...Watch the movie version of The Five People You Meet in Heaven.
If not, well I don't know. Do something else.
Sunday, May 27, 2007
Friday, May 25, 2007
Why I love Hwy 1 (Pictorial Evidence)
That is, as far as highways go...
P.S. The driver of the vehicle and the handler of the picture camera were not one and the same individual. Also, no animals were harmed in the making of this blog content.
P.S. The driver of the vehicle and the handler of the picture camera were not one and the same individual. Also, no animals were harmed in the making of this blog content.
Thursday, May 24, 2007
At My New Job...
...there is spam poetry in the email. Some of it is "really good!"
Here, see for yourselves:
The world itself is pregnant with failure, is the perfect manifestation of imperfection, of the consciousness of failure.
Never lose a holy curiosity.
You have been my friends, replied Charlotte, that in itself is a tremendous thing...
Give me a lever long enough, and a prop strong enough, I can single-handed move the world.
All these primary impulses, not easily described in words, are the springs of man's actions.
Every failure is a step to success.
The child is not to be educated for the present, but for the remote future, and often is opposition to the immediate future.
Calamity is virtue's opportunity.
The empty vessel makes the loudest sound.
Creativity is a highfalutin word for the work I have to do between now and Tuesday.
Human history in essence is the history of ideas.
It is by its promise of a sense of power that evil often attracts the weak.
I worked very hard. I felt I could play the game. The only thing that could stop me was myself.
Another one here:
Two of us, Docteur and Madame Machin, who stand
His sightless eyes horribly watch the air;
Out of the road into a way across
Some stubborn sprouts up through the stubble hay,
Pallid waste where no radiant fathomers,
Figures of light and dark, these two are walking
I bring down a bit of its light
At the white place of the road's vanishing
I do not betray you, I still go forward,
Silent patch of ultimate paint. You are
The winter road from the St. Simeon farm
For any part of them we can make out
I've drifted somewhat from the distant heart
That this mud draws on the stone.
Lucky the bell—still full and deep of throat,
That only you and I can know. Les deux
Suddenly, in a savage, dreadful bend,
—Now that you notice it—have just moved past
He never even dreams, being sheer snow;
Ah, Spam Poetry. I personally love the "creativity is a highfalutin word for the work I have to do between now and Tuesday" line. Yeah. Can we not all understand this sentiment!?
Also, when you are finished enjoying the poetry, you can, in the very same email, purchase Adobe software for the low low price of 99 cents. Originally One Thousand Dollars.
In other job news, my job rocks. Though today it will be hard hard hard. I have to get off the blasted internet now. Now that the day has started.
Ta ta.
Here, see for yourselves:
The world itself is pregnant with failure, is the perfect manifestation of imperfection, of the consciousness of failure.
Never lose a holy curiosity.
You have been my friends, replied Charlotte, that in itself is a tremendous thing...
Give me a lever long enough, and a prop strong enough, I can single-handed move the world.
All these primary impulses, not easily described in words, are the springs of man's actions.
Every failure is a step to success.
The child is not to be educated for the present, but for the remote future, and often is opposition to the immediate future.
Calamity is virtue's opportunity.
The empty vessel makes the loudest sound.
Creativity is a highfalutin word for the work I have to do between now and Tuesday.
Human history in essence is the history of ideas.
It is by its promise of a sense of power that evil often attracts the weak.
I worked very hard. I felt I could play the game. The only thing that could stop me was myself.
Another one here:
Two of us, Docteur and Madame Machin, who stand
His sightless eyes horribly watch the air;
Out of the road into a way across
Some stubborn sprouts up through the stubble hay,
Pallid waste where no radiant fathomers,
Figures of light and dark, these two are walking
I bring down a bit of its light
At the white place of the road's vanishing
I do not betray you, I still go forward,
Silent patch of ultimate paint. You are
The winter road from the St. Simeon farm
For any part of them we can make out
I've drifted somewhat from the distant heart
That this mud draws on the stone.
Lucky the bell—still full and deep of throat,
That only you and I can know. Les deux
Suddenly, in a savage, dreadful bend,
—Now that you notice it—have just moved past
He never even dreams, being sheer snow;
Ah, Spam Poetry. I personally love the "creativity is a highfalutin word for the work I have to do between now and Tuesday" line. Yeah. Can we not all understand this sentiment!?
Also, when you are finished enjoying the poetry, you can, in the very same email, purchase Adobe software for the low low price of 99 cents. Originally One Thousand Dollars.
In other job news, my job rocks. Though today it will be hard hard hard. I have to get off the blasted internet now. Now that the day has started.
Ta ta.
Monday, May 21, 2007
PS I did ride my Bicycle to Work on Friday too
And that is about 8 miles round trip as well. I am going to try and bike all the time. I will have to post a picture of my bike; it's so cute with the milk crate on the back, which is very nice for holding a book and my water bottle and my lunch and my rain slicker (in case it starts to rain) and then not have to have a bunch of things on my back. I work three days a week, so really that's not expecting too much out of myself to bike three days a week to work. And the weather is really so prime for biking, not too hot and not too cold. So I have no excuse not to do it, really.
Sunday, May 20, 2007
8 Miles Through the "Rainforest" AKA Banana Slugs EVERYWHERE!
So we just recently, within the last two hours recently, went hiking. 8 miles at Headwaters Trail right south of Eureka. A lot of uphill. A lot of downhill. A fair amount of mud. Some rocks. A lot of banana slugs. Rainforest-like weather conditions. (Yes, that means misty-like rain-stuff that is not really rain but accumulates and sticks and makes ya all wet anyway, as well as extremely humid and steamy, naturally.) It was hard. It was gorgeous. It was nice. I'd do it again. But not tomorrow.
My buns are sore now, y'all. Like they need some ice cream. Hahaha.
P.S. Besides the strangely large number of banana slugs we saw a fire belly salamander - which Mike picked up - a stripey garden snake - Mike picked that up as well because he's like a little boy and they must pick up wriggly things - and I guess that is it. But we heard animals in the bushes. And we went into the scary dark woods to have a look, which reminded me of when my siblings and I did that a lot as kids. And didn't have a fear of the spooky forest darkness of it either. Also, the air smelled so sweet, from all the flowers and trees and uh, nature, and I took the deepest breaths I could as often as possible, but it was never deep enough. It really was a marvelous experience, good for my soul. And my sole(s). Heehee.
My buns are sore now, y'all. Like they need some ice cream. Hahaha.
P.S. Besides the strangely large number of banana slugs we saw a fire belly salamander - which Mike picked up - a stripey garden snake - Mike picked that up as well because he's like a little boy and they must pick up wriggly things - and I guess that is it. But we heard animals in the bushes. And we went into the scary dark woods to have a look, which reminded me of when my siblings and I did that a lot as kids. And didn't have a fear of the spooky forest darkness of it either. Also, the air smelled so sweet, from all the flowers and trees and uh, nature, and I took the deepest breaths I could as often as possible, but it was never deep enough. It really was a marvelous experience, good for my soul. And my sole(s). Heehee.
Friday, May 18, 2007
Gnarly. (This Post is Where I Blame Being In Love and Happy for My Recent Weight Gain.)
I mean, what the hell. I am active everyday more than I've been in years. I'm learning about and consuming healthier and more organic foods. OK, so I may perhaps eat sweets on the daily as well, but I always did that! Blast that Mike has introduced me to the wonders and evils of Haagen Dazs. But seriously. I don't think that should account for the 20 pounds I've put on since I got here. (OK a bit of it was prior to leaving Wisconsin, but I attributed that to stress. OK, I've been stressed here as well. OK, whatever. Excuses, excuses.)
Mike says I'm beautiful and look wonderful but he's just a blind-in-love liar. But I of course mean that in a good way. Haha. But I mean, I finally for the first time in my life feel happy in a romantic relationshp, feel confident and secure in myself and in my partner, and I blame this, not the ice cream, for the weight gain. And the stress. OK, it's the fault of the ice cream as well. But besides that, don't happy people and people in committed relationships stereotypically "let themselves go?" Is this what I'm doing? I HOPE NOT!
Well, anyway, back to reality, it's the beginning of my third day of work today, and the first day without the aid and training of the assistant director whom I am replacing. I'm on my own today. And I'm excited to get in there and get to work. So I gotta jet, y'all. I'm riding my bicycle, because I gotta get moving! And stop eating Haagen Dazs! It's all natural amazingness, but of course comes at a price, like so many sweet things in this world.
