Spot in a makeshift “snuggli”
Oh, BTW, Spot is recuperating from his cold. It did occur to me to send an email to Spot’s brothers in Bakersfield that his health was failing . . . thereby extorting money from the Bakersfield clan . . . but since they were so wonderful in hosting the Christmas celebrations I decided against it.
Finally, I’m posting about my trip to Calfornia. While Mister Man and I spent most of our time in the OC/LA area, we did venture northward to the mecca of Country Western music in California — Bakersfield. My sis and her family reside in this now sprawling city. What had been mostly an agricultural/oil field backwater is now a growing, growing community (lots of LA refugees priced out of the housing market). For a couple of Nebraskans, Bakersfield feels much like home (only it is A LOT greener in Nebraska). My dad quips that there are only two types of radio stations, but in two languages — Country Western/Norteño and Evangelical.
But, if Bakersfield was good enough for Buck, Merle, and Dwight (ok, he’s not from there, but is part of the “sound”) it’s good enough for Mister Man and me. We had a great time spending Christmas with my sister’s family. Everyone was there including the “West-Carranzas” . . . not to be confused with the East-Carranzas (sounds like an Island chain, no?).
Christmas is about two things — presents and food. Onion Tears and I took over cooking duties Christmas Eve while the pious were at mass. It was great to cook with her and we easily coordinated the production of four pizzas to please the various dietary and taste requirements of the whole family (cheese, pepperoni/mushroom, veggie, vegan). I did get assistance from Matt, age 8, who aspires to be a chef. Here’s a photo:
(you can just see Matt behind Larisa)
Once the devout and nominal Catholics returned home, we settled into comfortable conversations in and around the kitchen while the pizzas cooked.
The guys engaged in Man talk . . . at one point I yelled out “I need a Man” (to take out the trash) . . . the only one to come to my rescue was 8 year old Matt!
Shelly and Larisa caught up on what’s been happening:
OMG! Is Shelly wearing a Christmas themed sweater? They say that eventually we all turn into our mothers . . . but really, there are better ways ! (LOL).
Controlled Chaos in the Kitchen!
After we were all sated on pizza and beer (except for the boys, of course) we sat around a bit. Ross and Matt couldn’t wait to open presents (neither could I!!)
Here’s Ross trying to pick out what he’ll open first.
Great shirt, Matt!!
Opening presents with the Sanchez family is a highly ritualistic event (Mister Man couldn’t believe how long it took). We all take turns, the present is opened with high expectations, and then everyone ooohs and aaaahs over the item. Fortunately there was plenty of beer and wine to keep the evening going.
Some highlights:
What every goth guy needs — a nutcracker. My mom has made it a custom now to get a nutcracker for Nathan.
Grandma and Grandpa strike a pose.
No more tears! Mister Man found onion cutting goggles for Larisa — I wonder if she’s used them yet.
Buckwheat Pancake mix for my dad all the way from War Eagle Mill in Arkansas – it was the only thing he specifically requested for Christmas. [check out their website at http://www.wareaglemill.com%5D. Mister Man and I stop at War Eagle Mill every time we are in Rogers, Arkansas — great gifts, grains, and stuff!
Shelly gets a new Christmas Sweater (hey, it goes perfect with her Micky Mouse Crocs!)
Clearly, Nathan spoils Larisa rotten!
These two are too cute!
Just a few photos from Christmas — there are a lot more. This was a very special time for me since I hadn’t seen all my family in one place for a couple of years. It was wonderful to be “home” — not so much in the locational sense, but that warm comfort zone of being together and appreciating each other as family and individuals.
Well, that’s all for today’s blogging. Maybe more tomorrow.
Mister Man doesn’t believe that I actually work (even when he can clearly see me sitting in my chair thinking big thoughts). So, today I decided to take a picture of me at work — well, I’m not in the photo — but you can see my work spread out on the table:
I became the de facto program chair for this year’s NAES conference, which means that I get to sort through 289 paper proposals to organize them into sessions. What POWER and all from the comfort of home!
