Picked up my last check from Wally World today. Bubba came forward with money for my truck payment after his(1) LARGE Christmas present & the 2 bottles of Georgio. I know no one more blessed than I. I know of few so lucky to be so in love.

I stopped @ Starbucks to treat myself to a "Skinny Latte Viente" which helped me find the energy to go 3 3/4 miles on the treadmill(could not do it without the ipod...the ipod practically does it for me!) I plan to apply on line for Starbucks on the morrow. That is a job I would enjoy! I also must chat on line with Norton techs from India on the morrow as my Norton appears to be haunted. This chat, I am not looking forward to at all. My brother Buzz & I tried to fix the problems for nearly 3 hours Sunday nights...went to sleep with a big headache and have procrastinated going to the source since then. Bubba & I gifted one another 3 seasons of Monk (I cannot halt the writer's strike!) & we are spending lots of fun time together & I am trying to keep my mouth shut about all the old familiar sights in San Fransisco...after this long, I am sure Bubba tires of hearing my amusing little stories about life in the Bay Area...but, like my father, I never tire of telling my stories.

Shortly after my final return to the Bay Area, my friend, Michelle & I joined the "Cacaphony Society" which by in large held members of San Franciso & Oakland theater groups. We did outrageously fun adventures around town. A formal dinner on the Golden Gate Bridge (complete with candelabras)(if it was a slow news day, we'd get local television coverage for that one-but, so cold & foggy!), and once a formal dinner in a laundromat in China Town(this was one of my favorites). Everybody brought a single sock to wash and dry, and a covered dish to contribute to the dinner. We played the score from "Oaklahoma" on a boom box, and the guys in their top hats & tuxes & suits danced us ladies in formals, heels and tiarras up and down the aisles of the establishment to the ponderous amazement and amusement of the locals who did not seem to know enough English to kick us out. We shared our food and a great time was had by all. Another time, they scheduled a Scavenger Hunt back and forth down the street where the Chinese New Year Parade was ringing in the year of he dog(my favorite beastie). We'd have to run out into the street between floats and performers and dragons. We went to a viewing of "Nostronafu" for Halloween, and some of the guys put together a haunted trail kicking around an abandoned mill. We went bowling in formal clothes at the "Rock and Bowl" when they were having a Chris Issak festival & he showed for it, and the gang left me behind (my choice) when they went on an excursion to explore the underground sewers of Oakland. I drank back the, but I didn't drink THAT much!

Strange and wonderful the quiet, tame life I lead these days. Early to bed and early to rise. Michelle had surgery that radically changed her appearance(she was beautiful before the surgery, but not happy. She remains beautiful, and as far as I know...still unhappy, even though she schanged her life and moved to Forida.

Bubba calls and "Monk" begins again...it's a good life full of old memories, making new memories...coming here when I can to write them down & often get comfort and advice..my life is good.

My sister Jan & I visited Mom on Wednesday morning. I love her so much-but she is so vacant, so very sweet and vacant.....and all of the time, so, so tired..she has lost a lot of weight, and she has no appetite. I cannot dwell on my parents as it only takes me to sad places right now. I am hoping my point of view will change on down the line. Following the visit, we had a "Sister's Day" @ Kathy's, watching "Big Fish" on her hi def TV. I skipped lunch & although I have seen it several times, it brought me to tears and an immediate headache (in between storms in Indiana)-I know the movie reminds my brother of our father, but it the only resemblance that rings true to me is Dad was a story teller, and Dad died. But that is just me...Dad was also a lot cuter than Albert Finney.

I wonder what is going on these days on the Stream...is there any new or old drama that surrounds me while I remain happily ignorant. I just cannot seem to find the time as I did in the past. The days pass quickly, and they are already so full-I think I fear losing whole days to the Stream as I did in the past, thus my visits are few and far between.