You'd think I would be used to people moving on and changing
jobs in my big box chain mortar bookstore, but not so. I have
been madly hiring 3 temps every week and so far that is working
out just fine. But I continually miss the people who have left:
Jen, Jon G, Mr. Black and now #88 with his vast book knowledge
is but a warm memory on the walkie talkie:
"88, are you here this morning?"
"Yes, #1, at your service."
"Good, I can relax now."
"Roger and out."
(Please don't be confused, I am not #1 in mind, heart or deed.)
One time I left a message on the employee bulletin board for
#88 and some concerned young person accused us nasty
management folk of treating people like numbers. Don't
you love it?
Tuesday, November 14, 2006
Monday, November 13, 2006
baseball in november with bob
I was up with some "issues" last night, so I finally listened
to the freebie CD with Bob Dylan and 17 snippets including
"Joltin' Joe Dimaggio" and "Did You See Jackie Robinson Hit
That Ball?" The learned notthat called it an Odd CD and he
is so right ~ Mr. Dylan is the complete monotone background
for all this baseball emotion. But listening to this at 2am took
me back to our wonderful days at The Stick and soothed my
restless mind. Pitchers and catchers report in ______ days.
Below is one of my favorites from the CD (I'm afraid my
browser and the blog might write this differently than Mr.
Ferlinghetti did ~ apologies):
Baseball Canto
Watching baseball, sitting in the sun, eating popcorn,
reading Ezra Pound,
and wishing that Juan Marichal would hit a hole right through the
Anglo-Saxon tradition in the first Canto
and demolish the barbarian invaders.
When the San Francisco Giants take the field
and everybody stands up for the National Anthem,
with some Irish tenor's voice piped over the loudspeakers,
with all the players struck dead in their places
and the white umpires like Irish cops in their black suits and little
black caps pressed over their hearts,
Standing straight and still like at some funeral of a blarney bartender,
and all facing east,
as if expecting some Great White Hope or the Founding Fathers to
appear on the horizon like 1066 or 1776.
But Willie Mays appears instead,
in the bottom of the first,
and a roar goes up as he clouts the first one into the sun and takes
off, like a footrunner from Thebes.
The ball is lost in the sun and maidens wail after him
as he keeps running through the Anglo-Saxon epic.
And Tito Fuentes comes up looking like a bullfighter
in his tight pants and small pointy shoes.
And the right field bleechers go made with Chicanos and blacks
and Brooklyn beer-drinkers,
"Tito! Sock it to him, sweet Tito!"
And sweet Tito puts his foot in the bucket
and smacks one that don't come back at all,
and flees around the bases
like he's escaping from the United Fruit Company.
As the gringo dollar beats out the pound.
And sweet Tito beats it out like he's beating out usury,
not to mention fascism and anti-semitism.
And Juan Marichal comes up,
and the Chicano bleechers go loco again,
as Juan belts the first ball out of sight,
and rounds first and keeps going
and rounds second and rounds third,
and keeps going and hits paydirt
to the roars of the grungy populace.
As some nut presses the backstage panic button
for the tape-recorded National Anthem again,
to save the situation.
But it don't stop nobody this time,
in their revolution round the loaded white bases,
in this last of the great Anglo-Saxon epics,
in the territorio libre of Baseball.
Lawrence Ferlinghetti
to the freebie CD with Bob Dylan and 17 snippets including
"Joltin' Joe Dimaggio" and "Did You See Jackie Robinson Hit
That Ball?" The learned notthat called it an Odd CD and he
is so right ~ Mr. Dylan is the complete monotone background
for all this baseball emotion. But listening to this at 2am took
me back to our wonderful days at The Stick and soothed my
restless mind. Pitchers and catchers report in ______ days.
Below is one of my favorites from the CD (I'm afraid my
browser and the blog might write this differently than Mr.
Ferlinghetti did ~ apologies):
Baseball Canto
Watching baseball, sitting in the sun, eating popcorn,
reading Ezra Pound,
and wishing that Juan Marichal would hit a hole right through the
Anglo-Saxon tradition in the first Canto
and demolish the barbarian invaders.
When the San Francisco Giants take the field
and everybody stands up for the National Anthem,
with some Irish tenor's voice piped over the loudspeakers,
with all the players struck dead in their places
and the white umpires like Irish cops in their black suits and little
black caps pressed over their hearts,
Standing straight and still like at some funeral of a blarney bartender,
and all facing east,
as if expecting some Great White Hope or the Founding Fathers to
appear on the horizon like 1066 or 1776.
But Willie Mays appears instead,
in the bottom of the first,
and a roar goes up as he clouts the first one into the sun and takes
off, like a footrunner from Thebes.
The ball is lost in the sun and maidens wail after him
as he keeps running through the Anglo-Saxon epic.
And Tito Fuentes comes up looking like a bullfighter
in his tight pants and small pointy shoes.
And the right field bleechers go made with Chicanos and blacks
and Brooklyn beer-drinkers,
"Tito! Sock it to him, sweet Tito!"
And sweet Tito puts his foot in the bucket
and smacks one that don't come back at all,
and flees around the bases
like he's escaping from the United Fruit Company.
As the gringo dollar beats out the pound.
And sweet Tito beats it out like he's beating out usury,
not to mention fascism and anti-semitism.
And Juan Marichal comes up,
and the Chicano bleechers go loco again,
as Juan belts the first ball out of sight,
and rounds first and keeps going
and rounds second and rounds third,
and keeps going and hits paydirt
to the roars of the grungy populace.
As some nut presses the backstage panic button
for the tape-recorded National Anthem again,
to save the situation.
But it don't stop nobody this time,
in their revolution round the loaded white bases,
in this last of the great Anglo-Saxon epics,
in the territorio libre of Baseball.
Lawrence Ferlinghetti
Sunday, November 12, 2006
why we work retail...
One of the major benefits of working for a big box chain
bookstore is the discount for employees. Normally it's 25%
(33% for part timers) and full time people receive a $30
gift card every month. I'm one of the weirdoes who save
my cards, so today I bought a big bunch of books and
mostly used the old monthly cards. We have a few days
here when employees can buy books and CDs for 40% off, so
I make a list throughout the year (mostly children's books
and one CD) and I did splurge on one great DVD (Wordplay)
for 20% off. I brought home two giant bags filled with
books and that felt like Christmas to me...
bookstore is the discount for employees. Normally it's 25%
(33% for part timers) and full time people receive a $30
gift card every month. I'm one of the weirdoes who save
my cards, so today I bought a big bunch of books and
mostly used the old monthly cards. We have a few days
here when employees can buy books and CDs for 40% off, so
I make a list throughout the year (mostly children's books
and one CD) and I did splurge on one great DVD (Wordplay)
for 20% off. I brought home two giant bags filled with
books and that felt like Christmas to me...
Saturday, November 11, 2006
the poet from Topeka, Kansas
NO MATTER HOW BIG YOU MAKE A TOY, a child will find a
way to put it in his mouth. There is scarcely a piece of
playground equipment that has not been inside a child's
mouth. However, the object responsible for the greatest
number of choking deaths, for adults as well as children,
is the red balloon. Last year alone, every American choked
to death on a red balloon.
Ben Lerner
Angle of Yaw
Click Here: Check out "Writing Instructor Ben Lerner a National Book Award Finalist - California College of the Arts"
Friday, November 10, 2006
is it christmas weeK?
Today at lunch I walked down to the new Westfield Center
and the streets were jam packed with people ~ inside
the new mall all the escalators had one person per moving
stair. Honest to God, it was a zoo.
Our store wasn't too crazy, thank goodness, and the elevator
is working again, so my day was better than expected. I'm
still interviewing and hiring temps and I had to wade through
127 tedious emails because I had the nerve to be gone for
three whole days. Here is what the emails covered:
1) sickies ~ who called out, who wandered off the job
2) plumbing problems in the women's chamber of horror
3) the all-store meeting on 11/19 (oh joy)
4) gift wrapping for the holidays (we use fund-raising groups
who make tons of money)
5) people stretching 10 minute breaks into 30 minutes
and so on and on.......
and the streets were jam packed with people ~ inside
the new mall all the escalators had one person per moving
stair. Honest to God, it was a zoo.
Our store wasn't too crazy, thank goodness, and the elevator
is working again, so my day was better than expected. I'm
still interviewing and hiring temps and I had to wade through
127 tedious emails because I had the nerve to be gone for
three whole days. Here is what the emails covered:
1) sickies ~ who called out, who wandered off the job
2) plumbing problems in the women's chamber of horror
3) the all-store meeting on 11/19 (oh joy)
4) gift wrapping for the holidays (we use fund-raising groups
who make tons of money)
5) people stretching 10 minute breaks into 30 minutes
and so on and on.......
Thursday, November 09, 2006
blogs and bloggers battle fatigue?
For some reason the email to blog feature is "down" and
I don't like writing to the formal dashboard block, so I
struggle to get some words posted because I said I would
write everyday, and I'm a rough taskmistress when facing
semi-strict promises to myself. I know that isn't healthy,
but that's not the point right now. See, a whole graph already.
(Also, I don't know how to link on the dashboard, but it's so
easy with the email feature. Sigh.)
I'm sorry Ed Bradley died ~ I've admired him for years. Tough
yet gentle. A rare combination for a newsman. I liked the
earring and the sparkle in his eye when interviewing someone
like, for instance, Bob Dylan.
Tonight Tiapos (our writing group) will be small because
Dougo is in L.A. with his new grandchild and Chef P. has
been working too hard in GourmetLand up north. Spotty
West is teaching at a new school and he warned us that
he'd be under too much stress to read and write with us
this Fall. So only four of us? I'll take something old,
something borrowed...maybe something blue.
I don't like writing to the formal dashboard block, so I
struggle to get some words posted because I said I would
write everyday, and I'm a rough taskmistress when facing
semi-strict promises to myself. I know that isn't healthy,
but that's not the point right now. See, a whole graph already.
(Also, I don't know how to link on the dashboard, but it's so
easy with the email feature. Sigh.)
I'm sorry Ed Bradley died ~ I've admired him for years. Tough
yet gentle. A rare combination for a newsman. I liked the
earring and the sparkle in his eye when interviewing someone
like, for instance, Bob Dylan.
Tonight Tiapos (our writing group) will be small because
Dougo is in L.A. with his new grandchild and Chef P. has
been working too hard in GourmetLand up north. Spotty
West is teaching at a new school and he warned us that
he'd be under too much stress to read and write with us
this Fall. So only four of us? I'll take something old,
something borrowed...maybe something blue.
Wednesday, November 08, 2006
celebrating the thumping
Well, I didn't dare to dream that the democrats would
take the senate too. What a fine day this is and I feel
better about this country than I have in years. Good
job everyone, especially Howard Dean, Nancy Pelosi and
of course the brilliant Bill Clinton.
We watched CNN on and off all day with some breaks
for yoga this morning and lunch with a friend. Then
this afternoon we finally settled in to watch "Water",a
film about an 8 year old girl who is forced to join an
ashram of other widows when her 50 year old husband
dies. It is an extremely beautiful and moving story and
my favorite line is when the little girl innocently asks,
"Where do the men widows have to live?" Yes, I'd give
this movie 1 1/2 Kleenex®.
take the senate too. What a fine day this is and I feel
better about this country than I have in years. Good
job everyone, especially Howard Dean, Nancy Pelosi and
of course the brilliant Bill Clinton.
