things that disturb me

music: none
mood: peppy

I was productive today, but these are the kinds of days when you wish you didn't have to go anywhere and you could just continue to do what you are doing. Alas....off to a rehearsal after just a few more checks off the old list. Laptop is fixed but still vacationing at the sap ( aka chris's) until I can pick it up and test her out so in liu of my jury duty...I know it's getting boring waiting...blog, two thins I have notice that disturb me greatly.

1) the line at the In and Out Burger drive through in mt.view. Late at night, on holidays, no matter when it seems ALWAYS have a HUGE line. VERY strange. I have had a burger there, you only have 2 choices, burger or cheese burger and they aren't that good and they have bible passage references on the bottom of thier cups. It's like some da vinci code. Very weird...and need I say again...disturbing.

2) When my cell phone is on my desk near my computer, just before I hear it wring, my screen will go all wavey. This REALLY disturbs me. If it is doing that to my computer what is it doing to my brain when I talk and my pelvis when it's in my pocket and rings. hmmm. very very very disturbing.

Alright..off like a prom dress...

Have a good one!
princess on 01.31.05 @ 06:03 PM PST [link]

Friday, January 28th

HAAAUNNNNTTTEEEDD!

music: cuba!
mood: restless

Okay, so I started writing my blog about jury duty, the ultimate reality show on Wednesday night with the intent of finishing it and posting it Thursday and my laptop has decided not to boot. It's not happy with me, nor I with it, but thus the relationship I seem to have with appliances despite my fascination and appreciation of them. So Jury will have to wait until the tech gods have recieved their offering of dead batteries, frys reciepts monitor wipes. Gremlins at work perhaps. Conspiracy, maybe or GHOSTS!!! I hate to think I have moved into a haunted house but I had a weird weird weird thing happen last night and I'm not sure what to think.

I have always slept better in a warm room , but I very much need air, so I often will open a window, put pile on the blankets. Burrowing effect of sorts. I am also fond of the sound of rain and maybe as much as having the natural background as thinking that if a big tree falls if the window is open I will hear it before it crushes me allowing me to escape when it rains I often open the window. I was all comfty in bed just after mindight and I thought, yes, I would very much like my window open. And so as you might imagine, I did. Even though I risked losing that perfect spot in bed, I reached over and opening it a good 4 inches. What I presume to be several hours later, I woke up and though, it's kind of cold in here, I better close the window. But the window was already closed. Now several things could have happened....

1) I already closed it in my sleep. Possilbe but I didn't even have a DREAM that I closed it. No recollection at all.

2) Someone or someTHING closed it for me. I don't like to think that i would sleep through that, my room is a landmind right now with boxes and such and I have noisy blinds. I didn't see any dead people but somehow that window got closed and I don't think it was me. The extra cold air in the room, and the fact that I can't quite close my closet yet makes me think it possible one is living there, but why it would close my window....I don't know. Maybe it was cold. And being dead or not alive rather...hmmm. I will keep you posted on any other unexplained occurances that follow and in the meantine if any one knows the number for a paranormal scientist...I would be interested.

3) The wind could have closed it from the outside. riiiiiiigggghhtt.

4) The house slanted in the night enough for it to close its self.

5) I closed it telekenticly. Now this would be cool if I could control it, and prove it. Neither can be as such, perhpas more practice is required.

6) I used up a wish from a genie that I didn't even know I had. I better be VERY careful in case I get three like the books say....I will let you know if I have any success with this....

Until Monday, unless I get my computer working again...

princess on 01.28.05 @ 04:56 PM PST [link]

Wednesday, January 26th

Kareoke Protocol

music: None
mood: Tired

Okay, I'm not sure I have ranted about this before but in case we are lacking any rants, here's a good one.

Kareoke, from the japanese meaning pay attention to me. It's pretty easy. Here's the idea. You put slips of paper in order, you get a cd out, you press play, you get the next one lined up. Some say it is an art, and I don't totally disagree but djing kareoke is not rocket science. Here are some good ways to piss off your kareoke clients and some advice on how to improv your relationship with them.

1) know your audience. In general, those that get on stage to sing in front of strangers enjoy attention believe it or not, and are not the most patient people by nature. They take in the atmosphere but in general, a bunch of mic hogs. SO, doing a song yourself in between every other song....not so appreciated. If there is a lull, great. Want to get in the queue and wait your turn, super. Opening and closing, fine, but there is perhaps no quicker way to enrage a bunch of kareoke goers than to hog the mic yourself. Particularly with neil diamond, and not very good or even interesting interpretations at that.

2) Do not lose a persons personal disc. If they kick ass enough to not need the words and are hard core enough to dis your crappy selection and bring their own songs, do them the courtesy of not "misplacing it" and when you do inevitably misplace it because you are smoking too much crack, don't stop the flow all together for 10 minutes looking for it. You've heard this chic sing this song every week for 3 months, you need not apear rivetted DURING the song, thus allowing redeption in finding the CD and not bringing the 3 hours of non stop fun....to a stop.

3) don't smoke crack and try to dj at the same time. Kareoke, the anti drug.

4) Do not have the music so flippin loud that your audience can't hear anything. Try to balance if you can the volume of the music coming through your ridiculous speakers with the mic and the singer. Some minor socializing and conversation should be able to take place and making your audiences head explode is not going to keep them coming back, nor produce optimal singing experiences.

5) It is realy a one man job. you can have a switch hitter if you need a break to keep the flow as we say, but no more than 2 behind the control table. Again, not rocket scientist and too many cooks....

6) Don't skip people. You may have the controls, but this is not your house, and this is not your party, you are presumably paid to provide a service for the kareoke community. Don't abuse this position please. If I put three songs in right at 9:30 and get my first song sung at 9:45 and then watch 2 hours go by and many people be rotated and yet no second song, this will annoy me. Especially because I refuse to pay money for a second beer that I don't need, and becuase by waiting there and waiting there I have had to endure freaky pub crawlers trying to buy me drinks and proposing marriage. I could at least be listening to people sing, except my ears are already bleeding from the obscene volume. Am I getting old?

7) Be an equal opportunity encourager. Don't dis the people who have the guts but not the talent. Let them be in line like the rest. They paid for their Beer, they are there to sing. Don't be hatin', kay?

So the moral of the story I suppose, is stick to the small dives with the freaky clientle, cause the Kings Head has 1 major strike that makes me reluctant to try it again any time soon. Which I guess makes the winner of the week the Almaden lounge, who even though its been a few weeks since I have been, proves to be consistant in their ettiquette.

Jury Duty the Reality show and Newly Aquired Tongue Skills in the next installment I promise....
princess on 01.26.05 @ 04:19 PM PST [link]

Sunday, January 23rd

Home is where your heart is.

music: fire in the fireplace.
mood: suitable somber

I�ve had a lot of questions about my new residence and so I suppose since it is now official, real, and I am sleeping her now, I can disclose some information on my new living arrangements. I am not very far from where I once was (physically, but maybe mentally too). In looking for a new place it was important to me for to have a view and particularly the same view. Physically. I am of course trying to have a different mental view. I wanted t be able to see my hill the one I fell in love with and the one I lived by while falling in love. And so, with the help of timing (thanks a lot, where were you months ago) and craigslist I chanced into a place that meets my hill on a hill of it�s own. From the backyard, to my right, suburbia laced with palm trees, and to my left�.my hill. My beautiful green hill. Complete with Coyotes. The cul de sac provides peace and quite, a fun drive for my jeep and space without distance if that makes any sense. The princess has arrived at 6243 Royal Oak Court, San Jose, 95123. The phone number spells out BAG-BITE, but I use my cell phone anyway to save on utilities.

