Homage

An inspiring - if unstable - tribute to my beloved San Francisco. Thank you for the link, other K.M.!

Phobic

Someone asked me if I might be interested in going to a Halloween party where the costume theme is "Dress As Your Phobia". I asked how do you dress up as dying alone? I'm certain it would involve cats, and probably a ratty old bathrobe. Then I wondered, is there any way to make that sexy? Which reminded me of an old SNL skit where the women had agreed not to wear sexy costumes and to try to be funny or creative instead, and someone shows up as Austin Powers with horrible teeth, and another person comes as a big M&M - and Molly Shannon comes as "Kitty Cat Prostitute". If I go, I think I'll have to find a much more attractive phobia. Like "Clown Prostitute".

Decisions, decisions

A friend of mine who is in an early-retirement phase just e-mailed me at work, and said she's trying to choose between meeting a friend for lunch or going to yoga class. See, MY choices today are "Swallow my rage, or swallow my sadness? Hmm..." Yoga wouldn't really be a preferable option for me.

Maybe I'm just tired. That's all I'm displaying on the outside today, anyway. I appear pretty placid, but I assure you - some horrible emotion is bottled up or I would be unable to sit here at all. The job isn't even that awful this week - long hours, sure, but the tasks haven't been especially painful. I got to go home LAST night, which is good - because it gave me the chance to put the dishes and laundry away that have been sitting around drying since Saturday.

In other news, things continue to look good for optimists.

Better run run run, run run run away...

My friend C.G. invited me to a LitQuake event this weekend - A.B. had e-vited me earlier, but I wasn't sure I felt like pretending to be up on San Francisco literati. When C.G. offered to drive, I was sold. Funny thing about the Mission - it seems like a vibrant, interesting, fun place to hang out, but there's no convenient way to get there from where I live. The bus would take about 45 minutes - and that doesn't count time spent waiting for said bus. Parking is not readily available either in the Mission or my OWN neighborhood, which means a struggle to find a space going both ways. And cab fare is roughly $12 each way, meaning a financial commitment of $25 and that's BEFORE the drinking starts.

Anyway, on our way to Ritual Coffee Roasters to hear columnists from the SF Chronicle (where according to the suggested LitQuake drinking game I would take 2 sips for my Matt Gonzalez sighting - and possibly an additional 2 since I was actually introduced and we shook hands), we stopped to browse the used book bins at Dog-Eared Books. I stumbled across Marathon! by Jeff Galloway, for a mere $2.76. C.G. said she had a copy and had loaned it out, and that it was pretty well-written. I picked it up - to the dismay of the cashier, who didn't want to deal with me b/c another lit event was going on inside the store. I think he would've preferred it if I had stolen the book.

I met up with C.E. on Sunday to go for a hike, and mentioned the book to her. And that's when this whole concept changed from "thinking about" to "planning to do". Yup - I think I'm running a marathon. According to the plan laid out in Galloway's book, the weekly time commitment is low - 30 minutes a day, plus a long run on Sunday. I can do one long run a week, and something is seriously wrong if I can't carve out 30 minutes for exercise. Up until a year and a half ago, I was exercising at least an hour a day 5-6 days a week. This goal may be just what I need to get moving again - on a REGULAR basis. Which will be better for my health and my sanity. That, and my pants are too tight.

The Ice Princess

I swear, if I went into my co-workers' homes I bet I'd find a bunch of barren cardboard tubes where they hadn't bothered to put on new rolls of toilet paper. There's 2 ice buckets, plenty of ice in the freezer, and I'm guessing about 40 people on this floor. Yet EVERY DAY - I am refilling the ice buckets. Sometimes TWICE. There was a cup of tea someone had left on a filing cabinet in front of the entry way, which I noticed every day for over a week - until I finally threw it out. It. Was. MOLDY!!! Did you know tea could GET moldy? And you know how there's always a stray paper towel on the floor in the bathroom, like someone took one too many out of the dispenser and then just couldn't be bothered to bend over and pick it up? I realize these are petty little rants, but SERIOUSLY, people, am I the only one aware of my surroundings? (Uh - apparently.)

In other news, the weather took an unexpected turn for the colder today. Granted, I live in San Francisco, and there is no type of weather that should ever BE expected. In any case, I was caught feeling a bit chilly at lunchtime, so I bought a warm, apple green scarf and matching gloves. When I saw my purchase in the sunlight, I realized it looked like I had just killed and skinned a Muppet.

