Monday, April 28, 2003

yeah, that's why I'm taking online quizzes right now...
The Consummate Hipster: newbies bow to him, everyone else just stares, as he swagger down the street with
You are the Consummate Hipster. Newbies bow to
you, everyone else just stares, as you swagger
down the street with "Little Green
Bag" stuck in your head.


What Kind of Hipster Are You?
brought to you by Quizilla
too many people I've talked to in the past month about mother's day peace actions have never heard of the mother's day proclamation. so here it is:

Arise, then, women of this day!

Arise all women who have hearts, whether your baptism be that of water or of fears!

Say firmly: "We will not have great questions decided by irrelevant agencies,

"Our husbands shall not come to us reeking with carnage, for caresses and applause.

"Our sons shall not be taken from us to unlearn all that we have been able to teach them of charity, mercy, and patience.

"We women of one country will be too tender of those of another country to allow our sons to be trained to injure theirs."

From the bosom of the devasted earth a voice goes up with our own. It says, "Disarm, Disarm!"

The sword of murder is not the balance of justice! Blood does not wipe out dishonor nor violence indicate possession.

As men have often forsaken the plow and the anvil at the summons of war, let women now leave all that may be left of home for a great and earnest day of counsel.

Let them meet first, as women, to bewail and commemorate the dead.

Let them then solemnly take counsel with each other as the means whereby the great human family can live in peace,

And each bearing after her own time the sacred impress, not of Caesar, but of God.

***

I often find the claiming of various people of one's own religion or ethnic background or WHATEVER to be goofy, but I'm pretty proud to be in some way associated with Julia Ward Howe.
oh oh! stuck indoors with sick kids/self/pets? this will entertain you... try this, too.
I'm actually all better, by the way, but nash is in rough shape.

Saturday, April 26, 2003

I should have trusted my first instincts and stayed home yesterday... except that by going out with a fever I was trusting the instinct that told me that if I stayed in the house all day for the third day in a row I'd be miserable. so I was miserable at jazz fest instead.
not entirely miserable:
panorama was great, I never heard them with a singer before, she was amazing. new birth jazz band was fun. the alison brown quartet was nice, what we could hear of it. I enjoyed the last ten minutes of javier tobar. marcé et toumpak of Martinique was just so good and the parading plastic system band of Martinique completely blew us away. my favorite idiotic thing overheard for the day was, "martinique? where the hell is martinique?!"
but I felt rotten the whole time, overheated, dehydrated in spite of the fact that I was constantly drinking (pricey cups of iced herb tea), too nauseated to enjoy the food (crawfish cakes with remoulade), getting sunburned in spite of all my hard work applying sunscreen... cristina was rubbing sunblock on my back and some cheesy white guy leered at us, "well alriiiiiight, ladies!" as if we were verging on some serious girl on girl action.
I can't function when I have a fever, it's not unlike being self consciously drunk, I don't say much because I can't trust what may come out of my mouth. cristina ran into a friend and they had this long talk about bicycles and tricycles and I stood there, absorbed in the parade but also thinking about how much I want a big tricycle, you know, one with a backseat for the kids and space for some gear, oh my god, how cool what that be? of course I said nothing.
I wish I had worn a hat. my face is not badly burnt, and the tops of my shoulders fared pretty well, but I have painful strapmark burns on my back and chest. and I still have a fever, sore throat, assorted aches.
I wish I didn't have so much work to do. I let is slide all week assuming I'd be well by now, and instead I'm worse.

Thursday, April 24, 2003

ow ow ow sore throat pain.
I have chicken soup, crackers and ginger ale. I wish I had combination fried rice, spring rolls and ginger beer.
anyhow, this cold won't keep me away from jazz fest... I hope.
well this is no secret...

WackySteve
Ohhh, you like 'em wacky, and wacky Steve is the
perfect man for you! He dresses up like Howie
Mandel on acid and can make you laugh when
you're feeling "Blue" just by
drinking 16 liters of Coca Cola and getting
onto his Thinking Chair! I foresee many happy
days of wacky hijinx together, you lucky thing!


Which Steve Burns Persona Are You Most Compatible With?
brought to you by Quizilla

Tuesday, April 22, 2003

a quiz from traci jean:

1. what facial feature do you find the most attractive on others?: mouth, eyes, whatever they've got

2. would you vote for a woman candidate for president?: undoubtedly

3. would you marry for money?: what year is it? no.

