"Nostalgia"...A Round Robin Promotion

"We could never have loved the earth so well, if we had no childhood in it."

-George Eliot, The Mill on the Floss, 1860

What do you think of when you think of nostalgia? Car hops at restaurants? Drive-in movies? Antique cars? Soda Pop in real glass bottles? Or even Milk in real glass bottles for that matter. :) Sometimes I get nostalgic for things of comfort from my childhood. There were these frozen juice bars that I would buy from the ice-cream truck called, "Missles." They were strawberry, lemon, and orange. YUM. I haven't seen them in years. As I recall, they were delicious, especially on a hot August day.

Can you be nostalgic for something you have never tried or experienced? My whole life I have heard about a tasty little snack cake that is apparently sold only east of the Rockies. Drake's "Ring Dings." I have heard about them in movies, and in magazine articles, even an episode of Seinfeld. You can order them from Amazon.com. A 10 pk for $3.39. I have NO idea why I don't make the big leap and order a box. LOL. I just haven't. But how silly is that? What if I am missing one of the great American cultural experiences? Maybe I will put them on my Amazon.com wish list. LOL.

One thing I do miss however, is the great old greasy hamburgers from my youth. Back before strangers tried to save my life, by insisting that only polyunsaturated oils should be used on the fries I loved. I like it when my burgers are drippy with greasy yumminess. I like my burgers messsssssssy. Half a jar or mayonnaise, red onions, REAL cheese, and sometimes a nice bit of Lea & Perrins steak sauce. I always order my burgers without lettuce, because I am not fond of hot lettuce. Nope, why ruin a perfectly good burger, by adding something healthy to it? I do understand my approach to a good burger isn't the healthiest, so I don't eat them too often this way, but boy when I do...I enjoy every bite.

I think the thing I am most nostalgic for, are Drive-in movies. So many have closed here in Northern California in the last 20 years, the last one being the one located in Union City, California, which made way for the newest uber mall, which contains an uber theater. Sigh. It was fun going to the drive-in. I miss that a lot, but I have been reading here and there, that they are making a comeback. Crossing my fingers, eyes and toes on that one. :)

So tell me, what are nostalgic for? Or better yet, get out your camera and join the Round Robins for our next challenge, "Nostalgia." Our friend Dorn, author of the journal, "Through the Eyes of the Beholder," has chosen this topic for us to take on, and what a great choice it is. :) We can all relate to feelings of nostalgia...right. The date of this challenge will be, Wednesday, September 6th. Please pay a visit to the official Round Robin blog, and read Steven's announcement entry for this challenge. And if you haven't already done so, please welcome him aboard as the newest Round Robin team member! I hope to see you on September 3rd.

-OndineMonet
"Bob's Big Boy"
Berkeley, California
August 25th, 2006

John Scalzi's Weekend Assignment #126: Where You Live

"Where we love is home. Home that our feet may leave, but not our hearts."

-Oliver Wendell Holmes, "Homesick In Heaven"

Your Weekend Assignment #126: What is the most interesting thing about where you live? "Thing" in this case would be a famous landmark, a famous current celebrity or historical personage from your home town or county, a notable celebration or sports event... basically, anything that makes where you're from interesting and unique.

Extra Credit: Are there any books that feature your home town (or someplace nearby) in any way?

-John Scalzi (By The Way)

Where do I begin? LOL. I have shared quite a bit about Berkeley. Showed you the art about town, the awesome Berkeley Marina, the views of San Francisco, and I have shared a little about the quirkiness, that makes Berkeley never boring. From the minute you reach the city limits, you know you have arrived in a unique town, that can be super chic one moment, and completely retro the next. Berkeley has an energy to it, probably because of the university. This time of year is my favorite. School is back in session, and everyone is rested and ready to take on college life.
It is a special place, and I could go on and on, so how about I show you in pictures. :)

Autumn in Berkeley

The Berkeley Couches

The Frat House Shoes

The pizza from my favorite pizza place, The Cheeseboard Collective. Amazing pizza and a cheese shop that sells about 500 varieties of cheese. YUM! :)

The Berkeley Repertoire Theatre

The Addison street Art Walk " Poetry Plates"

The Sather Gate entrance to the University of California Berkeley campus.

