sundragon1964

05:56 pm: Bear Butte Basin Lookout
I went camping the last few days with some friends... a place I'd never been before now.  I'd heard a lot about it, and seen pictures, but wow....

My first view of the lookout tower.  We were so far away at that point.


This is a view of the actual lookout tower itself.  It was sort of a gnarly hike to it, so most of us slept in or near the cabin.


A view from the east side of the cabin:


We spent a lot of time hanging out in the shade.  Our little gay cabana!


I was struck by the changing colors over the mountain peaks....






Finally, a photo of the bunch of us:

09:28 pm: In case you didn't want to type the addy, I'm posting this again.  Cool song!

07:46 pm: Ketchup
Took this pic of one of my favorite flowers... Papaver somniferum.

I'm listening to Some Girls by The Rolling Stones. At the risk of copyright infringement, I'm posting one of the best album covers ever! Sorry Marilyn, Lucille, Jayne, Liza, Farrah, and Raquel...but I've the original.

10:25 pm: Dreams, Again.
Last night, I had a recurring dream, but with a twist.

I was surrounded by people, most of them family.  My sister-in-law, who I've only seen once in the last few years, had moved to San Francisco with her kids (my brother Keith is deceased).  She'd moved away from her current husband, who I think is a dick.  I don't know that for sure, but I'm pretty sure.

My sis-in-law was living in a flat a couple of stories up off the street.  We had just come back from a dinner together, in a limousine (!).  Family members were doing their own thing, we seemed to be getting ready for a big trip somewhere the next morning, but no one would lift a hand.  They were too busy socializing, watching t.v., etc.  So I decided to take a walk.

I went down the stairs to Van Ness, and was walking amongst the noise, the people, and the dirty sidewalk when I realized that I was barefoot.  I realized that I'd left my shoes and socks somewhere...the restaurant, the limo...but that I'd get them back in time.  Just a phone call or two.  In the meantime, I put on roller skates.

Across the street, I saw the Ex.  He was on his way somewhere, and saw me too.  He kept going, and I kept trying to skate.  I was pretty good at skating up and down the sidewalk, but curbs and steps gave me a hard time.  I went up to see the family that was gathered a couple of times.  They were hanging together, and my Mom and grandpa had joined them.  They were still visiting and watching t.v.  So I skated my way back downstairs, managing to avoid the stairs, only falling down a couple of times.

When I was back outside, I ran into the Ex again.  This time he talked to me, and let me know that things were now cool.  It was uncomfortable at first, but I invited him inside to say hello to the family again.  But Mom barely acknowledged him, and when she did, it was with cool politeness.

While the Ex was upstairs saying "hi", I figured out, on one of the landings, how to do some cool moves with the roller skates!

The dream ended with me punching an elevator button, ushering people onto an elevator, seeing them off, and still trying to avoid the stairs.  I still had the roller skates on!

What does it all mean, Gentle Reader?

03:46 pm: I've been lounging around today. Watered the veggie patch, puttered in the yard, listened to some talk radio and some music.

Still feeling the newness of Facebook; I've heard from people that I haven't heard from in years. It was nice to find N., she used to work where I do. I miss her, she's so funny. So far I've just been posting and commenting. Haven't gotten to all the bells and whistles yet, but I've gotten reconnected to many of my nieces and nephews.

I've decided to bbq a pork roast on the Weber this afternoon. I use the indirect method, same as for a whole chicken -- coals on both sides of the grill, flanking a foil drip pan. Seasoned the pork with "Sheepherder's Salt", something my sister Leanne whips up.

11:57 pm: Face Book
So, at the urging of family members, I registered with FaceBook.

You can find me if you know my last name. If you don't, then it sucks to be you.

11:39 pm: One more thing....
"Yo sigo tratando, y esperando a que llegue la via!"

A line from El Gran Combo.

09:45 pm: A questionare, courtesy of D_Guy.

1. You can ONLY answer 'Yes' or 'No'.

2. You are NOT ALLOWED to explain ANYTHING unless someone messages or comments you and asks—and, believe me, the temptation to explain some of these will be overwhelming. Nothing is exactly as it seems.


