Magnets and Air Conditioning

Please tell me I'm not losing my mind. The other night we went out for some pasta at Rigatoni's in Castro Valley and we discovered that the knives and forks are magnetized, as you can see in the photo. This is not a trick. You can attempt to do this at home because I doubt there's any danger.

The spoons, for some reason, wouldn't stick to either the knife or the fork. And nobody thought to check whether knives would stick to knives or forks to forks though having an answer to those questions would have only left us more befuddled.

I worked in food service at one time and I can't think of a single reason why this should be. We mentioned it to our waiter who wasn't in a very talkative mood but he already knew about it.


If only we could look forward to afternoon thunderstorms the heat wouldn't be so bad. But this week started off hot and it's just getting worse. I start to get miserable and feel sick when it starts to get warmer than 72° outside which, by coincidence, is how warm it is outside right now at 1AM. The temperature inside is 76° so I won't be going to bed soon. Those nice flannel sheets are going to have to wait for a while.

Still, there are brave souls who are coming to the zoo with children, pushing those SUV sized strollers up the hill, sweating profusely and some swearing profusely at their kids who seem to be oblivious to both heat and the rigors of walking uphill. It hit 90 yesterday in San Leandro so at the zoo where it's always warmer, it must have been 95. That's hot enough for anyone.

When I picked Brad up at the BART station he said it felt like Las Vegas but I was thinking, "..yeah, on a day with 48% humidity!"

The bengal tigers were playing in the afternoon sun but acting a little grouchy. A large snarl took us off guard as I was talking with two visitors on the upper observation deck, causing us to forget what we were talking about. The camels didn't seem to mind much but would occasionally go over and splash in their little pond. The lions were nowhere to be seen. Other docents were also scarce, all of them giving up and leaving before 1PM. Big, floppy hats are common and today I saw the largest umbrella ever; large enough to cover a family of three.

So until Mother Nature's natural air-conditioning returns, which it will, at least I am glad I've chosen to spend my time at the Oakland Zoo where the animals are respected, the public loves coming there, and nobody minds if you're found sitting in the shade unable to walk any further for a while.

It's only recently that I've seen cactus plants in blossom. Nature inspires me and I hope it's easy to see why. The complexity and detail that can be seen in the cactus flower here astounded me when I leaned over the railing and peeked inside. Every day brings new discoveries, new visitors and new experiences. This is how I imagined "retirement" would be, just not this hot and not this early!

My Jury Duty is Complete

I've had sneezes that took longer to complete than this year's jury duty. Yesterday I got excited because I was told to call back today between 11 and 12. I let myself imagine that I'd have to hurry out the door to report to the court room by 2PM and then get selected to be on a case like the Susan Polk trial. No such luck.

It all started many years ago watching Perry Mason on TV. Somehow it seemed my mom was able to figure out who dunnit and I couldn't even follow the story line very well. But I got to bring one of those wax paper sandwich bags filled with potato chips into the living room to enjoy during the show. In those days I don't know what I enjoyed most. Maybe it was just how smart Perry Mason was. And he was always in charge and in control.

Today I appreciate the same things but I also notice the furniture, lamps, cars, clothes and most important of all the big breakdown scene in court at the end where the big reveal takes place. It was so dramatic.

I like the way the Perry Mason character's mind works. And later on I became a big fan of the Vulcans on Star Trek all the way up to T'Pol on Star Trek: Enterprise. I can't say enough about the virtues of emotional detachment.

A Pleasant Surprise

Last night I quickly went through every one of my photos on flickr.com just to review what kinds of images I've been uploading since last September when I first got started. When I was done, I wasn't very impressed with my abilities as a photographer. I wasn't sure about my artistic talents and even though I have nearly 1500 photos online that have been viewed on more than 17,000 separate visits (and counting) I still had the feeling that I've been making some kind of a positive contribution. But until today I wasn't clear on what it is.

I had to remind myself about the many messages of gratitude I've received from people who lived on Okinawa around the same time I lived there for posting all my photos from the time. Most kids didn't take any photos and to summarize what I've been told, they said my pictures brought back a flurry of forgotten, happy memories from the happiest time in their lives.

