Patty's LiveJournal

On Vox: Haven't Got Time For The Pain

2009-10-30T06:18:02Z

I've been having a few health issues lately. Nothing serious I suspect, but enough to seek medical attention. I had an appointment last week with some lab tests, another one today and another tomorrow. Three different doctors in the same (giant) medical group, a medical group with a good reputation. But as far as I can tell they don't deserve it. Tomorrow will tell with the third doctor, a specialist, but the first two doctors I've seen have seemed rushed, disengaged and generally on auto-pilot. Like the pilots who missed the airport at Minneapolis/St. Paul International.

Today's doc wrote me a prescription for an anti-inflammatory when I told her I was taking 2-4 Advil per day for joint pain. I asked her why it would be better to take the prescribed meds than what I was doing. Her answer was something about it being more convenient for me to just take one pill that lasted all day. Convenience wasn't an issue for me, but uh...okay.

I filled the prescription at the pharmacy, but before taking anything, I do what I always do, read the warning label.Whoa, this was some powerful stuff! After reading what Walgreen's had to say about it, I went to the Internet for more. On WebMd there was a big warning at the top of the page. Not in the fine print.

This drug may infrequently cause serious (rarely fatal) bleeding from the stomach or intestines. Also, related drugs rarely have caused blood clots to form, resulting in heart attacks and strokes. This medication might also rarely cause similar problems. Talk to your doctor or pharmacist about the benefits and risks of treatment, as well as other possible medication choices.

If you notice any of the following rare but very serious side effects, stop taking and seek immediate medical attention: black stools, persistent stomach/abdominal pain, vomit that looks like coffee grounds, chest pain, weakness on one side of the body, sudden vision changes, slurred speech.

I think I'll stick with the Advil. And see what the doctor tomorrow has to say, assuming I can get his attention and more than 15 minutes of his time.

Originally posted on patty.vox.com

On Vox: I Don't Like Any Of These People, And Yet...

2009-10-07T21:42:14Z

I don't, or didn't, watch "Jon and Kate Plus 8" and I don't care for Nancy Grace one little bit.

Yet, because I am addicted to ~~celebrity gossip~~ pop culture, I am familiar with the lives, dramas and personalities of all kinds of people who I have no business knowing about.

I know Kate had a tummy tuck, got a weird hair do and later changed it. I know that Jon thinks he's a celebrity and is really just a dumb ass man in Ed Hardy t-shirts going through some pathetic midlife crisis in public. I know that Nancy Grace is obnoxious, overly judgmental and incessantly ranting at the guests on her show. I think I've seen her a few times on TV for all of about 90 seconds before I have to flip the channel.

And yet, when I see this clip of her grilling Jon Gosselin and his stuttering deer-in-the-headlights look, I can't help but like her just a little bit.

Nancy Grace Rips Jon Gosselin Apart.

Originally posted on patty.vox.com

On Vox: The Way To Make Laurel & Hardy Funny

2009-10-04T19:18:26Z

A Buddhist teacher I follow on Facebook posted this today and I watched it three times, tears of laughter streaming down my face each time.

There's just something about juxtaposing this old Laurel & Hardy clip with the Gap Band that cracks me up. But then again, I've been known to giggle at the silliest things.

Enjoy!

Laurel and Hardy Dance To The Gap Band

Originally posted on patty.vox.com

On Vox: Buddha And The Chocolate Box

2009-10-04T04:54:05Z

Intentional Chocolate.

Apparently it's the first chocolate the Dalai Lama ever tasted.

It is the founder's intention to "reintroduce the ancient wisdom of embedding conscious intention and love into food."

All Our Chocolate is Embedded With This Intention:

“Whoever consumes this chocolate will manifest optimal health and functioning at physical, emotional and mental levels, and in particular will enjoy an increased sense of energy, vigor and well-being for the benefit of all beings.”

My doctor-ish friend Mark probably won't like the "science" of this I'm sure, but I'm rather impressed with the marketing science. They added me on Twitter today and the next thing you know I'm reading their blog, watching videos like the one below and going to their website to order some chocolate.

Mindfully of course.

Intentional Chocolate

No, I am not working for them, nor am profiting from promoting them. I just liked what I read and hope the chocolate is half as good as the stuff I'm getting from Trader Joe's. And if the good intentions ooze out while I'm savoring the taste, even better!

Originally posted on patty.vox.com

On Vox: Wow. Just Wow.

2009-10-01T02:10:37Z

Kseniya Simonova - Sand Animation (Україна має талант / Ukraine's Got Talent)

The historical references, the music, the theatrics and then the amazing artistic talent. With grains of sand.
This is like a moving mandala.

