Notes from caffeineville

Woof

2007-03-12T21:53:00.000-04:00

I added new links!

2007-02-28T16:04:00.000-05:00

Take a click!

February Sucks!

2007-02-17T20:03:00.000-05:00

It's cold out - the world is frozen.

I just took the dogs for a 1/2 mile walk and it took us an hour because we were slipping and sliding and whoa, WHOA, WHOA!-ing all over the place.

I've been diligently working on business stuff and I'm practically a shut-in.

I want to barbecue! fuck the snow! fuck the cold!
lets throw some MEAT on some FIRE and fill the house with LOVE.

Aaaaaaaiiiiiiiiieeeeeeeeee.

I miss my friends!

Peace out.

Brilliant!

2007-02-13T17:10:00.000-05:00

Brilliant!

Blurry Dog

2007-02-05T21:08:00.000-05:00

I'm lazy and I'm a coward.

2007-01-28T20:24:00.000-05:00

I'm feeling demoralized by my job.

I am having real ethical problems with how my company treats people.

The easy thing to do is quit and find another job; I'm employable and there are jobs available. But how does that help the company change? How does that help my co-workers, left behind, to deal with the problems? How far-reaching is my responsibility for the company's behavior?

My real question is: how do I find the strength and the courage to fight with people whom I love - to hurt them by bringing their very ideals into question? Also, how do I find the vocabulary to do it intelligently, professionally and with friendship?

I'm such a milquetoast, I'm not sure I have it in me.

Just a few photos to hold you over.

2007-01-14T18:19:00.000-05:00

Year in review

2006-12-30T16:24:00.000-05:00

So, I have my wall calendar here with all the notes and appointments and such on it. I wanted to mark some memorable events from 2006 - in order.

January 5th, Megan finally turned 21 and she could begin behaving as she always had - only more so, and in public.

January 20th, Memphis had a bath.

March 29th, saw my first crocus of Spring.

April 21st, Rachel & Megan got engaged!

April 25th, an actual street sweeper came down Becket Street.

April 28th, Kevin finally moved back to Salem - we are all still pleased as punch.

May 5th through 12th I took a vacation and it rained Every Fucking Day. We almost built an ark.

May 27th, Lee & I celebrated the 6th anniversary of our 57th wedding anniversary.

June 20th, Posted my Leica on eBay - because I wanted to use the money to begin saving for my own business; spent it on bills instead.

July 13th through 16th we had a lovely visit with the in-laws. Really, it was nice!

July 18th, my Nephdog, Neiko was put to sleep.

July 23rd, heard my first 'heat bug'.

July 30th, Mab joined the family. We just love her to pieces.

August 4th, saw a double rainbow on my street.

September 10th, through 17th I took a vacation - I can't even remember what I did. Though I did seriously begin working on a business plan and trying to find the perfect location for my own restaurant.

September 12th, Celebrated my 2nd anniversary as Sous Chef at Shubie's. As of this writing I still haven't received my yearly review.

October 4th, went to the Topsfield Fair for the 38th year in a row.

October 17th, the Masonic Lodge of Marblehead voted to accept Lee and Dean.

November 30th, Chris Woodman, the trivia jockey, passed away.

December 20th, I was diagnosed with Pneumonia.(out sick the 19th to the 26th)

December 31, will celebrate Rachel's improbable 36th Birthday. Holy Crap.

---------

Over-all I would say that the year kind of sucked. With the wars still on in Iraq and Afghanistan, the fact that all of us are broke, noting that work sucked, my boss was drunk, and I was exhausted 99% of the time; if I had 2006 to do over again I would maybe sit it out.

Mab was a highlight, as well as sharing in the nuptials of Paul and Meg.
So far the winter has been mild, we have a roof over our heads and food in the 'fridge. I am three good nights of sleep away from being healthy and I Love my husband even more today than I did on the day that we were married.

Maybe it wasn't ALL bad....

-------------

May each of us know Peace in 2007!

Rest in funk, Mr. Brown, Rest in Funk.

2006-12-25T10:26:00.000-05:00

Heaven is a funkier place now that they have the Godfather of Soul.

Someone please kill me.

2006-12-20T11:12:00.000-05:00

I can't sleep for the coughing, but I'm exhausted.
I have a headache that feels like somone has over-filled my head with tiny little anvils that rub together whenever I move.
I'm dizzy, I ache all over, I've got the shivers and the sweats.

