Boxers

Friday me and George made plans to get Mom's birthday gift. I had a couple of doctor's appointments in the morning. So when I was done we had the following text conversation:

G: Where were you thinking of looking?
J: Don't know prob Fashion Show?
G: Sounds good. Want to meet there?
J: Sure what time?
G: I am ready I can start heading that way.
J: Okay so give me 30 min I guess.
G: Ok :)
G: Just making a quick stop
J: Okay I'm at Nordstrom.
G: Ok just parked coming up to Nordstrom's
G: On the 3rd floor
J: Okay I'll come up
G: Meet you on 2

And we were there. It's funny how often we converge on Nordstrom, give each other a bro hug and then exit to shop elsewhere. Like it's a bus terminal.

We walked out into the mall and looked around. Lunch? Yeah okay. Chipotle? Sure. We took the escalator down one floor to Chipotle. As we ate giant burritos, I suggested maybe a gift card for Mom at the Walking Company. She stands all day at work. She needs some good quality comfortable shoes. We could make it a good size gift card so she can get whatever she wants and still have some left over. Post burritos, we head out of Chipotle and make a right into the Walking Company. Done and done.
Now what? Apple Store? Of course. We look around then come out. Then we spot a new Coffee Bean and Tea Leaf kiosk that wasn't there before. Now I'm really excited. Red Velvet hot cocoa! I got my cocoa and we kept walking. I had to scramble to keep up with George. You're my favorite shopping partner Goob, I tell him. But you walk too damn fast! We moved in and out of places. We looked at the really expensive watches he likes, and marveled at the tininess of the clothes in Top Shop. We browsed Kate Spade. George tells me that since he hangs out with me so much and has learned about purses, he knows all about how much certain ones would cost when they get reported stolen. His fellow cops make fun of him for knowing that. "My sister likes purses," he tells them.

We tried to think of what to get Mom for Christmas. We've both taken care of Dad already. Eh, there's still time, we agree, and continue to stroll around without purpose. George has to play softball later, but in the meantime he wants to move on to the Forum Shops at Caesar's. We get our cars and drive the couple of miles behind the Strip to Caesar's parking garage and without any coordination whatsoever we end up parking a few spaces away from each other. We walk around pointing at things and saying, that's new, or was that here before? We have to go in here. Let me show you something I saw in there. We stop into the Nike Store. There is a really cool display of mannequins for each of the 30 teams in the NFL complete with uniforms, pads and helmets. I walk up to the representative of the New York Giants, Justin Tuck (#91), and shake his hand.

We stop in to Field of Dreams. The famous boxer Leon Spinks is in there autographing things for paying customers. We look at some other sports stuff, Star Wars and Harry Potter memorabilia. I can hear Mr. Spinks speaking to fans. He seems to have some difficulty. Poor guy probably has brain damage from all the years getting hit in the head, we nod sadly.  As we leave, I wave to him and he waves back smiling.

We peek into the new Bendel's that just opened a week ago. The shopgirl asks where we're visiting from. We live here, we say automatically. Oh, first time at Bendel's? We saw the one at Fashion Show. The girl points out the design of this (slightly) newer store. It's a little bigger. The displays are more similar to the ones in the famous New York flagship.  There is a large framed picture of the original which I point out to George. As we look around the girl follows us still making conversation. So what are you guys up to after this? I have to play softball. Oh sounds fun. What about you? I have to clean the turtle tank. Stop complaining about the turtles. I love the turtles, I just haaaate cleaning up after them. The girl, by now, must be sorry she asked.

We pass a bunch more stores we already saw at Fashion Show. But we can't help but step into Kate Spade again. I'm just so drawn to the color! George says. I take out the discount coupon in my purse. It expires today! I better use it. I zero in on a sparkly little coin purse. A little present for me, I say as we leave. Later we go to Vosges and buy a chocolate bacon bar to split. We find a bench to sit down. As I open the candy bar, I slowly peel back the wrapper like in Willy Wonka. No golden ticket. I bet the golden ticket makes the chocolate taste terrible, George says, quoting. We then begin singing the golden ticket song as I break off little pieces to split between us.