One fellow wrote and said he lived across the street from me and that his sister, now deceased, is in two of my photos taken at Pacific Middle School. I remember her. She was a fun, happy girl whose death left family broken hearted. I had a feeling someone would eventually see themselves or a friend in my photo stream but I wasn't expecting to hear a tragic story like his.

On the other hand he agreed with others that my collection of random shots from daily life brought back good memories too. And that's something I enjoy hearing. Those two short years were such a magical time in my life and it gives me great pleasure hearing that by seeing my photos, other people experience the same rekindled emotions.

Just the other day I was contacted by someone who is putting together several new websites about Okinawa and asked for my permission to use some of my photos. I really can't guess which ones he wants to use but I still felt a rush of pride. Had I known, over 35 years ago, that these things would happen I would have done a much better job of taking and preserving my slides!

Okay, there's more! This is a little odd but tonight I checked my mail and found that the University of San Francisco School of Pharmacy had added me as a flickr contact. Since that sounded really odd, I decided to go to their flickr profile and see what was going on. I was pleasantly surprise by what I found. They don't post their own photos or select favorite photos by other people. Here's a quote from that profile:

• We add Flickr contacts and join Flickr groups which we feel reflect the character and experiences of people in San Francisco, the Bay Area, and California so that our community can more easily see how we move and live in the larger world around us. Flickr enables us to share and build these connections much easier than we can do ourselves.

I was honored by that. It feels good to be recognized even in a small way.

When it's all over with and done I hope my one heart's desire is achieved. And that is just to have contributed something lasting and positive during my time. Maybe I've started getting somewhere with that.

Photos, Claws, Glasses and Lychees

It was another evening out with the camera looking for new things, pretty things and unique things to capture. I've learned that if you want to meet your neighbors, hang out on the sidewalk. All kinds of nice people walk by ready to introduce themselves and tell you things.

This evening I met Sheila and Randy who told me that people have been killing skunks and dumping them in the field across from us. I really must stay up late at nights watching what goes on out there because I never hear or see anything. I smell skunk and even Robert, another neighbor closer to us, says he's come home at night and seen them right at his door. They come from the golf course area and drink water in our faux stream and forrage around for pet food that people leave outside. I can live a few more years without needing to surprise a skunk.

Randy said there was a peregrine falcon spotted here lately. And some people I met yesterday said they came out on their deck one weekend morning to enjoy their coffee and saw a turkey vulture on the fence across from their place. It's strange that we have all this wildlife in such a suburban and industrial area. It shows that wildlife can adapt if forced to.

When I came home, this is what I saw inside the window next to the door:

My days of single-vision lenses may be numbered. I've been fighting against bifocal lenses for years now. I've tried them, stumbled down stairs and run into things. I couldn't stand how I had to keep adjusting my head depending on what I want to look at. And progressive lenses were a joke. It was like being seasick and having the flu at the same time.

But I really can't see stuff close up. I wear my glasses to correct for distance, which isn't really as big a problem. When I'm in the store, for example, I just look under the bottom of my lenses to see tags, ingredients and etcetera or just take off my glasses. But it doesn't work for using the cell phone, adjusting the settings on my camera, reading maps...

Oh why can't big '70's lenses come back into style? They're much more practical for bi and trifocals. Not that I think they're attractive or anything. (But I guess I did when I had my senior photo taken for the 1976 high school yearbook. Eeek!)

But seriously, folks. One of the things I live with is Irritable Bowel Syndrome. Nobody really wants to hear specifics so I'll just say that lately I've been more irritated than usual. This is the opposite of what happened on our last road trip when I failed to pass anything solid for about 5 days. Just imagine that. Uncomfortable? Yeah.

This morning there was a breakthrough at my vacationing friend's apartment. Spooky was really glad to see me. She was very vocal, very affectionate and didn't attack when I brushed her, pet her and massaged her head. She couldn't stop rubbing her face against my hand and acted like she just learned to like it. She sat on my lap and kneaded my leg with her paws. Okay, that was uncomfortable because her claws are like needles. But she didn't do anything aggressive.

