the best medicine

I watched this video yesterday before work and laughing
out loud helped me have a really pleasant day. I don't sincerely
laugh much when watching TV or movies, even though I am
amused. Two things make me really LOL ~ bloopers and
this kind of candid camera stuff. Enjoy!

Sorry, I couldn't get this to up/download, but here is
the link. You might have to do a cut and paste or
whatever, as we young 'uns say.

www.wimp.com/photobooth/

another sweet seder

We gathered again at The Great Plotniks' home last night to
celebrate the Jews escape from Egypt. Interesting how since
last year it takes on a whole new meaning with the many
people and countries struggling for their own freedom.
There was lots of laughter and waaaaaaaaay too much
delicious food and it was great seeing the guests from the
past 6 or so years. The message is always welcome and
here is a poem about freedom that I think you'll enjoy.

---

Julia Hartwig, born in Poland in 1921. Yet We Desire It above All Freedom does not mean happiness right away the free world hides more traps than tyranny mastiffs let loose from chains passions exceeding the horizon steps entangled in the ropes of old bonds that try to pull tight again Freedom both for scoundrels and those who sacrificed themselves for it freedom for those who feel as pure as a diamond and want to cut deeply surrendering passionately to a new slavery—of hatred from which the earth cracks like under dynamite changing the course of rivers

virtual hell

We didn't expect to, but we were exceedingly impressed with Sartre's
No Exit last night at ACT. This is a Canadian production about the
three people who end up in Hotel Hell because of the choices they
made while they were living. Powerful stuff. It's only 80 minutes,
but they are intense. This production uses video cameras and each
hotel "guest" not only has his/her own chair, they face their own
camera. After the play we were invited up on stage to see how it
was all filmed behind the closed door. We recommend the play and
the backstage tour.

radical ideas & action

The year was 1968, and these women at a Ford plant in England
had the audacity to go on strike to demand equal pay with men.
We both really, really liked this film with Sally Hawkins, Bob
Hoskins and Miranda Richardson. Made in Dagenham reminds
us all of how far we've come and allows us to applaud the brave
women (and men) who have pushed, sacrificed and ultimately
made life better for all of us.

pop-ups and food trucks

The Wise Sons - open only on Saturday

Off the Grid ~ food trucks galore

Unexpected floral treasure

We are a city of foodies, everyone knows that. But lately some
innovative chefs are doing battle with high rents. Wise Sons is
a true Jewish Deli, open for a short time once a week in Jackie's
Cafe at Valencia and McCoppin. Husbando was yearning for a
pastrami sandwich (I had a vegan reuben ~ mushrooms and
sauerkraut) so we stood in line for a little while for our lunch
which we took across the street to the Off the Grid truck place
to sit in the sun and do some serious people watching. Fun!

Food trucks are happening all over the country, I think. Mostly
ethnic and usually inexpensive and always interesting. SF has
a bunch and they move from spot to spot and text their
customers where they'll be on a certain day at a given time.

Our never-easy, always-changing city is good for the soul,
mine anyway.

not so good after all

This movie was inspired by the real life disappearance of a
young wife back in 1982. Ryan Gosling, Kirsten Dunst and
Frank Langella star in All Good Things and it beats watching
basketball or Nascar stuff, but it really isn't all that great. I
am drawn to any movie with Mr. Gosling because I think
he's so talented and the nuances of his body movements
and facial expressions are just plain fabulous. So for that
reason alone, it was worth watching.

my writing life

WORDS SPOKEN
MAY FLY AWAY...
THE WRITING-BRUSH
LEAVES ITS MARK
an old Chinese proverb

Round Robin begins again on Sunday and I, of course, have
not written a thing since the last session. I hate to be one of
those people who must pay a fee in order to write, but I do
need the structure, the daily prompt and the push from my
partner and from Mistress Jane. In the meantime I have
enjoyed NOT writing ~ the precious mornings seem a little
longer and I can read all the baseball details in the chronny
as I linger over freshly squeezed oj and blueberries which
lately resemble bbgun pellets. At the very least I make sure
to write here everyday, for better or for worse.

dept. of corrections

I know in the scheme of things (Libya, Iraq, Iran, parking, new
restaurants, theater, books, gas prices) this isn't all that important.
However, here is the official Giants World Series flag, not the ugly
one I gave you last week. The trophy is squished over there on
the left side. And just in case you didn't know, we won last night.
All's right with the world again for a few brief moments.

hitting the hills

There is a hot new restaurant on Potrero Hill named Plow, but it
was closed yesterday, so we returned to Aperto, our old favorite.
That is OUR table over in the corner and it was free, so we knew
we were in the right place. We devoured the special pasta of the
day which included fava beans and shrimp. Fabulous. We
walked a bit and I thought of Karen H. because Farley's was
bustling and hasn't changed a bit in decades, or so it seems.

