Reminders and Revelations

For those who hate change and saying goodbye, the last day of an old job is a melancholy event -- even when feeling more than ready to move on to the next thing.

Who has time to mope about the past when the Chef spends his whole day off (thanks Cesar Chavez!) making Slowly Braised Spanish Pork Shoulder and Paella with Asparagus for a Friday night feast? Hmmm, what old job?

If I hadn't gotten so enthusiastic about beer drinking, I could have watched "Stranger than Fiction" the first time instead of waking up and having to watch it again immediately afterwards. Fortunately it was a good movie and the Chef didn't mind watching it twice.

While lunchtime record shopping, my dub reggae DJ friend admitted that she had "hidden" a vinyl 12" in a different section so she could first go home to check that didn't already have it before she came back to purchase it. These are the kind of people that I like.

Bernal Owls

I love to visit the Owls. This morning they had quite an audience gazing up at them. As I passed, an older gentlemen said to me, "This is what I see every day!" Like no one in the neighborhood can still quite believe it.

Owls!

Here are some great pictures of them.

Kim Bitter Birthday!

Today is Kim Bitter's Birthday! Here she is displaying her friend (and mine) LUMP.

The most fun I've ever had on the radio was co-hosting the weekly "Heads Gone Astray" show with Kim Bitter on WLHA-FM. We had legions of fans (within a 4-watt radius) and most of them called us when we were on the air to accuse us of being lesbians or to tell us to shut up. We got into the habit of actually putting these calls on the air and arguing with them as entertainment. Sometimes we would threaten the audience by saying, "If one more person calls to tell us to shut up, we are going to talk for another twenty minutes!" This was usually followed by a call telling us to shut up. At that point, I would name a topic and Kim Bitter would immediately have a long story to tell! One afternoon, I selected subject "Peat Moss."

This is the short version. The peat moss story involved Kim's job student teaching at a school outside of Madison. Kim told lots of good stories about student teaching. This particular one involved a teacher who was walking into the school with a flat container of peat moss that would be used for a student project. At the same time, another teacher was walking into the building, took a look at the peat moss and said, "Mmmm, Brownies! Can I have one?"

Then we would laugh on the air for another ten minutes, fulfilling our threat for the obnoxious telephone call. When we finally played a record, more people would call to ask us if were were stoned. "Stoned? Why would they think we were stoned?" we would quizzically ask each other. This made us laugh even harder.

Lump reminds me of the peat moss story and fun times laughing with Kim Bitter. Even though Lump is more stout cake than brownie or peat moss, Lump still made us all laugh hysterically last October despite the fact that none of us were stoned. I look forward to more long stories from Kim Bitter that result in hysterical laughter, because I know they are just around the corner.

Happy Birthday Kim!

Googler

It's official! After a month of interviews, filling out forms and going through background checks (and lots of worry worry worry) last week I was offered a new job. As a result, today I was able to waltz into the old place and give them my notice. Instead of begging me to stay they just seemed very happy for me. Then later, they asked me if I would consider still freelancing for them. I yelled over my shoulder on the way out the door, "Good luck with everything!" bwa ha ha ha.

Two years ago I thought I could adjust to the freelance world of juggling multiple assignments and working out of the basement with no idea about how much money I would make from month to month with absolutely no benefits, but I soon discovered (ok, it took me a while, but only because I try hard) that this life was not for me. Pros - ample time for a morning walk and eating lunch with cats on my lap. Cons - extreme isolation and long conversations with cats and strangers on the street(and also in the grocery store.) Talk to me people, will someone TALK TO ME!?!? I recall there were times I actually had to sit on my hands so I wouldn't call up my place of work and scream, "CAN YOU JUST TELL ME WHAT IS ACTUALLY GOING ON AT THAT PLACE?" I guess I'm the kind of person who needs to be more involved with um, everything. Or else. I restrained myself from screaming so I would get paid. Sometimes restraint pays off!

Next month I'll start working here. I still can't quite believe it. Thanks to those of you have put up with listening to me boast about fancy food and hybrid vehicle discounts. I am not worthy of your patience and support while I've been treading water for the last few years.

The best part of a new job is the magical time of fantasy before you actually start. I plan to enjoy every minute of my uninformed wonderland of the future, right up until I start my new job.

Ice Rocks

The Chef is now prepared to serve cocktails poured over ice boulders. Eek!

White Bicycles

Tonight at Booksmith -- Joe Boyd talking about his new book "White Bicycles -- Making Music in the 1960s." Now I have a signed copy!