So I tried touching her paws gently and kind of giving her a paw massage. That was risky, I know. But she was very gentle. So maybe tomorrow or Thursday I'll take the nail clippers and see if I can cut some of those things down. It needs to be done. Yes, Mom, I'll have plenty of alcohol, hydrogen peroxide and cotton balls handy in case of a thrashing.

I'm still thinking about that last trip to Berkeley Bowl because the sight of fresh lychee fruit made my mouth water. I suppose I was denying myself things just so I wouldn't spend money but that doesn't explain the $1.68 white chocolate bar. I took a photo, though, and that's how I'll end tonight.

Perhaps I'll tackle some serious writing one day soon.

(Clicking on the photos will give you a larger version. All my photos are online at: http://www.flickr.com/photos/the_worm_turns/ )

Thoughts of Friends East and West

My most sincere thanks to "Walt" in Frederick, MD for sending a wonderful collection of Ryukyuan music to me after reading a comment I made somewhere on-line about wishing I could hear those sounds again. Much of the music is contemporary, utilizing electronic instruments, but is based soundly on the classics in style, rhythm and verse. It sounds less like "an injured animal" (according to one friend) than the music I used to listen to on the radio during the lunch hour when I lived on Okinawa.

It brings back such positive feelings of my love for the island, the people and the cosmopolitan and idyllic two years I spent living on Okinawa in the early 1970's.

To my friend now vacationing in Hawaii: Your cat is alive and well, eating and pooping like a good girl. I hope my text message didn't alarm you. I know you warned me that Spooky goes kind of nuts when you're petting her and I'd get clawed if I didn't take it easy. How am I supposed to keep my hands off of her? She's so sweet and she purrs and talks to me. She lets me pet her and rub her chin and massage her back when she's on the floor. I thought she was going to let me pet her and brush her. Well, I soon found out that she's more likely to attack when her four legs aren't in use holding up her body, like when she's on the floor. Before I knew what had gone wrong she had all 98 claws in her four paws as well as her teeth sunk deeply into my right hand. The grooming session abruptly ended as I went in search of alcohol and bandages.

Tonight I looked over at my right hand and saw a few spots of blood which surprised the heck out of me because I didn't think she "got me" the one time she swatted at me. At least it was only a small wound. In fact I'm wondering if it wasn't just a spontaneous leak of some kind as a result of my subconscious apprehension of being attacked again.

I've joked that by the end of the two weeks all I'll have the courage to do is crack the door slightly and throw in a piece of raw meat.

My cat seems to be doing well. I haven't yet figured out an effective way of getting a pill down his throat every day, let alone TWICE a day. So his asthma is still a problem. However I'm very happy that I've found a brand and blend of food that he will eat that doesn't make him puke. At first I balked at Dick VanPatten having his name on a brand of cat food but I tried it anyway. The bagged dry version of Venison and Green Pea was labeled "Allergy Formula" so I tried it anyway, wishing that it was something Betty White had endorsed. Not that I have anything against Dick VanPatten, it's just that I'm more familiar with Betty White's involvement in animal issues. The brand name is "Natural Balance."

I wonder why someone hasn't thought to make a cat food out of mice, bugs and long blades of grass.

I'm still in shock after learning that our "docent goddess" at the Oakland Zoo resigned recently without notice. I missed the meeting where she made the announcement but a fellow docent sent me an email with the news. It's devastating news for the docents and the keepers. She is NOT replaceable. Something unpleasant has been going on but I don't know what. It isn't like her to give up on anything so it must have been a very, very difficult and painful decision to make.

It makes me angry at who/whatever caused her to leave. My first reaction was to never return to the zoo again. But she taught us well both in the classroom and on the job. Our first priority is the animals and their welfare. We signed an allegiance to them and promised to be there for them. The visitors are important too, of course. I have nothing bad to say about anybody at the Oakland Zoo. I haven't met a bad apple in the bunch. In fact, until working at the zoo, I thought that the best people on Earth worked for United Airlines. The reality, of course, is that good people are found everywhere. But the thing that bonds us together at the zoo is much deeper in a spiritual way.