The house its self is very large and well stocked with the modern conveniences. It seems a house of pairs. Two stories, two fire places (and HUGE stockpiles of wood to feed a fire almost every night), two fridges, a two car garage, two living rooms. Lots of twos for a one. The kitchen is large and the TV and sound system nearly as cool as my prior residence. The living room is even red. I have always wanted a red room. I have always been of the opinion that every house should have at least one room that is red. There is a fresh vegetable garden, lots of fruit trees, a beautiful deck with a large gas heater hooked up to the house, a state of the art BBQ, and a pool. Summer will be a treat.

My room is small, but nice and I have a great bathroom with a tub all to myself, so one of these days when I get a chance I can relax in the tub, and soak my sorrow away. The walls in the house warm and modern, a very open high ceiling, uniquely lit, well decorated, full of arches, candles, and in general good vibes.

Vibe contributors:

Andre (Andy) Sosinski. 37. Polish. Leo. Home owner. He moved from Poland to up state New York when he was 12. Because of certain political circumstances his mother did not tell him he was moving to America. He packed for a vacation and when he arrived his parents explained he wasn�t going back. He left friends, and toys behind and started school the next month without speaking any English. He moved to San Jose a few years later and his parents and sister still live blocks away from him. He is very intelligent, very handy (he has done all the remodeling in the house himself, including tiling and hooking up various appliances) and easy on the eyes. He has a great sense of humor and philosophical look on life. Argumentative and easy going at the same time. His eyes sparkle with pacifist mischief. All 6 foot 4 of him is adventure. He was a champion para-glider and was a paraglide instructor for a long time. He like the outdoors and fine food, and though he is the land lord, he made it clear from the start, this home is not his, it�s a democracy. He is allergic to caffeine pills, has been to burning man 3 or 4 years running and is a fascinating creature. I enjoy our philosophical conversations.

His girlfriend of the last 3+ years Vika (Victoria) was once married to a Persian man. She is no longer. She is a gorgeous, Ukrainian 29 year old and is full of life. She has an infectious laugh and loves HER cat. She is feisty and always looks her best. She moved to the US from the Ukraine when she was 15. A persecuted jew, they found a bit of freedom here. It was love at first site, though in a very odd situation for Andre and Vika. They are fiery, open, honest people who have apparently had MAJOR ups and downs in their time together. They seem happy though and used to dealing with their personalities. Vika fully admits to the fact that since she did not graduate from college she sometimes is made to feel inferior. She doesn�t know silly trivia and doesn�t retain useless facts, but she can keep up with the best of them as far as conversation.

Salim is a Lebonese/ Mexican/ French American, from Seattle. A transport from the great state of Washington less than 6 months ago. His parents live on Greenwood Street in Seattle. He currently runs the Valet service at the Marriott in San Jose. He once parked my car for an arts council event months before I met him. He is all the stereotypes one might associate with a young musician from Seattle and I will incriminate this very pleasant young man no further. He has guitars and skateboards and is rarely around (new girlfriend) but when I do seem him, he is cheerful. I can sometimes hear his video games at night. He is 28 I believe, but living younger. He hates confrontation and is a private kind of guy. He looks kind of like a young Omar Sharif.

The kitty, Mahsha, is small and very friendly. No replacement for a dog by any means (though less slobbery), and certainly yet another thing to share, but a cute ball of fur none the less. Better to have fur than not.

Besides our bedrooms and three bathrooms, there is also a guest room, so feel free to make a stop over anytime. The four of us enjoy watching movies and so far we have seen Troy, Napoleon Dynamite and The Village. We are content to chat over wine, veg with a movie or go to our separate spaces and do what we do. We are night owls and busy bees but cherish the time that makes the house a home. They are open and supportive, and sometimes a bit crazy, but having lived in a party house it doesn�t phase me much now. I know this will be a good place for me one day when I can come to grips with why I am here. Hopefully that will be before my housewarming/30th birthday party on Saturday, March 12th. Mark your calendars now, as it will be yet another transition I will want every one of you at.

It�s time for bed so my third and final installment on Jury Duty will have to wait until I come up for air again. I feel a handle with care label has been self imposed but that only means be careful, not be absent. I know I don�t usually ask, but I could use some care I think. I�ve just about used all I have on others right now. Don�t be strangers.
princess on 01.23.05 @ 10:41 PM PST [link]

Triple play...1st of three tonight...

music: Dogma on TV
mood: relaxed

My first of three entries tonight a catch up from the past busy week and a head start for the week ahead which will also prove to be a busy one....

This my political rant. I know I don't bent nearly as much as I ought or could but I have an issue...It took something like 3 days for Bush to make a statement and a pledge for aide on the Tsumani in Asia... but not more than a few hours after the death of Johnny carson this was released....

Laura and I are saddened by the death of Johnny Carson. Born in Iowa and raised in Nebraska, Johnny Carson was a steady and reassuring presence in homes across America for three decades. His wit and insight made Americans laugh and think and had a profound influence on American life and entertainment. He was a patriot who served in the United States Navy during World War II and always remembered his roots in the heartland of America. We send our prayers and condolences to the entire Carson family.

Kiss my ass George.

Thank you.

princess on 01.23.05 @ 06:14 PM PST [link]

Wednesday, January 19th

Tip of the Iceberg

music: Washing Machine
mood: Sleepy and drained

I know you have been on the edge of your seat...well I was anyway....I have not the constitution to write any real details yet about the trial, which did end today, but it would be unfair to not give you some of the gossip...

so a few facts to tide you over....YES, I was foreperson ( foreprincess, not to be confused with foreskin, thank you very much) no one else volunteered, and lets face it, there is noone better at playing devils advocate. I felt a bit like the apprenctice, in theory it's something I would be good at, but the you realize, you don't actually know what you are doing and don'thave any experience. I was diplomatic, efficent, just, took suggestions, made excellent arguments to make sure we had considered all the facts and options and in the end we delivered 2 guilty verdicts for the count of reckless driving with intent to evade a police officer (felony) and possession of a firearm.

Not to spoil it for you when I get to relating the most interesting bits, but this was actually a big case, because of the current 3 strikes law. This defendent among MANY other things, been convicted since 1978 of 9 felonies including attempted murder, child molestation/lewd and lescivious acts with a child under 14 (11 to be exact) , involuntary man slaughter (shot his 25 year old girlfriend) and 2 counts of attempted murder. He served 3 separate prision terms in san quentin and folsom prisions and so on and so forth, MUCH more on all this and how it does and does not relate to the case we decided on.

I was compensated a total of $25.50 for 4 of the 5 full days of service, and am negotiating pay instead of taking vacation time at work.

