Random Lili Taylor

I must confess--I really dig Lili Taylor. Not in an obsessive kind of way--there's tons of stuff she's done that I've never seen/might not ever see--I just really enjoy her when I do see something she's in. It's a combination of her feline looks, pleasing low pitched voice, and gestalt.
Ok--I'm done. I really didn't have much to say. And I see that this photo fails to capture the cat-like aspects of her face--I just like it.
Go look at this funny Joan Crawford montage video.
http://www.dan-o-ramaproductions.com/club_10b.html

Random Fiona Apple

Fiona's cover of "Sally's Song" from The Nightmare Before Christmas.
Her voice really suits this tune, and the arrangement is lovely.

Ice Storm Memories

Sigh.......I'm feeling nostalgic---for last week. It was quite pleasant having a meteorologically enforced time out after the post holiday massage rush (NOT complaining BTW). I spent 4 days inside, cooking, napping, watching cartoons and Hammer Horrors, and playing bass. Oh, yeah--and I took pictures for posterity.
(Why does that word always remind me of J Lo?)
The frozen air conditioning unit was beautiful and vaguely ironic.
The frozen cherub is just kinda poignant, or ironic if you think of Dante---if you are inclined to think suchly.

Granny Weathervane had a half inch of ice all along her top edge. Doesn't look very pleased about it, either.
The plantstand had nearly an inch of ice atop it--like a lense, or a covered walkway in St. Paul.
My bike looks forlorn, with the icy overhangs at brake, grip, and pedal. Good thing I hadn't planned to ride it just then. I should get a really good ride in as soon as the weather permits--all that cooking? Lead to eating.

Making the Most of Technology

Remember, kids---your monitor and keyboard make a dandy music stand!

Mwahhh-haaaa-haaaa!!!! My plan begins to come together.....

The various elements are beginning to come together--not quite at "gelling" stage--that takes more time in the 'fridge...........power tools--nearly complete..........building supplies--close by..........inspiration--check..........final book of forbidden knowledge---double check!!

Amber gave me a copy of Puppet Planet by John Kennedy (not that one) as a birthday gift--don't worry, she pretty much knows what she's unleashing on the world. I've had a puppet affinity since childhood that just hasn't cleared up. And as far as inspiration goes--remember all the brooding I've been doing about the narcissists in my past? Well.........puppetry is the best revenge, someone(me) once said (just this evening, to Morgan, at work). I had an epiphany---why let all those annoying memories just be a source of unhappiness? Why not, rather, harness all that crazy into something fun and funny?

So, the before mentioned puppet theatre will be built. Puppets shall be constructed, scripts written, and friends roped into performing. They know that if they refuse, I'll just parody them in puppet form. Stay tuned.......muah-ha-ha-ha-ha-hee-hee-hee-hee-giggle-giggle-chuckle...

Freezin Down in Texas

Brrrrrr!

We are used to god aweful heat done here, so this kind of frigid weather always throws us for a loop. Austin has been on ice since monday--really frozen in since tuesday.

I put up this parachute last summer, to block the westering sun. It has done a great job of keeping the ice and snow out of the carport--plus, when they froze, they would creak in the wind like frozen sails on a pirate ship. Sorry--cabin fever.....

There is a huge icycle in front of ma's ront window--it just keeps getting bigger.

Granny weathervane has a quarter inch of ice on her--no jokes about witches' anatomy and cold, ok? The birdbath cherub is frozen in up to his waiste. No shrinkage jokes, either, allright?

The birds know they can find food here--the parrots obviously spread the word. These guys are monk parrots, but they didn't take a vow of silence. Nor chastity, as they're are 4 younger ones with the two from last year. And I've never heard them make any reference to "crackers"---Polly doesn't seem to be at all concerned with them in the wild.

If this were a cartoon, there would be birds ice skating on the washtub--that which is destined to be a lily pond.

