Just Do It

power outage

We're having rolling blackouts here tonight chez MezzoSF.

Not sure why - but it took me an hour to get to Spanish class tonight - a feat which normally would take 20 minutes (at most).

However, due to the unsually high number of emergency vehicles...I was 30 minutes late to class.

 

I think it all must be related. And perhaps it's a sign that I need to go to bed earlier tonight....

 

 

 

 

 

Translation

Tears fall on my heart
Like the rain falls on the town.
What is this languor
Penetrating my heart?

Oh - sweet sound of rain
On the earth and the rooftops!
For an aching heart,
Oh - the aong of the rain!

Tears fall without reason
On this dishearted heart.
What? No betrayal?
This mourning is without reason.

It's truly the worst pain
To not know why,
Without love and without hatred,
My heart has so much pain.

raindrops

It's a rainy day. This is good - we're in desperate need of rain around here.
I spent a good chunk of the day tromping around in the elements. When I got home this evening, I changed outta my wet clothes and snuggled under a warm blanket, read a little and listening to the rain falling outside. The sound of the raindrops reminded me of this poem I had to memorize in college for a class, and then later got to sing as the text of a Debussy song.

Il pleure dans mon coeur . . .

Il pleure dans mon coeur
Comme il pleut sur la ville,
Quelle est cette langueur
Qui pénètre mon coeur?

O bruit doux de la pluie
Par terre et sur les toits!
Pour un coeur qui s'ennuie
O le chant de la pluie!

Il pleure sans raison
Dans ce coeur qui s'écoeure.
Quoi? nulle trahison?
Ce deuil est sans raison.

C'est bien la pire peine
De ne savoir pourquoi,
Sans amour et sans haine,
Mon coeur a tant de peine.

-Paul Verlaine

À la recherche du temps . . . trouvé?

Out of the blue, it hits me: a song...(a memory). More often than not, a scent...(a memory). Or something caught on the edge of my vision...(a memory).

I re-live reality through rose-colored glasses.
Sufficient - for a while.
But now? Now it's more difficult. I think back. And I remember.

Remember the reactions. And the feelings.

Remember the smell and burn of the crisp night air.

Remember your battered old shirt - clearly Grunge-era.
Not that it mattered.
What mattered was the person wearing it.

These memories are difficult. Happy, but difficult.
They refuse to fade.
Blissfully tormenting my inner workings,
they grow stronger with each recollection.

Stronger with each song.

Stronger with each scent.

Stronger each time I catch a glimpse of someone who looks like you.
Dresses like you.
Walks like you.

In a moment of weakness, I escape to my memories and bring back the heavy-lidded gaze from your eyes, and I let that gaze capture mine.

Your eyes . . . reflecting joy and sorrow - or perhaps only weariness - simultaneously.

Your eyes . . . silently imploring me to listen back with mine own.
And I did - though still somewhat shyly.

So, you see? My problem is not forgetting my memories of you.
No, my problem is that I can't forget them. I don't want to forget them.
But, I fear, one day I might be circumstantially forced to forget them.

And that? That I could not bear.

Friday Five - Positive Potpurri

1) Your work day is done and the brain is fried, what do you do? I go home and either go for a walk or - if I don't have time before rehearsal - make some tea to drink as I go through the mail or whatever score I'm working on at the moment.

2) Your work week is done and the brain is fried (for some Friday, others Sunday afternoon), what do you do? I like to chill on Friday evenings. Make a good dinner, have a glass of wine and read or possibly do something low-key with friends. Saturday nights? That could be a different story...hah!

3) Like most of us, I often keep myself busy even while programs are on the tv. I stop to watch The Office and 30 Rock on Thursday nights. Do you have 'stop everything' tv programming or books or events or projects that are totally 'for you' moments? I like to watch The Amazing Race and NCIS...but usually end up having to watch both online, as I'm usually never home to catch them live.

4) When was the last time you laughed, really laughed? What was so funny? I laughed a lot at work today, actually. We were cracking up about Halloween and the reasons one of my colleagues (who - as an actor - gets paid to dress up on a regular basis) hates dressing up for Halloween. It was funny.

5) What is a fairly common item that some people are willing to go cheap on, but you are not. I refuse to drink or buy "two-buck chuck" wine. I don't think it tastes good, but it's quite popular out here. Also? Shoes. I don't get shoes from payless - they never last very long, and I since have hard to fit feet (long and skinny), I want to get a good pair that will last me a long time.

La Revancha del Tango

This song is by the French/Argentine nuevo tango group, The Gotan Project. (They were one of my discoveries in a F.N.A.C. store...where I spent a great deal of time - and francs.)

It's called Santa Maria (Del Buen Ayre). Enjoy!

Doings

1. Make pumpkin bread done - though a tad *over* done, too...oops

2. Pack up pumpkin bread for care package done - with lots of saran and foil. Maybe it will still be edible when it gets to its destination...

3. Put care package together for P done - pumpkin bread included

4. Get plastic bins for bathroom cabinets done - Linens n' things is going out of business, which means cheap storage solutions!

5. Organizing the bathroom cabinets will have to happen tomorrow. Good times.

Join Our DA, Vote No On Prop K

If you read past the first paragraph or two of Proposition K, you'll see that it lumps sexual slavery in with decriminalization of prostitution. This means that, if it passes, several currently entrapped (read: enslaved and trafficked) individuals (many in massage parlors in San Francisco) will be outside the protection of the city's law enforcement system. The resources that are currently available to police to investigate and prosecute these crimes and the money available for programs that help victims will CEASE if K passes.

Please visit the following sites for more info:
No On K website for more detailed info on this proposition
General info on human trafficking

UC Berkeley's Human Rights Center report on Trafficking

2006 SF Chronicle 4-part series on Human Trafficking (I just did a search for "Diary of a Sex Slave")

Folks against Prop K:
"It strips ALL funding to investigate human trafficking rings and prevents the district attorney's office from prosecuting prostitution-related crimes."-Kamala Harris, SF District Attorney


"Let's defeat this measure. Let's enforce the existing state laws against pimps, johns, and traffickers. Let's develop a progressive social policy and legal response to the human rights violations of trafficking and prostitution."
Allen Wilson, Member ACLU
Francise Braae, Interim Executive Director SAGE Project,
Ann Singer, Jewish Coalition to End Human Trafficking
Gretchen Richardson, Program Manager, Walden House
Roma Guy, Former Health Commissioner

Vote no on Prop K
-Kamala Harris


Vote no on Prop K!
-Coalition for San Francisco Neighborhoods

Vote no on Prop K.
-Citizens for a Better San Francisco

"Proposition K cuts funds for supporitng prostituted women in changing their lives. Don't abandon them to pimps and other predators. Vote No on K."
Elizabeth Boardman, Writer and Peace Activist
Mariza Penagos, HIV Services Activist
Aileen C. Hernandez, California Women's Agenda
Doreen Der-McLeod, Cameron House
Glenda Hope, Safehouse for Women
Rev. Norman Fong, Chinatown Community Development Corporation
Barry Hermanson, Green for Congress

"Sex traffickers flock to destinations where law enforcement ignores prostitution. Please don't vote for Measure K."

