sign his memoir Still Alive! A Temporary Condition,
and since it was my idea, I'm going to host the event. Needless
to say, I'm nervous. I brought the book home and have been
doing a little Gold research, hoping to be somewhat coherent.
Mr. Gold is a local author of 18 novels including Fathers and
A Girl of Forty. He has lived in a railroad flat on Russian Hill
for nearly half a century. Still Alive! is part memoir and part
meditation on love, aging and life. "Every grief is unique. Life
doesn't necessarily make us better; that's not life's business.
Life gives what it gives, takes back what it takes back, and it's
our business to sort things out for ourselves as best we can."
Herbert Gold frequented and chronicled the Beat Generation ~
Kerouac, Ginsberg, Burroughs, etc. He was born in Cleveland,
lived in Paris and Haiti. What a life...
Monday, September 15, 2008
presto ~ it's pesto sauce!
We have never found a pesto sauce as tasty as the one we make, so
we drag out our aged yellow recipe with notes such as, "not so much
garlic" and "use the old Cuisinart®!" and get to work.
It's simple ~ basil (5-6 bunches), parsley (1 bunch), garlic head, olive oil
and Parmesan cheese. A dash of salt, of course. Blend and add more
oil until both of you can say "perfect". It freezes beautifully.
We buy our basil and parsley out at a small Chinese market between
7th and 8th on Clement Street. It's tradition, plus it's almost-cheap and
the basil is cleaner than some. I like to leave it in water in the kitchen
overnight, just because it smells so wonderful. We made one batch
last week and we will do it one more time this week. Can you smell it?
we drag out our aged yellow recipe with notes such as, "not so much
garlic" and "use the old Cuisinart®!" and get to work.
It's simple ~ basil (5-6 bunches), parsley (1 bunch), garlic head, olive oil
and Parmesan cheese. A dash of salt, of course. Blend and add more
oil until both of you can say "perfect". It freezes beautifully.
We buy our basil and parsley out at a small Chinese market between
7th and 8th on Clement Street. It's tradition, plus it's almost-cheap and
the basil is cleaner than some. I like to leave it in water in the kitchen
overnight, just because it smells so wonderful. We made one batch
last week and we will do it one more time this week. Can you smell it?
Sunday, September 14, 2008
mark your queues!
Here is a fabulous detective/political drama from our friends
at the BBC. State of Play revolves around a young woman's
death (under a London subway train) and the layers of intriguing
subplots and cover-ups swirling around this event. We just
finished Disc One (with 3 episodes) and are eagerly awaiting
the next installment. As usual, neither one of us remembers
where we heard or read about this, not that it matters.
at the BBC. State of Play revolves around a young woman's
death (under a London subway train) and the layers of intriguing
subplots and cover-ups swirling around this event. We just
finished Disc One (with 3 episodes) and are eagerly awaiting
the next installment. As usual, neither one of us remembers
where we heard or read about this, not that it matters.
Saturday, September 13, 2008
masked (and messy) bandits
When the Blogmaid sold her log cabin home in Pathetica (Pacifica),
she had to disclose to the new owners than she fed a little group of
wild cats and raccoons and that they might show up after she moved.
Well, they followed her down to Pumpkinville (Half Moon Bay), it
appears, and she reports that there are a total of 6 of these guys with
the sharp claws and misleadingly cute faces. We have them in the city
too, I often see one or more on my early morning walk to BART ~ as
big and bold as their relatives who live in small towns.
she had to disclose to the new owners than she fed a little group of
wild cats and raccoons and that they might show up after she moved.
Well, they followed her down to Pumpkinville (Half Moon Bay), it
appears, and she reports that there are a total of 6 of these guys with
the sharp claws and misleadingly cute faces. We have them in the city
too, I often see one or more on my early morning walk to BART ~ as
big and bold as their relatives who live in small towns.
Friday, September 12, 2008
whose blog is this?
We had a delightful lunch with The Great Plotnik and his family
yesterday at The Ramp. Isabelle, Dan and Staci are heading for
New York on Saturday, so we know Mr. and Ms. Plotnik will be
planning their trip East very soon.
Please visit this website and thanks to Jennifer, a wonderful Round
Robin partner for this:
Women Against Sarah Palin
yesterday at The Ramp. Isabelle, Dan and Staci are heading for
New York on Saturday, so we know Mr. and Ms. Plotnik will be
planning their trip East very soon.