I have been having sugar FITS. My grandfather had a theory ( he was a brain surgeon) that smart people required more sugar...as a girl with a sweet tooth I certainly can subscribe to that and during times like this when I am over stimulated mentally and absorbing so much on so many levels, I find I can not get enough sugar. I crave not just soda or chocolate, but the really disgusting candy like jolly ranchers, pure artificial sugar. My teeth are paying the price but I try to stop my brain with things like Elimidate and solitaire. As soon as I can get this blog out of my head maybe I can go back to healthier choices for my sweet tooth.

And finally, for now, I will say, overall, the experience has been very well timed. In a week when I openly admitted I was a tough and judgmental person, I was put in a situation where I was instructed NOT to form an opinion until I had heard all the facts ( and lots of HOLES in facts). I felt good about our decision, though I think we need some serious prision reform. I don't have answers but someone out there must....

until I can purge this experience, stay safe, it's a jungle out there.
princess on 01.19.05 @ 12:07 AM PST [link]

Monday, January 17th

Golden Globe Top 5

music: None
mood: clogged

Well, I've been painting, cleaning, packing, goobering and decorating today and I feel like I have paint and dust in ever pore. My solace will be a shower shortly, followed by a dip in the hot tub and then glorious sleep before Jury duty at the butt crack of dawn. I'm so sure you wanted to know...but, I wanted to write a short blog about the Golden Globes. I like the globes about as much as the oascras. I no longer get upset about what wins and what doesn't though I still root for my favorites. Here are the top five moments from the 3 plus hour broadcast.

5) Jamie foxx's speech. Waht a great guy. I imagine he's been on the edge for a while and is probably one drink or one misdemeanor away from being just another sad story and yet he is such an intelligent, articulate, and talented star. I say this based on 1 interview I have seen and a few clips. Compelling young man, thankful, sinceere and his speech was not self centered at all.He gave props to EVERYone, and mostly Ray Charles,as well he should. Great speech and they didn't cut him off. Little music, little humor, lots of humility, and even a brief moment of being choked up. ?He deserved the standing ovation clearly.

4) Prince being introduce as Prince. I thought he was the artist formerly known as prince. I pride myself in being up to speed on these things, but he may be one celebrity that I can't keep up with.

3)Mick Jagger. He won for some song that is the soundtrck for some movie now. Don't know the title, doesn't matter. He was the first celebrity on the stage (and this was a good 2 hours into the broadcast) that got the crowds to scream. Once a rockstar, always a rockstar. His trademark stance was in attendence, his smile, a joke about all his kids ( IMDB reveals he has 7 kids by 4 different women) and he looks the same age he has foir the last 20 years. Mick, I never much though of you as a hottie, but you can hang out with me any day.( He also was the first of many NED KELLY related people to present or recieve awards... Niami Watts, Geoffrey Rush and a few others kept popping up)

2) Robin Williams recieveing his Cecil B lifetime achievment award and acknowledging his wife and 3 children. " Interesting being married to a comedian" he said. And she was gracious and wonderful and smiled and you wonder, how they make that work with all his energy and spaz. And you could tell it it just did.

1) William Shatner. He is just so random. He wins for I don't even know and what does he do when he gets up there... he looks at his golden globe and says..."William Shatner" like only he can say. I laughed out loud. What a space cadet. But he's my hero. I actually have him as my ring tone saying " Pick up the phone, pick up the phone you fool!" It's great. And so is he.

The party foul goes to Geoffry Rush. I don't know what sort of fight he and his wife jane (presumably the woman next to him that he "kissed" ) but she was NOT happy. Not a smile, not a clap hardly an acknowledgment when his name was announced for his life of peter Sellers movie. AND, what made it even worse was that after the such obvious tention he accepts the awrd from the hot chicks from Desparate Housewives and says out loud " Boy, that's the best part". Now I know it's just speculation but having been in close proximity to various Australians, I wager he was just being a regular Australian Boy, with drinks, and hot women, and him being a star, but not a star tlike Jude Law or pretty boy dicaprio, he probably got a little full of himself and offended the "am I chop liver" woman on his right. But he won, so let him have his fantasy and check out the hot men in the room....I hear Brad Pitt is now available....

And there you have it....one day I will be on the red carpet with these tidbit yes?

princess on 01.17.05 @ 08:30 PM PST [link]

Friday, January 14th

Duty doody

music: Entertainment TV
mood: Anticipating a long night, but looking forward to a good sleep when I get there

So, as much as I wanted to share with you the juicy details of this court case, we couldn�t seem to get through to the deliberation and thus Tuesday I am needed again, for a 5th day. I will most likely spend my MLK holiday at artsopolis trying to warp up some work things and prep for another day of absence. Lots of work and projects this weekend, not a lot of breathing room, but you can be sure no matter how late I am up tonight, I am going to turn my alarm off and sleep in. (Read: do not call me before 10:30am).

As far as the court goes, today was a lot of waiting (not my favorite thing in the world, duh) but I got a lot of reading done. My camera phone is not allowed in the court house, so I couldn�t multitask too much, but reading is a good thing. The big bomb that dropped today, two words�prior convictions. That was the teaser, no more. You will have to wait for the debriefing HOPEFULLY Tuesday night or Wednesday if I am otherwise occupied. Very interesting process, really enjoying it, just running a bit ragged and weepy with all that�s going on. Bear missed going to work this week, but I haven�t forgiven him for stealing my breakfast burrito out of my bag Monday ( WITH THE SARAN WARP!) so he can stand to cope with a little less than first class treatment.

Alright kids, stay tuned�more dish to dish later on�

princess on 01.14.05 @ 07:35 PM PST [link]

Thursday, January 13th

Jury Duty

music: None
mood: Over stimulated intellectually...burn out to follow post hottub

So, I started my exciting civic Duty with the Jury selection process taking longer than the actual trial is expected to last. This is a comfort in a way, though a jury of your �peers� is a very loose term. Since the case has not been decided yet I can�t discuss any details but I have plenty of interesting observations about the judicial process so far. Here is the breakdown of the pros and cons I have noted.

Pros: I feel as if I have won something. Like I wasn�t voted off the island. Like I made it to the Olympic team. I know a lot of people don�t want to serve,and truth be known this ha thrown a bit of a wrench into my already overloaded schedule, but really, I� was excited. You never know why you were or were not chosen, but some annoying people were cut early and so I feel I am elite. Of the original 18 jurors in the box, I was one of only 4 that made the final jury and they went through about 30 people.

When I was being sworn in I felt important (except I couldn�t figure out, with no cameras in the court WHAT we were swearing on and what they would do if you didn�t swear, I mean if I didn�t say � I do� what would they have done? If you are getting married and you don�t say I do, I suppose you aren�t married. Or are you. But I wonder if I can�t commit purgory if I never said I do. I did, but I hesitated.) So yeah, standing up there I felt good. Important. Not maybe as important as the judge felt every time we �rose�, which is way cool. I think I will instate that as a royal decree and have my friends and coworkers stand up when I enter a room. AND I would like a uniformed person to announce my arrival, that�s pretty cool too. Might get old, but it would be a nice change. I�ll work on it.