Kissed any one of your LiveJournal friends? — yes
Been arrested? — no
Kissed someone you didn't like? — yes
Slept in until 5 PM? — No
Fallen asleep at work/school? — Yes
Held a snake? — yes
Ran a red light? — yes
Been suspended from school? — no
Experienced love at first sight? — yes
Totaled your car in an accident? — Yes
Been fired from a job? — No
Sung karaoke? — no
Pointed a gun at someone? — Yes
Did something you told yourself you wouldn't? — yes
Laughed until something you were drinking came out your nose? — yes
Caught a snowflake on your tongue? — yes
Kissed in the rain? — yes
Had a close brush with death (your own)? — Yes
Saw someone die? — no
Played Spin-the-Bottle? — yes
Smoked a cigar? — yes
Sat on a rooftop? — yes
Smuggled something into another country? — No
Been pushed into a pool with all your clothes? — No
Broken a bone? — Yes
Skipped school? — No
Eaten a bug? — No
Sleepwalked? — No
Walked on a moonlit beach? — yes
Ridden a motorcycle? — yes
Dumped someone? — yes
Forgotten your anniversary? — Yes
Lied to avoid a ticket? — No
Ridden in a helicopter? — no
Shaved your head? — No
Blacked out from drinking? — yes
Played a prank on someone? — yes
Hit a home run? — Yes
Felt like killing someone? — yes
Cross-dressed? — Yes
Been falling-down drunk? — yes
Made your girlfriend/boyfriend cry? — yes
Eaten snake? — No
Marched/Protested? — Yes
Had Mexican jumping beans for pets? — yes
Puked on an amusement ride? — No
Seriously & intentionally boycotted something? — yes
Been in a band? — Yes
Knitted? — No
Been on TV? — yes
Shot a gun? — yes
Skinny-dipped? — yes
Given someone stitches? — No
Eaten a whole habenero pepper? — no
Ridden a surfboard? — no
Drunk straight from a liquor bottle? — yes
Had surgery? — Yes
Streaked? — yes
Been taken by ambulance to a hospital? — No
Tripped on mushrooms? — No
Passed out when NOT drinking? — Yes
Peed on a bush? — yes
Donated Blood? — Yes
Grabbed electric fence? — yes
Eaten alligator meat? -- Yes
Eaten cheesecake? — yes
Killed an animal when not hunting? — yes
Peed your pants in public? — yes
Snuck into a movie without paying? -- yes
Written graffiti? — No
Still love someone you shouldn't? — Yes
Think about the future? — yes
Been in handcuffs? — No
Believe in love? — yes
Sleep on a certain side of the bed? — yes

09:07 pm: I've been listening to some early '90 songs...Bell Biv Devoe, George Michael, etc.

I think Courtenay B. Vance had a hit song back then..."Because I Love You". He acts on Law and Order now, the "S.V.U." show.

Don't forget to wiggle it...
just a little bit.

And by the way, Got no flowers for your gun, no Hippy Chick.

09:45 am: Trip to Utah, Pt. 3
I saw Bald Eagles, east of Park City. Park City is where the Sundance Film Festival takes place. Went to a dive bar there with my sis and sis-in-law.

The eagles were nesting on top of telephone/power poles. Like, there'd be this big straight pole, and on top, a great big bird nest.

09:09 pm: Trip to Utah, Pt. 2
While hanging out with my family and their friends in Salt Lake City, I found out the following:

One of my sister Gail's good friends (Michelle), has a brother that acts on "General Hospital". He plays a doctor named Matt Hunter. Go, Gentle Reader, and check it out for yourself.

http://abc.go.com/daytime/generalhospital/index?pn=bios#t=actor&d=165840

Michelle is a warm, friendly woman. I like her a lot.

09:43 pm: Trip to Utah, Pt. 1
Note to self:

If you're traveling with someone of a certain age (above 70), please make sure he or she isn't packing a pocket knife or two before being accosted at the security checkpoint.

More news at 11.

07:38 pm: F*** You Very Much
My friend Michael sent me this. Seeing as how the CA Supreme Court will be issuing their decision on Proposition 8 next Tuesday, and given my recent run-ins with people from the LDS church recently (I've been polite, Gentle Reader), and an upcoming trip to Salt Lake City, it felt somehow appropriate and it made me laugh. Check it. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UV26OMSb_VQ

11:07 pm: Jerry Springah in da' hood
The next door neighbors were having a big...um, discussion tonight. Lots of yelling, crying, quiet moments, and then more yelling. There was an older woman staying with them, probably a mother or mother-in-law...depends on how one looks at it.

