Thursday, March 16, 2006 A

"Nervous Driver"
6:50am

Thursday, March 16, 2006 B

"Julia Under Dryer"
8:09pm

Today was Julia's hair day. She is wearing curlers in the above drawing, however, the dryer is obscuring them. I went early to get her because our parking spot was taken by the pipeline workers. The one who has the space next to us is really out of luck for the duration, as a great groove has been made across it and the parking lot entire to the other side, where the gas pipeline continues. Wooden planks cover the groove in the lot at large, enabling us to at least get in and out. They are telling us Friday the gas will be turned on. How I long for a good, long soak in the tub!

Friday, March 17, 2006 A

"With Great Intent"
6:29am

This is from a photo of Alexander Calder, busy bending wire to make one of his fanciful wire sculptures.

Friday, March 17, 2006 B

"Small World Special"
8:20pm

Mostly, I say, that little puppy looks pretty well satisfied and well fed. I know I am after tonight's feast at River City Grill. Julia and I decided to each have the same: a salad of Asian slaw with soy-ginger dressing over spring greens to begin. Then fresh spinach fettucine over three sauces: alfredo, pesto and sweet bell pepper. For dessert, we tried something different: Chocolate Panna Cotta with mascarpone sauce. Looking it up on the web, I've learned 'panna cotta' is Italian for “cooked cream” and is 'a light, silky eggless custard'. The mascarpone sauce is very rich and thickly creamy.

Yes, that puppy looks the way I feel.

(Yes, it's a sort of Set-figure in that niche, frontal view so snout doesn't show.) What are the buttons below? Maybe to turn on lighting for the niche. That would be classy in a house architecture, to have niches for treasured items, illuminated at night.)

Saturday, March 18, 2006 A

"Foot in Mouth"
7:23am

This comes by way of my attempt for the Friday Illo theme of FOOT:

"Did I say just say THAT?
Did I really say that?"
Soon, not a leg to stand on!

Having been in this uncomfortable position too often in my life, it is what I immediately thought of when I pondered the FOOT theme.

A web search on the origin of this phrase turned up only:

"Foot in mouth comes from "foot in mouth disease," a pun on "hoof and mouth disease" and the colloquial saying "put one's foot in one's mouth." From "Random House Historical Dictionary of American Slang, A-G" by J.E. Lighter."

One querant at the word origin discussion forum asked if this ailment has anything to do with the dreaded "cranial-rectal inversion". I think this is maybe a complication of the earlier disease. First, 'foot in mouth', then 'no leg to stand on', then the head follows the feet. It's a balled up mess, it is.

Small wonder the best advice often is "to keep your mouth shut."

Saturday, March 18, 2006 B

"V is for Vendetta"
10:16pm

Just came back from seeing 'V for Vendetta'. I am still stunned. "This is not a reform, this is a revolution," the speaker intoned over the credits. I think it came from Malcolm X. This movie has touched me on so many levels, I don't think I can begin to describe them all.

It is an England, such as what the fundies would like to return America to. It's too easy to say it couldn't happen. It has, so many times before through out history. Elie Wiesel can tell you of a relatively rather recent episode in Germany. 'V' is a 'terrorist'. At first I think he is insane. But as I watch, I see it's the country that has gone insane.

It's like the screenwriter is telling me, "This revolution is for YOU." So many little elements of symbols. The red roses, which we learn the secret of later in the movie, reminds me the 'night blooming flower' that I saw in my mind's eye. When I tried to capture it, it came out blue. But I'd originally seen it as red. The red went into his hair.

This Flower Blooms For You

'Valerie', I sobbed while her story unfolded. I, there with Julia, sobbed. In this England, I could have been Valerie. "This revolution is for YOU." The rain, the cleansing rain, "God is in the rain," the movie quoted. And then it thundered, sign from Set who thunders. "V" is a rather Set like character, "God against the Gods", bringing the chaos to end the stasis which had claimed their freedom, their dignity, their honor, while the lies went on and on.

"This revolution is for YOU." I seemed to hear. I walked out of there shaken.

How do I explain a movie like that? How do I explain? The horror of it, but then the hope at the end. There is always the hope, that after a cycle of no freedom, of repression, the red bursts into the scene. But why does the red too often mean blood? I wish it didn't have to be like that. Could it not be like that? So many questions. The answers? Never simple. If they are simple, they are probably lies.

Set's Mighty Howl...

Sunday, March 19, 2006

"Sitting Pretty"
9:30am

A chair at the gasline repair site...

Is the person who claims that chair 'sitting pretty' or 'sitting ugly'? To the workman claiming it for his rest break, it probably looks pretty indeed.

I happily report that gas has been restored to our section of the apartment complex. Not to all sections, but at least our section and the laundry room. I was grateful for the short walk to a quiet laundry room this morning. And later this morning, I will enjoy a long, soaky bath!

Monday, March 20, 2006

"On Stage"
10:33pm