the horridness approaches

down by City Hall ~ wake us when it's all over (2/8) ~ we hate football

 

 

 

a long winter's walk

Yesterday I hopped on BART for a vacation day out in Pleasanton
with Ginger. First we had a hearty lunch at Urban Plates in Dublin,
then a latte and a sweet at Peet's, and then a delightful (and much-
needed) walk around her nabe. We spoke of many things, the way
old friends do - joys and fears and how come people are so weird
and sometimes wonderful? You know, clean-out-your-heart kind
of talk which we both needed more than usual this week, or so it
seemed. I returned home refreshed and happy, as I knew I would.

don't know much about...

...photography, but I remember at some exhibit the artist mentioned how
he/she would wait for rain and puddles to get more dramatic shots.
I've seen this statue a million times out at the Legion of Honor, but
somehow the grey, the rain, and  the vague reflection prompted me to
get out my iPhone and give it a try. Like.

so very satisfying

Last night we finished Season Two of Mozart in the Jungle which we
streamed on Amizon Prime. We both love this drama/comedy series
which takes place mostly in NYC with the glorious music of the NY
Symphony Orchestra and some fabulous acting too. Makes me want
to head to Manhattan for a week or seven, and right now.

fitting tributes

British actor Alan Rickman's death was a shock and Facebook was filled
yesterday with the famous and not-so saying beautiful and touching things
about this fabulous actor. My friend Susan (aka Fevered Brain) ranks with
the best ~ check her out over there on the right The All of It, one of my
favorite blogs. Not to complain, but 2016 is a dud so far. Thank you for
everything, Mr. Rickman. RIP.

back for another round

I read or heard that Black Mirror refers to the TV or maybe the screen of
our computers. Here we have another strange and wonderfully shocking
episode and I suggest you don't watch it right before bed. It's on the
Flix® now and it is compelling indeed.

purple works

I neglected to show you this photo of a very cool little house in our
nabe. It was obviously a December walk, not that people don't leave
wreaths and trees up for a l-o-n-g time and that's OK by me. Even
the mailbox on the bright white rail is purple.

fuzzy puppies...

...and photos too. We had six to separate for feeding and room cleaning
yesterday and since we were a little short handed early on I helped out.
Pups can wriggle their way out of anything, especially crates that don't
secure well, and it was an active time indeed. Almost all of them had
been adopted by the end of the day, or so Marsi (above) emailed me
last night. I mean WHO can resist a puppy?

can you feel the sunshine?

I love this photo (thanks, Blogmaid) from 1995, when the Giants still
played at Candlestick. We had not yet won a World Series, but we were
full of hope. Our team raised money for AIDS research and once in
awhile a right wingish player from an opposing team (not ours!) would
get all homophobic and uptight and of course we loved that and would
boo him mightily when he appeared in the lineup. Notthat assures us
that pitchers and catchers report in 40 days and oh, hooooray for baseball.
Soon, my friends, soon.

first time in the USA

Raphael's Portrait of a Lady with a Unicorn is here on loan from the
Galleria Borghese in Rome. I've seen the image many times, but not
until I saw the original yesterday at the Legion of Honor did I under-
stand what all the fuss is about. Is fuss an art term? Anyway, this is
more than splendid. Much discussion on whether the unicorn is based
on a lapdog or a horse, but it would be hard to fold the front paws
of a pony, would it not? Suffice it to say this 1506 piece is so rich in
color and intensity that I urge you to come to see it in Gallery One -
on display here through April 10th.

this? that? another?

I can't believe that I will need to buy a new computer this year, but
yes, it is time. MsBook has been a wonderful friend since 2009 ~ I
really don't have a major complaint about her. Of course she is a
bit slow and that beach ball appears far too often, but mostly it is
when I want to download some program and the response is, "your
computer is too old for this." Something like Scrivener, for instance.
Pictured here is the AirMac - do I want this one? I'm not going to
rush into this purchase, so any advice will be appreciated.

preparing for Tiapos

I bought some gourmet pastries for the writing group last night. We
met at Doug's and although it was a fun and hearty gathering, we
missed our leader Jane, whose health isn't too great currently. Suzy
and Doug provided better sweets for the strong coffee and tea
and everyone contributed their written words. A fine evening, and yet...

ah, the beauty

There are many glorious images when one googles Rain San Francisco
and I selected this one for today. Do not think that we have ventured outside
for one moment the past two days, but today we might go out between
storms. Then tonight is Tiapos over at the Great Plotniks and tomorrow
is back to work. Yes, El Niño has arrived ~ floods, falling trees, water!

have you been watching?

