Comfort Wipe - the SPOOF!

Roadkill 101

As a relatively new driver, I realize there are a certain number of "firsts" which I am sure to encounter. First speeding ticket. First "slo-poking" along behind an elderly driver. First "I locked my keys in car". First drive to work on icy streets. But this past Monday, as I headed into work, I encountered one of my most dreaded firsts - my first roadkill.

Granted, I see all sorts of unfortunate animals strewn about the streets, many times impossible to even indentify. It had fur and legs - and that's about all you can usually make out.

But this past Monday morning, at around 5:10 am, I was heading up Creedmoor Road here in North Raleigh, completely caught up in my "Beatles For Sale" CD when out of nowhere this adorable, furry, happy-go-lucky bunny rabbit comes darting across the road. As I caught him in my headlights, I froze. He froze. Neither one of us sure of what to do. With traffic to my right and behind me, I had to think fast. He didn't seem to be doing any sort of deep thinking. He just stood there, staring at me as if to say, "Hey, I know you gotta think fast, but could you please try not to hit me?" Believe me when I say I am the last person to intentionally take a small animal's life, but this situation called for a quick manuever. My logic said try and get him in between my tires (brand new tires too, by the way) and hopefully he'd clear the bottom of the car and come out unscathed. I did just that.

Sadly, my calculations did not account for the fact this rabbit may, in a moment of panic, try to hop, as rabbits do, whilst under the car.

I hear a sickening "thud" as I passed over him. Clearly he had hopped. I immediately looked up in my rear view mirror, only to see this poor little guy spinning in circles on the pavement, obviously killed by the blunt force trauma to his head.

Needless to say, I lost it. I felt like I had just opened fire on the damned thing. Between trying to drive, and praying for God to forgive me, and crying, I finally did make it to work semi-composed. Not a good way to start off the week.

As the week went on, I slowly let that memory go, and forgave myself for something which I had no control over. What was done, was done. I just hoped I would not be put in that position again any time soon. Too much to ask for apparently.

This morning, coming home from Kroger, on that same stretch of Creedmoor Road, only this time heading in the opposite direction, I came across a squirrel darting across which was, at 10:00 am, a very busy road. This time I was lucky enough not to have anyone behind me within a dangerous distance, so as he ran out in front of my car, I slowed to almost a stop, safely, and the squirrel panicked and darted left, only to have the car in the lane next to me honk and then speed over him like a steamroller. I watched in horror as parts of the squirrel exploded all over the road. Even though it was not at my hand this time, it was almost just as upsetting.

I couldn't believe it. Twice. Twice in five days I encountered this nauseating scene. Is it normal for a person to be shaken the way I was when this happens? Perhaps I am making a mountain out of a mole hill, but I digress. Even knowing that this happens to hundreds, if not thousnads of animals every day doesn't make it sit any easier on my conscience. Go ahead and call me "over sensitive" if you like, but man, what an awful beginning and end to this week.

Now, where's that bus schedule????

Making hubby happy - in 1955

I came across this Housekeeper's Monthly excerpt from May 1955. According to society in the fifties, wives sole purpose is to cook, clean, and keep quiet - not to mention lighting fires and realizing her topics of conversation are not as important as his. No surprises there...
(open this image in paint and zoom to read article - it's worth it!)

To My Love

I post this from my heart, because that is where he lives....

No one ever claimed life was an easy road to travel. I will be the first to admit that. But considering the places I have been, and the person I have become as a result of this, I have to say that the "me" that writes this is content and truly happy.

I don't care to recount all my mistakes and painful memories, although they are undoubtedly a part of who I am. I want only to let you know how I truly feel, so that you will have no reservations or confusion.

John Taylor, you have no idea just how important you are to me, in my life, my heart, and my very existence here on Earth. You inspire me always!!! It is your sheer essence that puts a smile on my face every morning when I awake; even more so when you are there with me. This is the happiness I have longed for...I see in you the man I have always dreamed of. A man of beauty, strength, compassion, intelligence, humor, and wit. But not just these things - you possess the rare ability to understand me, and I can't thank you enough for that. It speaks volumes to me and lets me know every day how much you love me.

I adore you. In every way. Your smile is contagious, your embraces warm and passionate at the same time. When you touch me, nothing else matters. All of a sudden it's only you and I in the universe, and that's a beautiful feeling. Whether it be Raleigh, or Orange Beach, or Jupiter, I am the luckiest girl alive.

