where oh where?

The blogmaid and RR are in Nebraska (of all places) visiting a bunch
of cousins. Communication is difficult, so I won't be getting my chatty
daily morning emails. I don't like that. And Michael is back in the
hospital for another round of chemo and of course we all hate this.
This was part of the plan from the first, so it's not as though the nasty
leukemia has returned.

I have a 40 page trip write-up here from Will in our writing group.
I need to print it for Husbando, but I'm not sure my cheapo Epson
can handle it. I will mull this over for a day or two.

Tonight I'm closing again at the deYoung. It's how I spend my
Friday nights and I'm more than OK with that. Tonight is a Free
Night, sponsored by Target, so the joint will be jumping.

every now and then...

We are really, really good about fruits, veggies, salad every single
damn day and very little red meat. But today, for reasons unknown,
we were both hankering for a greasy burger, fries and a chocolate
milk shake. So out we go to Bill's Place on Clement around 24th or
so. Since there was sunshine (!) we sat in the patio and enjoyed
every bite, except that icky lettuce over there on the left. As you can
see, when I said "rare," they took me at my word. Often the chef will
think I meant "medium," which I never mean, except maybe for
lamb. Hmmmmmm, that was quite the treat. Now I'd better walk
it off before the arteries clog. Then, for sure, a nap.

the prince of small potatoes

Poverty

Vallejo wrote that with God we are all orphans.
I send $22 a month to a kid in Ecuador
so starvation keeps moving on its bony burro
past his door—no cars, computers,
basketball shoes—not a bottle cap
of hope for the life ahead . . . just enough
to keep hunger shuffling by in a low cloud
of flies. It's the least I can do,
and so I do it.
I have followed the dry length
of Mission Creek to the sea and forgotten to pray
for the creosote, the blue salvia, let alone
for pork bellies, soy bean futures.
Listen.
There are 900 thousand Avon Ladies in Brazil.
Billions are spent each year on beauty products
world-wide—28 billion on hair care, 14 on skin
conditioners, despite children digging on the dumps,
selling their kidneys, anything that is briefly theirs.
9 billion a month for war in Iraq, a chicken bone
for foreign aid.
I am the prince of small potatoes,
I deny them nothing who come to me beseeching
the crusts I have to give. I have no grounds for complaint,
though deep down, where it's anyone's guess,
I covet everything that goes along with the illustrious—
creased pants as I stroll down the glittering boulevard,
a little aperitif beneath Italian pines. But who cares
what I wear, or drink? The rain? No, the rain is something
we share—it devours the beginning and the end.
The old stars tumble out of their bleak rooms like dice—
Box Cars, Snake Eyes, And-The-Horse-You-Rode-In-On . . .
not one metaphorical bread crumb in tow.
Not a single Saludo! from the patronizers
of the working class—Pharaoh Oil, Congress,
or The Commissioner of Baseball—all who will eventually
take the same trolley car to hell, or a slag heap
on the outskirts of Cleveland.
I have an ATM card,
AAA Plus card. I can get cash from machines, be towed
20 miles to a service station. Where do I get off penciling in
disillusionment? My bones are as worthless as the next guy's
against the stars, against the time it takes light to expend
its currency across the cosmic vault. I have what everyone has—
the over-drawn statement of the air, my blood newly rich
with oxygen before the inescapable proscenium of the dark,
my breath going out equally with any atom of weariness
or joy, each one of which is closer to God than I.

Christopher Buckley

how about this library?

As you well remember, I'm going to Seattle and Whidbey Island
next month. I've heard from various friends about this spectacular
library and, as luck would have it, it's very close to my downtown
hotel. My friend Rich has also organized an underground tour
for us in Seattle, before we boat over to Whidbey. I'm starting to
get excited and even bought a new swimsuit yesterday and we
know that takes courage.

silence those vuvuzelas!

Or, however one spells that horrid horn noise from the soccer games.
Yesterday was Sunday Streets (car-free) day in the Mission, but at
11:30am all the bars and restaurants were packed and the streets
relatively empty. A few bikers and skaters trying to hit the walkers,
but nothing like last year. Maybe it was the lack of sunshine in SF,
but in any event, it was good to be out and about for a little while.