This is a fascinating documentary - Steve Avery is in jail for a murder
he did or did not commit. We don't know yet. What we see, however,
is the justice system as messy, untrustworthy, inconsistent and hell
bent on making the facts fit without any real detective work. Sad.
It takes place in some dreary small town in Wisconsin.

an afternoon with the master

I had a productive day with one of the expert mystery writers yesterday -
my novel writing teacher (Karen) always mentions her and I think
I have read every book she has ever written. Elizabeth George is an
American, but writes all things British. Genius. So I'm loving A
Banquet of Consequences on my Lindakindle2. (My dictionary says
that Master is for men, but that needs to be updated, don't you agree?)

from the SPCA newsletter

Now that holiday celebrations have ended, we would like to
thank all of our supporters for another great Holiday Windows
at Macy’s! This year, in just six short weeks, we were able to
send home 261 animals, 220 cats and 41 dogs.

Not only were the animals adopted at Holiday Windows saved,
but those adoptions opened up space in our shelters to bring in
261 more animals.

“Every year I am touched by how many new beginnings come
from Holiday Windows,” said Adoption Center Coordinator
Amber Eby. “I love it when people come back to visit and
tell us how their adoptees from the previous year, or the
previous five years, are doing in their forever homes. It
really does help change lives, for both the animals and their people.”

A big thanks to all the volunteers who came in early and stayed
late, rain or shine. We also want to thank the adopters and donors
who braved the crowds to show their support, and of course our
partners at Macy’s. With the 29th annual event being such a success,
we can’t wait to see what the 30th anniversary brings next year!

back to 2015

We have an old, simple newspaper recipe and we have marked on it every
year since 2008, when we started the roast beef tradition for New Year's
Eve. It's tempting to overcook this expensive piece of meat, so we are
very careful. We don't like Kathy Griffin, but we watch her and Anderson
Cooper on CNN in NYC until the ball drops at 9pm our time. Oh, and
gobs of mashed potatoes with the rare roast beef. Yum. The next day
Husbando slices the remaining beef (he has an electric slicer) and I
take sandwiches to work until we run out and start planning for December
31, 2016. Happy New Year to my devoted readers!

ellen gets analyzed

Husbando is very nice about letting me use the dining room table to work
on the outline project. It has been so long since I read the first fifty or
so pages that I was amazed at the number of characters who have dropped
away, the discrepancies (is sister Diane two years older or younger than
Ellen? it varies...) and, in general, the smooth readability of this work.
I am not displeased and that is a surprise. So I am making notes and
chugging along. Novel class next week and I need to report on some
progress here and I think I will, but it is slow going.

over and out

The Blogmaid and I had a fine time at the movie Carol yesterday.
This has become her pre-b.day tradition and we met in Stonestown
and ate chocolate while drinking lattes. Yes, we recommend this
movie that takes place in the 1950's with some wonderful period
piece details and terrific acting. Good plot too, from Ms. Highsmith.
So 2015 is a wrap, it was a very good year, all in all.

two from the Blogmaid

On Christmas day I lost my Buddha car key somewhere down in
Pumpkinville and the above came in the mail yesterday. Whoooooosh,
my parking karma will remain steadfast. Then in the email blogmaid
sends the peppermint ice cream photo - I think it might be nearly
empty.  Hoooooooray and many thanks, dear friend. Today we end
2015 with a movie ("Carol") and some girl talk (blogmaid & blogger
variety) and maybe popcorn, candy. It's only right and fitting...

my yesterday

I spent six plus hours up in the tower at the deYoung and it was packed
with locals and tourists - families and single travelers, rich and poor
and in between. By the time I got home I did not want to talk, but I
bounced back today and took a long walk this afternoon. There aren't
many free public places to enjoy city views and all the guidebooks
recommend this spot, especially on a clear and beautiful day.

