Ya gotta watch the Zombies

As I have noted before, certain topics of conversation while I'm petting or brushing Vinnie make his eyes bug out of his head. Last year, it was discussion of Santy Claus and his buglaring. This year, it turns out that Halloweeny time does the same. There was nothing special to note in his reaction to discussion of witches, ghosts, goblins, ghouls, devils or vampires... and really, those are common day cat happenings. The Great Pumpkin did bring about a small reaction, trick and treating was a head turner (but in all fairness, I often get an overwhelming response to "Treats"). It was, however, Zombies that had Vinnie's ears back and eyes bugging out. Zombie's with their green ooze that gets fur all messy.

But in all seriousness (a word that also gets Vinnie at high alert), I, along with several others, will be a Witch on Wednesday. Not exactly a stretch for me, I know (didn't even need to buy a costume, you know). But it should be fun. I'm also "trick r' treating" around the office for the Philadelphia Food Bank... an organization which I have volunteered to pack food baskets for one day in a few weeks independent from the collection at work.

We are also participating as a team in the pumpkin contest... Our pumpkin will be the Cookie Monster. My contribution are cookies... a pumpkin decorator I am not. So yesterday I made a variety of chocolate bats and cats as well as many, many pumpkin pumpkins. Yuuummmmm... cooooookies!!

A Nation of C Students

So, as I previously posted, I'm watching Chris Rock... and I forgot about his bit on "a nation of C students" in discussing institutionalized racism...

But let's keep it fucking real, OK? A black C student can't run no fucking company. A black C student can't even be the manager of Burger King. Meanwhile, a white C student just happens to be the president of the United States of America!

He precedes this with the explanation that regardless of whether it is a white school or a black school, there are 5 smart students, 5 dumb students and the rest are your average C students per class.... and the whole thing reminds me of two independent incidents this week--once at Target and the other at BigK. My change at Target was 82 cents and my change at BigK was 85 cents. In both instances, the women giving me back change could not figure out the coin combination. In both cases, I got 2 quarters, 3 dimes and the 2 pennies and nickel, respectively. In fact, the girl trying to count out the 85 cents was struggling, so I said, just give me 3 quarters and a dime. And she looked at me like I was ripping her off and said, no, that's too much. Uh hunh.

Now, my experiences have nothing to do with racism on the surface, it has to do with education. I have to wonder that is this nation one of C students because we just don't care about education, plain and simple? We tout that we care, but if we do, why aren't our students challenged? Why can't the young adults counting back my change not even perform simple math? More and more, it gets worse. I had a bill not too long ago that came to $6.57... I gave the cashier $12.07... she looked at me, looked at the money, looked at me, looked at the money, looked at the register, shrugged and entered in the amount I gave her like I was insane and then looked at the register like it didn't calculate the change right.

Deeper, the same concepts that propogate racism in this country are also what affects our education system.... economics. So, if you can't make change--you cannot MAKE CHANGE.

When the Laughter Stops

Isn't it funny how as we get older, our tastes change. It isn't just food. The last week, I watched a Dennis Miller routine and tonight George Carlin... I didn't laugh once, and I didn't make it through either performance all the way. Conversely, I used to not like Chris Rock, and now, the mutha makes me laugh till I pee.

Perhaps it was Dennis Miller's tirade on how he doesn't trust the science of global warming (ya say what?), because, you know, apparently, reading the temperature back in 1906 was not accurate. Maybe it was Carlin's tirade on the culture of the United States as if he is not part of it. Either way... Rock is a good replacement, especially when DL Hughley isn't available OnDemand and I've already watched Bill Maher twice.

Of course, I don't need OnDemand or HBO to get a good laugh... Britney is releasing a new album this week, and apparently, some of her fans are boycotting her and her music until she's clean and sober. Call me sick, I got a chuckle out of that. If I waited until my favorite musicians were all clean and sober before I bought their music, it'd be a long-ass silent time ahead of me... speaking of which, my Rock n' Roll Jesus, Kid Rock, was arrested, again, for a little brawl in the parking lot of a waffle joint. From after hours clubs to the House of Waffle... ya do wotcha gotta do when the munchies hit and they you get arrested. No word, but all indications are at least he didn't pummel Tommy Lee again.

