I'm Back

It's been a month since I was last here.

Kimm and I needed a mental health break so we went to my mom's in Redding. This picture was taken in the park. They have a lot of nice art in that park. Pretty good step up for Redding.

My neighbor is doing exceptionally well. Or so it is on the outside. They have one of the perpetrators in custody. Hopefully he'll rat out the other one--but probably only for a plea deal. They are going to charge him with, among other things, attempted murder. We're really happy about that.

So much has happened in a month I'm not sure where to begin....

*Had my first mammogram and was called back for more pictures. Which lead to a surgical biopsy. Luckily I am non-cancerous! The upside of all that was that it took my mind off my neighbor/hood's problems for awhile. Although I have to say--biopsy's hurt. I still have a painful and bruised boob.

*Had a really nice time in Redding. Although it was 115 degrees. We drove up there the day after my biopsy. Half way up I got the call from my doctor that I was all clear. That made for a really nice visit. Got to see our good friends C and S. As well as spend a lot of good time with my mom.

*Kimm put up a beautiful gate in the front yard closing off our yard entirely to anyone on the street.

*We've nearly finished our new front steps.

*Kimm rounded up four used double pane wooden windows in perfect shape at our awesome reuse store here in Oakland. All four for $60. (If anyone knows how much wooden double pane windows cost you are shitting your pants right now--I know we are)! Three of them will be for the cottage in the back yard and one for our bathroom.

*We're close to finishing our new fireplace hearth. Now we just need to do some tiling which we'll do after we buy and install a fireplace insert. We've never had any source of heat during our temperate Bay Area winters. But it would be nice to have something instead of wearing sweaters and coats every night as we watch TV.

It's good to have projects when you're in fear mode. Keeps your mind busy. We've done more work just recently on the house then we've done in the past 7 years. I'll be posting pictures of all the work in the next few posts.

*Kimm officiated at our good friends N and M's wedding last week-- It was a stellar performance and a wonderful wedding!

*And maybe most importantly, Kimm and I have decided to get married in September. Since we're short on cash we're going to wait on having a reception until after the holidays. Maybe not even until next spring. But we know we've got to get married before November. We've heard that even if they pass the state amendment against gay marriage that it might be very difficult to annul any of the marriages performed between May and Nov 08'. So we're kind of in a hurry.

And lastly.....who else saw Barak's acceptance speech last night at the Dem. Nat. Con?

Kind of inspiring? Hell Yeah!

GO BARAK!!!!!!!!

Dealing With It

I didn't mention a couple of weeks back about Kimm's employee being mugged at a house they were working at in our neighborhood. Two guys with a gun. Luckily he wasn't hurt and only lost his Stanley knife and wallet with a small amount of money in it.

The two guys who robbed him ran when they saw Kimm walk up our neighbors driveway to see what was going on.

Then yesterday morning another neighbor and very good friend was robbed, beaten and assaulted after her husband left for work. Two guys with a gun and hammer. I'm not going to give brutal details but I woke up yesterday to cop cars and lots of questions of did we see anything. We hadn't. We didn't hear a thing. And our dogs and the dog in the house on the other side of them didn't hear anything so they didn't bark. It's funny how such violent acts can be so quiet. She's lucky she even lived through it.
Hours later after all the cops had left, my neighbors came home from the hospital to their wrecked home. Every piece of broken glass and wood, bent frames of lamps, clothes scattered everywhere, book shelves tipped over and of course lots of blood. Everything left the way it was when they finished taking what they wanted, beating her and running out leaving the door open. It's hard to think of living through that and then having to come home from the hospital to see it. It's something I never thought about.
Anyway, I went over soon after they arrived and helped clean up. It was honestly the hardest thing I've ever done. But I kept remembering something my friend Colleen used to say many years ago--'Deal with it'.
I knew as scared as I was to see and deal with the aftermath it didn't compare to how bad she was feeling, or her husband. I cleaned up the worst of it. He helped.
Soon after we finished cleaning, Kimm came home from her dentist appointment and did a dump run to get rid of their bed and all the collected trash. Later on she would install new locks on their front door while I made them lasagna.
I like to think of myself as a good liberal/anarchist. But when something like this happens it just strengthens my belief in a death penalty. I know that's a bad word amongst most of my fellow left thinkers. But since I was a young kid and another friend of mine was raped and murdered along with her mother I've had strong feelings about what should happen to people who have no regard for life. Sometimes I teeter. Maybe forgiveness is the greatest gift. I do believe that's true but I also think victims have the right to NOT forgive. Someone who's willingly and with a smile scared your life in a way you'll never recover from. Why should those people be allowed to keep breathing.
I don't know.
Right now I'm feeling pretty strongly in favor.
A detective just left their home. And we heard that the police found her computer and bag. They've just left in her mothers rental car. Hopefully they're driving to the police station to identify a suspect.

