Take the first shot, baby

So on Sunday, I went to see Amy Ray doing her solo thing, to see if the love was still there. Alas and alak, time seems to change everything and while she still rocks the boat, I can't say I'm all into the direction she's sailing. Her solo stuff leaves me uninspired, except for a few rare gems (like Laramie or Measure of Me), I think her creativity is better channeled through IG. Solo stuff feels too cliched or something, not sure what it is, but none of it resonates. I want Starkville or Don't Give that Girl a Gun or Hand Me Downs. Instead, it's Lucystoners. And cliche of lesbian cliche, Bitch opened with spoken word. I like the tradition of using song for political activism, but perhaps I've reached my limit or the music doesn't sound right. I don't need a queer anthem singer anymore, give me back my old skool angsty folk rockers.

Keep 'em scared

Timing of terror alerts and this administration's low points: Coincidence? You be the judge.

Going down

Fans of women's basketball and folks who support social justice and equality might like to keep up with the tale of Rene Portland, Penn State's basketball coach who is currently (and perpetually?) on the hot seat for dismissing players for being lesbians. One player, Jen Harris who says she is not gay, was kicked off last year's team because she was perceived by Portland to be gay. For obvious reasons, I'm no Rene Portland fan and I'd really like Penn State to take an aggressive approach to actually doing something about this issue (i.e. Rene) that has festered there unchecked for many years. It's bullshit and needs to stop.

You can keep up with this story (and others) at Ted's excellent site Women's Hoops Blog and on Rebkell's Junkie Board. I highly recommend both if you're a fan of women's sports and bball in particular.

Dial "B" for Boobie!

I should like to recount a conversation I had last night in which I discovered my predilictions are sometimes quaint dinner conversation topics for New Yorkers. A little backstory: I met Viv and her Mrs years ago when we all lived together in a hippy commune in upstate New York (Viv wrote sonnets, Mrs cataloged the commune's coinage, and I perfected my skills in interpretive dance; those were happy times). Over the years, we've travelled the globe taking our show on the road and occasionally checking into Betty Ford together. Once V and Mrs settled into New York City proper, she and I continued to communicate via a nationwide system of mimes and the occasional phone call (often looking for bail money and/or coordinating our next rehab appointment). I don't call as often as I used to since finding out that the Mrs doesn't particularly appreciate 4am phone calls from slurring Midwesterners. So, point being, it is a rare moment when we are both available and awake for phone conversation. Last night was one such occasion.

While having dinner and drinks with friends here in town, I happened to notice a notice for an upcoming show by a band Viv had turned me on to (that band is Metric. When I saw that, I immediately thought "I must tell Viv. And also find out about her upcoming trip to Rome!". So on the drive home (yes, driving and talking on the phone are bad (but not illegal out here in the West yet), mmkay), I dialed up the East Coast (after checking the time to make sure that 10pm was still within the window of acceptibility for Mrs). Here is a snippet of the conversation reproduced:

Mrs (anwering): Hello?
Me: Hi, is this Mrs?
Mrs: Yes.
Me: Hey, it's Me!
Mrs: Who?
Me: Me!
Mrs: Me?
Me: Yeah, Me..you know, we had that threesome together once? Don't tell me you forgot? Upstate New York? The hippy commune? You were wearing the coin hat?
Mrs: Ohhh, Me! It's kind of early for you to call isn't it?
Me: Yes! How are you? What are you doing?
Mrs: Good. Actually, we were just talking about you.
Me: What? Why would you be talking about me?
Mrs: We were talking about how you like big boobies.
Me: What?!
Mrs: You like them, don't you?
Me: Well, yes, but...um, are you kidding me? Were you really just talking about me and my fondness for such things?
Mrs: Yes.
Me: I find that hard to believe, one of the few times I call you guys and you're talking about me and boobies?
Mrs: Yep.
Me: How did that come about, if I can ask?
Mrs: Well, we were, I don't know, in the kitchen or something and Viv reached over and grabbed my boob..
Me: uh huh..
Mrs: ..and I said something like "Too bad Me isn't here, you two could share your love of big boobies"...
Me: uh huh..
Mrs: and then I think we both said something like "Yeah, it's too bad her current girlfriend isn't well-endowed"
Me: You are kidding me.
Mrs: Nope.
Me: So before I call you guys on the phone for the first time in like a year or months or something, you have been lamenting the state of my current breast situation.
Mrs: Yep.
Me: You are sick. I love it!

....extended conversation with Mrs about our sex lives (including frequency and techniques, etc; Viv in the background either cringing at the sharing or adding comments here and there)

Mrs: So, you wanna talk to V then?
Me: Sure! Love ya, don't go changin'
Viv: Sweetie, do you have any extra Xanax you can mail me, I'm flying to Rome in a week.
Me: Sweetie, shall I book our usual rooms at Betty Ford then? For you return?
Viv: This time I get the top bunk, darling..I'm tired of being on the bottom.
Me: I'm sure you are, sweetie, I'm sure you are..

And fade out.

