30 July, 2006
Must be August
I'm starting to get more people coming to my humble old blog via the search for "baking hockey skates". You hockey players have my sympathy: Few things are as uncomfortable as brand-new hockey skates (brings tears to my eyes just thinking about the knobblies and blisters on my feet).
LISTENING: Casino Queen from the album "A.M." by Wilco
~~ victoria on 8:14 PM ~~ 0 comments
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29 July, 2006
Simon Sunday: Special Guest Appearance from (Miss) Billie
Billie's Sunny Window
Originally uploaded by Planet Vicster.
I don't expect to have much time to spend at the computer tomorrow, so I thought I'd get the cat blogging done a few hours earlier than usual.
Sure! You'll loll around in bed so my brekkies is really really late, but ooohhh, gotta get the Sunday blog done EARLY! Geeeeezzzzz!
Yes, thank you Simon. Your complaint is duly noted. Now where were we?
Oh, of course. Miss Billie is guest starring in this week's edition. This is a shot of her resting in the front window during last weekend's bake-a-thon. Obviously, I was thrilled to get some shots of her where she's neither a black blob nor is she pulling a face.
She has finally started being much more of a snuggler, actually allowing me to pick her up and hold her...and she purrs while I'm doing it! This was not something I usually would attempt unless I wore thick clothing to protect my flesh from her teeth and claws, or we were visiting the V-E-T (where snuggling me was deemed slightly less horrific than being felt up and having orifices poked and prodded).
Now if I could just get her and Simon to stop with the fighting. I got the Feliway diffuser in the hopes that kitty pheromones wafting through the air would ease tensions. Now they fight, but they don't feel bad at all about leaving me a mess to vacuum up afterwards.
Technorati Tags: cats, furkids, (Miss) Billie, Simon Sunday
Labels: cats, furkids, Simon, Simon Sunday
~~ victoria on 7:55 PM ~~ 0 comments
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So much for that...
Despite the nasty heat wave we had last week, I managed to get through it without the accompanying heat migraine. Until today. Sneaky bastard that it is, it waited until a few days AFTER the heat wave to drop in. Other than a bit of grocery shopping and dropping my photo off at RPS Collective (more about that later), this has been a useless day. Which will now turn into an early night.
Ow.
~~ victoria on 7:40 PM ~~ 0 comments
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28 July, 2006
Exhibit A
Brian May is a guitar GOD!
~~ victoria on 9:56 PM ~~ 0 comments
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27 July, 2006
Either
...there's a fireworks display nearby that I had no prior knowledge of, or Jack London Square is under an air attack.
~~ victoria on 10:38 PM ~~ 0 comments
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24 July, 2006
Wha???
According to the CalISO System Status page, we are in a state-wide Stage 2 power "emergency". Yet, the airco here in the office building seems to be cranked to the level of If-I-Were-A-Brass-Monkey-I'd-Be-Very-VERY-Concerned-Right-Now.
BRRRRRR!!!
~~ victoria on 3:17 PM ~~ 0 comments
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23 July, 2006
Simon Sunday: Five Years
Furkid
Originally uploaded by Planet Vicster.
This weekend marks five years since Simon (and Chloe) adopted me at the Island Cat Rescue Association adoption center.
I remember the weekend well. The Friday before, I had to tell one of my production staff she was being laid off. I was heartsick for the entire day (and the days leading up to when I could tell her). I spent what seemed like hours in the shower that night but couldn't wash the ick off (obviously, I had never had to do that before...though I hope it's something I NEVER get used to doing).
I had deliberately stayed away from Petco on Saturday afternoons because I knew I'd never be able to resist adopting as many of the kitties as I could carry. But on this Saturday I couldn't stop myself. I immediately saw and fell in love with this sweet, very graceful and serene grey and white kitten called Piccolo. Instantly, knew I was going to adopt her. However, I had decided long before that I would adopt two critters, so they'd always have a companion. I looked at the other kitties and saw this litter of tuxedo kittens. The ICRA volunteer said one of the litter had yet to be adopted and she pulled this little black-and-white tuxedo kitten out for me to meet. What an adorable little guy he was! His name was Shasta and I adopted him and Piccolo (later called Chloe). After the paperwork was settled, my fee paid and the home visit scheduled, I wandered around the store to set up home for my new little furbabies.
