Cornflake Girl

Another obsession, not quite so old: Tori Amos. In the mid-90s I saw her play live more times than I remember, back when she was playing regional venues. That was the Dewdrop Inn Tour and later the one she did for Choirgirl Hotel. I can remember having very spiritual, transcendental, practically out of body experiences at her concerts. She is really and truly channeling when she performs.

I've been listening to all my CDs, dropping them into my iTunes and reacquainting myself with "the girls" (her songs). Next time I've got the scanner spun up, I'll get the photos of Tori and me from those days. That was when she still did meet and greets with fans just before sound check. There would be a handful of us waiting, and Tori would come out and speak to each one of us, signing stuff, posing for photos and listening. She's been one of my keenest influences for a long time. I think I need to make an influences list pretty soon. "Can't stop what's coming...can't stop what is on its way..." (from Bells for Her).

Everything Tori.com

300 Parody

I love it!


Enter the ICHC online Poker Cats Contest!

Tiki in a snow storm!

This weekend, my crew and I will embark on a search for a local bar, "Todd's Beach House," that purports to be a tiki bar. It really looks like a local dive from the outside, as the slow-as-molasses-loading pictures on his site will attest to. I spoke with the owner, Todd, on the phone and he assured me that his place is a "Tropical Paradise." He's a surfer and the bartender. I mentioned that our night out is in service of my 40th birthday (which is next Monday, folks), and he also assured me that I'd get a drink on the house. I'm imagining a killer Mai Tai festooned with umbrellas in an appropriate vintage tiki glass. We shall see... I am dubious, I admit, but I am hopeful at the same time. I will post pictures here next week of the evening's debauchery.

Yesterday after my normal errands I stopped at Big Lots to see what they've got on hand for spring and summer. I am already planning our patio. What else is there to do in the midst of another frakking snowstorm?? Anyway, as usual, they have shelve-fuls of tiki paraphrenalia. In years past I've ogled these items but never got around to picking anything up until they were all sold out, which doesn't take long. This year I decided to take a stand. In the midst of the blowing snow, I came home with a "Tiki Bar" sign and a lovely tiki-head planter which will both go on the patio this spring. I will also get a couple strings of appropriately themed patio lights, and Bizarro and I have already agreed that we'll buy an actual patio table and chair set this year.

Right now, with gawd knows how many inches of snow on the ground, I am dreaming of me on my patio ca. June, 2008, with an umbrella drink in one hand and my finished screenplay in the other.

Take a moment...

This passage is from the book "It's Up To You," by Dzigar Kongtrul. It's subtitled "The Practice of Self-Reflection on the Buddhist Path."

As appreciation grows, it brings a tremendous sense of inner satisfaction. This is felt in the heart as a rich, rich feeling. If we don't feel this inner satisfaction, it shows a lack of appreciation for what we have. When mind dwells on what we don't have, we never have enough. A mind caught up in poverty mentality is missing the point.

...It is very difficult to rise to the occasion of being rich, powerful, respected, or loved because we feel split inside. On one hand, we want it all; at the same time, we feel undeserving. This gives rise to all sorts of confusion and insecurity.

May all beings benefit!

An Old Obsession

As you know, I am a huge fan of the mid-70s space drama "Space: 1999." I recently rediscovered it and ordered the first set of DVDs from the first season, which is the only season I really care too much about. Second season was okaaaayy but wasn't as well-written. Anyway, when I was a little girl I had a huge crush on the pilot, Alan Carter, played by Nick Tate. Blond hair, blue eyes, rough and tumble, funny, brave, and the Aussie accent didn't hurt, either. I thought he was the bee's knees. Still do, in fact. Now Nick is 65 but he's still acting (stage and screen in U.S. and Australia) and doing voice overs for movie trailers (one of 5 guys in Hollywood with "the voice," you've heard him do Jurassic Park among others).

Damn, I am a Nerd-Queen.


Nick Tate as Alan Carter in "Space: 1999" YUMMY!

