The Fourth is coming !

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Oh, how I love a parade. Especially on my day off, which I will earn an extra one on Next Wednesday. This means that I will have my regular days off which will be Monday and Tuesday, and an extra day off on Wednesday! However, it is my guess is that a lot of people who have "weekends' off , will decide on an extra two days by taking Monday and Tuesday as vacation days. I can smell this one coming. Anyway, I don't mind. I really don't. There is no way to get screwed next week, so enjoy it !

Nonsensical Day

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My mother would occasionally let us take a day off from school. She liked to call it a "nonsensical day". Usually, we would start out by faking that we were sick and for some reason, moms know when their kid is bluffing. I would produce a weak little cough and say, "Mom, I think I'm sick". She would tell us to go back to bed but after the other kids had left the house she would tell us to get dressed. She would then take us to a movie or on a drive to someplace we hadn't been before. I was always thankfull for these special day with her. She would not let us take advantage of them, but if we played our cards right we would get maybe one a year.She is gone now, but today I am taking a non-sensical day off. I will probably run with my friend, Don and then go soak in a hot tub. I may even produce some new art work . The day is beautiful and the world is my oyster.

Never Better !

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Today am actively choosing a positive mood. The video will attest to this. I am especially proud of the fact that I am able to put together a wireless home network. Although admittedly, It was a successful endeavor after only seven attempts this time. The computer is teaching me to be patient and methodical. Everything is step by step and then wait. I intend to reward myself with a new duo core Mac Mini for proving to myself that I can handle the technnology. Visual sequencing has never been an easy thing for me. I will jump ahead a step if I think I can get away with it. As absurd as this may seem to anyone ( myself included ) I will still get frustrated. I am only human.

Care to comment?

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Okay, I am not looking to see a top-ten list of our worst blunders as humans or even your favorite dish (although that might be nice). All I would like would be a short comment to let me know that you came by to visit this blog. I just want to see if this thing actually works. It won't let me comment on my own blog, and so far I think perhaps two of my friends have actually visited this blog, which may say something about my popularity quotient. But that being what it is, I still would love to see if ANYONE has come to visit this site. Thank you, and bless your pea pickn' heart !

...But seriously

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As much as we like to think that we are the center of our universe, there are a lot of other factors that may lead us to sense that it is just the opposite.Perhaps we are just a speck on the wide screen display of life. Today feels like the movie "Ground Hog Day" inasmuch as their is a certain deja vu quality that pervades the day. It seems like everyone is just going through the motions.Repeating patterns and expressions that have become so ingrained in their everyday lives.I went to the cafe at my regular time to fetch my standard cup of Major Dickenson's Blend of Peet's Coffee adding just the right amount of half and half to get that quasi-mocha look that is so appetizing.The illusion that eveything is going along so smoothly, gets me thinking that a major event is right around the corner.I will keep you posted as the anticipation builds!

Offending the Almighty

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Intellectually speaking, some people like to make a parlor game out of challenging the belief systems of others. I happen to think this is a dangerous and foolhearty. Although Socratic discourse would have it that we would question the position that others take in order to get at the truth of the matter. Any good attorney will tell you never to pose a question that you don't already know the answer to; without risking losing an argument. I would propose that there are things in this world that we really don't know the answer to, that are better left unchallenged.Things that are easily intellectualized and trivialized because there is little or no supporting evidence to their existence. "Somewhat sad are those that have knowledge that extends beyond question of daily bread." Gottfried Keller

Haircut day

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Occasionally, I will cut my own hair. For some, this can be quite a traumatic experience. I recall giving myself my first haircut at the age of six. Since that time, I generally have gone to have a barber or stylist do the job. Last year, I purchased a set of clippers just to keep my hair trimmed. Since then I have taken it upon myself to cut my own hair. Given that the kit comes with three levels of trimmers, I stick to the tallest comb attachment so as to begin conservatively cutting the sides and back of my head. This procedure is a different approach than the "mangey-dog look " I gave myself as a six year old. Sometimes, I will take a piece of scotch tape and put it across the back of my neck to get a straight line to keep the look even as i trim along the back. The only downside to this whole exercise is that the hair particles end up everywhere except in the sink or toilet where I end up depositing all of the excess. Most of all, they end up down the back of my neck, and if I am wearing a t- shirt, I will have to take it off and toss it in the laundry. Otherwise, I turn into a thirteenth-century, penitent monk. I think you get my drift. ...Less

