soup

Unfortunately I've been sick the past few days... matzoh ball soup (above) helped...

The end of another year
It's been an interesting
insightful year
Took some risks
read a lot of books
thought a lot
wish I wrote as much as I thought
took a couple courses
with writers.com
I tend to do a personal reflection in September
during my birthday and the Jewish new year
and don't make resolutions
but do like to set optimistic intentions
Ali Edwards (http://www.aliedwards.typepad.com/ picks a word or phrase
as a focus for the year, I like to do that
I read a 400 page book in the past week
Hope to get out tomorrow, back on the Barbary Coast Trail we're exploring.
au revoir 2007

Joyeux Noël

God grant you...
the light of Christmas, which is faith;
the warmth of Christmas, which is love;
the radiance of Christmas, which is purity;
the righteousness of Christmas, which is justice;
the belief of Christmas, which is truth;
the all of Christmas, which is Christ. Amen
~Wilda English

3 Stories - 1 post

1) Christmas tree in a Vase...
I didn't want to buy a tree this year. So at Andronico's Market I looked through the flower section and found a bouquet of pine and holly. I thought that was clever, so I got it and a red gladiola bunch for some color. I thought it was creative and looks festive. We put a bit of tinsel and one ornament and viola! Christmas in a vase this year.

2) Today on Christmas Eve, day, I went with George to the Blood Center to donate blood for my very first time. I was so pleased to be healthy enough to donate, wasn't sure about the iron, which happened to be fine. However, I was not hydrated enough or something because my vein starting pooping out and I couldn't quite get to the requirement level. That was a bummer but she said I should try again in two months. Oh well, at least I tried and will try again. They really need the blood.

3) Old McDonald had a Farm...
In our recent scrabble match, this was my hand (image above-a,e,i,o,u,a,e)..."Hello, I'd like to buy a consonant." It was a challenging game and Georgie won because, well I got stuck with the Q in the second to last draw. I actually used all my vowel's and had no move for the Q. There will be a rematch very soon.

We are enjoying a beautiful and quiet day here in San Francisco. Our big plans are to go out for Chinese food and attend the Christmas Eve Candlelight Service at church tonight. Christmas blessings to you and yours.

p.s. Welcome home Mom & Dad from your trip to the Land Down Under!

A Tuesday Morning in December

A Tuesday Morning in December

Woke up to rain

Got ready for work and ate my favorite cereal, Trader Joes Organic Morning Lite

Walked out with George and umbrella

Caught the train and got a seat today

Thought about how I need to get a start on this week 6 assignment before I get behind again.

I love lists and fragments and just didn’t know where to begin

I remembered from an earlier writing class, we made list of obsessions and I thought maybe I’d do that again because that is a good way to show you what takes precedence at this place and time.

Came into work at 8:30

Checked messages and email

Left at 9:00

Walked in the rain five blocks to catch the 1 California bus

Bus came quick, got on and opened my book

Read the forward and intro to “This I Believe- The Personal Philosophies of Remarkable Men and Women” short essays from a show on NPR.

At Steiner Street the bus lost power

A heavy set, older woman remarked, “This is what happens when they run everything by computers”, and made a few “I‘m in no mood for this” sighs.

We all got off this bus and hopped on the one behind it, the new driver maneuvered around stranded bus and took us to the intersection of California & Presidio where he announced this was his last stop.

I walked another two blocks to my appointment for a routine mammogram, which went fine despite the fact that they crush your boob between two plates then tell you to hold your breath while they take the digital x-ray. Yet, in this position I already couldn’t breathe!

I spent more time getting there than the actual appointment took.

20 minutes later I was across the street waiting to catch the bus back downtown.

I read a few of the essays in my new book. I like what Isabel Allende wrote following the untimely death of her daughter. Her greatest message was about GIVING. “Give, give, give - what is the point of having experience, knowledge, or talent if I don’t give it away? Of having stories if I don’t tell them to others? Of having wealth if I don’t share it?”

Got to my stop and walked five more blocks in the rain

Picked up a coffee at Starbucks

And was back to work by 10:30.

