In the Mood..
... for some Irish Rockabilly.
More? Okay. This is one of the Steven's favorite songs:
I'm in love
8 hours ago
Wednesday, July 15, 2009
Tuesday, July 14, 2009
LSG Strikes again
Let me once again sing the praise of the Lazy Stupid Godless Group on Ravelry (for the non-knitterati, it's a website for knitters.
The LSG messageboard group is beyond awesome (the List Avatar is Johnny Cash flipping off the camera). There really is no point, other than to shoot the shit, share the grief and try to get through the day without killing anyone. Sometimes we just flash our racks and/or the latest yarn porn just amuse ourselves. Occasionally we pimp our co-workers.
The Big Issues come up pretty regularly, in between long diatribes about sex of all varieties. Today some young thing requested help with an abrupt call to return home to an alienated and unhappy family for the death of a cousin. This was her first big experience with grieving in family context.
Good stuff came out of it and she got lots of good advice and the right smattering of sympathy:
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People grieve or panic in unique ways. As far as I’m concerned, every way is right. The unspeakable tragedy: Parents losing children (even if the child is adult) are allowed to do whatever they need to do. Let ‘em.
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Make tea. Lots of tea. If someone is sobbing uncontrollably hand them a clean towel and pat their back. Kleenex just doesn’t cut it.
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Be civil. Say “thank you” a lot even when it’s completely out of context. They may find you confusing but damned if you aren't polite.
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Go for long walks and take the knitting. Magically end up at a bar for hours at a time, sipping something very slowly. When they ask “whereyabeen” say “thinking”. Refuse to elaborate.
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Manically clean or find some other big project that involves enough exertion or concentration where talking is inappropriate. Either people with shut up and pitch in or they will just leave you the fuck alone.
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Listen. Just allow people to go on and on, mentally checking out while aquiring the sterling reputation as a thoughtful and considerate family member.
Sunday, July 12, 2009
Sunday Night
I had a lovely dinner in the city with Ben, although I developed a mad crush on the waiter with odd glasses, a substantial nose and a rather dapper hat. Ben is always charming, funny and somewhat shocking; even when he is miserable and mistreated he can make me choke on my own beverage. And San Francisco was lovely, lovely.
Here at Casa del Leiderhosen we are about 50% packed. With my closet emptied I can see what a perfectly appropriate garret bedroom it might have made. I have four boxes of evening clothes and two big boxes of vintage wool coats and could not tell you why. The next big packing task will be the kitchen and then the studio. All the same, we have two weekends left to get it all done.
Friday, July 10, 2009
Lessons I have had today before 9 AM.
- Never discuss yarn stash in bed.
- Never negotiate theoretical space while naked.
- When your darling friends offer to help you move, ask for boxes. Lots of them. And then step aside.
- When you pass on your blog url, dont' forget that little search box in the upper corner; at some point everyone will search for themselves in the cybersphere. ("Jeff Bui, Jeff Bui, Jeff Bui." I owe him a pair of socks and possibly a red shiny toaster.)
Thursday, July 09, 2009
the new digs
The new (rented) digs; it's the most beautiful house. It probably didn't look nearly as good when it was brand new. Smokin' kitchen with a gas gas gas range!!!!
I'm putting these up so I can ogle them at will, the carrot at the end of a month-long stick.
'Gator Tears
As I was once again hauling out all the trash barrels yesterday, Barbara accosted me and wanted to know that if we'd stay if the 8% increase in rent were not to happen. I told her that I sympathize with her fiscal plight these days and know how she badly she needs that extra income...
At this point her body language went all wonky. She'd not make eye contact and shifted her weight, fiddled with her hands and said oh no, she's gonna do a reverse mortgage or ...
Great. She was juicing us. It was pretty clear.
I told her things were in motion for the new place and we were going to leave as of the thirty-first. Now I can hardly wait, but I have to get the last month's rent back from her as well as the security deposit. Any bets on how that'll go?
This is an image from Jessica's wedding. The lovely Casey on the right was taking me for a spin on the grass. She is an exceptionally graceful dancer and good sport. (We need to find her a new girlfriend.)
Wednesday, July 08, 2009
Back Again, Still Busy.
Hi, Sweetness.
It's been a while.
Last night Steven and I signed 23 pages of lease agreements on the new digs with Andy and Edrich (the handsome landlords). What will be their new monkiers? "Captain LandLords"? They really are very pretty and sweet men.
So after they left, I had to have the inevitable word with Barbara and give her notice as it is already into our final month. She wept, playfully cussed me out, then burst into full fledged tears.
Already, I have volunteers from the East Bay Lesbian Knitters Guild and Straight Girl Contingent to help move. Are they not the loveliest people ever?!
UPDATES on things that have kept me busy:
- Jessica and Dan are now married! It was fabulous! The bride was scrumptious!
- Steven had nose surgery; it went well.
- Steven and I went for a long Fourth of July Weekend at Sea Ranch.
- I like my iPhone.
In confronting all my stuff:
- All my plates are chipped. (Okay, they are all from the 1950s.
- I hate my shelves; very early1990s. Frighteningly, Crate and Barrel have brought them back.
- The new house is built around a gorgeous kitchen. It's apparently built for social events. I may have to change my ways.
Tuesday, June 30, 2009
New Bat Channel
My new favorite website: Crime Reports. I promise not to take anything too seriously.
Friday, June 12, 2009
Friday, June 05, 2009
The Bright Light of the Work Monitor
That might have been a disturbed last post. I really have no excuse other than I sometimes use melatonin supplements as recreational entertainment.
Most random deities neither confirm, deny nor approve this message, pretty much because they are working on their fourth beer of the morning.
A Most Extraordinary 2:55 AM
Most fantastic dream. Superhero metaphor/date with God/dress rehearsal fiasco/fantastic finale/minor enlightenment. (note to self: we need toothpaste).
It was utterly capital A Awesome. This isn't usually the critique when one wakes up naked standing on the porch at 2:58 AM, hoping your unconscious remembered to unlock the knob on the way out. Yes, it did. Good.
Absolutely fantastic. Lucky me.
The Divine did mention the intention is for you to be happy; it just involves participation and effort. Deep 3:11 AM bows and thanks all 'round.
Gosh, this iPhone throws off so much light. Shiny.
Wednesday, June 03, 2009
Tuesday, May 26, 2009
Monday, May 25, 2009
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