Thursday, September 30, 2004
tonight's the night
Is everything going to be all right? Going to a pal's house to view the presidential debates. I said I'd bring tomatoes, but I'm just hoping to feel a little less alone. This was on his invitation:
"Our enemies are innovative and resourceful, and so are we. They never stop thinking about new ways to harm our country and our people, and neither do we." -- GW Bush
"Our enemies are innovative and resourceful, and so are we. They never stop thinking about new ways to harm our country and our people, and neither do we." -- GW Bush
Wednesday, September 29, 2004
Singing, playing guitar and making handwovens trace back at least to the 1800s. Just ask local powerhouse singer-songwriter, guitarist and weaver Paula Frazer. Her handwoven designs have been selling since 1997 and now she has her very own store in Bernal Heights called Paula Frazer Handwoven. Gotta get me some of that.
Tuesday, September 28, 2004
undulate in 5.8
Just chowed down on a toasted pumpernickel Egg Mit bagel with lox, chives, butter, salt and pepper. I figured since we had an earthquake this morning, screw the carbs.
The quake felt like I was in a boat. In fact, I pretended I was on a boat and rode the wave as I waited for it to pass. I listened for sounds because some quakes sound like a Mack truck barreling past. This one was practically silent, despite early reports measuring it 5.8 on the Richter scale.
The bagel was pretty quiet too.
The quake felt like I was in a boat. In fact, I pretended I was on a boat and rode the wave as I waited for it to pass. I listened for sounds because some quakes sound like a Mack truck barreling past. This one was practically silent, despite early reports measuring it 5.8 on the Richter scale.
The bagel was pretty quiet too.
Monday, September 27, 2004
flee from the tevee
If the comforts of one's home include a sofa, a lapdog and a remote control, then what made me run screaming from this last night?
A little "reality" show called The Surreal Life. I love Flavor Flav. I love Charo, especially since she must be more than 70 years old and is completely enthusiastic, engaging, alive and kicking.
But Brigitte Nielsen carried on like a crazed lunatic, rolling around for the cameras while topless, tanned and in a thong. She seemed so immature and attention-deprived that I became very afraid.
Help?
A little "reality" show called The Surreal Life. I love Flavor Flav. I love Charo, especially since she must be more than 70 years old and is completely enthusiastic, engaging, alive and kicking.
But Brigitte Nielsen carried on like a crazed lunatic, rolling around for the cameras while topless, tanned and in a thong. She seemed so immature and attention-deprived that I became very afraid.
Help?
Friday, September 24, 2004
African Princess Seeks Peace via Presidency
How about an exiled supermodel princess running for Burundi's presidency? BBC News says that Esther Kamatari hopes to restore the monarchy to Burundi to help heal the perils of the decade-long civil war that racks her country. She is representing the Abahuza party, which stands for bringing people together.
Kamatari plans to leave her usual Paris catwalks to run the presidential race for Burundi next month.
And if her mascara runs, she's still pretty photogenic.
~thanks Steve for sending!
Kamatari plans to leave her usual Paris catwalks to run the presidential race for Burundi next month.
And if her mascara runs, she's still pretty photogenic.
~thanks Steve for sending!
This is a friend-of-a-friend's Friendster photo.
It would look great as ceramic tile.
Thursday, September 23, 2004
Stoltzy's mojo
Excellent birthday present for our dear Kelley Stoltz on Tuesday. He got to crack open a brand new issue of Mojo magazine to see this on page 100, and he also made the mag's Top 10 list on an entirely different page. Happy Birthday!
Wednesday, September 22, 2004
Of Grunge & Government
Krist Novoselic's new tome, Of Grunge & Government: Let's Fix This Broken Democracy! is hitting your local bookstore. As the title suggests, it's about his old band Nirvana, how he got into politics, and why we need electoral reform now: with full representation and instant runoff voting.
Krist joins the ranks of other celebrities using their famous names to help get out the youth vote between now and November 2, 2004. Kinda like Drew Barrymore with her nonpartisan voter drive.
To them, I say "hey-ey-ey-ey-ey ey-ey-ey-ey-ey-ey" like Kurt does in the song, "You Know You're Right."
Krist joins the ranks of other celebrities using their famous names to help get out the youth vote between now and November 2, 2004. Kinda like Drew Barrymore with her nonpartisan voter drive.
To them, I say "hey-ey-ey-ey-ey ey-ey-ey-ey-ey-ey" like Kurt does in the song, "You Know You're Right."
Tuesday, September 21, 2004
I'm not curious
Honestly, I am not curious about Britney Spears in the least. She's a real looker, but that's where my interest in her begins and ends. You'll never catch me listening to her music, and it makes no difference to me that her wedding guests chowed on chicken wings at her wedding reception last week.
