Christmas This Year

was actually quite enjoyable. My mom, Todd, my brother, sister-in-law, and my cuter-than-bunnies niece, Kirra, had a very low-key and not overly consumptive day-- both on the food and gift front. We ate and shared a few presents and I, the biggest humbug of the lot, got the most amazing gift from my sister-in-law: a scrapbook of my life thus far. She has been working on it since the summer and it has pics of me and my grandma, my brother, me performing wedding ceremonies, all my hair styles (yes, the eighties were well represented), and my first trip to Europe. She scanned postcards, a poem I wrote for my mom, photos, etc. I cried. A lot. There were photos I don't remember and parts of my life I'd forgotten. Pretty amazing. And to think I thought she didn't care for/like me. Of course I had to consent to wearing the silly hat in the photo above-- ply me with red wine and I might do just about anything... Oh, that was another page, photos of me in various states with a glass of something in my hand. Pretty funny stuff.

Nels Cline, oooh!

The new Wilco with Nels Cline. Yum, Jeff Tweedy and Nels-- a jackpot if you ask me. And just so you know, a friend of mine thinks that the thing that will save me from destitution is my lack of resignation. Cripes, I am screwed! Full disclosure-- This post was written in a red wine haze.

Love Those Anonymous Commenters

Someone decided to let me know, out of the goodness of his or her heart I'm sure, that my previous post might be in violation of a certain company's policy. So I changed the name to protect the filthy rich (a category of which I stand firmly outside). This has been a public service announcement.

*Words Censored* and My Future

Ok, maybe that sounds a bit melodramatic, but I found the perfect little duplex for me and my mom. It's right in the center of everything yet oddly hidden away. And it's on a bridge! It sounds weird, and it is kind of-- it reminds me more of San Francisco than San Diego. Either way, it passed the test: My mom, Todd, and my friend, Mike, are intrigued. Now if we could get inside to see what it looks like on the interior to get the full picture. So far we have just circumnavigated the property and done lots of speculation as to what it might be like. Of course it's abut 95k more than we can afford (remember, this is San Diego) and we can't technically move for a few months. But if you want to help make a dream come true for two sassy redheads, me and my mom, then PLEASE click on my *words censored* and maybe I'll actually make a few $$$. Special thanks to my Blog Explosion pals-- I'll return the favor!

'Tis the Season

for a bad case of pesticide poisoning. Did you know that the average tree from a Christmas tree farm has absorbed 28 pounds of pesticide? Yum! Can you say chemical sensitivity and environmental toxins? And hell, you don't even have to be a tree hugger to do the math: babies, pets, and other living things, when placed in close proximity to an organism that has consumed that much poison, are bound to experience major discomfort, to put it mildly, when in the same room with said organism.

And then there's the issue of "drift," something a friend of mine in Oregon was dealing with when trying to grow organic grapes. She kept trying to get certified by Oregon Tilth but high levels of pesticide residue was showing up during soil testing. They finally realized that it was from the xmas tree farm down that way that was spraying-- something that isn't supposed to happen when there is even the slightest wind-- and the noxious concoction was finding it's way to her vines.

Of course, the toxins do the most harm to those darned migrant workers who insist on taking good American jobs. You know, like working around way too many chemicals day in and day out, six and seven days a week, for 12 hours or more a day. Yep, just so you can have that tree. But the next time you think you may be allergic to xmas trees, or you baby nephew breaks out in a rash, or your dog gets sick just from sleeping under the overly-decorated fire hazard, consider that it may be a case of pesticide poisoning.

Let the Madness Commence!

Buying a home can be a stressful experience. Hell, who am I kidding? It IS a stressful experience. Now, imagine trying to find the perfect abode for your mother and yourself, with extremely limited means, in San Diego where a square foot of real estate sells for about the same price as a ounce of gold. Yep, that's what I'll be doing here real soon.

My mom and I are looking for a duplex or two-on-one and we both have slightly different expectations. Mine, of course, are realistic. This is my 'blog so I can assert that. And actually, my mom was hoping we could find the perfect little matching Spanish cottages with two bedrooms and a great yard for the pets. Sadly it ain't gonna happen. More like two miniature one bedroom shacks with bad vinyl flooring and no roof. Or something like that. We did see a place we both liked-- about 100k more than we could spend, and we both liked the main house. She will most likely get the nicer of the two abodes, whatever we find. And I am looking around my very cute, tiny, perfect little condo and wondering why am I doing this?

So, take pity on me, click my google ads so I can make an extra $4.92 a month or just contribute directly to my Paypal at the link above. Let's see, if 1000 of you contribute $10 each, hmmm, that's $10,000. And if my dog can get some modeling gigs... Ah, never mind.

NaNo Withdrawals

I thought I'd be glad to be done with this whole speed noveling business, but the lack of frenetic writing activity has left a big fat gaping hole in my big boring life. Not that I lack things to do, but the camaraderie and the fervor of writing at a pace beyond what I would have thought possible is sorely missed by me. And what to look forward to? The holiday stupidity? Sorry I am not more chipper, but the season really gets me down.

50,007!

I did it! I made the National Novel Writing Month word count goal of 50k. Of course my story probably sucks (I have not read it) and it is in no way finished, but I got to end with a sex scene and I made the goal with two days to spare.