After a look around Petco, I decided to check out Pet Club in Emeryville. As I made my way toward the door, the ICRA volunteer stopped me and said there had been a mistake. They had mixed up Shasta with his brother Simon. The black-and-white kitten I thought I had adopted had already been adopted by another family. The volunteer then took out the kitten that was available for me to adopt, to see if I still wanted him.
She put Simon (though now they thought he was actually Shasta) in my hands. He immediately crawled up into my neck and, purring, nuzzled me. I wanted to take him with me immediately, screw the home visit. But they put him back in the crate with his brothers and sisters and I was happy that the whole litter found homes (same with Chloe and her littermate).
Simon and Chloe (or, make that Shasta and Piccolo) came home the following afternoon. There was a bit of hissing and growling at first, but by evening the two of them had already started trying to play with each other. Chloe was about 2 weeks older than Simon (who refused to answer to Shasta, but came bounding across the room when I called him Simon for the first time), so she could jump up on stuff like the bed, while Simon still needed a boost to get up there. (That really pissed him off, too.) It was soon very obvious that I had a very spirited, curious boy on my hands who love, love, LOVED being the center of attention.
These have been five of the sweetest, funniest, snuggliest, purriest years of my life! When I'm down, he'll do something funny or he'll come up with this comical series of vocalizations where he's trying to tell me something REALLY important. When I'm working, he'll bring me a toy. He especially loves to do this when I'm cleaning out his and Billie's litter box. As though having this "prize" is my reward for doing such a tough job. When he wakes up from a nap, he'll chirr for me and come over for a snuggle while he finishes waking up. And he loves to give me purring, kitty-paw neck and shoulder rubs before we go to sleep and just as we wake up in the morning.
(Of course, he also eats cat litter, scatters litter all over the place and shrieks incessantly at me every morning until he gets his breakfast, but this is a LOVING tribute, so we'll overlook these personality quirks for now.)
I'm forever grateful to ICRA for rescuing Simon and his brothers and sisters and giving them a chance at a good life. And, of course, I'm grateful to Simon, who I'm sure engineered the whole "switcheroo" 'cos he knew he had a sucker on his paws!
Here's a couple of excerpts from his Island Cat Rescue Association Kitty Bio:
"Hobbies: Playing & getting LOTS of attention!!!
Other known background: Rescued [w/siblings--vk] from a warehouse in Oakland @ 3.5 wks. of age & bottlefed (sic). They were dehydrated, suffering from upper respiratory & fleas when rescued. This kitty is active, playful, well adjusted, great personality! Needs to be adopted with another littermate or go to a home that has a younger kitty to play with and be a companion. Great Purr!!!"
(Heh. He hasn't changed a bit!)
LISTENING: Black And White from the album "Shabooh Shoobah" by INXS
Technorati Tags: cats, furkids, gratitude, Simon Sunday
Labels: cats, furkids, Simon, Simon Sunday
~~ victoria on 8:16 PM ~~ 0 comments
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No more excuses
I can't keep putting off vacuuming the apartment because I'm "trying to conserve energy". Yeesh!
LISTENING: One More Hour from the album "Dig Me Out" by Sleater-Kinney
~~ victoria on 6:56 PM ~~ 0 comments
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22 July, 2006
It's. Too.
Frackin'. HOT.
LISTENING: Crown Of Love from the album "Funeral" by Arcade Fire
Technorati Tags: ranting, weird weather
~~ victoria on 8:07 PM ~~ 0 comments
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20 July, 2006
Jon Stewart on Lebanon
I love this man!
~~ victoria on 10:11 PM ~~ 0 comments
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Dear Alameda/Oakland Ferry Service
For the love of Poseidon, NO MORE SPARE THE AIR DAYS!!! Pleeeeeeeeaaaaassseeee, I beg you!