The Sunrises over the East Bay Hills

The Sunsets at the Berkeley Pier

The music and poetry readings, "How Berkeley Can You Be?" day, the wonderful assortment if restautrants along Shattuck avenue, the Peoples Garden, the Poetry Garden, the public art, the street vendors along Telegraph avenue, the Peace Wall, and the beautiful Claremont Hotel, are more of the sites that make Berkeley a beautiful and unique place to live. I love it here. :)

Extra Credit: There have been many books set here in Berkeley and the Bay Area in general. One such book is, "Tales of the Fish Patrol" by Bay Area resident, Jack London. The book is a collection of short stories, set on the San Francisco bay, during the years of the author's youth.

-OndineMonet
"Sather Tower"
University of California Berkeley
Berkeley, California
November, 2005
7:00 AM

Note: Nzforme, you are absolutely correct. My goodness, if anyone finds out about my error...I will be kicked lock, stock and cat right out of Berkeley! YIKES! Don't tell anyone, ok? Thanks for the head's up. If I had actually gone there, I would probably have gotten it right. We tend to get a bit lax around here. LOL.

Steven's Feline Friday...Woo Hoo

"If you hold a cat by the tail, you learn things you cannot learn any other way."

-Mark Twain

For this week's edition of Feline Friday, Steven has asked us to do something a little different, so, we are creating a WooHoo of our favorite companions. Kinda cool! So, above you see, "The Many Moods Of Elvis." Enjoy!

-OndineMonet

Star Jones Reynolds...Love Coach (Ellipsis Poll Results)

"I have no use for people who throw their weight around as celebrities, or for those who fawn over you just because you are famous."

-Walt Disney

Poor George Bush, once again he has lost in the polls! LOL. Most recently, an Ellipsis (non-scientific) poll, for your choice of "Favorite Celebrity Behaving Badly." Nope, George only came in second, but in the #1 spot as the biggest baddy, as chosen by you, is none other than Star Jones Reynolds, for the awesome "Hissy Fit" she threw on her last day as co-host of ABC's The View. Let's give her a round of applause!

I was surprised that she actually took first place. Still, I guess it's not everyday someone actively works to infuriate Barbara Walters. So, what's Star been doing since her untimely exit from The View? Well, my research yielded an unexpected answer to that very question. According to "StarJones.com," her official website, it turns out Star landed a pretty good back-up job for herself, sometime back, as a "Love Coach" for AOL Coaches! LOL. Yeah, I can feel the love! Strange, I hadn't heard anything about that gig, but then again, AOL rarely consults me on such matters, or any matter for that matter. LOL. I wonder if the "Love Coach" offer came before or after that bizarre blogging incident last year. Hmmm... Also, do you think she will remain on staff as an official AOL "Love Coach" now that she has exited The View, which is a part of the AOL/Time Warner companies? Stay tuned, I predict another interesting turn of events in the saga that is Star Jones Reynolds!

-OndineMonet

Click here to see the complete results of the "Celebrities Behaving Badly" poll.

Round Robin Challenge: Transportation

"Two roads diverged in a wood, and I took the one less traveled by, and that has made all the difference."

-Robert Frost

We all have to get from here to there...don't we? Every since I found out that our current challenge would be, "Transportation," I have had Supertramp's song, "Take The Long Way Home," stuck in my head...again! A couple years ago, I was going through a rough time and I heard that song about six times in the space of about a week. It was playing in the background of a Lifetime movie, it was on one of the digital radio stations on my cable box, it was playing at the supermarket one day, and even the Ethereal Musician joined in the haunting, as he played a particularly soulful version one day when I was napping in the back yard. I had that song stuck in my head for 26 weeks. LOL. And along with it, the headache from HELL, and the interesting events of sleepwalking. LOL. I don't think it will be stuck that long this time around, lol, but it is a catchy little tune. :) So, I thought it would be fun to demonstrate how someone might "take the long way home." :)

I could ride a Merry-Go-Round, but I would just go in circles. That would never work!

