Time

It's so odd how time changes things. I'm working down at the client again, and it's a totally different experience for me. I was here for seven months straight (so to speak, ha ha), and it became routine for me. The people, the scenery, the smell of Alice's perfume (or whatever she douses herself with). And then their submission went out, and our jobs were more or less over. Well, mine was at least. I spent the last month working out of our office in South City, preparing for the future of our own company. And I got used to seeing my old friends on a daily basis. Now I'm back down here, after only a month, and it feels very weird. It's like I'm starting all over again. Maybe it's my resistance to being here in the first place that makes it so strange for me, but I don't get the same feeling that I did before. It's true that I was caught up in "submission mode" for the final two months of last year, and that definitely added to the emotion of it all. And now that that's over...well, I don't know what to say. I don't want this to be a permanent thing. I want to make a break from this place and keep a professional distance. I don't know if I'm even making sense to myself.

Tell the man with the money to come in here and pay me. I need a GameCube. I spent most of the weekend, well, OK, yesterday, reading and clicking and mousing around the Nintendo website trying to learn all there is to learn about the GameCube before I buy it. I always do that. You should have seen the research and the comparisons I did on my car before I bought it. It's one of those little things about me. I just have to know everything there is to know about something before I buy it. I'm way too practical in that regard. I rarely buy on impulse, unless it's music or a video. Speaking of which, Buffy's third season is waiting for me at Virgin. Come on, damn you, get off your ass and show me the money.

I was very upset about the shuttle on Saturday. I started crying, silently, and to myself. I never cry anymore when planes crash. I used to feel immense pain when I would hear about plane crashes, especially when there were no survivors. But after September 11th, it sort of ended. I don't feel that much anymore. It's not that I am cold-hearted, maybe I've become too jaded, but it just doesn't affect me in the same way. The shuttle, however, is a different story. It's such a special thing, in my mind. Every time I see a shuttle take off from Florida, with all the fire and smoke, and that magnificent object carrying those heroic pioneers, I do shed a tear, knowing that they are going to witness something that I may never get to see with my own eyes. It's an amazing feat for us. I just wish they would make it safer. Anyway, when I heard about the Challenger explosion, I was a freshman in high school, I think, and I couldn't believe it. Some kid announced that it had blown up, and it just so happened that this kid was a class clown, so no one believed him outright. After I saw the news, I was so upset, I was so afraid that NASA would shut down the space program permanently. I thought, "How could we let this happen? How could we be so careless?" I remember collecting every single newspaper clipping about the shuttle and the accident, and to this day, it's very emotional for me to think about the whole thing...the explosion, the fact that the astronauts were most likely still alive on their descent to the ocean, and even possibly shortly after the impact on the ocean. So, when I heard about Columbia on Saturday morning, I was really upset. Again, I thought, "How could we let this happen? After all this time, seventeen years, why do they not have better safety protocols in place? Where are the 'escape pods' to save the astronauts? Are they that expendable? Why has it taken so damn long to redesign, or better yet make a brand new model for space travel? Have they become too complacent? And how could they with something so dangerous and so important?" I remember when Columbia first took off in 1981. My mother and I got up early in the morning to watch it take off and then later to watch it land. We got up that same summer to watch Lady Diana marry Prince Charles.

That's all, I guess.

Customer Service don't live here

Customer Service don't live here anymore...

I don't know if I've ever ranted about this, and knowing myself as I do, I probably have. But I'm gonna do it again anyway. Customer service doesn't exist anymore.

I made the mistake of ordering that "impulse" buy of a GameCube through BestBuy.com. They have a deal where you can buy the product online and arrange to pick it up at the local Best Buy instead of having the thing shipped to you. OK, fine, sounds good for people who don't have a lot of time. So I did it. Then they send me an e-mail confirming my order, telling me that in 24 hours, I will receive a confirmation e-mail from the store itself with the pick up details of my order. Fine. I guess. I expected it to happen faster than 24 hours, but OK.

So, 24 hours pass, and then 36 hours, and I don't get a confirmation number or e-mail or anything. So I call up BestBuy.com to find out what the fuck. And they say that my order has been processed and finalized, whatever that means, and if I want to find more information, I have to go to the store.

