I do not know why, but I was listening to the train wreck (fingers crossed!) that is the RNC this evening, specifically Ms. Palin's speech.
First reaction upon hearing news of her nomination: Do they think we're that dumb? Are they really that crass? oh, we might be, and they are. She gave up the whole "I'm your Hilary substitute" thing pretty quickly, but that just means the eeeeeeevil got more subtle. and mean!
My reaction to listening to the DNC speeches on the radio? I was, actually, a bit emotional. I don't normally get that way about politics. Listening to the RNC speeches? I felt like someone was flashing a shiny thing over there somewhere to distract me from what the Republicans have been up to for the past while. McCain and Palin are political outsiders and mavericks in the same way that I'm a teetotaling virgin.
Her speech was not nearly as MEAN MEAN MEAN as Guliani's, but daaamn, she's got that back-handed put-down methodology down, with the self-satisfied platitudes being intoned through her nasal passages (really, speech coach, please, it's like nails on a chalk board) coming across as pleasantly as those of the holier-than-thou southern Baptists.
She did avoid the obvious, and my current hot-button, phrase, "family friendly." I have determined that 'family friendly' is just code for 'we'll help you raise your kids to be obnoxious, coddled brats,' and I doubt my family would get very far at a 'family friendly' event or locale. Lots of them are gay, hardly any of them are married, and they drink and say 'fuck' alot, stay up late, don't go to church, and quote Dan Savage. Are we welcome at your 'family friendly' event? I thought not. What would we talk about? Plus, I've seen a relatively well-behaved schizophrenic get booted from a certain locale because he was making the adults uncomfortable. The kids didn't even notice him. He's more likely to be in my family than not. I do not feel the friendly when I hear 'family friendly.'
So the ice sheets of Greenland are falling apart, in other falling-aparty news, and meltdowns, and geographic hyperbole. When I get concerned, ie. paranoid, about 'What Yet Another Republican Administration Would Mean to Me, and More Specifically Regarding the Supreme Court, and Why You WILL Quit Whining and Vote Democratic,' I start scanning maps for easily-partitioned borders. My initial plan was to carve off western Washington and Oregon to form our own country, but we'd still be vulnerable. But: Greenland! It's an island! Canadia would be our neighbor! And they're making more of it!
Think of the possibilities: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Greenland. The flag is an appealing, simple design, there would be plenty of waterfront property, and eventually a protected inland sea. It's owned by the Danes, who seem pretty cool and worked out their whole "world conquering" thing at the Viking stage, so we'd pretty much be left to manage our own and not go pester anyone else, except to visit, and maybe exchange recipes. They have a queen, meaning we could probaby work out a deal where there would be a tiara for our parliamentary representative. They could ride their bikes over (I'm working out the details), and bring beer for the seaside cookouts.
And with those steep hillsides, the cab vintage could be fabulous in about 50 years.
Wednesday, September 3, 2008
Sunday, August 31, 2008
yet another flashback: chitty chitty bang bang is on
My best friend from first grade is going to pop up any day now. I just know it. His name is Brendan Windt, and he is sure to spring out at me in the grocery store, at a movie, in the park, etc. People from my past have been floating back into my field of vision over the past few months. It's been very odd, somewhat comforting, and is now one part paranoia. Today's ghosts were a guy I briefly dated about three years ago (I had brown hair then, so I got the confused quizzical look; I was in a hurry and not much for catching up just then so kept moving), and a former teammate and his girlfriend (these two are lovely).
So "Chitty Chitty Bang Bang" was my favorite movie when I was about five, so much so that my mom made me a dress that I insisted on calling my "chitty chitty bang bang dress." This was after I'd spent a year dressed up like Dorothy (Wizard of Oz) as often as possible. I still have a thing for red shoes, and costumes, and tend to name or categorize my favorite articles of clothing. In fact, the other day I dubbed a dress I made "Taco Night at Church Camp." It is both festive and demure.