4. have you had braces?: no. I have been told that I need them, I have this one tooth that is kinda where it shouldn't be, but it's no big deal.

5. do you pluck your eyebrows?: of course not.

6. do you ever cut or hurt yourself?: by accident? often, in minor ways. I am a mass of running into furniture bruises and skinned knee scars. on purpose? never.

7. when was the last time you had a hickey?: sometime in 1994 I think

8. could you live without a computer?: of course I could...

9. do you use icq, aol buddy list, etc.?: yeah sure. icq & aol im.

10. if so, how many people are on your lists?: who knows, I hate this question.

11. if you could live in any past time period, which would it be? I hate this question, too. but I will admit to wishing I could hang out at gertrude stein's house.

12. do you drink enough water?: for sure. i drink it all the time.

13. do you wear shoes in the house or take them off?: no shoes in the hizzouse.

14. what is your favorite fruit?: really good watermelon. I can eat it all day.

15. do you eat wheat bread or white?: wheat, unless it's french bread or something... no wonder bread!

16. what is your favorite place to visit?: new york, or just about anyplace if it's a nice drive.

17. what is the last movie you saw?: in the theater - love liza. at home - amelie.

18. do you kiss on the first date?: I hope so.

19. are you photogenic?: either very much yes or very much no.

20. do you dream in color or black and white?: color.

21. are you wearing fingernail polish? i am not

22. is it chipped or fresh?: it is neither

23. do you have any dimples?: if I really smile

24. do you remember being born?: hell no. I remember my first house, playing with little trucks in the dirt pile outback, watching underdog, waiting for my little sister to be born, going to the beach with my grandma...

25. why do you take surveys?: because I like to be asked questions.

26. do you drink alcohol? every now and then

27. did you like or do you like high school? I never went to high school, and I'm grateful for that.

28. what is the most beautiful language?: italian

29. when you are asleep do you like being kissed awake?: probably not.

30. do you like sunrises or sunsets the most?: i like both.

31. do you want to live to be 100?: only if I don't have to spend an inordinate amount of time in a hospital

32. do you think women should be expected to shave their body hair?: expected to?! ha! um, no. I certainly don't expect anyone to.

33. do you like salty food or sugary food the most?: salt salt baby. pass the salt & vinegar chips.

34. is a flat stomach important to you?: yeah, right. important for what? no.

35. do you or have you played with a ouija board?: honestly, no.

36. are you loyal?: yes.

37. are you tolerant of other peoples beliefs?: yes, just don't scream at me.

38. when you watch movies at home, do you like the lights on or off?: OFF

39. do you believe in magic?: not so much.

40. do you have nightmares frequently?: no. and I count myself lucky.

41. do you like your nose?: it's okay. I used to really hate it. when I was 15 I fantasized about nose jobs I'd get one day. lipo, too. what a mess.

42. do you like abstract art?: yes

43. do you think you can draw well?: no, my drawing abilities are infuriatingly limited.

44. do you listen to music daily?: yes of course - who doesn't?

45. do you like to watch cartoons?: not often.

46. at what age did you find out that Santa Claus wasn't real?: I don't remember exactly... but it wasn't traumatic.

47. how many pairs of shoes do have in your closet?: too many. a few years ago I counted 30. it's ridiculous. but they are all from the thrift store.

48. do you like to wear the same shoes everyday or do you like a variety?: variety! although I typically wear the same boots most of the winter. and I have these sandals that I wore most of the last two summers, but now they're smooshed and I need a new pair. one that doesn't make an annoying flopping noise when I walk.

49. do you write poetry?: oh no no no no no.

50. do you snore?: how would I know? probably, sometimes.

51. do you sleep more on your back, front, or sides?: I am all about sleeping on my side.

52. would you rather have a poodle or a rottweiler?: a friendly rottweiler. poodles are creepy.

53. do you lick stamps? if it's necessary.

54. do you use an electric can opener?: I hate those things! keep them away from me.

55. have you ridden in a hot air balloon?: no, and I can't really see it happening.

56. which hurts the most, physical or emotional pain?: this question again??

57. do you think balding men should shave their heads?: um, if they want to. I fully endorse head shaving for all who desire it! I require it for no no one! vote for me!