I also want to point out that our neighborhood is not a bad place. (although Jan I know you disagree). We live in a high density urban area. The economy the way it is doesn't help. I know shit can happen anywhere. (Two little girls shot and killed on that country road in Idaho).
Desperation makes people do all kinds of things. Like mugging someone.
And then there's just plain evil. Like what happened next door.

Just Another Picture Of The Runaways...

I just came across this on the web.

I'm on one of my Runaway tribute band obsessions...Why can't I find more of me???

How I wish I could look this good in latex.

Old Gals

It's good this picture is far away for the sake of all of you.

Kimm and I have celebrated our 12th year together this past month. This picture was taken on our last camping trip to Sly Park in June.

We're starting to look like two old lesbians.

Oh well, it can't be helped. Hopefully we'll still be cool to someone..somewhere...

If not fkem!

Wayne Billy

Here's my man Jesse circa 85/86? He's my oldest and most dearest pal. This photo was taken in his house when he was living in SF down in the Sunset District while he want to the Art Institute.

Jesse has just proved yet again to me that he is THE coolest guy in the room.

He recorded a CD under the name Wayne Billy. It's so fucking awesome! I will most definately be playing it if any of you come to visit me this summer.

He is such an Amazing guitarist. I miss jamming with him very, very much!

Happy Birthday To My Old Little Sister

Happy Birthday to my little sister K. Who is 40 years old today. We're pictured here circa 73' maybe 74'. With us is Crawley the disposable turtle. I think we had about 10 or so of those turtles. All replacing the one before who would die in the space of about 2 weeks. All named Crawley.

Hopefully your getting better presents these days K.

Have a tremendous day! Wish I could be there in Happy Valley to give you a bad time.

And if it helps just remember that I'll always be older.

Year Number Six

Year Number six. Kris has been gone for 6 years. When I hear this song the hair stands up Everywhere! I didn't post on the day of the day. I actually had a party on that day and I figured Kris would have wanted it that way. We used to listen to this song as it was the theme song for New Wave Theatre on Night Flight on the USA Network back in the 80's. We would watch it in the dark in my living room in Redding at my parents house. Good Memories..

The Blasters rock!

So Sick, So F@^&%!!!

Kimm and I are SSSOOOO SICK! There is probably nothing worse than being sick at the most important part of the year (June, ie.... Dyke March, Pride, Soofi visit). Here are Kimm and I Beginning sickness. We have since this moment...left the Dyke march (we have to be sick for that people!) And we didn't even make it to the Pride Parade and celebration. AND Charo was there so you can BETTER believe that we are BUMMED about that! I remember watching Charo when I was like 10 and I'm 41 now so how old is this gal? My friend Ilhan says that she Officially changed her age. I'd like to do that myself. I HATE BEING SICK! SINUS INFECTIONS SUCK!!!

Kimm Just introduced me to the Neti Pot. I didn't think I could do it. But I've managed to pull it off.

If I'm ever sick again this part of the year just SHOOT ME!

Thank God Kimm is just as sick as me. And vice-a-versa or we'd be at each others throats!!!!!

Fuck Sickness in June!!!

June Is A Whirlwind

Here is my good friend I. who I never see enough of. He used to play with me in my first SF band Yusakuta back in the 90's (Ahh the 90's...Good Times Good Times).
This picture was taken in my back yard last weekend at a party thrown for my pals from Chicago. We had about 50 people at my house and I was as sick as a _____! I'd caught some summer cold from somewhere and could barely even speak. But I managed to make it through.
Earlier in the week my band Hazy reunited at a friends house in SF to jam. That was fun--and possibly where I got sick..(note to self, never share a bottle of bushmills with parents of small children....I have no immunity against kid germs). But it was worth the sickness C.J. and M.!
This month Kimm and I have been together for 12 years. And yes we will get married before November. Most lawyers say that even if it is overturned they won't be able to ignore the marriage licences issued before.
This weekend is Pride but the best day of the year for us is the Saturday before which is always the Dyke March. Thousands of girls in Delores park!!! We've got some friends coming down from Redding to stay and go with us. Can't wait for all the good sights! Hopefully I won't be dealing with gallons of snot as I am now. Pray for me.

Summer Fun

Yes, very silly...

My boy C. bought these Groucho glasses for us all to wear on our camping trip. They ended up to be quite entertaining as the night wore on with much imbibment.

Tonite, along with my boy C., my old band Hazy will reunite to jam through our 20+ earth shattering original songs. Our former singer and all around hot sexpot/speach therapist is back in town with her lovely family for a visit. She and the husband and kiddies moved to Chicago awhile back. When they make their yearly visit we all drop what we are doing and party like the pigs we are.

Afterwards there is talk of going to Jello Biafra's 50th birthday party at the Great American where the Melvins are playing a set.

All this and today Gay Marriage is LEGAL in CA! What a wonderful day this has turned out to be. I hope I can take it all in and remember it tomorrow.

Camping Near The River

If

If you can put all these pictures together in your mind that was the sight of our swimming hole at a fork of the Consumnes River. We had to scramble over rocks and poison oak and around and under trees to get there but it is heaven!

