favorite joke of 2007

A buddhist walks up to a hot dog vendor and says, "Make me one with everything."

Tip of the hat to NPR. Sorry, I don't know which show. They told a bunch of buddhist jokes, and I just loved that one.

Not turning Japanese

As you may know, Em left in the beginning of May to attend college in Tokyo. She finished her two years of community college ahead of time, (Mom says proudly). In August she came back over her break to attend her cousin Ben's wedding in Maine. We went, too. Emily wore a beautiful yukata, technically not a kimono, a less formal, summer garment. Besides our happy family, you can see Em's boyfriend, Brandon, who braved a full clan gathering for our first meeting. Of course, Jules had already vetted him.

Then we have Em in her Godzilla, I mean gojira kigurumi, or pajamas. They are commonly worn on the street, so it's not THAT weird she is wearing them on a train. Finally, a shot of Em hanging out in her dorm room in October, looking like a lovely, normal college student. More interesting perhaps, is that I pulled that shot off a Skype session we had. Skype lets us sit at our computers, talk like over the phone, and SEE each other, FOR FREE! It's wonderful. We just both need to be awake at the same time, and at least somewhat dressed.

Over her Christmas break (yes, she gets one), Em is meeting up with her friend Karen. They met online via livejournal like six years ago. Karen is from Australia, and is also studying in Japan this year, in Osaka. So they've had the chance to meet face-to-face, and hang out. There is a special train ticket available during winter break to college students called the seishun juuhachi kippu or the youth eighteen ticket. Basically it works as 5 day passes that do not have to be used consecutively that can be used to go from anywhere to anywhere in Japan. Karen and Em are planning to go to: Tokyo, Yokohama, Osaka, Nara, Kobe, Hiroshima, Kyoto, and Nagoya. Em will take her laptop and camera along. I'm looking forward to the pictures. Em has some very wonderful photo essays on her blog. If you don't know the address, nudge me.

What is the meaning of Christmas?

Spot and Matt have been spotted in their Christmas finery, with a spotted present!

Actually, the present is Spot's newest "squeak", the word used to describe all squeaking toys, even after they stop squeaking.

We adopted Spot from a shelter in Encinitis in August. He was scrawny, and feisty. He has calmed down a bit, though he is still definitely a guard dog, with the usual phobias about UPS deliverers. When we got him, he went wild every time he saw a wheeled vehicle: skateboards, strollers, wheelchairs, you name it. It is very embarassing to have your dog lunging for a wheelchair. He is much calmer now, and will content himself with a few low growls if the wheeled thing doesn't come too close.

Spot is a chihuahua/rat terrier mutt. He weighed nine pounds when we adopted him, and has bulked up to ten pounds now. He is happiest sleeping all day and night in a bed with a human. He and I have some issues around that, and he does get away with murder at times. He just graduated from Puppy Obedience II. Of course, the classes have more to do with owner obedience. Spot is very smart, and really likes to train and learn new behaviors--he was kind of the class star. Of course, most of his classmates were actual puppies. Spot is around two and a half years old, so he had an advantage. He would probably tell you he needs every advantage because he is so small. He does have a bit of a Napoleon complex.

Spot is Matt's dog, first and foremost. They take lots of walks together, and Spot loves to hang out in the kitchen while Matt cooks, saying the "drop-it" prayer over and over. (Sometimes, it works.) Spot thinks all this fuss this month with boxes and bags and moving furniture is just crazy. Just wait until all our guests start arriving!

Arizona highways and byways

We traveled to Sierra Vista, AZ for Thanksgiving. Here are just a few pix. That's Miller's Peak, in the Coronado National Forest on the right. Matt's uncle has a ranch there--this a view on the road to the ranch.

While there, we also visited Kartchner Caverns. It was my first visit to a cave. I was thrilled to see stalagmites and stalagtites and all the other wide variety of speleothems. I loved learning new vocabulary, too.

Aloha everyone!

Welcome back to the intermittent work in progress that is my annual Christmas blog/newsletter! I am sitting home in Ocean Beach, after a rather manical day of cookie making. I have one batch of almond spritz baked and in the freezer. The batter for a batch of chocolate crinkles is "resting" in the refrigerator. I work tomorrow. The plan is to be ready to make mudballs (dough rolled in confectioner's sugar) and bake them Sunday, after obediance class. (Please note: neither of these recipes are the exact same as mine. I am too lazy to type them all in. If you really want my recipes, comment or email, and I will get it to you when I can.) I am also hoping to have the energy to make brownies and shortbread on Sunday. Then I will have the baking for the work holiday party done--yeah!

Oh, I mentioned obedience classes. They are for us humans to learn how to interact with our new canine member of the family, Spot. Spot is a chihuahua/rat terrier mix. We adopted him from a shelter, where he was a "second chance" dog, in late August. Spot did need sme attitude adjustment, so we enrolled in classes at smrtdog. We all just graduated puppy obedience II. Spot is about 2 years old, but small (10 lbs.), so he gets classed with the puppies. It's ok with him--they are very silly, and he can easily run rings around them.

video test

stockings hung by the surfboards with care

Ok, I had to document my window village. The snow globes are always there, along with the Arab coffee pots, and well loved. Adding the Christmas tschotschkes and lights just took it completely over the top, I must admit. The swag of lights along our balconies with the also-beloved electric palm trees. The fiber optic Christmas tree is special, but nobody, nothing, nowhere, can beat the stockings hung by the surfboards with care.

Gorgeous babes

With their mom's permission, the latest editions in my family. Doesn't Great Aunt Lisle sound silly? Just what until they really get to know me--I also have permission to be their eccentric Great Auntie Lisle!

Dang, Blogger isn't letting me make it larger...when I have more time...