Please visit this website and thanks to Jennifer, a wonderful Round
Robin partner for this:
Women Against Sarah Palin
Thursday, September 11, 2008
indians at ocean beach!
This is the surprisingly realistic sight from the sea wall, a few steps from
the Cliff House. 100 wooden American Indians by artist Thom Ross.
It's all based on a 1902 photo taken right here with Buffalo Bill and his
Wild West Show. Hurry to take a look...I believe they trot off after
this weekend.
This is my favorite ~ note the details on her horse and dress!
It's haunting because of the gentle rustle of feathers and beads, along
with the sound of the ocean in the background ~ it transports us back
through time. The figures are larger than life size, as is the concept.
the Cliff House. 100 wooden American Indians by artist Thom Ross.
It's all based on a 1902 photo taken right here with Buffalo Bill and his
Wild West Show. Hurry to take a look...I believe they trot off after
this weekend.
This is my favorite ~ note the details on her horse and dress!
It's haunting because of the gentle rustle of feathers and beads, along
with the sound of the ocean in the background ~ it transports us back
through time. The figures are larger than life size, as is the concept.
Wednesday, September 10, 2008
patricians vs. plebians
We used to be season ticket holders at the SF Opera, but of course that
is way too expensive now. One of our goals for this year was to take
advantage of the "rush" specials early, before they disappear. So we got
all dressed up as senior citizens (we passed!) and stood in line yesterday
morning for about an hour. We scored two orchestra seats ($200 each
value) for $30 each and had a wonderful, wonderful evening with Simon
the Buccaneer and his daughter. I appreciate the overhead supertitles
in English, the lavish gowns and high emotion, while Husbando just
plain adores all the music, plus the free parking on Van Ness (south
of Market) and lots of people-watching with "oooooh, did you see
THAT?" to keep us engaged and happy for 3 delightful hours. One of
the longest death scenes in all of opera, and that says a lot, doesn't it?
is way too expensive now. One of our goals for this year was to take
advantage of the "rush" specials early, before they disappear. So we got
all dressed up as senior citizens (we passed!) and stood in line yesterday
morning for about an hour. We scored two orchestra seats ($200 each
value) for $30 each and had a wonderful, wonderful evening with Simon
the Buccaneer and his daughter. I appreciate the overhead supertitles
in English, the lavish gowns and high emotion, while Husbando just
plain adores all the music, plus the free parking on Van Ness (south
of Market) and lots of people-watching with "oooooh, did you see
THAT?" to keep us engaged and happy for 3 delightful hours. One of
the longest death scenes in all of opera, and that says a lot, doesn't it?
Tuesday, September 09, 2008
from the L.A. Times
Palin: wrong woman, wrong message
Sarah Palin shares nothing but a chromosome with Hillary Clinton. She is Phyllis Schlafly, only younger.
By Gloria SteinemSeptember 4, 2008
Here's the good news: Women have become so politically powerful that even the anti-feminist right wing -- the folks with a headlock on the Republican Party -- are trying to appease the gender gap with a first-ever female vice president. We owe this to women -- and to many men too -- who have picketed, gone on hunger strikes or confronted violence at the polls so women can vote. We owe it to Shirley Chisholm, who first took the "white-male-only" sign off the White House, and to Hillary Rodham Clinton, who hung in there through ridicule and misogyny to win 18 million votes.
But here is even better news: It won't work. This isn't the first time a boss has picked an unqualified woman just because she agrees with him and opposes everything most other women want and need. Feminism has never been about getting a job for one woman. It's about making life more fair for women everywhere. It's not about a piece of the existing pie; there are too many of us for that. It's about baking a new pie.
Selecting Sarah Palin, who was touted all summer by Rush Limbaugh, is no way to attract most women, including die-hard Clinton supporters. Palin shares nothing but a chromosome with Clinton. Her down-home, divisive and deceptive speech did nothing to cosmeticize a Republican convention that has more than twice as many male delegates as female, a presidential candidate who is owned and operated by the right wing and a platform that opposes pretty much everything Clinton's candidacy stood for -- and that Barack Obama's still does. To vote in protest for McCain/Palin would be like saying, "Somebody stole my shoes, so I'll amputate my legs."
This is not to beat up on Palin. I defend her right to be wrong, even on issues that matter most to me. I regret that people say she can't do the job because she has children in need of care, especially if they wouldn't say the same about a father. I get no pleasure from imagining her in the spotlight on national and foreign policy issues about which she has zero background, with one month to learn to compete with Sen. Joe Biden's 37 years' experience.