Pros: My fellow jurors are a fun and diverse bunch. They could be a lot more diverse, but I was somewhat surprised at the demographic. 12 jurors and we have 8 women, 4 men, an age range of about 55 years I would say, 1 African American, 1 Indian, 2 Asians,1 Hispanic and various white folks, and a wide range of professions and home towns. I am one of only two single people on the jury and about 2/3rds of the jury have children. Our Judge and Defense Attorney are African American Females, and the Defendant himself is African American. So from a sociological standpoint I am loving the analysis.

Con: I can not ask questions. Close to torture for Susannah to be sitting in a room and not be able to speak, clarify or cross examine. My friend Laurina among others thought I would make a good lawyer. I beg to differ. I could never argue for anyone guilty. I also might have a problem not getting emotional. These lawyers are working hard. They have to listen hard and think fast and take lots of notes�too much pressure, I do admire their work. The lawyers know a lot more than we do and being inquisitive and of an analytical nature, we are not given the big picture. We are not told why this case is 6 years old, we are not told if the defendant has prior convictions, we can�t look at the police reports and though this is for the defendents protection, I still feel like I�m missing a lot. How can I judege whether people are telling the truth without all the clues. I pay a lot of attention to when the Defense �objects� to certain lines of questioning and how the lawyers react silently to witness� testimony. Still a lot of listening and no inquiry makes it a definite test of patience for this director. I�m tempted sometimes. What�s the worst that could happen if I just raised my hand?

Con: Stairs. 4 flights up and 4 flights down to the courtroom twice a day. This is actually probably a good thing, but at present my thighs are not speaking to me. Which when you think about it, is a good thing, cause I might have nightmares if my thighs could actually talk. And then again, I might be a rich girl if they could write what they have seen.Red door. Enough about my thighs.

Con: The early morning commute, I could do without. I�m not sure when the summons came to San Jose, why I serve in the Palo Alto, but 85 is a bloody nightmare even when the weather is good, and for a girl that gets out of bed just before 9 on most days, and goes to bed around 1 or 2 most nights, hauling my butt out the DOOR at 7:30am to make it to the Courthouse by 9 is less than desirable. No matter, I can�t complain, it�s not for long, it could be earlier, and it�s like voting, it�s a privlege and a good experience.

Con: The temperature from the courtroom to the waiting room (where we recess and have lunch, I like that they call it recess, but there is no sandbox or jungle gym for those of you curious) is about 15 degrees apart. We are talking about 75 degrees (I checked the thermostat) in the waiting room and close to 60 in the courtroom. At least I won�t fall asleep in court.=]

Here are some interesting observations, again no details yet, but I think these are acceptable for now.

The Defendant is left handed.

The stenographer has headphones so that when the lawyers or prospective jury members approach the bench for a private session, she can hear through a mic on the bench what is being discussed and still take down the dialogue for the record. ( I am tempted to yell out �NO SECRETS� when they do that. But I don�t. Lots of oppression this week

The winner of the week by the way�the stenographer, I don�t know HOW she does it! She better get paid a fortune, with people talking so quick and lawyers interjecting, and volume being variable and accents and grammer�.holy cow, dude, she rocks.

WE are all given notebooks to write notes and pencils, BUT they can�t leave the courtroom and our note will be destroyed afterwards. I would love to be the one to see all the doodles people are drawing and �destroy� them.

I�m hoping I get to be foreman, I would see that as an accomplishment I think. We won�t get to that until tomorrow or maybe Monday though. But If I did get to be foreman ) fore woman for you progressive people) it would be like I was a real princess in a way. And that is what I have always wanted to be if I grow up. Oh except then maybe that would mean that I grew up, and that would be weird. Tempted once again to wear my tiara. That might be taken the wrong way. It rarely is taken the right way, but it might be taken really the wrong way. I�ll wear my invisible one.

The defense attorney made an excellent argument in the pre-selection process to have an acquaintance of hers on the jury. It came to the surface during questioning that the juror was a member of the lawyers book club. It came out that they were meeting on Saturday, potentially in the middle of the trial for a book club meeting. The prosecuting attorney of course objected and when called to challenge the challenge she provided the following.

You are a member of our book club (yes). You are also an attorney (yes) and when you passed the bar you were sworn to uphold the laws and honor the confidentiality of the lawyers oath (yes) and was the book we read last month the book I chose (yes) and you did not like the book is that correct (yes) and you were quite vocal about your opinion (yes I was) and did our friendship influence your opinion of the book or your choice to voice your opinion. (no) and do you think us being social acquaintances, will effect your opinon of the testimony heard.(no) and you will uphold your oath (yes). He got booted off, but it was interesting and a very clever good point.

A sign in the courtroom read verbetum: �The following is not allowed in the courtroom: Gum chewing, food, drink, newspapers, talking or sleeping.� Now I understand most of these, but how can you not talk in a court room? And isn�t it a BIT harsh to mention sleeping? I mean if you want to make a case, MAKE A CASE. I think if your jurors fall asleep, you deserve to lose the case. And can I have gum if I am not chewing it?

So more later�specifics and more drama this weekend�.have a good one, enjoy the finally dry though chilly whether for those of you in California, and for the rest of you�I imagine you hardly notice winter. =]

princess on 01.13.05 @ 08:47 PM PST [link]

Monday, January 10th

Gnomies on the loose and civic duty

music: News of mudslides
mood: grrrr

Well maybe it�s the weather flooding them out of their ground holes, maybe it�s the fact that I have stirred their indoor dwellings by shifting out furniture and sucking up all the little paperclip and cough drop wrapper treasures about the room, but the Gnomies are out in SERIOUS force. They are not please. They are brutal. That have infiltrated every aspect of my life at the moment. Saturdays move went fairly. It didn�t rain as much as it was supposed to, held off long enough for Some WONDERFUL friends to help load box after box in to the Uhaul. Anu, Gaurav, Michael and Cheryl, you all rock. Thank you so much. I was validated not only by your presence, but also by your reaction to the new place and my roommates. I�m glad you liked it as much as I did. I hope you aren�t too sore. Now here is where the gnomies started toying. I had moved Chris�s Saleen Mustang out of the Garage like a good and responsible girl so I wouldn�t scratch it while getting my stuff out of the garage. Point for me. AND I got it out of the garage (very narrowly parked) without any problems. Get all my stuff out and before I do anything else I go to put the car back in the garage so it doesn�t get wet or have the wheels stolen (again). But the remote won�t unlock the doors. LOOOOONGGG story shorter, after trying every possible thing I can, and setting the alarm off several times, I can not move the car. And because of the slanted driveway I can�t put it in neutral and get it in the drive way. And I�m freaking because it�s a sweet ride, and about a year ago, in the middle of the night, while it sat in the drive way less than 20 feet from two sleeping people and a dog, AND a light motion sensor, the wheels and turbo charger were stolen. And this would not be a good thing to advertise it out on the street. BUT, the truck is due back at 6 so I have to pause and deal with it later.

