Field Trip

Today my department had another outing with the Producers, and went to a new restaurant called "LOCAL - Kitchen & Wine Merchant". Not everyone could make it so there was only about 9 of us. We had a nice wine tasting (2 whites and 3 reds) then we all made our own pizza! The Pizza Chef has worked in many good S.F. Restaurants and he was so nice and patient with us. He helped us stretch our wad of dough, then design our pizzas and cook them in a wood-burning oven.

This is what I put on my pizza: first I brushed on some olive oil with chopped garlic in it. Then added a light layer of tomato sauce. Mozzarella, mushrooms, fresh basil and tomato. Then when it was ready in like 5 minutes or less, I topped it with arugula and prosciutto.

Viola, tonight's dinner.

Dead Skin Scrolls

(Photo- Dead Sea Salt - from Google Images)

Yesterday I went to the Westfield Mall during lunch. It was the first time I was stopped by the "Kiosk People". Uh oh.... turns out I learned of some great products. First it was the Dead Sea Salt Mineral Treatment - an exfoliator, I tried some on my hands it reminded me of the scrub I used from Crabtree & Evelyn Gardeners Hand Recovery. Here's the difference, today my hands STILL feel soft! The Dead Sea Salt scrub can be done weekly. The C&E product only felt soft that night I used it. I think they are on to something here. I also purchased a Dead Sea Facial Peel which is a gel texture that exfoliates as you massage in upward circular motions. At first it didn't really feel like anything but then (sorry if it's T-M-I) but the dead skin starts to come up, sort of like when sunburned skins is peeling if you were rubbing it off. Then you rinse with warm water.I've tried masks and other scrubs and this is the ONLY one I've ever actually seen the dead skin removed. I only need to use this once a week as well. These were from http://www.swisabeauty.com/

Then I walk down one level and am approached by this woman who asked what I bought and I guess their products are also Dead Sea Salt related. But she shows me this nail buffer thing. Ironically just that morning I was bummed about more ridges I noticed on yet another nail. I let her take my finger and she buffs one with the gray side for a few seconds, then the blue side, then white side (one, two, three) and viola, smooth and shiny (no ridges or discoloration). No wonder it's called the "Super Magic Nail Buffer"Again, I compare with buffers I've used before and they were never as effective and that fast! Today my nails are still shiny. It also comes with cuticle cream to apply after. She told me it's not good to cut cuticles, just soften. I don't think I need manicures anymore. In 10 minutes, I can trim, file, buff and shine for natural clean nails. I'm going to try it on my toes next. http://onsensecret.com/scripts/prodListCat.asp?idCategory=25

Okay last item - I have had darkness under my eyes forever. She showed me their eye treatment "Textured Eye Cream" which also has Dead Sea Salt. She also used a gel that was applied first but it's more for lines and I didn't need that (Thanks to the good genetics in my family). Today, I seriously notice it seem lighter under my eyes, no dark bags. I have never seen results like these, and so immediate. Nail ridges and dark eye circles. These products are from http://www.attitudeline.com/

I felt like a sucker at first, so after my purchases thought they did give me discounts, I went back and looked up their websites for more info. I'm impressed so far, I think these are very effective products.
This concludes today's infomercial. Thanks for reading.

For the love of books and boboli

It's Friday. Looking forward to my favorite dinner of yummy boboli pizza and salad and vino rosso. George makes the BEST boboli pizza's.

It's also very rainy here. Looking forward to being warm and cozy at home later. So I already bought the book "Trail of Crumbs" mentioned earlier, (I'm used to reading many books at the same time, and yes, I'm well aware of my book addiction) which is written so beautifully, I'm on chapter 4. The chapters are short with some good stopping places / paragraph breaks. She includes recipes for the dishes mentioned at the end of each chapter. http://www.kimsunee.com/books.html

On the flip side Laurie's story (mentioned yesterday 'Crazy Aunt Purl') has a very different tone. Though I do not discount her pain of going through an unexpected divorce, she is pretty funny and down-to-earth. Her chapters are short too. I like short chapters. Aside from her four cats, as I find her book to be interesting and amusing. At the end of her book, she includes knitting recipes and color photos. http://www.crazyauntpurl.com/book/

Today I learned of Linda Joy Meyers, PhD., Author, Instructor/Coach, http://www.memoriesandmemoirs.com/ and she's all about memoir writing. She offers workshops and classes. I'd like to find a writing class or group to attend in person that is affordable and geographically desirable. I think the in-person interaction, energy, and support you get from a group is beneficial. I'll see what I can find out. I don't know if I have a 'memoir' in me yet... but I have my own montage of pieces and stories I am currently exploring in writing. It's just that I see these blogs and books and I think, "I want to do that too!" And why not try? The only difference I see is that they DO the writing and the work, I just THINK about it. ACTION is my answer. Many people self-publish and make their own little chapbooks, etc. Anything is possible with a CAN DO attitude, a little faith, and doing the work. This concludes today's pep talk.

Writing and Knitting

(BOTH FROM GOOGLE IMAGES)

There is a blog I used to periodically read: http://www.crazyauntpurl.com/
Today one search lead to another and I happened upon her blog again. Lo and behold, she has a published book out now! She is a writer, and avid knitter in Los Angeles.

More and more blogs I read, I find these committed writers make their way into publishing articles and books.

Another one I found last year is Quinn Cummings. She's been writing a blog and now has a book deal. http://www.qcreport.blogspot.com/

Even though my blog is not well-known or popular, I enjoy it just for the sake of creating and sharing my writing, info, and photos. In fact, I don't usually have an audience in mind. That could be good or bad, I'm not sure. When I hear of these successes it motivates me to try...something, like writing more and sending out submissions for starters.