I still haven’t posted about my exciting trip to SoCal yet . . . I’ve been too busy. In addition to creating the NAES conference program, I have a manuscript due on the 15th and classes start on Monday. YIKES!!! I’d better get to work.
TTFN.
On our recent visit to SoCal, Mister Man and I caught a show. We drove from Orange County to the Staple’s Center complex to see one of my all time favorite bands – X. I saw them back in the 80s and we saw John Doe a couple of years ago opening for Lucinda Williams. We had a great time . . . even though it took quite a while to find the venue, Club Nokia, which is not to be confused with the Nokia center. Club Nokia is a small club, similar in size to the Hollywood haunts I used to frequent with Onion Tears a few years ago.
X was freakin’ great! The whole gang was there, Exene, John Doe, Billy Zoom (now a born again), and DJ Bonebrake. I love Exene — she’s my middle age, menopausal heroine! She looks like a midwest housefrau, apron included. It is clear that she is not indulging in botox or pilates, and STILL buys her clothes at the thrift shops. Here’s a shot of her:
I was told that people make aprons for Exene and she wears them! I’ll have to design something special for her to induce her to travel to Lincoln.
Here’s a shot of John Doe — second sexiest man alive:
and Billy Zoom
The evening was really fun. I even liked the Dolls (as a SoCal girl, I was never as much into the NY scene with the exception of Blondie). Just for the heck of it, here are some pics of the Dolls (only two remaining original members).
As can be seen, the group has dropped the glam rock get ups. I was disappointed! Also, it seemed like they covered a lot of other people’s music rather than their own. But David Johansen looks pretty good (for being 58!):
Overall, it was a great way to start off our vacation to SoCal — traffic was easy up to LA, it was a warm night (to us) for walking around, and we saw a great show. But, it is VERY different from Lincoln. Parking cost us $10.00 (several blocks away). Well drinks were $8.00 each (boy, and we can drink a lot!). Here in Lincoln, high falutin drinks (Corona) are $4.00! So, keep that in mind, you can get a buzz on for much less in Lincoln (except that last call is at 12:45). I’m not complaining, though — to go out in the winter here, you have to schlep a big ass coat around which is a drag. And, if there’s snow or ice — sensible shoes, no heels!
Ok, so I haven’t quite recuperated from the jet lag and all the walking I did during my trip to SoCal. Photos and narrative will have to wait.
Meanwhile, I’ve been reading “The Ominvore’s Dilemma” by Michael Pollan (2006) — a great read albeit at the cost of your appetite! Pollan explores the food industry and the manner by which corn came to rule the dietary world. I’ve wanted to read this book for some time, but just hadn’t gotten around to it. I highly recommend it to anyone interested in food. If the addage “you are what you eat” is true, then a lot of us are walking casings filled with mechanically separated meat and corn derived compounds. If you like chicken nuggets here’s the base material:
No, that’s not candy being extruded from the machine, it’s chicken bits (including lots of skin). BLEEEHW!
Isn’t that just gross? I’m far from committing to a vegetarian diet, but after reading this book, I’m really going to examine what I eat more closely! I am a “whole foods” eater and try to avoid processed foods. But now I’ll really have to think about where my food comes from and make better choices.
Mister Man and I have returned from our trip to SoCal. We had a great time visiting my family and various important cultural sights (the Mall, Disneyland, Bakersfield, etc.). I’m too pooped still to blog much. But I did pick up the kitties from the Feline Resort. Poor Spot, he picked up a bad cold. =’-‘= He’s wrapped up in my blankie, and I wish I could do something special for him like give him herbal tea. But, alas, the virus just has to run its course.
More tomorrow with photos from our trip.
Dear Readers,
Get out your black lingerie or fetishwear to commemorate the passing of one of the great icons of the 2oth century – Bettie Page. We must honor the woman that made fetishism & BDSM look fun and wholesome!
Bye bye, Bettie . . . we’ll miss you!