We loaded, (I hit my knee on the hitch, NICE bruise) made it to the new house and unloaded in less the 2 hours. While I took a bit of time to sort and arrange just a few things, and Cheryl and Michael took a breather, Anu and Gaurav borrowed the truck to go pick up a painting. AS they were pulling out of the very small driveway in the cul de sac we watched in horror as the back right bumper of the truck JUST barely missed not hitting the rear light of a minivan parked just the right of the driveway. Plastic crunching. It�s a sound you do NOT want to hear, especially when you opted NOT to splurge for the extra $14 insurance to cover any damage. They nickel and dime you as it is at Uhaul and though and though it proved invaluable, I HAD to keep it under $100. The van light was broken and there was a slight scrape on the paint job, but a lot less damage than it sounded and looked like as we scream in slow motion NOOOOOOOOOOOO! The 17 foot truck is really a different monster to drive (I was VERY happy to get my zippy yellow jeep back with a turning radius, proper mirrors and some pick up.) So, I called Anu to let her know they had hit the other car and to check for damage on the truck. Luckily nothing major or otherwise to the Uhaul so Anu set me to task to find out who the van belonged to and she would take care of it with her insurance agent. SO, turns out it is one of my roommates fathers car that they are selling for him�they were very cool about it though, worked it all out, Anu bonded over a drink while I returned the truck which we though had a broken back latch, but it turns out the ramp wasn�t in all the way. Anu gave the roomies thumbs up. There was a promise of teaching how to make Indian food later on as �payback� and all was well. Exhausted, I chilled outside on my new deck for a bit, had some wine and watched Troy. Which SUCKED! � a rutger hauer for all the brilliant Australian actors (3) and a brief hot sex scene, but I won�t even go in to the gross historical inaccuracies. Vomit. Funny too we watched it on the day that Brad Pitt and Jennifer Anniston broke up, but we had blast making fun of the movie for sure and fought over the cat.

SO I get home and after not sleeping all night because there is a car outside with steal me or have a tree fall on me written all over it, I try to waste time by doing research on Ancient Greece the Gnomies have TRASHED my laptop. Won�t reboot, won�t let me F8 and do a safe boot, won�t let me do anything. Rotten little boogers. THEN, I go to my audition and the place is dark. I think oh crap, I have the wrong location. No, I�m just a retard, I have the wrong date. Now I have NEVER done that. I can seriously not remember certain time I have showed up someplace on the wrong date. I swore it was the 16th and I SWORE it was on my calendar as this weekend. ANYWAY, that got all straightened out. Today I call the jury duty hotline and where as I thought because I had a pretty high group number I wouldn�t be picked, I am in fact the LAST one to be called today and arrive in Palo Alto at 2:30. I wait, we go into the courtroom, and at 4:00 she excuses us, but we have to be back in Palo alto at 9am. I don�t get out of bed until 8:45 on most mornings, and so the gnomies no doubt will have fun getting me up at the crack of dawn, in the rain for at least an hour commute. Actually it�s a jury I would love to serve on, but it�s supposed to take 8 days, and with all that is going on, it would probably kill me, and I need the money this month badly. Good thing I got gas already, nearly ran out today with that little unexpected time sensitive detour to the courthouse.

Happy ending about Chris�s Car though. A neighbor came over and jumped it ( I mean that in the non sexual way thank you very much) and it started just fine. Safe and sound in the Garage, very funny too because there were about 5 coyotes yipping and howling JUST as I closed the garage door. They were either happy it was done, or sad cause they were going to take it for a joy ride. AND because I am a goober goddess, I did a last good configuration reboot on my laptop and after a couple of tweekages I fixed it. Yeah. Alright, shower time�.try to stay dry and warm wherever you are� more on my court experience tomorrow if there is time�.

princess on 01.10.05 @ 11:05 PM PST [link]

Friday, January 7th

ALERT

music: NONE
mood: EXcited!

THIS JUST IN...

The hillside has been taken over by frogs. The sound is almost defening. It would appear that all the rain has filled the ponds, fountians and created a virtual plethora of tadpole nurseries which simulatneously had all the frogs evolve and emerge from their tadpole states. It's great! I'd go exploring but I am afraid I will step on them. Anyway, good to have some sign of nature back in this neck of the woods.

"Storm of the century" is supposed to be on it's way tonight, wind advisories and all that. Too bad I picked this weekend to move. Imagine this weekend a little redheaded girl moving boxes into a uhaul, cold and drenched, and at the end of the day sore. Let's hope I stay vertical and the boxes keep my stuff dry in transit. I'm all ready for a black out. Fire in the fireplace ready to go just in case, candles about, good book and blankets in place....lots of wine for fortitude...hope we get a blackout and I'm looking for some serious lighting...haven't seen that in a while. i have a hunch it will be too chilly, but could be an adventure. Stay safe out there.

Rehearsals for No exit which I am stage managing are now underway, the New pear show that I do tickets and house managing coordination for opens in two weeks, so that is full speed, and I am helping to coordinate the book table and props for the Tabard show. This and i have an Audition on Sunday AND was contacted about an "artist interview" film job that I responded to. This I don't want to get my hopes up for but it is SO up my alley. They are looking for a female 25-35 to interview a local san jose artist for a potentially internationally viewed segment. More details next week but I think this would be fantastic. Probably wouldn't lead to anything, but I think the experience would be great and whenever I respond super inpulsively to something, I often find it meant to be. So lots on the plate in a good way.

Saw the premiere of MEDIUM, on NBC last night.... I don't like the lead actress but I dig the psychic topic. Not sure how they can stretch the storyline out, but it's good. Committed is also surprisingly cheeky. I think I must relate a little too well, but if it replaced something on Must SEe TV thursdays, could be a nice addition.

So there you go, I will most likely be away from the blog this weekend, got a book to read in any spare time and if I get done with all my obligations Sat and Sun, I have Troy, Anchorman and Garden state to watch on video. If you in the hood and bored and we have electricity, come bug me.

Cheers!
rolls eyes
princess on 01.07.05 @ 07:07 PM PST [link]

Thursday, January 6th

Top Fives, Office antics and Insomnia

music: None

So, the last few days at work have been great. We had a REALLY great meeting where we got all the ducks in a row and everyone on the same page. I made some contributions which is always a happy thing for me ( to feel smart and useful) and I got to chose events for the silicon valley consierge Association monthly newsletter. Now in and of itself this doesn't sound like a big deal BUT I got to learn some new cool stuff related to desktop publishing and it was pretty cool. Nothing too fancy, but you know me and stimulation, anything new is good....well not ANYTHING, but anything new I am bound to run into or aquire. big grin . SO LOTS on everyones plate and a lot of meetings for more meetings or "conversations" but things are going well and the spirits are high. I had several laughing attacks (must be teh lack of oxygen) one due to coworker Jeff. I got a phone call on my cell that happened to be a wrong number. They were looking for someone named Torbin. I of course old te lady ont he other end she had the wrong number and that was that. about a minute later the same number appeared on my caller ID. I had JUST finished asking the office if "Torbin" was around, and explained the call when the phone rang and so I hande it to Jeand said Answer my phone as Torbin would ya. AND without missing a beat, SO CLASSIC, he opens the phone ans says, Torbin here. I was on the floor. SOOOO funny. THen he said, "actually, we're just playing with you, you got the same wrong number. Oh my god. I know so few people who would do stuff like that witout even thinking. ANyway, winner of the week...JEFF (and torbin). Very nice.

Some top 5's jst for kicks...

Top 5 Movies that I saw this past year.