Pamela LoPinto San Francisco United for Women and Neighborhoods
Laurie Fields, Dept. of Psychiatry UCSF
Alicia Boccellari, Trauma Recovery Center

"Trafficked women are primarily women of color or immigrants. San Francisco is a hub for the sex trade in Asians (often captive in massage parlors), Latinos (used in Cantina bar prostitution), and African Americans (often sold on the street). Measure K will end funding for education services that help women and children escape their slavery. We oppose Measure K."

Ysmin Kaderali, Students and Artists Fighting to End Human Slavery
Andrea Bass, San Francisco United for Women and Neighborhoods
Kathleen Watkins, Prostitution Research and Education

Artsy Quiz

Taken from Lou, who had this fun quiz posted up on her blog!

Your result for What Your Taste in Art Says About You Test...

Simple, Progressive, and Sensual

15 Ukiyo-e, 7 Islamic, 8 Impressionist, -11 Cubist, -16 Abstract and -2 Renaissance!

Ukiyo-e (浮世絵, Ukiyo-e), "pictures of the floating world", is a genre of Japaneseand paintings produced between the 17th and the 20th centuries. it mostly featured landscapes, historic tales, theatre, and pleasure. Ukiyo is a rather impetuous urban culture that has bloomed in popularity. Although the Japanese were more strict and had many prohibitions it did not affect the rising merchant class and therefore became a floating art form that did not bind itself to the normal ideals of society.

People that chose Ukiyo-e art tend to be more simplistic yet elegant. They don't care much about new style but are comfortable in creating their own. They like the idea of living for the moment and enjoy giving and receiving pleasure. They may be more agreeable than other people and do not like to argue. They do not mind following traditions but are not afraid to move forward to experience other ideas in life. They tend to enjoy nature and the outdoors. They do not mind being more adventurous in their sexual experiences. They enjoy being popular and like being noticed. They have their own unique style of dress and of presenting themselves. They may also tend to be more business oriented or at the very least interested in money making adventures. They might make good entrepreneurs. They are progressive and adaptable.

Take What Your Taste in Art Says About You Test at HelloQuizzy

This post brought to you by the letter "C"

Coca-Cola Cup (in Sacramento): Chocolate Cafe sign:


*Cheesy* Cocoa:

Cute Coopers (extra-mini):
Crazy-ass Cutters:

fun

Today, as I walked by a laundromat, I noticed that inside the laundromat was a Hammond organ. For real. So, you can play some Funk while you get the funk outta your clothes. Made me happy to see that.

Friday Five - Location

Tell us about the five favorite places you have lived in your lifetime. What did you like? What kind of place was it? Anything special happen there?

Well, I’ve only really lived about five cities, so this works out great.

1. Denver, CO: Truth be told, I grew up in the ‘burbs, but it’s easier to just say “Denver.” It was a great place to grow up – close to the mountains, lots of outdoor fun, friendly folks and good schools. Not to mention our sports teams! GO BRONCOS!!!!

2. Dallas, TX: I loved being in Texas for college. I knew I wanted to go far from home and wanted to be in the Southern United States. The fact that Texas is a different creature than the South was unbeknownst to me at the time . . . but I learned. And I had a wonderful time in Texas. I don’t know that I would choose to move back there anytime soon (too hot!) but I can see the appeal. (Still not a Cowboys fan, though...)

3. Paris, FRANCE: This city – more than anything – was and is my dream city. It was hard living there, to be sure – culture shock and all – but I loved it. I loved riding the metro (didn’t get to do that in the ‘burbs) and drinking coffee and just deciding to spend an hour or two in the Musee D’Orsay because it was a short trip away from school. *le sigh*

4. Lake Junaluska, NC: I spent a couple of summers as a working singer up at the Methodist retreat center in Lake Junaluska, situated right outside of the bustling metropolis (ha) of Wayesville in the heart of the Blue Ridge Mountains. Talk about small-town. But it was a lot of fun…mostly because of the people, but the scenery did not hurt. Those mountains are a lot different from the Rockies, but they have their own appeal.

5. San Francisco, CA: I’ve lived in my current city for 7 years and 2 months (but who’s counting?) It's a fun place!

unFAIL

awesome

So, I broke two wine glasses this morning just as I was headed to open the door to let in the freezer repair man. It was a good start to the day!

Vacation Destination?

FAIL

Hmmm . . . I *don't* think one's freezer is supposed to look like this. Sigh...

I think

. . . I will just have to be okay with the fact that my Spanish test tomorrow is going to be one of those "on a wing-and-a-prayer" type of experiences.

I haven't been able to study much at all with the folks in town...

(Funny how that perfectionistic-student trait didn't die over the last few years of no longer being a student. If anything, it might be stronger in its reincarnation. hmmmm....)

on your mark...

get set....

GO team!

Parents are in and currently at the grocery store getting apples and other things they like to snack on. We're having a special birthday dinner for my mom tonight, and tomorrow?

Tomorrow is Tina Turner concert #1. Woot!

Friday Five - Coin Toss

1) When was the last time you flipped a coin or even saw one flipped in person?
I don't remember the last time I flipped a coin for any particular purpose...sometimes I just flip them for fun.

2) Do you have any foreign coins in your house? If so, where are they from?
We have a plethora of foreign coins . . . most of them at the moment are British Pounds, since Sibling just came back from London. Also - I know we have some arcade tokens and I have a Central City Teller House gambling coin that I've had for a few years. Someone special to me (at the time) gave it to me as a "good luck" singing charm. I'd forgotten all about it, but came across it in the pocket of an old purse earlier this week.

3) A penny saved is a penny earned, they say. But let's get serious. Is there a special place in heaven for pennies, or do you think they'll find a special place in, well, the other place? HA. I don't know. I have one friend who just throws pennies away, though (which is weird to me, even if the penny is rather worthless now.)