Which reminds me, does anyone remember a short-lived sketch comedy show on MTV called "The State"? It featured several of the cast members from the also brilliant "Reno 911". There was one skit where people were hunting Muppets, and one guy lured them to him by crying out, "Oh no, I can't remember how to tie my shoes!". Another hunter yelled, "A-B-C-... Rats! I keep forgetting what comes after C!" Muppets, being extremely helpful creatures, can not resist such earnest pleas for help.

One year I bought Muppet t-shirts for my sister and myself. Hers featured Cookie Monster - fitting, really. And mine? Obviously Oscar the Grouch. Whose pelt I am hoping to wrap around myself soon as I make my way home.

I Once Was Lost

Shout out to my loyal fan Cinnabuster - this recap's for you!!!

Wouldn't it be wild if The Others spoke Korean?

Ooohh. Not so noble savages. Yikes.

They're throwing them in the pokey! OK, I guess it's KINDA reasonable, but why does Michael think these are the same folks who took Walt?

Yay! Locke backstory! One where we don't already know what happens, because he's an actual mysterious character!

Uh, what sort of support group is this? Lost and found?

Hey! Katey Sagal! And she's hitting on the angry, possibly crazy guy. Perhaps not showing the best discretion.

You would think acoustics in a concrete bunker would preclude Kate sneaking up on anyone.

Huh. What DID you do? 'cuz it looks like the bullet took out the water heater. Which is inconvenient, but doesn't necessarily mean everyone's gonna die.

OK - pausing for commercials. Welcome to another stream of consciousness review of Lost. It won't help you out much if you didn't see the episode, but it is briefer than most recaps.

Jack, you are really terrible at reading people. This guy has 2 guns trained on him, he's unarmed, and panicked b/c you just SHOT at his HOUSE. Obviously, strange things are afoot here and HAVE been for quite some time, so why not TRY not to bully and intimidate him and maybe THEN you'll figure out what the hell is going on.

Call me old-fashioned, but you can't really be all that surprised when your one-night stand doesn't want to sleep over. He's not your BOYFRIEND, he's the guy you brought HOME. Oh, and should you really bring the angry, possibly crazy guy home? How about heading to HIS place?

Locke's dad is really cruel. And short-sighted. What if he needs a blood transfusion later?

Jack, you DON'T have time! JackASS. He is REALLY BAD at dealing with crazy people. Did he skip the psych rotation in med school? Why does the button-pushing push Jack's buttons? (Hee.) If it makes him happy, let the dude push buttons. Oh no.... a.... TRAINING VIDEO! Acckkkk! Bad acting!!! Arrrggghhh! Paper thin plot!!! Grrrmmpphhh! Pausing for questions!!!

Hey! This commercial features Millie from Freaks and Geeks! I'm glad she's getting work.

How did Jin understand "Who are they?" And Sawyer, dude, he already told you they're others. This seems like the opposite of talking louder to people who don't speak English. Yeah - maybe he'll understand if I speak in a heated WHISPER!! Oh, the hatch opens and... it puts the lotion on the girl?

Frankly, I have a hard time recognizing people I've met RECENTLY. Jack and Desmond recalling each other is pretty unlikely. Huh. So... Dharma is a science camp? OOohhh... electro-magnetic fluctuations... Did that dude just close with "Namaste"? I think Locke has just voiced the thoughts of freakish Lost fans all over... But, uh, I'm OK with one viewing. Honest. I'll read the in-depth summary on someone else's blog.

Following people is creepy. Not a good sign.

What a timely coincidence! The Others are on a people-finding rampage this week! I am pleased there will be another woman on the show. I hope she doesn't make me hate her. Sure, she flirted with Jack before she got on the plane, but I'm willing to forgive that.

Jack, Jack, Jack. Why must you be so antagonistic? I am glad the whole "Why do you have to push the button exactly?" question is being asked, b/c the video was not very explanatory (and no, thanks, I don't want to watch it again to make sure I didn't miss that critical expository sentence.) Did YOU ever think yelling at a nervous guy is a bit risky? Ooh. Sparks. Much worse than the blue screen of death. OK, if everyone's running away, why do they feel the need to close doors behind them?