So that was our phone conversation last night, more or less. Gotta run *kiss kiss*

Blast from past

So yesterday, out of the blue, I got an email from an old college friend of mine, MD, who I hadn't been in contact with since 1991ish..and who I could not find over the years searching the internet. Now, I first met MD on the very first day I moved into the all-girl dorm I lived in for a year at a large Midwestern university [2 things: 1) this was prior to realizing I preferred "all-girl" to "co-ed" if you catch my drift; 2) after being written up three times (a. being part of a group who broke the elevator by cramming 20 people in it, b. drinking in the dorm, and c. fighting with a girl who stole my fake id -- yes I was badass back in the day), the Dorm Officials "suggested" I live off-campus mext year].

So I met MD on that first day because she was playing music in her room down the hall and that band was Berlin. Yes, this was 1989. So we bonded in the way young women do when they've left home for the first time and are thrown together in an all-girl dorm 24/7. Not in that way, but I can't say that I didn't develop my second official Girl Crush on her (see #1 though; and also 1st official Girl Crush was JM who was a senior on the golf team and who was perfect).

MD was from Chicago, so she was this big city girl to me, and she was Irish and she liked New Order and Eurasure and had long black hair and blue eyes and she was the shit. Off we went to fraternity parties, stayed up late doing the stupid stuff you do in college dorms your freshman year, off to Chicago for St. Patty's day, football games. We were constantly together for that first year, until she pledged a sorority and we saw less and less of each other. I do think she suspected I had a little thing for her and it probably made her uncomfortable, there was a distance between us that I now recognize. This was the late 80's after all, we were young, age and experience had yet to bring open-mindedness. I dare say that life has changed us both.

[In retrospect, to unconsciously compensate for developing a GC on her, I also developed a huge Boy Crush on her twin brother. Yes, twins, black haired, blue-eyed perfect Irish kids. He was just as hot as she was (maybe even moreso), though nothing ever came of it except me always hoping to catch him out at a party or whatnot (except a year after I graduated, we hooked up and I effectively put that crush to rest. I do have to say he was and still is probably the hottest guy I've ever..you know). Anyway. Where was I? Why am I telling you this?]

Oh, so over the years, I always wondered what happened to her, where she was etc. No luck finding her online, I wasn't in contact with any of our mutual friends who might know. Yesterday, after nearly 15 years, an email appeared in my inbox from her (with her married name in the email address) and pix of her husband and two children -- a little bit about what's she's been up to etc, we'll email back and forth, probably get in touch on the phone. It was just such an unexpected jolt, it really made my day though. I suspect I'm not the only one who has had an intense friendship with someone over a number of formative years, lost track of each other, and then that person reappeared out of the blue many years later. There are still a couple of people in my past I'm waiting to hear from, just like this.

It will be interesting to see if any of who we were back then remains. When I pull out the huge stack of pix I have from that time, of us, I see two 18-19 year old girls still negotiating childhood and independence, fresh-faced and (relatively) innocent. Now we're middle-aged women and it's weird how that time seems like it was forever ago yet still reachable in my memories. I know I'm the same, but very different. She's married with two children living just a state away from me. I wonder if she still listens to Berlin. I still have the leather coat she borrowed from me to go on a date with some guy. I gave her my 45 LP of "The Night Chicago Died", I found a letter last year at my mom's house that she wrote me the summer after our freshman year, she said she found a note I had written her at her mom's house. I know we both regret being mean to her roommate, BE. I wonder if she remembers or knew I had a crush on her.

Read to Achieve!

So on Thursday, I went to the bookstore and bought two books, this one because I am a geek, and this one because I need some fiction in my life. It's a good balance and I've added them both to my nightstand. When it comes to books, I like to have several going at a time, non-fiction are the best because I never forget where I'm at and can pick it up after however long. I prefer variety; what can I say? I'm all about having choices. As a consequence, it takes me forever to finish a book. So in addition to the above books, I'm also currently (and still) reading Gulag: A History (which is very informative though very dense and depressing), and Earth: An Intimate History (in my other life, I'd be a geologist), and On Food and Cooking (a whole chapter on milk, what more could you want?), and Patricia Highsmith bio (yes, Vivvy, still reading this! she's still sleeping her way through Europe), and The Portable Jung (this makes more sense on pot -- which I miss dearly), and A People's History of the Supreme Court (who were all those white men and how did they get there?), and Tao of Psychology (after an interesting discussion with my therapist), and, A History of the American People (now that I'm older, history is more interesting to me), and Backyard Astronomy (for quick reference and the names of all of the moon's craters!), and World Atlas (again for reference, not shrugging). I think that's all that's on my nightstand. In the meantime, I'll read a little fiction to escape. Finished the Harry Potter series (which I enjoyed more than I will admit) and when I was coming back from France this summer, I read Middlesex on the plane and trains.

I cut down on my magazine subscriptions because I just couldn't get through Atlantic Monthly and Harpers on a regular basis and so, felt guilty. I now get National Geographic, Cook's Illustrated, and Paste. I've decided I want my magazines to be full of pictures and easy to read. I get enough news online and I take a paper every day so I want my magazines to be relaxing.

It took me many years to get back into reading for pleasure. Grad school instilled a deep sense of guilt in me about reading anything that wasn't related to school or work. I think that's part of the reason I prefer non-fiction, I feel like I'm reading something useful + I'm just a big dork who, after many years of being trained in the liberal arts and social sciences, finds out she likes earth/physical science and history and politics a tad bit more. Nice! Maybe next week, I'll figure out what I want to be when I grow up too!

What are you reading these days? Anything good?

Supreme Court Nominee or 46-year old high school dropout boozer, user, and loser?