The Great Plotnik and I walked Olivia, the official Writing
Salon dog in the afternoon. Another hill, this one Bernal by
name. Many dogs to meet as the humans chatted and did
some catch-up. Mistress Jane looks beautiful, but is not
feeling too hot ~ it was so good to see her again.

Today I work early and come home early and that always
makes life a bit easier, don't you agree?

playing catch-up

I'm getting a little behind here with movie reviews, so I'll start
with the most recent first. Four of my fave actors are in this
one: Hilary Swank, Melissa Leo, Minnie Driver and Juliette
Lewis. Conviction is based on the true story of a woman who
becomes a lawyer so she can help her brother who was unjustly
convicted and jailed for murder. It's not a GREAT film, but
we both did tiny little thumbs up in that annoying way one
sees people doing on TV.

letter from Emily

During National Poetry Month Knopf sends me a daily email.

Though Emily Dickinson spent much of her adult life in familial seclusion, almost never leaving her father's house, a new Pocket Poets edition of her letters, edited by the poet Emily Fragos, reminds us of the way in which Dickinson remained involved in events and people outside her famous second story room. As Fragos writes, she "never forsook human relationships...daily participating in a busy household and sending herself out into the world through her passionate, witty, mournful, and celebratory letters." This one, written on the occasion of her mother's death, is perfect Dickinson: individual phrases are so alive ("cultivated to tenderness by persistent sorrow"!) one must stop to read them several times.

---

To Louise and Frances Norcross, November, 1882 Dear Cousins, I hoped to write you before, but mother's dying almost stunned my spirit. I have answered a few inquiries of love, but written little intuitively. She was scarcely the aunt you knew. The great mission of pain had been ratified—cultivated to tenderness by persistent sorrow, so that a larger mother died than had she died before. There was no earthly parting. She slipped from our fingers like a flake gathered by the wind, and is now part of the drift called "the infinite." We don't know where she is, though so many tell us. I believe we shall in some manner be cherished by our Maker—that the One who gave us this remarkable earth has the power to surprise that which He has caused. Beyond that all is silence... Mother was very beautiful when she had died. Seraphs are solemn artists. The illumination that comes but once paused upon her features, and it seemed like hiding a picture to lay her in the grave; but the grass that received my father will suffice his guest, the one he asked at the altar to visit him all his life. I cannot tell how Eternity seems. It sweeps around me like a sea...Thank you for remembering me. Remembrance—mighty word. "Though gavest it to me from the foundation of the world." Lovingly, Emily

is this the flag?

I haven't watched yesterday's game yet, but if this is The Flag it
isn't exactly a work of art, is it? In any event, I listened off and on
to the game yesterday (12 innings and we finally win) and am
thinking, "oh no, here we go again ~ argh" with my transistor
radio and the back room computer and 14,000 chances to win
in all those innings. Husbando taped it all for me and I do want
to see the Opening Ceremonies with Jon Miller in his tuxedo
and all the pomp and glory and happy pre-game fans. But I
can't devote 6 or 7 hours a day to the Giants, not to mention
the high (and low) emotional investment. So, take that as a
warning, team-o-mine.

tiapos ~ good, but not great

This is a generic empty chair, not ours. Our writing group met
last night at our house, but our founder and dear friend, Jane,
was not feeling up to snuff due to rough pain from medication
that she is taking for her breast cancer battle. As you may
remember, Tiapos stands for This is a Piece of Shit and saying
that before we read our work keeps us from yammering away
about how awful our writing is, how tired we are, blah-blah, etc.

I was telling someone at work yesterday about how totally
and completely thrilled I was when Jane asked me to join
Tiapos. Me? There with the Real Writers? I couldn't believe
my good fortune and I still can't. We had a fine meeting, as
usual, but Lordy, do we miss our Mistress Jane. Our love
and positive thoughts surround you, dear friend.

remembering Scooter & his pals

Fair Game is based on the whole nasty and unscrupulous Bush
era when CIA agent Valerie Plame was outed by Cheney, Rove
and good old "I'll take the fall" Scooter Libby. She is married to
Joe Wilson who wrote a column in the NYTimes warning that
our invasion of Iraq was not justified because there were no
weapons of mass destruction there. The GOP does revenge, as
we see so clearly, even now, on a daily basis.

