Rock Star

You know what I did today?

I met a Rock Star. Ok, not a real rock star, but my own personal rock star.

For me, celebrity is an interesting thing. I don’t really think that much about most Hollywood actors. Having once upon a time dated a musician, the magic is out of that one too.

The one thing I love to do more than anything else is writing, so for me, the real rock stars are writers.

About fifteen years ago (*gasp*, has it been that long?), my best friend gave me a book. A book about writing. About how to get started. About just getting the words down on paper.

It began a journey for me that I’m still on. It was a liberating kick in the pants.

And what was the best, my most favorite thing about that book was that the woman who wrote these powerful words was from New Mexico.

That fact left an indelible mark on my soul.

That book was “Writing Down the Bones” and that author is Natalie Goldberg.

Today she made an appearance at a really cool local bookstore, Kepler’s.

After her talk, which was great, she signed books. She could not have been more gracious. I got a chance to tell her how great it was for this little girl from New Mexico to have a New Mexican show me the way, and she said she understood that.

And I walked away on clouds 8, 9 and 10.

It was really, really cool.

The geek out factor was akin to when I get the autograph of a favorite baseball player.

Writers and baseball players. My own personal Rock Stars.

Tradition

It’s a lovely thing. It’s a way to bind people together (and not in that “I can’t breathe kind of way”), a way to identify each other, a way to mark time.

In my life there are plenty. Cinnamon rolls on Christmas morning. Posole at New Year’s. Ham at Easter.

Noticing a theme here? My traditions do tend to revolve around food.

Fair enough.

When I was living in Albuquerque and working at Sandia Labs, the Friday tradition was happy hour at Gardunos over by Winrock Mall.

Delicious margaritas, happy hour tasties, and Mariachi as a way to end the week. That can’t be bad.

Today I’m enjoying a Bay Area tradition. Observed by most restaurants in the area and also by the cafeteria where I work.

Clam chowder.

: slurp slurp :

Oh yeah, baby. I know it’s Friday when there is a steaming pot of chow-dah at the Cafeteria. As far as I know, it’s homemade on site. This week’s batch isn’t as tasty as last week, but that’s ok. It’s still all kinds of yum on a cold rainy day.

The engineers will line up in droves, often the only time all week they toddle out of their black hole labs to see the light of day. I get in line with my unwashed brothas to savor the aroma.

Lop off a slice of sourdough, and that’s a little bit of heaven right there on a plastic tray.

So, ya’ll entertain yourselves, I’m enjoying a tradition over heah.

Happy Friday to all.

This day in Obvious News

News Flash!

This just in: The longer couples are together, the more they irritate each other!

Reeeeeally? Wow, I’d *never* have guessed!

How is this news? And yet it is.

And you know what else researchers found?

That this phenomenon is *normal*

Whoooooooa! There’s some groundbreaking research there, folks!

When I mentioned this article to The Good Man last night he replied, “Anyone who is surprised by this did not grow up in a home with two adults in a long term relationship”.

He’s very wise, that Good Man of mine.

Hell, I get irritated with myself if I spend too much time with me. It only stands to reason.

But then again, I know I’m *perfect* to live with and surely will never irritate The Good Man.

heh.

Happy Friday, ya’ll. May you and your respective partners have only mild irritation this weekend!

Getcher Motor Runnin’….

The Good Man and I are off on a road trip. A little hooky from work today and Monday and Mama Karen’s ALL happy about it.

Catch you on the other side.

Happy (safe!) Weekend!

Go NY Giants! :)

Well! I’ll not be visiting Virginia anytime soon!

Was perusing Yahoo!’s “odd news” today and found something there that shocks and inflames the senses!

“If you’re served a pitcher of authentic sangria in a Virginia restaurant, someone’s breaking the law.”

*gasp*

A local tapas place was cited for violating the law. They are currently appealing the fine and going to the legislature to roll back the ban.

“The Alcoholic Beverage Control Department…even ordered restaurant employees to pour its sangria — about 40 liters — down the drain.”

*gasp*

The odd law says you can’t mix wine or beer with spirits, so the sangria made with red wine and triple sec is against the law.

And so then are Boilermakers, Irish Car Bombs, and the Kir Royale.

Uncivilized!

I toast to the tapas joint and their success in repealing this law!

On this Friday after a *very* long week, it won’t take me much to make a toast.

By the way, in my humble experience, La Tertulia in Santa Fe has the finest Sangria around. But that was nigh on 10 years ago since I’ve had it. Any better contenders?

That said…headed home soon. Done. Happy Weekend!

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