With (one) cat in the yard....

Looking ahead to moving into the house. I am so anxious and excited for this that I'm going crazy. I must acknowledge not being in our own place as a strong contributor to my ADD-like tendencies. I've been an awful organizer of paper, since I don't have anyplace to put my stuff, really, and the paper keeps on coming in (bills, catalogs, professional literature--life stuff). I don't know that I'd be more organized with proper places to put stuff, but at least I would have one less viable excuse.

Weekend report: a glorious day spent in Napa on Friday for our administrative holiday. Viewed art and sampled wine at The Hess Collection. For Sat/Sun, jammed to Seattle for a quick visit: double baby shower, visiting friends, eating. Goodies to bring home: just 2 pounds of the best darned coffee in Seattle. The caramel aroma was wafting out of my carry-on bag, making all of the passengers around me quite jealous. This will be quite a treat after we're moved in enough to have unpacked the coffee grinder and French press.

Is the thumb green?

We'll have a few beds to tend in the yards of our new house. The lawn work is "mow, blow and go", so no worries there. Tackling the front bed is my first aim: it's the view from the street and makes a good impression on the neighbors, who might be wondering "who are these jokers who just moved in?". There is a good bit of clover that needs to be weeded, and then I'm thinking of lamb's ear and pinks or maybe cosmos. I don't want to be too ambitious, since I am a totally inexperienced gardener, but I think this will be simple and attractive (and blend nicely with the house's purple trim).

Battling Futureshock

Am feeling overwhelmed today by all of the responsibilities, expectations, projects, questions, personal concerns, reminders, paperwork, etc. It's 2plus months at the new job, and the intensity of the management (time, project, resource, etc.) at this level is really sinking in. I always knew that there was never enough time to do everything, and sometimes I am okay with this. Other times it really freaks me out. Today is close to freaky. And this is without the whole Mom factor, although I did identify an interesting book on Amazon to deal with that part of it.

Another factor is moving out of my mother-in-law's to our very own first house (albeit a rental). That's not stressful, no....

New Projects

Now that we have our nice cozy rental house and Dean is out of the presidential race, it was time to update the links at left. Our house comes with very cute and well-groomed yard areas, which is great because I've been fantasizing about having a little kitchen garden, etc. So, at left we welcome the Organic Gardening site.

I'm also reading a book about Venice, and went on that seminar w/ my mother, so here's one of many Italy Tourism sites. La vita e mangiare e sognare, no?

Double Yum!

A NYTimes article on cheesecake (registration required). How can you go wrong with that? I have not been one to pass up a creamy New York style cheesecake. I prefer the European versions myself. They are more cake-y, less sweet. There's an Austrian-style bakery in town called Konditorei that does a pretty mean one.

Yum!

Did I mention there is a white peach tree in the yard? Venice here we come!

ADD too?

I have joked with those around me about having an ADD-like tendency. The joke goes like this: I feel like I'm busy working on a spreadsheet, report, whatever, and then, all of a sudden, I find myself looking at an interview with Danny Bonaduce or looking at shoes.

Why does this happen? I've heard some working mothers talk about how they become more focused at the office, because they have to compartmentalize their lives and actually produce 8 hours of work in an 8-hour day (vs. 8 hours of work in a 10-hour day). There's no room to stay late when you have to pick up the kid at daycare. I'm waiting for that increased productivity. I really need to work on the discipline of that.

House news: we sign the lease this afternoon. Then, the house link at left will go bye-bye. With the Dean link gone too, it really will look bare over there. What to put in their place?

Ides plus 1?

So the Ides of March passed by with nary a comment. How'd that happen? I remember playing the soothsayer in our high school's production of Julius Caesar (set in a banana republic--how 80s). Yesterday was a pretty good day, actually, with not too much of which to beware....

Linkable: Alan Light's comments on the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame induction.... One resonant quote: "Bob Seger (who I actually like), on the other hand, played the horrifying 'Old Time Rock 'n' Roll,' which instantly made the place feel like your cousin's wedding reception." Now, our DJ actually played "Old Time Rock 'n' Roll" at our wedding reception, later in the festivities, when folks were good and drunk. David and I were horrified when we first heard it, as we had picked a much better music selection (many wedding DJs ignore this completely). We observed that many of our folks were dancing though, so I guess it was justified. I also agree with his observations on who's in and who's not. I love Traffic, though, so that's cool. Shall we start a Skynyrd campaign?

A house!

We're applying for a house. It has all of our criteria except for a refrigerator (easy to get used), and hardwood floors (but decent Berber carpet). It has a shed/garage for D's photography. I didn't say anything below about the size of the living/dining rooms, so it's a bit small. I feel we can fit everything in though.... Very much a relief. Thanks to all who sent out good energy!

