Everything I know about history and literature, I learned here:

<>Actually, this quiz is totally lame, but I'll take any excuse to put Iron Maiden here.


You're Iron Maiden! Developing from punk roots, and
now with Bruce Dickenson back on ship, you're
still the leading British Heavy Metal band.
Form has greatly slipped as of late, however,
even your new three guitar onslaught with the
returning Adrian Smith just isn't as impressive
as it used to be. \m/ rating of 7


Which Legendary Heavy Metal Band Are You?
brought to you by Quizilla

Friends aren't just for dogs anymore

<>A few days ago, I wrote a little bulletin about stupid people on Myspace. Specifically, about people acquiring "friends" and then commenting on them without even taking a cursory glance past the main photo. (In that case, it was a guy selling car stuff getting hit on by guys who were just looking at the main photo of a model, despite the very clear profile description everywhere else)

John responded by forwarding me a message some knucklehead sent to HIS DOG. Something about how great/hot/whatever she was, and how happy he was that she was still has friend, and would love to take pictures of her sometime. (this guy is a "glamour" photographer, or whatever. What he wants with rat-sized dog, I do not even want to imagine. Wait, on second thought, my imagination of it is pretty funny.)

Last night he offered to be my friend, ostensibly because he perused my profile, read my thought-provoking essays, and believes we share interests, and possibly could have witty repartee?

Generally, I’d just say “deny,” but John’s dog made me want to experience the stupidity for myself. If this guy will try to sell a photo shoot to a Chihuahua, I must know what’s in store for me! Michael Vincent Photography, sign me up!





Comments:
John Foley (ape)

Man, you couldn't have written this without blasting Dugans? That was cold. The Chinese have shredded what was left of your soul.

Posted by John Foley on Thursday, March 31, 2005 at 8:12 AM




Rebecca: Where did I blast Dugans?

I mean, unless you're seriously going to let her sign up for those slutty pics. C'mon, step in and be a parent for once. NO SLUTTY PHOTOS. Or you're grounded.

Posted by Rebecca on Thursday, March 31, 2005 at 8:13 AM




dugans fife

i think i look good naked.

Posted by dugans fife on Thursday, March 31, 2005 at 10:25 AM




Rebecca: Apparently, so does Michael Vincent
Posted by Rebecca on Thursday, March 31, 2005 at 10:25 AM

Easter Morning

<>I’d like to say we went to Mt. Tam and watched the sun rise, but really it was more like we got there, as the sun rose, and didn’t feel like hiking to the real vantage-point.

It’s my fault really. After 4 hours of not-really-sleeping, we woke up at 3 and I proceeded to pump myself (and my bag and raingear, when my thermos barfed) full of coffee.

Met with the SFMC folks and I drank a little more coffee. There’s my mistake. When I realized that I ought to have gone to the bathroom before I left, I could only think that it would take me twenty minutes, with all the gear I was wearing. Ugh. So we just hop on bikes and start through the City. This is one of the best parts of the ride, because, really, there’s not a lot of traffic at 4 in the morning on a Sunday. But there are a lot of hills. A few years ago people thought my dirtbike lust was odd, but now it just looks like one of the pack. A big pack. A pack taking the hillcrest at every block as a wheelie or jump. (not me, of course) Wheeee!

On to the bridge, into Marin, off the freeway, stop at the gas station. I really had to pee, and last year we spent quite a while at the gas station before heading up the hill. So, yeah, I was in the bushes when the group I came with headed out. And so the sky was beginning to show light before we approached the top. We were going slow, but I’m not so interested in passing on a ride like this. With all those riders, it could easily become a clusterfuck, and to what end? It’s quite beautiful, the darkness with a line of red lights twisting up through the hills.

So, yeah, by the time we got there the sun was already coming up. Just a few minutes of darkness, and then the people around us came into focus. Drank some coffee, talked some smack, and looked out over the fog and hills and cities below. This view is stunning, sunrise or no.

Two crashes that I know of coming up the hill, and probably more on the way down. We made our way down around 7am I think, and back into the City to the SFMC where we’d been invited to their pancake breakfast. After a few minutes there we decided to leave, because the last thing I need is to spend my day reeking of cigarettes. I do not understand why someone would want to smoke at 7am before breakfast. So icky. Breakfast at Bugaloo’s was OK.

Spent a few hours at my house, working on my dress (for my brother’s wedding next week) while Paul napped peacefully on the couch. Then to San Jose to see my family for Easter. My raingear was coffee-soaked, so I left it. Which was really dumb. The ride home Sunday evening ranged from sprinkling to pouring. And windy. Everyone’s favorite combination.

Sunday morning I spoke with a new SV owner, who ACTUALLY ADMITTED THE SV’s SUCKINESS. Incredible. I feel like everyone who buys one of these things is in intense denial. “It’s not that bad” seems to be a common sentiment. (imagine if people described their marriages that way) Well, if just saying that over and over makes it true, please explain why I see SO many SV’s with crash scars. Seriously, take a count. Matt had pretty much the same experience as me. “Great little engine, horrible handling.” He also freely admitted the whole headshake thing in corners and over bumps. This little headshake made me stack hard last year, and I’d at least like to know that people are experiencing this problem and making solutions. I know everyone likes to be in love with their bike, particularly one they just bought. I honestly wouldn’t have guessed that I could *not* be in love with my motorcycle, but here it is, and admitting the problem is the first step to a solution, eh? Something I need to deal with, AFTER China. Or at least after Italy.






