Book of the Night Club

2006 approaches

A new year is dawning, which is supposed to be a big deal. Resolutions and all that, a chance to begin anew. This year, as in many others, I'm just not feeling it.

We can't find Maggie, one of our wild cats. I have this awful feeling that she's dead, or that she got out, but can't prove it because we can't find her. Poor Miss Mag! I keep asking Buttercup, her former paramour, to assist us in locating her, but he seems unwilling to cooperate. He's currently nestling with Sabine in a basket by the window, which speaks volumes.

I wish I could feel all enthused and optimistic about the forthcoming 365 days, but it just isn't in my contrary nature. Y'all have a good one, though, and may whatever resolutions you have concocted come true. Or don't. Whichever you prefer.

P.S. - In our house, we'll be ringing in the New by watching an old episode of Dr. Who. Yes, we are nerds. Long may we waive!!

I survived

I know it's been a while, but we were away for Christmas and now I've come down with a horrible cold/headache/flu combo thingie. This means lots of time curled up in bed, trying to forget.

For some reason, we tossed away perfectly good frequent flyer miles to go and see my family in the Midwest. I don't think we'll be making that mistake again anytime soon. I feel stupid for ever suggesting it.

It was a very awkward and uncomfortable time, at least for me, but I guess I should just be happy that it's over now. It's strange how time and distance can mold your thoughts at times; I actually thought it might be okay, and was basically bitch slapped in the face.

Again, I'm glad it's over. Now I can go back to being me again, that most imperfect being in the known Universe.

Maybe I'm Amazed

Our niece Naomi won a recent Newsround competition and got to interview PAUL MCCARTNEY! She's a long-time fan of his music and his politics (well, reasonably long; she's only 10). She interviewed Sir Paul last week prior to a signing for his new Children’s Book at the Waterstone's in London. Yesterday they posted both the interview and a short piece Naomi wrote about the process on the Newsround site.

A photo of Ms. B with Himself...

The interview and article are available here; to see the interview, click on Launch Newsround Player (the link is right next to the story), then click on the Press Pack link. Naomi's interview is called I Met Sir Paul McCartney, which she did. And we’re all quite jealous.

While Naomi allows that she is "quite pleased" about how things went, we're all very proud of her and the poise and professionalism she displayed. Who knows? Maybe we have another journalist in the family!

Stocking Stuffers, Vol. 6

MSNBC shows us some holiday gifts that can also benefit others. I'm always up for something from Sleepyheads, and it's nice to know that I can do something for others as I do something for myself (even if I find the new Fresh 'N Funky 'jammas deeply unattractive.

Earthquake or Make-Up, take your pick

Around the office today there seems to be two primary topics of conversation: the 3.4 earthquake that happened not too far from here, or the fact that I wore make-up today. And curled my hair.

Apparently the make-up huge, and I had no idea it would be. Our Christmas party is today, so I thought I'd tart myself up a bit.

I am the first to admit that I’m a painfully plain sort of person; I was raised with two very pretty, thin sisters and was constantly compared to them. Growing up I thought it was silly to waste time teasing my hair and coating on make-up, so normally I didn’t. Nobody noticed me much, anyway, and I was also constantly made aware of the fact that “it didn’t really help” (although I had “such a pretty face”).

The reaction makes me wonder if normally just look really awful without make-up; I really don’t see much of a difference when I wear it, and frankly would rather sleep in than take an extra ½ hour out of my life to primp. The attention was nice, but also unsettling. I just don’t see the difference, or why it should make one. Most of the comments were from women, too, which I thought was odd. I guess they just notice those things more.

Stocking Stuffers, Vol. 5

Special thanks to those who published and contine to update the Gift Guide for Library Lovers. The stuff's a little cute for me, but I know some people who'd love the gifts found within these links.

Got Vegetarians?

Okay, so we're headed back to my hometown for the holidays. We haven't been back in a number of years, and thought it would be fun to watch the youngster's kvelling over their gifts.

