Whether the Weather be Wet...

music: Howling wind
mood: you're getting Sleeeeeepier

Well for those of you not in California, I must say, its pretty wet out here. I like a good clensing rain, i of course love a big storm, but it's getting soggy and moldy and it looks like another 2 weeks of pretty much uninterrupted rain is being forcast. It's been a steady fall for the most part, and flooding way down south in LA ( and a tornado if you can believe), but wouldn't you know, just when it would be REALLY nice to have some dry moving weather. Supposed to get down to 30 tomorrow night and with the rain still going, I am sure we could see snow on the mountains nearby. Causulties have been low here due to the very high winds. A very wet check in the mail for $200 was salvaged, the bamboo screen outback blew down and the pine in a big pot in the front yard blew over. No cracks, but I left it down for the time being as more wind is expected tonight, up to 50 mph. I had a fun trip home from Palo Alto in the jeep, damn need blew my little fisher price car off the road. House is still in tact, though every creek is heard and in my mind I have already decided how to escape and survive should a big tree fall on the house. No leaks or gutter problems that I can see though the chimney we have discovered is not sealed.

Bear is unpleased at having to pee outside at the moment...He's not much of a water dog interestingly enough...he would rather wake me up at 4 in the morning in an emergency, than go when he doesn't REALLY need to before bed. Reminds me of me actually. Thank goodness we have bladders of steel. The sound of rain doesn't make it easy though. Trickle trickle trickle. Always a bit of a risk when you are peeing in your dream....luckily it was JUST a dream last night. big grin

Still, with the Tsunami pictures on TV constantly (some pretty amazing footage) I feel lucky we are dealing with drops and not waves, though as a pisces if I was going to go...better than trapped in a fire, not to be morbid or disrespectful, just saying you know, if I could choose. The Pictures of Phuket Thailand where I was just 3 years ago ( and my new roommates were two months ago) are unrecognizable. The market row is in shambles and the beach is not the crystal blue it was when I visited. I worry that they are focusing WAY too much on Phuket ( because it was a tourist spot) and not on the countless other beaches and islands along that coast that were FAR more beautiful and just as populated with locals.

Looking on the bright side though, one of the best stories to come out of this disaster though is that in Sri Lanka they can't find remains of any animals. A huge preserve of elephants and leopards was part of the area worst hit and since they can't find any bodies at all, they are presuming that the six sense they have perhaps prompted them to higher grounds before the main impact. Very possible....yeah animals!!!

Alright, one more blog to come, and then it's off to snuggle down for the night....try to stay dry and warm where you are....

princess on 12.30.04 @ 12:10 AM PST [link]

Wednesday, December 29th

Cole Porter, Vampires and Envy

music: Ripley's Believe it or not
mood: Focused, Awake, and creative....

The Holidays mean lots of time to watch movies. Lots of time because it�s a good way to not argue with the family when it becomes apparent that there are too many people in too small a space for one, or a good way to �detox� after the hustle and bustle of large gatherings and food coma. And so I have done my share this week while sorting laundry, culling the first aid kits and supplies that littler the bathroom cabinets, and wrapping gifts. It�s a great way to multitask, and trick yourself into thinking you have vegged, but also gotten something of worth done for the day. And so you can have one more opinion to consider before you rent that movie, here are my blunt and honest reviews.

Jersey Girl � George Carlin (who at 67 years old has checked himself into rehab for wine and pain killers just this past week) should have gotten an Oscar for his performance in this movie. The exact opposite of Dogma (a movie I loved) this is not nearly as sharp and witty, certainly not controversial, but a very touching story and it held my attention. If your biological clock is ticking, do NOT see this movie. I think it might make you want to go out and be a single mom/dad just for the sake of having a child hug you. Kevin Smith went out and had a kid and it shows he will probably be a great father. 4 Rutger Hauers out of 5 even though it was not at all what I expected, nor was even in the mood to see.

Delovely �Beautiful to look at though I am not a Cole porter fan music wise. I Adore Kevin Cline and he does a stellar job playing a selfish man looking for any kind of love he can, but not knowing how to give it back. Hard to watch as I identify greatly with the woman in love with him played by Ashley Judd. She too did a great job. It was an interesting film, very stylized. 3 � Rutgers.

Stepford Wives- I didn�t see the original. Except for Bette Midler, this movie was a disappointment. It�s probably a better movie than I give it credit for but the topic of replacing women with robots is a bit of a sore topic with me. I mean, I guess if I can like the coin operated boy song without subscribing to the message I guess I can be entertained by this. Fluff and only 2 rutger hauers.

Envy- Jack Black and Ben Stiller, who could ask for more right? Wrong. Christopher Walken, that�s what you can ask for, but it doesn�t really matter because this movie which should have been SO funny�fell flat. Boring. Didn�t like it. When will Ben go back to being in a movie where it isn�t painful to watch him? Keeping the Faith and Zoolander were awesome. This one, very few laughs. End of story. 1 Rutger Hauer as a generous holiday present.

