Monday, January 31, 2005
Monkey Road Trip: Successful!
In a fit of last-minute impulsivity, sexyrobot (of Monkeyfilter fame) and I drove up north to the Berkeley MoFi/MeFi meetup this past weekend. We wanted to surprise tracicle, because all previous attempts to meet her in real life completely fell apart. We couldn't have picked a better weekend. The weather was absolutely spectacular and the traffic was fairly painless.
The 5 freeway at places can be the most boring drive on the planet, but all told we had amazing views of snow, rainbows, baby sheep, cows, (moo.) cloud formations, and crazy drivers. Oh, and the most random breakfast stop ever - The Apricot Cafe. Can't find it on google, but they have a truly insane collection of vintage lunch boxes and the foulest smelling bathroom in the history of ever.
Considering that sexyrobot's sense of direction is just about equivalent to mine, (read: utterly nonexistent) it was the most seat-of-the-pants road trip I've ever taken. I both discovered, and then tried to overcome, a complete phobia of driving uphill behind slow drivers, and parking on a grade. I think next time I'll rent an automatic.
We stayed with sexyrobot's friend in San Francisco, and met up with the crazy mefi/mofi group at the appalling Jupiter Cafe in Berkeley. We were there for about 10 minutes when our server began actively plotting our deaths. I don't know what we did to offend the poor woman, but, because we're nice people, we overtipped in the hopes of improving her outlook on life. Here's hoping it worked.
It was lots of fun matching the names & faces of various online folks, and I can safely say a good time was had by all. Other folks have documented the affair better than I have, so follow the links of you're a glutton for yet more punishment: MetaTalk thread. DaShiv's photoblog. MonkeyFilter flickr group. MonkeyFilter thread.
Before we left San Francisco, we did a side trip to the Golden Gate Park. I had no idea that it's the last remaining place in North America where buffalo roam. I was completely enchanted. Sexyrobot was sad because he forgot to bring a supersize bun & A-1 sauce, but I for one will not be consuming buffalo anytime soon. Too bad I can't muster similar compassion for the equally adorable cow.
The drive home was a study in endurance, just because I was completely exhausted by then. Sexyrobot again came through with a fantastic soundtrack of mp3 goodness that got us back to Los Angeles safe & sound.
Thanks to everyone for their hospitality - it was a blast & hopefully next time we can stay a little longer. I really needed this little mini-vacation, if for nothing more than to remember how many possibilities there are out there. Good times.
Wednesday, January 26, 2005
Bah.
Rain's back. Foul mood followed it. Spending wayyy too much time not doing the stuff I need to do, and then try to make up for lost time by kicking myself repeatedly. You'd think I could just manage to get myself back into a routine, find a job, and do the things I know I need to do to take care of myself, but inertia is one hell of an obstacle.
This self-defeating mechanism is getting pretty tiresome. I set ridiculous goals, do no work on following through and then get furious with myself for not changing everything in one day or less. Even *I'm* tired of this line of thought.
*grumbles, goes back to hibernation*
Sunday, January 23, 2005
Friday, January 21, 2005
I'm back!
Now that the whole ugly coronation extravaganza is over, we go back to our regularly scheduled programming.
Went to yoga class with Space Kitten yesterday - it's been awhile & it feels great to get a practice going again. I've been seriously considering re-joining a gym (even with my unstable financial situation) both to regain some structure in my day, and to get my energy back up. My motivation is already starting to come back - I'm sure the gorgeous weather has something to do with it, so hopefully that'll hold.
Anyway, mountains of laundry have been washed, a cubic fuckton of mail is in the process of being sorted and Project Job Search is back underway. (While I was blogging about this, I got a call from a former co-worker who wants me to send in my resume! Yay!)
Dinner tonight with Mark and Natasha (whee!) and a MonkeyFilter meetup on Sunday mean a fun weekend on tap. Just in case you were thinking it was all seriousness around here. Off to send my resume out....
Thursday, January 20, 2005
This Site Closed in Protest
This website is participating in a one day blackout in protest of the inauguration of George W. Bush.
"Every gun that is made, every warship launched, every rocket fired signifies, in the final sense, a theft from those who hunger and are not fed, those who are cold and are not clothed."
April 16, 1953
President Dwight D. Eisenhower
posted by Space Kitty at 9:20 AM||
Saturday, January 15, 2005
Ahhhh, Saturday
Spent a lovely day yesterday with the marvelous Space Kitten. She's got really fabulous style, and a mean thrift store gene so we decided to spend the day shopping. She came away with club wear that defies description - a picture of her, well, description-defying shoes will be posted in the near future. I found some incredible Isaac Mizrahi vintage shoes that well pre-date his Target era and some basic casual wear.
We had a great lunch at http://www.maoskitchen.com/. I totally don't get the whole Cultural Revolution aesthetic going on there, but the food is awesome & I recommend the chrysanthemum tea.
We also did the girly beauty-supply store thing and I'm going to have her add highlights to my hair. Since I cut it all off, I figure, what the hell, I can always grow more and thought something new & different will be fun for the new year.