Originally posted on patty.vox.com

On Vox: Too Big For Your Skin

2009-09-28T18:28:17Z

Too Big for My Skin - The Campaign

The creator of this says that ""Too Big For My Skin" is not just a poem. It's a mind state." It's an international awareness campaign on YouTube created by some people in Minneapolis who invite you to leave your response in their comment section or to submit your very own video response. According to their site, "it's about positive body image, acceptance and strength. It's about finding your voice and speaking." I know one of the wonderful women featured here and, and as readers of this blog know, I am big on supporting acceptance of all the beautiful shapes and sizes that women come in.

Originally posted on patty.vox.com

On Vox: 80's Dating Friday or Some Things Never Change

2009-09-25T21:37:32Z

The 80s, the 90s, today; some things never change. Like how fun dating can be. Umm..yeah, right.

I'm just glad that mustaches went out of style with the mullet.

80s Video Dating Montage

Thanks to Dating LA for posting this.

Originally posted on patty.vox.com

On Vox: The Universe Is Wise

2009-09-07T15:17:48Z

Today's "Note From The Universe". (I wrote about getting them here)

Young souls get angry at others.
Old souls get angry at themselves.
But really wise souls, Patty, have already turned the page .

Synchronicity continues to dance in my life and I love dancing with it.

Feeling full of wisdom, both innate and given.

Have a happy Labor Day everyone!

</p>

Originally posted on patty.vox.com

On Vox: A Note From The Universe

2009-08-29T08:45:35Z

A wonderful woman I know told me about this email that she receives. I actually think I read about it on her Facebook status update, but anyway...

You sign up and "The Universe" sends you a little note sometimes. It's like picking an Angel card or Tarot cards, or reading a fortune cookie. A moment with a message that might or might not prove to be revelatory, just want you needed to hear or somehow otherwise appropriate. I like these kind of things. I like listening to the messages that come to me in directly: however one defines the medium: friends, intuition, hunches, insight, synchronicity, dreams, omens, god.

I signed up a couple of months ago and love getting these Notes From The Universe. You never know when they'll arrive. The Universe is unpredictable that way.

I got this one today: a day when I was feeling really good about myself. I liked how I looked. I liked how I was feeling. I liked my interactions with (most) people. I was rather full of myself today and it showed. In a good way.

Last night, Patty, I was dreaming of you, again.
You were radiant, confident, and light beamed in every direction from the core of your being. Music followed you, angels serenaded you, and everyone was elevated by your presence. Wisdom shown from your eyes. Kindness emanated from your touch. And your power was simply awesome.
You looked, well... pretty much... exactly as you do right now.

Wow,
The Universe

And there's always some kind of p,s. This was today's.

True, Patty, you were wearing a lot of sparkles, but I do know the difference between sparkles and angels.

Originally posted on patty.vox.com

On Vox: Lizzie Miller. Real Women. Flesh Appeal.

2009-08-26T11:14:22Z

Maybe you've already seen this, but "Glamour" Magazine ran a couple of small photos of 20 year-old Lizzie Miller without clothes in their September issue and it's caused some buzz.

Why?

Because this model weighs 180 lbs, is a size 12-14 and likes her body.

Gasp!

Venus Bootie

Minimal make-up. No sexy shoes or lingerie. No air-brushing. With the backside, thighs and belly most of the women (including those revered in art through the Ages) who most men are likely to see naked, Lizzie Miller has every reason to smile and be a spokesperson for confidence.

Remember the Dove "Real Beauty" ad campaign? Let's hope our standards for beauty when it comes to advertising and marketing continue to move in the direction of this kind of "modern realism".

What "Glamour" did, although admittedly not on their cover, is in stark contrast to what "Self" magazine did to Kelly Clarkson in their "True To Yourself" issue. Listen to the nonsense coming out of the mouth of their editor.

Originally posted on patty.vox.com

On Vox: The Appeal of Vampires

2009-08-26T10:07:09Z

Dracula

I've not dipped my toes into the "Twilight" phenomena, which seems perhaps too chaste, but all the way back to Nosferatu and Bela Lugosi through Anne Rice's Lestat, Frank Langella, Gary Oldman, Willem Defoe and now up through True Blood, I've always loved a good vampire story. I'm clearly not the only one.

What's the appeal of the vampire?

