John Scalzi's Weekend Assignment #148: Cats Or Cheese?

"Cheese is milk's leap towards immortality."

-Clifton Fadiman

Weekend Assignment #148: Cats. Cheese. There's only enough room on the planet for one of them, and you have to decide which goes. Which do you choose and why? Now you as, why cats and cheese? Well, why not? People like cats; people like cheese. They're generally considered to be unrelated. Having to choose one over the other sort of gives you insight into your soul, about what's really important to you. Or, alternately, it's just fun to consider. Really, lets not pretend we're doing anything too deep here.

For clarity's sake, when we say "cats' we mean domestic cats; lions and cheetahs and such will still be about, so you don't have to worry about taking out a whole bunch of endangered species. When we say "cheese" we mean all cheese, even the stuff that comes out of a aerosol cans and/or is spelled "cheeze." It all goes.

Extra Credit: What's your favorite breed of cat and/or type of cheese?

-John Scalzi (By The Way)

Oh Blogfather! Don't think for one moment this isn't a deep subject! LOL. I LOVE cheese, but I LOVE cats as well, especially my little boy Elvis Aron. Yep, I love my kitty so much, I gave him a middle name! What to do? What to do?

Let's Talk About Cheese First...

Cheese is a passion of mine, so much so, that when I considered one day in my youth, what kind of man I would one day marry, the two solid absolute requirements were...

1. He could NOT be a smoker, and 2. He had to love cheese as much as I do!

And I meant it! Tee Hee. Thanks goodness I met Alan, he was perfect for me in every way, including my two most important requirements. :) Together we have been seeking out the perfect cheese, and the perfect cheese shop in all the world, or at least in California, for 16 1/2 years. I am happy to report, we have indeed found the perfect cheese shop in all the world, right here in our own backyard. The Cheeseboard Collective is located at 1512 Shattuck Avenue, right here in Berkeley. They have over 500 kinds of cheese, and also make some fabulous, melt in your mouth breads, and rolls. Right next door is the sub-collective where they make a pizza so mouth-watering good, that you will swear it was prepared by GOD himself! No kidding here. Blogfather, if you ever get back to the San Francisco East Bay, anywhere near Berkeley, you should come up here and try it out. You will become a believer! In the above photo you see 4 of my very favorite cheeses, with some cinnamon frosted pecans on the side. Cheese is a food of seduction. I L-O-V-E CHEESE!

And Now We Will Talk About Cats...

My Kitty Elvis

Elvis in his new Christmas sweater. 12/25/06

Just look at that face! Is there anything left to say? Elvis is alive, and he is such a joy and comfort to me, I am afraid I would most certainly choose Cats. I can't imagine not having him at the foot of my bed at night, he is my sunshine. I would miss cheese if it was no more... but I know when someday I will have to live without my Elvis... I will be forever lost. Oh dear Blogfather... I choose CATS! Sniff, sniff... someone pass me a tissue... sniff, sniff. Goodness, this is kinda like Sophie's Choice! ACK! ;)

Extra Credit: My very favorite cheese is French Feta. It is a little creamier then the Greek variety, and a little sweeter. Perfect for salads or for cheese puffs. As for cats, Elvis is a British shorthair cat, which come in many colors and patterns. The Tuxedo is my favorite. Those black and white cats RULE!

-OndineMonet
"Cheese Glorious Cheese"
Berkeley, California
January 19th, 2007
Late Evening

Black & White & Idolized All Over

"The most insignificant people are the most apt to sneer at others. They are safe from reprisals. And have no hope of rising in their own self esteem but by lowering their neighbors."

-William Hazlitt

Self esteem... we all have it, yet a good deal of us have no idea what to do with it. I suppose that sounds like a bold statement coming from me, and it might be, but lately some things in the world have really been rubbing me the wrong way, and I can't help but wonder... where did we all go so profoundly wrong? What was the date that changed most American's into selfish, tunnel sighted, simpletons, who can only form opinions based on a book's cover, whether it be about voting for a president, or choosing the next American Idol? Maybe there wasn't one specific date that changed the American world... maybe we allowed our social bitterness to age gracefully, I don't know... you tell me... what is beautiful?

I am speaking specifically here about the ruckus being raised about the negativity that is the new season of FOX's hit show, American Idol. While I fully admit I am not a big fan of the show, and rarely, if ever, actually watch the show, I did happen to catch the last 30 minutes of Idol the other night, and I have to say, it did nothing to make a fan out of me. I found the big three... Simon, Paula and Randy, to be at their hurtful best, and in fact, managed to carry off pompousness and deceit, with a good deal of proficiency. As negative as it all was... it was still a ratings success. Why do folks watch something that demonstrates such harshness? I know that the justification for the actions of the "judges" is because the producers of the show want to show the whole process of finding the next idol, and what it takes to produce a diamond from the rough. But really, does it take psychological abuse, to produce an idol?