Recovery

It's been a few days since my last post. I'm happy to say that Bizarro and I are both feeling much better. Still a little tired, with congestion lingering, but mostly able to go about our business. I taught yesterday but it was rough, especially since I held a 2 hour class. Then I went to the grocery store and that about tuckered me right out. I spent the rest of the evening on the couch and then slept in late again today. Sleep is the only thing that really helps.

It's snowing like a muthuh out there. I really am so freaking tired of winter. I just spent some time perusing the Farmer's Almanac online, and March should be a lot milder with more rain than snow. I've said it before and I'll say it again; it's not so much the precipitation that bugs me, it's having days on end without seeing the sun. Of course we had 4 days of sun while I was sick, and now that I'm better, we get dumped on with snow. At least yesterday was pleasant. I know, I know, how stupid is it to complain about weather, which you can't change? My husband keeps griping about "Where are the weather control satellites we should have by now?" and I keep griping about "Why don't I live in California or Florida?"

In other news, I will be starting on my Korea documentary this week - watching the footage. And I've completed a good draft of my sci fi screenplay that I am now reading through and editing. I need to have a set of eyes besides mine read it and give me some feedback. I tried this once before but the people I gave it to lost it and never responded. That was rather annoying.

Well I have to get ready for my Korean lesson. I think this is the last one for awhile. I have too many other things to do and Tuesday is the only day I'm not at work during the week. I have other priorities, esp. with the busy month of March coming up.

Still Sick

I'm getting a little worried. My sinuses are still packed with goo and my right eyeball hurts. I'm still woozey and I slept until 2:00 today.

My Favorite Gay Medium

We've started watching Paranormal State when there's not a new episode of Medium on Monday nights, and through PS I've discovered Chip Coffey, a wonderful medium. I'd be his fag hag any ole' day.

Unbelievable...

Bizarro and I just got calls from the doctor's office. Apparently we DON'T have flu. We have some respiratory virus. Gross.

Flu Day 3

Okay, I am so done with this. Today Bizarro and I went to the doctor and she said, believe it or not, that we have the flu. My, my. And to make sure, she took a flu swab, which entails sticking a thingie up the nose into the throat. It's pretty horrific and not at all what sick person needs to feel better.

I'm on drugs and am home from work through Thursday. Friday we'll have to see. The real bummer is missing class tomorrow, which is a 2 hour 15 min. class that I will have to make up. Shit. That's not fun.

No fun is to be had. Except i'm eating popsicles like there's no tomorrow.

PMP - just as well you're not around this weekend cause if I'm feeling better, I have so much work to do that I've missed out on for the last few days.

Okay. Back to stupid TV. Oh, and I just accidentally OD'd on my expectorant. Was supposed to take only 1 pill, and I took 2. Wheeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee.

WTF???

Bizarro and I both had our flu shots this year, and yet we are both down with flu. I am incredibly annoyed. Right now I'm feeling a bit better than I have in the last 12 hours. There wasn't an inch of my body that didn't hurt, and I had all the other lovely symptoms as well. My head still feels like someone's taken a jackhammer to it, and my throat is like a lake of fire.

Both campuses we work at are experiencing an outbreak of flu, and my students have been coming to class sick (even though expressly told them not to come to class if they had flu or fever). Oh well. It's worrisome that there is some mutated strain of influenza virus that scoffs at flu vaccine.

And of course we had the heat up because it was very cold here, and now it's 50 degrees out. I turned all the heaters down and opened the patio door to cool it off and get some fresh air.

It's all very strange. I think I will try to get some more rest, now. Been up since around 4:30 with aches and chills. Maybe I can fall asleep again.

Sicko

I have fallen. Or rather, my immune system has. After tending to Bizarro's sickliness the past couple days, I have come down with the same thing. Headache, nausea, wicked sore throat, and general aches and fatigue. I am not happy. At all. I had planned to see my mom this weekend but that didn't work out, and I didn't get much done, either. Although, I did finish a revision of my sci fi screenplay. I'm ready to print it out and take the Red Pen to it for additional scenes and a possible subplot I've been toying with.

I'm supposed to teach tomorrow. We'll have to see how I am by 2:00 when I usually leave the apartment. I have a bad feeling about this.

But, not THIS:



I refuse to read anything about it so that I can experience it in as close to innocence as I can at the age of 40 with an MFA in film. Can't wait!