PEACE.
Mike says I'm beautiful and look wonderful but he's just a blind-in-love liar. But I of course mean that in a good way. Haha. But I mean, I finally for the first time in my life feel happy in a romantic relationshp, feel confident and secure in myself and in my partner, and I blame this, not the ice cream, for the weight gain. And the stress. OK, it's the fault of the ice cream as well. But besides that, don't happy people and people in committed relationships stereotypically "let themselves go?" Is this what I'm doing? I HOPE NOT!
Well, anyway, back to reality, it's the beginning of my third day of work today, and the first day without the aid and training of the assistant director whom I am replacing. I'm on my own today. And I'm excited to get in there and get to work. So I gotta jet, y'all. I'm riding my bicycle, because I gotta get moving! And stop eating Haagen Dazs! It's all natural amazingness, but of course comes at a price, like so many sweet things in this world.
PEACE.
Tuesday, May 15, 2007
I Have a Yob!!!!
OK I really have no idea why I think saying "yob" instead of "job" is funny, but other titles in the running for this post were "I've Been Jobbed" and "You are Looking at the New Assistant Director for the Redwood Coast Music Festival." First one could be inappropriate, second one is not actually true, unless I post a picture, because you are not actually looking at me.
But I digress. The actual point, and yes I do actually have one, is that I GOT THE ASSISTANT DIRECTOR JOB THAT I WANTED! I am the proud new employee of the company that brings you such music festivals as Blues by the Bay and Redwood Coast Jazz Festival. You can find their site here: www.redwoodcoastmusicfestivals.org.
I will be helping the director coordinate and put on the Blues by the Bay event, scheduled for July 14 and 15 in my very own Eureka. My job description is, and I'm not kidding, do what it takes to put on Blues by the Bay. It's a two-person office, I'm the second person.
But I digress. The actual point, and yes I do actually have one, is that I GOT THE ASSISTANT DIRECTOR JOB THAT I WANTED! I am the proud new employee of the company that brings you such music festivals as Blues by the Bay and Redwood Coast Jazz Festival. You can find their site here: www.redwoodcoastmusicfestivals.org.
I will be helping the director coordinate and put on the Blues by the Bay event, scheduled for July 14 and 15 in my very own Eureka. My job description is, and I'm not kidding, do what it takes to put on Blues by the Bay. It's a two-person office, I'm the second person.
According to My CAR, I'm a Californian Now (Monday, May 14)
So last night was the Ziggy Marley show. It was a total blast. We danced practically the whole time. Had this really awesome organic syrah. We left at midnight just as Ziggy finished his encore.
Today we went to the DMV and *FINALLY* all was in order and I've got my Californian registration, title, and new license plates. They make you physically hand them your old Wisconsin plates, so I can't ever go back. Haha, just kidding.
So then Mike dropped me off at the store and went to work. I realized he had both sets of keys. He realized it too and was about to head back to Eureka. I told him not to and I'd call him when I got home, since I thought Sarah might be home and able to let me in. I walked home and checked the door. Locked. Rang the doorbell. Looked through the mail. Got this really cute Wisconsin Cow postcard from Hayley. "Just a minute!" Yay! Sarah was home. Called Mike and told him not to come back to Eureka. I was in.
I watched The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy, since apparently I'm in a movie-renting-and-watching phase these last few days (also, it was a 3 titles for $5 movie deal). It was humorous, especially the part where everyone in the galaxy is apparently British. Naturally.
Oh yeah, and I got a phone call back from the jazz place and it sure sounds like I'm in. They are trying to coordinate with the board of directors and could I come back for another interview? He told me it is mostly just a formality and that "they are going to love you" and not to worry. So I can't help it, I feel like I basically just got hired there. Cross your fingers. I'll let y'all know for sure.
Today we went to the DMV and *FINALLY* all was in order and I've got my Californian registration, title, and new license plates. They make you physically hand them your old Wisconsin plates, so I can't ever go back. Haha, just kidding.
So then Mike dropped me off at the store and went to work. I realized he had both sets of keys. He realized it too and was about to head back to Eureka. I told him not to and I'd call him when I got home, since I thought Sarah might be home and able to let me in. I walked home and checked the door. Locked. Rang the doorbell. Looked through the mail. Got this really cute Wisconsin Cow postcard from Hayley. "Just a minute!" Yay! Sarah was home. Called Mike and told him not to come back to Eureka. I was in.
I watched The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy, since apparently I'm in a movie-renting-and-watching phase these last few days (also, it was a 3 titles for $5 movie deal). It was humorous, especially the part where everyone in the galaxy is apparently British. Naturally.
Oh yeah, and I got a phone call back from the jazz place and it sure sounds like I'm in. They are trying to coordinate with the board of directors and could I come back for another interview? He told me it is mostly just a formality and that "they are going to love you" and not to worry. So I can't help it, I feel like I basically just got hired there. Cross your fingers. I'll let y'all know for sure.
Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind (Sunday, May 13)
Mike went to work. I stayed home and watched Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind. On DVD. It was soooooo good. I love it.
It was so crazy and beautiful and funny and scary (not scary scary, but a little scary). Starts at the end. Then the story of them, their love story, is told via Jim Carey's memories. At some point, even though he hired this man to take his ex-girlfriend (Kate Winslet) from his memory, he changes his mind and decides he needs to keep the memory of her. But he is sedated so he can't wake up to tell the "doctor" to stop erasing his memory. So he takes her (Winslet) and starts "hiding" her in memories she never occurred in, like from his childhood.
Also because much/most of the movie is taking place in his dreams there is crazy dreamlike stuff happening, things and people disappearing and reappearing, scenes flip-flopping and changing, very strange and broken continuity. Makes for interesting presentation.
I don't think I gave away too much since this movie is like four years old or something and that means, I'm quite sure, that I'm one of the last people to have seen it. My friend Nick kept telling me it was one of his ultimate favorite movies, and that I should watch it. I think we even attempted to watch it once. But now that I've seen it and felt like I could really relate to the impulsive and neurotic Kate Winslet character, I am paranoid that Nick recommended the movie to me because he thinks I'm crazy like her.
Whatever. I'm over it.
I also watched Sideways. It made me want to drive around California and taste wine.
It was so crazy and beautiful and funny and scary (not scary scary, but a little scary). Starts at the end. Then the story of them, their love story, is told via Jim Carey's memories. At some point, even though he hired this man to take his ex-girlfriend (Kate Winslet) from his memory, he changes his mind and decides he needs to keep the memory of her. But he is sedated so he can't wake up to tell the "doctor" to stop erasing his memory. So he takes her (Winslet) and starts "hiding" her in memories she never occurred in, like from his childhood.
Also because much/most of the movie is taking place in his dreams there is crazy dreamlike stuff happening, things and people disappearing and reappearing, scenes flip-flopping and changing, very strange and broken continuity. Makes for interesting presentation.
I don't think I gave away too much since this movie is like four years old or something and that means, I'm quite sure, that I'm one of the last people to have seen it. My friend Nick kept telling me it was one of his ultimate favorite movies, and that I should watch it. I think we even attempted to watch it once. But now that I've seen it and felt like I could really relate to the impulsive and neurotic Kate Winslet character, I am paranoid that Nick recommended the movie to me because he thinks I'm crazy like her.
Whatever. I'm over it.
I also watched Sideways. It made me want to drive around California and taste wine.
Monday, May 14, 2007
The Farmers Market (Saturday, May 12)
Set alarm for 6AM. Hit snooze for approximately 1 hour 20 min. Got dressed, washed face. Took Mike to bus stop for the 7:48AM bus. Bus schedule informed him that the first Saturday bus is at 9:50AM (this is why I waited for him even though he told me I could just drop him off). Went back home. Packed up shoulder bag and laptop. Brushed teeth. Left house at 8:30. Dropped Mike off at work. Parked at Arcata Co-op. Purchased "ready to eat" wrap made up of filafel, hummus, cabbage - YUM - fresh organic strawberries - amazing - bottle of Venatura red table wine - for later - Naturtine dark brown hair dye (expensive at $15.39 but healthy for me and earth), yummy mix of cashews and choco chips and raisins and peanuts called "Good Stuff" in the bulk foods section. Still not a member of the co-op, but brought my own cloth bag so that was my redeeming value/thing.