lunch in Berkeley

We recommend the feisty Thai food at Gecko Gecko on Addison.
I always try to use Open Table and am glad I did because they
were busy at noon on Sunday. One short block from the Berkeley Rep.
Good choice thanks to Ginger who is a huge Rep theater fan.

disturbing, scary = great

Husbando and I had front row balcony seats for Disgraced yesterday at
the Berkeley Rep and it is indeed an amazing and disarming play about
a Muslim man, his white wife and their two friends. Oh, the young Muslim
nephew is very important to the story too. We think here in the Bay Area
that we are immune to these problems because we celebrate diversity,
but this sure made me see things differently. HBO is going to produce
this at some point and we will want to see it again. So much to digest.
It was a wonderful way to spend our anniversary, that's for sure.

December 27th

Why did we get married in December, two days after Christmas? How
difficult it must have been for the guests. But we married 46 years ago
with friends and family gathered in a small room at the Highlands Inn in
Carmel. It was a blur then and is still to this day. I bet quite a few of
the guests said, "they'll never make it," but we are both stubborn and
we weathered all those marital storms that some of you might know
about. Today we celebrate with a Thai lunch and theater in Berkeley,
of all places. Bonne Anniversaire, mon mari! Lucky us...

a merry HMB day

our host at work

with adorable grand daughter, Ceci

the blogmaid and the blogger

We had a delightful day in Pumpkinville (aka Half Moon Bay) and Mr.
Blogmaid cooked the ENTIRE meal for all of us. We walked out to the
ocean after dinner and it was indeed cold. I believe I got the Blogmaid
hooked on Mitchell's peppermint ice cream and that's a VERY good thing.
Interesting that it goes so well with apple pie, no? Such a happy holiday!

twas the night before...

moon over mullen avenue

the joyful table

the warmth of friends

Yesterday afternoon we listened to The Shepherd by Frederick Forsyth,
a gift from the Fevered Brain and one of their Christmas Eve traditions,
which will now be one of ours. Wonderful and thank you. Then we
feasted on Cuban chicken, sweet potatoes, salads and persimmon pudding
at the always warm and delightful table of The Great Plotniks. Sister
Jen was there as was daughter Bron and her grade school girl friend K-dawg.
We had a very special Christmas Eve and once more we thank our dear friends.

Carlini & McEvoy

We had a festive dinner at Don Ramon's last night. Carlini (left) used to
work and party there back in the day and he had to work the room before
we could settle down for our rellenos and burritos, etc. These are the two
I'll be going to Ashland with in April - how lucky am I?

from the Upanishads

Francesco Clemente

Here is my moment of Zen for you...

 A student asks his master when he will teach him being Zen,
So one day master puts an empty cup in front of his student
and starts pouring the tea. The cup is full, but the master
continues pouring tea and it spills all over the tablecloth,
Student tells master that the cup is full. The master responds,
"Your cup is also overflowing." Be empty before you receive.

An excerpt from The Upanishads

desktop speak

Mine here at home is a glorious ocean scene from my last Pathetica walk
with the Blogmaid. This one is at the SPCA and it makes me smile every
time I log in. Such detail, such fury.

all day Sunday!

Grey, wet, gloomy and really quite wonderful. A good stay-home day
to catch our breaths and watch the garden sop up all this much needed
rain. Forecast is the same for today, tomorrow, etc. Yes! By next week
it will be legal to start bitching about the rain. Right?

season two

We have been watching Transparent on Amazon and although it is very,
very good, it isn't quite as amusing as last season. In fact it can
be very dark and the three grown children all have emotional problems
and we know how rare that can be. Joke.  Well worth seeing, however.

when writers party - huzzah!