Wake up gay!

Thanks to Gavin. Check out his groovy bloggy pad.

Yacht Rock

It has to be seen (and heard) to be believed. When you have some time to kill, as I know we all do, go to the site and watch the mini-episodes. Start at the beginning and work your way through. You won't be sorry.

Yacht Rock

Week One of 8 Minutes

Today's Day 6 of my first week on the 8 Minutes in the morning regimen. Tomorrow is my "day off" of exercise. I'm supposed to weigh myself. I'm dubious that I've lost 2 lbs but I will be hopeful, nevertheless.

The After Hours

One of my favorite Twilight Zone episodes. Hopefully the links will stay good for awhile.

What's in a name?

My Mafia name is Giuseppina Castiglione.
Take The Mafia Name Generator today!
Created with Rum and Monkey's Name Generator Generator.

... and my Mexican Wrestler name is "La Salsa Ridiculoso."

(Clearly, I am avoiding work to be done.)

Another blow to our civil liberties...

Senate OKs immunity for telecoms

By PAMELA HESS, Associated Press Writer

WASHINGTON - The Senate voted Tuesday to shield from lawsuits telecommunications companies that helped the government eavesdrop on their customers without court permission after the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks.

After nearly two months of stops and starts, the Senate rejected by a vote of 31 to 67 a move to strip away a grant of retroactive legal immunity for the companies.

President Bush has promised to veto any new surveillance bill that does not protect the companies that helped the government in its warrantless wiretapping program, arguing that it is essential if the private sector is to give the government the help it needs.

About 40 lawsuits have been filed against telecom companies by people alleging violations of wiretapping and privacy laws.


View the entire story on Yahoo News here.

White Out

An hour ago the sun was shining. Now the snow and wind are creating hazardous white out conditions. I'm looking out onto the patio and I can't believe how much snow has fallen in the last 20 minutes.

Last night I had a much-needed night out. PMP, SMJ, a friend of SMJ's, Bizarro and I all went to our local drinking and eating establishment for some libations and victuals. Then SMJ, PMP and I went to see a band from Philly play at one of the local college pubs. The band was a lot of fun, and I finally got home around 1:30. Damn. I remember nights in Korea when I didn't get in until 3 a.m., and that was every week. These days, staying out til 1:30 in the a.m. is a once or twice a year bender.

I'm glad I got it out of my system because I start my 8 minutes in the morning tomorrow (he recommends beginning on a Monday because Sundays are a day off). Today I'll head up to the exercise room after I get some work done here in the apt.

Can't believe we're heading into Week 4 of the semester already! Despite the raging snow squall outside, yesterday morning I sensed a hint of spring. Something in the quality of the air, the birds singing, the energy vibrating in the air.

Next year I have to take some time to go to Florida or someplace warm in the winter. I can't stand week after week of this snow, grey skies and cold temps. The next two days are supposed to have below zero wind chills. WTF??

8 Minutes in the Morning

Last night Bizarro called me from the Borders cafe and said, "Whynchu come over and have a drinkiepoo with me." I had a coupon for a free small drink, so I went over and had a hot cocoa (w/no whipped cream, thank you very much). While I perused the store, I headed to the fitness/martial art section and a book I've seen many times before caught my eye. It's called 8 Minutes in the Morning, a fitness and eating guide to losing weight. Since I had $5.00 in Borders Bucks, I decided to finally give it a whirl (for $10, why not?). I started reading it last night and I have to say it is really inspirational as well as informative. It's a bit hokey, with the testimonials and such, but mostly it goes on about proper nutrition and exercise, why and how it works to burn fat and build lean muscle. Jorge Cruise, the author, is one of those wellness gurus all over teh intartubes and morning talk shows. If he's making a buck off my fat, I don't mind. I'm going to give this a serious go, in addition to my walking and bellydancing cardio stuff. I have GOT to get fit.

Show me you're nuts

moar funny pictures

Now I bet you are song fu'd.

