Thinking on 1945
Category: Movies, TV, Celebrities

I stand out side of my house in Las Vegas, watching each penultimate moment of the explosions George Romero termed "Sky Flowers" in his epic Day of The Dead. In the background, I hear the screams of the corner bought rockets, as they are launched by children from HOA approved driveways. I think on how many of those children are waiting for a parent if not both to return from the Middle East in a war that no one quite understands. This is my forty-fifth year on the planet, and I am struck at how deeply the sight is affecting me.

At the Veterans Clinic I've met dozens of World War II, Korean, and Viet Nam soldiers, as well as those who fought in the battles of my contemporaries. Once I spoke with a man who was stationed on the Arizona. He started to talk and the entire waiting room just stopped any other conversation, and we all sat attentive to his remembrance of that day. You could hear in his voice, and see his eyes, and know that every minute of his life there after was only a shadow of what was then.

He had been a boy of nineteen. I say, boy, although, anyone who is given a machine gun, and told to either live by his wits or die in a foreign land is certainly no child. His brother was already a survivor of other battles in Europe, and was already home by the time he enlisted. Despite protests from his war-scarred sibling, he marched into the recruiting office ready to submit to duty. His first command in the Navy was aboard the USS Arizona. He was there for only a week when he saw the planes overhead, and heard the first of what he thought was several explosions. He said he was just complaining to someone that he wasn't going to have leave for weeks because he was such a rookie. The next thing he remembers is bending over the same guy trying to determine if he was alive or not, then watching water take over. You could hear it in his voice that he was still listening for the sounds in life in the dead sailor.

Not a week later, I heard the story of Pat Tillman, who was only one example of the over three thousand who had died in the war that no one understands. His death, shadowed by more confusion than most, certainly was one that was prefaced with the sound of screaming rockets, and the launch of mortar in the air. It's the loss of the thousands that diffuse my excitement of the bright lights, colors, and shiny lights of fireworks. It's my forty-fifth year and it's not a joyful experience. In 1945, the lights of the rockets were not beautiful. In 2005, the lights were equally horrifying.

And, here I am in the 45th year of life, wondering how many children are losing their parents to the same beautiful firecrackers that they are excited to see on this holiday. My innocence has finally left.

3:24 PM - 5 Comments - 12 Kudos - Add Comment

Tanyalee UPdate and JAZZ Demon News!
Category: Movies, TV, Celebrities

Seriously- I posted this yesterday-- and I'm still curious as to which Myspace error happened..because it APPEARED yesterday for a moment..but here it is again..
and Tricia, I've been thinking about you a lot- My dad keep sending hints he wants me to come back to MA to visit..so maybe soon... Baseball time!

And..to add to today's posting- Last word I have because I wasn't visiting today- she sent a text saying she's coming home TODAY!! Great news. Will update as I know more.
Okay reposting-
Yes, this is a repost from Myspace..I probably didn't use enough
expletives...

Have you ever felt so emotionally drowned that you can't think quite
right?

It's been one of those days. Really hard in a lot of ways, very
satisfying in many more. Tanyalee is closer to leaving the rehab
hospital, walking to the bathroom if she needs to, and oh yeah, the
big old monsters of Bertha and Stan? They're working their way out of
her system.

Yesterday, I wasn't able to stop in. The whole day, I kept thinking-
"I hope she's having a good day" because so far, on the days I
wasn't there- she's had rough times. The fear was ungrounded, of
course, and she had a wound specialist decide that her spinal area
was quite healed well, and the infection didn't visually seem
apparent. The consensus was- "blood test to confirm all okay".

Well, flash to Wednesday. (we can do that, it's the FUTURE) I'm still
dealing with broken computers, a body that hates the heat, and
getting Mike prepped for his big return to the Los Angeles area-
(more in a moment)- and I get stuck in traffic on the way to the
hospital. Not fun for me, but probably worse for those in the
accident. When I do get to the hospital, Tanyalee is in the final
moments of recovering from an issue that was bothering her for four
days- won't go into it, just involved a commode and a flock of nurses.

