8gurl’s Neighborhood

Son has just driven off to his univeristy exam. I am more nervous than when I go to exams myself. I guess that a parent always wants the best for their child and even if they are 24 and a big hairy man! I kept a low profile until Son left so that my nervousness wouldn't freak him out.

Daughter2 ran a 5.2km marathon after work last night. It was a twilight marathon. This is the same girl who climbed two of the Glass House Mts last weekend. [When we say mountain in Australia, take it with a little grain of salt. Our Mountains are sometimes more a description than an actuality]. This is the same girl who spent her 15th year horizontal in her bed, with severe chronic fatigue. She is 28 years old now and doing things we never dared hope for her. This weekend she is buying a bike so she can go riding with Daughter1 and The Boy. I can't believe these are my daughters.  It has been a long road for her, but damn, nothing is going to stop her. I am in awe!

Mr FD is on the road in his new car. He keeps phoning me and singing me "I'm driving in my car". Springsteen has nothing to worry about. I would still be his in a blink. I am happy that Mr FD is enjoying the thrill of a new car ...before they repossess it at least! Hopefully he is doing more than just drinving in his car, but making some money as well!

I am feeling a strong desire to start baking again. My nesting instinct is coming back. Damn. First I have to rediscover my house under the filth and dust of the past 12 months. I was going to take before and after photos to show on my blog to motivate me into action, but I fear you would all tell me to change my name to Pig in Mud instead of Flamingo Dancer! You will just have to be content with my written crowing about my domestic superiority instead.

Daytime television viewing is really bad. Well the advertising is really bad. I think I missed out on the Snuggies as it is now summer, but I can still get in on the shamwow offer. I can't help wondering how one washes a shamwow if they absorb all the water? I can also buy life insurance before my medical results come back from the doctor to make my husband happy, and buy funeral insurance so that my children don't have to worry about throwing me in a hole. Then I can lemon detox and shed a dress size [and my health] in two days. After that I can buy Nude cosmetics and hide all the ugly bits - does it come in a drum?  I won't mention the range of sports equipment that I can have delivered to my door either. It is a full regime being made dissatisfied with myself and fearful of life in general.

The crow has left his post. I started lying on my bed with a pile of pillows blocking its view of my face. I did hear a noise at the bathroom window early last night, like a bird clawing against the screen, but I didn't investigate. I am starting to feel like I am in a remake of The Birds!  Between magpie season and being told to walk around with an ice cream container with eyes drawn on the back of it, on my head to avoid a pecking attack and now the Crow Stalker , I feel like I am an endangered species.

Isn't Al Gore looking good these days? Lost weight, better haircut. Does he have a girlfriend?

My mother phones to say that her sister, my aunt, is to have chemo after her bowel cancer surgery. At least that is what I think she said. She told me "you know those tablets you have after you have an operation". Chemo, Mum? "I don't know, I don't ask questions!" Then she proceeds to make all sorts of wild claims and predictions based on no information and no fact. I guess it should be no surprise to anyone that I have a mother who is rampant, but it still surprises me. Was she like this when we were growing up? Surely not. Yeah, probably. Explains a lot doesn't it?

I have spoken to my sister 3 times by phone this week. I love my sister. She doesn't understand me at all, but she loves me. What more can you ask from a big sister? I on the other hand understand her too well, but I still love her. That is what younger sisters are for.

Another niece engaged. Two family weddings planned for next year. We are expecting at least one more yet - wedding that is. The changing of the guard generation wise. We are becoming the elder statesmen/women. It is a nice thing. I am ready to hand over and be dotty and allow them to take the pressure.

I think I will lie here in bed a little longer and think about house cleaning and baking. It is a life and someone has to live it. I sacrifice myself for you!

Another night at the vet for poor Tuxboy. I'm sure they have him plenty drugged-up for comfort, though, and are monitoring his output. I'd rather have him there when he's this sick rather than moping around home.