Leslie, you've had a lot to deal with lately. A death in the human family, especially an unexpected one, is a tragedy. I think of you frequently, fondly and as I think you know, have a special place in my heart for you and your family. Can you believe that we first met nearly 20 years ago? Aloha.

Today there will be a family reunion in Hinckley, Utah which I will not be attending. It's on my father's side of the family encompassing the posterity of his maternal grandparents; my great grandparents. That has the potential of attracting a whole lot of people! When I was a kid we used to go to family reunions and I really only cared about three or four of my cousins. The rest were older, meaner and different because we lived in town and they all lived on farms.

I learned to dislike family reunions at about 6 years of age when my brother and sister told me I had to get up and perform "Two Little Ducks" on stage in front of everyone. I didn't care about performing, really, but that was such a stupid song I knew I'd be dead meat after my tough farm cousins ahold of me afterwards.

We always took our own drinking water with us because the local stuff was so nasty. It was always hot, dry and I suffered badly from hay fever. I couldn't imagine being more miserable. The corn on the cob was good though. Fresh farm grown corn is good stuff. But stopping at the A&W in Delta on the way home and getting one of those cone shaped containers of ice-cold root beer for the long drive home almost made the trips worthwhile.

All those memories are filed away in "my past." To go there now and see my cousins who, in my mind, are all still eight and ten years old now looking like our parents did the last time we were together would be upsetting. It's also upsetting that our parents now look like the very, very oldest people who we were afraid of when we were kids.

Jury duty is coming up soon and it would be great if I could actually serve on a jury, even if it's for a purse-snatching. It's just one of those things in life that I really want to do. Every year I get the notice in the mail but don't even make it as far as the courthouse. My number never comes up. If I never get to serve that's okay as long as I get a guarantee that I'll never be judged by one.

BED TIME

Etcetera

How about a chit-chatty post for a change, just to get back into the groove?

Today's top story, so far, is the new kitchen faucet AND food disposal, efficiently installed by a very perky yet stinky young man from Service One. That's who the property management uses for rental repairs. Our faucet was beginning to form a geyser under the plastic "H / C" cap and could have blown at any time. While extracting the faucet (he said it was WAY over-installed) a piece of the disposal broke off so that had to be replaced too. Yay!

Yesterday I picked up the keys to my friend's apartment so I can perform my "Spooky Babysitter" job starting on Saturday for two weeks. Spooky is the cat's name. To entice me to spend some time there with her each day, I've been offered the entire Buffy The Vampire Slayer DVD collection to watch. Spooky's human is convinced after I watch the first episode I will be hooked. I suppose that could happen.

His apartment is downwind from the Ghirardelli factory and the air often smells like someone is baking chocolate brownies. It's nice for a while but then it gets annoying. It's funny how one of the most pleasant smells can become so sickening when you can't get away from it.

The day before, he brought us treats from his business trip to London. I enjoyed white chocolate chip and macadamia nut "biscuits" from Harrod's and my cats got a very cute battery operated hamster in a clear sphere for their amusement from Hamleys (http://www.hamleys.com/invt/0000000549923) which is a very OLD toy store.

We've just returned from a recent camping trip to Big Basin and a road trip vacation to Zion, Bryce and Grand Canyon National Parks (which also included some camping) and now we're discussing another road trip to Yellowstone, Grand Teton and Glacier in August. That $50.00 inventment in the National Park Pass was a good one! Individually the entrance fees add up to much more than that.

In the back of my mind I'm thinking of upcoming jury duty this month. I SO want to be on a jury! I get duty notifications every year but never even make it to the courthouse. I also have a lot of zoo work coming up starting with a meeting tomorrow morning. And I still have a lot of photos to process and post to my Flickr pages. The video I took on vacation has yet to be reviewed but eventually I'll be adding clips to my Vimeo collection as well.

Now it's errand time. I have things to do before picking up Mr. Happy at BART and we all meet at La Pinata to bid our vacationing friends a bon voyage.