Comments:
Charles: i'm sick of hearing your whining. SV. Set a price, I will sell it for you. You have already psyched yourself into a dislike of it, the only answer is to sell it. Sell it now. Stop whining, unload it. Get another bike.

Just like Jack and his XR. After his crash, he does not like it. Same Ting, sell it. Replace it with something else

Posted by Charles on Tuesday, March 29, 2005 at 11:40 AM




Rebecca: After you sell the girlfriend you keep whining about.
Posted by Rebecca on Tuesday, March 29, 2005 at 11:41 AM

Culture of Life and Death

<>You can’t really believe this isn’t a political issue.
I mean, it shouldn’t be. But it is. It’s been turned into one, and that’s why you’re hearing about it.
I’m appalled that it’s being billed as a right-to-life issue. Does any one of those people really believe that they would want that for themselves? This has nothing to do with a so-called “culture of life.” It’s about an issue some people thought would polarize us more, and bring more conservatives on board. And maybe it did, but I don’t think it’s coming out the way they wanted. Turns out, the vast majority think Schiavo should be let go. Including Republicans and Democrats, church-goers or not.

I’m lucky that my parents already know not to keep me on that kind of life support like that. We’ve had a lot of talks, and even some things in writing, some hard decisions made, who will be in charge, make decisions for you? Funnily, most of us chose my sister for that task. I don’t even understand all the terms and variations of life-support and states of life and consciousness. Who cares? Technology will change those rules. The important thing is the quality of life.

I can’t say I was lucky exactly, but maybe in a way, that I learned a lot about dying from my aunt a couple of years ago. It was around this time (March 29th, 2003) that she finally passed away. Carol had been an activist for cancer and death and dying issues for years; when it came for her, it seemed a little too suitable. She knew the stages and all the things the doctors should have had to tell her. She would only allow laughing in her hospital room. She had my grandparents bring her peanut butter and vegetables that the nurses would keep for her. There wasn’t talk about when she was going to get better, all the things we’d do. Why lie?

Later, she was released from the hospital and sent home to my grandparents’ house. Why stay in the hospital? Just so the nurses are there to drag your life as long as possible? She was moved into the ground floor bedroom and spent the last several weeks there. Getting around a bit, running out of breath all the time. Her lungs were failing her at the same time that the ovarian cancer attacked her. One night an ambulance was called to revive her. She made her sisters promise never to do that again. Ambulances and hospitals are harsh things. Even the gentlest nurse or the coziest hospital bed, it’s not your family and home. It’s not restful. It’s not where you want to live or die. Mary was chosen to be Carol’s decision maker and guardian. She was most available and able. Carol had plans for her funeral, she probably had had them for years. She wanted to be buried in a pine box, a very simple casket, in her bicycling clothes. She had an Emily Dickinson poem chosen for her prayer cards. She dyed her hair bright green since it would fall out anyway. She counseled those who grieved early. She laughed at her death, on its way. All of this under my grandparents’ roof.

The time came and no ambulance was called. We were all on our way from various parts of the state anyway, to see my cousin’s daughter in a local play. Carol held on as long as she could, but when we got there, she was gone. When we came into the house it was a little quieter than usual and most of the people were in Carol’s room, some on the bed next to her, some in the chairs, waiting with Carol. People trickled in and out and hushed. We ate a talked a little. And finally, my grandmother thought that she should call someone from the mortuary. Things became a little painful when they arrived, as my grandmother became distraught that she couldn’t find her shoes to walk out with the body, and flitted around the back of the house not knowing what she was supposed to do. “I should go out with them. That’s my baby. Shouldn’t I? Should I? What am I supposed to do?”

I don’t know what a mother is supposed to do when her daughter gets carried away.

It’s probably one of the most painful things I’ve ever experienced.

But it happens. My grandparents learned volumes from Carol. She guided them lovingly through the dying process, and made us all better people.

Carol’s death touched hundreds or maybe thousands of people. She’d been very active with cancer patients and survivors, hospice care, the deaf community, and lately Murder Victims Families for Reconciliation. I can’t remember exactly, but I think it was about 13 years between her breast cancer and the ovarian cancer/pulmonary fibrosis that final killed her. She had inspired thousands, and touched millions through her work. If you have cancer or are close to someone who does, you are probably benefiting from her work. My grandmother received emails and letters from strangers all over the place, condolences and stories of her impact on their lives. A woman none of us knew came to her funeral because she had met Carol when she herself had breast cancer and didn’t know what to do.