4 Days of Photoshop Training =

Happy Hanukkah

Happy 1st night of Hanukkah!

Today's Devotional

December 4 - Pastor Jon's Devotional ( http://www.joncourson.com/ )

I was in the Spirit on the Lord’s day, and heard behind me a great voice, as of a trumpet, Saying, I am Alpha and Omega, the first and the last ...
Revelation 1:10-11

Why is this repeated? After all, John said the same thing just two verses earlier. I suggest it is because most people don’t struggle with the Alpha or the Omega. They know God looked at creation and declared it good. And they know in the end, in heaven, things will be good. But where people have a hard time is in the middle. They question and struggle with the things going on presently. ‘Why is this happening? Why didn’t God do this? Where was God when that happened?’ they cry.

So what does a pastor, a theologian, a poet do? He whispers in peoples’ ears over and over again: God is in control. God is on the throne. The same God Who did the good work in the beginning is here in the middle, and will come through in the end.

And that’s what we must do. We must whisper over and over in the ears of our teenagers, our friends, our neighbors, ‘God is here, and He’s going to see you through.’

December 1st

(California Sky from airplane window)

I can't believe it is already December! Time is flying again. I am a couple pages away from finishing the Nora Ephron book "I Feel Bad About my Neck", a quick read and so amusing (thanks for letting me borrow it Mom). I really enjoyed it. She mentions things about that aging that I never even thought of (yet) like your neck, for instance and wearing turtlenecks...hmmm.. I guess I ought enjoy my neck while it still looks nice.

It's really cold here today so we are staying in our warm and cozy home for the evening. I did practice a little bit with Photoshop. I could attempt my week 4 writing assignment. I could read a book. But I think I'll take a break first and go lay on the futon, put on PBS for a little while and watch Rick Steves in Europe.

Thanksgiving collage

Thanksgiving Day pictures taken w/new camera... so much better!
Morning in the park, commuting on Muni, Molly, dinner table, and our lovely hosts, the Beckerley's.


So much to be thankful for.

OC Weekend

Lois Drew Birthday Party/ Neighborhood Reunion - the Drew family did a fantastic job!!

Family Visit at Steph's

It was a really nice weekend visit down in the OC. Saw family, old friends and neighbors. Here are a few pics... will write more about it soon.

Weekend Musings

We had a rainy Saturday and a sunny, brisk Sunday this weekend. I picked up Sasha Cagen's book "To Do List". Being a list-maker, I find it interesting and creative. I enjoyed an afternoon at Mr. Pinkwhistle salon having highlights applied, which turned out a nice caramel color. I also went shopping around Union Square for something to wear to a party next weekend, with no success.

At church it is the season where members share their experiences, thoughts, and beliefs about giving (financial pledges). It causes me to ponder about my desire to tithe, give, and serve along with my desire to spend! Balance is required. I've heard it said, by giving to our respective churches (and other charitable causes) we can send our money "ahead", meaning to send it on for use here of course, but with heavenly purpose. I have my spending and selfish weaknesses as confessed before, but I'd like to be more obedient about tithing and serving.

My faith life feels weak and it's so easy to become distracted by the cares of this world. I spent this afternoon at the Westfield Mall, still on my search for new clothes (to no avail). Even though I did not buy anything, as I tried on clothes in stores from H&M to Ann Taylor, I was choosing items that I thought had some style, some sass. Maybe we sometimes BUY into image, to re-create our own and wanting to change our look. This hairdo, that dress, those shoes, this bag, will create the new image. I have even bought a new journal in hopes of writing differently!
I find this curious.

Review ~ Second Life Cafe

I went to a “Second Life Café” exhibit/installation over the weekend. I am familiar with the popular virtual world of Second Life, though I have never participated as of yet. The room had tables and chairs set up, a table with coffee, tea, wine, and some snacks. Plants and flowers were placed around adding their colorful beauty. Among a couple other multimedia installations, I watched the large main screen viewing the artist and avatar Cecil, going around various places and interacting with other avatars. In this café setting, the sound system let us hear “Cecil” as he navigated around Second Life having conversations, listening to music in different areas from museums to discos, as well as, poetry readings.