So I call the store. I called up and navigated through their automated menus and eventually was connected to the BestBuy.com pickup status line. The phone rang. And rang. I put the phone on speaker and let it ring. For thirteen minutes straight, or so said my phone's display. No one answered the line. Whatever. So I called the main number again, and I asked the human operator for the BestBuy.com pickup people in that store. "Please hold." Some guy, obviously on his lunch break, answered and said that he wasn't "schooled in customer service" and therefore couldn't help me. What, are they offering Customer Service as a major at the local universities now? Customer Service is not something that one needs special training for. It's all common sense and sympathy. Listen to the customer. Care about what they're saying. Help them to the best of your ability. That's all there is to it. Anyway, I digress.

So, Dude transferred me to the department in the store from which my GameCube would come. Some Girl answers and tries to help me. I tell her the whole thing. (Now it's almost 48 hours later.) She puts me on hold for a good five minutes. She comes back and says, "Hello? Are you still there?" Apparently, the indigo GameCube is not in stock, and that's why they didn't send out an e-mail. It's as if everything, the world and the stars above, came to a dead stop because they didn't know what to do when the product being ordered is out of stock. "Oh my God, Becky, what do we do now?" So I says to Girl, "I don't care what color it is. Can I swap it out for something you have in stock?" "Oh sure! No problem!" Phew, the world starts turning again, and Becky is a happy camper.

My point here is that there was a disconnect (and I loathe that saying, but it's seems so appropriate here) with the whole order process, and it's unnecessary. For example, I placed an order at L.L. Bean online. (Either I'm a glutton for punishment with online buying, or else I just can't get over how easy it is...usually.) Within two hours, TWO HOURS, TWO, they called me back to verify that I wanted my products shipped to my p.o. box. Ooops, I made a mistake on my order. They caught it, and offered to change it for a better, faster shipping method by getting my shipping address. They called me. They asked me if everything was OK. They were friendly and courteous. I have been a customer of L.L. Bean for 15 years, at least. I will never stop shopping there. They are the benchmark for all other customer service. The list of dependable customer service seems to grow shorter by the day. Amazon is another fine example. 1-800-4-Memory is another. Not only do they have really great deals on RAM, but they have knowledgeable and friendly staff who will help you figure out exactly what you need, and they make it seem like it's their only task of the day, and they're glad to do it!

Now, I can complain full force about the lack of good phone service and not only because I'm a paying customer, but also because I did it for five years. I worked at a high-volume software upgrade call center, handling very large complex clients like Adobe Systems and the now-defunct Macintosh application business Claris Corporation. I handled hundreds of calls a day, more or less, and I was good. I knew the products, I knew the offers, I knew the policies of the companies I worked for, and I gave the customers what they wanted and deserved. I know the stress, I know the low pay, I know the quotas, I know the calls waiting in the queue and those that have dropped, I know the bitches and whiners who expect everything for free and overnight. I know how to handle rude people on the phone. And for that reason, I am extremely hesitant to be rude to a service rep either on the phone or in person. I know what they go through every day. It sucks sometimes, but other times it's fun. So I just can't abide by the thought that all they have to do is shut me up and get me off the phone. Sprint is a fine example of that. They don't give a fuck about you. You've signed their lifetime contract, and they've got you and your money by the balls if you cancel early. Why should they try to help you? It's bullshit, and I find it completely unacceptable. And I think my days of being polite to customer service reps are over. I'm not going to be outright rude, but I mean, if they are not helping me, I am not going to tuck my tail between my legs and walk away. I will demand what I am paying for, and I don't get it, I'll go to their managers.

Ugh. It sucks, it's finally Friday, and I'm tired.

Bagel

Bagel

A blonde goes into a restaurant and notices there's a "peel and win" sticker on her coffee cup. So she's peels it off and starts screaming,"I've won a motor home! I've won a motor home!" The waitress says, "That's impossible. The biggest prize is a free lunch." But the blonde keeps screaming, "I've won a motor home! I've won a motor home!" Finally the manager comes over and says, "Ma'am, I'm sorry, but you're mistaken. You couldn't possibly have won a motor home because we didn't have that as a prize!" The blonde says, "No it's not a mistake. I've won a motor home!" She hands the ticket to the manager and he reads: W I N A B A G E L.

I love blonde jokes.

