Myra

Last night at Yoshi's, Myra Melford rocked the house - even though the music genre in which she performs is classified as jazz. It was an evening of splendid piano chaos that exhaled into soft and gorgeous. It's a thrill when musicians known for their boundary breaking discord turn around and bring out the sweet melodies -- the extremes are never boring. Also not boring, the great view of Myra pummeling the piano - with such tiny hands, how does she do it? As I try to convince PVC -- avant garde jazz is like punk rock - all that beautiful noise.

Ripe

I rely on the Chef for dinner and documentation. I'm one lucky tomato.

Trott stopped by to borrow some fancy Armegnac to make a drink called "The Armored Car" and ended up staying for dinner. Success!

MLK Day

Congratulations to the Wild Horse Society for braving the idiot hate storm and paying proper tribute to MLK (and assorted heros and she-ros) with their "Memory Game." I love the technicolor happy ending.

Circus Redickuless

Just another night out with Dr. & Mrs. Virus.

Circus Redickuless performed in honor of Dammit! the wonder dog's 18th birthday.

Don't worry, those critters (all named Bo Bo) were um, "preserved".

I only regret I did not get pictures of the heavy metal tap dancing (my favorite) and the special appearance of Dammit! the wonder dog -- she jumped (sort of) through a hoop -- and drank water.

Happy Birthday Dammit!

Penelope: Princess of Pets

Because I work with someone who has a sister who lives in NYC and knows theater people, last week I was lucky enough to get an invite to a celebrity lunch. That's right, Penelope Princess of Pets was there, along with with her orphaned friend Kyle.



Later, when I was bragging to the Chef -- he showed me this collection of sweet little films, capturing moments and places and making us both feel warm and fuzzy about the world and the people in it. Perhaps it will have the same effect on you? I hope so. Thanks Penelope.

Go Scrabbel!

A Mighty Wind

Our power came back on at 3a.m. (this morning) while we were tucked under double duvets and double layers and (ahem) ski hats. Despite stalling around at The Toronado and then Thep Phenom in hopes that we could wait out PG&E repairs, the Chef & I spent last night playing Blackjack by flashlight with our Ommegang deck (thanks Kim & Matt) and watching an episode of "Weeds" on the very tiny iPod screen.

It's still raining today, but we are just happy that the electricity has returned (for now) -- especially the kitties (who spent yesterday all hunched up and giving us "turn the heat up already!" evil eye.)

This morning we strolled around the neighborhood and oo'ed and ah'ed at all the trees that went thud.

Thud. Thud.

Thud.

Tree carnage that is blocking the entire street.

This is a neighboring fence in our community garden.

Beer Bonfire Banjotam

Where is the best place to ring in the New Year? Pardeeville (WI) -- but of course! Not just beer, midnight bonfire, and banjotam jam but toss in drunken night sledding, absinthe symposium, secret rock concert and oh boy, lots of delicious food and (the best part) a new year heralded in with good friends. Merry 2008!