This river is one of the reasons we go camping at Sly Park a couple of times every year. We brought along 8 friends for 3 days. Lotsa fun! Lotsa drinking! Lotsa food! Never enough swimming..

Summers here!

Click on the pictures to get the fullest effect.

RIP Harvey

An awesome straight man for Carol. I watched him my entire young life.

He taught me how to treat the ladies...Althought I am so much the opposite character as well. Like with my 'Lines...They just came one day'.

Super station TBS

Joey Day

I missed posting this on Joey Day. I loved watching this video on MTV back in the 80's when they actually showed music videos.

My childhood pal Unca Jesse celebrated Joey by attending this celebration in NYC. I wish I could Stow away in his bag on his NYC trips.

YEA JOEY!!!

Lotsa Good News!!

This picture is from the SF Dyke March last year. I had such a quandary about what photo or video to post today I just settled on a bunch of queer girls.

Kimm and I are quite happy about the California State Judicial Court stepping in and making things right for once. And yes we will be getting married. Although we're not sure when. Maybe if there is a hitchin' tent at the Dyke March next month we'll get the deed done there (that means you too C and S)!

Also our two very good friends N and M who both founded the Media Factory in Berkeley were just presented with Emmy's--YES EMMY'S. There's a picture of them on their site holding the golden statues. Awesome! The film they won for is called 'Sikhs in America'. It will be showing on PBS Monday the 19th (tomorrow). Check it out. I can't wait to see it. I'm so proud of them!

EMMY'S!!!

The Fall

I remember watching this on MTV back in the "120 minutes" days. By that I mean I remember watching 120 minutes by pizza at a joint near the dorms. I watched with Kris, Ken and Liz. Dreamed of Jesse in California and waited with baited breath for visits to SLC where I would buy something good at ??? What was the name of that store? The only Punk Rock Record Store in SLC in the late 80's???Does anyone remember? Near the RR tracks? My friend BYU friend Mark from Arizona had a sister who lived in sin with the owner...He had a "hardcore" show on the local station? U of U station?

Anyway, I love the Fall. I think this must have been the first Fall song that I'd ever heard. It reminded me of Redding in many ways. The spotty guy in this video is Leigh Bowery. Kimm and I are watching a documentary on Leigh as I write this. Leigh rules!

No Water

This picture looks down from our front deck onto our two water containers. Actually they're just two clean garbage bins. Lately we've been saving ALL our water. If we take a shower we catch the cold water that comes out before the hot water with a bucket. Or if I'm washing the dishes I'll put a deep bowl into the sink to catch the cold water there. Then we pour both of these containers of water down from our front deck into the garbage bins.

This water then gets used for the garden. We're pretty confidant that it will be enough.

WE'RE SCARED OF DROUGHT!! We already know we are in one. Much like the "Recession?", California is in a "Drought?".

In our garden, the two frames on either side of the wooden box are for beans and peas. Kimm read that if you build a frame out at an angle the beans and peas will hang straight down and be easy to pick.

We also have a brand new lemon tree-"meyer". (Second picture) on the left inside a round cage. Our cat Yuki was clawing on it.

We don't have much in the garden yet. Only Fava beans, beets, basil, lettuce and tomatoes. AND marigolds for natural pest repellent. AND if you look in the first picture straight down from the garbage bins past the green blob of spent poppies you'll see about 6 green starts. These are SUNFLOWERS which we grow every year and they get taller than our front deck. I'll show them at the end of summer and you can see them from start to finish. AMAZing!

NINES!

We just recently went to nine hour days at my park. This means that every other week we get 3 days off instead of 2!!! I like this.

Here's a picture of Sunol Park. Me with doggies. Sunol is an amazing park. It's the park in my district everyone wants to work at. There's a part of it they call 'little Yosemite'. You can actually get a permit to hike in and camp. We really want to do that but we can't bring the kids. Anyone want to babysit?

My New Local Faves

The Whoreshoes! They play some good ole timey music! You just can't hear enough good music like this in my opinion. They got the myspace page and the website. And tho' these pictures don't show it they all sing together which I love--AND they switch off instruments which I've never been successful at doing in my bands. Other instruments played but not shown here were banjo, keyboards, dobro and mandolin. And all hot chicks! You just get everything you want with these girls!

The gal playing bass is my neighbor and this tranquil setting is her backyard. It was a nice ending to a perfect Oakland day.

By the way..they do tour so keep an ear out for them at your favorite local bar.

This Ain't No Picnic

I love you Minutemen. D Boon is a Guitar God Extrodinaire!

One Of My Biggest Wishes

This may be one of the greatest videos ever for so many reasons. .. In my own humble opinion..

My biggest wish in life would be to be in a Runaways cover band. I fantisize about going on Craigslist and posting to meet musicians who feel like me. We'd start a tribute band! I'd be Jackie Fox (bass) OR Joan Jett (Rythym guitar)..I don't know, I think Joan is out of the question.

I could totally be Jackie Fox!