We get up and start heading back to our cars. Wait, did we do what we meant to do? George asks. Let's see, I begin counting on my fingers. We had lunch, we got Mom's gift card, I had Red Velvet hot cocoa, we met Justin Tuck, Leon Spinks waved at me, I got a little present, we ate bacon chocolate...I think we're good.

Back up to Caesar's parking, we bro hug, George reminds me to text so he knows I got home safe, and we head off on our separate ways. Perhaps not the most exciting itinerary to some. But a perfect day to me.

Reader Meet Author

I thought I'd talk about some of the books I've been reading lately.  I saw my therapist today and I remarked how I often talk to her about what I'm reading or what happened on 30 Rock or what the Mets did, and that this was probably not the best way to use the session. I actually said to her one time, "If I start giving you a summary of a 30 Rock episode during the next hour, please stop me." Come to think of it, on more than one occasion, I've sat down in her office and declared that I was not going to talk about X or Y, trying to stay on task.  I guess it's just that I don't really have anyone else to talk to about this stuff here. But I digress.

I just finished reading the memoir by Rachel Dratch called, "Girl Walks into a Bar..." In it she talks briefly about her time on SNL, and some of  the ups and downs of her career, and then at length about her dating life, and how she unexpectedly got pregnant and had a baby at age 43.  It was very well written and enjoyable. As much as she has ended up being (by her own admission) a marginal comic actress (one person who asked what I was reading said "Rachel who?" I had to explain that she was on SNL at the same time as Tina Fey and Amy Poehler), she is really, really funny, a great story teller, and I ended up liking her very much. Some of what she talked about was the pressure on women in their 40s who have never married. Something I can definitely relate to. She always had the worry in the back of her mind that she might never have a child. That's not a worry of mine, I don't really mind not having children, but I get the whole thing about not finding the right guy and feeling like time is running out. Rachel ends up having a child with a man she's only known a few months, and she did not get that full fairytale ending. While the guy is very involved with the child, he and Rachel never really figured out what they were as a couple. And she's only mostly okay with that. She's grateful for her son, as that's more than she ever thought she'd get, but is still a bit sad too, and not afraid to say it. It just struck me as so real. Things don't wrap up neatly in the end all the time. Or even most of the time.

Speaking of Tina Fey, I also recently read her memoir, "Bossypants." I like how the cover has a quote on it saying, "Totally worth it" - Trees  The irony was not lost on me, as I read it on my Kindle. Tina is the epitome of self-deprecation. In this collection of essays she, like Rachel, talks about her life and career in a way that lets you see that she really earned it, but allows for the fact that she was also very lucky. She's eminently likable, and still so funny and smart you want to be jealous, but you can't.

It's just a total coincidence that I read these two books in relatively close succession. It was really interesting to see two sides of the story (Rachel had originally been cast as a regular on 30 Rock, but was replaced after the pilot with Jane Krakowski). Hearing Tina, the creator of 30 Rock, and then Rachel, Tina's long time friend and colleague from Second City and SNL, talk about what happened during that time was inspiring to me. Because the media made it out like Tina had betrayed Rachel and Rachel was angry with Tina over it, but they both showed the same rare combination of honesty and professionalism.  No one blamed anyone. In the end, it was just about how the show was developing, and how there were a lot of other people whose opinions mattered and went into the decision. It wasn't like one said they were more right than the other. They just described how it was in their own experiences, like the classy, intelligent and talented ladies they are. Each of their stories touched only briefly on that episode, mostly because people continue to ask them about it. They both went on to show how much more there is to them than the names and faces people recognize on TV.

Before that I read yet another memoir, "Is Everyone Hanging Out Without Me?" by Mindy Kaling, who writes, acts in, and produces The Office. Mindy's book was more of a mixed bag. Framed somewhat as an advice column, it also gave the background story of how Mindy became a writer/performer. I came out of it with a mostly positive feeling about her. Especially since the character she plays on the Office is so annoying. It's good to know that's not really her. At the same time, she struck me as somewhat, I don't know, like maybe more of a snarky brat. She describes her experiences with humor, but sometimes it seems like she's missing her own point.