If you haven’t talked with your family about your wishes for your death, do it now. It’s an uncomfortable discussion. It’s a complicated one. At the very least, name someone whose judgement you trust, to make those decisions for you. I don’t think there’s a person on the planet who would choose to be kept on a life support system for 15 years as a vegetable. It’s no good for the person who’s dying, and it’s even worse for the people who love them.

I want to make my own “culture of life,” and it sure as hell doesn’t include laying unconscious in a bed for 15 years. I’ll live my life now, thank you very much. When it comes time for me, my family know to pull the plug. I’m an organ donor, and I want to be cremated. I know there will be songs and drinking at my funeral. You can cry, but there should be some laughter too. If anyone wants to know, I had a blast.

Comments:

<>Charles: don't croak too soon. I still need you around. But, you are right, don't keep me alive with a tube up my kiester, pumping it in and out. If I can't feel my penis, pull the plug on me.

but YOU! better be around. I wanna get so drunk I piss myself at your wedding, and I wanna be the first to barf on the floors in your next home.

i think I am about to lose my office betting pool. I put my money on the Pope going before Terri.
Posted by Charles on Monday, March 28, 2005 at 8:40 AM




Rebecca:
Freakishly, I suspect the pope has another month in him. I have no idea why. By all counts, he ought to have gone off by now. I'm a little perturbed that he's clinging so to his life. I mean, what is he afraid of? Doesn't he have himself all spiritually in order? Does he doubt his afterlife?

Anyway, I'll be in Rome soon, so I'm partially wishing to hit it at a really interesting time. Maybe I could go see the smoke signals and all that.

Posted by Rebecca on Monday, March 28, 2005 at 10:04 AM

Amador to Dakar to, um, King City?

<>So it’s been a while since I’ve updated this thingy.
Is it boring to say I’ve been busy?
Last weekend we rode up to gold rush country, Amador County, Sutter Creek to be exact. Turned out that my folks were also there, so it was a neat little convergence on my grandparents’ house. It was wonderful to see them. My grandma took out some old pictures of my mom when she was probably my age or slightly younger. Neat stuff. Sunday Paul and I tooled around on our motorcycles through the little towns and country roads. Could have spent a few days doing that, but just had a few hours. The roads up there are wonderful. Hardly any potholes, very little traffic, and the scenery is incredible. Rolling green hills and layers of far off fog, cows and goats and chickens, ponds, barns, little spurts of flowers in tiny twisting creeks. Yeah. Timing was perfect, and we stopped off at Daffodil Hill, which was just in bloom. A few acres of daffodils, peacocks, chickens, and a donkey and rabbit. Nice. Rode a bit more, found some fun historical landmark plaques, and then headed home again.

-The SV tires track atrociously on rain grooves. I have to remember never to buy tires with tread lines going around the tire parallel to the rain groove. I almost pulled over to pull the thing apart on the way to Sutter Creek, I was so sure there was something wrong.-

Thursday we went to see the SFMC meeting, and Paul was nice enough to let me ride on the back so I could drink some stout. And drink I did.

Friday we went to Saha , a little nice-ish restaurant near my place. We’ve been there three times now, and like it rather well. I recommend it. But check that they’re open before you go, since we’ve been disappointed at least twice by their schedule or a rental. The food is delicious. The wait staff is friendly, but kind of ditzy. They brought me something totally different from what I ordered, but it was delicious. Chocolate cake was omigod. Stop by if you’re in the neighborhood.

Saturday we went back to SFMC for a slideshow presentation by a guy who did the Dakar rally. It was a really neat talk and the photos of the guy’s bike with the front wheel suddenly sunken into the sand (on several occasions, apparently, with a trip over the handlebars each time) were really fun. Wish I could have stayed to chat with all the folks who came out of the woodwork, but we had to go eat.

Yesterday I unfortunately caught wind of some stupid bad idea endurance rally. I say unfortunately because now I really want to go. Really really. And of course it’s a bad idea. I have a 400 single dirtbike, and my aim here is to do 1000 miles in 24 hours and get points and whatnot. My boyfriend is way more reasonable than I, and trying valiantly to talk me out of it. I suppose it’s mainly because I am pained by the fact that I can’t do the Sheetiron this year, but I’m stubbornly interested in this.

Upcoming:
1.) Seattle
2.) Italy
3.) China
4.) Stupid Bad Idea Endurance Rally

Open to other stupidity after that.

To be fair, I have to admit this

Current mood: embarrassed for all of us

Some of my friends are morons.
I know this because I get a lot of stupid bulletins.
I'm not talking about the funny stupid ones. (surveys, etc.)
I'm not even referring to the boring stupid ones. ("how old are you? Repost.")
Really, not even the incredibly annoying, but on-point ones (like the 5,000 announcements for Rocket I got that one time)


But the paranoid "Women, watch out for men spraying perfume," "Women, deoderant causes breast cancer," "Republicans are sneaking the draft back," chain letters and "virus warnings" and other shit, um.
I'm sorry, you are a dumbass.
When was SNOPES introduced?
And, please, since you've forwarded me a million of these "forward to ten people and your crush will call you tomorrow" things, I mean, tell me honestly, how many times did it actually come true? You've forwarded them enough to come up with a number by now.