Please, please Kill me.

I haven't had a cup of coffee in two days!

UPDATE:
Turns out I have Pneumonia.

The Christmas Spirit...

2006-12-13T16:22:00.000-05:00

...eludes me this year.

You must attend!

2006-12-07T20:50:00.000-05:00

Chris Woodman
Memorial fundraiser and trivia night

Join friends and fans of Stump Pub Trivia Jockey Christopher J. Woodman,
who passed away unexpectedly last week,

At O’Neills Pub, 120 Washington St Salem, MA
This Tuesday evening, December 12th at 7pm

A special fund had been established in Chris’ name at TD Banknorth and all donations will go directly to His wife, Wanda, and their three young children.

Donations can be made throughout the evening, or at any TD Banknorth branch.

Come join us for an evening of remembering a good friend and helping his young family through this difficult time.

Requiescat in Pace

2006-12-01T19:34:00.000-05:00

Chris Woodman, our beloved Trivia Jockey passed away in his sleep on Wednesday evening.
He leaves a wife and three children.

(from today's Boston Globe)

Some of us in the Tuesday night crew will be attending the funeral and/or wake - we're also going to take up some kind of collection for his family. More news as it becomes available.

Read more here, in the comments of the post with Charlie Brown in the title.

He will be missed.

We work hard

2006-11-18T18:55:00.000-05:00

Very fucking hard.

Shubie's is lucky

Who Knew?!

2006-11-09T17:41:00.000-05:00

For the first time in my own personal herstory I have cast a ballot for someone who won.
holy mother of god! what's next?!
Will Dogs learn math?
Will cats navigate the seven seas?
Will Lee quit drinking?

Let us hope that the Democrats do all of the hard work that needs to be done without getting into trouble.

Peace.
Coffeesnob

I am the coolest

2006-11-02T18:14:00.000-05:00

you can tell by just lookin'

These are glasses designed to keep you from crying when you cut onions.
They really work, are are flattering too!

Yup, it's Halloween

2006-10-29T20:20:00.000-05:00

Most of the costumes I've seen so far have ranged from boring to cool - this is the only one that scared me.
Mostly because he just stood there staring for an uncomfortable length of time; long enough to take this photo and shudder from the creeping willies.

Morning Light

2006-10-22T15:28:00.000-04:00

This morning I couldn't sleep (someone was snoring) so I was up and out for a walk, alone, before sunrise, in the cold dim morning.

Last night I took the Jack Russell for a walk around Salem without her sister, mostly because she is the portable one. In times of dog-walking trouble it is very difficult to carry a Bassett Hound around. It is like carrying a sack of potatoes, a squirming, barking, furry sack of potatoes...

So, as I'm sure y'all are aware, Salem is a cluster fuck right now - TONS of people ZERO parking - lots of street vendors selling food that fat tourists throw on the ground for doggies to nibble on when I'm not looking. We spent about an hour 'barccuming' the city before I carried her home. Some lady randomly produced a dog biscuit from her purse just for Mab; it was green. Ahh, Saturday night in October. There were busses, trolleys, rickshaws, horse-drawn carriages, bikes, motorcycles, double-wide strollers and a gabillion pedestrians. Searchlights traced the sky and strobes blinded me at each block. The soundtrack was sirens, the hiss of smoke machines, spooky music from every shop, crunchy leaves underfoot and people being rowdy and having a good time. Pande-frikkin-moneum, but intoxicating nonetheless.

This morning, however, was chilly and quiet - even the harbor was silent. I saw one person walking a scotty dog and one car delivering newspapers. The grass was crisp and frosty under my feet. The sun, as it rose, was pink and orange and warm. I could hear and see myself breathing. So that's what I did...breathe.

The city was mine, just for an hour, but what a glorious hour it was.

I need a drink

2006-10-19T20:31:00.000-04:00

Who is buying?
I promise to be charming company.

Brrrrrrr!

2006-10-15T20:27:00.000-04:00

Man! I thought I could hold out until at least November!
Nope, I turned on the heat tonight - I set the thermostat to 60 degrees where it will stay until April.
Sigh....

Too lazy to post anything

2006-10-08T20:02:00.000-04:00

Rested the camera on top of Judge Hathorne's grave during the full moon at the Burying Point and waited for the tourists to stop taking photos with their telephones.