I get that not everyone who shows up to the American Idol auditions, has star potential. I get that sometimes it is amusing to hear someone sing woefully off key, I mean, didn't we all laugh at Lucy Ricardo, when she would hit those keys way off the mark? Yes, we did, because it was funny, and we knew, even if we didn't sit and dwell on it, that it was all in the script, and therefore we could laugh knowing no one was getting hurt. American Idol is NOT a sitcom, it is real people, with real hopes, trying to be a part of the American Idol experience. I think some who audition, know they have no talent, and so they try out for the humor and experience of it all. However, there are some who audition who really think they have a chance, when in fact, they have no chance at all. It's those individuals who my heart goes out to. They do not deserve to be made fun of, or belittled by the likes of Simon, Paula and Randy. Particularly disturbing to me was the remark made by Simon Cowell, to a contestant, Kenneth Briggs, regarding his physical appearance, calling him a "bush baby."

The young man didn't have the voice for the competition. It was pretty clear, but why did Cowell have to further insult this young man by making such a hurtful comment regarding his looks? How many folks at home laughed at this young man, simply because Simon Cowell made a joke at this man's expense? What is the deal with all the cheap shots about physical appearance flying about recently? Have we all forgotten what makes a person? Simon Cowell is, physically speaking, a nice looking man, but it only takes a couple moments, to change all that. All he has to do is speak, and the stupid pours out, and he goes from a nice looking man, to someone really quite ugly. And rather sad. I have to wonder, does his edge come from some buried inferiority complex? Have you ever known a bully? If so, when you look back, can you see how terribly sad and frightened they were? Isn't it strange, that it takes more courage to hold ourselves in a positive light, then in a negative one?

I was watching ABC's The View yesterday morning, and of course, the ladies talked a little about the previous nights episode of American Idol. All of the ladies agreed that it seemed a little over the top in terms of harshness, but Rosie O' Donnell took it a little further. "Isn't that what America thinks is entertainment? To make fun of someone's physical appearance and then when they leave the room, laugh hysterically at them... three millionaires, one possibly intoxicated (maybe referring to Paula Abdul's recent behavior) the whole thing, it's terribly sad to me." As much as I agreed with her, it occurred to me that she had done the very same thing last month, when speaking about Donald Trump. She made fun of the way Trump chooses to wear his hair, while giving forth the opinion that Trump should not be the moral compass for anyone. Hair/morals. Hair/Morals. I don't get it, does she mean to say that all men who sport bad comb overs are morally vacant?

On the other hand of cheap shots, did Donald Trump mean that all women who are overweight are in fact slobs? Or was he speaking only about Rosie? That was only one of the adjectives, the ever eloquent, Donald Trump, chose to describe Rosie with. Slob. I supposed he was a little miffed about the comb over remark. Shrug. Cheap shots, apparently equal high ratings. The View hasn't suffered under the nearly weekly verbal controversies springing forth from Rosie O' Donnell, thinly disguised as pearls of wisdom. We all tune in anyway, and if the truth were told, don't we kinda look forward to the next bit of negativity? Maybe just a little? I suppose I should raise my hand, I do look forward to hearing her make these remarks again, and again. I don't know what stands out more for me, her nerve, or her total lack of class and self-dignity. No matter who it is, when I hear someone being hurtful to another, I feel a little less respect for them. Why do so many go straight for another's appearance, even when the argument has more to do with the values, and personality?

Speaking as a woman who is way less then perfect, I know that I am someone who has value in the world, despite being only 4' 11 tall. I know that I have value, so does it really matter I have a few more gray hairs then I did five years ago? I know I have value, because I wouldn't hurt someone on purpose for any reason. I know I have value, because I was told for years by my own family, that I didn't. LOL. Those people lived to hurt others. At the age of 44, I have finally closed the door on their hurtful opinions of me. Maybe it's because I grew up in that atmosphere, but I can't tolerate it when I see someone hurting another for the sport of it all. Or for the ratings, or for the gain some feel by disregarding another. Would the world really be less interesting if we all decided to think before we speak? Does America really want idols, built on the pain, and self-esteem assassination of others? Sigh. Why does America allow crulty it succeed?

-OndineMonet
"The Pants"
Berkeley, California
January 17th, 2007
Afternoon

That Silly Four Letter Word...

"Love at first sight is only realizing an imagination that has always haunted us, or meeting a face, a figure, or cast of expression in perfection that we have seen and admired in a less degree or in less favorable circumstances a hundred times before."

-William Hazlitt

Hallmark holidays! Sheesh! They make me all contemplative. Ok, I admit, I have greeted Valentine's Day with different degrees of respect and disdain over the years. Sometimes I would completely ignore it. "Who needs a silly made up holiday anyway?" Sometimes I would meet it full head on, taking myself out to dinner, buying myself flowers, and then ending the evening with a nice pampering bubble bath, drawn with chocolate scented bath bubbles. LOL. I love me after all. LOL. When I got married I thought that my Valentine's Day fretting might finally be over, but alas, I married a man who isn't too sentimental about made up Hallmark holidays, but who can be a romantic fool for no good reason on... oh say... August 23rd, the anniversary of our first kiss. Swoon. He really does remember my birthday, our anniversary, and the date of our first kiss and the date of our first date... but on Valentine's Day... I am sort of on my own.