Some folks are saying Harriet Miers is really my hero Jerri Blank. Frankly, I think that's insulting to beavers everywhere.

Supreme Court Nominee or SNL's Rachel Dratch Character

You decide.

Beer beer beer beer beer

This weekend, I was at this, today I want to do this, but instead I have to do this, though I still could do this if there was sufficient arm twisting. It doesn't take much.


ps. I smell an Uber Xena story.

It's as moist as a snack cake down there!

In Amy Sedaris news from kittenpangs.org:

"PUBERTY PALS

Today we bring you a sneak preview of the upcoming Kittenpants-produced feature film, PUBERTY: THE MOVIE. The movie stars Joe Lo Truglio, Caitlin Miller, Todd Barry, David Wain, Jon Benjamin, Eugene Mirman, Corn Mo, and Amy Sedaris, as the voice of a talking penis.

Click Here to watch "The Puberty Pals" from PUBERTY: THE MOVIE"

Muncie Chili

Quick post and recipe for you all before I have to go back to work. I spent last night after I got home enjoying myself, cooking up a nice big pot of Muncie Chili* because there was the slightest hint of possible cool weather outside (it was 78 yesterday) and because my KC Chiefs were on MNF. I was ready for some football is all I gotta say. And then the Chiefs completely fell apart against hated rival Denver and were humiliated up and down the field all the while John Madden (who I think is a closet case) talked about how beefy and big those defensive linemen were. I actually turned off the game and went to bed before it was over and I never do that with my Chiefs. It was too hard to watch. The only good thing about yesterday was my batch of chili was the best yet so I'm gonna share the recipe with you now and forget last night ever happened:

Muncie Chili*

1-1.5lbs of ground beef
1 green pepper
1 onion
1 red pepper
1-2 jalopeno peppers

Saute the onion and peppers in a bit of olive oil in a large deep pot, add the ground beef after about 5 minutes. Brown the beef, then add:

2 cans diced tomatoes
2 cans Bush's chili beans (1 hot, 1 mild)
2-3 cans of water
8 good shakes of chili powder (don't be skimpy here)
1/4 cup brown sugar
a little salt, a little pepper

Stir that shit up! Bring to a low boil. If there is not about a half an inch of water/juice above the mixture, add some more water but don't overdo it! When it's bubbling, add:

1 small to medium handful of angel hair pasta, snapped into small 2 inch sections

Stir the pasta down into the mixture and let it cook on low about 30 minutes, stirring occasionally. It will be thick and clumpy, not some wussy runny soupy shit.

When it's done, it must be eaten with:

shredded cheddar cheese
crushed saltine crackers

in the bowl! Served with beer!

I cannot gaurantee the taste or quality of your chili if you deviate in the slightest from this recipe. Do so at your own risk!


*Called Muncie Chili because it's a bastardized version of Cincinnati-style chili with the spaghetti, except farther north and a little to the west of O-HI-O. More around Muncie, IN. And because I stole this recipe from my sister who went to Ball State.

American way of life

I've been looking for these exact quotes for awhile and I want to put them here for posterity:

Mr. Bush's comments, while similar to remarks he made shortly after the disruption from Hurricane Katrina pushed gasoline prices sharply higher, were particularly notable because the administration has long emphasized new production over conservation. It has also opted not to impose higher mileage standards on automakers.

In 2001, Vice President Dick Cheney said, "Conservation may be a sign of personal virtue, but it cannot be the basis of a sound energy policy." Also that year, Ari Fleischer, then Mr. Bush's press secretary, responded to a question about reducing American energy consumption by saying "that's a big no."

"The president believes that it's an American way of life," Mr. Fleischer said.

Sunsets

The poor Sun..they couldn't pull it out in Sacramento to take it to 5 at home. I felt bad for them, twice now they've been the bridesmaids. Their faces after they lost said it all. Still, it was a great series and I like the 5 game format. I was happy for Yo, she's played well in all her years in the league, she deserved a championship. The Sun should come back next year reloaded, perhaps securing a decent backup PG for Whalen and a bit deeper bench. Asjha Jones was killer and she should be starting. I think they'll be fine but I certainly wouldn't want to be on that plane ride home..

Work is way to busy for me to be posting here. If I can make it through the next two weeks or so, my life will be much easier. Aye, it's good for me and keeps me out of trouble but still..

Weekend

We spent a nice Saturday camping and fishing at a lake near here, the weather was perfect and it was a full moon. Then I woke up at 230am to distant lightening and thunder. I checked the radar on my phone and saw a huge bunch of thunderstorms about an hour west of us and we both decided that we would rather pack up and hike the mile or two out than deal with 2 wet dogs, wet stuff, and a muddy path the next morning. Needless to say, when we finally got out and waited in the car for the storm to pass and got home/showered etc, it was 530am. Yesterday was a lazy day for sure. However, it was good to get out and the Agent and I had a nice conversation and all is well (apology accepted plus a good discussion). The dogs were beat after all that hiking and swimming and running around. They slept all day yesterday while I watched football and WNBA (Lindsay was a liability unfortunately as the Sun lost) and then my Chiefs win. A perfect Sunday is the morning paper and football on all day with naps interspersed.

Other things:

With all the rain we've been getting and it's still warm, my garden and flowers/plants are still going crazy. The best basil I've had ever and my peppers will kick your peppers' asses. I mowed Fri night which got me into my zen zone.

