Random Stuff from My Life

Saturday, October 25, 2008

Sick sweatshirt

Does everyone have that one "comfort" article of clothing that you wear when you're home sick on the couch? For me, it's a grey hooded sweatshirt that I use to literally "sweat out" whatever is ailing me. I had to pull it out yesterday. My boss has something with vaguely flu-like symptoms, and I came home at 3:00 with several of the same signs. I feel much better this morning, except my stomach still cannot handle the thought of any food with flavor.

The bad thing about living on the West Coast is that all the football games east of here start at 9:00 on Saturday morning. There's nothing inherently wrong with that; unlike when I was a teenager, I am now always awake by 9 on Saturdays. It's just that the TV stations are unwilling to pre-empt Saturday morning cartoons for football. I suppose I wouldn't mind if it were the SuperFriends or Smurfs, but now they have on stuff like funny Inca princes and kung fu skunks (and those are two of the better ones). I feel a little sorry for the kids of today and the shared cultural references they'll have when they get into their 30's. I guess maybe the "Howdy Doody" generation felt the same about our little blue creatures and their giant cat nemesis.

Saturday, October 18, 2008

I love the dollar store

We got two bags of stuff, and it cost less than our lunch at KFC! Our wine rack is now full again, and the most expensive bottle in it (aside from the gift from our friend who lives in Napa) is Two Buck Chuck.

Other than that, I am just trying to avoid doing some work I brought home. I am so desperate that I've actually been cleaning the bathroom and dusting in the living room (though I can honestly say that getting the house back into a tolerable condition of cleanliness was a pretty pressing matter). I might go do some laundry next.

Monday, October 13, 2008

Day four, the drive home

So, we took the long route along the Klamath River. There appeared to be smoke hanging in the air when we left the freeway, but it was completely clear through the valley. We didn't even see any visible evidence of the fires that had caused evacuations and road closure earlier this summer.

It's so great to be home. I've already taken a nap; our bed is so much more comfortable than most hotel beds. And I missed the cat.

Day three, comedy

We spent our Sunday morning in the hotel room, FINALLY watching our Netflix rental (Chitty Chitty Bang Bang, which we've had for over a month). Then after a traditional American lunch of McDonalds, we headed off for back-to-back Bard.

Between the disco version of A Midsummer Night's Dream and the Old West version of Comedy of Errors, we went to the Black Sheep Pub for a dinner of bangers and mash (him) and a pasty and potato leek soup (me). Then we saw the Green Show, which was moved indoors due to the weather.

It just so happened (completely unintentionally) that we were there for the closing night of the outdoor theater. Apparently they do a candle ceremony each season when the Elizabethan Theater closes for the year. So, that was neat to see.

When we got back to our room, the door was open and all the lights were on! Luckily the laptop was still here, along with everything else (that we remember). I guess Housekeeping just forgot to come back and clean something. Still, a bit disconcerting.

Sunday, October 12, 2008

Now all I need is a good screenwriter

Coming to theaters near you, Memorial Day 2010: A guy is teaching school in drag (no, I haven't quite figured out why yet). But he's not the only one with a secret. One of his students is actually a spy who's posing as a high-schooler. She's working with two other agents posing as her parents. The "family" of spies (working for the good guys, of course) recruits the drag queen teacher to help them on a mission. Very Mrs. Doubtfire meets True Lies, with a splash of Victor, Victoria thrown in (when they recruit him, they don't realize he's a guy). I've even got a one-liner on the evils of prematurely washing color-treated hair: "No American soldier has ever benefited in combat from washing his hair more often." I see Nathan Lane in the lead role.

The big question: Is this inspired by Shakespeare, or should I not have eaten Sonic last night?

Saturday, October 11, 2008

Day two, perfect

Well, I was looking forward to a full day of watching college football (at least my Cats won). I knew Crater Lake would be cold. What I didn't reckon was how gorgeous it would be. It was beautiful and sunny today, scarcely a cloud anywhere. We took some picnic stuff and ate lunch (in the car; way too cold for a picnic table) overlooking the deepest lake in North America. Then we got to go to Sonic for dinner when we got back to town. But I'm getting ahead of myself...

The drive up along the Rogue River was stunning. We basically experienced two seasons in one day. There were maples along the river with turning leaves (I miss deciduous trees in the fall); then once we got into the park there was snow and the high temp was below freezing.

We did the full loop around the Rim Road, so I got to experience lots of views I hadn't seen on my prior trip. Here are a few of my favorites:




There are 150 others (literally). It was an amazing day. Made it back in time to see Oklahoma State beat Mizzou. Now I'm watching Ulimate Fighting until SNL comes on.

Trip, Day 1

It was pretty windy along the coast yesterday, so the ocean was just gorgeous. Wish we'd had time to stop and take pictures, but Stan ran late getting home so we had to book it up here.

We are staying at a brand-new Homewood Suites. It's really nice, but their interior decorator obviously subscribed to a philosophy of "if one pattern is nice, ten patterns will be super!" This place is going to look dated in about a month.

The Oregon Shakespeare Festival is one of 1000 Places to See Before You Die. But I've seen it. Twice now. But it's SOOO good. I want to come back again next year.

We saw Othello last night. I know it's not an original thought, but it always strikes me how timeless Shakespeare's plays are. And this was really well done. Cold, though. The Elizabethan Theater is open-air, and it was in the low 40's by intermission. When you're just sitting for 3 hours and 15 minutes, that gets chilly.

We don't have a play today. We're thinking about going up to Crater Lake, which Stan has never seen. I don't know. We have two flat-screen TV's in the room and College GameDay is already on!

Friday, October 10, 2008

Seasons change

Well, the new episodes of South Park have begun. I personally didn't find this week's all that funny.

It's definitely fall here now. Got down into the 30's last night, and the air has that autumnal warm/cold feeling today.

We are headed for Ashland as soon as The Husband gets home. Three Shakespeare plays in three days.

Here's a really good (and funny) Prop 8 ad:

Saturday, October 04, 2008

It's important for those of you outside California, too

http://jesseonthebrink.blogspot.com/2008/10/say-no-to-prop-8-with-your.html

Friday, October 03, 2008

Finally!

It's raining. I love rain. True, I will be sick to death of it by April and never want to see rain again. Until about September. Then I'll be ready. I've been ready. They've been predicting it. "Storms this weekend." It was supposed to start yesterday. Well, yeah, it did--sort of. A few drops and then nothing. Actual sun in the afternoon! No, no, no. We've had our one nice day for the fall, now I want wet leaves swirling around me when I leave the house. I want the sound of rain falling on the roof as I curl up on the couch. I want to wear sweaters. Today, at last, I am wearing a sweater. There's been a slow, soaking rain for a couple hours now. This is good. I want a heavier rain, but not until after I get off the freeway for my lunch date.