Puddin' and Po: The High School Years

Puddin' 1962


Po 1970



Po 1976


Puddin' 1976


Po 1978


Puddin' 1980


Po 1980


Puddin' 1984


Puddin' 1994 (college)

Review: Saturday the 30th

Plot summary:
The day started with a little sleeping in. This, of course, occurred with some interruption. At 7:00, the dogs demanded to go out, and then to be fed, but I crawled back into bed until 9:00. (they crawled back into bed too). Then, it was off to the dogpark, and a nice morning walk up at McLaren. We ran into a dogwalker and many dogs, and Ms. Puddin' had very nice greetings. (she's learning how to say hello properly...with a butt sniff instead of a face rush). A very, very cute gray and white pitty wanted our treats, and jumped up and down like she was on springs. So cute.

Back home, we had a little bit of time before we started a little trip down to Stanford/Palo Alto, to see my dear friend Ana. Ana and I met when I was in college, writing for the Daily Lobo, UNM's daily paper, for a journalism class. I had the International Student Beat, and was clueless about how or where to start. Someone recommended that I contact Ana, a student from Yugoslavia that was involved in the International Student Union. She was my first interview and I was a nervous wreck. When Ana walked in, I was a bit mesmerized by her accent, smarts, and of course, her beauty and beautiful personality. We ended up becoming friends, though losing touch here and there after I moved. I was thinking about Ana a few weeks ago, and googled her and found her email address. She answered my email right away. It turned out that Ana, her husband Tomas, and their 2 year old boy, Oscar, were going to be in Palo Alto for a wedding, so we made plans to meet up. So, today, SJ and I drove down to meet them for lunch.

It was great to see Ana and Tomas, and for them to meet SJ. Oscar is a doll, just like I knew he'd be. He speaks bits of Serbian and his favorite movie is Willie Wonka (the original). We had a nice lunch and it was just really nice to hear about the great things happening for them. They deserve it all. And, if we ever move back to Albuquerque, I'm going to volunteer to babysit that little cutie bug.

And now, we're home. It's 8:00 and I have my pajamas on. I'm eating a turkey burger, drinking a wine spritzer, and am watching The Sound of Music. It's been a good day. The end.

What people are saying:
"Thumbs up. Way up. I highly recommend days like Saturday the 30th. It was a feel-good day, and the characters were warm and real. I really felt happy during this day, and if all days were like Saturday the 30th, it'd be a much better world."--Judi, life reviewer

RIP Del Martin

hero.

daily ramblings

Ah, the office bathroom.
Always entertaining. This morning, I walked in, and was treated to a new loud TOOOT right as I was walking past the first stall. Now, like Rani points out, the place to do a loud toot is indeed the bathroom. HOWEVER, if you're gassy as all get out, why pick the first stall, where you basically are the welcoming trumpet as people enter? I was about a foot away, and it was early. I had no toot tolerance.

Would you buy a 250 sq. foot home?
I saw this article yesterday and have been giving it some thought. Now, if you are single and travel a lot, this could work. But, could you imagine moving into a 250 sq. foot place with a partner? I don't care how well you get along, you will end up killing each other or getting divorced. And, please...don't put a dog in one of these boxes. It's like a 24-7 crate. I'm getting claustrophobic just thinking about it. And, I'm picturing small people sleeping in drawers.


Doodle?
My friend Ellie is an Animal Cop and claims she was called to a house where a man found a bat (quote) "on his doodle." I'm still trying to figure that one out. Did his house smell as bad as I think it did...cause you'd have to be pretty stanky dirty disgusting if you didn't know you had a rodent on your privates. I am retching just thinking about it.

What are you doing September 7th?
SJ and I are helping out Muttville at an adoption fair in Marin. Come by!! Old dogs kick ass.

2 tickets to paradise

Vegas to be exact. Next month we're finally taking a wee little honeymoon and headed to Sin City. SJ has never been (yeah!!!!) and I have only skimmed the surface briefly. Now, we are ready to experience the city in all it's cheezy glamour. Cheesier the better. So come on friends, what do you think. Where should we stay?


