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Winter In LA

This morning while walking the dog I actually slid and nearly slipped on a patch of ICE! The parka has come out of the closet along with the cute pom-pom hat from Target. It might be 80 degrees again in a week or so but for now we are enjoying the heat turned up and the dog sleeping under the covers. Perfect hiking and movie watching weather. And maybe a hot toddy or two.

Green Day

While it seemed the rest of the country was suffering bad weather and travel Hell, LA had the most beautifully crisp blue and green day of the year. It often happens here the day after a good rain, the smog is scrubbed away and you can see from sea to snowy mountains. Oscar and I went up to Runyon Canyon again to bask in the fresh air and to wave to my friend over on Catalina. I did not take my good camera up to the hills, so I had my "pocket" digital which for now has to be good enough because I'm not properly geared for the Nikon and the leash and the bottle of water and the poopie bags... Christmas hint for those of you that might be thinking of putting anything under my tree - which by the way went up on Saturday.

Runyon was predictably packed with people wanting to hike Hollywood's back yard, but even all the dogs were on their best behavior, the wind whipping them up into a fun-loving frenzy.

Runyon Movie

Barepaws In The Park

Looks like Oscar has the Canyon to himself but in fact the day after Thanksgiving, Runyon is packed with folks and four-leggeds. Couldn't ask for a better workout after the turkey and scotch feast.

A Bobble And His Dog

Thanksgiving was sweet and tasty, spent with friends and strangers. The feast included two turkeys, one ham, one roast and all the other accoutrements - about seven pies, a crappy Bears game, a Motown sing-a-long in the kitchen and a sleeping host. The holiday season has been officially kicked off.

And special accolades go out today to J. Robert on his 81st. Happy birthday, Dad.

Thanksgiving Time in the 70's

November 24, 1976
Last day of the first quarter! Had tests all day. Came home and was looking forward to going out but it turned out everybody else could but me. Tonight was the worst night ever. I got mad at everybody and everything. I'm sick of this.

November 24, 1978
Had to work from 1-9:30. Leo picked me up. Saw Animal House then went to Chris McCoy's party.

Author's note:
Ah, what a difference two years make. For that matter, what a difference 28 years make. Okay well, maybe not that much... Giving thanks - will go out tonight for a few with friends and tomorrow will do the same. Looking forward to football, champagne, a deep fried turkey and hating nothing and no one. As long as we don't bring up politics....

MIA Mi Amore

Mia, the Australian Shepherd who shepherds in Wisconsin.

Sunday Afternoon Quarterbacking

"My goal is to be a 12 year old with wisdom...I'm half way there. I'm a 6 year old idiot."

Nothing Less Than Hunter

Beverly Hills was hoppin' on the Friday before Thanksgiving. I so rarely go there since I stopped working there. But at least twice a year while Sacha is in town, we venture that way to check in and run a couple errands. Oh, and have a drink at the swanky Bar On 4 at Neiman Marcus. Actually, it's just about the time I am almost paid up on my Neimans card that I go back there and lay it back down for an easy forty bucks at the bar and an easy hundred in Cosmetics. This time I consciously avoided the Cosmetics Department. After a quick trip to J. P. Tods and then Tiffany's on Rodeo for Sacha's transactions we visited Taschen Books to start my Christmas shopping. I was looking for a particular Hunter S. Thompson book which is about sports and politics - he was there last week signing it. It was a very successfull signing because they were sold out. I asked the guy at the checkout whether they were going to get any more. He didn't know if they were and suggested an alternative. "How about Less Than Zero?" I scowled at him. "That's a terrible suggestion." He chuckled and says, "Well, its about drugs too!"
Too? Uh, no. But thanks anyway!
Damn, I should've bought some cosmetics.

Me In The 70's

November 20, 1976
Sat around for a while with Lisa then went to Fox Valley with her & Elaine so Lisa could get her ears pierced. Went to Dale's party with Julie. Got together with Chris. Went to Michelangelo's for pizza. Chris took me home.

Me In The 70's

November 19, 1977
Went over to Georgie's all day w/Debbie, Gail & Lisa. Went over to Mac's and partied before the soc-hop. Didn't do much after. Had a real good time.

