Thanks to the Cupcake Sylvia for this astonishing web site.
Just click the mouse to start and to change color.
And here I didn't think I was artistic!
Click Here: Check out "Jackson Pollock by Miltos Manetas"
Saturday, June 17, 2006
missing aimee
Sunday is usually my favorite day to work because the customers seem calmer and less demanding. Also I get to drive and park free on the street. But I see that Aimee Mann is going to open the Stern Grove Festival season tomorrow. "Magnolia" was/is so haunting ~ the movie and the music. I would LOVE to see her, sit in the sun and wave the pink section of the Chronicle. We spent many golden Sundays at Stern Grove, back before retail became my way of life. Her concert starts at 2pm, but go early, you lucky people, and enjoy the whole delightful experience. And, it's free.
Friday, June 16, 2006
highly technical information
The much heralded email feature of this blog isn't working and IT'S NOT ME. I checked in the help section and others were complaining. All I said last night (emailed twice) was that we now have Deadwood, Season Two and I'm going to be a person of few words for the next couple of days while I return to the hills of South Dakota. I loved watching the stage coach full of whores come down the road into town. New characters mean colorful new plots and intrigue...
Wednesday, June 14, 2006
surabaya johnny
I usually get a mild goose bump or two when I hear the above
song written by Bertolt Brecht, music by Kurt Weill. I didn't
last night at ACT, but Happy End is certainly well worth seeing,
with delightful costumes and a clever stage set. The problem
was, I just didn't get involved ~ no laughing out loud nor the
need to scramble for a Kleenex®. Let's say I couldn't relate
to the characters, but I did stay wide awake for the three (!)
acts and it did have a rip roaring happy ending, so I don't
want to be a harsh critic here. Charlotte Cohn (Hallelujah Lil)
has an outstanding voice. Perhaps the problem last night was
that Kurt Weill music (for me) belongs in a dark, smoky,
almost-dirty bar ~ not in a big theater.
Click Here: Check out "American Conservatory Theater - ACT San Francisco"
song written by Bertolt Brecht, music by Kurt Weill. I didn't
last night at ACT, but Happy End is certainly well worth seeing,
with delightful costumes and a clever stage set. The problem
was, I just didn't get involved ~ no laughing out loud nor the
need to scramble for a Kleenex®. Let's say I couldn't relate
to the characters, but I did stay wide awake for the three (!)
acts and it did have a rip roaring happy ending, so I don't
want to be a harsh critic here. Charlotte Cohn (Hallelujah Lil)
has an outstanding voice. Perhaps the problem last night was
that Kurt Weill music (for me) belongs in a dark, smoky,
almost-dirty bar ~ not in a big theater.
Click Here: Check out "American Conservatory Theater - ACT San Francisco"
Tuesday, June 13, 2006
but where's the meaning?
The best radio is sometimes little stuff that I catch on my
drive to downtown for my 6am Saturday shift. Last week
someone was discussing work and how it is a relatively
new concept that one's job should be meaningful. I'm going
to include this in my Big Essay that I haven't been working
on, entitled "Welcome to Grown-up Land".
Anyway, the pundit reminded me that during the Great
Depression, anyone who had any job was grateful. Think of
the thousands who risk life and limb to cross our borders
to clean toilets here in America.
Compare them to the 19 year old a friend of mine hired to
climb the corporate ladder in her advertising department.
"I can't do paperwork and details", he whined after a week.
"I'm an artist". And he quit that job which had a fantastic future.
OK, I've been miserable in jobs, and I've quit. But these are
rough times and I can see us heading quickly into another
difficult era where corporate greed will rule. I'm glad to see
that the unions are starting to rethink their strategy, but in
the meantime...work is hard. Nasty. Shitty, even. But it
pays the mortgage and, if you're lucky, provides less than
perfect health insurance.
Also, after owning our business, I changed. I see things
differently. I bitch and complain, but I work and try to
remember when we had to meet payroll, buy supplies, pay
the rent and taxes and still be "nice" to our employees.
Man, those were really rough times.
With age comes wisdom, or at least a different perspective.
(it's times like these when Husbando calls me the Andy
Rooney of Bernal Heights)
drive to downtown for my 6am Saturday shift. Last week
someone was discussing work and how it is a relatively
new concept that one's job should be meaningful. I'm going
to include this in my Big Essay that I haven't been working
on, entitled "Welcome to Grown-up Land".
Anyway, the pundit reminded me that during the Great
Depression, anyone who had any job was grateful. Think of
the thousands who risk life and limb to cross our borders
to clean toilets here in America.
Compare them to the 19 year old a friend of mine hired to
climb the corporate ladder in her advertising department.
"I can't do paperwork and details", he whined after a week.
"I'm an artist". And he quit that job which had a fantastic future.
OK, I've been miserable in jobs, and I've quit. But these are
rough times and I can see us heading quickly into another
difficult era where corporate greed will rule. I'm glad to see
that the unions are starting to rethink their strategy, but in
the meantime...work is hard. Nasty. Shitty, even. But it
pays the mortgage and, if you're lucky, provides less than
perfect health insurance.
Also, after owning our business, I changed. I see things
differently. I bitch and complain, but I work and try to
remember when we had to meet payroll, buy supplies, pay
the rent and taxes and still be "nice" to our employees.
Man, those were really rough times.
With age comes wisdom, or at least a different perspective.
(it's times like these when Husbando calls me the Andy
Rooney of Bernal Heights)
Monday, June 12, 2006
welcome back, garrison
Garrison Keillor rushed to defend Rep. Nancy Pelosi from attacks by gay-bashing Republicans last week, defending San Francisco, too. "The Bay Area is the cradle of the computer and software industry,'' he wrote in a salon.com essay, "which continues to create jobs for our children. The iPod was not developed by Baptists in Waco, Texas. There may be a reason for this. Creative people thrive in a climate of openness and tolerance. Authoritarianism is stifling. ... Creativity is a key to economic progress.''
(from today's column by Leah Garchik in the Chronny)
(from today's column by Leah Garchik in the Chronny)
Sunday, June 11, 2006
a lavish lunch at Quiznos®
On Sundays the Doctor and I scramble for the one good
table and have the exact same sandwiches & chips every
single week: meat balls for him, turkey for me. I'm glad
he's switched to the sour cream potato chips.
Today we discussed our blogs and I told him (again) that
I like to email my post in because to me it feels like I'm
writing a friend. I don't do rewrites or fuss around with
the grammar too much. It's also easier when I'm traveling.
So here, dear Doctor, are the instructions. I copied and
pasted them from the Blogger Dashboard.
In exchange, I will accept Season Two of Deadwood with
sincere thanks.
How do I post via email?
The Mail-to-Blogger feature turns any email account into a blog-posting application. In Settings | Email you can create a Mail-to-Blogger address which you will use to send posts via email to your blog:
To post to your blog via email, you need to configure your Mail-to-Blogger email address in Settings | Email:
The format of the email address is username.secretword@blogger.com. Note that this email address must be kept secret. Otherwise, anyone who gets it will be able to post as you.
Also be sure to specify whether or not you prefer your email posts to publish automatically. If this option is not checked, then your posts will be saved on your account but will not appear on your blog until you log in to Blogger.com and publish them yourself.
Once you have saved your Settings, you can send email to your blog. The subjects of your email letters will be the titles of your posts, and the body of the emails will be the posts themselves.
Notes:
• Sometimes email programs append text to the bottom of each sent message; to make sure this cruft doesn't get posted to your blog, put
table and have the exact same sandwiches & chips every
single week: meat balls for him, turkey for me. I'm glad
he's switched to the sour cream potato chips.
Today we discussed our blogs and I told him (again) that
I like to email my post in because to me it feels like I'm
writing a friend. I don't do rewrites or fuss around with
the grammar too much. It's also easier when I'm traveling.
So here, dear Doctor, are the instructions. I copied and
pasted them from the Blogger Dashboard.
In exchange, I will accept Season Two of Deadwood with
sincere thanks.
How do I post via email?
The Mail-to-Blogger feature turns any email account into a blog-posting application. In Settings | Email you can create a Mail-to-Blogger address which you will use to send posts via email to your blog:
To post to your blog via email, you need to configure your Mail-to-Blogger email address in Settings | Email:
The format of the email address is username.secretword@blogger.com. Note that this email address must be kept secret. Otherwise, anyone who gets it will be able to post as you.
Also be sure to specify whether or not you prefer your email posts to publish automatically. If this option is not checked, then your posts will be saved on your account but will not appear on your blog until you log in to Blogger.com and publish them yourself.
Once you have saved your Settings, you can send email to your blog. The subjects of your email letters will be the titles of your posts, and the body of the emails will be the posts themselves.
Notes:
• Sometimes email programs append text to the bottom of each sent message; to make sure this cruft doesn't get posted to your blog, put
Saturday, June 10, 2006
reserving italy 2007
My tour guide Ginger (Santa Barbara) wrote me with the
dates for our 8 women trip next year. I'll be leaving on
April 6 and returning on the 21st. United and Lufthansa
both fly from SFO to FLR with some stops between here
and there. The price is about the same, so I'll ask a few
people for their opinions before I book. And good
news, Ginger might go to Pompeii with me ~ if not, I
don't mind going alone because I'll have mastered all
the nuances of the Italian language by then.
dates for our 8 women trip next year. I'll be leaving on
April 6 and returning on the 21st. United and Lufthansa
both fly from SFO to FLR with some stops between here
and there. The price is about the same, so I'll ask a few
people for their opinions before I book. And good
news, Ginger might go to Pompeii with me ~ if not, I
don't mind going alone because I'll have mastered all
the nuances of the Italian language by then.
Friday, June 09, 2006
how low can they go?
There is an article in today's Chronny about the Bank of
India, oooops, I meant America. Of course they are out-
sourcing work to India, but what got my blood boiling is
the unbelievable policy that the poor employees who are
getting raped can't collect their severance packages until
they train their replacements. I mean how humiliating
and rotten can these bankers be? I betcha Mr. Gianinni
is spinning and cursing in his grave as I type. Sheeeeeesh.
India, oooops, I meant America. Of course they are out-
sourcing work to India, but what got my blood boiling is
the unbelievable policy that the poor employees who are
getting raped can't collect their severance packages until
they train their replacements. I mean how humiliating
and rotten can these bankers be? I betcha Mr. Gianinni
is spinning and cursing in his grave as I type. Sheeeeeesh.
the portabella report
I might have to host a Cupcake swim party and BBQ here
because those big door mushers couldn't hold a candle
to Sally's. But they weren't squishy, at least. It was a
quiet dinner, if you get my drift...
because those big door mushers couldn't hold a candle
to Sally's. But they weren't squishy, at least. It was a
quiet dinner, if you get my drift...
Thursday, June 08, 2006
it's all sally's fault
The best BBQ'd mushrooms (Portabella ~ meaning big door,
I believe) that I ever tasted were at the Cupcake swim party
in Pathetica (Pacifica) about 5 years ago. It was a woman
only event and Husbando made macaroni and cheese for me
to bring ~ but I gave him credit. We had lots of great food
and that's when I tasted Sally's portabellas. Tonight I
suggested that Husbando might want to marinade the big
guys for a little while before he cooks them, but he was
afraid they'd get squishy. So I told him that Sally drove her
mushers all the way from Santa Cruz in marinade and they
were fabulous. He got all huffy about Sally being such an
expert, but they are in their sauce as I type. We lead a
very exciting life and discuss only important things here.
I believe) that I ever tasted were at the Cupcake swim party
in Pathetica (Pacifica) about 5 years ago. It was a woman
only event and Husbando made macaroni and cheese for me
to bring ~ but I gave him credit. We had lots of great food
and that's when I tasted Sally's portabellas. Tonight I
suggested that Husbando might want to marinade the big
guys for a little while before he cooks them, but he was
afraid they'd get squishy. So I told him that Sally drove her
mushers all the way from Santa Cruz in marinade and they
were fabulous. He got all huffy about Sally being such an
expert, but they are in their sauce as I type. We lead a
very exciting life and discuss only important things here.