New York, New York?
Mandalay Bay? (sharks, i know!)
Venetian?
Luxor?
Excalibur?


help!!

bourbon, pisco, and absinthe, oh my

Last night we had a fun "oh yeah, we live in San Francisco!!" night. First, SJ and I ate at Golden Era, the veggie Thai place. The fake chicken is really good. Of course, mine was fried..and you could fry a shoe and I'd like it. But, really, that is my favorite veggie restaurant.
Then we met Rani & Andrew at our now new favorite place, Bourbon & Branch. We've heard great things about it from friends, so it was really nice that it lived up to the hype. First drink for me? A Pisco Sour. Now, Pisco and I have been friends ever since Christina brought a bottle back as a gift when she went to Peru. I love Pisco...it reminds me of drunken nights when I first met my wife and we were all crazy up there in the hills of Glen Park. We used to mix it with cranberry juice. We didn't know it was a brandy. Oh well...it tasted good.

SJ and Andrew started out with a Corpse Reviver #2. Absinthe and gin? Why, yes, thank you. Rani had a whiskey drink named after a year. 1792? 1951? I don't remember, but she liked it. More drinks were had as our table reservations were up and we moved to the "Library" room. It was pretty crowded, so we drank up and moved on.
We were about to head home when Andrew suggested one more at The Gold Dust Lounge. At first I was creeped out because a drunk dude stood right behind me for a long time, and I could basically feel his drunkness permeate into the back of my neck. Ew.

Before we knew it, the "other gay" in the room gravitated towards us. His name was Max and he is a flight attendant from Burbank. Girlfriend has nice eyebrows and a penchant for pulling up his shirt to flash his nipples. We keep telling him that he needed to take his gay self to the Castro, where his nipple flashing would be better appreciated. He wanted us to go with him, but it was 11:30, and like I told him, we turn to pumpkins at midnight (and the BART stops running.) Rani ("oh my god you look like Janice Dickinson!!"--Max) and Andrew offered to take him over there. Soldiers, I tell you!!! So, we parted ways at Powell Street Bart, and went home to crawl into bed with our fur kids.
What happened to Max, the flight attendant with social nipples? I guess I'll find out tomorrow morning. I'm hoping there are pictures.

pffft.

I don't like today, despite the fact that it's Friday. This morning I was trying to set up a blog for Animal Care & Control on SF Gate and had all kinds of trouble with the password and email verification. Advice!: Don't try to set up a blog and the email for which that blog is attached AT THE SAME TIME. Turns out I didn't get the verification email because I hadn't finished setting up the email account. Boring story, but it really caused a technical drizzle on my day.

You know else had a bad day? Da Brat.

So, I've been thinking alot about home prices lately. By the way, congrats to my friends William and Dustin who are now home owners in Albuquerque.

So, say we find a home for $600,000 (this is just a fantasy, and hello, the average price for a house in our crappy hood is still $700,000) and have $100,000 to put down. How much would our mortgage be?



Now, $2900 divided by 2 = $1450 a month for each of us.
As if. Who can afford $1450 rent per person?

All I have to say is PFFFFFT. The city is going to be left with the poor and the rich before long, as us 9 to 5ers who don't make bank, and don't want to retire as renters, are going to have to pick up and move towards the hills (or the desert).

sigh. Is the weekend almost here? Maybe wine will help my mood.

And I believed.

I'd like to thank the Bigfoot hoaxers for ruining my day. What can a girl believe in if she can't believe in a news conference starring 3 dudes from the hills of...wherever they were from..and a beer cooler?

NEWS FLASH!!!

Press Release: Hank celebrates his birthday
August 19, 2008

International superstar Hank celebrates his birthday today in Berkeley California, as he takes a break from the recording of his upcoming album, Chardonnay. In the past few months, Hank has been spotted in London, Portugal, and Detroit, collaborating with the likes of Grace Jones, Mark Ronson, and Allison Goldfrapp on the album that Rolling Stone anticipates to be “more fun than a night in donkey masks.”




Rumors were rampant that Hank was slated to be the opening act for Madonna’s Hard Candy tour, but those rumors have been adamantly denied. “Hell no,” he was overheard saying at Beckham’s annual fundraiser last week in Bora Bora, “My sugar ain’t THAT raw.”


It’s been quite a year for Hank. Early in the year, his refusal to pair with Amy Winehouse on the James Bond theme song earned him a “difficult” label by the UK Press. Soon afterwards, Hank gave $2,000,000 to the “English Ladies Tea Fund” and became a darling of the tabloids as he was seen out and about with seasoned socialites.


Earlier this summer, Krug stock went up 35% when Hank became the spokesperson for the champagne company. The “I only drink Krug when I’m naked” campaign was so racy that it was only shown in Denmark and Brazil. Still, American’s went mad over the endorsement, and Krug became the drink of choice by everyone from Diddy to Lohan. There are talks of a Krug wine cooler being released later this fall.