We watched CNN on and off all day with some breaks
for yoga this morning and lunch with a friend. Then
this afternoon we finally settled in to watch "Water",a
film about an 8 year old girl who is forced to join an
ashram of other widows when her 50 year old husband
dies. It is an extremely beautiful and moving story and
my favorite line is when the little girl innocently asks,
"Where do the men widows have to live?" Yes, I'd give
this movie 1 1/2 Kleenex®.
Tuesday, November 07, 2006
friends and dems = much happiness
Yes, the Pet Shop Boys were a huge draw and the store was
filled with (ummmmmm) excitement all day. And still no
elevator. But that was then...and now I have 3 days off!
Today I was happy to have a few moments with Kristin and
RR outside the swimming pool at the Janet Pomeroy Center
down on Skyline ~ the thick fog was just burning off and
the rest of the day was clear and warm. Little Ryan takes
her swimming lesson there and was most anxious to get
into the pool, but it still was nice to see them both and to
get Kristin's thesis on Lillian Hellman and give a few books
on Thanksgiving to Ryan, her horse Erin GoBraugh (sp?) and
Carol the rider who always travel with our favorite 3 year old.
I stopped to visit Dancing Jen at her bookstore on West
Portal and we had a good and gossipy chat. I surely miss
her at my big chain bookstore, but everyone knows that.
Husbando and I headed to the SF Symphony to buy a gift
certificate for our friend Frank, then walked around the
Hayes Street area, ending up sitting in the sun and enjoying
a light lunch at some small nameless cafe. I forgot to
bring my camera ~ don't let me do that again.
I love election night the way some folks love the holidays.
I mean I LOVE it ~ every beautiful blue win. So I took a two
hour nap because I want to stay up as long as possible. Of
course there have been years when I've gone to bed in
disgust, but this won't be one of them. We switch stations
and listen to some half baked theories and smirk when
Santorum's family looks all teary eyed. What fun...
Our thoughts are with The Plotniks (The Great Ones) who
are in L.A. waiting to become grandparents.
filled with (ummmmmm) excitement all day. And still no
elevator. But that was then...and now I have 3 days off!
Today I was happy to have a few moments with Kristin and
RR outside the swimming pool at the Janet Pomeroy Center
down on Skyline ~ the thick fog was just burning off and
the rest of the day was clear and warm. Little Ryan takes
her swimming lesson there and was most anxious to get
into the pool, but it still was nice to see them both and to
get Kristin's thesis on Lillian Hellman and give a few books
on Thanksgiving to Ryan, her horse Erin GoBraugh (sp?) and
Carol the rider who always travel with our favorite 3 year old.
I stopped to visit Dancing Jen at her bookstore on West
Portal and we had a good and gossipy chat. I surely miss
her at my big chain bookstore, but everyone knows that.
Husbando and I headed to the SF Symphony to buy a gift
certificate for our friend Frank, then walked around the
Hayes Street area, ending up sitting in the sun and enjoying
a light lunch at some small nameless cafe. I forgot to
bring my camera ~ don't let me do that again.
I love election night the way some folks love the holidays.
I mean I LOVE it ~ every beautiful blue win. So I took a two
hour nap because I want to stay up as long as possible. Of
course there have been years when I've gone to bed in
disgust, but this won't be one of them. We switch stations
and listen to some half baked theories and smirk when
Santorum's family looks all teary eyed. What fun...
Our thoughts are with The Plotniks (The Great Ones) who
are in L.A. waiting to become grandparents.
Monday, November 06, 2006
chris and neil - our 6pm event
Thanks to Ms. K who inspired me to do my homework here
in anticipation of my day of great sales and horrendous chaos.
No wonder the phone has been ringing with so many questions
in so many different languages, some even a little demanding.
I know, that's a surprise, isn't it?
These two sound like winners to me, so I feel better about
today. I will say "brilliant" and "lovely" a lot and they will know
that I've been to London. I will offer to carry them up all those
stairs on my back because of course they need a green room
and that will either be in or next door to my office.
Click Here: Check out "Pet Shop Boys Song-by-Song Commentary"
in anticipation of my day of great sales and horrendous chaos.
No wonder the phone has been ringing with so many questions
in so many different languages, some even a little demanding.
I know, that's a surprise, isn't it?
These two sound like winners to me, so I feel better about
today. I will say "brilliant" and "lovely" a lot and they will know
that I've been to London. I will offer to carry them up all those
stairs on my back because of course they need a green room
and that will either be in or next door to my office.
Click Here: Check out "Pet Shop Boys Song-by-Song Commentary"
Sunday, November 05, 2006
could it get any better?
First Foley, now the preacher man in Colorado. Oh how I
love the hypocrites with their Family Values. Really, if
one wrote a movie script about the current political
events, it would be tossed out as being ridiculously far
too dramatic and unbelievable.
Yes, the elevator was still out today. I walked up and down
those stairs with nary a complaint. Talked to a customer
who said that people who work in bookstores tend to have
"an edge" about them. I glared at him and he said, "oh, I
meant that in a good way". Right.
Tomorrow will be a mess. The Pet Shop Boys will be in at
6pm. I've been calling them the Petco Guys. I will report
in tomorrow night. Send nice thoughts my way, please....
love the hypocrites with their Family Values. Really, if
one wrote a movie script about the current political
events, it would be tossed out as being ridiculously far
too dramatic and unbelievable.
Yes, the elevator was still out today. I walked up and down
those stairs with nary a complaint. Talked to a customer
who said that people who work in bookstores tend to have
"an edge" about them. I glared at him and he said, "oh, I
meant that in a good way". Right.
Tomorrow will be a mess. The Pet Shop Boys will be in at
6pm. I've been calling them the Petco Guys. I will report
in tomorrow night. Send nice thoughts my way, please....
Saturday, November 04, 2006
sorry for the inconvenience
Our elevator is broken and won't be fixed until Monday. Of course we have escalators, but getting from my office to the first floor is no easy task, especially with carts of books or boxes of DVDs. I didn't bring my camera to work, so I used a photo from Flickr® that pretty much resembles our stairs at work. I hope you feel sorry for me, I certainly do.
Friday, November 03, 2006
the two californias
When I worked in a big box chain bookstore in Berkeley,
Ishmael Reed used to come in all the time. That was one
of the few good memories from that particular experience.
Here is one of his poems from a just published book,
New and Collected Poems,1964 - 2006.
UNTITLED
When California is split in two
The Northern part will be called
The Republic of Jambalaya
The Southern part will be called
Summer Camp
Ismael Reed
Ishmael Reed used to come in all the time. That was one
of the few good memories from that particular experience.
Here is one of his poems from a just published book,
New and Collected Poems,1964 - 2006.
UNTITLED
When California is split in two
The Northern part will be called
The Republic of Jambalaya
The Southern part will be called
Summer Camp
Ismael Reed
Thursday, November 02, 2006
media day with won tons
Grey and rainy so I spent most of the day indoors and
Husbando termed it Media Day since we started out this
morning watching Jon Stewart at 8am, then moved to
The World's Fastest Indian, an inspirational true story
starring Anthony Hopkins. Oh, I did vote this morning
before I started on my computer ~ it took me one hour
and the entire kitchen table. Tonight I think we'll watch
Water - A Deepa Mehta Film, but it sounds a little
depressing. Submitted a short piece for rejection, but
at least I can file it away forever.
Lunch? Out to 34th and Balboa for won ton soup and
steamed buns at the Shanghai Dumpling Shop. Can
you think of a better rainy day?
Husbando termed it Media Day since we started out this
morning watching Jon Stewart at 8am, then moved to
The World's Fastest Indian, an inspirational true story
starring Anthony Hopkins. Oh, I did vote this morning
before I started on my computer ~ it took me one hour
and the entire kitchen table. Tonight I think we'll watch
Water - A Deepa Mehta Film, but it sounds a little
depressing. Submitted a short piece for rejection, but
at least I can file it away forever.
Lunch? Out to 34th and Balboa for won ton soup and
steamed buns at the Shanghai Dumpling Shop. Can
you think of a better rainy day?
Wednesday, November 01, 2006
they spoil the vines & tender grapes
We both loved The Little Foxes at ACT last night, but
first I want to talk about the amazing discovery that there
were TONS of kids in costumes in the heart of downtown!
And better yet, it seems like those little grocery and liquor
stores give out candy by the fistful. It was so touching
to watch the little ones of multi multi ethnicities, some
with parents and some without, carrying their huge bags
of candies. And there were some unusual costumes and
even a few children in wheelchairs. Because I'm such a
city woman, I loved this about 400 times more than I
would those bland burbs with expensive decorations and
formula Halloweeniness.
But now to the vines. Here is where Ms. Hellman found
the title ~ from Song of Solomon (2:15):
Take us the foxes, the little foxes that spoil the vines for
our vines have tender grapes.
(alluding to the rich capitalists who crush their own history
and all the people who happen to be in their way, but you
already knew that - pardon my preach)
You will not be disappointed in this play! The set for one
thing ~ rich red and dramatic with a long winding staircase
begging for emotional speeches. Glorious costumes and
some fine acting. But, as always, it's the writing...the
words and the characters that kept me wide awake after
a full day of work and a big sandwich from
Lefty O’Doul’s - San Francisco Restaurant Review
American Conservatory Theater - ACT San Francisco
first I want to talk about the amazing discovery that there
were TONS of kids in costumes in the heart of downtown!
And better yet, it seems like those little grocery and liquor
stores give out candy by the fistful. It was so touching
to watch the little ones of multi multi ethnicities, some
with parents and some without, carrying their huge bags
of candies. And there were some unusual costumes and
even a few children in wheelchairs. Because I'm such a
city woman, I loved this about 400 times more than I
would those bland burbs with expensive decorations and
formula Halloweeniness.
But now to the vines. Here is where Ms. Hellman found
the title ~ from Song of Solomon (2:15):
Take us the foxes, the little foxes that spoil the vines for
our vines have tender grapes.
(alluding to the rich capitalists who crush their own history
and all the people who happen to be in their way, but you
already knew that - pardon my preach)
You will not be disappointed in this play! The set for one
thing ~ rich red and dramatic with a long winding staircase
begging for emotional speeches. Glorious costumes and
some fine acting. But, as always, it's the writing...the
words and the characters that kept me wide awake after
a full day of work and a big sandwich from
Lefty O’Doul’s - San Francisco Restaurant Review
American Conservatory Theater - ACT San Francisco
Tuesday, October 31, 2006
pre-work halloween post
I have a very sane 9 to 6 work schedule today, then we are
going to ACT to see Little Foxes, so it will be too late to
write tonight when I get home. I usually dress down for the
holiday (jeans, at least), but I'll have to be somewhat
professional today due to after work theatre. I will wear the
pumpkin earrings that K. gave me a few years ago.
Checked Flickr® for a ghost photo, but couldn't figure out
how to steal one for my blog. They have 99,313 of those
and I started getting lost browsing, so figured I had just better
get to the writing. Our prompt for Round Robin today was
Ghosts, so I wrote about ex-employees coming in and me
not knowing their names and not particularly caring about
them either, to be perfectly honest.
I have been substituting for the Round Robin and am better
for it these past 8 days. Thanks, Mistress Jane!
going to ACT to see Little Foxes, so it will be too late to
write tonight when I get home. I usually dress down for the
holiday (jeans, at least), but I'll have to be somewhat
professional today due to after work theatre. I will wear the
pumpkin earrings that K. gave me a few years ago.
