As many of you know, I travel quite a bit for work. I'm on my sixth different city of the year with about four more to go before the tour of duty is over. This time, I'm in San Francisco and I think I can say that this town doesn't agree with me...
BUT...
I'm not giving up hope on it yet. I'm hoping that it's just the part of town that I'm in for work or the fact that I really haven't had much time to explore the city. However, you just know when you click with a city. I had that with Seattle and it definitely happened with NYC and with Chicago. For some reason I'm not really getting it with San Fran.
It's not the hills. It's not the people. There's just something that I'm missing. The romanticism that I found in the books of my blog's namesake makes me wonder what the hell Mary Ann Singleton saw in this town. Maybe it was totally different in the 70s and early 80s.
I did go to Folsom (that infamous street fair) mainly to see my buds at the Utilikilts booth and maybe see if there was anyone there that could be a potential client at our erotic expos. I was kinda disappointed because I expected the infamous street fair debauchery and when I didn't see it, I kinda chalked it up to not that much in terms of porn or erotica there and the fact that I went a bit early. Was it worth the $5 entrance? Sure. It was definitely interesting to see but at the same time a bit disappointing. Interesting in that a very large (and by large, she was larger than me and the king sized bed in my hotel room) wearing nothing but a bra and panties wanted to talk to me about my camouflage Utilikilt I was wearing. She then lamented that she didn't opt to go naked.
Oh and people were naked. People you didn't really want to see naked were naked. Sadly only one them had anything worth actually seeing. The rest made me want to gouge out my eyes.
So far the highlight has been the BBQ beef sandwich I had at Tommy's Joynt at the corner. I'm hoping that something better comes along.
Sunday, September 30, 2007
Monday, September 24, 2007
RIP Bernice Clifton
This is one is for the amazing Alice Ghostly who passed away this past weekend. Some people remember her as Esmerelda from Bewitched but I will fondly remember her as Bernice Clifton on Designing Women. Sing it with me now...
Black man! Black man! Where have you gone to!
Black man! Black man! Where have you gone to!
Sunday, September 23, 2007
SPLAT!
Well, I did it
Today I had my first practice with the New York Shock Exchange, the men's flat track roller derby team in NYC. As you can tell by the title of this post, I had a great wipeout.
First, let me go ahead and say that I really enjoyed the practice and the guys were all great and supportive. Patrick Bateman (pretty sure it's just a skate name and not his real one since that would just be CREEPY) helped me learn some of the basics but I wasn't used to skating on the surface and I had a lot of problems maintaining balance (more on this later). I was able to get some of the basic moves down (okay maybe not DOWN, but okay) but sat out the last half of the practice since it was all about blocking, jamming, and a scrimmage and I knew that I needed to sit out and watch what was going on and learn from it.
Well during my sessions with Patrick, he checked out my skates and determined that the skates of the truck were loose which he said was good. Well for him it's good since I outweigh him by almost 100 pounds. For me, I had problems maintaining the equilibrium point so when I took a stride I was able to solidly land in the same position and power off. At the end of practice, he adjusted the skates and I took a few good spins around the track and have a good setting now where I can maintain my balance. We're talking a night and day difference. I could take much more solid strides. One drill called "Coca Cola" (or at least that's what Patrick referred to it as) where you are basically doing an outline of the Coca Cola bottle curves with your skates. I could do it the first time and was okay as long as I maintaind a solid focal point. However, with the adjustment I was able todo them much more cleanly and with a lot more confidence.
While I was a little frustrated with how I did, the captain, Jonathan, told me that they have had more than a few people through their doors who couldn't do half of the stuff I somewhat accomplished. That at least made me feel good that I was able to pull some stuff and I knw that with the skate adjustments, it's going to be MUCH better (or at least it was when I tried them out). I may not have the speed or the agility of others but all I want to be when I grow up is like Beyonslay.
Today I had my first practice with the New York Shock Exchange, the men's flat track roller derby team in NYC. As you can tell by the title of this post, I had a great wipeout.
First, let me go ahead and say that I really enjoyed the practice and the guys were all great and supportive. Patrick Bateman (pretty sure it's just a skate name and not his real one since that would just be CREEPY) helped me learn some of the basics but I wasn't used to skating on the surface and I had a lot of problems maintaining balance (more on this later). I was able to get some of the basic moves down (okay maybe not DOWN, but okay) but sat out the last half of the practice since it was all about blocking, jamming, and a scrimmage and I knew that I needed to sit out and watch what was going on and learn from it.