Jedi Knight II

Jedi Knight II

Well, after much ado, I got the Cube, and it's really pretty cool. I started playing, immediately, the game that led me to this decision in the first place (Jedi Knight II: Jedi Outcast) and it's way better than being on a PC or a Mac. Although J had to pry the controls out of my hands at 12:38 this morning. I was not exactly ready to go to bed, but I had a lot to do today, and I needed my beauty rest. And the older I get, the more I believe that it really is beauty rest. I had some funky dreams about the Charmed Ones and vampires (don't start with me), and now I'm at work again. Oh well. So much for the weekend. I love the Cube. It's cool, and I have to say, a pleasant encounter with one of the sales people at Best Buy in San Francisco promptly changed part of my opinion of dealing with that company. He was just too cute. And that butt!!!!

But I'm telling you, that truly was an impulse buy. I get it out of the box, and I'm thinking to myself, "What the hell did I do this for?" I'll be 32 this year. Why would I buy something so frivolous? Shouldn't I be saving to buy a house or something? Whatever. I should enjoy the money I make, right?

That's all.

Friday Five...a little late

1. What did you have for breakfast this morning? If you didn't have breakfast, why not?
I love yogurt, especially with lots of fruit and granola added. I like blueberry and strawberry the best. There's a pret pot at Pret-à-Manger in the UK that has granola and honey in it, and it's just scrumptious. So, in answer to your question, that's what I had for petit déjeuner this morning.

2. What's your favorite cereal?
I like plain granola, Frosted Flakes, Apple Jacks, Fruit Loops, Raisin Bran, and Cheerios. Why pick just one? Cereal is great, probably the only thing I have in common with Jerry Seinfeld. Ugh, just typing that name here feels like sacrilege.

3. How often do you eat out? Do you want that to change?
I eat out maybe twice a week, and it's always at the taqueria down the street. They have a wonderful black bean and cheese quesadilla with guac. So good for me and my waistline, no? And there are always lots of yummy people there, too.

4. What do you plan on having for dinner tonight? Got a recipe for that?
I don't know yet. It's too early to think about dinner. I know I should have something before I go out for the beer bust. So do I have a recipe for nothing? You bet your ass I do!

5. What's your favorite restaurant? Why?
I don't have one, really. I like so many different kinds of foods, I can't pick just one place. OK, well maybe I can. Ken and I used to go out to the Cheesecake Factory on top of Macy*s in Union Square. I always enjoyed that, but I'm sure it was more the companionship than the cuisine. Their Dutch apple cheesecake really is gorgeous, though.

Tuesday's This or That...way late

1. Morning or night person?
Definitely a night person. I can be the BIGGEST bitch in the morning, and I sincerely apologize. I just hate waking up early. Although, and this is somewhat of a tangent, I have come to appreciate getting up earlier than the average bird. The highways are more clear, and if I get to work earlier, I can leave earlier. And if I get to work earlier, there are fewer people there to bother me. OK, maybe it's not so much of a tangent. I'm a night person.

2. Heavy or light sleeper?
Heavy. Very heavy. I can sleep through anything, and I have. World War III? Try me.

3. Remember your dreams or not?
If you've ever read this page, you'll know that I always remember my dreams. Most of the time they're entertaining diversions I can spend my day daydreaming about. Sometimes they're insignificant drivel that must be part of some sort of mental housecleaning.

4. Do you need a lot of sleep, or just a little?
I have functioned on two hours of sleep. It's not exactly pretty when it happens, but I can do it. Of course, the more the better, mainly because I have a better chance of reaching REM sleep.

5. Do you need something like a nightlight or TV to sleep, or do you prefer complete darkness?
I prefer complete darkness, although if I sleep with the TV on, I end up having dreams about whatever is on TV that night. That's creepy. Thank my stars there haven't been any Ronco informercials morphing themselves into my dreams. I used to need the radio on as I was falling asleep, but as I got older, I didn't need it anymore, and I ended up singing to the songs anyway, which detracted from the actual sleep process. In fact, when I was really little, like eight years old, I used to call up my favorite radio station to request a song before I went to bed, and then I tried to stay awake to see if they played it. 89, WLS, Chicago. 1978. I have very vivid memories of doing this.

6. Flannel sheets or some other kind?
As long as they're clean, I don't really care. Flannel is nice, but sometimes I like to roll over and feel the coolness of plain cotton sheets. I love to sleep in the nude (TMI?), especially when it's cold out. I just curl up under a mountain of blankets and snooze away. It's bliss.

7. One pillow, or more?
Two.

8. Bedroom door opened or closed at night?
Closed! One thing that creeps me out is the thought of having someone watch me while I sleep, even though I said in Number Two, above, I can sleep through anything. It's freaky.

