Category Archives: Random

The Lizzie Borden Chronicles

Art, Daily Life, First Impressions, mur, Random

Terrible show. If I’d had to tune in once a week to watch that I would have dropped off around episode 4.  And that’s only because I love Christina Ricci.  I spent the entire first episode trying to figure out if Clea Duvall is actually Claire Danes.  Watched the whole 8 episodes and I’m still not sure.

Overall it’s not a bad summation of the mythology surrounding the true story that inspired the show.  The directing is in that fun retro-rock style with extensive slow-motion walk aways and piercing stares.  Gratuitous scenes where she primly arranges her murder victims echos Christina’s early role as Wednesday Addams.  This character just has an overdose of Prozac in the eyes.  The woman in power dynamic and hiding in plain sight make her a lovable anti-heroin.

At some point, the writers ran out of true story material and by then they’ve pretty much killed off anyone with a speaking role.  That’s when things start stretching.  By episode 8 it’s clear they simply had no material to continue to series with.  That said, I love the poetic justice spelled out in the final scene.  Befitting of Greek tragedy if you ask me.

Wild Ginger

Art, Daily Life, mur, Random

I successfully applied for my new social security card. To celebrate I’m trying one of the downtown eateries that has a $$ rating. It’s a swanky joint with reasonable prices and a heavy business lunch crowd. It must fit snugly into the petty cash budget. I ordered a hard cider served in a wine glass. The bar is separate, dark and quiet. Perfect for me. The dining area of 2 and 4-tops is bright and airy with floor-to-ceiling windows. There’s an upscale feeling to the place that leads me to believe I won’t get out of here for less than $35. I did say I was splurging.  Continue reading Wild Ginger →

Cats In the Bag

Daily Life, Quick Thoughts, Random

Flying with two cats is easier than I anticipated. The only real snafu was at the security checkpoint when they informed me the cats would have to come out of their carrier to get through the metal detector. After walking through they wanted me to show them my palms for a specific wand scan that I’ve never seen before. The woman TSA agent took one look in my cats’ eyes and stated “I’m not going near those things.”

She must have mistook their abject terror for a threatening posture. Handing the wand to an old man he then tells me to show him my hands.
“Can I put them back in the bag?”
“Show me your hands first.”
“I can’t do that while holding the cats.”
“Uh, I guess put them down.”
A resounding negation from the three other TSA agents.
We both just looked at each other and I ask again, “Can’t I just put them in the bag?”

The man’s consternation clearly expressed that I was not supposed to access the cat bag until the scan was done. I just looked at him while silently pleading with a little leeway. He finally allowed me to slip them back in the carrier before running that special wand all over my palms. I asked him what that was for and he just said it was because I was holding something when I walked through.

They never scanned the cats themselves. I expected them to at least run a wand over them, I guess. Honestly, a professional terrorist would never hinge the success of an elaborate scheme on a cat. That would be like asking an alcoholic to watch over your whiskey-tasting kit for the weekend. Though letting cats loose in an airport does have a slightly terror-iffic slant to it.

Everywhere Is the Same

Daily Life, P & H Cafe, Quick Thoughts, Random

Last night was a perfect night. Good music, good friends and a room full of beautiful people. Makes me wonder why I left. Except I know the same fun surrounding me last night is also in Seattle. I spent most of the night listening to music and hanging out alone. I can do that just about anywhere. I’m not sure the music will be as good in the PNW places I find but that’s just because Memphis has spoiled me.

I asked a boy in Portland if the city has any blues or soul music. He said, “Sure we have blues but not really any soul – mainly because we’re all white!” He was attempting a bad joke but I find it very telling. I’m lily white and yet I know what soul is. For all the progressive outlooks in the area there are clearly some cultural gaps in my new home. Maybe it’s part of my job to help rectify that.

Tucumcari

Daily Life, Large Events, mur, Quick Thoughts, Random

I made it out of TX and then my back got a cramp. So I’m laid out on a bed at the Econolodge. About $48 for the night and not a bad setup. King bed, free wi-fi and a continental breakfast. Clean enough. Definitely cleaner than I am.

Time to sleep for exactly 8 hours!

How To Leave Home

Book, Daily Life, Future Plans, mur, Random, Reasons for Things

I came up with the URL name on vacation in the PNW. I got invited to a pizza party at Penny Arcade and we turned it into a 4 day vacation. Dave took a picture of me at Discovery Park doing tree pose with the Sound in the background. I felt at home there. I wished for a step-by-step guide on leaving the place you’ve lived your whole life. On the flip side, I urgently needed advice on how to not leave Seattle. The name of this project – it felt right. I purchased a 3-year lease on the internet and set to work.  Continue reading How To Leave Home →

Along Came Polly

Daily Life, mur, Quick Thoughts, Random, Reasons for Things

A Jennifer Aniston gem I never knew about. Star-packed supporting cast and snappy directing.  Ah!  Written/directed by the same guy that did I Love You Man.  It feels way too dated to be from 2004 though.  There’s a plot point based on *69.   Reminds me of the 90s.

I did some serious cleaning and straightening.  Made appointments with all the pertinent people.  The final clean out is yet to be scheduled.  Despite my desire to just throw everything away and start driving, there are people who want some of this shit.  If I was an asshole I could just tell them to go fuck themselves.  Problem is, I’m a nice person.

It’s not a choice, I just am.  Even when I’m in a tight skirt.  Even when I’m turning a guy down.  Even when I’m desperately in love.  I’m nice.  It’s a personality flaw I developed while playing opossum in high school.  I figured if I’m going to be miserable all the time anyway, might as well smile.  That’s probably the same reason that guy at Juice smiled at me.  Funny.

 

Child of Light

First Impressions, Games, Quick Thoughts, Random

This game is beautifully crafted.  The watercolor-like scenery and low-gravity flow of movement lends an airy, relaxed feeling.  The music composed primarily of piano and minimal arrangement supports the easy-going feeling.  Playing on casual seems like the only real option because the interactive play control is painfully slow.

Of course, this is just the tutorial.  The battles are a mix of meters and turn-based actions.  Interactive enough to keep my attention but lackadaisical enough to avoid pressure.  This little girl carries a big sword and her leveling system encourages me to use it.

Plot is pretty cute so far.  Little princess falls into a mysterious slumber.  She’s trapped in a mystical dreamland that Tim Burton might create for Bethesda.  There’s a blue teardrop that aides the redheaded protagonist with advice and ambient lighting.  On my Surface, controlling the mouse-based bugger is awkward.  When I’m settled in my new place I’ll have my old gaming desktop set up.  Can’t wait.

Creeping Sadness

Book, Daily Life, P & H Cafe, Quick Thoughts, Random

Words and feelings seeping out at angles painful to watch.
Emblazoned across the sky for all the moon to see
Not full until she says we can stop
Fulfillment is not something you can buy

Craven, small boys below the bed, sleeping on mattresses from the floor.  The floor of where is the question.  Location location location.  The locomotion of crazy makes a train-ride out of the city hard to ignore.  Confetti and silly string is not punk rock, but then again I’m a sap.

I had a pain in my shoulder I can keep off my back with one more reason to go down.  Down town to the place where Leroy brown might be found on the ground.  A pound can be the puppy or flesh.  Ragged, swelling at the sight of blood all over your cock.  You don’t mind.  You don’t know.

Better to skip the holiday party, in my experience.
Watching the movie is another way to buy into the hype.