My friend, L, is coming to town for a month..she had just moved to New Orleans in July to start a job at Tulane. She's spending time here b/c they gave her an office to work out of and also the Algerian Fool (her bf) is back here. Will be good to see her and perhaps get some camping in with her while she's here.

I had a dream last night (will spare you details), but one memorable line from it was me saying to someone "But you know I have a fetish for high heels"...which, while true, I had actually forgotten. So yeah.

Finally, a song from this album has been going through my head for weeks. I am going to pull it out and put it here in hopes that it goes away.

Putting all the vegetables away
that you bought at the grocery store today.
And it goes fast, you think of the past.

Suddenly everything has changed.

Driving home the sky accelerates.
And the clouds all form a geometric shape.
And it goes fast, you think of the past.

Suddenly everything has changed.

Putting all the clothes you washed away,
As you're folding up the shirts you hesitate.
Then it goes fast, you think of the past.

Suddenly everything has changed.

Sun

The Conn Sun pulled out a very lucky win last night at home on a 3 pointer with 6 seconds left to send it to overtime. Without that shot, I suspect they would have fallen in Sac. I missed the first half of the game, but watched the second. I expect the remaining games of this series to be just as close and just as hard fought. I'll be missing my WNBA after this is over, but football season started so I've got a good replacement.

I had intended to go down to the southern part of the state tomorrow to go to this music festival/camping situation. But I'm leaning against it now..best to use this weekend for apologies, I think. :)

baby said a bad thing

So last night I discovered one of the many Things You Should Not Say To Your Girlfriend During a Fight (Even If It's True). So my calls have been unanswered today and I expect a frosty reception from the Agent tonight. I'm hoping it wasn't one of those Things Which Can Never Be Apologized Enough For or Things Which One Will Be Reminded Of Having Said For The Duration Of The Relationship, but I suspect it's going to take a lot of work on my part. I accept responsibility for not always being the most astute at what people need from me emotionally and to be honest, it was a stupid reaction to feeling attacked and being tired. I'm usually better at recognizing those cues and not taking the bait. I've just been cranky lately for a variety reasons and thus, I'm not the most sensitive person. Story of my life some would say. Wish me luck.

DJ Whay

Will Lindsay Whalen play tonight? Sources say yes..



She's tough, playing on a fractured knee..you go girl!

In other news

One of my writer girlfriends has been spotted about town, stepping out on me:



Fran, why have you forsaken me?

priorities

In a world as big and confusuing as this, with so many horrible things happening right now, I suspect that I am the only one who cares that I stepped unawares in dog poop on Saturday and just recently discovered this fact as I sit here at my desk wearing the same shoes. Somehow my desk is situated just right to waft the scent straight to my face. Good times, good times!

busy

I've been way too busy at work the last two weeks. My office is a mess, papers everywhere, shit to do, grad students to supervise, etc. Since the semester started, things are in high gear and since we're winding down trying to spend the rest of our money, I'm on a buying and hiring frenzy. It felt like Xmas when I went to Office Depot the other day. Of course, after Dec, there's not going to be any money to pay someone to work in the lab to use all that stuff. I have a shitload to do before I leave this job and not looking forward to it. Essentially 15 years worth of projects and materials and files to keep track of and be able to put your hands on when needed. When I left the last time and came back, I couldn't find anything because someone else had been project managing. Now I fear that my PI isn't going to be able to find stuff when I'm gone. Which of course segues into my other fear of not knowing if/what my next job is going to be. I'm trying to be zen about it and have a few contingency plans and some apps in the fire. Aye, forks in the road and existential crises...good times!

This weekend I intend to do as little as possible. Don't hate me, viv, but I'm looking forward to reading the newest Harry Potter. Miss Connecticut is to blame for finally turning me on to those books and now, what can I say? Sure, it's not Proust, but the way my brain is working these days, I need a little muggle-comfort. Sue me!

Back

Aye, so I'm back. Short trip but very tiring. Lots of drinking, little sleep, and plenty of estrogen. Missed meeting up with cheet and mona though...next time I'm gonna take a longer trip to the Pac NW - too many people to visit in only 3.5 days!

We Storm fans were dealt a crushing blow as the team fucked up and lost two games at home. Lots of head-scratching on that one, but hey, that's how the ball doesn't bounce. Did get to stop in to the Storm/Sonics store while on our way to Bumbershoot and purchased a new hat, a poster of last years team (with a certain Australian pulling on the hair of her gf ;), and a bumpersticker that will be going on my car. Was tempted to get a Lennox shirt to complete my Bird/LJ t-shirt trifecta, but then decided against it. I know where to find it if I need it.

We were exhausted walking around Bumbershoot..6 of us gals tired from the night before (which was the wedding/reception) so luckily, we all were mellow and easily plied into stopping to sit and drink at a moment's notice. Next day tripped down to Portland to visit my old friend and her husband and 2 kids (plus 1 dog and 1 guinea pig). Great time, cooking out, drinking (again), playing music. I miss those guys and didn't get enough time with them.