Cecil had an impromptu conversation with a female avatar, who when asked what her experience has been like, she said, “Talking with people here feels more human than real life sometimes. You cut through the chase and get to the good stuff quicker.” There is quite a creative community in there ranging from poets, painters, sculpture artists, designers, singers, filmmakers, and more.

I sat at a table with a glass of white wine and a blank page. It was an inspiring environment to do some writing. Listening to interesting and creative people interacting through their avatars, watching Cecil go through the Virtual Louvre with its beautiful paintings and sculptures inside. Hearing different languages spoken as he approached international communities, like a Brazilian crowd in a dance club. It’s also a fun and safe way to experiment and try on other styles and characteristics of our personalities. There is loads of possibility.

I glimpsed the educational value and artistic experimentation that is available here. As the Real World moves more towards the Virtual World, I can imagine how this technology will change some of our daily activities and/or interactions. It’s only going to continually improve in quality and perhaps necessity at some point. It’s just important to keep a healthy balance between both worlds.

Cecil's blog ~ http://cecilhirvi.blogspot.com/

Brian or Britney?

At my office yesterday:

"It's amazing how long it takes to complete
something you're not working on."
~ R.D. Clyde

Wisdom from Dennis Palumbo:
"Writing begets writing; not writing begets not writing."

Today's Author Event

I saw Maira Kalman speak today. She's quite a talented and interesting woman, also the sort of person who is all over the place, making associations and often digressing. She has her hands in a variety of creative aspects from writing, painting, drawing/sketching, photographing, to music. Her new book “The Principles of Uncertainty” displays her various art forms throughout the narrative which covers one year of her life, asking questions and navigating her way.

Simply, asking what wonderful or beautiful thing you notice in this day, operating from a place of balance between freedom and structure, this made feel like wanting to be more ‘EXPANSIVE'. I haven’t been doing creative work lately, it’s just in my head, no action whatsoever. It’s time to get back to the page and just practice. Thinking is not writing. Writing IS writing. There are also art supplies and collage materials waiting too long to be used.

She mentioned finding material everywhere, just walking down the street in New York. I think a good way to begin is to be open and attentive through our senses each day. Paying attention to daily life here in the city, to what and who I see, noticing the smells, picking up bits of dialogue, which can all amount to any number of ideas or associations. Then taking out a pen and writing down some thoughts or notes. It’s just that simple.

From Amazon:
Maira Kalman paints her highly personal worldview in an inimitable combination of image and text. The Principles of Uncertainty is an irresistible invitation to experience life through the psyche of Maira Kalman, one of this country's most beloved artists. The result is a book that is part personal narrative, part documentary, part travelogue, part chapbook, and all Kalman.

Her brilliant, whimsical paintings, ideas, and images-which initially appear random-ultimately form an intricately interconnected worldview, an idiosyncratic inner monologue. Kalman contends with some existential questions-What is identity? What is happiness? Why do we fight wars? And then, of course, death, love, and candy (not necessarily in that order).

The tremendous success of Kalman's 2005 illustrated edition of Strunk and White's The Elements of Style established her as an original, inspirational voice, and the quirky, hilarious, heartbreaking style of The Principles of Uncertainty reveals Maira Kalman for what she truly is: a national treasure.

Happy pumpkin day

We are Borg.
Your biological and technological distinctiveness will be added to our own.
Resistance is futile.
It's been awhile since I've dressed up on Halloween. Today I came to work with my "Borg" components as seen here. I am Borg "1 of 2" (inspired by 7 of 9)

George's Show this week

My sweetheart George has his show at SomArts this week. The reception is Thursday evening. Check it out. He's oh so innovative, and entertaining.

http://www.george.aguilar.com/

Today's Lunch

Today's lunch hour consisted of pizza and bowling. (the production dept. and my dept.) It's been a few years since I last bowled, but oh how fun it is. So with no practice and after a bad first frame, I threw four strikes and ended up with a final score of 133. Not too shabby for one game. This was also the first time I think i've ever bowled on company time during the work day.

Happy Birthday Katie

HAPPY BIRTHDAY

K A T I E

Have a wonderful day my sweet niece.

