I am HILARIOUS

I'd long told my father that if we could tap the oil on his head, we could solve the world energy crisis. Well, now his hair is short and even THAT easy oil is gone, but it seems there is another source...


toothpastefordinner.com

The Dream, Realized

I was in Berkeley, CA, on Telegraph and Bancroft, among a group of students, cheering, smiling, waving an American flag, shouting "O-ba-ma", "Yes-We-Can", and surreally, "U-S-A". For the first time in my adult life, I was truly proud of my nation. When I am in Frankfurt this weekend, when I am in Angola for the next two weeks, I can hold my head high as an American, and declare that yes, I did vote for that man.

In January, the descendants of slaves will move into 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue. Yes, we can.

SF, then Berkeley, then Home

The day, in videos

9am:

10am:

11am:

Noonish:

5pm:

9pm:

Indexing, Chatting, Chilling, Eating, Watching

Tuesday ended on Wednesday

Today, at work, I indexed records, then changed and drove to Berkeley to meet with my friend. We got boba and headed for the "Ask an Atheist" panel. Later, my friend would tell me how intellectually stimulating the event was. After, I hung out, helped edit a guy's cardboard sign and told him about our group. I hung out in Naan and Curry with the atheists, then went off to see my security guard (L).

He wasn't at the desk, but I got in. We talked, and he told me what I was also thinking, that we wouldn't last. That we could see each other, but that eventually, we would have to end it. I told him to enjoy the present, I don't know if he can. At 11, we went to his place and talked. He asked me what it was like to have no beliefs. He told me how he would drop off the face of the map for a while. The story is fantastic, but I can't do anything but accept it as truth. I told him that anytime he wants to see or talk to me, he can call or text. At 3:30, I had to go, but I had to get gas. He came with to make sure I was safe. When that guy at the station approached us, trying to get cash for a fix, this white rural girl was glad to sit in her car while the Richmond [read: ghetto of the Bay Area, where we were] native dealt with him. I took him home and went home myself. I may never see him again, but I will miss him.

Long Time, No Post

Same ol', Same 'ol. I made some new friends in the past weeks. I met a guy via Craigslist from Karachi that reminded me that I miss my college friend S. Of course, A isn't like S at all, but still, I am reminded. On Saturday, I woke up at Y [and K and D]'s place without J for the first time ever. I survived without J, hooray - haha. Another J was sleeping on the floor, Y was in her own bed, and K and K were in D's bed. I had crashed on K's bed. The kids were all asleep, so I showered and dried my hair. After a couple of email messages to my parents, I sent J a text and then texted L. He texted back, I asked if I could call, and an hour and 40 minutes later, I hung up the phone, and the sun was out.

It took some time, getting the kids out of bed, but eventually, we headed out and met up with A. He wanted to try this breakfast place, but the line was hella long. We wanted to go to Cafe Durant, but A wanted to try this place. We derided him for being emo (he is so deceptively emo), and said we were going to carry him to Cafe Durant. I managed to pick him up and carry him about 5-10 feet, it was tough and hilarious. But we left him back there, and walked to our destination. I got a breakfast burrito with egg whites and coffee. We talked and ate, playing a new favorite game of mine, which is "everyone stare at Y". K made fun of me for my creationist, and we had a good time, but then I realized that it was 1:30 and I needed to head in to the city for some Urs and J time.

On the way back, I picked up some things and enjoyed my walk. I texted A and suggested dinner, then got to the city, had a cookie, and met up with J. Well, that was hard - I walked around a bunch, then had a cucumber salad at this little restaurant on Polk and Post. We went back to his place, I helped him with his [project], we went to Lee's, then later, I walked to Union Square to meet up with A. We had dinner at this Indian/Pakistani place that he didn't like at first, but then liked more once we got the food. So, Mom, Dad, Sister, Cousin, Friend, Aunt, Uncle, I have one restaurant idea for when you come visit. Afterwards, he walked me to the BART, we talked, and then hugged goodbye. I rode to WC, drove home, relaxed, then went to bed.

I love Saturdays

MP3 Experiment and LoveFest

After waking up at Yuns', Albie, J and I went to SF for this



Then we were at LoveFest

I'm living, I swear

I wish I would have gotten the last few weekends posted, but sadly, I had too much fun enjoying them. My two four day weekends were surprisingly boring, but my last two two day weekends have been a lot of fun. I'm coming up on a quasi three day weekend - just going to get done with my Friday by 3pm - this weekend. Today, I had a class on time management and then got a chest x-ray. I went back to work and did a lot of thinking and writing and a little emailing. I went to Target and picked up a few necessities, like socks and nylons and shirts, along with two real necessities. I came home, made some lemon pepper pasta with a full can of tuna (my can opener wasn't working, so I kind of had to "rip" the top off) and some capers. Trying to get to bed before 10.

