Tuesday, January 31, 2017

Prepared


This morning, I went to the funeral service for my friend's father. As I was getting ready, I decided to change purses from the tote bag I had been carrying to a smaller, more conservative handbag. I emptied my tote and transferred the essentials into the empty purse; wallet, phone, sunglasses, lipstick, breath mints.

After the service, I attended the repast meal at the church. I put my hand into my purse to put away my sunglasses and pulled out this:



A dry body-brush.
You know, in case I had a need to exfoliate at the funeral.
I don't know either.

It's only Tuesday, folks.



Just a reminder - The Smacksy February Happy Good Things Thing starts tomorrow. Yay.






Monday, January 30, 2017

Watch This Space


Hi Guys. Each day in the month of February, my posts will contain an action item that you may choose to participate in, if you are feeling it. These items are good little things, meant to spread a little happy in this dark winter month. More on this tomorrow.






Thursday, January 26, 2017

A Ship's Passage

Photo Credit Unknown to Me

The first job I was fired from (there have been a few) was at a snack bar located on the pier in my hometown. As I recall, my termination had something to do with a fight I got into with an out of control cotton candy machine. The details aren't important. What is important is that I did not ruin my Huckapoo shirt during the incident and that my job was on the pier at Rio Del Mar Beach. It's one of my stories.

I grew up in Aptos California, situated on the coast, just south of Santa Cruz. Aptos is a little beach town and the heart of the beach is a small fishing pier that leads out to the remains of a cement boat, the SS Palo Alto.  The loss of my $2.65 an hour job notwithstanding, the old ship and her pier are places that have always fondly represented home.

Photo Credit Unknown to Me

The cement boat was more than a landmark, it was a touchstone. When I was in elementary school, my friends and I would ride our bikes down the big hill to the beach surrounding the pier. It was the scene of body surfing and peeling sunburns. As teenagers, we dug holes in the sand for fire pit parties on Saturday nights. These days, my old friends and I are known to use photos of the sun setting behind the cement boat pier as our Facebook cover photos. Everyone from Aptos has a cement boat story.

Last week, the coast was ravaged by a storm. The wind and rain caused turbulent surf that was too much for the old boat and took it down. You can read more about it here. We shared the photos and videos on social media and via email. We mourned the passing of the SS Palo Alto and we mourned the passing of time.

Photo Kevin Johnson, Santa Cruz Sentinel



Wednesday, January 25, 2017

Aaaaaand Action



In my never ending pursuit to show you how ridiculous I am, please witness this 1991 Pearle Vision Glasses commercial. Yeah. That's me - giant hair, giant brows, giant glasses, giant Blossom hat. I was acting really hard. This was my first union job and how I got my Screen Actor's Guild card. I always did my best acting when you couldn't actually hear me talking.







Tuesday, January 24, 2017

Months of the Year


"Mom? I'm glad there's only a week left of January."

"Why?"

"This month has been mostly awful."

"It's been a rough one."

"I think maybe January is my new least favorite month."

"What was your old least favorite month?"

"March."

"Because...?"

"March just bugs me."



Monday, January 23, 2017

And Then I Got Goosebumps


On Friday I inched through the Trader Joe's parking lot, willing someone to leave. Finally a space opened up. I ran into the store, dodging the rain.

When I got back to the parking lot with my bags, I went to the back of the car to throw them in as always. At the last second, for no good reason, I decided instead to put the bags in the back seat on the passenger side. I closed the door and looked down. On the pavement was a credit card. I picked it up and started walking quickly back into the store to turn it in. I checked the time on my phone. I was in a hurry to to pick up Bob and my friend Sarah's boys from school. As I was walking, I flipped the card over and read the name. The card belonged to my friend Sarah.




Sunday, January 22, 2017

Friday, January 20, 2017

Bed Ted


Some days are just meant for climbing back in bed.




Thursday, January 19, 2017

That Time I Was in a Madonna Video

Costume Fitting

If you've known me for awhile, you may remember that I used to pick up work as a movie/tv/video extra. If you're fancy you can say I was a "background actor." I'm not that fancy. I wrote about it some years ago and you can read it here and laugh at my giant hair.

In some cases, an audition was required for a background role. One audition I went to was in 1992 for a Madonna music video called "Deeper and Deeper." I was asked to look like I was going to a 1970s dance club. I went to the apartment of my friend Arianne who is a costume designer. She was kind enough to lend me some 70s-wear including massive platform sandals. (Fun Fact: Some years later, she became Madonna's costume designer.)

