Still Crying...

At 109, Slave's Daughter Revels In Historic Vote

Oh, THAT was yesterday. Here's today's, an address by Barack Obama to the 2005 American Library Association conference.

Thinking of ???

How timely that our Southern transplant has arrived, for I've just run across this magazine.

I think this speaks for itself.

There are many reasons why I don't listen to country music

This is just one of them.

silent cinco

I am not sure if it is the price at the pumps. Or perhaps it is a sign of the changing demographics of the neighborhood. This cinco has been virtually silent. Sure there are a few flags here and there but no honking during daylight hours and absolutely none after dark. The street closure supplies arrived on Thursday night but the cops haven't shut down the side streets once. There were more news helicopters this morning covering the I-25 wreck than we heard all weekend. I am sure in past years I have complained about the noise... usually while sitting on the front porch with a margarita in hand... but I am not prepared for silent cinco either.

New York Times

Ok, so someone in my building has a subscription to the Sunday New York Times. Since no one has been picking them up and there is no apartment number on the bag, I've assumed that the person with the subscription is me. (Actually, there is more to this theory ... like I'm pretty sure I'm the only person in the house, other than the guy that lives below me, that is remotely interested in the news.) Here's the thing. I don't remember buying a subscription. I remember thinking about it and looking at the prices, but don't remember signing up. Could have been drunk shopping, but my credit card hasn't been charged. Perhaps it was a gift?? I pose this question to you. Did anyone give me a subscription to the NYT? I love it and would love to thank the appropriate person.

In the meantime, I'm enjoying the paper and awaiting a bill.

Got $400 to throw away? Perhaps you would like to buy a "Holy Pancake" on ebay. I can't believe people still (or really ever) buy old breakfast food on ebay. The item is listed under Weird Stuff as slightly unusual and spiritual. From the seller description: "God bless those that took the time to look at our wondrous pancake."

Need to raise some extra cash? WB2 (& JB) suggest picking up a Holy Toast stamp and making your own miracles.

This is Ward, Colorado

Ok, so today I played hookey for a half a day to go see the changing leaves. This is something I missed growing up in Los Angeles. I went to Boulder up Lefthand Canyon to Ward. Ward to Nederland. Nederland to Blackhawk. Blackhawk to Denver. It was gorgeous! Enjoy the photos. The first one is looking over Ward. The rest are on the peak to peak highway. This drive is best conducted while blaring Grace Potter and the Nocturnals with an open bag of SmartFood in your lap.

Crazy e-mail notification

I was all set to write a post about how I could no longer find a purpose for cable television now that I have DSL. I can watch tv via internet now, and Netflix as an new “Watch Now” option where you can view movies on your computer in an instant, as part of my membership. As an aside, Conversations With Other Women ain’t all that great. I am, however, loving past episodes of Ugly Betty, The Office (both UK and US), and absolutely everything that Colbert and John Stewart have online.

But I digress. I was greeted by an unusual e-mail from Netflix tonight alerting me to the fact that my membership fee has gone down to $13.99/mo. The fact of the matter is that I don’t know what I was paying anyway, but that sure is nice. But, why the fuck are they lowering my price, when I’ve started using them more?? Very curious indeed. Have they hooked me on the “Watch Now” option now that I have assimilated and they are going to jack up my price? I’m suspicious. Any input? Are they facing some kind of FEC monopoly ruling or something?

International Incident

Greetings from Argentina! I have been remiss in my posting but there isn´t great access in the Andes and to be honest, I´ve been full of meat and wine for the past week or so and blogging was not first on my agenda. I´m now in Buenos Aires and it is raining, so now seemed as good a time as any. You can find photos of BA and Iguazu Falls here. (Thanks for the posting tip Rebekspe!)

Argentina is incredibly georgeous and incredibly cheap. People consume wine here like it is water. Seriously, today I passed a car wash that had a wine bar inside so people to drink while they waited for their car. Brilliant! Yesterday we were in Tupungato and rode horses all around the base of the mountain. That right, a bunch of horses asses on horses. The pictures are priceless. It was also record cold. Figures. The day before was spent on wine tours and the day before that we were at the Aconcagua. Top of The Americas baby! You will also be happy to know that we have introduced the phrase "el borachasso" to Mendoza and the wine country. And then HP02 demonstrated for the locals. This is a fantasic story better told with wine.

There is so much more, but I have someone hovering over my shoulder. Via Con Dios for now!

Rocky Mountain High

Colorado has a new state song (well, co-state song) “Rocky Mountain High” by John Denver. Wikipedia has already taken note of the change. What did we ever do without that website?


This was DHP’s favorite song as a child. Well, this and the entire soundtrack of Grease. So, evidently I was to live in Colorado, or become a pink lady. Seems I chose right.

Na Zdarovia

When you raise your glass of piva or vodka, this is what you say before you bid da zvedanya and wrap up in your long fur coat and hat to walk down the ulitsa or head out for a coffee or tea, 'green or black?' at the PECTOPAH--or restaurant--to enjoy your ikra--and boy is that sevruga yum-my!

On a serious note, we can all realize that perestroika must have been difficult as a transition, but it is another reality check to be reminded that it is still in a difficult transition phase--how could it be expected to go from black market to capitalism and imbue trust overnight--impossible. Some people were handed businesses and although others were purchased, the Grand Canyon between haves and have nots grows immeasurably wide. On one hand, an oil magnate--on the other, someone who was hoping to retire right about the time reforms hit. It's one saving grace that most people were probably given their apartments and no longer have to pay rent--at $300/month salary for a state-employed dentist, I don't think progess has hit the majority of the 150 million residents. But someone must be buying the suburban (3 beltways in Moscow) high-rise luxury condos, which sell for $500/sq. ft. A mystery remaining to be solved....

All this from someone who had the 5-star tour.....imagine what it would really be like to see the real Russia. Go, St. Petersburg!