Poe

2006-10-02T19:05:00.000-04:00

Wicked Howl Cafe

2006-09-22T21:15:00.000-04:00

Imagine...

Close your eyes for a moment (after you finish reading of course) and imagine a place right in the middle of downtown Salem; a place for locals and tourists alike. This is a comfortable place where the first thing you are offered as you walk through the door is genuine hospitality.

At the Wicked Howl Cafe we simply serve honest food at reasonable prices in a place as comfortable as your own living room. We are not reinventing the wheel, we are helping the world to stop spinning for a while. Come on in! The beer isn't going to drink itself!

We will be open nightly for dinner beginning at 5PM and serving until at least 10PM. Our servers will satisfy your hunger with a late night menu until Midnight. Check out our innovative drink menu blending the best from the espresso bar with the skill of our experienced bartenders. Please take some time to look over our extensive menu of hard to find craft beers and exceptional wines.

In the kitchen Chef Wolf will be serving up comfort and spice. (should I trademark that phrase "comfort and spice"? I like it) Try our tequila and lime marinated shrimp from the grill, or check out our twist on the tired ol'burger - stuffed with spicy pulled pork and seasoned to please. Grilled pizza with fresh ricotta, fragrant herbs and roasted garlic is sized just right for two.

Relax with your friends and graze from our long list of appetizers including: a crusty French loaf served with seasoned olive oil, sald cod brandade and creamy black bean dip, or spicy grilled buffalo tenders with the usual fixin's, maybe a layered Tex-Mex cheese dip with warm tortilla chips would do the trick, and don't forget our home-made waffle cut potato chips topped with either crumbled blue cheese or smoked turkey gravy.

Longing for a sandwich and some nice hot soup? Try our grilled chicken and corn chowder with a BLFT (bacon lettuce and fried tomato) sandwich. How about a cuban sandwich? We've got spicy chili and we've got Grandma's chicken soup. What's not to like?

Need a heartier meal? Try our porter marinated steak tips or our roast turkey dinner complete with garlic smashed potatoes and gravy. Make sure you take a look at our weekly specials for things like pan-seared scallops topped with a sweet soy dressing served with gingered jasmine rice.

Sink your teeth into some wicked good food.

Wicked Howl Cafe
Think Global, Act Lobo
In the heart of downtown Salem at Pickering Wharf.

Just imagine.

-------

OK who wants in?

Let the haunting begin!

2006-09-17T11:46:00.000-04:00

So begins Halloween in Salem 2006. Tours are in full swing, the air is crisp, the trees they are a changin' (sorry Bob) shop windows are filled with orange and black items and green flesh. The streets are getting paved and painted and the "No Parking" signs are getting dragged out for another season. I can almost feel my nose getting longer and I sense a little tickle on the end where there might just grow a wee hairy mole. (mole, moley, mole)

Let's all put our hands together in silent prayer to the entity(s) of our own choosing that this season will suck little and entertain much. Maybe we'll even make some money.

Pet Peeve #1

2006-09-07T15:27:00.000-04:00

Self-centered pedestrians drive me BONKERS!!!!

Yes, you have the right of way. I'll do my best not to kill you - but please DON'T ASSUME I CAN SEE YOU, look around! Be responsible for your own health! Whatever you do, don't leap out from behind a god-dammed UPS truck and saunter in front of me assuming my brakes are good and my reflexes impeccable.

Oh, and if there is a crosswalk nearby, use the fucking thing. By all means, be my guest, I'm looking for you there.

Are you part of a crowd, say...getting out of church, a concert or a movie? Please - cross in clusters. Oh, Please.
There...is....nothing...more....frustrating....to
wait...for...than...a...dribble...of....pedestrians
with..no...end...in...sight.

If you press the button to change the light - wait for the fucking walk signal you selfish cocksucker!!! DO NOT cross against the light anyway - sticking the rest of us with a red light. DO NOT leave us waiting around for jack shit while you go on your merry fucking way. DON'T DO IT!!! I WILL hunt you down and eat your fucking spleen in front of your horrified little Goth friends. You bastard!

A Rafter of Turnips

2006-09-06T07:55:00.000-04:00

Almost every Tuesday evening myself and a group of friends gather at O'Neills Pub in Salem for a friendly game of trivia. (Our team name last night was Crocodile Tears, in memory of Steve Erwin.) Chris, our trivia jockey, is a great guy - funny and a little bit angry; just the way we like 'em. This week got off to a slow start but we had a cracker-jack team and came from behind to win. Ahhh, the smell of a free gift certificate in the evening...

