Rimer

Definition of the Day!

2009-04-13T09:18:00.000-07:00

Click here: Amazon Rank

For more information on this, check out this site:

http://jezebel.com/5209088/why-is-amazon-removing-the-sales-rankings-from-gay-lesbian-books

Sew what?

2009-03-02T08:39:00.000-08:00

This is my brand-spanking new sewing machine: a Pfaff 1132 that I got on sale this weekend at the 2009 Sewing Expo in Puyallup, Wa.

I've been wanting a sewing machine for many years now so, as a Christmas present, Ivan purchased a Bernina 830 Record for me off of eBay. Unfortunately, it turned out to have mechanical problems that 2 different repair shops deemed "unrepairable". Disappointed, we decided that I should go ahead and purchase a 'beginners' machine for around $200 that I can learn on. When I found this Pfaff at the Expo, I jumped on it. Pfaff has a good reputation and I think it will serve me well as I brush-up on my machine skills. (I learned how to sew on my mothers old Singer. A machine that was once powered by a treadle/foot pedal and was later 'electrified').

I've nearly finished cleaning and organizing our office, so I will soon be able to sit down and learn what the Pfaff can do. On the short list of projects to attempt this spring are:

1) Roman blinds for the office
2) 1 or more pairs of comfy pants for Ivan
3) skirts for me
4) pillows for the office couch
5) floor pillows for the living room.

Today's Moment of Happiness: Presidential Edition!

2009-01-20T17:21:00.000-08:00

Putting aside my guilty pleasures for a day to bring you a three Moments of Happiness from a day filled with so much joy and hope.

YO-YO MA, ITZHAK PERLMAN, ANTHONY McGILL, GABRIELA MONTERO PERFORM "AIR & SIMPLE GIFTS" ARRANGED BY JOHN WILLIAMS.

YES WE DID!!

RICK WARREN CAN SUCK IT.

Todays Moment of Happiness: Guilty Pleasure #2

2009-01-19T21:11:00.000-08:00

ROBBIE WILLIAMS: LOVELIGHT

This week may as well be all about the guilty pleasure. More Brit Pop, this time from Robbie Williams.

Todays Moment of Happiness: Guilty Pleasure #1

2009-01-18T21:47:00.000-08:00

GIRLS ALOUD: CAN'T SPEAK FRENCH

I wish I could be ashamed, but I just can't. I fully embrace my unhealthy love for British pop.

Todays Moment of Happiness: Life Of Brian

2009-01-17T22:36:00.000-08:00

ALWAYS LOOK ON THE BRIGHT SIDE OF LIFE

Growing up catholic, I remember when my church was attempting to sway the congregation not to see this movie. I wasn't old enough to see it at the time of its release, but it was on my list of things to watch as soon as I was old enough to rent video's on my own. It's a classic and one of my favorite Monty Python movies. This song, written by Eric Idle, was put to good use many years later when Idle put it in is Broadway musical "Spamalot".

Today's Moment of Happiness: Meglio Stasera

2009-01-15T15:04:00.000-08:00

David Niven, Robert Wagner, Capucine, Claudia Cardinale and the great Peter Sellers listen to Fran Jeffries sing "Meglio Stasera" by Henry Mancini and Johny Mercer in the first (1963) Pink Panther movie's musical interlude.

I love this song.

Todays Moment of Happiness: Fleet Foxes

2009-01-13T09:55:00.000-08:00

WHITE WINTER HYMNAL

Vocally, they remind me of My Morning Jacket but, hey, that's cool.

Todays Moment of Happiness - Bare Naked!

2008-12-11T14:39:00.000-08:00

I wish this were an actual music video as it is one of my favorite Christmas covers ever: Bare Naked Ladies and Sarah McLachlan. Canadian's doing it up right. Turn it up and make some cookies!

End of the year update

2008-12-04T10:35:00.000-08:00

I've been very quiet on this blog - having not posted since April. Part of the reason was my other blog that took precedent over the summer ( http://www.cocksauce.us/). It too was neglected after my partner came back from the trip and we got immersed in nesting in our new house.

I'm now in the process of re-thinking this blog, the other blog, and a potential new blog. To wit - do I want to blog at all? And, if so, should I restructure this one? Should I maintain two separate blogs each with its own focus? Why am I blogging in the first place? Can I maintain a commitment to it (or them)?

I hope to come to some decision this weekend so stay tuned!

April is Poetry Month Video Bonus #3

2008-04-27T22:18:00.000-07:00

Taylor Mali "What Teachers Make."

I can't decide if this piece is passionate or pretentious. What do you think?

April is Poetry Month Video Bonus #2

2008-04-27T21:59:00.000-07:00

"Man and woman in bed at 10 p.m" by Charles Bukowski.

Narration: Eitan Alon.
Animation & sound: Gal Weiss

April is Poetry Month Video Bonus #1

2008-04-27T21:53:00.000-07:00

From Def Poetry Jam: Shihan performs "This Type Love"

Today's Moment of Happiness - The Killers

2008-03-19T15:24:00.000-07:00

We watched Southland Tales the other night and, well, let's just say that half-way through the movie I got up and started balancing my checkbook. Do you know how rarely that happens? Anyway, parts of this song was used for one of it's musical interludes and it was pretty awesome.

Today's Moment of Happiness - Is there Life on Mars?

2008-03-18T16:52:00.001-07:00

Beware the Brides of March!

2008-03-17T19:02:00.001-07:00

What else are am I going to do on a Saturday night?

All these were taken by esspressobuzz. Check out the Brides photostream on Flickr as well as his other great pictures.

Today's Moment of Happiness - A little TLC

2008-03-15T16:52:00.000-07:00

While having some poorman's noodles for lunch at Thai Tom the other day, they started playing TLC. They usually have a mix of stuff playing but that day they played the entire album, CrazySexyCool. For todays moment of happiness it was a toss-up between "Creep"and "Red Light Special". I went with the first cut off the album.

Cool mural

2008-03-12T16:27:00.000-07:00

I found this wonderful mural over at Design*Sponge today. I especially like the owl with glow in the dark eyes.

Today's Moment of Happiness - Can I Get a Napkin, Please?

2008-03-11T12:38:00.000-07:00

For more information on this mission and many others, check out Improv Everywhere!

The Golden Age of Children's Book Illustrators

2008-03-10T15:51:00.000-07:00

Being sick allows for some unfettered internet trawling. One game I play is a mixture of hitting the "Next Blog" button at the the top of Blogger pages and following any interesting links that turn up. Today I stumbled on Nocloo.com and its treasure trove of Children's Book Illustrations - many of which I had not heard of or seen. Here are a bunch of new discoveries:

Here is an example of the work of Umberto Brunelleschi - from the book Contes du Temps Jadis:

A Harry Clarke illustration from Swinburne Selected Poems:

Warwick Goble from The Modern Reader's Chaucer:

Arthur Rackham is one of my favorites. This illustration for Little Brother and Little Sister was brand new for me, but you can get a good sense of how delicate his art can be:

Check out Nocloo.com for more. They are also offering glycee prints.