Checked Flickr® for a ghost photo, but couldn't figure out
how to steal one for my blog. They have 99,313 of those
and I started getting lost browsing, so figured I had just better
get to the writing. Our prompt for Round Robin today was
Ghosts, so I wrote about ex-employees coming in and me
not knowing their names and not particularly caring about
them either, to be perfectly honest.
I have been substituting for the Round Robin and am better
for it these past 8 days. Thanks, Mistress Jane!
Monday, October 30, 2006
i love a mystery
I am thoroughly enjoying this new novel about a 16 year old
girl who disappears for a few weeks. The reader never knows
what is true and what is fantasy. I don't know why it's titled
the same as Bettelheim's book about fairy tales, but I'm
quite sure it wasn't an accident.
Click Here: Check out "Powell's Books - The Uses of Enchantment: A Novel by Heidi Julavits
On the way home tonight on BART a young Asian woman
was completely engrossed in Tolstoy's "Anna Karenina",
I enjoyed watching her read, I hope she didn't miss her stop,
I've done that from time to time.
girl who disappears for a few weeks. The reader never knows
what is true and what is fantasy. I don't know why it's titled
the same as Bettelheim's book about fairy tales, but I'm
quite sure it wasn't an accident.
Click Here: Check out "Powell's Books - The Uses of Enchantment: A Novel by Heidi Julavits
On the way home tonight on BART a young Asian woman
was completely engrossed in Tolstoy's "Anna Karenina",
I enjoyed watching her read, I hope she didn't miss her stop,
I've done that from time to time.
Sunday, October 29, 2006
how do you say dysfunctional in spanish?
Last night we watched Only Human ~ and I would rate it
two out-loud giggles. It is a Spanish movie about a young
Jewish woman (a tv reporter) who brings home her new
college professor boyfriend, who just happens to be
Palestinian. Her family is quite crazy even before this,
sort of a Meet the Fockers de España. Don't read too
many reviews because the pivotal plot element is more
fun if you don't know in advance that it's going to happen.
(It's only about 90 minutes, so you aren't investing too
much of your shrinking leisure time here.)
two out-loud giggles. It is a Spanish movie about a young
Jewish woman (a tv reporter) who brings home her new
college professor boyfriend, who just happens to be
Palestinian. Her family is quite crazy even before this,
sort of a Meet the Fockers de España. Don't read too
many reviews because the pivotal plot element is more
fun if you don't know in advance that it's going to happen.
(It's only about 90 minutes, so you aren't investing too
much of your shrinking leisure time here.)
Saturday, October 28, 2006
now how much? by the pound?
Every year I buy our pumpkins from the Mexican guys on a truck (two trucks this year!) on Harrison, around 22nd Street or so, I guess. I think I pay twice as much as I would at Safeway, but they are always so nice and help me drag the pumpkins to my car. I wanted 7 this year, but Husbando pointed out that they take FOREVER to compost, even with very active worms, plus we all know that I don't like to see pumpkins in December, so they have a limited shelf life at our house. So I only bought 4 this year, but they are big mothers and beautiful in their own orange way.
Friday, October 27, 2006
Sunday, Oct. 29th - meet Eric (and Jane)
Don't miss this unusual author event for the book I
discovered last week. I'll be there to have my copies
signed ~ excellent holiday gifts for those creative types
on your gift list who just happen to love/live in our City.
Click Here: Check out "The Writing Salon :: Events"
discovered last week. I'll be there to have my copies
signed ~ excellent holiday gifts for those creative types
on your gift list who just happen to love/live in our City.
Click Here: Check out "The Writing Salon :: Events"
Thursday, October 26, 2006
pink and gold and filled with calories
Sunrise from our back deck ~ the most perfect time of year. Busy day off including a flu shot at the Public Health Department (so organized) and then an unusual b.day lunch at Original Joe's in the Tenderloin with The Great Plotniks. Like going back in time before we worried about cholesterol and our blood pressure. Or how to decorate a restaurant, for that matter. We enjoyed ourselves immensely, as we always do with TGPs. Then tonight at Tiapos (my writing group) we celebrated two birthdays and discussed why so many writers are Scorpios. TGP said he is a Scorpio with Clueless rising...
Wednesday, October 25, 2006
photos and recipes
Two things I can never seem to throw away. I have a pork
chop recipe here from Susan when I was at the Univ.
of Colorado about 200 years ago. It's awful, too. Photos
I can understand, but what's this attachment to old
recipes? It's not as though I cook more than twice a year.
So last night Husbando asked me if I could make some
waffles for dinner tonight. Turns out that we are both too
full from lunch at Boulevard today, so I'll make them
another time. When I looked for the recipe, however, I
had to think about the source. Frank was the ex-husband
of Pat. Pat died about 18 or so years ago. We never
met Frank, but these waffles are delicious ~ unusually
light and tasty. I'll photograph them, maybe, when we
do have them. That's something for you to look forward to.
Frank's Waffles
Sift together:
one cup flour
1/2 tsp. baking soda
Mix together carefully (?):
1 lb. sour cream
4 egg yolks
the flour mix from above
Beat the 4 egg whites with a
little salt (make sure no yolk is
in there (why?)
Fold mixture into beaten whites slowly.
That's it folks, get out your waffle irons.
chop recipe here from Susan when I was at the Univ.
of Colorado about 200 years ago. It's awful, too. Photos
I can understand, but what's this attachment to old
recipes? It's not as though I cook more than twice a year.
So last night Husbando asked me if I could make some
waffles for dinner tonight. Turns out that we are both too
full from lunch at Boulevard today, so I'll make them
another time. When I looked for the recipe, however, I
had to think about the source. Frank was the ex-husband
of Pat. Pat died about 18 or so years ago. We never
met Frank, but these waffles are delicious ~ unusually
light and tasty. I'll photograph them, maybe, when we
do have them. That's something for you to look forward to.
Frank's Waffles
Sift together:
one cup flour
1/2 tsp. baking soda
Mix together carefully (?):
1 lb. sour cream
4 egg yolks
the flour mix from above
Beat the 4 egg whites with a
little salt (make sure no yolk is
in there (why?)
Fold mixture into beaten whites slowly.
That's it folks, get out your waffle irons.
Tuesday, October 24, 2006
Paul, Eric, Jane and shellfish
I picked up this book at work because I so love the illustrator
(Paul Madonna), but then I noticed that the author used to
teach at Jane's Writing Salon The Writing Salon :: Welcome
so I brought it home and now I will buy it because it's truly
wonderful. Oh, the author is Eric Maisel, and I probably met
him at one of Jane's soirees. Anyway, here is a quote from
this little gem of a book:
San Francisco and Paris are sister cities. They are not
connected by architecture, class structure, or climate.
They are not connected by their shellfish preferences (in
San Francisco it is crab, in Paris it is mussels), their history
(Wild West provincial versus urbane royal), or their
museums...
They are connected by being two of the world's very few
bohemian meccas. Each is an important, well-marked stop
on the bohemian international highway.
Amazon.com: A Writer's San Francisco: A Guided Journey for the Creative Soul: Books: Eric Maisel,Paul Madonna
(Paul Madonna), but then I noticed that the author used to
teach at Jane's Writing Salon The Writing Salon :: Welcome
so I brought it home and now I will buy it because it's truly
wonderful. Oh, the author is Eric Maisel, and I probably met
him at one of Jane's soirees. Anyway, here is a quote from
this little gem of a book:
San Francisco and Paris are sister cities. They are not
connected by architecture, class structure, or climate.
They are not connected by their shellfish preferences (in
San Francisco it is crab, in Paris it is mussels), their history
(Wild West provincial versus urbane royal), or their
museums...
They are connected by being two of the world's very few
bohemian meccas. Each is an important, well-marked stop
on the bohemian international highway.
Amazon.com: A Writer's San Francisco: A Guided Journey for the Creative Soul: Books: Eric Maisel,Paul Madonna
Monday, October 23, 2006
where else?
Sometimes I get jaded and have to remind myself that not everyone going to the theatre gets to walk a few extra steps to see something as exquisite as this...
a little more magic
Yesterday when we went to the Magic Theatre out at Fort
Mason, I asked Husbando if he thought Elaine May might be
in the audience and he said, "Yes". Even better than that,
she was introduced before the production of Moving Right
Along and that was such a treat as I have admired her
for a long, long time.
Three one act plays, not easy to do because of the set
changes and other technical obstacles, but these all work
because of some fabulous acting (Marlo Thomas and Mark
Rydell in particular) and May's excellent writing. The last
one ("George is Dead") was my favorite, but all 3 are
well worth the price of the ticket.
Magic Theatre - San Francisco's home for New Plays
And we found free parking, so my karma has returned...
Mason, I asked Husbando if he thought Elaine May might be
in the audience and he said, "Yes". Even better than that,
she was introduced before the production of Moving Right
Along and that was such a treat as I have admired her
for a long, long time.
Three one act plays, not easy to do because of the set
changes and other technical obstacles, but these all work
because of some fabulous acting (Marlo Thomas and Mark
Rydell in particular) and May's excellent writing. The last
one ("George is Dead") was my favorite, but all 3 are
well worth the price of the ticket.
Magic Theatre - San Francisco's home for New Plays
And we found free parking, so my karma has returned...
Sunday, October 22, 2006
getting ready to run
For some reason taking photos from inside our cafe didn't work very well, but at least you'll get an idea of our great view. Post and Powell streets were wall-to-wall happy women. The race began a little after 6:30am. I love working downtown, but you know that.
thousands of women runners at 6am
This year I brought my camera and the good Doctor J went up to the roof to get this photo. A lot of streets were closed off this morning for the Nike® event, so I ended up parking in the company parking space. When I walked to work it felt like the middle of the day as the streets were filled with women of all colors and ages in their shorts and tank tops and baseball caps. There was so muich electricity in the air and when we watched them all from the cafe on the 2nd floor, they were jumping up and down with excitement. It was a perfectly warm morning for a good run. It's a whole new running world with the addition of cameras and cell phones now! Despite the inconvenience, I love having this happen right under our noses so early in the morning.
Saturday, October 21, 2006
and I'll take one of those, and those, and those...
This is often my destination when I take an afternoon walk. Perhaps that is why I don't lose the final 5 lbs. Everything here is exquisite, but we are partial to the almond torte, cookies, napoleans and cakes. It's on Mission at 26th, if you've never been there.
Friday, October 20, 2006
my single day off
So far I've sent 3 reminder emails to me at work, so this
is why I need two days in a row, which I'll have next week.
And file this under ~ HAS SHE BEEN IN RETAIL TOO LONG?
Within the past year, I have had these experiences while
shopping/standing in line at other stores:
1) Walgreen's ~ I was waiting for the photo clerk and
someone asked me where the toothpaste was.
2) Williams-Sonoma ~ at the counter and ready to pay,
and a customer requests that I help her find the
ramekin dishes advertised in the catalogue.
3) Last Monday at the post office. A line of 10 people,
I am in the middle. A man zooms over, selects me
from all the rest and says, "Where are the green forms?"
Not feeling helpful, I respond, "sorry, not my responsibility".
"I know that", he says gruffly. I relent and point them out
and do not say, "under the Forms sign".
Beautiful clear and sunny day today ~ I will get a long solo
walk and think non-retail thoughts for a couple of hours.
is why I need two days in a row, which I'll have next week.
And file this under ~ HAS SHE BEEN IN RETAIL TOO LONG?
Within the past year, I have had these experiences while
shopping/standing in line at other stores:
1) Walgreen's ~ I was waiting for the photo clerk and
someone asked me where the toothpaste was.
2) Williams-Sonoma ~ at the counter and ready to pay,
and a customer requests that I help her find the
ramekin dishes advertised in the catalogue.