I digress.

One of this week's challenges was to match a list of group names with the animals that belong in that group. (Such as a litter of kittens.) It was super easy, he even listed the animal names along the bottom - simple mix and match.

We got bored. We drank beers.

We decided to make up our own damn group names and gave him a second list of alternative answers.

Here is the real quiz, see how you do:

1. Gam (or pod)
2. Rafter
3. String
4. Yoke
5. Pride
6. Troop
7. Band
8. Murder
9. Colony
10. Bed

Choose from - Kangaroos, Crows, Gorillas, Ponies, Ants, Lions, Oxen, Clams, Whales, Turkeys.

Here it is again, first the true answer and then our version.

1. Gam (or pod) - Whales
A Gam of Legs

2. Rafter - Turkeys
A Rafter of Turnips

3. String - Ponies
A String of Pearls

4. Yoke - Oxen
A Yoke of Eggs

5. Pride - Lions
A Pride of Queers

6. Troop - Kangaroos
A Troop of Fs

7. Band - Gorillas
A Band of Radios

8. Murder - Crows
A Murder of Comedians

9. Colony - Ants
A Colony of Pilgrims

10.Bed - Clams
A Bed of Springs

We had a good time. And, yes, we're nerds.

Be Honest

2006-09-01T19:35:00.000-04:00

Hello Friends, Strangers, Countrypersons,

I am really, seriously thinking about opening my own restaurant. Not today, not tomorrow - but someday soon. Nothing big, mind you - something intimate that speaks to quality and local, seasonal ingredients paired with lots of caffeine. Think upscale diner meets coffee house - then add nostalgia, my crazy sense of humor and community involvement. Think Raspberry Lime Rickeys, Iced Americanos, Pannini sandwiches and clam chowder. (plus compost and recycling.)

I figure it will be seasonal; longer hours in the summer - shorter in the winter and closed for a couple of weeks during the grimmest of seasons, say...February or March.
closed on all the holidays where we can't make any money. Treat the staff well, just like I'd want them to treat the customers.

I'm lookin' at this as a Mom & Pop operation with a few key employees to help us during the busy times - plus some teenagers as summer help. Maybe some soft-serve ice cream.

What do you think? Could I pull it off?

What am I, exacty?

2006-08-26T21:25:00.000-04:00

Am I a Chef? a friend? a woman? a wife? a sister? a daughter? a person? what?!
Why did I put them in that order?
What am I to you?

MustNotKillKittiesMustNotKillKitties

2006-08-20T19:51:00.000-04:00

My neighbor's cat is in heat. The weather is nice and I'd like to have my windows open. (I'd like? I'd like a trip to Europe!).
Are they open? Not so much.

I'm sure the little bastard is a precious little fluff ball of love, but right now she sounds like she has her paws in a blender and a hot spinning razor up her ass - as she has now for days. At least that is what I'm picturing in my mind's eye to make myself feel better.

Can't I kill the kitty? Oh pluheeeeese?

My Anchovy Theory

2006-08-07T16:00:00.000-04:00

Do you like Anchovies? If the answer is no, you can probably dig my anchovy theory.

Do you live in Salem? If the answer is yes, you are definitely going to get my theory. (If you live in another city with lots of college kids, tourists and crazy locals you'll get it too.)
Really, though - you gotta like Caesar salads to play along.

Imagine for a moment a great Caesar salad, with a perfect Caesar dressing. Crisp romaine lettuce, crunchy herbed croutons, flakes of Parmigiano-Reggiano cheese and a thin veneer of dressing. This dressing is creamy with a hint of lemon and garlic - and something else. The Japanese call it umami; it's that flavor note that makes it all come together in harmony. Do you know what makes Caesar dressing taste so good? So balanced? Anchovies! Caesar dressing without it tastes a whole lot like mayonnaise (or like a white bread suburb). Phooey!

Here is where I tell you that I fucking hate anchovies. They are hairy, salty, greasy, REALLY fishy and downright ichthy. (Fish pun) NOT a fish I would like to spend time with. NOT a fish I want to have over for supper. NOT a fish that I would allow to date my daughter - no way!

However, these little bastards are necessary for the flavor of the dressing. Dagnabbit, I can't deny their importance in the over all scheme of things. Just because I dislike them does not mean that they do not contribute to the Common Good.