Today's Moment of Happiness - Tom and Janice

2008-03-10T15:45:00.000-07:00

While looking for a birthday song for my sister (see below) I stumbled across this awesome performance of Tom Jones and Janice Joplin from his live 1969 show "This is Tom Jones". I so wish that I could have been one of those long haired dancing freaks in the background.

Happy Birthday, Paula!

2008-03-10T15:33:00.000-07:00

Yesterday was my sister Paula's birthday. Because we are closest in age I have the least problem remembering her date of birth. Unfortunately, I'm still late with the birthday wishes. No surprise there, really :)

Anyway, HAPPY BIRTHDAY!

Behold Butters the Winnecycle!

2008-03-10T11:09:00.000-07:00

According to Ivan, Butters won't officially become a Winnecycle (or a Bikabago) until it's fully loaded down for our trip, but I wanted to see what the title looked like in print.

I don't yet own Butters, but we went down to Angle Lake Cyclery - the only place in Seattle to get a recumbent - where I got on one and pedaled around for the first time. It was kind of scary at first. I didn't fall over or anything, but the shift in body position from vertical to semi-horizontal is off-putting. You have to move your body differently and the turn radius is larger than in a traditional diamond frame upright.

But both Ivan and Dale, the owner of Angle Lake who ran behind me for a while holding on to me while I got the knack, said I did really well for my first time and placed me high up on the learning curve. I was happy with the assessment because this isn't a cheap toy we're buying and I would hate to make the purchase and then discover that I have no aptitude for the style at all. Additionally, it struck me that, putting the trip aside, Butters will need to become my main bike to further justify the cost so I'd damn well better learn to love riding a recumbent. Since Ivan has accepted a position with the Fremont Solstice Parade this spring I'll have a good three months to both acclimate and get into shape as we won't be leaving now until July.

In the meantime, we went ahead and placed and order. A yellow Bacchetta Giro 26 (just like the picture) with a few modifications: wider handle bars; wider, tougher tires to handle the long miles; a rear rack; bottle rack, and clipless pedals (which are both a misnomer and scare the hell out of me.) With luck, it will be ready in a couple of weeks.

Today's Moment of Happiness - I'm gonna stop talking about hair now.

2008-03-02T09:32:00.000-08:00

Seriously. This is the last of it.

Long vs. Short: The Finale

2008-03-02T09:27:00.000-08:00

Sean and I compromised. He cut off the back and left the front and sides long enough to push behind my ears.

Today's Moment of Happiness: Long vs. Short, Pt. 3

2008-02-27T15:42:00.000-08:00

Sometimes I need a little perspective.

Today's Moment of Happiness: Long vs. Short, Pt. 2

2008-02-26T15:13:00.000-08:00

The other side of the argument. (Also? If it were the late 1960's/early 1970's I, too, would not kick Mick Jagger out of bed.)

Short vs. Long

2008-02-26T14:27:00.001-08:00

long hair cow, originally uploaded by astrothug.

Me: Do like my hair better long or short?

Him: Short.

Me: Shorter than it is now?

Him: Yeah. I like it when it's off your face.

Me: Huh. (Considers effort it's taken to grow it thus far)

Me: Sean likes it short, too.

Him: Who's Sean?

Me: My gay hair dresser.

Him: Well, there you go. The two most significant men in your life.

Spring is for Biking

2008-02-26T13:52:00.000-08:00

We took our bikes out for the first time this year (2008) on Sunday. We didn't go very far in our travels - from breakfast to coffee to REI to home - maybe about 5 miles but, man alive, was I exhausted from the moment I got home till I went to bed the following night! Perhaps it were the hills that did me in but I still felt like a complete loser for not being able to hack 5 measly miles. Jeez.

Well, whatever. I rode my bike to work this morning in preparation for the start of the Ride in the Rain challenge that begins next week. (We have the worst team name ever in the history of team names. It's so bad, I just pretend that we don't have one.) My ride will be a little over 6 miles round trip and the return home is all. up. hill. Tough but, if nothing else, my ass will look great and it is great incentive to start training for the big ride later this spring and the mountains we will surely climb.

Speaking of which, Ivan ordered two different sets of maps this weekend from Adventure Cycling so we can get a closer look at the two routes we're considering: the TransAmerican and the Northern Tier. I've decided to let him decide what route, or combination of routes, we'll take. I'm pretty jazzed just about doing the trip and doing it together that I really don't care what route we'll take because I can't imagine not finding all of it interesting. He's been a little more discerning about it, so I figure it should be his call.

I hadn't planned on getting my bike for the trip until early April, but Ivan pointed out that sooner is better than later as we may need to put in an order for what I want which may delay us in getting it. So we'll probably head down to Angle Lake Cycles in the next couple of weeks. At this point, we're thinking about getting the same model as his. We'll see if that'll work out.

Todays Moment of Happiness - The Shat!!!

2008-02-21T16:15:00.001-08:00

The first few seconds of this was clipped but other than that? Ben Folds on keyboards, Joe Jackson on supporting vocals aaaannnndddddd.......The Shat!

Seriously, track down the album version of this. It's worth it!

What Every Woman Knows By Now

2008-02-20T20:18:00.000-08:00

I'm really, really liking the feminist/fashion/pop culture blog Jezebel (link to the right). Today they posted an excerpt from an article from Atlantic Magazine printed in 1950 and, man, how things have not changed in the weird world of womens fashion magazines. I'm gonna post the entire thing below but a warning to dudes: you might actually have to be a woman to really appreciate the humor and irony here.

It is as much a source of amazement as of income to me that readers of the women's magazines have such an insatiable thirst for reading the same information over and over again, despite the fact that any one year's reading must inevitably give enough information about the technique of being a woman to see one through a lifetime. I have, then, no fear of spoiling the market, either for myself or others. Every subject in this symposium, given a snappy title and an angle that appeals to the editor, will still be worth a substantial fee.
ACCESSORIES
The simplest are in the best taste.
Men like women to be in the best taste.

BROKEN HEARTS
Find a new interest
Time cures all.
Men don't like women to ring them up.

CARE OF FACE
Remove old make-up with cream (dry skins), lotion (oily skins), or superfatted soap (if you must).
Then dab face with an astringent lotion.
Then pat in nourishing cream.
Blackheads are frequently due to internal causes. Drink lots of water.
Men are repelled by pimples.

CHARM
Charm is an indefinable quality.
Men like it.

CLOTHES
Choose the clothes that suit you.
You can be perfectly dressed at every income level.
Little touches of white must be immaculate.
Diagonal stripes are slimming.
Invest your all in one good little black dress (or tweed suit).
Don't go in for clutter but have lots of bits and pieces that will make one outfit do the work of ten.
Men like black satin, well-cut tweeds, floating tulle, utter simplicity, and don't notice what you wear anyway.