1) Le Divorce
2) Team America, World Police
3) He died with a Falafel in his hand
4) Eternal sunshine of the spotless mind
5) The Incredibles AND a tie here...farenheit 911

Top 5 simple pleasures
1) A Hot bath (or soak in the hottub)
2) Getting mail in the mailbox ( or email, but snail mail is great fun)
3) Pizza and a Beer on front of the TV
4) A clean sheets
5) Puppy dog.

TOp 5 greatest Sounds
1) Champagne cork
2) Billard Balls break
3) Skateboard (such rebellion and innocents)
4) Laughter
5) sparklies

And there you go, lists becuase I'm not sleepy yet and the internet is too slow rightnow to do any real work for stage managing the show I am and I'm not motivated to do much else at the moment.

OOOH and now for audience participation (don't be shy) Favorite song lyric. Only one. Words that move you....and....go....

goodnight.
princess on 01.06.05 @ 11:13 PM PST [link]

Tuesday, January 4th

Poem from the past...

music: in my head
mood: Tired

Closure
Too tired to think and sort about Standards, but here is a semi related poem I wrote in 1998. It's humourous but truthful and not bitter. It could have been but I think it's a learning poem in a way. I revist it every year or so thinking maybe I can put it to music or draw a picture/collage that can accompany it but so far, it's just a poem. Enjoy....

CLOSURE

Enter the enemy.
Not you dumbass, emotion.
I suppose it�s time to pay my dues, hope the check doesn�t bounce.
Always been a bit out of balance, adding it up, not my thing, not my forte.
In case you�re wondering when the cat got out of the bag,
I couldn�t keep it to myself �cause everyone already noticed.
Control was not an option,
I might as well try moving the moon,
(but if you close your eyes you�ll see I can even do that, or make myself believe I have. )
If these things were as simple as they seem inside my head and didn�t become so convoluted
when I put them down maybe you�d get it?
But I�m getting to the point, cutting to the chase, putting it in layman�s terms.
Still it makes no sense? Let me start again.
Closure take two.
I thought I�d exorcised you from my soul, long ago, feel the burn. Take your pulse. Or take mine.
You see the confidence with which I�ve lived and certainly I�ve convinced myself of, deserted me.
Not unlike yourself.
If not for Pride, my right hand man, I might admit a mistake, cause you�re a flake. No offense.
But that would mean that I was wrong.
That can�t be right.
I play to win, when I play. If I play. I got played, would you say?
I hate the games. I always have.
Refused to flirt, demean my worth. There�s always a first,
And I�m telling you this, but I know that I can�t, cause it�s not me anymore that�s telling.
I�ve evolved into this other person, looking for some sort of direction, all the while refusing to
STOP.
Rationality�s on my spit list �cause every time I think I�ve overcome some tragic flaw I come undone and it�s back to square one, and I rather think this square�s going round in circles.
You haven�t a clue, you still can�t see. Take a step back.
Closure take three.
I suppose I�m more comfortable now that I�ve found the other half.
At least now I know it�s where abouts.
No more doubts. I can in fact survive without.
Don�t knock spontaneous generation.
I won�t bore you with the things I learned and the lessons that filled me.
My half with hole will whole without the half you hold.
And hind sight being 20/20 you seem like me, before I met you and now I wonder what you�re like,
now that I no longer know what I�m doing.
My heart was on my sleeve before, but now it�s warming and I would rather not be wearing any.
Either you know or never should or maybe not this time around, but patience befriended rationality and has a space on that afore mentioned list.
I run on internet speed my friend and you sir aren�t compatible.
If I let this frustrated philosophy out in micro bytes maybe I won�t crash my drive.
I�ve exploited and sabotaged opportunity for the last time.
Answer me this if you�ll extend me the courtesy
Who gave you custody of my emotions, and when, and how long have you had them Mister man?
Who took the backbone, who filched my spine, and left me stronger for it?
Caution? Where was it we were taught to throw it?
And for lack of a better segue,
These words seem obscenely inadequate for someone desperately trying to convey an eternity of hope
through enlightened disappointment.
And I have a song in me and I think you put it there.
You with your infectious laughter and whatever it is you hide in the bounce of your step.
It was beyond your 22, wore that inner child right side out, it compliments the hue of your soul.
I�ve been injected with these lyrics see, �cause I never noticed my veins till now.
So yeah, I hired my own anesthesiologist.
Over kill? Over the top? Overdose? Or just Over.
This fragile stuff�s not half as bad as I anticipated it would be.
And with this new found vulnerability
I could swim to Canada, the tide of fictitious tears to power me ashore.
�cause I�ve declared a drought my friend.
I used to pack light, now I have to check this baggage through and check it over and x-ray it�s content �cause how else am I supposed to find out why the hell I brought all of this stuff along for?
Always be prepared, right?
I guess you never can be too sure. I always am. Was. No, AM.
Gotta keep up appearances babe.
So now there�s you and you definitely don�t fit, but would you offer to carry my baggage?
Even so, I can�t let you. I�m independent remember?
Wonder if there�s enough room for this song?
How difficult could it be to carry a tune?
I�ll stick it here between a rock and a heart place.
And every melody that I hear just can�t do justice to my words and so I�ll have to find the one you�ve planted in me, I know it�s in here somewhere.
And what if I read between my own lines and took my own advice?
Broke it down, broke on through? The grass is always green over there right? The other side.
I�ll tell ya, sometimes it�s told just like it is.
Sometimes a song is just a song.
Nothing left to interpret here. No lines to read between.
Besides, honesty doesn�t become me this week,
Frankness doesn�t fit, it�s tight across the chest. Makes me look fat.
Still drawing a blank? Third times a charm.
That�s what they say, but did THEY ever try to end something that apparently never was?
Have THEY ever been caught in the frame of the door?
Closure take four.
You think I�m trying to create a future from this present past? Imperfect as my memory may be�
Instincts are smarter friends than that, they know better not to cross me.
I�m on trial here and there�s no order in this court.
You won�t find me in contempt though, objection�s overruled.
Yet I can�t defend the situation any longer, apparently sustaining this isn�t healthy.
Jury�s out and now you�ll listen. I�m representing my own case.
Here are my closing statements:
I�m not sure when I lost my footing, never been too good on land.
And I�m not sure exactly why I can�t be stable in your presence.
But sentimentality�s not my cup of tea, too many lumps, no second cup, trying to cut back, take your pick.
the high just doesn�t last quiet long enough.
Thus by reason of permanent insanity, you�re charged with apathy in the first,
I sentence you to a life of postcard blurbs and casual acquaintance.
No use trying to admit infatuation. Fascination? Manipulation?
(or did I interpret your silence once again to suit my mood, and suit the situation)
Well maybe now these words will reach you as you soar above the sea.
My stream of consciousness all damned up, and now I live subliminally.
I guess I thought that you should know.
I felt compelled somehow to confess.
Unless of course you get around to caring.
In which case disregard this mess.

princess on 01.04.05 @ 11:49 PM PST [link]

Confused pooch, Standards and other ramblings

music: None
mood: Sleepy

The day began with a very confused dog. Confusion number one, was why the alarm went off and why I got out of bed so early. I have been sleeping in at least bit these last few days and when betime is around 2am, 8 is a bit onthe early side. Bear i think though he was still dreaming when I moved, although as soon as he caught on that when I get up, he gets breakfast, he was right there stretching with me. Confusion number two came when I went to put his collar back on. I gave him a bath yesterday (VERY FLUFFY PUPPY) and had let his collar dry out over night. I made the mistake of saying "come here, i gotta GO) He thought he was going to GO with me. ihad to explain that this time he would have to stay at home and look for squirrels. He looked at me like his brain might explode, too many key words of recognition. He ran inside, and then ran back out and I finally got him to calm down a bit and said good bye. I rolled the garbage can to the curb just in case he got made at me and wanted to plot revenge. Marge the Cleaning lady is going to come on Thursday this week and she said she had a pig ear for him, so that will be two this week which should appease his majesty.