9. Wrap yourself into blankets like a cocoon, or just cover yourself with them?
I start out covering myself, and I'm fairly compulsive about this. The bed must be completely smooth and free of wrinkles. I laugh at myself for this, so please go ahead. (I have a similar compulsion when I spread anything on bread: the bread must be completely covered in the spread with no empty spaces. Have no idea why.) ANYWAY, I end up being wrapped up in the sheets and blankets like a burrito.

10. Alarm clock: wake to music or buzzer?
Unfortunately, either the telephone or a crabby roommate who has to wake me up because even the buzzer of the alarm clock won't wake me up. I set my alarm for a specific time, and when it goes off, sometimes I don't wake up for minutes later! See Number Two, above.

Fairly appropriate, considering...

Fairly appropriate, considering...

Your Sex Sign is Cancer!

You're a total pleaser.
One sample of your touch, and anyone is hooked.
You're so good that you've gotten people off just with your incredible kissing.
You're a bit of a romantic, and you only have sex that's meaningful.


What's *Your* Sex Sign?
More Great Quizzes from Quiz Diva

Monday Mission 1

Monday Mission

1. In the states, every citizen is expected to perform their civic duty and serve on a jury at some point. This week, I am on jury duty. Have you ever had to serve on a jury?
No, I've been notified a lot, but I've never been called.

2. If you were to ever serve on a jury, would you be able to give someone the death penalty?
Probably not. I don't know that I could forgive myself for "killing" someone. But in all actuality, it would depend on the situation and the crime.

3. One thing that concerns me about jury duty is what my life would be like if I had to convict someone. I'd always be worried about some sort of retaliation from the convict, or their family. Has fear of negative consequences ever kept you from reporting a crime or voicing your opinion?
Voicing my opinion, yes, and that was a long time ago. I don't think I will be afraid of that anymore.

4. When it comes to convictions, I've never even been convicted of speeding (accued yes, but heh, never convicted). Have you ever been accused of or convicted for breaking any laws? What's the real story there?
No. My nose was/is/will be clean.

5. It looks like I will have a lot of time on my hands this week in the jury pool. I may get called, I may not. If not, I go back tomorrow. Rinse, wash, repeat. How would you pass the time if you had to sit and wait around from 8am-5pm for 5 days?
Internet, internet, internet. If there was no internet available, books, books, books.

6. One thing I do like about this "civic duty" is that it will be at the downtown courthouse. I LOVE downtown. There is just so much life there. What part of your town is your favorite to visit? Why? What makes it so special?
I am always amazed at the cool parts of San Francisco that I "stumble" upon. I have seen all of the city at one time or another, but I'm not familiar with a lot of it. So, when I come along a neighborhood that I don't really know, it's always cool to find new stuff. My favorite part of the City is probably the Marina and only because of the Marina Green and Crissy Field; two great outdoor spots to visit on beautiful, sunny days. They're right on the bay with a clear view of Alcatraz, Angel Island, the GG Bridge, Tiburon. It's so nice to sit there and watch the world walk, sail, and fly by. I especially like it when the enormous cargo ships sail past.

7. I'm not that outgoing around strangers, so I doubt I will be meeting many new people this week. Do you have any problems striking up a conversation with someone you don't know? Have chance encounters with strangers ever led to interesting new relationships or opportunities?
Oh my God, how funny you should ask. Last night, I went to the tail end of the beer bust at the Badlands. As I've said before, I go there to drink beer and watch videos. So, I'm doing just that, sitting on the benches along the wall, and this guy sits down across from me. I can see out of the corner of my eye that he's glancing from the video screen to me and back and forth and back and forth. I can see where this is going, so I quickly jump up and scoot away. As I do, he grabs my arm, pulls me back and whispers "What's your name?" I replied, and he said "My name's Alex." "Hi, Alex. I gotta go." I was so freaked out. He was very cute, and I could probably have had a nice conversation with him, but I wasn't in the mood to meet people last night. I really wanted to blend in with the woodwork, so to speak. So, I ran, like a chickenshit, and when I saw him later, he kinda looked at me like I killed his puppy or something. Fuck, fuck, fuckity fuck. We'll see if that ever happens again! Are we limited to the number of come-ons that we get in life?