Sometimes my brain becomes confused and can't discern between the fantasy family I wish I had and the one I really ended up with, which might explain why we booked the tickets. The holiday always render me particularly vulnerable. Today it was made clear to me just what I would be venturing into, as we got to have THREE different conversations about the odd eating habits my husband and I have that threaten to shatter their peaceful Midwestern Christmas.

Apparently my sister was planning on having ham for Christmas dinner; since I don't like ham, everything must be changed because of me. Mind you, I did not ask for any special dispensation, as I was perfectly willing to say nothing about the poor dead pig and just eat side dishes, but suddenly the entire holiday meal is in an uproar.

My husband's sin is much worse; he's a vegetarian. It seems that nobody on either side of my family knows any vegetarians, and the whole idea completely baffles them. Approaching any potential meal with him that is not prepared by and outside source takes on a side-show quality that makes him seem more like a rare type of mammal than someone who doesn't eat meat. My mother and I had a half-hour long e-mail conversation about it, and I know the whole situation is stressing everyone out.

I should have known better, but now the entire holiday will be about how to feed my husband and how they can't have ham. I think I want to stay home.

P.S. - For those unfamiliar with the more common types of vegetarians, I have located this resource for you. The husband is the least involved type; he just does not eat meat. It's actually pretty easy to wrap your head around if you try.

Stocking Stuffers, Vol. 4

Upon further review, I find that pretty much everything in the Wrapables online catalog might make for fun gift-giving. Their stuff ranges from the truly eclectic to the practical and funky. Works for me!

Submitted for your enjoyment:

Human Key Holders and hangers (although the hangers are a tad "nuclear family" for my taste)

Lip-o-suction Toothpaste Squeezer

Various and sundry candles

Holiday Oddity, Vol. 1

Inexplicably inspired by some kind of bizarre holiday malaise, I purchased this on Saturday. It has taken up residence in my office, where it is frequently commented upon and compelled to sing and gyrate. That is what it does.

It's purchase may, or may not, have something to do with a vague resemblance to the Sorting Hat, but I can't be sure. I really don't know what happened.

Stocking Stuffers, Vol. 3

An ideal gift for the more cerebral on your list can most likely be found at The Unemployed Philosophers Guild.

This place is wonderful, rife with all manner of gewgaws for those with an eclectic bent. From the Little Thinkers finger puppet/magnets to the vast array of tchotchkes for devotees of Freud and Shakespeare, every page is a revelation.

Already the proud owner of the Light-up Starry Night Pillow, I hope that soon my couch will also be graced (as it were) by the
Wind Up Last Supper Pillow. It plays Hey Jude.

NICE DAY with the husband

So today we went into the city to ogle various and sundry items at the KPFA Craft Fair. Stocked up on some light switch covers from Raw Art and some jams from The Humble Gourmet (try the White Zinfandel...yummy!). Then out to lunch followed by a brief amble around Ghirardelli Square before picking up the unadopted at Pet Food Express.

In order to remain thematically appropriate, I must encourage those of you in the Bay Area to venture out to the Craft Fair tomorrow if you can to search for holiday gifts. There are some incredible things on sale there, and it's a lot less…I don't know, gentrified, than many of the other craft fairs around anymore.

Stocking Stuffers, Vol. 2

Archie McPhee, the Xandau of kitsch, has an entire page of Devil Duck merchandise available for the discerning shopper.

If we had a nice, big, comfy bathtub, like the one we used to have in San Francisco, I'd have a fleet of 'em.

Odd Stocking Stuffers, Vol. 1

Piranha dental floss dispenser.

I prefer the blue one, or perhaps the green.

Have camel, will travel

Today in the Guardian there was an article about a service provided by the Kenyan National Library Service. (Jessamyn over at librarian.net read it, too>) It's called the Camel Library Service, and that's pretty much what it is; a camel loaded up with books providing books to those who don't have easy access to them.

Generally, the husband and I share everything...

but I'm not sure if he's ready for this one.

Dalek Porn. I suppose it was inevitable.