Van Helsing- This was a brilliant concept and has my second favorite Australian Actor (you know who you are number one) in it. I had TONS of friends tell me that when they saw this even a sexy Kate Beckensale couldn�t save it. They really thought it was horrible. I thought it was exactly as good as it could be, had very good effects and though the plot and dialogue were not Oscar winning, it did have a sense of humor about itself and was certainly entertaining. One major thing bothered me. No nipples on the naked vampire chicks. Not that I needed to see them, just that they seemed to be a very strange absence, a noticeable absence, a difference between a pg-13 and R rating kind of absence. Very odd. Great homage to both James Bond and Indiana Jones, as well as Alien and all the versions of the horror movies form which the story is based 0 Dracula, American Werewolf in London Frankenstein etc). Dark, Gothic, Entertaining. 3 � Rutgers.

Raising Helen � This movie stars one of the cutest and most enjoyable to watch actresses, Kate Hudson. Like her Mom Goldie Hawn, she just sparkles, and I like sparkles. Hasn�t ever played a non Kate Role, but that�s okay, we somehow don�t expect anything major from her. That being said, I didn�t have expectations for this movie. Basic Plot: Successful savvy New York Fashion industry professional inherits her sisters 3 children when she dies suddenly (the sister, not her). Joan Cusack does a WONDERFUL job at a not very funny role which is great. I have always liked Joan and thought she is underrated. This movie surprised me a bit because even though it was predictable and kind of nothing special, every so often it would have a really funny part, or a really touching bit. You may or may not like it, but I can say it�s a good no brainer with some solid performances. 3 Rutgers, take it or leave it.

A Day Without A Mexican- wanted to like this mocumentary kind of movie about what sort of turmoil California would be thrust into if the Mexican population disappeared for a week. No fruit pickers, gardeners, laborers, teachers, etc. It wants to be Michael Mooore and Christopher guest, but it is neither and WAY WAY too long�and too lame. Sadly the point is missed. I�m afraid it gets no Rutgers. None. Sad.

princess on 12.29.04 @ 09:38 PM PST [link]

Sunday, December 26th

Radio Bear on Pirate Satellite

music: None
mood: Puppy

Bear the wonder dog here. I have usurped this contraption that Susannah seems to pay a fair amount of attention to, while she is off getting ready for bed. After reading her �blog�, I thought it didn�t say enough about me and what I have been doing while the master is gone. I do notice he is missing, but thankfully the farts that I get blamed for are in fact mine now, so there�s no taking the blame for him.

I have been a good dog. At least that�s my story. I know Susannah knows it is not my fault if my nose gets stuck in the McDonald�s bag and my tongue just HAPPENES to snag the two pickles that remain from the meal (after ripping the paper apart). I feel certain that though she looks at me sternly, and says NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO in a very slow and serious manner, that she understands her errors. 1) she didn�t even ASK me if I wanted the pickles. How rude. I mean she was just going to throw them away when I am over here starving, wasting away to a measly 70 lbs. 2) I was taught not to waste food, in fact I was taught not even to chew food, but most of all not to waste it. 3) She LEFT it where I could hear the little pickles inside screaming for help. �please help� they said. I was only freeing them, leading them to a life of consumption for which they were born for. Hmmm, I wonder, are vegetables born? And if a cucumber is born, is a pickle reborn. Hmmm. Anway� finally, is it my fault if every time something is left within reach I get it? If she can�t see the pattern, I guess maybe she�s not as smart a human as I like to give her credit for. I guess you can�t teach an old human new tricks.

I spent most of my day today following Susannah around the house, until she left me to drive off in the magical yellow machine. She didn�t take me this time. Sometimes she takes me to work and I get to sniff and woof at a lot of people. I like that. It�s fun. She leaves the light on for me and the couch outside is comfy and warm. The next few hours outside alone were very productive. I got a lot of sniffing done. And slurped a lot of water which is fun. And guarding. Lots of guarding got done. I�m thinking she probably won�t notice all the hot tub guarding I did. Surely even the footprints I left all over the cover won�t even impress her, but I guarded well. I chased off some imaginary squirrels, and stood out in what the upright creatures call rain. It feels good and makes me smell even better. Yes, I am sporting wet dog musk and I smell pretty dang yummy if you ask me. Susannah brushed me today which kind of confused me, cause usually I get brushed after or right before a bath, and I don�t think the rain really counts as a bath, I mean it really only rained for a few hours, and not very hard. But I did get toweled off. Well she tried. I was crafty and avoided the towel. What a great game. I rubbed off on Susannah instead. Anyway�she did say she was going to get me all fluffy and clean on Wednesday, so I will look forward to that. Clean warm bath at the place with lots of smells, and a ride in the magical yellow machine.