Next I parked a few blocks off the square and walked to farmers market. Things for sale: carrots, leeks, strawberries, lettuces, cabbages, spinach, asparagus, herbs, cacti, flowers, plants, trees. Had two women comment on my Made in Wisconsin shirt and said they were too - one from LaCrosse, the other ran away without specifying after grabbing my hand and saying "me too!" I had a mouthful of hummus and filafel and couldn't do much besides smile close-lipped and hope it came across that way (as opposed to a grimace, which seems more likely considering how quickly she turned and disappeared into the crowd).
After gazing longingly at the raspberry cheese danishes provided by Los Bagels at the center of the market, and deciding I'd purchased enough food already, I walked the two blocks to Sacred Grounds, where now I sit enjoying a delicious fresh cup of coffee (light roast) with brown sugar and half-n-half, having snagged the last cushy chair in the house. Coffee is one thing. I can justify coffee. Danishes, not so much.
11:13AM
A woman I would guess to be in her late 40's to early 50's approached me in the coffee shop. "Wisconsin? Really?!" She was born and raised in Ashland and has been here since 1975. Always goes back for visits. "Welcome to northern California," she said. Friendly conversational strangers make this world a much better place.
1:14PM
Sat and listened to Magnolia (rhythm and blues type band, including a guitar, drums, cello, alto sax and violin, lead vocals female, everyone looked mid 40's and older, did lots of Tracy Chapman covers but also a lot of their own music, had the crowd dancing) at farmers market for about 30 minutes. Then purchased a couple of tamales at a stand (Loleta jack cheese and black beans, side of mole sauce) to take back to the studio for Mike and me.
5:43PM
Rode my bike back to Sacred Grounds where now I sit. It's so windy outside, hard to ride. Spilled coffee all over my journal and decided to read my book instead. Coffee spillage unrelated to the windiness outside.
6:13PM
Layers upon layers of clothing. That's how people dress around here. Like RIDICULOUS amounts of layering. I frequently see both men and women with about three pairs of pants, women often have two or more skirts over their pants. And then there are the shirts. Oh, don't get me started on the shirts. I only have two on at the moment. Two! What was I thinking?
Next I parked a few blocks off the square and walked to farmers market. Things for sale: carrots, leeks, strawberries, lettuces, cabbages, spinach, asparagus, herbs, cacti, flowers, plants, trees. Had two women comment on my Made in Wisconsin shirt and said they were too - one from LaCrosse, the other ran away without specifying after grabbing my hand and saying "me too!" I had a mouthful of hummus and filafel and couldn't do much besides smile close-lipped and hope it came across that way (as opposed to a grimace, which seems more likely considering how quickly she turned and disappeared into the crowd).
After gazing longingly at the raspberry cheese danishes provided by Los Bagels at the center of the market, and deciding I'd purchased enough food already, I walked the two blocks to Sacred Grounds, where now I sit enjoying a delicious fresh cup of coffee (light roast) with brown sugar and half-n-half, having snagged the last cushy chair in the house. Coffee is one thing. I can justify coffee. Danishes, not so much.
11:13AM
A woman I would guess to be in her late 40's to early 50's approached me in the coffee shop. "Wisconsin? Really?!" She was born and raised in Ashland and has been here since 1975. Always goes back for visits. "Welcome to northern California," she said. Friendly conversational strangers make this world a much better place.
1:14PM
Sat and listened to Magnolia (rhythm and blues type band, including a guitar, drums, cello, alto sax and violin, lead vocals female, everyone looked mid 40's and older, did lots of Tracy Chapman covers but also a lot of their own music, had the crowd dancing) at farmers market for about 30 minutes. Then purchased a couple of tamales at a stand (Loleta jack cheese and black beans, side of mole sauce) to take back to the studio for Mike and me.
5:43PM
Rode my bike back to Sacred Grounds where now I sit. It's so windy outside, hard to ride. Spilled coffee all over my journal and decided to read my book instead. Coffee spillage unrelated to the windiness outside.
6:13PM
Layers upon layers of clothing. That's how people dress around here. Like RIDICULOUS amounts of layering. I frequently see both men and women with about three pairs of pants, women often have two or more skirts over their pants. And then there are the shirts. Oh, don't get me started on the shirts. I only have two on at the moment. Two! What was I thinking?
The Country Store (Friday, May 11)
Went to work with Mike. Talked to Grandma on the phone. She leaves on her train trip tomorrow. Went to McIntosh Country Store while Mike was in Glass House next door. Enjoyed fresh cup of coffee and organic dried whole banana. Mike joined me and we dined on beef tip sandwich (Mike) and garlic and olive oil tofu with homemade pesto noodles (me). Bought a slice of pumpkin bread to go. Everything at Country Store is freshly made right there. Much of it is organic. Went for a walk down the street to the convenience store. I can't remember and did not write down much/anything else. So The End.
P.S. I also left a message/voice mail on the machine at the jazz and blues music festival place. That is the main job I am trying to get.
P.S. I also left a message/voice mail on the machine at the jazz and blues music festival place. That is the main job I am trying to get.
"Do Nothing Thursday" (Thursday, May 10)
So, today is apparently "Do Nothing Thursday." Because that is what we have done today.
Got home really late last night from our fantastic road trip. Spent the day resting on Thursday.
Mike is doing laundry. I have determined that Grey's Anatomy is on at 9PM PT. We went for a walk by the horse stables (at Redwood Acres, behind our house) before it got dark.
Super duper enthralling, but nice to rest.
Got home really late last night from our fantastic road trip. Spent the day resting on Thursday.
Mike is doing laundry. I have determined that Grey's Anatomy is on at 9PM PT. We went for a walk by the horse stables (at Redwood Acres, behind our house) before it got dark.
Super duper enthralling, but nice to rest.
Road Trip! Mendo County (Wednesday, May 9)
Yesterday was the best day! Mike drove us from Eureka to Mendocino (about a two-three hour drive - he drove so I could enjoy the scenery). We drove on Highway 1, which is coastal and winding and crazy and AWESOME! There was a direct view of the ocean for very much of the ride.
We sold over $900 in glass just today! We had a lovely dinner at Cap'n Flint's - fresh seafood at the harbor (south of Ft. Bragg, north of Mendocino). The weather was PERFECT.
We made $99 reservations (mid-week special, naturally) at The Beachcomber, which was this fantastic motel right on the coast in Ft. Bragg, with our room's private balcony facing the ocean. We went to a reggae show at the Caspar Inn (in Caspar, between Ft. Bragg and Mendocino) - Sister Carol. The whole day was just wonderful. And Mike and I were both so happy to be together and on the road together, enjoying the beautiful scenery.
Of course, we took plenty of pictures which I hope to post soon.
11:41AM
We're like big kids. This morning we went down to the lobby and got coffee and danishes (mine was cheese!) and then ate our breakfast with the patio door open and the ocean view and music. Then we ran around at the beach and looked at tide pools and climbed all over mollusk covered rocks for an hour. After we got back to our room we ate milk and cookies, for a mid-morning snack of course.
(I took picturs of the sea anenomes and the starfish and the mollusks and other fun things, of course!)
1:35PM
We ate breakfast/lunch/brunch at Cafe 1 in Fort Bragg on Hwy 1/Main Street. All organic food. Delicious!* I had "heuvos diversaderos (rancheros)" which consisted of two scrambled eggs (but you can substitute tofu if you want), vegetarian beans, cheddar and jack cheeses, fresh avacado, two salsas, sour cream, served over corn tortillas, potatoes on the side. Mike had "hungry person" which included eggs, bacon and the best pancakes I've ever tasted in my life. Blueberry pancakes, I don't know if it was nutmeg but something made them so yummy. We also split an organic housemade bagel with butter and housemade jam. And plate-swapped. We love to share our food. It's just so ridiculously sappy, I know. But, whatever. We are happy, so leave us alone.
Now we are on the road again.
5:10PM
From Mendocino County to Lake County. Hot today. Mid to upper 80's. Sweaty hot. Beautiful and sunny. The lakes in Lake County with the sun reflecting off their still surfaces are sparkling/shimmering/gleaming. People are full of summer moods. Smiles from strangers. Windows wide open. Wonderful (wonderful adj. causing wonder, awe-inspiring, miraculous...).