Gee, now what? I guess life returns to normal, whatever normal is. But hey, I can now add novelist to my head stone, huh? Oh, feel free to send gifts of congratulations and I will accept them graciously ;)

Buy Nothing Day

It's that time of year again. The time of year when people all over the planet add to their personal credit card debt and forestall their retirements by purchasing a bunch of useless crap that no one really needs that will end up in our overburdened landfills or on your tacky neighbor's front lawn for their weekly yard sale. Don't be one of these people, don't wait in line in front of K- Wal- Cheap plastic stuff- mart at 3 am waiting to get $10 off the latest video game console/nose hair clipper/penis enlarger. Just say no to stuff and hello to nothing. Buy nothing, it's a small gesture, but what the hell, do something different this year, will ya?

It's All Down Hill from Here

or so they say. Last night, I cleared the 31k mark with my NaNo novel and I'm starting to run out of ideas. My novel is nonlinear in that I go from present, to the past for back story, to the present again. Now that I'm at 60 single-spaced (someone told me I was crazy for doing single- and not double-spaced) pages I am having a hard time remembering what came before. No, I do not have an outline. I feel like I just met a ton of people with a bunch of different life stories and I am required to remember everything, names included. Hmm, that's exactly what I've done. Next year, I think I'll do this a bit differently...

Half way there!

For those following my speed noveling project, I have crossed the halfway mark both word count-wise and month-wise. At this very moment, I have 26,500 words on the electronic equivalent of paper. On Friday, a nasty cold tried to strike me down but I perservered. Of course I missed a gorgeous weekend and a day and a half at work, but I keep the words flowing from my sinus-achey head. Tonight, I am aiming for another 1,500 words to add to my total. I will be victorious!

NaNoWriMo--Day 12

Day 12 and I'm already at 20,721 words. Pretty darn good considering that I woke up sick yesterday morning and am still suffering today. All I want to do is sleep. I'm. So. Tired. So today I am writing in fits and spurts because I have only enough stamina for 300 words or so at a time. Fortunately I have about a 2000 word lead that I plan on hanging on to, thank you very much.

Other than that, I am heartsick that my beloved city is burning. No, not San Diego, Paris, silly. And we thought only stupid Amerikans rioted in the streets these days (ours are usually sports and beer induced, however). Well, it seems that inequality is a global pandemic (forget the bird flu) and the French are not immune. I remember even back to my first trip to France, sometime in the early eighties, that there was a ton of tension between those of Northern African descent and the native-born. But this new situation is even more ridiculous: the oppressed are native-born! Nationalism rears it's ugly head, again and no country is immune.

Word Count, My Captivating Nemesis

Day 7 of NaNoWriMo. I am churning out words at a respectable rate. At this point, I have 12,388 words committed to paper. Well, to computer hard drive and numerous back-up devices, anyway. Not that I expect my sweet little ibook to go belly up, but if there was an evil Gatesian plot to wave a gigantic magnet over anything Apple looming on the horizon, then the success of such a plot could be the end of my noveling aspirations. Of course I am thinking of changing my middle name to Repetitive Stress Injury, but hey, what NanoWriMo contender isn't?

(A special hello to my pal, Teresa-- I miss you!)

NaNoWriMo Day 1

Well, it seems my novel really wanted to get out into the world. Yesterday, the first day of National Novel Writing Month, I wrote 4,152 words! The daily average to stay on target for the 50,000 word total by the end of the month is 1,667 words. My personal goal was 2,000. Double plus is not too shabby for a newbie to NaNo. I am worried about losing ground, though, as today I may not be able to get much writing in due to work and other commitments. Ah, the life of a struggling novelist :)

Ask Me If I Care...

about Halloween. Or any other lame co-opted Hallmark holiday. No, I don't want to see tarted-up French maid outfits on hyper-sexualized 12 year olds or any other plastic-y costume from Wal or K or whatever Mart. Sorry, I just don't. Whatever happened to imagination and home-made costumes? Do you think this post has too many hyphens?

7 Days Before the Madness Ensues!

I am talking about NaNoWriMo, of course, the National Novel Writing Month project that I am about to begin. I still have no idea what I am going to write about. No plot, no characters-- but wait, there is one character, an acrobat-- no more of a trapeze artist that keeps flitting about in my head. Perhaps she has a story that needs to be told?

That Time Again

Well, now that I am working what amounts to three jobs, what do you think has been creeping around the edges of my psyche? Yes, grad school! Specifically whether I should or shouldn't. I mean, I have an extra 25 hours to spare, don't I? And you, dear reader, have about 30k just hanging about unneeded and unused, right?

I have a feeling that this is one of those things that will just keep niggling at me until I actually do it so I have sent away for a second round of information (in a fit of disgust, I threw the previous batch away) and will assess the possibilities-- even though I know, pretty much, what school I'd want to attend-- not that I'd necessarily get in... Oh yeah, I am supposed to write a novel next month, too. Sure, I have plenty of time :)

Global Pandemic, anyone?

Quick Guide: Bird flu

Scientists fear a global epidemic of deadly flu in humans will strike soon as this tends to happen three or four times a century.

Bird flu is the most likely trigger and one virus that causes it - H5N1 - is giving particular alarm.

Highly contagious and deadly in birds - and spread by them - this virus has also killed dozens of people since re-emerging in SE Asia in 2003.

Experts think it is only a matter of time before the virus changes and develops the ability to spread easily among humans.

This nifty little guide is courtesy of the BBC. Print it, cut it out, and carry it with you as you go about your day of denial and jocularity.

Failure

A fun little thing a friend sent me: Go to Google.com (don't use the Google toolbar), type in failure, and then hit the I'm feeling lucky button. It's the little things in life that make me smile :)

What did I just do?