Randy and Doug and pretty cake

What a great time - we laughed and laughed, ate too much and got all
sad about this being Randy's last Tiapos holiday party. Everyone read
and we were our usual snarky "I hate Christmas!" selves and it was
just a totally delightful evening. Thanks to Doug and Barb for hosting
and of course we are messy people and there was a lot of clean-up
when we left. This much I know. But what a night and I'm glad that
Doug recorded Randy's final rendition of Fuck Christmas. Too marvelous
for words, even for writers. Oh, and Jane's poem saluting dear Wally
who died several years ago. Randy is moving to NYC and lordy, we
will all miss him so much.

happy holiday bus

Here is our basic old Muni bus all decked out for the season. Of course
the Clipper Card box wasn't working and there was a drunk sprawled
over three old-people seats, but, hey, it's pretty on the outside and Muni
gets us around without driving our tedious cars, so rejoice.

water contraptions

I intuitively like the people who live in this little blue house on the
top of Alabama Street. I can't quite figure out how their watering
system works and the plants really aren't all that pretty, but nonetheless,
this adds a certain wonderful weirdness to the nabe. We need more
strange as the sleek, rich techies continue to move in. I almost wrote
invade - almost.

it's been too long

I haven't walked the nabe in awhile, so I did that today after lunch with
Frances up on Cortland. It's a good cold today, the colors seem extra
bright and the hills even steeper than before. But walking solves everything
as you well know by now.

Ellen on the table

Yesterday I plunked my novel into a flash drive, used my 30% Office
Max coupon and behold, here we have 178 pages of mostly drivel. But
it's impressive that I have written so much. Soon I will do the outline
(now that's a project!) work out the next 130 or so pages. and hit the
NY Times best seller list. No guts, no glory.

more scotch tape, please

Yesterday, during the on/off rain, I managed to wrap all the packages
and even address a few holiday cards. I do love having Sundays off
and although I'm not yet able to just sit and read, I do accomplish a lot
and it's just plain wonderful to have a whole day to get organized.

it's the real thing

Rain! And lots of it, just like the old days. Thankfully we didn't have
to drive (or fly) in it this morning and now the sky is clearing and I
can go for a little walk after lunch. Maybe, maybe, maybe this draught
will be over in 2016? Snow up in the mountains too - yes!

novel continuation class

In July there were fourteen of us, last night there were four. Writers
run out of steam. Of course I didn't want to go to class myself, but
Blogmaid and Husbando gave me a push and, as always, I'm so
glad that I went out in the cold, dark night. Teacher Karen said that
now is the time for me to outline the novel. I'm not that kind of
writer (I wish I was), but she is right and I will get going on that
after the holidays release me from their merry, merry grip. I already
signed up for the class beginning in January and I will finish this
damn project in 2016. Mark my words, edit and delete...

back to Burma

Husbando and I ventured outside our comfort zone again yesterday. I
always think of you, Linda, here at the Mandalay. Anyway, we had a
delicious lunch and then ran errands (plus a doc visit) in the Laurel
Heights nabe. Also known as, You Really Think You Can Park Here?
But we did and everything worked out just fine, as it so often does.

from an SPCA friend

A PET'S TEN COMMANDMENTS

1.  My life is likely to last 10-15 years. Any separation
    from you is likely to be painful.

2. Give me time to understand what you want of me.

3. Place your trust in me. It is crucial for my
   well- being.

4. Don't be angry with me for long and don't lock me
   up as punishment. You have your work, your
   friends, your entertainment, but I have only you.


5. Talk to me. Even if I don't understand your words, I
   do understand your voice when speaking to me.

6. Be aware that however you treat me, I will never
   forget it.

7. Before you hit me, before you strike me, remember
   that I could hurt you, and yet, I choose not to bite
   you.

8. Before you scold me for being lazy or uncoop-
    erative, ask yourself if something might be
    bothering me. Perhaps I'm not getting the right
    food, I have been in the sun too long, or my heart
    might be getting old or weak.

9. Please take care of me when I grow old. You too,
   will grow old.

10. On the ultimate difficult journey, go with me
     please. Never say you can't bear to watch.
     Don't make me face this alone. Everything is easier for
     me if you are there, because I love you so.  
     ALWAYS!

(I know, I know - this is preaching to the choir for my pet
owning friends. But it is still a sweet reminder.) 

not very encouraging

We watched Miss Representation on the Flix® last night. And just when
I thought things might be improving for girls and women. Wrong. This
is a documentary by our own Jennifer Siebel Newsom and it is very
well done, but so difficult to accept that women are still second class
citizens here in America. I won't even venture outside our borders...
but yes, well worth watching.