Not that I am complaining mind you, but sometimes, just sometimes, I wish he would turn into a Valentine's Day Fool. LOL. It's not like he never likes to get a little romantic on the day, a couple years ago he wrote me a poem, and tucked it under my pillow. I smiled the whole day through. Last year he gave me a gorgeous little dessert set, from Bed, Bath & Beyond, and then we enjoyed a special dessert of Ice Cream Cake. Sexy and FUN! I am never really sure how the day will go. This year, we have kicked around the idea of going for the fun and lighthearted times we enjoy, by going out for pizza and root beer. Trust me girls, there is a lot to be said for a low maintenance Valentine's Day! ;)

Anyway, in honor of the upcoming holiday, I have decided to do a series of entries about love. Happy love, sad love, contemplative love. I am just as confused by it as anyone else sometimes. Is there really such a thing as Love At First Sight? Can you be in love, and have no idea why? Can you love more than one person at the same time? Is it infidelity if you do? Just because one is married, doesn't mean we stop thinking about all the possibilities in the world. Love is a puzzle to be sure, and I like putting on my thinking cap and trying to think things through for myself. Sometimes all I end up with is a headache, but sometimes, just sometimes, I solve great mysteries, at least as for as I am concerned. :)

Tell Me Your Thoughts! Sing out in the comment thread for this entry, AND be sure to take the two quizzes below, and let me know what you scored. Just click on each graphic to be redirected to the quiz. :) Here is what I scored...

Propensity for Monogamy...

Your propensity for monogamy is low.
You see love as a gift that you should give to many.
It's hard for you to imagine being with one person at a time.
Let alone one person for the rest of your life.

Experience Level...

Your experience level is high.
You've loved, lost, and loved again.
You have had a wide range of love experiences.
And when the real thing comes along, you know it!

Dominance...

Your dominance is low.
This doesn't mean you're a doormat, just balanced.
You know a relationship is not getting your way.
And you love to give your sweetie a lot of freedom.

Cynicism...

Your cynicism is low
You are an eternal optimist when it comes to love and romance.
No matter how many times you've been hurt - you're never bitter.
You believe in one true love, your perfect soul mate.
And if you haven't found love yet, you know you will soon.

Independence...

Your independence is low.
This does not mean you're dependent in relationships.
It does mean that you don't have any problem sharing your life.
In your opinion, the best part of being in love is being together.

-OndineMonet
"Passion" Artist Unknown

Your Monday Photo Shoot: Out Your Window, Redux

"I take a simple view of life... Keep your eyes open and get on with it."

-Sir Laurence Olivier

Your Monday Photo Shoot: Pick a window in your home. Take a picture of it. We're looking at things that are close to home this week.

-John Scalzi

This is the view, from out of the attached storage room, in my house. The window faces a west view, but you can't see the bay from this window, because of the heavy landscaping to that side. I probably should have photographed it earlier in the day, but just didn't have a chance. Anyway, even with the landscaping partially covering the view, you can still tell we were about to get some rain. It's started raining a nice, soft, rain a couple hours later, and it was really nice. It's actually warmed up here a little, and yet there was still a blip on the news about the possibility of a few snow flurries. Here's hoping. :)

Listen To The Rhythm Of The Falling Rain
The Cascades

Listen to the rhythm of the falling rain
Telling me just what a fool I've been
I wish that it would go and let me cry in vain
And let me be alone again

The only guy I care about has gone away
Looking for a brand new start
But little did he know that when he left that day
Along with him he took my heart

Rain please tell me now does that seem fair
For he to steal my heart away when he don't care
I can't love another when my hearts somewhere far away

The only guy I care about has gone away
Looking for a brand new start
But little did he know that when he left that day
Along with him he took my heart

Rain won't you tell him that I love him so
Please ask the sun to set his hear aglow
Rain in his heart and let the love we knew start to grow

Listen to the rhythm of the falling rain
Telling me just what a fool I've been
I wish that it would go and let me cry in vain
And let me be alone again

Oh listen to the falling rain
Pitter patter, pitter patter
Oh listen to the falling rain
Pitter patter, pitter patter


-OndineMonet
"Rain"
Berkeley, California
January 16th, 2007
Early Evening

Art About Town... San Francisco

"Only through art can we emerge from ourselves, and know what another person sees."

-Marcel Proust

It's been a while since I have done an "Art About Town" entry, so I thought it would be nice to post my first one for 2007. I actually took this photo the day after last Thanksgiving, but somehow never got around to doing an entry about it. This sculpture is one of my very favorite pieces of public art in San Francisco. It sits as the centerpiece of Ghiradelli Square, and is considered the most photographed feature of the square. It's titled, "Andrea's Fountain," and was created by artist, Ruth Asawa.

Andrea's Fountain has sat in Ghiradelli Square since it's debut in 1968. According to the fountain's legend, the artwork was initially met with some criticism by landscape artist, Lawrence Halprin, who felt the sculpture was not to be considered "serious art." However, Asawa's vision for the fountain, was to create a piece which could be enjoyed by all ages. "I wanted something related to the sea... I thought of all the children, and maybe even some adults, who would stand by the seashore waiting for a turtle or a mermaid to appear. As you look at the sculpture, you include the Bay view, which has been saved for all of us, and you wonder what lies below that surface."

Andrea's Fountain, Ghiradelli Square, San Francisco

I can tell you, from the upper floors of Ghiradelli Square, you can see the most lovely views of the bay. It is truly one of the best parts of North Beach. I can sit and study this sculpture all day, it's a sculpture honoring the legend on the mermaid after all, and as you know, I was the mermaid Ondine in a former life, or in this life, I keep forgetting which is right. ;) Andrea's Fountain is named for the model who posed for it, Andrea Jepson.