We did enjoy the l-o-n-g soccer game and the exceptional baseball
game ~ the Giants have been hitting (what?) lately. This week is
All Star time, down at Angel Stadium in Anaheim. We hate the
Angels, but that's a long ago story that should be put to rest by now.

let's travel with Claire!

The blogmaid's step daughter (and RR's half sister) is once
again spending the summer in Switzerland. I urge you to
read her pony tail blog and to view her award-winning
video here. Claire has a wonderful way with words and
has about 4000 friends across the globe. I probably won't
ever get to visit this beautiful country filled with lakes
and mountains, so I look forward to my daily visits with
Claire as she plays soft ball, swims, bikes, parties and
learns various languages. Thank you for this delightful
journal, dear Claire!

return to Glasgow

I am currently reading Denise Mina's second crime novel and
of course I'm hooked. The first was Garnethill and this one is
entitled Exile. It features the same flawed Maureen O'Donnell
and her friend Leslie, as they try to track down a killer of
their friend Ann. Yes, it's dark, but intriguing.

Ms. Mina has studied and taught criminal law and certainly
knows the city of Glasgow. Good stuff. Oh, and there will be
one more book, Resolution.

nobody does it better

As you know by now, we love most British detective series and
Murphy's Law is no exception. Tommy Murphy (James Nesbitt)
is an undercover officer in London ~ he's intense and fun and
never afraid of nothin'. Murphy is actually Irish, but so far the
accents are not too heavy and we can understand all the clever
typically British conversations. From the Flix®, of course.

searching, searching...

What did we do before the search engine? Go to the library,
I suspect. In any event, I've spent several hours tracking down
a quote that I appreciated at the Maira Kalman exhibit at
the Jewish Museum. I don't know why it hit me, but it did.
All I wrote down was "Flaubert" and "as if the fullness of
the soul" and finally, this is what I have found. From our
gal, Madame Bovary:

As if the fullness of the soul did not sometimes overflow
in the emptiest metaphors, since no one can give an
exact measure of his needs, or his thoughts or his sorrows.

So there, it was worth it, no?

medical update

I'm happy to report that my friend Michael (aka The Seahorse)
is home and his blood work yesterday was up/up/up. Good
news all around from Santa Barbara. He will need more chemo
for the leukemia, most likely, but for now he is concentrating
on gaining weight and will probably start going to yoga at
the hospital where he spent so much time. His spirits are
better and he is enjoying the basics: beach walks, friends
and good food. His girl friend, Pam, is a huge help and she
is terrific about sending emails to all of us who care so much
about this fine man.

it could have been a disaster

One in the dining room.

Bad photo of living room (above) ~ but you can see the nabes!
Bedroom below.

This interior re-mo all started because we needed new windows
"and we might as well get the walls painted," etc. You know how
it goes. We decided to use Costco because our friend Ginger in
Santa Barbara sings their praises for house projects.

Costco teams up with American Home Renewal and although
there was a wait from measuring to delivery, we are thrilled
with the results. They are busy because you remember that
there is a tax deduction for better insulation.

Yesterday 3 guys arrived at 8:30am and installed these 7
windows pictured above and they were out of here
by 3:30pm. They didn't stop and our new windows are
exquisite. Our friend Neti came over and approved of the
new walls and windows ~ hooooray!

Next? Window "treatments" also via Costco.

Now I had better get to work.

once a leftie, always...

It's such a treat to gather with the other aging hippie commie viva-
la-revolution-all-power-to-the-people folks on July 4th at Dolores
Park. And yesterday was sunny and warm, the hisses and hoorahs
were exquisite ~ it was an added treat because our friend Ginger
from P-town joined The Great Plotniks and their young friend
Molly for the afternoon and later, a delicious dinner by Plottie
and The Great Ducknik. Lots of laughter while Husbando
begged for more cornbread.

The play? Posibilidad or Death of the Worker, a new show
with an old theme ~ greed, capitalism, profit, bah. This was the
first of the 2010 summer season for the Mime Troupe and we
already predicted that next year will be about Big Oil.

Then home to barely see the fireworks because the fog had
rolled in once again for the event. Another very special day
off for this retail worker,

Today was yoga to calm me because (ta dum) the window
guys are here. The report for tomorrow should be interesting...

such a day

Does my headline sound a little Jewish? While enjoying the Maira
Kalman exhibit yesterday at the Jewish Museum I mentioned to
Husbando that her work reminded me of Linda Davick, a friend and
blogmate over there on the right. Well, guess what? Linda was there
yesterday too, and to celebrate I borrowed the above photo from her
blog. Do not miss this fabulous exhibit and I mean it! You know Maira
from the New Yorker Magazine and a bunch of kids' books. (Thanks
for the photo and the coincidence, Linda...)