Tonight I got SUPER excited when Susannah let me in and I acted like a total mad dog running up and down the hall all excited like. I skid all over the kitchen floor cause my paws were wet. She called me a doofus, but I thought I recovered pretty well. She must have too, because she gave me some dinner and a doggy treat. I love doggy treats. I hope they aren�t made of other doggies. Anyway�. Last night I got to fall asleep on her stomach. I have discovered that she doesn�t move as much in bed if I put my big head on her mid section. I also have good dreams because her stomach makes growling sounds. I can growl too, but mostly I snore, but not as much when my head is on her stomach. It makes a pretty decent pillow. That and I am pretty excited about sleeping on the bed and with Susannah who is not afraid to snuggle and isn�t angry that I steal all her warmth and space. I�m thinking if I just practice my puppy dog eyes a little more, Chris will let me sleep on the bed with him when he gets home. Not just for a short snuggle, but like for keeps. If not, I�ll just go climb on the couch and park it there, or maybe Susannah will fix me up a nice Purple room of my own. I like Purple�it�s soothing.

Oh, she�s coming back.. I better go�Shout out to all the good smelling people out there!

princess on 12.26.04 @ 11:10 PM PST [link]

Wednesday, December 22nd

mixing it up!

music: Fire in the A Bar

Oh...my...god. This is awesome.....check it out

Click on the Fire in the A Bar image to download a killer song..

After hearing a great mixed version of Travis vs Greenday verses eminem, vs oasis vs Aerosmith, we started checking out some cool mix sites....and here is what Ron found.

princess on 12.22.04 @ 05:22 PM PST [link]

Alarms, Websites and Lies

music: None
mood: discombobulated...

WHOA! So everything is blowing up....not really...but the day started out crazy to be sure. I was drained this morning and didn't actually leap out of bed until 9 after sleeping through the alarm. In my efforts to get to eork early today, I inevitably was later than normal. The Plan was to be ablet to leave at 4:30 to The Pruneyard to assist and give my "expert" opinion on Wedding dresses for my friend Erin before picking my brother up from the airport at 7. No dice though as I didn't arrive until after 9:30. I had intended to put the garbage out before I left so I wouldn't have to do it before I got home but of course that didn't happen. I did at least remember to grab my xmas cards to mail. Since I arrived though, its been craziness. Our size blew up and is still down, which leave a girl in charge of data entry...pretty much unable to do anything. I can't enter, I can't search, I cant. I just can't. WE are trying to get an early esavers out, and of course, we can't do that either. Sad. Then Heidi's mom called and said her elderly cat died. And one of her friends has a brain tumor. And Ed is trying to get a grant application report done by the deadline. And I found out someone lied to me...

...well someone probably lied to me...I would love to give them the benefit of the doubt but getting a straight answer would be emotionally draining for both parties and from their perspective would only violate them. So just chalk that up to retarded.

I have to say, dishonesty has to be my number one pet peeve. Even White lies or "not revealing the truth" get to me big time. How does anyone learn to trust anyone if they can't be sure there aren't secrets. I don't REALLY buy in most cases about the whole privacy thing either, the whole none of your business thing. If it's not a secert, and its nothing to feel guilty about...then it's NOT a secret and there's not big deal. ANYWAY, it infurriates and hurts. Just when you think it's safe....time to disappear for a while...

princess on 12.22.04 @ 01:22 PM PST [link]

Tuesday, December 21st

environmentally friendly version of the Holiday Card

music: Dustin Hoffman interview
mood: Accomplished and now....sleepy

Greetings!

I hope the holidays find you happy and in good health. It has been an unforgettable year with every possible emotion taking its turn on the stage.
princess on 12.21.04 @ 01:22 AM PST [more..]

Monday, December 20th

Solstice and such

music: The Waifs & Alister in Wonderland
mood: gravy. miss cranky pants.

The fog was thick this morning and beautfully blanketed the hills. Monterey Road was less ghetto with the mist though the drivers were still mornonic on the way to work. Tomorrow marks the shortest day of the year for those of us in this Hemisphere. I would say Northern hemisphere, but there are schools of thought that insist on calling it the Eastern and western hemisphere and I don't quite get it.

ANYWAY...The lack of daylight got to me today a bit. The weekend was SO beautiful and almost warm that I kind of feel like it should be summer and that I should have a few more hours of daylight. I do have a window at work which is great, and a view of some pretty good sun sets, but in all honesty, I would be okay with not watching it set before I have spent 20 minutes out in in. But this is just one of the many things Ihave no control over, and are on the list of things to fix when I rule the universe.