-OndineMonet
"Andrea's Fountain"
Ghiradelli Square
San Francisco, California
November 24th, 2006
Early Morning

But Don't Forget Folks... That's What You Get Folks...

"Infatuation is when you think he's as sexy as Robert Redford, as smart as Henry Kissinger, as noble as Ralph Nader, as funny as Woody Allen, and as athletic as Jimmy Conners. Love is when you realize that he's as sexy as Woody Allen, as smart as Jimmy Conners, as funny as Ralph Nader, as athletic as Henry Kissinger and nothing like Robert Redford... but you'll take him anyway."

-Judith Viorst, Redbook, 1975

Ellipsis has a new poll on it's sidebar, "What Is Your Favorite Romantic Song," which is of course, in honor of Valentine's Day next month. Can you believe we are nearly at the Heart holiday? So strange that we have a holiday, in honor of an emotion very few of us can define, explain, or even agree on whether it's a good thing or not. Recently, I had a conversation with a good friend of mine, a guy by the way, about how at times in both our lives, we weren't sure if LOVE wasn't in reality more cruel than hate.

It can hurt so bad when it isn't returned, and feel so good when it is. It can happen in an instant, with just one glance, or take a lifetime to happen. Some folks look their whole lives for someone to share forever with, while other look into a strangers eyes... and just know... their life has just been changed forever. And isn't there always a song, that somehow comes closer to explaining how we feel, whether it be for love realized or love lost, then we can ourselves? So, go look at the Love Songs I chose for the poll, and cast your vote. If you like, feel free to tell us why you chose a specific song, in the comment thread for this entry. If your favorite romantic song isn't listed, feel free to share that as well. :)

Click here, to see the results of last month's poll, "What Is You Least Favorite Part Of The Holiday Season."

-OndineMonet
"Makin' Whoopee"
Conservatory Of Flowers
Golden Gate Park
San Francisco, California
June 14th, 2006
Afternoon

The Red Tree's Progression

"It is always best to leave while you are still having fun."

-Unknown

I love this tree. I have been watching it since just after last Thanksgiving, and then one day, as I sat admiring it, I realized how much I wanted to document it's progress as the leaves began to fall. It is lovely at any time of day, and in any weather condition, but I think I liked it best when the sun came shining through those crimson leaves. It was so alive, and it served as reminder of the vibrancy of things, even on days when I felt about as dull as one could possible feel.

Nearly all it's beautiful leaves are gone now, but I think I will continue to track it's through this year, and maybe post another entry late next autumn, showing it's progress. Hopefully there will be some beautiful blossoms soon. Things seem to be taking their time this year, oh well, all good and wonderful things in their own time. Sometimes I really look forward to life. :)

December 8th, 2006

December 14th, 2006

December 29th, 2006

"A memory is what is left, when something happens that does not completely not happen."

-Edward de Bono

-OndineMonet
"The Red Tree"
Cull Canyon Park
Castro Valley, California
January 13th, 2006
Afternoon

The Big Chill...

"The city as a center where, any day, in any year, there may be a fresh encounter with a new talent, a keen mind, or a gifted specialist. This is essential to the life of a country. To play this role in our lives a city must had a soul. A university, a great art or music school, a cathedral or a great mosque or temple, a great laboratory or scientific center, as well as, the libraries and museums and galleries that bring past and present together. A city must be a place where groups of women and men are seeking and developing the highest things they know."

-Margaret Mead

Baby it's cold outside! How cold is it? Baby, it's so cold that Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger has declared a cold weather emergency for California. Yep, that's cold! Tonight, Friday/Saturday, the temperature around the Bay Area is expected to produce lows that will shatter the previous low temperatures of ten years ago. Farmers in Monterey and Fresno Counties, say they will be suffering millions of dollars of losses over the next few days, which means that the price of fresh fruits and vegetables from California will be reaching record prices I assume. Snow is not expected, the sky is crystal clear, but the frost tomorrow morning should be spectacular. Hopefully, I will be feeling well enough to try again for that perfect winter shot, from my own yard. Like I said we'll see.

The thing is, it isn't just the weather blowing cold air about, there are some mighty frigid attitudes blowing around the bay as well. Have you been following the drama surrounding the beating of members of the Yale Choir, the Baker's Dozen? You can read all about it here, but in brief, the choir members were apparently attacked outside a New Year's Eve party in San Francisco a couple weeks ago. Some of the members sustained some pretty serious injuries, including one member who had their jaw broken in two places. The San Francisco police were called, and that is where the true controversy begins. As far as I can tell, the police, including Chief Heather Fong, seems to be ignoring the obvious assaults on this group of men. One inspector, this past week, demanded that the Yale group pay their own way back to San Francisco, if they wanted to give a formal statement and press charges, stating, to one of the parents "The kids are affluent, so they can afford it."

This story has been in the news all week, and as of Friday morning, inspectors from the San Francisco Police department, had flown down to Los Angeles, where the choir members are finishing up their winter tour, and gave the victims a photo line-up where they could possibly identify their attackers. Why did it take 11 days after the initial assault for anything to be done on behalf of these young men? Do you suppose it is a blatant case of "The Have's vs. The Have Not's?" Or in this case, "The Have Not's vs. The Have's?" Was it a simple case of young men, going too far to "defend' their turf? The suspects have not been mentioned as belonging to any particular gang, so what's the real deal here? Is it the chill outside? This story has been presented on my local ABC affiliate, KGO 7, as an I-Team Investigation. During a particularly heated exchange between reporter Dan Noyes and San Francisco Mayor, Gavin Newsom, other more interesting question arose, not just about this story, but also regarding a story previously published about Newsom showing up to the hospital bed of a fallen police officer, possibly inebriated. You can watch the exchange here, and read Dan Noyes blog entry.

