Thursday, March 31, 2005
But my kids deserve their double bacon cheeseburger, and she won't give it to me!
Click here to download audio file
thanks to Nicho, my favorite Kiwi in Sydney
Wednesday, March 30, 2005
Monday, March 28, 2005
How to Kill a Chicken and Other Tales from the 4-H exhibits at the Texas Rodeo

The Texas Rodeo in Houston was just a few weeks back. Cowboy hats, mullets, turquoise-colored boots, wranglers: it's a whole culture that I just don't know. But god bless 'em: lots of people do, and more power to 'em. My brother attended the ro-de-oh, and sent this photo in. Look closely. That there's live chickens in the front, and the backdrop highlights each step of the live chicken to cold storage process: the welcome (that guy looks like the welcomer at WalMart), the sedation (does this mean they gas 'em here?), the picker (plucking?), evisceration (my favorite: look at the lucky guy who works at this station), the ice bath, packaging and finally, cold storage.
Evidently, this wonderful display was adjacent to the children's petting zoo. Nice.
Sunday, March 27, 2005
Something I did NOT do on Easter Sunday***or***the Freakshow outside Terri Schiavo's Hospital

People. Please. They've asked you to go home. And what are you doing? You're
crying, you're praying, you're rolling on the ground and speaking in
tongues. You're laying roses. Lighting candles. Crying crying crying.
You're taunting the cops.
You're calling others sinners. And shouting they're going to hell.
You're demonizing her husband.
You're screaming.
And crying crying crying.
Where were you when that meth baby was neglected?
When that single mom had nowhere to turn?
When the prisoner was put to death for a crime he didn't commit?
Where were you then?
Please. Go home and let her be, let us all be.
Amen.
Saturday, March 26, 2005
Blessings from our leader: direct link to god
Be blessed yourself and read the righteous goodness H E R E .
Another good one from the Ja'amlo hotline.
Speaking of Ja'amlo hotline, if you're in need of some cleansing after reading the Christ/Resurrection/God/Holy Season extravaganza, baptise yourself in this hot pink bug of loveliness: I so want T H I S C A R .
Friday, March 25, 2005
Duking it out in The Pearl: Gallery owners fighting in the streets!?
Oh, I wish I had been there to see that. Not knowing if there was any actual bitchslapping going on, nor if it occurred on First Thursday, I do know that a stalking protective order has been issued against Junki Yoshida of Yoshida's Art Gallery by Gary Lawrence of The Lawrence Gallery. Read more about it in Phil Stanford's column at The Tribune...
Juicy.
Monday, March 21, 2005
Dirty little secret
Saturday, March 12, 2005
The day the carnies came to town
But two weeks ago something strange was afoot. In the parking lot, it seemed like over night, an entire carnival midway popped up, complete with a Zipper, spinning rides, games, and a trailer selling corndogs and cotton candy. The theme? Mardi Gras. I have no idea how they fit all of these rides and attractions into the parking lot, but they did. I couldn't believe all of this excitement was only several blocks away. We could hear the squeals of kids on the rides from our yard, and even had a boy stop us in the garden to ask us if we needed any help--he wanted to go on the rides and hoped to make some quick money. Aaah, the magnetism of the carnival. We couldn't resist.
The Eagles Lodge parking lot was now an entertainment venue for young couples and families. Parents with their children, climbing the 100 stairs to fly down the slides, teenage couples dressed up and just hanging out. The lights of the Dragon Wagon, Sizzler and Zipper illuminated that old crappy parking lot, making it seem magical and awfully exciting if you're 10 years old. AdRi played a game, and won me a stuffed animal. Actually, it was a mushroom with a frog on top. The worker--who was really nice though tooth challenged--said as he handed it to me, "You can kiss this frog and lick this mushroom all day long but it ain't gonna produce a prince". The perfect end to a romantic evening at the midway.
(photos from the carnival can be seen by clicking over there on my FlickR photos)
Friday, March 11, 2005
Tuesday, March 08, 2005
Sunday, March 06, 2005
Happy Anniversary to the 3,021 other couples who are also celebrating their wedding anniversaries this week.

...one year ago today, we recited our vows in a local church, signed our marriage certificate, and celebrated with close friends and family who made it to our wedding with less than 24 hours notice. Thank you to everyone who has celebrated with us and supported us this past year. And congratulations to the 3,021 other couples who were also wed during these few days in Multnomah County, Oregon, when fairness and truth were upheld, recognizing our relationships. Have faith...
One year ago yesterday...
Planting today in El Jardin
Before & After: The Wall of Roses

So, we did a lot this weekend. But unfortunately, I didn't document it all. But I did document this. The wall of roses.
When we planted these three roses 6 years ago or so, they were so small and tiny, we were worried the wind would blow them over.
Ha! That's a good one!
Today, they are Paul's Himalayan Musk on the far left, Autumn Sunset in the middle, and Lavender Lassie on the right.
They're all from the fantabulous Heirloom Roses in St. Paul: a must-see place to visit. But a forewarning: it's like going to the Humane Society. You just can't go and look. You have to take something home with you. But we've been so happy with these three roses.
But that Paul's Himalayan Musk. My god. Believe the catalog description. It's a tree climber. So today, we cut it back where it was overgrowing the other two. Hopefully, we'll have better blooms throughout the season from Autumn Sunset (the most perfect rose), and Lavender Lassie (so sweet!). We can't say Paul's name without lowering our voice a few octaves. He's amazing, yet a hardy grower.
Thursday, March 03, 2005
Air Freshener Forest
Tuesday, March 01, 2005
Indulgence and decadence at Topolobampo
What’s really fantastic is that we did the Chefs Tasting Dinner, with slected wines to match each course on the tasting menu. Sommelier Jill Gubesch had done an amazing job, pairing the meal, and stopped by our table to talk about the wines. I feel like I’m on some weird wine expedition because I watched Sideways on the plane ride here…but that’s another story…My favorite wine was paired with Tamales de Amarillo, and it was a 2002 Rudi Pichler “Terrassen” Gruner Veitliner Smaragd from Wachau, Austria. Jill has some great tips on pairing wine with Mexican food here.
Last summer I had heard a great story on Splendid Table that was about Rick and the burgeoning wine country in a valley in Mexico, not far from Ensenada. In the area known as the Valley of Guadalupe they are producing some amazing wines. You can read more about the Fiesta de la Vendimia here.
It’s like my birthday celebration just keeps goin’ on! Too nice.