I could fly away in a big balloon. Trouble is, the wind has to blowing the right direction...or I could get very lost. :(

I could hop onto a giant sky chair...but have you ever tried to gracefully exit one of those things? :)

I could sail away on a small passenger boat. I am only 4ft 10, that qualifies as a small passenger...right? Nah, where would I put Elvis? :)

I could catch an old-fashioned cable car like this one, and "climb half way to the stars." Half way? I don't like to do anything "half way." LOL.

This young lady had wheels installed on her bathtub. LOL. Is there anything better then a long bubble bath? I just bought some Jasmine bubble bath. :) Oh wait...she didn't have any controls installed on that thing! That would never work!

I know...a train! Remember that great old movie, "Strangers on a Train?" Ut oh! Never mind. LOL.

I know...I could ride a bike! I could even take a ride like Etta Place and Butch Cassidy did in the movie, "Butch Cassidy & The Sundance Kid." Wasn't that one of the most sexy scenes in cinema history? :) Ahhh... no but see...sooner or later there would be a big shoot-out. There's always a Gloomy Gus somewhere!

I think I will just take a walk. I love walking in autumn, the crisp air, the smell of the first fireplaces of the season, and the blanket of beautiful colored leaves to play in. Yes, I will use my own two feet, to find my adventures and "take the long way home."

And now a poem...

"Feet" By Edwin Carp

You need feet to stand up straight with
You need feet to kick your friends
You need feet to keep your socks up
And to keep your legs from fraying at the ends

You need feet to stand on tippy-toe
You need feet to dance the Hoochy-coo
You need feet to walk away with
And I need feet to run away from you!

Tee Hee! Be sure to visit all the Round Robins, and see their interpretation of the challenge. Thanks goes to Robin, author of the journal, "These Are The Days Of Our Lives," for bringing us this awesome challenge! Be sure to visit the Round Robin blog on Thursday, to find out the subject of our next challenge, and welcome Steven, the newest member of team Round Robin!

Linking List

1. Robin "These are the Days of our Lives" POSTED!
2. Karen "Outpost Mavarin" POSTED!
3. John "Personal effects" POSTED!
4. Carly "Ellipsis...Suddenly Carly" POSTED!
5. Suzanne R "New Suzanne R's Life" POSTED!
6. Julie "Julie's Web Journal" POSTED!
7. Janet "Fond of Photography" POSTED!
8. Asender "Asender Rises Above Studio Updates"
9. boliyou "Percolation" POSTED!
10. Celeste "My Day My Interests"
11. Robin "Search The Sea" POSTED!
12. Kerrin "A New day A New Photo" **Welcome New Member** POSTED!
13. DesLily "Here There And Everywhere 2nd Edition" POSTED!
14. Steven "(sometimes) photoblog" POSTED!
15. Phinney "Paragon" POSTED!
16. Dorn "Through The Eyes Of The Beholder"
17. Betty "My Day My Interests" POSTED!
18. Marie "Photographs and Memories Too" POSTED!
19. Gina "Ginas Space" POSTED!




-OndineMonet

Your Monday Photo Shoot: My Camera And Me

"There is only you and your camera. The limitations in your photography are in yourself, for what we see is what we are."

-Ernst Haas

This edition of "Your Monday Photo Shoot," is being hosted by Journals Editor Joe of, "Magic Smoke."

Your Monday Photo Shoot: Take a photo that shows you with your camera. A mirror or other reflective surface would probably help here. Also, tell us a little about your camera and how you use it. (This isn't a sneaky marketing survey, incidentally.)

Editor Joe (Magic Smoke)

Well, here I am again! LOL. Just a couple months ago, I got brave and decided to show my full face in an entry...for the first time mind you, and now, here I am showing it again, at a slightly different angle! LOL The last photo was in black and white, so here is what I look like in color. LOL. That's it...mystery solved! I guess this will be my official self portrait for autumn. LOL. So tell me, am I what you expected? Go ahead...give it to me straight...I can take it! :) Do I look taller? Tee Hee. Ok, now about my camera...