What sucks even more is that I just read the latest "San Francisco Magazine" which deals with singles and dating in the Bay Area. There was an article about people who are so shy they can't approach anyone to even make small talk. I am one of those people. Crowds of people scare the living shit out of me. All I can think of is "My God, what if someone talks to me?" OH MY GOD! Like that would be the worst thing to have happen? Please. It's time to grow up, Mike. Well, now that I think about it, Alex here could have been one of those people who have a hard time talking to people, and I may well have reinforced the reasons he doesn't talk to people. Fuck, fuck, fuckity fuck. God, I hope I'm wrong!

As I said earlier

As I said earlier, I went out to the bar last night. And I came away thinking that there must be some sort of bar etiquette that I don't know about and that I must learn. When I walked into the place, there was a gaggle of queens standing right at the doorway. I had to squeeze myself past them to reach the bar to order my drink, as none of them were willing to let me pass with any sort of dignity. When I turned around with a full pint of yummy Bass in my hand, I was met with another wall of guys who were just standing and talking. When I excused myself again, they didn't budge an inch. When I tried to squeeze past them, they still didn't budge an inch. One of the guys turned to me and gave me a look like, "Did you just touch me?" Um, hello queen, you're in a gay bar, so either you want to be touched or you just want to be seen, and if it's the latter, give it up and have some work done. OK? I'm not really that much of a bitch. But what is this all about? It wasn't just this guy, either. It was all over last night. I never noticed it like that before. I am glad to move out of someone's way, especially if they have a full pint that might spill on me and my shoes! And they weren't all that, either.

And then, before my very regrettable and hasty departure from Alex, I was sitting there thinking, "I'm going to write about this in my blog. Surely I can get some advice that way." And then I thought, "I am such a GEEK!!!" And here I am, and yes I am.

This or That?

1. Bacon or sausage?
Both.

2. Eggs: scrambled or not?
NEVER!! I was allergic to eggs when I was a baby, and as such, I never grew up eating them. I can't stand them now. I can eat eggs hard-boiled or deviled, but never sunny side up, etc. And frankly it's gross to watch people eat them. My father used to break the yolk of his egg with a piece of toast and soak it all up. I think that's just sick.

And for that matter, I'm not a big fan of chicken, either.

3. French toast or regular toast?
Either or. I love French toast, but regular toasted wheat bread smeared with butter and strawberry jelly is divine.

4. Pancakes or waffles?
OK, look, I'm a breakfast person. It's my favorite meal, and I can eat any of it, except eggs (see Number 2, above). If I had to choose, I guess I would have granola because I can't make up my mind. Blueberry pancakes are great, but so are giant waffles with giant pools of butter and syrup.

5. Muffins or bagels?
Muffins, of this I am sure.

6. Coffee or tea?
Tea, of this I am also 100% certain. Coffee makes me sick to my stomach. I like the smell, though.

7. Juice: orange or grapefruit?
Apple. Cranberry. Grape. Orange.

8. Hot or cold cereal?
Depends, but mostly cold.

9. To put in cereal: bananas or strawberries (or some other fruit)?
Raisins.

10. Eat breakfast at home or at a restaurant?
At home. Restaurants tempt me to over-indulge. At home, I'm more apt to have a cup of yogurt or a bowl of cereal.

I was having an absolutely

I was having an absolutely shit day until I read this:

An airline's passenger cabin was being served by an obviously gay flight attendant, who seemed to put everyone into a good mood as he served them food and drinks. As the plane prepared to descend, he came swishing down the aisle and announced to the passengers, "Captain Marvin has asked me to announce that he'll be landing the big scary plane shortly, lovely people, so if you could just put up your trays that would be super."

On his trip back up the aisle, he noticed that a well-dressed rather exotic looking woman hadn't moved a muscle.

"Perhaps you didn't hear me over those big brute engines. I asked you to raise your trazy-poo so the main man can pitty-pat us on the ground."

She calmly turned her head and said, "In my country, I am called Princess. I take orders from no one."

To which the flight attendant replied, without missing a beat, "Well, sweet-cheeks, in my country, I'm called a Queen, so I out rank you. Tray up bitch."

Gaydar Radio

I'm listening to this at work. It totally helps me forget that I'm stuck in a window-less room flipping pages in books. It also makes me miss England. It's a live broadcast from London, and I just can't stand it sometimes. I hear the accent of the announcer, and all I want to do is cash in my 401(k) and move to England. Before the bombing starts, especially. But then, Shrub and the PM are such buds, they'd be happy to share citizens, right? In fact, and this is way off topic of Gaydar Radio and totally fodder of my own imagination, but they're so hitched at the hip over this Iraq thing that I could even see an attempt at reuniting the colonies with the Old Country. Of course, that could never happen, but wouldn't that be a hoot? Well, I think so.