8:40PM
We walked over by a lake and there were fish heads. It was gross. The lake was much prettier from afar. We stopped and ate Chinese fast food in our last little town before heading for home. It was neither the best nor the worst food I've had. Much better than McDonald's. No MSG, they advertised. And cook in olive oil for our health. The name of the town was Clear Lake. The name of the restaurant was something like Panda Bear or Big Panda. There was a huge TV on the wall playing a Shania Twain in Chicago live concert. I found that strange.
*delicious adj. delectable, palatable, savory, tasty, luscious, mouth-watering, appetizing; pleasant, pleasurable, delightful, joyful, charming
We sold over $900 in glass just today! We had a lovely dinner at Cap'n Flint's - fresh seafood at the harbor (south of Ft. Bragg, north of Mendocino). The weather was PERFECT.
We made $99 reservations (mid-week special, naturally) at The Beachcomber, which was this fantastic motel right on the coast in Ft. Bragg, with our room's private balcony facing the ocean. We went to a reggae show at the Caspar Inn (in Caspar, between Ft. Bragg and Mendocino) - Sister Carol. The whole day was just wonderful. And Mike and I were both so happy to be together and on the road together, enjoying the beautiful scenery.
Of course, we took plenty of pictures which I hope to post soon.
11:41AM
We're like big kids. This morning we went down to the lobby and got coffee and danishes (mine was cheese!) and then ate our breakfast with the patio door open and the ocean view and music. Then we ran around at the beach and looked at tide pools and climbed all over mollusk covered rocks for an hour. After we got back to our room we ate milk and cookies, for a mid-morning snack of course.
(I took picturs of the sea anenomes and the starfish and the mollusks and other fun things, of course!)
1:35PM
We ate breakfast/lunch/brunch at Cafe 1 in Fort Bragg on Hwy 1/Main Street. All organic food. Delicious!* I had "heuvos diversaderos (rancheros)" which consisted of two scrambled eggs (but you can substitute tofu if you want), vegetarian beans, cheddar and jack cheeses, fresh avacado, two salsas, sour cream, served over corn tortillas, potatoes on the side. Mike had "hungry person" which included eggs, bacon and the best pancakes I've ever tasted in my life. Blueberry pancakes, I don't know if it was nutmeg but something made them so yummy. We also split an organic housemade bagel with butter and housemade jam. And plate-swapped. We love to share our food. It's just so ridiculously sappy, I know. But, whatever. We are happy, so leave us alone.
Now we are on the road again.
5:10PM
From Mendocino County to Lake County. Hot today. Mid to upper 80's. Sweaty hot. Beautiful and sunny. The lakes in Lake County with the sun reflecting off their still surfaces are sparkling/shimmering/gleaming. People are full of summer moods. Smiles from strangers. Windows wide open. Wonderful (wonderful adj. causing wonder, awe-inspiring, miraculous...).
8:40PM
We walked over by a lake and there were fish heads. It was gross. The lake was much prettier from afar. We stopped and ate Chinese fast food in our last little town before heading for home. It was neither the best nor the worst food I've had. Much better than McDonald's. No MSG, they advertised. And cook in olive oil for our health. The name of the town was Clear Lake. The name of the restaurant was something like Panda Bear or Big Panda. There was a huge TV on the wall playing a Shania Twain in Chicago live concert. I found that strange.
*delicious adj. delectable, palatable, savory, tasty, luscious, mouth-watering, appetizing; pleasant, pleasurable, delightful, joyful, charming
The Day Before a Road Trip (Monday, May 7)
Interviewed at a non-profit organization for a program assistant position at 9AM. Four ladies went around the table and asked me hard questions for an hour. They were really nice. My future potential boss brought me coffee.
Got home, changed clothes, made a phone call I needed to make (to get my California plates - need info from my bank). Watched two-hour episode of Grey's Anatomy on my computer (does it still count as watching TV if I only watch one show when I can on my computer? Meh, whatever).
Drove to Arcata. Walked to bank to deposit a check. Walked to Sacred Grounds and sat and read the paper for an hour while sipping an iced cherry mocha (it is HOT today! High was nearly 80 and sunny as all get-out! Nice though.). Walked to Safeway and bought some food for Mike and me, tofu snack sticks (smoked flavor - delish), fresh strawberries, dried veggies (squash and green beans and carrots and cabbage and yams), California roll six pack, a bottle of water. Walked back to Mike's studio listening to Alicia Keys Live and Unplugged in my earphones. The girl's got it goin' on, just so you know.
Sat with Mike and shared the sushi, sampled the dried veggies, shared two out of three tofu sticks, and each had a strawberry. Then we went for a walk around the big loop at the Arcata marsh.
Went for a bike ride about 8PM while Mike worked. Went home for the night around 9:30PM.
Tomorrow we are leaving for Garberville, Willits, Mendocito, Santa Rosa. To sell glass. We are hoping to stay at a beach in Mendocito. I'm free all week since I won't hear from the non-profit people until early next week and the director at the jazz and blues festival headquarters is on vacation this week.
Got home, changed clothes, made a phone call I needed to make (to get my California plates - need info from my bank). Watched two-hour episode of Grey's Anatomy on my computer (does it still count as watching TV if I only watch one show when I can on my computer? Meh, whatever).
Drove to Arcata. Walked to bank to deposit a check. Walked to Sacred Grounds and sat and read the paper for an hour while sipping an iced cherry mocha (it is HOT today! High was nearly 80 and sunny as all get-out! Nice though.). Walked to Safeway and bought some food for Mike and me, tofu snack sticks (smoked flavor - delish), fresh strawberries, dried veggies (squash and green beans and carrots and cabbage and yams), California roll six pack, a bottle of water. Walked back to Mike's studio listening to Alicia Keys Live and Unplugged in my earphones. The girl's got it goin' on, just so you know.
Sat with Mike and shared the sushi, sampled the dried veggies, shared two out of three tofu sticks, and each had a strawberry. Then we went for a walk around the big loop at the Arcata marsh.
Went for a bike ride about 8PM while Mike worked. Went home for the night around 9:30PM.
Tomorrow we are leaving for Garberville, Willits, Mendocito, Santa Rosa. To sell glass. We are hoping to stay at a beach in Mendocito. I'm free all week since I won't hear from the non-profit people until early next week and the director at the jazz and blues festival headquarters is on vacation this week.
A Day of Rest (Sunday, May 6)
Slept in. Got up. Sat around outside. Sipped coffee. Took Mike to work by 2PM. Rode my bicycle to the square and got a rack for the back, on which to put my pink milk crate. Walked around the square and then rode bike to Safeway grocery store. Bought a chocolate and cherry thing that Mike likes, an organic banana that I like, and a trashy magazine (Life & Style, $1.99, sometimes I'm such a sucker). Rode back to shop. Gave Mike the chocolate and cherries. Had a couple (obviously). Walked over to the marsh. Sat on a bench by the sparkling pond. Made a few phone calls. Read my book for a while. Walked over to the edge of the ocean water where there are all these big rocks right off the footpath, and sat on the rocks. Watched these flocks of birds do their birdy thing(s).
The weather is GORGEOUS today. Sunny, mid-to-upper 60's. Best day so far, weather-wise, I think. Occasional breeze but not wind. Sunshine constantly. Warm but not too warm. Just lovely.* Peaceful to watch the birds. Walked the big loop on the foot path. The foliage has really grown since last I was there. Smiling faces, other walkers, laughing children, tweeting birds.
*lovely adj. attractive, handsome, comely, beautiful, adorable, exquisite, elegant, pretty; delightful, charming, enchanting, fascinating, enjoyable, aggreeable, pleasing, pleasant; winsome, winning, lovable, cute, sweet, captivating, alluring, engaging, endearing, irresistible, fetching; good, fine. (Yes! The day WAS adorable. How did my thesaurus know?!!? It gets me.)
The weather is GORGEOUS today. Sunny, mid-to-upper 60's. Best day so far, weather-wise, I think. Occasional breeze but not wind. Sunshine constantly. Warm but not too warm. Just lovely.* Peaceful to watch the birds. Walked the big loop on the foot path. The foliage has really grown since last I was there. Smiling faces, other walkers, laughing children, tweeting birds.