4) How much did you get from the tooth fairy when you were a child? and if you have children of your own, do they get coins, or paper money? (I hear there may be some inflation.)
Ooh. Good question - I think the tooth fairy may have left a dollar/tooth. The tooth fairy EVEN left me money for the tooth I couldn't leave under the pillow - one came out during a "tickle fight" and I swallowed it!

5) Did anyone in your household collect the state quarters? And did anyone in your household manage to sustain the interest required to stick with it?
My brother collects the state quarters - and yes, he has stuck with it. However, they are not organized in any particular way. Rather, his fiancee gave him a coin sorter last Christmas, and he only places the "special" quarters in there.

seen, part 3

Yes, this was seen on a real-life, San Franciscan street. I couldn't believe it when I saw it, hence the picture for proof. (And, this was on a sidewalk in the Castro, of all places....)

USS Pinckney

Below are the pics from my trip aboard the USS Pinckney (DDG91) yesterday:

A view of the mast (300 feet at the moment....but that can change):

Helipad:

That's right, I'm standing in the Danger Zone Area:

The upper-most boat is named "Henrietta," after William Pinckney's wife:

My chair (or ... not):

Another view of the mast, satellites and the MK-16 CIWS (like the ones which used to have a hand-crank, but now mechanized):

.50 Calibur Browning Machine Gun:
The B.A.G. (Big Ass Gun) aka what I think is an MK-45:

Sign inside the bridge. (Let me tell you - I really wanted to tap the barometer after reading it!):

USS Pinckney in the sunset, later that evening:

You sank my battleship!

(Remember that game? I loved it.)

Today I had the opportunity to tour the USS Pinckney Navy Destroyer Ship, in town for Fleet Week. (One of the perks of my current job is its location – I was able to walk on over and take the tour over my lunch hour.)

Before going, I knew that there were certain rules to follow: no skirts, must wear closed-toe shoes, no weapons, etc. But other than that, I had no idea what to expect, as I'd never availed myself of this particular Fleet Week activity.

I must say - I was not disappointed. It was really cool!

Granted, I only spent about 40 minutes on board, and not months at sea...but it was a neat experience to be aboard a fully functioning Destroyer.

Our “tour guide” was a Petty Officer 1st Class (if I remember correctly), but I don't remember his rating at the moment. We went from aft to forecastle(pronounced "foe-xal") and inside the bridge. There are about 300 crew (enlisted + officers) and she hails from San Diego. The name Pinckney comes from Navy Cook First Class William Pinckney, who received the Navy Cross after saving the life of a fellow crew member. And, to this day, because Pinckney did not like to eat beets, there are not - nor will there ever be - beets served for mess on the Pinckney. Ever.

(I'm just going to go ahead and apologize to to any actual Sailors and/or other Navy personnel out there - I know I'm butchering the lingo. I thought I knew a lot of military jargon, but with the Navy? Well...it's just completely different from everyone else!)

Security was tight...Navy folk milling about with machine guns, keeping an eye on the tourists. On the forecastle top deck, we saw the BAG (Big. Ass. Gun. - my own acronym). We had seen the 50-calibers mounted on the aft deck...but the BAG is way bigger than that, and only shoots about 20 rounds/minute. It was HUGE.

I took some pictures on my phone and will put them up tomorrow - legal pictures. (Shoot, the Navy has more pics up on their own website than I took on my little phone...so no OPSEC compromises there...)

Also - I'm not gonna lie - all that powerful machine gunnery? *Totally* hot.

Meandering

Perfectly faded.
Broken in.
With a few holes here and there.
Loved.

No, not a favorite pair of jeans.

Perfectly faded, the tarnish of time gone by disguises the rough edges of actual occurences, leaving a smoothed-over surface behind.

Broken in from so many visits, recollections, rememberings, re-livings.

With a few holes here and there. Is that how events played out? Or I am remembering the way I wanted things to be, and not how they actually happenend?

Loved. Loving. Beloved. Loved ones. Warm and joyful memories carry us through to the making of new ones.

food for thought

Figs are a very sensual fruit.

Greek yoghurt with fresh figs is a delicious dish.

Figs, yoghurt and Greek honey?

Now that's just about the best tasting thing on earth! mmmmm

seen, part 2

More sights around my 'hood.

Friday Five - Business Trip

1. Does your job ever call for travel? Is this a joy or a burden? My day job - not so much. For singing I drive all over the Bay Area. It can be both a burden and a joy.

2. How about that of your spouse or partner? N/A

3. What was the best business trip you ever took?I don't know that this one applies, either.

4. ...and the worst, of course? Well, driving back and forth to Fairfield every night (up to 2 hours each way) kind of sucked.

5. What would make your next business trip perfect? Most of my business trips are road trips, so I would think one of those iPod adapters for the car radio so I can listen to my iPod when the radio stations just aren't doin' it for me.

reflection

I vote absentee and I got my ballot in the mail today. It's sitting on my kitchen table...mocking me.

Well, okay. Not mocking me. But sitting there staring me down. Waiting for me to complete the arrows and make my choices.

On some things, I am certain. (NO ON PROP K!)

On other issues, not so certain.

And a few I really couldn't care less about.

When it all comes down to it...on local issues I feel like my vote counts. On national issues - especially my vote for the next POTUS - I know my vote doesn't *really* count. This is San Francisco, afterall. It doesn't matter for whom I vote. Our state is going Obama.

I honestly don't know if I will fill out that arrow yet or not.

Gotta remember my earplugs

...because the Blue Angels fly into town tomorrow afternoon, and my office is directly underneath their flight path. For the next two days, we get to watch them practice their dives, rolls and death-defying manouvers from our comfy waterfront perch. Good times!

Coming at you via podcast

Okay, ladies and gents, our podcast has gone public.

If you have iTunes, go search for the "O-Line Mysteries" podcasts. Similar to a 1940s radio murder-mystery, these bad boys are free for your listening pleasure.

Murder? Check.
Intrigue? Check.
A crime-solving San Franciscan lesbian power duo? check.
The voice-over talent of yours truly? check.

All that and MORE. So go check them out!

(I'm in the "Garden Variety Murder" podcast...and I get to scream at the end. Good times.)

It's official

The meeting of the families will be happening in Philly the first weekend of November.

No, no. It's not a mobster thing. It's an in-law thing.

(No, no. Not *my* in-law's...Sibling's future in-laws.)

Our two sets of parents could not be more different. Really. It's going to be a pretty hilarious occasion. My mom keeps asking me for topics of conversation they might be able to discuss. Religion? Nope. Politics? Most definitely not. Fishing? Maybe. ummmm Wedding planning? That'll have to do, I guess.

To have a video of the whole thing - now THAT would be good reality television.
For real.

kids today

What happened? Seriously?