I have a bunch of errands to run before it gets too late, but I did want to touch upon the idea of standards. Evil little things. On one hand, they are what keep you focused, goal orriented, moral to a certain extent ( I guess I am referring to having HIGHER rather than Lower standards) and on the other hand they create conflict, disappointment and continually put you in the position of judging others.

Now I happen to think judging is fine as long as you don't have a double standard about it. I may not agree with a persons opinions, but they should be allowed to have them if I have mine. Judge away. And maybe standards and opinions go hand in hand. I know a lot of people who have standards that are somewhat arbitrary, standards without opinions...or maybe opinions without proof/reason/backup? Hmm... tricky partnerships. And then there are expectations and how they relate to your own standards. Those actually are the big jerks. High expectations, doomed for the most part, low expectations, I suppose you just open yourself up to more judgement which can beat you down psychologically on a bad day. Damned if you do and damned if you don't. If you don't expect things, you can be surprised, but then it would seem that you would become jaded and have no real joy. If I got a piece of chocolate delivered to me everyday, even though I didn't expect it, it would get old, but if I did expect it and it didn't come, I didn't expect that, and that would be disappointing. Now there is an ugly word. Disappointing. That wraps up for me the idea of failure in addition to having an expectation too high. Depp stuff, but my brain is pretty fried, that an the left stem of my glasses broke the other night so I have a more tillted sight implements than usual..makes me a bit dizzy...it's on the list....I'll explore and try to sort this standards thing out along with tales of office antics and guilty pleasures later tonight....by don't expect anything just in case.
princess on 01.04.05 @ 05:39 PM PST [link]

Monday, January 3rd

Moving along, really... I promise.

music: Nova...Fireworks (Cool!)
mood: Productive and focused...awake..and about to make coffee...

After sleeping all day essentially, blowing off a brunch in San Francisco and a get together in Mt. View I have now made the shift from shamelessly lazy to productive mode. I'm pretty sure its the weather.. I have seen sun maybe twice in a week and though it has stopped raining a few times, the ground and me have not had a chance to dry out. I fear I may mold. If it were warm rain that would be one thing but its still pretty chilly.

The heat is on inside to try and help but it is drying the poor dog out, but being the positive fun loving creature he is he has discovered a new game. Lie on the heating vent and wait until it makes your fur really warm, then come over to Susannah wherever she is or whatever she happens to be doing and paw her and pant and panic and whine and she will get up and let you outside. Then just sit there and wait until she fills the water bowl for the fourth time for the day and slops it all over the place. I have three bowls filled in the house now and the thermostat at 67 and he still is drinking just to get attention. I am giving him a bath tomorrow for sure, THAT will rehydrate him. It's on the list of many things to do. We should be out of the mud stage of weather for a few days starting late wednesday and I go back to work on Tuesday and may take him to the office to keep him warmer and dryer and CLEANER. ANyway...a last few matters I haven't written about concerning LAST year.

Congratulations are in order for my friend Laurina who was proposed to on friday. 8 is the magic number I guess (both she and Erin had been dating their men for 8 years before they made it "official") I'm pushing for them to just have a joint wedding. It's cheaper that way and it's all the rage I hear in Australia these days. wink An apology also goes out since I unintentionally may have rained on her parade. I guess I just figure after a pretty steady, rather exceptionally bump free last 8 years, including a house together and several conversations about marriage and kids, it wasn't a surprise. It's also a lable, and we know how I feel about that. SO what REALLY changes between boyfriend, fiance and husband if you are really connected. Common law says they are husband and wife already? And if you are in love, why do you need to..anyway...I was supportive but overly amused I think at a time about an occasion that I can't possibly put an more subdued emotion with, having never been in that situation. It would appear it required more sentimentality than I could muster upon hearing the news and so just know I am happy publicly for you. I'll no doubt be eating my words one day....or maybe not. cool eh?

I'll spare you the details of holiday traumas the highlights which included no present giving orders and those that disobeyed, racial profiling conversation at the dinner table with inlaws, switching xmas eve to the day after xmas without telling me, and harassing my brother on the girl he is dating in San Diego. (Third Degree interrogation doesn't even begin to cover it) and of course the vastly different parenting philosophies of the Greenwood-Spurlock clan. Ah the memories.... NEXT.

Loser of the year: Atkins. I'm so sick of diet trends in general, but I have to say this low carb thing is annoying the pud out of me. I swear the next thing we are going to discover is that low carb diets cause cancer. Dude here are the 10 things that keep me healthy: Garlic, in your food (none of this suppliment crap) Obeying your cravings, Red wine in moderation, constant exposure to animals, plenty of sleep when your body tells you it's tired, laughter, intellectual conversation, music, regular hot showers, and a dose of Rutger Hauer ( or equivelent hottie) every now and then. Oh and number 11 is don't hate your job, that will kill you faster then nuclear fallout. And there you go...can I get rich with that as a basis for my way of life? Better yet how about this for a book title..."Your genes suck, you're shit out of luck, suck it up and enjoy life as long as you have it?" that should cover a good portion of the population. Oh well. NEXT...

Winner of the YEAR: A three way tie between Trader Joes, Rutger Hauer and ME. I'm sorry, I know it's not modest, but I am one of the few people who deserves an award every now and then. And to be honest every decade or so, NEEDS one just to make sure I stay on track and don't doubt or slack off. It's quality assurance in a way. I figure I won things all through highschool and college but it's been almost 10 years since I have recieved any sort of actual trophy or recognition and so I gladly accept this small token of my own appreciation. yee haw. I got plaque on my teeth instead of on the wall but no matter. As for Trader Joes, they save me money, they don't short me on carbs, and they have stilton cheese...how cool is that? And need I say any more about Rutger Hauer. He will be starring in the upcoming Batman Begins movie with despite an all star cast so far looks lame. We shall see.