This is the Jewish Museum, but you already know that.

We also visited two floors of the new Fisher collection at the Moma.
George Segal's sculpture was inviting ~ I felt right at home with
the two One Way signs and the somewhat gloomy people. After
these two museums Husbando went home to wash Ken (the car)
and I visited my old friend Terri at chronny books (the store).
I finally had lunch at the E&O Trading Company on Sutter with dear
Dancing Jen. We had a lot to catch up on and the food was excellent.
I had walked by this place hundreds of times when I worked at
Borders, but I was a little intimidated and thought maybe it was
too fancy for my blood. But no, it's great for downtown dining ~
grilled Asian delights and not too expensive.

So culture, friends, food, Husbando, Muni, BART and more. Perfecto!

early saturday morning

Well, I thought it was early (7:30), but the Farmers' Market down
on Alemany was already jam and fruit-packed with people and
produce. This is only open on Saturday, and since I'm rarely off
I was looking forward to a quiet browse. Most of the vendors and
customers are Asian or Mexican, so it's a colorful scene with lots
of bargaining in assorted languages. Parking is impossible, but
I was OK due to the karma thing. You can see it's going to be
beautiful weather and I'm off for 3 in a row. Hooooooray!

Next to a couple of museums for bus a woman's holiday.

polvo rosa rocks

Here is the living room all finished and waiting for us to hang some
artwork. Husbando vacuums everyday because there is still a LOT
of dust and dirt. Our paint is #1010 Rose Dust by Benjamin Moore,
emphasis on the second word of the name at this point.

On Monday we are getting new windows in the bedroom (see below)
and living room. Then some fresh blinds or curtains and then,
finally, the end and we get back to what passes for normal in our
small, much-loved home here in Bernal Heights.

desk clean-up

From an old Leah Garchik column in the chronny:

Andrea Dew Steele, founder of Emerge, which trains women considering running for Democratic office, has left that group to become development and outreach director of Northern California Human Rights Watch. Her role at Emerge was celebrated last week at an event featuring Arianna Huffington, a woman who knows how to stir up passion and turn any gathering into a revival meeting.

The financial disaster wouldn't have struck, she said, if Lehman Brothers had been Lehman Brothers and Sisters. Women are called ruthless, she said, if they put you on hold. The rallying cry of the evening: "If you are not at the table, you are on the menu." Bon appetit.

we was wrong

There was much groaning and bitching at Casa Verde Mocha
Tornado when we received the announcement that the SF
Playhouse was going to produce The Fantasticks as their
final play of this season. When love was new Husbando and
I went to see this huge hit and found it way too syrupy and
of course we left at half time. But that was 40 or so years
ago and at that time we were so sophisticated and worldly.

The Great Plotnik, Ducknik and our friend Ginger in P-Town
convinced us to give it another try and to our amazement,
the show has improved! We had a great time last night,
especially loving Ray Reinhardt, Joan Mankin and Louis
Parnell. The young woman star, Sepideh Moafi, has a
beautiful voice, I'm sure she was trained for opera.

See, you can drag old horses to old theater ~ yippee. This
is playing through Sept. 4th ~ commano says "GO."

how to escape

There is nothing like a great mystery to take me away from the
painters (yes, it is their last day), the Giants losing to the
Dodgers, tedious work issues and worrying about Michael
who is still in hospital in Santa Barbara.

I read everything that Elizabeth George writes, but I'm es-
pecially fond of her series featuring Tommy Lynley who is
a British Lord and a police officer. I have been known to cry
real tears while reading her work. As you might know, it is
NOT easy to weep and read at the same time. I've almost
finished This Body of Death, meaning that I'll have to face
reality again at some point soon. Drat.

sunshine!

Isn't this how we all feel after a glorious day like yesterday? Even
in Pumpkinville, as evidenced by this happy RR seaside dance. I
had to work, but at least I could go outside on my breaks and lunch.
Today is beginning beautifully too...but alas, it's Inventory Day.

bridges at his best

After watching soccer and baseball yesterday it was pleasant to
enter the world of hard-drinking country music. The soccer
game was interesting because the announcers kept selling us
on how fabulous soccer is, and for sure I'll watch another World
Cup one day. Baseball does not need sales people to gather fans.