I'd say you know who you are, but odds are, you don't.

Comments:
John Foley (ape)

I love you.

Posted by John Foley on Thursday, March 10, 2005 at 10:52 PM






Ka'ryn

Exactly!!

Ok, guilty of re-posting a realllllllllllly annoying & DUMB chain mail on occassion, but the sheer multitude of them posted in bulletins on here is....sad.

Oh & HEY!!! I haven't talked to ya in a while, grrl...Dirk is in town--you should come see him in SF.

Ciao sweetie : )

Posted by Ka'ryn on Wednesday, March 23, 2005 at 1:43 PM

It would be cheaper to get a penthouse at The Venetian

<>I suddenly realized last Thursday that I needed to get this trip to Italy planned. It became pretty clear on Friday that my mother was way too busy even think about it, so I took on the hotel search and stuff. Rome and Venice have consumed me all week. It took many hours, sifting through so many fucked up websites… ugh. I want to kill the asshole that invented Flash websites. Just give me the goddam info already!

Italy is fucking expensive. You could very easily spend upwards of $350/night on a ONE star hotel room there. Anyone who was expecting souvenirs, or telling us how great the food was going to be there, um, sorry. We’re not buying anything, and we can’t afford to eat either. Thanks Mr. Bush, for that Strong Dollar you keep talking about. At least admit it.
Anywhoo, I’m still not oriented in Florence (three nights there) or the Tuscany countryside (four nights there), so if anyone has input, please let me know.

And the trains, if you can clearly explain the trains to me, it would be a godsend.

We plan to arrive Rome (8am), get on a train to go up the coast, probably Pisa or somewhere like that, rent a car, and drive into the countryside (wherever we determine to stay, any ideas?). Spend four nights there, with the car, to make day trips to various things in that area.
Drive to Venice, dump the car, and stay in Dorsoduro for four days. Room is booked.
Train to Florence (But HOW?) , stay there for three nights. No hotel yet, any suggestions for cool areas or hotels?
Train to Rome. Apartment booked in Travestere for four nights.
Fly home.

Help! I can’t figure out if I’m supposed to buy a train pass, or individual tickets, and if so, do I buy now or when I’m there?

Last night I watched a movie called The Control Room. I highly recommend this movie to everyone. It’s a great look at the media coverage in the Iraq war and Al Jazeera in particular. Netflix has it. There are some really stupendous hairdo's in this movie too. Go forth and see the rest of the world.

Comments:
John Foley (ape)

Poor baby. Having trouble getting your posh European vacation to go the way you want? Sounds like Bush's fault to me too. I blame him for my huge nostrils.

Posted by John Foley on Wednesday, March 09, 2005 at 2:01 PM




Rebecca: uh, yeah.

I'm travelling POSH, was totally the point of my blog.

Posted by Rebecca on Wednesday, March 09, 2005 at 2:11 PM

damn, I was counting on them to be the smart ones

<>Apparently, the Japanese are just as dumb as us:
Hint: It's Above South Korea

I mean, I have to come out right now and admit that my placement of certain states (including a lot of red ones, to be honest) and a lof of countries is full of giant voids. (there are a lot of damn countries out there. Honestly, can you place every country in Africa and do you even know where Myanmar is? OK, I know that one, I'm just saying, is all) I know which states are on the edges, and where Texas is, because drinking is cheap there. I know where Kansas is, just on account of family history, and Tennessee, since I've vowed never to return. Having ridden into Nevada, I could pick it out of a lineup, and I hear Utah is around there too somewhere. Not that it matters. Utah doesn't matter. No one wanted it anyway, is why the Mormons have it.

Countries that regulary make the news, countries I've been to, and countries with really good cheese-- I know where these are. If I've called them trying to figure out why they didn't answer my emails and where the hell are my samples, I also KNOW. (I'm watching you, China) That includes South Korea. Which makes me an expert on where North Korea is. (just for shits, they should have put North Korea somewhere else entirely.)

But, placing USA in China? Or Congo? We should be so lucky as to be in Brazil.

Uhh, huh.

This gives me a little faith and a little terror. I mean, I guess I'm not as stupid as I always thought, you know, compared to brainy Japan.
On the other hand, If the A-students of our world class are getting dumber, the whole curve is thrown. If they can't place the USA, I'm going to start saying "nucular," just to keep things in balance. And maybe also develop a complete misunderstanding of the concept of sovereignty.


I'm just babbling.
Anyone offer any good advice about Italy? Like, I cannot decipher the whole train thing, and where can I stay for cheap, but not icky-cheap. My mom will be with me. No hostels.
I know where Italy is.

Comments:
John Foley (ape)

I can name every country and capital in Africa, so there. I can't point to every one of them on the map, but who the fuck can? And Myanmar was formerly known as Burma, capital Rangoun. Put not your faith in Chinamen.

Posted by John Foley on Friday, March 04, 2005 at 7:22 AM




Rebecca: You need to get out more.
Posted by Rebecca on Friday, March 04, 2005 at 8:40 AM

What Happens in Vegas, Stays in Vegas

<>But only because it's too boring to mention.

