eighties5.29.2008
There's not much exciting swirling about in my head....so how 'bout a list?
* "Summer" pronouncements might have been a tad early -- the last two mornings have been downright chilly.
* What's up with all the NY crane collapses?
* Sales people.
* Hot Tranny Mess. Still love that term.
* Critical Mass.
* Angel in dress. I do know how I feel about that.
* Amazing what a 15-year old lab on arthritis meds can do!
* Yams.
JTBjr
09:56 link it
stand back5.28.2008
whatthe....Why am I so paralyzed by fear and inertia?? After the meeting I just sat through, it is confirmed that the clowns are indeed running the circus. I can do better. Much better.
JTBjr
14:20 link it
secret. what's yours?5.27.2008
I was this close not to riding this morning. The night was sticky and hot and I could not hear the gurgle of the fountain for all the a/c compressor noise emanating from my neighbors. I've yet to turn on the air conditioning. I hate it, plain and simple. If I could, I'd go all summer without it. Seriously. But anyway, sleep was interrupted by sweat and tossing and turning and the dog going out and finally, at 5:15, needing to pull the cotton blanket up. So I made myself get out of bed and head out on the bike. Glad I did, too. I rode like crazy, working the hills and zipping through my Ga Tech/Atlantic Station/Ansley route in record time. And, judging by the late arrival of the humidity, looks like Summer is here. I rode shirtless and my shorts were soaked with sweat when I finished. The first ride sans shirt is always a bit awkward; by September I'll dread having to wear one. Perhaps some of my winter gut was expunged along the way. We can only hope.
JTBjr
09:14 link it
miss you5.23.2008
Was that the longest 3-day weekend ever, or what? I mean, really.
Here's what I can remember:
Friday I was ultra-efficient at work, lunched on a pulled pork and cole slaw sandwich, and napped like 8 times. It rained and for some reason I went to Trader Joe's instead of Whole Foods. I still don't get that place. It's dumpy. It's small. And it's dumb. Anyway, I cooked for EriK and Ms B: home-ground lamb burgers with tzaziki, roasted local new potatoes, salad. I ran them off around 10, wisely.
Saturday we were up and on the road by 9:15 to Ellijay to ride the Bear Creek loop. Wow, what a great ride. About 15 miles, 1/3 uphill the other 2/3 a super-fun downhill single track. Josh and Bret make fine riding partners. We were sized up by the bike geeks just getting off the trail, poked around Cartecay Bikes and took our time getting back to town. Lounged around then joined the Sharley-Turnbulls for an al fresco wine tasting and gossip session chez them. A lovely night.
Sunday I communed with the paper, coffee and eggs and Happy Pig Sausage. We made our way out to EriK's parents for his birthday cook-out and spent a great afternoon on the new patio, under the oaks, relaxing and laughing. His family rocks. I napped and later E and I walked to Top Flr for a light Ladies Who Lunch Dinner. Darren provided excellent service and was especially easy on the eyes. Karaoke at Gilbert's rounded out the evening. Uh, that would be a no, I do not sing in public.
I slept 9 glorious hours and was out the door on my bike by 10. I covered lots of ground, starting at the Park, up through Ansley to Peachtree then through Peachtree Battle. No one was out. Rode past Lenox then down to Bret's. I think I interrupted post-coital coffee. Oh well. Brunch and poolside frollicking followed. Good times. The rest of the afternoon is somewhat of a blur...I seem to recall Zocalo (where it literally stunk), my back deck, Joe's on Juniper and Blake's. There was some drunk dialing/texting and I was wisely home and comatose by 9:30. But not after a Zesto burger and some O rings. Mmmmmmm.
JTBjr
08:51 link it
keep those lines and machines humming5.21.2008
I wanted to write something meaningful and deep about my ride this morning, and well, my morning rides in general, and then I read Jennie's post. I feel so inadequate. A fine writer, that one.