*lovely adj. attractive, handsome, comely, beautiful, adorable, exquisite, elegant, pretty; delightful, charming, enchanting, fascinating, enjoyable, aggreeable, pleasing, pleasant; winsome, winning, lovable, cute, sweet, captivating, alluring, engaging, endearing, irresistible, fetching; good, fine. (Yes! The day WAS adorable. How did my thesaurus know?!!? It gets me.)
Saturday, May 12, 2007
To San Francisco (Friday, May 4)
Woke up around 8:15AM. Lounged in bed. Mike was sweet and cheered me up. Insisted we didn't rush out the door. He went to the store for coffee. I called Grandma to say hi and cheer myself up by hearing her voice (and hopefully cheer her up too). Mike came back with a tiny chocolate cake with raspberry filling from Ramones Bakery. I got ready, put on makeup, fixed my hair. We sipped coffee and shared half the cake out back. Packed the other half to take with us. Packed an overnight bag. Painted toenails red ("ruby slipper red," from my mom before I left).
Left Eureka at 11:15. Stopped in Willits, sold glass. Stopped in Santa Rosa, sold glass. By this time it was around 5PM, so we walked around Santa Rosa and found a place for dinner. Agreed on a place called Flavors with some nice outdoor seating and a deliciously varied menu. Mike ordered a cheeseburger (hormonal and antibiotic free meat) with bacon and salad with bleu cheese dressing. I couldn't pass up the special, and I'm so glad I didnt: mahi mahi, fresh grilled asparagus, skewered shrimp, amazing garlic mashed potatoes. I had a glass of Merlot, St Francis. Fresh bread and olive oil was delivered to the table minutes after we were seated. Crab cakes and pasta candy (candy shaped pasta stuffed with spinach and cheeses) for appetizers. Lovely perfect weather for outdoor dining. Expensive, but Mike says worth it. I think so too.
After dinner we strolled around Santa Rosa for a few blocks. Then drove to San Francisco. Found a hotel to stay in (Hotel Whitcomb on Market Street) for a reasonable price. Got ready to go out, had a drink at the hotel bar. Walked from Market and 8th toward 1st in search of a club Mike found a few years ago that plays dancehall. Walked all the way down to about 2nd St and then were drawn by the sound of music to Beale Street. Had a drink at a bar on Beale St that had a pretty good funk band playing (no cover). Asked bartender if he knew of club in question (6th St, as it turns out, two blocks from our hotel). Bartender said no dancehall on Friday nights. We thanked him and after finishing the drink trecked back to 6th St (about a mile each way). Grateful to get a chance to walk a while in San Francisco. Along the way back I noticed side streets called "Anthony" and "Jessie" - I know it's not Jessa*, but still, it was the same street, only it was Anthony one direction and Jessie the other. I thought it was cool. :-)
Got back to 6th by way of Mission and then found club with a line. It was the club Mike wanted! Club Six. No reggae but a hip hop artist upstairs and a DJ downstairs. $15 cover. The biggest bouncers I've seen IN MY LIFE. They dwarfed me in every direction, imnotkidding. The place was bumpin'. I was one of the only white girls in there (Mike is not white, nor is he a girl. There was one other white girl that I saw but she knew about 10 people that knew the rest of the people, and so "belonged".) - it was a good experience for me if nothing else, to know what being the minority feels like. Coming from Wisconsin I've not experienced this before. Not really.
Danced from 11PM to 1:45AM. Walked back to hotel (the short way this time).
It was a very nice/fun day and night.
*Family who may not know: Jessa and Anthony are my former roommates in Wisconsin.
Left Eureka at 11:15. Stopped in Willits, sold glass. Stopped in Santa Rosa, sold glass. By this time it was around 5PM, so we walked around Santa Rosa and found a place for dinner. Agreed on a place called Flavors with some nice outdoor seating and a deliciously varied menu. Mike ordered a cheeseburger (hormonal and antibiotic free meat) with bacon and salad with bleu cheese dressing. I couldn't pass up the special, and I'm so glad I didnt: mahi mahi, fresh grilled asparagus, skewered shrimp, amazing garlic mashed potatoes. I had a glass of Merlot, St Francis. Fresh bread and olive oil was delivered to the table minutes after we were seated. Crab cakes and pasta candy (candy shaped pasta stuffed with spinach and cheeses) for appetizers. Lovely perfect weather for outdoor dining. Expensive, but Mike says worth it. I think so too.
After dinner we strolled around Santa Rosa for a few blocks. Then drove to San Francisco. Found a hotel to stay in (Hotel Whitcomb on Market Street) for a reasonable price. Got ready to go out, had a drink at the hotel bar. Walked from Market and 8th toward 1st in search of a club Mike found a few years ago that plays dancehall. Walked all the way down to about 2nd St and then were drawn by the sound of music to Beale Street. Had a drink at a bar on Beale St that had a pretty good funk band playing (no cover). Asked bartender if he knew of club in question (6th St, as it turns out, two blocks from our hotel). Bartender said no dancehall on Friday nights. We thanked him and after finishing the drink trecked back to 6th St (about a mile each way). Grateful to get a chance to walk a while in San Francisco. Along the way back I noticed side streets called "Anthony" and "Jessie" - I know it's not Jessa*, but still, it was the same street, only it was Anthony one direction and Jessie the other. I thought it was cool. :-)
Got back to 6th by way of Mission and then found club with a line. It was the club Mike wanted! Club Six. No reggae but a hip hop artist upstairs and a DJ downstairs. $15 cover. The biggest bouncers I've seen IN MY LIFE. They dwarfed me in every direction, imnotkidding. The place was bumpin'. I was one of the only white girls in there (Mike is not white, nor is he a girl. There was one other white girl that I saw but she knew about 10 people that knew the rest of the people, and so "belonged".) - it was a good experience for me if nothing else, to know what being the minority feels like. Coming from Wisconsin I've not experienced this before. Not really.
Danced from 11PM to 1:45AM. Walked back to hotel (the short way this time).
It was a very nice/fun day and night.
*Family who may not know: Jessa and Anthony are my former roommates in Wisconsin.
On My Last Day of Being Exactly a Quarter Century Old (Thursday, May 3)
Mike and I sat out back and sipped coffee. Left "around 8." I dropped him off at the bus stop. Went to Target. Bought a few items. Sat in Target Cafe at bar by window and ate breakfast sandwich (egg and cheese on english muffin). Went to beach and walked. Sat in sand and stared at ocean while listening to Girlyman in my earphones. Skipped on the beach. Yup, I did. And twirled too. Got my feet wet. Ran. Smiled. Laughed. Sang.
Now I'm back home and I must call State Farm, DMV, and Grandma. She gets her stitches out today.
7:52PM
Day spent driving back and forth to Arcata three times - going to the DMV twice (and still not having proof enough that I paid off my car loan! Not even to mention the hoops one has to jump through to obtain a driver's license around here - social security card and current valid WI DL NOT sufficient! Official birth certificate and/or passport required!), stopped by State Farm and gave them a copy of my policies because my agent in Wisco (Californians love to shorten words) is taking his sweet time faxing them a copy of it (surprise, surprise), but then spent $157 on DMV registration, so I am not ready to discuss rates and parting with more money that I neither have nor earn. Anyway, progress was made. I'll have to call my bank and have an "official" letter sent that states I have paid off my car loan. Which I have. And I have a letter from Summit, but it wasn't signed.
One of the various times I was in Arcata, Mike and I went to a shop and sold glass. He bought me a green teeshirt that says Humboldt across the chest. We went to this little watch repair shop and had the battery replaced in my favorite purple watch ("Funky purple watch, I like it, I bet it's your favorite," said the shop owner). Mike and I walked the few blocks from the watch place to the car in the rain. We were laughing and teasing each other. Making plans to make a trip to the Bay area tomorrow. Mike went back to work, and I walked from the studio to Porter Street BBQ, in spite of the rain, and then to Sacred Grounds, where now I sit with a very large and very hot cup of peppermint tea. It's open mic night, and to my left two gentlemen are creating a song on the spot which they will perform.
This is a very crowded coffee shop but it's one of the only good ones in Arcata. I'm feeling more comfortable than other times sitting alone in public. Coffee shops seem to be designed just for that. Alone but not alone. Near humans but doing your own thing. It's interesting to me, fascinating even.
Now my dilemma: I'm more comfortable here than in Mike's cold shop. I walked here - I needed to even though it was raining (though I did go for a nice walk this morning at the beach, I want to get into the habit of walking or biking every time I can and biking in the rain was out). I don't want to walk down South G Street in the dark. I don't want to call Mike to come get me. I don't want to leave just yet. It will be getting dark soon. That's my dilemma.