I spent the weekend in Vegas with my boss.
Wait, that sounds bad.

Went to Vegas Saturday morning to set up our booth for the MAGIC show. The work wasn't too bad, but shopping for belts Sunday really sucked. I don't think my taste is really in the same place as my boss' or the other people in my company, so I was really nervous about that. Other than that:

-Delayed flight Saturday morning, damn, I could have been sleeping! Next time, check the flight first, before leaving your warm bed. Arrived around 1:30 Saturday, worked on setting up the booth for a bit, checked in to our hotel. My room was way bigger than my apartment, and had two televisions, two beds, a fold-out chouch, three telephones, a printer/fax, three stools, six chairs, and I think about 6 tables. I kept getting turned around downstairs, but, yeah, the Venetian is nice. The downside to my room was the sunken living room (!) which had a light on the stairs for safety, which you could not turn off.

Saturday night dinner at the Mandalay Bay. Picked the wrong restaraunt. Yuck.

-Sunday, drama with the salespeople (just one, really) and more booth set up. Lunch at Venetian Cafe, Dinner at Zefforino, in the Venetian. The new office girl from our New York office is sweet, but who the heck orders "White Zinfandel, but it should be pink?" unless they're talking about box wine?

Spent almost two hours Sunday shopping for belts for our booth, and it was a strange feeling to stroll into some of these uppity designer stores with the real possiblilty of buying something. Hello! I'm in Gucci, and ready to buy! Thankfully, they didn't have what I needed.

I think the tiki bar is gone. :(

-Monday, up bright and early, good breakfast, then to MAGIC. The show is cool, very big, but also very boring in reality. Picked up a bunch of magazines (they have all these free magazines) and hiked around the fabric and trim sourcing area to look for stuff. I still have no business cards to give these vendors, which makes me look like an ass. Took off for the airport shortly after lunch.

All in all, a fine trip. But I feel old. I mean, here I am in Vegas, it's supposed to be all "woooo!" and stuff, and I'm just, work, eat, go to bed. Next time I need to bring more comfortable shoes, and sneek my boyfriend in.

Now it's time to make a dress for the wedding, and start getting ready for Italy. Shoes, luggage, reservations! oh MY!

Comments:
B.

oooohhhh, Vegas can soooooo suck it.

Posted by B. on Thursday, February 17, 2005 at 4:06 PM

year end, a month or two late

<>I did this last year, and here I am, but this time a month and a half late.
How much my life has changed...
I always told my friend Eric (who I've known for like 11 years) that 27 was the perfect age. He was miserable at 26, and I reminded him that for years I'd been telling him, 27, perfect. He loved his 27 and frequently told me I was right.
My 27 is halfway over, and it has been the very best. I'd like to say I have everything I ever wanted, but I guess there are a few things I don't have (like a jetpack, and my SV650 dual sport), and, more importantly, I have something I could never have imagined.


1. What did you do in 2004 that you'd never done before?
Fell madly in love.
Got Road Rash.
Went to a tradeshow for work.
A couple of little wheelies
Get hit by a car, for real, like, go all the way down. (I’ve been winged before but never “Whack! Thunk! Crash!”)
Got a hangover from BEER.
Went to a Hell’s Angels party.
Fired guns.
Took a longish motorcycle road trip by myself.


2. Did you keep your new years' resolutions, and will you make more for next year?
I don't believe in New Year's resolutions.

3. Did anyone close to you give birth?
No.

4. Did anyone close to you die?
No.

5. What countries did you visit?
None.

6. What would you like to have in 2005 that you lacked in 2004?
I didn’t lack in 2004. But I’m looking for more travel.

7. What date from 2004 will remain etched upon your memory, and why?
July 11th. I crashed my SV650, hard, and that’s how I got Paul to spend some time with me. Messed my finger up good and destroyed all of my riding confidence. It was worth it.

8. What was your biggest achievement of the year?
Riding into Seattle by myself was awesome. The pass over Mt. Ranier was beautiful. Next time I hope to have company though. And conning that hot guy with the XR650 to hang out with me.

9. What was your biggest failure?
Crashing, not regaining my skills and confidence. Thousands of little temper flare failures.

10. Did you suffer illness or injury?
Uhh, yeah. I will never be a hand model again. My finger doesn’t bend as well as it used to, and the nail grows in softer now. The scar is still shedding off hard skin constantly.

11. What was the best thing you bought?
I wish I could say my SV650, but... hmm, that’s a tough one. I really like my furry boots with chrome heels.

12. Whose behavior merited celebration?
Paul’s, he treats me so well. My parents, for constantly working to make the world better.

13. Whose behavior made you appalled and depressed?
Same as last year:
My own, at times.
George Bush's, at all times.

But, this year, also:
The voters, ugh. I’m glad to see that the po’ white trash contingent is selflessly giving their vote to those who would screw them over the worst. And “Christian” and “moral” are two words that we need to reclaim.

14. Where did most of your money go?
Rent?
Followed by my motorcycles.
And some paying down of debt, this is my goal to finish the bad debt thing early this year, and then start chipping away at the student loan.