Anyway, so my ride this morning almost didn't happen. Weird dreams about credit card shredders from 4am on had me tossing and turning and at 6 I had to pull myself out of bed. But as is usually the case, about 3 minutes into the ride, I felt fine. Rode out Ponce past the Carter Center. Its architecture is so very reflective of the President: subtle, unassuming, graceful and appropriate. Then out the PATH to Lullwater, then down past Miss Daisy's and over into Virginia-Highland. It was strangely quiet and the air is first-of-the-season heavy and thick. I rode round the Park a couple of times then the 9th Street hill to finish off my morning.
Why do I clean the house before the maid comes?
My Memorial Day weekend plans are few...some dinner on the porch tonight, Bear Creek with Bret and Josh tomorrow, a birthday cookout for EriK on Sunday and maybe a long-awaited spin on the dancefloor. Wonder if I remember how to dance?
JTBjr
09:39 link it
rockferry5.20.2008
I am totally digging the new Duffy cd. It's pretty much a winner.
Other things I'm digging (cleverly disguised as today's list):
* the fresh herbs growing on my back porch and in the garden.
* the last of my world famous Chicken Salad
* beets
* almost 2 months of perfect weather
* last night's rainstorm (although someone's trailer bit the dust ((shocking))).
* mes amis
JTBjr
15:03 link it
all is quiet5.19.2008
Maybe it was the wind. Or maybe it was the heat. Could have been the fact that I still have the down comforter on my bed. Probably was all three combined with extra-sensitive ears that listen for a rickety old Lab going out in the night. But I sure didn't sleep very well. Geez.
But I am thankful for today. For it's one less Primary Tuesday to live through and one more nail in the proverbial campaign coffin of the female candidate. Look out Hils, that light at the end of the tunnel might just be a train...
JTBjr
13:37 link it
stumbling in5.14.2008
Where that 70s chestnut came from, I have no idea, really.
Is it Monday already? Where has the time gone?
Thursday's Backstreet photography exhibit was really interesting. More like a wake 5 years late than an opening. The general agreement was that there will never be another nightclub like Backstreet. Ever. Anywhere.
Friday was slow, to be honest. I hit Lenox and Phipps with the goal of refreshing my work wardrobe but that really didn't happen. I did score some good shirts and pants for me, though. Lunch with Beth at the Tavern was fattening and good. Note to self, Atlantans of that ilk are so not attractive...Napped and then might have just perfected the lamb rib chops. I may have a new obsession, too. Cliff and EriK came by and we drove over to Mary's...where it was "sport" night. Lots of people in wrestling singlets and jocks that really shouldn't have been. Including a guy I dated last fall. Neat.
Was up early Saturday. Hit the farmers' market, bought the usual plus some broccoli. Continued to single-handedly revive the economy at the Home Depot. Why did I not invest in new hedge clippers before now? I mean, having your grandfather's set is neat and all, but yard tools do not make good antiques. Ryan and Dem's Zinfandel tasting/cook-out was perfect. Perfect weather, perfect food, perfect wine, perfect crowd. Was home and in bed by 12:30. Perfect.
Yesterday was pretty much a car-free Sunday. EriK and I walked through the Park and Ansley to the High and back. I walked with Stephen to the Park (again) for a fund-raiser. And Cliff, EriK and I walked to dinner. It was a perfect day for it...sunny, clear, breezy and warm without being humid. Derwood was looking good and we ran into the many interesting neighbors, including a sassy septuagenarian telling dirty jokes, a happy artist-mother playing ball with her cute kids and some favorite Boys walking other peoples' dogs. We noshed and drank and laughed and EriK scored a sub-lease. Twas a nearly perfect evening. I fell asleep, naked, on top of the sheets listening to the rain fall.
JTBjr
09:45 link it
the homecoming queen's got a gun5.13.2008
Thinking of Hillary this morning. I've about had it with her. How can she possibly use a victory in West Virginia to say she's more "relevant" to voters?? It's a rural, white state that's not college educated, for the most part. How is that more relevant than the rest of this diverse country? To me, it seems like we've had enough white and uneducated in the last 8-years to last a lifetime...
end (political) rant.