Tortie is taking this opportunity to be totally imperious. Last night she slept in my foot-space but refused to snorgle at all. I took a nap this afternoon and she did, which was less fun than it sounds b/c we put the monthly flea stuff on her and so the back of her neck is a bit stinky. But the purrrrr was great. Just glad I remembered she was due; last time TK was sick, I forgot and so she got fleas and tapeworms. Didn't want to do that again. She needs some hairball stuff too. She hasn't sat on our laps today, just been sleeping at the food of my bed except for fud.

Her should be completely insufferable by the time tuxbrat gets home. Such a tortie.

Nablo9

I am sitting at the dining table trying to organise Christmas Amazon orders to various family factions.

I am facing the open french windows and looking down to the bottom of the garden where, under a startling pink bower of Bourgainvillia, Sprog has set up a small table and chair.  She has very carefully carried her bowl of porridge and her cup of milk down to her table.  She is sitting in state, putting me in mind of a Victorian jungle explorer taking tea.

Wilf has gone down to bug her and she is distracting him by singing her very own version of jingle bells.  Rattling a jingly baby toy she is lustily singing "Jingle bells!  Jingle bells Jingle all the WAY!! (Hey!)  Ohmah fahhh eddesterahhh!  Amana OPEN SLEIGH (hey!)"

Wilf is clutching his nadgers and dancing from one foot to the other, laughing like a drain.

They are both starkers.

Life is good.

I'm taking this week's topic from Darren Rowe's weekly newsletter.  My rules are a little different.  Since we are getting into the busy time of the year...Holiday Season...you can use old photos or take new ones.  Take some photos of your pets, your neighbor's pets, your parent's pets, the school pets, or neighborhood pets.  Here is a link to Dareen's article on taking photos of pets  http://digital-photography-school.com/how-to-photograph-pets.

Have some fun and dress up your pet or take a photo of a pet in an unusual place.  You can use photoshop to change the photo background or change the shape or position of the pet.  You can clone your pet or pets....anything goes this week...show me your creativity!

Boy we had a great turnout for the #78 Photo Quest on Diagonal Lines.  Thanks to Cap'n Stephel, Darcy, Yancunyong, Trailblazer, anthrogrrl, Maju and Spike for some really amazing photos!  I'm not sure the Trailblazer wanted in but I'm including her. 

For each person that posts to the quest I pick the one photo that I liked the best and that fit the Photo Quest the best.  Just because I pick one photo does not mean I dislike the others!  It isn't easy to pick one from each participant as the photos are so good!

I'm going to start with Spike as she was the first to post for this week's quest.  My favorite was the "Steve at the Reaper Miniatures factory looking like the kid in a candy store", photo.  Look at how all the toys on the wall form long, multiple lines drawing your eye right to Steve.  I also like the texture created by the toys and the fun way she used diagonal lines in the photo great job Spike!

Maju just took my breath away with her photo of Regent's Canal 02!  This is a BIG WOW photo!  Notice how the walkway, the trees, the reflection in the water pulls your eye right to the bridge.  The composition on this photo is wonderful with the bridge right at the ROT point!  In this photo even the light areas with no details, water without reflections and the sky pull your eye to the bridge.  Wonderful work Maju!!

Next was Antrogrrl and what a nice surprise that we get to see some of her "old archaeology photos for this challenge."  You made it hard for me to choose one photo as you had so many great ones this week.  I have to say I liked 2 snow tracks the best.  The tracks in the snow, the diagonal line of the plants, the mountains and the sky push your eye right to the furtherest point.  The angle of the photo and the diagonal lines give the photo a feeling of a never ending landscape.  The tracks in the snow tell the viewer the snow is fresh and the people in the vehicle where the first to see this landscape.  This photo tells a great story, super photo Antrogrrl!