Sean Penn and Naomi Watts play the lead roles and then a
nice surprise with Sam Shepard as Valerie's papa. Worth
watching if only to appreciate our current Prez...

a million and one

I know, I keep posting similar GG Bridge photos from the Crissy
Field walk. But each time is different and yesterday was especially
wonderful because the air was so fresh and it felt good to be with
Ginger for girl talk at the Warming Hut over lattes and a scone.
Husbando did his own walk and read a few newspapers and then
we three old friends had too much lunch at our current favorite
Chinese Restaurant ~ Taiwan at 5th and Clement. My parking
karma is intact, I'm pleased to report. The day sped by as days
off tend to do. Back to the deYoung today, the early shift.

it's closing time...

This sign is from a Borders store in Chicago and it's very amusing.
The whole "where's your bathroom?" thing was agony at both
Borders and Barnes & Noble. Messy, messy people. We longed to
just close the restrooms, but since we had cafes and because so
many people carry guns, we never did.

MY old store #57 is closing this week and my thoughts are with
the employees ~ as they always were and will be. I remember all
the past CEO's and CFO's and COO's with hatred ~ those golden
send-offs were only for the privileged few and screw the workers.
Grrrrrrrrrrrr.

On the bright side, it's another beautiful day here and we'll be
walking at Crissy Field in a little while. Photos tomorrow.

we love a mystery

Thanks to my friend with the Fevered Brain in Mexico, we caught
the first two episodes of The Killing on AMC last night. And, hooray,
there are 11 more to go! Here we have Mireille Enos as the detective
and her partner played by Joel Kinnaman. And our old friend Michelle
Forbes is here too. The story? Simple and yet so, so complicated. A
teenage girl is killed in Seattle ~ grey and rainy, of course. Last
night we met the parents and a few friends and Detective Sarah
misses a date with the man she is going to marry and her young
son is unhappy and ooooooooh, what a terrific series based on a
popular Danish series. Thanks for the info. email, Susan, sorry
you are missing this one right now!

who better?

Let's celebrate National Poetry Month while we go walking with
everyman (and everywoman's) poet, Billy Collins.

The Flâneur

He considers the boulevards ideal for thinking,
so he takes the air on a weekday evening
to best appreciate the crisis of modern life.

I thought I would try this for a while,
but instead of being in Paris, I was in Florida,
so the time-honored sights were not available to me
despite my regimen of aimless strolling—

no kiosks or glass-roofed arcades,
no beggar with a kerchief covering her hair,
no woman holding her hat down as she crossed a street,
no Victor Hugo look-alike scowling in a greatcoat,

no girls selling fruit or sweets from a cart,
no prostitutes circled under a streetlamp,
no solitude of the moving crowd
where I could find the dream of refuge.

I did notice a man looking at his watch
and I reflected briefly on the passage of time,

then I saw two ladies dressed in lime-green and pink
and I pondered the fate of the sister arts,
as they stepped into the street arm in arm.

Who needs Europe? I muttered into my scarf
as a boy flew by on a skateboard
and I fell into a reverie on the folly of youth
and the tender, distressing estrangement of my life.

Billy Collins

photo by the Blogmaid!

Back in the day, in the sunshine at The Stick. I've written a lot about
how important baseball was to us, how it sort of saved our lives
during difficult financial times. The Giants had so many specials
and deals going on because they were desperate for customers and
we were desperate for a diversion. It was an easy drive and park
situation and we could always "slime down" to great seats because
the ushers knew us. We'd take our lunch, seat cushions and always
a blanket. Going early we could sit down right above the Giants'
dugout to watch batting practice and eat our garlic fries while
drinking our free Coke®. I remember the first time I heard one
of the late-arriving regulars say, "who sang the National Anthem?"
never realizing that we'd turn into two of those kind of insane fans.

Often the Blogmaid would join us. Opening Day was a celebration
and she would shower us with gifts. We had our own nicknames
for the players who were already layered with nicknames. On
some nights there would only be about 5,000 fans, but the hot
chocolate tasted extra sweet and rich and we'd get another Croix
de Candlestick pin just for being there, in the extreme cold.