Settling in...staying happy

Some would say that it is not a good idea to get too comfortable with your situation, whatever it is... because everything is subject to change.I recall how uneasy I was when I went away to boarding school in the sixth grade.It was only after three years did i actually feel safer and better known. In the meantime, I was too busy kissing up to the Christian Brothers, so that I wouldn't get yelled at; Or worse, swatted on the bottom with a two by four. I have been here at Greystone almost four and a half years, and I times it seems like the other shoe is about to drop. Is it a good idea to remain a little bit "paranoid" ? Today is Mother's day, and it went exceedingly well for myself and my co-workers. The cooking demo went without a hitch and everyone was pleased with the results of the Steam-Roasted Pork w/Ginger Miso and steamed asparagus w/sesame dressing that I was suprised at how well it was received. This month is Asian cuisine month. Next month we will be featuring Spain.Okay, now it is the following Wednesday, and it is around 4PM in the afternoon. The board of directors is here, so everyone is "high tone". I guess that means we get a raise if we happen to please somone walking by...

Banteron is back

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Yes, it is a vey hot May day here in Calistoga, but Banteron insisted that this weather is normal for folks down in the mouth of the Rat ( Boca Raton). He pretends to enjoy the great outdoors, but I think he is sensitive to the light which accounts for his sunglasses. His skin is very light, which makes me doubt his apparent Hispanic/Cubano accent. He seems ... oh so... "Street" so I would never question his authenticity. He might take issue with it , and call me a racist pig. But hey, aren't we all a little short-sided when it comes to other cultures? Anyway, we have a lot to learn in this age of mulitnational, multitasking, corporate automatons. Heck, if you are trying to be politically correct it is best to remember that charity begins at home.

May Day, May Day !

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Today, I discovered Jott. It was described on Rocketboom and it is free, and since I have the necessary cell phone that I should subscribe to it (watch the video to learn more ). Anyway, I promised that I would talk about Scooter Rosa, which took place on Sunday. I stayed around the apartment all day today however, drinking water and eating yogurt ( because I had a bad case of the Hershey squirts ). But the afterglow of Scooter Rosa is still alive. A group of about 60 scooters headed out on a ride around the whole perameter of the city and ended up back at Railroad Square for a picnic. A few bands played and there was plenty to do besides stand around talking about motor scooters. Kids played twirling hula hoops, tossing giant beach balls and playing with balloons. There was plenty of BBQ and cold drinks to be had too. The highlight of the day for me was the "Slow Scooter Race" where the winner was the finalist who could drive their scooter the slowest over a stretch of about 200 feet without touching thier feet to the ground. It was a challenge and a lot of fun to even participate. I lost at my heat, but glad I had such a great time overall.

oh my aching stomach !

I have been feeling nausea since I came back from the Scooter Rosa event in Santa Rosa. It wasn't the ride, it was something I ate. I think it may have been an artichoke or perhaps some bad cheese. I haven't been able to leave my apartment since I got together with Don and Pat today for lunch. I had a Mexican salad, but I was already feeling slightly nauseous when I went out to lunch with them, but I thought it would pass. I ate the salad just to be polite but I really wasn't hungry. They both enjoyed their meal at Miguels. It is a local restaurant that one of the CIA chefs recommended. In fact, Deiter who is a certified master chef took me there one night for dinner. It was great. But when I got back home today, I have been drinking water and going to the bathroom every five minutes. I hope this thing passes cause it is really horrible. Scooter Rosa was a blast. I will probably write more about it when I can get things back together. To be continued...

