December 23, 2015

I’m not sure why I haven’t set up mini-coffee maker in the vanity area yet.  Mornings are chilly in this big ol’  house and wandering to the kitchen for coffee is odd.  There was a bit of a scratchy throat beginning, so I sucked on a Halls (sugar-free this time around) while I waited for the coffee.

As much as I enjoy vacation, I also dislike it because I can never accomplish as much as when I have work.  I work much better under pressure.  I had two clients this afternoon – we’ve had difficult connection due to extenuating circumstances.  My first task was to see if moving the modem would get me better internet service.  Considering this house gets fiber network (?) it is super slow in the bedroom, which is my now newly expanded office.  I unhooked the modem and…nothing.  And of course all my cables (I have at least 5) are buried somewhere in the garage.  So, there were three things I needed:  a cable, Christmas gift tags and returning the heating pad for Violet (she’s a tough tarantula) and getting a plastic dog shelter instead the deck.  Annie goes down-stairs to the big doghouse, but they need a dry area up here.

As I pulled towards my house, I saw a truck and a man in a fabulous top hat.   I was thrilled – the chimney sweep had psychically picked up my fearful thoughts and dropped by.  It was actually the handyman who does work around here, but he also happens to be a chimney sweep, which was super because he was able to check things out and assure me that the house would more than likely not burn down due to creosote issues.  The gutters were also cleaned out so tonight approaching storm won’t result in water pouring over like a small waterfall.

 

I wanted to drop off Brent’s goodies before going to work, so I headed over and noticed the landlord’s truck in the driveway.    I set the package on Brent’s doorstep and headed off.  At work, I saw letters from the BBS as to why I haven't gotten my numbers yet:  they need an official transcript (which I believe I sent, as it was sent directly from Brandman and said Do NOT OPEN- OFFICIAL TRANSCRIPTS,  but I could be mistaken) and a certain incident which occurred in 1991 when I was 19 and involved a car and some alcohol.  Our past never disappears.  After a 2.5 hour session  time, I needed to leave so Josh could go.  I have the fob, but I’ve not set the alarm before – I could finish prog notes at home – he had a gig at Powerhouse, so we left.  

 

  

At home. I began baking – well, mixing, actually.  I give people the cookie and they can bake it at their leisure.  I can’t believe it’s already Christmas Eve-Eve.  What the hell.  Heard from Victoria - she is giving me her room reservation in Chico for NYE.  2016 is around the corner, which scares the living daylights outta me.  I miss the 80s.

Pictures- How Mabi entertains herself; That beautiful Wicked Tree was gorgeous this morning; What the USPS delivered today; MIXING!!

December 22, 2015

I am not my mother.  I did not clean up after the party and therefore awoke to a messy kitchen.  This house has not been moved into yet…yes, things are out (some, many things are still in boxes and I plan on getting rid of even more stuff), but it is a way-too-huge empty place without much feeling.  A TERRIFIC thing, however, is that it has been quite rainy and cloudy since we moved here, which is fabulous.

 

The goal today was to see a client and then get the kids, but the client has been relocated, which is very good thing, so all that left was shopping which I despise.  I don’t like shopping, anyway, and having waited until 2 days before Christmas makes it 235% worse.  Today I was experiencing the Hipsmas version of depression.  Family reunions like this are incredible and I am so thrilled that I get to do this 2 times a year.  For this, alone, I wish that I liked living in CA.

WHAT on EARTH does one get kids who don’t need anything and were very vague on what they want (Boy: “nothing” (he wants a dirt bike for his birthday); Girl: winter clothes (I have no idea what she likes), gift cards, xbox 360 and a small tv (hell, no).  The main theme this year is comfort and sleep – robes for the kids that are super soft, and slippers for all of us.  It’s the thought that counts, right?

 

I came home to wrap and watched the first episode of American Horror Story and then started the second one until the multiple stabbing scene.  I went through my Nightmare on Elm Street phase when I was 17 and I see no reason why I need to subject myself to this mess again, so I switched it to my Office folks where Dwight kept me company.