But, she also decided that she was to have the big blood test. Let me
explain. T-has veins that are so fragile they collapse almost as soon
as any needle is inserted. She had dozens of bad experiences in this,
and even in Santa Monica, while undergoing surgery- they took over 90
minutes to get an IV into her. Suffice it to say, she's not charmed
by the magic of IV medicine. For her to decide to take a blood
test..well that's up there with me going into the Bolshoi Ballet-
Physically and mentally not happening. And it's been hours from when
they TOLD her she was going to have this done until I got there.

To say she had been stressed is to say that Bush is mildly interested
in war. (either Bush, either war) I had barely walked into the room
and I could feel the tension, and see in her face, just how stressed
this was making her. WAITING for the pain is twice as horrible as the
pain itself. Her scooter was ready for her, and she was just wigging
about the whole deal. The doctor hadn't come to talk to her, and no
one had answers as to WHEN this would happen. Picture yourself
dangling over a cliff in Peru, and wondering when the car would lurch
forward? Yes, that is remotely close.

We chat for a bit, and she fills me in on the details. We head over
to her Physical Therapy- fortunately she has the CHIEF of PT there
today. That woman was aces- off to find the doctor, hi-fiving T for
her efforts, and all while remaining in charge of this department. We
love her. She is convinced Tanyalee is ready to go home, as we all
are. All except Dunder Doc, who is still babbling on his phone and
smiling at anything Tanyalee says, as if he was waiting for
punchlines.

He's condescending, and patronizing, and all of the 'ing's that you
know are annoyING. As Tanyalee finally got to ask him "What is going
on?" he practically pat her on the head, saying "Well you know." And
that was IT. She broke down. That set me off- I was bound to hunt
that Case Manager down and get a real answer.

Within a half hour, the Quest Diagnostic vampire was ready, and he
managed to get the blood in ONE try- The only one of two people in
her ENTIRE life who has been able to do this. She held my hand- or I
held hers- with full power..and the deed was done, albeit with a bit
of ouch, but DONE. The case manager said if the tests come back, and
all is okay, it's very likely she'll be home by Saturday. FINALLY an
answer, and a goal- two things Tanyalee NEEDED, and the dunder doc
wasn't about to provide.

Flash forward again to home time.. I'm trying to email the PLANET or
at least anyone in Los Angeles- that Mike Jones is playing at the
Jazz Bakery, on Tuesday, July 8th- and YES anyone can go...they even
have student discounts. This year, as the last, Mike has his pal
David "the Simpsons" Silverman coming by to do a guest set on his
Jazz/Rock Tuba- and yes it's more phenomenal than you can imagine.

Mike happens to be an entirely different guy on stage solo than he is
with Penn & Teller. He plays like no one living, but he also has a
banter that is easy, funny, and keeps everyone in their seats. If
there are at least 60 people, Mike will play there again- and that's
important. It's a great gig to have because he is looking for a new
recording deal. Los Angeles is kinder to musicians than most cities-
and there are JAZZ fans, who don't ask him to play Happy Birthday,
or "The Piano Man"- for which he'd rather stab someone in the head.

He has a great show planned, and hopes that everyone he can get there
  gets there... With Silverman, it's going to be even better. Last
year, David was promoting the Simpsons Movie that he directed, so he
didn't have as many people there as he would have liked..THIS year,
we're hoping ALL Simpson fans- and those curious about a fire-
breathing tuba- will arrive. Mike's playing LA for the first time
since the death of his mentor Oscar Peterson, so I'm sure there will
be a bit of a tribute there.

UP, down, Up down.. It's time to feed some rats. (And yes, they DO
get popsicles in the summer heat!) The new car is still perfect, the
laptop is still at the shop, the meds are getting changed again so I
hopefully will lose about 30 lbs of bloat, puffy, ick that I have
from the last round.... and Mike is going to storm Los Angeles. OF
course, Tanyalee will read about this at her HOME by then... Or I'll
be chatting, ahem, with that Case Manager again.

loudly

cj

2:19 PM - 4 Comments - 8 Kudos - Add Comment

Tanyalee Davis Walked Today
Category: Movies, TV, Celebrities

My hero, and favorite super Canadian, Tanyalee Davis has had a rough month. Well, scratch that, she's had a rough few years. Three years ago, she was hit by a car, and added a bit to her comedy routine- "She fell from the sky". She makes the story sound hilarious, even though, I know that she was in quite an intense bit of pain during the whole event. At the time I was battling some of my own illnesses and never got to visit her during her recovery.