Sincerely,
~~ Vicster ~~
Technorati Tags: ranting
~~ victoria on 9:02 PM ~~ 0 comments
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Grant me patience
So today is another Spare the Air day and this time the ferries are participating. The Alameda/Oakland ferry said they are adding more boats and service runs, so hopefully, they've worked out the logistics of having more boats (there's only so much room at the docks, after all) and it won't be quite the nightmare of previous "Spare the Fare" days.
Still, the queue for the 8:20 a.m. boat out of Alameda this morning was much longer than normal and the Encinal was already off schedule by several minutes.
Before loading, the deckhand made an announcement: "For our regular commuters, this is your LAST CHANCE to get in your car and drive to work! For the rest of us, let's get this over with!"
Amen.
~~ victoria on 9:15 AM ~~ 0 comments
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HuhWhat?
I've made a very concerted effort this year to be much more "centered" and much less manic, mostly because my episodes of Donald Duck temper tantrums freaked Simon out and I hated seeing him upset like that.
So far, I've done fairly well. I have the occasional spell, but they're much fewer and farther between. However, as I've become less manic, I've also become more forgetful. On the one hand, that might be a good thing in that I forget what I'm upset about faster (thus, letting go of it sooner). On the other hand, it means I also forget other things, like my neighbour's name (twenty seconds after she told me). And yesterday I needed to stamp some papers before putting them in the envelope to mail. I sat in my chair and turned around and, looking at the office tower across the alley way, thought, "why am I facing THIS way?". So I take the papers, go get the envelope and mailing labels, stuff the papers in the envelope and am just about to remove the sealing adhesive backing when I remembered, "oh yeah, the stamps!"
I notice, when I'm having one of my more manic periods, my memory is better. Somehow, I need to find a better balance...ya think?
~~ victoria on 7:21 AM ~~ 0 comments
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17 July, 2006
All I need is a sleeping bag and a cat-sitter
Flickr Camp! Yay!!!
Technorati Tags: flickr
~~ victoria on 10:17 PM ~~ 0 comments
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Whew!
When the radio alarm went off this morning, the first thing I heard was that today was another "Spare the Air" day. I seriously considered phoning in sick, but I didn't.
I got to the ferry terminal in Alameda and commiserated with my fellow commuters about the nightmare that was sure to come. Then, one of the regulars said he had heard that the ferries weren't taking part. He checked 511.org to confirm. There was much rejoicing.
When the Peralta docked, the deckhand opened the gates and had us wait because he had an announcement: "Today is a Spare the Air day, but the Alameda/Oakland ferry is NOT participating!" A cheer went up in the passenger line and the deckhand laughed and said, "I've never seen so many people who were so happy to pay for a ticket in my life!"
Thank goodness someone in charge saw that "Spare the Air" was a bit too "successful" for the ferries. So successful it brought the system to its knees (or whatever the maritime equivalent of knees is) and made just getting home from work a nightmare for commuters.
For the regulars riding BART, I just hope the air conditioning in the cars keeps working today.
~~ victoria on 9:12 AM ~~ 0 comments
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16 July, 2006
Simon Sunday: Shhhhhh! He's stalking!
Shhhhhh! He's stalking!
Originally uploaded by Planet Vicster.
Another insufferably cute baby picture of His Poohness. Most likely, he was preparing to attack Chloe's tail, since that was a favourite target of his back when he was a wee beastie.
He's having a lounge in the front window this afternoon, having been scolded yet again for chewing on my $21 flip-flops.
Technorati Tags: Simon Sunday
Labels: cats, furkids, Simon, Simon Sunday
~~ victoria on 1:48 PM ~~ 0 comments
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Catching Up
It's been a few days since I checked in; I'll just hit the highlights.
Thursday: It was a freaky foggy morning. It was that extremely dense fog that's like being in sensory deprivation. I strained my eyes but couldn't see more than a few hundred yards down the estuary, and the fog muffled any sound, so it was as if someone had their hands over my ears. Our normally speedy ferry crept along the estuary and across the bay, blasting the horn every so often to let any other vessels know we were there and please don't hit us.
Being out on the bay was very eerie and uncomfortable; I knew what was supposed to be out there, but it just wasn't there. Suddenly, a pelican appeared out of the fog and looked as surprised to see us as I was to see it. It flew along beside the Peralta for a short while before it dipped down closer to the water. I was so grateful for the fly-by: Just seeing this sign of life made me feel a lot better.