3) Last Monday at the post office. A line of 10 people,
I am in the middle. A man zooms over, selects me
from all the rest and says, "Where are the green forms?"
Not feeling helpful, I respond, "sorry, not my responsibility".
"I know that", he says gruffly. I relent and point them out
and do not say, "under the Forms sign".
Beautiful clear and sunny day today ~ I will get a long solo
walk and think non-retail thoughts for a couple of hours.
Thursday, October 19, 2006
heavenly hurt it gave me
Thank you, Mary, for suggesting this poem when I was doing
battle with the blues a few days ago. Emily knew...
There's A Certain Slant Of Light
There's a certain slant of light,
On winter afternoons
That oppresses, like the weight
Of cathedral tunes.
Heavenly hurt it gives us;
We can find no scar,
But internal difference
Where the meanings, are.
None may teach it anything,
'T is the seal, despair,
An imperial affliction
Sent us of the air.
When it comes, the landscape listens,
Shadows hold their breath;
When it goes, 't is like the distance
On the look of death.
Emily Dickinson
battle with the blues a few days ago. Emily knew...
There's A Certain Slant Of Light
There's a certain slant of light,
On winter afternoons
That oppresses, like the weight
Of cathedral tunes.
Heavenly hurt it gives us;
We can find no scar,
But internal difference
Where the meanings, are.
None may teach it anything,
'T is the seal, despair,
An imperial affliction
Sent us of the air.
When it comes, the landscape listens,
Shadows hold their breath;
When it goes, 't is like the distance
On the look of death.
Emily Dickinson
Wednesday, October 18, 2006
a rewarding little lunch break
Yesterday I hopped down to 49 Geary Street to check out
the Richard Avedon photo collection at the Fraenkel
Gallery. A small group of some impressive photographs by
Diane Arbus, Irving Penn and Henri Cartier-Bresson. It's
times like this when I really appreciate working downtown
and I vow to venture out and away from my desk more
often. And NOT just into another retail store! (I had
trouble opening this web site, but maybe that's because
it is so early for the rest of the world.)
Click Here: Check out "Fraenkel Gallery"
the Richard Avedon photo collection at the Fraenkel
Gallery. A small group of some impressive photographs by
Diane Arbus, Irving Penn and Henri Cartier-Bresson. It's
times like this when I really appreciate working downtown
and I vow to venture out and away from my desk more
often. And NOT just into another retail store! (I had
trouble opening this web site, but maybe that's because
it is so early for the rest of the world.)
Click Here: Check out "Fraenkel Gallery"
Tuesday, October 17, 2006
ah yes, the hills...
Here is the view from the 7th floor of our reknowned General Hospital. I know enough that it doesn't help the poor patients in the psych. ward here, but at least the staff members and visitors get to enjoy this visual treat. The fog on land and in my mind/heart burned off yesterday before noon and I feel calm this morning. Vigorous walking often does the trick and I need to remember that.
Monday, October 16, 2006
fighting with fire
Winter is upon us. Time passes too quickly and we are
bogged down in our idiotic work worlds and there is gloomy
sadness in the air. "Depression attaches itself to whatever
is handy", a shrink friend told me. This morning, when I
should be sleeping in, I am doing my best to wrestle the
demons ~ here are a few of my time tested methods:
1) purple and blue flowers on the dining room table
2) fresh, hot, dark, deep French Roast coffee
3) big/fat pumpkin spiced candle burning next to me
4) a roaring fire in the fireplace ~ the first of the season!
5) some Verdi playing loudly later in the day
6) a walk to General Hospital to give the psych ward 2 bags
of fresh magazines, 1/2 in Spanish ~ freebies to us from
when we had the business 12 years ago. Tenacious.
7) stop for a nonfat latte and watch people & their electronics
8) I will read some poetry - maybe CK Williams or Maxine Kumin
9) writing friends and emphasizing the positive: good health,
enough money, feeling safe and close to a few individuals.
I have so much more than most people on this earth...but
I'll be honest too re the melancholia of this mid-October.
These split days off don't work for me ~ some like them, but
I can't really relax and get back to being me until the second
day. Only another week of this.
Thanks for listening, I feel better already.
bogged down in our idiotic work worlds and there is gloomy
sadness in the air. "Depression attaches itself to whatever
is handy", a shrink friend told me. This morning, when I
should be sleeping in, I am doing my best to wrestle the
demons ~ here are a few of my time tested methods:
1) purple and blue flowers on the dining room table
2) fresh, hot, dark, deep French Roast coffee
3) big/fat pumpkin spiced candle burning next to me
4) a roaring fire in the fireplace ~ the first of the season!
5) some Verdi playing loudly later in the day
6) a walk to General Hospital to give the psych ward 2 bags
of fresh magazines, 1/2 in Spanish ~ freebies to us from
when we had the business 12 years ago. Tenacious.
7) stop for a nonfat latte and watch people & their electronics
8) I will read some poetry - maybe CK Williams or Maxine Kumin
9) writing friends and emphasizing the positive: good health,
enough money, feeling safe and close to a few individuals.
I have so much more than most people on this earth...but
I'll be honest too re the melancholia of this mid-October.
These split days off don't work for me ~ some like them, but
I can't really relax and get back to being me until the second
day. Only another week of this.
Thanks for listening, I feel better already.
Sunday, October 15, 2006
she likes us!
Just published ~ Amy Sedaris has a hot new book.
I Like You: Hospitality Under the Influence and it's
going to be a very big seller. She will be on Jon
Stewart's program this week, according to the web site.
The book appears to be a legitimate how-to-entertain book,
with all sorts of whacky Amy comments, some
unusual recipes and wonderful art work.
Click Here: Check out "Amy Sedaris Rocks"
I Like You: Hospitality Under the Influence and it's
going to be a very big seller. She will be on Jon
Stewart's program this week, according to the web site.
The book appears to be a legitimate how-to-entertain book,
with all sorts of whacky Amy comments, some
unusual recipes and wonderful art work.
Click Here: Check out "Amy Sedaris Rocks"
Saturday, October 14, 2006
the genius of robert arneson
We both admire Robert Arneson ~ remember when he did the Moscone piece? So much controversy. If you look closely you can see the missile embedded in the charred cross. The horribly disfigured head speaks to the atrocities of war, it is not easy to look at, but beautiful in its way. This is new (to us) in the sculpture garden behind the de Young.
Friday, October 13, 2006
a multi-cultural kind of day
We started out at Costco and ended up in Gee's Bend. My friend #88 works at the de Young and he said that a customer asked him where the Bee Gee quilts were, so of course I kept wanting to say that (and not to be cute), it's just all I could think about, you know how that goes. Anyway, let's skip Costco, except to say that the blueberry season is over. Drat. This fabulous Chicano exhibit is over in a few days so please do yourself a favor and see it! The bold, no apology colors simply blew me away and I remembered when my friend Ginger first moved to S.F. and she would drive up and down Mission Street (no easy task even 20 years ago) just so she could enjoy the experience. This is so much better than I expected, and I had heard only good things about the many paintings owned by Cheech Marin and others. It's a 15 city (I think) tour and we are so lucky that it's here. I loved the whole Gee's Bend exhibit, but Husbando has low quilt tolerance, so I'll go back by myself one day soon, I hope. The de Young is now a year old ~ I don't know when Costco came to our city.
Thursday, October 12, 2006
is this a first?
I'm going to our writing group tonight without anything
to read. Usually I can pull something out of msBook, but
I decided that I'm just going to listen and enjoy the
work of my fellow writers. This has been a strange week,
off on Wednesday and Friday and then next week on
Monday and Friday. I'm the sort of woman who needs a
little more order (it calms, as we learned from the Amish)
and of course I need two days off in a row. But since I
preach the gospel of adaptation to the staff, I'd better
practice it myself here for a couple of weeks. Will do.
However I sent a begging little email to Bossman saying
I need 3 days in a row before the happy holidays. I'd like
to take Husbando to Mendocino...my favorite spot on earth.
to read. Usually I can pull something out of msBook, but
I decided that I'm just going to listen and enjoy the
work of my fellow writers. This has been a strange week,
off on Wednesday and Friday and then next week on
Monday and Friday. I'm the sort of woman who needs a
little more order (it calms, as we learned from the Amish)
and of course I need two days off in a row. But since I
preach the gospel of adaptation to the staff, I'd better
practice it myself here for a couple of weeks. Will do.
However I sent a begging little email to Bossman saying
I need 3 days in a row before the happy holidays. I'd like
to take Husbando to Mendocino...my favorite spot on earth.
Wednesday, October 11, 2006
the bad reporter = very good time
Here is the promised photo and a few more details. First, the staff at Borders helped me (as always) to set up the pesky movie screen, locate and plug in assorted cords and plugs and talk up the event to customers. We couldn't turn off the overhead lights, but that all seemed to work out just fine and wasn't worth all my excess worry. Don answered many questions after the delightfully funny slide show and customers stopped me afterwards to thank us for hosting him. I forgot to have him sign the remaining books, so I'll email him tomorrow and ask him to do so. He admits that he gets many emails after one of his strips ~ not all of them complimentary. Surprise. Even I, worried host, enjoyed myself totally. So buy his "Dog vs. Cat" book ($10.95), it's full of little treasures.
Tuesday, October 10, 2006
success!
I'll add a photo in the morning, but suffice it to say that
Don was terrific and we had a great turnout (maybe 50
people) and sold some books, too. So that was a relief,
because one never knows with these events. We could
have had 3 or 300. I was grateful to see my Tiapos friends
there to support me and have a laugh or two. One woman
said she read my blog after typing in "Asmussen"...she
complimented me on commano, so of course I liked her
immensely.
Don was terrific and we had a great turnout (maybe 50
people) and sold some books, too. So that was a relief,
because one never knows with these events. We could
have had 3 or 300. I was grateful to see my Tiapos friends
there to support me and have a laugh or two. One woman
said she read my blog after typing in "Asmussen"...she
complimented me on commano, so of course I liked her
immensely.
Monday, October 09, 2006
grown-up comedy
Tonight we Flixd® Thank You For Smoking and I would
give it 2, maybe 3 butts. It wasn't laugh out loud funny,
to me, but certainly worth your time, especially between
baseball games these next two weeks.
Thank You for Smoking (2005)
Tomorrow night is the Don Asmussen event and I'm just
a little nervous. 7pm Borders Union Square. Should be fun!
give it 2, maybe 3 butts. It wasn't laugh out loud funny,
to me, but certainly worth your time, especially between
baseball games these next two weeks.
Thank You for Smoking (2005)
Tomorrow night is the Don Asmussen event and I'm just
a little nervous. 7pm Borders Union Square. Should be fun!
Sunday, October 08, 2006
plain and simple
About 10 years ago someone gave me this little journal
by Sue Bender. It features colorful quilts along with very soft
and gentle 3 to 4 lines of verse to contemplate quietly.
Ms. Bender lived with the Amish to learn about their quilts,
but of course there she found the courage to change her
busy life and leave room for the unexpected. Her book
is 151 pages and took her 5 years to write. Plain and
Simple is the title of both her book and my still empty
journal. I turn to it during times of unrest. My work life is
ruling my real life lately, and I don't like that one bit.
Here, from the journal ~ and just in time:
Sometimes we confuse what we do with who we are.
Lists engulf us ~ creating the illusion that our lives are full.
To simplify we have to say no.
The ordinary can be extraordinary.