CULTURE
Read good books sometimes.
Men don't like cultured women much.

FIGURE
Figure deficiencies are frequently glandular. Consult your doctor.
A good corset can correct many figure faults. Have it fitted by an expert.
Good exercises can correct bad figures. Here are some.
Men like good figures.

FURS
If you can't afford good furs don't have any, but there are some awfully cheap ones in the shops.
Men are impressed by mink -- but then, so are you.

HAIR ON THE HEAD
The condition of the hair reflects the general health.
Massage with the finger tips stimulates the scalp.
Brush fifty times a day and wash at least every fortnight.
Choose the hair style that suits you and don't get into a rut.
No moral opprobrium is attached to dye.
Men love those gleaming tresses.

HAIR, SUPERFULOUS
In the armpits remove by depilatory.
On the legs remove by depilatory, wax, sandpaper, or razor; the last will coarsen the new growth.
On the face remove by wax (will weaken growth) or by electrolysis (will kill it).
If the growth is slight, bleach with peroxide-and-ammonia.
Men notice superfluous hair.

HANDS
Before doing rough work smooth a protective cream over your hands.
After washing, smooth a creamy lotion over your hands.
Make your hands flexible by shaking in one way or another.
File your nails to the shape that suits you.
Press back your cuticles after you've had a bath.
Chipped polish looks slovenly.
Men abhor scarlet talons.

JEWELRY
One big good piece is better than a lot of little cheap trinkets.
One big cheap piece is better than a lot of little good ones.
In fact, One Big Piece is Best.
Men are better if they like jewelry.

MAKE-UP
Smooth on foundation cream or lotion, not forgetting neck.
Add rouge where it improves the natural shape of your face.
Add discreet eye-shadow and mascara on the upper lids only.
Paint outline of lips with a brush, fill in with lipstick, blot on a tissue, powder, and add more lipstick.
Press in powder over face and neck; remove surplus.
Men don't like women to be obviously made up.

MANNERS
Be sweet to old people.
Be kind to his mother.
Be nice to other girls -- they have brothers.
Don't comb your hair or clean your nails in public.
Don't order direct from the waiter.
Don't swear or drink too much.
Men hate red marks on coffee cups.

MARRIAGE
Enter it joyously and proudly.
Remember you've got to take as well as give.
There are all sorts of compensations.
Men should be encouraged to wash up.

PERFUME
Choose the perfume that suits you.
Spray it onto your body but never onto your clothes.
Test new perfume by trying a drop on the back of your hand.
Have different perfumes for different moods or make one perfume distinctively YOU.
Men are enraptured by perfume.

SHOPPING
Either go with an open mind or with a rigidly-to-be-adhered-to list.
Either enlist the help of the shop assistant or don't let her make up your mind for you.
Either men like shopping or -- more usually -- they don't.

SHYNESS
Prepare a few conversational remarks to break the ice.
Try to put the other person at his ease.
Instruct yourself in current affairs.
Join a club.
Men like a woman to be a good listener.

SPECIAL OCCASIONS
Cream hands thickly and sleep in gloves the night before.
Try to fit in a facial and a hair-do.
Rest for an hour with your feet up and pads over your eyes.
Make up extra specially carefully.
Oh, men, men, men.

TOP SECRET
Consult your doctor.
Send us a stamped addressed envelope.
Men are beasts.

Headboard Drawers

2008-02-20T20:08:00.001-08:00

Headboard Drawers, originally uploaded by Maryja.

We have our bed!

Craig finished it this past weekend and he and Ivan spent an entire afternoon transporting it to our place and setting it up. Doors had to be removed and shelves taken down to maneuver the 3 large pieces that comprise the entire unit into our bedroom where Craig then reassembled it.

We've both emptied our dressers (and purged some articles of clothing in the process) and still have plenty of room in the drawers which is good because we have laundry to do and will need the space.

Click on the pic to go to my Flickr page for shots of the entire bed.

Today's Moment of Happiness: Animated Gomez

2008-02-20T11:41:00.000-08:00

Another fan video, but this one is all kinds of awesome. An animated dream set to "Notice" by one of my favorite bands, Gomez, from their album How We Operate.

Today's Moment of Happiness: Emma Bunton

2008-02-19T10:25:00.000-08:00

Was never a big Spice Girls fan, but I love this song. So in honor of the end of the Spice Girls World Tour here is Baby Spice solo!

I'm Feeling Crafty, Part 2

2008-02-17T22:46:00.001-08:00

I've taken a couple of steps in my great craft project. First, I braved the crowds at Ikea and purchased a Ribba frame in white so I can paint it if I want to. The last image in the mosaic above is the frame in black.

Next I did some research into craft paper. Since it's looking like this will reside in the bedroom I found a number of potential backgrounds at JCaroline Creative. I may end up buying all of the papers shown above and a couple of backup neutrals because I really don't know what will end up looking the best with our fuschia wall colors and the different gem stone colors in my necklaces. Maybe it won't matter at all, but it'll be nice to have options. More next weekend, I hope.

Rumi: Those Who Don't Feel This Love

2008-02-16T22:39:00.000-08:00

Fan Dancers!

Literary update

2008-02-16T18:32:00.000-08:00

It didn't take long to decide that Jane Boleyn was going to be kind of crappy so I returned it to the library and picked up a book from my own shelf to read. I have a number of books that I've purchased because they look interesting but have never read. Umberto Eco was the lucky bastard this time so last night I started The Mysterious Flame of Queen Loana and already I'm feeling much happier and anticipating a good read. Links for both books are to the right.

Eight Drawers

2008-02-16T16:54:00.001-08:00

Eight Drawers, originally uploaded by Maryja.

Moving into, and sharing, a small space means utilizing every square inch of available real estate. One way that we decided to do this in our bedroom was to have a friend who is a furniture designer and builder actually, well, design and build a storage bed that we could put two dressers worth of clothes into. We worked with Craig to figure out the unique properties of the room (long and narrow with a radiator) and designed the bed to function within those properties. It was a pretty cool and painless process.

Anyway, Craig is finishing up the bed today (drawer pulls that took forever to decide on) and it will be delivered tomorrow. I can't wait to see it! There are a couple other pictures of the bed in process on my flickr page. Hopefully, Ivan will remember to take lots of pictures tomorrow when he helps Craig load it up, transport it, and set it up.

I'll post more when I can.

Today's Moment of Happiness: Iron & Wine

2008-02-15T14:05:00.000-08:00

A fan vid of still images set to "Pagan Angel and a Borrowed Car" by Iron & Wine. I suggest cranking volume and pretending that you are listening to the radio.

Don't let the door hit you on the way out, Van Helsing.