November 19, 1978
Was at Debbie's sister's most of the day. Went to Jeff's for a while. Went to a party on the East side. It had a band & everything. Went to Jeff's party then. It was a pretty good night.

Snuff Said

These were taken outside a local old-school tobacco / cigar / pipe shop...

Me In The 70's

November 17, 1978
Tony's coming home in a month. Can't wait.
Visited Sue Murph in the hospital.
Went to Pam & Whammy's party at Aztec. It got crazy and broken up.
Went to the Office then. Got a flat at about 4:00.
Crazy.

I Swear

I realize I swear a lot. Not very girly or feminine of me but I've been swearing for a long time. It just comes naturally for me to pepper my conversations and feelings with four letter words. Maybe it comes from the crowds I've been running with for a quarter of a century, maybe its the state of the world that saddens me, maybe its just my bitter nature. S**t, I learned to swear in French when I was wee girl. I curb it around young people and refined adults, I swear. But last night I realized that I possibly curse even more when I'm around my two friends that are ultra religous (seriously, I swear) and don't use four letter words. If I didn't know them, I wouldn't assume they were near born again status. They know how to party and they have incredible senses of humor. They don't however, believe in things like sex before marriage and swearing. So for some reason, when we are in a hilarious conversation about actors or work or whatever, I find myself throwing around those salty words, then wincing then doing it again like I f-ing can't stop myself. I wouldn't pretend to be somebody I'm not for anybody, I'm just saying...er, swearing. I'm just me, dammit!

One Excited Beer

This weekend, when Rhonda and I went in search of one bar (Thunderbird) and found that it was shut down, we found another local dive bar that neither of us had been to but we'd heard about. The Starlight has not only the fairest prices (three fingers of Jamesons for $3.75) but the COLDEST BEER IN THE COUNTY! The old-timers were playing dominoes and there was a crock pot offering swedish meatballs, all accompanied by a great jukebox. We were there fairly early in the evening so we didn't see evidence of the rumor that it's a hangout for porn stars. We did leave with the bartender's band's CD with the promise of returning with a critique. We vowed to check out more valley dives with names like The Chimneysweep.

Bill Maher KooKoo For Coco

Is Bill Maher the devil? No. But he IS a comedian. You know - a leg puller, a cad, coarse and ill-mannered. I don't know the facts of this rediculous law suit, but I've known Bill for many years and I actually met Coco briefly earlier this year. Yowza. If she was starstruck and deluded into thinking they were going to be the next Bennifer, she should get nine dollars, not nine million. I love Bill but he is not, in no uncertain terms the warmest guy on the planet. But he is one of the smartest. At least on comedy and politics. Was this bound to happen? Unfortunately. I've known and worked with a lot of comedians in my time and all I can say is - Don't piss like a puppy if you're gonna run with the wolves.

All Apologies

check this out -- the sorry, everybody website, to which people (and lots of them) have submitted their photo-apologies to the world for the election...

Gonzo For Gonzo

The LA Weekly interviewed Hunter Thompson on his latest book, his drinking buddies, football and politics... It's a worthy read. They don't make 'em like they used to.

Dakota Dog

This is the latest canine in the kennel of canvases. Dakota is the dearly departed Beagle from Houston.

Jesus Continues to Rock

Thanks to Disciple Dawn, whoever you are, for stealing, er I mean submitting my photos of hellhouse on Jesus Of The Week. Yeah, another award! Thanks to the rockin' Bryson Jones for pointing out the win. I must go revise my resume now.

Going Going Gone

I talked to my father yesterday just before going to the PAWS/LA auction. I was trying to explain to him what it is they do at PAWS (Pets Are Wonderful Support) and he said, "Well, that sounds like a pretty good cause. Better than being a Republican."

Pet Art 6 was again held at the Music Box Theater which is also the Henry Fonda Theater, a lovely old venue on Hollywood Blvd. The Vox was free and the tuna hor d'oevres were quite pleasant.

There was great stuff going for cheap. One guy took four pieces during the live auction. My donated piece which started at a $75 opening bid was at $300 before we left which was about ten minutes before the silent auction ended. Not bad. Just disappointed that there were no swag bags this year. I was really looking forward to getting another bottle of Petastic Stain & Odor Remover.

PET ART 6

Some great art and a good time for a good cause....