Crazy Heart is a compelling film with a simple storyline and
some fabulous acting. Jeff Bridges, Maggie Gyllenhall, Colin
Farrell and Robert Duvall are all outstanding. Rent it!

nooks, cracks and crannies

We slept here in the back room for two awful nights. Husbando on
the floor, bless him. This sort of looks like a Mondrian print, doesn't it?

Now where are my black shoes?

Our home has survived a few earthquakes, but there were some
blemishes in almost every room as a result. "Workingman Victorian"
was a cookie cutter design here in the city 80 or so years ago and
we see many homes like ours throughout the city. But man, they
are solidly built. In any event, the painting and fix-up continues
and the painters insist on two coats on the walls and the miles of
detailed trim. It is starting to come together now and we slept in
our own bed last night, what a relief.

We should be able to say "thanks and goodbye" to the painters
on Monday. They are working today. I'll wait until it's a done
deal before you see the finished product. Now to watch soccer,
of all things. Go USA!

move these to the top...

You'll be very wise to order these two BBC discs from the
Flix® before you come to the deYoung to see the masterpieces
from the d'Orsay this summer. The Impressionists tells the
true stories of Manet, Monet, Renoir, Degas and Balzille ~
what a struggle they had facing poverty and derision from
the art establishment. Beautiful. beguiling and so interesting.

meet us at Rosalie's!

What a wonderful break we had on Monday when we left Casa
Tornado and the 57 painters to meet The Great Plotnik and
Ducknik at Rosalie's. We've driven by it a million times because
it's at 14th and South Van Ness, but we never made it inside
until now. The verdict? Fabulous Mexican food and great
prices ~ soccer on the TV, of course. I had yummy rancho eggs
and Husbando gobbled up mole enchiladas ~ it was the
highlight of the week and maybe next week's too. Thanks
for the great idea, Plottie!

predictable, but worthwhile

Invictus is based on real-life events ~ when Nelson Mandela
came into power at the end of apartheid. He used the 1995
World Cup rugby match to unify South Africans. Matt Damon
plays the captain of the mostly white team. We both enjoyed
this movie and felt that Morgan Freeman was a creditable
Mandela. From the Flix®, of course.

walking & lunching last sunday

A short cut through the Rose Garden in Golden Gate Park starts my day.

The roads are closed to cars ~ so peaceful on Saturday and Sunday.

This band-in-the-shell has been a summer tradition for about 100 years
and the same people appear in the audience with their lunches,
strollers, dogs and peculiar fashions. I always bring something to
read, but end up just enjoying the whole scene while I munch on my
sandwich and carrots. There was a fine young singer here, but what
I love the most are the red uniforms and enthusiasm of the band.
I'm not wild about the music (76 Trombones gives me hives), but I
try to remember that it's not designed for my listening pleasure and I
relax in the sun (or fog) for my hour outside and away from retail.

summer 2010 starts today

And what better way to celebrate than with colorful photos of
our 6.5 year old girl? RR is a delight through sunshine and the
occasional bit of fog, aka Bay Area marine layer. Pony camp
starts today ~ more photos to come!

day #6, week #2

Husbando spent yesterday dusting and vacuuming in preparation
for tomorrow when the living room gets painted. It's still a mess,
but so much cleaner than all of last week and I could walk down
the hallway in bare feet without dust clouds last night.

Meanwhile I was in the midst of the Orsay shoppe. Congestion.
Good business and mostly nice customers, but still a woman gets
tired of being nice. Know what I mean?

the perfect cup o' tea

I've had this beautiful book here now for a few weeks and I've been
afraid to write about it because I so want to do it justice and encourage
my readers to buy their own copy. Even though I'm a coffee drinker,
Husbando and I enjoy green tea in the afternoon and some sleepy tea
(chamomile) before bed. And we lap it up at Asian restaurants, of course.

Tea Culture is written by my friend (and fellow blogger) Beverly
Dubrin and she has included some wonderful photographs and
illustrations as well as recipes for hot and cold tea drinks and a lot
of delicious snacks for tea parties. I'm going to make Marion's Dream
Bars on page 130 as soon as life gets back to normal here at Casa Tornado.