Once the sun did set this past weekend I spent a good portion of the weekend firtling (FUR-TLE-ING) about. Elf was quite funny, I fell asleep sadly during Dodge Ball and was SHOCKED at how horrible and uninteresting Spiderman 2 was. Long. Boring. Why is there a love story and a pathetic on at that in the middle of the movie and how could this movie break all box office records. I'm sorry, show me repeated coverage of the sentencing of Scott Petersen. I was actuallly moved to clean the moldly cheese tupperware in the fridge to give my eyes a momentary rest from it. A big old whatever. You don't even deserve a Rutger. Not even a R. Dodgeball gets a single sadly, and elf took away the weinner of the weekend with 3 rutgers.

Winner of the whole week: My niece Kayla who after a trans continental (and trans atlantic flight) and 2 hours detained in customs ( Marks Greencard was almost confiscated) and the 8 hour time difference kept a room of adults mezmerized for nearly an hour as she pointed at the dog and laughed, played with annoying sound making electronic toys, walked 4 steps and then fell and said things like duck, dada, la la and various sentence that no one could understand but she was certainly sure of what she was saying. Entertaining to be sure. She wield dumbfounding power and hardly notices.

Losers of the week: Sadly My father's doctor who was eliminated from the amazing race. The show has gotten a lot meaner and nuerotic than I think it started out being 6 seasons ago. What used to be essentially a mildly amusing travel show with a twist now makes people look rude and ignorant and horribly petty. Maybe they don't have to try to hard. ANYWHO...

On the agenda for the week of course includes eating, hunting for wedding dresses with my friend Erin who is in town, and looking forward to a few days off from work Starting Friday. No doubt I will keep you posted on the car cleaning endavour, and if you are interested in an actual paper version of my xmas card, once I recap the year, possibly in iambic pentameter, send me your address and you so shall recieve.

On the Bright side, Wednesday the days start getting longer. And longer as we know...can't hurt. Well...you know what I mean... sleepy hehe razz
princess on 12.20.04 @ 05:19 PM PST [link]

Signs, signs, everywhere signs

music: Hum of the ice maker and the whirring of my laptop
mood: restless and toothachey

I've alwyas been one to believe in signs. Pay attention and the worl speaks to you. And sometime the world whispers and other times not so much. From the litte stuff to the life altering pieces of the puzzle are revealed in mysterious ( and not so mysterious ways). You can read the signs that the powers that be throw out there if you are just aware enough and open minded enough. There was an awaking yesterday morning I feel obligated to share.

A QUICK background on my happy yellow jeep. This car is the only thing that I ever wanted and succeeded in owning for me and just for me. No hand me downs, no used, no knowing that I will have to pass it on. Mine. Paid by me. Through all my financial troubles, I still managed to hold on to this car. Its essentially the closest thing to a child. I will make my last payment on it after 4 VERY long, hard and varrying degrees of mental stablility years. It has now 64K miles. It has been to Oregon, Arizona, New Mexico and made the trip to LA many times. It was for a very long time, my boyfriend. It was nad still very much is me to a tee. Rugged, happy, adventurous, very Californian ( in a good way). It is fun and free and pretty much the car is an extension of my personality and the perception I would wish the world to see me as. From the magic wand and stuffed animals on the dash to the bumper stickers on the crooked bumper ( not my fault BOTH times) this car is not only functional but expressive. Random people drive up next to me and give me thumbs up. There are a lot of yellow jeeps out there but none so perfect for its driver perhpas. None that the driver looks so suited for.

That being said, because its MINE, I get to treat it however I want. Now I do take care of it. I take it to get serviced, I get the oil changed, I have great tires and I drive safe ( now that the CD player doesn't work anyway). But ( and those that know what my room look like and know me can onloy imagine that that is a BIG "But") lets just say that the artists "organization" style and artists schedule tend to make my car a second home. A mobile place to put stuff (usually not passengers). On any given day in any given month it would not be unusual to find stage props, extra shoes, change, empty cans, lots of papers, earrings, crayons, power tools, glitter and miscellaneous random objects in and about the insides of my car. Messy yes but not ususally unhygenic.

There comes a time though when even the universe is tired of asking you politely to clean your friggin car. Yesterday was one of those times. I have been meaning to and to be honest have started to clean it out many times in the last few weeks, but not made any HUGE progress and certainly not started any scrubbing or real purging. Still, I believe when you find a smooshed milkdud and straw wrapper stuck to your pants and you have no idea HOW or WHEN it got stuck to you, needless to say, you better consider taking the time to clean your car. Clean it or the next sign is going to be FAR more embarrassing and potenially lethal. I have learned the universe has less patience that a 5 year old on xmas morning. It is time to clean the car. End of topic.

The weekend has passed and though I have done cleaning I have once again neglected my car innards. I do want for the record though to acknowledge my wrong doings and to let the parking gods or whoever may have so suruptitiously suggested that a clensing was due know that I am really almost about to get ready to think about beginning to start a clean up. Any day now. For real. Point totally taken

Signing out...
princess on 12.20.04 @ 12:12 AM PST [more..]