Hank made more news last month when he was captured on tape outside a San Francisco club, “Aunt Charlies,” planting trees and bushes. “I’m trying to green this mOt*herF*cker,” he yelled at passerbys. He was taken in on charges of disorderly landscaping, and threatening a drag queen with an Elsbeere branch. He served 2 hours community service go-go dancing at Badlands.

So, what’s next for Hank? “Pregnancy, a TV Show on VH1, a line of designer jean shorts, and the construction of a $5 million dollar Jindo rescue center,” he yelled to reporters as he drove away on his Ducati.

Sounds ambitious, but if anyone can pull it off, it’s Hank.

someone get this girl a grill

Thanks to Jordan who spotted Ms. Thang's missing tooth during a cuddle session. We have no idea what happened to her tooth. She is bone crazy, and has a favorite bone that she obsessively chews on while waiting for us to get ready to go to the park. That's my first guess. Second guess...plum pit. She eats plums from our tree. Any other guesses?

Real Estate FAILS

On Craigslist today:

Listed as Bernal. NOT in Bernal. Silver & Bayshore...good try though folks!! Should have known when I saw $349,000 right?

A million-30 DUPLEX. And it's not even pretty.





"CHEAP!" Who uses that in a listing about a house? Makes it sound like a marked down display model. And, what the hell is "curb appeal?"


Romantic Excelsior Hideaway. Those 3 words should never be put together. Okay, the inside of the house is cool, I admit it. But they say "killer view" and that's enough for me not to want it. Who says "killer" anymore?


"You'll love this house--At least the price" WORST SALES LINE I HAVE EVER HEARD. Basically, this house sucks. But the price is okay. And it IS okay. $280,000. I bet it's a crap box.


Large Loot. If a realtor can't spell LOT, I'd stay away.


Charming Classic Home with Hip Details. Hip details? I don't think I want a home with HIP details.


This house is gorgeous. But it is $2 million over our budget. But it has a dumb waiter.

kennel 114

Today SJ and I volunteered. As we were wrapping things up, I said, "I'm gonna to see if there is anyone in 114." 114 is one of the ISO (isolation) wards. It's the last kennel. It looked like all of the kennels were vacant, but then I saw one clipboard. I walked back and there he was, the most delicious lump of puppy sugar. Huggies is his name and being adorable is his game. Since there was nobody else in the kennel, we let him out and had him run back and forth between us, giving him some much needed exercise. I'm assuming that the little guy is in ISO for kennel cough. He had been in availables, so he probably caught the cough there. Anyway, I wanted to share the delight that is Huggies. Look at his face. Couldn't you just eat him with a spoon? I just read his little story on the ACC site. He was dumped by his "owners" and left to fend for himself. I have no comment (I'm trying to be positive about humankind today...). Instead of thinking about that, I'm gonna think about Huggies buttery brown eyes.

the lioness is 50

Happy birthday to Madonna, who turns 50 today. Even though we broke up about a year ago, I still care about her, so wish her the best.
But seriously, I feel a little disappointed about Madonna, version 2008. When I read things like, "my thighs are skinnier now than they've ever been" and "I'll never get fat, never!!!" I worry a little about her. What happened to the message of Express Yourself? She is so extreme in her appearance right now, that I feel a little bit sorry for her. If she had a little bit more softness to her, I think she'd look so much better. Her face is gaunt, and her arms (and I LOVE VEINY ARMS) are so, so muscular and veiny that they scare me a bit. She's like a knife right now...all sharp edges. Don't be scared to get a little bit soft Madonna, you'll look less like a rickedy old lady, trust me.
Back in the day, I loved me some Madonna like mad. I've seen her in concert...is it 4 times now? The first time was my high school graduation present...my mom sent me and my friend to Dallas to see the Who's That Girl Tour. I remember being outside of the place early, and you could hear her rehearsing, and I was all atwitter. I think I was 17. I totally remember what I wore...black shorts, a black tank top, and a white button-up shirt over the tank top. I think I had Chinese Laundry shoes on. Fast forward to 2006, San Jose. Confessions on a Dancefloor Tour. It was really fun. William and Ron had flown in from Albuquerque and Lony and Chelsea went. We danced, danced, danced.
But lately, I'm not feeling it. I've been let down by her music, especially her lyrics. I don't even listen to her newest album. Her video with Justin Timberlake made me gag a little. But you know what...that's okay. Madonna was my hero when I needed a hero. Madonna and Cyndi Lauper adorned my walls and got me through the tough times. So, Madonna, here's to you at 50. May you, as Lony always says, "eat a sandwich" and live long and prosper.
The picture you see on the post represent my favorite Madonna. I'll never forgot seeing the Girlie Tour (on TV) and watching her walk out in those boots. Nope, I'll never forget that.