Beverly includes information on the health benefits of tea and there
is an interesting chapter on infusions and tisanes. These are the
so-called "herbal teas" that are so popular now. I loved the section
on tea rituals and ceremonies around the world ~ exceedingly
interesting.

Tea Culture: History, Traditions, Celebrations, Recipes & More
is only $18.95 Hardcover. Buy it at your favorite bookstore.

Exquisite book ~ great job, Beverly!

day #4 and more!

This is the garage, so don't worry. The dining room is finished and
"we" are moving into the living room today. Lots of plaster work
going on in the hallway. Dust all over. No fun. Another week or so,
we think. They start at 8:15am and leave around 6pm. Hard workers.

And this is a first. We watched 5 minutes of the USA and Slovenia
World Cup thing this morning. A tie. Colorful costumes in the stands.

it was just a question...

Husbando reads the New Yorker before I do and makes little
marks and comments. "Read this!" he'll write on some article.
Here on this cartoon he wrote his name down on the sofa. The
guy-in-therapy's line is somewhat difficult to read despite my
best computer efforts:
"And then she said, "You're wearing that to the psychiatrist?"

I have a tendency to help my husband coordinate his fashion
ensembles. Can I help it if I hate ratty sweatshirts? Besides,
isn't this part of my job description?

Painting Day #3 continues. Slowly. Update tomorrow.

topeka taupe

Paint Day #2. We selected this beige (eeeeeeeek) color because our
carpets are such bright colors. These guys are really working and
I will be happy to get to my job outside Casa Grande Mess today.
Husbando asked if we could have Dust Bowl Salad last night. Yes.
(Topeka Taupe isn't the real name of the paint, but it will do.)

Then I went to lunch at Liverpool Lil's with a special friend from
my work place and that was exceedingly pleasant indeed.

We are mentally counting the days until we get our house back. "OK,
two days for the hall and stairway, the living room is larger than
the dining room, so that's a day and a half, the bedroom will need
at least one day." You've all been there. Lordy.

the agony and the sweet peas

The dining room this morning.

We are having the hall, living room, dining room and soon the
bedroom painted this week (and next and next?) and by now you
realize that I get a bit irritable when things aren't right in the exact
place where they belong. So far Husbando and I aren't at the
talking-through-clenched-teeth stage, but of course I spent yesterday
and dinner time away from Casa Tornado ~ we'll see what today
brings. The painters are perfectionists, which is what we want.
I'm reminding myself of that by writing it here...

Yesterday I escaped via BART to Pleasanton for a wonderful walk
and talk with my friend Ginger. The flowers are from her nabe at
the community garden. She is concentrating on tomatoes, basil,
artichoke and zucchini (I was nice about that, the world is
overrun with squash during summer) as she battles with the
gophers and birds. She loves it!

Last night was a little work-related dinner and today I'm ready
to get out of here. Either that or I'll have to clean up this office
of mine. Pile by pile...

dancing through SF history

Last night we enjoyed 90 minutes of music, dance and very few words.
The Tosca Project is one of those "only in San Francisco" extravaganzas
that (in my opinion) shouldn't be missed. It celebrates the Tosca Cafe
and the city and all the heart and craziness that is SF. One scene
stands out in my mind this morning: being inside the bar and watching
the world go by in the rain ~ umbrellas and raincoats and steamy
front windows. And always the jukebox as the center of it all. That
and the big copper cappuccino machine, which we did remember from
our nights in North Beach eons ago. Thank you ACT, ballet dancers,
sailors, beats, poets, musicians, yuppies and Tosca herself...

the power of prejudice

The Girl on the Train is (obviously) a French flick based on a
true story. A young woman claims to have been the target of
a hate crime on a train and of course the media frenzy is so
very like ours would be. Her mother is played by Catherine
Deneuve and she is as lovely as ever. It's so wonderfully French
that you should rent it ~ we both enjoyed it immensely.

it's World Cup time!

I saw a very funny video on Keith Olberman's show and if I had the
time I'd track it down for you. About 6 penguins in soccer shirts
(two colors, authentic) just standing around staring at the ball.
Once in awhile one would sort of push the ball about 2 inches,
but mostly they didn't move at all. It looked like the real thing
to me. So there, enjoy the World Cup and keep talking about
how SOME day this boring sport will be big in the USA.