What just happened to good ole paper and pen (she asks as she writes types her blog)?

In my Spanish class, there are 8 students, most of them my age (29...tail end of GenX) or older. We all use paper and pen to take notes in class. The Millenials in the class (Gen Y, if you will) have laptops and use that for notes.

The laptop has become the accessory de riguer of college students everywhere. I remember getting my first laptop prior to my junior year of college. The only reason I got one was because I wanted to have a computer with me during my studies abroad. It was a heavy old clunker . . . and I still have it sitting in the top of my closet.

It's just funny to me, I guess, to walk into a classroom and see every student with a laptop - and expected to have one - plugged in at their desks and ready to go (as was the case in Monterey last week). It feels very foreign to me, I guess. I mean...I learned how to type on an actual typewriter. I learned MS-DOS. I remember the first computer games! hahah.

All that to say . . . when I needed to log online to the McGraw Hill website just now for part of my Spanish homework, well, the website was "undergoing maintenance." I should know better than to have saved this part of my homework until the last minute, I guess, but still. Everything else is finished, it's just the online portion left. Ahhh...technology. So convienent (when you're working.)

Kids today will have no idea what it is to go to listening labs and libraries to complete part of their assignments; to have to share a single cassette tape or - GASP - even an LP with 20 other (procrastinating) classmates. But give me those late-night library jam sessions any day over the sit-at-home-by-yourself-ease of online resources. Some of my best nights in college were the ones spent listening and studying with my friends and cohorts in the wee hours of the night the differences between Schubert & Schumann's lider; the dances on which Chopin based his music; and why on earth would an Austrian composer write an Italian opera based in the Orient?

Convenience, instant gratification and self-reliance are replacing our concepts of patience, hardwork and teamwork (or so it would seem.)

beauty

They say that "beauty is in the eye of the beholder." That what is beautiful to one person is insignificant to another, and I would agree that that is true in many cases.

But, I would also make the argument that there are some things which are universally beautiful. Why is that? What is it about a certain snapshot, person or event that can touch many people, and not just a few?

I had the opportunity to attend The Bonesetter's Daughter at San Francisco Opera last week. Based on the Amy Tan novel of the same name, this brand new opera was commissioned by the SFO and expertly incorporated elements of traditional Chinese opera and theater with western-style opera music. The result was phenominal. Going into the evening, I was a little skeptical (as I am wont to be where modern opera is concerned), but after the prologue, I was hooked.

I don't want to or feel the need to go into a play-by-play of the entire opera. What I will comment on is the very end. The last scene was between the main character - a grown woman - and her mother. In the mother's last earthly moments, mother and daughter finally had a perfect understanding of each other, and all that had passed between them and before them was made complete, redeemed and laid to rest. It was a beautiful moment, both in subject and musically. The singing was ethereal, the music heartbreaking, and the moment univerally poignant.

There was not a dry eye in the house. Tears streaming down the cheeks of people all around me, I had to forcably hold back the sobs I knew wanted to break forth from my own body. I couldn't let that happen - I didn't want my emotion to be an interrupting distraction from the moment. It was quite the experience, and it was the kind of night I always hope for when I go to the opera, to be quite honest. I want to be moved. And this time? This time I was.

Friday Five - Feast of St. Francis of Assisi

1. Saint Francis experienced a life changing call, has anything in your journey so far challenged you to alter your lifestyle? Being an "opera singer" has real life consequences, and for many, alters their lifestyle. For many, the choice of opera career vs. family life is a mutually exclusive one. I'm in the middle zone grey-area right of all of this. (Not solely a working singer; not raising a family of my own, either).

2. Francis experienced mocking and persecution, quite often in the comfortable west this is far from our experience. If you have experienced something like this how do you deal with it, if not how does it challenge you to pray for those whose experience is daily persecution? I would say St. Francis' namesake - and my current - city is not-so-Christian friendly, in a lot ways. For being a place of tolerance, the last area where INtolerance is actually accepted (perhaps encouraged) is Christianity. So yeah, I get this. But then I remember I'm not being stoned, martyred or chased out of town and I think...well, I don't have it so bad, afterall.

3. St Francis had female counterpart in St Clare, she was influenced by St Francis sermon and went on to found the Poor Clare's, like the Franciscans they depended on alms this was unheard of for women in that time, but she persisted and gained permission to found the order. How important are role models like St Clare to you? Do you have a particular female role model whose courage and dedication inspires you? If so share their story.... No one comes to mind at the moment.

4. Francis loved nature and animals, how important is an expressed love of the created world to the Christian message today? I think it is important...especially in the context of 'going green.' We should be good stewards of what God has created and given us responsibility over.


5. On a lighter note; have you ever led a service of blessing for animals, or a pet service, was it a success, did you enjoy it, and would you do it again? No...however, every year at the National Shrine of St. Francis of Assisi (I go by it everyday!), there is a huge animal-blessing ceremony, and I have been outside and have seen all the people and pets exiting the church afterwards.

Monterey Photo Journal

Sunrise:














Amazing morning clouds:














Harbor at the Wharf:

In Monterey

I'm in Monterey for a couple of days (did I already blog that?)

I'm sooo sleepy, I can't even think straight. But...awesomely enough...the hotel has wifi. Everyone has wifi these days - go figure.

Hope ya'll are having a wonderful mid-week. I'm looking foward to some beach time r&r as well as watching the VeeP debates tomorrow night.

Talk amongst yourselves!

wracking and packing

I am headed back down to Monterey early in the morning. I'm going to sit in on a few classes at an amazing school...see if that itch for being a translator is still there or if I will continue down my current course of (in)action, as it were.

Well, I must say, that one of the very best advantages to being single is the ability to just take a few days off of work and have a mini-road trip. I'm looking forward to a couple days of solitude, actually.

Side note: Rona is leaving for London tomorrow. *sniff* I am selfishly sad that she is moving and I hate saying goodbye to people. HOWEVER...this also gives me great impetus for a visit to the good ole U.K.!

Tomorrow...perhaps a review of "The Bonesetter's Daughter" opera from whence I just came.

Blessings

1. Good Amazing friends and family;
2. Learning new skills;
3. Seeing my friends with their kids (or kids to be);
4. Promotions;
5. Callbacks;
6. Being content in my own skin;
7. Not being 21 anymore (that goes along with #6);
8. Sunny weather
9. Bocce
10. The sound of the ocean crashing against the shore.

**UPDATE**

Praise God! Baby C does NOT have meningitis. However, the docs still aren't sure what is making him so sick. Please continue to keep him and his family in your prayers.