Stephen Moyer, the actor who plays Bill on HBO's "True Blood" has a theory:

Trueblood

“The thing about vampirism is that it taps into a female point of view – you have an old-fashioned gentleman with manners who is a fucking killer… it’s an interesting duality, because in our present society it would be an odd thing for a woman to say, ‘I want my man to be physical with me.’ How, as a modern man, can you fucking work that? It’s one thing to be polite and gentle… But when do you know it’s OK to crawl out of the mud and rape her [as Bill does in one scene]?... It’s difficult stuff for a bloke, but a vampire gets away with it…. I think that’s the attraction of the show – it’s looking back at a romantic time when men were men, but they were still charming.”

Rape isn't "charming" Stephen. But putting aside your unfortunate (and antiquated) choice of words, I believe what you're saying about some of the appeal of a show like "True Blood"" does actually come from a female desire (fantasy?) to be both adored and protected and "taken" by a force of pure animalistic passionate hunger.

There are plenty of similar themes of the civilized man with the hunger of a beast waiting to come out at night or with the proper provocation in art, mythology and in popular culture.

HBO knows what they're doing mixing power and sex appeal: remember "Rome"?

She Wants You To Go After Her. Duh!

Originally posted on patty.vox.com

On Vox: Posting to (for?) Vox

2009-08-22T03:25:17Z

Yes, I l know I haven't been posting here lately. Why?

Can't say I'm too busy really. I'm not.

Avoidance of something? Maybe. Likely?

A desire for more privacy? Yes, but that does not explain the lack of "friends (or me) only" posting.

Fear that Vox is has run it's course and the lack of support for the platform will make my three years here come to an end sooner than I'd like? There's some of that. Although I don't believe Vox is going to just disappear three years of posts, it's depressing to continue to try to use a platform that gets no attention from its creators and just gets buggier and harder to use by the day. I really wish there was an export tool. If there was I'd take these three years there in a heartbeat. Community or not.

A community on the wane? Yes, there's some of that. I'm not the only one that doesn't post or comment much anymore. While there are still lurkers reading, the vitality of the community has disappeared and there wasn't that much of it to begin with anyway.

Twitter and Facebook? Those two platforms have certainly pulled me away from a richer format like Vox. I think that's sad actually. Twitter is like blogging with severe ADD and Facebook has more community features, but doesn't support anything much substantive and leaves no room for making it into something aking to a personal journal. Maybe I should just use my LiveJournal for what I'm is lacking here and in other places? Maybe. But who's over there anymore?

Sigh.

It's sad Vox never amounted to anything we'd hoped it would become.

Originally posted on patty.vox.com

On Vox: My Daughter Is Driving

2009-08-19T08:18:25Z

She needs many more hours under her belt before she can take the test (and I'll be confident), but here's undeniable evidence that soon the little bird will be able to drive herself out of the nest.

(In the backseat is Francesca, the exchange student from Chile who arrived on Saturday and will be living with us for the school year

AD Drives On CA 101 Freeway (video)

Originally posted on patty.vox.com

On Vox: A "House Concert" with Terra Naomi last Saturday night

2009-07-28T03:35:15Z

Have you ever seen an musical artist do a concert in someone's living room? It's a pretty cool experience. Last Saturday night, I went with a couple of friend to see a woman named Terra Naomi sing and play for a couple of hours at Paul's House in Potero Hill in San Francisco. There were probably only about 25 people there total.

She was really quite good. Much better than I would have expected. There's something about seeing an artist live though, it's almost always better than hearing a recording or even seeing the video. Don't you think?

Her song's are pretty heavy on the smart-and-rather-angry-young-woman-done-wrong-or-otherwise-suffering side, which I have nothing against, I just preferred some of her more positive and poignant ones like the one below.

You For Me

You For Me

I wanna make enough money
To run my life
From the top of a mountain
In the dead of night
It’ll be you and me
And a couple of dogs
And the rest of the world
Can just move on
Cuz i got what i want
And i got what i need
And there’s nothing
In this world
But you
For me

And there’ll be fish in the lake
And there’ll be chickens on the lawn
And we’ll never go to sleep
And i’ll never even yawn
And you’ll tell me lots of stories
About when i was old
And i wasn’t too much fun then
From all the stories i been told
Now i got what i want
And i got what i need
And there’s nothing
In this world
But you
For me

And all the those little things we like to talk about
All those little things we like to say
Nothing even matters at all
‘cept for how we live today

And we can sit up on the mountain
I can hold your hand
And we’ll forget all that we learned
And we’ll forget our plans
And we can see things clearly
In the absence of the light
And we’ll realize there’s nothing
More than this tonight
And i got what i want
And i got what i need
And there’s nothing
In this world
But you
For me

Originally posted on patty.vox.com

On Vox: Bob Dylan "Buckets Of Rain"

2009-07-27T04:28:33Z

Bob Dylan - Buckets Of Rain

Buckets of Rain

Buckets of rain

Buckets of tears

Got all them buckets comin' out of my ears.