Friday, December 17th

Love, Dinner, Chaos

music: dodgeball the movie
mood: reflective, quasi serene... a bit chilly

Had a wonderful evening of extravagance last night courtesy of my good friend and former roommate Brian Dodge. As per tradition, third year in a row, I accompanied him to his company�s Holiday party. First year was great, a dinner and dance formal at the mountain winery in the Saratoga where we helped ourselves to a centerpiece. Last year, an amazing seafood tower buffet at a fancy hotel with plenty of music and the filching of not only centerpieces but �leftover� wine. This year it was beyond decadent. Teatro Zinzanni. A show, nay, an experience in San Francisco I have had the pleasure of attending twice in the last 5 years. It has been three years though since I have gone, but I often check the website to see who is performing and to drool at the menu. Yeah. It�s my kind of porn. Check it out.
This entire event from show to food, to cab, to after dinner drinks (not to mention the wine with dinner) was paid for. I even got my face painted and jeweled for free. A $9 Caramel apple Martini�.on the house. Dressed to the nines, sitting with great young people all having a superb time, taking in and being overwhelmed by every aspect of this show, every detail was just what I needed, and I wager what everyone needs every now and then. I appreciate it as an artist but it�s hard with so much going on, sensory overload to the extreme, to even critique as you are inclined to do in my �profession�. Every where you look there are extravagant costumes, glitter, sparkles, feathers. A tactile feast, with a slightly sensual and definitely a bit naughty theme. Lace, velvet, and other flirting fabrics revealing but tasteful, dashing but quirky. Detail and surprises in every corner. Every bit of music is live from the crazy clowning band, to the soultry jazz and stunningly controlled arias, to electric guitar and show tunes. The exotic smells from the food, not to mention the tastes, the mood lighting that changes quicker than even my moods, the spectacle and diversity, the spontaneous adlibbing and perfect timing an temperature of everything perfect and breathtaking. This is as close to magic as I have ever gotten to in my adult life I think. Non natural magic. Such a treat, I forgot for 4 hours everything I have ever been sad about this past week and the timing could not have been more suitable. We laughed and we gasped. Yodeling, tango, acrobatics, theatrics, tap dancing, singing, magic, and things I have never seen done with hula hoops. Juggling (my favorite) with a ball of wonder bread, a whole chicken and a handful or margarine, audience participation�..absolute entertainment. Splendor. Absolute ecstasy. If you ever get the chance, or ever want to impress the crap out of someone, plan ahead, save your money, and go all the way. Ask for the center seats, don�t eat breakfast of lunch that day to make room for the delights, and find space in your brain for the memory you won�t ever want to lose. It truly lives up to its title. Love, Dinner and Chaos. I felt lost in a good way for the first time in a long time. Like Cinderella without all the baggage.

And speaking of Cinderella, I have been writing and watching A Cinderella Story, with Hillary Duff. From the Sublime to the ridiculous I tell you. A couple of classic teen scenes, and an upgrade on the regular teen flick with the introduction of a major plot motivator�.text messages. Overall though can�t hold a candle to classics like the breakfast club and great guilty pleasures like She�s all that and jawbreaker. Points for having a powder blue vintage mustang convertible, points for the geeks walking around like the neo and morpheus from the Matrix but over all�barely a Rutger. Good background noise for a silly girl home alone, shaking off the week. The Hot tub, beer and tater tots for dinner didn�t hurt much either. I like my adventure and hedonism, but I really am content being a simple girl as long as I know the champagne is in the fridge should I need it.

Today�s highlights are two fold and included: 1) taking Bear to work (he LOVES all the attention and sleeps under the conference table when he isn�t being talked to in annoying baby voices, greeting the executive director with sniffs and woofs, and staring at the watercooler thinking how cool it is to be on the second floor, closer to the squirrels if he could just open the windows.Thinking makes him thirsty)

2) Taking said doggy down to the farmers market in Down town San Jose, with my sister Brette and her husband Jason. We had a nice sunny lunch outside at the Sonoma chicken Coop. Bear was ( And brette and Jason for that matter) very well behaved. I however was laughed at for wearing my fuzzy leopard slippers out. I say, it is better to feel good than to look good, and dammit, I look good anyway, I can totally pull off the slipper look. I am Americas next top model. And after a night in heels, being a foot plagued pisces it was slippers or nothing, and I do have to remind myself it�s still winter technically. Bear liked the fat little finches that sadistically watch us eat their distant cousins. By the end of the day he was a spaz and like his present mistress with the bladder of steel he had the LONGEST pee ever when we left this evening. Pretty impressive, must have tuckered him out since he�s been asleep on the couch with me since we got home. But I digress.