In an effort to appease this faux-vacation boredom, or just out of sheer stupidity, I signed up to be a part of this year's NaNoWriMo. For those that don't know, I have just made a commitment to write a 50,000 word novel in one month! I can't even comprehend writing 175 pages of somewhat related material-- I mean, I am a poet known for spare and concise use of language (even though my 'blog seems to suggest otherwise) not a teller of long and sustained tales.

The process starts in November with October as my idea incubation month. Of course, I have no idea what to write about and I've never had aspirations to write a novel--I am so NOT a fiction writer! But hell, those are just little details standing in the way of my future creation. At least I know what I'll be doing with my evenings in November.

In any event, check out the link (above) and consider supporting the project in general or this writer in particular. In fact, if anyone clicks on my Paypal link and drops a few ducats in my account in the month of October, I will share the wealth 50-50 with NaNoWriMo.

I'll accept all plot or character suggestions, words of encouragement, or uplifting libations. I hope this is not the beginning of my final unraveling :)

Fundraiser in the Asphalt Wasteland

Today, the nonprofit I work for had a little fundraiser at a local swap meet. First of all, it was too much sun and heat for this fair-skinned redhead, but worse than that was the unending human parade of what seemed to be the dregs of humanity. Now, I am not being particularly vicious, but some of the people that frequent the swap meet are gene pool bottom feeders. My child-free by choice existence may seem like a contradiction when one considers that I work for a children's literacy organization, but as I like to say, "If they're gonna breed 'em, we're gonna read to 'em." Now if I feel the social responsibility in ensuring that future generations grow up to read, why don't their parents? To whit, one scrawny crack-addled looking dude with a t-shirt that proclaimed "Friggin' Idiot" had at least 4 sprogs in tow and one on the way. We were practically giving away new children's books (donation only) and these people just walk by and scoff as the crack-boy says, "We don't support literacy, he he" with more than a shade of Beavis and Butthead in his voice. Now, he thought that was funny, but I saw his kids as a sad statistic.

Alas, I don't think I can go on about the obese, crappily-tattooed men walking around without shirts or the women, also obese with lame tattoos, eating scary fried concoctions and what I think were polish sausages. Of course they all had cell phones attached to their heads. Sheesh, so much for tolerance from my side of the fence.

Where has it gone?

The year, that is. I can't believe it is almost October. I have a vacation next week-- the kind where I don't go anywhere. So forgive me if I am not turning cartwheels about it. I think I need a new vice. Something that won't give me a headache in the morning but will allow me to see the world a little brighter than I do now. Also, something that won't kill off brain cells. These days I struggle to hang on to what I've got. I keep thinking I need to take a lover. Or have another magical breakfast in D.F. (see photo). Maybe that's what I need....

Toyota to go 100% Hybrid

I came across this post on one of my favorite sites, Treehugger, according to Kazuo Okamoto of Toyota, in the very near future all of Toyota's vehicles will be hybrids. I know many people are holding out for fuel cell technology to make its big debut, but there are several inherent problems with this form of locomotion. Specifically, it requires fossil fuel-based production plants to create the fuel cells. This is the reason that Dubya is firmly behind the technology-- not out of some forward thinking on his part. Ha, that's funny, Dubya and the words forward and thinking in the same sentence!

Nature Bats Last

Perhaps the one positive thing surfacing in the aftermath of Katrina's mind-numbing devastation is that Bushco. is nearing the edge of demise. Who would have thought after all the fiascos and travesties wrought by Dubya and his cronies that a strong feminine force, known to most as Mother Nature, would threaten to topple his despotic reign. Poor little man-behind-the-curtain, his frailties have truly been exposed-- even to his biggest supporters. The world awaits your dethroning, king george.

Change FEMA to FEBL

That's right, change FEMA's acronym to FEBL, pronounced feeble, of course. I suggest that it would stand for Federal Emergency Bumbling League, because, well, I believe in truth-in-advertising. :)

Cheney to Visit Katrina's Devastation

Cheney? As in Dick Cheney? He's still alive? What does the man do besides play puppetmaster to king george? And what the hell does he think his visit to the gulf states will do? Instill confidence in the people of this country for the administration? I think not. Plus, I realize I've used more than my daily allotment of question marks in this post.

By the way, this cartoon came from The Badger Herald. It was created by Skye McAllister. Good work, Skye :)

Ah Sweet Misery, My Life.

My friend, Mike, sent me an e-mail today with the subject "Ah, sweet mystery of life", so I felt free to bastardize it into the above title. He liked it and so do I. And, yes, there is more than a hint of truth in the sentiment. And, this is obscure, but I like that a reader cited Issac Brock in his comment on my last post. And said reader lives in Portland! Too many coincidences for one overwrought redhead. So on that note, I am out for now. I promise to hone my blogging chops in the coming days (this post is a bit wimpy, I know).

It Must Be the End of the World

San Diego is sweltering. Today, I went to visit my mom in East County (not the brightest idea I've had this week) and it was 101 degrees mid-day. It was a much cooler 91 degrees in my area. Tomorrow and Sunday show no relief from this heat wave. Of course, we don't have a hurricane or major flooding to worry about, just the ever constant danger of fire. And, to add to the intolerable heat, word is out that Dubya will be staying at the Hotel Del Coronado on Monday. The Del is famous as the location where Some Like It Hot, with Marilyn Monroe, was filmed. Mr. What-Me-Worry will be here to rally for support for his heinous war. With the weather and Dubya as ominous portents, either we are in hell or it truly is the end of the world (tongue firmly planted in cheek, so no e-mails about the apocalypse). A great antidote, by the way, to the heat is a perfect Margarita--it went down very easily :)

Hybrids Triumph Again!