Second Friday Meeting

I worked today, then worked out a little, then headed up to Berkeley. My legs were more sore than I ever thought possible today. I need to workout more than once a week. We were in 256 Dwinelle, then we went to Cafe Milano. I ended the night with A, Y, and K, then we walked A home and I slept on Y's bed.

Just a Hit of Hope

I was at work today, then I went to Berkeley. I went to the opening for the NorCal Obama Campagn HQ and saw Barbara Lee speak. I got enough hope to make me clap and I even felt tears of joy creeping out of my eyes, but I contained myself. Let down from hope is really bad - possibly worse than meth, though, thankfully, I wouldn't know for real. I left the non-campus Berkeley and went one station up to the campus. I took a walk around Jupiter's, then saw R, A, and A waiting outside. I talked with A inside while R and the other A waited near the bouncer. Finally we got a table, then K and Y showed up, then R, R's gf, and finally, M. We talked, we laughed, we ate pizza, and I didn't have any wine. A convinced me to not drink for at least two months. When we left, some people went one way, others went another way, and I got on the BART because I was wearing crappy shoes.

The Once Weekly Workout

I worked today, then I went to the gym. I did the elliptical, sit-ups, and walking lunges.

Yay Public Meeting

I got up, possibly did something, went in to work to print my proof of insurance, forgot that my computer was in my car, got it out, and got my print out, renewed my lease, and then headed for Berkeley for the first SANE public meeting. Afterwards, Yunyun and Kevin and I had not so good korean food and bubble tea. They walked me to the BART and I went home.

Labor Day

After a weekend of sleeping, I had to get out of the house, so I went to Borders and read a book about the dynasties of China (only 200 pages, so a very high overview) for about 5 hours. I bought the book, then learned about a local Korean restaurant and drove out to Pleasanton to find it. Unfortunately, it was closed, so I drove home. I took a back road and got lost in the bright sunlight. I came home to find that the YAG meeting was canceled due to the holiday.

What the hell, the sun is out?

The funniest part of today was when I was talking with my friend's friend, B. Earlier, I told some people around me who I worked for. Later, B and I were talking about something that related to work. The topic of my business card came up, and since I had seen B's former business card, and maybe because he is curious, he asked to see mine. I remembered that I had one in my wallet and just pulled it out, forgetting that he had not been around when I exposed my employer. There was silence and shock, and suddenly, I could see the huge, glaring VBCA logo [and everything it represents] against the white background, in the sunniness of the afternoon in the middle of a giant hippie music festival. I cracked up and after B took in my information, I put my card away. He then expressed interest in getting a job at the VBCA, and I gave him my work email and told him that I could give him some information. From the angle where I was sitting, I didn't see all of the shock in his face when I pulled my card out, but I saw enough. It was hilarious.

Yesterday, I got up around 9am and managed to touch base with J [not the same J from the music festival] about breakfast - neither of us could go, so I'll see him when he gets out here again. I then sent a text to the other J and learned he would be at the park by 3, so I had some time. I discovered that I have professional clothes, casual professional clothes, clubbing/bar clothes, and workout clothes, but I lack the truly casual wardrobe appropriate for an outdoor music festival. I threw a few things together, and I really should have brought my "It's Mother #$^@ing Booze Time" t-shirt. I wore a tanktop, jeans, and my grey hiking shoes with real socks. I took my Archives hoodie and my purple scarf. I had breakfast and then I set out for Safeway, then WC. I got coffee and clif bars at Safeway - I wasn't about to waste a single cent more on overpriced and lukewarm food at the festival. I got to WC and waited for the train, on which I napped a little. This made me dead tired for the Muni ride and walk from the Muni to the park. Luckily, there was a Starbucks on the way, and with my reciept from coffee that morning, I was able to get a triple espresso drink for $2 instead of like $4 or something. Still, that only just allowed me to be functioning for the day. I made it to the festival and got in and began searching for J. He wasn't answering his phone or text, which I later learned was due to the crappy connection all of us AT&T customers were experiencing that day. I did eventually find him and we settled down in one spot, then moved to another.

It was a good time, listening to music, chatting about things, meeting new people, reading Derrida aloud. After a few hours and the end of the Wilco set, J and I set out to meet up with B and J's sister (M) by the main stage for Jack Johnson. J and I talked a LOT through the whole set - neither of us are major Jack Johnson fans - I didn't even know who the guy was. Still, I enjoyed the music. I did take time to note that the smallest big flat panel monitor on stage was probably the size of my TV, which is 42". I have a big-ass TV. After the concert, we all headed back towards the Muni. After some pressuring, I decided to have a late night meal with J, B, and M. We walked to Mel's Diner - J was calling it "American food," and remarking that M might not like it because she, apparently, is just a sheltered [east] Indian girl, eating only what her mother cooks. She isn't really, she is just, as I learned at the diner, 16 (OMG! I totally thought she was 18! Whatever, she's still awesome.) years old, so she hasn't been as out and about as much as her older brother.

