And there was this place, and I was there.

This week, I have been housesitting in an eclectic neighborhood in San Rafael. Respite from the city and fog has been unexpectedly nice --- I can't tell you how much better one sleeps to the sound of crickets and fountains than to the cacophony of buses and errant yelling men. Houses in this niched 'hood do not even remotely resemble track homes, and upon every one, there is some mark of creativity, individuality, or, in some cases, inadvertant artistic neglect. Went for a walk, took some photos....

The sign on that chair says 'I have flying monkeys and I'm not afraid to use them.' Also, yes, that is a giant martini glass sitting on the arm. Also also, a mini-chair sits on the ground next to the giant one. I wake up really early here, likely because there are no curtains on the windows and the sun lightly filters in. So close to the bay, the air is fresh and I walked through the backyard to the dock. This place is good for the soul.

Kitty!

Bill and I went to Pixar last night to see a short film Laura co-produced -- Real Men Go Hunting. My first time at the Pixar campus in Emeryville, I couldn't resist making Sully and Mike Wazowski pose for a picture my nieces will enjoy. They were good sports, even if Mike was a wee bit fiesty. Monster vixen.

LOLz

not my mom. but could be b/c she's a funny awesome lady. :)

To be honest? 30.

Last week, my mom and I went to the movies. Crazy cineplex with your neon lights and gaggle of teenage kids working at snack bars and ripping tickets... we gave our tickets to the ticket guy and my word, if he wasn't the most awkward 15 year old ever. This exchange followed between my mother and I:

Me: Wow, now that was what I call awkward adolescence.
Mom: Honey, I think he thought you were cute.

Me: No way. I could like be his mom.

Me: .............
Me: Holy crap! I could totally be his mom!!!!!

But let's be honest. I know it's kindof trendy to be overwhelmed by thirty, but I'm actually digging it. I like the way it rolls off the tongue. 30. Let's do the inevitable recap; it's not like I loathe my life and am disappointed in myself or anything, so at this measuring post in my life, I'm like, wow, this is a.o.k. When I was 15, I thought 30 was ancient. I thought I would be married with kiddos and have this crazy idyllic life with a house and dog. Hell, I thought that would happen by 25. But as I grew into myself and moved around in this eclectic world, I realized different timelines for me ...unknown timelines. All that stuff will happen in some way, shape, or form, someday. I'm not worried. And yes, I don't want to be an OLD mom. And it makes me nervous that my parents are aging and I want them to be able to enjoy my onedayfamily, but still, I really believe things will work out as they may. They have so far.

30. Thirrrrrrty. BooYA. say it with me now.

one more time, just listen.

should bes

Sure, Actress Marcia Gay Harden goes to the New York premiere of Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince. Whatever, that's great. But look at how freaking happy those little girls are! Are they wearing robes? They are wearing robes! And are those books? BOOKS! Undiluted happiness.

sistersisterIlovemysister

Can you believe we had never been in a bar together? Neither could we. We remedied that situation.

if you don't know, then you should

taken June 6, 2009, Cafe du Nord, San Francisco, Ca.
http://www.amandapalmer.net/afp/

newfoundland

Fruit Picking
Originally uploaded by leslaz

Last weekend, I watched my nieces while my sister went away for her birthday. I love those girls and the weekend was quite fun --- but I have to say that Saturday night, post baths-stories-bedtime, I flopped onto the couch with the dog at my feet, filthy in clothes covered in cherry juice, ketchup, pee, and dog hair and slobber. And numbly watched Enchanted. All you moms out there? New found respect coming your way. Peace.

Re-visiting-mining

A few posts back, I mentioned I went to a conference addressing how quarries and mine companies must restore the land after they have removed mineral. I came across this story in SF Gate this morning which is a perfect example of why this is so important. Extreme, but perfect: Superfund money to clean 'mouth of beast.'

Please draw your attention to the portion of the article where they mention how little help the current owner of the mine provides to clean-up efforts:

The elderly owner of the property, Ted Arman, who bought the 3,500-foot mountain from the last mining company for $100,000, has not been much help, proposing a resumption of mining in addition to construction of a 200-foot-tall marble statue of Jesus Christ.

oh good lord.

acid run-off from Iron Mountain Mine. Photo from Stockpix.com