Friday Five

1. Explain why you started to journal/blog.
I have always kept a journal or a diary, especially for my dreams. It helps me figure out the themes in my subconscious so I can get rid of some of my hangups. Anyway, I also love technology and the Internet. I thought about creating my own website that was private to only me, which would also keep my journals online so I can access them wherever and whenever. Then I heard about blogging. So I gave it a shot.

2. Do people you interact with day to day or family members know about your journal/blog? Why or why not?
There are only two of my friends who know that I have a blog. Well, three but the third person doesn't really know where it is. Then there are the people who I've met through this blog, who are great. Everyone else around me is clueless, more or less. They wouldn't understand half the shit that I write here, and more than likely, they would take offense at some of it. So, it's just better left unsaid. My family would freak. They most definitely would not understand. I'm kinda scared of the day they actually find this thing. I mean, all you have to do is search on my name and there it is in all its glory. Maybe that's another reason I like this: it's a little risky to "air my dirty laundry" on the Internet for the whole world to see.

3. Do you have a theme for your journal/blog?
It's all about me, honey. My life, my opinions, my experiences, my ignorance, my obsessions, my compulsions. I never expected it to become anything else but all about me. At least I'm honest.

4. What direction would you like to have your journal/blog go in over the next year?
I would like to keep it up. I would like to meet more people through this medium. I would like to enhance my web "programming" abilities. I have given up being concerned about "readership" and how many hits I can get in a month. That's not what this is about. I used to care. I used to be concerned about how many people would see what I write. It's not important anymore. And besides, this isn't high school. This isn't a popularity contest. Read it or not.

5. Pimp five of your favorite journals/blogs.
Just five? I hope they don't mind, and in no particular order:

Roo's Blog
Dogpoet's Campfire
Mental Irrigation
Bald Sarcasm
Gnome Girl

I have very few that I read on a daily basis. Those that aren't listed above can be found on the left side, there.

I love these quizzes!

Dancing Cats and Neglected Murderesses - You are a
bit bitter in some ways about how life has
treated you, but you will do anything to change
it around...anything!

Which Edward Gorey Book Are You?
brought to you by Quizilla

Saturday Scruples

1. Visiting a friend you see an invitation to a surprise birthday party for you! Do you pretend it's still a surprise?
Absolutely. Why take all the fun out of it for everyone? But, there will be consequences to pay, you know. I don't like surprises, and I dislike parties for me even more. Let's have a party for everyone instead, an unbirthday party.

2. Your new lover is impressed by your sexual stamina. He doesn't suspect you use Viagra. Do you take the credit?
I don't need Viagra, honey. And if I did, I'd move to Boca instead.

3. A friend thinks his idea for a theme restaurant will make a fortune. You think he'll lose his shirt. Do you discourage him?
I don't know that I would discourage anyone from seeking a money-making opportunity that was above-board. I might talk to this person and suggest that they be realistic about their goals and the expected outcome. In other words, if I did think their idea was, how do you say, half-baked, I would persuade this friend to not expect to get rich. You know what I mean? But at the same time, I would do my best, as their friend, to give them the moral support they would need to succeed. I hate to be a nay-sayer, even when the situation merits such a response.

This or That

1. Black or white?
Color, people! Why must we choose between one or the other? What happened to all that lies in between? Life should be full of color. And for that reason, the only black things that I own are shoes!

2. Plaid or stripes?
I look better in plaid.

3. Paperback or hardcover books?
That depends. I love the weight and the style of a hardbound book. I think they're also much better designed. Paperbacks are good for the subway or the laundromat.

4. Color or B&W printer?
See Number 1.

5. Golden oldies or the newest tunes?
Golden oldies, although I heard U2 on a local radio station that claims it's all about the oldies. I was nonplussed. What next?

6. Ice cream: in a cone or a dish?
In a dish, covered with caramel, whipped cream, and cherries.

7. Bath or shower?
Shower with a giant shower head.

8. Are you outgoing or shy?
DUH!! I couldn't be more shy. No one could!!

9. Answer the phone when it rings, or screen calls?
No one ever calls. Yes, people, weep for me.

10. VCR or TiVO?
TiVO.

</banality>

I would do drag, but I'm afraid that I would like it too much. Hair, nails, makeup, girl!

