2 reasons I still watch Giant's Baseball...

Rich Aurilia and Barry Bonds. Otherwise why bother with a team that is fighting for last place?

Happy Anniversary AUGUST 28

Happy 47th wedding-anniversary!

Congratulations Mom & Dad

You should be proud (I am)!

Happy Birthday Simone

This was the only picture I could find...

I wish you a very happy birthday, Simone!!

May you be surrounded with beauty, love, and joy.

God bless you.

Love to you and cutie-pie, Ocean

rant and rave

(photo of Baked Macaroni dinner - yum!)
I was glad to go back to work last week. It's also nice to catch up with old co-workers. Friday I made my heart-healthy pumpkin bread, man we can't get enough. It's seriously too good! (not to boast)
Yesterday I went to Somarts w/George (and Trader Joes!) for a performance he was documenting. I heard a few nice poems.

We left around 5ish and headed back to Muni. OMG, I think we waited at least 40 minutes before an N train showed up, and it was PACKED, of course. So we wait another 10-or-15 minutes for the next N. I am all for public transportation and choose not to own a car. But transit here can stress you out and piss you off sometimes!!! I think it's inexcusable really. How does a city that encourages the people to use Public Transit, consistently decline in reliability? An occasional delay is one thing but to add another hour-plus to your commute just plain sucks. Poor George rarely even has to take muni and at least 50 percent or more of the time he experiences extreme delays. *sigh* Okay... time to write a letter to someone in charge.

So we finally got home.... prepared a tasty dinner, (as shown) and watched Star Trek at 9:00. I love that show.
Today we did a major house cleaning. It only took an hour or so because this place is pretty small. And now we reap the rewards of a shiny, spotless home. The weather hasn't cleared up, overcast all day so far. But we are listening to the INXS folder on the IPOD and that makes me happy no matter what. :)
I'm hungry now and it's time for some left-overs.

My Sister

Happy Birthday Steph!!

Hope you did something special with your family

and had some cake

to celebrate while on your vacation in Atlantis.

I wish you:

good health-physically, mentally, emotionally, spiritually

time for simple joys of your own

more flexibility and freedom w/your work

grace to continue being the wonderful

sister, daughter, wife, mother, aunt, friend...

that you already are.

Lots of love.

Last day being unemployed for awhile

So this morning was sunny and we walked to the Japanese Tea Garden during the free hour. Today is my last day off before going back to work for awhile. Even though I don't feel like I actually did all that much, the time went by fast! It's been so different to have these unplanned, unstructured days. My online writing class is ending this week, it's been such a good group! Everyone has been great about posting comments & feedback on eachother's pieces.

In September I like to set new goals (the time of my birthday and the Jewish New Year). Here's a little early brainstorming:

1) New research project: Learn about making 'transitions abroad' (which is atually the name of an informative website!) and utilize my contacts.
2) Lose 10 pounds, again (fess up and go back to Weight Watchers...? what have you decided Cathy?)
3) Find out how to get blogging gigs - and get one!
4) Continue & make progress with the soul-search.
5) Find some Health Insurance .... affordable & usable, does it exist? Huge issue, ugh.

That's a start.

My Dad

Happy Birthday Dad ~

This photo is from last year when we all spent your birthday in Alaska.
You continue to be an example to me in many ways:
The simple pleasures you enjoy like puzzles and sports
You are often the life of the party
with your entertaining skills and humor
especially at family gatherings
You are a trend setter (with your jokes/'teeth')
You truly 'don't sweat the small stuff'
You are generous
Thanks for being a great father
Thanks for the youthful genes
that run in the entire family
(However; I could do without the hereditary high cholesterol)
xoxo, Daughter No. 1

Multimedia message

Dahlia show at the Country Fair Bldg./GG Park (from cellphone)

What a beautiful afternoon! (translation= sunny day, warm, blue sky) We took a nice stroll through the park about 20 blocks up and 20 back. We are pretty sure we saw Mayor Newsom at the park with a gathering that included a kids jumpy and a BBQ/food. After this post, I will move on from the dahlia pictures for awhile.

Hello Dahlia

When you look out the bedroom window upon waking and the sky is clear, you know it's going to be a beautiful day here! And indeed it was. I went to the park 3 times today, twice with George. First a morning walk with coffee and little nosh to the botanical garden and a brief stroll in the Japanese Tea Garden during the free hour. Then I went back around 11ish to get a little sun, then we just went to the Shakespeare Garden around 2:30 to have some lunch and white wine there.

