Time out

You know when you call your Mom on a Saturday afternoon sobbing uncontrollably--to the point of hiccups and shaking--and she puts you on Time Out (always a high point)?

Then you'll also remember how you thought the Time Out was a really good idea so you say to your friends and colleagues all the time, "Sorry, I can't, I'm on Time Out. My mom said." But everyone just thinks it's a joke and so doesn't take it seriously, and after a week goes by where you spent just as little time at home and breathing as the one before, you realize that there really aren't that many things you are at liberty to cut out of your schedule because said friends and colleagues are depending upon you all the time.

And in the end, dear reader, you recall why it was the principle of the thing that mattered. And principles being what they are in this modern age, you'll understand why Time Out was no match for free tickets to fancy seats at a Giants game (still hate 'em...) with Tim Lincecum on the mound (...even though he's like an adorable little elf and their win actually helped the Dodgers).

Nor did Time Out stand a chance against Chihuly or his eye patch at the deYoung.

Mmmmmm. Glossy. Sparkly. Shiny. If I had stuff like that at home, Time Out might be more successful.

I love Rachel & Jorge

Ladies and gentlemen, it is my honor to present to you Mr. and Mrs. Jorge and Rachel Ambrocio:

Here you see them sporting the wedding gifts Drew, Alica and I won for them the night before the ceremony when we hit some skee ball in preparation for the big day.

Here you will see some more dignified (yawn) pictures of the event. Actually, they're quite lovely (that's their photographers' blog and, so far, Michael is my favorite of all siblings' weddings' photographers). Welcome Jorge--you're the berries! I hope you can learn to like pinochle and Silverado.

The Phoenix

Rising from the ashes of a stolen purse...behold its shining and impenetrable glory!

Isn't it pretty?

Back in June I was so charmed and amazed after seeing Wall-E that I left my purse in the newly restored Alameda movie palace (that second link is horrible--I suggest you don't watch it). By the time I returned, it had been nicked. Unfortunate yes, but as Reverend Mother says, when God closes a door he sometimes gives you an apple device. Since the 3G launch was moments away, buying the iPhone was actually the economical choice when confronted with replacing both cell phone and pod at the same time, coupled with the fact that Verizon has never once managed to give me service in the confines of my home, and Alisa always appeared to do fine with AT&T in our place (so am I, by the way--feel free to throw away the land line number if you've got it). Anyway, what I really want to talk about are the free applications.

I have the complete works of Shakespeare on my phone FOR FREE.

I have the complete LDS standard works of scripture on my phone FOR FREE.

I have Pandora on my phone FOR FREE.

I have the BART schedule on my phone FOR FREE.

I have a kitchen units converter on my phone FOR FREE.

I get beautiful glossy runway photos from the latest fashion shows on my phone FOR FREE.

I can shake my phone, which rolls three slot machine wheels, which when they stop will tell me what nearby restaurant I should eat at FOR FREE (the shaking thing is free, not the eating).

And these are just my favorites. I'm giddy as a schoolgirl! The Shakespeare will come in handy tonight when I can read along to Pericles in the park FOR FREE (both that time).

Maybe it's not enough

So I know I'm a big fat liar, and I haven't written in ages, and you all hate me hate me hate me. But I am actually sitting on my couch. Right now. Alone. Watching Big Jim's DNC coverage, and can I just say...

Beau Biden? Foxy.

What's that you say, Beau? Want me to hold your little donkey while you're away? Well, ok, I'll take it.

Lovely #3

First, a pledge: I will, by week's end, supply details of some sort in regard to my prolonged absence from this cozy little corner of the webernet I've carved out as my own. You impatient lot can find clues here and here.

In the meantime, I offer this little gem of post-modern ingenuity...something I found on Web Urbanist (thank you Digg! for keeping me unproductive at work).

Tell me...

...is less actually more?

Lovely #2

La Dolce Vespa offers up an inspired essay on driving in LA. Her truest point: LA drivers get it done, and they do so by exhibiting a great deal of communal heart. This is the kind of thing I'd blog about if I had more than 7 minutes' worth of attention to give any one topic. Thank goodness other people do, or I wouldn't have any books to read and then where would we be?