Tough life, right? Oy.
I didn't even call Grandma today. :-(
Now I'm back home and I must call State Farm, DMV, and Grandma. She gets her stitches out today.
7:52PM
Day spent driving back and forth to Arcata three times - going to the DMV twice (and still not having proof enough that I paid off my car loan! Not even to mention the hoops one has to jump through to obtain a driver's license around here - social security card and current valid WI DL NOT sufficient! Official birth certificate and/or passport required!), stopped by State Farm and gave them a copy of my policies because my agent in Wisco (Californians love to shorten words) is taking his sweet time faxing them a copy of it (surprise, surprise), but then spent $157 on DMV registration, so I am not ready to discuss rates and parting with more money that I neither have nor earn. Anyway, progress was made. I'll have to call my bank and have an "official" letter sent that states I have paid off my car loan. Which I have. And I have a letter from Summit, but it wasn't signed.
One of the various times I was in Arcata, Mike and I went to a shop and sold glass. He bought me a green teeshirt that says Humboldt across the chest. We went to this little watch repair shop and had the battery replaced in my favorite purple watch ("Funky purple watch, I like it, I bet it's your favorite," said the shop owner). Mike and I walked the few blocks from the watch place to the car in the rain. We were laughing and teasing each other. Making plans to make a trip to the Bay area tomorrow. Mike went back to work, and I walked from the studio to Porter Street BBQ, in spite of the rain, and then to Sacred Grounds, where now I sit with a very large and very hot cup of peppermint tea. It's open mic night, and to my left two gentlemen are creating a song on the spot which they will perform.
This is a very crowded coffee shop but it's one of the only good ones in Arcata. I'm feeling more comfortable than other times sitting alone in public. Coffee shops seem to be designed just for that. Alone but not alone. Near humans but doing your own thing. It's interesting to me, fascinating even.
Now my dilemma: I'm more comfortable here than in Mike's cold shop. I walked here - I needed to even though it was raining (though I did go for a nice walk this morning at the beach, I want to get into the habit of walking or biking every time I can and biking in the rain was out). I don't want to walk down South G Street in the dark. I don't want to call Mike to come get me. I don't want to leave just yet. It will be getting dark soon. That's my dilemma.
Tough life, right? Oy.
I didn't even call Grandma today. :-(
"Look, Palm Trees on the Farm" (Wednesday, May 2)
Today, I have emailed several people regarding work/job interview-related things. I have an interview with a non-profit oranization next Monday. I called State Farm and made an appointment with them to get my insurance coverage transferred. I made an appointment to get my car smog certified. Mike took a break from work and went with me (I was fine with going by myself but he offered and didn't mind). I balanced a checking account (I now have one out here in addition to my Wisconsin account) and paid my cell phone bill.
Exciting, right? Well, ya gotta do what ya gotta do. Not everyday can be thrilling, unfortunately. Or maybe that's a good thing.
I hung out with Mike while he worked for a little while. Listened to music. We have been trying to pool our resources, including using one car (and only when necessary). So that sometimes means I take him to work and then keep myself busy running errands and exploring Arcata, instead of Eureka. It's fine with me. Arcata is charming. :-)
What else did I do today? Oh, well, I online chatted with Hayley for a bit. I sat on the back patio with Mike and drank coffee while watching the sun come out - this is something we try to do everyday.
Mike and I went to Glass House and got some clear glass rods and 24K gold wire for him to work with. Next door is the Country Store; they have the BEST food, all made from scratch, some vegan, many things organic. They had Thai chicken curry soup on special so I had them fill my fat pink travel mug with it. We also got organic dried whole bananas (they are soooooo yummy), chocolate covered raisins, sesame garlic sticks, chocolate peanut butter brownie (still hot from the pan - this is Mike's favorite), pineapple carrot cake with cream cheese frosting... we didn't eat it all at once! Some of it was for later. All of it was $13.99, not bad for two people for the whole day, in my opinion. The soup was creamy but not heavy, spicy and sweet at the same time - peanut thai sauce and coconut curry I'm guessing - chock full of green squash, chicken, potatoes, onion, carrots, rice. YUMMY. Big chunks, well made. Mike's "not a soup guy" but he ate about 1/3 of it after tasting it.
After smog check we stopped at Sacred Grounds for coffee refills. $3.22 after tax for my pink mug plus Mike's big thermos. More than three refills worth, most definitely, but you get rewarded for bringing your own containers in Arcata. If you count having tons of coffee to drink a reward. I guess I do. (Oh yeah, and it was driving by a farm on the way to the smog place that Mike made the comment that I chose as this entry's title: "Look! Palm trees on the farm...have that in Wisconsin?" Smarty Pants.)
Mike has made nearly 20 pieces already, and it's only 4PM. Plus he stopped twice - for Glass House/Country Store plus Smog Check/Sacred Grounds. We got here around 10:45AM, which is sort of late. So not bad for a day's work, Mike.
So, Mike put my bike on his rack, which just fit over my spoiler, so that I could have my bike in Arcata. Now I'm going to ride my bike to the bank to cash a check. It's really nice and sunny out there.
Oh yeah, and also today I talked to Grandma on the phone. I miss her. She is always glad to hear from me. I just said to Mike: "Grandma is my favorite. She just thinks I'm wonderful." Mike said, "You ARE wonderful!" (Oh yeah, did I mention he put my bike on my car all of his own volition and didn't say anything so I'd be surprised when I came out of the house? "I thought you might want to ride it around after you get bored hanging out with me.") It's 4:06PM - Bicycle Time!
9:37PM
I rode my bike from 4:00 to 5:00. Went to the bank and cashed my check. Explored a few streets of Arcata.
At 5:15 we went up to Orick (past Trinidad) to Lady Bird Johnson Trail - one mile hike, so a good one to start with - in "Bears and Lion Country." There were signs explaining how to deflect/avoid bears ("make lots of noise") and what to do if one approaches ("stay calm," make noise? - or stay quiet - can't remember now. Probably this is an important detail...? Oh yeah, and "DON'T RUN!" If attacked, "Fight Back Aggressively." Great.)
It started to rain after we got back into the car (good timing!) and we saw two big beautiful rainbows. Of course I didn't have my camera. It's OK though. I enjoyed them with my two eyes.
Then we stopped at a beach north of Trinidad, south of Orick, and walked through the sand in our sandals (typically we travel with hiking boots and sandals so as to be prepared). Climbed a big rock. Watched the waves.
Came back to Arcata. Mike and I counted 27 pieces and I think he's made 7 more. I'm going to walk somewhere to use the bathroom and grab something to drink (there is a bathroom at his rented studio space, but it is so gross I can't bring myself to go in there).
Oh yeah, also I noticed the instructions for "what to do" were only if you see/meet a bear. It did not tell what to do in the unfortunate event you cross paths with a mountain lion. Though it did say we were in "mountain lion AND bear country". So I asked Mike what we would/should do. He said, "Take a picture!"
Yeah. Thanks, Mike. That is very helpful information. NOT.
11:18PM
I walked from South G St, Mike's Work, to Sacred Grounds on 7th and F. It was closed. The walk was only about five blocks up and one block over. I'm glad I did it but South G was very very dark and the shadows scared me. I called Mike to let him know I was going into Safeway (grocery store) to shop and was he done soon because I was too scared? No, I didn't like to do that, but better safe than sorry. He was just about done and more than happy to come and get me.
Exciting, right? Well, ya gotta do what ya gotta do. Not everyday can be thrilling, unfortunately. Or maybe that's a good thing.
I hung out with Mike while he worked for a little while. Listened to music. We have been trying to pool our resources, including using one car (and only when necessary). So that sometimes means I take him to work and then keep myself busy running errands and exploring Arcata, instead of Eureka. It's fine with me. Arcata is charming. :-)
What else did I do today? Oh, well, I online chatted with Hayley for a bit. I sat on the back patio with Mike and drank coffee while watching the sun come out - this is something we try to do everyday.