Verizon has an offer ending on Columbus Day? How random is that?

Is that... Brian Austin Green in that horrific "Freddie" sitcom? Hang on. Must check IMDB. And OMG. I am NOT so happy he's still getting work.

I think we're about to find out what landed Katey Sagal in the support group. What's with the ultimatum, lady? Have you been watching too much Oprah, or Dr. Phil? Dude is not right in the head. Stalking him, and only confronting him in the middle of the night instead of, oh say, any OTHER time you're having a conversation, doesn't make you very appealing.

Uh-oh. Big dude found the pantry. He may be a bit distracted now.

Check out Jin's eye movement there. Hmm - looks like the mouthy whitey is taking some lip from this feisty chick.

Raise your hand if you are really surprised she's an other. Yeah, me neither. I got that impression from last week's commercials, too. I can't honestly say I was skeptical the whole time she was in the pit, but I'm also - not shocked.

I still don't want to watch "Invasion", but that man with the dimples is BEEYOOTIFUL.

Why is he running? Uh, maybe it's from you. Ahhh... Desmond didn't recognize him right away. This is much more believable. P.S. I hope Jack's wife divorced his ass, and he doesn't have some right to be all tragic 'cuz she died horribly.

Now Sayid's logic? I like. I will fix first, THEN ask questions. I'm pretty excited that Hurley's gonna be around to hear the number sequence. Good thing they've added an annoying buzzer here b/c button pushing? Not all that dramatic. Homer's freakin' drinking bird could do it.

Whaddya know. Locke wins the battle of wills. Heh.

WAIT. Jin speaks... Y'know, I'm willing to bet that clip is from a dream sequence. Any takers?

Serves Me Right

Dad worked for an airline catering company, and once they were tossing around new ideas for slogans. Dad's favorite was "Serves you right." Hee.

While working late last night, we came across a name that made me want to keep singing "Bell - Biv DeVoe..." and then I got "Poison" by said group stuck in my head. Which serves me right for being a walking catalog of ridiculous pop culture info, and for inflicting said song on my co-worker. I had to go buy it on iTunes when I got home, hoping the whole song would help jog the lone phrases that get stuck in my head and I could set the song free. Of course, I didn't have time to listen to it then, and now I'm waiting for it to come up on the Shuffle. When it will probably just get stuck in my head again.

Check It Out

Yeah, check out that time stamp. And I'm at work, y'all. I am not workING, but I am at work. They haven't even had any newbie errands for me to run, so I guess my presence in the building is providing some sort of support. sssiiiiiggghhh

I did have time to set up my Yahoo! Launchcast radio station. If you are techno-savvy enough to be able to access such things, check out kmgrrl71's station. I had time to rate over 100 artists, bringing me up from "newbie" to "listener". So one could not say I accomplished NOTHING today. Well, one could, but I would tell that one to bite me.

Everybody's Working for the Weekend

At least on Sunday.

Friday night, I drove down to Chez P.K. in Palo Alto and slept over, so I wouldn't have to get up early on Saturday to drive there. Got off to a frantic start, which included locking myself out of my aparment - no keys OR cell phone - and was fortunate enough to learn we have some sort of assistant building manager. Or at least a guy who knows the manager and where he keeps his keys.

Saturday was spent with 2 of my college buddies. I decided it was time to get my ears re-pierced (I haven't worn earrings regularly since I lost a diamond several years ago and felt sick about it), and asked the woman at the Macy's jewelry counter where I could get this done. In all seriousness, she said, "Well, you can't get it done here because this is a shopping centre, and you will need to go to a mall." My friends helpfully vanished so they could crack up while I had to listen to a list of mall locations with a straight face.

After a sleepover, which involved the "America's Next Top Model: Season 2" marathon on VH1 and mud masks - we went to Hobee's for brunch on Sunday. This involved a TRUE college flashback when my friend J. and I seriously haggled over the division of the extra piece of blueberry coffee cake at the table.

That afternoon, I went to work. For NINE HOURS. Ugh. I'd like to say I felt like I was being helpful and productive, but the work seemed rather disorganized and repetitive and I don't know if the end product was really worth the effort and time involved. I don't resent putting in time - HONEST - when I feel my efforts are purposeful and needed. At least I wasn't in it alone.