Grief and Workouts
Now Playing: KCRW This American Life (replay of an
I am determined to break the cycle.

In 2000, my dad's father(my remaining grandpa) started thinking that he knew better than his doctor, how to treat himself. By the time I'd moved back home from L.A., he'd lost too much weight(Dr. told him to loose 20lbs, he'd lost almost 40)and was self medicating. I was shocked that no one else had noticed, but not seeing him for 7 months, the change must have seemed more drastic to me. Anyway, self medication can be as devastating as becoming an a addict. Why do people think it's OK to take someone else's prescribed medication, and not take what your Doc gives you? Oh the frustration. Grandpa was 84 in early 2002 when he died. I wonder how much longer & better his life would have been had he followed direction.

My dad is in his mid-60s, and as with all his health issues, he's running ahead of schedule. How could he have witnessed what his father did, and repeat it less than 4 years later? Is it a man thing? An old people thing(although 65 really isn't old)? I'm afraid it's a personality thing, and I DON'T WANT IT!

I bought a "pilates machine" with my last Christmas check from grandpa. That winter I worked that machine & myself and kept out of a depression. Mr.Man & I moved back out here after his mother died later in 2002(she was 79). The machine pretty much sits in the corner, it had it's own room before and we're in a much smaller place out here. Yesterday I found out the "crap" my dad's pulling back home.(EXPLETIVES!!!). So this morning, I pulled out the machine. God, I hope it works again.

I don't seem to have the family addictive personality(tobacco, alcohol, food), but I also don't seem to have a drive to "succeed". Still looking for my bliss.

It's raining here, what a perfect day for homemade chicken soup. And Sunday High Tea will be substituted with Hot Cocoa & Somores. You'll need your Wellies today.

Chinquapin

___________________________________________________________________
Thanks for your ear, the staff at The Nut House doesn't need to get burnt out listening to MY issues.

NOW He Tells Us
Mood:  hungry
Tommy, can you hear me?

Outgoing HHS Secretary Tommy Thompson is concerned about an attack on our(the U.S.A.) food supply. He says it's been worrying him every night for some time.

HELLOOOO... are we still waiting for a date & time announcement in the PDB?

Everybody, start your Victory Gardens and one more Soylent Greenhopper for the road please.

Chinquapin

An Island or A Fool's Paradise
I love sychronicity.

This morning, This American Life(NPR radio) re-ran their Nauru story. What a sad, cautionary tale mankind seems destined to repeat again and again.

Oh! Armenian wedding(reception) across the street. I heard it before I saw it. Absolutely the most joyous wedding rituals I've ever seen/heard. This is why I love this country!

OK, back on topic. Islands... yes, Easter Island/Rapa Nui, Haiti, any irradiated coral island/atoll. All these examples, and we seem to forget we are all on an island in the sea of space. If E.T.s do show up, it wouldn't surprise me that some of "The Elite" would sell off parts of the planet for profit rather than ask for a cure for disease.

Segway into Saturday Movie night. "28 Days Later"
(oops, sorry "This royal throne of kings, this sceptred isle,
This earth of majesty, this seat of Mars,
This other Eden, demi-paradise,
This fortress built by Nature for herself
Against infection and the hand of war,
This happy breed of men, this little world,
This precious stone set in the silver sea,
Which serves it in the office of a wall
Or as a moat defensive to a house,
Against the envy of less happier lands,--
This blessed plot, this earth, this realm, this England."
King Richard II. Act ii. Sc. 1.)

And "Soylent Green"(oops, sorry Big Blue Marble).

Oh, I think we're gonna need strong drink for this double feature. How about a Bikini(Shake rum, vodka, milk, sugar, and juice of lemon with ice and strain into a cocktail glass. Decorate with a twist of lemon and serve.)and rim the glass with "Raw Sugar", and we have a Bikini Atoll.

How can we Anglicize a Zombie?

How about a Grasshopper with soy milk(Soylent Greenhopper?)

See ya tonight,

Chinquapin
(the password is... "with a whimper")

Can Bernard Kerik get the job done?
On the 20th anniversary of the Bhopal/Union-Carbide disaster, I was reminded that Tom Ridge was undercut in his attempt to hold chemical companies in the U.S. accountable for their plant security. Let's hope the new guy can hold his own, and do the right thing.

Anybody out there watching "Enterprise" this season? It's about time TV Sci-Fi got back to doing it's job.

I really wanted to screen "28 Days Later" & "Soylent Green" tonight, but The Nut House will have a Saturday Night Movie Night this week.

Chinquapin

Time for Indulgences
No, I'm not Catholic. Mr.Man's OOT for a week or so.

Some indulgences are luxuries, chocolate truffles, macadamia nut popcorn clusters, long baths. Others are just having things my way, a clean toilet(for more than 1 day without touch ups), the covers all to my self, eating whatever I want for dinner, access to the computer whenever I want.