Tough week

It has been nothing, if not a crazy-assed busy week... and I hope that the weekend can provide some much needed time to clean and put laundry away. If nothing else, I hope to at least get to the gym tomorrow... it's been a while, I miss it... I need it. Tonight, my company began its first week of free yoga classes. It's great, but they don't start until later, and I decided to just work until they started. That won't happen next week!! It has made for a long day. Add to the long day, several phone calls to the insurance company over the transmission problem (which was caused when big kitty jumped from the back to the front, knocking the gear into reverse, while doing 80 on the turnpike). Seems the insurance considers that an accident... and likely covered. Woo hoo... it's just they get to the part about just how big the kitty is, they are a little dumbfounded. On top of that, is my mother's little accident this week in which she fell and shattered her knee. I feel helpless, and I want to be able to help more than calling her 5 times a day to see how she's doing... especially when she will be having surgery next week (it is quite severe)... so send good, positive thoughts.

So, yes, crazy-ass busy and dealing with residual stuff, on top of new stuff... and it's too bad, cause there is a lot of great new Britney news and some thoughts on the latest Halle Berry headline that deserve to leave my head, but will instead be numbed with Benedryl shortly.

Apathic America

Being on vacation last week, I missed some of the news our politicians don't want you to know about. Owl Farm pointed me to an article in the Washington Post concerning some legislation granting immunity to telecomm companies for illegal spying. Anita's post at the Farm sums it up best as she quotes from her late husband's "Kingdom of Fear"

…The news is bad today, in America and for America. There is nothing good or hopeful about it – except for Nazis, warmongers, and rich greedheads – and it is getting worse and worse in logarithmic progressions since the fateful bombing of the World Trade Towers in New York. That will always be the festering low-watermark in this nation’s violent history, but it was not the official birthday of the end of the American Century. - Hunter Thompson, 2002

There is more, but this really sums it up--even if it is 5 years old.

And I wonder when the complacency will end? When will people stand up and say no more? Who will take the risk of a Guantanamo? When will media figures outside comedians stop running scared? When will compromising with our rights become unacceptable?

Sadly, there isn't enough agreement to even form two sides in this country... our next civil war will be waged by 500 different factions (my conservative estimate).

As some of you know, my mother is the President of a Library board... she gets letters upset that the library (a public building paid for my tax dollars) is hosting groups against the war to have their meetings. A library should be the epitome of free speech and First Amendment rights... and even that is under siege these days. Next thing you know, the Constitution will be on the banned reading lists.

Zero Tolerance

As I'm sitting here this morning, fending off what seems to be the onset of a cold, drinking coffee and listening to the TV news I was disturbed by the incessant reporting of the weathers interruption by an actual news story. What was most disturbing was not the end of the weather discussion, but the story that was being covered... a NJ second grader was suspended under a schools "Zero Tolerance" rule for a drawing of a stick figure holding a gun, which was given to another student. That student's parents complained and the boy was suspended.

It is understandable, even if I have some disagreement with, a zero tolerance policy on weapons in schools... but a drawing of one? I have a huge, no HUGE, problem with zero tolerance in art and expression. Instead of suspending the child, shouldn't one talk to him, ask about the drawing (which he told his mother was a water gun), maybe find out if there are other issues going on? Ah, or is it just my liberal leanings that says we shouldn't just put on our blinders and think that zero tolerance will result in a zero violence society? I write, as I overhear the presidential campaign "news" with the second grader already long forgotten... and that is just how it works here in the US--we continue to promote policy that has proven over the decades to not work in the hopes that it might... some day.... while we forget those that it leaves behind in its wake.