Unfortunately, my life has taken its toll in several ways over the years, and so many times I feel unable to show you just how much I love you. For this, I can only apologize and hope that you will know that my love for you is real, and complete, and forever lasting. Unconditional.

Since we have come together to share our lives, I have learn so many things, and continue to do so. I have learned that it is ok to trust, and its even more ok to dream. I look forward to the future now, when before all I could see was pain and obstacles. I had always fought my way uphill alone, but I know now that I have a solid partner in you, and honey, I can't describe how happy that makes me.

What are the odds of two quirky outcasts seeking each other out in the cosmos AND finding one another? I think it's something like 2 to the power of 3.1423045867374 and falling (LOL). We enjoy the most random things - and its awesome!!! You are an inspiration as well as best friend. A lover, and also a teacher. We journey together and hold each other's hand as life finally becomes bright again - and forever shining.

I post this as a blog because I have no fear in showing how I feel. I see no need to hide my feelings - you make me proud to be yours.

I love, cherish, and adore you. XOXOXOXOXO Me

Dammit Jim - I'm a doctor, not a....

Finally, after much internet scouring, I have landed this classic SNL clip featuring the Star Trek parody "Star Trek V: The Restaurant Enterprise":

Classic SNL: The Restaurant Enterprise

Dana Carvey SNL Auditions

I was cruising youtube looking for a rare old SNL sketch featurin Dana Carvey as Khan in the Star Trek revolving restaurant but...instead, here's a great look into the auditions for Lorne Michaels that Dana Carvey performed prior to getting to SNL spot:

Blackbird....fly!!!

From the news desk of KPIX Channel 5 come a story about one very protective bird down on Front Street:


SF Bird Attacks Pedestrians, Gets Worldwide Notice

The bird is reported to reside on Front Street between California and Sacramento streets, and has been featured in articles on CNN and BBC News after continually diving down on people walking along the street.

The bird has a small nest in the area and has been doing the attacks for a couple of weeks, according to an employee at Schroeder's, a German restaurant located nearby.

None of the attacks appear to have caused serious injury. However, they have attracted groups of people "laughing, waiting and watching during their lunch breaks," the employee said. "He's a star right now."

A Web site, http://www.frontstreetattackbird.blogspot.com, has been set up to follow the bird, referred to as Swoops by the site's creators.

An official with San Francisco Animal Care and Control said that these types of incidents happen all the time because of birds guarding their nests.

Johnny Carson and Uri Geller

Watch as Uri squirms in the presence of Johnny. Enjoy....

Never touch another dirty toilet tissue!!

How can you NOT love this?? It's real...and it frightens me.

Where am I?

**HAPPY BIRTHDAY V!!"

Well, when I started this blog three months ago I was happily unemployed, but really needing an outlet (not to mention a supplemental income!!). Since going back to work, you have no doubt noticed the sluggishness in which posts are made. Honestly, I have been drawn to other avenues of my life, mainly work and home. I have also began toying with the idea of expanding this blog to include all things ME. I have far too many interests to maintain 20 different blogs, so look for more and more "off the beaten path" entries as well!! Never fear, though, new posts are coming!! Stay tuned....

Until then, enjoy this hilarious short clip of the infamous bush man at Fisherman's Wharf courtesy of youtube.com:

Evening Magazine w/ Jan and Steve 1980

This clip from vintage Evening Magazine with Jan Yanahiro and Steve Fox wishing goodbye to San Jose's Frontier Village.

Conan O'Brien in San Francisco 2007 w/ Tom Waits

Thomas Alan Waits (born December 7, 1949) is an American singer-songwriter, composer and actor. Waits has a distinctive voice, described by critic Daniel Durchholz as sounding "like it was soaked in a vat of bourbon, left hanging in the smokehouse for a few months, and then taken outside and run over with a car." With this trademark growl, his incorporation of pre-rock music styles such as blues, jazz, and vaudeville, and experimental tendencies verging on industrial music, Waits has built up a distinctive musical persona. (courtesy wikipedia)

I am really digging Tom Waits lately - I mean really digging him. Pure genius this man...today I heard the entire "Nighthawks at the Diner" LP from 1975 and was mesmorized. I wanted so badly to tie in Tom Waits and San Francisco, so here ya go. Conan O'Brien filmed in San Francisco one week back in 2007 and interviewed Tom Waits. HA!! I did it!!

Also, congrats to Conan for snaggin' that Tonight Show gig - good luck Monday night!