I have a Konica/Minolta Dimage Z1, with a 3.2 Mega pixel x10 zoom lens. It is a pretty nifty little camera, and it also has a video feature with does pretty well even in low lighting. :) I LOVE my camera, it has some weight to it, so it is a lot easier to hold steady, and it does pretty well for the amount of pixel power. I don't think a day has gone by, where I didn't take a picture of some kind with it, I guess you could say, this camera is my best friend. :)





-OndineMonet
"Just Me"
Berkeley, California
August 21, 2006
Evening

A Surreal Moment, And The Winner Of The "Caption This Or That" Contest

"We have to pursue this subject of fun very seriously, if we want to stay competitive in the twenty-first century."

-Unknown

This was definitely a very surreal moment! There I was, enjoying a gourmet spaghetti dinner from my favorite little North Beach restaurant, Fisherman's pizzeria, when swoooooooop...down came this hungry fella intent on stealing a noodle from my stylish carry out diningware. LOL. It was fun. I love having my camera by my side, for moments such as this one. He was a goofy bird, and it was initially a bit unnerving to have him peck at the windshield, so I gave him a few noodles and some garlic bread to enjoy. Hey, moments like this don't come along every day! LOL. Now on with this week's "Caption This Or That," winner.

It's beginning to look like the fix is in, but the prize again goes to Wil, talented author of the blog, "Daily Snooze." The winner was chosen by a completely impartial entity, so it was fair, I promise. I will be doing another round soon, so consider playing along next time...give this brilliant man as much competition as you can...HE MUST BE DEFEATED! LOL. A special thanks goes to John Darrow, David Darrow and Brock Meeks for also playing along. You guys are the best! Now on with the winning caption...

"Puff's failure to heed the Dragon Crossing sign yields tragic, yet predictable results."

LOL. Give our friend a round of applause! :) Thanks for playing Wil!

NOTE: I am also posting at my AOL journal Ellipsis all this week, stop by and say "hi" if you get the chance! :) And don't forget, we will be playing our current Round Robin Challenge this coming Wednesday. Click here for details! :)

-OndineMonet
"A Surreal Moment In San Francisco"
Fort Point
San Francisco, California
October, 2005
Afternoon

The Wife Of The Richest Man In The Fictional World

"Next to a circus, there ain't nothing that packs up and tears out faster then the Christmas spirit."

-Kin Hubbard

I can't believe we are very almost in September. Then again, it seems like every year goes faster and faster...without my consent. LOL. It's one of those secrets no one tells you when you are a young one of 21. They never tell you that as each year passes, it will all suddenly pick up speed somewhere around thirty, and as things start to sag, and your body turns on you, those sagging parts of yours will cause you to pick up speed, as you crest the age hill, and send you flying into oldness. Complete with "old people noises," forgetting where you parked your car, looking forward to going to bed before 10:00 PM... TO SLEEP, and the inability to tolerate spicy food. LOL. What was once wolf calls, is now replaced with, "can I help you to your car ma'am?"

I used to be a girl. Then I was a WOMAN. Ok, that is pretty cool, now I am a ma'am. That last characterization was the one I could have lived without. LOL. I was speaking to someone the other day about my future, "golden years," and I had to sigh. If it's all sagging this bad now...what will it be like in 20 years? Heck, will I be able to pick my knees up off the floor? And what about my boobs, which are now resting as shin guards? Will they difficult to roll up? My ear lobes now sit where my boobs should be, don't think that isn't an interesting sight, so I wonder, "is wearing shoulder duster earrings vulgar?"

Oh well. If the above picture is any indication of what my future could be like, then I do indeed have something to look forward to. After all, Santa did make Forbes Magazine's richest " Fictional Fifteen," list for 2002. In fact, Santa took first place on a list that included such wealthy characters as, Thurston Howell III, Bruce Wayne, Cruella Di Vil, and J.R. Ewing. With all that money I can have stuff, nipped, tucked, sucked, blown, removed, put on, tossed, pinched, prodded, and smoothed by the best plastic surgeons at the North Pole. See, Alan was once a mall Santa, so that makes me Mrs. Claus. Tee Hee. Say it with me now..."I believe, I believe!" LOL.

Note: I am also posting, for one week only, on my AOL Journal Ellipsis. Drop by and say hi. :) Should be a fun week, as I celebrate 3 years of blogging!

-OndineMonet
"Fun In The Sun"
Santa Cruz, California
August 11th, 2006
Evening