Priorities

The NM State Legislature, which is ending its yearly session tomorrow, has managed to get a lot of important things done. For example, the bolo tie is now our official state tie. How embarassing...I came to work wearing just a regular old tie.

(We also have a state cookie, a state question and a state insect, among many other official New Mexico things.)

Tabled for now is declaring Pluto to still be a planet. (Read the bill.) But there is still a day and a half, so don't give up hope yet.

--Thanks to Andy for the heads up about all of the happenings in my own backyard!

Film at 11

Check out what I'm watching right now in the column at the right. Then see if you can match each of these comments to the correct film. (There is one more film listed than there are review comments.)

• "Scary."
• "PBS Special."
• "My therapist made me watch it."

Speaking of films, I drove past another movie camp this morning. Hardly a week passes by without driving past some movie set or film company. Two studios are building sound stages in the area. Albuquerque has been high on the Hollywood choice of cities lately. "Wild Hogs" is the most recently released film that was shot completely in New Mexico.

Panaderia, Links, Et. Al.

Almost finishing my tax preparations this morning called for a celebration of sorts: a trip by my favorite panaderia, The Golden Crown Panaderia, to get a sweet potato empanada. This is a cool little local bakery that has been in business for 18 years. It is run by a father and son team who always hand out a free biscochito when you visit.

A couple of other of my favorite drop in spots:

Downtown Gourmet, where I buy cheese from all over the world (and the owner always hands out a huge amount of samplers.

The Middle East Bakery is my place to go for middle eastern groceries, fresh falafel, pita bread, Turkish coffee and lunch when I have the extra cash. (Link is a review post)

For all things German, including apples & cream horseradish sauce, I visit the Alpine Sausage Kitchen. (Link is just the street address.)

Beer: Chama River Micro-Brewery, where the only have four tap beers. That's it. You can bring your own food in to eat and can leave your mug on their shelf to use whenever you return. If they had a Web site, it would be bigger than the entire room (which has about 4 tables, plus the bar). Very cool.

Coffee: Still haven't found my perfect fit. Find myself going to the Blue Dragon when they have throat singing events; want to like Alfredo's but seating is too stiff; same for Irysh Mac's; Whitings is cool, but I seldom go for some reason. Typically, I stick to my own home brews and invite friends over or go to their places.

Hangout with a Book: Not a lot of selection here since Pearl's Dive closed. I usually end up at one of the Flying Star locations (see picture at right).

Groceries: Other than the specialty shops mentioned above, I go to La Montanita Co-op, where I am a member, and to the Talin Market. I hope to join Los Poblanos Organics soon, since I know the farm where most of the food is grown.

I'm not sure why all of this info is at the top of my head today. Maybe it's The 1950's Housewife thing, or that I'm just avoiding work at my desk. Anyway, I obviously enjoy local and off-the-beaten path joints around the city. Feel free to add others that you know and enjoy.

It's More Than Spam

Don't let the title throw you:
"The 1950's Housewife" is more than just Jello casseroles.

I'm adding this site to my list of "Other Links" that you will enjoy checking out.

End of the Week

I finally finished reading "The Name of the Rose". I had slowed down to make it last because it was such a good story. Never did find out the name of the rose.

Sign, Sign Everywhere's a Sign

I saw this posted outside a business the other day:

"Se abla espanol."

I'm glad that the sign didn't read:

"Espanol es escrito."

(Don't read Spanish? See Babelfish.)

You Read It Here First

Did you hear the report this morning on NPR about mindfulness?

If you read my post about confluence, you were way ahead of their game!

Things Aren't What They Seem

A sweet, white-haired little old lady let me cut in front of her today on the busy, construction clogged road to work. Further down the road, as I moved into the turning lane, I ended up behind her car. First, I noticed her license plate reading that this was the car of a veteran. Then, I was drawn to the plaster of veteran bumper stickers. One in particular:

How is it that a little old lady could take pleasure in a firey bomb that destroys everything? Why didn't her "Atomic Veteran" sticker show the naked, burning flesh of the young girl made famous in Life magazine as she fled the explosion?

It's a Chicken's World

I walked outside today to discover that Sola, our chicken, was atop a 6 1/2-foot Juniper bush. I'm pretty certain that she climbed up as this is the bush where she often perches in the lower branches.

Then, to make sure that I noticed her, she came down and promptly marched over to my porch and through the small cat door that is cut in my screeen door. After preening a bit, she marched back out ready for the rest of her day!

The Things We Know

Was supervising a staff member at the shelter tonight. She let a resident go out to give his girlfriend some money. Innocent, right? Probably. But....

"You should have the girlfriend come into the office. Why can't he just hand her the money in here?" I asked. "This is a great time for him to shoot up in the car having had his girlfriend bring it to him."

It suddenly dawned on me that I am wiser in ways that I never expected.

Cash Cow Friday

United Way visits our shelter today for an inspection before graning us what will hopefully be loads of cash. We also have a deadline today for submitting our proposal to the city for funds (about 180,000 there). Meanwhile, I'm reviewing resident applications for funds to help them in first month's rents or deposits and I'm updating payroll to relfect a couple of raises that I'm able to give.

So it's Money Friday. Which is funny, because my own debit card bounced last night when I tried to buy dinner. I'm still going from paycheck to paycheck in order to pay down huge credit. Filing for bankruptcy is attractive, but not really a route that I want to go. Figure that an empty bank account keeps me connected to the plight of our residents.

Started sneezing the past two mornings as we leave winter behind and approach the spring blossoms. No greenery yet, but bluer skies. Due to great snow and rain this winter, plant life should be spectacular this spring.

Music, books and movie updates are in the righthand column for your consideration.

Busy, But Still Here

Sorry for the delay in posts. Over the weekend I slept only 13 hours out of 75. Oof! Had a no show that I had to cover for at the shelter, a volunteer day, plus a throat singing concert and throat singing workshop to attend.

Back on track now, at least for a bit.

Meanwhile, the other night I opened a can of refried beans and noticed that it smells exactly like moist cat food.

Guilty Pleasures

I still have a television on loan from my landlords. I have, one more than one occasion, found myself thoroughly enjoying Super Nanny and Extreme Makeover. They seem to me to be a good use of for-profit television.

Meanwhile, away from the television, my book reading and music listening continues onward. Be sure to check out the righthand column as itoften changes even between new posts.

Throat Singing

To celebrate Super Bowl Sunday, I naturally decided to hang out with a group of people from Tuva who demonstrated and taught throat singing. Incredible.

Running between shelter and hypnosis clients, so no time now for more. You'll just have to click on the link above to learn more.

I'm amused by startling cats and watching them jump.