Of course we love the no-longer-new-what-phone-company-now?
Giants ballpark, the Jewel. Beautiful. And we know that our
team will win some games even though we just lost two to the
Blue Scumsucking Dodgers. Baseball is still the best sport
ever and a ton of fun and success breeds success. But those
days at The Stick were very, very special. OK, time for a
Win, Giants.

not so much

I can imagine the emails from the Macy's big guns. You know
the ones: we must cut expenses for the Flower Show by 20% (it
could be 30%, who knows?) and we will start in 2011. No more
over-the-top elaborate windows, do they help sales? Forget the
ultra clever themes, let's go with Towers of Flowers, that could
cover everything. In any event, I was used to being knocked over
by the smells and sights of the annual Macy's Flower Show, but
such was not the case this year. Pretty, certainly, there aren't
many ugly flowers, are there? And it's always fun for me to be
downtown (except I have to dash by Borders, still closing), but
no need to rush into Macy's Union Square immediately because
this goes on through April 10th. I do wonder if the NYC store cut
back this year too...

finally ~ today!

The Giants vs. the Dodgers in their ballpark, late this afternoon. I will
listen to the game on my drive home and then watch it on TV tonight.
Tomorrow I'll read the details in the chronny and know that there
will be heartbreak along the way. But for today, every team is going
to the World Series, at least in the hearts and minds of their fans.
Winter is definitely over, play ball! Go Giants! Repeat...

it's a winner!

We enjoyed Wire Head last night at the SF Playhouse. It is one
of those plays where you don't want to miss a word and, as
always, the acting is terrific. It's about artificial intelligence
and how quickly the whole world of technology is "advancing".
The haves and the have nots, rights and wrongs ~ great and
pertinent material.

I was disappointed not to meet the Blogmaid yesterday due
to RR's cough-cough condition. Instead I had lunch with
some co-worker friends at Ella's. That was v. pleasant indeed.

And, guess what? Coming home from the theater we could
listen to Jon Miller and David B. Fleming over at the Oakland
Athletic's stadium. Real baseball begins tomorrow. Yes!

new book & an award winner

I downloaded this onto my much-appreciated LindaKindle®
yesterday. Ms. Egan won the National Book Award for this
one and the first chapter is a doozy, even though I had read
it previously in the New Yorker. I did finish Old Filth and
it was an interesting read. Lives, so complicated. Ever notice?

It looks like no rain again today and I'm meeting the Blogmaid
in Pathetica for coffee and a walk. Theater tonight. Life is good...

why sunday night?

It seems like the BEST night for us for TV with both Showtime
and HBO. Last night we watched two episodes of Mildred Pierce
with Kate Winslet and Guy Pearce. The first hour sort of dragged
as they set the stage, but then it picked up during the second.
We both loved and remarked on the costumes, the houses (very
SoCal) and all the little details that made it all so authentically
1930's and 40's. Ms. Pierce is a determined woman and not
particularly lovable, but that's OK by me. The final season's
episode of Shameless was last night too, but we'll get it with
On Demand tonight.

But really, the big news is that there is sunshine today.
Imagine...

the fashionista reports

I think this is my fave Balenciaga piece ~ a simple black coat
showing how much the master loved his strong Catholic
heritage. The sparkling bolero jackets are great fun and he
never skimped on fabric. Yesterday was busy, but not over-
whelming and the customers were pleasant. Lots of great
stories about finding a Balenciaga dress at a thrift shop or
"my mother wore that 2nd black Balenciaga cocktail dress,"
and the day zipped by. The deYoung does such a great job
with lighting and display ~ it's worth a visit to see for yourself.

fashion in the rain

The Balenciaga exhibit officially opens today at the deYoung, but
"the buzz" is already here and there have been a few posh parties
and celebrities, and the reports are enthusiastically positive.
I will work up there in the busy little store all today and be
quite ready for a bubble bath when I come home. I will take a
few extra breaks to see the chic clothes and accessories. Olé.

the problem with kids

...just like in real life the TV children grow up waaaaaaay too fast.
The Flix® sent us Season 6 of Weeds and here we have Shane who
is about 14 now and no longer the cute little 8 year old son of a
marijuana dealer. His older brother, Silas, must be about 20 or so
and probably wouldn't be quite as involved in the everyday world
of his crazy family, but who knows? Anyway, enough high falutin'
philosophy, this remains a fabulous TV series. Rent it now or else.

mini movie review

This film was a bit predictable, but a nice break from all the
problems in Japan, Libya and Wisconsin. Morning Glory is the
story of a network news morning show. Rachel McAdams is the
unlikely and too perky producer who has to deal with Harrison
Ford and Diane Keaton as the news anchors. It sounds dumb,
and I guess it was, but always nice to see NYC and Diane.
Sure, rent it, enjoy.

early morning meeting

I was just trying to post a thing from Patrice on How To Survive
an Earthquake, but I'm having problems getting it here on
the blog. Basically it's the Triangle Approach. Don't go under
the desk or bed, lie right next to it because there is usually a
"safe space" there. Same with the car ~ get out and lie beside
it. Of course try to get out of a building, but the stairs can be
iffy as they break away when things collapse.