I've been dozey and hungry---some hibernating instinct kicking in. I have a cake in the oven--heats the house, and fills it with a pleasant aroma. All work and no play makes Jack a dull boy. All work and no play makes Jack a dull boy. All work and no play makes Jack a dull boy. How long are you going to make me type that until you get the whole "Shining" reference? All work and no...............................................................................fuck it.

Birthday Party or:the lovely dragon lady breeding many ugly american dreams.

She walked though a crowded room--most not even noticing her. But one person had to go and set off a whole series of mishaps. There was a big carload of crickets left over from the fishing expedition, but, alas, all the methane lakes evaporated,where cracked out cats dance the dance of death along its shores, screaming and screeching their way to the depths of hell. Together they dreamed of clockwork monkey world domination. And yet, nothing got done. So they just ran a gang like a chambermaid--clean but dirty. And they looked up at the glaring sun and knew that things would never be the same again.

No, you haven't stumbled onto a spamblog, and yes, I've had my medication (kidding)--the preceding was an "exquisite corpse" from my party. Not that I had dead people over for tea or anything--it's a surrealist writing game--one person writes two and a half lines, covers all but the last half line, and the next person completes it and adds another two and a half lines, and so on until the page is filled. Some may think that it is too literary/cerebral/square; others will find it too bizarre and unsettling. Others will be amused. It was a group of the third type that I had over last tuesday for fun and frolic, celebrating Amber's birthday (mine,too) Escorting Amber was the ever charming Justin, sporting his usual sly smile and suggestive hairstyle.

The groovetastic Dawn was was in attendance (thanks for the groovy tea towel, kitten!)--as were my young friends Shannon and Kala (pictured above modeling headware and holding the pinata--thanks for the pendant, box, bag, pouch, and quartz crystal you guys!). The brave and charming Rob turned up (thanks for the bass amp!), along with the ever stalwart Snayd (thanks for the Clerks II dvd!), and the elegant and charming Cynthia( thanks for the eye pillow!). Also in attendance was the ravishing Rahshemah and her consort Anthony (thanks, kids!).

As soon as YouTube is back up, I'll have the trailer to Dawn's new movie that is being released soon. She plays a murderous psycho. Fun!

Happy Birthday, Trey!

From all your staff at "I'd Rather Be Here Now."

01:07 minutes.

...and We'll All Have a Surreal Good Time

I'm turning 46 on Tuesday. Blows my mind.

I'm hosting a small, tasteful(?) surrealist themed birthday gathering at my home. I'm going to make a surreal pinata from a paper bag--it will be filled with words and images--hit it just right, and poetry falls out. Or curses, maybe......(be sure to read Mariana's post about the new super villain she invented--http://gatochy.blogspot.com/2007/01/new-kind-of-comic-book-villain.html).

The castle cake pan will come in handy--I just wish I had the time to do a full sized painting out of cake and candy, so we could recreate the Monty Python sketch ("I don't know much about art, but I know what I like....munch munch munch")

I wish for surreal quiz shows. I'd like to see something like Hollywood/Celebrity Squares, but with animals, mythological figures, emotions, weather....you get the drift. Instead of X and O, they would be ? and ; maybe. And it would be more Escher-like, with some of the people sitting upside down or sideways. That's entertainment!

Confessions of a Soap Fiend

I don't have a problem. Really! I can stop using soap any time I want to. I just don't want to!

Ok--so maybe I did buy enough soap in December of 2005 to last all of 2006 and beyond--I still have two bars left, one un-opened.

But be fair! I did buy a few bottles of shower gel, so of course my bar soap supply would last longer. A person will a real problem would have used it all up in the first month. I'm not addicted! Just really really clean.

What does a soap addict in recovery call themselves? Dirty?

"No, man--I've been dirty for months! I haven't touched the stuff in ages".

Really makes you think. About washing. Um---I'm just off the the um, er, other room, to um.....shave. Yes. Shave. Be back in about an hour. Heavy beard, you know.........now, where's that rubber ducky? You know--the one I use to shave with.

I hate it when you look at me like that.