While everything else in the world seemingly goes down the tubes

. . . at least we've still got this one thing going for us:

Please Pray

Please pray for some close friends of mine. Their youngest child, Baby C, is very sick and - as of this posting - the doctors aren't sure what exactly is wrong. Baby C is only 1.5 months old...and is sick enough that the docs gave him a spinal tap this morning to try and figure it out.

Please pray for him and his mom, dad & big sis as they all go through this together (love you guys!!)

Friday Five - Johnny Appleseed

1. What is your favorite apple dish? Tarte tatin…preferably with calvados, bien sûr.

2. Have you ever planted a tree? If so was there a special reason or occasion you can tell us about? I’ve planted several trees. The most recent were as part of a district-wide neighborhood “work day”. We planted cherry blossom trees in a low-income residential area.

3. Does the idea of roaming around the countryside (preaching or otherwise) appeal to you? Why or why not? The roaming around the countryside part does. Getting out of the city allows me to think, feel and experience stirrings of the soul more easily. As for the preaching part…? Not so much.

4. Who is a favorite "historical legend" of yours? Ohh...hmmm....Jeanne d'arc.

5. Johnny Appleseed was said to sing to keep up his spirits as he traveled the roads of the west. Do you have a song that comes when you are trying to be cheerful, or is there something else that you often do? I am almost constantly singing or humming or whistling . . . everything and nothing in particular. When I’m *trying* to be cheerful…I can't think of a specific tune.

It was really funny when it happened

(Caution: contains spoilers for the movie In Bruges…which, if you *still* haven’t seen it…stop reading my blog and go watch it, already!)

A recent textversation:

R: Does colin or ken get killed in in bruges??

Me: what??? have u seen it?

R: Watching it right now!

Me: oooooohhhhhhhhhhhhhh it is such a good movie!!!! i am not going 2 tell u anything!!!! heheheheh

R: TELL ME

Me: hahahah nope!1! (well….some of it stems from the fact that I cant remember….hahahahahhaha)

R: Does ken die?? does harry kill him for not killing ray??

Me: omg already….just watch the effen film!!! u don’t have to go to work tomorrow so just enjoy the movie!!!11 hahahahahahahahah

R: I can’t! i hate it! im too anxious!

Me: hahahahah…..dont be anxious…it is.a.REALLY good movie :)

R: NOT IF HARRY OR RAY DIES!

Me: hey my friend A is looking for a place to move to in da city…maybe into your place?? she is very cool.

R: HARRY DIED, YOU BITCH!

Me: which one is harry?? Colin farrels character or the other guy? bcause really-i cant remember!

R: The other guy! ken, i mean! colin is ray!

Me: that’s rite! sorry love! :)
Me: put on your big girl panties and deal with it!

R: One of the most loveable movie characters commits suicide by jumping off a building and you FORGOT???

Me: yes. yes i did.

R: im already on my third pair! hahahahahahah

Me: hahahahahahhahahahahahahhaha

Opera

Headed to the opera tonight to see "Simon Boccanegra." It is a piece I am unfamiliar with . . . so I look forward to experiencing it for the first time. Woot.

technical difficulties

I wanted to post a photo tonight, but I can't get blogger to cooperate.

alas and alack.

perhaps I shall just go to bed!

night night :)

Musical Monday

One of my all-time favorites.

Vaya con dios

My jacket has blood spatter on it.

Fake. Theatrical. Corn-starch blood, that is.

Along with beer and champagne.

And why? All because of a little piece of organized chaos called Point Break, Live!.

It was a live-action, raunchier, punchier, campier version of the 1991 Swayze-Reeves flick. The best part was the audience participation: the role of "Johnny Utah" (infamously portrayed by Keanu himself) is cast from the audience. Said "volunteer" proceeds to get abused by his fellow cast mates for two ours...it was great.

Throughout the piece, the audience (given ponchos upon entering the building) was bombarded with water, beer, champagne and fake blood (during the shoot out at the end.)

Hilarity ensued. Many times over. And, the actual director of the movie (Kathryn Bigelow) herself directed the show and was there tonight.

I have

...a lot on my plate, metaphorically speaking. Trying to figure a lot of stuff out. Or not. (Depends on my mood.) I guess what it all boils down to is well...we've got this one life to do our thing, make our mark...live. So. What is it I *really* want to do? What is it I'm supposed to be doing? Does it matter? And does that choice have to be so black and white, or can it be a "little of column A, a little of column B?"

I don't know. Yet.

North Beach: A Saturday Morning Photo Essay

I went to North Beach early this morning, and it was a veritable treasure trove of wackiness and beauty.
Now...where did I park? 2B or not . . . . ?














There's a public art project in the North Beach garage: fortunes written at each space.















Even on the handicapped ones:














I loved that this woman was wearing silver go-go boots:



















Morning jump-start:



















An ewok/bear/chow hybrid:














Lots of building art in this neighborhood:















For all my friends who are teachers. My apologies, though, to you school administrators out there. Looks like you get the shaft here. So to speak. (I go past Big Al's Adult Book Store everyday when I leave work, and have been wanting to take a picture of this sign for two weeks. Finally did!)

Friday Five - Fall Equinox

As this vivid season begins, tell us five favorite things about fall:

1) A fragrance: freshly baked pumpkin bread and hot spiced apple cider.

2) A color: gold(en): as in the color of the leaves changing. Which there are not very many of here, but where I grew up we had aspen trees.

3) An item of clothing: Our fall is in actuality our "indian summer". In other climates, I would list "scarf." However, here? "Lack of scarf" is my answer.

4) An activity: massacring pumpkins and toasting their seeds. Mmm. Also - dressing up in crazy makeup and costumes. Oh...wait. I get paid to do that on a year-round basis. *fistpump*

5) A special day: Thanksgiving – be it a bit clichéd – is indeed a special time spent with family and close friends.

Baking is fun(ny)!

Need a good laugh? Check out Cake Wrecks. It will make you laugh out loud.