Palin has been honest about what she doesn't know. When asked last month about the vice presidency, she said, "I still can't answer that question until someone answers for me: What is it exactly that the VP does every day?" When asked about Iraq, she said, "I haven't really focused much on the war in Iraq."
She was elected governor largely because the incumbent was unpopular, and she's won over Alaskans mostly by using unprecedented oil wealth to give a $1,200 rebate to every resident. Now she is being praised by McCain's campaign as a tax cutter, despite the fact that Alaska has no state income or sales tax. Perhaps McCain has opposed affirmative action for so long that he doesn't know it's about inviting more people to meet standards, not lowering them. Or perhaps McCain is following the Bush administration habit, as in the Justice Department, of putting a job candidate's views on "God, guns and gays" ahead of competence. The difference is that McCain is filling a job one 72-year-old heartbeat away from the presidency.
So let's be clear: The culprit is John McCain. He may have chosen Palin out of change-envy, or a belief that women can't tell the difference between form and content, but the main motive was to please right-wing ideologues; the same ones who nixed anyone who is now or ever has been a supporter of reproductive freedom. If that were not the case, McCain could have chosen a woman who knows what a vice president does and who has thought about Iraq; someone like Texas Sen. Kay Bailey Hutchison or Sen. Olympia Snowe of Maine. McCain could have taken a baby step away from right-wing patriarchs who determine his actions, right down to opposing the Violence Against Women Act.
Palin's value to those patriarchs is clear: She opposes just about every issue that women support by a majority or plurality. She believes that creationism should be taught in public schools but disbelieves global warming; she opposes gun control but supports government control of women's wombs; she opposes stem cell research but approves "abstinence-only" programs, which increase unwanted births, sexually transmitted diseases and abortions; she tried to use taxpayers' millions for a state program to shoot wolves from the air but didn't spend enough money to fix a state school system with the lowest high-school graduation rate in the nation; she runs with a candidate who opposes the Fair Pay Act but supports $500 million in subsidies for a natural gas pipeline across Alaska; she supports drilling in the Arctic National Wildlife Reserve, though even McCain has opted for the lesser evil of offshore drilling. She is Phyllis Schlafly, only younger.
I don't doubt her sincerity. As a lifetime member of the National Rifle Assn., she doesn't just support killing animals from helicopters, she does it herself. She doesn't just talk about increasing the use of fossil fuels but puts a coal-burning power plant in her own small town. She doesn't just echo McCain's pledge to criminalize abortion by overturning Roe vs. Wade, she says that if one of her daughters were impregnated by rape or incest, she should bear the child. She not only opposes reproductive freedom as a human right but implies that it dictates abortion, without saying that it also protects the right to have a child.
So far, the major new McCain supporter that Palin has attracted is James Dobson of Focus on the Family. Of course, for Dobson, "women are merely waiting for their husbands to assume leadership," so he may be voting for Palin's husband.
Being a hope-a-holic, however, I can see two long-term bipartisan gains from this contest.
Republicans may learn they can't appeal to right-wing patriarchs and most women at the same time. A loss in November could cause the centrist majority of Republicans to take back their party, which was the first to support the Equal Rights Amendment and should be the last to want to invite government into the wombs of women.
And American women, who suffer more because of having two full-time jobs than from any other single injustice, finally have support on a national stage from male leaders who know that women can't be equal outside the home until men are equal in it. Barack Obama and Joe Biden are campaigning on their belief that men should be, can be and want to be at home for their children.
This could be huge.
Gloria Steinem is an author, feminist organizer and co-founder of the Women's Media Center. She supported Hillary Clinton and is now supporting Barack Obama.
Monday, September 08, 2008
incongruity reigns
The new spoof Vampire series began on HBO last night and of course
I excpected to hate it, but Trueblood is great fun with Anna Paquin
looking intriguing and the small town South causing some toothaches.
But first we watched Miss Pettigrew Lives for a Day, very sweet and
implausible, but that's OK. Frances McDormand and Amy Adams star.
Commano says "Rent It". 1/2 Kleenex® for this reviewer and a crown
for Frances for allowing herself to look so frumpy until the makeover,
at which point we all are greatly relieved.
I excpected to hate it, but Trueblood is great fun with Anna Paquin
looking intriguing and the small town South causing some toothaches.
But first we watched Miss Pettigrew Lives for a Day, very sweet and
implausible, but that's OK. Frances McDormand and Amy Adams star.