Mike and I went to Glass House and got some clear glass rods and 24K gold wire for him to work with. Next door is the Country Store; they have the BEST food, all made from scratch, some vegan, many things organic. They had Thai chicken curry soup on special so I had them fill my fat pink travel mug with it. We also got organic dried whole bananas (they are soooooo yummy), chocolate covered raisins, sesame garlic sticks, chocolate peanut butter brownie (still hot from the pan - this is Mike's favorite), pineapple carrot cake with cream cheese frosting... we didn't eat it all at once! Some of it was for later. All of it was $13.99, not bad for two people for the whole day, in my opinion. The soup was creamy but not heavy, spicy and sweet at the same time - peanut thai sauce and coconut curry I'm guessing - chock full of green squash, chicken, potatoes, onion, carrots, rice. YUMMY. Big chunks, well made. Mike's "not a soup guy" but he ate about 1/3 of it after tasting it.
After smog check we stopped at Sacred Grounds for coffee refills. $3.22 after tax for my pink mug plus Mike's big thermos. More than three refills worth, most definitely, but you get rewarded for bringing your own containers in Arcata. If you count having tons of coffee to drink a reward. I guess I do. (Oh yeah, and it was driving by a farm on the way to the smog place that Mike made the comment that I chose as this entry's title: "Look! Palm trees on the farm...have that in Wisconsin?" Smarty Pants.)
Mike has made nearly 20 pieces already, and it's only 4PM. Plus he stopped twice - for Glass House/Country Store plus Smog Check/Sacred Grounds. We got here around 10:45AM, which is sort of late. So not bad for a day's work, Mike.
So, Mike put my bike on his rack, which just fit over my spoiler, so that I could have my bike in Arcata. Now I'm going to ride my bike to the bank to cash a check. It's really nice and sunny out there.
Oh yeah, and also today I talked to Grandma on the phone. I miss her. She is always glad to hear from me. I just said to Mike: "Grandma is my favorite. She just thinks I'm wonderful." Mike said, "You ARE wonderful!" (Oh yeah, did I mention he put my bike on my car all of his own volition and didn't say anything so I'd be surprised when I came out of the house? "I thought you might want to ride it around after you get bored hanging out with me.") It's 4:06PM - Bicycle Time!
9:37PM
I rode my bike from 4:00 to 5:00. Went to the bank and cashed my check. Explored a few streets of Arcata.
At 5:15 we went up to Orick (past Trinidad) to Lady Bird Johnson Trail - one mile hike, so a good one to start with - in "Bears and Lion Country." There were signs explaining how to deflect/avoid bears ("make lots of noise") and what to do if one approaches ("stay calm," make noise? - or stay quiet - can't remember now. Probably this is an important detail...? Oh yeah, and "DON'T RUN!" If attacked, "Fight Back Aggressively." Great.)
It started to rain after we got back into the car (good timing!) and we saw two big beautiful rainbows. Of course I didn't have my camera. It's OK though. I enjoyed them with my two eyes.
Then we stopped at a beach north of Trinidad, south of Orick, and walked through the sand in our sandals (typically we travel with hiking boots and sandals so as to be prepared). Climbed a big rock. Watched the waves.
Came back to Arcata. Mike and I counted 27 pieces and I think he's made 7 more. I'm going to walk somewhere to use the bathroom and grab something to drink (there is a bathroom at his rented studio space, but it is so gross I can't bring myself to go in there).
Oh yeah, also I noticed the instructions for "what to do" were only if you see/meet a bear. It did not tell what to do in the unfortunate event you cross paths with a mountain lion. Though it did say we were in "mountain lion AND bear country". So I asked Mike what we would/should do. He said, "Take a picture!"
Yeah. Thanks, Mike. That is very helpful information. NOT.
11:18PM
I walked from South G St, Mike's Work, to Sacred Grounds on 7th and F. It was closed. The walk was only about five blocks up and one block over. I'm glad I did it but South G was very very dark and the shadows scared me. I called Mike to let him know I was going into Safeway (grocery store) to shop and was he done soon because I was too scared? No, I didn't like to do that, but better safe than sorry. He was just about done and more than happy to come and get me.
Hooking Up, a girl's all-out guide to SEX & SEXUALITY, by Amber Madison
So this book is geared more toward high school and very young college aged, maybe even older middle school aged, girls (as you can imagine, since it's a book on sexuality that has very basic, but detailed, information on what every person should know about sex, written with a young female audience in mind). Still, it's a really well- written and presented book, full of very important information every girl should know ASAP.
Especially the chapter on sexual assault and rape.
Also the chapter on STD's.
And the chapter on pregnancy.
These are things no girl should have to wonder about for very long. Her parents should, at the very least, give her this book.
In my opinion.
An excerpt worth reading, from the chapter on Sexual Stereotypes (another good chapter! see, there are lots of them):
"WOMEN DON'T GET HORNY OR ENJOY SEX AS MUCH AS MEN DO
"Stereotypically, women aren't supposed to want sex. We're like the sexual benchwarmers; we're supposed to get all dressed up to play (makeup, cleavage, tight pants), but then we can't go out on the field (or we're 'slutty' if we do). And since we're not supposed to want sex, many people believe that women actually don't want it. Some people think that women don't get horny or that, if they do, they don't get nearly as horny as men. Sure it's true that women may be more hesitant than men to engage in sex, but that's not because we desire it less.
"Guys are raised to be in touch with their sexual side. They are bombarded with pictures of half-naked women in poses that imply, 'Hey, baby, wanna screw?' Name a typical 'guy thing,' like sports games or beer commercials, and there are usually hot, half-naked girls connected with it. Furthermore, the American idea of a 'man' is a guy who wants to get it on as much as possible.
"Imagine if the world tried to make us permanently horny in the same way it does to guys. What if our girly magazines were filled with pictures of ridiculously hot, naked men? What if shows like Oprah had hot male cheerleaders who shook their asses every time she made a good point? And what if 'being a lady' meant behaving like a porn star? It seems ridiculous, but that's essentially the world that guys grow up in. Guys don't want sex more than girls, or get hornier than we do; it's just that they've been taught it's OK to express their sexual desires, whereas we're supposed to suppress ours.
"Girls may be more hesitant to engage in sex acts, but it's not because we desire sex less than guys do. We just have more to lose. When a guy has sex, He's a 'pimp' - he's not going to get himself pregnant, and his chance of catching an STD is half that of a girl's. And even if he's having sex for the first time, he's likely to have an orgasm.
"When a girl has sex, she has to worry about people frowning upon her 'dirty' decision. She has to deal with the anxiety of a possible pregnancy and the increased chance of catching an STD. And even after risking all that, there's a good chance that she won't even get off. So if women are slower to want to jump in the sack, it's not because our sex drive isn't as strong - it's because sex is riskier for girls than it is for guys.
"The problem with thinking that women don't get horny or don't want sex is that it makes sex something that we do for guys and not for ourselves. It sets us up to feel used and dirty when having sex because we're told that we don't really want to be doing it. And it completely undermines our sexual satisfaction because if women don't want sex, what does it matter if we enjoy it? We have to acknowledge our sexual desires and needs, because it's not fair to go into sexual encounters thinking a guy's experience is more important than our own."
SIDENOTE FROM THE PEANUT GALLERY (that's me): Only teaching abstinence in substitution of sex education is NOT effective, intelligent, or actually even sex education at all. Small children will always reach puberty and will always be curious. You can teach them your morals, to wait until marriage, whatever you think is right. But you shouldn't not teach them about sex and its risks, as if teaching them will cause them to jump into a sexual relationship with someone else. On the contrary; not teaching them anything about it makes for ignorant, curious, horny people who can and will make really stupid choices. If you teach them the risks, it might actually help prevent them from doing some things before they are truly ready. PARENTS: no, I don't have kids, so no, I don't really know what it feels like. But if you want safe, healthy, happy children, the least you can do is teach them properly.
[End Rant]
Especially the chapter on sexual assault and rape.
Also the chapter on STD's.
And the chapter on pregnancy.
These are things no girl should have to wonder about for very long. Her parents should, at the very least, give her this book.
In my opinion.
An excerpt worth reading, from the chapter on Sexual Stereotypes (another good chapter! see, there are lots of them):
"WOMEN DON'T GET HORNY OR ENJOY SEX AS MUCH AS MEN DO
"Stereotypically, women aren't supposed to want sex. We're like the sexual benchwarmers; we're supposed to get all dressed up to play (makeup, cleavage, tight pants), but then we can't go out on the field (or we're 'slutty' if we do). And since we're not supposed to want sex, many people believe that women actually don't want it. Some people think that women don't get horny or that, if they do, they don't get nearly as horny as men. Sure it's true that women may be more hesitant than men to engage in sex, but that's not because we desire it less.
