V Day

So I debated on whether to wear black this year for Valentines, but honestly it's been such a great year, I ended up wearing a red sweater, my red italia booties and red earrings given to me by my oldest. Pretty damn chipper actually, and although I didn't get flowers or chocolates, I have received both this year (once at the same time which had never happened in my life). And just last Friday received chocolates by a grateful tenant who moved into our building because I was so damn helpful and pleasant. Score! And Parrot chocolates, no less, the best in the west. They were delish, but thankfully I shared with the co-workers or else I could've easily downed the whole box myself. It's one of the few things I lose total control over, chocolate. Received a couple of valentines good wishes, one totally unexpected by the adorable chef at the B-Bar. Man why didn't we hook up when we had the opportunity, and in Paradise no less! Guess that was my pre-wild child phase, which I'm hoping I never move out of.... So on to Chicago if all goes as planned, then Outer Banks in May, and just realized today I get 4 days off for the 4th, so may just have to plan another adventure. This being free and single stuff is pretty liberating.

Post Secret

In the 2 or 3 minutes it took me to read post secret today, 7000 others also logged on to read it. Hard to believe almost half a billion people have read it to date.

Blue Valentine

Here is the latest case of a movie that disappointed mainly because of what it could have been. I so wanted to love it, especially after waiting a year to see it. This was the only movie I stood in line for at Sundance that I did not get in, the buzz was at such a fever pitch that everyone who could attend, did. It's also a case of where you got the distinct impression that the making of the film was much more intense and personal and emotionally intimate than the actual final product. Seeing the director Derek Cianfrance, Michelle Williams and Ryan Gosling on Charlie Rose describing the scene on the bridge sounded so much more intense and charged when they talked about it. That Michelle had no idea Ryan was going to climb the fencing of the bridge, as if to jump, and that she had been sworn to a secret that she was not to tell, no matter what. The scene could've used several more minutes of build up to the finale of her blurting out she was pregnant. But it all happened so fast that any drama was soon deflated. Another 30 minutes of depth of both the characters, what made them tick, what did they want that they weren't receiving from the relationship? And the story should have been developed, we want to see the pain and agony that always accompanies a failing relationship. Not because we're gluttons for punishment, but because we've all been through the heart wrenching pain that happens when just love alone can't save your marriage/relationship. Why had they fallen out of love? Where had it all gone wrong? Those questions are never answered. True the "NC 17" scene was very emotional, but it had more to do with the camera angle and the hint of rape than the intense feelings they felt for each other. Michelle and Ryan are both terrific actors, but I have a feeling a substantial part of their performance was left on the cutting room floor.

Neil, still master after all these years

So I had always heard about Neil Young's Bridge School Benefit, thought it was way Northern California, but alas just south of San Fran. When I saw the lineup: reunion Buffalo Springfield, Pearl Jam and my favs Modest Mouse, not to mention freakin' Billy Idol (I know!) who I never thought I'd see in my lifetime, I decided this was the year to go. Not really any reason not to, which is good enough reason to do it in my book. Since tickets hadn't gone on sale yet, it was a real viable trip. And when a week out I lucked into an 11th row ticket from the late releases for night one, I felt blessed. No sitting on the lawn in the rain, which despite the great music, would have been miserable. Luckily both nights I was under the big tent covering the front half of the crowd. It really lived up to the adventurous weekend I was hoping for, despite the rain, so I was very happy I'd lucked into finding out about it in time. Seeing Buffalo Springfield do all their greats, from when I was barely a teenager, was like a time warp trip. Nice to see them all but honestly Neil and Stephen Stills are still rockin' their asses off and look healthy and happy which is fun to see. Not like Dylan who's a caricature of his former self and should just call it a day. And of course hunka wunka Eddie Vedder, singing Patti Smith's Dancing Barefoot and Modest Mouse doing acoustic Cowboy Dan were also highlights. But silly as it seems, seeing a limo driver holding a cardboard sign saying my name by the exit of San Jose airport really was the most surreal moment! On to my next adventure......

Phoenix, say hello

HOLY CRAP! It's been so long since I've posted I forgot all my login shit, luckily I finally got it. So after literally years with no one spending time reading any of my stuff I see some Phoenix peruser has actually looked a few times. So write me a comment, I'm always game to hear from far away folks. And reading some old posts from 5 years ago I'm happy to say a lot has changed and a lot has stayed the same, in all the right places thankfully! Maybe I'll actually start posting more. Funny after seeing the two U2 reviews, I'll be headed to SLC to see them again in May after seeing them at the Rose Bowl Oct 2009. They never get old! I mean seeing them of course, because yes, they are getting up there a little bit! Well have to go run now, one of the good things that hasn't changed. The lack of sex, FINALLY has changed for the better. And yes, absence does make the heart grow fonder! (absence of sex of course)

More Europe

U2 Rose Bowl Oct 25, 2009

Europe Baby!

Wimbledon Just Won't Be The Same This Year

I guess I really can't complain, after last year being the "greatest match of all time" when Rafa beat Roger for the epic match title on grass. Still, it is a real heart break to see him ailing. He is such a joy to watch and will be sorely missed this year. Get Well Rafa

Finally, a new post of random thoughts...