(Still watching the movie. I used to have the five-year-old's version of the hots for Dick Van Dyke. Also: Fred from Scooby Doo.)
I spent most of the day today volunteering at Art in the Pearl, simply for something to do. It was actually fun, gave me a good excuse to talk to strangers, and I got to sit in some booths for a bit. There was, indeed, actual art that I, a snob, appreciated.
Particularly this guy: http://www.nuez.com
I bought an 8x10 print of this: http://www.nuez.com/slideshow/alleys_and_fire_escapes.html.
and the lovely hat lady: http://www.artinthepearl.com/2008artist.php?id=1864
Her both was fun to sit for her. And, uh, I had to have one of her fold-flat straw hats. In orange. It's prescription sun protection, and color therapy.
Anyhoo, it was a good mix of local people and visitors. Apparently there is an art festival circuit that many of them work. I felt a little bad for the southerners and southwesterners, as it was a bit on the drizzly and cold side today. They looked, well, cold and wet beyond reason.
Yesterday, I entered the Portland Pie-off: http://pie-off.blogspot.com/
Cat's business partner won "best pie" and "bet savory pie" with her tomato tart: http://www.sassafrascatering.com/about/pies.html.
There were 49 pies total, quite a few in my category, so I was quite satisfied with my one little judge's vote for my "heart stopper custard" pie, particularly as I nearly destroyed it during creation. (Ingredients: whole milk, eggs, coconut milk, honey, vanilla, and a bit of sugar and butter just to thin it out a bit.) It is hard to simultaneously cook custard and be outside admiring your friend's new car. In fact, don't try it. The clean-up is a pain even if you can save the whole lot from burning.
I'm going to go lie on the couch and admire the photo I purchased. Then, perhaps, out for a drink. Day off tomorrow!
So "Chitty Chitty Bang Bang" was my favorite movie when I was about five, so much so that my mom made me a dress that I insisted on calling my "chitty chitty bang bang dress." This was after I'd spent a year dressed up like Dorothy (Wizard of Oz) as often as possible. I still have a thing for red shoes, and costumes, and tend to name or categorize my favorite articles of clothing. In fact, the other day I dubbed a dress I made "Taco Night at Church Camp." It is both festive and demure.
(Still watching the movie. I used to have the five-year-old's version of the hots for Dick Van Dyke. Also: Fred from Scooby Doo.)
I spent most of the day today volunteering at Art in the Pearl, simply for something to do. It was actually fun, gave me a good excuse to talk to strangers, and I got to sit in some booths for a bit. There was, indeed, actual art that I, a snob, appreciated.
Particularly this guy: http://www.nuez.com
I bought an 8x10 print of this: http://www.nuez.com/slideshow/alleys_and_fire_escapes.html.
and the lovely hat lady: http://www.artinthepearl.com/2008artist.php?id=1864
Her both was fun to sit for her. And, uh, I had to have one of her fold-flat straw hats. In orange. It's prescription sun protection, and color therapy.
Anyhoo, it was a good mix of local people and visitors. Apparently there is an art festival circuit that many of them work. I felt a little bad for the southerners and southwesterners, as it was a bit on the drizzly and cold side today. They looked, well, cold and wet beyond reason.
Yesterday, I entered the Portland Pie-off: http://pie-off.blogspot.com/
Cat's business partner won "best pie" and "bet savory pie" with her tomato tart: http://www.sassafrascatering.com/about/pies.html.
There were 49 pies total, quite a few in my category, so I was quite satisfied with my one little judge's vote for my "heart stopper custard" pie, particularly as I nearly destroyed it during creation. (Ingredients: whole milk, eggs, coconut milk, honey, vanilla, and a bit of sugar and butter just to thin it out a bit.) It is hard to simultaneously cook custard and be outside admiring your friend's new car. In fact, don't try it. The clean-up is a pain even if you can save the whole lot from burning.
