Happy Birthday Dad!

My Dad is a great guy. I'm not lying. Anyone who meets him loves him immediately. He is just so cool.

When we lived in Missouri we would travel to Utah to visit family. Of course with a family of 6 kids there was no flying. So we would pile up in the Station Wagon, you know the red with the wood paneling, and drive to the Grandparent's house. The trip was split into two days and we would choose between boring and more boring. Either Nebraska/Wyoming or Kansas/Colorado. Now Colorado wasn't boring once you passed Denver but prior to that it was flat and ugly.  Every gas station attendant, Waiter or Waitress, Cashier, Hotel Desk Clerk, Maid, etc. knew everything about our family. Dad would talk ,they would listen with glee and we rolled our eyes. 

He has never changed.

In my early twenties he was determined to get his single (and beautiful) daughter married off. So he carried a picture of me around in his wallet and would hand it out to any desirable young man (he liked). Of course not letting me in on the plan, I would receive phone calls from strangers asking me out. I would go (most of the time) and even made some friends out of it, but it had to stop. My mother banned him from attempting to set me up with relative strangers.  Instead now he just announces that I am his single daughter whenever I visit. I guess I don't blame him, he really has my best interest at heart.

My fondest memories include: Going to work with him in Missouri, He would have to travel to Omaha or Nauvoo and he would take one of us on the road trip with him. I loved that one on one time with him. He introduced me to Dr.Pepper (bad dad), I didn't like it at the time but became addicted years later (I don't drink it anymore, 9 yrs and counting). Watching him work with wood. I know it is one of his favorite things to do, something he and his brother inherited from their Dad. All of the camping and fishing trips. Helping with yard work, cleaning the garage.  

You are the greatest Dad in the world and I have 5 other people that will back me up on that. You are also an awesome Grandpa and I am sure the Grandkids will agree. You have successfully (none of us are in jail...yet) raised children who love and adore you.

I hope that you have a wonderful Birthday and that considering last year, this year will be much better.

I love you!

With the Boys... David, Brian, Spencer and Noah...where is CT?

Naomi and HER Grandpa

His girls.

The Love of his Life... Mom.

She Caved...

My sister Melissa finally caved and started a blog. I look forward to reading her posts. Unlike me she is very clever and witty.

I'm Lost

It is a strange feeling not to have Internet connection at home. I feel disconnected when I can't jump on my laptop and check email and other blogs. I was considering going to a movie yesterday, but how does one check movie times without Internet connection? It is crazy how much the Internet has changed the way we function in the past few years.

A-Gril is going crazy....She has a lot of homework to do and without the Internet it is difficult.

Anyhow Comcast will be out tomorrow and I will no longer have to sneak onto my blog at work.

Sigur Ros

I am really enjoying the new optimistic tone Sigur Ros has taken with their most recent album. I especially love this song, Inni mer syngur vtileysingur, I think I have listened to it at least 20 times in the last couple of days. I bound to get sick of it sooner or later but for now it is one of my favorites.

My Dad Rocks!

When it comes to giving Christmas gifts my Dad tends towards the practical side. I think he worries that we won't like it or wish that he would get us pretty things. Those are reserved for my Mom.

He is always looking out for us, especially his single daughters, he wants to make sure that we are taken care of. I think the gifts are great and they have come in handy many times. 

Last Christmas he gave all of us these nifty crank emergency flashlights.

Friday night we had a power outage about 10 pm, yes I was home. This outage wasn't due to a thunder storm or the heat, those are the ones I am used to. It was strange everything slowly dimmed and then when out completely.  A couple of times the power came back but only at a low register, the lights would be very dim. It was a good excuse to grab the lights, close up the house and go to bed at a reasonable hour.

Thanks Dad for the very useful and cool gift! Can't wait to see what this years gift will be.

Art

Last January as I was visiting my lovely friend Tracylee, I picked up a couple of prints at the Getty. Of course I can't afford real art but these will do. 

Since the first time I saw this painting I was in love. There something about her eyes that draw me in. The piece is by Dutch artist Fernand Khnopff, it is called Jeanne Kefer

This piece by Degas has been a favorite for years. The contrast of light and dark, youth and age draw me in. Then there is the title "Waiting", I feel that I have been that person sitting on the bench.

Now that they are nicely framed, they are perfect hanging on my wall.

Relaxation...Day 2

Day 2 was just as lovely as day one, they only exception was the museum was open.  The Dale Chihuly exhibit was crowded, there are a lot of tourists around on a Tues at 11 am. It was fine, I was able to see what I wanted to see and enjoy the rest of the museum in relative peace.

After that I went over to the Japanese Tea Garden and commiserated with the tourists.

All in all I am really happy I made myself take a vacation.

Relaxation...Day 1

What a lovely day! Of course I woke up when my alarm clock was supposed to go off, so I laid in bed for awhile listening to the world wake up outside my window. I fell back to sleep about an hour later. When I finally crawled out of bed it was 10, it felt so nice just to be lazy.

I made pancakes, they were so yummy. They would have been better if my Dad had made them, I love his pancakes. 

I was then off to the Museum. After sitting through a lot traffic due to an nasty accident on the Bay Bridge, I finally arrived only to find out that the De Young is closed on Monday's.  Tip of the day: When looking online for directions take a gander at the days and times the Museum is open.