Then trained it back to Seattle the next morning, flew home, and didn't get to bed until 2am. Next day I had to get a crown put in. Talk about a walking zombie who couldn't feel her face. I tried to eat lunch after the dentist, but kept biting my own face and lip so had to give it up (or bleed to death). And of course work has been busy so today I've been running around crazy. The only saving grace is that at 430 this afternoon, a mere 1.5 hours from now, I shall be getting a massage. Lordy do I need some hands on me!

TGIF tomorrow, I'm ready for the damn weekend, I tell you. I don't have much planned and that is fine by me. I need to mow the grass and I want to work on my chair. I pulled two watermelons out of the garden last night and the Agent said they were the best she had tasted. My first attempt at growing them, so don't get in the way of my green thumb is all I'm saying..

I may post a pix or two of my trip if I can find any decent ones..they were all taken under the influence so who knows the quality.

And as my brother used to say sometime in the 80's, "Later days, dudes and dudettes!"

Bye

I'm off tomorrow to Seattle and while I'm looking forward to my friend's wedding and seeing a bunch of old friends, my mind and heart have been preoccupied with New Orleans and surrounding areas. I'm mulling over a plan, more on that when I return. Have a safe holiday and send some positive vibes down South.

Quick update

The Algerian Fool should be arriving up here sometime today, his mom lives not too far from me. He made it to Arkansas yesterday. Given the scary conditions down there w/ looters and such, I'm glad he's out. I also heard from my aunt that she saw pictures of her fishing cabin on Grand Isle and it was still there, but probably damaged. I'm surprised, I thought it would be totally wiped out. Then again, my uncle is a fantastic architect and built that thing to last. We had plans to go down there last October as a bit of a retreat, but the Agent was required to stay close to base b/c of the elections and thus, our trip was cancelled. I've been there once, when I took my mom down there for a Sister's Weekend, it's a lovely rustic cabin on stilts right near the beach. Lord knows when they'll be able to get back to normal..you can see Grand Isle here (or at least the way it used to be): Grand Isle, LA

I started the day off with a pap smear and it hasn't gotten much better. How fun..

So I heard from my Fool friend last night, he's fine. But he's headed out of the city today, finally. Not sure how he's going to drive out of there, but he'll figure it out. They're talking about not letting people back into the city for a month or so. Can you imagine? Every house probably has to searched once the water goes down, one can only imagine what will be found in the this kind of weather in the next month. I was watching the news last night after the game (Seattle won) and couldn't get my mind around the amt of flooding. NO is a sprawling place with lots of shotgun shacks and shaky housing options in some of the poor sections of town (which is a lot of the city, rampant poverty is a big problem down there). Only the French Quarter is above sea level and it has some flooding issues too. I had a conference scheduled in NO in Nov, but I suspect that will be cancelled or moved. I was looking forward to another trip down there.

Instead, I made two donations in my mom's name to the Red Cross and the PetSmart charities. A drop in the (literal) bucket, but I had to do something. I'd hate to think what the South would be like without the grittiness of New Orleans..

Doing what they do best in Louisiana..peeling crawdads 

Beignets from Cafe Du Mond 

Lilacs and Hurricanes in August

We've had lots of rain in August which is unusual and yesterday I noticed that my lilac bushes were blooming again. I've never seen them bloom more than once a season. It was a nice little surprise, I love lilacs.

Speaking of rain, almost all of the peeps I know down in New Orleans got out. Some family members (mainly cousins) live there and they all left. My aunt also has a house on Grand Isle, who knows if it is still standing. However, one of my friends, the Algerian Fool stayed behind and got drunk. This is typical AF behavior, he has no sense. His gf (and my friend) left on Sat and urged him to go, but he stayed behind. She last talked to him on Mon morning and things were ok then, but who knows. The phones are down so can't contact him. I refuse to be too worried about someone who deliberately defies common sense and warnings. He's on his own. (That said, I'm sure he's actually fine, but would like to hear from him, the damned fool).

I've seen the pix of NO and can only hope that things will eventually get back on track. My beloved Big Easy can roll with most things, but this was the worst it's had to take.

Lucinda Williams - Crescent City

"Everybody's had a few
Now they're talking about who knows who
I'm going back to the Crescent City
Where everything's still the same
This town has said what it has to say
Now I'm after that back highway
And the longest bridge I've ever crossed over Pontchartrain
Tu le ton temps that's what we say
We used to dance the night away
Me and my sister me and my brother
We used to walk down by the river
Mama lives in Mandeville
I can hardly wait until
I can hear my Zydeco and laissez le bon ton roulet
And take rides in open cars
My brother knows where the best bars are
Let's see how these blues'll do in the town where the good times stay
Tu le ton temps that's all we say
We used to dance the night away
Me and my sister me and my brother
We used to walk down by the river"

WNBA playoffs

Here I was all excited because I was going to get to see the Storm in the playoffs (assuming it went to 3 games) while I was in town. Today, I recheck the playoff schedule and see that IF it goes to 3 games, the third game would be on Sept 3rd, Sat. I had thought it was going to be on Sept 4th, Sun. Well fuck me running, but Sept 3rd is the day of the wedding and the whole reason I'm going to be in town. Thus, no chance of going to the game at all. I shudder to think how Bird and LJ are going to do without me in the stands as they have been counting on. It would make me feel better if they just win it in two games against Houston so there wouldn't even be a third game so then I wouldn't have even had a possibility of going. I do much better not getting something I couldn't have in the first place.

ps. Would it be bad etiquette to check scores during the reception? JJ would understand, I'm sure.