 

I’m feeling a lot of fear about moving to Switzerland.  Things like this past weekend are the wonderful things that I would miss so much.  This is why I told everyone about my plans to move, so when this feeling popped up, I would still feel responsible for moving.  I printed the kids an announcements about their Swiss citizenships.  I know it won’t mean too much to them, but I hope it makes a difference.

Pictures: Hipsmas version of the Hipnic car pass;  The funny  rated x fortune cookie from the fortune cookie factory; Folsom tagging; Beautiful sunset and too damn much Christmas traffic: A new creek after much-needed rain;

December 21, 2015

The second Hips show was a rare and unique event.  There were a few songs, “Song for JB”, “White Falcon Fuzz” and “Del Mar Station”,  which exhibited and extracted so much emotion - the friends I was standing near felt it too and we came together, separate yet conjoined on the same plane.  It was wicked.  The next day I decided to go romp around Mission District, get more Christmas shopping done.  I got stuff for the kids and then headed to my favorite Mexican restaurant.  I visited Good Vibrations afterwards…  

…which brings to mind a conversation I had with a male friend today.  He asked why I post sex stuff on FB.  To me, it isn’t the personal stuff.  Granted, I’m celibate right now, but even if I wasn’t, I would never post that information, which is sacred to me.  What I do post about is healthy sexuality, which I deem to be important and still filled (especially for women) with too much same.  His comments where that I was a smart woman and that others, men especially, would think I was easy by my posting about sex/visiting a sex store, etc.  Quite a conundrum as I am the furthest thing from easy.  I’ve been hit on and propositioned by men, by musicians, for sex and I have turned them down every time.  According to him,  I would not be looked upon “as girlfriend material” by the comments I make/post.  This  societal stigma annoys the hell out of me because in order to “catch” a man, I would need to stop voicing my beliefs about  healthy sexuality and succumb to what society deems as “correct female behavior,” which I hate, but was honored that he told me about (some) men’s perception because he cares about me.  

It was getting closer to Sunday show time when Victoria texted and said she was extending her stay and would be there another night.  I called The Opal and was also able to get an inexpensive room, so hustled down and got ready for Slim’s.  The show here was semi-acoustic and blew me away (again).  They played some Ball-Point Birds songs, as well, which I love. I even got to be a part-time merch-chick for about 10 minute s(moving up in the world).  Victoria and I enjoyed some Thai food after the show, and I slept the whole night through.  I have been in so many places in the last  month…so many different sleeps.  

The drive home was smooth and traffic-free despite it being rush hour.  The pups were thrilled to see me and I have earned 2 free nights, so I will stay in Chico for NYE instead of driving home.  I was having an office Christmas party  and there was lots of preparation.  As I drove to the store, I got an incredible email which made me so very happy:   Switzerland had confirmed all the paper work and my children were now recorded as being citizens of Schwellbrun, AR – Swiss citizens.  I haven’t had such terrific news in some time.

 Despite my guest bringing food, I still made 5 dishes, so when they got there a great deal of food was present.  Cards Against Humanity was absolutely hilarious and hit the very topics my friend had said would give men the wrong perception about me (I’ll be sure never to play this game with them )!  Long three (4?) days….  I’m ready for my bed.  

Pictures:  Hipsmas 2015, GAMH; Me with Shari; Slim's; An apropos poster; My Christmas party

December 19, 2015

Once I arrived at my hotel, The Phoenix, I dressed, grabbed a little bit of cash and my room key, and I walked into Tenderloin to explore in the rain.  I found a Vietnamese restaurant with only men, sitting at 2 tanked and conversing loudly with their many bottles of beer.  The food was delicious and plentiful.  Every so often, a young man would walk in and and was yelled at shrilly by the only waiter until he left. I enjoyed observing.