15. What did you get really, really, really excited about?
My motorcycle, the Sheetiron, the ride to Burning Man, Grand Theft Auto. Those are all the same as last year. Except, that where last year I also said “being single again,” now I will say the most exciting thing in the world to me is my incredibly hot boyfriend. I also got pretty excited about my trip to Seattle, and my brother’s engagement.

16. What songs/bands will always remind you of 2004?
I don’t listen to new music, really. So, anything that I had in my RIO when I rode to Seattle. That’s a lot of Snog, Rob Zombie, and Jimmy Luxury

17. Compared to this time last year, are you happier or sadder?
Happier. Omigod, am I ever happier.

ii. thinner or fatter?
Fatter.

iii. richer or poorer?
Richer. Since I paid down debt.

18. What do you wish you'd done more of?
Riding, and I keep meaning to get back to sewing.

19. What do you wish you'd done less of?
Crashing.

20. How will you be spending Christmas?
Oops. I spent it with family as always.

22. Did you fall in love in 2003?
Yeah, I think that’s a theme here.

23. How many one night stands?
None.

24. What were your favorite TV programs?
The Simpsons, still. I still don’t have cable, but I sure as hell wanted to catch the season of Surreal Life featuring Flavor Flav and Charo. I really really wish I could have seen that.

26. What was the best book you read?
“Your Disgusting Head,” and “Giraffes!”.

27. What was your greatest musical discovery?
Um, I didn’t have one.

28. What did you want and get?
An SV650. Be careful what you wish for. I mean, I did want a red one, and I ended up with a blue one. Maybe a red one would not have crashed so easily, and had a better suspension?

Also, something that started with something like “what kind of tires are you running on your XR?”

29. What did you want and not get?
A good, rideable streetbike.

30. What was your favorite film(s) of this year?
I really enjoyed The Life Aquatic. Was that 2004? Faster was pretty great. HATED Napoleon Dynamite, and everything else is a blur.

31. What did you do on your birthday, and how old were you?
Had dinner with many friends at Don Ramon’s. Drank several yummy margaritas. Dropped my cupcake on the floor. Rode around on the back of Charles’ ST1100 like a drunken idiot. 27yrs.

32. What one thing would have made your year immeasurably more satisfying?
It’s honestly hard to ask for more. Crashing less, riding more, and more confidently would have been better.

33. How would you describe your personal fashion concept in 2003?
I have a corporate job, and a corporate uniform. Other than that, I have a bulky snowsuit to wear every single day for riding. On the 2% days, when I get my own clothes and no riding, I’m all about the furry boots with chrome heels. And the very occasional latex.

34. What kept you sane?
My DRZ (it’s PERFECT) and Paul (he’s PERFECT). And, as the background to my entire life, my family. It’s a constant, in support, framework, and inspiration.

35. Which celebrity/public figure(s) did you fancy the most?
Still Rob Zombie and Tim Burton, though I can’t think of anything they did this year specifically. Politically, I have to say, I was impressed by Gavin Newsom’s stand.

36. What political issue stirred you the most?
Omigod. Don’t get me started. With the election behind us, I’m pretty fucking disturbed, politically, on a federal level. Right now, I’m just hanging on by upping my donations and interest in ACLU and Planned Parenthood. I talk now with my grandparents about the importance of Planned Parenthood. These organizations need our support now more than ever to get through the next four years with as little damage as possible. I have very little hope to make anything better in the immediate future, only to try desperately to hold on to the rights we have now. And wait for a better day. I hope it’s coming. I am doing a tiny part by boycotting a few companies that I know to support an administration that would put me back in place and then watch and limit what I do there. I am most disturbed to find that Victoria’s Secret/Express are big Bush supporters. As a company that makes its money off of women and their developing career-orientation, sexuality, and freedom, I cannot fathom why they should support a regime that would limit that and take away our freedoms and reverse the sexual revolution. This really doesn’t sit well with me. It’s just the tip of the iceberg.

And it’s all too much. What do I work on now? Sending emails and letters to my representatives to preserve my civil rights, and my interests as a motorcyclist. Showing up to meetings about land use to preserve my off-road riding rights. What the fuck is it with people who have no qualms about paving shit over, and then driving on it, but see something wrong with cutting a little trail and riding through?
Would putting a strip mall next to the single track, maybe a drive through Starbucks next to the dirt road, make it nobler, more acceptable? Seriously, go fuck yourself, cager.


37. Who did you miss?
Charles.

38. Who was the best new person you met?
Paul. Duh.

39. Tell us a valuable life lesson you learned in 2004.
Miniscule pothole + streetbike= blood and guts, and lots of dollar signs and depression. Stick to Dualies. When people tell you that that’s how a bike is supposed to be, people need to be ignored.

40. Quote a song lyric that sums up your year.
"Candlelight dinners, and just being with you
Feeling so romantic and so warm inside.
Yes I do, I really do
I start to thinky
Of just how stinky
That the things, they really are

I think of Chernobyl, and toxic waste dumps
And the hole in the ozone the size
Of the United States
I think of dead fish
And the dolphins that wash up
On our shores
I think of Condors, and Black Rhinos
And tens of thousands of animals
Facing extinction today.