Buckets of moonbeams in my hand,

I got all the love, honey baby,

You can stand.

I been meek

And hard like an oak

I seen pretty people disappear like smoke.

Friends will arrive, friends will disappear,

If you want me, honey baby,

I'll be here.

Like your smile

And your fingertips

Like the way that you move your lips.

I like the cool way you look at me,

Everything about you is bringing me

Misery.

Little red wagon

Little red bike

I ain't no monkey but I know what I like.

I like the way you love me strong and slow,

I'm takin' you with me, honey baby,

When I go.

Life is sad

Life is a bust

All ya can do is do what you must.

You do what you must do and ya do it well,

I'll do it for you, honey baby,

Can't you tell?

First release: Blood on the Tracks, 1975

Originally posted on patty.vox.com

On Vox: Alice In Wonderland -- Tim Burton Style

2009-07-24T07:06:36Z

I can't wait to see this movie. Tim Burton. Johnny Depp. The spectacular visuals combined with the trippy story of Alice in Wonderland. On the BIG screen! Oh yes!

Tim Burton's "Alice In Wonderland" 2010 Trailer

But sadly, we all will have to wait until March of next year for it's release.

Which reminds me, "Where the Wild Things Are" from Spike Jonze is coming out this fall. I hope that's still the plan. I blogged about it ages ago with it's wonderful trailer.

Originally posted on patty.vox.com

On Vox: The Water Lily Bloomed This Weekend

2009-07-20T06:13:07Z

I was concerned that the water lilies I put in the garden this year wouldn't make it. Instead one of them has bloomed.

blooming water lily 2

The rest of the yard is blooming too.

Originally posted on patty.vox.com

On Vox: QotD: Dream Vacations

2009-07-16T02:16:37Z

What vacations would you most like to take in the next five years?
Presented by Intel, Sponsors of Tomorrow.

Five years? Oh that's too long to wait! But here's my list of places, that I haven't been to, but still want to visit someday.

Thailand

Bhutan

Greece

Ireland

Bali

New Zealand

Originally posted on patty.vox.com

On Vox: At Or Near The Best Meal Ever

2009-07-07T16:19:56Z

I'm in Paris as some of you are aware. Paris is wonderful. How could it not be? Photos and commentary coming later. But today...well today, I might have had the best meal I've ever eatten. If it wasn't, it was close. Mark and I went to Taillevent for lunch. I don't recall all the wine pairings, but will add them later but for now, enjoy the courses with us.

First. I didn't get a photo of the scrumptous little cheese fritter bites or the bread. Suffice it to say both were amazing. The temperature of the fritters was warm and perfect.

Then came the Gazbacho with mustard ice cream. It had itty bitty little crispy crunchie croutons in it and was chiled to perfection. Next came crab with thinly sliced radishes and a basil lemon sauce. Served at just above room temperature. Note the tiny dots of basil sauce all around the dish. Perfection!

gazpacho with mustard ice cream

fresh crab with thinly sliced radish red pepper paprika

Then came the lobster with a sweet vanilla gelee and mango chutney. Oh my my my. Followed by a wheat berry risotto with tiny chanterelles and some sauce that was divine. Then came a (grilled, baked?) fillet of red snapper with a tomato confit and a stick of mashed potato that was crispy on the outside and smooth and creamy on the inside. Off to the side of that was a sprig of dill with a baked (?) leaf of basil.

lobster with vanilla gelee

wheat berry risotto with tiny chanerelle mushrooms

red snapper tomato compote potato stick dill basil

Next, (es, there's more in the chef's tasting menu) came duck with black cherries roasted on a spear made from a vanilla bean with fresh almonds and more basil garnish, this time it looked like the herb had been put on the plate with an airbrush or something. The sauce had a vanilla edge to it as well, carrying the themes of the seasonal market goodies through the meal. Yes, it was beyond good, beyond great and had moved into an art form worthy of salivation, respect, awe and many "ooo la la la"s.

roast duck cherroes grilled on vanilla bean almond basil

Next came a shephard's cheese (goat?) heavenly thingie with a cherry topping, fresh baby leaves of argula, dusted with pepper and garnished with a chip/cookie/toast morsel.

shephards cheese, black cherries argula, pepper, chip

Lastly, but certainly no after-thought, came the desserts. First a lychee mousse with raspberry and some wonderful crispy sweet piece on top. Mark's quote after one bite of this was "I've never had anything this good in my life" followed by "I could die now". But there was no need for an early demise, because next there was the three layers of chocolate lovliness to follow. A mousse in the middle, a crispy sweet crust on the bottom and a spun crown of chocolate candy on top. Oh and don't forget a little gold leaf for color!