Glad you enjoyed your party and CAKE, mmm

Hugs and kisses from San Francisco

xoxo

Multimedia message

Autumn in a pond

Friday Randomness

(Images from http://www.freeimages.co.uk/)

I joined (and paid) for this Free Write Fling for the month of October. Do you know how many I have actually done? Oh, two or three! I hate when I sign up for something, spend money, and my intention falls by the wayside. I wish I know why this is. Then I feel like I need to restrict myself from taking another class for awhile.

The eyeball picture reminded of my nephew. When he was a little guy, he used to call little rubber bouncing balls you get from a gumball machine 'eyeballs'.

I'm getting close to finishing the novel "the Mistress of Spices" by Chitra Banerjee Divakaruni. Sometimes I forget who some of the characters are when they re-appear in later chapters but I am enjoying reading something different from my usual tendencies. It's a poetic and sort of a fantasy story, and cultural as the characters are from India.

It's a bit amusing when I see people wearing cut-off leggings, you know a little above the ankle. There's a girl in my office today wearing them with a black short ruffle skirt, black sweater and some low-heel pumps. I remember that from the 80's when we wore those with denim or other mini skirts. I also remember these mini dresses that were sort of t-shirt or sweatshirt-ish and we wore tights and metallic belts and shoes. If you really want to know, I also remember ruffle shirts, prarie skirts, beads, button earings and thick plastic bracelets, espadrilles, sweater dresses, wedge shoes, white pumps, penny-loafers , petal-pushers (pre-capri's)corduroy knickers, argyle, banana clips, the "Flashdance-off-one- shoulder" sweatshirts, and even with fringe! I know my long-time friend Dina must remember that too! Hah. I also remember various bikini's that were the style. These two-tone bikinis where the strings on top made a criss-cross on your back and I think tied on the bottoms somehow, not exactly sure on that one. Let's not even get into NEON! I have to stop somewhere!OMG, I'm seriously dating myself now but it's actually strange that these memories are over 20 years ago!

Today's Daily Devotion

This is from Pastor Jon Courson's website for October 18:

In hope of eternal life, which God, that cannot lie, promised before the world began.
Titus 1:2

Paul’s intent is that people do better, go further in the glorious hope of eternal life. ‘And this is eternal life,’ Jesus prayed in His High Priestly prayer, ‘that they may know You, the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom You have sent’ (John 17:3).

We usually think of eternal life as existing someday far away in heaven. But that’s only part of it. According to Jesus’ prayer, eternal life is knowing the Lord here and now in our hearts. Thus, the farther I get from the Lord, the more hellish things become. But the days in which I spend time with the Lord, I experience something of heaven on earth. The closer I walk to the Lord, the more heavenly my days will be.

It was after Enoch fathered his son, Methuselah, that Scripture records he began to walk with God (Genesis 5). Kids will make one walk with God — especially a kid like Methuselah. Living to the age of 969, he must have been home for 500 years!

‘Enoch walked with God and he was not, for God took him,’ (Genesis 5:24). I can almost hear the Lord saying, ‘You know, Enoch, this walk we’ve enjoyed together has been so wonderful. You’ve walked with Me so closely that now we’re closer to My house than yours. Come on Home.

’‘This is eternal life,’ Jesus prayed, ‘that they may know You, Father — not out there geographically, but here and now intimately.’

Multimedia message

Travel Detective

I saw Peter Greenberg at the Book Passage in the Ferry Bldg. last night. He's touring with his new book "The Travel Detective Bible". It's over 600 pages chock-full of tips and resources. He knows his stuff, that's for sure. http://www.petergreenberg.com/

another great book goes movie!

I just learned that Amy Cohen's memoir that i loved, "The Latebloomer's Revolution" is going to be made into a movie! Congrats Amy, you rock! http://www.byamycohen.com/

FROM VARIETY:
Parker joins HBO's 'Revolution'
Sherman-Palladino to adapt novel and direct
By MICHAEL FLEMING

Sarah Jessica Parker will star in "The Late Bloomer's Revolution," a feature adaptation of the Amy Cohen book for HBO Films. "Gilmore Girls" creator Amy Sherman-Palladino will make her feature directing debut.
Movie will be distributed by Picturehouse.