Not only am I now creating a new writing project for myself, I am toying with the idea of taking a knitting class again. I love knit scarves and hats and maybe it's worth another try.

*Does anyone know of a good beginner knitting class in SF?*

You know famous Anais Nin quote about the the blossom remaining too tight in the bud, well that's how I'm starting to feel. I really think I have some talent and desire to work with. Instead of birthing babies (not interested), I'd like to bring something I've written and created into the world one day. In fact, that's probably true for both of us as our own "family". George has already brought lots of Cin(E)-Poetry into the world, as well as his creative and unique short films (I bet film is not the correct word anymore. Like the word 'album' is now CD or mp3. But I'd still say "Oh, U2 has new album, if they did."). Cie la vie.

p.s. On the train this morning, a girl sitting next to me was drawing in a little moleskine sketchbook (i ALWAYS notice Moleskines). http://www.moleskineus.com/

At the top of the page I glanced and she had written, "Clean your head. Clear your mind." I've remembered that all day.

M.H.'s would-have-been 48th birthday today...peace

(Don't Change Tribute)
I remember INXS in concert like it was yesterday, though I can't remember exactly how many times I saw them, maybe 9? Not enough. The first time was a concert at Magic Mountain when the Shabooh Shabah album came out, circa 1982-83 when I was in high school. The last time was at the Warfield in 1997, which became their last tour.

Japanese Tea Garden this morning

It's a cold and rainy day but this morning the Tea Garden was still beautiful as ever.
Time for some tea, a book, and little coziness on the couch this afternoon, which could very well lead to a nap.

new book

I read a book review in the Sunday paper for "Trail of Crumbs" a memoir by Kim Sunee which sounds very intriguing. She's from South Korea, was abandoned at three years old, later adopted by American parents and raised in New Orleans. She later left for Florida, then Europe. She meets the founder of L'Occitane, embarks on this privileged life in France, goes back to visit South Korea and China trying to find her identity. She discovers she's most at home in the kitchen. I've seen good reviews and have added it to my list. Kim Sunee is food editor at the magazine Cottage Living. http://www.kimsunee.com/

Thursday's Quote

(both images- compliments of Google Images)

WeDnEsDaY

The beauty of taking public transit.

I went back to the gym this week and man, after 2.5 weeks it's like nearly starting over! Doing 30 minutes of the elliptical-cardio-machine is challenging me more than I thought it would! Maybe it's just my age and everything seems harder and to take longer, I don't know. I did write my last piece for my writing class :) It ends this week though so I need to keep up the writing on my own, until the next class...

The Gap is having a pretty good sale right now. When I was there today, I didn't find anything great in the women's dept. so I went up to Men's. I found some good markdowns on thermal and waffle long-sleeve shirts. I got one for George, and a men's small in this sort of dark burgundy/purple color for myself!

I've read some good essays in that NPR book, "This I Believe." The recent good ones I've read are "Always Go to the Funeral" by Deirdre Sullivan, and "The Artistry in Hidden Talents" by Mel Rusnov. There is a website where these essays are published as well. www.thisibelieve.org

Looking forward to the upcoming holiday weekend. It's nice that my company observes MLK Day. Now that we're FINALLY over our colds, we hope to take a nice long walk through G.G. Park one day this weekend, and watch the football play-off games. I never would have guessed I 'd one day actually enjoy watching football and Star Trek. I never thought I'd love tomatoes either. You just never know!

confession

Every once in awhile I am overtaken with the desire for gummies and have no self control. I give in to temptation and buy a bag of gummy bears. As health conscious as I usually am, I cave in with gummy candy. I enjoy every single one and when I run out, that's it - back on track.

Julia Cameron is appearing at Books Inc. tonight over on Chestnut Street for her new book "The Writing Diet". I'd like to go but am not motivated enough to schlep over there at 7:30 in the evening. I've seen her before though and find her books and ideas inspiring.

I read a good post today over on Tangled Wings, Michelle shared her writing tips. Plus she writes some great poems. http://blog.tangledwings.com/
Maybe I'll try and write now. It's the last week of my online writing course and I haven't even begun my last piece.

The Biggest Grief Of All

Cecil made another new short film. He's so talented. Have a look:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tYSl8NhdTBw

On Air

George was invited to be interviewed on a local San Diego station yesterday to talk about his film in the upcoming festival next month. http://sdcjc.lfjcc.org/sdjff/2008/

Monday Haiku

Possibility

Write daily life in new ways
Wherever you are

rainy

The Bay Area is getting pounded by the storm(s)

"Artists to my mind are the real architects of change, and not the political legislators who implement change after the fact."

- William S. Burroughs, famous American poet, novelist & essayist

2008

New Year's LoveNothing changes on New Year's Day.... ~ U2

Quotes courtesy of Anthony Grant:

"We will open the book. Its pages are blank. We are going to put words on them ourselves. The book is called Opportunity and its first chapter is New Year's Day."

— Edith Lovejoy

"New Year's Resolution: To tolerate fools more gladly, provided this does not encourage them to take up more of my time."

— James Agate

"People are so worried about what they eat between Christmas and the New Year, but they really should be worried about what they eat between the New Year and Christmas"

— Not sure who said this one

Happy Birthday Nephew

Happy 12th Birthday Justin!!! (& Hi Katie)
and a Happy New Year to All