Seems our beleaguered and one-too-many-face-lifted governor, the Hummer-driving Schwarzenegger, finally did something right: We hybrid drivers now have unfettered access to the HOV, or carpool lanes--even with one driver in the car! Yippee for me! With gas prices averaging $2.80 a gallon in San Diego (the highest in the nation) and the new hybrid HOV law, maybe more people will ditch their Expeditions for the hybrid Escape.

Must go mail my application to the DMV for my new HOV/Clean Air Vehicle sticker....

Butterfly Factory

My postage stamp of a patio has become quite the little wild kingdom. The Passionflower vine, photographed here with fecund butterfly, has been decimated, literally devoured by the caterpillars that emerged from the eggs the butterfly laid. There are about 13 caterpillars that we could see/count and several are already in cocoons or hanging upside down in preparation to don a cocoon. This is really cool. Considering that aphids and other annoying pests constantly plague my container garden, this destruction will have a very nifty outcome. Unless something big comes along and eats the cocoons.

All Things Girl!

Check out my essay, Little Epiphanies, on All Things Girl, a groovy little online journal about, what else? all things girl! Follow this link: www.allthingsgirl.com/aw/as/000770.shtml

Of Mayors and Minutemen

Today is election day in Enron-by-the-Bay. With a field of 7, or is it 9, candidates, we are on our way to our second mayor in as many weeks. It kills me that Murphy fought Donna Frye over her write-in ballot bubble fiasco and then he quits anyway. What a waste of carbon, that man is. If a candidate doesn't get at least 51% of the vote we will be without a mayor for another 4 months until the November run-offs. If there is a deity more powerful than Bill Gates, then I pray to that divine being to let Frye win. And on another front, the Minutemen are planning a full-on border assault in mid-September. According to an Orange County mouthpiece, who I will not name because the bastard doesn't deserve any publicity, he is trying to take his group to nonprofit status! As a writer working for a nonprofit literacy organization, I am so offended. And I don't offend easily. Said mouthpiece claims they are going after employers who hire undocumented workers next. I hope the jerk doesn't eat out, or golf, or have his car washed, because who does he think does these "menial tasks?" Another thing about the Minutemen--Have they really thought about the connotation of this moniker, besides the historical significance? In my book, a minuteman is not a good thing!

Turkey

What a great idea! Someone weighed in with the idea that I visit Turkey. A place I have been wanting to visit for some time now. That and Morocco. Both countries just slipped my mind as many things do these days.

Where to next?

OK, dear readers, where should we go next? I have some vacation time at the end of September or early October and am trying to decide what to do. Needs to be relatively cheap (as always), culturally rich (small c not just big C), and relaxing. I am thinking about going back to Mexico to Guanajuato for the Cervantino Festival, or perhaps to Paris, Copenhagen, or Budapest. I am open to suggestions so chime in and let me know.

Bokashi!

I am always on the look-out for cool things that make recycling, impacting the planet lightly, or just plain living much easier. Bokashi, a small home composting system that has been on my radar for a while now, is something I think I must have. Imagine recycling all your kitchen scraps without a traditional compost heap--and no smell! The perfect solution for tiny abode dwellers like me!

The Bokashi system uses a microorganism that digests the food stuff in half the time of a traditional composter. It yields, in addition to perfectly fermented compost, that yummy tea that plants are so fond of. Who knows, maybe I'll become a distributor of this magic little thing :) Check it out here: www.scdworld.com/product.cfm?product_id=030203

Mexicanwave

One of the greatest things about the intersection between travel and technology is that it's possible to meet someone during your travels, someone you think is simpatico but you don't have much opportunity to chat past "hello" and "where are you from," only to return to your respective countries and discover one another over the DSL lines. This is exactly how I met, and later accidentally stumbled across, Steve Bridger of Mexicanwave. He, his wife, and two kids were on the same bus with Todd and I, as we traveled from D.F. to San Miguel. Steve and I talked about the beautiful lavender flowers of the blooming Jacarandas, a tree I told him we were fortunate enough to have in San Diego.

During my usual webcrawl of all things Mexican, I came across Mexicanwave and saw a photo of the editor. I knew the moment I saw his picture that it was the guy on the bus. What a weird feeling when the subconscious recognizes something before the waking mind comprehends it. Anyway, I sent him an e-mail and he replied that he was the guy on the bus and he remembered our chat! Funny how tiny the world has become. So, point your browser his way and check out Mexicanwave:
http://www.mexicanwave.com/index.html

On Mexican Time

Like visiting Paris three times before I toured the Louvre, I am finally reading Tony Cohan's book, On Mexican Time, for the first time. For those few Mexicophiles who haven't read it, it's about the author and his artist wife's escape from Los Angeles (and all L.A. stands for) in the 80's to San Miguel de Allende high in the mountains of colonial Mexico. Cohan's bright and spicy storytelling takes me right back to the Mexico I recently visited and the Mexico that swims around in my dreams of ex-patriate life.

I constantly feel torn between staying in this country where life is too complex and expensive but all my family resides, to pulling up stakes, cashing out, and discovering the other; becoming the other. In many ways, I will always feel like an outsider regardless of where I am. So why not be an outsider in a place where the colors, flavors, arts, and traditions are so rich?

What's next, Locusts?

As everyone has most likely heard by now, 2 days ago California had a tsunami warning. It turned out to be a big nothing but it was kinda fun to figure out what I would take with me to higher ground when the 45 minute warning came.