HBO Films acquired screen rights to Cohen's memoir, and Sherman-Palladino will adapt the novel, about a single woman who, after the death of her mother, develops a bond with her father as they both try to get on with their lives in the dating world.

Parker will produce with her Pretty Matches partner Alison Benson. Movie will be developed as part of the joint venture between HBO Films and Picturehouse.

An experienced TV showrunner and director, Sherman-Palladino had been looking to make the move into features. She sparked to the material and saw it as a good match with Parker's comic skills.

"Character stuff is what I do best, and there is an interesting lady at the center of this who explores a relationship with her father, who'd always been the silent guy in the corner watching TV when her mom was around," Sherman-Palladino said. "The humor is key here, and Sarah Jessica is a great comedienne."

Sherman-Palladino has directed episodes of "Gilmore Girls" and is doing the same with her new Fox comedy, the Regency Television-produced "The Return of Jezebel James," which stars Parker Posey and Lauren Ambrose.

Parker is in production on the feature rendition of her HBO series "Sex and the City."

What type of writer?

You Should Be A Poet

You craft words well, in creative and unexpected ways.And you have a great talent for evoking beautiful imagery...Or describing the most intense heartbreak ever.You're already naturally a poet, even if you've never written a poem.

What Type of Writer Should You Be?

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Borg

We Are Borg.

Your biological and technological distinctiveness will be added to our own.

Resistance is futile.

Weekend

It's been a good weekend. I watched the movie "Miss Potter" Friday, which I enjoyed. I didn't know much about life of Beatrix Potter. We had company, Heather and Ruben stayed with us Saturday during their Bay Area visit. We walked through the park, around Haight Street, and stopped for some tapas and sangria at Cha Cha Cha. Later we had yummy Thai food for dinner. It's always nice to visit with good friends. It's sunny day again today, so we might go check out the freebies in the park today- the Polish festival *correction, Polish Festival is next Sunday*, and a Comedy event. Also, to keep a discipline for daily writing, I signed up for Cynthia's October "Free Write Fling" http://www.vivelaslink.typepad.com/. That begins tomorrow, it's all good.

Haiku for Jack Davis

Good man and leader
Major supporter of Arts
You will be missed Jack

Click on this link to read George's beautiful tribute to Jack.

http://www.george.aguilar.com

Tuesday musings

(Photos of Courtney Thorne-Smith courtesy of Maria Santiago)

I saw Courtney Thorne-Smith today at Stacey's for a book signing. She is very pretty, currently pregnant, and down-to-earth. She mentioned that aside from acting, wanting to be a writer and always secretly wrote, and is a voracious reader. She had articles published in Self magazine, got a little turned off from magazine-article writing and later attempted fiction. Today she read from her first published novel "Outside In". She is actually from San Francisco too! I didn't get her book but it does sound like a good read.

On a different note, I've been noticing during my commute on the train how so many people are connected to their technology. Thin white cords dangling from the earbuds, cell phones or Blackberry devices in hand scanning info and playing games. I've been watching our new collection of Star Trek "Borg" episodes. The Borg are a trip! This collection has episodes from "The Next Generation", "Enterprise", and "Voyager", which I am watching for the first time now too. There was an actual "Friendly Borg, Hugh". He had an innocence to him and was kind of amusing. He was the exception, as most Borg's are very mechanical and destructive. Anyway, I find it interesting that more and more people 'wear technology' mostly to entertain or distract themselves from the 'collective' on the crowded train, haha.

Media and Memories

This morning we put on the TV to find out the weather report while eating cereal. As soon as news about OJ came on we had to change it. I get so fed up with the media here, as they relentlessly contrive stories of which have little or no relevance to our daily lives. That is why we flip to local channel 32, which airs‘DW-TV’ news from Germany, and ‘Russia Today’. (BBC is good too.) They show interesting world news, as well as local stories in their country and throughout Europe. They have interesting pieces on culture and art. I find these programs to be a more intelligent and balanced source of news.