Well during my sessions with Patrick, he checked out my skates and determined that the skates of the truck were loose which he said was good. Well for him it's good since I outweigh him by almost 100 pounds. For me, I had problems maintaining the equilibrium point so when I took a stride I was able to solidly land in the same position and power off. At the end of practice, he adjusted the skates and I took a few good spins around the track and have a good setting now where I can maintain my balance. We're talking a night and day difference. I could take much more solid strides. One drill called "Coca Cola" (or at least that's what Patrick referred to it as) where you are basically doing an outline of the Coca Cola bottle curves with your skates. I could do it the first time and was okay as long as I maintaind a solid focal point. However, with the adjustment I was able todo them much more cleanly and with a lot more confidence.
While I was a little frustrated with how I did, the captain, Jonathan, told me that they have had more than a few people through their doors who couldn't do half of the stuff I somewhat accomplished. That at least made me feel good that I was able to pull some stuff and I knw that with the skate adjustments, it's going to be MUCH better (or at least it was when I tried them out). I may not have the speed or the agility of others but all I want to be when I grow up is like Beyonslay.
Tuesday, September 18, 2007
R.I.P. Brett Somers
She may not have given the best answers or the smartest answer but she was definitely a laugh machine....
Monday, September 17, 2007
If Today Is Your Birthday
The Sun squares Mars and Pluto around the time of your birthday this year--an intense, dynamic, and powerful combination! Power struggles are likely in the year ahead, particularly with men or those in authority. You have transformative energy at your disposal, and how this will play out depends on how you handle it. Channeled positively, you could move mountains when it comes to pushing your projects ahead. If mishandled, however, you could be argumentative, stressed, and hell-bent on having your way! Avoid taking extreme measures to make things happen your way, and avoid people who might be doing same. Deliberately trying to maneuver things in order to get the upper hand will be a lesson in frustration. A need to control or gain power may be at the root of frustrations. You are inclined towards pushing yourself too hard in the pursuit of your goals, and it's best to be aware of this tendency so that you don't push yourself beyond your limits. Events that highlight the necessity to put faith in something or someone are likely to arise. You are likely to have more courage than usual to do things that break the routine, and confrontations engaged in this year could clear the air and help you to move forward.
With Mercury in harmonious aspect to Venus and Neptune in your Solar Return chart, you are likely to enjoy happy relations with younger people and to have increased powers of intellect. This is an excellent year for teaching and speaking. Intuition is strong and involved in the decisions you make. You present your ideas with charm and imagination, helping to smooth over differences in your personal relationships as well as aiding you on a professional level. Some of your hunches could be prophetic. You are thinking more creatively, and express yourself with more sensitivity, compassion, and warmth.
Mars trines Neptune in your Solar Return chart, helping to soften matters somewhat. You act more on intuition than ever this year, and your creative impulses are potent. If you are an artist, this could be an especially inspired, imaginative, and productive year. If you are involved in sales, you will be able to tune into your client's inner desires and motivations. Pay attention to your gut feelings, which will, more often than not, give you valuable information.
Venus opposes Neptune in your Solar Return this year. Some caution with your personal finances and your social relationships is in order. Most importantly, you should do your best to watch out for tendencies towards self-deception. Things might look too good to be true, simply because you want to see the best in others. Relationship ups and downs are possible, as this could be a year when romantic mirages are more likely. The "highs" of a relationship may be thrilling, but the accompanying "lows" can be draining. Uncertainty may characterize your love relationships from time to time this year. Be careful not to set yourself up for disappointment. The same goes for finances.
The desire to take control of your life is more important to you than usual this year. Power struggles with others may be the result, but with a little extra effort and self-understanding, you could enjoy increased focus and sense of purpose. The ability to express yourself with charm and imagination helps smooth over some relating problems. Getting your finances and your love life in order plays a big role. Ups and downs and a few disappointments in these areas of life are likely. Acting on your intuition will serve you well as long as you can discern between impulses that are intuitive and those that are purely defiant.