Is it the weather? Do we get just as grumpy in cold weather as we do in the impossibly hot summer months? Tensions are running high in the area right now. Berkeley has been pretty quiet, except for the anti-war protest earlier this week, which seemed to be done without incident. The passive tree sitters, protesting the removal of some fabulous oak trees on the Berkeley campus are minding their "P's & Q's," although it did bother them that the police removed some of their belongings earlier this week, in an attempt to get them to vacate the trees. Sigh.

Classes at the university don't begin until next week, so all was really quiet downtown today. I happened to be out, for the first time in almost a week, and I looked up at this sign, one I pass all the time, but never really took the time to appreciate. It caught my eye today, for it's beauty and passive appearance. And hey look... autumn is still in the trees! Is that normal? I love book stores, and little coffee houses. I don't go out to this kind of place nearly enough anymore, what's up with that? Sigh. Berkeley has all the things mentioned in the above quote by Margaret Mead, so does San Francisco, but all this controversy reminds me of how easy it is to lose one's way, for the individual and the city. Sigh... again.

-OndineMonet
"Close To Home"
Bancroft Avenue
Berkeley, California
January 12th, 2007
Late Afternoon

Steven's Feline Friday: My Nurse Elvis

"A cat improves the garden wall in sunshine, and the hearth in foul weather."

-Judith Merkle Riley

Look at that face! Tee Hee. I have been sick with the flu this week, I think I have been up a total of 6 hours since last Friday, but I haven't been too lonely, because I have the best nurse in the world, my buddy Elvis. I woke up the other day, from one of my NyQuil induced comas to find Elvis curled up on my feet, and some assorted comfort friends of his. His favorite coat bear, his turtle, and his favorite towel, which doesn't belong to him, but which he always manages to find when it is fresh from a warm drier. LOL. How could I take it away from him, when he works so hard to care for me? Lucky is me. :)

If you have a kitty, and maybe even a story about your kitty, post it and then hop over to Steven's blog, "(sometimes) photoblog," and leave him a link to where he can find your entry. Steven celebrates cats in the neighborhood every Friday, because as he says, "Cats Rule!"

-OndineMonet
"Elvis Asleep"
Berkeley, California
January 9th, 2007
Late Afternoon

John Scalzi's Weekend Assignment # 147: Warning! Warning!

"None pities him that is in the snare, who warned before, would not beware."

-Robert Herrick

Weekend Assignment # 147: Make a Warning Sign For Everyday Life. Because life needs warning signs sometimes.

Extra Credit: Ever ignored a warning sign you should have paid attention to?

-John Scalzi (By The Way)

Ok, I know the assignment John chose for us was meant to be fun and lighthearted, but honestly, after Wednesday night's speech regarding the impending troop escalation in Iraq, I can't think of anything, or anyone who we need to be more cautious of than our president, George W. Bush.

According to an Associated Press poll, as many as 70 percent of American's are against the "new' way forward in Iraq as outlined by Bush. I feel for the families who have lost loved ones, since Bush made the irrational and misleading decision to invade Iraq. I mean no disrespect, but sometimes I have to let my more serious thoughts and observations be known. There I said it. I wonder though... considering 70 percent see Bush's current move regarding Iraq as a mistake, could it be that I am finally preaching to the choir?

Extra Credit: LOL. There are signs, and then there are SIGNS! As most of you know, I once had the dinner from HELL, prepared for me, by the psycho mom of one of my darlin EX-BOYFRIENDS. Just to show you I do indeed still have a sense of humor, here is another sign which I also highly recommend. :)



Yes, it really did happen! Beware girls! Last I heard, he was living in Washington.

-OndineMonet

Your Monday Photo Shoot: Larger Than Life!

"I have been uncompromising, peppery, intractable, monomaniacal, tactless, volatile, and ofttimes, disagreeable... I suppose I'm larger than life."

-Bette Davis

Your Monday Photo Shoot: Take a photo of something that's larger than life. From statues to stuffed animals, snap a photo of something super-sized.

-John Scalzi (By The Way)

Fargo, North Dakota, isn't the only town with their very own Paul Bunyon statue, don't ya know! Oh yeah... you betcha... the town of Hayward, California has had a statue of old Paul for as long as I can remember. I was fascinated by it as a child, and as an adult, my eyes always seek it out when I travel down Mission Blvd, in Hayward. I don't remember ever seeing "Babe The Blue Ox" accompanying this particular statue, and for some reason I always called him "Mike." LOL. But I do remember he was the official greeter for the, Paul Bunyon Car Wash, for... well... forever. The car wash is closed now, but as you can see, Paul is still on the job, the only thing missing is his cleaning cloth and squeegee. Jeepers, I should try to find out his full story, don't ya think? Stay tuned...

-OndineMonet
"The Big Guy"
Mission Blvd
Hayward, California
January 10th, 2007

Round Robin Challenge: Magic

"That's the thing about magic, you have to believe it is still here, all around us, or it just stays invisible for you."

