RSS
 

Archive for May, 2008

Da Count – “thank you” – an equation

29 May

dacountThe simple pairing of those two words when expressed can mean and do so much. Sometimes it is expressed with a smile or a look… or acknowledged with a nod in mid-stride. The important thing is to express it. Sometimes we feel it but forget to express it… I know that mine were sparing in the past… but I’m making an effort in changing that trend.

“Terima Kasih” is the pairing used in the Malay language to express the same thing.

terima

to receive; to accept
kasih

affection; love
kasih sayang: affection; love; fondness
kasihan: pity
berkasih-kasihan: to be in love with each other
kekasih: lover; sweetheart
mengasihani: to pity
mengasihi: to love someone
pengasih: lover
ubat pengasih: love spell :dictionary source:

Therefore, Terima Kasih = Received with Love – I’ve always found that sweetly profound.

So, this week is counting the received and the delivered.

To find out what Da Count is about… click the flashing sign.

EDIT: OTHERS COUNTING THIS WEEK… that I know of so far:

MARK
LOLLY
SOLITAIRE
………………………………………………………………………………..

I DIDN’T KNOW THAT! (WARNING: Time Waster Ahead!)

  • In Ancient Peru, when a woman found an ‘ugly’ potato, it was the custom for her to push it into the face of the nearest man.
  • In parts of Malaya, the women keep harems of men.
  • It was the custom in Ancient Rome for the men to place their right hand on their testicles when taking an oath. The modern term ‘testimony’ is derived from this tradition.

And there are 147 more HERE.

 
6 Comments

Posted in , Da Count

 

ahhh… the coffee is good…

29 May

ydsale08.jpg… this morning. Not necessarily better than most mornings but it’s hitting a spot today that is just “mmmm”… ya know?

YARD SALE ALERT!

The lovely Joy is invading my front yard with her baubles, bangles and other worthy stuff (reasonably priced incidentally) for you to purchase. So, come on by (especially if you live in and around the Big NO) to 416 E. Brown this Saturday in the AM… buy a bunch of stuff… then saunter 2 streets north to the Cornell Block Sale (which undoubtedly CODE ENFORCEMENT ::sting from Psycho:: will turn up and clear out all the food by 8 PM) and you may be able to pick up some other stuff. (Lecram, are you still harping about that?) BTW… I just may (if I get my butt together) have DVDs for sale as well. Hmmm… perhaps we will even buck the system and sell napkins… that will entitle the buyer to free hotdogs.

VEGE BEDS UPDATE

Staked and tied up the flower and produce laden plants in my beds last evening. They seem much happier for it too. There are already ripening tomatoes that should be ready for the picking by next week.

MUM UPDATE

She has been in a pretty feisty “walky” mood of late. So, she is up and about looking for chores to do. It’s all good. Hmmm… are there any “elder labor” laws I’ll run afoul with if I get her to fold the laundry?

EDIT: 11:00 AM

Time for some of that special brand of Fred’s ritzy elegance to get the day going.

 

EDIT: NOON

Oh yeah… Saturday night (9 PMish) at the Starline… join thereminman and the boys for hours of pleasure listening and dancing to the music of the Beatles. Come on… you know you wanna!

Watch for this post to roll on with edits as the day eases on. Cheers!

 
5 Comments

Posted in , ,

 

oops… forgot to turn on the drip last night…

28 May

… but the vege garden is not lacking from moisture in the ground since it’s been fairly cool and wet over the last 3 days in these parts. But I got them on this morning… so it’s all super-duper OK.

Not sure how much of a post I’ll have today as my mind at the moment is a bit of a blank slate. So, be on the lookout for a rolling post with edits as the day drifts by.

EDIT: 10:00 AM

O.K…. I’ve watered the lawn and done some weeding in the vege beds. Now, I think I’ll toast some bread and finish off that leftover curry I cooked yesterday. Yum! That should provide ample fuel for the rest of the chores… and put a satisfied smile on my mug.

EDIT: 1:00 PM

And on the performer friend front… my friend, the lovely and talented Mia has created this great video promo for her show (which premiered at this year’s Rogue). Check it out!

 

EDIT: 2:00 PM

So I was sent an invitation to join FRESNOYES.COM … and I did.

Now the post lunch inertia is hitting and I am wondering if I can afford a short nap. Perhaps I will.

 
3 Comments

Posted in

 

thank you, Mr. Pollack

27 May

spollack.jpg Sydney Pollack entered the big screening room in the sky this weekend. I have always admired his work especially growing up in the 70′s when many of his movies became a staple brand for “class” to the movie going public. Many of his movies garnered both critical acclaim as well as box-office success.

His contributions were not just relegated to directing but also as producer, actor and cinematographer. One of my favorite Pollack movies is Jeremiah Johnson,… which I still consider to be one of the best featuring Robert Redford

Thank you, Sydney for the heart, substance and pleasure you brought to me via the big screen. Thank you for also making me aware all those years ago that art and commerce can comfortably be partnered to great effect.