Order calms.
by Sue Bender. It features colorful quilts along with very soft
and gentle 3 to 4 lines of verse to contemplate quietly.
Ms. Bender lived with the Amish to learn about their quilts,
but of course there she found the courage to change her
busy life and leave room for the unexpected. Her book
is 151 pages and took her 5 years to write. Plain and
Simple is the title of both her book and my still empty
journal. I turn to it during times of unrest. My work life is
ruling my real life lately, and I don't like that one bit.
Here, from the journal ~ and just in time:
Sometimes we confuse what we do with who we are.
Lists engulf us ~ creating the illusion that our lives are full.
To simplify we have to say no.
The ordinary can be extraordinary.
Order calms.
Saturday, October 07, 2006
two wives = double trouble
After work we went to the San Francisco Playhouse up
on Sutter to see Miller'sThe Ride Down Mount Morgan
which was first produced in London in 1991, and even
though it is a comedy, it is still Arthur Miller, so there
is plenty of top notch drama here. There was some
fussing around with the seats and first-afternoon type
pre-play confusion, but after the lights went out, the
audience quickly settled down and enjoyed the performance.
The hero neglects to divorce his first wife who is surprised
to meet his other wife after he endures a nasty car accident.
(Yes, it's been done before, but it's still effective as a plot,
probably not as a way of life.)
My ever generous company provides me with free downtown
parking on Saturday, so we like to take advantage of this
treat whenever we can. We have season tickets to the SF
Playhouse this year ~ very reasonable, by the way!
(The Great Plotnik will also review this play because he and
his Ducknik also enjoyed this play earlier in week.)
The Playhouse Theatre
on Sutter to see Miller'sThe Ride Down Mount Morgan
which was first produced in London in 1991, and even
though it is a comedy, it is still Arthur Miller, so there
is plenty of top notch drama here. There was some
fussing around with the seats and first-afternoon type
pre-play confusion, but after the lights went out, the
audience quickly settled down and enjoyed the performance.
The hero neglects to divorce his first wife who is surprised
to meet his other wife after he endures a nasty car accident.
(Yes, it's been done before, but it's still effective as a plot,
probably not as a way of life.)
My ever generous company provides me with free downtown
parking on Saturday, so we like to take advantage of this
treat whenever we can. We have season tickets to the SF
Playhouse this year ~ very reasonable, by the way!
(The Great Plotnik will also review this play because he and
his Ducknik also enjoyed this play earlier in week.)
The Playhouse Theatre
Friday, October 06, 2006
taking the J train
I explored a little tonight on the way home ~ took the F
street car, then the J car up to Cesar Chavez. Stopped
to talk with my friend Ken at Books, Inc. on Market
Street. But, get to the point. Riding along up Church Street
there is this magnificent view of the City. There were
some tourists from Great Britain on the car and the
woman tapped her husband on the shoulder and said
"Look mate!" as they both admired our glorious city,
which wasn't at her best what with the grey weather.
Everyone near them on the J car smiled and forgot their
promblems for just a moment there...
street car, then the J car up to Cesar Chavez. Stopped
to talk with my friend Ken at Books, Inc. on Market
Street. But, get to the point. Riding along up Church Street
there is this magnificent view of the City. There were
some tourists from Great Britain on the car and the
woman tapped her husband on the shoulder and said
"Look mate!" as they both admired our glorious city,
which wasn't at her best what with the grey weather.
Everyone near them on the J car smiled and forgot their
promblems for just a moment there...
Thursday, October 05, 2006
three kleenex®
OK, I know it's predictable and definitely a feel-good kind
of movie, but I loved Akeelah. I even shushed Husbando when
he tried to make "guess what's going to happen next?" kind
of comments which usually elicit like responses from me. The
little girl is terrific. To my surprise it was produced by Starbux,
the coffee company ~ perhaps you've heard of them?
Interesting tid bit here: the sound track is a relatively top
seller at our store.
(Nice to see so many plays and movies about words recently!)
Click Here: Check out "Netflix: Akeelah and the Bee"
of movie, but I loved Akeelah. I even shushed Husbando when
he tried to make "guess what's going to happen next?" kind
of comments which usually elicit like responses from me. The
little girl is terrific. To my surprise it was produced by Starbux,
the coffee company ~ perhaps you've heard of them?
Interesting tid bit here: the sound track is a relatively top
seller at our store.
(Nice to see so many plays and movies about words recently!)
Click Here: Check out "Netflix: Akeelah and the Bee"
Wednesday, October 04, 2006
a little space, a little freedom
Like a bird on the wire,
Like a drunk in a midnight choir
I have tried in my way to be free.
I have worn out the Leonard Cohen CD that Dancing Jen
gave me a few years back. I am a devoted Cohen fan. I
remember a Tiapos meeting in Sausalito when The Great
Plotnik spotted a bird on a wire ~ he had memorized this
entire poem/song! And he's a Dodger fan, imagine.
But I have a point here. Or I'll try to build one. I was
working in my home office this morning and listening to
Leonard. I know this makes me sound shallow and self
absorbed, but one of the happiest times in my life was when
we decided to build me a little room all of my own in our
garage. We know I crave alone time and privacy and this
5' x 7' (approx.) office has served me well over the years.
So I was noodling around down there today, listening to
Leonard, using my old msMac instead of msBook, thinking
about freedom and how I still love my office. I remember
when our big clown of an Irish Setter would wind himself
around my feet, pulling out various plugs before he finally
sighed and settled down. The cats too considered this
cluttered space a little slice of heaven, mostly because it
was forbidden due to car tires and instant death fears.
Cats love keyboards with moving fingers on them...
Realistically, there isn't a lot of freedom for people who
have to work for the man. It's not like we can take off
and travel or write for 12 hours a day (yikes, who could?)
and when someone has been married for eons, we tend to
think in "we" terms. Nothing wrong with that, but it can
be a struggle sometimes to find the space and time to
think in the "me" way.
I have tried in my way to be free. (Jane would suggest that
I lose this corny last line, and she would be right as usual)
Like a drunk in a midnight choir
I have tried in my way to be free.
I have worn out the Leonard Cohen CD that Dancing Jen
gave me a few years back. I am a devoted Cohen fan. I
remember a Tiapos meeting in Sausalito when The Great
Plotnik spotted a bird on a wire ~ he had memorized this
entire poem/song! And he's a Dodger fan, imagine.
But I have a point here. Or I'll try to build one. I was
working in my home office this morning and listening to
Leonard. I know this makes me sound shallow and self
absorbed, but one of the happiest times in my life was when
we decided to build me a little room all of my own in our
garage. We know I crave alone time and privacy and this
5' x 7' (approx.) office has served me well over the years.
So I was noodling around down there today, listening to
Leonard, using my old msMac instead of msBook, thinking
about freedom and how I still love my office. I remember
when our big clown of an Irish Setter would wind himself
around my feet, pulling out various plugs before he finally
sighed and settled down. The cats too considered this
cluttered space a little slice of heaven, mostly because it
was forbidden due to car tires and instant death fears.
Cats love keyboards with moving fingers on them...
Realistically, there isn't a lot of freedom for people who
have to work for the man. It's not like we can take off
and travel or write for 12 hours a day (yikes, who could?)
and when someone has been married for eons, we tend to
think in "we" terms. Nothing wrong with that, but it can
be a struggle sometimes to find the space and time to
think in the "me" way.
I have tried in my way to be free. (Jane would suggest that
I lose this corny last line, and she would be right as usual)
Tuesday, October 03, 2006
back under the dome
I wasn't going to write tonight, but I had an email from my
friend Mary saying that she reads commano every day, so
I thought, "oh, what the heck", just keep typing.
Today I met Husbando at the new mall and we had lunch
down in the basement. It was early (11am) and by noon
every table was in use! We just had Korean noodle soup
and of course we could have walked about 5 blocks further
for better food at less money. And no free water, I hate that!
He had walked around before we met and pronounced the
whole thing "too L.A." and in truth there are many stores
catering to the very thin 18 year olds with lots of strange
ruffles and layers ~ the clothes, not the girls. So when we
parted he said he was going to Mitchell's to get a gallon of
pumpkin ice cream and, in fact, I'm going to serve it now.
Two days off coming up ~ I'm more than ready for them.
friend Mary saying that she reads commano every day, so
I thought, "oh, what the heck", just keep typing.
Today I met Husbando at the new mall and we had lunch
down in the basement. It was early (11am) and by noon
every table was in use! We just had Korean noodle soup
and of course we could have walked about 5 blocks further
for better food at less money. And no free water, I hate that!
He had walked around before we met and pronounced the
whole thing "too L.A." and in truth there are many stores
catering to the very thin 18 year olds with lots of strange
ruffles and layers ~ the clothes, not the girls. So when we
parted he said he was going to Mitchell's to get a gallon of
pumpkin ice cream and, in fact, I'm going to serve it now.
Two days off coming up ~ I'm more than ready for them.
Monday, October 02, 2006
want to meet the big bad reporter?
I'm too tired to write tonight, so I will try to encourage
you to attend a fun event I'm hosting next Tuesday night,
October 10th. About 10 years ago I worked with Don's wife,
so I felt comfortable inviting him to the store.
Bad Reporter - Friday, September 29, 2006
7pm
Tuesday, Oct. 10
Borders Union Square
Don Asmussen
Cartoonist
to discuss and sign his new book
Dog Vs. Cat
I understand that he has a hilarious slide show
presentation and I'm look forward to this event.
Join us!
you to attend a fun event I'm hosting next Tuesday night,
October 10th. About 10 years ago I worked with Don's wife,
so I felt comfortable inviting him to the store.
Bad Reporter - Friday, September 29, 2006
7pm
Tuesday, Oct. 10
Borders Union Square
Don Asmussen
Cartoonist
to discuss and sign his new book
Dog Vs. Cat
I understand that he has a hilarious slide show
presentation and I'm look forward to this event.
Join us!
Sunday, October 01, 2006
see you at spring training!
OK, let's talk baseball for a moment. You can sashay on
out of here Mistress NoPlot.com.
The Snowglobe queen (Sal) emails us that it's only 138 days
until the pitchers and catchers report. Husbando always
compares baseball to life: you can plan ahead, do everything
right, practice until your body explodes and then something
unexpected happens and kaboom! you lose the game. The
best example of course is Steve Bartman (poor guy) and the
Chicago Cubs. And yet, despite all of this, there is always
hope. Again, pretty much like life. So we say good-bye to the
Giants until Spring and look forward to the playoffs which
to me are a lot easier to watch without investing all of my
emotions in the home team.
Because of The Great Plotnik and his shrine, I'm hoping that
the Dodgers can at least beat the Mets. I understand this
all starts on Wednesday and maybe I'll even wear something
blue for a few days to show my support for Dodger Doug.
I hope the A's do well too, but I'm not a fan of the American
League with their sissy pitchers who can't hit, it's pretty
boring until the final game when they play the National League.
out of here Mistress NoPlot.com.
The Snowglobe queen (Sal) emails us that it's only 138 days
until the pitchers and catchers report. Husbando always
compares baseball to life: you can plan ahead, do everything
right, practice until your body explodes and then something
unexpected happens and kaboom! you lose the game. The
best example of course is Steve Bartman (poor guy) and the
Chicago Cubs. And yet, despite all of this, there is always
hope. Again, pretty much like life. So we say good-bye to the
Giants until Spring and look forward to the playoffs which
to me are a lot easier to watch without investing all of my
emotions in the home team.