We ate, then we started walking back, either to J's apartment, or, like me, to the BART station. At ne point, I just decided to flee and get to the BART - I said goodbye, and just hauled ass. I made it in time - with about a minute or two to spare - for the last Pittsburgh/Bay Point train. A guy talked to me for a little bit. I totally contemplated giving him my number, but only after he was gone. We got to WC, I got to my car, I drove home. On the way home, my car hit 100,000 miles, and I do have video footage of that happening. I got home around 1:10 and managed to get to sleep before 2am.

Summerfest is not short for Summer Festering

It was hard to wake up this morning, and I got out of bed around quarter after 11, and got ready for Golden Gate Park. I almost forgot a coat, and went back for it. On the way out again, I realized I didn't have my camera, but decided I didn't need it. I tried to get to Whole Foods for some breakfast and cash, but the traffic on Bollinger was INSANE! I thought the road was going to be open yesterday, but I guess not. I did a U at the first possible intersection and headed to the Safeway. I got a vivianno and some cash and headed to WC. I missed the 12:15 and got n the 12:35, but while waiting, I was disturbed. I glanced over at a magazine that a guy next to me was reading. It must have been one of those "Men's" magazines. The section was the "Status Report" and under that, read "Money, Cars, and Women", as if women were things to be acquired...

I couldn't figure out how to tell the guy next to me that women aren't things, just in case he had the wrong impression. I wanted to poke him, I wrote it down on a piece of paper, but I couldn't work up the courage to give it to him. This will eat at me, with decreasing intensity, for the rest of my life, as will all other opportunities to break apart the patriarchy.

I found some other people going to the Music Festival, and asked them how they were getting there. They knew about as much as I did, which wasn't much, and we parted when I had to put money on my BART ticket. I got on the Muni and talked with more people about where to get off, and we got off at 19th, with everyone else. As I was walking to the park, I called J and found out that he and his sister were eating lunch near Market, so I turned on Irving. I found a place called Tofu House and was sitting at a table before I realized that the restaurant was Korean. I took out the Derrida that I never read and ordered. The miso arrived and all of the sudden, I felt transported back in time to Univeristy Cafe in Ann Arbor, slogging through a text on collections or organization and eating bean sprouts. There were seven side dishes. The best were what I can only presume was tofu with spices and then something potato-like, which tied for the best, then these grey-clear noodle things were really great too. I'm sure these things have real names, but this was my first time consuming them, and I didn't ask the waitress. The kimchee was kimchee, the bean sprouts were fabulous, and even the green bean things were pretty good. Then my main dish arrived - something not exactly named, but similar to bibimbop - and it was sizzling. I mixed the egg in before photographing. This was the first time I regretted forgetting my camera today.

The shrimp had eyes, the octopus was great, and I found an oyster. I will return here. The Olympics were on and I tried to read Derrida, but found myself thinking and writing, first about my food, then about race as I ate my amazing dish. It didn't stop boiling on the sides until a good 15 minutes after I got it.

I finished my meal, paid and left, then I stopped next door for some bubble tea and began walking to the concert. I got in and was a little worried about them making a fuss over my camera phone (as cameras were on the list of prohibited items), but as I learned later, that wasn't a big deal. I got into the event and called J again. He and his sister were on the Muni. They told me they would be at the something stage - something like Citron or Citro. I said 'ok' and wandered around. I saw a map and realized he meant Sutro, then I got my own little info book and headed for that area. I got in, wandered, then sat on a tree and learned about the artist I was seeing. Finally, J was here, with his sister, and we went to look for his other friend - a redheaded Wisconsin boy, as opposed to me, a redheaded Wisconsin girl.

We found the group, and I met all of the friends, including one I already knew, but hadn't seen since June. We sat and talked through Regina Spector and Cake, then I was off to get food before seeing Tom Petty. I lost track of J and his sister, but ate heartily and saw Tom Petty. I now know how Sig felt and what J.Mo. meant when Sig blogged her Elton experience. Here I was, seeing a larger than life legend, playing Mary Jane's Last Dance, Breakdown, American Girl, I Won't Back Down, Free Falling, Learning to Fly and Refugee. I never got that close, but I got close enough to enjoy. I read a text around 9:30 that came from J at 8:30, that they were heading out, so I enjoyed the rest of the concert and began the long path back home. First was the walking part, then the Muni part. The underground Muni was the best part, because the tunnel was lighted and I was in the first car. One guy nearby started humming the Indiana Jones theme. Then I had my BART leg of the trip, and finally, I was at my car. On the way back, I got myself a big ass sprite from Burger King, mainly for the carbonation. I'm either recovering from a cold or in the middle of one, either way, my chest is congested and I cough a lot. Just call me Bronchitis Ursy. I got home at 12:20 or so, chatted with a friend, and blogged. I'll be going back to Outside Lands tomorrow.