I'm all for people using our public parks for recreations. I do, pretty much everyday. But I'm sure about these Boot Camp groups. Nevermind that they're loud and in the way (they've got a right to that), what I'm not so sure about is the Boot Camp franchisee using a public venue for commercial gain (what a business model -- no overheard whatsoever!). Seems not quite right.
I should live in a socialist country. I think I'd have a lot less to complain about.
JTBjr
11:00 link it
make it big5.12.2008
I don't understand why Rowdy and his wife aren't obese. I just don't get it.
Tonight we say farewell to a colleague who's been here forever. That is, as long as I have. We actually started the very same day. Wow. The end of an era, indeed.
Thank you Lord, Our Saviour Whitney Houston, for the 10 incredible hours of sleep last night. Oh, and for this weather.
JTBjr
09:17 link it
hello5.09.2008
I guess I really need to set realistic goals, especially when they involve having a "quiet" weekend. It pretty much was, but not to the extent I had imagined. Oh well.
Friday I napped and made my usual trip to the Whole Foods. I read and putzed around the house and enjoyed the stellar weather. Eventually EriK came over for drinks and a Kiki & Herb-Fest. Good times.
I was up with Diane Saturday. Hit the Morningside Farmers' Market -- teeny tiny new potatoes, beets, arugula, carrots, radishes. Discovered that the CSA won't kick in for another 3 weeks. Honing my vegetable prep skills in anticipation. Gym, Kroger, cleaners. What should have been a 30 minute shower rod hanging exercise stretched to 2 hours and to the brink of drywall-related disaster. Ingenuity reigned, disaster averted and everything is now well-hung. The quarterly Spades game at the St. James was a treat. Of course, my team lost again, but not by much. Hopefully this won't kill my Hearts skills.
Big storms in the night and I awoke to a glorious, blustery day. Ate the last of the Happy Pig Sausage and got in a quick hour-long ride. There were families and mothers everywhere -- dangerously so. Mine arrived around 3, her husband safely in tow. I might have outdone myself with Mother's Day Dinner: to start, roasted new potato slices topped with dilled sour cream and hackleback caviar, then a citrus salad with backyard herbs. The triumph came with the lamb chops, rubbed with salt, pepper garlic and rosemary, simply broiled and served with a balsamic reduction. Oh My. Add steamed yellow squash with vidalias and roasted beets and you have what Dad called the best meal of their vacation. And so easy. Desert was Mom's favorite, macerated local strawberries and vanilla ice cream.
It was a lovely night, just the three of us. We ate inside and outside and talked and drank and took our time. All for Mom.
JTBjr
11:00 link it
don't tell me to stop5.08.2008
Madonna: Grand theft video?
Here's INXS' "Kiss the Dirt" from 1985:
And here's Madge's "Don't Tell Me" from 2000:
coincidence? hmmmmmmmmm.
JTBjr
13:12 link it
rippin' kitten5.05.2008
Well, well, well, what have we here?
I'm back from a quick New York trip and happy to report that I'm in one piece and have no gangrenous protuberances. Ahem...
Went to the surgeon this morning and was chastized for missing my appointment. Yesterday. With a different doctor. Whatthe...?? If there's one thing I'm not, it's a confused scheduler. I don't still keep a paper day planner 'cause it's chic, ya know. Writing it down reinforces it. And when I write Dr X on Thursday, I don't mean Dr Y on Wednesday. Got it? I think they get it now...Upon further discovery, the two nurses looked at each other knowingly and said "Ohhhh, Sheila scheduled it." So now I'm on the Self Mending plan and damn if I don't feel 67% better. Appreciate all the cards and letters, though.
Dined solo at Prune, like I like to do. Gabrielle was there, cooking, a first. She sent some lovely grilled ramps my way. Funny, growing up in Appalachia, we made fun of ramps, a staple of the mountain folk. How far we've come...Anyway, I dined on fried Bluepoint Oysters (huge and delicious), a Fiddlehead Fern and Fennel salad (love the alliteration) and some shaved beets with wax beans and citrus. Tami took good care of me and I promised to go see her when she's in town for this.