Wednesday, June 07, 2006
dinner with friends
Tonight we are going over to Twin Peaks for dinner with
N and F. We have been friends for more than 30 years.
We used to have elaborate dinner parties with exotic
dishes that took us hours to prepare. We would mix and
match wines with every course, get into screaming
arguments about politics and stay at the table until
sometimes 2 or 3 in the morning. Coffee and brandy
would leave us too exhausted to sleep and everything was
exciting and intense back then. The next morning one of
the women would call and we would relive the night
before. Those were the days, my friend...
Tonight N is bringing home a pizza from Costco and we
are taking a carton of coconut ice cream from Mitchell's.
No wine, no brandy and we'll be home by 8:30pm. Very
different, but I know there will be some hearty laughter
and that special feeling of being with long time friends
who have been with us through the good, the bad and
the in-between.
N and F. We have been friends for more than 30 years.
We used to have elaborate dinner parties with exotic
dishes that took us hours to prepare. We would mix and
match wines with every course, get into screaming
arguments about politics and stay at the table until
sometimes 2 or 3 in the morning. Coffee and brandy
would leave us too exhausted to sleep and everything was
exciting and intense back then. The next morning one of
the women would call and we would relive the night
before. Those were the days, my friend...
Tonight N is bringing home a pizza from Costco and we
are taking a carton of coconut ice cream from Mitchell's.
No wine, no brandy and we'll be home by 8:30pm. Very
different, but I know there will be some hearty laughter
and that special feeling of being with long time friends
who have been with us through the good, the bad and
the in-between.
Tuesday, June 06, 2006
tuesday morning ritual
Several years ago The Fly Lady came to sell her books
and my coworker Mr. Black filled me on this woman who
promotes ostrich (not oyster, as I once called them)
feather dusters and organized housekeeping. I made the
mistake of wearing purple that day ~ I deduced was the
color favored by the Fly Lady and her many fans who
arrived from the burbs around San Francisco. These
"gals" were not our typical customers. It was a hugely
successful event, despite the fact that I didn't have a
clue about this housewifely person.
While we were setting up her books, the delightful Robb
asked me what was going on. "Well, they call her The
Fly Lady and that's about all I know", I responded.
"Does that mean she eats her own vomit?" Robb asked.
That reduced us to that kind of soul-cleansing totally
uncontrollable laughter that lasted the entire day.
But back to the title of this post. Now, thanks to Mr. Black
and The Fly Lady, I start every first morning of my weekend
off by scrubbing the kitchen sink. How stupid, but somehow,
how fulfilling. And I always think of that v. funny Sunday
and I smile.
and my coworker Mr. Black filled me on this woman who
promotes ostrich (not oyster, as I once called them)
feather dusters and organized housekeeping. I made the
mistake of wearing purple that day ~ I deduced was the
color favored by the Fly Lady and her many fans who
arrived from the burbs around San Francisco. These
"gals" were not our typical customers. It was a hugely
successful event, despite the fact that I didn't have a
clue about this housewifely person.
While we were setting up her books, the delightful Robb
asked me what was going on. "Well, they call her The
Fly Lady and that's about all I know", I responded.
"Does that mean she eats her own vomit?" Robb asked.
That reduced us to that kind of soul-cleansing totally
uncontrollable laughter that lasted the entire day.
But back to the title of this post. Now, thanks to Mr. Black
and The Fly Lady, I start every first morning of my weekend
off by scrubbing the kitchen sink. How stupid, but somehow,
how fulfilling. And I always think of that v. funny Sunday
and I smile.
Monday, June 05, 2006
congratulations to Loren!
...check out the thermometer here! Good job.
Now all you have to do is walk for a couple of days.
I can hardly wait to read all about that.
Avon Walk for Breast Cancer:
Now all you have to do is walk for a couple of days.
I can hardly wait to read all about that.
Avon Walk for Breast Cancer:
Sunday, June 04, 2006
oooopsadaisy
The Great Plotnik points out that I neglected to name Pasta
Pomodoro as the restaurant for the best French toast in
all of America. Strange, but true...
Pomodoro as the restaurant for the best French toast in
all of America. Strange, but true...
the saturday of my dreams
Of course I usually work on Saturday and it is pretty difficult because it is busy and stressful. So not only was yesterday relaxing, the weather could not have been better. This, then, is our reward for the 6 weeks of rain last April and May. We went to the Farmer's Market first to buy some over priced fruit and then just sat on a bench to watch the people and dogs. Also we had put lots of money in the meter and had to use that up. Then to 24th Street for the best French toast in America. Topped with mascapone (Italian spelling) and sliced bananas. Then home to read on the deck and watch some baseball. We finished #11 of the Deadwoods. Yes, Mr. Black, I so agree with your comments on the Shakespeare angle! Now, to get ready for WORK.
Saturday, June 03, 2006
magnificent san francisco
Last night after too much fabulous food at Pazzia (337 Third Street at Folsom), The Great Plotnik and his Duck(nik) drove us over to Treasure Island. At first we thought that there was some craziness emerging, but instead, we found this and more. It was one of those clear-as-a-bell sunsets and the fog floated down over the East Bay Hills and in through and over the Golden Gate Bridge. There was a big group of little boy scouts in tiny round tents and I hope TGP posts his photo of them on his blog today. It was such a perfect dinner and drive, we are indeed thankful for such special friends. Husbando and I will treasure (get it?) this memory....
Friday, June 02, 2006
we love all bookstores
Especially a new one managed by our friend Jen. Be sure to drop by this delightful store across the theater on West Portal. Jen has done a fabulous job of selecting and displaying books ~ this photo is of the children's section and there's a soft bench and carpet for the little readers. I so enjoyed my visit to Books on West Portal today!
Thursday, June 01, 2006
I need to get back to South Dakota
At the risk of sounding like RR (age 2.6), I fell in love with
Deadwood before the first episode when I locked eyes with
the big brown horse. He galloped back to camp where his big
front hooves stood in the mud, then he was reflected upside
down in the puddle in front of the Gem Saloon. Oh, such
photography ~ starkly beautiful.
So, yes Doctor J, I love the program. I'm completely hooked
after 4 episodes. It's everything you said it was and more.
Who would have guessed that those two women (Jane and
Mrs. New York) would become friends? That Al has a tender
side? That Wild Bill had a gambling problem? I'm watching the
hardware store being built and checking out the Deadwood
web site where I see that Montana's wife and child will be
with us soon. I am immersed, irritable today that I didn't have
a chance to get my two per day episode fix. Maybe tonight.
Oh, and the little girl. Sweet but not too cutsie. Also the
good doctor, Sol the solo Jew (John Hawkes! Star of Me and
You and Everyone We Knew) and Trixie the hooker. It's
always about the people isn't it?
And I love that it's gritty and dirty and again you were right
when you said I'd get used to the swearing. Now I really
understand why you went to SD last summer vacation.
Thanks so much for the DVD loan and for pushing me to
watch it. We'll talk more on Sunday ~ my turn to buy lunch.
Deadwood before the first episode when I locked eyes with
the big brown horse. He galloped back to camp where his big
front hooves stood in the mud, then he was reflected upside
down in the puddle in front of the Gem Saloon. Oh, such
photography ~ starkly beautiful.
So, yes Doctor J, I love the program. I'm completely hooked
after 4 episodes. It's everything you said it was and more.
Who would have guessed that those two women (Jane and
Mrs. New York) would become friends? That Al has a tender
side? That Wild Bill had a gambling problem? I'm watching the
hardware store being built and checking out the Deadwood
web site where I see that Montana's wife and child will be
with us soon. I am immersed, irritable today that I didn't have
a chance to get my two per day episode fix. Maybe tonight.
Oh, and the little girl. Sweet but not too cutsie. Also the
good doctor, Sol the solo Jew (John Hawkes! Star of Me and
You and Everyone We Knew) and Trixie the hooker. It's
always about the people isn't it?
And I love that it's gritty and dirty and again you were right
when you said I'd get used to the swearing. Now I really
understand why you went to SD last summer vacation.
Thanks so much for the DVD loan and for pushing me to
watch it. We'll talk more on Sunday ~ my turn to buy lunch.
Wednesday, May 31, 2006
goodbye daniel, hello julia
I've met lots of people who will finish books and movies even
if they don't like them. I'm just the opposite. I try to give a
book 40 pages (where did that number come from?) and if
I'm not hooked by then, that's it. On to the next one. With
movies it's about 1/2 hour. So once again we see how
important "the hook" is.
I was bored with Adverbs by Daniel Handler. Of course I'm
lucky that I don't pay for books ~ one of the reasons I work in
a bookstore is for the book loan program. Luckily I also
brought home the just published The Whole World Over by
Julia Glass. I loved her Three Junes (available in paper back)
and I'm quite sure this will hold my interest.
Powell's Books - The Whole World Over by Julia Glass
The first and second episodes of Deadwood were so much
more than I expected and my swearing has increased seven
fold. I have never been a slouch in that department, of course.
if they don't like them. I'm just the opposite. I try to give a
book 40 pages (where did that number come from?) and if
I'm not hooked by then, that's it. On to the next one. With
movies it's about 1/2 hour. So once again we see how
important "the hook" is.
I was bored with Adverbs by Daniel Handler. Of course I'm
lucky that I don't pay for books ~ one of the reasons I work in
a bookstore is for the book loan program. Luckily I also
brought home the just published The Whole World Over by
Julia Glass. I loved her Three Junes (available in paper back)
and I'm quite sure this will hold my interest.
Powell's Books - The Whole World Over by Julia Glass
The first and second episodes of Deadwood were so much
more than I expected and my swearing has increased seven
fold. I have never been a slouch in that department, of course.
Tuesday, May 30, 2006
the first of five golden days
I'm taking some days off this week, after the holiday in retail.
This year I did give a lot of thought to the men and women in
our military who have given so much. Whatever I write sounds
trite, so I'll stop. Suffice it to say that this year it seemed like
there was more on TV and in newspapers than usual about
the reason for Memorial Day. But that could just be me.
Our weather is at its best. Clear and warm and brightly
perfect. I have a list of To Do's, but nothing too urgent and
my first priority is to catch up on my sleep, do some writing
and reading and watch Deadwood. All 12 episodes of the
first season. Oh, and tonight Rescue Me returns ~ more good
entertainment from the usually lackluster TV land.
Here is the link from yesterday, to make it easier for all:
Powell's Books - Adverbs: A Novel by Daniel Handler
This year I did give a lot of thought to the men and women in
our military who have given so much. Whatever I write sounds
trite, so I'll stop. Suffice it to say that this year it seemed like
there was more on TV and in newspapers than usual about
the reason for Memorial Day. But that could just be me.
Our weather is at its best. Clear and warm and brightly
perfect. I have a list of To Do's, but nothing too urgent and
my first priority is to catch up on my sleep, do some writing
and reading and watch Deadwood. All 12 episodes of the
first season. Oh, and tonight Rescue Me returns ~ more good
entertainment from the usually lackluster TV land.
Here is the link from yesterday, to make it easier for all:
Powell's Books - Adverbs: A Novel by Daniel Handler
Monday, May 29, 2006
the miracle is the adverbs
It's about love and it's not about the nouns. That's what it
says on the dust jacket of the new Daniel Handler book
Adverbs that I brought home today. It's getting a lot of
press and not just because he's local, not just because he's
Lemony Snicket ~ but because this novel is clever and
confusing, wonderful and upsetting ~ just like love.
Powell's Books - Adverbs: A Novel by Daniel Handler
Also, the Doctor loaned me the first season of Deadwood
so I have some lazy days off coming up. Sunshine, too!
says on the dust jacket of the new Daniel Handler book
Adverbs that I brought home today. It's getting a lot of
press and not just because he's local, not just because he's
Lemony Snicket ~ but because this novel is clever and
confusing, wonderful and upsetting ~ just like love.