-Charles de Lint

For our first Round Robin Challenge of 2007, Steve, author of the journal, "Paparrazi By Proxy," has chosen "Magic" for our challenge. I thought this might be easy, because there is really so much magic everywhere. In the sunlight when it illuminates the dew drops on flowers on a crisp January morning, or even in the silliness of a Magic 8 Ball. I thought about going with that idea, but then I thought it might be nice to go with something of magic from my childhood, the "magic' Snickers bar.

When I was a little girl, my father had a special magic trick he would play, a few times a year, but almost always on my birthday. He would make Snickers candy bars appear out of nowhere... as if by magic. There was this whole big production involved, here is how it worked. First, I had to say, "I believe in magic." Then, he would have me spin around and around with my eyes closed, then abracadabra... open my eyes, just as I came out of the last spin, and there would be the magic Snickers bar, which always seemed to be falling from the ceiling in slow motion. To this day I have no real idea how he did the trick, I assume having me spin around was a good diversion, but it was impressive to the little girl in me. :)

Be sure to visit the other Round Robin participants... just follow the links below. And be sure to check the Round Robin blog on Thursday to find out the topic for our next challenge.

Linking List

1. Steve... PAPARRAZI BY PROXY POSTED!

2. Steven... (sometimes) photoblog POSTED!

3. Carly... Ellipsis... Suddenly Carly POSTED!

4. Linda... Blah Blah Blog POSTED!

5. Karen... Outpost Mavarin POSTED!

6. Teena... It's all about me! POSTED!

7. Gattina... Keyhole Pictures POSTED!

8. Brad... We-is POSTED!

9. Dorn... Through The Eyes Of The Beholder POSTED!

-OndineMonet
"Magic Candy Bar"
Berkeley, California
January 10th, 2007
Late Evening

Happy Birthday Alan :)

"Thanks to modern medical advances such as antibiotics, nasal spray, and Diet Coke, it has become routine for people in the civilized world to pass the age of, sometimes more than once."

-Dave Barry
"Your Disintegrating Body" -Dave Barry Turns 40, 1990

Today (Tuesday) is Alan's birthday! Happy Birthday Hubby! :) We had big plans to go to a movie, and then to dinner to celebrate his big day, but I am afraid I am still fighting this particularly tough cold bug. It's ok, Elvis and I will do our best to give him a good day, and anyway like our friend used to say, "A birthday is not just for one day, a birthday is for a season!" I suppose we will celebrate a little each day over the next week or so, and we will make our time special. We always have the best time together.

That's why I chose the above photograph. It was taken in late October of last year, on our official "Family Day." Those boats were having a grand time on the San Francisco Bay that afternoon, reenacting a battle. Every so often one or both ships would launch a cannon, and victory cries could be heard all the way up to the top of the cliff overlooking the bay. We didn't know there was going to be anything special on the bay that day, we just happened upon the scene while on our way to Sausalito. Sometimes days that are just allowed to happen, make for the best of times. :)

Happy Birthday Husband!

Love, Carly

-OndineMonet
"Happy Birthday"
October 22nd, 2006
Late Afternoon

I Want Pluto To Be A Planet Again

"Dreams are illustrations... from the book your soul is writing about you."

-Marsha Norman

I found this sign on the side of a building, just off Telegraph, here in Berkeley. I think I am inclined to agree. Some things should never change, such as what constitutes a planet. I liked Pluto right where it was, not that it's actually moved from the sky or anything, but in a way it feels like we have sent it to the back of the room. Sad. My goodness, the things I ponder when I have a fever. Yesterday (Sunday) it was the planet Pluto, old loves and, Tony Soprano.

I am getting better, I think, from this coughy, achy, stuffy head, feverish, funkiness of me. My fever is down, but not gone, so I am really achy. I liked my temperature at 104, but at least I know I will be better soon. Another sign I am on the mend is the weirdness of my dreams. Sunday afternoon I dreamed I was having lunch with Tony Soprano. It was a nifty good time really, just Tony and I, hanging out, enjoying the warm spring sun. Spring? Apparently I am already done with winter.

Or maybe it was giving me something to look forward to in the spring? It's not that I need anything to look forward to mind you... all is well... maybe I just dreamed that there was going to be a nice, sunny day in spring where I wouldn't mind hanging out with Tony Soprano. Oddly enough the only disturbing part was the quick image sight of Mr. November in the far background. The long ago and far away background. Maybe the sight of Mr. November is representational of a cold day in spring. Yeah, like that never happens. :) I think I just want Pluto to be a planet again.

-OndineMonet
"Hey, Pluto"
Berkeley, California
January, 4th 2007
Late Afternoon

Tagged By Linda: 5 Things You Don't Know About Me

"Dreams are answers to questions we haven't yet figured out how to ask."

