gem Document

6/20
I was writing about kissing, for that ghost work, and while I was doing that, KISS was playing on the CD. Coincidence? Sure.
This came through the mail yesterday, interesting concept:
> Kramer,
> I KNOW that you work a lot. However, I couldn't
> resist entering you when you included the "hit the Pay
> Pal" in your latest scope. I don't think being a
> Slacker is about working. I think being a Slacker is
> about attitude. And you have it. I hope you win.
So I met my evening business at Chuy's, I didn't get carded, "What, you don't check my ID so I can have ice tea?" — and folks wonder why I pick on Scorpio's: Sitting there in the bar, in Chuy's, minding my own business, shortly after I reminded her that I did propose to her once, my Scorpio friend conveniently manages to spill a full glass of ice water in my lap. Talk about a truly chilling experience. Coincidence? Sure.
6/19
I'm getting plenty tired of Mercury and Mars in their respective positions: backwards. So is my red headed Capricorn friend. The question for the picture, is that MY trailer I'm pointing out? [Probably not, just a general direction.] Walked over the new pedestrian bridge yesterday. It was a big deal when I was out of town, and it will make for a much easier route from Shady Acres to the stuff just north of the river, at least for me it will. The bookstores, the grocery store, Amy's — all the important things in life. The phone didn't stop, non–stop, all day and all night. Ain't nuthin' quite like being home to take calls again — emergency astrology. Seems to be mostly folks with Mars problems, and that's one who's going to be around for a while yet. I did sort out my web problems, and my accounting trouble by snagging old material off the back up. Sure, blame Mercury. I will. Question for the day: will I get carded at Chuy's tonight? Not just any Tex-Mex Restaurant, but THE Chuy's? Think they'll call 911 on me?
6/18
I can't believe I pulled it off as well as I did. Actually, I had nothing to do with it, but me and the Virgo fetched Sister from DFW Airport, precisely at noon, had Sister back at the folk's place by 12:30. She snuck in, and it was great surprise for old Pa Wetzel. Then, after another big meal, me, Sister, and Pa Wetzel all hopped up on the Katy Trail for some exercise. Sister spent more time complaining about how hot it was, Old Dad pedaled a bicycle, and I seemed to be the only one enjoying the stroll. We went all of about two miles, not very much by my standards, but a "fur piece" for them. Then it was back to the airport for me, and back to Austin, and then into a whirlwind of trouble. The accounting program didn't want to work. The internet connection didn't want to work. And my most recent back up didn't work. Problems, problems. I did wonder about how I was perceived, and I found the Scorpio scope for this week rather telling — some years ago, Ma Wetzel gave me a set of "Surfer Jams" — hot pink shorts festooned with little flamingos in the pattern. Between that pair of shorts and the usual shirt, I don't think I looked like a typical Dallas person. Sure did feel good to be back where I'm more normal.
6/17
Dallas — ah yes, I remember it well now, "Never let the facts interfere with the story," [Thanks Mom.] It's always odd how this works out, but I went to see "Memento" at the Inwood Theater, as a diversion. And then, watching the way my family deals with questions of memory, made me want to get a tattoo, like the guy in the movie. "Note to self: family always tries certain tricks." One, just one of the tricks, nearly got me thrown out of the Tom Thumb grocery store on Mockingbird Lane, or close to it — I was muttering about "Non–fat, non–dairy sour cream — what is this? Paste? White stuff for dip?" But that's what I was instructed to find. Guess I'll have to add to that tattoo that my family is a bit off. Like I'm any one to be a judge of that.
6/16
Dallas is always a funny old town. Being here, amongst the family and friends is always a little strange. I keep getting reminded of a particular line, from a strange movie, pure entertainment type of film, "You can never go home, but you can shop there." Unrelated, I got a query and request for a proposal for a daily horoscope column that was "witty, clean and fun." I can do witty, and fun, but it usually winds up with some dirt. Or I can do clean and fun, but it lacks wit. Or I can do witty and clean, but that's no fun. Besides, with the planets where they are, what's the chance of landing a gig right now? Got to keep pitching, I guess.
6/15 [Feast Day of Saint Vitus]
Feast Day of Saint Vitus — this is important because it's the guy who invented the St. Vitus Dance, you know that special shake and shimmy. So I was standing in line at the Chevron Station, not far from Shady Acres, just a little east of here — I had just gotten done with a reading at Threadgill's, and I was picking up a pack of American Spirits for the road. That "El Paso" song was on the radio, in the gas station/convenience store. From there, I was headed to the airport for a flight to Dallas. Now, none of this seems remarkable except that I was, by choice, on foot again. Even some chain stores in South Austin bow to peer pressure and carry Spirits. Then there was that song, again. What are the odds of this unique, peculiar moment happening any place else? Come to think of it, where else is Bolsa de Aqua likely to even be on the radio? Such a fine album. Then, last night, the sweet Pisces and her dog [drooling most of the way on my shoulder] dropped me at the airport. I had enough time to check the lost and found — in vain — for that missing cell phone. Then, trudging back past Amy's Ice Cream, I had an idea, and asked the guy to drop a scoop of Mexican Vanilla in the coffee I had. "No charge, man." No phone but the best vanilla ice cream in the world, and some good coffee? Sometimes it's not the big things, but the little ones.