Wider ride

I was remiss the other day in not letting you know that the fascinating I-70 widening project actually has a website with its own URL, not that one tacked on to the state's site. It is: www.widerride.com which, frankly, I think would be a perfect URL for a p0rn site or possibly the name of a sex toy. Don't we all wish for a little extra at times? Introducing the Wider Ride...made from smooth silicon with a larger circumference than the John Holmes. Available in several flesh tones, pink, camouflage, tiger stripes, and teal. Get on board, with Wider Ride!

Oh, it's Friday, what can I say. Here's a picture of me driving to work..I'm the one in the middle of the picture headed east. I'm the one waving out the window. Hi!

Hope your weekend is lovely...oh! forgot to mention, my Seattle Storm pulled it out last night and my mojo must have been working because they won and therefore there will be a playoff game at home on Sunday of Labor Day weekend WHICH I WILL BE ATTENDING! woo! Very excited about that..I really think it had something to do with me saying a certain something to the tv screen while I was watching last night. And I think you can guess what it was..

See ya..

ETA: This cracked me up over lunch..

Ok, so it's imperfect

As I tried out my new mantra yesterday, I realized that it might not be as universally applicable as I thought:

At my dental appointment, I was unable to work it into the conversation (granted, my mouth was occupied a good deal of the time). I couldn't figure out whether I should direct the comment to my own teeth or towards the my dentist. So I struggled and ultimately ran out of time and opportunity. I suspect I should have gone with saying it to my teeth because in the end, I found out I needed a crown. In this case, Fancy let me down.

Then I called my gal friends to meet for a quick beer before my next apointment. Because they so readily agreed, I didn't get to use it. I wasn't even given a chance to be let down. I don't think it works well when things are going your way.

Next, I tried to work it in with my therapist (what? don't tell me I'm the only crazy one here). But then we got sidetracked with my stuff and I forgot about it completely. Apparently when you are in "life limbo", you're not so focused on using your new catch-phrase. So despite my best intentions, I have yet to actually utter my mantra. Yes, I let myself down. Did I not learn anything from Reba?

Here's your one chance!

As you may/may not know, I have a little commute to/fro work each day in the car and I spend that time engaged in various activities. Listening to CDs, cycling through the radio station, weather-watching, noting progress on the fascinating I-70 widening project (which you too can keep up to date with its own webpage! Why, look, here I am doing a little hands-on inspection of Buck's "blasting caps"), thinking, dreaming, sleeping, plotting world domination, etc etc..

Well today, I decided to start a catch-phrase/self-motivation campaign in which I attempt to incorporate a certain phrase or mantra into any/all contexts and get others to do likewise. I knew I would have to select a catch-phrase that was applicable in many diferent contexts, you really want diversity on your side when it comes to globalization. It had to be something that could work in a variety of settings and could mean a variety of things. Plus it had to be "catchy"...and if possible, naturally lend itself to song. So I selected: Fancy, don't let me down!

Those unfamiliar with Reba McEntire's illustrious career as a country music and small screen star may not recognize this line from one of her more heartbreaking songs. Fancy tells the story of a young woman forced into prostitution to help support her family living on the outskirts of New Orleans. With an absentee father, an ill mother, and a baby sister who is hungry, Fancy, with the guidance of her mother/madam, must seek employment uptown, away from the rickety shack she once called home. It is only through the divine inspiration of a heart-shaped locket that Fancy realizes that she is going to have to make a life for herself and essentially pull herself up by her own garterbelts. In the end, she finds true love and makes a home for herself and her husband. Most importantly, she does so with her head held high, no longer shamed by her white trash roots. Now, I don't recount this story to bring a tear to your eye or to elicit an "atta-girl" or even to inspire a knowing nod of self-recognition (because, after all, we're all Fancies). Rather, I highlight this as a way to illustrate just how universally my new catch-phrase rings true.

Say you're gambling in Las Vegas and you've put your last $50 on black 16, and this morning you found yourself married to the strange man/woman sitting next to you. You lost your plane ticket home. You are hung over and if you don't win, you will be catching a ride with this strange man/woman back to Kentucky. Or Alabama. What better time to cajole the roulet wheel with this prayer: "Fancy, don't let me down"

Perhaps your best friend is hesitating about some plans you've made, perhaps she's noncommittal about meeting you for drinks at Sky Bar. Maybe your friend is Tara Reid and she's not sure she can drag herself out. Ok, scratch that, she'll go out with you, never mind. How about your other friend who isn't a lush. Will righteous indignation directed at her work? "Fancy, don't let me down!"

What if you're driving a shaky car, like a 1989 Pontiac Grand Am, or a '92 Ford Festiva and it's raining, or snowing, or you're on the wrong side of the tracks, or in the middle of nowhere and you experience car problems. Let's say it's the alternator (again). Or the waterpump. How about rubbing the dashboard and softly whispering: "Fancy, don't let me down..."

Maybe you are at a crossroad in your life, the relationship isn't working out, or your career trajectory is changing, or you will be moving to a new house, or trailer. Perhaps you are starting a new job, or classes, or dancing at the gentlemen's club up on Highway K. What if you need to motivate yourself to finish that degree, or ask for that raise, or lapdance that next client. How will you talk yourself into believe that, yes, you can do this, yes, you believe in yourself, yes, you will make all your dreams come true. Fancy, don't let me down..here's your one chance.