Love it! Thanks to Jen for sending it my way :)

Finish-the-Sentence meme

1. My uncle once: lost his pants dancing at a formal event (suspenders came undone...)
2. Never in my life: will I smoke a cigarette.
3. When I was five: my brother threw a rock at my eye and I had to wear an eyepatch to kindergarrrrten.
4. High school was: great!
5. I will never forget: my grandparents.
6. Once I met: George Burns, at the DFW airport Crown Room.
7. There’s this girl I know: who writes amazing poetry.
8. Once, at a bar: I was on the winning pub trivia team.
9. By noon, I’m usually: drinking tea.
10. Last night: I cooked and had a lively discussion on James.
11. If only I had: perfect vision!
12. Next time I go to church: will be on Sunday.
13. What worries me most: my parents.
14. When I turn my head left I see: my kitchen.
15. When I turn my head right I see: my door.
16. You know I’m lying when: you look at my face - I'm a horrible liar.
17. What I miss most about the Eighties is: side pony-tails.
18. If I were a character in Shakespeare I’d be: the comic relief.
19. By this time next year: anything could happen!
20. A better name for me would be: Grace - ironically, of course.
21. I have a hard time understanding: extremism.
22. If I ever go back to school: it will be for an M.A.T.
23. You know I like you if: I laugh with you.
24. If I ever won an award, the first person(s) I would thank would be: my family.
25. Take my advice: get enough fiber.
26. My ideal breakfast is: cereal or oatmeal with soy milk, and coffee.
27. A song I love but do not have is: Delicate.
28. If you visit my hometown, I suggest you: drink lots of water.
29. Why won’t people: listen to one another?
30. If you spend a night at my house: you will feel welcome.
31. I’d stop my wedding: if it were the wrong person.
32. The world could do without: IED's.
33. I’d rather lick the belly of a cockroach than: watch E.T.
34. My favourite blonde(s): Baby Clark-o in Italy, Addie in FL.
35. Paper clips are more useful than: push pins.
36. If I do anything well it’s: being hospitible.
37. I can’t help but: gush about my sibling.
38. I usually cry: at weddings.
39. My advice to my child/nephew/niece: do your homework.
40. And by the way: don't let anyone tell you you can't pursue your dreams.

3/5

Three-fifths.

P is 3/5^ths of the way though his deployment. I have to say that that little fraction sounds pretty damn good looking at it from over the (camel's)hump, as it were.

Those of us who know him choose to believe P when he tells his mother that he's in "one of the safest – if not the safest – neighborhoods" in country. But sometimes I can't help it – my brain starts in on overdrive. I mean, so, if it's so safe, what's to keep The Powers That Be from sending his unit to less safe places? And what's going on along the Pakistani border this week – are our UAV's *really* blowing $hit up in a country which has nukes??? Are we that insane??? And what's going to happen with the Petraeus/Odierno switcheroo? Hopefully that will be good for all involved, and not have any negative repercussions.  And – oh yeah, it's Ramadan, too, etc etc.

And then – somewhere inside – the light clicks on and that little voice shuts up and God is gracious to replace it with the Voice of Reason:

"Our troops are well-trained. P is well-trained AND he's no dummy. Everything happens for a purpose. *Surely* things with Pakistan are not going to escalate any further than they have this week. Also - the weather is probably starting to cool off in the desert, which will help morale of everyone. And P is in a safe neighborhood and gets to know some of the locals. What a great chance for cultural exchange and broadening of horizons…etc etc."

Sometimes….sometimes I need a vacation from my own head.

Delicate

I enjoy this song...immensely.

Don't believe everything you see on TV

There has been a lot of critical acclaim going around for HBO's new miniseries, Generation Kill. The story centers around the Marines in the First Recon Battalion in the days leading up to the fall of Baghdad in 2003. I've also read a lot of reviews of the show by people (often military) who think that it panders to the Hollywood stereotypes of what Marine snd Soldiers are: uneducated, violent, videogaming kids.

I haven't seen the show - and thus, cannot comment on it. However, I *did* just finish the book of the same name on which it is based (by Evan Wright). I thought the book was quite good - an unbiased (IMO) account of the experiences of those Marines.

The edition I read had a new afterword by the author which was very interesting - especially this part:

After the publication of Generation Kill, [one of the main character's] reference to Grand Theft Auto was cited in several news stories as proof that to the young men and women serving in America's armed forces, war was no more real than playing a video game.

In struck me that such analyses had it backward. It's the American public for whom the Iraq War is often no more real than a video game. Five years into this war, I am not always confident most Americans fully appreciate the caliber of the people fighting for them, the sacrifices they have made, and the sacrifices they continue to make. After the Vietnam War ended, the onus of shame largely fell on the veterans. This time around, if shame is to be had when the Iraq conflict ends - and all indications are there will plenty of it - the veterans are the last people in America to deserve it. When it comes to apportioning shame my vote goes to the American people who sent them to war in a surge of emotion but quickly lost the will to either win it or end it. The young troops I profiled in Generation Kill, as well as the other men and women in uniform I've encountered in combat zones throughout Iraq and Afghanistan, are among the finest people of their generation. We misuse them at our own peril.

Amen to that, brother.

This? this is funny regardless of whose "side" you're on . . .

For some reason, I'm having trouble embedding the video for this - but if you didn't get a chance to see it on SNL, check out the Palin-Clinton (equal opportunity) lampooning here.

seen

I spent a lot of time just hanging in my own neighborhood this weekend. (Been a while since I did that . . . )

How to have the best Saturday morning ever

1. Do not set your alarm clock;

2. Wake up when you *want* to wake up, not when you *have* to wake up;

3. Read in bed for a little while;

4. Get a phone call from your brother . . . WHO HAS JUST PROPOSED TO HIS GIRLFRIEND!!!!!!!!! (who said YES, of course!)

5. Spend the rest of the morning talking to various and sundry relatives and friends about how excited we all are!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

6. Talk to your now official future sister-in-law(!!!) and get her side of the proposal story;

7. Freak out with sheer happiness and live on cloud nine for the rest of the day!!!!!!!!!!

why can't we all just get along?

I do believe that we all have parts of ourselves and facets of our lives which we hide from everyone else. It's human nature. Those buried down parts that you think "Man . . . if anyone else knew xyz about me, they would run screaming in the opposite direction."

But, really, you know what the beautiful thing is? We all - each and every one of us - can relate to each other because we all have those deeply buried places, no matter how translucent a life we try to lead. And it is that part . . . that part we even try to hide from ourselves at times . . . which helps deepen our capacity for compassion, understanding, and love for one another. In theory at least.

Now, if only everyone could just *realize* this, we'd be well on our way to utopia . . . or something like that. heh.

Friday Five - Back to School

1. Is anyone going back to school, as a student or teacher, at your house? How's it going so far? I'm taking two classes this fall: Spanish & Arabic

2. Were you glad or sad when back-to-school time came as a kid? Both. I loved summer vacation but I've also always enjoyed being a student.

3. Did your family of origin have any rituals to mark this time of year? How about now? We always took "first-day-of-school" photos.