Trailblazer posted two interesting photos to the Photo Quest Group.  My favorite was the first photo Ink-and-surf-jpg.  There are several diagonal lines in this photo.  The surfers arms, legs, the surf board and the surf all provide great diagonal lines.  I really liked the way we have two diagonal lines coming together with the surfer in the forground arms, forming one diagonal line and the surf board forming the opposite diagonal line.  The intersection of these lines draw your eye right to that point.  Nice capture Trailblazer!

Yan's many wonderful photo all with great examples of diagonal lines really caused me to stop and consider all the photos before I made my selection.  I really have to pick Photographers @Mt. Gomadan as I loved all the photographers lined up with their tripods to take photos of the fall colors.  This is a very fun photo full of color and lots of interest in what the photographers are doing and thinking about how each one is taking their photos.  Great photo Yan!

I pick Darcy's photo of her son playing the in water sprinkler as my favorite.  What a fun photo.  It makes me want to run in a sprinker too.  Here Darcy has framed her son with the diagonal lines of the sprinkler on either side.  This was a hard shot to get as she has the camera shutter slow enough to capture the sprinkler water in drops and the camera set fast enough to get a very clear shot of her son.  This is another photo that tells a story of Darcy's son enjoying his summer.  Love this one Darcy!

Last but not least are the photos from Cap'n Stephel.  Her photos are always full of personality.  You got to look at the snowman in the pumpkin patch!  The photo I liked best from her post is the first one of the trail.  The fence and the shadow of the fence give the photo a great sense of depth, distance and mystery.  She didn't tell us the whole story here as we can't see the end of the trail...we keep looking be we can't see that far as the trees cover our view.  Very nice photo Cap'n!

Upcoming Live Performances on MORNING BECOMES ECLECTIC with host JASON BENTLEY

Tuesday, November 17, Forro In The Dark is based in New York, but they tap into their Brazilian roots to create hip-swiveling grooves. Their fans include KCRW favorites like David Byrne and Bebel Gilberto-- you’ll hear why on Morning Becomes Eclectic at 11:15am.

Thursday, November 19, As a young woman, Rosanne Cash told her father Johnny she wanted to play country music. He put together a list of 100 essential songs for her to listen to and, years later, she’s put together an album highlighting her favorites. Hear it live on Morning Becomes Eclectic at 11:15am.

Tuesday, November 24, We first met Lissie at KCRW in 2007, when she came in to sing backup for Jesca Hoop. Now, she's opening for Ray LaMontagne and has just released a terrific debut EP. Hear her new songs live on Morning Becomes Eclectic at 11:15am.

Wednesday, November 25, Tune in for a special pre-Thanksgiving visit from UK production and remix team Simian Mobile Disco. They'll deliver fresh tracks from their sophomore release when they join Morning Becomes Eclectic live at 11:15am.

KCRW.COM PRESENTS

Tues, November 24, ROYKSOPP at WEBSTER HALL in NEW YORK.
Fri, December 11, FIERY FURNACES at THE MUSIC HALL OF WILLIAMSBURG in NEW YORK CITY.

