friends

Wine Country

Every single time I cross that Golden Gate Bridge I am enamored with the northern bay area way of life. Every time I come home saying — THAT is what I want to do with my life! Why am I not living like they are??

I get it though. I know that my interpretation is way off because when I go up there, I’m on vacation and so is mostly everyone else up there! It’s easy to think, geez I’m living wrong.

I should be sipping wine at 11am and taking 4 hour power naps until a 4 course dinner—EVERY DAY!

It happened again. We took a long weekend up to Sonoma with one of our favorite couples on the planet. It was marvelous.

Ya know, there are just those people that you meet and you’re connected. This friend is one of them. Her husband 100%, too. It’s like we all just mesh and it feels so good. (She tells that story entirely differently, but this is my blog.)

I laugh until I’m sick. I nap. (I never nap.) I laugh tears. I face fears. I do things I normally wouldn’t ever do and I already miss them. They even make me miss Chicago. We all pulled through some horribly cold nights together there. And whether they knew it or not, they helped pull us through some horribly cold and dark years there. This visit meant so stupid much to me. I hope it doesn’t take us 5 years for the next one!

It’s been a crazy time here lately for friends—whether they’re leaving or getting sick or struggling through tough times. It’s really made me appreciate all of them so much. As RuPaul says: we choose our family.

So I just want to raise my glass to all of those amazing friends that have stuck it out with me for so long. And hell, I even want to raise a glass to those that took an exit! Comedy is all about timing. The impressions you all have made on my life were noticed.

P.S. I finally joined a wine club!!! It’s like my purpose in life now. Just like the time I went kayaking. Somehow I see this one sticking.

P.S.S. Someone else rear ended my poor little baby girl, MINI. What is the fucking deal, people??? Who rear ends a mini full of people wearing giant hats with the top down? Ugh, enough already. That car is going on it’s 3rd bumper and it is only 6 months old!!

Cat Facts

So, I know that Mariela found "Cat Facts" by some means of her Internet dorkiness, but she really has taken it to a whole 'nother level. It all started when we moved to California and immediately needed to change both of our phone numbers over to local numbers.  We put it on Facebook, but who reads that, right?  So it began...no one knew the numbers we were texting from.  So we turned it into a little game--each new contestant added on new sections, visuals...and now--well, I couldn't be prouder of Cat Facts.

*Please note: the misspellings below are intentional and necessary.

 

The gist is that--immediately upon receiving a "who's this" text--you start responding with random Cat Facts and photos...set a timer--send them every hour on the hour (for contestants that are upgraded to Cat Facts Premium):

 

Thanks for signing up for Cat Facts! You will now receive fun daily facts about CATS!  >^..^<

Cats use their tails for balance and have nearly 30 individual bones in them! <To cancel Daily Cat Facts, reply 'cancel'>.
(after receiving reply):
Command not recognized. You have a <year> subscription to Cat Facts and will receive fun <hourly> updates!
In ancient Egypt, killing a cat was a crime punishable by death. Thank you for choosing Cat Facts!
(after next reply):
Command not recognized. Cats bury their feces to cover their trails from predators.  To <cancel> please let us know you are human by completing the following sentence: Your favorite animal is the ___?
(reply anything other than "Cat"):
INCORRECT! Your favorite animal is the Cat. You will continue to receive cat facts every <hour>. Would you like to upgrade to premium subscription?
(if reply is "Cat")

CORRECT! Your favorite animal is the cat! Congrats, you've been upgraded to Cat Facts  Premium with Cat Pics!

Welcome to Cat Facts Premium: Did you know that the first cat show was held in 1871 at the Crystal Palace in London. Mee-wow!

(after reply):
Thanks for texting Cat Facts (Premium). Would you like to receive an instant Cat Fact with cat pic every time you text? <To cancel, reply 'unsubsribe">
<Command Not recognized> Did you know there are about 100 distinct breeds of domestic cat?
CAT_domesticdishes
(after reply)
Thank you for your feedback about Cat Facts. Did you know cats have excellent senses including night vision and the ability to hear ultrasound?  <To Cancel Reply "Not Meow">
cat_tiedye
(only after they reply "not meow"):
<command not recognized>

CAT_rightMEOW

 

 

, ,

Gimme My Fuckin Change Back

, ,

Fun to relive old times & talented artists of our past/present/and hopefully future. We woulda never left Chicago without an old friends' music cheering us on...

Young Hines: Gimme My Change

Every time someone was in my car they would ask (more like scream), "WHO is this!?"

--He's our Nashville souvenir...and eventually a removed catalyst in our move to California. His music just shared so much emotion with how the days felt in Chicago, yet it was a reminder of the past and someone that I truly admired.  I don't say that about many people, probably none.  He didn't wait for someone to offer him a way to make his music.  He just made it.  He learned and challenged himself.  He worked days at a time in his little home studio.  He worked a day job to buy more and add to his studio.  I completely adopted his model in Chicago.  He renewed my spirit.  He made me wanna dream differently.  I buried myself in my work and continued to Fail With Pride (our other Nashville take-away).  So when his album released...and it was speakin my language...and Chicago was completely shit, boiling over, and busting at the seams.  I knew it was time for another lifetime adventure. I love every piece of California. And our amazing journey to get here.  Even if I do miss all the amazing people that helped us get here. Every. Single. Day.  But I'm so glad to have found home.

(I know, I know. The video of the move and our Route 66 is soooo far past due--but it's happening. I've been very busy setting up the small studio of my dreams.  Workin. Testin. Workin some more.  The Young Hines way...  :D)

Cart (0)