Going back further, I read Kristin Hersh's memoir, "Rat Girl." Kristin's book reads like you are in her mind, going with the flow, just watching how it works, and it's weird and wonderful. She writes about being bi-polar, not in a direct way, but in a way that allows her to reveal herself in layers as many things, not just bi-polar, not just an enigmatic yet successful musician, but as a whole person who happens to see the world unlike anyone else.  Kristin, several of whose songs provide titles for my blog entries as well as this blog itself, is perhaps a bit of a patron saint to me. I have met her in person several times after concerts, but in reading her book, it's like I know her more than ever. And I'm glad to have finally made her acquaintance.

Looking at my Kindle library, I realize there are a lot of memoirs. Next up is R.A. Dickey's "Wherever I Wind Up." Add to the list Fred Stoller's "My Seinfeld Year," Elna Baker's "The New York Regional Mormon Singles Halloween Dance," Crystal Renn's "Hungry," Valerie Plame's "Fair Game," and Ron Darling's "The Complete Game" and one might wonder if I ever read fiction anymore.

I do of course. Some recent standouts include Chad Harbach's "The Art of Fielding," Jennifer Egan's "A Visit from the Goon Squad," and Tom Rachman's "The Imperfectionists." Looking at this list, I can see that the Kindle has encouraged me to read more books, take a chance on some I may not have read otherwise. I think just the ease of thinking 'I want to read that,' and then having it in front of you in two minutes takes away a lot of that dithering I'd do in bookshops, turning the book over in my hands, weighing it, feeling it as an object and wondering if I should take it home, or if it might just sit there unread. Not that there's not value in that too. I think books are wonderful objects, which is perhaps evidenced by the fact that I have bookshelves in every room of my house. I'm just more selective than ever in what books I bring home, because there is only a finite amount of space to store/display them all. At the Borders Going out of Business sale just before Christmas, I picked up a handful of books, the best of which was Brady Udall's "The Lonely Polygamist." And I think that's probably the best overall book I've read in the last year. Sometimes it takes a certain circumstance to bring a book to you. Whatever it is, we must then invite them in and let them live in us. Some stay longer than others.

Much like my reading list, in my own writing, I still tend to lean towards memoir, but I'm also thinking lately that I shouldn't be so afraid of fiction. I used to be able to do it. I'm experimenting here and there. But I think it's time to start experimenting towards something instead of just around it.

You're the One for Me, Fatty

Apparently, Jemma has a boyfriend in SL now. Which leads me to believe one thing: Egyptian guys dig fat chicks. Okay, I kid. But it's a funny story, and not really one that has to do with the picture of poor fat Miracle above. But I may get to her later. So I went roaming around last night in this place that described itself as Main Street New York, and seemed more a comglomerate of many downtowns from cities all over. I saw a few people wandering around. Then in one store (at least I think it was a store), I met this guy who said he was from Egypt, but lived in Saudi Arabia. At least this one spoke English. His name was Mohammed, but he goes by Moha. He asked to be my friend and I told him I was going to walk around some more and he could come if he wanted. He followed me for a bit, and kept asking if I wanted to go somplace called Epica. We teleported there and it appeared to be a beach area for surfing and other water sports. I spotted a canoe. I decided I'd come back to try that later. Moha did not seem to want to do any water sports. He just wanted to sit on the beach with me. There were some animation rez balls that allowed for a couple to cuddle and kiss. I guess he had come here before to do this, I don't know. The thing that cracked me up was that he kept saying that he felt really close to me, like even seconds after we met. I was like, "Yeah, you are taking this too seriously. We just met." But he was in a hurry, and soon after we arrived in Epica, he wanted me to come back to his house. I was just curious to see what someone else's house looked like, so we teleported there. Once we were there, he said something like, "Now you are the queen of this place." You can feel free to do whatever. He had a nice sofa arrangment with cushions on the floor. But before I couild sit down, he said, "You can see upstairs too." So we went upstairs and found some more scattered furniture, including a big round bed. It was one of those beds I had seen so many of when I was shopping for the bed at my place. It came with all sorts of sex animations you could do. At the time I had wondered why all the beds seemed to come with these. Doesn't anyone in SL use their bed just to sleep? Apparently, not so much. I mean, obviously, if you were just going to sleep, you would quit SL and go offline. But I always like to put Jemma to bed before I log off. Then when I come back, I find her on the bed, like she's just waking up. Anyway, Moha invited me to try it out. It was fairly amusing. But I tried the canoe today, and got such a kick out of it! It reminded me of the old days in spinchat with Skip and Jazzie. Space Canoe ride anyone? :)