Because of The Great Plotnik and his shrine, I'm hoping that
the Dodgers can at least beat the Mets. I understand this
all starts on Wednesday and maybe I'll even wear something
blue for a few days to show my support for Dodger Doug.
I hope the A's do well too, but I'm not a fan of the American
League with their sissy pitchers who can't hit, it's pretty
boring until the final game when they play the National League.
Saturday, September 30, 2006
bits and pieces (to fill)
You will be happy to learn that the new Bob Woodward
book is flying off the shelves! I'm going to sink into a
novel by Mark Haddon entitled A Spot of Bother. For
movies? Tonight we Flix'd Lucky #Slevin which was OK,
not fabulous, and extremely violent. But worth seeing,
I guess, just because the plot was so convoluted. So
I probably won't read this hot book, but I'm glad it's selling:
Powell's Books - State of Denial: Bush at War, Part III by Bob Woodward
book is flying off the shelves! I'm going to sink into a
novel by Mark Haddon entitled A Spot of Bother. For
movies? Tonight we Flix'd Lucky #Slevin which was OK,
not fabulous, and extremely violent. But worth seeing,
I guess, just because the plot was so convoluted. So
I probably won't read this hot book, but I'm glad it's selling:
Powell's Books - State of Denial: Bush at War, Part III by Bob Woodward
Friday, September 29, 2006
the hype, the mall, the dome
Of course if I lived in Peoria or Wichita, there's no way in hell I'd visit a new mall, but in SF it's all dressed up as nostalgia and design and elegance. I scampered over there today on my lunch hour and yes, it's just another mall, but my oh my, it is impressive. I didn't get to Bloomie's, but I checked out the new and beautiful Borders (4th Floor) and walked around just a bit before my time was up. I had an interview and had to rush back to my store. I kept looking down at the enticing food court and will return there on my next trip. Yes, it was very busy, but not too crowded to enjoy the whole spectacle. I heard the sound of cash registers...music to many ears.
Thursday, September 28, 2006
almost 3 hours of clever!
Wowza ~ I had exchanged our tix due to my Santa Barbara
vaca last week, so we sat in the 2nd row last night. Better
to hear every single perfect word and watch some superior
acting by our old friend Geoff Hoyle (Pickle Family Circus)
and René Augesen, as well as Gregory Wallace, and more.
Travesties by Tom Stoppard is way better than I expected
and so I recommend it to everyone who loves words and
history...not to mention the colorful costumes and sly,
sweet movement of eight fabulous actors. What a treat!
Click Here: Check out "American Conservatory Theater - ACT San Francisco"
vaca last week, so we sat in the 2nd row last night. Better
to hear every single perfect word and watch some superior
acting by our old friend Geoff Hoyle (Pickle Family Circus)
and René Augesen, as well as Gregory Wallace, and more.
Travesties by Tom Stoppard is way better than I expected
and so I recommend it to everyone who loves words and
history...not to mention the colorful costumes and sly,
sweet movement of eight fabulous actors. What a treat!
Click Here: Check out "American Conservatory Theater - ACT San Francisco"
Wednesday, September 27, 2006
chocolate in between the slices
Does this look like The Great Plotnik's blog? Today I work 8am to 5pm and then we have ACT tonight, so I wanted to do my daily post early as it will be late tonight, if we stay for all the innings....
southern mission hospitality
Our little nabe has lots of wonderful new little restaurants ~ Al and Tipper Gore even ate here a couple of weeks ago! We really enjoyed ourselves at The Front Porch on 29th Street off Mission. You can see (below) that the prices are reasonable and there are some dishes you can't find amongst the all too typical 6 entres in most restaurants. Husbando had the fried chicken and I enjoyed crab in a corn and porridge dish. Freshest green salad ($4) possible and a fried dessert that we did not need.
Tuesday, September 26, 2006
my kind of challenge (maybe)
Karen from my writing group emails us that the Washington
Post will pay $100 for 100 words. We know that I specialize
in brevity, but when working on this today (between a solo
walk in the Mish and a stroll on Fillmore Street with Husbando),
I discover that it's hardly any words at all! Sheeeesh. Hello.
Good-bye. No time for foreplay...
The guidelines: find a way to give insight into your life in
under 100 words.
(At least I'll have something to bring to Tiapos Thursday night.)
Post will pay $100 for 100 words. We know that I specialize
in brevity, but when working on this today (between a solo
walk in the Mish and a stroll on Fillmore Street with Husbando),
I discover that it's hardly any words at all! Sheeeesh. Hello.
Good-bye. No time for foreplay...
The guidelines: find a way to give insight into your life in
under 100 words.
(At least I'll have something to bring to Tiapos Thursday night.)
Monday, September 25, 2006
sam shepard's newest play
Yesterday afternoon I left work early and we saw The God
of Hell which is all about the most dangerous plutonium pit
in Colorado, Rocky Flats Plant. I didn't realize that it only
takes inhaling a few missed particles of plutonium to cause
cancer, so of course this is still a huge concern, especially
to landowners surrounding Rocky Flats. It's one of those
hush hush government messes and Shepard's one act play
manages to be scary and amusing at the same time. We
both really enjoyed the tight script and of course the acting
is superb, especially from Anne Darragh and Michael Santo.
The latter plays "the government guy" with just enough
Pres. Bush in him to be almost as frightening as the actual
plutonium. It is a short, intense play ~ go.
Click Here: Check out "Magic Theatre - San Francisco's home for New Plays"
of Hell which is all about the most dangerous plutonium pit
in Colorado, Rocky Flats Plant. I didn't realize that it only
takes inhaling a few missed particles of plutonium to cause
cancer, so of course this is still a huge concern, especially
to landowners surrounding Rocky Flats. It's one of those
hush hush government messes and Shepard's one act play
manages to be scary and amusing at the same time. We
both really enjoyed the tight script and of course the acting
is superb, especially from Anne Darragh and Michael Santo.
The latter plays "the government guy" with just enough
Pres. Bush in him to be almost as frightening as the actual
plutonium. It is a short, intense play ~ go.
Click Here: Check out "Magic Theatre - San Francisco's home for New Plays"
Sunday, September 24, 2006
saving you some time...
Click Here: Check out "Think Progress » FULL TRANSCRIPT: Clinton Takes On Fox News"
This Wallace is the son of Mike, by the way. Smarmy...
This Wallace is the son of Mike, by the way. Smarmy...
renew orleans
This 34th annual Blues Festival was a tribute to New Orleans, so lots of people were wearing beads and feathers ~ when we were standing in line to enter, the woman with the bullhorn announced, "no guns, no knives, but alcohol and marijuana are OK". The music began before the scheduled 11am and lasted until 6pm, of course we left earlier than that. You can see that our seats were pretty close to the stage. It goes on for another full day today and if you love blues and people-watching, it's the place to be. But I return to work today, still relaxed from my wonderful vaca. Until I read about the 3rd email, I suspect...
great meadow at fort mason
You couldn't dream up a better location for the SF Blues Festival. The booths have all sorts of fabulous food: BBQ pork, jambalaya, corn bread ~ the smokey food smells add to the overall ambience and thanks for the glorious weather!
Saturday, September 23, 2006
grass, kids, dogs
To the right is another huge expanse of lawn and a big sand box filled with buckets and toys for the kids. Lots more tables with none too close together. Good food too, although I'm not an expert (yet).
my favorite new restaurant
This will be my final vaca blog because today we have the SF Blues Festival and that will really get me back into city life.
Friday, September 22, 2006
a snooze in the sun
Dogs add so much to daily life, they also require a lot of time and attention and I was able to give them both, with pleasure. This is on Ginger's big patio, surrounded by orange trees. She would squeeze fresh OJ for me every morning. Heaven.
yurt @ cachuma
I had never heard of this huge Cahuma Lake before ~ it's about 20 minutes from downtown Santa Barbara and there were hardly any campers. Each yurt has bunk beds (we peeked) and one electrical outlet. BBQ is on the other side. They rent for $65 a night, but of course you need to book about a year in advance. Since that day I have seen or heard the here-to-fore unknown word "yurt" about 6 times. Life is odd...
one of life's great pleasure
Driving at dawn ~ this was last Monday. I was already singing and happy as a dog in the sunshine (photo to follow).
Thursday, September 21, 2006
rich widows with small dogs
That's how my friend Joan described one of the parks near her
home in Montecito. I told her that it would be a great name for
a short story.
Another great women-filled day. Nothing exciting, which is just
fine with me. The 3 of us had coffee this morning at the Cafe Luna
(which used to be the French Bulldog) and that's where this new
chapter with friend from college started two years ago.
Then we 3 women with 3 dogs walked again at Padaro Beach
and today the tide was low so we could walk a lot further than
we have in the past. No stars (Dennis Miller also lives here)
and very few walkers or surfers. It was so nice just to talk and
walk and feel close ~ interesting that there is very little stuff about
the college days (daze) because we are so active in our current
lives and looking forward to the future. Lots to laugh about, too.
Tonight? Burgers at home and maybe even on the patio because
Ginger hosed off all those ashes this morning. Yes, I did a little
work too, I know that will surprise everyone.
I return home tomorrow ~ get ready for photos galore.
Wednesday, September 20, 2006
they don't sell carpets
OK, before someone else corrects me. The name of the
little beach town where I spent the day only thinking of
ME/Me/me is Carpinteria. So sorry.
self indulgence in carp
So this is how that other 1/2 lives! Today we went for a private
workout with machines and yoga and all sorts of soothing
movements...for two fabulous hours. Then a quick lunch at
the Cajun Kitchen in Carpeteria, then an hour long massage.
All this took place in this quaint little town called Carp, by
the natives. I then walked down to the beach while G. had
her massage and now I am in a liquid state, drinking an
espresso before I hit the bubble bath.
Tonight is dinner with our friend Joan ~ the 3 of us were
college buddies, as everyone knows by now. Early dinner
and early to bed. Weather? Gorgeous. Mood? Muy mellow.
Still no cafes advertising Wi Fi, so when I come home on
Friday I'll be posting photos instead of words.
Tuesday, September 19, 2006
time out on tuesday
Today was almost too lazy to discuss. My friend Ginger had lots
of dental work and (honest!) I did offer to go with her, but she
said "no", so I put my feet up, looked out at the ocean and read
my old New Yorkers until lunch time. I did take the dogs out for
a walk and since I'm not currently a dog owner I forgot to bring
PLASTIC BAGS, so I had to ask another true dog walker if I
could borrow a couple of hers...and just in time.
We had an outdoor lunch at the Grill at Padaro Beach and that
was so unusual. Huge grassy area with picnic tables and a big
sand-box for the kids to play in. Dogs are allowed, but we left
our girls at home. Food was excellent too. Then back to my
lounge chair until about 4pm when we took a 4 mile beach
walk and now it's dinner time and some more relaxing. I love
having the time to really read the New Yorkers ~ I still think
it's the best magazine ever published.
Weather? Started out with fog this morning, but that was good
for the wild fire situation (there are ashes here) and then warm
and sunny this afternoon. Perfect.
Monday, September 18, 2006
yurts rock!
I'm using my friend's computer tonight because she doesn't
have Wi Fi and I couldn't piggyback down here in Summerland.
So this will be short, but I wanted to report in that I did have
a totally delightful day. Photos to follow...
Started driving the moment the sun came up and it was
smooth and beautiful. Reached Michael's in Goleta about
10am and after coffee and some chat, he drove me to Cachuma
Lake where they have yurts! These are tent like structures on
raised wooden decking right next to the lap lap of the lake.
Very peaceful and serene. Photos to follow...