Cooking Queen

After a delightful afternoon stroll through the neighborhood of Chestnut Hill, I made my way home and walked down to the market for yet more apples. Despite the sojourn for apples, I've yet to do anything with them, instead, I focused on cranberries. Cranberry butter and cranberry pumpkin muffins to be specific. I also made some cabbage veggie soup for dinner... and many dinners to come, no doubt.

Now, I'm awaiting the zucchini to thaw to make a special waffle that I played around with last week... if it isn't a fluke and works twice in a row, well, it's a keeper that I will continue to experiment with over the weeks to come.

And much like the blueberry craze of the early part of this summer, I am jonsing for figs. Preferably, I would like fresh figs, but that just doesn't seem to be happening, so today, like a junkie needing a fix, I bought dried figs... and bonus, they were BOGO free. Sadly, I only caught the tail end of the Californian fig season, but apparently, if the internets can indeed be somewhat reliable, there may be European figs still looming about. Still, the dried figs are delicious, and I will be happy with them for the moment. I believe we crave that which contains nutrients our bodies currently require... in this case, I would suppose calcium and potassium... and given my recent bone density screening, I'm leaning toward the calcium.

And now, onto the zucchini!

In Real Time

With a sweet HBO package deal for the next few months, I am taking full advantage of watching Real Time with Bill Maher... quite honestly, it is the only reason I ever watch HBO -- and incredibly, it was cheaper for me to get HBO than not when I moved... but whatever, fact remains that most Friday evenings, or Saturday mornings, whichever the case may be, I am watching the latest episode of Bill Maher. And oh, how I've missed him since he was fired and switched to premium cable.

Last night's episode was almost Springer-esque with 9/11 Truthers in the audience protesting quite loud while the panel talked. It got so bad, security was tossing people out left and even more conspiracy theory left. Maher himself jumped into the audience to assist with the tossing of the first out. It was rather amusing.

And what's the deal, one wonders? Well, if you aren't on to the latest, the 9/11 Truther's have been protesting Maher for refusing to bring up the topic on his show that 9/11 was a government conspiracy and that the Twin Towers destruction was a controlled act of the government. Yes, the JFK assassinations just aren't enough for some people. Some are even wondering if Bill is being paid off... You just can't make this kinda shit up.

Pangs of del Toro

So, as I just finished that post about Things we lost in the Fire, I immediately felt the pang of no more del Toro... it had been 2 years since a new movie (last major release was Sin City in 2005)... and nothing scheduled for release at this time. There is hope that his two movies currently filming will be released next year, but given the longevity of the projects, it's debatable. Still, I eagerly look forward to The Argentine and Guerrilla - which I understand will both be filmed in Spanish.

I remember the first time I read Che, I thought if any actor were to play him, it should be Benicio del Toro... now, I don't want to jinx the success of these bound-to-be epic films, but I also thought many years ago when I first laid pre-pubescent eyes on Pierce Brosnan that he should be Bond... and indeed, he was the only Bond I enjoyed.

Now, admittedly, Diarios de motocicleta, was a masterpiece and Gael Garcia Bernal was an excellent Che--but del Toro is taking on a later chapter in the revolutionaries life... the overthrow of Cuba through his death.

A lot can be said about Che... and indeed a lot has been said--he is loathed and relegated to the status of a terrorist. Regardless of your feelings on Che, he was a brilliant man who had the best of intentions and wanted to help the disadvantaged. I am not about to wager an opinion as to whether his approaches were right or wrong, it's not for me to say... but I do respect him as a historical figure; troubled and conflicted, incredibly brilliant, and worthy of a reprisal by an actor that will do justice to that underlying and human story.

Things we lost in the fire

Caught the early matinee today -- surprisingly so, as I anticipated my car repairs would take a much longer period of time than they did. Can I say, Saturn of Jenkintown (in Abbington) were so easy to work with, so completely awesome... I have renewed faith in Saturn again. I digress, but it beared saying.