Anyway, the older woman kept reminding the boy/husband/dad that she had "turned 50 years old!" Then more yellings... But I clearly heard her yell, "I WAS CHEATING ON HIS FIANCEE!"

Now, go figure that one out.

God, I'm such a Gladys Kravitz.

08:49 pm: The Big Nose
I was watching "Cops" tonight, and one of the officers was really quite appealing to me. Then I realized that he had a big nose, and a lightbulb popped on inside me head.

That is all.

08:13 pm: Lazy Day
I woke up this a.m., and it was raining...no, drizzling. Sort of a sad, steady, light rain.

The weather did that most of the day, then the sun came out around 4 p.m.

I spent most of the day reading...some fiction, plus "Insects of the Pacific Northwest", and "The Illustrated Encyclopedia of the Animal Kingdom".

That's my post. MMmHmm.

09:38 pm: Yummy Soup
Butternut Squash Soup with Ginger and Maple syrup



1 Butternut Squash, peeled, scooped and cut into 1" piecs

3 1/2 cups chicken broth

1 large onion, chopped

1 Tbls all purpose flour

1 tsp. (or more) finely minced ginger

1 1/2 Tbls butter or margarine

Pinch of allspice

Pinch of nutmeg

1 cup of cream



Melt butter in a 3 -4 quart sauce pan. Add onion and cook, stirring until the onion is tender (but not browned). Stir in 1 Tbl. flour thoroughly, using a wooden spoon. Graduallly add 1 cup of the stock, stirring vigorously until the mixture is well-blended and smooth. Add the ginger, nutmeg, and allspice. Add the squash pieces and the rest of the the stock. Bring to a boil, then simmer for 20-30 minutes, or until squash is tender and easily pierced. Puree the mixture in a blender or food processer. Return puree to sauce pan, strir in the cream until well mixed and heat until pipng hot (but not boiling). Ladle about 1 Tbl maple syrup into the bottom of each bowl, and ladle about 2 scoops of the soup over the syrup. Serves about 6.

Oh, and i like to reserve a little cream for each serving, just a drop or two on top. Just so it looks pretty. A little green garnish on the side, too.

08:45 am: A Question
Why do grey hairs grow faster than all the regular hairs?

09:57 pm: Some pics from the garden
I've been down with a cold.  Feeling better now, but we're in the midst of a Really Big Sale at work, so I only have one day off (tomorrow).  The worst part of the cold was the achiness.  And I had a headache that just wouldn't go away.  And no, it wasn't Swine Flu.

While I was recuperating on Monday, I took some pics of the yard.


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09:02 pm: Hello, out there.

It's been crazy busy at work.  I'm not sure what's going on, but we've been as busy during an off-sale period as we've been during big sales.  Tuesday afternoons are the worst, as we're down to 5 people after 4 o'clock, to ring people up, answer phones, answer questions, load bags of soil, steer shit, chicken shit, compost... and still try to sell people on the latest plant or the latest fertilizer.  Or the newest pesticide to kill things.  After starting my veggie bed, and having some of my plant starts eaten by some nighttime forager, I'm ready to kill some things too.

Who has time to clean?

Yesterday I celebrated April 20th by myself, until a friend and his boy-du-jour stopped by.  I was sort of surprised, yet embarassed by the state of my domicile, 'cuz...well, I ain't cleaned it in a while.  Fortunately, I was already outside, so I welcomed them to my garden, made it clear that I wasn't inviting them inside, and we walked around the yard, and looked at plants, and what I've done to plant a vegetable bed.  My friend was celebrating the holiday, a high holy holiday.  I'm a big fan of calling before dropping in.  Always grateful for the drop-in, but if ya love me, call first.  Anyway, that's what I would do.  Is that rude?

Drunk Dialing is up in the air.  But that's just me.

I need a maid.

Took this pic a couple of weeks ago, and messed with it a bit.  It was one big ol' moon!