Shakin' my groove thang

I've finally got an exercise schedule that I think I can live with. It involves belly dance class on Monday nights, going to our exercise room at least 1 time a week, plus walking to my church job once a week. Or, if walking is impossible due to weather, the exercise room 2xs a week. I went yesterday and did pretty well - 30 minutes of cardio, then stretching, then sauna. I've discovered that going in the morning is much easier than at night. For one thing, the exercise room itself is very dingy and creepy at night. I seem to feel more relaxed during the daylight hours, and when there are people around the office.

Also, there is the possibility of a once-a-month T'ai Chi class a few towns over that I could get to. The instructor and I are in touch and if he opens a new class, I'll check it out. By the way, he's also a musician, and I'm putting his band's link on the sidebar, so check that out.


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Leaf Turning

In my last post I presented my intention to not speak negative, harmful or meaningless thoughts. In service of this, I have discontinued my association with my brother's chat site. There's nothing wrong with the site or the people on it (hell, two of my closest blood relatives are on there). However, I continually end up in combative situations with people who have different (often opposite) ideas and world views as I do.

Recently I made the comment that I was sick of liberal-bashing and conservative-bashing from anyone (I see the liberal-bashing on the site, and I hear and read conservative-bashing in the town in which I live). To my mind, it gets nothing done and it only furthers the intelluctual divide in this society. Anyway, my comments to this affect were met with paragraphs of rationalization about how the conservatives have come under heavy fire from the liberal elite (media, academia and politicos) since the middle of the last century, so why should they hold back? If someone on that board talks about McCain or Obama, they are jumped on about how liberal both candidates are, and there is a CLEAR undercurrent that liberal = evil.

Now, I'm not a dyed-in-the-wool liberal. I don't agree with Democrats on all issues, nor do I agree with Republicans. I try to vote my conscience and I try to remain informed. But what I really can't stand are the tactics of BOTH sides of the proverbial and literal aisle who are so entrenched in the Us vs. Them paradigm that they can't get to work for this country.

Okay, so that's my soapbox and I'm going to let it end here. Getting back to my original point for this post -- I am no longer going to put myself in an environment (physical or cyber) that leads to hard feelings, mistrust or other harmful thoughts and words. I can't change their minds, and they can't change mine. There's no sense going around and around on these issues, and I sure has hell have better things to do with my time.

Year of the Earth Rat

Tomorrow marks the lunar new year, celebrated in many Asian countries. It's the Chinese Year of the Rat, or in Tibet, Earth Rat.

I am reposting the inspirational words of one of the Kagyu lineage's highest lamas, Kenting Tai Situpa. These are words I need to hear and live by, particularly the part about not engaging in negative, harmful or meaningless actions." That breeze? It's me turning over a new leaf.

"End of every Year is the Beginning of next Year, and the significance of this serves as a constant reminder of a very great truth.
The End of year is an opportunity to look back at the deeds of individuals and an opportunity to remind ourselves of the importance of not repeating negative, harmful and meaningless actions. Every New Year can be a wonderful opportunity to resolve not to repeat the same. On the other hand , if an individual has performed more positive things which might have contributed benefit to others and to the world, then you should rejoice that merit and should dedicate it for every sentient being for Peace and ultimately for limitless liberation.
Every New Year is also an important occasion and it is the time that we should generate a pure mind and takes a serious commitment for the coming year to generate more positive, compassionate, meaningful and beneficial intentions and actions for every sentient being to bring this world into a better condition with more harmony then past years.
May every one have healthy spirit, healthy body with great positive success!
May every Universe including this world have healthy environment!
May every sentient being become a recipient of blessing from every enlightened being to benefit every sentient being for their achievement of Ultimate and Limitless Peace!

With Sincere Prayers,
The Twelfth Kenting Tai Situpa
The Head of the Palpung Monastic Congregation of the Vajrayana Buddhism

Vote or get off the pot

This time I didn't register as either side of the same evil coin, therefore I couldn't vote in the primary. But I will in November, you bet your sweet patootie!

I really am pulling for Obama on the Dem ticket and McCain for Rep. Those are the only two choices worth considering (edit: in my opinion, that is. We are all entitled and encouraged to have our opinions. It's a democracy, after all.). I'll vote for Obama given the option.