On that happy note I will quickly tell you that we have an 8am
meeting today and I need to scurry this morning. How I ever
got to Borders at 6am for 8 years is beyond me. But I did and
then was then and now is now and onward, ever onward.

The rain continues as does my damp spirit.

yet another daily write

TALK ABOUT THE EGGS (the prompt)

It was 11am on the dot when Ellen and Howard met down on Market
Street across from the Ferry Building. There was even a little blue
sky by the time they climbed aboard the #38 Geary. "I'm going to
take notes for my book," Howard said, "I hope you don't mind."

"Not at all, I have some Nancy Drew catch-up stuff to do myself here."

They were fortunate to find side-by-side seats eventually and smiled
conspiratorially at the bus riders who plopped right down on the end
seat and refused to move over for another passenger. Ellen turned
her head away when the Asian man carrying a freshly dead chicken
stood directly above them. "You don't see this in those all-beige
burbs," Howard said. "Ah yes, the tyranny of beige ~ never in
Frisco," Ellen responded.

By noon they were hungry and the sun was out. A really nice
change after so much rain for so long. "Let's ride out to the end of
the line and talk about lunch. Maybe walk for a few blocks
before we decide where to eat. I like the Park Chalet outdoors
on a sunny day, but I'm sure the chairs will still be wet. Do
you have any restaurants that you love?" Howard had put his
notebook away as he was thinking about lunch. "The only
food I hate is eggs, but I can work around that."

"Hey," Ellen said, "my friend Linda loves Java Beach. Let's go there!"

goodbye Big Love

It's been five seasons worth of rather wonderful television and last
night Big Love ended. This is not a spoiler blog, so I won't go into
details except to say that Wife #2 (Nicolette, there on the right)
wore the ugliest clothes I've seen in years and years. Of course I hate
endings (I still have the final season of Deadwood here, unwatched)
but last night was satisfying on many levels. Just as I believe that
Sherlock Holmes is really about men's friendship, I believe that
Big Love is all about these three sister wives and how they work
together and apart. If you've been avoiding Big Love I suggest that
you catch up and say goodbye to our buddies in Utah. It's worth it,
trust me here...

tvf (thinly veiled fiction)

yesterday's Round Robin piece...

"I must walk," Ellen muttered to her big orange cat, Salmon.
"I don't care if it has been raining for 7 days straight. I'll just
put on my walking shoes, raincoat and grab that damn
umbrella." Salmon blinked at her, stretched and hopped
off the bed. He had been looking for sunspots all week too,

It wasn't as bad as it looked outside, but it was indeed wet.
Maybe I should move to a warmer place; the desert or
even Hayward. The sun at least shines there. And most
places are safer than this difficult city. And I could park
easily without paying $2.00 for a half hour or getting tickets
for $50 (or more) for parking where the No Parking signs
had been removed.

Ellen went to the neighborhood post office on Tiffany and decided to
dry off with a latte at the corner coffee shop on 29th. She had her
Kindle® and the place was alive with humanity. It felt good to sit
and read while the kids played and the other customers talked
amongst themselves.

As she walked back home along Precita her mood lifted. "I
just needed to walk," Ellen thought. Then, gradually, she
heard drums. Lots of drums. "It isn't even noon, who's
drumming?" The sound came from the basketball courts of
Edward Flynn Elementary School. She peeked through the
chain link fence and to her amazement saw a large circle of
American Indians! Maybe 60 of them ~ men and women in full
native garb including feathers and beads. They were dancing
and chanting and completely oblivious to the weather.
Ellen got goose bumps. How could she ever even consider leaving this glorious city?

03/19/11

this works for me

Boycott of Koch products gaining steam

by Eric Stoner | March 8, 2011, 4:18 pm

With the billionaire Koch brothers using their muscle to back Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker both during his run for office and now as he moves to strip state workers of their right to collective bargain, a boycott of Koch Industry’s consumer products is growing. For example, the Boycott and Defeat Koch Industries Facebook page now has close to 16,000 followers.