Oddly enough, as we approached the Bay Bridge I could see the pilings and as we came under it, downtown San Francisco was not only visible, but CLEAR! I felt like I had just come out of a "Twilight Zone" episode.
Friday: I was pretty much the last person standing in the office. Everyone else had bailed by 4:30. I left at 4:50 because I needed to get something in the mailbox across the street in time for the 5:00 pick up. I came home and sobbed my way through "Brokeback Mountain". It was the second time I had watched the DVD, and I had waited until I was a lot stronger emotionally before I ever watched it (because I always figured it was more than just the "gay cowboy movie").
It turns out, I needed all of that emotional strength because that film absolutely rips my heart out. It is so beautiful and so powerful and so...RAW and real (because, when it comes to love, some of us just aren't blessed with Hollywood's "happily ever after"). I had heard great raves about the acting in the film, but never in a million years did I expect the level of performance from Heath Ledger and Michelle Williams and it was great to see Anne Hathaway break away from her "Princess Diaries" character. By the time the credits rolled, my Friday was done: I was absolutely shattered.
Saturday: Yesterday started off low-key enough. I had tentative plans to go out with B in the evening but the day was all unstructured time. I had gotten a notice that one of the books on AJAX I had put on hold at the library was ready for me to check out, so I wandered around the corner to my branch for that and some other Web-y books.
Then I headed over to Park St. for a spot of shopping. I needed a card to send to a friend and just wanted to see what was new and exciting. Which means I got sucked into the book store and never came out! Well, that's not entirely true; I did get out for < $20. I was browsing the Buddha statues at the Japanese futon shop when my phone started buzzing. It was G and C wondering if I'd be able to help them move the dinette they just bought for their new apartment. So I went to the house they were at and ended up buying a candle holder and falling in love with these amazing blown glass lamps. G and I ended up splitting the pair of lamps. I don't know if the shade can be whitened again, or if I'll have to have a new one made, but it's a gorgeous lamp and the biggest one I've ever bought. Of course, seeing all of the great bargains G and C have scored around the island, I'm now wanting to get rid of everything and completely redo the apartment!
After a tasty late lunch at the New Zealander Pub (steak and cheese pub pie...it's the YUM!), I walked back to G & C's place to go through the bags of books G wasn't able to trade in at Wilmot's. By the time I left, I ended up with a grocery bag full of stuff to read on the ferry, but walking back wondered if I was just a total greedy bird! I made a mental note that if I am able to trade any of these in for store credit, I'll have to at least split it with her.
Later on, B and I headed over to the Ivy Room to check out some music and have a beer or two. The music was okay...Gram Rabbit was actually pretty interesting and seemed to have a devoted following. But we were both tired and pooped out early. Not before noticing, however, that one of the bands playing at the free BBQ at Ivy Room today is one that a friend(?) of mine is in. (The question mark is because he hasn't been in touch with me in ages and hasn't answered the last several email messages I sent him and I'm left wondering if I was completely delusional about the friendship in the first place.) B wants to go for the free BBQ and because she's curious about the friend's(?) band. I'm completely ambivalent. He used to send me notices about upcoming shows, and since I've not heard from him, I'm thinking my presence really isn't desired. But that could just be the evil gremlins taunting me, I don't know. As much as I enjoy the band's music, at this point, neither that, satisfying B's curiosity, the prospect of either reconnecting with this friend(?) or gaining closure, nor free BBQ is particularly compelling.
Maybe I'll feel different once I get the laundry and grocery shopping done...who knows.
Technorati Tags: Isle of Misfits, music, weird weather, San Francisco Life
~~ victoria on 12:06 PM ~~ 2 comments
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12 July, 2006
Shark sighting in Alameda
Shark sighting in Alameda
Originally uploaded by Planet Vicster.
I met up with some friends of mine over at Crab Cove a couple of weeks ago and they mentioned that there was a shark washed ashore. Having never seen a shark all up-close-and-personal-like, I was curious, so we went over for a look (it's not that often we get to just walk right up to a shark, after all).