2007 is a Number Eight year for you. Ruled by Saturn. This is a year of power and accomplishment. Actively seeking to expand, taking educated risks, and moving forward are highlighted. This is a year of opportunity, particularly in the material and business world, and opportunities need to be seized. It's generally not a year to find a new love partner, simply because the focus is on the material world and your place in the world. This is a problem-solving year in which you can expect real, tangible results. Advice - take action, plan ahead, seize opportunities.
2008 will be a Number Nine year for you. Ruled by Mars. This is a year of completion and transition. It is a time when we need to let go of things that no longer serve their purpose, and hold on to things that have a future. It is a time of cleaning out dead wood, not necessarily for new beginnings. It can be a time when a burden has been taken off your shoulders, and it can be a year of giving of yourself. Advice - let go of things that are holding you back, give of yourself and express your sympathetic, compassionate side.
With Mercury in harmonious aspect to Venus and Neptune in your Solar Return chart, you are likely to enjoy happy relations with younger people and to have increased powers of intellect. This is an excellent year for teaching and speaking. Intuition is strong and involved in the decisions you make. You present your ideas with charm and imagination, helping to smooth over differences in your personal relationships as well as aiding you on a professional level. Some of your hunches could be prophetic. You are thinking more creatively, and express yourself with more sensitivity, compassion, and warmth.
Mars trines Neptune in your Solar Return chart, helping to soften matters somewhat. You act more on intuition than ever this year, and your creative impulses are potent. If you are an artist, this could be an especially inspired, imaginative, and productive year. If you are involved in sales, you will be able to tune into your client's inner desires and motivations. Pay attention to your gut feelings, which will, more often than not, give you valuable information.
Venus opposes Neptune in your Solar Return this year. Some caution with your personal finances and your social relationships is in order. Most importantly, you should do your best to watch out for tendencies towards self-deception. Things might look too good to be true, simply because you want to see the best in others. Relationship ups and downs are possible, as this could be a year when romantic mirages are more likely. The "highs" of a relationship may be thrilling, but the accompanying "lows" can be draining. Uncertainty may characterize your love relationships from time to time this year. Be careful not to set yourself up for disappointment. The same goes for finances.
The desire to take control of your life is more important to you than usual this year. Power struggles with others may be the result, but with a little extra effort and self-understanding, you could enjoy increased focus and sense of purpose. The ability to express yourself with charm and imagination helps smooth over some relating problems. Getting your finances and your love life in order plays a big role. Ups and downs and a few disappointments in these areas of life are likely. Acting on your intuition will serve you well as long as you can discern between impulses that are intuitive and those that are purely defiant.
2007 is a Number Eight year for you. Ruled by Saturn. This is a year of power and accomplishment. Actively seeking to expand, taking educated risks, and moving forward are highlighted. This is a year of opportunity, particularly in the material and business world, and opportunities need to be seized. It's generally not a year to find a new love partner, simply because the focus is on the material world and your place in the world. This is a problem-solving year in which you can expect real, tangible results. Advice - take action, plan ahead, seize opportunities.
2008 will be a Number Nine year for you. Ruled by Mars. This is a year of completion and transition. It is a time when we need to let go of things that no longer serve their purpose, and hold on to things that have a future. It is a time of cleaning out dead wood, not necessarily for new beginnings. It can be a time when a burden has been taken off your shoulders, and it can be a year of giving of yourself. Advice - let go of things that are holding you back, give of yourself and express your sympathetic, compassionate side.
Sunday, September 16, 2007
Jersey Bois
So I was watching the Emmys and I got to the perfomance by the cast of Jersey Boys and there was a moment in the performance where it looked like some of the guys were...well...the people at TVGuide.com put it best with this:
9:42 I'm not sure, but I think the Jersey Boys just proclaimed their love to one another. Well, they'll make a cute couple. All, um, three of them.
I was just glad that it wasn't me. Also that chick from Grey's Anatomy mouthing the word shit and the Fox censors were just too late in catching it. Gotta love it.
9:42 I'm not sure, but I think the Jersey Boys just proclaimed their love to one another. Well, they'll make a cute couple. All, um, three of them.
I was just glad that it wasn't me. Also that chick from Grey's Anatomy mouthing the word shit and the Fox censors were just too late in catching it. Gotta love it.
Wednesday, September 12, 2007
Someone Please Hold Me
If I ever get this insane about ANYTHING in my life and then I have this type of reaction, everyone has their permission to beat me senseless until I have a vegetable for brains...