Laurina (friends since 3rd grade) awaits me at the airport at 10:30 in the morning, so I�ll no doubt head to bed before watchin� many more of the other videos I picked up. Dodge Ball, to make me laugh, Spiderman for a little action, though the expectations are low, and Elf, cause Will Farrell (no relation to Colin, thank you) is hot. Okay not. But there is something appealing about him. I think it�s because he�s just retarded, and enthusiastically so. He was me like 3 years ago. And he�s married, and I think married comics are the penultimate, cause they are immature by profession, but mature by choice. E for effort I guess. Erin (Friends since she moved here in 6th grade) arrives on Sunday as does my Older Sister and hubby, so it�s a full weekend of visiting and socializing to be sure. And house managing, box office too. Hardly enough time to do any packing�.what did she just say�ah�another night when I don�t feel so at home where (and when) I am.

princess on 12.17.04 @ 10:47 PM PST [link]

Monday, December 13th

Germs and alien invasions.

music: None
mood: None

In addition to leaving work a little early on Friday due to a sore throat that was seemingly NOT improving with the day, and filling in for house managers that were downed with similar illnesses, the weekend held in store two semi exciting moments.

One of the NON exciting moments was Chornicals of Riddick. I was a big Pitch dark fan and a loyal vin disel fan, and though I wanted to like this movie, I think it was too long and it just reminded me of a video game and a puke inducing one at that with lots of random quick edits and pans to make a sailor hurl. It wasn't all that bad, but certainly no more than 3 out of 5 rutger hauers and I think that might be generous.

Now for the exciting bits. After the movie it was time for a dip in the hot tub and whilst soaking the occupants of the tub spied at least 5 shooting stars. The Persiads are in August the Leonids are in October and my mother claims because it sounds good that it must have been the arachnids. I think too much time in the garage cleaning has definately effected her. Not sure what it was but it was a treat, unless we were imagining it based on our sci fi movie watching experience. No matter. Very nice and except for the steam it was a clear night and not too cold...especially in the tub.

THEN I spotted a bright orangeish moving star/planet/spaceship. It was moving up beside Orions belt ( that sounded wrong, but you know what I mean) until I pointed it out to Chris, and then it stopped. Apparently it saw us. We were not abducted....THIS time. Better luck next year.

I am not at work today as I figured my throat is fine but I just don't want to have it psych me out. people all over in casts and at work have all been ill over the last four months in a most nasty way, and I would just assume not have a sniffle or an irriatated throat (which is most likely from all the dust from cleaning in the house) turn in to strep throat, and ear infection ( a what?) or bronchitis. Safe today, stronger tomorrow and that few extra hours of sleep this morning pretty much sealed a victory for me.

Anyway, I hope you are all well...
princess on 12.13.04 @ 10:57 AM PST [link]

Thursday, December 9th

Caramel Knowledge, little people, and Aged Pets

music: steel drum band
mood: in antici......paaa...tion

Got a good night of getting in my yummies (pjs) and pizzaing while I watch the next to the last episode of the Apprentice. I'm pretty excited. Should be very good....I've been on the go go go for the last week here almost. Worked the bar and served wine last night at the Arts council open house. Easier to schmooze when you are supplying the schooze juice. Our New Artsopolis Base ball caps are in and I got to model them. Pretty Groovy. $20 and you can get yourself one.

So, interesting thoughts in the brain a few days ago. Now you know me, I don't know too much about Carnal knowledge, but I was thinking the other day I pretty much wrote the book on Caramel Knowledge. In fact It's called the Caramel Sutra. I could elaborate but you might get all hot and bothered. I'll refrain...just food for thought though.

Started to read the Hobbit. Now I am pretty sure I have never read it. I thought I had read the first half when I was younger but I LOVE the languge, rythem and style and its not familar to me. I don't think I would have forgotten this type of writing. it BEGS to be read out loud, seriously. Flows very naturally. I can imagine a kid just LOVING to have this read to them. Anyway...if anyone wants to hear me read it to them, I'm open. Very clever and enchanting prose to be sure.

Romeo my parents Golden retriever turned 15 this week. happy birthday doggy. thought it personally pains me to see your spirit still so young and your body giving out. He nearly passes out from wagging his tail but never misses bugging the parential units when they get home from and errand for a doggy treat. He certainly has some amazing genetic stoc, but we all know that a lot of love and sun can prolong anyone's life beyond anyone's expectations.

I have an audition for a show this weekend and have already accepted a stage managing job for Feb/March. Starting to gear up for a long two weeks of writing especially now that my older sisiter has delayed her holiday trip to the 19th so that she can get some tests done on the baby and have Mark come out with her and not have to struggle alone with Kayla. Mom is visibly disappointed about the delay but will get to love Brette and Jason more (and start cooking early) those first few days.