Alma Matters

Warning: Cliches to come, fast and in great numbers...

So the High School Reunion has come and gone. We made it through, Hina, Melissa, Andra, Sue and I. We're not so sure about Gerry. We worry about Gerry.

But overall it was good; it was okay. To see people you knew when you were in 1st or 2nd grade. To see how they have changed and that they haven't changed. And to see if they think you've changed and if so for better or worse? Yeah, all that stuff.

Who was too good (read too busy and successful) to come back to old BHS? Who did we hope to see? Who did we not want to see? In the end it was the core, those close friends you had, the ones you were delighted to be back in touch with via Facebook, that you stayed with most of the time anyway. And the rest, were a curiosity. Life did go on for them after you knew them, and it turned out pretty decent. Not great, not fantastic, but good, just like with you. The Ups and Downs. Check. Weight gain, check. Ill health, check. Those who still irritatingly look fantastic, check again. And there I was not sure where I fell. Somewhere in between I suspect.

It took a lot of energy. There were some awkward moments: one person's response to the fact that I have no family of my own: "Oh, that's okay." Yeah. So, in another 20 years, where will we all be? Who knows? But it'll go by just like *that*.

Hold On to Your Friends

My friend Jasmine was in town visiting last weekend. I hadn't seen her in two years since we met in London. Of course we go back much further than that. About 8 years via online chats and emails. I've known her longer than anyone here in Vegas, or in Utah where I was before this. Or even in California before that. But I've spent less than 24 hours physically in her company. This time was the longest. A whole day zipping around Vegas in MINIfir with her and her mum. It was a good time, but I was exhausted afterwards. I think it was because it's been a long time since I'd done so much talking! And we did take a very long walk in search of some frozen custard. Totally worth it by the way.

And she is just adorable and so sweet. And to think she's stuck with me all these years instead of slinking away when she got bored like so many others. It's pretty easy to disappear. Especially when you have a head start of about 5000 miles.

We talked about Skip of course. The third member of our little club. The one who never wants to see us at all. A fact Jazzie and I have learned to accept. Sort of.

Still I hold dear our times together. The three of us. And just Jazz and I. Skip made his comment about our visit on my MySpace. He said: Jen and Jazz out on the razz in Vegaz... clever Skip.

Sometimes I forget it was music that brought us all together. Semisonic to be specific. Now we all swoon over Muse. I guess similar taste in music can mean similar sensibilities in other areas. Sort of like the MINI club folks. How can having the same kind of car be enough to bond people together? I fail to understand. I just have to be glad.

A few weeks ago I wrote about visiting Hina, and some of the same mysteries that revealed themselves then. It's not something I envision solving any time soon. But I continue to ponder.

Dial-a-Cliche

It seems someone else already had this idea. The following note/chain letter has been going around on Facebook:

Today at 2:51pm
1. Put your iPod, iTunes, (or any MP3 player) on shuffle.
2. For each question, press the next button to get your answer
3. YOU MUST WRITE THAT SONG NAME DOWN NO MATTER HOW SILLY IT SOUNDS
4. Tag friends who might enjoy doing the game as well as the person you got the note from.