Here is a list of the company’s products which are being boycotted:

Angel Soft toilet paper
Brawny paper towels
Dixie plates, bowls, napkins and cups
Mardi Gras napkins and towels
Quilted Northern toilet paper
Soft ‘n Gentle toilet paper
Sparkle napkins
Vanity fair napkins
Zee napkins
Georgia-Pacific paper products and envelopes

I don't know if this will work, their empire is so vast and they are so rich and powerful. Sigh...

updated green girl

Here we have RR yesterday ~ and the bbq cover matches.
I especially love the socks and leggings, don't you? Thanks
for the photo, Blogmaid.

Today I'm out of the Legion of Honor, so I'll miss you at
the BTA, Linda. Have fun, no flash, but you can take all
the photos you want!

st. pat's day ~ today!

We'll rerun my all-time favorite holiday photo. Here is Ryan
Rosemary celebrating her first St. Patrick's Day. OK, snap
your fingers and today she is 7 years old and maybe tomorrow
we'll get the updated RR going-green-to-school picture.
And, yes, Dorf the cat still celebrates too.

Our corned beef celebration was Sat. night, so we'll have
a quiet day of running errands and probably cursing all
the rain today again. Oh, and I'll be sending a check to the
Japanese Red Cross because that's about all I can do for
those people who have suffered so much lately.

the 27th BTA is here

This amazing exhibit at the deYoung is well worth the time, money
and trouble it takes you. Yes, very crowded, but everyone is in
a good mood despite all the rain. There are lots of clever and
beautiful floral works to admire this year and by the closing day
Sunday the flowers will have faded, so come in soon. Today.
How's that for me being a company spokeswoman?

...a fleck of foam

I was introduced to Ms. Laux when I worked at Borders.
Belated thanks to Corriander for nudging me to read her work.

Staff Sgt. Metz

Metz is alive for now, standing in line
at the airport Starbucks in his camo gear
and buzz cut, his beautiful new
camel-colored suede boots. His hands
are thick-veined. The good blood
still flows through, given an extra surge
when he slurps his latte, a fleck of foam
caught on his bottom lip.

I can see into the canal in his right ear,
a narrow darkness spiraling deep inside his head
toward the place of dreaming and fractions,
ponds of quiet thought.

In the sixties my brother left for Vietnam,
a war no one understood, and I hated him for it.
When my boyfriend was drafted I made a vow
to write a letter every day, and then broke it.
I was a girl torn between love and the idea of love.
I burned their letters in the metal trash bin
behind the broken fence. It was the summer of love
and I wore nothing under my cotton vest,
my Mexican skirt.

I see Metz later, outside baggage claim,
hunched over a cigarette, mumbling
into his cell phone. He's more real to me now
than my brother was to me then, his big eyes
darting from car to car as they pass.
I watch him breathe into his hands.

I don't believe in anything anymore:
god, country, money or love.
All that matters to me now
is his life, the body so perfectly made,
mysterious in its workings, its oiled
and moving parts, the whole of him
standing up and raising one arm
to hail a bus, his legs pulling him forward,
all muscle and sinew and living gristle,
the countless bones of his foot trapped in his boot,
stepping off the red curb.

Dorianne Laux

The Book of Men
W. W. Norton

check out this great cast

Last night we saw Harold Pinter's The Homecoming at ACT. Some
of our favorites did brilliant work: Rene Augesen, Jack Willis, Andrew
Polk and Anthony Fusco. But, oh, the plot. Very 1965, although the
first act held great promise. The second act was just plain irritating
to both of us. And here from Leah Garchik's column this morning:

There'd been a ruckus in the audience the night before ACT's "The Homecoming" formally opened last week, director Carey Perloff said. In the middle of the second act, a woman sitting in the back of the orchestra stood and announced loudly, "This is International Women's Day! This is a misogynist play! Who is this Harold Pinter? We're leaving."

Nope, said her husband, loudly enough for all to hear. Leaving, staying; it went back and forth for a bit. Finally, the woman left and the man stayed.

At the end of the play, the man "stood and cheered," said Perloff. And there's your play within the play.

how green is our table

before

the star

after

It had been too long since we gathered around the shamrocks
and the hosts had a lovely time seeing our friends and making
mincemeat out of the 12 pound corned beef from Roberts.
That doesn't work, but I'm tired this morning, what with the
time change and the fact that I need to scamper out to the
Legion of Honor in an hour or so.