In other news…

My friend Alan, proposed to his girlfriend this weekend. HERE is video evidence.

* I suspect today’s post will be of the rolling variety that will include several updates/edits.

EDIT: 4:20 PM

OK… so most of today was taken up with supply shopping. In fact, I just got back with quite the haul… $250 worth to be exact. Lots of snackies for Mum to show for it too. Now a short rest then on to the business at hand… whatever that might be.

 
3 Comments

Posted in

 

remove head from butt… and get on with it!

25 May

cukedrops.jpgActually that was achieved about 6 weeks ago. I have since set aside hermitizing mode (which lasted two years) and have been in the process of tying up some dangling projects. In that time there was also the visit from the lovely Cosima (an ultra mega bonus event… if you haven’t guessed it already) who is continuing her report of it on this post.

The rain that threatened to fall all of yesterday finally came this morning… well, at least in a slow drizzly sort of way. (Yeah, the picture of the wet leaves of my cuke plants was taken just this AM.) The good thing about this is that the rain (if you can call it that) has washed most of the pollen and dust (stirred up with the winds a few days ago) out of the air. However, the cooler overcast conditions simply just inspires one to curl up and while away the day with a triple feature of movies.

But, attention must be paid to what’s up ahead… or at least an attempt to formulate some semblance of a plan to achieve certain tasks.

  • The first has already been determined. That being the wiping and doing a clean install of my computer that handles video editing duties. (Yeah, yeah… I commited a major boo boo a few weeks ago.) That has been slated for the next two days… though I just might (I said might) begin the backup process today. (I did say might, didn’t I?) Strange as it may seem… I am actually looking forward to this.
  • I also need to explore what I want to do with this story that was developed on my old blog. Ultimately I think it would make a pretty fine movie. That being said… there are other options bouncing in this rabid mind of mine… OK, more questions really. In the interim… and within the scope and possibility of my own control… does it have enough to be developed into a short novel? Though that is a form that I have never explored in all my years. Or would it work as some kind of genre and form bending way as a theatrical presentation? (Think audio book meets multi-media theatre.) Yeah, I’ll take suggestions on this one. And yes… I am fully aware that in present form it does need some edits.
  • Then, of course, is the matter of Jungle Webs… and accelerating and developing some aggressive marketing to get more out of it. A more comfortable stream of income from it would be so nice.

Of course, all (or any) of this can and will only be fully focused on after some the “dangles” are no more… or at least less than what is present.

Anyway, hope your own weekend is pleasant as well.

EDIT: 2:00 PM Memorial Day

I’ll let Andy say it as only Andy can.

 
5 Comments

Posted in

 

what… no food?

24 May

nofoodsign.jpgSo, it’s an overcast morning. The girls and I head down to the Terrace Block Sale. They are on the hunt for… well, girl things… I’m on the hunt for food. Actually, truth be told they were on the hunt for food too.

BUT THERE WAS NO FOOD! Nary a morsel to be found.

In the past, food has always factored into the block sales around these parts. There was tamales, Indian tacos, regular tacos and burritos, hot dogs, gyros, kebabs, tri-tip, hot links, lumpia, beerocks, cookies, noodles, egg-rolls… and the list goes on. (Seriously… just look at the delicious cultural diversity one can consume just from that list!)

And why this sudden famine? Two words – CODE ENFORCEMENT… courtesy of the fair City of Fresno!

I was out of town last week and apparently they hit the Harvard Block Sale then… and this morning they hit the Terrace Block Sale.

What the heck is that about? Look, I totally understand food saftey, permits, etc… but this is as much a community event as any that takes place in this city. These are some of the few things that keep this city and it’s communities authentic. There are exceptions to the rule, yo!

I want to know what happened? Did the folk at Code Enforcement just get a sudden itch or were they obliged to act from a report (complaint) from some idiot neighbor? I live in this neighborhood and most of us “long timers” (are very cool) love it and love these annual events here. My guess is if it was a resident… he/she is probably new… and instead of assimilating into (and appreciating) the culture decided to force their will upon it. Mind you these are only guesses at this point.

If it was just Code Enforcement with a mighty itch… what next? Are they going to hit the food at the Greek Festival or the Hmong New Year festivities… or any of the other diverse cultural festivals that happen in this city? Are the swap meets and farmer’s markets now going to be foodless as well? How about Vintage Days at Fresno State where students put up food booths? What about the outdoor fund-raisers put on by various non-profit organizations… or better still… school carnivals! Are they going to bust the 6 year old with a lemonade stand? Hey, there is an exchange of money for food at those events as well… and let’s not even talk permits. If that is the case… what next? Are they going to bust me for firing up my barbecue and take my jalapeño and mango wieners away?

Seriously… how “Stepford” are we going to… and willing to become? Pics? No food… no tamale lady… no pics… no nothing!

 
8 Comments

Posted in

 

Da Count – face value

23 May

dacount Has it been a week already? Wow! Time does slip by when you’re having fun, huh?