That said, as we watched about a big Design Expo happening near London this morning, I was reminded once again of our trips to Paris. I remember resting in our hotel room listening local news in French. I remember the breakfast buffets we enjoyed consisting of coffee, breads & cheeses, cereal, brown hard-boiled eggs, fruit, pastries... I remember being greeted outside by the crisp autumn air as we ventured out into the day’s adventure. I admit, I am still very much infatuated with European life. I love to revisit those places and moments and moods and memories in my mind until we return again.

more birthdays

Happy birthday Mom

Enjoy

You are special

remembered

loved

and very important

to me

and many others

xoxo

p.s. Happy 6th Birthday to Zachary Harris too!

Kris Carr

I've read a few posts now about this book so I had to check it out. She also made a documentary I'd love to see. I'm sorry I missed Kris Carr at Border's last week. She sounds like an amazing person. http://www.crazysexycancer.com/

A time to every season

(Art/Photo by Tara Leigh)

Over a year ago I bought this cute little set of collage supplies at the Saturday Market in Portland. I thought it might motivate my desire to jump on the art journaling bandwagon. It still sits on my bookshelf, untouched. Sometimes I look at the contents but I just don't understand why I get immobilized with things I really want to try?!
The first collage journal I ever saw was Sabrina Ward Harrison’s published journal Spilling Open. She used photographs, paint, all sorts of cut-outs, color, and words. Now there are all sorts of books and websites with creative use of collage & journaling. Similar techniques are also used in scrapbooking. There is also the digital factor, which would require a class in Photoshop for me to attempt.
Here’s another thing on my mind. I need to get a birthday card to send my mom and haven’t found anything good yet. "Why don’t you just make your own Andrea?"

There comes a point when it’s time to stop thinking and just do it, whatever that ‘it’ may be.

LaShanah Tovah

May this new year be sweet

as apples & honey

God bless you and your loved ones

The world is your oyster

As I read the excellent book by Rolf Potts, Vagabonding, http://www.rolfpotts.com/ I’m more inspired than ever to prepare for long-term travel. On occasion, I remember this girl Margie way back when we were just out of high school, she would work and save and go travel. I only remember that she worked w/my friend Annette for six months or so, saving to travel to Australia, but the inspiration stuck with me. I’ve always been intrigued by people who do both; plan for extended travel or relocate to another country, as well as, throw caution to the wind and take off! I like to plan as much as I can and also leave room for the unexpected.

I recently reminisced about this with George. Once in Las Vegas, and another time in Girona, Spain, we missed our flight. I’m usually at the airport early and waiting so this was new to me, missing flights, "Oh my!" I learned from George how to just deal and do what you have to do, vs. getting all anxious. It also proves for a more interesting experience and story. In Girona, we had to buy new tickets for the first flight out the next morning to France. At the time flying on Ryan Air, it wasn’t a big expense either. We then managed to get a room at the hotel across the street and the nice desk clerk gave us some toiletries. It was nice to relax and extend our stay a tiny bit too. The next morning while still dark, we walked across the street, back to the airport. We hung out and enjoyed some coffee and a pastry while waiting for our short flight back to France.

I also think of Auntie Mame. I love her spirit of adventure. On a less eccentric and expensive scale, I could imagine my niece and nephew’s ‘crazy-in-a-good-way Aunt Anni’ and George traveling around the world. Sending postcards and emails with all kinds of stories. I wouldn’t send them a totem pole mind you, but maybe some inexpensive cultural and educational gifts.

Vagabonding begins now (even if your travel begins later) when you decide you want to travel, start saving money and begin to plan. It doesn’t take enormous amounts of money either. It’s more of a re-evaluation of your priorities and adjusting your lifestyle. “Indeed, the freedom to go vagabonding has never been determined by income level; it’s found through simplicity-the conscious decision of how to use what income you have.”

Since living in California my whole life (and George too), having no real anchors or commitments keeping us here, why not attempt to travel MORE and experience life in many other places. We also have the advantage of not owning anything. So we begin with reading, researching, networking, saving, and the never-ending downsizing of possessions.

It feels good and a little scary to have a great dream. (A little scary usually means you’re on to something good though!)