2008-02-15T11:45:00.001-08:00

Heh. The facial expression on Dracula's face when dealing with Van Helsing pretty much matches my own when thinking about him.

At long last, I finished Dracula last night and I'm glad to be done with it. I am generally in favor of Victorian romances counting Wilkie Collins' "The Moonstone" and "The Woman in White" among my favorites. In point of fact, Stoker borrowed heavily from "The Moonstone" by using multiple narrators and journal entries to weave his tale. Unfortunately, he lacks Collins' ability to create well rounded characters that are distinguishable from each other. This might not actually apply to Van Helsing but he insists in saddling the character with a weird 'pidgin' english (the character is from Amsterdam) and a propensity to go on at length that makes reading a tedious, tedious experience. And please, don't get me started on the whole religious aspect of the text.

Anyway, done now and on to an historical biography of Jane Boleyn (check out the link under Bedside Table). Unfortunately, at 4 chapters in, I am beginning to find the writer's style amateurish and the subject matter lacking any real meat. After slogging through Dracula till the bitter end I may give myself permission to drop this before finishing it.

Red Valentine!

2008-02-14T09:43:00.000-08:00

Darryl Hall once pointed at me during a concert! Soooo dreamy...hee!

Happy Valentines Day!

Blue Valentine

2008-02-14T09:34:00.000-08:00

Because all the best love stories have an element of sadness.

Today's Moment of Happiness - Saturday Night Version

2008-02-09T23:45:00.000-08:00

We dodged a bullet, folks.

2008-02-09T23:02:00.000-08:00

Is anybody else breathing a sigh of relief?

Pablo Neruda - Standard Oil Co.

2008-02-07T13:19:00.001-08:00

I'm feeling kind of crafty

2008-02-07T12:41:00.000-08:00

With all of the home improvements and decorating we've been doing since the fall, I've found myself itching to do some sort of craft project for myself. I didn't know what until I stumbled over some jewelry organization projects in Blueline/Blueprint via Design*Sponge.

I'm not a big jewelry wearer - rings and bracelets get in the way and I had a late in life brush with pierced ears that ended painfully and puffily. But I do love necklaces and I have several that meet my very particular tastes. However...they are all in a small box somewhere - out of sight and out of mind. Consequently, I rarely wear them.

So, once I saw the lovely DIY projects at Design*Sponge I knew what I wanted to do - make a lovely display box to feed my craft yen AND make my necklaces more than just a box warmer. First on my list - rustle up an appropriate shadow box or small glass front curio case. (If I end up putting this in the bathroom, I'll need something a glass door as it will need to be enclosed to protect them from moisture.) Next, decided on location: bedroom vs. bathroom. Third, make the darn thing.

Instructions from Blueprint are below:

Boxed Rings
If surface area in your bedroom is scarce, try a wall-mounted solution on for size. This jazzed-up shadow box, retrofitted with a variety of hooks and knobs, shelters delicate earrings and chains from possible entanglements while turning them into objets d'art. Small decorative bowls perched on the box's lower ledge corral rings, pins, and brooches and complete the charming trinket tableau.

Box How-To
1. Select a shadow box (or a small wine crate) with a back and sides that are at least 1/4 inch thick to accommodate the hooks. Sand and prime the box, then apply two coats of semigloss spray paint.

2. Cut a piece of decorative paper to fit inside the box, coat the back of the paper with spray adhesive, and press it into place, smoothing it from the center out to the corners with your fingers. Then lay out the jewelry where you'd like it to hang and screw in hooks at the appropriate points.

3. Finally, add two evenly spaced saw-tooth hangers to the box's back for a steady mount.

Credits: Shadow box, $12, frames-direct.com. Similar Berenson "Barcelona" knobs, $6 each, cdmcabinethardware.com. Rust-Oleum "Painter's Touch" spray paint in Seaside Green, $3, rustoleum.com for stores. "Nepal Fish-scale" paper, $5 per sheet, New York Central Art Supply, 212-473-7705

I'll be sure to post pictures when I have something.

Domino Bedrooms

2008-02-06T14:41:00.000-08:00

Domino Magazine has a slide show of reader bedrooms and I've included four here that I like. They are in no particular order and I like them for all quite different reasons. For instance, the picture above. I like the cool blue and the simplicity of the design.

The white bedroom below I like for the horizontal planking on the wall, and the slightly bohemian feel. It may be a bit "Anthropologie" to my taste, but I think it could be a cool starting point.

Except for the reflection of Jesus in the mirror, there are a lot of things I like about the room below - especially the blue paint and the chalk like mural of tree and full moon. I don't think I'd ever get tired of looking at that.

The last room (pictured below) is meant for a child, and pink is not my favorite color. However, our bedroom is already painted dark pink with a pale pink trim and I have to admit it is pretty restful. But I would love to add some dimension to the room and I love the paper parasol display. No "Hello Kitty" for me but, otherwise, the fun in this room is infectious.

Happy Lunar New Year!

2008-02-06T11:54:00.001-08:00

Today is Lunar New Years Eve, with tomorrow being the first day of the "Chinese" New Year which is, by the way, The Year of the Rat.

I find the Chinese New Year and by extent, the Chinese horoscope, to be incredibly complicated so I limit myself to knowing that I was born in the Year of the Sheep and that, in this year of the rat, love is going to be the theme.

However, I find these two bits of information to be really interesting:

According to legend, in ancient China, the Nián was a man-eating beast from the mountains (in other versions from under the sea), which came out every 12 months somewhere close to winter to prey on humans. The people later believed that the Nian was sensitive to loud noises and the colour red, so they scared it away with explosions, fireworks and the liberal use of the colour red. These customs led to the first N(ew Year celebrations. Guò nián, which means to celebrate the new year, literally means the passover of the Nian.

And this:

The first day is for the welcoming of the deities of the heavens and earth. Many people, especially Buddhists, abstain from meat consumption on the first day because it is believed that this will ensure longevity for them. Some consider lighting fires and using knives to be bad luck on New Year's Day, so all food to be consumed is cooked the day before.

Most importantly, the first day of Chinese New Year is a time when families visit the oldest and most senior members of their extended family, usually their parents, grandparents or great-grandparents.

You can find more information about the Chinese New Year here, and here.

Gil Scott Heron -The Revolution Will Not Be Televised

2008-02-05T16:49:00.000-08:00

The revolution will be real...

Rejiggering the pokey

2008-02-05T10:21:00.000-08:00

I spent a little bit of time playing around with the blogs layout and links section.

I wish that either Blogger had more flexibility in blog layout/design or that I had more (re: any) hacking skills to restructure and redesign the blog to my liking. But I don't so I have to content myself for the moment with temporary fixes.

What I've done is shorten the number of posts viewable by limiting them to the last three days of posting. I've also added and rearranged the Link sections over to the right. I've added a "Daily Links" section for the sites that I check out pretty much everyday starting with news/commentary, ending with design/small living and sandwiching some miscellaneous fun sites in between.