However, I *am* curious why I like her branded fragrance curiously named...Curious by Elizabeth Arden. It's vanilla-y which I'm normally not drawn to. It's sophisticated, much older than whatever her age must be. It's not too sweet and warms to unexpected depths. I'd peg it for women in their 40s but you can't stop fans from wanting to shellack it on just because Britney's already-most famous.
And if you're curious how I knew it existed, it's because my pal Belinda who works at a high-end fragrance counter brought a bottle for a friend at my DJ gig last week.
I am in no way personally responsible for experiencing this scent.
Monday, September 20, 2004
the wedding day
Celebrated our wedding anniversary -- these days, it's the *only* context worth shouting "Four More Years!" about. We are so lucky to be so happy. I'm sappy!
Two days later, I officiated Peter & Jeanne's wedding before their family and close friends in Huntington Beach, near Long Beach, where Jeanne was born and raised. Everything was perfect and it was the loveliest day. The photo above was the "aisle" where she walked to the sounds of a live bagpipe.
We stood on the beach, clearly a wedding party: women in red dresses with bouquets of red roses, men in kilts (including Nick), Jeanne in her long white silk gown with a bustle...it was a wedding. They were hitched without a hitch and there wasn't a dry eye in sight.
Tom, the brother of the groom once said, "Long Beach, short tempers" and there's not one reason to doubt it. Minutes before the ceremony, a guy in a truck drove by, shouting, "Don't do it!" and we all belly-laughed because it was ridiculous.
And after the ceremony, while posing for photos, a guy on a bicycle rode past us way too close and way too fast. Tom acknowledged the ruckus, with a sarcastic "thanks" to the jerk on two wheels.
The biker's reply was right out of a movie, "Fuck you, asshole!" Not letting any bastard get her down, the bride replied, "That's why I moved!!"
Thursday, September 16, 2004
off and on
When an alarm sounds, why do we say it goes "off?"
When you get a bad taste out of your mouth, where does it go?
This weekend I am off marrying Peter and Jeanne.
And today, our own 4-year wedding anniverary is "on." Nick gave me what he affectionately nicknamed a trinket. I cried.
The modern gift to give at your 4-year anniversary is an "appliance." Truth is actually, Nick really would like to receive an appliance! Mais oui. Le Creuset? Cuisanart? Kitchen Aid?
When you get a bad taste out of your mouth, where does it go?
This weekend I am off marrying Peter and Jeanne.
And today, our own 4-year wedding anniverary is "on." Nick gave me what he affectionately nicknamed a trinket. I cried.
The modern gift to give at your 4-year anniversary is an "appliance." Truth is actually, Nick really would like to receive an appliance! Mais oui. Le Creuset? Cuisanart? Kitchen Aid?
Wednesday, September 15, 2004
actual conversation
Stood in the lobby, waited for the elevator at work. A guy on a cellphone ended his call and jumped in the elevator after me. Never seen him before, but it went exactly like this:
Guy: Why do people get in relationships?
Me: Well its...what makes life worth living.
Guy: You're right...thanks.
Guy: Why do people get in relationships?
Me: Well its...what makes life worth living.
Guy: You're right...thanks.
Tuesday, September 14, 2004
vote then boink
I'm thrilled that Neva Chonin is pixellating SFGate again with her Live! Rude! Girl! column. She knows what the hell is going on and never ceases to crack me up.
This week, she tells of Votergasm which she coined, "American ingenuity at its best."
"To qualify as a Citizen, you must pledge to withhold sex from nonvoters for a week after the election. To qualify as a Patriot, you must do the same and also pledge to have sex with a voter the night of the election." Ha!
This week, she tells of Votergasm which she coined, "American ingenuity at its best."
"To qualify as a Citizen, you must pledge to withhold sex from nonvoters for a week after the election. To qualify as a Patriot, you must do the same and also pledge to have sex with a voter the night of the election." Ha!
Monday, September 13, 2004
fewer cops, more guns
Did you know that the NRA has more influence on the president than the American people? Today, Bush allowed the 10-year-old ban on semi-automatic weapons to expire.
See what Hillary Clinton said about it last week: that there is no reason for having them. That these weapons are not used for hunting. That they exist for the sole purpose of killing people. That many of these soon-to-be-killed people are cops.
Her website stated last week, "In 2000, then presidential candidate George W. Bush pledged that he would work for the renewal of the assault weapons ban...it is clear that he intends to break that promise. He has broken his promise to all of us, but most importantly, he has broken his promise to the hundreds of thousands of law enforcement personnel across the country, who work to protect us every day.”
The Senator added, “Assault weapons are a clear threat to law enforcement. Assault weapons kill police officers. The statistics are chilling - one in five law enforcement officers slain in the line of duty is killed with an assault weapon. The assault weapons ban is a public safety initiative that works."
See what Hillary Clinton said about it last week: that there is no reason for having them. That these weapons are not used for hunting. That they exist for the sole purpose of killing people. That many of these soon-to-be-killed people are cops.
