Turzdays

Or maybe Turdsdayze. Wait, that sounds too much like Thursdays when I really mean Tuesdays.

Hmmm, let's see, well, this is my only day off a week, so I utilized it in many ways. Sort of took a break from the job hunt and got back on the horse this morning. Man it sure felt good. Applied for something like 15 jobs so maybe I'll hear back from one. Maybe not, but it's good to get back in the groove of just searching and sending and seeing what's out there. Always good to be searching and researching no matter what.

After a nice breakfast and some emailing I went to the beach with my neighbor Deana and we took our pups, Lucy and Newman. It was Newman's second time at the beach, and first time off leash at the dog beach. Boy oh boy did he have a fantastic time! I was a little apprehensive to let him off leash, because I've read that Huskies are genetically inclined to run and wander, but I threw caution to the wind and got to see my dog have what might have been the best time of his life. He swam, and ran, frolicked in the water, chased tennis balls, fetched sticks, stole frisbees, and ran like the wind along the Huntington Beach coast. He didn't run away and got along gloriously with the other pups at the beach. I'm so glad we went and this won't be our last visit for sure. I think it's safe to say that Newman's life has improved over the past few months. And so has mine.

I think one of the reason's that people connect so well with dogs is that dogs remind us of simple fun and enjoyment. Seeing your pet get so much enjoyment and satisfaction out of chasing a ball or frolicking around in some water sort of reminds us of the simple pleasures, and that fun doesn't have to be so complex. I'm sure having children is the ultimate reminder of this. I guess I could go on all day about that, but I won't. It was a good time at the beach.

Got home, applied for some more jobs, cooked a nice lunch, and gave Newman a bath. Then read for a little while and took a nap. It was a glorious, luxurious nap at the perfect time of day. 4:30 to 6 pm right before the sun sets to right after. Since our windows are always open you fall asleep in the warmth of the afternoon and wake up in the cool of the evening. I wish I could nap like this every day.

After the nap it was on to the theater with Johnette to see Revolutionary Road, the new Sam Mendez flick with Kate and Leo. It was a good, heady film, and another comment on suburban life, much like American Beauty, only set in the 50s. It was a very verbose film, most of the longer scenes drawn out in one location, and it felt like it should have been a play. Brought up some interesting concepts though and stimulated some interesting conversation between Johnny and I on the drive home.

In the words of Ice Cube:

Today I didn't even have to use my A.K. I gotta say it was a good day. Oooh Waauuu.

I'm baaaaaack.

Well hello friends,

It's been quite a while since I've written or even felt the urge to write actually. Things have been all out of sorts here in sunny California. A good friend of mine, and my roommate's sister, Renee Green passed away on January 7th. Since my life is heavily steeped in that of the one I keep quarters with, this has been quite and upsetting and confusing time. Renee was 35, vivacious, funny, witty, beautiful, and smart, a magnetic person to be around. Her death was a shock an has left us with questions about life, about Renee, and about ourselves. Her death has changed all of us who knew her for better or worse, in my case for the better, because I at least had the opportunity to know her. My roommate and close friend Johnette was her sister, her best friend, and confidante. How wonderful for two sisters to have that closeness between them, and how sad to have it taken away so quickly. It doesn't seem fair or make much sense, but it happened and it's real.

Two days after my friend's death, my brother and his best friend (Neal, who is like a brother) flew in to Huntington for a visit they had planned months ago. It was wonderful to have his company, and I made sure to give him a big hug and tell him that I loved him. We had a good visit, some good laughs, did some exploring and some good old fashioned bro/sis chill time like in the old days of Nintendo marathons. One good thing that comes out of death is that we are reminded not to take the living for granted.

I'm sad because my wonderful and giving friend Johnette won't have opportunities like this anymore with her own sister. But I'm happy to have Renee in my heart, and delight in thinking that maybe she's still around us, watching us act out our lives, free of the mortal coil and happy to be wherever she is. I definitely know that certain parts of her are in parts of us, and live on that way and that is comforting.

So after a few weeks my roommate has returned and I'm slowly starting to feel normal again. Our home has felt a little cold with what has happened and with her absence. I felt like the wind was knocked out of me for a while and maybe now I can start slowly getting back to business. It feels good to write, and it feels good to think about my friend being in a happy place, laughing at us. In all of our recockulousness*

Love you Renee. We'll miss you.

I'll be working for the script of "Just Us Girls" in your honor.

*One of Renee's favorite words

Meatballs and Shiraz

I think it was college time that my bro introduced me to Van Morrison's album, Astral Weeks...one of my favorite tunes from ye olde Van. I discovered that most of his You Tube stuff has been stamped and protected. Wish there was some more colorful, older video available, but alas, the song it is still good, yes?



Another video by an artist I tend to liiiike. Mr. Tim Fite.

C C C Camouflage. It's haaard to seeeee.



My feet hurt. But that's neither here nor there.

And also, for those who believe in true love like me...well, there is hope for at least 10% of us...click here to read how and why:

http://women.timesonline.co.uk/tol/life_and_style/women/relationships/article5439805.ece

Good to be Back, Jack

It's good to be back in the Cali, working and such, Christmas behind us, starting a New Year, continuing on an adventure. It was sunny here today for most of the day. It's been quite a rainy winter here in the OC, and quite cold as well. So it was a refreshing change to drive to work in the sunshine. I take the Pacific Coast Highway, or PCH as we call it to and from work and it's a beautiful and inspiring little trek to my silly little waitress job each day. That nice little drive is one of the reasons I moved here though...Not only is it refreshing to have a change of scenery, where everything is new, and fun to take in, but it is breathtakingly beautiful in such a different way than Texas is beautiful. Today as I drove home I looked to the left and the sun was setting and there was this wonderful heavenly sandwich of clouds around the setting sun. I took a deep breath and a long exhale. That little moment of serenity makes up for the slight discomfort this relocation has caused. I wish I had my camera with me in the car today so I could have shown you. Oh well, there will be more sunsets.

How about some comedy? Anyone?