"Links" has been changed to "Friends of Rimer" to which I've added Espressobuzz' Flickr page.

I'm still undecided on the number links to include in "Turntable" and "Bedside Table" and probably will for awhile. It really doesn't matter how many links are there which makes it oddly hard to come to a decision about it.

"Archives" are at the bottom.

Update: Not able to leave well enough alone, I've also changed the font to 'verdana'. I think it reads easier now.

Today's Moment of Happiness - No Rain

2008-02-04T16:51:00.000-08:00

Admit it, you're bopping around and singing, aren't you?

Mini Dracula review

2008-02-04T13:26:00.000-08:00

I'm almost done reading "Dracula" for the first time. My brief review of the novel thus far is: Dear god, sit DOWN, Abraham Van Helsing! Sit down and SHUT UP!

Gina Loring: Somewhere there is a poem

2008-02-01T12:44:00.000-08:00

Awesome, awesome, awesome!

BAA!

2008-02-01T12:30:00.000-08:00

OK. See this picture of a map of the US with a red and blue line snaking across it? Well, keep this image somewhere in the back of your mind. It will be important in the very near future!

Green walls, yellow trim, jungle door

2008-01-29T19:24:00.001-08:00

Green walls, yellow trim, jungle door
Originally uploaded by Maryja

Well, we got through most of the painting for the bathroom late last week.This shot shows all of the primary colors and the verra cool jungle motif that has been preserved through the last 3 paint colors including this one.

We are considering painting some trees, leaves, birds, flowers to cut down on the 'greeness' a little. Will post more if we do.

Also, the picture links to my Flickr account where you can see the paint process (of sorts).

Somewhat NSFW - Fuck Ashton Kutcher

2008-01-26T22:47:00.000-08:00

Dave Chappelle performs two poems on Def Poetry Jam.

Love Poem

2008-01-24T15:50:00.000-08:00

Valentine's Day is just around the corner. I generally don't embrace most holidays, but I do embrace love and poetry and Pablo Neruda.

Mr. Savage Goes to South Carolina

2008-01-24T15:18:00.000-08:00

Speaking of The Slog, our very own Dan Savage, editor of The Stranger and it's nationally syndicated sex columnist, went on the road before the South Carolina Caucus and reported the story on Real Time with Bill Maher.

Tissues required

2008-01-24T15:11:00.000-08:00

This was posted this morning The Strangers Slog. I'm not kidding when I say break out the tissues, you will need them.

Today's Moment of Happiness - Oblio!

2008-01-23T15:31:00.000-08:00

Oblio, Arrow and the Land of Point. 'Nuff said.

Bathroom in bird form

2008-01-23T15:21:00.000-08:00

We are in the process of (re)painting our bathroom and the little bird above, a Puerto Rican Tody, is almost exactly the shade of green about to go on the walls and the yellow of our trim. Before the primer went on the bathroom was a lovely, but really dark, shade of eggplant. However, the space is about 4' x 6' with only one light source above the mirror resulting in a really dark room in which my face would float ghost like in the mirror while every other part faded into the background. Seriously, I couldn't ever see my hair.

I think it's safe to say we won't have this problem for much longer.

Today's Moment of Happiness: Patty Griffin

2008-01-17T15:16:00.000-08:00

Patty wrote for this her dog. Here's hoping that y'all have someone in your life, canine or otherwise, who makes you feel like this.

Todays moment of Happiness - Providence version

2007-12-08T08:35:00.000-08:00

Ivan and I flew out to Providence, Rhode Island this weekend to surprise my best friend, Thom, for his 40th birthday. So, in honor of Thom and this surprisingly nice city (I grew up 50 miles away and had always heard that Providence was shite) here's a little Guster playing all live and acoustic-like.

Evening at Doe Bay

2007-12-03T19:38:00.001-08:00

Evening at Doe Bay
Originally uploaded by leaada

Take two. This lovely picture was taken by the lovely Lea, I believe, in the spring of 2006 when we went there together. We didn't have a clear view like this over the weekend, but I think it gives a nice sense of the place.

I think I'll put a link to her flickr page so y'all can get a gander at her work.

Today's Moment of Happiness - Snow day at Green Lake

2007-12-03T10:48:00.000-08:00

It snowed this weekend in the great Pacific Northwest. We'd gone up to Orcas Island and enjoyed watching the snow fall as we soaked in hot tubs overlooking Doe Bay. Regretfully, we have no video of it so I offer you this lovely 69 seconds of winter bliss at Green Lake in Seattle.

Shock Doctrine, Pt. 2

2007-12-03T10:19:00.000-08:00

I so want to read this book.

Today's Moment of Happiness -Big Man On Mulberry Street

2007-11-20T21:52:00.000-08:00

One of the best scenes ever, from one of the best shows ever (Moonlighting), with one of the best Billy Joel songs ever, with one of the best dancers ever (Sandahl Bergman), directed by the legendary Stanley Donen! Bonus? This was before Bruce Willis became such an asshole.

Today's Moment of Happiness

2007-11-08T22:27:00.000-08:00

Buddy Wakefield is a National Slam Winner and a Seattle resident. Seeing him live is liking drinking sunshine in fizzy form.

The Shock Doctrine

2007-11-08T13:27:00.000-08:00

While driving around taking care of a bunch of errands last night, I heard snippets of a talk by Naomi Kline on KUOW about her new book "The Shock Doctrine" in which she outlines the history and thesis behind the term "shock doctrine" and it's relationship to disaster capitalism. Going in and out of stores it wasn't possible to hear the entire segment but what I did catch was both distressing and intriguing.

The above short film is the result of the collaboration between Naomi and Alfonso Cuaron, director of such films as "Children of Men" and "Y tu mama tambien".

Today's Moment of Happiness - You've Got to Hide Your Love Away

2007-11-07T16:48:00.000-08:00

What's not to love? The sets, the song, John's voice, George's face, and Ringo in the pit of awesomeness.

Bill Moyers: Who decides what's news?

2007-11-06T14:52:00.000-08:00

One more for the road.

Thanks to Crooks and Liars for links.

Olbermann, water boards and I still hate GWBush.

2007-11-06T14:45:00.000-08:00

It's been far too long since I've posted here, but I can see a light at the end of the tunnel when I'll have more time to do more of the things I love. In the mean time, here's something that made me very happy today. Not that I have great hopes for the future of this country, but at least I still have hope.

Shameful, Guilty Pleasure

2007-10-18T16:54:00.001-07:00

As we count down to Halloween I thought it might be fun to rock my body a little bit. C'mon Everybody ! Backstreet's back!!!!

My Secret Passion...

2007-09-25T12:02:00.000-07:00

Run, don't walk, to your nearest purveyor of Odwalla products. It's autumn and the Super Protein Pumpkin has hit the shelves again. Ahhh, Super Protein Pumpkin you make each day just a little bit brighter....