You see? There's a Fancy for all occasions and a Fancy in each of us. Now go out there and say it proud and say it loud. Others may mock you, but they will not understand the power of self-determination, of self-promotion, or of prostitution. They will not see the wisdom of a 50-something red-headed firecracker of a country music and small screen star. If it brings you comfort or luck, well then, my job here is done. I am just the messenger, you must be the message. Fancy, don't let me down..

Pix of Boomer

So far, he's doing well..the dogs have taken to licking him all over the place and he's very approach-avoid with them. The little baby dog is not quite sure what to do with an actually baby in the house. I think they'll get along well.


Here's looking at you kid.. 

Another pix 

Here is baby Boomer being a panther..he loves that feather thing already. 

Trigger finger

Or actually, trigger shoulder. I'm sore. On Saturday, the Agent needed to get some training in and do some shooting so I went along. Now, I'm not a bad shot. Growing up, I used to shoot a bb-gun with my dad and with the neighbor boys. But it has been a long time since I've actually shot a gun and I hadn't shot a handgun ever until a year or so ago. The first time we went shooting, I had some trouble because it's not as easy to shoot a handgun..a rifle is much more accurate. So with her Glock, I was shooting all over the place, hitting the target but not really hitting where I was aiming. Part of it is getting used to the explosion, even with ear protectors on. I flinched every time I pulled the trigger in anticipation and that caused me to close my eyes and thus, my shot was not very accurate. Yesterday, it took me several rounds to get over that instinct and I was shooting very well by the time we finished. I don't own a gun, am pretty ambivalent about having them in the house, and don't ever expect to shoot one at anything other than a paper target. But it's good to know I'm still a good shot.

So my shoulders are very sore from holding the gun up, it still hurts to raise my arms up and that was two days ago. So yeah, I have trigger shoulder. It's like how I get dart arm when I haven't played darts in a long time. And sorta like that old football injury of mine, yeah it still acts up on cold rainy days..why, I remember when I used to run a 4.4 and...blah blah.

The other thing of note is that on Sat we adopted a new kitten. We're bringing him home from the vet today after his two tiny male parts were removed. He's going to be the new boy of the house. The Agent named him Boomer (Sooner) for her beloved Oklahoma team. She's the cat person around here so whatever works for her. I do have to say though that he's a cutie..grey tiger markings. I'll be posting pictures. I'm curious to see how the dogs and he interact..I hope they all get along.

ps. There seems to be some spam going around the comment section, I had to disable it for the last post until I figure out how/if I can delete the comments. I'm hoping it isn't going to become a trend, that'd be a pain in the ass.

Friday Odds/Ends

1. I put in several applications for federal jobs recently. If there's one thing our government is good at, it's bureaucracy. Same deal with state jobs. I guess they figure if you can navigate successfully through tedious instructions and multiple layers of applications then you're well on your way to being The (Wo)Man. We shall see I guess..it's been interesting trying to translate an academic vitae to a real-world resume. Liberal use of words like "outcome-oriented" and "demonstrated success" and other biz glory-words. One of the jobs requires a security clearance so no more strippers and cocaine for me! Course, that didn't stop W...

2. We've been having lovely storms lately..more than we had in the traditional spring storm season. I love waking up in the middle of the night to lightening and thunder. Today I'm going to sneak out of here early to meet the girls for a beer before this line of storms move through..much better to watch it with a beverage in hand.

3. My Storm are 1 game away from clinching a playoff spot..LJ's MVP, I gotta feeling. As I mentioned, I'm trying to channel all my bball mojo so that the 3 days I'm in Seattle will overlap with a home playoff game. See, Sue Bird likes me to come to the games, says it gives her inspiration. Who am I to let down my gals?

4. So classes started here on campus yesterday. I swear, the undergrads keep getting younger every year. It's weird like that, huh? This morn on the walk to my office, there was a young co-ed climbing the steps in front of me. I (who am rarely scandalized) was scandalized..her little denim shorts rode just below her asscheeks to the point where you could see curves. I felt conflicted because on the one hand, I was like, hmmm..nice ass. And on the other, I'm all maternal and wondering how she went out of the house like that and does she know boys are going to stare and she's really way to young to be wearing that. Welcome to middle-age.

5. We rented Angels in America last weekend..I had seen the play years ago when it rolled through campus. This was the HBO special. I enjoyed it, but was struck by how dated it felt on the one hand but how little things have changed politically on the other. Reagan/Bush..I was trying to remember if the Right was as extreme and nasty back then as they seem to be today. In some respects, I'm kind of glad I wasn't as politically aware back in the 80's as I am now...jr high and high school occupied my time. With the current admin, I can really understand how nice it would be not to care and how dangerous it would be not to. Aye..too much politics on a Fri.

I'm outta here, and queer, and headed for beer...get used to it!

Strangers in Paradise

So in the mail yesterday, I received the latest four installments of Terry Moore's Strangers in Paradise in trade paperback. Now I'm not a big comics fan (though I used to be when I was younger..Plastic Man was one of my favorites), but about 8 years ago, I got turned on to SIP. I really like it...complicated story lines and two female main characters who struggle with love. You forget you're not reading a novel and the graphics are quality. If you're looking for something a little different but engaging to read, try it out. Go with the trade paperbacks b/c it puts the individual issues together into 3-4 issue sets. I'm always a sucker for stories with two women protagonists, one with a dark past, the other in a supportive, conflicted role. Classic archetypes there..