Must plug away some more at the old data entry game. TTFN.
hehe
princess on 12.09.04 @ 05:24 PM PST [link]

Tuesday, December 7th

Amazing Grace, ringtones and Toni Morrison

music: Movie Soundtracks Cd
mood: At ease...for the moment

A busy week last week and a busy weekend last weekend and thus a whole week between blogs�what to do, what to do. Well of course�make up for it�pay me by the word and I am a weathly woman�deduct for spelling errors�you�re fired. But, when I explain what I was doing, I�m sure you will forgive me for the lack of blog fodder (sounds like a star wars character). Besides the fulltime job at Artsopolis, which I still am loving, and a side few hours a week doing box office, house managing and concession purchase for the Pear Avenue Theatre in Mountain View, I have made time to do the following�.and there was much rejoicing.

1) Beat my brother, who was in town for a wedding again this weekend, in Scrabble. Yes I know, I am still training for the Monopoly marathon. This was an unofficial game. We played a VERY defensive ( if there is such a thing) game, barely spreading past half the board and screwing each other over by making 3 letter triple scored words with J�s and K�s so the other person had no where to move. I was only able to win because I spelled the word PI with my final letter tile, thus giving me an extra 50 points for using all my letters. It was an intense hour. We still had to use the crappy travel scrabble board that is falling apart since mom won�t let us have the Xmas present that she got early. She can TELL us about it but not let us have it. Whatever.
2) I constructed an electric train set, tracks and all, complete with real smoke and headlight/light up caboose. Mom always wanted one around the Xmas tree and never got one so now that she has a Grandchild (who turned 1 on Monday) she�s not letting anyone go hungry�if you will pardon the expression. I decorated the tree, fireplace and pretty much the whole damn house with every decoration we have, including all the new stuff my mom seemed to thing we needed. It�s�.festive�to be sure. The house smells of pine. Mmmmmmm, pine.
3) Saw the Butterfly effect. This movie is a great idea, but only get 2 Rutger Hauers �cause Ashton Kutcher is a doofus and my version would have been better. Plus it�s like watching Meet the Parents..too painful�.but like a trainwreck�must�watch. It did have two endings though and I liked them both.
4) Experienced sympathy pains for my 3 � month pregnant sister. I was having sharp pains in my pelvis and was really tense last week and couldn�t figure out what the deal was. I found out Rebecca had gone to the doctor for abdominal pain on Wednesday, London time. The Baby�s fine (they think it�s a boy), it�s just ligaments that haven�t healed from the last birth. The pains and worry stopped as soon as I found out she was having the pain and not me, and that she was okay. Aren�t I a good little sister?
5) Went to a book club meeting where we ate like Carribean kings but mostly seemed to not be impressed by the book. I came very near finishing it. It�s a book worth knowing the story to, but have someone tell it, not read it, unless you are Andrew Shannon and then I will be sending you this book and you better read it. It was Tracy Kidder�s Mountains Beyond Mountain, and though a Pulitzer Prize winging novel, we soon found out that Pulitzers are not without their controversies. The history here is actually quite interesting, but it only proves its inconsistent and political in nature. The good news is if I write a book I can be considered for the $10,000 prize, by sending in my book and $50. It�s the Lottery for the Litterary.
6) Got complimented for kareoking a Vanessa Carleton Song in �alex�s 49ers bar� by a honest to god BAR FLY. This had scarier and more depressing regulars than the Almaden Lounge by far. Seedy, rowdy and an ear full on a Saturday night. Not many people singing but those that were were LOADED with the juice, if you know what I mean. Except for me. I was sadly sober, but believe me, I had a headache.
7) Had 3 VERY vivid dreams this week and have been ACHING to get them down in time before I forget them. One was about finding a hidden tomb underneath the floor of the Rosecruseian Museum,one about being able to predict the future because invisible �future gnomes� would leave me post-its that looked blank but when I put on my glasses, I could read phrases that were on them and when I said them out loud�they came true, and�I can�t remember the third one that I had last night while listening to the wind howl and the house creek. INTERLUDE�.My parents house is all glass and wood, assembled over 30 years ago. When it rains, I can�t help but be panicky in that house when it should be the most soothing sound of all. We had two HUGE, 150 year old Bay trees in our yard for years. All growing up I used to imagine them falling over on the house in a storm, you could watch them sway out the windows on blustery nights. Small and sometimes not so small branches hurdling down to the ground more than occasionally. I had it worked out in my head how I would escape and what I would do from each room I might be in in the house should they give in. We had the trees taken down several years ago as a result of disease, but I still think I can hear them and I still imagine the crash of wood on wood and the shattering of glass. The call out to my parents, and the seemingly eternal gasp of silence between my shout and any response. BUT WAIT THERE�S MORE�.We also grew up for a period of 4 or 5 years with roof leaks and all last night I kept thinking I heard the sound of drips in metal pots, and could smell the fetid moisture from the liquid version of anything and everything that sat stagnant on the roof before finding its stained way to the inside of my room. Strong memories. At least my joints weren�t hurting. But the Cat was sleepless too and I got up to let him in and out twice that I remember.
8) I have been complaining about my phone (as have others) for a while now, and my poor old (and I do mean old) Nokia was down to a new battery, or a new phone. I took a look at what kind of free upgrade I was qualified for and was quite surprised. Since I had had my old phone (and not lost it thank you very much) for 3 years, for only $18 activation fee and $16.50 in Tax, I was able to keep my number, plan, and upgrade to a free Motorola V220 Camera phone, with voice recorder and so on and so forth. No I don�t have any mini voice recorder ( or my dreams would be clearer), and I don�t have a decent camera, or a decent phone, so it�s a pretty good deal. Three birds, one stone and I can take a picture of the bird, record it chirping and call you to tell you all about it. The only thing that would make it better (and guarantee that I loose it quicker than you can say, careful you idiot) is if it was an mp3 player as well. I figure its free for as long as I can take care if it, and then I�ll go back to the cheap one. So, as soon as I activate, I should be able to talk for more than 20 minutes without the battery dying AND, send and receive wacky photos. Hazzah.
9) Sifting through boxes of baby clothes with my mom. Actually, She is sifting and my job is to say �god no� and � mom, that is so 70�s.� While going through �oh isn�t that just sweet� sundresses and gunny sax party outfits, I did hear a story I had not heard before about myself. Apparently when I was about 14 months old my mom got me into a dress, slip, tights shiny shoes and all, ready for a party of some sort. Mom got me all ready first and then went to take her bath. Then, Susannah (that would be me) just opened the door to the bathroom, and walked right into the tub�.in her clothes. Typical Pisces. Typical Susannah. This might explain a little about growing up with wet hair, my long affair with the swimming pool, the shower and yes�.the Hot tub. I started young on a mission for prune fingers. Maybe a way to see my finger prints better or reveal the future of my love and life lines.
10) Saw Toni Morrison Speak at the Flint Center. My Friend Anu was given tickets to the Celebrity Forum there and it was an inspiring, well timed speech about the importance of reading and writing for the writer and for the reader. I may need to elaborate on this more in a blog of it�s own. The upshot of it was, I was reminded once more how I really do thrive on (and am currently starving from lack of,) intellectual conversation. Not erudite or academic, but real passionate discussion of ideas and life. Stimulation of the mind is hard to come by and sometimes I think talking to myself and just playing with the ideas in my own head lead to more interesting conversation than attempting to engage with others. That sounded snobby. Yeah. So what. Talk philosophy with me. Talk deep. Teach me something and you may have a hard time getting rid of me. (Sorry Mister man) Not just wit, though it helps. Not just off the wall, though that too is an added bonus. But the potentially new, and totally unique stuff. Serve me up a taste of that and the wheels turn, the glow is ignited and you have on your hands before you know it, a full night of conversation, the making of a book, a film version of the book if you are lucky and a myriad of connected dreams the rest of the week
11) A Top secret, Life changing event. Uh.. I said�.TOP SECRET! As if. Nice try. Check back next month.