Thumb torque

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I don't know how i did it, but the base of my thumb joint is really sore. I am thinking it may be job related. I am going to buy a support brace to stabalize it and try not to aggravate it any worse than it is. This week is the Baking and Pastry Conference and I will need to be on my game. Usually Conference attendees can be pretty demanding, but we just kill them with kindness and offer them the best of our hospitality for which the CIA is well known. Yesterday was my sister Rita's birthday and I want to wish her a very happy one.My co-worker and supervisor, Desi has warned me "Never to question her authority". I think she was semi-serious but am not certain. If she was serious, I would have to counter that with " I will never question you authority if you agree not to doubt my intelligence !" too-shay, oh-tay !

Yesterday I went and drove my scoot to the City to attend "Web 2.0" at the Moscone Center. I got lucky by finding a good parking place right across the street from the conference. I don' t know really what I was hoping to find, but it did sound kind of interesting. I listened to the keynote speakers that morning and got a free breakfast, basically. The speakers said that only 4% of the people using the internet contribute anything in the way of content. Most people are just satisfied surfing the net, really. I like to learn about contributing content because I like the idea that something I am writing is being documented even if only for myself. I can go back later and see what I have been up to as the months role by. Well the conference was going on most of the day, but I decided to cut out around 3pm and drive back across the Golden Gate all the back to Calistoga. That was the windiest and most difficult ride I have done yet. I was almost blown from lane to lane as I was hanging on for dear life. Someone almost ran me off the road when they got impatient and drove right past me... in the same lane ! I was pissed, but there was not really anything I could do. I don't think I will be going down to the city on my scooter anytime soon.Sometimes I wonder how many "legal" drivers we have in California.

Enlightenment

It has been said that " What you don't know, can't hurt you." I disagree... It's NOT what you don't know that can hurt you, it is what you DO know that I'SNT SO ! Besides, admitting that you don't know is like having "Beginner's mind" in Buddhist teaching.
But is not knowing ANYTHING, the same as knowing NOTHING? That last sentance reminds me of a joke that my sister Tara's husband, Michael told me a long time ago about a Buddhist priest that went up to a hot dog vendor in New York and when the vendor asked what he would like, the Buddhist priest said that he would like, " One with Everything"... Get it? One with EVERYTHING? Yea,right. Anyway, Bertrand Russell the philosopher, had it right. He said that "No- thing was a thing." Well if that doesn't beat all.Anyway, it is Friday and I am dog tired after a long week of working with people. Today is my "hump day" as I have two more days to go before I get to take two days off. This week was good news and bad news. The good news is that my friend Reid's wife, Jenny... had a baby boy... yet to be named. The bad news is that my friend Don's wife, Patricia has had a brain tumor removed and she won't ever be the same again. I pray for them both, as this is not going to be easy for them.

My Wired Persona

I don't know what to make of myself. Here i have garnered some Hospitality,Computer and Artistic skills and I have no idea where I want to go with them. I do my best to be of service to people where I work, where I play and where I worship. I drink coffee (two cups a day) to regulate my energy level and to regulate... well, you know. So I guess you could say that I am a wired guy.To create this picture of me on the cover of WIRED magazine I went to a promotional site : http://www.condenet.com/promo/xerox/and uploaded a scarey picture of myself. Then I thought of some gag headlines and they did the rest. Pretty kewl, huh? Anyway, I thought this would be a dynamite pic for my blog.

Wake Up !

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It is Springtime 2007 and it has arrived early this year. Already I have renewed my allergy prescriptions ( i.e. eyedrops, nasal medicine and allegra ). With this global warming thing, the prediction is that the pollen count will be very heavy this year. Who knows what the future will bring, but I don't discount Al Gore's premise in " An Inconvenient Truth". It will be nice to ride my scooter around though, because the bugs haven't taken over quite yet. It is usually at dusk when they come out in droves. Nothing a wet washcloth wouldn't be able to clean up, however. It's fun tooling around the valley, breathing fresh air and listening to my Itunes all the while. This is definitely better than an "e-ride at Disneyland".