separated at birth

Crazy Clone Lady's adorable Booger puppy and Mr. Po man.

separated at birth

Tabitha from BRAVO's "Tabatha's Salon Takeover" and Ms. Puddington from America's Top Pitbull.
do you see it? do you see it?

Here's proof...

that my "world gone crazy" theory is true. (Have you taken my poll?)

REAL LIFE HORROR FILM (don't read unless you want nightmares)

Mobile Home Freak Show

Don't go outside after dark

Dead Zones

Really bad parenting

and this is just from CNN. More craziness later, I must resume creating a nomenclature document. Don't be jealous.

aaaaaaaaaaa. aaaaa. aaaaaaaa!!!!!!

update: I can't believe they pulled this video. well here's the jist...big weights, funky angle, elbow go pop.

MAPIWOM

Periodically I may share my MAPIWOM: “most annoying person in the world of the moment.” Of course, these are my own personal most annoying people...you may love them. If you do, let’s arm-wrestle to see who is right.

Today's Winner:
Chad from Million Dollar Listing on Bravo. Have you seen this show? It’s about young real estate hotshots who are: swarmy, bitchy, creepy, and just smell of all that is wrong in the world. Chad is the worst. He speaks like a robot, and says things like, “by order of my client, you can not come to my listing. You understand, this is by order of my client.”

Retchhhhh. Gag.

Last night we got to see Chad and his girlfriend visit his parents house in Malibu, where about 50 times he mentioned that HE IS SEEKING APPROVAL BY DADDY. We got it Chad, you were a prissy, whiny child and you let old pops down, so now you are super-agent at 30, and you have to call dad every time a client tells you how great you are, to share the good news that you are a valid human being despite his opinion. Now you have to overcompensate and talk like a robot when you're around men of your father’s age. Got it.

On top of that, the bowl cut. Can anyone take this guy seriously as they watch the Beatles do’ bangs go directly into his eyeballs? Who told him that this haircut was enduring? I’m guessing an old girlfriend probably told him that as she broke up with him.

"it's like i'm walking on sunshine"-Allison

When I'm being followed by cameras into a Motel 6, I'll know that it's time for my intervention from the show Intervention. (Have you noticed that they almost always have the intervention at some crappy chain motel off the freeway?)

So, did you watch it last night?

Allison
She was a pre-med student on her way to becoming a surgeon, but the trauma of being molested as a child and her parents' brutal divorce haunted Allison. She started to inhale computer dust remover, which is potentially fatal with each breath. Her erratic behavior and absence from classes got Allison dropped from the pre-med program. Allison is currently inhaling up to ten cans of dust remover a day. Can interventionist Jeff help Allison and her family?

Well, I won't ruin the end for you. But, I just have to say...for the first time, I almost felt like the addict in the show was kind of acting. I don't want to downplay the seriousness of addiction (or abuse) in any way, but this girl would act so over-the-top loopy when she huffed her computer dust remover (I know, what?) that she seemed to be a character from Saturday Night Live. Maybe that's what dust remover does...I don't know...but it was really weird. Now, it is never appropriate to laugh during this show, right? Right. But a few times I was expecting Allison to stop and look at the camera and go "i am totally kidding you guys." And the laugh track would bust out.


















AND, all I could think about was Blue Velvet, as Allison carried her can around and huffed in between sentences.


**
Frank goes to Dorothy and kneels down in front of her. He takes one more
gasp of helium.

FRANK
(high voice)
Baby wants blue velvet.

Dorothy opens her robe and gives a part of the robe to Frank.

DOROTHY
(whispering)
Okay.

po on the pommel horse

I was watching the olympics last night and happened to catch the story about the 33-year old woman who is competing for Germany. She used to compete for the Soviet Union, but ...well, you can click here for the whole story.

Anyway, I think it's amazing. She's 33! She's competing against girls that are 16 (but look 10!). I was a little surprised to read her story..and to learn that she's married with child. COME ON! don't deny it...you were surprised to hear that she is...ahem, married...too. Yes, you were. You were just too polite to say it.