58. do you know anyone who is clinically depressed?: lots of people.

59. do you prefer a piano or a violin?: piano

61. do you know someone who has cancer?: yes

64. do you like fast food joints, or expensive restaurants?: I've only ever been to one really expensive restaurant, and it was incredibly uncomfortable. it was one of those places where they kind of tuck you in to the table... too much touching going on!
anyway, my favorite kind of place is a meat & three with good iced tea. I still really miss our way cafe in atlanta, I used to go every friday for salmon loaf with dill sauce, creamed spinach & mashed potatoes with gravy, which I'd have with half & half iced tea... okay I'm really hungry now.
I also have an unfortunate addiction to sonic drive in.

65. would you rather visit a zoo or an art museum?: depends on the art museum, but usually the zoo. I love the zoo. I especially love the new orleans zoo (although the atlanta zoo has better food).

71. how many phones do you have in your house?: two

72. how long is your hair?: long. shoulder blade length I guess.

73. do you get along with your parents?: yep

74. what color of eyes do you prefer?: you have to be kidding me with this question.

76. what medications do you take? not any

77. what does your bedroom look like? it looks like a mess. it's a big room, and it's a really big mess.
two full dressers and a big stack of clothes that won't fit anywhere else, most of which don't quite fit me. bed, computer, tv, videos, books, magazines, the kids' toy castles and stuff, several boxes of my papers and stuff, two filing cabinets. more books and magazines, photographs. SIX big windows, lots of light.

Wednesday, April 16, 2003

nash is singing a song that goes:

oh yeaaaaaah
ai yi yi yi yi
oooooooh yeah yeah yeah
steven fancy, ta da da, steven fancy ta da da
duh duh duh duh ta duh duh duh

now he's back to talking to his cars: nice work, carolyn ,but what do we do now? well the treasure is over here... oh no, where did you put the treasure? I thought it was right here... well you lost it now. oh bummer, oh shit. well anyway, let's talk about fighting.

I HAVE to get myself a small tape recorder.

now he's singing, over and over:
HEY, we're the rock N ro-o-oll!
(kind of ramones style)
and then:
chicken wing - yeah yeah yeah!
chicken wing - yeah yeah yeah!
like, 5 times at least.
You're Buckaroo Banzai.
Big Boo-tay!


Which B-Movie Badass Are You?
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Tuesday, April 15, 2003

quote of the day:
"kids need to see parents do not only what is best for their own offspring, but what is best for all children everywhere. When kids sense that the whole world is on edge, they are taking careful notes about what their parents are doing about it."
Cynthia Peters

Friday, April 11, 2003

today:
it's bright but breezy.
I went for a walk this morning and picked up a stray puppy - small, skinny, brown, mostly chow from the looks of him.
the french quarter fest is swinging across the river, I can hear it through my window, but I'm catching up on work before playgroup this afternoon.
my old dog isn't interested in making friends with the puppy, which is a shame. she isn't picking on him, but she won't play.
On this day in 1803 French Foreign Minister Talleyrand offered to sell all of Louisiana Territory to the United States. He said, "The sale [of Louisiana] assures forever the power of the United States, and I have given England a rival who, sooner or later, will humble her pride."
this is my favorite.ARRRRR!

Tuesday, April 08, 2003

is it wrong to love the rain? I am very happy to see it. and to know that a cold front is coming. Cold fronts are my favorite! Bring it on!
the counting quiz

10 BANDS YOU HAVE SEEN LIVE
01 REM (5 times!)
02 Jonathon Richman (5 times!)
03 Robyn Hitchcock (5 times!)
04 Redd Kross
05 the Pixies
06 The Beastie Boys
07 Neil Young/Sonic Youth
08 Smoke
09 Jane's Addiction
10 Public Enemy (2 times!)