Every couple of years, I read some article about a married couple who live apart for a good part of the year. One is an instructor, or a journalist on assignment, or one got transfered, but the other spouse has a good paying job in the good school district. I'd love to read a follow up article 5 years down the line.

Anyway, just indulging in the fantasy of two homes, and what the hell, one of them is next door to George Clooney.

Share the fantasy.

Chinquapin
(the password is... Channel No.5)

The Quarantine Has Been Lifted
Now Playing: KPFK Progressive Radio
Well, it wasn't the worse flu I've suffered through, but my advise is to stock up on tissues(with lotion), nite-time syrup, and lemon & honey(Jack optional). And lots of soup.

To any vegetarian patrons of The Nut House:
I have nothing against a meatless Thanksgiving, I just think it's foolish to attempt a poor imitation of a meat product, rather than celebrate yummy vegetarian dishes.

Onto the Friday Night Double feature.
As I'm fairly disgusted with the current state of the national and local news media, and in honor of the outgoing Misters Daniel Rather and Thomas Brokaw, this Friday's theme is, "The Medium is the Message".

1st on the bill, Wag The Dog(1997). I usually don't run films this recent, but it's such a great example, and a good laugh.

If I can get a hold of a DVD(available March 2004), Wrong is Right(1982) will run second. I've seen clips, but I'd like to pre-screen in order to make sure I don't put anybody to sleep(sorry about NASHVILLE).

Oh-My-God! Mr.Man just came home with...TOFURKEY Kielbasa!!! He brought me flowers too, he's a funny one. We will NOT be having Tofurkey Kielbasa for Thanksgiving, maybe lunch Saturday when we're tired of leftovers.

Back to business, I'm looking for a unique Thanksgiving themed drink for The Nut House, any suggestions? A "Horn of Plenty Grog" perhaps? "Wampanoag's Revenge"? Oh, I like that name, I'll have to find appropriate ingredients, smooth and sweet with a serious kick and a vicious hangover.

Got to run to North Hollywood to look for DVDs.

Chinquapin
(the password is... gobble-gobble)

Tofurky? No Thank You.
What's everybody having for T-giving? The Nut House menu will be posted Wednesday, featuring my dream feast.

Nighty-night.

Chinquapin

Nov. 12 Double Feature
The Corona del Mar Cable Car will be the special for this Friday's Chiller Double Feature(see Sir Knight Rancelot's recipe under the previous post's comments).

Invasion of the Body Snatchers(1978)

The Conversation(1974)

Looks like they only needed to get the pods to a couple of swing states.

Chinquapin
(Hot Toddies tonight, the password is...vertigo[not the song])

The Return of MOVIE NIGHT
Starting tomorrow, Friday nights will be movie nights at The Nut House. There was too much going on last week to get up and running for Halloween, so "Chiller Theater" Friday night double features will be a regular event.

This week, my double feature picks are:

The Handmaid's Tale
They Live

Suggestions for following movie nights are welcome, but no mindless slasher films, please. Meaningful slasher films are welcome.

Got to go eat. My appetite's's coming back.

Chinquapin

Exit Polls My ASS!
Here's a question:

If there were a record number of Absentee Ballots used this year, and in some cases(FLA), Absentee Ballots accounted for 1/5 of all votes, how can anyone(news organization) report statistics based on exit polls, and report then as fact?

HOW THE HELL DOES ANYONE KNOW WHAT GOES ON IN THE BOOTH!?? Who are these BLABBY people who spill their guts to anyone who asks,"Who'd you vote for? Are you married?" What is this, the 4th grade?

Now, if you follow me and see a Kerry/Edwards sticker on my car, you can make an assumption. And if you see a ring on my finger, you can make an assumption. But that's not an exit poll. What ever happened to saying,"That's none of your business."?

OK, I've asked Ken if he's got any property to sub-let. Maybe JC has an inside track. Rancelot, any ideas? I really didn't want to ever move anyplace colder than where I grew up... DAMN!

I have no facility for language, so my options are limited...DAMN!!!

Mr.Man met somebody from the CBC on his last job, maybe he could get a job as a stringer. Oh, by the way, Mr.Man's vote will not be counted, and I'm pissed. If a state isn't going to count "Provisional Ballots", then they shouldn't issue them.
DAMN!
DAMN!
DAMN!

Damn my ancestors for stopping south of The Great Lakes(not really ancestors- you did your best).

All Dems(unless you were swayed by that Gay Marriage B.S.), Progressives, Greens, Libertarians(sp?),and Repubs who voted for Kerry, put your keys in the jar and belly-up to the bar. We'll cry tonight, let the others cry when they see the light.(God, who knew I rhymed when I got pissed-off.)

Chinquapin
Password at the front door tonight. With you hand on the Bible "I voted for Kerry."