I'm going to go lie on the couch and admire the photo I purchased. Then, perhaps, out for a drink. Day off tomorrow!
Sunday, August 24, 2008
It's been a clutsy couple of days for the females of the house.
So today the cat's had a bad day: Bindi has had a tiff with a neighbor cat, got into something sticky and oily outside, subsequently bathed, and then proceeded to knock a dish of the kitchen counter (where she's not allowed), knock over a dining room chair, and then crash headfirst into the sliding glass door. She's looking a little bedraggled, and it's not just because her fur's still damp.
Right now I've got a sore wrist and my foot on ice, as I managed to do a slow-motion fall off my bike yesterday. It was a total clutz moment, as I was unable to extricate my shoe from my bike's right toe clip as the forces of gravity caused me to fall inextricably to the right. No, I'm not sure exactly why I fell--too much stuff in my front carrier? The road curving? Wrong neighborhood? (I was in the Pearl.) I do know I let out some kind of "oh my" squeaking noise as I was tilting. Like a dumbass, I put my hand out, which means I got off easy with a scrape on my palm and a bit of stiffness, as opposed to a broken wrist (done that twice) or a broken collarbone (done that once).
I also somehow managed to damage the bottom of my right foot. It feels like a giant bruise. I know when it happened, but I am not sure how. It's very inconvenient, what with the whole walking thing. Of course I had an audience when I fell: about four guys on various sidewalks, none of whom bothered to check to make sure the woman holding her wrist and sitting in the middle of the street was in fact anything other than embarrassed.
Anyhoo, a very nice woman came jogging over to help me up and told me she's had the same "stuck shoe" thing herself. Then we got yelled at to "get the hell out of the road." I made it home without further incident. I will be sticking to the east side for awhile. Oh Princes of the Pearl District, you have failed me in yet another way.
I was supposed to go salsa dancing with Kim, but between the stiff foot, the rain, and the vast piles of house projects, I elected to stay home. It will keep the mystery of salsa dancing alive for me.
So today the cat's had a bad day: Bindi has had a tiff with a neighbor cat, got into something sticky and oily outside, subsequently bathed, and then proceeded to knock a dish of the kitchen counter (where she's not allowed), knock over a dining room chair, and then crash headfirst into the sliding glass door. She's looking a little bedraggled, and it's not just because her fur's still damp.
Right now I've got a sore wrist and my foot on ice, as I managed to do a slow-motion fall off my bike yesterday. It was a total clutz moment, as I was unable to extricate my shoe from my bike's right toe clip as the forces of gravity caused me to fall inextricably to the right. No, I'm not sure exactly why I fell--too much stuff in my front carrier? The road curving? Wrong neighborhood? (I was in the Pearl.) I do know I let out some kind of "oh my" squeaking noise as I was tilting. Like a dumbass, I put my hand out, which means I got off easy with a scrape on my palm and a bit of stiffness, as opposed to a broken wrist (done that twice) or a broken collarbone (done that once).
I also somehow managed to damage the bottom of my right foot. It feels like a giant bruise. I know when it happened, but I am not sure how. It's very inconvenient, what with the whole walking thing. Of course I had an audience when I fell: about four guys on various sidewalks, none of whom bothered to check to make sure the woman holding her wrist and sitting in the middle of the street was in fact anything other than embarrassed.
Anyhoo, a very nice woman came jogging over to help me up and told me she's had the same "stuck shoe" thing herself. Then we got yelled at to "get the hell out of the road." I made it home without further incident. I will be sticking to the east side for awhile. Oh Princes of the Pearl District, you have failed me in yet another way.
I was supposed to go salsa dancing with Kim, but between the stiff foot, the rain, and the vast piles of house projects, I elected to stay home. It will keep the mystery of salsa dancing alive for me.
