November 30, 2003
Saturday on Shelf
Planning to use leftovers for
making split pea soup that was
conceived in the morning shower
as the recipe du jour.
Later it was featured
on my favorite cooking show
Unexpected, but synchronized
and somehow very scary
Caramelize the vegetables
Simmer to meld.
November 27, 2003
Almost Celebrated
Yet another American Thanksgiving for me in Canada... where it was celebrated last month. Or, in my case... almost celebrated.
Again it was strange to wake up today to the Macy's Parade being broadcast from almost another world instead of just 30 city blocks away. This has become the day that defines me most as a displaced New Yorker.
But I had my revenge, even though it was laughable. We went out to lunch, leaving the pup with Mark's Mom. This was the first time he has been without either one of us since we got him.
Like a deleted scene from "Best In Show" we found ourselves calling back as we drove away to make sure he wasn't wailing at the door in an absolute state of canine grief. Hardly. He was barking at her shiny brown shoes left by the door.
So we continued on our quest to have a turkey dinner, and we knew just the place. Fifteen minutes later I was tucking into a hot turkey sandwich with gravy, mashed potatoes and the ubiquitous carrots and peas. It was sublime... even without a parade.
November 26, 2003
New Profile
We have a new profile here. There has been a life upgrade during this 13 day hiatus from blogging...
There is a new job. At a start-up no less. How 1998. But then again, not. That time was in the middle of a bubble that made no sense.
The puppy has doubled in weight in just these few short weeks, and has become hilariously mischievous as only cute puppies can do perfectly. What pure joy it is to wake up and see a little white bear/puppy face looking up at you from the foot of the bed, his ungainly ears pointed straight up until that moment when he makes eye contact with you... and then they go flat against his head as he squirms with joy. It's a new day again and you are here with me!
Memo to self: try and get a picture of that moment.
And, instead of passively dreading the holidays any more, I have made airplane reservations to fly home for Christmas, and have some seasonal cheer with my parents and some dear friends. It will be tough leaving him behind again, but we have been together almost every day for the past six months. In some ways it's astonishing that we haven't killed each other yet.
The first substantial snowfall arrived silently overnight two days ago... and it brought a new profile also.
November 14, 2003
November 13, 2003
Dancing with Cup
There are those moments with a puppy that make you run for the camera. In the past three weeks or so there have been plenty of those...
Here a little game of 'lick the cup' became a hilarious ten minute dance.
No wonder they take dogs to nursing homes. It should be required.
November 11, 2003
Pine Spline
What is happening?
Something new... something starting up; in this season of decay and harvest. Life is a series of serendipitous surprises or horrors, and it seems the correct balance is now reappearing.
Who do I need to tip?
November 10, 2003
Leaf Removal
Tar-eating puppy-sickly leaf-raking oven-cleaning sage and pasta eating day.
November 8, 2003
Closed Up
This is from a couple of days ago... but I was too embarrassed to post it until now.
November 7, 2003
November 6, 2003
Luigi with a Z
Late in the evenings, Luigi likes to put on the soundtrack to "Caberet" and play coy. It's Liza with a 'uigi'! It's Luigi with a Z!
Watch out David Gest... we just might let him off the leash.
November 5, 2003
Fenced In
Yet another puppy shot. I just can't help myself. The sturdy little stance and the intense stare is now compared with the shy and tremulous little guy we brought home a couple of weeks ago. Amazing how fast they learn and grow at this age...
And, on the somewhat tortured metaphor front, I can now see a fence that I had built for myself this year. For whatever reason I wanted to closely define what kind of work was for me... and of course that isn't what the universe is going to provide. The lesson that I have been learning is to have patience, which does not at all come naturally to me.
My father is impatient; score another point for solid genetics here. Don't paint me as totally ungrateful however. Occasionally it can be a very useful character trait, especially if you choose to live in New York City for any period of time. Impatience is actually required for life as a New Yorker, but up here I find myself yelling at slow drivers too often...
Back to the fence. I took it down in my mind's eye yesterday. Mark told me I was limiting myself by my machinations and he is right. Luigi's fence is still there. He can clearly see the world through it, especially the squirrels.
November 4, 2003
From Above
The view from above is almost always better, as it isn't blocked by the things around you. But it can be deceiving also... things look different from above.
Looking down you can see the vectors of motion... what is moving, where it is going, and how fast it is traveling. The elevated view gives you that. What it doesn't give you is the breadth of motion... who and what is carried by the linear direction of the vector. Is it a whole crowd moving or the acts of an angry maniac shooting at his lawyer as he desperately hides behind a tree?
Combining the language of physics and the self aggrandizement of blogging with yet another puppy picture is either insulting or far too small stage to play on. I don't care. This is only electrons. We'll make more.
November 3, 2003
Wet Mulch
A weekend wet with rain becomes a new wet week. This shot from last Saturday was the last time direct light from the sun deemed to visit us.
The steady soaking rain is perfect weather for some more introspection. But is it really possible that I need more of that? Not hardly. We have passed the halfway point of acceptable navel gazing on this blog months ago.
In fact, a friend and colleague emails saying;
Yah I've been following your free fall on headvoice.
Sounds dreamlike. I think it's lovely to be able to just let
it all go and hang around processing shit.
He is an artist, both intuitive and perceptive. And he is also right... it has been a free fall in a dream state for a few months here. But now there is another being to take care of and nurture. Sure, he weighs barely five pounds, is covered with white fur and eats pine cones... but somebody has to raise him properly and teach him squirrel 'hunting'. Enough dreaming... and free falling, for now.
November 2, 2003
Meat Loaf Focus
My clever idea was to utilize what was in the freezer... and now I have to put half of the largest meatloaf ever made back right into it. Is this like leftovers squared?
November 1, 2003
Gnawing Away
Those little thoughts of self doubt can gnaw at you... but it is wise to push them away. A mind filled with enthusiasm, optimistic about the future is what's needed now... at least for me.
Debt isn't death. Quit isn't fired. Falling leaves and darker skies surely lead to another sunny spring...