The show was to begin at 8, so around 7:45, I was there and immediately saw Whitey (who didn't see me), then Cherie and I went upstairs.  This time, the first time ever, I wore my glasses to the show and as silly as that sounds, it's scary.  Once the Hips started, i began dancing.  I tried so hard to set Sam in front of me as she was there, but within minutes I was in front again.  I lose it here.  So many incredible people where there-a veritable treasure chest of love.


When I awoke (early), I was saddened to have left my coffee maker (a mini I keep in the bus) at home, but it shouldn't be too long until breakfast.  I went downstairs to ask and saw a man who looked very familiar.  Last year while staying here, Joe helped me find candles for my Christmas tree.  He had asked I send him a picture which never proved successful.  Today, I told him I tried numerous times to send it without success and he was overcome with emotion.  He said in 25 year's if working there he had never had anyone remember him that way and it made his whole day.  As I sat talking with Clare, he presented me with a basket of Phoenix mugs, breakfast foods and the Phoenix book.  This time it was my turn to be touched.  It's amazing how far words can go.

I wandered....walked around the TL, went to Union Square to do some shopping, came back for a nap.

Now, I shall go explore the TL again, dine, and off the the show.


 Pictures:  The Boys; That F Train; The Tenderloin; Phoenix art

December 17, 2015

The field trip…my, my, where to begin?  It was a whirlwind of  adventure as we began early Monday morning and headed on a train to Oakland and Jack London Square.  From there we took the ferry to San Francisco and walked up to our hostel, about a mile and a half.  To be honest, after we were settled, I have no idea what took place.  I remember dinner made and then sleep.  The next day was the wild one – we were first group to go to a farm in the city and then explored SF by ourselves.

 I noticed a few things in SF.  A)  I like having my car because I can’t understand MUNI at all, B) drivers of MUNI are MORE than happy to help with directions, C) not all chaperons follow the school’s strict guidelines  

D) I do not necessarily forgive.  First thing Ethan said to me when we were back to the car after getting off the train is that he had to go see their chaperon’s dad in a hospital for a couple of  hours. When I asked my son that night what he did/where he went and he responded with “nothing/nowhere” I didn’t realize he was telling the truth.  Still, I was able to get to know some incredible parents and I wish I had gotten to know them earlier. 

And…not to “spill the beans,” but someone I may or may not know may or may not have a person in his life which may or may not be considered his (or her – remember, I’m not spilling beans!!) girlfriend.  There was hand-holding at the ice skating rink which was the first night we were there (oh yeah!  That’s what we did).  Super cool and I am so happy for him.   Another exciting point was sitting by a man with paranoid schizophrenia who seemed to think the SFPD and I were after him and he threatened me and called me every name in the book.  It was awesome when he told me I could tell my mom to suck his dick in front of about 10 kids (I texted and said not to send any more kids back in the bus, that it wasn’t safe).  He was having hallucinations and while violence is really rare, more kids back there to listen to him wasn’t a good idea.  When I gently whispered that I wasn’t afraid  (when he said “Your fucking afraid of me” with about 20 other curse words) he quieted down.  I like working with people with schizophrenia and my heart goes out to them.  

Last night, I got to lay down in my bed with my lovely flannel sheets which were so, so, so nice.  It was hard to get out of bed this morning, but get out I did.  I haven’t been receiving mail here, so I dropped by the PO, then ran by the old house  to check mail.  Nothing.  A lovely hair appointment with Nicole to get my “hur did” for Hipsmas (although why???).  Got to work and the day began.  

Once I got home from work, I received a lovely letter from my prior landlord with an itemized bill for “damages” to the house which more than cover what I would have gotten back from my deposit.  Malarky.  That piece of shit house had so many holes in, was falling apart.  He charged me for a shit that fell apart days after I moved in.  I also heard from the chaperon who can’t understand why I was upset about the field trip.  To cheer myself up, I packed for Hipmas (this weekend).  I can’t fit in anything.    Suddenly (the last 3 years) I have this pooch on my body and now I’m sad again.  Fortunately, in about 24 hours I won’t care.  

Pictures: My first medi-cal reauth!!; My one-year pin for working at NM.  :)