Just thought I'd share.

Bush brushes off global protests

Exactly what I've said before. It's not like he's going to look out his window in the Oval Office, see millions of people marching on the Capitol, and say, "Gee, those people don't want war. Let me just pick up the phone and call Saddam and say, 'Sorry, pal, we made a mistake. You're off the hook.'" Whatever.

I respect the people who marched and who protested and who used the voice that was given them, I'm just too jaded and cynical to believe that the masses can really control government in any other way than by casting votes in November.

Friday Five

1. What is your most prized material possession?
I think I would have to say my grape iMac. I love that machine. Go ahead, you can all say it, "Geek!" I have a big, green, fuzzy blanket that I love, which my sister got for me when she was in Korea. It's very thick and warm. I love my new brown boots. And my collection of hard bound Vampire Chronicles by Anne Rice, and that means all of them from Interview with a Vampire through Blackwood Farm. It's one of those indulgences.

2. What item, that you currently own, have you had the longest?
Aside from cassette tapes and CDs, I have a sweatshirt that I've had since high school. It has become very stretched out and therefore baggy, but very soft. The navy blue color that it once was has started to fade to a light purple color. It's one of the most comfortable things I have to wear.

3. Are you a packrat?
Sadly, yes. I keep magazines for years thinking that I'll go back and read the articles again. I fear that if I "recycle" the mags, I'll miss an article that I wanted to save for future reference. I also save old letters from penpals or relatives. It's very depressing for me sometimes, not for nostalgia's sake, but because I just can't part with material things like I can part with people.

4. Do you prefer a spic-and-span clean house? Or is some clutter necessary to avoid the appearance of a museum?
I prefer a spic-and-span clean house, but it is usually, well, let's say middle of the road. I am not a slob, and I do try to keep it all neat and tidy, but sometimes I get lax with my cleanliness. I have a thing about the dishes, though. I hate the sight of sink full of dishes, so they're always clean and put away. I wouldn't want to live in a museum, but I don't want my place to look like a college dorm room, either.

5. Do the rooms in your house have a theme? Or is it a mixture of knick-knacks here and there?
No themes, other than beds go in the bedrooms, couch goes in the living room, etc. I hate knick-knacks. They're far too complicated to keep clean, and I just don't like them. I have to say that I do prefer a more "spartan," or, shall we say, utilitarian appearance.

I had a dream last night. I went back to the church that I grew up in...you know what I mean. God did not intend for me to live at church. I served mass as an altar boy for half a dozen years at this church, so I know it pretty well. I went with J, who had more recently started going to church, and he's not even Catholic. He dragged me along one Sunday morning. I was sitting in the pew waiting for the mass to start, and a tall blond guy in very casual clothes: a green plaid shirt, blue jeans, and brown boots, approached me with a large 11" x 17" envelope. He said, "Glad to see you've returned. This envelope contains all the necessary documents to allow you to repay the donations that you've missed since 1989." And then he walked away. The priest walks up the aisle in a green and white robe, which was unzipped completely. Under his robe he was wearing a black t-shirt, black jeans, and black K-Swiss sneakers. He started preaching to the congregation like an evangelist. And this is a Catholic mass. I looked up at the altar to see the blond guy who was serving the mass, with no robes on whatsoever. He was dressed as he was when he "served" me my papers. It was very odd. I had the feeling that even the church believed in relaxing their wardrobe to fit in more with society. If only that were true.

#glittering-enchantment

One more thing: I have re-discovered the fun of IRC. I was looking around my computer for apps to delete to free up some space, and I found Snak or mIRC for you Schmindoze folks, just sitting there, unused. I lit it off, and I remembered why I have liked IRC since 1994. It's kinda fun to interact with people anonymously, and from all around the world. It's hella better (yes I just said "hella") than chat rooms, or even ICQ. Just thought I'd share. And no, the title of this entry is not a valid channel on any IRC server.

Nutty as a fruit cake

You are Toucan Sam. Single minded and generous, you want all those around you to have a fruitful snootful, if you know what I mean. Take the Which Breakfast Cereal Character Are You? quiz. Published by JC.