Monday, June 2, 2008
Lucrezia gets into gardening
More on the "What Objects Can I Carry on My Scooter, and How Much" front: live plants! Jasmine, clematis, impatiens, oh my. The scoot just looked so perky and cute I couldn't help but take a picture.
My patio (behind the fence, with the lilac falling over) looks lovely now, and everything is thriving in the damp, early summer weather to which we are prone. See, it's great. Yes, it was 95 degrees a few weeks ago and now we're back in jackets and hats, but no mind. Everything's green, and I don't have to duck the sunlight. My new plants are getting settled in, and it'll all be a lush hideaway when it's warm enough to sit outside at night.
Wednesday, May 21, 2008
Tried at home
I made these bacon chocolate chip cookies: http://neverbashfulwithbutter.blogspot.com/2007/12/experiments-in-deliciousness
The icing is key, as without it, you get the sneaking suspicion you're eating a dog treat. A mean evil dog treat, in that there's chocolate in it, but a dog treat nonetheless.
Also, if you make your own bacon bits: don't use bacon with smoke flavor. I didn't, but there was still a high level of smokey flavor.
If I do this again I would probably use a different base recipe for the cookie, perhaps less bacon bits, just because it wasn't cookie enough for me.
The stunned co-workers and friend who received them as a birthday gift were too stunned to say much, other than that they were suprised to find them edible.
Wednesday, May 14, 2008
Tuesday, April 29, 2008
Odd day...
This evening I had a sheriff's deputy come to my house, as a criminal gave my address as her own. I think not. I think he was pretty convinced that the hacking woman holding back two cats was no kind of criminal, mastermind or otherwise.
Note to self: close curtains in front room at night. Do not answer door just because someone rings bell.
Did I mention that I had green goo on my face? and I was half in my pajamas, half in my work clothes. All I needed were curlers and a cigarette. maybe a frying pan. But I do think the polka dot knee socks were spot-on. so to speak.
Forgive me; I have been ill and spending waaay too much time by myself in the first place. I'd been hoping it was a friend with news of my new toy (sewing machine I'm to buy from his gran), or at least someone not looking for a criminal.
Anyhoo, tired, ill, getting better. Going to work, check. Mostly on time, check. I only had two people tell me today that I sounded horrible. This is better than last week, when people would physically withdraw upon interacting with me, or Saturday, when the check-out guy at REI gave me the serious follow-up questions to the standard "how are you:" "No seriously, are you okay? You don't look alright. Do you need to sit down?" Up until then I'd thought I'd been doing great.
Obviously I was very wrong thinking that I just had bad allergies. Turns out it was bronchitis, which I am experiencing as a very annoying, ill-ifying horror of goo, noise, and shortness of breath.
I also threw a trip to the dentist into last week's pathos. Do not do this. Particularly if, like me, you have to be numbed quite literally to the eyeballs in order to get through any kind of repair to your teeth. I am one of those nightmare patients for dentists, or I can be if I actually make the appointment. (I tend to cancel at the last minute for the slightest reason, or ask my brother to call and tell them I'm dead and so I'll never make another appointment, ever.) I have both a deep fear of the dentist and teeth like tuning forks, and courtesy of eight years of methotrexate, teeth in crisis. How I didn't notice that I'd cracked two fillings is beyond me, but that's why I had to go nonetheless. I think all the cold medicine I was on kept me from being my usual basket case, but I didn't really do the math on the whole trip really being a bad idea this time until I was actually in the office, and then they wouldn't let me go.
The net result was that "we" had to try several times before the dentist could drill without me trying to jump out of the chair, and I left unable to feel most of the right side of my face, including half my nose and an eyelid. Add numb face bits to cold wet weather and a chest cold, find a hole in your new sweater, and viola! you have self-pity and misery.
The good part of it was that I have figured out a work-around of my fear of the dentist: I have a crush on mine. He's kind of cute, and could have hurt me terribly and chose not to. I explained this more fully to a friend of mine, and she just kind of looked at me and told me that I am way more fucked up than she could ever imagine. But if it gets me to the dentist, so be it.