San Francisco is not the best place for a summer music festival - it isn't a great place for a summer anything. I did enjoy today, but I wasn't nearly as warmly dressed as I should have been. Then the fog rolled in. I contend that the best place for a summer music festival is a place where it does not get dark late into the night, and that would be Alaska around the solstice. An outdoor concert where the headliner finished her set in broad daylight at 10pm would be quite incredible. Outside Lands was great today, and though I don't regret staying in last night, it would have been really awesome to be able to see Beck on one stage, then head over and check out Radiohead on the mainstage later. It makes me wish I had taken advantage of living in Wisconsin and gone to Summerfest even just once. I need to pay more attention to music and concerts. It would be nice, also, to have the funds to see Melissa Ethridge on the 28th, because yes, I will say it, Melissa Ethridge is the shit, and I'm proud to be a fan.

It's a big big world

I can have my own fun.

Fortunately, today is my day off

more cat pictures

I liked this LOLcat and wanted to use it for something. I slept a lot today, then after some brief agoraphobia, I went to the gym and had an awesome workout. I talked to my trainer about getting ready to start running and then changed. I went to Livermore and was there 20 minutes early, not just 10 minutes. It was a very good meeting and we watched the end of Willow. I came home, uploaded some videos, and had some crystal light and hot chocolate.

rows plus cobra; bad news

Got up around quarter to 11, managed to get to the gym at 11:30, where I made a fatal (ok, maybe not fatal) mistake. I did weight training before my massage because I wanted to know what it would be like. My upper back hurt before my massage, but laying face down on the table felt really good, I mean really good.
+=

Ok, maybe not, more like just . but it hurts. I went to my new therapist at 1 and had a really good session - it was a full hour too, and set up a session for next week. Not 100% sure that I like this therapist yet, but I'll try her for a while. Then I went back to work and did some work on the legal application plan, my weekly update, and sent an email for another project. I went to Whole Foods after work and bought a Reisling. I didn't drink it tonight. I talked online with a guy in San Jose, ate bread, pasta, and salmon, then a bunch of cherries. I am tired.

18-hour COPS marathon

What was it I did today?............

I wish that was what I did today, instead, I worked and tried to fulfill the goals laid down for me by my "dating coach". The closest I got to leaving my floor all day was being by the staircase a couple of times this afternoon. I worked out and returned some pants tonight.

do 5 things this week that will make your life either easier or make you get over the asshole :p

1) Make an effort not to put yourself down - I don't know how this one works. I felt really good that the scale said that I've lost 20 pounds since December this morning and that I could tell my towel fit better around me. I need to work on my confidence at work too.

2) Find things to fill my time this weekend - talk to co-workers, ping the SANE list, make a couple of phone calls

3) I already made appointments for a therapist and a psychiatrist, I think that counts.

4) Clean my apartment tonight. Scratch that - doing yoga tonight, will clean my apartment later this week or weekend, for sure

5) Leaving open for now.....

I just learned about R.O.W.E. and I like it

My bed was like a trap this morning, and I got up late. I managed to shower and completely blow dry my hair so it was, once again, super cute, but my top was not as super cute today. Work was good today - another day where I could bill 100% of my time, I'm getting to like this, and I think I will definitely be able to justify a week in training in September. I went to the cafeteria feeling kinda crappy though, and got a very heavy salad. I only had about a third of it for lunch, along with my tofu, and put the rest away. I found that the cleaning of the fridge did not discard my string cheese or fake meat, so I had some string cheese too, to help stabilize me. Blah blah blah, more work - then around 4, people suddenly began IMing me, A, A, S, and even J, it was great. Around 6:15, my Singapore guy came online and I touched base with him, then I was off to the gym.

I did ten minutes on the elliptical, then I did four laps of walking lunges, talked with a guy in the weight room, then did 20 oblique thing sit-ups and 25 regular sit-ups. I think I could have done more, but Jeopardy would be on soon. I did another 26 minutes on the elliptical and slowly realized that hey - the anagrams of Canadian provinces sounds familiar - so did Alex's quip. And then that supreme court category - this is a repeat! But then I looked over on that Big Idea show (or some stupid show about money) and it was some dumb show about how the right spouse can help you, and I recognized that show from a while back. I felt like I was in a time warp and that it was May or something.

At 7:30, I left the gym and went home. I checked my fozen fish and saw that it needed to be thawed, so I threw one in the fridge for tomorrow and microwaved another after making some odd concoction with the cherry tomatoes and spinach. I had it with some white wine and salt and it wasn't too bad. I think any notable events (not that these are that exciting either) are done for the day, I will probably read more Chinese history before bed.