4. Favorite memories of back-to-school outfits, lunchboxes, etc? I loved - and still love - getting new school supplies.

5. What was your best year of school? Ooh. Tough question - I'm not sure. College, perhaps. Junior year abroad...that was pretty awesome.

Seven years later

9/11? Never heard of it . . .

For as much as I love SF & living in the Bay Area, I still get pissed off by some of the consequences of living on the Left coast. I know . . . I shouldn't complain . . . it's my choice to live here . . . blah, blah, etc, etc. But I have spent a lot of time this week looking for any 9/11 memorial events or services happening anywhere in SF County. I would like to go to something . . . anything. But my search has come up null and void. There are a couple of events up in Marin County, but I have yet to find anything here other than the 911-Truth events, which I will most definitely not be attending.

 

My search for official "Patriot Day" activities brought me many results about Tom Brady's season-ending injury. (Sucks for him, sure, but not exactly what I was looking for . . .) I would think that at least the folks in City Hall might have some sort of something planned for the early morning hours here . . . unless they've all-but-forgotten that some of those planes were headed for SFO.

 

I'll keep looking around this afternoon, but if all else fails, I can always go to the big Catholic church near my office and light some candles before going to work in the morning.

 

Prayer for our Men and Women In Military Service

O Prince of Peace, we humbly ask Your protection for all our men and women in military service. Give them unflinching courage to defend with honor, dignity and devotion the rights of all who are imperiled by injustice and evil. Guard our churches, our homes, our schools, our hospitals, our factories, our buildings and all those within from harm and peril. Protect our land and its peoples from enemies within and without. Grant an early peace with victory founded upon justice. Instill in the hearts and minds of men and women everywhere a firm purpose to live forever in peace and good will toward all. Amen.

for thought

Hope deferred makes the heart sick, but when the desire is fulfilled, it is a tree of life. -Proverbs 13:12

I think this fall is turning out to be a season of learning for me - both secularly and spiritually. The secular is pretty obvious (language classes); the spiritual is starting to unfold itself.

I have to admit that coming out of the summer, I'm out of balance - spiritually speaking. When I'm heavily involved in performing, my extramusical relationships get put on the back burner. This includes my Vertical relationship with God. Even though I still pray and seek God, it's not a daily occurance during these busy times. I have been blessed with some wonderful friends who know that yes, when I'm involved in a show, my time is limited, and is mostly spent with a select group of castmates for an intense period of time ranging from several weeks to a few months.

I realize that I have been uniquely placed in the SF music scene as an artist who happens to be a Christian. I do not see myself as a "missionary" to my fellow musicians; I don't wack anyone over the head with a Bible during rehearsals. Rather, I pray that I'm the exception to a lot of people's stereotypes of what or who a modern day Christian is - and that being a Christian artist is not an oxy moron; that it is possible to honor God with and through all types of art. However, when I don't spend the time on my own nurturing my spiritual side, it's more difficult to take joy in that role, and much easier to get bogged down in the "Singing is the be-all-end-all-of-my-life" mentality.

Tonight I met with a small Bible study group. We're doing a shortish study on the book of James...which is a very practical book. James talks about how to apply God's teachings to our everyday lives, and live them out accordingly. I think this is going to be a very good season of learning - and reminding - for me.

When I decided not to take a performing role this fall, I immediately felt at peace with that decision. However, over the last week and after many questions from family and friends, doubts and feelings of guilt started to seep into my brain about saying "no." After this evening, I feel at peace again. I feel that this is a time for me to draw nearer to God and examine some things in my own (non-musical) life which I need to address. Besides this study on James, I'm also going for a few Sunday mornings before service to a group which will discuss world views...and determining what exactly my own world view is in relation to different religions and even to my own Christian religion. Should be interesting.

Because I had to write it down somewhere to keep it straight

A list of all the kiddos in my life - friends' babies; adopted nieces & nephews; real-life cousins (in alphabetical order):

Lake Alexander
Kingston Cairo
Hannah Dockins
Clark Friedman
Baby Foerscht
Sydney Forester
Baby Garcia
Abigail Gavin
Baby Janik
Cameron & Timothy Ko
Baby Miller
Zach Moller
Addie & Carter Schantz
Olivia Tafao
Bella & Lilian Termini
Baby Weidner

Some are here, some are on the way, and all are precious as can be. But there are probably a couple I'm even forgetting . . .(ack!)

Third Annual Milbloggies

It's time to nominate your favorite Milblogs for the Third Annual Milbloggie awards! Get excited!

If you are wont, please visit Milblogging.com for the rules and regs of nominating your favorite Milblogs.

how do you say "oops" in Spanish?

I start my Spanish class this evening, and am very excited about this. (Cue sniffing new spiral notebook...ahhh).

However, I forgot about one thing. Textbook. Now, when I received my registration confirmation/payment receipt in the mail, at the bottom was a note reading "Textbooks not included." I read it and thought nothing more of it.
This was...a month or two ago.

Fast forward to today when I looked up the address for the class meeting online. There was a new link under course description for "textbooks". I click it and - lo and behold - there is a text and a workbook listed there. But, there's also a note reading "textbook optional," but only under one of them. So . . . ? Not sure. I click the link and it takes me to an online store to purchase the texts, where - in big, red, bold letters - it reads "REQUIRED." But the course descprition said optional. Hmmm.

I'll just be "that guy girl" who shows up on the first day of class without a textbook. I hate that. (The perfectionist student part of me is alive and well, so it seems...) Luckily, my adult brain chimes in with a "well, it's not like your permanent record matters or anything - you'll be okay".

is this thing on?

Blogger seems to be having some problems...ack.

 

Testing this out.

update

He was just a kid.

surreality

Living here in SF, I've become accustomed to a lot of things.

I don't look twice at two men or two women walking down the street hand-in-hand, arm-in-arm. (Unlike the busloads of tourists now being let out to take pictures of people in the Castro these days...wtf?)

People in chaps and leather? Neon and feathers? She-male hookers on Polk street? A random qi-gong parade downtown? I've come to expect these sights. Really - almost nothing surprises me anymore.

I'm *not* yet - and hopefully will not ever be - used to seeing people sleeping up against walls, outside in makeshift cardboard "shelters" and wind-barriers. I do notice, however, that when in other cities, I tend to mentally compare the numbers of homeless people I see on city streets. Usually, there are fewer than here, and if I'm with people not "used" to seeing people out on the streets, their reaction is different from mine. I will offer to buy people food, but not give them money. And I hope that I would continue to be like that.