As if that was not enough, there was a plate of more desserts offered "just in case" which contained a peanut, pistachio nut square, a raspberry macaroon (my first), a cookie crispy bit, a chocolate cup with a wedge of something that looked like an ivory colored chinese sail with green leaves embossed on it but tasted like white chocolate cream with mint and three raspberries in a little tart.

And this doesn't yet talk about the wines...magnifique!

dining companions

Originally posted on patty.vox.com

On Vox: Head Swap!

2009-06-26T08:36:09Z

I don't really like Jimmy Fallon, but this is just too weird for me not to like. Besides, I can't sleep. But it's funny regardless of the hour. Don't you think? Okay, maybe not. Head Swap!

Originally posted on patty.vox.com

On Vox: Precious Moments Each

2009-06-03T00:43:32Z

sunshine on aging apples

"We inhabit ourselves without valuing ourselves, unable to see that here, now, this very moment is sacred; but once it's gone, its value is incontestable. "

Joyce Carol Oates

Originally posted on patty.vox.com

On Vox: Bringing Back 80's Music Friday

2009-05-23T05:56:11Z

I haven't done one of these 80's Music Flashback posts in a very long time, but this song came up today in the shuffle and it made me want to see the video.

I'm going to my 25th college reunion this summer and have volunteered to reprieve my former role as a DJ at KRLX campus radio. I had the most eclectic play list imaginable on my Friday night 10 pm to midnight show: Hall & Oates, Rick James, Gordon Lightfoot, the Replacements, Prince, Billy Idol, Cat Stevens, the Gap Band, Elvis Costello, Diana Ross & the Supreme's, Ian Dury and the Blockheads, the Time, Steve Miller, Patrice Rushun...

Oh my, the mix was a mess on paper, but I think it worked on the air. But who knows, that was 1980-81 and no one gave a shit about a "format". Ronald Reagan had been elected President my freshman year and we kids at the college where Paul Wellstone was a ramble-rousing political science professor, just wanted to listen to some good music on a Friday night out there in the corn fields of Northfield Minnesota. It didn't matter one bit that the songs or the artists didn't really fit together and that only a handful of people were listening.

I've not been to one of the reunions yet, but I imagine I'll find that some of us still hold on to that heart of glass.

Blondie: Heart of Glass Video (1979?)

Once I had a love and it was a gas
Soon turned out had a heart of glass
Seemed like the real thing, only to find
Mucho mistrust, love's gone behind
Once I had a love and it was divine
Soon found out I was losing my mind
It seemed like the real thing but I was so blind
Mucho mistrust, love's gone behind

In between
What I find is pleasing and I'm feeling fine
Love is so confusing there's no peace of mind
If I fear I'm losing you it's just no good
You teasing like you do

Lost inside
Adorable illusion and I cannot hide
I'm the one you're using, please don't push me aside
We could've made it cruising, yeah

Yeah, riding high on love's true bluish light

Once I had a love and it was a gas
Soon turned out I had a heart of glass
Soon turned out to be a pain in the ass
Seemed like the real thing only to find
Mucho mistrust, love's gone behind

Originally posted on patty.vox.com

On Vox: QotD: It's My Party...

2009-05-23T03:12:36Z

Question of the Day: Which of your birthday parties was your favorite one?
Submitted by Jack Yan.

Me making a birthday wish, but who are these kids?

Given the unimaginable ~~trauma~~ surprise I got after my last birthday party this past January, I think that this question is better left unanswered.

Originally posted on patty.vox.com

On Vox: Happy (Belated) Mother's Day

2009-05-19T00:17:36Z

From SoftServeGirl's blog.

Originally posted on patty.vox.com

On Vox: Just Like A Woman

2009-05-17T02:46:00Z

I watched "I'm Not There" on Tivo tonight. Powerful acting by Heath Ledger, Christian Bale and Cate Blanchett, plus, it has one of my favorite qualities...amazing eye delighting visuals.

I'm Not There (Two-Disc Collector's Edition)

Nobody feels any pain
Tonight as I stand inside the rain
Ev'rybody knows
That Baby's got new clothes
But lately I see her ribbons and her bows
Have fallen from her curls.
She takes just like a woman, yes, she does
She makes love just like a woman, yes, she does
And she aches just like a woman
But she breaks just like a little girl.

Originally posted on patty.vox.com