Well, I’ve been in Second Life now for a little over a month now (incept date 10/25/08). I’ve updated my avatar with new hair, eyes, skin, and wardrobe. Here’s how she looks now:
I was walking around a “mall” in SL and there was a height measurer — so I pressed the button. My avatar is 7’1″ !! hahahaha — that’s two feet taller than I really am!
Anyway, so far in SL I have participated in many different kinds of activities. I attended a conference, sat in on a class lecture titled “The One Drop Rule” with the Study of Racialism Group, checked out student presentations from a Women’s Studies course, and this morning participated in a coffee talk with the Social Justice group. I also am a member of several dance clubs: Derailed, Hell’s Gate, Club Industry, and Voodoo lounge. I go clubbing several times a week, usually for about 45 minutes as a decompression method. I try to have fun in many different settings.
I am also experimenting with ethnographic observation with a look towards a study on race and racism in SL. I was hanging out in a public space the other night. The area is frequented by newbies and it is fun to watch them modify their avatars, test their flying skills, and just try to figure stuff out. I was very amused by one guy that joined SL in search of sex . . . he was running from avatar to avatar asking for sex! As if that would work in Real Life (RL)!! Finally, someone explained the situation to him and he was soon off searching for a sex sim.
Back to my story. I was in this public space when I overheard people engaging in very racist talk. I walked over to investigate and found three white avatars harassing a black avatar! They were extremely abusive — even tossing around the “N” word. I was shocked at their behavior! One of the white avatars was a young woman (based on her voice). I spoke out since I advocate the interruption of racism in daily life (it’s what I teach, preach, and try to practice). Of course this little gang turned on me — and the female avatar was the worst. She questioned my gender (?), and called me “Last of the Mohicans.” I started a private conversation with the black avatar which was interesting. We discussed the situation and how in SL there’s no penalty to acting in a racist manner — such as getting your ass kicked or being ostracized. So, I’m going to be keeping notes for a future study. I’ll keep you all posted on haps in SL.
Obama to announce Bill Richardson as Secretary of Commerce today!
That’s right . . . and the Congressional Hispanic Caucus has identified 14 Latino candidates for the 8 remaining Cabinet posts. Obama would do well to recognize the power of the brown and that what was given can be taken away. I sent an email off to Bill yesterday . . . I think I’ll write to the President Elect and Vice President Elect today.
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Local News
We had our first snow last night! Yipee!
How do you spot an out of towner? We’re the ones excited about the first snow!!!
As you can see, just a dusting of snow. It will be gone by mid morning : – (
I’m very disappointed that Obama has chosen Hillary over Bill for Secretary of State >:-( Not only does Bill have better creds, he is a negotiator and peace maker – I think Hill is a tad hawkish.
But, at least we will have Bill at home working as Secretary of Commerce. I hope that Obama recognizes that Bill pulled a lot of Latinos off their nalgas to get and vote for Obama! Nevertheless, it is amazing how quickly Obama is setting up housekeeping and working in a proactive manner to address the myriad problems our nation is facing. GWB, on the other hand, is lamest lame duck ever. At least he has had the good sense to just stay out of the way!
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I haven’t posted for a while . . . that whole Thanksgiving thing kept me busy or recuperating! Mister Man and I avoided the mall on Black Friday. Instead, we were online for the entire day doing our shopping. What a relief! No crowds, no fist fights in the parking lot over the closest spot, no waiting in long lines to sit on Santa’s lap! We had a tiny bit of snow on Friday as well — just flurries really. But enough to make it feel like Christmas time. We did venture out Sunday night to pick up a new flat screen TV! I ordered the TV, a cabinet, and DVD/VCR player online — so all we had to do was pull up in back for loading. But NOOOOOO, Mister Man continued to scan the TVs and decided that we really NEEDED a 40″ fancy ass model instead of the much less expensive 32″ model we had originally selected. I think with men, there is no TV screen that is large enough!
So, now we have this behemoth in the living room . . . . but, the resolution is FAB!!! I guess he was right on that one (shh, don’t tell him I said he was right, he’ll gloat for days!).
Well, that’s all for today. I’ve got a ton of grading to do . . . TTFN!
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