Here in Salem we have some colorful locals. I don't like them but they are entirely indispensable for the feel and flavor of Salem. They contribute umami and I love them for it. They are the anchovies of this city. Though they are still not dating my daughter. I cross the street to avoid them and I will not allow them to pet my dogs. However, I still see their value - from a distance.
Drunks on bikes with urine stains on their trousers? Anchovies!
Goth kids walking each other on spiked leather leashes? Anchovies.
A man dressed as a ship's captain muttering to himself and conducting an imaginary orchestra? Anchovy, baby.
A sweaty musician wearing a quilt and playing the piccolo while dancing like a worm being electrocuted? You guessed it! Anchovy!
Anyone in a top-hat, cloak and heavy eyeliner in the middle of a fucking heat wave? Mutha Fuckin' Anchovy!

Welcome to Salem, a quaint little drinking town with an anchovy problem.

Meet Mab!

2006-07-30T12:41:00.000-04:00

It is pronounced "Meev" and it means Wolf Princess as well as Drunk Woman (which is perfect for our family). She is a 12-week old Irish Jack Russell from Harbor Jacks in Marblehead. They have one more girl puppy waiting to be adopted if you know anyone who is interested. She is one of a litter of seven born in April. Seven, by the way, is a big litter - most Irish Jack Russell litters are 4 or 5 pups.

Irish Jacks are bred to be companion dogs and are more mellow and affectionate than the larger 'working' Parson Jack Russell - oh, and they have shorter legs. Y'all know how we love the short legged dogs here at Chez Wolf.

I'm going to apologize now for being puppy obsessed for the next few weeks. So far she is fearless, curious, smart, annoying to Memphis (Yay!) and moderately obidient. She can already fetch and is great with other dogs and strangers.

Oh, and she's damn adorable; she's snoozing on my lap as I'm typing this.

Edit: The other pup was adopted yesterday by a family from NJ. Yay!

An observation

2006-07-25T16:56:00.000-04:00

Nine shots of espresso does not make for a nice afternoon nap.
Nope, not so much.
Buzzzzzzzzzz.

Good & Bad

2006-07-22T18:03:00.000-04:00

I worked eleven hours today, from 6AM to 5PM and the bottoms of my feet feel like they have been hit with heated hammers, repeatedly.

However, I did get to eat an absolutely perfect strawberry.

Even trade, I suppose.

Rest in Peace Neiko

2006-07-18T21:30:00.000-04:00

He was Milo's contemporary, and a fuzzy nephew to me.
It seems like we've been buddies forever.
I'll miss him, he was a good boy.

A visit

2006-07-17T15:29:00.000-04:00

Here we all are aboard the Rockmore - drinking, of course!

Well, the in-laws left today. I miss them already, however my liver does not.
We had a great time. Dad was nice enough to pick up the tab everywhere we went, which was good since we have been a bit short of funds lately. Mom, Dad & Joan also got to share a meal with them - just not all at the same time. Five days is almost the perfect amount of time for a visit. "Normal" life can now resume.

I'm going to go to detox now...

I married a pirate

2006-07-07T19:00:00.000-04:00

Here he is aboard his vessel, The USS Bar Stool.
Perhaps there will be pillaging.

Word of the day:
Jolly Roger n. a flag flown by pirates, having a white skull and crossbones on a black field.

Proud

2006-07-01T15:21:00.000-04:00

At Shubie's we work very hard. All of us. Every day.

For the last few weeks, and especially for the last 48 hours we have set amazing new sales records - we are busy, busy, busy. We've done this without hiring any more full time people, just by adding an extra dish person on a couple of busy days. Over the past year, and especially in the last few months we've become more efficient, organized and team-focused. We rock, we're tight, we're amazing, and I'm proud of how far we've come. Yes, we still have things we could improve on - but right now I'm just going to look around and say "Wow!".

That's all. I'm going to go to the Lobster Shanty now and drink a beer (or two).

Did you ever have an object that you loved too much?

2006-06-21T18:26:00.000-04:00

Well this is mine.

My beloved Leica M4 P, a two-pound workhorse of a camera that is practically my other set of eyes. This camera sees the world exactly the way I see the world.

I just posted her on eBay. It's time to let go.