Just a few weeks ago she underwent Spinal Stenosis Surgery. For education purposes, this is a procedure which is done directly onto her spinal column, and was in two parts. She had the first section done on her upper back and was walking the next few days. The second section was in an area by her lumbar nerves, and it took a bit longer. She ended up with a gaping wound on her back, and she was actually (yes I used that word) driven from Los Angeles, (st john's- you know the hospital where Miles Davis and George Carlin spent their last breath). She managed to be in a car for FOUR hours on a trip to Las Vegas.

Tanyalee was taken to a surgical recovery center in Las Vegas, on Valley View, (email or pm and I'll send you directions). Her room is the very last one down a long hallway. To get there when you can walk takes a while. My pal Jenn, whose parents live in Bullhead and who'll love that I said that, came with me to visit the first time.

I know I've written about Tanyalee many times. When she did that showcase with Dat Phan for the Little People, Big World show, I gushed at how amazing she is. This is the first time in the ..holy crap.. 15?  years I've know her... that I ever saw her as a small person. She looked so little between the big pillows, massive, bed, ugly pink room divider, and blank walls. And, her husband Marty, sweetly and dutiful by her side, seemed just as small- hurting every time she hurt, and frustrated at every moment she was frustrated. And, she was in pain. Real pain. The kind of pain that those of us with disabilities, and those who have gone through life changing surgeries know first hand. Every time Marty tried to comfort her, you could see her face turn white with the flush of severe crushing pain. It was excruciating to watch.

Yet, that same night, she managed to get into a scooter, and roll onto the cafeteria..with the trio in tow. Just watching her get into that wheely thingamabob put me into a sweat...so I could only slightly imagine what she was feeling. I visited her another time with Jenn- and the diminutive one was starting to look a little stronger. She was now by a window, and eager to find any way to get out of that place.

The next visit was with her at the Physical Therapy- and John, the fellow from Montana with an accent Bill Macy would have killed for in Fargo- was kind, and supportive of her desire to push through the stretching motions she earnestly put forward in attempt to strengthen those tiny bones. As useless as I felt for her, at least I know first hand what that feels like- and what it means to survive Physical Therapy. Support means EVERYTHING.

Okay, I couldn't go yesterday because of the tooth thingy- and yes, I now have a fully formed, fully fitted molar. Thanks. Yes, my computer decided to die, too, and now is going to HP heaven. So it wasn't a great day for me, but it turned out to be a bad day for T, and several other of the pals in the group. They put her on some new antibiotics to conquer some infection that settled in the wound. The doctor said "two organisms moved in" so Tanyalee named them Stan and Bertha. She is going to have lots of material..I mean LOADS.

When John was there, we rooted for the others who were making their way around the floor, and attempting keigel exercises with the wonder ball. Don't ask. But during her antibiotic change- her stomach rebelled and she was too ill to work out yesterday anyway. Anyhow. She apparently played like that woman in Witches of Eastwick who chucked up the cherry pitts. It wasn't pretty for her, or her nurses. Exhaustion didn't help her get any work down and the day was set back after set back, culminating with a nurse who didn't feel it necessary to give her nausea meds. Nice.

Flash to today. I didn't make it to my gym, but I did manage to get to In and Out burger, getting her some 'chips' and lemoneade. It was the first thing she kept down. She let me know about all the fun that the drugs was causing, and it wasn't long before the PT Assistant of the day showed up.  We watched several of the octagenarians maneuver walkers, and stand for the first time in who knows how long. I think that was a bit inspirational to her.

After her stretch session, she took to a walker, and attempted the feat of putting one foot in front of the other for the first time in weeks. In less than three breaths, she was up and moving. I almost cried. Seriously choked it back like a proud parent at the Olympics. And, I took pictures. The one thing that struck me hard was that her husband wasn't here to see this.

You can see the pictures here-
http://picasaweb.google.com/gimpyratcat/TanyaleeWalkingInLasVegas

But there she was, so inspiring, so strong...so Tanyalee. She seems like her old self again, making jokes with the little old lady who had her husband walking with her, and rooting for the slight, frail woman who had two hips replaced. Although the PT guy wasn't all that excited- man I can't tell you what that feels like. Or I can- when you see someone walk who only a few days before could barely sit in one position- it's gut wrenchingly wonderful.