Fin

So I finished up my chair this weekend (see below). I also started another one which I think will go much more quickly. After that, I'm going to design a little beverage table. The weather has finally cooled off enough to actually sit outside..woo!


done 

finished 

Have a seat

back slats lovingly sanded butter smooth for your sitting pleasure 

side view 

butt slats attached, beer off in the distance 

chair pre- arms and butt slats 

Odds/Ends

1. Who knew it was possible for it to reach 900 degrees for two consecutive weeks? Aye, I should be used to it by now after 12+ years of living here but damn. It's a sad state of affairs when one feels that when it dips to 85 during the day, it's a cold front. Plus we're working on recreating Dust Bowl '05 here. Enough of the weather..it's hot. End of story.

2. Yes, it's FrankfUrt, not FrankfOrt. I can always count on cheet, esp when it comes to differentiating things Ohio vs Germany ;) ps. I get to see cheet in Seattle in less than a month!

3. Yesterday I took the day off and went with the Agent to her Gyn appointment (or as I like to say, going to her "Girl Doctor")..mainly I was there to take notes, ask questions, and remember treatment options. Would it be considered rude to find her doctor hot? I have to say, none of my gynecologists have ever been as cute as she was. My first dr was this old man who lectured me about getting on birth control (back in the day) and gave me the creeps. I've stayed with women drs ever since. I do have to say it was quite disconcerting to run into my current dr at a lesbian potluck (yes I know, cliche). I had no idea. So we spent part of the evening trying to hook her up with various partygoers. Anyway, don't think that I won't be attending the Agent's next pap smear to catch up with Dr Hot...is that so wrong?

4. I also stayed home to attend to one of the black dogs. The big dog had some hot spots on her neck and face and had scratched them raw. So I took her in and they had to knock her out to shave her face and treat the spots. The little baby dog was crying like no one's business because her sister didn't come home that night. I took her with me yesterday morning to pick up the big dog and she just licked her sis' face all over and was very happy to see her. We've now been calling the big dog "Shaveface Scratchhead", poor thing looks pathetic.

5. While I was home yesterday I also worked on my adirondack chair. I put on the back slats and legs. I just need to put on the arms and the seat slats and we're good to go. I plan to treat it with some kind of stain or oil since it's cedar and looks really nice, I'd hate for it to weather poorly. I'll post pix soon. I plan to make another one for the deck and then a beverage table to go between them. Woo!

6. My Seattle Storm team pulled out a good win last night against Houston, that really helped them b/c it was a conference road game and moved them into second place (I believe). Now, if only I can get my bball joo-joo going so that there are playoffs in Seattle while I'm in town for a wedding. Fingers crossed! Lauren Jackson has been killer lately, unstoppable. And if Bird looks to score a bit more to make up for Lennox being out, we might have a chance..others need to step up big time though. Good game last night from Izzy and some good minutes from Simone Edwards (surprise!). Correction: It was a home game, not a road win. Still, a good win.

7. RIP Peter Jennings.

That's all for now.

More trip pictures!

Germany, a palace where we had our opening reception and where I subsequently had to stumble out of the wine cellar after a wine tasting. Try finding your way out of there! Hello, is this the door? No, sorry..is this it? Hello? 

From the fortress, this view looking north.. 

This donjon was built in 1100 AD and subsequently blown up by a guy named Sully during the Hundred Year War (which was particularly nasty in the Normandie region I was visiting).  

This is an old-timey fruit press, now a very common lawn decoration in the countryside. The apples or whathaveyou went in, a donkey helped turn the wheel, and juice came out hole in the side. And the French of course fermented it and just about every other fruit to make booze.  

Another picture of my cousin's farm in France..vive le grapes! 

But for the grace of god..

Sad news: Airplanecrashes in Toronto after returning from Paris. Our life is often determined by statistical probabilities, most of the time in our favor. It's only after you realize that you were statistically very close in time/space to an event that you start attributing your continued existence to luck. Determinism vs luck? Probability vs chance? Philosophy is left to the statistically lucky survivors.

ETA: Good news: No one was killed, everyone survived. What are the chances of that?

Jean hits the bottle

In shocking news, Jean Teasdale is drowning her sorrows in Long Islands. Poor, poor Jean..

Trip pictures

Here are some pictures of my recent holiday (as they say over the pond!). What you don't see are the many pictures that would have been taken of me drinking kegs of wine as I traversed the European countryside. Some things are better imagined!

And here are my babies who were traumatized by two weeks in a kennel without their mommas...the little baby in front has been glued to my side since I've returned, poor thing. 

And here is a 1000 year old gatehouse with requisite moat..the roof is early 1600s. 

Here is where I spent the end of my visit, at my cousin's 200 year old house in the middle of nowhere on a farm with lots of gardens and flowers and a bat in the belfry. It was lovely. 

Here it was market day on the street below the apt I was visiting -- green beans were selling like hotcakes. 

Here is the top of a mount upon which a little old french village exists somewhere back in time 

Here is where I tried to avoid eating German sausages. 

Here is where I saw a French hooker get arrested while drinking shitty beer. Aw, just like Topeka!