Now I bet the White House and their friends, the bible-thumpers, are convinced that California's recent string of earthquakes and the tsunami threat are evidence that the heathens and sodomizers residing in the golden state are going to get their due. And, with the California governor's recent budget cut to the mosquito abatement program, the blood-sucking insects that will soon over-populate and wreak havoc on bare arms and naked legs could be likened to a plague of locusts.

What fun neo-apocalyptic times we live in. Kinda brings to mind the warm and fuzzy Reagan years. Only worse. Much worse. And I am not talking about Mother Nature's little hiccups and emissions.

Earthquake!

We had another 'quake this morning at about 8:41 am. Preliminary reports show the magnitude at 5.6 centered out of the Palm Desert area. I had just gotten out of bed a few moments before and when it hit I was in a doorway. Automatic earthquake preparedness training kicked in and I threw my arms up in the door jamb, crouched slightly and waited -- one eye on my dog and one eye on my cat. Funny the things that went through my mind in 5 seconds -- that it wouldn't matter if I didn't edit a story I finished writing last night. Or that it wouldn't matter that I would miss my date for margaritas with a friend this afternoon. Or that I hadn't taken a shower. Then, as quick as it started, it subsided and I went back to my morning routine. So much for my exciting Sunday.

My website is up!

After owning my domain name for about 6 months, I have finally published my freelance writer website! I tweaked, re-wrote, changed, and moved pages until I finally realized it would never truly be finished. So, I called it complete (for now) and published it. I have more content to add and a few changes to make, but hey, it's a start. Now I will just sit back and watch all the writing jobs roll in.... And I hope you will check it out and give me some feedback (or hire me).
Point your browser to: www.shannatrenholm.com

Oh, and yes, I used a template -- I'm a writer, not a website designer! Sheesh.

Keywords

"green architecture" "french bulldogs" Prius "Trader Joe's" organic Europe travel France Mexico yoga -- let's see if this works until I figure out this ad filter thing. In the mean time, click all the ads you want and make F**d pay me $$!

Crap! I guess I need

to figure out this Google ad thing. I post a negative missive about Ford and what happens? Lots of ads for, oh never mind. I am not going to day it or more will appear on the sidebar. So maybe I should just pepper this blog with word like sustainable or organic or Annie's macaroni and cheese. Any suggestions? In any event, click on whatever is there and put a few pennies in my piggybank.

Toyota Prius

Toyota Prius, Toyota Prius, Toyota Prius!

Does It Make Any Sense?

I know I have addressed this topic before, but I am still amazed that people are still buying SUVs. With gas prices edging closer to what Europeans pay (and the actual price we should be paying if the industry wasn't subsidized), why do people continue to buy and drive those gas-hogging weapons-on-wheels? I mean, what other area of consumer culture would a person feel so righteous about being ripped off? Can you imagine someone buying a HUGE bag of chips and saying," Dude, look how cool I am. My bag has only 3 chips!" OK, scary, maybe that is imaginable. But with people always bitching about not getting a good value and wanting to buy the cheapest, fall-apart Walmart shit and then turning around and spending vast amounts of $$$ on a means of transport that they can't afford to maintain or keep fully fueled, well, I just don't get it.

Years ago, when Ford (who's bond rating was just downgraded) came out with the Excursion, their latest monster-sized SUV, I proffered up a name for them to consider for the next in the Explorer, Expedition, Excursion family -- The new Ford Excrement! Whaddaya think? Fits the E- theme and gives an honest assessment of what the vehicle does to our roads, air, etc.

OK, rant over.

Firefox

If you are not using Firefox as your browser, why not? Perhaps you love all those bugs and security leaks in Internet Explorer? Do yourself a favor, download Firefox. It's free, easy, small-- like the best things in life.

Memefest/05 The International Festival of Radical Communication

Just doing a little light reading and research this Saturday afternoon led me to this great website devoted to memes and radical communication for social change. In case you haven't heard, memes, ideas and their dissemination, are like genes (in the replication and evolutionary sense), they are the mental building blocks that influence what we think and our belief systems. Memes are effective not based on the value of the meme but on the receptivity of the host (you) and the mode of transmission-- sort of a right place at the right time thing. Anyway, the most amazing website for a faux temporary travel office designed by a group of Chicago-based activists has the coolest postcard with a random address generator thingy, just answer a few questions as you attempt to penetrate the border of your chosen destination and, well, anyway, just go there and see what I mean. It's a postcard from Eutopia(sic) sent by you to bio- and nano-tech bigwigs. Mine is addressed to John Hewitt, Interim Director of the Center for Reproductive Science. Just go to the site already and check it out: http://www.yougenics.net/traveloffice/main.html

City Manager

Regarding my last post: I can't get used to this city manager form of governance. Guess I won't have to as we will soon have a "strong mayor" form of government. That is if we can actually elect a mayor. Anywho, it seems the city manager, Lamont Ewell, is the one who drafts the budget. So my apologies (yeah, right) to Dick Murphy in my previous post.

San Diego's Financial Fiasco

Next fiscal year's budget was just released for San Diego. Although the city has a $50 million dollar budget shortfall, the cuts proposed are nothing but short-sighted. With the myopic Dick Murphy riding herd on the budget drafting process, it's no big surprise that it came out the way it did. Now, get this: cut library hours, close community centers, and do away with the 6 to 6 program! And to keep all those future criminals, who will have reduced educational and recreational opportunities, from running too wild, Murphy proposes to increase police spending! Now that's just great planning!