Commano says "Rent It". 1/2 Kleenex® for this reviewer and a crown
for Frances for allowing herself to look so frumpy until the makeover,
at which point we all are greatly relieved.
Sunday, September 07, 2008
grandma palin
I've spent far too much of my precious morning time trying to
download a You Tube video, to no avail, so you will have to
look it up yourself. It's entitled Is McCain Palin's Bitch? by
a clever woman named Nova. Very funny.
Thanks to Dancing Jen for the above photo ~ I'm not sure it
hasn't been doctored, but the gloves are off and I'm not Ms.
Nice Woman anymore. This election scares me. My great hope
is that McCain will get tired of Palin's popularity and now if
she leaves his side, those crowds will diminish. Wasn't he the
one who chided Obama for his "celebrity status"?
I was heartened to hear Willie Brown yesterday morning on
the way to work. He said that Obama is the first candidate to
own the internet, and how much this will help him in Nov.
I know I am receiving lots of great emails, all embedded with
anti-McCain/Palin goodies. Fun stuff ~ too bad we can't
relax and enjoy all the humor.
download a You Tube video, to no avail, so you will have to
look it up yourself. It's entitled Is McCain Palin's Bitch? by
a clever woman named Nova. Very funny.
Thanks to Dancing Jen for the above photo ~ I'm not sure it
hasn't been doctored, but the gloves are off and I'm not Ms.
Nice Woman anymore. This election scares me. My great hope
is that McCain will get tired of Palin's popularity and now if
she leaves his side, those crowds will diminish. Wasn't he the
one who chided Obama for his "celebrity status"?
I was heartened to hear Willie Brown yesterday morning on
the way to work. He said that Obama is the first candidate to
own the internet, and how much this will help him in Nov.
I know I am receiving lots of great emails, all embedded with
anti-McCain/Palin goodies. Fun stuff ~ too bad we can't
relax and enjoy all the humor.
Saturday, September 06, 2008
the bad child
Marilynne Robinson is such a fine writer, isn't she? If you
loved Gilead and Housekeeping, treat yourself to Home,
a new release. In this novel, 38 year-old Glory welcomes
home her bad boy brother, Jack. We see this time and time
again, how parents lavish love and adoration on the child
who least deserves it. The screw-up, the thoughtless one
who causes damage to the entire family ~ and yet is forgiven
and loved even more, or so it seems. Glory sacrifices her
life for her aging father and Jack's rough return is just what
Dad has been waiting and praying for. Good stuff!
loved Gilead and Housekeeping, treat yourself to Home,
a new release. In this novel, 38 year-old Glory welcomes
home her bad boy brother, Jack. We see this time and time
again, how parents lavish love and adoration on the child
who least deserves it. The screw-up, the thoughtless one
who causes damage to the entire family ~ and yet is forgiven
and loved even more, or so it seems. Glory sacrifices her
life for her aging father and Jack's rough return is just what
Dad has been waiting and praying for. Good stuff!
Friday, September 05, 2008
hoppin' on the J train
We had a quick and smooth ride to The Embarcadero Farmer's
Market yesterday and you can see that we arrived right on time.
We had called ahead to reserve our favorite bench with this knock-out
view. Lunch was a roast pork sandwich from Out The Door along with
some yummy iced coffee, Vietnamese style.
This new promenade behind piers 2 and 3 was almost empty ~ it could
be private, for the businesses there, but we didn't see any signs except
one quote from Herb Caen. "If I get to heaven, I'll say that it's pretty,
but it ain't San Francisco", you know the one. A week of gorgeous
weather here ~ what the?
Market yesterday and you can see that we arrived right on time.
We had called ahead to reserve our favorite bench with this knock-out
view. Lunch was a roast pork sandwich from Out The Door along with
some yummy iced coffee, Vietnamese style.
This new promenade behind piers 2 and 3 was almost empty ~ it could
be private, for the businesses there, but we didn't see any signs except
one quote from Herb Caen. "If I get to heaven, I'll say that it's pretty,
but it ain't San Francisco", you know the one. A week of gorgeous
weather here ~ what the?
Thursday, September 04, 2008
a very, very, very fine house
Here we are back in July (2008) ~ house is still a light blue and the
gates are "natural" and ugly, of course.
I snapped this yesterday. Chez Slug is now a light sage green with creme
color and hunter green trim. The gates are painted the dark green too
and sort of recede into the porch instead of being such a glaring state-
ment of past or potential trouble.