Powered Parachute Flight

2007-09-24T16:53:00.001-07:00

Here's a taste of Ivan and I did on Sunday. They had much better weather than we did.

On Mystery Dates and Dates of Mystery (slightly edited.)

2007-09-23T17:30:00.000-07:00

On Thursday, Ivan took me on the 2nd Seekrit Mystery Date! We walked downtown again with me peppering him with questions: Are we going to SAM? Are we going to ACT? Are we going to the Fishthrowers Ball? But the boy was as closed mouth as a clam during red tide.

We reached Benaroya Hall at 7:00 - our destination!- and I still had no idea what we were seeing challenged as I was by my date to figure it out myself. Lot's of people, but it's the Symphony so it's hard to define the crowd much more than 'mixed age groups'. With time to kill, we sought out a source of coffee that was not Starbucks. Walking toward 3rd Ave I read the posters on display while Ivan fielded a work call. Suddenly, it jumped out at me: Great Sci-Fi themes with special guest George "Mr. Sulu" Takei!

We had kick-ass seats 6 rows from the stage and they started the evening in the best possible way with the Theme from Star Wars. Readers of Ivan's Bike to the Burn blog will recall that this song holds a special place in his journey, but I have to tell you that for me listening to it live with a full orchestra brought up the most amazing visceral reactions and memories: I was ten years old again in the summer of 1977 watching "A long time ago in a galaxy far, far away..." scroll up the screen and I was so freaking happy I was almost in tears. Sigh...

So, anyway, George "Mr. Sulu" Takei! came out about half-way thru the first half, dapper in his black tuxedo and cheesiliciously acting the part of Mr. Sulu having just beamed down from the Enterprise to introduce one of their musically talented crew members, Lieutenant Plumley, who sang the wordless aria of the Theme From Star Trek. It was pretty cool and George "Mr. Sulu" Takei! has a fabulously sonorous voice. Overall, the evening was great. Benaroya Hall has amazing acoustics and the Seattle Symphony was in great form. The only dud in the program was that they insisted on performing the much-hated Theme from Star Trek: Enterprise. Seriously, Worst.Theme.Song.Ever. Unlike, Ivan, who is Best.Boyfriend.Ever.

So, to thank him for this bounty of Mystery Dates (#3 is happening in October), I decided to arrange a Date of Mystery! Very much like a Seekrit Mystery Date, except that I would arrange it and not tell him what it was. I hope you all appreciate the HOURS I spent with a patent lawyer hammering out that distinction. Anyway, based on an experience we had on our last full day at Burning Man and things he said afterward, I started to look for blimp/zeppelin rides. Turns out that it is impossible to arrange one unless you own your own blimp/zeppelin. But what I found was pretty freaking cool: a powered parachute ride!

Simplest explanation is that it's kind of like a go-cart with a propeller on the back and, of course, a parachute.

So this past Sunday morning, after going to bed around at midnight the evening before (damn you on-line Scrabble!), we got up at 5:30am to be on the road by 6:00. Calm winds are more common in the morning, so I needed to get him on the airfield by 7:00am

I managed to not reveal my surprise until we reached a McDonald's in Arlington near the airfield we needed to get to. Perhaps it was the leather wearing Christian bikers that inspired me to do so, but I think I was just too darn excited to hold it back any longer. As it turns out, he found out what we were doing a mere 15 minutes before he was strapped in and taking off into the misty horizon.

I went up about 30 minutes later with Mike, a former Marine helicopter pilot, and I must say there were some serious tug-of-warring going on in my mind. Reptile mind was screaming: What the fuck are you doing? Get out of the sky!!!, while rational mind was calmly observing: Oh, look! Cows! I stayed aloft (500 feet, 30 mph) for only about 15 minutes because it was overcast and really cold, otherwise I could have stayed up much longer. It's not a naturally occurring instinct for me to be up in the air (especially exposed as we were), but I can see myself getting accustomed to it with time and experience. Maybe I'll even learn to fly one myself!

The only downside to the whole thing is that, in terms of Dates of Mystery, I think I've blown my wad on this. I'm not sure I can come up with something to top it. But it sure will be fun to try...

Au revoir été!

2007-09-18T09:41:00.001-07:00

With fall officially starting in just a few days, let us take a few moments to think about summer's past with the fabulous Buddy Cole.

Burning Man review coming soon...

2007-09-13T12:58:00.000-07:00

Just wanted to say that I still plan on writing something about my first Burning Man experience but finding the time since my return has been difficult for a number of reasons. Suffice to say, it's on the agenda and I will have something sooner rather than later.

In the meantime check out the new link over there to the right: BurningCam. NK Guy is a great photographer and an equally great person who has been documenting Burning Man for a number of years now. The 2007 pictures are not yet up (I believe he has about 5000 to go thru) but you should peruse past years and check back frequently so you can get an eyeful as soon as they appear.

Happy Birthday, sicko!

2007-09-13T12:22:00.000-07:00

Yesterday was my birthday and I spent all of it pretty much like the rest of the week: being sick. I tried to get up early so I could head back to my apartment to shower and get clean clothes before going to work, and I can usually do it without an alarm clock, but at some feverish and godforsaken hour Ivan, who is also sick, was gently asking me if I'd heard him saying it was 6:30. No, I replied, to which he said something like Seems to me that you should be able to take the day off if your sick and it's your birthday. This seemed wise to me so I crawled to the living room where my cell phone was last seen and left a message for Tram that I wouldn't be in (I think my voice alone - midcentury frog- was enough to indicate the state of affairs) and then crawled back to bed where we both slept until about 11:30. I use the term 'slept' loosely here. Think 'state of unconsciousness punctuated by spasms of coughing and occasional bursts of fever.'

When I reached a state of being capable of maintaining up-rightedness, I spent the afternoon doing errands and trying not to fall asleep before heading to my doctors appointment (guess what? My vitamin D stores are kaput!). Back at Ivan's we read on the couch, had some eggs for dinner followed by pseudo-ice cream sundaes that I like to think of as this year's birthday cake, and watched a couple of episodes of The Tick.

At some point during the morning, before I left to run errands, we were sort of leaning on each other in the hallway being sick and exhausted, staring at Sally or something, and Ivan said Happy Birthday. We laughed realizing, I think, that it was going to be a sucky way to spend the day. And then he said, At least you're not dead.

Very true, obviously, and I am grateful, in general, for being blessed with reasonable good health. As birthday's go I've had worse but I think that I will start prepping for #50 - no cold, no errands, no work, and sundae's for everybody.

Nessun Dorma

2007-09-06T13:32:00.001-07:00

Luciano Pavarotti, 1935-2007

Nobody shall sleep!...
Nobody shall sleep!
Even you, o Princess,
in your cold room,
watch the stars,
that tremble with love and with hope.
But my secret is hidden within me,
my name no one shall know...
No!...No!...
On your mouth I will tell it when the light shines.
And my kiss will dissolve the silence that makes you mine!...
(No one will know his name and we must, alas, die.)
Vanish, o night!
Set, stars! Set, stars!
At dawn, I will win! I will win! I will win!