"Guys are raised to be in touch with their sexual side. They are bombarded with pictures of half-naked women in poses that imply, 'Hey, baby, wanna screw?' Name a typical 'guy thing,' like sports games or beer commercials, and there are usually hot, half-naked girls connected with it. Furthermore, the American idea of a 'man' is a guy who wants to get it on as much as possible.
"Imagine if the world tried to make us permanently horny in the same way it does to guys. What if our girly magazines were filled with pictures of ridiculously hot, naked men? What if shows like Oprah had hot male cheerleaders who shook their asses every time she made a good point? And what if 'being a lady' meant behaving like a porn star? It seems ridiculous, but that's essentially the world that guys grow up in. Guys don't want sex more than girls, or get hornier than we do; it's just that they've been taught it's OK to express their sexual desires, whereas we're supposed to suppress ours.
"Girls may be more hesitant to engage in sex acts, but it's not because we desire sex less than guys do. We just have more to lose. When a guy has sex, He's a 'pimp' - he's not going to get himself pregnant, and his chance of catching an STD is half that of a girl's. And even if he's having sex for the first time, he's likely to have an orgasm.
"When a girl has sex, she has to worry about people frowning upon her 'dirty' decision. She has to deal with the anxiety of a possible pregnancy and the increased chance of catching an STD. And even after risking all that, there's a good chance that she won't even get off. So if women are slower to want to jump in the sack, it's not because our sex drive isn't as strong - it's because sex is riskier for girls than it is for guys.
"The problem with thinking that women don't get horny or don't want sex is that it makes sex something that we do for guys and not for ourselves. It sets us up to feel used and dirty when having sex because we're told that we don't really want to be doing it. And it completely undermines our sexual satisfaction because if women don't want sex, what does it matter if we enjoy it? We have to acknowledge our sexual desires and needs, because it's not fair to go into sexual encounters thinking a guy's experience is more important than our own."
SIDENOTE FROM THE PEANUT GALLERY (that's me): Only teaching abstinence in substitution of sex education is NOT effective, intelligent, or actually even sex education at all. Small children will always reach puberty and will always be curious. You can teach them your morals, to wait until marriage, whatever you think is right. But you shouldn't not teach them about sex and its risks, as if teaching them will cause them to jump into a sexual relationship with someone else. On the contrary; not teaching them anything about it makes for ignorant, curious, horny people who can and will make really stupid choices. If you teach them the risks, it might actually help prevent them from doing some things before they are truly ready. PARENTS: no, I don't have kids, so no, I don't really know what it feels like. But if you want safe, healthy, happy children, the least you can do is teach them properly.
[End Rant]
Sunday, May 6, 2007
I HAVE MY VERY OWN THEME SONG!!!
THANK YOU, RUSSELL, THIS IS THE COOLEST PRESENT!!!!
Updated to add the song lyrics in case your computer and/or environment does not allow you to listen to sounds:
Let me tell you about a girl
Who loves Dr. Seuss
She's got a great writing style
A photogenic smile
Bringing joy to the people on the streets
She embarked on a new adventure
And moved to Californ-I-A
Spending her time reading in the sunshine
Listens to the ocean to clear her mind
She'll publish a book one day you'll see
And her name is Naomi
Naomi Yeah Yeah Yeah
Naomi Yeah Yeah Yeah
Naomi theme song tonight
| Naomi Theme.mp3 |
Updated to add the song lyrics in case your computer and/or environment does not allow you to listen to sounds:
Let me tell you about a girl
Who loves Dr. Seuss
She's got a great writing style
A photogenic smile
Bringing joy to the people on the streets
She embarked on a new adventure
And moved to Californ-I-A
Spending her time reading in the sunshine
Listens to the ocean to clear her mind
She'll publish a book one day you'll see
And her name is Naomi
Naomi Yeah Yeah Yeah
Naomi Yeah Yeah Yeah
Naomi theme song tonight
Tuesday, May 1, 2007
Happy Unbirthday to Me!
The new Girlyman album, Joyful Sign, just came in the mail today!
I don't know why I love this band so much, I mean I think they are really good, but for some reason it's deeper than that. I listen to them and feel sort of like we understand each other. Plus the harmony is off the hook.
Anyway. I'm off to listen to my new CD.
I don't know why I love this band so much, I mean I think they are really good, but for some reason it's deeper than that. I listen to them and feel sort of like we understand each other. Plus the harmony is off the hook.
Anyway. I'm off to listen to my new CD.
A New Month Means New State Registration
My plates have expired on my Nissan. This means I have to go get California plates now. I wonder if I could get a vanity plate that says Made in WI. I wonder if I would really want to do that. I'm rather proud of Wisconsin and always have been.
Why is that? Perhaps it's because they know the appropriate amount of cheese to put on their pizza, making them the TRUE dairy state, in my book?
Maybe it's just because I was ... made there.
Happy May, y'all. It marks the beginning of my third month here out west. It means summer is right around the corner. It means longer, easier days. It means I'm about to move from mid-twenties to ... gasp ... I can't even say it. I think I'll stick with mid-twenties for as long as possible. (Why do we do that? I've always loved growing older. When does that stop?)
Why is that? Perhaps it's because they know the appropriate amount of cheese to put on their pizza, making them the TRUE dairy state, in my book?
Maybe it's just because I was ... made there.
Happy May, y'all. It marks the beginning of my third month here out west. It means summer is right around the corner. It means longer, easier days. It means I'm about to move from mid-twenties to ... gasp ... I can't even say it. I think I'll stick with mid-twenties for as long as possible. (Why do we do that? I've always loved growing older. When does that stop?)
Rented!
My Madison apartment is officially rented! Yeah yeah yeahyeahyeah.
This is so cool.
I really hope my Anthony and Jessa like their new roomie... Alli is her name, Epic is her game.
This is so cool.
I really hope my Anthony and Jessa like their new roomie... Alli is her name, Epic is her game.
Review-ish: the five people you meet in heaven
By Mitch Albom
This book is like nothing I've ever read. It's swirly whirly in its imagery. The lessons are important. I cried about five times (one for each person), at least. The ending was definitely not what I expected. I didn't feel like the book just dropped at the end and left me hanging either. It is a complete story. That's rare in a novel, I have found.
I'm terrible at reviewing books. But this is one I think people should read. It does not mean you have to believe in heaven or that people are going to heaven. It's about the meaning of life in a way. Like this old man thought his life meant nothing. He learned that wasn't even the beginning of the truth. He learned how he had affected other people's lives in such intimate and life-changing ways and vice versa. That we are all connected.
It might sound kind of "hippy dippy" but it's just a lovely book.
A few of my favorite quotes:
"No life is a waste. The only time we waste is the time we spend thinking we are alone."
"Sometimes when you sacrifice something precious, you're not really losing it. You're just passing it on to someone else."
"Lost love is still love."
OK, but seriously, if you haven't read this book, go and read it. I don't think anyone will regret that choice. Even if you think its premise is silly. It might be. Maybe we are not going to heaven. I never said I believed that. The author acknowledges that he may not believe that either. That's really not the point of this story.
This book is like nothing I've ever read. It's swirly whirly in its imagery. The lessons are important. I cried about five times (one for each person), at least. The ending was definitely not what I expected. I didn't feel like the book just dropped at the end and left me hanging either. It is a complete story. That's rare in a novel, I have found.
I'm terrible at reviewing books. But this is one I think people should read. It does not mean you have to believe in heaven or that people are going to heaven. It's about the meaning of life in a way. Like this old man thought his life meant nothing. He learned that wasn't even the beginning of the truth. He learned how he had affected other people's lives in such intimate and life-changing ways and vice versa. That we are all connected.
It might sound kind of "hippy dippy" but it's just a lovely book.
A few of my favorite quotes:
"No life is a waste. The only time we waste is the time we spend thinking we are alone."
"Sometimes when you sacrifice something precious, you're not really losing it. You're just passing it on to someone else."
"Lost love is still love."
OK, but seriously, if you haven't read this book, go and read it. I don't think anyone will regret that choice. Even if you think its premise is silly. It might be. Maybe we are not going to heaven. I never said I believed that. The author acknowledges that he may not believe that either. That's really not the point of this story.
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