Time Management for Anarchists

Jim Munroe is a really cool guy. He has a cool website called No Media Kings. He used to work for some la-ti-da publishing company and then got out. Yea, Jim! I love Jim for many reasons but especially for his new little flash movie featuring my hero, Emma Goldman. It runs about 8 minutes but is so worth it. Check it out here:
http://nomediakings.org
I hope you enjoy this snappy little film for those like me that hate being constrained but need a framework, some scaffolding, to get things done. Cheers to Jim!

Earth Day Celebration

Today, I spent several hours at the Earth Fair (Balboa Park) promoting Uno Traveler. My friend and co-worker, Jennifer, and I gave out fortune cookies, nearly two large boxes-full. The fortunes have travel-themed messages with the website, www.unotraveler.com listed at the bottom of the fortune. There were tons of people in attendance just walking around, eating, checking out the environmental booths, and watching the Priuses-on-Parade (among other things).

I ran into my friend and fellow Americorps member, Eliza, and her husband Eric at the fair. Their website, featuring Eliza's art and Eric's book (self-published), is worthy of a visit. Check it out at: www.twodollarradio.com.

Other than that, my weekend has been a blur with Monday looming large. I have so much to do I can already feel the hours slip by as procrastination takes hold.

From the news desk

This just in: San Diego's embattled and incompetent mayor, Dick Murphy, will resign on July 15! I am trying to keep my excitement contained. Of course now we will have to have another election in November, a cost the city cannot afford, and the deputy mayor is under indictment....

I suspect the Time magazine article had a lot of influence in Murphy's decision. For those that didn't see the Time article, Murphy was named one of the top three worst mayors of a large city. What a commendation!

Happy Piglet

lola park 2
Originally uploaded by shannalee.

Lola, in Balboa Park, last weekend. She so loves the sun. It's hard to believe that she's a native Oregonian, she sure doesn't act like it. I guess we are all looking forward to summer.

God's Rottweiler

A new Pope. What a breath of stale air. The guy is brilliant, but so what? It's even more of a crime if he refuses to use his grey matter for a bit of vigourous critical thinking. The cardinals claim he is a victim of bad press and misunderstandings. Not that I care on a personal level, Catholicism not being high on my list of things to try next. So, stay tuned for more AIDS in developing countries and women with even further diminished voices (if that is even possible). All hail the new dark ages!

San Miguel

sma window
Originally uploaded by shannalee.

Yes, I know the place is somewhat of a new-age artistes ghetto, but man, people are happy and they look good, too. I was amazed at how the many Norte Americanos and Europeans in their 60s and 70s looked so vital and fit. Must be all the walking and siestas. I could get used to that. Funny, too, how my sugar cravings all but disappeared when I was in Mexico. Wonder if it has anything to do with decreased stress, feeling happy and at peace... nah, that couldn't be it.

Some Things I Have Been Thinking About:

1. If there is a market for chicken fingers then why the uproar over Wendy's chili finger?
2. Why do people that drive SUVs or Hummers (especially) think that it's cool? What is cool about 4 miles to the gallon? In any other area of consumerism they would feel ripped off if they got so little for so much $$$.
3. If the Republican party is the party of less interference and smaller government (allegedly) then why do we have the Patriot Act, spying and search without a warrant, and meddling in state's affairs?
   
4. If we are so successful and powerful, why are Puerto Ricans and Mexicans (numbers 1 and 2 respectively) reputed to be the happiest people on the planet?
5. Why do Americans keep building bigger houses?
   

Tax Day 2005

I am going to post some photos and commentary (this weekend) about my trip to Mexico, but until then check out this article by Molly Ivins:
http://www.alternet.org/columnists/story/21760/

This week, writers

are dropping like flies. To wit:
Robert Creeley
Saul Bellow
Pat Conroy

This does not bode well if you are a 60+ American male writer. I hate to admit I have never read Bellow or Conroy but I loved Creeley. Marks me as a typical poet, I suppose.
On a more festive note, this time tomorrow I will in Mexico City. I am looking forward to our little jaunt. Should be fun.

Was the Pope Santa Claus?

With all due respect (interpret as you will), this photo of the Pope freaks me out. What sort of statement is the Catholic church making? Perhaps something like Father Christmas is only special for one month out of the year, but the Pope, now that was a guy who wore the Father suit year 'round?

I Have Fallen In Love

with a little house in the country outside of San Miguel. Never mind I have yet to see it in person, it has figs, guavas, and pomegranate trees. How could I not be smitten? And, by So Cal standards it's offered for a reasonable price. I am tempted to check it out next week when we are on vacation. Perhaps I can figure out how to buy this abode with yard-thick walls and a composting toilet (a bit of the hippie in me, I know). I love appropriate technology! Alas, my dreams transport me to other lands while my work and life keep me here. I am far too impulsive to let those mundanities ultimately get in the way. I will toil for a bit longer then see what happens...

A Week and Counting

Vacation time is rapidly approaching, the concept being more enticing than the actual thing. At least right now. I am not sure what needs to happen before I get more into the groove. Perhaps it's this feeling that I won't want to return to the US -- a common feeling I experience when I travel to foreign places. I am aprehensive before travel when I am afraid I will like the place too much. My mind starts spinning and I plot and scheme as to how I can make a living in my new found place. Happened with Paris, happened with Prague, hell it even happened with the island of Moorea!

Plus, I have mixed feelings about the whole artist ghetto thing that San Miguel has turned into. As I said to my friend, Mike, tonight, I am simultaneously drawn to and repelled by expatriate places. Nice to know there are like-minded characters roaming the planet but also discouraging that they are all people (plants or animals I could get used to). Alas, I do want to use San Miguel as a base, we are staying there in a private room in a hostel ($100 for 5 days), in which to explore Guanajuato, Morelia, and who knows what else. I would like to get to the Butterfly preserve but it's something like a 10 hour trip by bus from San Miguel. Maybe next time.