09 THINGS YOU ARE LOOKING FORWARD TO
01 an end to war
02 camp
03 my boston trip
04 watching gosford park this evening
05 french quarter festival this weekend
06 passover
07 easter
08 may day
09 moving into a house that is mine

08 THINGS YOU WEAR EVERYDAY
01 contacts or glasses
02 sunscreen
03 shirt
04 earrings
05 spray in hair conditioner
06 chapstick or lipstick
07 underpants
08 shoes, but only if I leave the house

07 THINGS THAT ANNOY YOU
01 rampant consumerism
02 greed
03 lies
04 war
05 not being able to save the world
06 people who hit, push, kick
07 dragon tales

06 THINGS YOU TOUCH DAILY
01 me
02 nash
03 liam
04 this computer
05 the dog
06 my pillows

05 THINGS YOU DO EVERYDAY
01 drink water
02 obsess over things I should be writing down
03 stretch
04 brush my teeth
05 hang out with nash & liam

04 PEOPLE YOU SPEND THE MOST TIME WITH
01 Nash
02 Liam
03 Rosana
04 Jeremy

03 MOVIES YOU COULD WATCH AGAIN AND AGAIN
01 Harold and Maude
02 Billy Jack
03 Local Hero

02 FAVORITE SONGS OF THE MOMENT
01 "Where is my mind?" - the pixies
02 track ten on Aimee Mann's I'm With Stupid - maybe it's called "that's just what you are"?

01 PERSON YOU COULD SPEND THE REST OF YOUR LIFE WITH
01 I need more than one or two.

Saturday, April 05, 2003

ye olde friday five

1. How many houses/apartments have you lived in throughout your life?
let's see:
the little block house in bonita springs until I was 3 and a half, then the trailer in the woods until I was ten, then the house further into the woods, a dorm room at new college from august-april 86-87, then my first apartment in fort myers from february-may 1989 (the one with all the rattan furniture), my second apartment in the wilds of estero from may-august 1989, then my first place in atlanta was a crappy two bedroom in an ugly building on n. highland from february-october of 1990, then the house on oakdale with the huge kitchen, the porch swing and the oddly shaped upstairs bedrooms from november 1990-92, followed by the basement apartment on elmira with the fireplace and built in shelves, november 1992-93, the place on iverson with the hallway kitchen from november 93-february 94 that was clearly not meant to be, and then the house on second avenue with the amazing attic bedroom from march 1994-august 1996, the awfully small apartment on... some little street in inman park, from september 96 until january 97, the house on faith avenue in east atlanta with the collapsed ceiling in the dining room for most of nash's first year, march 97-march 98, and then my first shotgun house, the little green three room in cabbagetown with the very scary wiring, across from the mattress factory from march 98 til september 98, when we moved into the modified shotgun on kirkwood avenue, with the crazy painted floors, where we stayed until november of 1999, when we left atlanta and stayed in my parents remodeled methodist church building of a house in mississippi from november 99 until february 2000, then came the ugly little house by the tracks in mississippi from then until july 2001, and then our first new orleans house, the shotgun on pacific avenue, from september 2001 through may 2002, and finally, this house here, a luxuriuously modified and well air conditioned shotgun. so that's 19 I guess, not counting camp where I live for a month most summers, or friends houses I stayed in for 2-4 weeks in DC and Amherst, MA.

2. Which was your favorite and why?
my favorite house was the second avenue place because it was SO spacious and old and beautiful. we had more room than we knew what to do with and it was swell. I bought three new clothing racks while I lived there, and filled them with vintage dresses. I was in heaven. we even had a guest room, and a big, big yard. I wish I could have the same house in this town, in this neighborhood.

3. Do you find moving house more exciting or stressful? Why?
both. it's exciting to move into a new, potentially better place, but most times I've moved out of necessity. the downsizing can be pretty depressing.

4. What's more important, location or price?
Both.

5. What features does your dream house have (pool, spa bath, big yard, etc.)?
it needs to be beautiful to my eye, and old style if not actually literally old, it needs wiring good enough that we
don't have to live in fear, a quality roof, and ideally a second floor.

Friday, April 04, 2003

if you're in new orleans, I want you to go here whenever you can.

Wednesday, April 02, 2003

my Nashua is six years old today. he was born at just after 6 AM, April 2, 1997. right now he is picking up litter at the park in preparation for his big party this afternoon. last night our friend rosana came over and helped us fashion her son's used thomas the tank (have I got that right?) pinata into a harry potter one, complete with sorting hat. it's completely amazing. I am bound and determined to have a great day.
quote of the day:
"I prefer a person who will burn the flag and wrap themselves in the
constitution to a person who will burn the constitution and wrap
themselves
in the flag" --- Molly Ivins