I wanna forget, all this madness
And just think about the way
You make me feel
Yes you do, you really do

I see the pictures, of reindeer in Norway
Dying from being downwind from
Nuclear air
I think of children, in San Francisco
Dying of leukemia, and new terms
Like cancer clusters
It makes me feel so blue
It does
It makes me feel so blue"

(actually that’s a fucked up blenderized version, since I haven’t heard that song in a long time, and forget a lot)

Comments:
Charles:

don't miss me. I am right here.

Posted by Charles on Wednesday, February 16, 2005 at 8:56 PM

2:20 PM - 1 Comments - 0 Kudos - Add Comment - Edit - Remove

I don't even NEED to make this shit up

<>Or, why I love places like Tennessee
she had all her teeth

Maybe we should reconsider what exactly is meant by "a jury of your peers"

He really focused on finding what you really love to do

Good career advice for your kids

I need to annex the neighbor's place

<>I need to take a car for a test drive, just so I can stop by my house and schlep a bunch of crap to Goodwill. I was thinking mini coopper, because they're so darn cute, but my second thought is that I'll need a truck.

Or maybe I need to learn how to sell stuff on ebay. I'm just a little unclear on the whole shipping thing.

Somehow, I need to get all this crap out of my little apartment.

When I moved into this place, it seemed huge. For the first couple of years, I didn't even use two of the closets. Then, very suddenly and very quickly, it started to fill with crap. Being an art student, I compiled a dizzying array of art supplies, artwork, fabric, sewing machines (there are THREE in my studio), shit I thought might make an interesting project someday. I have a problem with books and magazines. Since I've dabbled in different mediums, I have acquired equipment and supplies for all kinds of shit: darkroom gewgaws, metalworking tools, of course sewing and patternmaking. Don't forget bookmaking, etching, millinery, and textile printing.

Then I got bikes, and now all the shit normal people would keep in their garage is crammed into what is essentially my nightstand. Want a glass of brake fluid? No need to leave the bed!


Ugh. It has to go. Or I need to move to Tennessee, where I could afford a nice spacious place to house all my shit.

Sadly, even after I decide something needs to go, I have no way to take it out of the house.
So, test drive a mini cooper. Anyone know how to drive, want to go for a test drive?

<>Comments:
Charles: you have a freind with a HUGE goddamn van. You set a weekend date, get everything ready, have a location for it to go TO, and I will bring a big BIG van.
Posted by Charles on Tuesday, January 25, 2005 at 10:09 AM

Why I'm not going to fucking Rocket

<>Goddamit, my FRIENDS are spamming me now.
You're throwing a party? Great.
You want to tell me? Great.
You want to tell me FOUR TIMES? NO.

I've gotten six bulletins about this stupid club in the past TWO days, and FOUR of them were from ONE person, two of which were sent within twelve hours of one another!


riiiiiiight.
I'll be washing my hair that night.



Comments:
Rebecca:Make that eight total bulletins, five from one person.

Keep trying! Twentieth time's a charm!

Posted by Rebecca on Friday, January 14, 2005 at 8:41 AM




Rebecca: In a bizarre spam fest from my friends, the grand total was 9 bulletins (not counting things like "this is where I'm going to be Saturday night, call if you want to hang out" or etc.)

Two spam-happy people tied with SIX posts each flogging this event, and three other people politely sent the announcement out only once.

No Kudos for anyone.

Posted by Rebecca on Tuesday, January 18, 2005 at 11:15 AM

Sometimes China is just in the WAY

<>So, Paul came back, and New Years Eve was nice and mellow. I’m a bit relieved since I’ve never been much of a “woo-HOOOOO!!!!!” New Year’s Eve person.

I found out a couple of days ago that my company is making me go to China in May for our sales meeting. Which wouldn’t be so bad, except that it’s the weekend of the Sheetiron! GODDAMMIT !!!!! Seriously, like one of those things that I measure my year by, but I cannot go. Really, really sucks.
This year will be different anyway. The past couple of years have been metered by Sheetiron, Burning Man, Christmas. These are the markers and highpoints of the cycle. This year, no Burning Man, no Sheetiron. I decided not to go to Burning Man after last year was kind of a let down to me. I put in as little effort as anyone, so I’m not complaining, just recognizing that if I’m not working for it, I’m part of the problem. Maybe I’ll change my mind. I figure I’ll go somewhere on my dirtbike instead.

The year looks like this now:
February- Vegas for the MAGIC show for work. I stay at the Venetian. There’s a Tiki bar there. But tiki bars aren’t so great by yourself. Sigh.
April- 4 days in Seattle for my brother’s wedding. It will be fun. I’m excited.
April/May- Two and a half weeks in Italy with my mom.
May- Fucking China trip for work. Grrrrrrrrr….
July- Nothing. I’m thinking another four day road trip is in order for Independence Day. (Seattle again, or somewhere else?)
August- Nothing. Labor Day weekend dual sport trip of some sort?