We Return From the Desert!

2007-09-05T08:06:00.001-07:00

Ivan, Mark and I made it back to Seattle last night just after sundown. We have yet to unpack the car due to Fausto the Cat's pee'ing rampage all over Ivan's apartment and the fact that we were just too darn tired. So a recap of the week will appear in a few days once I've settled back into some sort of 'normalcy' (what does that even mean?). In the meantime I have to give a huge shout out to Ivan who is not only the best boyfriend ever but one of the best human beings I know. I could have gotten thru Burning Man with other people's guidance and help but it would not have been the same due to his amazing care and attention.

Oh, my dear lord....I have no words.

2007-08-22T09:04:00.001-07:00

The Finnish band Gregorious performs a spirited rendition of the Village People's gay disco classic "YMCA" (NMKY).

Theories of Time & Space by Natasha Trethewey

2007-08-20T12:18:00.000-07:00

You can get there from here, though
there’s no going home.

Everywhere you go will be somewhere
you’ve never been. Try this:

head south on Mississippi 49, one-
by-one mile markers ticking off

another minute of your life. Follow this
to its natural conclusion – dead end

at the coast, the pier at Gulfport where
riggings of shrimp boats are loose stitches

in a sky threatening rain. Cross over
the man-made beach, 26 miles of sand

dumped on a mangrove swamp – buried
terrain of the past. Bring only

what you must carry – tome of memory
its random blank pages. On the dock

where you board the boat for Ship Island,
someone will take your picture:

the photograph – who you were –
will be waiting when you return

Warmth, Giant Black Toobs no.3

2007-08-20T12:12:00.001-07:00

I took Sally to Volunteer Park on Friday afternoon to see version 4 of this amazing installation. Sally was singularly unimpressed, but walking among these giant, undulating pieces was so amazing as to be hard to describe. They reminded me of hair, fingers, sea anemone, surreal landscape memories.

I realized later that I had only taken the smallest amount of time to wonder about how they work (somehow solar powered), allowing myself instead to just enjoy being in their presence.

Mini Ivan Report #2

2007-08-19T07:47:00.000-07:00

He has made it to Shaniko, OR - where 97 intersects with 218. He thinks he'll get to Bend, OR on M0nday.

His solar panel charger is not working as effectively as he had hoped, so his blogging may continue to be sporadic as his ride continues. I, for one, hope that he hits a good stretch of sun so that he can. Not just because it lets me know he's ok (which is a very good thing), but I really enjoy his posts from the road. They're kind of addicting :).

ETA: According to Google Maps (which I've finally figured out) he's biked 288 miles so far!

Not Suitable For Work

2007-08-17T09:02:00.000-07:00

Dear lord, I love Reggie Watts!

Sally's Big Night

2007-08-16T22:27:00.000-07:00

A couple of things you should know about me: 1) I am a sucker. 2) I am a super sucker for dogs. Knowing this now, you can probably guess that Sally has me wrapped around her paw. So it's not enough that I pet sit for her (and that fat fuck Fausto) for a week and a half, I have taken it upon myself to ensure that all of her emotional and physical needs are met and maybe even exceeded.

So this evening I loaded her up in the 'baru after work and, with Tina, took a ride over to the Magnuson Off-leash Park (with a quick stop at Tina's where she bequeathed me some possible Burning Man costumery). Sally was allowed to come in and she spent a good amount of time just sniffing around.

Once at the park I had to put Sally on the leash, which she doesn't need at all, but they have all these rules and signs everywhere that shout at you: blah blah blah leash! She was, as usual, a good sport but was so very, very excited to get her freedom once we got thru the gates. She made a bee line to the water and frolicked in her own calm, Sally way. Poor planning on my part - I forgot a stick - but she still had a lovely time swimming, smelling other dogs butts, and running about like a happy, happy puppy.

After dropping Tina off, we then headed to my place in Ballard with another quick stop - this time to Mud Bay Granary on Greenwood where I got her some high falutin', organic parmesan doggy biscuits to replace the beef berry snacks from REI that I'd been bribing her with for a while now. These biscuits definitely did the trick as she proceeded to follow me every time I headed to the kitchen where she would stare longingly at the bag of biscuits on the window sill. I was tempted to giver her more but I knew that I ran the risk of becoming more than your ordinary, run of the mill sucker if I had.

Anyway, we've been home for a little more than an hour and Sally has abandoned all pretense that she doesn't sleep on the couch when no one is looking. She's crawled up onto the end closest to the window, her head propped on the armrest, a front paw draped over a pillow. She looked right thru me when I came out of the bathroom ready to blog and she pretended not to hear me when I first gave her a half-hearted reprimand and then asked her politely to move.

So here I am, wedged in between a farty black lab to my right and a plotting, evil cat jealous of all the attention he's not getting to my left. All of us tired, nodding off, and dreaming of cheese.

If ever you are in Copenhagen...

2007-08-16T12:45:00.000-07:00

There are a number of designs and graphic elements in the rooms at Hotel Fox in Copenhagen, Denmark that I LOVE. But I don't know if I could sleep in them. Bathe. Eat. Hang out and watch DVD's. Sure. 40 winks? I'm not so sure. Check 'em out and tell me what you think.

Mini Ivan Report

2007-08-16T08:24:00.000-07:00

Brief contact with Ivan last night. Lack of sunlight for solar recharge and/or no wifi connection has made blogging difficult. He'll have more to report when he can get on-line but for those of us tracking his progress as of last night he was at Cayuse Pass (where wa-410 & wa-123 meet) and was planning on climbing it today. Hard to tell how many miles he's gone so far. I'm having trouble mapping it on Google, but MapQuest puts it at about 82 miles with a slightly different route to Enumclaw. That means roughly 638 miles to go.

Evening

2007-08-14T19:55:00.000-07:00

My first night staying alone at Ivan's. Quiet so far. Sally alternates between barking at anybody who sets foot on the porch, lying flat on the floor like a chicken getting ready for roasting, and looking at me quizzically as if to say: I know you, but where is the one with the deeper voice who is usually here? Fausto, on the other hand is napping draped over the top of the couch just to the right of my head. A paw comes out occasionally and touches my hair with soft, furry strokes.

Sensual Deprivation by Pattiann Rogers

2007-08-14T16:29:00.000-07:00

I've never held a monkey of any kind,
never smoothed the stubbled fur
of a collared titi's head or enclosed
the twig-thin bones of a spider monkey's
fingers in mine or followed the wrinkled
petal of its primrose ear by touch.