Please check out one of my favorite new travel sites: www.unotraveler.com
It's a great place for travelers by travelers without all the airline ads and annoying cruise line pop-ups. Register, post your profile, check out the boards, and tell your fellow travelers. At least stop by and say hi to me. I plan on visiting often to post comments and some travel stories.

A Good Omen

Today, the first day of spring, was absolutely glorious! The sun was out, it was the perfect kind of warm with a light breeze, and the clouds floated by all lazy and drunk. My garden had a little face-lift yesterday: new plants, rearrangement, and a bit of TLC. The garden needed it and I did, too. The rains are due back in a day or two but for now I had today as a promise that the sunshine will really return.

Lola loves Champagne!

Lola loves Champagne!
Originally uploaded by shannalee.

This was taken in Palm Springs about a year and a half ago. Lola was enjoying her poolside holiday and her complimentary Champagne.

Stop the Madness!

In an attempt to have more of a social life, T and I went to two art whatchamacallits this weekend. The first opening, a gallery that will remain unnamed to protect the insipid, was one of those in-there-out-of-there-in-ten-minutes-events. Not only was the crowd so over-postured to the point of caricaturish-- you know, hipster guys and gals so affected as to appear unaffected by anything other than their own reflection in the bacteria-filled window, but the art (term used loosely) was barely there. And I don't just mean content. But the real tragedy, and this has been on-going for some time, is the gall to charge for a plastic urine sample cup of Charles Shaw wine! And please, Todd-boy works at Trader Joe's so I am well-versed on the subtleties of Two-Buck Chuck. Funny thing is, while I do enjoy my wine, I am far from a wine snob. But please, art crowd, let Chuck wither away, already. Honor your gathering with something a little more creative. At least take that Shaw and make a hearty Sangria filled with the wonderful citrus fruits so plentiful in our clime.
The second event, Ray @ Night, is a fun little neighborhood gathering of gallery open houses, street art, music, and yes, the dreaded Charles Shaw! This is becoming an epidemic! I realize the art community is strapped for $$$, I mean, c'mon, I am not exactly rolling in money from publishing my poetry, but this is getting ridiculous. Do something different, art people! Boycott Two-Buck Chuck! Trader Joe's has other wine for nearly the same price with far more taste and uniqueness. You who pride yourselves on your resourcefulness and individuality-- tsk, tsk! We now return you to your regularly scheduled program...

Mirror me

mirror me
Originally uploaded by shannalee.

A woman alone, on a Friday night, has few options for entertainment. Of the two I regularly do, only this pastime can be posted here.

• Are all self-portraits narcissism?
  
• Is it possible that I don't really know what I look like?
  
• Is this a manifestation of Foucaultian/Lacanian (non)reality?
  
• Am I a lightweight after 2 glasses of wine?

Vacation update-- Guanajuato and San Miguel, not Guadalajara (at least this time)

change of plans, as I am wont to do

Atkins is Dead

and so is the putrifying slop that passes for sustenance that the deceased doctor's devotees so religiously inhale. Atkins is Dead is not only a fact but my favorite bumper sticker of the day.

Guadalajara

Todd-boy and I are planning a trip to Mexico City and Guadalajara. We will have about 6 days, 2 in D.F. and the rest in Guadalajara. Anyone have ideas on a great, not expensive but not roach motel, place to stay in either city? Of course my preferences run toward the authentic Mexican or clean modernism for architectural style and ambiance. Nothing fussy or faux-vernacular Mexy-land stuff for me. Think of me as a Tina Modotti type of gal (minus the revolutionary connections, famous lovers, and photography prowess). Oh, hell, I don't know what I am talking about. Suffice it to say, I love Barragan, hate painted donkeys that try to pass as zebras. And no, I am not high brow. Just disturbed by annoying visual clutter!

Post-birthday funk

Hell, who am I kidding, I had pre- and day-of-birthday funk. I know I experience a similar version (aversion?) each year but this time it doesn't feel solely like an age thing, much more abstract than that. Perhaps the NW style storms and weather have gotten to me. I know they are a contributing factor to this malaise. Plus, only 3 of my friends remembered, a feeling that runs in tandem with the fact that I don't want anyone to make a big deal of it. Also I have a heavy feeling of loss. I have enough years behind me now to speculate what it may have been like had I taken a different path. And what to do with the forked path that is bound to be up the road? There is also the expectation to feel festive, or at least project festivity. I can do authentic joy, but festive is tough. I can whip up a mean batch of angst at a moment's notice, however.

Cold Season and Birthdays Go Hand in Hand

At least, it seems like they do for me anyway. I am finally starting to realize, at the ripe age of, oh, never mind, that I am always sick the week of my birthday. And, being prone to exaggeration, I may not always be sick at this time of the year, but it seems like it. I guess February is a good time for sickness. I wouldn't be surprised if the stress over the rotting rodent hadn't somehow contributed to my dis-ease. 6 days of sinus infection-fever-achy body-yuk is finally winding down. Tomorrow I look forward to breathing out of both nostrils (let a girl dream, ok?).

Reading W.S. Merwin and Czeslaw Milosz these days and watching Fraser reruns. For an alleged Early Adopter I can be so behind the times. I think I discovered that Fraser was funny in its final week. That's what I get for not being a dutiful Amerikan TV viewer. And, yes, for you trivia fans, Kelsey Grammar and I share the same birthday. With Patty Hearst, Sidney Poitier, Ansel Adams, and Kurt Cobain, too. Make what you will of that list. How about you? Who do you share a birth date with?