To cap the day of random silliness we rented Harold & Kumar Go to White Castle. It was way funnier than any stoner movie has a right to be, and I totally recommend it.
Kimberly of Squoogy fame got some recent props on her design skills here, but it's buried in the comments, so I thought I'd put a shout out & a thank you for one of the best birthday gifts evah here on the front page where it belongs.
Starting off my lazy Saturday quite late, so I guess it's back to business for me. More later!
Friday, January 14, 2005
We're not called *Space* Kitty for nothing...
We've Got Signal!!!! Squeee!!!!!
Cassini - Huygens: Now, with Huygens landing on Titan! With Signal!
NASA TV: (Warning: RealPlayer link)
Obligatory NASA Post (via Metafilter)
I'm so excited I can hardly stand it.
Wednesday, January 12, 2005
'Dear' Neighbor:
When your goddamn car alarm goes off at 2:03 am and stays on until 2:20 am, get your ass out of bed and make it stop.
And don't be a bitch about it when other neighbor comes pounding on your door telling you to shut up the fuck, or he'll call the cops.
Extra hate for the 2:48 - 3:04 am replay.
PS: Nobody covets your tacky-ass POS Honda anyway, so why the Alarm of Doom?
Tuesday, January 11, 2005
My stars.
I think a pilgrimage is in order.
It finally stopped raining! For the moment, anyway.
Hallelujah! I shouldn't complain, it's just I'm a sun worshiper and the constant damp & dark really affects my mood. I know damn well in the scope of things that it's nothing - I have a friend that can't get home because of a humongous boulder blocking the road up into Topanga Canyon. It's really a shame, they have the most gorgeous cabin up there - I hope they get it straightened out sooner rather than later, and it's only the roads that have been affected.
Health update: My dad seems to be doing ok - he's doing a lot of doctors visits, and I'm glad they're taking his condition seriously. He sounds a little less like he's just come from the dentist's office and his spirits are up. My mom said they plan to go dancing as usual on Saturday, so that's cool. But it's surreal that she insists on behaving as if everything's fine. But - that's my mom.
In other, mundane news, the new dishwasher is finally installed (yay!) Of course there's some extra plumbing that needs to happen, but hopefully that can wait until I start working again. The good news is the dishwasher installation guy fixed the garbage disposal and the sink drain for free because he rocks. I now officially forgive him for taking 3 weeks to get the installation done.
Two interviews this week - I've got my fingers crossed that the right position will present itself in the right time. In the meantime, who the hell let this slob into my house? There's laundry, dishes, mail piled up, cats & dogs living together - good lord.
Oh, that's right, I live alone.....
and on preview? Man, I'm spoiled.
Saturday, January 08, 2005
Tsunami Help
Help Support Disaster Relief in South Asia
People across South Asia, stricken by the Tsunami Disaster, need your help to recover and rebuild - many have lost everything. Please join Habitat for Humanity and help provide temporary and long term housing for families in need.
Habitat for Humanity has existing operations in Sri Lanka, India, Indonesia, Thailand and Bangladesh. We have built more than 15,250 homes in these countries in the past 20 years. Our international staff are leading efforts with other relief organizations to coordinate the response.
To meet the immediate shelter needs, Habitat for Humanity is distributing "First Shelter" housing kits, which consists of metal house frames with a roof and will serve immediate shelter needs. These units have been used to provide for temporary protection at disaster areas until permanent shelter can be built.
Over the long term, Habitat plans to provide sustainable solutions to the housing needs of not only those immediately impacted by the tsunami, but to poor communities throughout the region.
Our local affiliate is collecting funds to send directly to the disaster relief efforts. 100% of your donation will go directly to helping victims. Your cash contributions are desperately needed and will provide direct and immediate assistance to those whose lives have been devastated by this terrible disaster. Your gift of $100 USD will rebuild one home for a family in need! Please donate through our secure site now! Tsunami Relief Fund
What a crazy week...
A magnificent New Year's celebration, a wretched case of strep throat, insane MonkeyFilter meetups & video, a fabulous new friend, a family health scare, closure on an old relationship, and a job interview pending.
PHEW!
I knew 2005 was gonna be something, but damn!
Monday, January 03, 2005
*groan*
Spent the day in bed. Nyquil is my only friend. My throat is on fire, my head's pounding, I'm feverish and now I've slept so much I can't sleep anymore, but I don't have the energy to do anything either.
I hate cold weather.
Sunday, January 02, 2005
Rain in LA
Been a slow, quiet, thoughtful day. Just puttered about the house, trying to get my schedule sorted out for the next week.
The job search will begin in full force tomorrow, along with working on some long overdue paperwork and organization.
I can't believe I've been out of work for two months. I wish I could say I've gotten more accomplished during this downtime, but since it's come & gone, there's nothing I can do about it and it's less than useless to berate myself now for not being more productive.
Better start getting my days and nights straightened out or I'm going to be in a world of hurt when I re-enter the workforce.
On that note, goodnight for now!
Saturday, January 01, 2005
HAPPY NEW YEAR!
I think it's gonna be a good one.