Powell's Books - Adverbs: A Novel by Daniel Handler
Also, the Doctor loaned me the first season of Deadwood
so I have some lazy days off coming up. Sunshine, too!
Sunday, May 28, 2006
no strings attached
Well, this was such an unusual play! Three puppets (maybe
3 feet long each) are the children in The Long Christmas Ride
Home by Paula Vogel (How I Learned to Drive) and they are
delightful and realistic. The puppetry is by Basil Twist (from
San Francisco originally) and he directed the play too.
Three actors maneuver these clever puppets and then "become
them" when they are adults. The warring parents aren't
puppets, but (surprise) they have managed to create the
almost-perfect dysfunctional family. I would have shaved a
few minutes off toward the end, but I certainly recommend
this one act play to everyone. Magic Theatre - San Francisco's
home for New Plays through June 11th.
3 feet long each) are the children in The Long Christmas Ride
Home by Paula Vogel (How I Learned to Drive) and they are
delightful and realistic. The puppetry is by Basil Twist (from
San Francisco originally) and he directed the play too.
Three actors maneuver these clever puppets and then "become
them" when they are adults. The warring parents aren't
puppets, but (surprise) they have managed to create the
almost-perfect dysfunctional family. I would have shaved a
few minutes off toward the end, but I certainly recommend
this one act play to everyone. Magic Theatre - San Francisco's
home for New Plays through June 11th.
Saturday, May 27, 2006
halloween in may
I've been thinking about that Halloween Hell piece that I
read the other night. Yes, I am tired of it, but since Loren
and Jane have both heard it multiple times in the past and
both still love the damn thing, it pleases me to read it for
them. But something else occurs to me. When I start
reading it (whether in practice or in front of people) I am
transported back into that time, that store, that misery.
I can see the $99 fog machine, I can hear the toys and
the "who can it be now?" moaning man hanging in the
window. I am all alone ringing the cash register that I
put together and I am yearning for October 31st with
a fierceness that I've seldom felt before or since.
So another benefit of writing ~ clear and total recall.
read the other night. Yes, I am tired of it, but since Loren
and Jane have both heard it multiple times in the past and
both still love the damn thing, it pleases me to read it for
them. But something else occurs to me. When I start
reading it (whether in practice or in front of people) I am
transported back into that time, that store, that misery.
I can see the $99 fog machine, I can hear the toys and
the "who can it be now?" moaning man hanging in the
window. I am all alone ringing the cash register that I
put together and I am yearning for October 31st with
a fierceness that I've seldom felt before or since.
So another benefit of writing ~ clear and total recall.
Friday, May 26, 2006
is this cheating?
I'm going to cut and paste a graph from my daily write
today. The prompt: WRITE ABOUT A STREET. This happened
on my way to work this morning and it made me smile.
My street is Powell Street in the heart of Union Square. In the morning when the dawn is breaking it's pretty quiet with only the occasional party goer or runner out in the world. I walk up from the BART station at Market to my store at Post and this morning there was a most unattractive tranny walking opposite me with his too short skirt and very male legs. His wig was disheveled and he gave me this shit eating grin that to me said, "you poor working woman, I have so much more fun than you'll ever know". And here I was feeling sorry for him/her, so it was a strange little fleeting big city moment.
I end the piece by mentioning the fact that I talk to tourists each
day at work. How they love our city, even the ones who live
in Paris, NYC, or London. They tell me how lucky I am to live
in San Francisco and I nod quietly and agree.
today. The prompt: WRITE ABOUT A STREET. This happened
on my way to work this morning and it made me smile.
My street is Powell Street in the heart of Union Square. In the morning when the dawn is breaking it's pretty quiet with only the occasional party goer or runner out in the world. I walk up from the BART station at Market to my store at Post and this morning there was a most unattractive tranny walking opposite me with his too short skirt and very male legs. His wig was disheveled and he gave me this shit eating grin that to me said, "you poor working woman, I have so much more fun than you'll ever know". And here I was feeling sorry for him/her, so it was a strange little fleeting big city moment.
I end the piece by mentioning the fact that I talk to tourists each
day at work. How they love our city, even the ones who live
in Paris, NYC, or London. They tell me how lucky I am to live
in San Francisco and I nod quietly and agree.
Thursday, May 25, 2006
skilling & lay
Guilty ~ good job, Jury.
Tonight is my writing group (Tiapos) and I'm sort of in
a non-writing mood currently. I've been writing a lot, so
I'm going to take a little break tonight. But never fear,
I have my red pen in my purse and I'll be critic, editor
and cheerleader. Plus I need to laugh out loud and I'm
heading to the main headquarters for that, thankfully.
Tonight is my writing group (Tiapos) and I'm sort of in
a non-writing mood currently. I've been writing a lot, so
I'm going to take a little break tonight. But never fear,
I have my red pen in my purse and I'll be critic, editor
and cheerleader. Plus I need to laugh out loud and I'm
heading to the main headquarters for that, thankfully.
Wednesday, May 24, 2006
the writing community
Here is Loren (right) helping to raise money for her Avon Breast Cancer Walk. Last night was special. Six writers reading their work to a crowd (!) of more than 30 people. One of the great benefits of taking classes at the Writing Salon is that we do join with other people who love books and words. I've yet to meet one who can say, "writing is easy for me", and even that helps. The mutual, yet isolated struggle to put something on paper. We raised more than $400 last night and I want to thank my friends who came out to support me/us. Quite a few of my fellow workers were there too and we all know it's not great fun to stay in your workplace when you've already put 8 difficult hours in. Thanks to everyone and congratulations to Loren. It really was a fabulous event!
Tuesday, May 23, 2006
breakaleg.com
Tonight I'm reading a couple of pieces and that's a whole
different ball game than the writing of them. Neither is
easy, both fraught with terror. Thankfully, I was carefully
taught by Jane almost 5 years ago Writing Salon Mistress Muses
to practice reading aloud beforehand. Some writers even
read into their answering machines, but I have Husbando
("slow down!") and a tape recorder that I'll use. And lots of
friends are showing up to support us which helps immensely.
I'm reading "The Chosen Baby" a very short essay about
being adopted back before open adoption became the
sensible solution. Thanks to K for finding the tattered
book on eBay for me for the show-and-tell part tonight.
Then the "Halloween" piece that I'm frankly sick to death
of, but Loren loves it and since this is a benefit to raise
money for her walk, how can I say no? Here is her blog
site and info on the event tonight: Lenore's Diary
Thanks to Borders for providing the space and free coffee.
different ball game than the writing of them. Neither is
easy, both fraught with terror. Thankfully, I was carefully
taught by Jane almost 5 years ago Writing Salon Mistress Muses
to practice reading aloud beforehand. Some writers even
read into their answering machines, but I have Husbando
("slow down!") and a tape recorder that I'll use. And lots of
friends are showing up to support us which helps immensely.
I'm reading "The Chosen Baby" a very short essay about
being adopted back before open adoption became the
sensible solution. Thanks to K for finding the tattered
book on eBay for me for the show-and-tell part tonight.
Then the "Halloween" piece that I'm frankly sick to death
of, but Loren loves it and since this is a benefit to raise
money for her walk, how can I say no? Here is her blog
site and info on the event tonight: Lenore's Diary
Thanks to Borders for providing the space and free coffee.
Monday, May 22, 2006
why I don't cook
After yesterday's post, it occurs to me that some of my readers might think that I go to restaurants for meals. No, I am blessed with a man who cooks. Here is an example. This was a lovely surprise awaiting me after a particularly nasty day at work. Husbando rocks.
Sunday, May 21, 2006
it's better in the morning
I wrote my daily piece before I went to work this morning
and I realize that I should try to do that every day. My
mind is mush (as is one of my nicknames) by the time I've
returned home from fighting the Retail Wars. Today a
customer was curious about "some book about DaVinci".
So the prompt for today was THE LAST MEAL I COOKED.
I couldn't even remember when that was, but the writing
seemed to flow easier for me than it would have tonight.
and I realize that I should try to do that every day. My
mind is mush (as is one of my nicknames) by the time I've
returned home from fighting the Retail Wars. Today a
customer was curious about "some book about DaVinci".
So the prompt for today was THE LAST MEAL I COOKED.
I couldn't even remember when that was, but the writing
seemed to flow easier for me than it would have tonight.
Saturday, May 20, 2006
hooray for the actorz!
This afternoon we went back to our little theater on Sutter
Street to see Roulette, an amusing and intriguing play
written by Paul Weitz who wrote and directed the movie
American Dreamz. There was just a tad too much frantic
activity for us, and it was quite loud in some places, but
well worth seeing, in my opinion. The six actors did a hell of
a job and we left with a question or two that we'll never
be able to answer. But that's sort of like real life, isn't it?
sfplayhouse.org
Street to see Roulette, an amusing and intriguing play
written by Paul Weitz who wrote and directed the movie
American Dreamz. There was just a tad too much frantic
activity for us, and it was quite loud in some places, but
well worth seeing, in my opinion. The six actors did a hell of
a job and we left with a question or two that we'll never
be able to answer. But that's sort of like real life, isn't it?
sfplayhouse.org
Friday, May 19, 2006
an excellent thursday
Here is the doctor getting his diploma. It was an impressive ceremony and I especially appreciated the main speaker,
a Professor Kennedy of Stanford, of all places. Then the drive to Pumpkinville was no problem and the beautiful RR was in fine form. We 3 adults talked of many things and sat in the rare Half Moon Bay sun, watching the girl child sprinkle the patient cats with her wattering can.
a Professor Kennedy of Stanford, of all places. Then the drive to Pumpkinville was no problem and the beautiful RR was in fine form. We 3 adults talked of many things and sat in the rare Half Moon Bay sun, watching the girl child sprinkle the patient cats with her wattering can.
Thursday, May 18, 2006
pomp & circumstance
Today will be busy with the graduation over in Berkeley
and then a drive to Half Moon Bay (aka Pumpkinville)
because Michael has never met the most marvelous
RR child (almost 2 1/2) nor seen mama K for a long
time. We all know about the death of the Devil's Slide
area, and 92 is the only route and is not easy to drive
if 4 million other people are doing the same.
So I need to find 10 minutes to write. Here is today's
prompt:
THIS IS THE TASTE OF WHAT HAS BEEN LOST
and I don't have a clue and won't until I start
typing. It has a lot of potential though, doesn't it?
I am meeting Bossman at 8:30 at Sather Gate, so
I'd better get a move on this morning.
and then a drive to Half Moon Bay (aka Pumpkinville)
because Michael has never met the most marvelous
RR child (almost 2 1/2) nor seen mama K for a long
time. We all know about the death of the Devil's Slide
area, and 92 is the only route and is not easy to drive
if 4 million other people are doing the same.
So I need to find 10 minutes to write. Here is today's
prompt:
THIS IS THE TASTE OF WHAT HAS BEEN LOST
and I don't have a clue and won't until I start
typing. It has a lot of potential though, doesn't it?
I am meeting Bossman at 8:30 at Sather Gate, so
I'd better get a move on this morning.
Wednesday, May 17, 2006
revenge & retribution
Last night we watched Munich which is very painful as
you probably already know. As a result I didn't sleep
very quietly, but I didn't expect to after all that blood
shed and emotion. At first I didn't recognize Daniel
Craig (whom I had seen in Layer Cake, Copenhagen,
etc.) and It took awhile to really see Geoffrey Rush
in his role. Of course I recommend the movie, but try
to watch it at 8 am, not pm.
you probably already know. As a result I didn't sleep
very quietly, but I didn't expect to after all that blood
shed and emotion. At first I didn't recognize Daniel
Craig (whom I had seen in Layer Cake, Copenhagen,
etc.) and It took awhile to really see Geoffrey Rush
in his role. Of course I recommend the movie, but try
to watch it at 8 am, not pm.