Then I drove to Ginger's here in Summerland and we took a
fine beach walk with her two dogs. Kevin Costner was out on
his deck, but he didn't wave at me, so I didn't acknowledge
him. It is fabulous weather, warm still tonight with stars galore
in the clear sky. Then Ginger fixed a tasty chicken dinner for
Michael and myself and we listened to the new Bob Dylan
CD which is excellent. Photos to follow...
Sunday, September 17, 2006
leave it to king city
Well, wouldn't you know ~ this has the easiest and fastest
Wi Fi of anyplace I've been yet (except home, of course)?
I'm staying in a semi-seedy motel and just had a rather
dreadful supper at Maggie's Diner, but I'm relaxed and
delighted to be here. The drive was easy and I listened to
Len Tillum, that NY lawyer-guy on KGO. I'll be up early for
my drive to Santa Barbara ~ Ken (our Toyota) requires
tapes, not CDs, so I bought a whole bunch of those for
driving and singing tomorrow morning. I'm tired tonight,
early to bed in King City...
Wi Fi of anyplace I've been yet (except home, of course)?
I'm staying in a semi-seedy motel and just had a rather
dreadful supper at Maggie's Diner, but I'm relaxed and
delighted to be here. The drive was easy and I listened to
Len Tillum, that NY lawyer-guy on KGO. I'll be up early for
my drive to Santa Barbara ~ Ken (our Toyota) requires
tapes, not CDs, so I bought a whole bunch of those for
driving and singing tomorrow morning. I'm tired tonight,
early to bed in King City...
Saturday, September 16, 2006
dispelling the big bad mood
It's strange. Yesterday I was ready to resign in a huff
(which I'd never do, but it's nice to visualize it) and
today I had a relatively OK day at work. A minor issue
(we never say "problem" in the business world) with a
man who was drunk and belligerent, but then he tried
to take the up escalator down and I felt vindicated.
Anyway, somewhere along the way my attitude
switched from mean witch-bitch to warm and loving
(for me) and I'm SO much better that I had to try to
figure out why the change?
I decided it's because I started writing about my friend
Irving who died last week. Not beautiful writing like my
Tiapos friends, just "I want to remember this about him:
the bad, the unusual and the wonderful". And I think
this is helping me immensely. I have a bunch of letters
here from him and I will include some of his words in my
essay. And I will blow up a photo from two years ago, he
is wearing a red knit hat...it was only 98º out that day.
Writing eases pain, but we all know that...
(which I'd never do, but it's nice to visualize it) and
today I had a relatively OK day at work. A minor issue
(we never say "problem" in the business world) with a
man who was drunk and belligerent, but then he tried
to take the up escalator down and I felt vindicated.
Anyway, somewhere along the way my attitude
switched from mean witch-bitch to warm and loving
(for me) and I'm SO much better that I had to try to
figure out why the change?
I decided it's because I started writing about my friend
Irving who died last week. Not beautiful writing like my
Tiapos friends, just "I want to remember this about him:
the bad, the unusual and the wonderful". And I think
this is helping me immensely. I have a bunch of letters
here from him and I will include some of his words in my
essay. And I will blow up a photo from two years ago, he
is wearing a red knit hat...it was only 98º out that day.
Writing eases pain, but we all know that...
Friday, September 15, 2006
two more days
I am seriously packed up for my annual trip to Santa
Barbara. This year I am not taking the train (see July
travel notes), so I am driving and I will stay Sunday
night in glamorous King City, then head south in the
early Monday morning hours. It's a wonderful test for
me ~ being on my own, visiting with friends and
catching up on my reading. Santa Barbara is extremely
mellow compared to my life here in SF and that's just
what I need about now. I'm a bit tired of work and right
on the edge of saying something snappish to show how ultra
smart and clever I am. That's always dangerous....
Barbara. This year I am not taking the train (see July
travel notes), so I am driving and I will stay Sunday
night in glamorous King City, then head south in the
early Monday morning hours. It's a wonderful test for
me ~ being on my own, visiting with friends and
catching up on my reading. Santa Barbara is extremely
mellow compared to my life here in SF and that's just
what I need about now. I'm a bit tired of work and right
on the edge of saying something snappish to show how ultra
smart and clever I am. That's always dangerous....
Thursday, September 14, 2006
the fucking reaper
I heard that an old friend of mine died yesterday. I've
known him for almost 20 years and I miss him already.
He was 87, lived a good life ~ blah, blah. But I still won't
hear from him anymore or laugh at his jokes nor listen
to his wise counsel. He moved to Florida about 4 years
ago and I did my grieving then because I knew I wouldn't
really ever see him again. He didn't have email and his
phone skills were almost as bad as mine. When I wrote a
mutual friend, the above headline was his response. Fitting.
Then today, Ann Richards. Very sad. What a woman. It's
an emptier place on earth today.
known him for almost 20 years and I miss him already.
He was 87, lived a good life ~ blah, blah. But I still won't
hear from him anymore or laugh at his jokes nor listen
to his wise counsel. He moved to Florida about 4 years
ago and I did my grieving then because I knew I wouldn't
really ever see him again. He didn't have email and his
phone skills were almost as bad as mine. When I wrote a
mutual friend, the above headline was his response. Fitting.
Then today, Ann Richards. Very sad. What a woman. It's
an emptier place on earth today.
Wednesday, September 13, 2006
why I love frisco (reason #445)
This was a nondescript apartment building at Alabama and Cesar Chavez. Instead of painting it beige or grey, we now have this delightful mixture of bright colors. Now I ask you, would you see this in Wichita? Now I answer you, nope. I've decided that even if I'm not always 100% in favor of the color choices, I'm just so pleased that we have this visual feast. And speaking of our city, the Blogmaid took her daughter to swimming lessons in SF yesterday and she wrote me a wonderful description of the two gay dads playing in the pool with their child. Now I ask you, would that happen in Wichita? (Well, maybe, I hope so anyway.)
Tuesday, September 12, 2006
the robins at rest for now
Yesterday was the last time I had to do the daily 10 minute
write for the Round Robin class. It is a great relief now because
I was running out of steam, words and patience. I get into
that, "who do I think I'm kidding?" kind of mood and pretty
much dislike everything that I type. And I mean type, not
write. Anyway, I'll be skipping the next round because I want
to take an Italian class in October.
What happens, however, is that I start missing the prompts,
the partners and the routine. Probably next week I'll be
feeling less creative, sort of wishy washy and empty. Of
course I don't push myself to write when I don't have to.
Let me remind you that my friend Jane's classes are about
the best you'll ever find if you want to write. The Round
Robin is mostly online, a marvelous invention of the Salon
Mistress, but there are many classes to chose from:
The Writing Salon :: Welcome
write for the Round Robin class. It is a great relief now because
I was running out of steam, words and patience. I get into
that, "who do I think I'm kidding?" kind of mood and pretty
much dislike everything that I type. And I mean type, not
write. Anyway, I'll be skipping the next round because I want
to take an Italian class in October.
What happens, however, is that I start missing the prompts,
the partners and the routine. Probably next week I'll be
feeling less creative, sort of wishy washy and empty. Of
course I don't push myself to write when I don't have to.
Let me remind you that my friend Jane's classes are about
the best you'll ever find if you want to write. The Round
Robin is mostly online, a marvelous invention of the Salon
Mistress, but there are many classes to chose from:
The Writing Salon :: Welcome
Monday, September 11, 2006
everything perfect, except the game...
We had a terrific time last night at the Jewell. Isn't this a tasteful 9/11 memorial? The names of the victims are printed on those big sheets of many colors. It was quiet there by the Willie Mayes statue as people gathered to meet their friends and locate their tickets. Beautiful weather and yummy polish suasage dogs ~ too bad the game itself wasn't very enjoyable. Our seats were in Row 21 very near 3rd base. (My favorite place to sit since our old Candlestick days.) I was impressed that Barry played so long and so hard and there's a new rookie pinch hitting named Freddy Lewis and he is impressive indeed. I learned to love baseball at The Stick, so the Jewell still seems a little crowded and small to me, but I know I'm in the minority. And good grief ~ about 433 more logos than the last time we attended a home game, or so it seems. But we had a wonderful evening, especially with the free good karma parking space on 4th Street and the expensive seats that TGP gave us. Thanks again!
Sunday, September 10, 2006
short shrift sunday
I'm in a rush because the most generous Great Plotnik
has given us tickets for tonight's Giants vs. Padres game
at the Jewell. It's a 5pm start so that means it must be
an ESPN game and it also means that I need to rush about
a bit right now and when I get home from work at 3pm.
These Giants might be taking us into heartbreak territory,
but who can resist? Climb on board, wear the orange and
stock-up on Kleenex®....
has given us tickets for tonight's Giants vs. Padres game
at the Jewell. It's a 5pm start so that means it must be
an ESPN game and it also means that I need to rush about
a bit right now and when I get home from work at 3pm.
These Giants might be taking us into heartbreak territory,
but who can resist? Climb on board, wear the orange and
stock-up on Kleenex®....
Saturday, September 09, 2006
not worth a thousand words
This isn't such an attractive photo, but many people are eager to hear how the "maybe too much garlic" pesto turned out. It was THE BEST! We sprinkled lots of parmesan and pine nuts on the individual servings and then had about 6 servings left over to freeze. I'm not sure about that because I wasn't in the kitchen much last night. I did make sleepy time tea after the baseball game (we won!) and now I pack my lunch and head downtown. I might breathe some garlic on customers who get too close...
Friday, September 08, 2006
there will be no escape
My friend Mary in Bisbee,AZ, sent me this long and wonderful quote from Maj Sjowall.
I have been doing a lot of writing and complaining lately about the approaching holidays. Our mutual friend Irving always said, "Christmas has me by the throat".
I'm not there yet, but Costco did have lots of holiday shit out on Wednesday, Sept. 6th. I am not kidding. I don't know this author, but I will link him later ~ this passage describes Christmas in Sweden.
"Even the spate of useless tips from the general public has begun to dry up.
The consumer society and its harrassed citizens had other things to think of. Although it was over a month to Christmas, the advertising orgy had begun and the buying hysteria spread as ruthlessly as the Black Death along the festooned shopping streets. The epidemic swept all before it and there was no escape. It ate its way into houses and apartments, poisoning and breaking down everything and everyone in its path. Children were already howling from exhaustion and fathers of families were plunged into debt until their next vacation. The gigantic legalized confidence trick claimed victims everywhere. The hospitals already had a boom in cardiac infarctions, nervous breakdowns and burst stomach ulcers.
The police station downtown had frequent visits from the outriders of the great family festival, in the shape of Santa Clauses who were dragged blind drunk out of doorways and public urinals. At Mariatorget, two exhausted patrolmen dropped a drunken Father Christmas in the gutter when they tried to get him into a taxi. During the ensuing uproar the two policemen were hard pressed by screaming children and foul-mouthed boozers."
I have been doing a lot of writing and complaining lately about the approaching holidays. Our mutual friend Irving always said, "Christmas has me by the throat".
I'm not there yet, but Costco did have lots of holiday shit out on Wednesday, Sept. 6th. I am not kidding. I don't know this author, but I will link him later ~ this passage describes Christmas in Sweden.
"Even the spate of useless tips from the general public has begun to dry up.
The consumer society and its harrassed citizens had other things to think of. Although it was over a month to Christmas, the advertising orgy had begun and the buying hysteria spread as ruthlessly as the Black Death along the festooned shopping streets. The epidemic swept all before it and there was no escape. It ate its way into houses and apartments, poisoning and breaking down everything and everyone in its path. Children were already howling from exhaustion and fathers of families were plunged into debt until their next vacation. The gigantic legalized confidence trick claimed victims everywhere. The hospitals already had a boom in cardiac infarctions, nervous breakdowns and burst stomach ulcers.