Okay, so I've been really neglecting this blog for forever, so thought I'd jot down a few things that have been bouncing around in my head.
1. When the "regular flu" kills thousands each year, why oh why all this fuss about the swine flu. And I hate how our media latches on like a rottweiler on a childs arm to a story and that's all that's on the news ad nauseum for days on end. Surely there are other things happening around the country and world than the flu.
2. Without warning my 25 yr old son has a sudden urge and desire to play the piano that sits mostly dormant for months at a time. The 2+ hours a day he's been practicing is pretty f*cking amazing. And he has taken immediately to reading music.
Looks like quitting his job has sparked a creative streak that he's been ignoring for ages. Which leads me to:
3. When you lose your sense of smell, do your other senses become heightened as they say happens to the blind?
4. My new job at the bank is working out very well, funny how well I've taken to a rigid schedule. And I'm hoping that the novelty of having my own office never wears off.
5. When friends have a husband, new boyfriend, job and two kids you tend to be so far down on their list as to be non-existent.
6. Had a very fine bottle of Argentine Malbec, El Tango. I think I'll get another bottle at the local wine specialty store sometime soon.
7. Paying down $2k on my mortgage seems like a better investment than leaving it in the loser 401k, so I'm doing it.
8. Suprised how I'm loving the new Decemberist "hazards of love" I was so determined to not like them, ever, at all, but now that I have tix to the Wilma in 3 weeks, figured I'd revisit that mentality. So yeah, the show should actually be pretty fun.
9. Trivia may actually start being more fun with the arrival of a "drop out", we'll see.
10. Netflixed The Queen w/Helen Mirren and my pal Jamee Cromwell, it was very good. And been watching Rescue Me, why is Denis Leary so sexy? Starting on season 3 this week.

Feb 24 2009

Halloweenie

Red Sox, First Date, etc.

First off, I'm glad Boston really made them earn it, pushing them to a game seven. Now I hope the Rays have the good manners to win the world series. At least if you're going to beat my team you should go all the way. Secondly, a first date which was actually comfortable and relaxed. Of course we'd chatted and emailed for the last couple of weeks so discovered we at least had a few things in common, not the least of which is a desire to go to Australia. That's a great start. Seems we hit it off well enough and although I was attracted, and loved the way he touched my arm and hair, I wasn't so attracted that I forgot how to speak the English language, which sometimes happens. Beautiful blue eyes, hair on top and a kind demeanor. Extra points for his short stature, we're the same height. So a date two is in order, hopefully a hike and dinner, but we can work that out later. The urge to keep my own individual life and not get all joined at the hip is a strong one. It helps that he lives out of town. I don't want an all-consuming thing that takes over my life. I do however feel the slightest bit vulnerable for the first time in years, to actually put myself out there and reveal to a person I'm actually interested in them is scary.

More B Bar, no snow this time

Pink never looked so good

Late Summer Days

Colors & Textures

Black & White

Experimenting with black and white lets me know how much I have to learn about photography. I really do need to sit down for several hours with my camera manual and do some putzing around. My problem is once I know the basics and things are coming out "good enough" I tend to not bother with such trivial things as directions. My goal is to change that as I just love my new camera and have been having a blast snapping pictures since I got it. And after last evenings art walk I'm motivated again to start some painting. those two horrendous paintings I made are just screaming "cover me up" so that's where I'll start. Weather is supposed to be crappy next weekend, so that may be the time slot I've been looking for.

Pilots

3/9/08

Through my adult years of traveling I’ve always noticed a tendency of height challenged men flying the planes. Call it Short Stature-Big Bird syndrome if you like. Perfectly understandable to me: you’ve always been the little guy so you get back at “them” by flying jumbo jets.

Well, I’ve traveled quite a few times with my children and had mentioned this observation to them. My daughters especially laughed at me, said I was imagining it and then would further point out each tall pilot as we made our way through the terminals.

So of course today they were not with me as I traveled my way back to Montana from Boston. Last minute travel arrangements dictated especially long layovers and as I didn’t care to get a book or a newspaper I spent hours watching the people cruise by. And among them were dozens and dozens of pilots, a clear majority belonging to the five foot seven and under crowd. Miniature men marched by in their pilot caps and black trench coats with their little roller bags trailing behind them. Now I notice these men not just because I’d love to prove my own theory, but because I have an especially fond spot for shorter men. I don’t know why that is but it may be rooted in the fact that my dad was six two and a half and has always represented to me what NOT to look for in a man.

So as I’ve spent this long day traveling back from what can only be described as a monumental week of family history, I’ve smiled many times as I spied another shorty strolling by.

Girls Making Movies

Just watched Two Days In Paris, Julie Delpy's first movie as director. Nice first effort, a funny, painfully realistic view of the insecure, psychopathic nature of most boy/girl relationships. Then I saw Matthew Broderick on David Letterman this week out promoting Helen Hunt's directorial debut which looks very promising. I hear Colin Firth also co-stars, reason enough for me to shell out $7.50. And of course there's the funny and oh so talented Tina Fey who's latest effort, Baby Mama is supposed to be pretty funny, even if it is more of a chick flick. (SNL really suffers since she's moved on.) This brings us to the awesome realization that more and more women are sinking their teeth into movie making, not just starring as the pretty leading lady. It's about time the "boys club" gave way to an equal forum for both sexes. And who couldn't be excited by the prospect of more quality movie offerings?