Costume Fitting 

I booked the job.

I am in the video for approximately one second. Maybe 20 frames at the most. This is the result of 12 hours of sweating at the Roxbury Club. I am seen here in my Madonna moment of glory, dancing with drag icon, Chi Chi La Rue.

1:39

I'll let you figure out who's who. 

I did not meet Madonna, but I will say she seemed like she was having a good time. Of course she was. She's Madonna.


Wednesday, January 18, 2017

Tuesday, January 17, 2017

Fender Bender-er



I will admit, I screamed when it happened. I was stopped at the light when a blue Prius rear ended my silver Prius  - because this is California and everyone and their housekeeper here drives a Prius.

Not a lot of damage to my perfect, new-to-me, 2006 vehicle, but it's no longer perfect. (Sad face.) No one was in the car with me, and the guy who hit me and I are were both not injured. (Happy face.) Well, I was a little injured - I have a sore-ish lower back but Advil and ice are dong their job. (Medium face.) I got the other driver's information and auto insurance. He has auto insurance. (Surprised face.)

Buckle up for safety, everyone.




Monday, January 16, 2017

Happy Birthday, Dr. King



"No, no, we are not satisfied, and we will not be satisfied until justice rolls down like waters  and righteousness like a mighty stream."
Martin Luther King Jr



Sunday, January 15, 2017

Smacksy Sunday Links


Invite delight.

How this couple raised their 12 kids.

The most misused words in English.

Jewel is interviewed by Gary Vee. She's an interesting woman.

And a seal and his new best friend.

Happy Sunday.




Saturday, January 14, 2017

Friday, January 13, 2017

Throw


I generally try not to rush things, but I'll admit, I'm quite happy the weekend is just a few hours away.



Thursday, January 12, 2017

Thursday Art Class


"So Bob, it was fun to be in your art class today. Those relief tiles are going to be really cool."

"I know."

"Which Greek god did you pick for your tile?"

"Poseidon."

"Why Poseidon?"

"Because he has abs. Also, I like the ocean. Really though, he has the best six-pack out of all the gods."



Wednesday, January 11, 2017

Wish You Were Here


When Mr. Rosenberg goes out of town, the Facetime calls often look like this.





Monday, January 9, 2017

And It's 1974 All Over Again


Orchard Supply Hardware Guy: Can I help you find anything today?

Bob: We need sandpaper.

Orchard Supply Hardware Guy: Sandpaper sheets or sandpaper for an electric sander?

Me: Sandpaper for a fourth grade Island of the Blue Dolphins diorama.

Orchard Supply Hardware Guy: That would be aisle four.







Sunday, January 8, 2017

Smacksy Sunday Links


Things you should do every day. I fail at this list but they seem like good ideas. Potentially.

A year of dinners. I just got Jenny Rosenstrach's new book, "How to Celebrate Anything". Can't wait to read it. Cookbooks are mostly fiction for me.

Beijing smog.

And snacking guinea pigs.

Happy Sunday.





Saturday, January 7, 2017

Friday, January 6, 2017

Protected


Sometimes you have the kind of week where you need to go online and buy a ridiculous iphone case that looks like your dog. This was that kind of week.



Thursday, January 5, 2017

Thursday Morning

A Young Miss Trudy

"Mom? Why were you on the phone so early?"

"The hospice nurse called to tell me that Miss Trudy died."

"Oh, no. Are you sad?"

"Yes, I am."

"Miss Trudy's probably not sad."

"No, I'm sure she's not."

"I bet it's a really nice place up there."





Wednesday, January 4, 2017

Night Practice


Even the hard days turn into good days when they end with baseball.



Tuesday, January 3, 2017

He Gets Me


"Mom? If someone offers you coffee, would you always take it?"

"No, it depends."

"Like, you could never refuse free coffee?"

"It's not the free part that's important, it's the coffee part."

"Admit it. You would always take the coffee."





Monday, January 2, 2017

Old/New


This is my new 2017 date book. Yes, date book. I know there's supposedly a calendar in my phone. I know using a pencil and a date book is pre--historic and luddite-ish. You could call me "aggressively old-fashioned" but I prefer "classic."




Sunday, January 1, 2017

Smacksy Sunday Links




Questions for New Year's reflection.

17 resolutions for 2017.

An ode to alone time.

Madame de Florian's abandoned Paris apartment.

And sleeping puppies.

Happy Sunday, Happy New Year.