With all the terrible tragedy in Japan it was especially
comforting to be with our friends and raise our glasses
to health, happiness and the luck of the Irish, Welsh,
Jews and all the mixtures that we are.

on my Lindakindle®

Dancing Jen recommended this book and I think I'm going
to enjoy it a lot. I can't decide whether to tell you what Filth
stands for, but it's very clever. This is fiction and I think it's
a mystery. Right now it's on sample state on the electronic
reading device, but I believe it will soon be purchased.

back in the saddle

Well, that was nice while it lasted. I've accepted another full-time
temporary position at the museums and that all starts Monday with
Bouquets to Art at the deYoung. I'm NOT doing the Supe thing this
go-round, so it should be a lot easier and almost as much pay.
(I'll still boss people around because that's my nature.) And oh,
those lovely benefits ~ those are just too hard to pass up.

The 3 gigs are lovingly known as:
1) Tut
2) Orsay
3) Picasso ~ opens June 11th

I'll go back to part-time in October. Bear with me folks.

everyone (almost) loves a parade

Except for The Perfect Pitch, Hair and Sweeney Todd, I don't really
like musicals. They make me squirm. When people I have worked
with find this out about me they will sometimes hum that disgusting
tune, "76 Trombones" because they so love to see my eyes flash
with anger. Of all musicals, the one I hate most is Music Man, aka
Mucous Man.

However, that said, as TV people say, I will admit that this looks
v. cute. It's a production down in Half Moon Bay (aka Pumpkinville)
and our own RR is right there in the front row, she is wearing a
hat and glasses. Alas, Husbando and I couldn't attend last night
due to previous plans, but I'm sure it was great fun. Maybe not
quite as much fun as the head-chopping, pie-making Sweeney
Todd, but that show is probably too advanced for first graders.
(Oh, I loved Chorus Line too!)

a little levity on Wednesday

(with thanks to my friend Richard in Seattle)

The Best Smart Ass Answers of 2010!!

SMART ASS ANSWER #6

It was mealtime during an airline flight.
'Would you like dinner?', the flight attendant asked John, seated in front.
'What are my choices?' John asked.
'Yes or no,' she replied.

SMART ASS ANSWER #5

A flight attendant was stationed at the departure gate to check tickets. As a man approached, she extended her hand for the ticket and he opened his trench coat and flashed her.
Without missing a beat, she said, 'Sir, I need to see your ticket, not your stub.'

SMART ASS ANSWER #4

A lady was picking through the frozen turkeys at the grocery store but she couldn't find one big enough for her family. She asked a stock boy, ' Do these turkeys get any bigger?'
The stock boy replied, 'No ma'am, they're dead...'

SMART ASS ANSWER #3

The police officer got out of his car as the kid who was stopped for speeding rolled down his window. 'I've been waiting for you all day,' the officer said.
The kid replied, Yeah, well I got here as fast as I could.'
When the cop finally stopped laughing, he sent the kid on his way without a ticket.

SMART ASS ANSWER #2

A truck driver was driving along on the freeway and noticed a sign that read: Low Bridge Ahead. Before he knows it, the bridge is right in front of him and his truck gets wedged under it. Cars are backed up for miles.
Finally a police car comes up. The cop gets out of his car and walks to the truck driver, puts his hands on his hips and says, 'Got stuck, huh?'
The truck driver says, 'No, I was delivering this bridge and I ran out of gas.'

SMART ASS ANSWER OF THE YEAR 2010!!

A college teacher reminds her class of tomorrow's final exam. 'Now class, I won't tolerate any excuses for you not being here tomorrow. I might consider a nuclear attack or a serious personal injury, illness, or a death in your immediate family, but that's it, no other excuses whatsoever!'
A smart-ass student in the back of the room raised his hand and asked, 'What would you say if tomorrow I said I was suffering from complete and utter sexual exhaustion?'
The entire class is reduced to laughter and snickering. When silence was restored, the teacher smiled knowingly at the student, shook her head and sweetly said, 'Well, I guess you'd have to write the exam with your other hand.'

such a special day!

Today is the 100th anniversary of International Women's Day
and I will wear my special pin and when people stop to read it
I will become the blazing feminist and their eyes will glaze
over and they will try to get away from me. Too bad.

Women still get the fuzzy end of the lollipop. It's better, yes,
but we have many miles to go. We used to march for Women's
Rights and now they have Nike Marathons ~ I guess that's
some sort of progress. I always worry about the woman's
right to choose, but recently two very conservative women
representatives (Minnesota?) blocked a mean anti-abortion
bill in their state by arguing that government has no right
to interfere with a doctor and his patient. You go, Girls!