He told some good stories, but he seemed to have the opinion that any innovations in popular music are over. I hope I don't think that when I am old(er). There is always something interesting going on somewhere.

Patti & Keef

Speaking of Patti Smith and Keef Richards -- did you see them perform TOGETHER on the R&R Hall of Fame broadcast? The acceptance speech and performance that Patti Smith gave was so awe-inspiringly fearless that it made me weepy. Also, nice salutes to The Ronettes, Grandmaster Flash, R.E.M. (Tivo and fast forward through Van Halen) and at the end, a mixed bag of everyone singing "People Have The Power."

Corned Beef & Colcannon

Ms & Ms. Daffodil (from the garden) were so eager to join us for St. Patrick's Day dinner that they went ahead and bloomed. We were glad to have them over for the celebration because they made things seem all Spring-like. Note that I need to buy more green napkins.

We have this fantasy of drinking our next Guinness on Easter Sunday in Dublin, so today the Chef stuck with Murphy's stout. Not for me -- dark beer hurts my head (but not the Guinness in Dublin.)

Every year we make Helen Mirren's Colcannon recipe. It's delicious, and now the Queen's tradition is our tradition. Thanks to number one Helen Mirren fan CMG for tipping us off to it years ago.

We didn't have any Irish Whiskey so we had to make due with Kentucky. I'm sure that lots of whiskey drinkin' Irish people live in Kentucky.

Can't forget about the corned beef -- the brightest pinkest of all meats? The Chef adds a bit of ginger to it and it's very salty delicious. I just discovered that back in the day, large grains of salt were called "corns". Must invite corned beef, otherwise it doesn't seem worthy of honoring St. Patrick and the banishment of snakes. Begone snakes.

Thanks to Mrs. Virus for bringing her fabulous bourbon bread pudding to the snake-less party. She also took a good picture of me doing the jig, but you'll have to come over and say the secret word (JIG) in order to see that photo, because it shan't be posted here. Nope.

Happy St. Paddy's Day

the Funnies

This makes me laugh.

Song of the Day

At work we all take turns picking the "Song of the Day." Today it was my turn! I picked "Wellsville" by The Embarrassment. Here's my blurb:

Once upon a time, when Midwestern indie rock nerds had a snowball's chance of being tagged as hipsters, there was a should-coulda-woulda been blogworthy band from Wichita, Kansas, called The Embarrassment. Their re-issue of early singles (recorded from 1979-1983) gives us all a second chance to not pass by the carefree bounce of "Wellsville."

You can listen to it here.

If there wasn't a character limit, I would have included my indie granny story about how (long ago) I met the lead singer for the Embarrassment (Bill Goffrier) when he was fronting the where-are-they-now band from Boston -- Big Dipper. My friend Kim Bitter & I had the pleasure of interviewing Big Dipper on our college radio program "Heads Gone Astray." Afterwards, we hung out and they asked us if we would drive them all to K-Mart to buy new razors! To this day hauling Big Dipper in my famous faux-wood paneled station wagon to wander the aisles at K-Mart remains one of my favorite college radio related memories.

Me, Kim Bitter and Big Dipper at K-Mart. Does it get any more rock and roll?

Beginning to Bloom

The Chef and I are members of a community garden in our neighborhood. It's very big city scenic as it overlooks the interchange of Hwys 280 and 101. After all, doesn't every garden need a little white noise from the highway traffic to make it a peaceful escape?

With all the winter rain, we had been ignoring our little plot in the garden, but last weekend we spent some time in the dirt for overdue weeding. We also inherited another plot that was abandoned by a grumpy gardener (it's true -- even community gardens have their squabbles but we are happy to not be involved in them.) The Chef was interested in taking on this new pile of dirt because it came with an ancient RHUBARB plant. The Chef replanted the rhubarb stump in the middle so it would stop trying to bust out of the box. Cross your fingers that it's okay and we'll be making strawberry rhubarb pie later on this year.

In our other plot, things are starting to bloom (just a little) and even though it looks like a big pile of green, there are lots of poppies, rananculas, lilies, freesia and other flowers hidden in there. Ms. Daffodil is just about to burst. I'm looking forward to a lot of things these days, and an explosion of flowers is just one of the highlights.

Spring Ahead!

