Memorial Day Movie

Yesterday afternoon Skip and I went to see "Ironman" at the Fashion Valley Mall movieplex. We both liked it a lot; well written, really well acted. Not only were Robert Downey Jr. and Gyweneth Paltrow great, but a bald Jeff Bridges was a nice suprise.

Also Currently Reading...

Our Mutual Friend by Charles Dickens. His last novel; I didn't know it existed until a few weeks ago.

"Externally, it was a narrow lopsided wooden jumble of corpulent windows heaped one upon another as you might heap as many toppling oranges, with a crazy wooden verandah impending over the water; indeed the whole house, inclusive of the complaining flag-staff on the roof, impended over the water, but seemed to have got into the condition of a faint-hearted diver who has paused so long on the brink that he will never go in at all."

Now that's a sentence!

Iron Mountain 04.26.08

Even though my alarms went off dutifully at 5:30 and 5:45, I didn't actually wake up until 6:10, which was bad because I was supposed to be out the door at 6:15 to pick up Skip, stop at Starbuck's and make it to the trail head by 7:00.

Fortunately Skip's friend, Alice, and her friends Mark(green t-shirt) and Szymon(big smile), waited patiently and we got under way shortly after 7:30.

Iron Mountain is a great hike; not far out of town, short & long options, amazing 360 degree views at the top. What a great way to start the weekend!
(Double click on any image to enlarge it)

Currently Reading ...

I'm not going through it very quickly because the class I'm taking is kicking my butt, but what I have read has given me much to think about. And that's a good thing. Deepak Chopra makes it an easy read but gives you a lot to contemplate.

Favorite quote so far:

"You must find the place inside yourself where nothing is impossible."

I looked and looked and for the life of me I could never find that place. So I decided to build it from scratch.

Second favorite quote:

"'In everything do to others as you would have them do to you.' (Matthew 7:9-12)
If you contemplate the Golden Rule, it turns out to be an injunction to live by grace rather than by what you think other people deserve."

Usually, when we think of the Golden Rule, we think in terms of a proactive situation; we treat someone nice so they'll be nice to us in return. But Deepak Chopra is looking at it from a reactive situation; someone has just been thoughtless/rude/mean to us and in our anger we want to give them what they deserve, or at the very least turn away, but Grace requires us to be nice, as if they'd been nice. This goes back to treating people as they ought to be, rather than as they are.

I apologize to my non-Christian friends for quoting scripture at you. I'm trying to be more spiritual than religious. Despite the fact that many have used Scripture to beat us up and leave us to die tied to a fence, there is some spiritual wisdom in scripture. And that's Deepak Chopra's intent in writing this book; to look beyond Jesus "the man" whose factual history has been all but lost and to bypass Jesus "the arbitrator of rules" who has been kidnapped by the conservative false prophets, and look at the spriritual, mystical leader he was trying to be all along.

New Blog Feature: Call Me for Free !

Over to the right you'll notice a blue button that says "Call Me". Just double click on it, enter your name and phone number, click the "call me" button, and pick up your phone. The computer will put a call through from your phone to my phone at no charge. No long distance fees!

And I'll be able to post voice mails to my blog, so if you've got some news to share or want to leave me a festive message on; say, oh I don't know, My Birthday in 30 days (3/27); go for it!

"He who gives when he is asked has waited too long." - Seneca

Truth

For an example of some amazing writing check out: http://www.bigassbelle.blogspot.com/. Her most recent entry "kayla" just wrecked me. Her previous post "roe, wade and me" is a valid view point worth considering. And she won an award for a post in April called "piano music". She tells the truth like we all should but none of us do.

Happy Valentine's Day

"Love is often nothing but a favorable exchange between two people who get the most of what they can expect, considering their value on the personality market." - Erich Fromm

Fun with PhotoShop

I've started an Interactive Media class through the San Diego Community College Continuing Education program. And first thing we're diving into PhotoShop in great detail. During class last week we took the top 4 images and manipulated them every which way but loose until we have something completely new. Our instructor really knows her stuff, which is good, although she's often challenging to keep up with. She likes to add many layers to create an image with lots of depth. But she's very encouraging and the other 60+ students are all amazing, bright, talented, super nice people to share 3 evenings a week with.

Wild Animal Park 01.13.08

Early Sunday morning Eddie swung by my house, then we picked up Skip. After an obligatory stop at Starbucks we headed to the Wild Animal Park just outside of Escondido; Eddie and I to take pictures, Skip to see it for the first time. I snapped pictures of everything in sight, filling up my 2GB memory card before lunch. Eddie was much wiser with his shot selection. Skip was very patient with both of us. For more, better, pictures check out Eddie's blog at: http://www.mrmagdaleno.com/WildAnimalPark.htm

Today was a sad day at work. Dave passed away Saturday morning at home surrounded by his family.

Safe journey my friend.