It turns out it was this little leopard shark. I was so struck by its beauty that I couldn't stop looking at it. I was so touched by its fragility that I suddenly felt like I wanted to stay with it and protect it, somehow. I wanted to protetct it from the little girls who had been poking at it (then shrieking in terror when the waves moved it). I wanted to protect it from the seagulls and other water fowl who were sure to come and tear it to bits for their next meal. I wanted to pick it up and toss it as far back into San Francisco Bay as I could where it might be safe. Or at least where I wouldn't have to see it being poked or torn apart.
And then I realized that what I sought to protect it from was life. Little children curiously poking at a life-like (though lifeless) shark was part of life and learning about their world. Birds using the shark for a nourishing meal was part of life. And I saw the futility of trying to shield it from that harshness; it's life had already ended.
Sometimes, in my heart, I want to protect what I find beautiful and delicate from the cruelty of the world and maybe it's a selfish thing, trying to keep that beauty for myself. But I must be careful when I seek to protect what I find precious, lest I over-protect, and suffocate the very thing I'm trying to save. Sometimes, the most appropriate action is no action but to let nature run its course.
~~ victoria on 9:38 PM ~~ 0 comments
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11 July, 2006
Talking to myself
I overslept this morning. Nothing too serious, really, just around five or six minutes (enough for a jolt, but not enough to throw off the whole day). The alarm went off and, as always, I switched over to NPR for 10-15 minutes.
Next thing I know, NPR is playing and I'm arranging the cupboards and cleaning things, even though I know I should be getting ready for work. I'm picking up all the usual audio cues from the radio: the traffic reports, the business news, weather, etc. I contemplate hopping in the shower, but tell myself that I need to hang out and wait for my mother so I can speak to her.
Then, I turned around and said to my reflection, "If you're waiting to talk to mom, then you are obviously ASLEEP!"
I woke up, laughing at how my sub-conscious so clearly communicates with me sometimes.
LISTENING: Wish You Were Here from the album "Wish You Were Here" by Pink Floyd
~~ victoria on 10:11 PM ~~ 0 comments
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You reached for the secret too soon
Rest in peace, You Crazy Diamond.
Technorati Tags: music
~~ victoria on 10:00 PM ~~ 0 comments
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10 July, 2006
I don't usually blog about work, but...
I came off the double-four-day-weekend to find an envelope on my desk. In the envelope was a memo telling me that I've been awarded a pay rise beginning in August.
Yay!
~~ victoria on 10:10 PM ~~ 0 comments
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09 July, 2006
Simon Sunday: A "baby" picture
More Simon baby pics
Originally uploaded by Planet Vicster.
I took this in late July or early August, 2001, when Simon was still tiny enough to fit under the shoe shelf by the front door. When he wasn't wrestling with Chloe, he loved to get under the shelf and play with the shoe laces. This also was a very good strategic outpost for plotting and carrying out attacks on his "big sister" Chloe, or on the feet of an unsuspecting human. It was a very sad day for Simon when his butt got to be too big to get under the shoe shelf.
Looking through his "baby pictures", it is sometimes shocking to see him so tiny because his face hasn't really changed at all. Now, at the ripe old age of 5, he still loves to play with shoe laces and he still has that "I'm not doing anything BAD!" look on his face. If his ears weren't so huge (thank heavens, he grew into those), you'd be able to see his halo in this photo. He hasn't slowed down much at all; he's still very much a kitten. A very big, very heavy kitten.
And I thank my lucky stars every single day for having him and Billie (and, all to briefly, Chloe) in my life.
Technorati Tags: cats, furkids, gratitude, Simon Sunday
Labels: cats, furkids, Simon, Simon Sunday
~~ victoria on 1:50 PM ~~ 0 comments
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08 July, 2006
Going where I've never been
Treasure Island, June, 2006
Originally uploaded by Planet Vicster.
I've lived in the Bay Area since 1993 and never ventured onto Treasure Island until last month. I joined some Fllickr folks for a photo stroll around the island, where there were many abandoned buildings like this one.
I would like to go back again because there are places on the island that I'd like to shoot with different light (or do long-exposure night photography). But it also reminded me of how little I've utilzed the visual resources available to me here in the Bay Area. Which, I suppose, is long-hand for "I really need to get out more often"!