My hotel sucked. "Dream." Not. That's what I get for trying to save The Man some money. And everyone on the plane last night was uber bitchy. I mean, c'mon y'all, you've traveled before, right?
At least the dogs were glad to see me. Yay!
JTBjr
13:01 link it
there's this lady who walks everywhere on her hands5.04.2008
Tanya Donelly, who knew?
I've never been one to use this little parcel of bandwidth as a place to air my complaints. Check the archives; I've just not. I'm not a complainer. Ever. But Today Has Been Rough.
Seering pain in my most lower abdomen and an almost inability to get up and down and walk and lift. Tells me one thing, Hernia. Ouch. The doctor, who is like a best buddy, not a physician, couldn't find anything as he grabbed and groped in the most intimate, impersonal way. Neat. Off to the surgeon I go *Thursday* for further evaluation.
I
am
getting
old(er).
Still
he clings
In other news, The Lady Royce took most excellent care of EriK and I last night at LaTavola. Best of the night: house-made mozarella with sugar-stewed tomatoes (which tasted just like my mother's Betty Crocker Tomato Pudding....save the Saltine cracker crust).
I don't deal well with pain and I don't like being incapacitated in any shape, form or fashion.
/whining.
JTBjr
20:31 link it
juliet5.02.2008
It has been quite the weekend. Sleep has been sparse but it sure has been worth it. The weather is stunning, the city at its prime and the people full of joy and charm.
Here are some highlights:
* Friday night I poured a gin and tonic and walked up to Top Floor. It was strangely slow and Adam and Darren took really excellent care of me. I sat at the bar and sampled Adam's various gins and tonics. Derwood drifted by, we discussed his expansion plans and the night passed in a slow, lovely way. On my walk home, I stopped to say hi to Jennifer and Jonathan, interrupting their porch quartet. The world came full circle chatting with them, the artist sister of one of my oldest friends and her husband.
* Saturday was drippy and cloudy and cool. I wrapped presents and set off for Jeffrey's and a baby shower for a favorite straight couple given by their adoring gay friends. The green and yellow was particularly set off in the surprising afternoon sun beaming into Jeffrey's stark white bungalow. It was aesthetic perfection, to be honest. My conversations were meaningful and full of purpose and fell right into place.
* Jill's graduation party was another extension of the fine community into which I find myself entwined. It occurred to me as I chatted up the bartender/aerialist, that I live a charmed life.
* Rose probably didn't appreciate the late night/early morning shenanigans on his back porch. I did.
* One of my favorite people on earth crashed chez moi and it was nice to have someone in the house. We ate the last of the pimiento cheese, discussed writing and barely missed the sunrise. Love ya, Ash.
* And today has been quiet and deliberate. Cooking, cleaning. Reading. Enjoying the light.
* I do so love my friends and for that alone, I am thankful. You are great.
JTBjr
18:41 link it
sweet lorraine5.01.2008
Lots going on. Here's a list:
* Last night's ASO concert was absolutely lovely. Thanks Mr Hands and Ms B for what's become a very nice birthday tradition. But can we please get a new Symphony Hall?
* yes, Carlino, we are becoming Gays of A Certain Age.
* Much drama this morning as my parents got separated going through security at the Airport, the world's busiest. I have my suspicion of who's at fault.
* And it's not my mother.
* Damn if I don't make a mean lasagna.
* Another stellar ride this morning. Everything is so green, roses abloom everywhere and all kinds of good-looking people out walking dogs and enjoying the Great Out Of Doors before summer sets in.
* On tap for the weekend: A baby shower for a favorite couple, a graduation party for my long lost twin sister, and general OSW activities around the homestead.
JTBjr
10:06 link it
hard candy
It's May Day and I didn't know whether to post a picture of Soviet tanks rolling past the Kremlin or the workers of world rising up in protest or some sinking ship...so I've (c)opted for The Children. 'Cause when you really don't want to stand for anything, just stand for the children. Who can argue, right?
JTBjr
10:53 link it
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