Now, Things we lost in the fire... this was an absolutely brilliant piece of film. Now, it almost goes without saying that Benicio del Toro has perfected the essence of the dark role; but with each movie the man gets better. He nails the perils of addiction; it's gritty and deranged and ugly... and he is fluid between those moments of being clean and those of being dusted off to the side of the alley like the trash he's stewing in. On the opposite side is Halle Berry; believable as the wrecked widow... indeed she is a phenomenal actress, even if not given the same weighty piece as del Toro, she pulls off an incredible fete--giving depth to a character that easily could have been superficial. Indeed, the superficial fell to David Duchoveny--as the centrifuge of the plot via his death, his scene's are only meant to show the kind of person the deceased was and how his death impacts the lives of these two central characters.

Impressive were the child actors of the film... usually, I'm not much for the acting of kids--typically meant to be cute, Alexis Llewellyn and Micah Berry are not only too adorable, but on par with the weight of their roles.

Now, while this story as powerful and brilliant, there were a few places that just didn't make sense... like when Halle Berry's character invites del Toro's to her bed so she can sleep. She's made it clear to that point how much she hates him. Also, as beautiful as Berry is, she shows it in every scene. Sometimes, grieving isn't all put together Max Factor style. Now, there was also the scene with her in the alley trying to recover a relapsed del Toro... and she already would have looked out of place in that alley, but she'd just been warned about going there; she would certainly not have dressed to be noticed.

All in all, the movie is about find hope and recovery. And in the end, the motto's for hope and recovery make the final statements. Accept the good. And, one day at a time. Interestingly, they are both delivered by del Toro's character.

Thinking about art

Yesterday, I had the pleasure of my first visit to the Phila Museum of Art to explore the Renoir Landscapes exhibit. It was simply amazing. The PMA is a veritable playground I plan to check out on many occasions as I am now a member. Always a fan of Impressionist work, I was excited about the exhibit--Renoir is not renown for his landscape scenes as much as his portraits, but they are among some of his most fascinating works. I fully intend to purchase a print, or two, of his works specifically Rocky Crags at L'Estaque (a Cezanne inspired work) and North African inspired Le Jardin d'Essai.

After the PMA, I decided to walk into Center City. It is still all new to me, and one thing I didn't realize, but was delighted to discover on the walk was that the PMA has an extension (one of MANY) that is the Rodin Museum. Rodin is one of my favorite artists. The Thinker, pictured here, is probably and arguably, Rodin's most famous work. It is also the first artistic rendering that I remember from my childhood. I remember seeing a cast at the Detroit Institute of Art... and it left a huge impression. And much to my mother's upset, I remember it and NOT the King Tut exhibit we stood in line for hours to see.

During my undergrad, I was an English and Art major (though I opted for the Art minor in the end--if only to avoid that horrible 8 a.m. class 4 days a week sitting in the dark watching slides). It was in my sculpture classes that the blending of writing and creating really took hold for me. The idea of intertwining the two into a another dimension. It was this thought process that in the end, led me to go on to study communications; specifically, rhetorical theory.

What does this have to do with The Thinker? Everything. Rodin's thinker is part of a larger commissioned piece, The Gates of Hell... and the Thinker was intended to be Dante, contemplating his epic poem The Divine Comedy. The idea of combining writing and art was never a new one; but until one actually, physically explores it, I believe that it can be appreciated, but never completely understood. And that, in part, is where rhetorical theory comes in. The idea that experience itself is a persuasion and that each experience layers our understanding and views. The Thinker, for me, has over the years been layered with my various experiences, transforming it from a statue to something much, much more.

And you thought the lead was bad...

So, the Chinese, who have apparently been on a mission to poison US Citizens are quite pissed these days that the US Government is awarding the Congressional Gold Medal this week to the Dalai Lama. Our prez, the uber moron, understands Beijing's concerns but would really like it if they saw the Dalai Lama as he does, a spiritual leader and a man who wants peace.