Her website stated last week, "In 2000, then presidential candidate George W. Bush pledged that he would work for the renewal of the assault weapons ban...it is clear that he intends to break that promise. He has broken his promise to all of us, but most importantly, he has broken his promise to the hundreds of thousands of law enforcement personnel across the country, who work to protect us every day.”
The Senator added, “Assault weapons are a clear threat to law enforcement. Assault weapons kill police officers. The statistics are chilling - one in five law enforcement officers slain in the line of duty is killed with an assault weapon. The assault weapons ban is a public safety initiative that works."
Friday, September 10, 2004
whoah no!
My pal Bonnie is such a big blogger, she even wrote a book about it. She also posted this:
"Last week, Friendster fired Joyce Park, a Friendster engineer since December, without warning. Her offense: blogging about company info that was publicly available."
"Last week, Friendster fired Joyce Park, a Friendster engineer since December, without warning. Her offense: blogging about company info that was publicly available."
What the hell is allspice? Saw it in a recipe and wondered if it was a pretty blend, like Herbs de Provence, with sage, bay leaves and maybe marjoram.
Turns out, allspice is a berry from the allspice tree. It's pungent, according to Webster's. Their online dictionary also includes audio pronunciations, which is an excellent time-waster.
Sometimes it's a female robot drone, sometimes it's male. Unclear on the reasons for gender selection, but the dictionary will also sound out words that you probably shouldn't say with your outside voice.
~thanks Net-E for sending!
Thursday, September 09, 2004
you tease, and you flirt
Why can't I stop buying myself another green shirt? During laundry, it becomes apparent that I have four. All green, all with stuff on them: Hillary Clinton's head, retro iron-on letters pimping my DJ night, green roses pimping my nickname, and a formerly white one that says Vote for Matt Gonzalez that I dyed myself with good old RIT. I'm not even of the Green Party, but with these tees, I could host a small one.
Some say that green means love. It's also the color of go.
Some say that green means love. It's also the color of go.
Wednesday, September 08, 2004
Goldilocks got no poncho
Ponchos are not only weird, they're everywhere. What used to be a fashion risk has become practically ubiquitous. You can't swing a dead poncho without hitting another poncho.
Many are awful, made of icky acrylic yarn, some have inexplicably hideous stripes. Lest we forget the unspeakable: the one-shouldered variety. Horrifying. And it goes without saying that the fur ones are actually criminal. Ga-ross.
Ponchos are also a bitch. Buy one that's too big and you look dumpy. One that's too small just looks silly. I tried *so* hard not to buy one...so hard that I bought 2. I really couldn't help it.
Tuesday, September 07, 2004
you know you're right
Best news ever for Nirvana fans. The box set of previously unreleased material is set to arrive in stores on November 23rd.
Rumored to have around 50 songs and video from a house party the band played in 1987, this makes me "oo-ish" with glee.
This comes after some three years of Courtney Love (widow of Kurt Cobain) holding up the release in legal battles with surviving members Krist Novoselic and Dave Grohl. Particularly maddening, as Courtney wasn't even in the band. (!)
But let's embrace the cliche that good things come to those who wait. Yeah, yeah, but wow, I can't wait!
Rumored to have around 50 songs and video from a house party the band played in 1987, this makes me "oo-ish" with glee.
This comes after some three years of Courtney Love (widow of Kurt Cobain) holding up the release in legal battles with surviving members Krist Novoselic and Dave Grohl. Particularly maddening, as Courtney wasn't even in the band. (!)
But let's embrace the cliche that good things come to those who wait. Yeah, yeah, but wow, I can't wait!
Friday, September 03, 2004
rubber chandelier
Sometimes art can be funny. If not funny ha-ha, then funny weird. If it's amusing at all, then goddammit, it's got to be worth something.
I love this chandelier. It's crystal. It's also dipped in rubber. Hi.
~thanks Tam for sending
Thursday, September 02, 2004
getting jacked gets ink
Look ma! I married someone who reportedly may be the nicest person Garrett Kamps has ever met in the music industry.
Word gets around in a music community town. This article was printed just yesterday. Hours later, we went to see our pal David Dondero play a show. We weren't even in the door and someone shouted to Nick, "Look, it's the nicest guy in the music industry!"
Word gets around in a music community town. This article was printed just yesterday. Hours later, we went to see our pal David Dondero play a show. We weren't even in the door and someone shouted to Nick, "Look, it's the nicest guy in the music industry!"
Wednesday, September 01, 2004
fiery writing
Got to get out of town this weekend. Get away. Maybe go to a place where words burn.
Above is a work at the Hess Collection Gallery in Napa. It was done in 1974 by Leopoldo Maler. The Hess website states that this piece "has a great deal of personal meaning for Maler...his uncle, a well-known Argentine writer, is believed to have been killed for the inflammatory content of his political essays. The old Underwood Typewriter that now emits flames in the place of words is of the same style that Mahler's uncle used during his esteemed career."