The next time Congress gathers to discuss passing a bill that messes with THE TIME, I suggest that they bump Daylight Savings to 4pm on a Monday. That way we could leave work early to go outside and enjoy the sunshine. I hate to lose an hour of a glorious Sunday spent with 3 o'clock friends, appliance shopping at Sears and grilling hamburgers in the back yard.

Dear Congress, I would like my hour back please. I didn't even finish reading the newspaper.

Pony Up! and The Mountain Goats

We went to go see Pony Up! & The Mountain Goats at the Independent. The door guy asked me for my ID and I laughed. He said, "What's so funny?" and I said, "I'm old! I should be able to skate right through!" His response -- "I don't think so." The show was sold out, but when we got in we just went right up to the front of the stage and stood our ground. There was no pushing or shoving. Mountain Goats fans are nice and respectful people. They are MY PEOPLE! The opening band was this bunch of girls from Montreal -- Pony Up! They were super cute and had drastically improved on their musicianship since their last EP. The lead singer looked like a sassy Rory Gilmore -- maybe four years ago when the "Gilmore Girls" was still good. The Chef took this artsy picture below of Rory (ahem, Laura Wills) on the keyboards, but I also found this site which has non-blurry pictures of them all. I know you will agree with my super cute assessment.

Their set was great and didn't even give me time to complain about when the Mountain Goats were coming on. I was just reaching the cranky standing forever point when they came on stage with a full band, including special guest John Vanderslice. Usually I reach a point at a concert where I almost wish a band would stop so I can finally go home and get in bed, but this evening, I never reached it! I didn't want them to stop! However, I did have to poke the Chef for loudly singing along to "This Year" (one of our favorites). I can hear him sing that at home.

For the encore, Pony Up! came back out onstage and they all sang a rockin' electric version of Thin Lizzy's "The Boys Are Back In Town" which was a good match. There were tambourines and everyone was happy - onstage and in the audience.

There are a handful of bands that I will attempt to see every single time they come to town, and The Mountain Goats are one of them. Each show is unique and overflows with the manic energy of John Darnielle. I love it when he smiles his crazy smile and shakes his head as if he is possessed by the song he is singing, taking us all along with him.

Happy Birthday PVC!

Blow out the candles and scream, but not while eating cake.

Think Xena

Last week I clipped out my horoscope and stuck it on my computer.

Aries: Venus in Aries through March 17 brings out your inner warrior princess. Think Xena, (never Gabrielle).

Rodeo Queen Tart Heart

My friend the Rodeo Queen was thrown off a horse last month. It seemed like a good cowgirl tale of adventure -- until soon after, the excruciating pain of a pelvis fracture hit her over the head with a mighty hammer. BAH! Poor Rodeo Queen!

On Sunday, we fetched Rodeo Queen some egg custard tarts from her favorite bakery. Then PVC and I teamed up to distract her from her troubles and help her roll around. Of course, RQ liked the egg tart in the middle that got squished, because she said it looked like a heart. Aw, sweet Rodeo Queen. She may have gotten tossed, but she can still find the charming in squished.

May RQ (and her super-tender the Mighty Oz) roll along speedy on the bumpy road of mending! Hang on tight to each other and no falling off.

Pig Parade

I love a parade, but my all-time favorite is San Francisco's Chinese New Year Parade. The combination of marching bands, firecrackers, giant dragons, lion dancers and little kids dressed up in animal costumes cannot be beat.

Plus, more luck! Each year we show up early and touch the 200 foot long Golden Dragon that ends the parade. We know where it waits -- so we head straight for it and give it a pat so we don't have to worry for the rest of the parade if we are going to be able to touch it or not. I'm not sure if this is cheating, but it has worked pretty well for us in the last eight years. I throw in some extra pats for everyone else -- so know that you are getting a little Golden Dragon luck this year.

(pat pat pat pat pat pat pat pat pat pat pat pat pat pat)

On Saturday (instead of the usual rain) it was a beautiful warm evening in San Francisco. On one hand this is great parade weather -- on the other, it meant that this year the parade was VERY CROWDED (an estimated 200-300,000 people taking up our sidewalk space!)

I prefer the years when it rains. That way less people come and the kids wearing animal costumes wear funny plastic bag coverings. I am selfish -- I hate crowds, yet love parades. It's kind of a conflict. Um, please rain on my parade.

Here are some pictures of this year's parade -- lots of pigs and no crowds!

Chinese New Year Parade - Pig

Squish

Just so you know that when I blog the blog, I drive the drive -- yesterday, to get a mammogram.

In salute to Molly -- now go get your own damn' mammogram!