Tuesday, May 16, 2006
pink clouds and 3 days off
The sun is already breaking through the marine layer this
morning and I'm content and at peace, planning my days
and answering emails. Husbando washed off the back deck,
table and chairs yesterday, and my newly planted marigolds
and little whites are still healthy and welcoming.
Thursday is the big graduation day at Berkeley and I will
be so proud to see Doctor J graduate. We have suffered
through a few very long and difficult tests and term papers
these past years, not to mention rearranging his schedule
about 6 times a day to accommodate those pesky classes.
Chock Full of Inner Demons
Michael is in town from Santa Barbara too, that means a
few delightful walks and talks. Today will be coffee at
Que Tal and he will help me understand wi fi in public.
I'll be taking msBook and I know he'll be tempted to do
a little desk top rearranging, but no dice.
I have a fine image from yesterday at work. Every Monday
we have seeing eye dog training and the labs and their
trainers work on our escalators. It is so unnatural for a
dog to get on these contraptions, so for some it is rough.
But they always get it. The customers are patient as
they stand and observe and wait their turn ~ we all take
a moment, I believe, to appreciate our lives and how
easy we have it compared to some people. I made eye
contact with a man from Britain who said, "this is so
great" and he goes home with an unusual and unexpected
Life in the USA travel memory.
morning and I'm content and at peace, planning my days
and answering emails. Husbando washed off the back deck,
table and chairs yesterday, and my newly planted marigolds
and little whites are still healthy and welcoming.
Thursday is the big graduation day at Berkeley and I will
be so proud to see Doctor J graduate. We have suffered
through a few very long and difficult tests and term papers
these past years, not to mention rearranging his schedule
about 6 times a day to accommodate those pesky classes.
Chock Full of Inner Demons
Michael is in town from Santa Barbara too, that means a
few delightful walks and talks. Today will be coffee at
Que Tal and he will help me understand wi fi in public.
I'll be taking msBook and I know he'll be tempted to do
a little desk top rearranging, but no dice.
I have a fine image from yesterday at work. Every Monday
we have seeing eye dog training and the labs and their
trainers work on our escalators. It is so unnatural for a
dog to get on these contraptions, so for some it is rough.
But they always get it. The customers are patient as
they stand and observe and wait their turn ~ we all take
a moment, I believe, to appreciate our lives and how
easy we have it compared to some people. I made eye
contact with a man from Britain who said, "this is so
great" and he goes home with an unusual and unexpected
Life in the USA travel memory.
Monday, May 15, 2006
i love my dictionary
Yes, it was even better than we expected. Do not miss
The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee - Post Street Theatre
And again, only $40 for the Sunday night (7 pm) show,
any seat in the house. As we know, I'm not a big fan of
musicals (see snide comments about The Sound of Mucous)
but this is fabulous and very funny.
The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee - Post Street Theatre
And again, only $40 for the Sunday night (7 pm) show,
any seat in the house. As we know, I'm not a big fan of
musicals (see snide comments about The Sound of Mucous)
but this is fabulous and very funny.
Sunday, May 14, 2006
goodbye, hello
My friend and fellow-manager Jon resigned and left us for
a better job. I never quite get used to this, even though I've
been through a million "good-byes" over the years. We
are close at work because we struggle with the exact same
problems day after day after day. We cover our own and
each others' asses and present a united front, for the most
part. But it's rough when someone leaves, I'll feel like I'm
missing an arm for a month or two. Last year it was Jen,
this year Jon. Mood today = sad.
The "hello" is for Will who managed to get his blog going
again. This is very happy news, so enjoy his delightful
poetry. Such talent.
LargePantsatLarge
a better job. I never quite get used to this, even though I've
been through a million "good-byes" over the years. We
are close at work because we struggle with the exact same
problems day after day after day. We cover our own and
each others' asses and present a united front, for the most
part. But it's rough when someone leaves, I'll feel like I'm
missing an arm for a month or two. Last year it was Jen,
this year Jon. Mood today = sad.
The "hello" is for Will who managed to get his blog going
again. This is very happy news, so enjoy his delightful
poetry. Such talent.
LargePantsatLarge
Saturday, May 13, 2006
full moon thoughts
...from Braided Creek by Jim Harrison and Ted Kooser:
The moon put her hand
over my mouth and told me
to shut up and watch.
The moon put her hand
over my mouth and told me
to shut up and watch.
Friday, May 12, 2006
stats & cats & hotspots
I wish I'd find one password and stick to it, but I don't seem
to be able to. I usually use a cat's name, but since I've had
five of those, it does get confusing. And, yes, I do write
everything down, but not all in one place. I know, there are
serious problems in Africa, India and now poor Karl Rove is
about to be indicted. Tsk. Tsk. And here I worry about my
password and my blog hits.
Anyway, I'm trying to get into the Stat Counter to see how
many hits commano has had, but there are issues. Wrong
cat or something. Maybe mañana.
Last night as we were breaking up our writing group, Chef P
was worrying about finding a Wi Fi spot for her computer
when she travels to Georgia today. I suggested that she
"Google Wi Fi" for the directory. Will then said, "imagine
15 years ago someone saying 'google wi fi' ~ we'd think
they were coo coo." Here it is, Sarah, in case you are
missing us, feeling homesick and reading this.
WiFi Hotspot Directory, Wireless Internet Access Locations,
WiFi Security, Equipment and News
to be able to. I usually use a cat's name, but since I've had
five of those, it does get confusing. And, yes, I do write
everything down, but not all in one place. I know, there are
serious problems in Africa, India and now poor Karl Rove is
about to be indicted. Tsk. Tsk. And here I worry about my
password and my blog hits.
Anyway, I'm trying to get into the Stat Counter to see how
many hits commano has had, but there are issues. Wrong
cat or something. Maybe mañana.
Last night as we were breaking up our writing group, Chef P
was worrying about finding a Wi Fi spot for her computer
when she travels to Georgia today. I suggested that she
"Google Wi Fi" for the directory. Will then said, "imagine
15 years ago someone saying 'google wi fi' ~ we'd think
they were coo coo." Here it is, Sarah, in case you are
missing us, feeling homesick and reading this.
WiFi Hotspot Directory, Wireless Internet Access Locations,
WiFi Security, Equipment and News
Thursday, May 11, 2006
this is it!
Commano's first birthday. It's hard to believe. Thank you
Mistress Jane for gently pushing us here. And a million
little thanks to the readers and the ones who comment
on and off the blog. Thanks to Michael who does blog
maintenance and to the Google folks for providing this
free blogspot. I still as am enthusiastic about the blog as
I was a year ago, maybe more so.
I have that free hit counter, but not enough time to go and
check it right now to see how many folks have clicked on
my blog. Maybe tomorrow.
With a few exceptions I have tried to write SOMETHING
every day. That was my goal a year ago. I have learned
so much and I always think that is one of the reasons I'm
here, don't you?
Mistress Jane for gently pushing us here. And a million
little thanks to the readers and the ones who comment
on and off the blog. Thanks to Michael who does blog
maintenance and to the Google folks for providing this
free blogspot. I still as am enthusiastic about the blog as
I was a year ago, maybe more so.
I have that free hit counter, but not enough time to go and
check it right now to see how many folks have clicked on
my blog. Maybe tomorrow.
With a few exceptions I have tried to write SOMETHING
every day. That was my goal a year ago. I have learned
so much and I always think that is one of the reasons I'm
here, don't you?
Wednesday, May 10, 2006
mister talese on mister bonds
My coworkers try to notify me when an author comes in
to sign books. Gay Talese (looking dapper, of course)
arrived last Sunday to sign his new A Writer's Life. Of
course he was pleased that we had the book on the first
floor in the memoir section. It was an honor to meet him.
Powell's Books - A Writer's Life by Gay Talese
In yesterday's Chronicle, Leah Garchik wrote:
As a former sportswriter and fan, Talese seems intensely
interested in Barry Bonds, whom he describes as having
been "singled out for crucifixion because he's a superstar
...It's savagery, him being dragged from town to town to
be pilloried. It's like the stations of the cross...I think
journalism should be respectful, not character assassination."
I agree.
to sign books. Gay Talese (looking dapper, of course)
arrived last Sunday to sign his new A Writer's Life. Of
course he was pleased that we had the book on the first
floor in the memoir section. It was an honor to meet him.
Powell's Books - A Writer's Life by Gay Talese
In yesterday's Chronicle, Leah Garchik wrote:
As a former sportswriter and fan, Talese seems intensely
interested in Barry Bonds, whom he describes as having
been "singled out for crucifixion because he's a superstar
...It's savagery, him being dragged from town to town to
be pilloried. It's like the stations of the cross...I think
journalism should be respectful, not character assassination."
I agree.
Tuesday, May 09, 2006
cutting, pasting, sharing
I've spent most of the day either in the garden or buying
plants. When I obsessively checked my email the first time
I found this lovely one from my friend Mary who works up
at General Hospital. It's not exactly a posh work environment
as you might know.
m.a. -
I have gotten on friendly speaking terms with the middle aged
black woman who does the early morning maintenance in our
hall. We are always the first ones here.
When I give her my morning greetings. "Good morning.
And how are you today?'
She always answers, "I'm blessed! I am truly blessed!
And how about you? You blessed, too?"
She says this while she is emptying trash baskets into a big
rolling garbage bin, and she means it.
I hope you get a chance to go out and enjoy this beautiful weather.
mary
plants. When I obsessively checked my email the first time
I found this lovely one from my friend Mary who works up
at General Hospital. It's not exactly a posh work environment
as you might know.
m.a. -
I have gotten on friendly speaking terms with the middle aged
black woman who does the early morning maintenance in our
hall. We are always the first ones here.
When I give her my morning greetings. "Good morning.
And how are you today?'
She always answers, "I'm blessed! I am truly blessed!
And how about you? You blessed, too?"
She says this while she is emptying trash baskets into a big
rolling garbage bin, and she means it.
I hope you get a chance to go out and enjoy this beautiful weather.
mary
Monday, May 08, 2006
his sister calls him "Thing"
I have a new novel here and enjoyed the first chapter
immensely. I never did get hooked on Cloud Atlas, even
though it was supposed to be one of the best books of
2004 (or was that 2003?). Anyway, David Mitchell's
new book Black Swan Green takes place in 1982 in a
small town in England. The narrator is a 13 year old boy
and we know they are ALL subhuman, but this kid is so
funny and confused and likable that I was right there
with him from the very first word. Read a few better
reviews here:
Powell's Books - Black Swan Green: A Novel by David Mitchell
immensely. I never did get hooked on Cloud Atlas, even
though it was supposed to be one of the best books of
2004 (or was that 2003?). Anyway, David Mitchell's
new book Black Swan Green takes place in 1982 in a
small town in England. The narrator is a 13 year old boy
and we know they are ALL subhuman, but this kid is so
funny and confused and likable that I was right there
with him from the very first word. Read a few better
reviews here:
Powell's Books - Black Swan Green: A Novel by David Mitchell
Sunday, May 07, 2006
why didn't I think of that?
The Salon Mistress starts our first few days of Round Robin
writing with us sending/receiving everyone's daily work.
It's a bit different writing to 25 people, I filter my thoughts
and become (for me) a little more gentle and generic.
One of my invisible online class mates wrote something that
I'll think about for a long time. Now I'll paraphrase:
"If you are always drawn to damaged, tortured people,
you might want to stop telling yourself that you came from
a happy childhood. That nothing much happened, etc......."
By the way, it's great to be writing everyday again. I am
so grateful that I discovered
The Writing Salon :: Welcome
writing with us sending/receiving everyone's daily work.
It's a bit different writing to 25 people, I filter my thoughts
and become (for me) a little more gentle and generic.