The police station downtown had frequent visits from the outriders of the great family festival, in the shape of Santa Clauses who were dragged blind drunk out of doorways and public urinals. At Mariatorget, two exhausted patrolmen dropped a drunken Father Christmas in the gutter when they tried to get him into a taxi. During the ensuing uproar the two policemen were hard pressed by screaming children and foul-mouthed boozers."
Thursday, September 07, 2006
green gold
Husbando and I used to make a batch of pesto every August, but in recent years we started buying it at Trader Joe's. It isn't nearly as tasty, so today while we were walking out on foggy Clement, we found some in a little grocery store and bought 8 bunches, along with some parsely and garlic. We worked together (rare because we are both control freaks in the kitchen) and produced 6 servings. We might have put in a wee bit too much garlic, but that will keep the evil spirits away. If you plan to make a batch yourself, add lots of olive oil to the basil, parsely and garlic while you mush it up in your Cuisinart®. The hardest part of the operation is cleaning the basil, but these bunches were unusually clean and only $1.39 per. We'll test it tomorrow night for dinner.
We started the day at "The Monet" and breezed through since we don't do water lillies. It was a pleasure to see some of those paintings without 300 people in front of us.
We started the day at "The Monet" and breezed through since we don't do water lillies. It was a pleasure to see some of those paintings without 300 people in front of us.
Wednesday, September 06, 2006
always looking for answers...
A friend sent me this to help me keep things in perspective.
Enjoy...it's one of the best.
Dance, Monkeys, Dance - Flash animation
Enjoy...it's one of the best.
Dance, Monkeys, Dance - Flash animation
Tuesday, September 05, 2006
world weary
A 3-day holiday weekend in retail is about 3 days too many.
But it's over and I have two days off to relax and catch
my breath. The good news is that the tourists have spent
all their vacation money and then some, so we can now
actually walk up and down Powell Street without being
forced off the sidewalk. I love the ones who walk 4 in a
row, especially if they are the hefty types from Germany
or the Midwest. The sun is shining and Husbando plans
to BBQ hamburgers and I'm going to Santa Barbara in
a couple of weeks so everything is hunky dory. Dorry?
But it's over and I have two days off to relax and catch
my breath. The good news is that the tourists have spent
all their vacation money and then some, so we can now
actually walk up and down Powell Street without being
forced off the sidewalk. I love the ones who walk 4 in a
row, especially if they are the hefty types from Germany
or the Midwest. The sun is shining and Husbando plans
to BBQ hamburgers and I'm going to Santa Barbara in
a couple of weeks so everything is hunky dory. Dorry?
Monday, September 04, 2006
brief reviews from a tired worker blogger
Thank goodness I'm reading so much again. Sometimes I'll
go for what seems like a long time without getting lost
in a book. I finished The Poe Shadow (okay, not great)
and Water for Elephants (excellent!) and today I brought
home this novel that has had so many magnificent reviews.
Powell's Books - Suite Francaise: A Novel by Irene Nemirovsky
This is the work by the woman who died in Auschwitz ~ 64
years later her daughters published this "singularly piercing
evocation...of life and death in occupied France."
go for what seems like a long time without getting lost
in a book. I finished The Poe Shadow (okay, not great)
and Water for Elephants (excellent!) and today I brought
home this novel that has had so many magnificent reviews.
Powell's Books - Suite Francaise: A Novel by Irene Nemirovsky
This is the work by the woman who died in Auschwitz ~ 64
years later her daughters published this "singularly piercing
evocation...of life and death in occupied France."
Sunday, September 03, 2006
an american tragedy (not over)
We finally finished watching the Spike Lee movie and I
feel wiped out and wretched. Of course I forgot that the
Insurance companies would be spending all their energy
trying to figure out how NOT to pay all those claims.
If our government doesn't finish you off, big business
will ~ except for the damn human spirit and the truly
inspirational music. I loved that part. I've been having
nightmares since we started watching this, but I live
in paradise and a few bad dreams are nothing. Oh,
yes, now the speculators and developers have arrived
and gentrification has begun in the 9th Ward. Very sad.
HBO: When the Levees Broke: A Requiem in Four Acts
feel wiped out and wretched. Of course I forgot that the
Insurance companies would be spending all their energy
trying to figure out how NOT to pay all those claims.
If our government doesn't finish you off, big business
will ~ except for the damn human spirit and the truly
inspirational music. I loved that part. I've been having
nightmares since we started watching this, but I live
in paradise and a few bad dreams are nothing. Oh,
yes, now the speculators and developers have arrived
and gentrification has begun in the 9th Ward. Very sad.
HBO: When the Levees Broke: A Requiem in Four Acts
Saturday, September 02, 2006
O silent majority
Speak Out
And a vast paranoia sweeps across the land
And America turns the attack on its Twin Towers
Into the beginning of the Third World War
The war with the Third World
And the terrorists in Washington
Are drafting all the young men
And no one speaks
And they are rousting out
All the ones with turbans
And they are flushing out
All the strange immigrants
And they are shipping all the young men
To the killing fields again
And no one speaks
And when they come to round up
All the great writers and poets and painters
The National Endowment of the Arts of Complacency
Will not speak
While all the young men
Will be killing all the young men
In the killing fields again
So now is the time for you to speak
All you lovers of liberty
All you lovers of the pursuit of happiness
All you lovers and sleepers
Deep in your private dreams
Now is the time for you to speak
O silent majority
Before they come for you
-- Lawrence Ferlinghetti
Poets Against War
This poem is hanging in my messy office here at home.
I snipped it from the Chronny when the war first began
and here we are, STILL in Iraq. What have I done to stop
this insanity? Nothing. Maybe a few pathetic words in
the blog, but that's about it. Shame on me.
Friday, September 01, 2006
thank you molly ivins!
This is Molly Ivins ~ isn't she wonderful? From yesterday's Chronny...
AUSTIN -- I know it's bad form to brag, but I am now a "graduate" of Texas A&M University, and you can't stop Aggie pride. I became a diplomee of the great institution in College Station after successfully completing the three-day short course in beef cattle this summer. I specialized in forage management and graduated Quel fromage!, meaning avec distinction.
The most amazing part of cow college was meeting the cow whisperer.
Think of everything you know about moving cattle from one place to another -- for shots, round-up or loading into trucks for market, just physically moving a lot of cattle. GEE, GIT ON, GO DOGIE, whistle, whip crack, move 'em out, chase 'em down. Turns out that all these years we've been doing it wrong.
What happens when you scare a cow by making a lot of noise and chasing it down and forcing it to move where it doesn't want to go is that the cow responds by relieving itself. And since a cow has several stomachs, it can unload up to 20 percent of its total weight at one go -- the last thing you want just before you take it to market to sell.
So the latest thing in cattle handling is cow whispering. (I'm not making this up -- this is straight from A&M.) Either on foot or horseback, you just kind of sidle around your herd without upsetting them, talk to them gently and suggest they might like to go that way for a while, and then perhaps a tour along the pen line, and then perhaps some consideration of the gate and another little tour of the pen line.
But all of this is done without loud noise, sudden movements or eruptions of testosterone. It's such a revolutionary development of an American macho tradition that it's a little like watching NFL teams come onto the field in tutus. But it also works a lot better on the cows.
I bring this up because I recently attended a women's peace movement meeting, sponsored by the Code Pink group founded by Medea Benjamin, Jodie Evans and Diane Wilson. The female peacemakers also included Cindy Sheehan, writer Anne Lamott and Col. Ann Wright, who served 29 years in the Army and more than 15 years in the Foreign Service before resigning in protest over President Bush's drive to war in Iraq.
I must say, they were a lot more emphatic than the cow whisperer. In fact, as I left, they were saddling up to ride down to Bush at his ranch with a people's posse peace warrant. Lots of whooping about it.
Female peace activists, as a rule, have totally solved the gnarly old dilemma: What do you do about hating the haters? If you're a female peace activist, this is Step 101 -- you spill love and calm and reassurance and, well, peace all over them.
For those of us who have not mastered this advanced technique, a Revolution in Favor of Kindness and Libraries seems like a nice idea.
Lamott, one of the funniest people in America, has developed a scenario for a Revolution With Good Manners, in which we are all extremely Nice to one another. Good manners never hurt anything. "Our Revolution decrees that we will fight tooth and nail for these things, politely."
War is about rounding up people with Shock and Awe and really loud noises, and about thinking you can herd them by hurting and killing them. Politics is what you do if you're not so stupid that you walk into an unnecessary and unprovoked war.
I'm founding Cow Whisperers Against the War.
AUSTIN -- I know it's bad form to brag, but I am now a "graduate" of Texas A&M University, and you can't stop Aggie pride. I became a diplomee of the great institution in College Station after successfully completing the three-day short course in beef cattle this summer. I specialized in forage management and graduated Quel fromage!, meaning avec distinction.
The most amazing part of cow college was meeting the cow whisperer.
Think of everything you know about moving cattle from one place to another -- for shots, round-up or loading into trucks for market, just physically moving a lot of cattle. GEE, GIT ON, GO DOGIE, whistle, whip crack, move 'em out, chase 'em down. Turns out that all these years we've been doing it wrong.
What happens when you scare a cow by making a lot of noise and chasing it down and forcing it to move where it doesn't want to go is that the cow responds by relieving itself. And since a cow has several stomachs, it can unload up to 20 percent of its total weight at one go -- the last thing you want just before you take it to market to sell.
So the latest thing in cattle handling is cow whispering. (I'm not making this up -- this is straight from A&M.) Either on foot or horseback, you just kind of sidle around your herd without upsetting them, talk to them gently and suggest they might like to go that way for a while, and then perhaps a tour along the pen line, and then perhaps some consideration of the gate and another little tour of the pen line.
But all of this is done without loud noise, sudden movements or eruptions of testosterone. It's such a revolutionary development of an American macho tradition that it's a little like watching NFL teams come onto the field in tutus. But it also works a lot better on the cows.
I bring this up because I recently attended a women's peace movement meeting, sponsored by the Code Pink group founded by Medea Benjamin, Jodie Evans and Diane Wilson. The female peacemakers also included Cindy Sheehan, writer Anne Lamott and Col. Ann Wright, who served 29 years in the Army and more than 15 years in the Foreign Service before resigning in protest over President Bush's drive to war in Iraq.
I must say, they were a lot more emphatic than the cow whisperer. In fact, as I left, they were saddling up to ride down to Bush at his ranch with a people's posse peace warrant. Lots of whooping about it.
Female peace activists, as a rule, have totally solved the gnarly old dilemma: What do you do about hating the haters? If you're a female peace activist, this is Step 101 -- you spill love and calm and reassurance and, well, peace all over them.
For those of us who have not mastered this advanced technique, a Revolution in Favor of Kindness and Libraries seems like a nice idea.
Lamott, one of the funniest people in America, has developed a scenario for a Revolution With Good Manners, in which we are all extremely Nice to one another. Good manners never hurt anything. "Our Revolution decrees that we will fight tooth and nail for these things, politely."
War is about rounding up people with Shock and Awe and really loud noises, and about thinking you can herd them by hurting and killing them. Politics is what you do if you're not so stupid that you walk into an unnecessary and unprovoked war.
I'm founding Cow Whisperers Against the War.
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