-X-Files

My friend Linda of "Blah Blah Blog" has tagged me for the meme, "5 Things You Don't Know About Me." I love doing meme's, but this one was surprisingly difficult, because by now I think I have probably shared everything there is to know about me. How boring is that? LOL. What to do, what to do. Well, thank goodness, I do continue to grow as a person, so there might be one or two new things on the following list. Everything you are about to read is true... you can't make stuff like this up! LOL. I'm just me. ;)

5 Things You Don't Know About Me...

1. I ran over myself with my own car three times.

2. I have experienced Love At First Sight.

3. I taught myself how to cook.

4. I met the Duchess of York, Sarah Ferguson, in Pleasanton, California.

5. I once had a phobia of ceramic coffee mugs.

Dull... but true I am afraid. :) The cold I have continues, so I will make this a short entry tonight. My fever is approaching the lovely number of 104.2, which is normal for me so don't panic. That just means that I will be feeling much better soon. LOL. Honestly, when a fever gets that high, nothing hurts anymore, and the world is all nice and cozy. Tee Hee. I will stay at that temp for a few hours, then my fever will break and I will go back to my normal running temperature of 97.6. I have a weird body chemistry to be sure. :)

I am going to tag Steven for this meme. :) I better go send him an email! Tee Hee. I wonder if he will play along? Hmmmm...

-OndineMonet
"Pink Lights"
Conservatory Of Flowers
Golden Gate Park
San Francisco, California
October, 2006
Afternoon

The Never Ending Autumn

"If you want to forget all your other troubles, wear too tight shoes."

-The Houghton Line, November 1965

Yep, it's true. About 9 or 10 years ago, before I went nuts, I had an occasion to purchase a pair of really gorgeous, really trendy, really expensive shoes to wear to a special Christmas party. They were about 3 1/2 inches high, done in a lovely black satin, with a ribbon the wound up my delicious ankles. I say "delicious ankles," because every man I ever dated always told me, "Damn Carly, you have delicious ankles." WINK! Thanks guys. Tee Hee. Yes, the shoes were fabulous as shoes, but what they were in actuality was foot girdles.

I had suspected it for most of the evening as I twirled the dance floor with Alan, floating lightly on my feet, but I was disguising it well with a flirtatious little wince that was apparently seen as a girlish grin. I hadn't thought about those foot girdles in years, not until today, when I was considering that apparently autumn it still present in the trees. I have no idea why I went from thinking, "Isn't it strange that autumn has decided to stay?" To, "Damn, I remember those foot girdles."



Pacific Loon

It must be my age, but I seem to be gliding from stray thought to stray thought recently. Maybe it is the cold weather, or the splashes of an autumn that seem to be as reluctant to leave, as I am for them to go. I don't know. I am sure I will snap out of it soon. I spotted a pair of Pacific Loons today, also I have a cold coming on, so hopefully when it leaves, it will take this scattered feeling I have with it. I am hoping to be able to get out to visit two different parks next week, one is a bird sanctuary, which has me really excited, the other park is one of the newest parks, recently developed in Alameda County. There is nothing like a day with my camera to settle my soul. I love my camera, and a never ending autumn. I really like saying, "I spotted a couple loons today." :)

"Sometimes the littlest things in life are the hardest to take. You can sit on a mountain more comfortably than you can sit on a tack."

-Unknown

-OndineMonet
"January Autumn"
Cull Canyon Park
Castro Valley, California
January 5th, 2007
Late Afternoon

John Scalzi's Weekend Assignment# 146: I (Insert Personal Feeling Here) New York

"They say life's what happens when you're busy making other plans. But sometimes in New York, life is what happens when you're waiting for a table."

-Carrie Bradshaw (Sex And The City)

Weekend Assignment #146: New York... America's largest and most important city. What are your thoughts about it? We're not all from New York, of course, but the city looms large in our collective consciousness. It's that whole "if you can make it there," thing. So, share some of your thoughts about New York, whether it's an opinion about the city, a memory of a visit there, a screed on why you hate it and everything it stands for (if you're a Red Sox fan) - anything, as long as New York, New York is the subject.

Extra Credit: New York Yankees: Love em or hate em?

-John Scalzi (By The Way...)

Ahhh...New York! I LOVE New York... I think. I don't know for sure, because I have never been there, but I have always wanted to visit New York City, and who wouldn't? There is so much to do and see. The Metropolitan Museum of Art, Rockefeller Center, The Empire State Building, Statue of Liberty, not to mention the Broadway shows in the theatre district, and the fabulous restaurants. I think about grabbing a Corned Beef sandwich at the Carnegie Deli, a couple times a week! LOL. Someday... perhaps.

"Kissing On VE Day" by Alfred Eisenstaedt

For me, it's all about the art. One of my favorite photos of the 20th Century, was taken in Time's Square, by photographer Alfred Eisenstaedt. "Kissing on VE Day," and features a young sailor and nurse, caught in a moment of jubilation, after the announcement in Time's Square that WWII was over. Does a moment get any better then that? That moment was a true New York moment! Someday, I want to visit New York City, and take lots and lots of photos of life as it happens in true New York moments. I know one thing, it will more then likely be in autumn. :)

Extra Credit: I haven't been following baseball as much this year as in the past, but when I did I kinda liked the Yankees. :) They're cool. :)

-OndineMonet
Central Park 1961

Birdwatching By The Bay

"There are joys which long to be ours. God sends ten thousand truths, which come about us like birds seeking inlet; but we are shut up to them, and so they bring us nothing, but sit and sing awhile upon the roof, and then fly away."