(Here's some more images from the SFBAS group's Treasure Island photo stroll.)
~~ victoria on 2:35 PM ~~ 0 comments
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Confidential to the nitwits in the Safeway checkout line
The EXPRESS lane that you were in has a 15 item limit. Just to simplify the math for you ('cos I know counting is hard), IT DOES NOT MEAN FIFTEEN TIMES THE NUMBER OF PEOPLE COMING TO YOUR PARTY!!!
I was willing to go along with the three of you parceling out the basket full of items, each taking some of them so you each had <15 items. Hell, I've been with friends and gamed the system like that before. I wouldn't have liked it, but I'd have given you the benefit of the doubt. But, nooooo. In your self-absorbed glory, you made me and several people behind you (all of whom actually could count up 15 and know they were in the correct line) wait while the poor checker rang up $173 worth of junk food.
"Geez," I said, no longer able to contain my snarkieness, "that's an expensive FIFTEEN items." You looked at me like *I* was the one who was math-challenged.
So lemme break it down for you: Get a tutor to help you with either the reading or the counting. 'Cos if you ever pull this crap with me behind you in line again, you're gonna be paying for MY groceries as well.
That is all.
Technorati Tags: Confidential, Isle of Misfits, ranting
~~ victoria on 1:10 PM ~~ 0 comments
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07 July, 2006
I thought I was the Bally Table King
I just spent an hour and a half playing pinball at Lucky JuJu (photos coming soon!) here on the island (and very close to Chez Vicster). I hadn't played pinball in nearly 20 years and it showed. There also was a show opening at Lucky JuJu for one of my Flickr friends, Lane (a truly wonderful photographer--go check out her Flickr photostream. I'll wait...).
After Lucky JuJu, I really wanted to go into The City to see one of my favourite local bands, 20 Minute Loop play, since I haven't seen them in ages. But I've been running around all day and once I got back from Lucky JuJu I just felt absolutely shattered. So, I'll tie back my hair, take out the contacts, get washed up and make it an earlier night than I'd planned. Phooey!
But, before I retire for the evening, I have just this to say: Pinball totally kicks ass on computer games! I played nearly every table in the joint and each one had its own "life" to it, its own way of being touched to get it to respond. The relationship to the game is so much more physical than with a computer game, and there's the sound and the lights (so much eye candy!), so it's a much fuller sensory experience.
Besides, Pete Townsend has never written a musical about WarCraft or Tomb Raider. So to recap, pinball ROCKS!!!
Technorati Tags: flickr, Isle of Misfits
~~ victoria on 10:18 PM ~~ 0 comments
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Another reason to like weekdays away from the office
All-you-can-eat lunch buffet at India Palace. W00T!
edited to add: Dear lord, I have NO restraint when it comes to an Indian buffet! Though it has now laid to rest the story among the staff at India Palace that I ONLY eat chicken tikka masala.
~~ victoria on 11:06 AM ~~ 0 comments
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06 July, 2006
Rethinking that drive into The City
I had a couple of errands to run this afternoon. Everything seemed to be going okay until about 3:00 p.m. when the idiots were let loose.
Driving along Otis, I checked my speedometer against the Orwellian Radar Box (one of those "Your Speed Is XX" gizmos). I was comfortably close to the speed limit, but adjusted my speed down because some dumbass had his car door wide open into the lane and was standing even further into the lane.
Then Spawn of Dumbass came skittering across the street INTO A LINE OF TRAFFIC! (Nowhere near a crosswalk, I'll add.) Even the squirrels have enough sense to not run out into a line of oncoming cars! I slammed on my brakes (thank the heavens for Subies and their awesome anti-lock braking systems!) and spewed a stream of expletives, then took a deep cleansing breath and continued on. Dumbass and his Spawn simply clambored into their car with vacant looks on their faces.
Next up for the Darwin Award was Bicyclist with a Death Wish who ran a red light at Grand and Encinal. Then there was the ambulance driver who cut me off (way to try to get new business!). By the time I got home, Luna was pissed because she hasn't eaten any Stupid People lately, and I sorely needed an Advil to take the edge off of this headache.