It looks like a whole lot of nothing after a very busy May. I’ll be all out of vacation after Italy, so I guess the rest of the year will be mostly local. I want to do more dirt riding. I need to learn how to wheelie anyway. What to do to make up for missing out on the Sheetiron? sniff sniff…

dig deep, dig shallow, just DIG

<>Before you say to yourself "I'm too poor," please consider the difference in meaning, of what you consider "poor," and the poverty that exists on a daily basis in much of Asia. Now consider that even those low means of living have been wiped out completely for hundreds of thousands of people. The death tolls from the tsunamis are incredible, but what's really going to hurt is the struggle after.


If you give 10 bucks and skip your lattes this week, someone might get clean drinkable water so their kids don't die. If you then pass this on and each of your friends gives 10 bucks, well, it grows and grows, so quickly, and so easily, doesn't it?


http://www.ifrc.org/helpnow/donate/donate_response.asp
The website is bogged down right now, but be patient, it will load (I hope this is a good sign)

All I want for Christmas is for you to stop bitching

<>I baked assloads of cookies this weekend, but did not send out the Christmas cards I bought, and even started to write in. I am about 75 percent Christmas ready, and ready to blow the rest off so I can lounge in my boyfriend's empty apartment for the next couple of days.

I miss him, like, a LOT. His cat is an incredibly sorry substitute for his presence, but I figure we can commiserate about not having someone to feed us and rub our chins until we drool.

And I am going to LOAF for the next two days.
Before Christmas. That rocks.

And, I want to take a moment to address all the obnoxious people who keep saying things like "I hate the holidays," "I can't wait until the holidays are over," "No presents, I hate Christmas," or whatever your fucking problem is...
If you don't like Christmas, shut the fuck up and get on with your life. Don't go out and feel like you have to buy shit because of Christmas. Go spend time with your friends and family, go do something nice. Do not go to the mall. If you really don't like Christmas, don't fucking participate! But complaining is just rude to those of us who DO enjoy Christmas.

I did some shopping and stuff, but the things I've enjoyed the most this year (and in years past) is the time I get with the people I love. I also love the Christmas music and lights, the crispness of the air, and the thouroughly-ingrained-despite-my-having-left-the-church-ages-ago sense of anticipation and wonder.

Christmas is totally about gifts. YES. From a religious standpoint, it might be the gift of god's son, or hope. I've received priceless gifts of friendship and love throughout the year, and it's this time of the year when we all think of the people around us dearly. Some may get material gifts to signify this, others may not. I had the gift of a wonderful dinner with friends last Sunday. And then I have family coming up this weekend. If you're reading this, you have the gift of life, and we all know a few who don't have that this year. It's a gift you ought to share with others around you like RIGHT FUCKING NOW, because you don't know which of us won't be sharing it next year.

Sometimes I've not been able to do gift-buying for christmas. One year, I was hospitalized just before the holiday, and sick too much before and after to shop. Didn't make a damn bit of difference to anyone around me. Trinkets are cool. But don't kid yourself. You don't really care about them, and neither do the people around you. They care about the gift of you. So give it up, scroogey, and stop yer bitching.


I am done with christmas shopping, now I have to come up with a bridesmaid dress.

<>Comments:
Charles: Presence, not Presents
Posted by Charles on Sunday, December 26, 2004 at 6:53 PM

creeping death

Current mood: sick

Now entering Week 2 of the Creeping Death cold. It just gets worse and worse. Last night I couldn't even get through the night-- woke up at 2am and couldn't stop caughing. For like an hour. After which, I finally decided to take ANOTHER dose of Nyquil (on top of the dose I took before going to bed but after a giagantic glass of wine)
Waking up and getting my shit together this morning was difficult. If I weren't so goddam busy at work, I'd stay home. But there's piles of shit to do, and more coming in all the time. I'm sick as shit and people just keep giving me more crap to do. Hey, here's an idea... if I'm the only one staying until 8 every night, maybe you should give that work to someone who is leaving at 5? My one comfort is the knowledge that they're all walking out of my office with a colony of Creeping Death germs. I hate it when work gets like this. I hate it more when I'm totally fucking sick.
Bitch, moan, complain. I hope this will ease up next week. I think it will.

It's all just distraction from the most miserable part of this, which is that Paul's away right now. Blue Christmas, indeed. Aaargh! three weeks is too long! I'm too busy with working to even do anything weird like go to his house and make a scarecrow from his clothes, or smell his pillow or something creepy. I'd make a terrible stalker.

And speaking of Christmas, I picked up something really cool for my sister in-law (assuming I actually get my ebay stuff in time) and now I'm really just stumped by my dear old dad. Dads are so difficult!

hack cough ugh

he's still on the airplane

<>but i miss him terribly already.
:(

Or my personal favorite:

Current mood: cranky

Sorry! an unexpected error has occurred.

This error has been forwarded to MySpace's technical group.


I don't know about everyone else, but I'm thinking, after the first hundred or so times, how "unexpected" is it, really?