I think I threw up a little in my mouth.

Don't get me wrong, I think the Dalai Lama not only deserves his honors, but deserves to see Tibet's autonomy in his lifetime--NOT that I think the latter will happen. What makes me spit up protein drink is the current "commander in chief" and not-so-lame-a-duck-as-one-would-hope-at-this-point president. One has to wonder, does Dubya know that just cause the DL wears robes he isn't dispatched from the Vatican to renew the peoples of Tibet... or his exiled home of India, as the case may be? I'm sure God told him in one of their many conversations.

An interesting thought, and some rambling on the auto industry

Today, I was reading a post on a board that I frequent relative to exercise and fitness, and a person indicated she had met her new boyfriend on Friday at the gym. Perhaps I am jaded in my age, perhaps too many of the one-date wonders have caught up with me, but I can't see calling someone a boyfriend after less than a week. Kudos to her, I begrudge her not a thing--I wish I had that kind of romantic optimism left in me--if indeed I was ever so privy (and I doubt that the case when we get down to the brass tacks).

As we get older, do we get more leery? I know we select ourselves down to a refined dating pool; imposing a gaggle of rules and quirks that would make even the most psychotic of online daters gasp in horror, then snicker under their breathes as they lie about their Star Wars fetish set to the ACDC soundtrack... but what happens when we lose the sense that romanticism is even possible? Don't get me wrong, I don't view "romanticism" as a fairy story set to the soundtrack of a missing shoe (though I fully admit shoes are a part of it, right? RIGHT?). Anymore, my sense of romanticism is such that you go your way, I go mine and somewhere in the middle we meet... and we defiantly don't put flighty labels on it.

All that said, it isn't so much that I don't want the flighty labels (just let them go unspoken and unacknowledged in the larger arena), and I suppose it is easier to chide them when you are not amongst them. Anyway, I was thrown by the concept. Relationships are hard, especially starting out, to seemingly put so much into defining them so quickly. And the terms and labels have high stakes involved...

And speaking of difficult relationships with high stakes--Eve (which, is the name of my electric blue Saturn SC1) is sick. It has made me sad these past few weeks to hear her transmission clunking all over the greater Philadelphia area. Being on vacation, I had taken Eve to several places for an estimate. All indications were they were going to rip her open, yank out her transmission and replace it.

On a whim, I called Saturn. Now, for those who have known me a long time (and there aren't many of you left) know that I have been at odds with the Saturn dealership in Ann Arbor as they had lied to me on numerous occasions from the very onset of purchasing Eve through a tune up that occurred while I was in for warranty work. So, calling into a Saturn dealership was done with quite a large amount of skepticism and reluctance. However, after a brief visit to them today, they do not have to rip my car to shreds in a 3-day process costing over $2k. Instead, they can and will fix my car for half, if not less, than that.

Now, all is not said and done with Saturn of Abbington; but given that the service guy didn't treat me like an idiot chica, took the time to explain and answer all my questions both on the phone and in person, and gave me all the details I would need to make an informed decision, I have a good feeling about it. If nothing else, there is some reassurance that they aren't going to rip me off. Okay, it is a dealership and the rates are higher than other places, but they are the only ones that will do this service... so you live with it... and it is less costly in the long term. I mean, really, he could have been like all the other places and presented me with a very expensive, and as it turned out, not necessary, option.

And now, I hope, I can continue on with my vacation as previously planned.

Vacationing ala home

It's a lazy Sunday here in sunny PA, unless you are a squirrel... but even the kitties are lying around -- exhausted, apparently, from eating breakfast. This week has been exhausting generally and most nights I fell asleep reading or watching TV before 9. Fortunately, this week is vacation for me--and much needed at that. It started out Friday with much enthusiasm, I was planning to play around downtown Conshy, have some dinner, a drink, meet some peoples... but by 6 I was nauseous and sick to my stomach. The migraine persisted into yesterday, but I still made it into the City. I took the train to Reading Terminal for Harvest Fest, which, as it turned out, was somewhat lame, but I still enjoyed the market--once I ate and started to feel human. I think Down Home Diner is one of my favorite Reading Terminal places to sit down for a snack or lunch.