Vespa Vespa

Vespa, the maker of the motor scooters, held a contest to see who could create the best video about them. I just found out that the Grand Prize, and a brand new scooter, went to Rex, a friend who, with his boyfriend Dan, I frequently hang out with at Kicker's, the country western dance club. Rex wrote and performed the song and made the video. Vespa liked his song so much they've flown him all over the country to perform it at their entry in the motorcycle shows. Who knew this otherwise quiet little guy had all this talent?

I think Vespa should spend the money to run the video during the Superbowl.

Secrect Indulgence

A few days ago I was at the gym. As I got off the treadmill I saw my friend Wayne coming up the stairs. While I waited at the top to say "hello" I took off my headphones and reached down to pause my Zune.

When Wayne walked up to me he asked, "What is that you're listening to? Is that ABBA"?

I was so busted. Pressing "pause" had caused the oversized screen to light up and display my taste in oldies for all to see.

After he headed off to workout and I went the other way to stretch out I turned my music back on. A minute later I was suddenly grateful for getting off easy. After ABBA the next song to come on was by Doris Day.

Laugh Often...

... At yourself;

Rarely at others.

New Year's Day

New Year's Day we all woke at different times and got out of bed slowly. Randall had coffee and orange juice and a wonderful egg casserole for brunch. When everyone was ready we headed out for a walk on the beach. Their place is close to a beach where dogs are allowed and it's great fun watching dogs and people play in the surf and sand.

New Year's Eve with Randall and Andreas

I had to work New Year's Eve. But Keith called as I was leaving the building to see what was my ETA. We were both invited to Randall's and Andrea's house for a New Year's Eve Party and sleep over to New Year's Day. Keith waited while I got home, packed an overnight bag, and threw the Aero Bed in the car. Then we headed to Solano Beach.

There were 8-10 of us and enough food for an army. Keith reprised his Cranberry Bliss, modeled after a Starbuck's dessert of the same name; and I provided champagne. Randall made a Mexican soup; which I should remember the name of, but don't; and someone brought some fabulous meatballs. We watched a couple of DVDs and started falling asleep about 1:30.

Thanks to Randall and Andreas for putting the party together rather quickly. We all had a real nice time. It doesn't top the time I rang in the new year at a lesbian bar in Chicago, but that's a whole 'nother story.

Cruisin' Christmas Lights

The Saturday before Christmas Victoria (on the right) braved the cold ( 50 degrees) and joined me to go looking at Christmas lights with the top down. Since we can't enjoy the sight of 4 inches of snow over all the lights, we went cruisin' in the convertible taking in all the sights unincumbered by windows or roof. We set the heated seats on high and turned up the hot air, doing our best to warm the globe directly.

First we headed over the bridge to Coronado, admired the view of downtown from across the bay, then drove down the main boulevard where they had lit every evergreen down the middle. We drove past the Hotel Del, all decked out for the season, and cruised down the Silver Strand to Imperial Beach.

From there we headed towards Chula Vista in search of Lauryn's (on the left) house. Her street traditionally is always well decorated for the Holidays. And just a few blocks away we found a regular Candlestick Lane. We joined a line of cars driving slowly through a neighborhood where nearly every house was all lit up. Some of them had music going. Many of them had firepits in their driveways and where out enjoying the night. From there we headed to my neighborhood of Mission Hills before taking Victoria back to her home in Pacific Beach.

Thank you, Victoria, for braving the cold with me. Next year I promise we'll put up the top before going 80 mph on the freeway.

Best Wishes for Health and Happiness in 2008

Since I'm feeling out-of-shape and un-photogenic I'll post pictures of my handsome friends. Besides being incredibly good-looking, Dan and RC are also very smart and successful and have 5 beautiful children.

And they're truly nice guys.

I hate them.

I first met them 1 1/2 years ago playing volleyball on the beach Saturday mornings. They had recently started dating and were being all cute and cuddly with each other; it was obvious they were completely into each other. But one of the girls who hadn't seen them recently had to ask: "Are you two going out, because you're being way more affectionate with each other than you used to."

Word of the Day: pseudoBuffyism

pseudo - being apparently rather than actually as stated. Miriam-Webster.

Buffyism - An expression, way of speaking, or quote that has come into common usage or been popularized by the show Buffy the Vampire Slayer. Urban Dictionary.

pseudoBuffyism - An expression, way of speaking, or quote; being apparently rather than actually as stated; that has come into common usage or been popularized by the show Buffy the Vampire Slayer. Keith Ramsey.

When Buffy went off the air Keith, my roommate, stopped watching cable TV, bought the entire series on DVD, and has been watching it obsessively ever since. Words and phrases from the show pepper our conversation around the house. The Urban Dictionary doesn't actually capitalize the "B" but I think it's necessary. McCartheyism is capitalized. Besides, it's much cooler with the upper case "B" in the middle of the word.