I got into it on my brother's chat site with folks using "liberal" like a four-letter word. I'm really sick to death of the partisan, us vs. them attitudes.

Chuck Norris + Mike Huckabee = SCARY SHIT

From Mr. Club's (aka B.) blog - Chuck is a supporter of Mike Huckabee, and as such, he is no longer the cool bad ass he once was. So sad. But fear not - here are the 10 Reasons Why Johnny Cash Owns Chuck Norris.

Reason 1.
Only one man who has ever lived has been bad enough to be called “The Man In Black” and it wasn’t Chuck Norris

Reason 2.
Johnny didn’t have to fight to be a bad ass. He just had to pick up a beer bottle and a guitar.

Reason 3.
Norris made a bunch of films where he killed folks. Johnny Cash went to Folsom Prison and did a concert. You tell me which one takes more balls.

Reason 4.
Chuck wasn’t the first of his kind to kick ass. Johnny was the first rock star to set something on fire. While most artists only set their hotel rooms on fire, Johnny took it one step further and burned down half a national forest.

Reason 5.
When Chuck was five, he was a normal five year old. Johnny had already earned man points by working in his dad’s cotton fields. That is a true bad ass. By the time he was six, Cash did more hard work than most men do in their whole life.

Reason 6.
Chuck never got stabbed in the back by a woman. Johnny never stopped bleeding. Chuck may have gotten punched a few times, but Johnny knew what real pain was.

Reason 7.
Chuck is a republican. Johnny was close with every president except for GWB. It was said he just didn’t trust that son of a bitch. When Johnny didn’t trust someone, you just knew something foul was going on.

Reason 8.
Johnny was invited to play the at White House in 1972 for Richard Nixon. He was given a list of politically correct songs to sing. He instead metaphorically threw up his middle finger at the establishment, in true ShoutWire fashion, and sang a set full of left leaning, politically charged tunes. Chuck Norris has never told the president to fuck off in his own house.

Reason 9.
Chuck Norris made a lot of crappy movies. Johnny Cash never touched anything that didn’t turn to gold. In the 80’s, he made a song called “Chicken in Black” to get himself out of a record deal. Even that became popular.

Reason 10.
Johnny is the only man in history to decline painkillers after a double bypass heart surgery. He knew he liked drugs too god damn much and wouldn’t stop. That shows power over an addiction previously not seen before. Kicking a ninja's ass is easy compared to kicking a drug's ass.

The End is Nigh!

While Bizarro and I were home sick last week, we caught some truly bizarre A&E/Discovery Channel specials on prophecy, Nostradamus and Edgar Cayce.

As everybody surely knows, the ancient Mayan calendar stops abruptly on December 21, 2012. This can only mean one thing, of course, which that life as we know it will be obliterated on this day.

To make the events of the Apocalypse crystal clear, please refer to this diagram, which was designed to clearly illustrate what we can expect on this day of horror:

I knew it!

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Time to get busy

This month promises to be heavy on the workload. January was sort of a lite version of reality. Now that I have a schedule in full swing with both jobs, I need to start being more diligent about my mornings so that I get other work done pertaining to creative endeavors. So far so good, but I need to make it an absolute routine.

The weekend was lovely, visiting with two friends I don't get to see very often. They've known me for many years. We've all gone through so many changes in our personal lives, yet our bond never weakens. It's comforting.

Speaking of busy, I best get to it.

Hours of fun, that's what this is...

vozMe.

Imbolc

This pretty much sums up January '08 in the health and fitness department:


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February 2 is a pagan/Celtic day for ritual, known as Imbolc. It heralds the impending return of spring. Deep within the earth, things are a-stirring and change is a-coming. Even though it's shitty and icy and slushy out there right now, believe it or not, Spring is around the corner. I'm sure there's more to the holiday than that, but as a Buddhist that's pretty much all I care about. Back when I was a paganish person, I'd do up all the quarter and cross-quarter days (Equinoxes, Solstices, and the ones in between, such as Imbolc). These days Imbolc is more of a ritual for sanity than anything else - to know that winter is finite and the days of sun are indeed returning.

Indeed.

Oh yeah, Go Pats. I'm from Boston so I have to say that, even though I don't give a hoot about football.