As I drove home, I thought about the stuff my own body puts me through and how the medications turned me into a larger marge, from a wee me. Yet, I can manage most days with a cane and some pain meds. I am able to drive myself. I am able to stand straight up without standing only on my toes to balance. Tanyalee doesn't have any of this- and yet, even now she is the strongest person I know.

And she can walk.

that's just the best.

9:53 PM - 6 Comments - 10 Kudos - Add Comment

"I wonder if he’s smiling up at us?"
Category: Movies, TV, Celebrities

I can't write this.. someone else did. In his routine- he says, "I just saw him yesterday". responding with "so? I guess it didn't help much, did it?"

Apparently not...I just saw him last thursday. With Dennis Blair opening...

Wow. Just all i can say. Papa George is gone.
-------------

LOS ANGELES (Reuters) - Comedian George Carlin, a counter-culture hero famed for his routines about drugs and dirty words, died of heart failure at a Los Angeles-area hospital on Sunday, a spokesman said. He was 71.

Carlin, who had a history of heart and drug-dependency problems, died at Saint John's Health Center in Santa Monica about 6 p.m. PDT (9 p.m. EDT) after being admitted earlier in the afternoon for chest pains, spokesman Jeff Abraham told Reuters.

Known for his edgy, provocative material, Carlin achieved status as an anti-Establishment icon in the 1970s with stand-up bits full of drug references and a routine called "Seven Words You Can Never Say On Television." A regulatory battle over a radio broadcast of the routine ultimately reached the U.S. Supreme Court.

In the 1978 case, Federal Communications Commission vs. Pacifica Foundation, the top U.S. court ruled that the words cited in Carlin's routine were indecent, and that the government's broadcast regulator could ban them from being aired at times when children might be listening.

Carlin's comedic sensibility often came back to a central theme: humanity is doomed.

"I don't have any beliefs or allegiances. I don't believe in this country, I don't believe in religion, or a god, and I don't believe in all these man-made institutional ideas," he told Reuters in a 2001 interview.

Carlin, who wrote several books and performed in many television comedy specials, is survived by his wife Sally Wade, and daughter Kelly Carlin McCall.

(Reporting by Dean Goodman and Steve Gorman; Editing by Patricia Zengerle)

...tr>..table>

Currently watching : Dogma [Blu-ray] Release date: 2008-03-11

10:59 PM - 20 Comments - 34 Kudos - Add Comment

Important- Women Please Read
Category: Friends

hi all...this is a repost from my friend Lea's blog. I thought it was far too important not to pass along...and  please please please TAKE CARE to read it.
------

You know I was thinking this morning as I came back from the heart doctor. Women have such different symptoms and that is why they are far too often misdiagnosed. Heart disease is the leading cause of death in woman each year with cancer following. Misdiagnoses has been the cause of many of those deaths in past years. Today doctors are more aware of the symptoms women display but not all doctors.

In 1999 I went to an ER because I had a fast heart rate and what seemed to be sever heartburn that would not go away. The doctor prescribed some acid reflux medication and was sending me home. I was heading to my car as he came running out of the hospital door yelling wait wait  .

You see the enzyme levels in your blood that indicate a heart attack do not always show up in the first second and sometimes even third blood tests. It can take upwards of 10 hours in women before they rear their ugly head. The doctor caught me and told me I had to be admitted because I had a heart attack. I went back in confused. I thought there had to be a mistake. No way did I have a heart attack. After all I didn't have heart chest pain. I didn't have left arm pain. I felt fine by then and my heart rate had slowed to a normal rhythm. If I had a heart attack surely I wouldn't feel so much better that quickly. How could I have had a heart attack? This guy was crazy.

It took some convincing but I finally listened as he explained. I had a cardiac cath and three stents placed. At that time they thought I had plaque build up. I was prescribed plavix and sent home four days later feeling like a new woman.

Years past with no problems. In 2007, my heart problems were back and I survived 5 more heart attacks, 13 stents, and a quadruple bypass. I was finally diagnosed and the scar tissue finally became evident. I knew there was no way I could have plaque build up. One because of my age (or so I thought) and two because I don't eat things that are high in fat. I used to but after my first scare my diet changed drastically. But the scar tissue does mimic what plaque does to your vessels and arteries.