This or That

1. Holland or Netherlands?
The Netherlands.

2. Emu or Ostrich?
Are they the same? Ostrich.

3. Biff or Happy?
Happy, I guess.

4. Quincy or Braintree?
Quincy sounds nicer.

5. Cassius Clay or Muhammad Ali?
Muhammad Ali.

6. Istanbul or Constantinople?
Istanbul, if you want people to know where you are.

7. Pig or Swine?
Pig.

8. Barf or Puke?
Vomit is preferable. But then again, so is driving the porcelain bus.

9. Potatoes or Spuds?
Potatoes.

10. Squeeze Box or Accordion?
Accordion.

I'm so not in the mood today. I have had a lot to say, but I guess I'm getting lazy in not writing it all down. I'm sick of pigeons, that's what. There's a doughnut shoppe right around the corner from where I live (and they don't make good doughnuts either, believe me, I'm a former doughnut maker myself), and the guy insists on throwing the crumbs and the day-olds out into the gutter to feed the damn things. They swarm in early in the morning, eat to their hearts' content, and then perch themselves on the wires above the parked cars on the street. I park on the street, and most of the time I avoid the spot under the pigeons because they defecate all over the cars. Not only is it nasty and an eye-sore, it's just revolting to find your car covered in bird shit. The neighborhood has asked him repeatedly not to feed the birds as it only encourages them to shit upon us, but he doesn't give a shit, so to speak. Last night I had to park there as it was the only place on the street that I could find. This morning I went out to find lovely green and white bird droppings all over my blue car. It makes me sick. Luckily it had rained the night before, and the car was still wet, so the crap was mostly dissolved. It's just gross, I tell you. And that was my morning.

And what's more, a couple of years ago in San Francisco, there was an effort to sterilize the flying rats by putting something in their bird seed. It was supposed to be harmless to the things, other than rendering them barren, which would not only curb the population, but also help put an end to the mess they make, as they would die out with no offspring to carry the shit baton through the generations. Well, there was such an uproar in the community about "cruelty to the animals," and "taking away their right to propagation," or some shit (there's a theme here, I'm sure), that it never went through, and the pigeons are free to fuck and shit wherever they please. Now that's just plain stupid.

And that's all I got to say.

Life in the Ghetto

You may think I was joking when I said I lived in the ghetto. Four years ago when we first moved into the loft, it was a temporary stop until something better came along. Then we got complacent, and ended up staying too long. And four years ago, it seemed a little rough, on the fringe, so to speak, but it feels like it's getting worse. Last night, 11:30 p.m., I'm just lying down to bed filled with the laughter that only Karen Walker can provide me, and I hear gunshots. Across the street. And then police cars. WTF? So now I'm wondering if it would be worth it to pay $2000 a month for a one-bedroom apartment in a tower with security and parking in the building just to escape this bullshit. I could go on and on, but I will likely get myself into trouble, so I won't. It's just bullshit. I'm tired of settling.

And then I read this and shake my head in disgust.

Buffy Series to End

Tears welling up in her eyes? *sob sob*

Friday Five

1. What is your favorite type of literature to read (magazine, newspaper, novels, nonfiction, poetry, etc.)?
I like books mostly, although the number of magazine subscriptions to which I've subscribed has gone through the roof, hello.

2. What is your favorite novel?
I would have to say The Witching Hour by Anne Rice. It was so cool. I also liked Jitterbug Perfume by Tom Robbins. Then there's the Rama series by Arthur C. Clarke, and the Chronicles of Narnia by C.S. Lewis.

3. Do you have a favorite poem? (Share it!)
No. I have a hard time getting into poetry. I can never figure out the rhythm of the phrases. Haiku is kinda fun, though. It's my fallback.

4. What is one thing you've always wanted to read, or wish you had more time to read?
There are a lot of books that I've bought that I've never had a chance to pick up or finish. I have one, in particular, that lived in my backpack literally for years before I decided to put it on the shelf before it disintegrated. I had to tape the cover back on it. I always had it with me, reminding me to read it because I just knew it would be fascinating. It is The Life of Elizabeth I by Alison Weir. It was recommended by a dear friend of mine, Clarabella. After I watched the movie Elizabeth, I was absolutely consumed by the intrigue of Elizabeth's reign. I can't tell you how many times I've started reading that book only to be distracted by something else. One of these days...

5. What are you currently reading?
You can call me a geek if you want, but I'm trudging my way through The Elements of Typographic Style by Robert Bringhurst. It's exactly the kind of stuff I love.