One of my invisible online class mates wrote something that
I'll think about for a long time. Now I'll paraphrase:
"If you are always drawn to damaged, tortured people,
you might want to stop telling yourself that you came from
a happy childhood. That nothing much happened, etc......."
By the way, it's great to be writing everyday again. I am
so grateful that I discovered
The Writing Salon :: Welcome
Saturday, May 06, 2006
a difficult choice
Yesterday's writing prompt was "a difficult choice". I found
it extremely interesting that four people wrote about
either putting their dog down, leaving him/her with an ex or
giving the little darling up for adoption. How those wiggly
creatures worm their way into our hearts. Or maybe it's
because they are so dependent on us for their very life
and death and their pursuit of the yellow tennis ball.
I still think and dream about our Irish Setter. Sidney was
a Jewish Irish Setter and went from a long puppyhood into
senility without any quiet middle years whatsoever. His
presence remains in our home and I can still hear the
thump-thump of his tail on the wooden landing between
the stairs as he welcomes us home and begs for an ear
scratch. Brave Husbando took him to the vet for his
final shot and I deeply regret that I didn't go and stay
with him for his final moments. This is how we learn...
it extremely interesting that four people wrote about
either putting their dog down, leaving him/her with an ex or
giving the little darling up for adoption. How those wiggly
creatures worm their way into our hearts. Or maybe it's
because they are so dependent on us for their very life
and death and their pursuit of the yellow tennis ball.
I still think and dream about our Irish Setter. Sidney was
a Jewish Irish Setter and went from a long puppyhood into
senility without any quiet middle years whatsoever. His
presence remains in our home and I can still hear the
thump-thump of his tail on the wooden landing between
the stairs as he welcomes us home and begs for an ear
scratch. Brave Husbando took him to the vet for his
final shot and I deeply regret that I didn't go and stay
with him for his final moments. This is how we learn...
Friday, May 05, 2006
why I carry my camera
Now you need to look closely at this. Those are itty bitty pieces of red glass (I think) and it certainly does sparkle on one of our rare sunny days. I walked by this car on Precita Avenue one time when I did not have the camera ~ so I learned my lesson. Ginger from Kansas was with me the second time, and it was she who came up with The Green Hornet name. At that time I told her that I would post this when I had absolutely nothing else in the world to say. So now you know....
Thursday, May 04, 2006
out of the blue
A couple of days ago Husbando remembered this that his
father used to say:
"The recollection of quality remains long after the price
is forgotten."
I'd like to report that he follows these pretty words, but
actually he can remember what we paid for almost every
item we've purchased in the past 30 years or so. But
now I have a quaint little quote to use when he says,
"yikes, that's too expensive!"
father used to say:
"The recollection of quality remains long after the price
is forgotten."
I'd like to report that he follows these pretty words, but
actually he can remember what we paid for almost every
item we've purchased in the past 30 years or so. But
now I have a quaint little quote to use when he says,
"yikes, that's too expensive!"
Wednesday, May 03, 2006
is that you dan rydell?
Last night was one of the best ACT plays of this season.
Only one hour, only two actors ~ but boy did it pack a
wallop! A Number was written by Caryl Churchill and if
you were a fan of the TV series Sports Night, you will
know Josh Charles who played Dan Rydell, and if you
are a woman, you probably had a crush on him. (Some
men did too, of course.) Anyway, last night he played
3 different cloned sons of actor Bill Smitrovich. The play
not only addresses the whole concept of cloning, but also
the idea that parents sometimes want to create perfect
children in their own image ~ without their irksome flaws.
Lots to think about here, go see this play.
American Conservatory Theater - ACT San Francisco
Only one hour, only two actors ~ but boy did it pack a
wallop! A Number was written by Caryl Churchill and if
you were a fan of the TV series Sports Night, you will
know Josh Charles who played Dan Rydell, and if you
are a woman, you probably had a crush on him. (Some
men did too, of course.) Anyway, last night he played
3 different cloned sons of actor Bill Smitrovich. The play
not only addresses the whole concept of cloning, but also
the idea that parents sometimes want to create perfect
children in their own image ~ without their irksome flaws.
Lots to think about here, go see this play.
American Conservatory Theater - ACT San Francisco
Tuesday, May 02, 2006
did you say a rooftop?
I love small, crowded "real" bookstores where women have
long hair past their prime and wear Birkenstocks and smile
easily. And the men too, so alive, despite their grey pony tails
and maybe the same jeans they wore to the peace marches in
the 70's. We went to such a place last night:
Bird & Beckett Books & Records
Our Will from writing group read some of his perfect poems.
One (Happiness, I think) for his wife and the joy he finds
in the everyday moments of their life together. The Great
Plotnik played the piano and multitalented Will was on his
harmonica. Husbando and I had been on different wave
lengths (see how gently I say that?) before the reading,
but we silently forgave each other as the poet's words
reached into our cold, cold hearts. Healing, soothing.
Read our Great Plotnik for Will's cheesy shirt poem...
The Great Plotnik
Another poet (Jane Radcliffe) lived in Lima, Peru at one
time. Poor people rented space on various rooftops and she
lived that way and wrote about it. She was a teacher,
then a dancer and always a poet. So I learned something
new and that's always worthwhile.
long hair past their prime and wear Birkenstocks and smile
easily. And the men too, so alive, despite their grey pony tails
and maybe the same jeans they wore to the peace marches in
the 70's. We went to such a place last night:
Bird & Beckett Books & Records
Our Will from writing group read some of his perfect poems.
One (Happiness, I think) for his wife and the joy he finds
in the everyday moments of their life together. The Great
Plotnik played the piano and multitalented Will was on his
harmonica. Husbando and I had been on different wave
lengths (see how gently I say that?) before the reading,
but we silently forgave each other as the poet's words
reached into our cold, cold hearts. Healing, soothing.
Read our Great Plotnik for Will's cheesy shirt poem...
The Great Plotnik
Another poet (Jane Radcliffe) lived in Lima, Peru at one
time. Poor people rented space on various rooftops and she
lived that way and wrote about it. She was a teacher,
then a dancer and always a poet. So I learned something
new and that's always worthwhile.
Monday, May 01, 2006
un dia sin inmigrantes
Today at noon I walked along Market Street to show my
support for the Immigration Rights march. There were
thousands upon thousands of people and I stopped along
the way to smile and applaud. Check out the Chronicle
for the story and photos:
Thousands march in Bay Area for immigration rights
It was weird and eerie walking home from BART along
24th Street. All the pastry stores, small shops and
restaurants were closed and the usually bustling street
was deserted. I missed the noise, laughter and music,
not to mention the luscious food smells. I'd say this
special May day was a huge success...
support for the Immigration Rights march. There were
thousands upon thousands of people and I stopped along
the way to smile and applaud. Check out the Chronicle
for the story and photos:
Thousands march in Bay Area for immigration rights
It was weird and eerie walking home from BART along
24th Street. All the pastry stores, small shops and
restaurants were closed and the usually bustling street
was deserted. I missed the noise, laughter and music,
not to mention the luscious food smells. I'd say this
special May day was a huge success...
Sunday, April 30, 2006
jim & ted
When friend Ginger from Kansas was visiting us almost
two weeks ago, she would read snippets from a poetry
book and we would smile wistfully. Examples:
At the tip of memory's
great funnel-cloud
is the nib of a pen.
All those years I
I had in my pocket.
I spent them,
nickel-and-dime.
When she left me
I stood out in the thunderstorm,
hoping to be destroyed by lightning.
It missed, first left, then right.
Jim Harrison and Ted Kooser are longtime friends.
We don't know who wrote what in this delightful book
Braided Creek. The words, the poems are all that
matter. It is my staff selection for May and I bought
a copy for myself to read again and again.
Powell's Books - Braided Creek: A Conversation in Poetry by Jim Harrison
two weeks ago, she would read snippets from a poetry
book and we would smile wistfully. Examples:
At the tip of memory's
great funnel-cloud
is the nib of a pen.
All those years I
I had in my pocket.
I spent them,
nickel-and-dime.
When she left me
I stood out in the thunderstorm,
hoping to be destroyed by lightning.
It missed, first left, then right.
Jim Harrison and Ted Kooser are longtime friends.
We don't know who wrote what in this delightful book
Braided Creek. The words, the poems are all that
matter. It is my staff selection for May and I bought
a copy for myself to read again and again.
Powell's Books - Braided Creek: A Conversation in Poetry by Jim Harrison
Saturday, April 29, 2006
yes, ag, it is a grand thing
I like living. I have sometimes been wildly, despairingly,
acutely miserable, racked with sorrow, but through it
all I still know quite certainly that just to be alive is
a grand thing.
Agatha Christie, British Writer
acutely miserable, racked with sorrow, but through it
all I still know quite certainly that just to be alive is
a grand thing.
Agatha Christie, British Writer
Friday, April 28, 2006
ms. strout is a fave of mine
I loved Amy and Isabelle, so when Elizabeth Strout's
new novel appeared last week I grabbed Abide With Me
to bring home on our book loan program. See why:
Actually, the child did not resemble either one of her
parents. Not yet. Not now, as she scuffed through
the gravel of the driveway, clutching acorns in her
hand. There was no indication of her father's height
or her mother's fullness. And while in time the minister's
brow and mouth would appear with startling exactness
on the face of his daughter, right now the girl looked
almost part animal, like she came from nowhere, or was
raising herself, living outdoors on roots and nuts: skinny
little limbs, and hair so fine that in the back it stayed
matted in a big snarl, hung in wisps down the front.
Powell's Books - Review-a-Day - Abide with Me: A Novel by Elizabeth Strout, reviewed by The Atlantic Monthly
new novel appeared last week I grabbed Abide With Me
to bring home on our book loan program. See why:
Actually, the child did not resemble either one of her
parents. Not yet. Not now, as she scuffed through
the gravel of the driveway, clutching acorns in her
hand. There was no indication of her father's height
or her mother's fullness. And while in time the minister's
brow and mouth would appear with startling exactness
on the face of his daughter, right now the girl looked
almost part animal, like she came from nowhere, or was
raising herself, living outdoors on roots and nuts: skinny
little limbs, and hair so fine that in the back it stayed
matted in a big snarl, hung in wisps down the front.
Powell's Books - Review-a-Day - Abide with Me: A Novel by Elizabeth Strout, reviewed by The Atlantic Monthly
Thursday, April 27, 2006
the premium rigid search
I would have skipped the movie Everything is Illuminated
because the hero wears those bothersome big glasses
all the way through. But then I read the Doctor's review
Chock Full of Inner Demons and decided that I had to
see it. Smart decision on my part ~ Husbando and I both
loved the movie (he watched it twice) and I wasn't
prepared for the excellent ending. Funny, touching and
sometimes sad...in a good way. Filmed in the Ukraine
where I'll probably never visit, so that was an extra treat.
because the hero wears those bothersome big glasses
all the way through. But then I read the Doctor's review
Chock Full of Inner Demons and decided that I had to
see it. Smart decision on my part ~ Husbando and I both
loved the movie (he watched it twice) and I wasn't
prepared for the excellent ending. Funny, touching and
sometimes sad...in a good way. Filmed in the Ukraine
where I'll probably never visit, so that was an extra treat.
Wednesday, April 26, 2006
a labor of honor
I didn't mind working on my day off yesterday, because I have always had great respect for Jane. She was a perfect guest, polite and gracious to everyone, taking her time to talk to each person on a personal level.
Before she started signing, she spoke about how her book came about. She started it when she was 59 and had to tuck her laptop inside her fishing vest when she went to the river with her then-husband, Ted. (Her favorite ex.) She would find a secluded spot and write until the battery died, then go and try to catch a fish before they met up again. Obviously, this husband wasn't supportive about any Jane-centered activities. She felt she had to figure out the first 2/3rds of her life before embarking on the final third.
The crowd was polite and she bravely asked for questions. There were no nasty people yesterday, but we know she does encounter them and she had her body guard and small white fluffy dog to protect her. The dog spent most of the time in her lap, snoozing.
