Sad

I'm not sure why this is such a point of focus for me at the moment. I truly did appreciate this man as an actor and enjoyed each film he took on and did a brilliant job. Brokeback Mountain was phenomenal but the film which displayed his abilities as great actor was "Candy". He portrayed a heroin addict, addicted to both his girlfriend and their shared passion for the drug. It was so well done and he dove into the role head first producing an explosive performance. It's a shame he died so young.

Yes, I understand the media is taking this in a whole new direction. One more post on a random blog probably doesn't help the situation either. However, it did bring me back to thing about River Phoenix and the results of his untimely death. I'm not sure what super stardom does to people but it's unfortunate that it's creating a world where amazing people have to self medicate to deal. I also realize this is nothing new. Billie Holiday, heroin. Jimmi Hendrix, heroin. Jim Morrison, heroin. And then there are individuals like Courtney Love and Amy Winehouse who can put anything in their system and keep standing. I don't get it. Wrong time, wrong place, wrong drugs I guess. It's just sad that we have built a society where being famous also means a plethora of drug and alcohol abuse followed by paparazzi shots to prove it. I guess the world feels the need to look at something which makes them feel that their lives aren't as jacked up as someone with superstardom. Hopefully the autopsy results for Heath Ledger won't produce the same history as the individuals listed above but it isn't looking so good at the moment.

I suspect I will not have to deal with superstardom. And that's ok. However, let's hope the future is brighter for those people who do make it and manage not to shove anything into their veins/noses/guts in excess and end up the same way. RIP Mr. Ledger. It truly is sad.

Birthday Fun

All I gotta say is Miss B and my friends sure do know how to treat a person right! It was a glorious birthday and it meant so much that folks made the trek over to the Wildside West just to hang out for an evening of cupcakes and beverages. Miss B was going to make vegan cupcakes but thought to say no to that as she felt it was simply TOO lesbian. She did make homemade Martha Stewart ones with sour cream in them and my oh my they were heavenly!

We started out the evening with a surprise dinner at RANGE on 19th/Mission. One of the chef's from Del Fina left to start her own place and this is it. Super yum. Plus a great bottle of wine. Scrumptious. I want to go again. Not better than Del Fina but I would give it 5 forks out of 5. We then ventured over to the Lesbington to sober up a bit so Miss B could drive home. I know, going to a bar to sober up, what? But it worked. The place was dead and we were invisible. They still have the Theater of Magic pinball machine which is excellent. It's no Attack from Mars but it will do. Eventually we did make it to the Wildside where a gather of folks came to celebrate year 39. HBR, Mistycans and her Bagel, Bear 1&2, JEthan, Kate, and a slew of others turned out and it was greatly appreciated! They all brought amazingly perfect gifts too which thank you all for that! Seriously, I have the best friends ever. YAY! Thank you everyone!

This weekend the Packers are in the playoffs against the NY Giants. Can't wait! It was a great game last weekend and I am so happy to be able to watch the game. (We don't have cable.) It's on Sunday and with any luck, they will wind up in the Superbowl. Last year we went to Mistycans to watch the event as the Bears were in it. Rather unmonumental. But if the Packers play, we might have to do something for that!

We are also helping out at the yoga journal conference. I have no idea what we are in store to see. Probably lots of shambala and serious yogi-ness. Anything which takes it too far is just annoying to me. So we may see some of that. Then Monday is MLK day and no work in rememberance of the man who had a dream. Thanks for that MLK.

39

Yep, today is the day. One more year until over the hill jokes kick in. Although I have heard that 40 is the new 30. Or do people just say that when they are about to turn 40 just to make themselves feel better? Not sure. Started out the day with breakfast with B (as any other day) and opened birthday cards and a gift from my beloved. It was a happy Buddha with a big old belly! It's tremendous and I love it! Thank you Miss B! (Although she never reads this tired old thing of a blog.) Her niece and nephews also sent cards that they made using the materials from a craft boxes we gave them for Christmas. They LOVE them and made some excellent cards. So very sweet of them to do. It was so great to start the day this way!

It's been a good year. Top event list:

1. Got married! What an amazing celebration.


2. Purchased our home.


3. Kept sane at work with the ebb and flow of impending change.


4. Deepened yoga practice.


5. Continued running on a much more consistent basis than in 2006.


6. Surrounded by wonderful, amazing friends! (Our chosen family.)


7. Laughed a whole lot!


8. Hawaii/P-town travel.

And many, many more I could list but don't want to go on and on. Here's to another great year!

New Year's Day 2008 Hike

Miss B and I went for a New Year's Day hike atop Sweeney Ridge. Sure was cold up there! It's just outside of San Francisco, literally a 10 minute drive. There were amazing views of Pacifica and San Bruno. You wouldn't think these to be all that pretty but they were with the ocean surrounding both sides. Spotted a bobcat too. On New Year's Day we have traditionally gone to a yoga class to set our intentions for the year and reflect on the one past. However, we were unable to do so as our studio is currently in transition to new ownership. It was strange to try something new outside of our routine, and you all know how much we love our routines, but a great choice. The picture is of B as we were on the peak of the hike. It was listed as a 2 out of 5 in the book but to tell you the truth, in parts, it felt more like a 3! Or perhaps that was from sitting on our butts the past week while not being required to go to work or do anything which required much effort. Total is was 3.8 miles which isn't too bad. Rounded out the day with a yummy dinner and a bath. Hooray for us!

New Year's Eve was spent at the Victoria Theater seeing Marga Gomez and Ali Mafi, two hilarious comedians and gay gay gay. They were great and had us laughing until it felt like our sides were going to split. We were accompanied by A and her special lady friend. Prior to midnight we made the trek from the Mission back to Bernal Heights to ring in the New Year at the Wildside West, our local neighborhood bar. So nice to be able to get a little tipsy and walk home! We have a great time hanging out with those ladies too so we had a wonderful time and it truly was a superb way to ring in 2008.

The holiday break was much needed! Got to be away from work for an entire week. This year we didn't travel anywhere either. What this resulted in was lots and lots of sleep and catching up on movies and shows which we missed throughout 2007. Checked out Arrested Development for the first time and it is so funny! We will be renting more of that! Also saw the smash hit Juno. It was just the best movie ever and reminds you that when you fall in love with someone and decide to be together, to be aware that what you see is what you get. Changing people, as intriguing and fascinating as it sounds, is highly improbable and next to impossible. The key is to find someone that no matter what when you look at them sunshine blows out of their ass. (Direct quote from the film.) Know what you are getting and love every bit. Or else you are in for an uphill battle. Another highlight of the break was Christmas Day with the Lebowhites. We had a great day eating cheese, drinking wine, watching Elf and a Charlie Brown Christmas while playing with the kittens Jetta and Magilla. We know such great people! Oh, and we got to go hang out at the house of bear drinking wine one evening too. See, great stuff!

Now it's back to work and review writing. The world came to a screeching halt when the alarm went off at 5:30AM today. Ouch. Here's to a great start to 2008 and a prosperous and fun new year to come!