My Self

This is a shadow of my former self (this past weekend).

I was not chosen to move to the second stage of interviews. My mother's voice rings in my head, though I can't recall the exact words, it's something like 'I guess it wasn't meant to be. Something else will come along.' I'm glad it's there, and I'm sure it's true, but I must acknowledge that I am disheartened, demoralized, and generally sad.

It's the first bite I've had in 8 months. Yes, it's good to have had a bite in this economy. But I guess I never thought I would be impacted like all those other people. Ha! I am indeed like other people.

So, I keep looking.

Not a Rhetorical Question

Would you use a condom branded with the rock band Kiss with Gene Simmons' tongue unfurled? (no, not the package, the actually condom itself)

Nosferatu and Organs

M and I went last night to see Nosferatu at the California Theater in San Jose. What an amazing place. The guy who played the organ had created the score for the film (at least the one he played that night) based on a small piece that had survived. I had never seen Nosferatu and the fact that it was accompanied by this grand grand organ (Wurlizter console) was amazing. The guy who played (Dennis James) is pretty much the top organist in the world (ok, so he said that - here's his bio) and has played all over the world and he says this venue is the best - the best organ and sound (I'm not sure they are able to be separated). He said it's a less frequent experience - he used to play at least 140 shows in a year, and now it's down to 32-ish. (a show is accompanying a silent film - most are 4-5 hours long while this was 1.5). Apparently Packard the billionaire likes such shows so he gets called in to play periodically.

When we went to get a closer look we started speaking with the older man - the one pointing. He is Edward Millicent Stout III, who restores old organs and I believe restored this one. Knows his stuff for sure, and loves it and loves to talk about it. The usher was supposed to get us all out of the theater but didn't have the heart to stop him speaking. He went into much detail about how they are made, how they are played (demonstrated the various sounds that can come out, including chimes, drums, etc, the deep bass that rumbles your stomach..), the history of that organ, the tear down of the Fox Theater in San Francisco (he spat out the name of the mayor who ordered it torn down) [apparently the Fox Theater had a 140 foot high ceiling while this one has a 40 ft one - so it was VERY grand ), etc..

Anyway, it was a great evening. But I've always loved organs anyway...

Edward Millicent Stout, III can be seen in this video: San Francisco Pipe Organ Encounter 2005

Earthquake and Tsunami

Well well. Exciting events here. Tsunami warning. Thankfully it's low tide, so likely there will not be much impact. The only way we knew about it was because a friend from the East coast called. Then we turn on the news and find out what's happened.

Billy is very concerned about the tsunami warning.


Then finally checked my gmail, and turns out my brother was at Narita airport when the quake struck.

At approximately 2:40PM local time the Airlines Lounge floor felt like it started to sway. It was the "typical" -is this an earthquake- type response from most folks ... for about 30 seconds anyway. It just ramped up from there for about the next 4-5 minutes (eternity?). The world continued to shake for every bit of 30 minutes. Note: It continues to shake as I write this and it is 9 hours after the initial jolt. We were evacuated on to the tarmac about 45 minutes into the episode and stayed there for about an hour. We (maybe 500-700 folks) were then allowed back in to the downstairs only part and kept there for about 5 hours or so. The airports' emergency "feed the people plan" was bottled water and Ritz crackers - really.

So, he won the lottery! Very glad he's ok...

Crazy times.

Here fishy fishy fishy...

Tonight I got one of my Christmas presents. A cooking class - how to cook fish! It's one thing I've always been insecure about. Now, one class will not make me a master chef, but it was really good to do. And it was a hoity toity one, so I got to eat all the fish, and have a glass of wine. Mmmm....

en papillote (in a bag - really parchment paper)

plebian en papillote

Brown butter sauce

Poaching

The party favor. (very very sharp knives we used)

Action Packed

The interview went well, and we'll see if they pick me to continue to round 2. I think I will get to that point, but I could be surprised. It's all making me think...

After the interview I drove to a motel, so I could get up early and go skiing. It was a really cute family run business with a neat back garden/yard area. Though with a few freaky things, below.

Bones


Oh deer.


It just so happened, as often happens to me, that nearby was a thrift store. They just are attracted to me! I went in and found these below - a Video disc the size of a record album. I had never ever seen them before. I almost bought one, but figured I could just take a photo instead.

A star is born

They also had a bunch of 45's, and I bought a Sesame Street one because it had an accompanying book, and I thought it was really interesting. And for 25 cents, why not?

I went skiing by myself and tried to challenge myself. I got on a couple black diamond runs. The photo below is at the top of a real one. Stand on that edge, and it's almost a vertical drop down below. !!! But I didn't die.
The edge


I got back later than expected, and then we went out yesterday evening to the Banff Film festival, which was great. So, I was a bit tired and migraine-y this morning, but took it easy since I can (only working half time) and all seems to be well.

I know, sorry, I have to catch up with people's blogs...

Howdy ho

So, I'm collecting some miles tomorrow and Thursday - off to Chicago for work. 36 hours I think? I'm trying to find the line between being paid for my time and being a professional. I guess I charge for only the time we're meeting? I'll ask M. I'm hoping I don't get sick/not getting sick. M has been sick with various things, and I hope I don't get it now, but I feel something!

I guess some exciting news is that I have an interview on Friday. Getting an interview makes me feel validated. I'm not sure I want the job, but I'm glad to be having an interview for sure, and I will find out more when I'm there. Thing is, I might be bored to tears and stressed out by it at the same time. If I get offered the job, it will mean a bunch of decisions. But we'll cross that bridge when we get to it.

I think I might go take a nap. The glories of working from home half time. But, really, it's to stave off sickness. Really! My throat hurts!

Oh, btw, watched 28 days (later?) finally. Really good zombie movie if you haven't watched it. Fast zombies and not slow zombies.