Here is some detail for you. Ron added the top piece of wood trim
to make the windows more interesting. And no, the back of the
house isn't finished yet...
gates are "natural" and ugly, of course.
I snapped this yesterday. Chez Slug is now a light sage green with creme
color and hunter green trim. The gates are painted the dark green too
and sort of recede into the porch instead of being such a glaring state-
ment of past or potential trouble.
Here is some detail for you. Ron added the top piece of wood trim
to make the windows more interesting. And no, the back of the
house isn't finished yet...
Wednesday, September 03, 2008
getting personal & poetic
(this was my Round Robin daily write yesterday)
SOMETHING ABOUT SEPTEMBER (the prompt)
It's sort of sad, isn't it? The end of summer ~ put away the summer toys
and cover the BBQ kind of thinking. Another fall coming, then the
exhausting holidays and yippee, another year older, but only for those
of us lucky enough to still be on this less-than-perfect planet. And then
we remember our friends and family who have passed through this veil
of tears. Where did that expression come from? The Bible?
Speaking of tears, it's Sept. 2nd, and it's my brother's birthday today. Also
my husband's brother Leon's birthday ~ how is that for coincidence?
Both dead and both with the same endearing qualities. They were
dreamers, the scheme-a-week-make-a-million-bucks kind of men that
still roam this earth. They both died with very little money, as you might
have guessed, but boy could they envision that break-through wealth
that was always right around the corner.
My exceedingly good-looking brother, Evan, now always reminds me of this
e.e. cummings poem:
Bufalo Bill’s
defunct
who used to
ride a watersmooth -silver
stallion
and break onetwothreefourfive pigeonsjustlikethat
Jesus
he was a handsome man
and what i want to know is
how do you like your blueeyed boy
Mister Death
09/02/2008
SOMETHING ABOUT SEPTEMBER (the prompt)
It's sort of sad, isn't it? The end of summer ~ put away the summer toys
and cover the BBQ kind of thinking. Another fall coming, then the
exhausting holidays and yippee, another year older, but only for those
of us lucky enough to still be on this less-than-perfect planet. And then
we remember our friends and family who have passed through this veil
of tears. Where did that expression come from? The Bible?
Speaking of tears, it's Sept. 2nd, and it's my brother's birthday today. Also
my husband's brother Leon's birthday ~ how is that for coincidence?
Both dead and both with the same endearing qualities. They were
dreamers, the scheme-a-week-make-a-million-bucks kind of men that
still roam this earth. They both died with very little money, as you might
have guessed, but boy could they envision that break-through wealth
that was always right around the corner.
My exceedingly good-looking brother, Evan, now always reminds me of this
e.e. cummings poem:
Bufalo Bill’s
defunct
who used to
ride a watersmooth -silver
stallion
and break onetwothreefourfive pigeonsjustlikethat
Jesus
he was a handsome man
and what i want to know is
how do you like your blueeyed boy
Mister Death
09/02/2008
Tuesday, September 02, 2008
who will buy?
It was an outstanding morning walk at Crissy Field yesterday with
Ginger and Husbando. The air was absolutely perfect and even though
this magical place was packed with people, dogs, strollers and
tourists, it felt like we had the bay and the bridge all to ourselves.
The above photo was snapped at 9am and it stayed warm (but not
icky hot) and clear all day. I had to close the big box last night and we
were way down from Plan because who wants to be inside a store
when you could be having an all-day picnic here in heaven?
Ginger and Husbando. The air was absolutely perfect and even though
this magical place was packed with people, dogs, strollers and
tourists, it felt like we had the bay and the bridge all to ourselves.
The above photo was snapped at 9am and it stayed warm (but not
icky hot) and clear all day. I had to close the big box last night and we
were way down from Plan because who wants to be inside a store
when you could be having an all-day picnic here in heaven?
Monday, September 01, 2008
he's an odd one...
Last night we watched this strange film depicting six personas
of Bob Dylan. Of course Cate Blancett was nominated for an
Oscar in this role, but Richard Gere and Heath Ledger were
also outstanding. Of course Dylan's music in the background
made I'm Not There even more compelling.
Before and after we tracked Hurricane Gustav, along with
millions of other people and remembered our/their anguish
three years ago.
of Bob Dylan. Of course Cate Blancett was nominated for an
Oscar in this role, but Richard Gere and Heath Ledger were
also outstanding. Of course Dylan's music in the background
made I'm Not There even more compelling.
Before and after we tracked Hurricane Gustav, along with
millions of other people and remembered our/their anguish
three years ago.
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