The Tuesday noon siren

All of us living in the city know what this is. Every Tuesday, even as I grew up in Daly City, at noon on the dot, you would hear this noise. Check out this very cool informative video regarding the siren from Youtube:

Happy Birthday Harvey Milk

Yesterday would have been Harvey Milk's 79th birthday. Unfortunately, Harvey's life was cut short in November of 1978 when he was assassinated along with Mayor George Moscone in City Hall.
We will never forget all you did for the San Francisco gay community, not to mention securing the civil rights of gay/lesbian/transgender people around the world.

Peace.

Back to the streets

Returning to The Streets of San Francisco
Source: The Hollywood Reporter
posted July 29, 2008

CBS is developing a contemporary remake of the classic 1970s cop series "The Streets of San Francisco," which starred Michael Douglas and Karl Malden.The Hollywood Reporter says feature writer Sheldon Turner (The Longest Yard) and "Numb3rs" producer Robert Port are writing the script, with Simon West on board to direct the potential pilot.CBS Paramount TV, which owns the rights to Quinn Martin Productions' original series, is producing the new take that has received a script order from the network.Turner and Port, a certified member of the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department, had worked on reinventing "Streets" for the past seven months. They spent time in San Francisco, riding along with SFPD cops.The trade adds that the remake will keep key elements from the original series: the title, the names of the two main characters and, of course, the backdrop of the City by the Bay. The series will also feature elements of a traditional crime procedural.

Arboretum update

Those who can attend SHOULD! The more we sit idly by, the more they sell off our City like an auction. Please don't let it continue. Help preserve what little character San Francisco has left. BE HEARD!

Speaking of bizarre....

Wanna know just how screwball San Francisco really is?? I suggest checking out the Holy Grail of weird SF...Jack Boulware's "San Francisco Bizarro: A Guide to Notorious Sites, Lusty Pursuits, and Downright Freakiness in the City by the Bay". Here are a few of his strange entries:



One of the original drag reviews on the West Coast, Finocchio's on Broadway broke new ground with it's frighteningly convincing female impersonators. Somehow I get the feeling that the gowns were the least of the attractions!



I love this item! Mark McLoud is hardly a household name, but he happens to own an out of the ordinary collection. Also known as the "Institute of Illegal Images" it is the most comprehensive collection of decorated neutralized LSD blotter paper in the world. As such, the collection has been the target of two criminal trials where McCloud was forced to defend not only the collection, but also his own liberty.




An artist named Jeanie M. at PaxtonGate.com offers an unusual service: taxidermy of a rodent nature. That's right - you can have your favorite gerbil stuffed and mounted, not to mention papally dressed, in one of many twisted religious costumes.





Where do I start with this one?? Apparently anyone can become an "ordained minister", so says the Universal Life Church. They even send you a card to stick in your wallet, right next to your Costco card. Famous members in good standing include Johnny Carson, Mae West, Wolfman Jack, and even LBJ. What's not to love?

I always wanted to write a book like this, but apparently Mr. Boulware beat me to it. Kudos to you, sir!

Bizarro - Dan Piraro

Today I thought I would share a smattering of some of my favorite Bizarro panels. Happy Thursday!

Praise to fellow blogger Peter Bruce

I don't know how many of you have noticed, but on the righthand side of my blog you'll see a column of the San Francisco blogs I currently follow. One of my favorites is titled "1 Picture. 3 Words. 365 Days." This blog, started my Bay Area wedding photographer Peter Bruce, follows a daily routine of randomly picking people on various downtown streets in the City, taking their picture, and then asking for three words from them to describe their current mood/situation. Peter even has a link to his Cafe Press store which sells everything from hats to hoodies. All profits will help publish a book of the whole project; all 365 days on day 366.

Nice.

I really enjoy this blog! Every day, the photo selected reaches out to you and seems to fall into place with the rest of his collection. What a great idea - a virtual photo journal of 365 random citizens summing up their mood in three words. Brilliant.

Pip, pip, cheerio!!

About 12 years ago I briefly dated this scientist who had a penchant for the Beatles and carried about 25 patents. We have since parted ways, but at the time weekends were spent cruising up and down the California coast in search of rare gems. Cameron's in Half Moon Bay was one of them.

This place was like nothing I had ever seen. Thousands of beer cans from all over the world covered the walls (see Pictures tab on the website). As you walked in, you immediately felt as though you'd been born there. What a home away from home.

Out back, Cameron's offers a rather unusual array of old double decker buses from London. These buses are open to the public, and you are free to enjoy a drink and/or a smoke inside these UK treasures. They are actually set up as mini diners inside with tables and seats.

Cameron's in also a bed and breakfast offering charming rooms at a reasonable price.