My favorite part: "Leave her alone... because she's NOT WELL RIGHT NOW!!!" And you are?
Also the threat to leave her alone or we will have to deal with him...I'm really scared. Oh well enjoy people. I'm personally scared... I just hope this is fake.
My favorite part: "Leave her alone... because she's NOT WELL RIGHT NOW!!!" And you are?
Also the threat to leave her alone or we will have to deal with him...I'm really scared. Oh well enjoy people. I'm personally scared... I just hope this is fake.
Wednesday, September 05, 2007
Too Close To Home
I've been reading.
A lot.
It helps that we get a lot of books here at the office that come in for potential reviews and that there is never enough space allocated for the all of the books that come in.
Well one of them caught my eye. The first third? Very engrossing. Delightfully wicked.
That's as far as I've gotten because the last few pages hit...well...as the blog post says..."too close to home."
So close in fact that it was as if the writer knew my two friends (whom I shall call "Rebecca" and "Lisa") and all of their sorted laundry.
"Rebecca" was from California and had a pretty comfortable lifestyle there. Her parents had pretty high expectations (or so Rebecca claimed) and she never felt like she could live up to them or that she wasn't living up to them. She latched herself onto "Lisa," older than Rebecca by maybe 12 years or so who is very self assured and pretty much is someone that you just don't forget once you meet them. Rebecca pretty much wanted to become Lisa to the point where she wanted Lisa to come up with a "style" for her, become her, etc etc.
In the book, Carla tells Mikki that she admires her and wants to know what she does or what it is about her that makes people admire her, draw them to her, make them in awe of her, etc. Carla, the daughter of a famous film director (and she never thinks she can live up to that image of the director's daughter), latches herself onto Mikki, and wonders why Mikki is out having "fun" without her.
It mirrored Rebecca and Lisa perfectly. Rebecca would wonder why Lisa and I even talked on the phone and anything that would interject me into their "friendship" was horrific to Rebecca because it was as if I was taking Lisa away from her.
So reading those pages...wow did it hit close to home. It kinda made me wonder if I should continue reading...I probably will. Mario (the narrator) made it clear that he murders Carla so I guess I have to read on to figure out how and why.
A lot.
It helps that we get a lot of books here at the office that come in for potential reviews and that there is never enough space allocated for the all of the books that come in.
Well one of them caught my eye. The first third? Very engrossing. Delightfully wicked.
That's as far as I've gotten because the last few pages hit...well...as the blog post says..."too close to home."
So close in fact that it was as if the writer knew my two friends (whom I shall call "Rebecca" and "Lisa") and all of their sorted laundry.
"Rebecca" was from California and had a pretty comfortable lifestyle there. Her parents had pretty high expectations (or so Rebecca claimed) and she never felt like she could live up to them or that she wasn't living up to them. She latched herself onto "Lisa," older than Rebecca by maybe 12 years or so who is very self assured and pretty much is someone that you just don't forget once you meet them. Rebecca pretty much wanted to become Lisa to the point where she wanted Lisa to come up with a "style" for her, become her, etc etc.
In the book, Carla tells Mikki that she admires her and wants to know what she does or what it is about her that makes people admire her, draw them to her, make them in awe of her, etc. Carla, the daughter of a famous film director (and she never thinks she can live up to that image of the director's daughter), latches herself onto Mikki, and wonders why Mikki is out having "fun" without her.
It mirrored Rebecca and Lisa perfectly. Rebecca would wonder why Lisa and I even talked on the phone and anything that would interject me into their "friendship" was horrific to Rebecca because it was as if I was taking Lisa away from her.
So reading those pages...wow did it hit close to home. It kinda made me wonder if I should continue reading...I probably will. Mario (the narrator) made it clear that he murders Carla so I guess I have to read on to figure out how and why.
Tuesday, September 04, 2007
Do I Really Have Anything to Say?
Well maybe one thing...
I've been talked into giving these guys a shot so I have an outlet for some aggression. Maybe she can jeer me on.
My mother is horrified.
I'm giggling.
Believe it or not, I've already ordered the gear. I should have it in time for my first practice with them.
I've been talked into giving these guys a shot so I have an outlet for some aggression. Maybe she can jeer me on.
My mother is horrified.
I'm giggling.
Believe it or not, I've already ordered the gear. I should have it in time for my first practice with them.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)