KCRW PRESENTS IN SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA

Thursday, November 12, ORGONE AT ZANZIBAR.
Thursday, November 12, BURAKA SOM SISTEMA AT THE MAYAN.
Fri, November 13, BOMBA ESTEREO AT THE ECHO.
Sat, November 14, JENNY LEWIS & FRIENDS AT THE ACTOR’S GANG.
Wed, November 18, SWELL SEASON AT THE WILTERN.
Wed, November 18,  ROYKSOPP AT CLUB NOKIA.
Wed, November 18, FORRO IN THE DARK at THE SOHO in Santa Barbara.
Thursday, November 19, FORRO IN THE DARK AT THE MINT.
Sat, November 21, FRIENDLY FIRES WITH THE XX AT THE MUSIC BOX AT THE HENRY FONDA.
Fri, November 20, FAT FREDDY’S DROP AT THE ROXY. Jeremy Sole will host and deejay the evening.
Sat, November 21, BEN GIBBARD & FRIENDS AT THE ACTOR’S GANG.
Sat, November 21, PETER BJORN AND JOHN with FOOL'S GOLD AND EL PERRO DEL MAR AT CLUB NOKIA.
Mon, November 23, EL PERRO DEL MAR  AT THE HOTEL CAFÉ.
Tues, November 24, LISSIE at THE BOOTLEG THEATRE.
Tues, November 24, CAFÉ TACUBA AT CLUB NOKIA.
Fri, November 27, JULIAN CASABLANCAS AT THE PALACE THEATRE.
Fri, December 4, FINK AT SPACELAND.
Sat, December 5, SARA WATKINS AND TOM BROSSEAU AT LARGO AT THE CORONET.
Fri, December 11, BAND OF SKULLS AT THE TROUBADOUR.
Sat, December 12, BRETT DENNEN AT THE WILTERN.
Sat, December 12, JOHN DOE with JILL SOBULE AT THE ACTOR’S GANG.
Wed, December 16, ZERO 7 AT THE ORPHEUM.
Fri, December 18 and Sat, December 19, OZOMATLI AT CLUB NOKIA.
Fri, January 8, SONIC YOUTH AT THE FOX THEATRE IN POMONA.
Sat, January 9, SONIC YOUTH AT THE WILTERN.
Fri, March 12, BRANDI CARLILE AT THE HOUSE OF BLUES (ANAHEIM). 

KCRW DJ Mario Cotto (Sat, 8-10p) has a way of describing bands that is unlike anyone else I’ve ever met. We recently had an email discussion about Washed Out -- a band that made a splash at CMJ, but who had been on our airwaves for sometime thanks to Mario.  Here’s his description, which of course he didn’t expect me to publish since it was just a discussion between two music geeks: “It's rad. It's all gauzy, hazy lo-fi disco. Like 10cc nightdrivin' a Ferrari to Studio 54 on ecstacy. “ (In case you don’t remember, 10cc are the UK band responsible for this hit)

Mario continues… “It seems there's this whole lo-fi psychedelic loop sound that's taking over -- bands like Washed Out, Memory Tapes, Toro y Moi, Kurt Vile, Atlas Sound. And of course, Former Ghosts...but they're doing more of a cold-wavey romantic synthpop thing.”

So there it is...a short list of bands to check out over the weekend!

RR

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Do you ever wonder what might have happened to people who are essentially strangers to us?   

Next door to my office building is a retirement & assisted living place -  it used to have the word "Alzheimer's"  in the name and we joked about just trading one place for the other as our minds went; usually with the assumption that too much work was going to cause such a decline.

Anyway - over the last couple of months every morning, as I've walked past, an elderly man has been outside hiding behind a pillar enjoying a cigarette.  Every morning I would say "good morning how are you?" and he'd respond with a loud and cheery: "Good morning to you and I'm great"   

The last few mornings he was not there and I wondered if he had died or been caught.  It crossed my mind that I might never know -  I don't think I would've gone inside to enquire about the health of a man having a forbidden cigarette.   

I was so relived to see him back this morning that I almost said "oh thank God you are ok"....    I really had been quite concerned about someone whose name I don't even know.

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The bike below used to appear near the office during the day and then be gone by evening.  Then it arrived and stayed.  And stayed and stayed.   If this had been anywhere near I live, it would've been stripped within a few hours.  After more than a month the rear tyre is flat but no-one has stolen the helmet or attempted to steal spare parts from the bike.  

So,  where is the owner?   Did they die at their desk?  Did they walk to the shops at lunch time and get run-over crossing the road?   Or perhaps they developed Alzheimer's and forgot they owned a bike.

I hate not knowing.....  and unlike the missing elderly man, where I could've enquired if I'd wanted to, there is no-one to ask about the bike's owner.  

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• 20:43 Hard Day's Night on VH1 Classic. A perfect complement to the Beatles Box. #

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