Technorati Tags: Isle of Misfits, ranting
~~ victoria on 3:55 PM ~~ 0 comments
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Ugh. Oh, that's right...
One of the reasons I stopped drinking coffee is that it seriously messes with my blood sugar. Bleh.
~~ victoria on 1:57 PM ~~ 0 comments
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You know what's good?
One office day, sandwiched between two four-day weekends!
~~ victoria on 10:12 AM ~~ 0 comments
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Oh, GAAAAAHHHHRRR!
I'm drinking coffee again. I had managed to ween myself from it for nearly 18 months, but lately have been craving it like a mad person. I thought (well, hoped) drinking that Venti from Starbucks that gave me a tummy ache would have put me off of coffee again. No such luck.
Thankfully, it's not an every day thing. I still drink my morning chai tea (most mornings) and switch to herbal or other tea later in the day. But coffee is just so bad for me (especially my skin) that I didn't want to get in the habit again, at all.
Drat! (she exclaimed before taking another sip from her Americano)
Technorati Tags: ranting
~~ victoria on 10:07 AM ~~ 0 comments
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04 July, 2006
So this is NOT a critter's favourite holiday
Simon has been upset most of the day. I think there was just too much foot traffic past the apartment during the parade this morning. And I'm wondering if someone didn't taunt him a bit when he sat in the front window. I also had some friends over for a short time, but he seems a bit more distressed than usual. He's been very clingy since I got home this afternoon.
And, not surprisingly, the neighbours' versions of The Bombs Bursting In Air has done nothing to lift his spirits. He has not been more than 18 inches away from me all afternoon/evening. I finally got the chair back out of the kitchen and set it next to my desk so he could stay close; otherwise, he'd keep pacing across my desk (though it was pretty dang cute when he sat on the keyboard and gave me a big nose kiss!).
For a while during the fireworks, Billie decided she'd be better off sticking close to me as well. Which is a HUGE step for her in this home. Usually, she'd just find a dark, small space and stay there and would take no comfort from me. So I'm glad she finally trusts me enough to seek me out for protection. (It only took 4-1/2 years!)
I just hope the outdoor kitties (and dogs) are faring well right now.
Technorati Tags: furkids, holiday cheers
~~ victoria on 9:37 PM ~~ 0 comments
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Our 4th of July Parade Had Frank Chu!
Frank Chu!
Originally uploaded by Planet Vicster.
Who was in YOUR parade?
Mr. Chu made several appearances in today's parade. He marched up and down Central Ave. (or is it Central St.? you'd think I'd know after 5-1/2 years...yeesh!), occasionally joining up with a group marching in the parade.
As always, Frank Chu makes me smile. (And, no, I have no clue what his sign means...)
~~ victoria on 8:03 PM ~~ 0 comments
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02 July, 2006
Simon Sunday: "You can stare at me all you want..."
Simon Sunday: "You can stare at me all you want..."
Originally uploaded by Planet Vicster.
"...I'm not giving you your chair back!"
Usually, Billie is the one who immediately takes over my desk chair the second I get up, but today Simon kept claiming it for his own. I finally brought the rickety old dining chair in from the kitchen--not so Simon could sit there, but so I could sit and answer a couple of emails.
And, as I type, Simon is going batshit because I put food out for some neighbour kitties, Simone and Samantha (Simon's ex-girlfriend). Their "mom" didn't appear to have come home last night (I came home from a friend's gig at 2:30 a.m. and the girls were still outside and seemed very hungry). I put food and water out for them which they gobbled in minutes. I didn't see their mom again today and put more food out for them...only to notice the lights on at their apartment so I think all is well (at least I hope it is). However, Simon is apoplectic because HIS KIBBLES have been GIVEN TO OTHER KITTIES TO EAT!
My praise of his and Billie's generosity does not console him. He wants HIS kibbles back, dammit! It's gonna be a loooooooong night.
In other news, someone has made an Action Figure of me.
Technorati Tags: cats, furkids, Simon Sunday
Labels: cats, furkids, Simon, Simon Sunday
~~ victoria on 9:51 PM ~~ 0 comments
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