Now, this week I learned of the many trails here in the area, and that one is accessible from close by, and it will take me right to the Phila Museum of Art... a nice walk of 11 miles along the Skuykill River. Of course, I could always take the train or drive... but so long as the rain holds off this week, I may do a walk to the Museum and the train back. The Museum currently has a Renoir exhibit that I will partake of this week. After reviewing the ticket prices, the admission generally and considering the number of times I would like to go to the museum, I opted to become a member. I had wanted to do the same in Michigan, but the DIA was not convenient for me, and I think I only ever went once. The Phila Museum is far more accessible for me, and I can see myself going frequently.

Overall, vacation plans are loose and while some will involve the transferring of my car to PA registration, state inspection and (hopefully) getting my car fixed, I'm hoping to get some nice hiking in, and a more detailed exploration of the City. Perhaps even some photos for those who have been asking... And, without question, I need to do some serious writing.

Autumnal Melting

Philly, is that global warming, or are you just happy to see me??

Big news today if one goes by the monitors at the gym showing the news on various stations were the record high temps here today... apparently, the official temp today was 89 degrees, but with my smoking hair day, I bet we hit 90.

Good thing there is a cold front coming in, otherwise, I might have beach front property for the New Year.

Inspired reading

Sometimes, there is nothing more creative than a cookbook.

Today, I finished reading a wonderfully entertaining cookbook by Clotilde Dusoulier, author of the Chocolate & Zucchini blog and latest book bearing the same name. I've only tried one recipe, and not even to the exact specifications of its creator--though, she tells you herself to experiment--but it was delicious. I note in her recipes a bold combination of flavors one might not usually consider... and one in particular I am eager to try involving figs and cheese... perhaps even broccoli, unless I'm getting it all mixed up, which is possible.

High off zucchini camaraderie, I finished up my pot of chili--going a little heavier on the chocolate than I might usually, if only due to inspiration. Then proceeded to my sweet potato bake and pumpkin custard through all of which "The Great Pumpkin" was playing in my head... since my copy is VHS and I am without VCR (something that will obviously need to be corrected prior to Halloween week).

In conjunction with my reading of new cookbook, I have also been reading a book of short stories: Alone in the Kitchen with an Eggplant. The two books come together for me in a very symbiotic manner. As the title suggests, there is a story, the opening, inspiration for the collection, in which an eggplant is the staple of the kitchen of a certain single woman.

If nothing else, "...Eggplant" has made me feel somewhat reassured that I am not actually alone in the kitchen. When you are single and cooking for one, you develop, more often than not, certain habits. It is not unheard of for me to eat peas for dinner for days at a time, or applesauce, or sweet potatoes.... but my go to, the one thing my kitchen is never without is the zucchini. I even entertained the idea of adding one to my chili today... though I did not, the thought is appealing. Perhaps, instead, I will chop a zucchini and layer my chili with the beautiful squash. Crazier things have happened in kitchens.

Observations from the Deck

This week I had to finally accept that the non-stop activity of the last few months, the move, the adjustment, the stress and the lack of compliance with taking supplements all caught up with me in a big way. Fatigue to the point that it hurt to move... and nothing feels worse than getting on a treadmill like that. So I made a deal with myself--supplements and just chilling out this weekend and not trying to cram 5 new neighborhoods or figure out on the map the way various roads intersect.

And, an amazing, somewhat baffling thing occurred--I didn't know what to do. It has been so long since I just sat still that it was weird. Still too tired to paint or draw, I ended up last night watching TV and reading. I have no idea what today will bring, but since part of my stress lately is driving and having to pay attention and having my senses on overload... I decided today was a car-free day. Fortunately, anything I could want is within walking distance.