Pet Art 6
Auction to benefit
PAWS/LA

Hosted by Wendie Malick

Fine Art
Photography
Sculpture
Mixed Media
Functional Art Boutique

Honorary Co-Chairmen
Greg Gorman & Ross Bleckner

Sunday, November 7, 2004
Doors open at 4pm
Live auction at 5pm

Silent & live auction
Martini bar & hors d'oeuvres

The Music Box Theater
6126 Hollywood Blvd., Hollywood
Ticket Price: $50

Sin I Could've Written Myself Post Election

Museum Of The Middle Class Opens In Schaumburg

Loving the onion...

...Thirty-five Booker T. Washington Junior High School seventh-graders, chosen from among 5,600 students who asked to attend the school's annual field trip, visited the museum Tuesday. Rico Chavez, a 14-year-old from the inner-city Chicago school, said he was skeptical of one exhibit in particular.

"They expect us to believe this is how people lived 10 years ago?" Chavez asked. "That 'Safe, Decent Public Schools' part was total science fiction. No metal detectors, no cops or dogs, and whole classes devoted to art and music? Look, I may have flunked a couple grades, but I'm not that stupid."...

Read the rest of the story here!

Hellhouse Sin Of The Day After The Election

I can barely speak today except in bitter tones. I'll keep it short - I can't believe that so many millions of people are satisfied with living in the fear that Bush has forced upon this country. It's like depression - it's easier to stay depressed because after a while its a comfort because you've forgotten what it feels like to be happy, might as well be depressed. America had its chance to take a little blue pill but the dosage just wasn't enough. Excuse me while I go up my medication and chase it with a side of grit.

Hellhouse Sin Of The Day

Closing Night In Hell!

This is Mishna who played Chrissy who I basically got to slap around for eight of the sixteen tours on Halloween as I played the abortion nurse on closing night. I missed being in the youth group room for half of the show, but as soon as I got to the youth groupers I kind of missed being in the other part of the show. I think ultimately I'm just going to plain miss Hollywood Hellhouse.

A lot of audience members came in costume but Halloween's celebrity audience member was Allison Janney who hopefully got to see Bill Maher doing another turn at Satan for a few of the tours. Another audience member asked me how far West Hollywood was from the theater. He was thinking of going there for the street festivities. I asked him, "Are you gay?" He said he wasn't so I told him he should probably just go down the street to Hollywood Boulevard. He seemed slightly confused but I had to move on and welcome more sinners to pin their sins on Jesus.

Once again the Snakehandlers rocked the house. I thought they put on a show the last couple times they were there but they really put everything they had into it on the final night. I saw the light, I saw the light, praise the lord, I saw the light!

As you can see Jesus himself rocked the house too. That would be David Dyas underneath that mask who later won an award for "Craziest Youth Grouper".

Our illustrious producer Maggie Rowe who pulled off an amazing accomplishment, from getting her hands on the original Hellhouse script and stage kit to corralling over 200 rotating cast members. She was raised fundamentalist, telling her little Jewish classmates they were going to Hell - now she asks all her Jewish friends if they want to portray people in Hell... After the last tour and one last set by the Snakehandlers, Maggie and Company held an awards ceremony for cast and crew which was presided over by Mr. Maggie Rowe (Jim Vallely) and Ron Zimmerman.

Gary Shapiro and Rick Overton tied for the award "Best Use Of Pharmaceuticals or God Knows What During A Performance".

I, as Jim introduced me as "Nora - the Sure Thing From Aurora", was given the award for "Best Blogging By A Youth Grouper Who Seems To Be On Amphetamines". Don't worry, Mom, the only amphetamines I'm on are green tea and the occasional Diet Red Bull. It's just that, I assume, when the music plays, I'ma gonna dance! I'll take it as a compliment - maybe they were considering that I was just a hair OLDER than most of the youth groupers. (Thanks to Amadaes and Jaspr (Mary & Mary) for that photo.)

Don't you get me wrong Don't you get me wrong
Only want to know, now Only want to know
Jesus Christ
Who are you? What have you sacrificed?
Jesus Christ
Superstar!!!!

A great time was had by all and everyone was a Superstar!

Hellhouse Sin Of The Day Before The Election

No forgiveness tomorrow - get out and vote!