Eight Things

Mati has thrown down a challenge. I have chosen to accept. However, I don't even KNOW eight people with blogs, so if you'd like to respond here with your own lists, I'd love to read them.

Rules:
1. We have to post these rules before we give you the facts.
2. Players start with eight random facts/habits about themselves.
3. People who are tagged write their own blog post about their eight things and include these rules.
4. At the end of your blog, you need to choose eight people to get tagged and list their names. Don’t forget to leave them a comment telling them they’re tagged and that they
should read your blog.

Eight funky facts you may not know about me:

1. I've never eaten red meat, even as a child. When I was about 12, Dr. Datka told my mom it was okay. I silently screamed with joy.
2. When my parents bought me a sewing machine for my birthday, I exchanged it for a typewriter.
3. I was a pom-pon girl in high school.
4. Speaking of high school, my date to the junior prom ditched me. He's now a priest.
5. I applied to West Point and the Air Force Academy.
6. I can _ and often do _ read an entire book in one sitting.
7. I've run two marathons.
8. I wore coke bottle glasses, braces AND a head gear for my badly bucked teeth ALL AT ONCE. Eeek!


(photo courtesy of Dad)

Koret Center

After a several years-long hiatus, I've rejoined a gym! Yes, two months of laying around idle has taken its toll (10 pounds!) and serious action is required. I thought running, yoga and walking Gin was enough, but, boy, is it great to REALLY sweat again! And because I live in the USF neighborhood, it's an excellent deal.

Ryan

Last April, I saw Ryan Adams perform at the Palace of Fine Arts and it was - bar none - the worst concert I'd ever attended. Thank God Tod provided free tickets. Ryan was so drunk he could barely stand. He started many songs, but finished few and he spent more time rambling to the audience than singing or playing.

After hearing he's now clean and sober, I took a chance and went to see him last night at the Herbst Theater. It was like night and day. He and his band sounded phenomenal. They played song after song after song. Downsides? The stage lights were so low, you couldn't see anyone's face. Every song was a slow song, few of which I'd heard before and Ryan refused to interact AT ALL with the audience. It was like watching a movie.

I hope he finds his way to the middle.


(photos courtesy of myspace.com/ryanadams)

Dolores

Remember The Cranberries? Last night I went to see Dolores O'Riordan perform at The Fillmore and, may I say, she rocked! She reminded me of Pat Benatar _ rocker chick with a huge voice coming out of a tiny body. She's about 4'10' and 90 pounds. It was a great show. Disappointingly, the Fillmore decided she wasn't worthy of posters _ or apples. Lame.



(photo courtesy of doloresoriordan.com)

Progress?

Things are going much slower than I ever imagined possible. I went back to work Monday _ for two whole hours. By Wednesday, I was up to 4 1/2 hours, but Olga said I overdid it and risked getting tendonitis from overusing a hand and arm that hadn't really been used a lot lately. Sigh.

She suggested I take pictures at therapy to reassure myself that things are, in fact, progressing.

A Very Good Day

My very good day began with an hour-long walk with Gin. It was the longest I'd been on my feet in two months! My ankle gave me only minor discomfort and it was only a bit swollen at the end of the day. I am very excited.

Then I spent the afternoon in sunny, beautiful Tiburon.



In the evening, thanks to a free ticket from Tod and Linda, I saw my first silent film at the Castro theater. It was called "Beggars of Life" and it was accompanied by a live mini-orchestra. The experience (and the movie!) was absolutely incredible!







http://www.silentfilm.org

Last Night in Milwaukee

I spent my last night here listening to a band play for free in a park downtown, near the Milwaukee River. Lots of people brought tables, chairs, food, wine, the works. Brian, Mike and I hung out for a while before having a late dinner at a wonderful Mexican restaurant. I'm headed home this afternoon.

Mii and Wii

Am I the only person in the country who hadn't heard of Wii _ the video games for non-video game people? We played golf, tennis, bowling and baseball Tuesday night. Then we all tested our "Wii Fitness." Mike was the youngest, at 28. I was 76! Here are some of our Miis.

The Big Gig

Yesterday was the HOTTEST day since I arrived here. Ninety plus degrees with crazy humidity. Mom, Dad and I got to Summerfest, which is right on Lake Michigan, at about 3:30 p.m. and spent the entire afternoon looking for shade. Yes. Me. Shade.


Mom and Dad


Mississippi Cactus opened for G. Love & Special Sauce at the Harley-Davidson stage at 8:30 p.m. It didn't seem much cooler.


The Cactus.


Mike and Brian.


Mike, Brian, Mike and Matt.

Blogger won't let me post the cool video I took of one of my favorite songs. Sorry.

Miltown

For those of you who haven't had the honor of visiting my fair hometown, here's a rather spiffy view of downtown Milwaukee.



Aside from the standard Midwestern oddities, I wanted to share this machine with you. In SF, I dip my bad hand into paraffin at the start of each physical therapy session. Here, I put my hand into this heated compartment that blows corn husks all over my hand. Yes, corn husks.

Fireworks

Mike, Kristine, Brian, Amy and I watched fireworks last night from Brian's new apartment. It was the perfect location because we could see and hear everything while it poured rain outside.

(Thanks to Mike for the great photos!)






Afterwards, we got a bit silly with a string of lights and the special effects on my camera.

Art?

My splint came off yesterday, but my thumb doesn't quite work yet. Cheri is getting in touch with my surgeon in SF to discuss a plan of action. Meantime, I'm supposed to try to start using it (even though I still can't feel it) for simple tasks _ holding utensils, lifting small objects, brushing my teeth, etc.

So ... inspired by all my truly artistic friends ...


... today I started a PAINT-BY-NUMBERS!

The Zoo

I had to drive my dad's truck yesterday. But first I had to cover up the "W" bumper sticker. Dad laughed. I survived.




Today we went to the zoo with Shaelin. Mike enjoyed teaching him how to catch candies in his mouth _ just like the sea lions with the fish. I'm sure his mom will be pleased.




Daddy, Shaelin and Uncle Brian.