Speaking of sensory overload, here are a few of the things I have noticed in the last few weeks:

--For a state that professes to wanting to be "green" there are an awful lot of hummers and SUVs on the road.

--There was a recent uproar this week with SEPTA (Southeastern Penn Transit Auth) instituted a rate increase of 15 cents. Feeling like where possible, I want to use public transit... and indeed it makes sense when heading into City Center... I checked out SEPTAs website to get a feel for the availability. And, I realized that I could, potentially, utilize public transit for work... I'm only about 4 miles away.... which is 2 buses, 4 times the amount of transit time and about 350% more costly. I guess, in this case, it makes more sense to take a train into the City on the weekends or take a bus to one of the local neighborhoods for play than it does to use it daily.

--You can easily tell here at the complex who has cats and who does not. Those with cats all have our bedroom window blinds pulled up halfway to accommodate out felines... otherwise, cats in mini blinds would be a dangerous notion.

--Apparently, oncoming traffic is not a daunting notion for some. Yesterday, I was in the left turn lane to get on the highway and the light was green, but there were cars coming at me... so as you might in this situation, I decided to abide by the law and common sense and give right of way to the aforementioned traffic. However, the woman behind me saw no reason for such logic and began blaring her horn (horn blaring is a very common occurrence here, to the point that I hardly notice it anymore). I had to wonder what she saw as a opportunity to turn left 30 seconds sooner than I did. Perhaps, I was simply supposed to shotgun it in the half a car length left between the truck and SUV--I mean, I do have a little car.

Time to make chili... I mean, it is only supposed to be 900 degrees today, chili seems like the perfect companion to that kinda weather. I won't complain though, the humidity is supposed to be down today to 94%... that means I should look 6% less like Gilda Radner today than yesterday.

Mahalo.

Things that make no sense

Good god people, there were candy canes at CVS today... CANDY CANES--for fucks sake, is nothing scared? Are we going to be dolling out Christmas candy at Halloween? Macy's had trees up!! Well, if nothing else, the candy canes nauseated me to the point that I said screw it, I don't even want candy corn after all and left the store. Saving me hundreds of calories and the inevitable tummy ache from eating pure, evil sugar in one of its many guises.

I got to thinking last night... I never watch Oprah (unless she has on Senior del Toro, and since yesterday was his first appearance on Oprah... you get the idea); but in watching yesterday's episode, she spent a significant amount of time talking to Halle Berry about being in love and pregnant and then the movie... Beni comes out and there is some quick chat about the movie, what he likes about Halle and thanks for playing. WTF? Now, mom warned me that Oprah has been playing up the gender and race card in her attempt to compete with Tyra Banks... and had called the scenario hours earlier in the day. Really, Oprah competing with Banks? I'm not even sure I have a full grasp on what that means entirely. Like a cat fight but not really? All I know is when Springer and Gerlado went nose to nose, someone got their nose broken--and as basal as that might be, at least it made sense. If there is gonna be a cat fight, dammit, someone's wig better get yanked on!

And on that note, I'm going to bed where I will most certainly NOT have visions of sugar plums dancing any where near me. In fact, if tonight continues the way it has, no doubt I will have a cat jumping on my head just as I am about to fall asleep.

Mahalo.

Something Spooky This Way Comes

After my race to get home to see Benicio del Toro on Oprah this evening, I was blissfully on my way to Target--because it is the best place ever--to get a bevvy of things including cat litter, Q-tips and Kleenex. Also on my list were Halloween decor... assessing the faire available at Target and almost deciding on a center piece of black silk flowers I felt a creepy, eerie sensation over come me. And, as I turned the corner, compelled by the utter spookiness I knew lay in wait I was instead aghast by the sight... in fact, it was so wretched that I was rendered speechless and left the Halloween section immediately in search of cat litter. Xmas decorations. Yes, that's right, Xmas decorations. Now, I know a few weeks ago in preparing to leave for PA mom and I were at Kmart for something and saw a large Xmas display--of which my father instructed us to stock up on... but I figured Kmart is always a little backward. However, in light of this today at Target, my faith is shattered and it will take one helluva pirate (or Puerto Rican actor playing one) to even remotely restore it. I'd like to think that it was all a huge mistake, or that the costume that will be all the rage this year is a Xmas tree, but sadly, even my optimism will not allow me that luxury. Where do I lodge my complaints? Is Santa listening?