Jane spoke to several of the customers in fluent French and that was a pleasant surprise to me. There were more Barberella (sp?) posters and DVDs than I would have liked to see, but she was sweet about signing them. One woman even brought a tattered copy of Jane's Work Out book, from the 70's, I believe.
Yesterday was very special for me. Thank you, Jane, for all you have done for America, especially women.
Before she started signing, she spoke about how her book came about. She started it when she was 59 and had to tuck her laptop inside her fishing vest when she went to the river with her then-husband, Ted. (Her favorite ex.) She would find a secluded spot and write until the battery died, then go and try to catch a fish before they met up again. Obviously, this husband wasn't supportive about any Jane-centered activities. She felt she had to figure out the first 2/3rds of her life before embarking on the final third.
The crowd was polite and she bravely asked for questions. There were no nasty people yesterday, but we know she does encounter them and she had her body guard and small white fluffy dog to protect her. The dog spent most of the time in her lap, snoozing.
Jane spoke to several of the customers in fluent French and that was a pleasant surprise to me. There were more Barberella (sp?) posters and DVDs than I would have liked to see, but she was sweet about signing them. One woman even brought a tattered copy of Jane's Work Out book, from the 70's, I believe.
Yesterday was very special for me. Thank you, Jane, for all you have done for America, especially women.
Tuesday, April 25, 2006
writing begets writing
It doesn't make sense, I know, but I can't think of much
to write about since I'm not doing the daily Round Robin
writing. Thankfully, that starts again next week. I guess
some gear in the brain clicks on to "write" and that
way I don't have to fill the blog with cat photos, or why
I love SF thoughts. I have learned to take my camera
when walking about this strange city, some unexpected
treats are always waiting for us, or so it seems. I'm
looking forward to two days off, but you knew that.
to write about since I'm not doing the daily Round Robin
writing. Thankfully, that starts again next week. I guess
some gear in the brain clicks on to "write" and that
way I don't have to fill the blog with cat photos, or why
I love SF thoughts. I have learned to take my camera
when walking about this strange city, some unexpected
treats are always waiting for us, or so it seems. I'm
looking forward to two days off, but you knew that.
Sunday, April 23, 2006
luv for sale
Here's one of the kitties we left behind yesterday. Sabina or her brother Greg, I'm not sure which. I'm so proud of the no-kill policy of our SPCA and wonder if our government could ever be so humane.
Saturday, April 22, 2006
shopping for furballs
After work Bossman and I went to the San Francisco SPCA because he wanted to adopt two cats. I had not been since the remodel, but knew that I'd be impressed with the comfortable cat suites and you can see that they even have videos, toys, cat poles and lovely soft beds. It was great fun for me and Bossman now has
two short haired brothers, 1 1/2 yrs.
old. Here is one of them ~ Tiger or Rascal, but those aren't their real names...yet. What a fine experience to go to a well-run animal shelter and NOT be depressed. A happy new chapter, too, in the life of a Boss!
two short haired brothers, 1 1/2 yrs.
old. Here is one of them ~ Tiger or Rascal, but those aren't their real names...yet. What a fine experience to go to a well-run animal shelter and NOT be depressed. A happy new chapter, too, in the life of a Boss!
Friday, April 21, 2006
don't forget the mad brother...
Over the weekend my friend, Mary, was able to see TWO of these only-in-SF funerals.
I promised her this poem by Lawrence Ferlinghetti:
The Green Street Mortuary Marching Band
marches right down Green Street
and turns into Columbus Avenue
where all the cafe sitters at
the sidewalk cafe tables
sit talking and laughing and
looking right through it
as if it happened every day in
little old wooden North Beach San Francisco
but at the same time feeling thrilled
by the stirring sound of the gallant marching band
as if it were celebrating life and
never heard of death
And right behind it comes the open hearse
with the closed casket and the
big framed picture under glass propped up
showing the patriarch who
has just croaked
And now all seven members of
the Green Street Mortuary Marching Band
with the faded gold braid on their
beat-up captains' hats
raise their bent axes and
start blowing all more or less
together and
out comes this Onward Christian Soldiers like
you heard it once upon a time only
much slower with a dead beat
And now you see all the relatives behind the
closed glass windows of the long black cars and
their faces are all shiny like they
been weeping with washcloths and
all super serious
like as if the bottom has just dropped out of
their private markets and
there's the widow all in weeds, and the sister with the
bent frame and the mad brother who never got through school
and Uncle Louie with the wig and there they all are assembled
together and facing each other maybe for the first time in a long
time but their masks and public faces are all in place as they face
outward behind the traveling corpse up ahead and oompah oom-
pah goes the band very slow with the trombones and the tuba
and the trumpets and the big brass drum and the corpse hears
nothing or everything and it's a glorious autumn day in old
North Beach if only he could have lived to see it Only we
wouldn't have had the band who half an hour later can be seen
straggling back silent along the sidewalks looking like hungover
brokendown Irish bartenders dying for a drink or a last hurrah.
Lawrence Ferlinghetti
I promised her this poem by Lawrence Ferlinghetti:
The Green Street Mortuary Marching Band
marches right down Green Street
and turns into Columbus Avenue
where all the cafe sitters at
the sidewalk cafe tables
sit talking and laughing and
looking right through it
as if it happened every day in
little old wooden North Beach San Francisco
but at the same time feeling thrilled
by the stirring sound of the gallant marching band
as if it were celebrating life and
never heard of death
And right behind it comes the open hearse
with the closed casket and the
big framed picture under glass propped up
showing the patriarch who
has just croaked
And now all seven members of
the Green Street Mortuary Marching Band
with the faded gold braid on their
beat-up captains' hats
raise their bent axes and
start blowing all more or less
together and
out comes this Onward Christian Soldiers like
you heard it once upon a time only
much slower with a dead beat
And now you see all the relatives behind the
closed glass windows of the long black cars and
their faces are all shiny like they
been weeping with washcloths and
all super serious
like as if the bottom has just dropped out of
their private markets and
there's the widow all in weeds, and the sister with the
bent frame and the mad brother who never got through school
and Uncle Louie with the wig and there they all are assembled
together and facing each other maybe for the first time in a long
time but their masks and public faces are all in place as they face
outward behind the traveling corpse up ahead and oompah oom-
pah goes the band very slow with the trombones and the tuba
and the trumpets and the big brass drum and the corpse hears
nothing or everything and it's a glorious autumn day in old
North Beach if only he could have lived to see it Only we
wouldn't have had the band who half an hour later can be seen
straggling back silent along the sidewalks looking like hungover
brokendown Irish bartenders dying for a drink or a last hurrah.
Lawrence Ferlinghetti
Thursday, April 20, 2006
little big city things
On my walk from BART up Powell Street this morning,
I was thinking about the unexpected pleasures of
city living. The waitress who gives us the best table,
even though we are clearly not wealthy people. This
morning the BART train driver waited for me while I
rushed down the steps to catch the 5:35. (I waved my
thanks and he waved back.) Then the tourist customers
who want to tell me how much they love my City ~
even people who live in London and Paris fall in love
with our magnificent San Francisco. Jim is my good
luck homeless guy and he is always happy to see me
whether I have a dollar for him or not. Of course we all
know that small towns are warm and friendly (and
small in so many ways), but I just think it's extra special
when we can find some sweetness in this urban setting.
I was thinking about the unexpected pleasures of
city living. The waitress who gives us the best table,
even though we are clearly not wealthy people. This
morning the BART train driver waited for me while I
rushed down the steps to catch the 5:35. (I waved my
thanks and he waved back.) Then the tourist customers
who want to tell me how much they love my City ~
even people who live in London and Paris fall in love
with our magnificent San Francisco. Jim is my good
luck homeless guy and he is always happy to see me
whether I have a dollar for him or not. Of course we all
know that small towns are warm and friendly (and
small in so many ways), but I just think it's extra special
when we can find some sweetness in this urban setting.
Wednesday, April 19, 2006
not in my backyard
What is HE doing here at Crissy Field?
They must have seen us coming because Mickey was deflated in about 2 seconds, right after I cursed and snapped this photo.
After our sunny walk we had lattes and pastries at The Grove on Chestnut, then headed home to clean up and get to Lulu's on Folsom for an elaborate lunch which included those extra special grilled mussels, portobello sandwich and a few million other high calorie treats.
Stuffed and happy, we walked down to Triptych to see a photo show by a guy in my yoga class, then came home to rest a bit. At 4:30 we hit a very crowded Mitchell's for ice cream we didn't need, then took Ginger to the airport.
Now the Giants are blowing the game and I'm feeling a little sad because that's how I always feel when Ginger goes away. But what a lovely weekend and thank you for the sun.
They must have seen us coming because Mickey was deflated in about 2 seconds, right after I cursed and snapped this photo.
After our sunny walk we had lattes and pastries at The Grove on Chestnut, then headed home to clean up and get to Lulu's on Folsom for an elaborate lunch which included those extra special grilled mussels, portobello sandwich and a few million other high calorie treats.
Stuffed and happy, we walked down to Triptych to see a photo show by a guy in my yoga class, then came home to rest a bit. At 4:30 we hit a very crowded Mitchell's for ice cream we didn't need, then took Ginger to the airport.
Now the Giants are blowing the game and I'm feeling a little sad because that's how I always feel when Ginger goes away. But what a lovely weekend and thank you for the sun.
new blog appears!
Notthatlucas has created a delightful photo-filled blog
and I was up early reading it and chuckling at his photos.
Great job, notthat. But I wish I could leave a comment,
occasionally even maybe a nice one...
Click Here: Check out "Blog"
and I was up early reading it and chuckling at his photos.
Great job, notthat. But I wish I could leave a comment,
occasionally even maybe a nice one...
Click Here: Check out "Blog"
Tuesday, April 18, 2006
one full, fabulous day
We started walking early and fast down here at Crissy Field. Does anyone ever get tired of this bridge? We had LOTS to talk about, two women who haven't seen each other in six months or more. One stuck in Kansas and one living in the city that she has loved since her first visit when she was in college. (enough with the confusing 3rd person stuff)
Then to Rulli's on Chestnut for gigantic double lattes and pastries. Two each giant lattes, that is. Sitting outside!
Husbando scampered out for Chinese chicken salad for us and then Ginger and I walked over to The Great Plotniks for a perfectly splendid afternoon in the sun with Dougo, Barb, Mistress Jane and Jackie Pie. We talked of many things and laughed in all the right and wrong places. Outside, in the sun!
Back home and then to dinner at Delfina's on 18th Street. Steak, halibut and duck with sauerkraut and kumquats.
Very special. Great, friendly service.
Now we are watching the Giants and talking about our most perfect day.
Then to Rulli's on Chestnut for gigantic double lattes and pastries. Two each giant lattes, that is. Sitting outside!
Husbando scampered out for Chinese chicken salad for us and then Ginger and I walked over to The Great Plotniks for a perfectly splendid afternoon in the sun with Dougo, Barb, Mistress Jane and Jackie Pie. We talked of many things and laughed in all the right and wrong places. Outside, in the sun!
Back home and then to dinner at Delfina's on 18th Street. Steak, halibut and duck with sauerkraut and kumquats.
Very special. Great, friendly service.
Now we are watching the Giants and talking about our most perfect day.
Monday, April 17, 2006
a quick hello-goodbye
My friend, my rock, my heart (Ginger) is visiting us for
just two days. She lives in The Little Apple (Manhattan,
Kansas) but is a City Woman still in her soul. We have
known each other for 30 years and I think she knows
every horrid and every admirable thing that I've ever
done. And probably vice versa.
We shall be laughing/crying/walking/talking for two days
and commano will get short shrift, I fear. Well, maybe
a photo or two...plus, NO RAIN today. Sunshine!
just two days. She lives in The Little Apple (Manhattan,
Kansas) but is a City Woman still in her soul. We have
known each other for 30 years and I think she knows
every horrid and every admirable thing that I've ever
done. And probably vice versa.