Word of the Day:

Sacrifice n.
1. the offering of animal, plant, or human life or of some object to a deity, as in propitiation of homage. 2. the person, animal or thing so offered. 3. the surrender or destruction of something valued for the sake of something having a higher or more pressing claim. 4. something so surrendered or lost. 5. a loss incurred in selling something below it's value.

I Love Sushi!!!!

2006-06-21T00:42:00.000-04:00

That's all for today.

Survey

2006-06-14T17:17:00.000-04:00

What is your favorite coffee-house drink, and why?

What is your favorite sandwich, and why?
(If it's an unusual sandwich, please tell us how it is made.)

I'm doing a little market research, for no reason - really, I swear.

It takes a big man to accept your small tips

2006-06-10T21:00:00.000-04:00

My Husband is a bartender and a server at a local restaurant - he does this because, as a professor in a small local college, his pay is....unreliable.

My husband earns each and every dollar on hope, hope that his customers will be sane, hope that they will enjoy their food and his service - but mostly hope that he will get tipped appropriately.

If you eat at his restaurant, for the duration of your meal, you are his employer. He basically works as an independent contractor; he has no insurance, no sick days, no vacation days and his base pay is below minimum wage because it is the custom in this country to tip 15% for good service and 20% for great service. For some people this is a career - not just something that little Jenny does during her summers home from college. These people work hard, they are on their feet for hours at a time and they navigate crowded rooms with hot liquids and sharp implements, they are diplomats, baby-sitters, and counselors all while smiling and remembering that the folks at table 12 need an extra fork and have to catch a movie in 20 minutes.

As the keeper of the books in our family I enjoy great stress every week because we never know how much money he will make. A week of rainy weather? Bad tips. Kitchen messes up the order? Bad tip. Tourists? Crap shoot. Yes, he has a lot of wonderful, regular clients who eat there each week. If it weren't for them we'd be eating ramen noodles every night.

All I'm asking is that you think about it next time you tally up your restaurant check; was your server good to you? Did they give you a little of themselves? Then, please - be good to them.

Much Better, Thank you

2006-06-09T20:37:00.000-04:00

I have a goal; an outlet for my anger, a place to express my creativity, someplace to feed my desire to contribute to society, and to fulfill myself as a Chef and an entrepreneur.

I have a PLAN.

More later.

Frustrated

2006-06-04T13:12:00.000-04:00

Sometimes being a woman sucks, I'm in a crappy fucking mood today - sad, tired, and angry. What is really bothering me, though, is that I can't trust my own emotions. Am I really angry, tired and sad - or am I "just" PMS-ing. Do hormonal fluctuations negate actual emotions, or intensify them? Most days shit just rolls off my back, but not today.

Nothing makes me more mad than someone you are arguing with using PMS as an excuse, as in "you aren't really mad at me for crashing the car, you're just PMS-ing" No, mother fucker, I'm really mad at you for crashing the car! (fictional example)

Someone this week has been making me feel very crappy about myself - that I'm lazy, ungrateful, spoiled and selfish. I'm upset that this person feels this way, and I'm upset that they are getting to me and I'm beginning to agree with them. Nothing is more frustrating than questioning your self-worth along with your emotional stability. Let me add weak to my list - weak, sad, tired and angry (and possibly hormonal).

pooh.

Aiiiiiieeeeeeeee!!!!!!!!!!!!

2006-06-02T17:05:00.000-04:00

I am:
34%
Republican.

"You're probably one of those chicken-littles who thinks maybe we should worry a little bit, occasionally, about the fate of the planet that our lives all depend on."

Are You A Republican?

NOOOOOOOOOOOOO!
I wanted to be 0%!
I don't really want to be classified, especially as a Republican.
I know, I know - then why take the quiz? Because the power of Satan compelled me; 666!
(btw, the Hitler question didn't really have any good answer)

Word of the day:

Petard n.
1. an explosive device formerly used in warfare to blow in a door or gate, form a breach in a wall, etc.
2. a firecracker making a very loud noise
---Idiom. 3. hoist by or with one's own petard, caught by the very device one had contrived to hurt another.

Aaaaaah

2006-06-01T20:22:00.000-04:00

Do you know what is a really great feeling?
When you have just the slightest little sunburn and you get in to bed at night with crisp cool sheets and the breeze comes in through the window and gives you goose -flesh.
I love that.