Though I've held a live chicken hen
full grown, I've never put my finger
under the feathers of an eagle's throat,
felt the kind of furious flutter
that must pass there continuously
as it sails in surges above the buttresses
of seacliffs or down the thunder
of river passes, that hot, pulsing
thudder under its skin, raging
even as it roosts, even all night
under a dissolving and rainy moon.

I've never pressed the ball of my thumb
against a common wombat's claw
or felt the spotted cuscus curl its pink,
naked tail tip around my finger
or pressed my hand to the bass-drum
barrel of a sea lion's ribs as it bellows
or let the tentacle of a short fin squid
suck to my fist.

What of essence can the eyes alone
truly perceive, those overrated, flighty
skimmers? After all, it was the hands
that invented fondling, the fingers
that created gentleness.

And I, who actually claim
to know you, have never once studied
with my finger the intricate assertion
of your inner wrist, have never found
your stance from neck to feet, every linked
furrow and tone, by touching them all,
or felt your breath as proof on my fingers
during a shrill snow closing in
on a day like this one.

What can I know, possessing now a touch
so restricted, a grasp so limited,
such ignorant hands, such poor,
deprived fingers, such a pitiful,
hampered heart?

How to build your own Hobbit Hole

2007-08-14T15:56:00.000-07:00

I'm pretty sure you don't need to live in Wales to do this.

Morning Musings

2007-08-14T08:54:00.000-07:00

It's 9:00 a.m. and, unless something untoward happened to him after leaving me at the bus stop this morning, Ivan is on the road at last. Last night I got home and there he was, puttering around his bike, arranging the last few items of gear and, although I knew he'd be there, my reaction was: "Oh. You. Are you still here?"

Maybe it wasn't such an odd reaction because for weeks he was leaving on Monday morning. Yep, gonna leave on Monday the 13th. And there was, for me, a swelling sense of sad anticipation because he was leaving on Monday and I wouldn't see him for two.whole. weeks and everything was for 'the last time'. The last time we'd eat dinner together for two whole weeks. The last time we'd fall asleep together for two whole weeks. The last time he'd make me my morning coffee for two whole weeks. The last time we'd walk Sally together for two whole weeks. And when he walked me to the bus stop on Monday morning we held hands and kissed and stood very close together because this was good bye FOR TWO WHOLE WEEKS!

(I should note here that we've been together for less than six months so, yes, it's a bit syrupy but cut me some slack.)

Anyway, next thing I know : Nope, not leaving. See you tonight. Gah!

Now don't get me wrong, I'm glad we had an additional night together but this morning coffee was just coffee, the walk to the bus stop felt kind of rushed and as we held hands I wondered if I needed more hand lotion because they were feeling kind of dry. Talk about an anticlimax.

But I've had a couple of hours to think about it now and I think it was a good thing to have happened. He's on the road and I'm no longer starry eyed about the separation. I can plant myself even more firmly in the "This is an awesome thing you're doing!" camp and look forward to reading about his adventures on his blog. I'm less likely to worry about him. And I can simply look forward to meeting up with him at BM where we can set up our tent, fall asleep together, and have morning coffee together there.

More importantly, I can focus on getting myself prepared for my first Burning Man experience: What am I going to do? What and who am I going to see? What the hell am I going to wear? I'm glad that that he'll be there with me, but I'm even more glad that I'm going at all. I have tentative plans to volunteer at a few camps so that my experience will be focused on 'me' rather than on 'us'.

At breakfast a couple of weeks ago with Mark McB and JulieP, we talked about BM as an opportunity to explore and expand one's boundaries. I would also add that it can be about examining how one experiences life. I want to go to BM with intention: to do things that I've never done before, to take risks small and large, to look at life upside down and with clothes that don't necessarily match.

Ivan is on his adventure now. Mine starts in 2 weeks.

Life is known only by those who have found a way to be comfortable with change and the unknown. Given the nature of life, there may be no security, but only adventure.

Kiwi

2007-08-13T15:09:00.001-07:00

Grab a hankie...

3..2..1...We have lift-off!

2007-08-13T08:12:00.000-07:00

Ivan leaves today for his epic 700+ miles bike ride to Burning Man. I've linked his travel blog over there to the right. You can also access it here: http://www.cockrumville.com/biketotheburn/

UPDATE! I may have been hasty in the above statement...Will keep you posted.

Le Grand Content

2007-08-12T09:35:00.001-07:00

Since I don't go to church anymore, I've started to use my Sunday mornings to ponder "LIFE". You know, the 'Big Questions', "Le Grand Content.'

Forgetfulness - Billy Collins Animated Poetry

2007-08-11T10:08:00.001-07:00

Another animated poem from Billy Collins. I love the technique employed in this one.

Puttin' on the Ritz - Young Frankenstein.

2007-08-10T10:42:00.001-07:00

The original in all its black and white glory!

Seekrit Mystery Date: Revealed!

2007-08-10T10:06:00.000-07:00

I have a cool boyfriend. Because he took me on a pretty damn good SMD: I, in my pretty summer dress, and Ivan sporting his utilikilt (with optional tiger tale) walked to the Paramount theater and saw a performance of Mel Brook's new musical "Young Frankenstein" which is playing here first before heading to Broadway. According to what Daniel the Fire Guy told us at the Georgetown Old Skool carnival back in June, Broadway producers like mounting shows first at the Paramount (Hairspray premiered here, I think) because the stage itself is rather shallow. They figure if they can make it technically work here, it'll work in any other theater it goes to. And, really, can you get any further geographically from NYC?

Anyway, it was a lot of fun although not the best musical either of us has ever seen - the first act lasted forevvvvver with 95% of the dialogue lifted directly from the movie. Only the ending was rewritten to meet the convention of a theater piece. Unsurprisingly, the best song was "Putting On the Ritz" written by Irving Berlin and they performed the hell out of it. But what made the play for me was the amazing cast - almost all multiple award winners: Roger Bart as Frankenstein, Megan Mullaly as Elizabeth, Andrea Martin(!) as Frau Blucher, Sutton Place as Inga, and Shuler Hensley as the Monster. These were actors at the top of their game turning so-so material into gold. Or silver. Without question better than regional musical theater.

Seekrit Mystery Date

2007-08-09T14:03:00.000-07:00

I'm very excited! After hours of anxious wondering, the sun has finally made an appearance and it's looking better all the time for wearing a pretty dress tonight.

"Why?" you ask.

Because Ivan is taking me on a seekrit mystery date. I think he said we were going downtown and I know he said that we are walking and I'm fairly certain that a pretty dress is not a requirement, but I've been living in jeans, shorts and tank tops all summer so it'll be a nice change of pace. Besides, how often does one get to go on a seekrit mystery date? The one concession to my usual standard of dress is that I will be wearing my brown Chuck Taylors. Because we will be walking. Maybe downtown. Maybe not. I don't know - it's a seekrit mystery date.

On the other hand, if it turns crappy again I'll have to come up with a Plan B worthy of an smd.