I don't want to sound mean here, but is it just me, or do most of the gymnast's bodies look a little strange. I think all of the muscles on the short frames just make them seem like...well, like PO! That's it. Po is a gymnast. Can't you just see him on the parallel bars, with his stubby, muscular legs holding up his short little body? I can.



And, has anyone else noticed how cute Alicia Sacramone is? Just wondering...

my nephew broke his foot.

My poor nephew. Next week he starts his senior year of high school. He was really excited to play football. Yesterday he was riding a dune buggy with his girlfriend and it tipped over and all 900 lbs landed on his foot. Apparently, the way it broke, the swelling was cutting off the circulation and they had to perform surgery and create a hole (UH< EWWW) so it could drain. He took great pleasure in telling me about this, and sent along a picture with this text message: "now it is cut open and all that gunk is oozing out." Yep, that's my family!

all we are saying is give pits a chance

My friend Ellie asked if I would put these pitties on my blog because they've been at ACC for months now :-(
Now, I know a little about pitbulls that get stuck in the shelter. Really amazing dogs, that for some reason or another, have a hard time finding their forever home. Puddin' was dropped in the night drop box at the Berkeley shelter, and was there for three months. I will never understand it. So, take a look at these beautiful boys, and forward this on to anyone who may be looking for the love of their life.



WATCH GUS JUGGLE HERE.



WATCH ZEUS PLAY TUG HERE!

click here for ACC's website.

hey, that's us.

almost famous.

nooooooooo.

Why do people have to be all crazy and shite? so, the other day, i was super psyched to see that the cloned puppy was a pit bull! yay good press for pittie pups! However, yesterday, my new favorite blog dlisted (so much funnier than perez, who has been banished from my life for good) posted THIS story.

Maybe i should have known something was a little off because she named her dog Booger. which, could be cute, but it is a little gross. I mean, i call Po "Boobie" all the time, but boobies are better than boogers.

Anyway, so here's this crazy story that the clone puppy woman may actually be Joyce McKinney, a woman accused of kidnapping and raping a Mormon man back in 1978.

WHATTT?

Yeah, read the story. i couldn't even follow it because it was so weird. and you know how i like weird. Mormon sex slave...it's a little too much.


and, this is my favorite comment from the blog:

Oh yeah.. that's the same "I won't be ignored, Dan!!!" smile in both pics.
You can gain 100 lbs and let your teeth go yellow.. but Time don't wash away crazy!!

i want to spit

i need help. it's my neighbor. let's ignore for a minute the fact that he: wears a bluetooth but doesn't have a job, watches his wife mow the law because he is too lazy to do it himself, drives 2 large vehicles that match the color of his house, goes outside in his wifebeater (all wrong), and spends most of his time making sure his vehicles are parked in front of his house. Those things are bad enough, but here's the kicker.
Because someone lives in his garage, he doesn't park either large vehicle inside..both are in the street, like most everyone's car (because most of our neighbors have their garages as illegal inlaws). So, here is what he does:
He parks one of his vehicles parallel, across his own driveway. Which is fine, right? However, because his vehicles are long, they go beyond the space of his driveway, and into both the street parking spot to the left, and to the right of his garage. IE, he takes up two spaces. Now, this is not by accident. He does this to SAVE a parking spot for the other car, when his wife has it out. He saves a spot ON THE STREET.







So, while other people are cruising around, trying to get a parking spot somewhere near their house, this good-for-nuttin is taking up two spaces. This bothers me so much, because often I can't park near my house, and it burns me up that he's inside, in his wifebeater, pretending to be talking on his bluetooth (he never is talking on his bluetooth, it is just on his ear), while I (and others) are parking up the damn hill or down the block.
Sometimes, just to piss him off, I will wedge the Ribbit right behind or in front of him, barely fitting in. I can't really do it in the space right behind him because there is a crosswalk. Also, i don't like my car too close to his. it will get cooties.

QUESTION: does anyone know if this is illegal (taking up two spots)?

I really hate to waste my blood pressure medication on this guy and his pig-headedness, so I'm asking...does anyone have any advice? I've already left a polite note. It was totally disregarded. And once I asked him verbally to move his car up. Oh, and one time I did spit on his car. I'd had a few drinks. But, he does this shite all the time, and I'm kinda fed up.

Reason #4 to move out of city = my dumb neighbor and his ridiculous vehicles.