If you eat a lot of junk food and take out you can see a build up by age 25. WOW. Same if you eat a lot of fatty foods at home. Watch your fat intake ladies!!!!

I want to share with you my symptoms because I think you will be surprised. It is no wonder woman die before diagnoses.

I felt heartburn and severe upset stomach accompanied by an mild irregular heart beat with my first diagnosed heart attack.

My second I had the upset stomach and pain in the center of my chest. No where near the actual heart and a slight radiation of pain into the left side of my neck. Not bad more like an annoyance.

Here is the kicker on the third. I only had jaw pain and a was a little tired. I went to a dentist who suggested I go see my doctor who then ran a blood test looking for an infection but because of my history ordered the enzyme test only to find I was having a major massive heart attack unknown to me. I am lucky to be alive as most of my arteries were 100% closed with the one that was open a little at 85% closed. I ended up unconscious on my floor at home before the blood tests came in. I had the bypass at that time.

My fourth, I had back pain and jaw pain.

Fifth, I had nausea and mid back pain.

nothing sounds like I had a heart attack, does it? That is my point! Women have heart disease in a different way then men. It's not like what you see on TV. Most of the symptoms I had would be ignored as long as they go away in a few days. You tough them out never thinking those symptoms could be anything serious. I mean come on who goes in for heart burn? Well, you should.

Women often report their symptoms before having a heart attack, although the symptoms are not typical "heart" symptoms. In a multi-center study of 515 women who had a heart attack, the most frequently reported symptoms were fatigue, sleep disturbances, shortness of breath, indigestion and anxiety. The majority of women (78%) reported at least one symptom for more than one month before their heart attack. Only 30% reported chest discomfort, which was described as an aching, tightness, pressure, sharpness, burning, fullness or tingling.

Some things you should know from one of my hand outs.

"Studies show that women's symptoms are less likely identified as heart disease related. Women are less likely to recognize the symptoms of a heart attack and seek treatment. By learning and recognizing the symptoms, women can become assertive in their treatment. The most common symptoms of heart disease in women are:

Pressure over the chest, burning sensation, upset or slight pain in upper abdomen, heartburn like sensation, shortness of breath, irregular heartbeat, neck pain, jaw pain, back pain, dizziness, sweating, fatigue and nausea."

I am sharing this because I am sad that so many women die every year undiagnosed or too late diagnosis. It is our responsibility to take control of our health care. Do not ignore. It is simple to call a doctor and have a blood test.

We stress over cancers, breast cancer, never missing our check ups. So why not include a heart evaluation at the same time? Pick up those phones ladies. I want to hear you dialing because how sad I would be to lose a single one of you!!!!

10:00 PM - 9 Comments - 14 Kudos - Add Comment

Cancer, Carlin, Crowns, and Cars, oh my
Category: Movies, TV, Celebrities

Lots of life changing this week. I mean huge life changing events ...

As I posted earlier...the tooth is now capped temporarily- and I had no idea it was going to be that painful. The last two nights.. well I didn't sleep very well because I could feel thump thump thump deep in the jaw. This morning, at 5:43, after having the kitties nudge me awake nonstop- I gave in and took a muscle relaxant and an ibuprofin. Again..for those unaware, I'm on morphine, so taking other meds bothers me...and about a half hour later- I felt no thump thump thump. Amazing.

My Saturn, which I bought brand new in 2000, was a 2001. It's a stick shift, blue, and had all the little amenities that make cars fun including cd player, A/C, and a spotless repair record. But, a five speed is getting harder for me to use. My left knee keeps dislocating as I shift, and my right elbow does the same. It's just hard to drive a real car now. So, I wanted to test drive something different- emailed a friend who works in that business, who recommended a Toyota Yaris.

I'm at the dealership, and seriously unable to afford a payment of nearly $400, so I happily decide, no payment is better- I'll hang in my car awhile. Suddenly the payments drop $165, and I can now afford a new car. I have a 2008 Yaris, automatic- the first I've ever owned- and it's a dream to drive. Of course, doing all this paperwork makes me late for an appointment, and I note, my dad called me.