But last night, I saw something I never expected to see and never hope to see again. My college friend was in town and we were on the bus. And our bus pulled up to the intersection at Fillmore street just as the SFPD was taping off a crime scene. A man had been shot, and we could see the body. Lying right there outside of our window, in the road, by a parked vehicle. And it was one of those horrifying moments of...not being able to look away and being so shocked at what we were seeing. It was surreal. And neither L nor I had words to say anything. Eventually I croaked out that I was glad I hadn't let her come by herself downtown (I am sick, and considered not going at all) and let's pray for that guy and his family.

I have been to (too) many funerals and have seen many dead people in that context. But not in this one. It was such an odd feeling...I felt much more detached than I thought I should feel. But I think that was just shock: my mind numbing itself to keep me from going over the edge. When we passed by that same quardened-off intersection a couple of hours later on our way home, two young women in front of us were loudly discussing the whole incident. "I wonder who it was who got shot? Wonder if it was someone we know? I wanna know who it is. Let's find out. Let's ask around...I wanna know what happened." Her friend stayed silent, but a young man turned around and said, "You should just be praying it's NOT someone you know. You don't want to know - I'm telling you - you don't want to have to go through that." As he said that, his eyes were filled with a combination of admonishment and deep sadness . . . someone who *knew* and had lived through such an experience, but who had had part of himself die in the process.

It was - and still is - very surreal. It will probably be a while before my brain wraps itself around this one. Or, well, perhaps it never will, but perhaps . . . I don't know. Closure? Something. In the meantime, I'll be praying for the families involved. Tragic.

do not try this at home

Vampire stories + nightime tylenol cold medicine = wacked out dreams.

Added bonus? Going to the Symphony after a hit of Afrin and more cold meds only to listen to Ligeti's Lontano. Not my favorite piece of music, but it basically proved to be the perfect soundtrack for my wacked out vampire dreams. Best part? Ligeti's Romanian, of course.

Friday Five - Vulnerability

1. Is vulnerability something that comes easily to you, or are you a private person?
In real life (as opposed to this blog, I guess) I am a private person - stemming from shyness - but I have learned to work with and around that and force myself out of my shell, both in my private life as well as my musical life. Part of that stems from being a shy child and expressing myself through music (piano playing); also, I tend to "come across" better in written language than in my tongue-tied self. As pertains to my performing, I've written about being vulnerable on stage here, here, and more recently, here.

2.How important is it to keep up a professional persona in work/ ministry?
Depends on your line of work - heh. As "executive assistant" yes, it's pretty important that I be professional. (Though I am the token "artsy" one in the office). As an actor and singer...well, professional has a dfferent meaning, I think. Professional is different from vulnerable. One must be on time, know ones lines and be a good ('professional') colleague. If the character you're working on demands you be vulnerable, then you learn to be vulnerable on stage. The transition between acting life and real life gets easier the more you do it.
Also - while ministry is not my vocation per se, I find that being real (or vulnerable) with people is a great deal more effective way to minister than beating someone over the head with a Bible verse or anything like that.

3. Masks, a form of self protection discuss...
I have them - we all do. I've learned to recognize them and get rid of a few along the way; some people unmask me while others almost necessitate that I put on one mask or another (for protection, indeed).

4. Who knows you warts and all?
My closest friends. They know who they are. And my family, perhaps.

5. Share a book, a prayer, a piece of music, a poem or a person that touches the deep place in your soul, and calls you to be who you are most authentically.
Barber's Adagio sung with an Agnus Dei text. The hymn Amazing Grace. Chopin's nocturnes. Lots of music moves me for different reasons. Listening to certain pieces of music with people - especially in live performance - is an extraordinarily strong experience for me. There's nothing quite like it.

hmm

Things I am thinking at this moment:

1. I *think* I might be getting a cold. But I'm not sure. So I will try to get a lot of sleep tonight.

2. The only problem with #1 is that I really want to finish the books I'm reading this week (the Twilight series). They are a fast and easy read, and Stephanie Meyer knows how to write a captivating story. Even if I *do* find myself irritated with the main character at times, I think it's because I'm sucked-in (pun definitely intended) and invested in their relationships. It's also quite interesting to see how these particular books affect me in a way. Not sure what it is just yet.

3. And just to balance things out, literature wise, I'm going to read The Idiot next. There's nothing like a good juxtaposition of Young Adult Vampire fiction with intense Russian literature.

4. I am looking foward to a college friend's visit this weekend. We're going to the symphony & the de young musuem. Too much culture and she is the perfect friend for these adventures, as we were both music majors & both studied art during our adventures abroad.

5. I'm also looking foward to seeing Rona this evening for drinks at the new Mini Bar on divis.

6. I *also* get to see my friend The Queen this weekend to belatedly celebrate her birthday. I've not seen her in a long time - since my birthday, I think, so that will be fun, too.

7. And yet, this all brings me back again to #1, with the hope that I'm not *really* getting a cold. But I always one to leave that admission to the very last minute. ack. Here's hoping . . .

A few pictures

I'm trying as hard as I can to hold on to my vacation feeling this week. In honor of that, a few pictures:

1. Batmobile outside of Wasilla, AK

2. Mount Denali in the distance

3. Rocky beach in Homer, AK

It's almost like being there

Alaska by the numbers

Days of vacation: 10
Miles logged in Ford Excursion rental: approximately 1,200
Not including: 160+ miles on a bus

Seen:
Grizzly bears: 5
The peak of Denali: twice
Moose: 3
Arctic chipmunks: tons
Willow Ptarmigans: 2
Loons: 4
Mosquitos: billion
Mosquito bites: 1
Beautiful panoramas: infinite
Old, bearded fishermen: infinite
Espresso joints in every town, outpost or wide spot in the road: minimum 2 each
Batmobiles: 1 (just a few miles from new VP Candidate Sarah Palin's hometown)
Giant Ice Cream cones: 2
Ted Stevens 2008 signs: 100+

National parks visited: 2 (Denali & Kenai Fjords)
Hikes taken: 3

Pounds of fish:
Caught by family: 58 (halibut, silver salmon, cod & rockfish)
Being sent (frozen) to our house: 30
Consumed by family: too many delicious pounds to count

Alcohol:
Bottles of wine purchased by family: 15
Microbrews tasted: at least 6

Gasoline:
$5.38/gallon just outside of Denali National Park
$4.38/gallon everywhere else

Trips to the ER: 1

Mementos:
Sea shells: 3
Rocks: 7
Books on moose (for dad): 2
Postcards: couple dozen
National Park stamps for passport book: 4
Long-sleeved t-shirts: 2

Average hours of daylight/day: 16
Average hours of sleep/night: 9

Road-tripping up and down Alaska with the family: PRICELESS