No one wants to hear this shit

2006-05-26T18:52:00.000-04:00

A dear friend of mine posted his personal philosophy on his blog the other day; it occurred to me that I should post mine, if for no other reason than to annoy him - and try to restore some balance to the blogosphere.

Here is my Dianifesto.

(I'm sure, in my old age, this will look naive)

People are inherently good, and want to do good; Life's situations can make one damaged or desperate and create the need for bad acts. But I am not here to judge (unless I get chosen for jury duty); only the God of Your Heart can be your judge. I can, however, choose not to associate with you if I disagree with your choices or actions - or seek you out to bask in your glory. I will always treat you as I would like to be treated, unless you squander my goodwill.

For the most part I am against big government and in favor of community decision making. That said, I'm a "bleedin' heart liberal" and would rather pay more taxes to help my fellow man and my community thrive - we are all in this shit together.

I recognize that guns are tools for killing, they serve no other purpose, and should be at least as difficult to get (and keep) as a driver's license. Fuck the constitution, look what these advanced weapons are doing to our country - does no one see how far some of these weapons have strayed from the original intention of our Founding Fathers? Defend your home? Sure. Mow down the whole neighborhood from your porch? Nope. Our government should not make it easy for us to kill each other, humans are already entirely too good at it.

I am against the death penalty. How can we, as a society, say that killing is wrong - by killing? Lock the bastards up, make 'em work and contribute to society while removing them from its rewards. Yes, it's expensive to house prisoners - make them earn their keep, that is not cruel and unusual.

I believe in small business, local government, family, framily, and community. In any group where we can speak face to face humans do good work. Separate the beginning from the end and that gap in the middle is where Evil lurks. Everyone should be accountable for their public behavior.

I think that social welfare should be a temporary helping hand, to allow one to recover from bad circumstances - it should not be a way of life. I don't pay my taxes to support someone's drug habit, but I'll happily donate to their recovery.

I have trouble respecting those who do not participate - you can read what you want into that statement. Don't vote? Can't complain about your government. Don't give? You can't take.
Don't work? You can't spend. Don't listen? You can't speak.
I think that everyone should be accountable for their actions, or lack thereof. I don't see this as judgmental - I see it as natural law. How can one eat what one hasn't planted?

I'm not saying that there is a darn thing wrong with asking for help - there is honor in recognizing your own needs and shortfalls. There is also honor in helping.

I am pretty happy with my religion, I have myriad reasons why I've chosen the path that I did. I'm sure that you are pretty happy with yours too. I would never belittle your heartfelt beliefs, or try to change them; please respect mine. I do not believe in Hell, nor do I believe in Heaven - I believe that those concepts co-exist in reality here on Earth. Heck, I've worked retail.

Hey, get the hell out of my bedroom! Unless you are invited in, what goes on behind my closed doors is none of your damn business (Unless I post the photos on the internet).

Gay or straight doesn't matter to me. Love is Love. Commitment is Commitment. You choose your framily and you live your life. Adopt, have babies, live in a commune, live like a hermit - whatever floats your boat as long as it don't hurt anyone; if you are joyous while you do it, all the better.

My body is my own, period. Your body is your own, period. Starting a family is a big decision, a personal decision, and one that you cannot participate in - unless you are the lucky fellow who impregnated me. No man in Washington, in the pulpit, or on the boob-tube is going to tell me when I'm ready for motherhood.

I am a Feminist - which just means I want to be judged on my skills, abilities and personality and not by my gender. I recognize, hell - I embrace, the differences between men & women. But don't write me off because I don't have brute strength; I bleed for six days every month and I ain't dead yet. Also, don't hire me to reach some obligatory Bitch Quota - hire me because I'm damn good. Oh, and my paycheck had better look the same no matter if my name begins with Mr., Mrs. or Ms.

I am not a vegetarian or a vegan, though I respect those who are; it's hard work. I have trouble with aspects of the cattle and poultry industries and therefore try to eat as little products of that process as possible. If I could kill my own steer and eat it I would, that is real. Also, after looking into those big brown eyes one would be less likely to waste any part of the animal. Buying a Cryovac package of grey meat in a fluorescent lit mega-mart seems to me to be against nature. If you have to be so far removed from your lunch/critter, perhaps you haven't the stomach for it. Again, small is better - if you don't know where it has been, why would you put it in your mouth. (Heck, that applies to a lot of things)

Here I have to share the Rule of Three, as interpreted by me. Anything one does ripples outward; do good and you'll spread good, do bad and you bring bad to you. I try (and it's hard) to envision each of the things I do coming back to me three times - if I can handle those waves then I'm OK with myself.