Sketching and reflecting

Today, I worked and sketched and worked and... it seams that so long as it stays rather quiet at the CIA, I will be able to upgrade my drawing skills. It is a wonderful therapy and people who come by the concierge desk will compliment me. Later on in the day we set up for a wedding. This means I have to take down the computer, put the phone away and stand out front and act like a host as the guests arrive. This is fun, because I like seeing people all dressed up with thier families and friends in a good mood. That is what working at the CIA is all about for me. Tomorrow i do the cameras at the cooking demo and generally have a nice mellow work day. I love coming to work and watching as the weeks go by. Time has never gone by as swiftly as it has since the new milleneum, but then again it has never gone by so smoothly. The changing seasons and what i choose to do with my life has been on a pretty even keil these last couple of years.

Corn Beef, Cabbage and Blarney

Last night was the annual Corn Beef and Cabbage Dinner at Our Lady of Perpetual Help Catholic Church where I am currently president of the Men's Club who is sponsoring this event. I was very pleased at the turn out and participation of the members of not only the men's club, but women of the parish who came forward to assist in making this event a success. Most of the crowd was over 60, but more like "18" in vitality. The evening kicked off with a cocktail hour from 5:30 to 6:30 PM as many of the guests arrived on time to fellowship with their fellow parishoners. A beautiful rendition of "Danny Boy" was sung by Alice Costello, amazing stories and Jokes were told by Laverne and prizes were raffled off as the evening moved alone. Some terrific wine and cakes were won by a whole assortment of people who bought raffle tickets. The grand prize was an autographed picture of Joe Montana being inducted into the Football Hall of Fame which was donated by Joe Sr. Lenny and Sonia Murphy won that one, and Lenny informed us that he also has in his possession an autographed "baseball" of Joe Montana which in itself is quite a rarity. Millie Hunt was enjoying her dinner too, and happened to mention that her 93rd birthday would be celebrated on the following Saturday. The chefs and helpers should also be mentioned here... A Big Thank You goes out to Don Williams, Joe Birleffi, Ruben Garcia, Ron Mashburn, Marcia Stagnaro, Pat McBride, Patty and Bill McMahon, Kitty McGuire, Ray Davies, Rich Holston, Rosemary ( our favorite waitress ) and anyone else that made this a very happy event. One sad note though, at the end of the evening, Ricki, who had rode her bike to the event had taken a fall afterwards and ended up with some broken bones. A new parishoner by the name of Nicole, rode with her to the hospital to make sure she was cared for; This really was inspiring to have a newcomer take action like that, and we will keep them both in our best thoughts and prayers.

Thirty years ago...

I was detoxing in my own apartment on Sutter street in San Francisco. I had already gotten an AA sponsor and had worked the first three steps. I was ready to move on with my life. That same week I gave notice at work for a leave of absence. Two weeks after that I resigned. Unemployment afforded me plenty of time to go to meetings. My first sober job was getting people on tour buses in front of the Hilton Hotel in downtown San Francisco. After about six months on that job, I felt stifiled and began running the hills of San Francisco after work. I would make a meeting every day after my run. This was my time. Gratefully, I have not taken a drink or an unprescribed drug since that time. Much has happened between that time and now, and one thing is certain. I never want to go back to what it was like on my last day as a drunk.

I feel silly

Today there must be a full moon or something. I feel giddy and tickled that I was able to get all of the group photos that I took of the graduating students off of my Ipod and back onto my laptop.I had to download some software to do that though.This morning I had a nosebleed. I think this happens when I use too much Flonase. The stuff really works well on my allergies, so I have come to depend on it first thing in the morning, after I take my wellbutrin.I am usually upbeat, but today I got in a pissing match with one of my co-workers at the CIA. I was wrong and went off on her just because I decided I didn't like her and that she was being arrogant. I think that I am the one that is arrogant. Then a weird thing happened.An AA member walked in to use the bathroom.He told me that he has 15 days to get off of the property where he is presently living.I feel bad for the guy, but not enough to do anything for him. I didn't even let him use our phone ( or my cell phone ) when he mentioned that he noticed that we don't have any more pay phones at the CIA.It looked like he had been back on the sauce.he was a bit bloated and red in the face.I think that this was a sign from my higher power. I am going to try to help this guy out next time I see him.The image above has really nothing to do with this post other than the fact that I wanted to add an image. I know the chef on the left. He is a friend of mine.