Last night I successfully made it out, to the Candidates Gone Wild forum. It was lovely, saw many people I'd not seen in awhile, figured out some of my election concerns and confusions. As I'd walked there from work I was feeling a might bit woozy when I first arrived. (Still not up to speed.) I made a few overly-direct remarks to some candidates and their volunteers, got a beer (not the brightest idea), then sat to collect myself for a bit. The seats filled up quicker than I caught on, and I wound up in the midst of a bunch of very friendly, randomly boisterous strangers. One of whom had to lean partway into my "zone" to see around the pole blocking his view. I proceeded to nap on his shoulder. (He was one of the quieter ones, obviously.)
I will try again tomorrow.
Note to self: close curtains in front room at night. Do not answer door just because someone rings bell.
Did I mention that I had green goo on my face? and I was half in my pajamas, half in my work clothes. All I needed were curlers and a cigarette. maybe a frying pan. But I do think the polka dot knee socks were spot-on. so to speak.
Forgive me; I have been ill and spending waaay too much time by myself in the first place. I'd been hoping it was a friend with news of my new toy (sewing machine I'm to buy from his gran), or at least someone not looking for a criminal.
Anyhoo, tired, ill, getting better. Going to work, check. Mostly on time, check. I only had two people tell me today that I sounded horrible. This is better than last week, when people would physically withdraw upon interacting with me, or Saturday, when the check-out guy at REI gave me the serious follow-up questions to the standard "how are you:" "No seriously, are you okay? You don't look alright. Do you need to sit down?" Up until then I'd thought I'd been doing great.
Obviously I was very wrong thinking that I just had bad allergies. Turns out it was bronchitis, which I am experiencing as a very annoying, ill-ifying horror of goo, noise, and shortness of breath.
I also threw a trip to the dentist into last week's pathos. Do not do this. Particularly if, like me, you have to be numbed quite literally to the eyeballs in order to get through any kind of repair to your teeth. I am one of those nightmare patients for dentists, or I can be if I actually make the appointment. (I tend to cancel at the last minute for the slightest reason, or ask my brother to call and tell them I'm dead and so I'll never make another appointment, ever.) I have both a deep fear of the dentist and teeth like tuning forks, and courtesy of eight years of methotrexate, teeth in crisis. How I didn't notice that I'd cracked two fillings is beyond me, but that's why I had to go nonetheless. I think all the cold medicine I was on kept me from being my usual basket case, but I didn't really do the math on the whole trip really being a bad idea this time until I was actually in the office, and then they wouldn't let me go.
The net result was that "we" had to try several times before the dentist could drill without me trying to jump out of the chair, and I left unable to feel most of the right side of my face, including half my nose and an eyelid. Add numb face bits to cold wet weather and a chest cold, find a hole in your new sweater, and viola! you have self-pity and misery.
The good part of it was that I have figured out a work-around of my fear of the dentist: I have a crush on mine. He's kind of cute, and could have hurt me terribly and chose not to. I explained this more fully to a friend of mine, and she just kind of looked at me and told me that I am way more fucked up than she could ever imagine. But if it gets me to the dentist, so be it.
Last night I successfully made it out, to the Candidates Gone Wild forum. It was lovely, saw many people I'd not seen in awhile, figured out some of my election concerns and confusions. As I'd walked there from work I was feeling a might bit woozy when I first arrived. (Still not up to speed.) I made a few overly-direct remarks to some candidates and their volunteers, got a beer (not the brightest idea), then sat to collect myself for a bit. The seats filled up quicker than I caught on, and I wound up in the midst of a bunch of very friendly, randomly boisterous strangers. One of whom had to lean partway into my "zone" to see around the pole blocking his view. I proceeded to nap on his shoulder. (He was one of the quieter ones, obviously.)
I will try again tomorrow.
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