It wasn't a total loss, Golden Gate Park has plenty to see. As I was driving around I passed the Conservatory of Flowers and decided that would be a lovely excursion. Of course it to was closed for the day, however they had plenty of gardens to admire outside. The best part was the Dahlia garden. I LOVE Dahlia's, they are my favorite next to Peonies, Poppies and Daisies.

After spending a lovely time at the Conservatory I returned to Oakland and went to Cactus for my favorite Crispy Tacos.  

After dinner I felt the need to work out. It feels good to get the heart pumping again. I have topped the evening off with the Olympics. 

I am so glad that I took the day off, it was a perfect brain vacation. 

Oh yeah and there are Bison in the Golden Gate.

So Pretty

I saw these shoes in a shop window on Piedmont Ave and I fell in love. That was 3 weeks ago. Everytime I would walk by, I would dream that they would be mine one day. Well that day was yesterday. They were on sale and I couldn't resist any longer.

The color of dirty nickel is what drew me in, it is so pretty! They look fabulous on and are so comfy.

Ahhh...Relaxation

Today begins a 4 day weekend for me. Work has been insane and I needed a couple of mental health days to regroup. I have no major plans. I just want to relax and curl up with a good book. I will probably go to a couple of Museums, do a little shopping and enjoy what my neighborhood has to offer.

I did forget to do a couple of things at work, so I will run in for an hour. As an incentive I will stop on my way a go for a walk/run at Lafayette Reservoir. It has been so long since I really worked out my body is starting to crave it.

You Tube Frustration

A couple of weeks ago I wanted to post a few video's from You Tube. However they wouldn't post so I gave up and moved on. Well this morning I log on and the videos have posted and not just 1 of each.... several. In essence making me look obsessive or lame.

Below are videos I found either amusing or just plain cool. The video done for Radiohead's House of Cards is very innovative. Leave it to them to try something new.

We Are Scientists - Impatience - New Single

Kings Of Convenience - I'D Rather Dance With You

Radiohead - House of Cards

Pedicure

It has been a hectic summer with work. I have not had a break in a very long time. I have also been covering for others in my department, I feel like I will never catch up.

So tonight A-Gril and I went to get much needed pedicures.  I used to do my own when I lived in Utah but out here nail salons are everywhere. On Piedmont Avenue there are several, in fact we passed 3 in a 2 block stretch. I have no problem shelling over 20 bucks to have someone else do it for me.

To sit and relax with old trashy** magazines while getting a foot massage and soft feet, what a perfect end to a not so perfect day.

**Trashy Magazine - Star, US Weekly, In Touch etc.

I'm a fan

I wish the Olympics were aired a lot earlier in the evening. I can't stay up until 1 am to watch. I am Tivo'ing (is that a word?), however it isn't as much fun to watch when you know the results. 

The other day Gina at work sent me a link. She was bored and checking out all of the athletes.   

How hot is Rob Moore and to top it off he is British.  I am now a new fan of Field Hockey with a bit of a crush. Now if they would air it on T.V. so that I can actually say I watched a match.

Have you seen this yet?

I love The Office!!! OK that is an understatement...I LOVE THE OFFICE!!!!!!!!

I laughed so hard when I saw this promo for the new season. 

My older brother Brian and I use to engage in slap fights when we were teenagers. He always won, He had an unfair advantage due to his height. Ahh the memories.

Arrgh! I know that song...which one is it?

Do you ever have a moment when you hear a part of a song and you can't remember who it is by? When it happens to me I become crazed until I figure it out. 

Most recently it happened when watching this Coke Commercial. Instead of getting all choked up and desperately wanting to buy a Coke to support the Athletes, my mind was on the song.  I just knew that I at one time liked the song, I knew deep down that I knew the artist and name of the song and possibly it was in my iTunes, but I couldn't think of it. You know when you can't remember someone's name or can't remember that word, that is how it is with some songs for me.

After searching my mind and attempting to remember, I started a mad search. Stupidly I did not get up and get my computer. I instead started with my iPod, searching all of the names that it could possibly be. Because that was taking to much time, I finally got off my bum and started looking on the Internet. 

Of course I know it, I just couldn't recall it. It was this song and it was in my iTunes.  The relief of figuring it out. I only wish that my memory was better I could could of recalled it on my own. 

Happy Birthday Naomi!!!

Hip Hip Hooray, Naomi is 3 today!

She may be the youngest but never gets lost in the brood. She loves hanging out with her big brother Noah. Fiercely independent yet always willing to cuddle. I love talking to her on the phone, she is a great talker. 

Happy Birthday, Naomi! I Love You!

List Maker

I love music! With that said, I love discovering new music. I usually have several post-it notes and scraps of paper with band names scribbled on it.

My sources usually consist of podcasts, friends, family, and others blogs. I rarely listen to the radio unless it is NPR and the local classical station.

Today's list consist of the following bands and other things to check out:

Blind Pilot

American Princess

De Novo Dahl

In Cadeo

Miles Benjamin Anthony Robinson

Computer vs Banjo

The Old Believers

Mugison

Mass Solo Revolt

Sound Opinions.org

Watch Harry Potter Trailer

Check out Radiohead's New video

mixed in with cleaners, yogurt and paper towels.

I am hoping in today's list there is a new favorite.