Dead Rat

As I suspected. In my neighbor's garage. I should hire out as a professional nose. Sheesh, even with a cold. My sanctuary is back to the way it should be (and smell).

A Putrid Thing

Spending much of the weekend clearing out clutter, cleaning up the abode, and making my bedroom the perfect sanctuary, like I did this weekend, is usually my idea of a good time. This proved to be no exception other than the fact of the creeping stench emanating from the wall near MY side of the bed! This foul odor can be none other than a dead something in the wall! Never mind the fact that I have a preternaturally acute sense of smell or the fact that I am also getting sick (from the stench as well) but this waft is increasing in strength each day! My dog, Lola, keeps going to that corner and sniffing, etc. All of it has me a wigged-out nervous wreck! What does one do in this situation? The offending wall is adjoining the garage (yes, they drive in toward our heads while we are in bed) of my co-board member. Do I call him and root around in his garage like a piggy looking for truffles? I really don't know how much more I can take. And of course it's worse at night. I had to sleep on Todd's side just to escape the malodor.

The universe seems to like it when I have a good challenge. Let's see (the void ponders) we'll finally give her that winter cold and throw in a dead piece of vermin to coincide with her upcoming birthday! Yep, that's it! Let's see how she wriggles out of this one. So in light of this last fact, something I am prone to down play much to the chagrin of my relatives and friends, I have created a wishlist. Now this has a huge element of fantasy to it, but hey, ask and ye shall receive, right? Of course not being material-driven, this also has a tinge of irony. But what the hell.

I left the Pacific NW for this?

This weather is getting ridiculous. In fact, my family is now blaming all this rain on me! We have had several inches fall in the last few days and are expecting 6 days of rain next week. Now I am not really complaining, I just think it's more evidence of global climate change. Growing up in San Diego I never witnessed anything like this. It truly reminds me of Portland. A bright spot in all this greyness are the sweet little yellow finches crowding and quibbling at the thistle feeder!

Among the Many Good Things

I know I complained last about nothing being new or exciting, or maybe I was too bored to relate details, but one great thing happened this week at work-- a very large check came in from a donor in response to a letter I wrote for funding. Now that makes a grant writer happy! And did I mention that 2 of my poems were just published in the recent issue of Right Hand Pointing? See them, if you haven't already (shameless self-promotion, I know), at www.righthandpointing.com . And when you are done with that check out my new favorite website, a site that blends cool design aesthetic with enviro-ethics www.treehugger.com . For now, that's all, my brain is overcooked.

Too Bored to 'Blog

Winter is barely winter in San Diego yet the few drizzly days have made me subdued and filled with a bit of ennui. Maybe I just needed to use that word. In any event, I have little to relate. Actually, I just caught myself in another lie. I have lots to relate, I am just too lazy to begin. So for now I will curl up in bed, finish reading Origami Bridges by Diane Ackerman, and slip off into dreamland. Or at least I hope to. Perhaps tomorrow will be ripe for a proper 'blog.

Ensenada Sunset Jan 05 

Mexico on my Mind

My friends from NY, Soumen and Jay, were here last week for a visit. We all took a little drive down to Ensenada to bask in the perfect 75 degree day and to drink Margaritas until bedtime arrived. We arrived fairly early in the day, in time for lunch, so we headed to town for a bite. Of course we had 2 sort of vegetarians, one omnivore, and a no fish eater in the group-- not easy in a coastal Mexican town built on the fishing industry. After much deferral to one another, you know the type, "No, really, you choose, I mean, it's up to you. Anything is totally fine with me." Yeah, right. As the designated driver and Mexico expert (never mind the fact that I hadn't been to Ensenada in about 20 years) the 3 boys leaned heavily on me to make decisions. So, after I stomped off at one point toward an unsavory back street, we finally found a less-than-ideal but adequate spot for lunch. Something on the menu for everyone but definitely catering to Gringoes. After lunch, we headed back to the beautiful Las Rosas hotel for our complementary Margaritas; The first of many that night.

Sitting at the bar looking out past the infinity pool to the sunset beyond, with a perfect Margarita in my hand, I was struck by wanderlust that had been simmering under the surface. I could so easily disappear. All my thoughts of moving to Mexico came rushing back, thoughts I had pushed to the back burner now that the front burner has been filled with a new job. The only thing, ok, maybe not the only thing, but one of the biggies that keeps me from taking off is my new job. I love it!

I am working for a nonprofit literacy organization as the special projects coordinator and development associate-- long title for a small woman-- 32 hours a week. I have three day weekends every week! And 32 hours is full-time as far as benefits go. I work with 2 other people that I really like, I have my own office, and Lola can come to work with me! Yea for me!

I have worked so hard over the past few years to carve out a work life and a life life that suits me. I think the fruits are finally ripe. And, if that's not cool enough, 2 of my poems were chosen for publication by a nifty online journal that I recently discovered. I think the editor and I have a similar sense of humor and outlook so I am pleased that he likes my work. I'll let you know when it comes out.

Me and Nancy  

New Year, New (old) 'Blog

Well, I have returned to Blogger for reasons I can't yet explain. Perhaps I can't explain it because I don't really know why. Probably because I started blogging here first and like returning home to San Diego, I have returned to Blogger for the same reasons. Yes, it is sunnier here. Of course now I have to figure out how to use it. Maybe that's it, a challenge I'm after. It's rainy and cold, relatively speaking, here in So. Cal. I left Oregon to get away from all this soggy wet stuff that falls from the sky.