Real quick.. drum roll please� Winners of the Week. My dad�s doctor for the last 30 years Don St Clair and his wife for proving that even at 65 and 69 (dude) they can not come in last. Sometimes that�s all it�s about. Not coming in last. They have survived 3 rounds so far on The Amazing Race. Amazing we ever found them on the show, as I don�t watch it, since I find it to be torture to get an even more condensed version of what the already rushed contestants are subjected to. Having to zip through places just waiting to be explored over the luxury of a year. I guess that�s what you spend the prize money on if you win. What I wouldn�t give for the chance�no matter�I imagine they won�t last long, but he was a doctor�I imagine they aren�t doing it so much for the money�.then again, Portola Valley is expensive. Go team. Small world as always. Actually Jeff in the office mentioned that HIS doctor was on the show and I asked who his doctor was and it was at that point he told me who it was and we made the connection. Too funny.

I just remembered my dream from last night�It had to do with the family going to see a Monty Python show on the holy grail� not Spamalot but basically Monty Python sketches. We were late but there were plenty of seats and so we got to sit in the front row, but I couldn�t understand it. And Aretha Franklin was there for some reason. Then I think there was some sort of fight and all sort of turmoil and arguing�not very exciting. Well I guess you had to be there. Maybe you were. I can�t remember. ANYWAY�not to be anti climatic, but I need to go to the store now to pick up stuff for the Pear Avenue. Have a good evening�Hope all is well�G�Night.

sleepy
princess on 12.07.04 @ 08:58 PM PST [link]

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