We shall be laughing/crying/walking/talking for two days
and commano will get short shrift, I fear. Well, maybe
a photo or two...plus, NO RAIN today. Sunshine!
Sunday, April 16, 2006
easter sunday
These are from our garden. It's about the only flower that I can grow successfully because they don't require that I give them any attention or food or worry. And god knows they are getting enough water this year.
"It never rains after April 15th in San Francisco". I heard that when I first moved here and usually it's true. But it is raining again this morning. Oh, more tedious gloomy weather...more irritable customers putting their wet umbrellas down on the books. Poor people who had planned outdooor events today and even worse news for all the homes sliding down the hills all over California.
Giants lost last night, good thing I didn't stay up to watch.
"It never rains after April 15th in San Francisco". I heard that when I first moved here and usually it's true. But it is raining again this morning. Oh, more tedious gloomy weather...more irritable customers putting their wet umbrellas down on the books. Poor people who had planned outdooor events today and even worse news for all the homes sliding down the hills all over California.
Giants lost last night, good thing I didn't stay up to watch.
Saturday, April 15, 2006
thwarted and still 6-3
I guess I missed a good Giants vs. Scumsucking Dodgers
game last night, it was postponed until past my bed time.
Dang. I love to watch baseball after a hard day at work
because I can still noodle around on msBook and even
read a book or magazine. This year the rain has followed
our Giants around, but we still keep winning. So let's
hope for tonight and tomorrow night ~ we are the ESPN
game o' the week with a most perfect 5pm start. Now
I need to think about getting to work....
game last night, it was postponed until past my bed time.
Dang. I love to watch baseball after a hard day at work
because I can still noodle around on msBook and even
read a book or magazine. This year the rain has followed
our Giants around, but we still keep winning. So let's
hope for tonight and tomorrow night ~ we are the ESPN
game o' the week with a most perfect 5pm start. Now
I need to think about getting to work....
Thursday, April 13, 2006
veddy french
Usually I take my little boring brown bag lunch, but today
I met my writing friend Jeff (who has a corporate job
downtown) at this delightful French restaurant. Mary
(also a writer) introduced me to this place and now it's
where Michael and I have Christmas breakfast. So you
can see it has a history, and sometimes an attitude, but
that's OK by me.
Cafe de la Presse Frnch Restaurant and Cafe
We talked about writing and how hard it is, one of those
habits that's impossible to acquire easily. Nothing like
cigarettes or booze, that's for sure. Jeff is working on a
book and I am, hmmmm. Today my boss said the title
for my book, if I were to ever do such a courageous
thing, might be Memoirs of a Geisha in Retail.
Tonight is my writing group (Tiapos) and I'm just taking
an old 200 word piece from 2003. But I think they'll like
it because it's different and after many months I actually
thought it was a bit above average.
My croque monsieur was way above average.
I met my writing friend Jeff (who has a corporate job
downtown) at this delightful French restaurant. Mary
(also a writer) introduced me to this place and now it's
where Michael and I have Christmas breakfast. So you
can see it has a history, and sometimes an attitude, but
that's OK by me.
Cafe de la Presse Frnch Restaurant and Cafe
We talked about writing and how hard it is, one of those
habits that's impossible to acquire easily. Nothing like
cigarettes or booze, that's for sure. Jeff is working on a
book and I am, hmmmm. Today my boss said the title
for my book, if I were to ever do such a courageous
thing, might be Memoirs of a Geisha in Retail.
Tonight is my writing group (Tiapos) and I'm just taking
an old 200 word piece from 2003. But I think they'll like
it because it's different and after many months I actually
thought it was a bit above average.
My croque monsieur was way above average.
Wednesday, April 12, 2006
another simple truth
Our car Ken the Toyota is still in hospital, so I walked to/fro
yoga this morning and thought about this subject for ol'
commano...and a poem that sort of fits.
Several weeks ago a friend surprised me because he
absorbed something from the movie The Weatherman
that already changed his life. When the father (Michael
Caine) tells his weatherman son (Nicolas Cage) this:
"usually in life, the most difficult action is the correct
one to take". I have paraphrased badly here, I'm sure,
but you get the gist. So often I have taken the easy way
out of a situation or hoped that a problem would go
away on its own, when I needed to step up to the plate and
do what I had to do...even if that was a far cry from what
I wanted to do. I am grateful to my friend for sharing
his thoughts (and some new actions) about this discovery.
Now here is a poem that I've sent to people when they
have needed it:
THE JOURNEY
by Mary Oliver
One day you finally knew
what you had to do, and began,
though the voices around you
kept shouting
their bad advice --
though the whole house
began to tremble
and you felt the old tug
at your ankles.
“Mend my life!”
each voice cried.
But you didn’t stop.
You knew what you had to do,
though the wind pried
with its stiff fingers
at the very foundations,
though their melancholy
was terrible.
It was already late
enough, and a wild night,
and the road full of fallen
branches and stones.
But little by little,
as you left their voices behind,
the stars began to burn
through the sheets of clouds,
and there was a new voice
which you slowly
recognized as your own,
that kept you company
as you strode deeper and deeper
into the world,
determined to do
the only thing you could do --
determined to save
the only life that you could save.
yoga this morning and thought about this subject for ol'
commano...and a poem that sort of fits.
Several weeks ago a friend surprised me because he
absorbed something from the movie The Weatherman
that already changed his life. When the father (Michael
Caine) tells his weatherman son (Nicolas Cage) this:
"usually in life, the most difficult action is the correct
one to take". I have paraphrased badly here, I'm sure,
but you get the gist. So often I have taken the easy way
out of a situation or hoped that a problem would go
away on its own, when I needed to step up to the plate and
do what I had to do...even if that was a far cry from what
I wanted to do. I am grateful to my friend for sharing
his thoughts (and some new actions) about this discovery.
Now here is a poem that I've sent to people when they
have needed it:
THE JOURNEY
by Mary Oliver
One day you finally knew
what you had to do, and began,
though the voices around you
kept shouting
their bad advice --
though the whole house
began to tremble
and you felt the old tug
at your ankles.
“Mend my life!”
each voice cried.
But you didn’t stop.
You knew what you had to do,
though the wind pried
with its stiff fingers
at the very foundations,
though their melancholy
was terrible.
It was already late
enough, and a wild night,
and the road full of fallen
branches and stones.
But little by little,
as you left their voices behind,
the stars began to burn
through the sheets of clouds,
and there was a new voice
which you slowly
recognized as your own,
that kept you company
as you strode deeper and deeper
into the world,
determined to do
the only thing you could do --
determined to save
the only life that you could save.
Tuesday, April 11, 2006
the book, the poem, the day
My current favorite book of poetry is New and Selected
Poems by Mary Oliver. I bought it on 09/13/04 for $6
at Bart's Books in Ojai. Isn't is odd that we are never given
any sort of premonition when we wake up, that this will
be a special day? An extraordinary day, in fact.
This is the day that I ran into my college friend Ginger,
after decades of losing track of one another. It would have
been a fine day anyway, because my friend Michael and
I were going to have coffee at the French Bulldog in
Summerland and then head to Ojai for lunch and a bit
of sightseeing. But there she was, looking pretty much
like the very same Ginger from years gone by. "Excuse
me, did you go to the University of Colorado?" I asked.
The rest is happy history and now I have two Ginger
friends in my life. Oh, most fortunate me!
I love this book of poetry because it is pre-marked by
a woman with a 415 area code. Sometimes I feel like
calling her up, her name and phone number are on the
front page. There is a poem with a line "Oh, you never
saw such a garden!" and tucked in between those two
pages Ms. 415 left me a pressed flower. It traveled
from the Bay Area to Ojai and back again to stay.
Don't you just know that she was a perfect first owner
for my poetry book? Here is a poem that we both love:
The Sun
Have you ever seen
anything
in your life
more wonderful
than the way the sun,
every evening,
relaxed and easy,
floats toward the horizon
and into the clouds or the hills,
or the rumpled sea,
and is gone ~
and how it slides again
out of the blackness,
every morning,
on the other side of the world,
like a red flower
streaming upward on its heavenly oils,
say, on a morning in early summer,
at its perfect imperial distance ~
and have you ever felt for anything
such wild love ~
do you think there is anywhere, in any language,
a word billowing enough
for the pleasure
that fills you,
as the sun
reaches out,
as it warms you
as you stand there,
empty-handed ~
or have you too
turned from this world ~
or have you too
gone crazy
for power,
for things?
Mary Oliver
Poems by Mary Oliver. I bought it on 09/13/04 for $6
at Bart's Books in Ojai. Isn't is odd that we are never given
any sort of premonition when we wake up, that this will
be a special day? An extraordinary day, in fact.
This is the day that I ran into my college friend Ginger,
after decades of losing track of one another. It would have
been a fine day anyway, because my friend Michael and
I were going to have coffee at the French Bulldog in
Summerland and then head to Ojai for lunch and a bit
of sightseeing. But there she was, looking pretty much
like the very same Ginger from years gone by. "Excuse
me, did you go to the University of Colorado?" I asked.
The rest is happy history and now I have two Ginger
friends in my life. Oh, most fortunate me!
I love this book of poetry because it is pre-marked by
a woman with a 415 area code. Sometimes I feel like
calling her up, her name and phone number are on the
front page. There is a poem with a line "Oh, you never
saw such a garden!" and tucked in between those two
pages Ms. 415 left me a pressed flower. It traveled
from the Bay Area to Ojai and back again to stay.
Don't you just know that she was a perfect first owner
for my poetry book? Here is a poem that we both love:
The Sun
Have you ever seen
anything
in your life
more wonderful
than the way the sun,
every evening,
relaxed and easy,
floats toward the horizon
and into the clouds or the hills,
or the rumpled sea,
and is gone ~
and how it slides again
out of the blackness,
every morning,
on the other side of the world,
like a red flower
streaming upward on its heavenly oils,
say, on a morning in early summer,
at its perfect imperial distance ~
and have you ever felt for anything
such wild love ~
do you think there is anywhere, in any language,
a word billowing enough
for the pleasure
that fills you,
as the sun
reaches out,
as it warms you
as you stand there,
empty-handed ~
or have you too
turned from this world ~
or have you too
gone crazy
for power,
for things?
Mary Oliver
Monday, April 10, 2006
with an Italian theme!
This is the week of Macy's flower show and here is one of the sweet displays. I guess when they heard I was planning the trip to Italy in 2007, they decided to plan their yearly extravaganza around that. How thoughtful.
I love the way the store smells with all these fresh flowers and it seems like the clerks (errrr, associates) are in a better frame of mind...or maybe I am. It surprises me every year to discover the number of people who are a block away from Macy's and don't go in to enjoy il
fiores.(I'm not taking my Italian class until October, so that might be incorrect.)
I love the way the store smells with all these fresh flowers and it seems like the clerks (errrr, associates) are in a better frame of mind...or maybe I am. It surprises me every year to discover the number of people who are a block away from Macy's and don't go in to enjoy il
fiores.(I'm not taking my Italian class until October, so that might be incorrect.)
Sunday, April 09, 2006
want to paint that fire hydrant?
I'm amazed at the number of tourists in town now for the
Earthquake anniversary! It's something I didn't really
expect, I thought it would be one of our quaint little SF
events, but it seems to be a Big Deal nationwide. I'm
guessing these are history buffs, or maybe just folks
who used to live here. Check out this web site:
San Francisco Rising: Events
Earthquake anniversary! It's something I didn't really
expect, I thought it would be one of our quaint little SF
events, but it seems to be a Big Deal nationwide. I'm
guessing these are history buffs, or maybe just folks
who used to live here. Check out this web site:
San Francisco Rising: Events
Saturday, April 08, 2006
read all about it
When I send entries using Flickr (below), I can't get the link
for my faithful readers and this is all so interesting that
I thought you'd like it here in orange. And yes, Ms. K is
correct, some shacks still exist, 100 years later.