Remember a time when something was exactly what it appeared to be? Remember when someone offered up a phrase like “my word is my bond” and it meant exactly that? When there was no second guessing or analyzing further than what was offered? Honesty and trust went hand in hand without the need of a college course in “finding the hidden truth behind everything”.

It seems as if the world today is over populated with “deeper meanings” and euphemisms to where one is more likely than not to miss “what really is”. Often the fault lies on both sides… the presenter and the presentee simply because the world has shifted so rapidly into a mindset of over analyzing over the course of a century. One can’t help but wonder if this is also a reflection of just plain being less honest.

The last few weeks in my life has seen a definite shift back to the (somewhat “retro”) simple virtues of “face value” – that for the most part things are as they seem – no more and no less… and more importantly the acceptance of it. Mind you this has been a conscious effort on my part to practice plain honesty both to others and to myself. The rewards have been those “face values” presented have been returned. And the simplicity of receiving the perception of something or the actions of someone without a dose of severe brain wracking has been refreshing to say the least.

My hope is that this current trend in my life continues and is my count for the week.

To find out what Da Count is all about… click the flashing sign above.

EDIT: 9:15 AM

indi4.jpgBTW… I did catch the latest (and probably last in the series) Indiana Jones movie yesterday with the lovely Joy. It was great fun and worth catching on the big screen. The merits of how this one stacks up against the earlier films can be debated later (sure, others have already done so) … but for now I enjoyed the ride in the cinema with an appreciative friend… and popcorn. I will say that it was fun having Indy back on screen and if you are a fan of the series… there are some great winking “in jokes” to chuckle over. And yes, the scene shot here in the Big NO lasted all of maybe 5 seconds… but it was fun to catch nevertheless.

terblk07a.jpgEDIT: 1:20 PM

Suffered a case of the lazies on the cooking front. So, I ordered pizza to be delivered. Half Hawaiian and the other half Heart Attack Special with a liberal sprinkling of fresh garlic and jalapenos all around. Mmmm… that’s good eating.

Also if you are in the area on Saturday morning… the annual Terrace Block Sale kicks off at 6 AM. Perhaps we will run into each other there. There’ll be lots of old junk wonderful used and new items to buy… but look out for the tamale lady… hers is the best!

 
7 Comments

Posted in , , Da Count

 

butt scarier than an ugly tiki cup HNT!

21 May

tikihnt1.jpg

There may be one or two others posting similar pics over the next day or so. This is what happens when the soon-not-to-be-bachelor doesn’t turn up to consume the booze.

Cheers and Happy HNT!

 
19 Comments

Posted in

 

the wind is blowing again…

21 May

… the good thing about that is it’s blowing cool… the not so good thing is that it’ll probably blow pollen and dust. Though so far it is a pretty clear day.

I’ve decided to hold off on blogging on Cosima’s visit… since she is already doing a bang-up job over on her site. I will say though that she is stunningly more beautiful (and really very cool) in person. I’m sure the local bloggers who met her would concur. Maybe as her chapters unfold I may augment her account… perhaps even with pics she left out. Infact, here is a pic she left out of her first chapter…

sf508g.jpg

In other news…

There are all sorts of options for fun in the Big NO this week. On Thursday there is a mixer at Full Circle for the Fresno Filmmakers Forum that I just might attend with APJ.

On Saturday there is Sudz In The City which Fingers B is playing at… though I don’t think I’m attending.

And also on Saturday is the Terrace Block Sale that I am attending for sure (I missed the Harvard sale last Saturday)… since it’s only 2 streets away from where I live. I may even take pictures… but I’ll also be on the hunt for the tamale lady for sure.

That’s it for now.

Be prepared for another rolling post with edits throughout the day.

EDIT: 10:00 AM

This wind is reminding me of coastal weather. So, here is something that sings it. Kevin does do a pretty damn good job on it, doesn’t he?

 

 
5 Comments

Posted in

 

sure, I could tell you the tale…

19 May

… but HER version is so much better.

No, really… it’s OK… go on.

EDIT: 7:30 AM

If you’ve gone there and come back to this paltry post… cool! K, I’ve had a couple of days to relax… now it’s up and atom time again.

Fingers B is supposed to come by later for a bit of a weed and feed. It will be nice to have his company around. BTW… mega props and thanks to him on the wonderful job he did in the Turtle Dove Theater. Really… it’s looking spiffy again.

I’ve got a significant amount of chores to get to around the homestead. Then it’s work on the computer… so, perhaps this may turn out to be a rolling post with several edits.

EDIT: Noon

It looks like Fingers B will be a no-show today. Ah well… it is getting just too sultry outside to do any weeding now anyway. Besides, it’s supposed to get cooler tomorrow.

I am now safe and cooler huddled within my air-conditioned hovel. Most of the homestead chores have been completed… including lunch. (A pork, fishball and vegetable soup served with rice.) Now to look into some computer projects to finish up.

 
3 Comments

Posted in ,

 
« Older Entries