Dad doesn't usually call. I could only think, "aunt jeanne?" and called him back. Turns out it wasn't Aunt Jeanne he was calling about. Out of the blue, in the middle of a conversation of "how is your day?" he says, "Oh, well, I had cancer surgery yesterday." WHAT? Yeah, I know. Insane. He didn't want to call me before hand as he worried I'd fly out and do a benefit or something. He has that kind of humor. But it was a long sweet chat...and something that reminded me that the important things in life are those very things.

So tooth throbbing, new car, dad has cancer..and I'm late for meeting friends for dinner to see my pal Dennis opening for Carlin. Still in shock, I arrive at the Chinese restaurant at the casino, meet my friends....and babble some nonsense. We then head over to the show, with moments to spare. Dennis does very well- despite a very weird audience- sparsely seated in central locations, and fully placed people in places that are hard to hear on stage. Carlin does his act..

I've seen him several times now. I've listened to him rant and rave about stupid people..and he does a funeral bit which always cracks me up. I'm grief counseling- and here comes a lot of the issues that people bring up when they speak with me. "He's smiling down on you" is one of the best bits he does- and it was exactly what I needed to hear. My dad is alive, and can smile from wherever he is. There's no Looking up, or Peering down. It's dad, and he's alive, well, and beating cancer.

What a bunch of life changing stuff all piled into one proverbial station wagon of life? Broke from the dentist, car, and now in shock- we spent the rest of the evening listening to a woman talk about inane things, which reminded me that people are always going to be who they are, and no matter what the events are around them- they will be who they are. It's a good feeling, and reality has struck the right way.

In a couple of weeks- the rest of the tooth is repaired. Dad will be healed more. The new car, hopefully, will be in my possession still, and life will remain as it always is... a comedy routine for Carlin.

just a great way to look at it.

cj

7:56 AM - 6 Comments - 8 Kudos - Add Comment

Vanilla Ice Cream for Dinner
Category: Movies, TV, Celebrities

Yesterday afternoon I spent a while sitting back in the dentist's chair. I'm not going to write too much about it. I may not even write just enough about it. I do know I'm a bit wiped out, and for a few hours afterwards, I wanted to just sleep, but I did almost chuckle a few times listening to the tooth being sculpted away, as the doctor said, "Now I'm just letting you know you're an absolute easy gal, Just a dream." See, I haven't been called easy so often since I guess, grad school. Just funny.

I apparently floss enough to not bleed, and I apparently don't scream every time I hear the drill- so the dentist didn't have to deal with a tearful experience on my part. He asked me often, "Is this too much? I just want you to leave as still friends."

How cool is a dentist who has no desire to play like Little Shop of Horrors the home game? "gosh darn it, I'm going to treat me like you're daughter."
"Do I get a better allowance, and a new car?"
"well, I will tell you, like I'd tell my own daughter, not a chance."

He plays well with others. I have a false tooth- the first time in my life- a crown of acrylic sitting in the mouth until the ceramic one is finished. He decided not to give me a partial metal one- because of the weird shape of the tooth. I didn't feel much like having anything for dinner, although he said I should be "dandy" to eat what I wanted- as long as it wasn't taffy, gum, or likely to crack the thing. But, I couldn't handle much of that. My lip was swollen from where I bit it during the numb session. Nice... didn't even know and I nearly bit off part of the thing. So, I had vanilla ice-cream for dinner.

It was the best ice cream ever.

cj

Currently listening : Sharpen Your Teeth By Ugly Casanova Release date: 2002-05-21

1:14 PM - 6 Comments - 12 Kudos - Add Comment

Porn for Married Folks
Category: Movies, TV, Celebrities

I've got my husband completely enthralled with Anthony Bourdain. I know you were probably expecting some great tale of illicit actions, taking place in the back of a restaurant on a Sunday afternoon- but you'll have to keep dreaming, my friend. Instead, we took part in the salon experience that has been come to be known as Sunday Brunch. As foodies, the hubby and I generally don't elect to go to the fine dining establishments that permeate the desert. Instead, we pick a mom-n-pop joint, where the food helpings are as large as the plates can hold, and the menu items include the exotic Stuffed Peanut Butter French Toast. Drool tends to pepper any chat we have.