Western Neighborhoods Project - 1906 Earthquake Refugee Shacks
for my faithful readers and this is all so interesting that
I thought you'd like it here in orange. And yes, Ms. K is
correct, some shacks still exist, 100 years later.
Western Neighborhoods Project - 1906 Earthquake Refugee Shacks
beats an empty trailer
We are gearing up here for the 100th anniversary of that big earthquake. Yesterday I went to see this little cottage that is on display (free) down on Market Street, where O'Farrell ends. They built more than 5,000 of these basic one room shacks and put them in parks across the city. Our own little Precita Park held a bunch of them. Of course when the government wanted to remove the shacks a year later, many people still didn't have a place to go.
The similarities to New Orleans are obvious. Read about these shacks:
Western Neighborhoods Project - 1906 Earthquake Refugee Shacks at www.outsidelands.org.
The similarities to New Orleans are obvious. Read about these shacks:
Western Neighborhoods Project - 1906 Earthquake Refugee Shacks at www.outsidelands.org.
Friday, April 07, 2006
back to yesterday
Gees, I got so many nice comments that I'm going to keep talking about Opening Day. They have these new "big glove" rubber boats and people are floating around and calling their friends on the ever present cell phone. Pretty soon they won't let us in this little jewel of a ballpark without a flip. Even I, luddite of the decade, called Kristin ~ but's that a tradition and those are holy. Only one call, honest.
So after the huge ovation/hooting and stomping for Barry, this good looking man who recently had his teeth whitened approached me and he had a microphone. Right behind him was a TV camera and Mr. Brite Smile asked me how I felt about Barry and they wanted me to be on TV with my exceedingly original thoughts. I said, "oh no, I'm too shy to be on TV" and they both rushed off to find someone who had consumed the $7.75 beer and wanted to be a star.
I do love Opening Day, right down to all the clerks at the Safeway on 3rd Street wearing orange and black Giantswear. Too cool, there is a certain electricity....
So after the huge ovation/hooting and stomping for Barry, this good looking man who recently had his teeth whitened approached me and he had a microphone. Right behind him was a TV camera and Mr. Brite Smile asked me how I felt about Barry and they wanted me to be on TV with my exceedingly original thoughts. I said, "oh no, I'm too shy to be on TV" and they both rushed off to find someone who had consumed the $7.75 beer and wanted to be a star.
I do love Opening Day, right down to all the clerks at the Safeway on 3rd Street wearing orange and black Giantswear. Too cool, there is a certain electricity....
Thursday, April 06, 2006
stop the chop
Our SRO tickets were $15 each and we stood for quite some time right behind home plate. The ceremony was very nice and of course we all hooted and whistled for poor tormented Barry, to make up for the abuse he'll take when the team is out of town. We had Polish hot dogs with sauerkraut and as you know by now we beat the so-called Braves by a final score of 6 to 4. The sun did come out and when we walked around the park I was amazed at the number of people NOT paying any attention to the game. And they probably even had seats! Muni was running on time and all in all, it was a mighty fine Opening Day!
Wednesday, April 05, 2006
dusty in a good way
"London looked all right, Helen thought. The pavements
were dusty ~ but dusty in the way, say, that a cat's
coat is dusty, when it has lain for hours in the sun."
I'm reading a new book, one that has been compared to
Mrs. Dalloway. Sarah Waters is the author of Tipping
The Velvet and Fingersmith, and now this novel is
getting terrific reviews. It takes place in London in the
1940s and is rich in plot and glorious detail. So rent,
buy or borrow The Night Watch and you'll love it too,
I betcha. You can read about it here:
Powell's Books - The Night Watch: A Novel by Sarah Waters
were dusty ~ but dusty in the way, say, that a cat's
coat is dusty, when it has lain for hours in the sun."
I'm reading a new book, one that has been compared to
Mrs. Dalloway. Sarah Waters is the author of Tipping
The Velvet and Fingersmith, and now this novel is
getting terrific reviews. It takes place in London in the
1940s and is rich in plot and glorious detail. So rent,
buy or borrow The Night Watch and you'll love it too,
I betcha. You can read about it here:
Powell's Books - The Night Watch: A Novel by Sarah Waters
Tuesday, April 04, 2006
actual rain-free blue skies
I know, it doesn't look like this anymore, the sky is gray and I think it will be raining again soon. I'm glad I have proof that this did exist today.
even the orchestra is beautiful!
from the movie Cabaret (1972)
The rain stopped about 4pm and I was able to walk
for almost two hours. I headed up to Anna's Linens
on Mission Street because it smells like the department
stores of my youth and also I needed to buy another
sheet for the sofa bed. One cannot buy just one sheet
anymore, just a set, but no complaining when the sun
is actually out. Everything was beautiful, even the...
We had an Irish lunch on Guerrero Street (note the irony)
at Liberties, sitting at a table in the front window,
watching unhappy people walking under umbrellas for
the 435th day in a row. Listened to a man bragging
about his sexual prowess and when I finally was able
to turn around and see him I thought, "oh, yuck, how
you lie." But I liked the restaurant, our first time there.
Watched Blood & Wine this afternoon (the movie) and it
was OK, not great, but fine for a rainy afternoon.
I took a photo of a very green Bernal Hill in the sun and
I will post is as soon as I dig out the camera cord, etc.
Tonight is baseball again ~ double hooray.
The rain stopped about 4pm and I was able to walk
for almost two hours. I headed up to Anna's Linens
on Mission Street because it smells like the department
stores of my youth and also I needed to buy another
sheet for the sofa bed. One cannot buy just one sheet
anymore, just a set, but no complaining when the sun
is actually out. Everything was beautiful, even the...
We had an Irish lunch on Guerrero Street (note the irony)
at Liberties, sitting at a table in the front window,
watching unhappy people walking under umbrellas for
the 435th day in a row. Listened to a man bragging
about his sexual prowess and when I finally was able
to turn around and see him I thought, "oh, yuck, how
you lie." But I liked the restaurant, our first time there.
Watched Blood & Wine this afternoon (the movie) and it
was OK, not great, but fine for a rainy afternoon.
I took a photo of a very green Bernal Hill in the sun and
I will post is as soon as I dig out the camera cord, etc.
Tonight is baseball again ~ double hooray.
for wednesday, in purple
On Wednesday of this week, April 5 at two minutes and three seconds
after 1AM, it will be 01:02:03 04/05/06. This will never happen again in
our lifetime.
(thanks to Havey in SoCal for this bit of info.)
after 1AM, it will be 01:02:03 04/05/06. This will never happen again in
our lifetime.
(thanks to Havey in SoCal for this bit of info.)
Monday, April 03, 2006
poetry and baseball
A-Rod was in our store today, not in the poetry section,
however. The baseball players always head for the
magazines. Now I'm watching our very first game
of the season (we are playing in San Diego) and looking
forward to 3 days off. Baseball, movies and poetry ~
and maybe even some sun?
This poem is by Stephen Dunn in his book The Insistence
of Beauty and I particularly liked the little jab of self-
deprecating humor at the end.
Love-Lies-Bleeding
I said to her who takes plants seriously,
Someone gave Love-Lies-Bleeding its name,
who on a different day, differently reminded,
might have called it Love's Sweet Aftermath
or Early Passion, its drooping purple-red
flowering spikes so broadly suggestive.
We had a book open between us.
That someone, I continued, must have been
an authority for the name to have stuck,
Don't you think so? Or perhaps a wit.
Isn't Love-Lies-Bleeding comic,
like midlife crises to those long past them?
The name, I mean, isn't it funny,
like B movies, the dialogue purple
as a giant bruise, all the characters
actually saying out loud what they think?
No, I don't think it's funny, not at all,
she said, and laughed the way I'd seen
good actors do in lieu of what they felt.
It was time to stop talking about it, I was sure.
But I continued on.
however. The baseball players always head for the
magazines. Now I'm watching our very first game
of the season (we are playing in San Diego) and looking
forward to 3 days off. Baseball, movies and poetry ~
and maybe even some sun?
This poem is by Stephen Dunn in his book The Insistence
of Beauty and I particularly liked the little jab of self-
deprecating humor at the end.
Love-Lies-Bleeding
I said to her who takes plants seriously,
Someone gave Love-Lies-Bleeding its name,
who on a different day, differently reminded,
might have called it Love's Sweet Aftermath
or Early Passion, its drooping purple-red
flowering spikes so broadly suggestive.
We had a book open between us.
That someone, I continued, must have been
an authority for the name to have stuck,
Don't you think so? Or perhaps a wit.
Isn't Love-Lies-Bleeding comic,
like midlife crises to those long past them?
The name, I mean, isn't it funny,
like B movies, the dialogue purple
as a giant bruise, all the characters
actually saying out loud what they think?
No, I don't think it's funny, not at all,
she said, and laughed the way I'd seen
good actors do in lieu of what they felt.
It was time to stop talking about it, I was sure.
But I continued on.
Sunday, April 02, 2006
oh, do not ask, "what is it?"
April is National Poetry Month and to that end (ahem)
I'm going to try to explain to myself and to you, just
what it is that I love about an elegant poem. One of
the young uns at work selected T.S. Eliot's The Waste
Land and Other Poems for his staff selection. I dug
out my college copy (95ç new) because it was probably
the first poem that I ever really studied. The pages
are filled with backward slanted red notes: "tragic -
petty, meaningless daily lives". Was that me? Or
was I just writing down what the professor said?
That of course would be forThe Love Song of J.
Alfred Prufrock (1917) as is the title of this post. I still
recite these lines when I go to the museums:
"In the room the women come and go
Talking of Michelangelo." And this is the poem with the
famous "I have measured out my life with coffee spoons".
I think I enjoyed melancholy more then, in fact I know I
did. The Waste Land (1922) begins:
April is the cruellest month, breeding
Lilacs out of the dead land, mixing
Memory and desire, stirring
Dull roots with spring rain.
My April will be better. The rain WILL stop, baseball
season begins this week and I will bring some cheerier
poems here to celebrate this poetic month.
I'm going to try to explain to myself and to you, just
what it is that I love about an elegant poem. One of
the young uns at work selected T.S. Eliot's The Waste
Land and Other Poems for his staff selection. I dug
out my college copy (95ç new) because it was probably
the first poem that I ever really studied. The pages
are filled with backward slanted red notes: "tragic -
petty, meaningless daily lives". Was that me? Or
was I just writing down what the professor said?
That of course would be forThe Love Song of J.
Alfred Prufrock (1917) as is the title of this post. I still
recite these lines when I go to the museums:
"In the room the women come and go
Talking of Michelangelo." And this is the poem with the
famous "I have measured out my life with coffee spoons".
I think I enjoyed melancholy more then, in fact I know I
did. The Waste Land (1922) begins:
April is the cruellest month, breeding
Lilacs out of the dead land, mixing
Memory and desire, stirring
Dull roots with spring rain.
My April will be better. The rain WILL stop, baseball
season begins this week and I will bring some cheerier
poems here to celebrate this poetic month.
Saturday, April 01, 2006
RIP Sister Rose
You need to consider going to see Our Lady of 121st
Street at the SF Playhouse up on Sutter. It's very New
York, very clever (which equals very New York) and
extremely well acted. It has been extended through
April 22nd and it also had a terrific review in the Chron,
but let's not start that again. I guess it's a comedy,
but not really ~ you know what I mean. One of the
best plays we have seen this year.
sfplayhouse.org
Street at the SF Playhouse up on Sutter. It's very New
York, very clever (which equals very New York) and
extremely well acted. It has been extended through
April 22nd and it also had a terrific review in the Chron,
but let's not start that again. I guess it's a comedy,
but not really ~ you know what I mean. One of the
best plays we have seen this year.
sfplayhouse.org
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