-Henry Ward Beecher

As you can see, it was a gray day here in the Bay Area. The clouds were so thick up in the hills, it was almost like tiny raindrops were falling. The clouds and mist were beautiful, and I had a couple free hours today, so I decided to go down to a new park that has recently opened near the Port of Oakland, "Middle Harbor Shoreline Park." Santa brought me a really nice pair of binoculars for Christmas, and I gave them quite a workout. :) Lots of gorgeous water birds, including my favorite the Egret. This was my first visit to this park, I can't wait to revisit on a clear day. Because of where the edge of the park sits, it almost gives one the feeling that you could reach out and touch San Francisco. Stunning, simply stunning!

(L) Snowy Egret (R) Great Egret

(L) Great Egret (R) American Avocet

American Robin

Marbled Godwit

-OndineMonet
Middle Harbor Shoreline Park
Oakland, California
January 3rd, 2007
Afternoon

Your Monday Photo Shoot:: First Photos Of 2007!

"To me, photography is an art of observation. It's about finding something interesting in an ordinary place... I've found it has little to do with the things you see and everything to do with the way you see them."

-Elliott Erwitt

Your Monday Photo Shoot: Put up the first picture you took in 2007. Some of you too them last night, right around midnight; some of you haven't taken them yet. But whatever your first picture is this year... post it, baby!

-John Scalzi (By The Way...)

So there I was, sitting at my local Starbuck's on New Year's Day, not particularly happy, when I noticed that my cup of raspberry hot chocolate, wasn't just yummy and soul soothing, it was attempting to be my friend. And not just any friend, that annoying friend, who likes to give you advice whether you ask for it or not! LOL.

The Way I See It #141...

"I used to feel so alone in the city. All those gazillions of people, and then me on the outside. Because how do you meet a new person? I was very stumped by this for many years. And then I realized, you just say, "Hi." They may ignore you. Or you may marry them. And that possibility is worth that one word."

-Augusten Burroughs
Author of "Running With Scissors."

Mummphf! If I had wanted that kind of advice, I would have asked for it! But who exactly would I have asked? The man sitting next to me? The lady waiting for her "Grande Double, Double, Chi No Whip," standing against the far wall, and looking as lost as I felt? Is the word, "Hi," really enough to begin a relationship which might last a lifetime, or maybe just a couple minutes, depending on how time is flying? You know what they say, "Time flies whether we are having fun or not." I was thinking hard on this, but why in the world would this particular piece of advice be getting to me so much?

Truth is, I suppose all relationships do indeed have a starting word, although as I sat there, sipping my the advice, I began thinking about the various friendships and acquaintances I had gained, and lost, over the years. I couldn't really think of what the opening words in my relationships had been, with the exception of a couple cases. In those instances, "Hi" had indeed been the magic word, and "goodbye," wasn't always the last word, sometimes there was no magic word at all. Hmmm. Soon I realized, I was being way too reflective, and it wasn't really helping my mood too much. I put my consideration of this away, and I moved on. I didn't give it any more thought. I went back to Starbuck's yesterday, and again ordered a hot chocolate with raspberry syrup, and again I got advice #141. Curious. Was someone, somewhere trying to tell me something?

Is it time to go out into the world and say "Hi" to every stranger I meet? Is a new friend just waiting for me to make the first move? Do I even want to go out on that limb again? There is something to be said for being your own best friend after all. You can't stand yourself up. You can't cheat on yourself. You can't break your own heart, oh wait you can, but you have to really work at it. LOL. You never have to say goodbye to yourself, unless you get completely lost and forget who you are. That wouldn't be very convenient. Sigh. It was all so deep. Then a quote from "Sex And The City," came to mind...

"Can you get to your future if your past is present?" -Carrie Bradshaw

Maybe I have spent too much time worrying about what has gone wrong. Maybe I have made the past my permanent present. I have made mistakes in a lot of relationships, but what's the good in being 40 something, if I can't consider my mistakes, give them the proper respect, and then indeed move on from them, older, wiser and walking forward? I think I will take the Starbuck's advice and be open to new people, places and things, but I think I will move a lot more slowly into the future, because really, what's the hurry?

-OndineMonet
"Cup O' Advice"
Starbuck's
Castro Valley, California
January, 1st 2007
Afternoon

What Are You Doing New Year's Eve?

"Many people look forward to the new year for a new start on old habits."

-Unknown

It's been quite a year... hasn't it? I think I will be happy to see the clock tick-tock the time off, in fact, as far as I am concerned, I am on New York time, just like my blog. I am going to be drinking champagne with Alan, and making a happy noise later tonight... on New York time. As years go, it wasn't the worst year I have ever had, but I am ready to move on to a new one, that's for sure. Ring out the old... Ring in the new... right?

What Are You Doing New Year's Eve?
Clay Aiken

Maybe it's much too early in the game
Ooh, but I thought I'd ask you just the same
What are you doing New Year's
New Year's Eve?

Wonder whose arms will hold you good and tight
When it's exactly twelve o' clock that night
Welcoming in the New Year
New Year's Eve?

Ooh, but in case I stand one little chance
Here comes the jackpot question in advance:
What are you doing New Year's
New Year's Eve?

Maybe I'm crazy to suppose
I'd ever be the one you chose
Out of the thousand invitations
You received

Ooh, but in case I stand one little chance
Here comes the jackpot question in advance:
What are you doing New Year's
New Year's Eve?

Happy New Year Everyone! I am taking a few days off... see you in 2007!

-OndineMonet
"Putting The Year Away"
Treasure Island
December 10th, 2006
Late Evening