1) IF SOMEONE SAYS "IS THIS OKAY" YOU SAY?
Bullet with Butterfly Wings - Smashing Pumpkins
2) WHAT WOULD BEST DESCRIBE YOUR PERSONALITY?
Dial-a-Cliche - Morrissey
3) WHAT DO YOU LIKE IN A GUY/GIRL?
Moving - Pete & the Pirates
4) HOW DO YOU FEEL TODAY?
Death of a Party - Blur
5) WHAT IS YOUR LIFE'S PURPOSE?
Poor Misguided Fool - Starsailor
6) WHAT IS YOUR MOTTO?
High - The Cure
7) WHAT DO YOUR FRIENDS THINK OF YOU?
Perfect Lovesong - The Divine Comedy
8) WHAT DO YOU THINK ABOUT VERY OFTEN?
Work It - Thomas Tantrum
9) WHAT IS 2+2?
Geek U.S.A. - Smashing Pumpkins
10) WHAT DO YOU THINK OF YOUR BEST FRIEND?
Little by Little - Oasis
11) WHAT DO YOU THINK OF THE PERSON YOU LIKE?
Bernice Bobs Her Hair - The Divine Comedy
12) WHAT IS YOUR LIFE STORY?
Postcards from Far Away - Coldplay
13) WHAT DO YOU WANT TO BE WHEN YOU GROW UP?
Lung Shadows - The The
14) WHAT DO YOU THINK WHEN YOU SEE THE PERSON YOU LIKE?
Knights of Cydonia - Muse
15) WHAT WILL YOU DANCE TO AT YOUR WEDDING?
The Distance - Cake
16) WHAT WILL THEY PLAY AT YOUR FUNERAL?
The Clock - Thom Yorke
17) WHAT IS YOUR HOBBY/INTEREST?
Start Wearing Purple - Gogol Bordello
18) WHAT IS YOUR BIGGEST SECRET?
Mr. Understanding - Pete & the Pirates
19) WHAT DO YOU THINK OF YOUR FRIENDS?
So. Central Rain - R.E.M.
20) WHAT'S THE WORST THING THAT COULD HAPPEN?
Pretend that You're Alone - Keane
21) HOW WILL YOU DIE?
I Can't See New York - Tori Amos
22) WHAT IS THE ONE THING YOU REGRET?
Him Dancing - Throwing Muses
23) WHAT MAKES YOU LAUGH?
Ice - Kristin Hersh
24) WHAT MAKES YOU CRY?
We Are the Pigs - Suede
25) WILL YOU EVER GET MARRIED
Claire's Theme - Graeme Revell
26) What makes you scared?
The Bones of You - Elbow
27) DOES ANYONE LIKE YOU?
Liquid Diamonds - Tori Amos
28) IF YOU COULD GO BACK IN TIME, WHAT WOULD YOU CHANGE?
Roscoe - Midlake
29) WHAT HURTS RIGHT NOW?
Can't Take My Eyes Off of You - Muse
30) WHAT WILL YOU POST THIS NOTE AS?
We Float - PJ Harvey

Obviously the point is to see how scarily appropriate a song title may be to answer random questions. Or just to laugh at the silly ones. Or to shudder in denial over ones that could be scarily appropriate but it would really hurt to admit it. Case in point #2. Of course Morrissey or Smiths songs have a greater chance of being randomly appropriate than any others as it is. Then again, which Morrissey/Smiths song would be worse than Dial-a-Cliche? Some Girls are Bigger Than Others? You're the one for me, Fatty? Will Never Marry? Never Had No One Ever? What Difference Does it Make?

Okay, it's not just me. A friend of mine got Heaven Knows I'm Miserable Now in answer to #4. Mozzer just has a knack of tapping into people's feelings and insecurities. Mostly because we all have the same ones he does. Or at least a lot of us do. And he just knows how to say it.

As I continue posting to this blog there may or may not be a song or lyric from my iTunes library that comes to mind to title each entry. If it does though, while the connection may not be obvious, it definitely won't be random.