My friends and I became feminists back in the 70's and
it certainly changed our lives for the better. Now we can
spot sexism a mile away. And don't put me on any fucking
pedestal and don't call me a Lady. There is nothing wrong
with Woman or Ma'am. Don't be afraid of aging and getting
stronger and smarter. That is my advice to young women today.

I have come to believe that what the right wing wants MOST of
all is to put women in "their place" again. It's a great feeling of
power to tell the weaker sex where to go. Surprise. We aren't
the weaker sex and we never were. OK, rant over.

Oh, special thanks to all my women friends who have given me so
much over the years. Talk about strong and grateful ~ that's me.

just a day off

Here is how I spent my day off and yes, someone might want
to know. Plus I have NOTHING else to post here.

• hurt my left knee while doing morning knee stretches
• wrote some emails
• researched Angeles Arrien ~ impressive woman
  
• sent my 10 minute Round Robin piece "Clink, clink"
• vowed never to say Charlie Sheen's name ever again
• looked out on the garden ~ dank and cold and ugly
• made a big salad for lunch
• lunched with Husbando, newspaper and magazine
  
• read and napped, mostly napped
• walked to 16th and Mission to pick up Ken (the car)
• drove Ken (the car) home after brief hospitalization

Tonight we'll watch some more Nurse Jackie after bacon
and blintzes. It's not exciting, but it's our life and I like it.

money stuff

"Better than expected," we said simultaneously last night when
this Wall Street movie ended. Of course the NYC scenes are
spectacular, but Michael Douglas does a good (if predictable)
job playing Gordon Gekko again and it's always a pleasure to
watch Frank Langella in any role. Kleenex® not needed...

saturday splurge

It's OLD San Francisco and one of Husbando's favorite places
to eat. It's usually jam-packed, but Saturday lunch is the perfect
time to walk right in, sit down and gobble up the sourdough
bread. Tadich Grill specializes in seafood, cooked to perfection.
I had the grilled petrale and Husbando always orders sand dabs.
Then we split a bowl of creamed spinach and HE wants me to
tell you that the latter cost $8.75. Yes, it's pricey but worth it
for a special treat and since HE offered to pick up the tab today,
what's a woman to do? The waiters (only male?) still wear the
white jackets, but the atmosphere is warm and friendly. It's
supposed to be SF's oldest restaurant ~ I don't know about that,
but it is certainly one of the best.

she blogs, she bakes (finally), she gloats

I've never been one of those "natural cooks" who can throw things
together effortlessly. Nor can I do much with pastry, other than
buy cakes and pies at the bakery. But I watched the Duck make
this cobbler one night and I thought, "maybe I can do that!"

And I did, last night. I didn't bake it quite long enough, but every
oven is different, so I'll keep trying. It was still delicious, and
do serve it with sort-of-mushy vanilla ice cream. Thanks Plotniks!

Pat’s Cobbler

1 Qt blueberries or other fruit, washed and completely dry

1 cup sugar

1 cup flour

1 egg

1 stick of butter

Mix the fruit with the sugar. Place the fruit/sugar mix in the bottom

of a 9x9 greased baking dish, cover with the flour/sugar/butter/egg

mix and bake at 350º for 35-40 (?) minutes. (Bittman has 375º

for 35 to 40 minutes.) Serve with vanilla ice cream.

season two!

Yup, the Flix® sent us Nurse Jackie, Disc. One, Season Two
and we are very happy to be back with Edie Falco and all her
friends and enemies at the big inner city hospital. ShowTime
is quickly becoming as important to our lives as HBO ~
we are also loving Shameless, a new series this season.

And the rain has left us for a little while. Double hoooooray!

what am I reading?

I thought you'd never ask. I'm stuck in the middle of
Chronic City, it's a little dull currently. So I started on
the l-o-n-g article in the New Yorker about Scientology.
Fascinating. Years and years ago, I had a boss who
would call me into his office and try to sell me on this
quasi-religion. I was stuck for hours as he talked about
the E-meter and Clear and it was just a horrible abuse
of power, in my opinion. Finally, payback.

kay is one of the best

Splitting Ice

Like standing
on splitting ice
one foot on one
one on the
other piece.
Distressed like
the family of man
at the divorce
of the plates:
some cast into
a suddenly new
world as though
having sinned;
those kept behind
trapped and
bereft. But in
a person, one
foot will lift
and the split
resolve. So
why do the
self-saved
feel half left?

Kay Ryan