I think that clears up old business for good. Day two of the new year was an uneventful one but I'm ramping up for LOTS of projects this month on top of the move. Speaking of which...coffee is ready... and so I must go...
princess on 01.03.05 @ 12:03 AM PST [link]

Saturday, January 1st

The Loose ends and tight beginnings: Good deeds, timing, mysteries and Desert adventure

music: Nothing
mood: curiously reflective

Me again. Hope your first day of the New Year was lovely. My Drive to Half Moon Bay was beautiful. One of my top three favorite local roads, 280 and west 92 that is . The weather behaved as did the traffic, only 45 minutes from south San Jose. I have a lovely chat with Abby and Cesar who I sailed with in Greece 3 or 4 years ago. I hadn�t seen them in almost two years and so I made it a point to start the new year with a spontaneous journey. WE had EXCELLENT coffee with condensed milk in it (a gutamalan specialty) and took a great walk down to the beach to watch the distant ( and not so distant) rain cloud forming at sunset. Relaxing and enjoyable even for a sore girl. Sore by whyI hear you ask�

Well, during the 2 hours of semi sun that we had yesterday before the party I thought I would get my exercise for 2004 before it ended and get some cleaning up outside done. Sometimes you have to wonder who if anyone is in control. I�ve always thought I was, but for the first time in as long as I can remember I had a moment where I felt things could have gone terribly wrong and didn�t and I�m not sure how it happened. So quick. I was walking on the deck with a big shovel in one hand, and scissors in the other. Bear walked down in front of me and as I stepped of the edge of the slick deck being very careful, before I knew it, my foot slipped and I was on the ground. This was not a slow motion move. No matrix effects or even time for life to pass in front. This was like a super hero type move ( except for the part where I wasn�t attacked by the evil villan and just slipped) End result though, no stab wound from scissors. No shovel in my head. No injury to the dog, no trick ankle going out of joint. A jolted back, a dot of blood on a scraped and bumped knee and that was the total damage. A two step slide, with no head on the deck, no broken bone, and only a slightly exasperated cuss word, as I surveyed what could have been a huge very bad situation. I can see my guests arriving to find a wet an impaled body outside. Anyway.. I find it interesting. I was working on my task and wearing myself out and stopped for a moment to rest. I thought maybe I should finish later, but I KNEW that the rain would probably start up again and this was best to finish now. Something to mark off. Finish what I start this time. As I stand thinking about quitting and calculating how long it will take to really be done, the rain starts to trickle ever so slightly. I rush to the task, the sprinkle abruptly stops and I complete my task rain and incident free. Looks good, feels good, except for my entire body feeling like it was hit by a truck. I�ve always kind of liked that feeling in a sick way though. Reminders of being alive.

I do find it strange though that the actual fall was a very unique event. I�ve spent my life being a guardian Angel (You get a choice of either Guardian or Muse I think and I guess I thought I was better behind the scenes) and now, it would appear I have my own, which only makes me think, I have either retired without knowing it, or maybe I�m entering a phase where maybe I just need a little help myself. Distractions being what they are these days perhaps. Or maybe I am transitioning to muse and now, since maybe being a muse is a more dangerous job somehow, I need back up. Anyway, whatever the reason, recorded for posterity here.

In other non related as far as I can tell news, I went to donate blood as I do every 3 months or so, and had a lively experience. Hospitals and blood banks are probably just behind airports where you don�t want to see any sort of disorganization or chaos. Normally I check in at the desk, an attendent asks me all the personal questions and then another nurse preps, sticks, drains and bandages me. This particular time I had no less than 5 people helping me, confusion over something on my chart, a nurse literally mutter, �now how do I do this� as she is taking the needle out of me, was left with my arm up in the air to stop bleeding while another elderly woman needed 4 people helping her, because she wouldn�t stop bleeding and was leaking on her shirt, and then had to have an extra vile of blood drawn from my other arm afterwards because in the shuffle they forgot to fill the fourth test tube. Still out in an hour, but my suggestion is not to donate during the holidays, it�s a bit unnerving even for a regular to see all the subs and newbies handling such a dangerous commodity as your blood. No good deed goes unpunished no?

And I will leave you tonight with a mystery that perhaps you can solve. I have notice this week some sort of strange claw or teeth marks on the outdoor garbage can. Very odd. My first thought was Bear of course, getting bored or mischieveous, but he�s smarter and usually more successful than that and besides the marks are along one side of it and are deep in the hard plastic. Almost like someone was sharpening a knife on it. Gnomes, sprites, raccoon, possum, raven�beats me, just very odd. But then again. So am I.

Latest Movie reports ( and then really, I am going to grab a bite to eat and mosey on to bed with my still wiped out lump of a dawg) DareDevil, I like the villans better than the heroes and could do without the love story but 2 � Rutgers cause it was better than most of the Batmans.

Hidalgo, great horses, I didn�t by the pretty Viggo Mortesen as a cowboy, but I sure do want to go to Morocco. I have had dreams all my life of riding in the dessert on a camel. One day I�ll fulfill that fantasy. I look good in flowing white and the jingle of coin belts and Jewels when I walk suit me I think. I can think of plenty of ways to wait out a sand storm in my tent too. 4 weeks in Egypt and Morroco...sounds good to me. Sure could use some of that dry heat about now. I fear I may rot by the end of the week. 1 � rutger for a nice mental journey via cinematography and some cool fashions. Over and Out.

Cheers!

princess on 01.01.05 @ 11:54 PM PST [link]

New Years

music: Rose Parade...snore.
mood: festively perky

Well, the house survived. I say must 11 people can do quite a big of damage but the casualties were low despite some tongue biting moments. Bringing in the new year included much good natured mischief the highlights of which follow.

1) an intense TABOO competition, pitting the girls against the boys. Boys won and let us girls ( who are competitive in our own right) know it. I have to say ( and those of you who know me, will laugh) I was OUT competed by a few of the boys. As the testoterone level rose, we moved on...

2) 2 bottles of wine, 6 bottels of champagne, 2 bottles of cider, 4 bottle of beer and a heavy dent in both a new bottle of rum and an almost full bottle of Jack Daniels along with coffe from starbucks and 2 liters of coke. Consumed over 7 hours by 9 of us.

3) Sparklers, music and toasts at midnight followed by 3 HOURS of Hot tub. The Rain had stopped long enough for it to dry out a bit and for the air to warm up slightly. The hot tub CAN indeed fit 9 people comfortably.

4) egg proscuitto and cheese scrambles at 330am

5) a full quote bowl

6) 2 broken glasses (not me), the entire bar falling over (not me) which miraculously broke only the straw holder and spilled only popcorn everywhere.

7) a garbage and coffee cup raid by bear. BAAAAAAADDD DOOOOOG.

8) The nicest drunken midnight call I have ever recieved curtesy of Guinevere/ xmadamx.

9) yet another intense game of Chick quiz dude quiz, where the girls dazzled with questions on art, science, fashion and geography and the boys put the hot chicks in the hot tub to sleep with base ball and football questions. I don't even know if we kept score, and I think the girls unanimously decided they didn't care.

10) an EXHUSTED dog as well as a few exhausted guests who at 4:30 finally crashed on various couches and beds but we gone by noon... again with the football

With a few more stains on the carpet, and a bit of recycling to get rid of, and some wet towels to clean it was a great night with no one embarrassing themselves too poorly ( the part of the naked guy was played by Rich Curtis) , no incident with the fire marshall or police/neighbors and a great visit with some people I haven't see in a while as well as some of my favorites. We didn't even get to the poker and kareoke ( football in the AM called away many of my guests) but it was a good time. More later, I'm off to see some buddies in Half Moon Bay. I hope your new years was as pleasant!

princess on 01.01.05 @ 01:10 PM PST [link]

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