Sending house specs out into the Universe!

Feeling a bit down today, partly because of the house search, partly because it's end of month 2 at the job and honeymoon is over: need to refocus energy to move forward.

More on the professional angle later, but now, here are our exhaustive house specs for all to see and channel good vibes for (advice from a very good friend of mine):
Rent: $1000-1250.

Neighborhood(s) in order of preference: Midtown D-HSts, 21-28th, Poverty Ridge, McKinley/East Sac not beyond 50th St, Land Park if not too deep, Elmhurst. Friendly street with grass and nice sidewalks. Far away enough from things like train tracks, warehouses, freeways, busy streets, commercial-heavy zones. Closer to coffee shop(s), safe parks, neighborhood eatery.

Character: stucco with patina, not a new house, not a too-remodeled older house. Removing the icky carpet is good, updating to too-shiny sink fixtures is bad. Something that will support my Spanish/French Country/Mediterranean fantasy of geraniums and kitchen herbs. Sound structure and decent but not flawless paintjob.

Basics: 2bd/1ba (with tub please), central heat/air, hardwood floors in at least living/dining rms, carpet ok in bedrooms if innocuous sand color and expertly installed (not brown, not green, not burgundy, not indoor/outdoor just tacked into the corners). Roomy enough bedrooms, roomy enough bathroom for kid+parent+etagere, roomy enough closets. Kitchen with decent counter space or logical place for island. Absence of offensive wallpaper. Logical place for photographer's viewing area plus darkroom activity. Laundryroom protected from elements: hookups only OK, but W/D already there a plus. Need I say it should have a refrigs (some places don't!), but doesn't need a microwave. Accommodating to our mature impeccably-behaved spayed female cat. Storage area like garage or basement a plus.

Outside: Inviting (to right people) front porch, ample back yard for toddler activities, support for eventual toddler big wheel run, yard service to free us from mowing, latitude to do gardening projects. Enough shade to provide cover from hot summer sun, enough light to provide sense of cheer.

Management: not too bureaucratic but organized, friendly, hands-off, responsive. Kid and pet friendly.

This is what we ask. I know it's out there.

Papa Bear is BACK!

Great news here: Tony Levin is gearing up for another King Crimson project. Fantastic! I lost a post on this discussing the mostly male fan base of KC (observed at gigs and commented upon by others--link evidence forthcoming). I would say that perhaps Tony Levin is the key to attracting the ladies to gigs? It works for me--I'm a sucker for a smooth bass/Chapman stick groove. (No offense, Trey)

House front: still looking. Passed on 2 places: swamp coolers vs. central heat/air, and the other with shower only. Mom and baby like their baths too much to forego the tub. It's a tiring process, but hopefully we'll find something soon.

Other stuff on mom/work fronts: am starting to wean the boy, excruciating. Mom-led vs. baby led and driven by upcoming conferences. All the books I own on this are in storage, so any input on making it through this is invited and appreciated. We made it 19 months, so I guess that's not bad.

Library front: I fantasize about winning the CA lottery and not blowing it all on bling-bling, but bailing out the less-healthy collections budgets at my present and former institutions. Is that sick or what?

We don't need no thought control

The latest NYtimes article on education--a college for the homeschooled funneling interns into the federal government in DC. My quick reaction: is it possible to be homeschooled and be politically liberal? Can good Christian children go to public school and turn out OK? Why am I thinking about Islamic madrisas?

I have had fantasies about homeschooling Michael, but more because of the difficulty in finding quality public education and our inability to afford private stuff than any moral agenda. Morality does come into it though when one considers what kinds of values a child can pick up in school. Bullying, lowest common denominator teaching strategies, tracking, behavior "management" (or lack thereof), etc. I get flashbacks to my short-lived days as a substitute teacher for grades 7-12....

Still on the search for the Spag Cozy Shack.... Lots of "no pets" restrictions. We have a good kitty!

Civic Duty, and time to move on

It felt good to re-enter California citizenry last night, although today's results are questionable. The school bond looks like it may pass (yay), and it looks like the state will be gaining $15billion in debt for our children thanks to the state's Austrian/Hollywood Svengali. I guess debt reduction will have to happen on a more local basis for us (like, household level). You'll notice that the Dean link is gone. It felt good to vote for Dean, since he was still on the ballot--what the heck? Heart in the primary, strategy in November. Isn't that what Nader taught us in 2000?

Other stuff: Saturday Mom and I went to an Italian travel seminar put on by Experience Italy. The information was okay, mostly nice to listen to some Italian accents. And then we got hungry (and thirsty for wine) and left early. Planning a trip would be great. In the short term, we'll probably just plant geraniums and keep the wine flowing once we get settled in a place. Send good vibes for the Spag Cozy Shack!