I took these pics the other day. See how bloomin' the Dahlia Garden is in August?! I can't get over the explosive colors here!



That white palace building behind the dahlias is the Conservatory of Flowers.

Successful cousins

Mindy, Betsy, & Jaye at Madeline's Bat-Mitzvah
I have many first and second cousins on my dad's side.These are three of my cousins who I admire for their creativity and success. Mindy is a well-known party planner with many celebrity weddings under her belt http://www.mindyweiss.com/. Betsy is a writer and has had two children's books published http://books.google.com/books?as_auth=Betsy+R+Rosenthal&ots=kbtm4pzh-g&sa=X&oi=print&ct=title . Jaye is in the fashion biz with her hip boutique in LA "Intuition" http://www.shopintuition.com/. I usually only see them at Bar/Bat Mitzvah's, weddings, and the occasional holiday, but they are always really cool and down-to-earth and hard to believe they all have pretty grown-up kids. Youthful appearances also run in the family.

7 Things I learned during my self-imposed summer break

1) In San Francisco, don’t count on Temp/Recruiter Agencies to keep you busy. My initial plan was to ‘temp’ at various companies to see what else is out there, you know, get some exposure. The reality has been that I had two calls in three months from my agencies, and one was for an interview for a 2-month temp gig that I wasn’t able to go to because of such short notice. I’ve done far better on my own with: a) previous employers contract jobs, b) responding to jobs on Craigslist and getting interviews.

2) Other than going to the gym most days, unless I have an appointment or some sort of plans, I tend to piss the day away and I don’t even watch TV during the day! And, the weather has not been all that nice here especially in our neighborhood otherwise I’d have been at the park more days. I learned that some structure works better for me.

3) I could work from home part-time when I figure out how to start being a freelance writer, and I’d love to get a blogging job(s)!

4) I haven’t been motivated to cook as much, which isn’t the smartest thing when you temporarily have no income. We’ve picked up burritos and Chinese a tad more frequently.

5) I also learned that I especially enjoy the luxury of going out to breakfast on a weekday. George and I have been going to our neighborhood coffee shop Howard’s lately. We usually sit at a table by the window that looks out across the street where our Muni train stop is. As we enjoy the ‘weekday special’ (eggs, bacon or sausage, hash brown potatoes, toast) and coffee, we notice nearly everyone has expressionless faces on the train. A look I remember all too well.

6) Not working is overrated unless you have more things you enjoy to fill your time without the worries of health insurance or money, but flexible hours and days are appealing to me.

7) Since I begin a three-month contract job next week, I hope to find ways to have a variety of income sources. Aside from said contract job, something fun part-time, and get something going on my own as stated in no. 3.

Sight Intoxication

Dahlia Garden Fall, 2006

After dinner this evening George and I took a walk to the Dahlia Garden behind the Conservatory of Flowers. They are usually in full bloom during September & October, so you can imagine our surprise when we saw an array of color in mid-August. I love dahlias with their vibrant colors and unique textures (makes up for their lack of fragrance). This is one of my favorite places in Golden Gate Park.

13 years

Happy Anniversary Steph & James!

13 years, 2 kids, 1 dog, all sorts of amphibians later.... still going strong. Have a great time on your vacation to Atlantis. Take lots of pictures to show us. I think I snagged this picture from mom because it shows the date! Say hi to Justin & Katie from their favorite Aunt Anni & George.

xoxo

The Late Bloomer's Revolution

This is my current read. Amy is very funny but her stories are also heartfelt. I definitely recommend this book.

In quick succession, Amy Cohen lost her job writing sitcoms, her boyfriend (with whom she's been talking marriage), and her mom, after a long bout with cancer. Not exactly the stuff humor thrives on, is it? But filtered through Amy's worldview, there's comedy in the most unexpected places. In this unforgettable, engaging memoir, she recounts her (seemingly) never-ending search for love, her evolving relationship with her widowed dad, and her own almost unintentional growth as she stumbles through life. - from http://www.byamycohen.com/index.html

The Cecil Codex Ch. 3

I share with you this beautiful piece by Cecil Hirvi in Second Life.

Multimedia message

This evening we went to an art reception for Carlos Loarca at The Reaves Gallery on Market St. near Castro. I enjoyed our visit with Carlos and viewing some of his new paintings. This was the first time I've seen very different subject matter as shown above, it was great. I could sit at his feet and listen to him tell stories about his art for hours.