Today, we had our happy get-together, minus three important members. Our magician pal, Mike Close, his lovely bride and equally astounding escape artist, Lisa, and their smart, gorgeous bilingual (although possibly tri-lingual, considering the Canadian influence), Ava, were other wise occupied at a convention, so we had two pitch hitters- Dennis Blair, the comedian who has opened for Carlin for a proverbial coon's age, (which I assume is longer than 20 years), and his smart, sassy bride, Peggy. Joining us generally is our local stud-in -residence, Zeke, who missed this week off in his motion picture pursuits, I'm sure; music producer, and member of Hatfield's Beerd, (which I'm sure I spelled incorrectly), Seattle's own Jeff, and his stunningly sweet, and equally beautiful gal pal Christine, who can take as well as she gives as far as goofy barbs and fun quips.

The gang is dictionary descriptor of salon, covering literature, art, music, story-telling, and other creative endeavors in our conversations. Louise Labe herself would probably do well plunked dead center amongst us, holding  discourse and asking pertinent questions such as "Why do chocolate chips taste so good in banana-blueberry pancakes?" and "Where can you find leather chaps after hours?" Okay perhaps the latter was more to the standard definition of porn, but considering we were discussing mannequin dressing, it isn't likely. Very rarely does any discussion revolve around anyone's career, and instead, we chat about the hobbies, and fascination we have in restaurants around the city.

A friend mentioned watching the Food Network as if it was his porn the other day. That seems true for the brunch bunch. The local weekly rag ran a few tales about the show, Top Chef, which we watch the way some people watch the Red Sox against the Yankees. (Go Richard!) Sitting there is a joy because there isn't a debate, there isn't disagreement- there is shared knowledge. Friendly folks behave amicibly around the concepts of the positive aspects of creme fraiche, and the comparison of great dog food to great corned beef hash  Then it hits me what really is the action of the chat. We're enjoying being children again.

There is laughter, jokes, and gentle ribbing. We quote our favorite comedians with the same excitement as we would our favorite authors. We play around with the bowls before us, creating shapes, as Dreyfus did in Close Encounters. We stare longingly at each others' plates, ready to snatch a nibble when a someone isn't looking. The madness of the day, the politics, the sadness of the world, and even the pain in our own existence dissipates to open up room for a game of "stealing bacon" from one diner, and "what's in that bowl?" with another.

Certainly our language isn't exactly gentle, and probably the members of the US Navy could learn a word or two from some of the chatter. Each of us has a turn putting punchlines into musical anecdotes, and the Rolling Stones seems to fit every circumstance. Other tables filled with diners look at us with imploding annoyance, as we laugh probably too loud, and too often. We have a verbal orgy, enhanced with a waving fork or two, and it's just a great feeling knowing friends can be so close, and yet each stands as a unique and fascinating member simply for being whom he or she is.

A pair of hours, and several plates later, the event is finished. We top it all off with caffienated treats, hoping that the full bellies remain content despite our daring natures to try the contents of Mystery Sausage, and soup-du-jour. The ride home is a discussion of other restaurants, and dishes we would care to try in the future, followed by the nap that sated stomachs lure out of us. Post-chow-dal bliss, weekly summoned, exhausted to the nth degree. If that's not pornographic in its deepest core, I'm not interested in what is.

This time next week, it will be another moment of exerted energy, after a few hours celebrating Father's Day with the same or a similar gaggle. I suppose I could call a group like us a "murder" reflecting the concept of crows devouring the catch of the day. Gaggle is closer to giggle, however, and suits us just fine.

Until next week, I must find that pillow and hanker down for a snooze.

cj

Currently listening : Beast of Burden/ When the Whip Comes Down (Original 45 Single) By The Rolling Stones

6:14 PM - 10 Comments - 12 Kudos - Add Comment

The computer has returned!
Category: Movies, TV, Celebrities

Thanks to the Geek Squad I now have my third hard drive on my little new lap top. It's under warranty until December. Fortunately. I also have a call into the supervisor at HP Service. If the lap top goes again- THIRD TIME- then it goes directly to the manufacturer, do not pass Go, do not collect $200. Wouldn't it be great if we could, though?

I mean for all of the times we were treated like idiots by people who had to read a script instead of hear the words? Wouldn't it be awesome to impose a Pass Go, Collect $200 fee on all of that? I'd be a kajillionaire.