That's enough of my bull-shit for one day.

Word of the day:
Manifesto n.
a public declaration of intentions, opinions or purposes.

Nuthin' goin' on.

2006-05-21T17:03:00.000-04:00

Walked around town today with the Hubz and his Bro, had a fabulous brunch at In A Pigs Eye and a great iced americano at Jaho. I kicked a bunch of white-head dandilions and uprooted some pretty yellow flowers (Which I left on top of Buzz & Marci's mailbox). The weather was grand for most of the day. Now the weather is right for reading - I just got a spanking new copy of Anthony Bourdain's The Nasty Bits, I'm going to go devour it now - along with the nachos currently warming in my oven.
Cheers.

Word of the day:

leeward, adj.
1. pertaining to, in , or moving toward the quarter toward which the wind blows (opposed to windward)
n. 2.the lee side; point or quarter toward which the wind blows.
adv.3. toward the lee

DDR

2006-05-17T15:30:00.000-04:00

Today my Mom and I discovered the Joys of Dance Dance Revolution. I took her to Salem Willows to celebrate a belated Mother's Day. We had a great time! (We played air hockey too - she kicked my ass.) It took us a while to figure out how to even work the game so that two people could play - but once we got it, Wheeee!

I'm sure that we looked really funny - two fat chicks yelling "Left! Right! Both! Back! Again!" and sweating, giggling and jumping around. We had trouble getting past the first level of difficulty for beginners, but by the time we ran out of quarters we had made it to the final stage. When we were all done Mom said that we should do it again - but bring bottled water and have paramedics on standby.

I can't wait to play again; who knew that exercise could be so much fun. Dammit.

Fly by night

2006-05-15T20:09:00.000-04:00

Iwas thinking lately about my night shooting; how it has been all shot to hell by the dramatic changes in the photo industry. All of my creative processes were influenced by the chemicals, lenses, timers and machines that made these images possible - I had intimate knowledge of the camera, the film, the processing and manipulation that made my particular vision come to fruition. I know that film sees the colors of light differently than the human eye, and I used those different colors to tone my images and make them my own. There was a real and valuable craft in using my hands, experience and mind to create art - art that was representative of the real word, but manipulated in such a way to make it my own world.

I was in mourning for the industry that I loved, that was a part of me, for a long time - I took no photos.

I sincerely beleve that there is magic in the interplay of light, time, gelatin, paper and glass. It was not lost on me that to share what I see with others meant working in the dark, alone.
It forced me to really believe in my images; believe while shooting, processing and printing. It was an investment of money, time and heart.

Not so much with my little digital number - but I'm trying.
Next step is a REAL digital camera (with lenses!) and some classes in Photoshop.

Word of the day:
Nocturnal adj.
1. of or pertaining to the night.
2. done, occurring, or coming at night.
3. active at night (opposed to diurnal):nocturnal animals.
4. opening by night and closing by day, as certain fowers.

Two by two

2006-05-14T21:01:00.000-04:00

Word of the day:
Ark n.
1. the vessel built by Noah for safety during the Flood
2. also called ark of the covenant a sacred chest containing two stone tablets inscribed with the Ten Commandments, kept in the Biblical tabernace and later in the Temple in Jerusalem
3. a refuge or asylum
4. a large clumsy vehicle or vessel

Raw Fish

2006-05-12T23:10:00.000-04:00

I am up waaaay too late on the last day of my vacation. I have a belly full of raw fish and Asahi from the new Asian restaurant in town. I'll write a review tomorrow when I sober up.
In a word: Yummy. In a few words: Yummy, with great service.
TTFN
CS3

My First Post

2006-05-12T08:43:00.000-04:00

Hello My Little Monkeys

I'm just wrtiting to say how damn tired I am. A week of vacation and I'm still wiped out - and I've done nothing (oh, except that little party with all the breasts).

I think I'm just sick of dealing with everyone else's bull-shit. It's exhausting being nice to so many people who deserve a right solid slapping.

That's all for now, until I actually think of something compelling and/or pithy to post.

Let's try this

Word of the day - from the shitty old beat-up dictionary on my desk:

Harrumph

1. To clear the throat audibly in a self-important manner.
2. To express oneself gruffly.