Reaves Gallery presents paintings by Carlos Loarca in his exhibition; "Exploration: The Color and The Space of Loarca" during the month of August 2007. This show features new work, figurative, abstract and expressionistic narrative of the native legends of his land of birth Guatemala. This collection emphasizes Loarca’s trademark bold color palette and resembles the textiles that the Mayan descendants still wear in the highlands of the mountains in Quetzaltenango, Guatemala. Loarca also continues his exploration of spatial boundaries by the layering of canvas and strong delineation of color to draw the viewer deeper and deeper into each layer and line while challenging them to search beyond the esoteric to the deeper meaning and intention. The exhibition will run from August 1-31 with an opening reception on Thursday, August 9 from 6:00–9:00pm. The artist will be present.

Apparently, I can be bought

After a 2nd interview for an administrator position yesterday I wasn't sure it would be the right fit. Same day I got another call from a former boss making me an offer I couldn't refuse! I had insomnia last night and sleep was no longer an option for me by 5am, sorry George.

So, I decided to accept a 3-month position working for 4 days a week at a former job. I have some co-workers I like that still work there too. I think it's the right thing for now that is short-term. I will use that time to network for international contacts, and find something new to learn in order to try another kind of work down the road by taking courses or a certification of some sort. That is the new plan of the hour.

Seasons

" Live in each season

as it passes,

breathe the air,

drink the drink,

taste the fruit,

and resign yourself

to the

influences of each."

~Henry David Thoreau~

Anniversary Love and Memories

First, today is my 6-year anniversary with George... happily unmarried still, but a girl can still dream... xoxoxo

Second, I'm posting a piece I just wrote for my writing class, the subject this week is meals and this is a memory from a dinner party in Madrid:

Back in September of 2002 we visited Madrid, Spain. George was invited to the Reina Sofia Museum to give a presentation and workshop on Cin-E-Poetry. We had a very kind host, Giorgio, who was instrumental in our invitation to Madrid, as he was working on his thesis about poetry and media. He showed us around the city, shared a few meals with us in restaurants, and helped George with preparations for his presentation. Giorgio invited us to have dinner with him and his girlfriend Beatriz (an acclaimed poet, who worked as a literary critic, and has a PhD) at their home one evening.

I remember their street in a back alley was filled with a young crowd and loud music. We arrived at 9:30pm, as dinnertime is much later in Spain. Once buzzed inside, we climbed a stairwell and entered their quiet flat. It was small, warm, and inviting with green plants and lots of books. We took off our coats and had a seat on the couch, enjoying a glass of wine with conversation.

We made our way to the dining table and our first course was a seafood appetizer. I was surprised when I saw the shrimp still had a face! I did not do well with this, though everyone else was able to remove the head and all. I don’t think I’ve eaten shrimp since that time come to think of it. Next we were served sliced pork that was from a region in Spain renowned for its succulence, accompanied by salad and bread. I was so delighted by Giorgio’s salad! I love salad and consider it one of my specialties as well. It consisted of lettuce, carrots, purple onion, celery, cucumber, tomatoes, corn, and olive oil dressing. He uses good Spanish olive oil, and recommended some brands to us.

After dinner they prepared samples of dessert wines in aperitif glasses. I especially liked the sherry. George said, “It taste like liquid candy.” We were later entertained with some original poetry composed and read by Beatriz herself.

They were very kind and generous to us. They are both intellectual and talented. I was inspired just being around them. That is what I love most about travel, the exposure to different ways and paces of life. We were fortunate to have a personal glimpse into their life in Madrid.

I am always inspired by quality of lifestyles, such as their knowledge and appreciation of poetry, literature, art, and film. Giorgio and Beatriz are both involved in academic and creative work that suited them. Enjoying cooking good food, wine, and friends. This is what I keep with me from a short visit in someone else’s world.

untitled

Top of the 5th, 3 Giants - 0 Dodgers. Bonds is up: pop-up, bummer, no 755 yet.

This week presented 2 interviews at two very different places, a church and a media start up. It's good to explore such different avenues. We'll see how it plays out. I wish I had more to write about but the well is a little dry.

"Facing it, always facing it, that's the way to get through. Face it." ~ Joseph Conrad

August

Madeline in the Middle

Hello... So it's August now...
Lots of my family will be in Virginia this weekend for a Bat-Mitzvah, (Congrats to my second cousin, Madeline). And congrats to one of my first cousins, Corey on his engagement. We have a huge family on my dad's side. August brings lots of birthdays and anniversaries as well (including me & George).