For those who have been trying to reach me by email- I haven't had a chance to read much of it- and I'm showing over 3000 emails in the inbox..(yes, I do have it sorted, why do you ask?) I still need to thank people who have sent me laser toys for the kitties, (thanks Vlad!), and atheist manifestos, (thanks Vlad!), and zombies in a box, (Thanks Scott, Rach and John!), and Tigers Shirts, (Thanks Bev!) and other assorted birthday gifties.

There are four websites I haven't updated yet- including my writer's group pages that have schedules for the members.

There are blogs that  I haven't read, and some I haven't written, which may never get the time they need.

There are friends I haven't "okay'd" on the social sites, and some I haven't even verified in my own bulletin boards.

There are several articles I haven't finished.

And, when you take a course online for the doctorate, it certainly helps to be online for the course work. (I highly recommend MIT's open course program, as it has helped immensely in getting credits toward this PhD program. It's even free on ITunes.)

I have a desk top computer, and it's as slow as my windows 3.1 2mb Ram system was back in the day. But, faster than my Amiga 500.

For those who have offered advice about the broken tooth- thank you so much- and I will find a dentist somehow. I think our pal Zeke has the lead we were looking for- he's even got a pomadour so you know the guy is just out there enough to handle a rat wrangler.

I did get my CD's by Brent Spiner of Dreamland- and they're terrific. (One a download - is already in the ipod... and the other is a hard copy that I had autographed cos I could.) If you want to order one visit TheRealBrentSpiner.com
There ARE new episodes of Rat Room TV to post, and I have to do this. There ARE new songs from RatManDo. Photos of Tatum, Oscar, and Dave are sitting here waiting for their launch.

The whole point of all of this? I have no clue. I just have no clue how I lived the first 20 years of my life without daily interaction in the WWW space. I read BBC news, and South African news, and the world is so much smaller when you do so. I am online more than I am off, and in fact, I think that when the computer is up and running properly, I have more things going at one time than more people have going in a week. I tab browse to Logic Puzzle pages, academia, and music within the same minutes. It's multi-function me. And... I still need to get to the gym, and manage to do so 5 days a week. I shop here, and if I could eat and drink online instead of in person, I would do it. (Virtual calories are ZERO!)

I don't video game. I don't want to. Never have. Not competitive by nature, and certainly not able to get into repetitive task gaming. (oooh blow something up! oooh shoot something!) I have played chess, and some spider solitaire. Wow, thrills. Doesn't seem to fire the synapses the way a good linear math problem will.

Now I have to stop babbling and start getting my fingers wrapped around those emails I'm due to respond to- and some I'm due to trash. I think I missed a few weeks of One Day Only sales, and some birthday cards from insurance agents.

It's been 17 hours and no BSOD yet. As soon as one pops up- this puppy is back to HP for a redux. In the meantime, wow- the rats have fan mail... I have a lot to catch up on.

cj

9:57 AM - 24 Comments - 24 Kudos - Add Comment

as I am spanked...so be you
Category: Movies, TV, Celebrities

Okay...first lemme get my spankees out-- Vlad, Ant, and Lisa- do with what you wish. I have my little thingy by Tricia- my best pal in Mass.
Ten random facts for no apparent order or reason.

1. I take a nap every day from 4-5pm, and have done so for the last six years or so.

2. I don't LIKE to drink alcohol because it makes my depression rear up, and the few times I do imbibe, it's generally when I'm either having female issues- or the joints are stiff and stuck in a dislocated state.

3. Although I was born in Boston, I still consider San Francisco my home of choice.

4. Hmm- Tricia mentioned piercings so- I have two eye brow piercings, and my nose was done, but when I had surgery, I had to take the jewelry out, and the hole was GONE after that.

5. Nothing makes me more bored than anyone who talks DOWN to me, or any of my friends.

6. I would rather see David Tennant in anything, and love to hear him interviewed just for the Scotsmen's voice contrasting the Dr. Who speak.

7. Although I am friendly, I hate socializing, and prefer staying home to going out to parties. Small talk is not on my list of things to do. (As I once read, I believe in Thoreau's words, Every word has intent and meaning and should not be uttered lightly.)

8. I studied Latin for six years, including electives as part of my graduate studies because I couldn't get into ASL.

9. At holidays, I would rather give than to receive.

10. I went to firefighting school, and  loved it.

9:17 PM - 25 Comments - 22 Kudos - Add Comment