Welcome to October!

Despite my utter exhaustion as I pulled into the lot of my new apartment, transmission clunking away, a certain energy came over me that reminded me that today was the first of October and thus, the appropriate time frame for thoughts of Halloween. Now, I've already eaten my fair share of candy corn and mello creme pumpkins for the season, but does it count if it wasn't "officially" the Halloween season? And really, I resisted peanut butter pumpkins because it just wasn't right. But displays of "It's the Great Pumpkin" at Barnes and Noble this weekend was a reminder that it was almost time... not only for peanut butter pumpkins, but for applesauce, pumpkin cookies and zucchini cake. And then there was the smell of the leaves ready to turn heavy in the air.

Yeah, I've been tired. But it is a good kind of tired. Getting used to being in a big office again has taken a piece out of me, but I am enjoying all the new people and those that I've been working with from a distance being within steps.

Friday evening, I went to Barnes and Noble and spent about an hour after my 1.5 hour workout just milling around the books... I finally bought one of the books on my list, and so tonight I will embark upon "Alone in the kitchen with an eggplant." It, and a Diet Coke are awaiting my presence as I write.

Saturday I got up and had a leisurely morning in the apartment before heading out on my quest for cat food... I went to the Trader Joes in Ardmore... which is a nice ride passing by Bryn Mywr and many, many large, beautiful homes. Trader Joe is located in a large, spread out shopping center and it was the perfect kind of fall day to roam around the plaza, drinking coffee and window shopping.

I left Ardmore and headed toward the Philly neighborhood of Manayunk. I've been told by nearly everyone that I needed to go check out Main Street... so I did. It was a lot more walking around, window shopping and oogling the boys that were out and about. I popped into a little place for lunch--which as so-so. Amazingly, I read a review of another restaurant in the Inquirer that I almost went to instead. The reviewer raved about the place and admitted that many of the Manayunk restaurants were a little over-rated.

From there, it was a stop at Kohl's to look for table linens, but it wasn't until I neared the shopping plaza at home that I struck shopping gold. Bed Bath and Beyond had my table linens and my duvet--all on clearance. Target had my sheets, and while not on sale, still were precisely what I wanted and I didn't mind spending the $$$ since I had gotten such an incredible deal on the rest. It was onto food shopping and then home where I hauled more boxes to the trash and worked on cleaning until I dropped.

Sunday morning, I could not sleep for the weird ass dreams and then weirder call from my mother who was awakened by a call from her sister about her pig being electrocuted--or something like that. So I got up and procrastinated until it was time to leave for kayaking. Yeah, I did it, I went kayaking. I drove into south NJ and met some women from a meetup.com group at LL Bean. They couldn't take us all in one group, but a few of us went... I was the only one who had never been in a kayak, so apparently, the instructor thought I should be the first one in a boat. Once I got over feeling like I was going to go overboard, it was a lot of fun. After, getting out, I didn't realize how stiff my legs were and I fell on my ass. All I could do was laugh it off... and when you have a wet ass, that is really the best course of action.

After a jaunt around the LL Bean store and the Halloween nearby, I grabbed a slice of pizza and headed home. Home to finish unpacking the last box, putting away the rest of the clothes and vacuuming. The place is looking much more like home and I should have pictures soon for those who've asked.

I also tried something else that was new this weekend. I bought and read the Sunday paper. It was a very interesting experience... quite enjoyable if you discount the inked fingers. I'm not sure I can justify the waste of buying a paper every week, but while I am learning the new area, it is a nice thing to pick up... and I recycle.