6/14
That red dress story came up again. True story. And I got told I was "groovy. Deal with it." Cool, I guess. Anyway, yesterday at noon, I agreed to be an escort for that Pisces — to some special luncheon event. "South Austin Culture Club." But the initials are SOCC. Don't ask [I never did get a straight story about that.] There were a couple of politicians, a cop [the local district commander or something], and lots of the heads of the neighborhood groups. Sort of a bizarre amalgam of local culture. Movers and shakers in casual attire. Two judges. The thing I noticed, every time the next mayor of Austin got up to speak, my eyes would glaze over. She had a way of talking without saying anything of substance. She'll go far, I guess. The coolest speaker was that cop, "I'm not running for office, and I'm not a good speaker." He had a pointed and poignant little comment about where he currently lives (north Austin) and how it's not a neighborhood, but a bunch of self-sufficient houses where people live, "Neighborhoods, people know each other, they look out for each other." And of course, his closing remark was also timely, "Thank you for not asking me about Jenna Bush."
6/13 [Feast Day of St. Padua, patron saint of travelers]
Traveling again tomorrow: Dallas for Father's Day with a special guest appearance slated for later in the weekend. I did hike, but it was an abbreviated hike because I had about fourteen feet of contract to fax out. How do I know it was that much fax paper? It all spooled off my fax machine in one, continuous roll. Sign on the dotted line and away it goes. My little hike had an extra detour in it — I had to run home for some extra shorts as I ran into my acquaintance with no legs, and he was in dire need of some clothing. I'd set aside some shorts for him, and I had to dig them out of the trailer's closet and return. Got the DSL hook up working again. Problems? Only when I'm on the road — that will present a problem. The "automatic installer" rewrote some of the preferences in way I couldn't fathom. Now, here's the flavor for the week: Virgo. Virgo lunch Monday, Virgo dinner Tuesday night, more and more each day. I wonder if this is due to Mercury or Mars?
6/12
Motivation was in short supply after working all weekend. I stacked all the Chemical Brothers CDs I had in the player, hoping to get "out of control." Seems like I'm not the only person out of control — Virgo's, Gemini's & Sagittarius all day and night. Been a busy time. I was wolfing down one of my usual "Mexican Vanilla" ice cream dish at Amy's on 6th Street, idly chattering with my Virgo friend and the guy behind the counter. Turns out me and that counter help both went to the same high school at one time, albiet, a few years different. I ducked out before he could nail me for a year of graduation. That one was too weird. Then (let's round out the mutable signs), this came down as a forward from a Pisces friend of a friend:
> : Subject: astrofish
> : Date: Mon, 11 Jun 2001 13:37:45 -0700 (PDT)
> : I hate astrofish. Why? Because it's f*cking RIGHT! Grrrr...
6/11
Two days in a row, breakfast at Fran's Cafe, an old haunt from when I lived in the 'hood. The place for the fair was right around the corner from there. Then, last night at dinner, my Virgo fishing buddy looks over to me as the waitress made her rounds, taking drink orders. "37 seconds. No, look I timed it. It took you 37 seconds to ask her her birthday. Is that a new record?" [Aries]
6/10
Long day — long night, and at least, working at the party was fun. More fun than I've had in a long time, working at a party. But by midnight, I was one pooped puppy. On the ride home, the local radio was playing a particular song by the Grateful Dead, "Friend of the Devil," — "If I get home before daylight, I just might get some sleep, tonight...."
6/9
[This one's not going to work for astrologers in Austin, I'll bet.] Off to work this morning. Going to be a really long day, work at the fair, work at a party. The recent rains have made for steamy, warm summer. Humid, even. I went in the rain to work, came home at 5 in the afternoon in a sweltering sun. I did get to take off between readings at Threadgill's to grab a quick cup of coffee at Jo's — in the pouring drizzle. Feels like Houston. Or even Dallas. Where I'll be next week, going up for Father's Day. Got an extra surprise spooled up, too — just for Old Dad. Here in the trailer, I've got a moderate sized library, just the right amount of books. I've actually read most of them. After finishing The Devil Went Down to Austin, I decided to go back to a novel that's been bugging me, a 1988 effort by Austin author Bruce Sterling, called Islands in the Net. Rereading it. I didn't get more than a few pages last night, but I remember why I'm always impressed with Mr. Sterling's command of the language. As an added attraction, much of his work has at least some regional settings, making it a little more topical for me — this one starts out just south of Houston, perfect for a rainy night.
6/8
I enjoyed being on the radio yesterday morning. It was a good experience — just wish we'd plugged ourselves a little better. Folks seem to get upset when I quote them a price, like this service is free? "Here on the radio, their services are free, but if you want to talk to them, please remember, this is what they do for a living." [Santiago, the producer for the show.] I ran into that problem with all the calls that followed the morning show. Despite it looking like rain, I took off for a quick loop of the hike and bike trail. Much needed stress relief. Recommended novels by Rick Riordan: 1. Big Red Tequila, 2. The Widower's Two Step, 3. The Last King of Texas, & 4. The Devil Went Down to Austin. I finished that last one, late last night — perfect "Mercury is Retrograde" reading material. Fast pace, excellent local action, and the author won my heart with his first novel, and each one (read them in order) are best taken in sequence. Big Red Tequila is named for a drink made of those two items, Big Red and Tequila. Better yet, its protagonist is an English Lit guy who likes Peet's Coffee, but all the action is set in Texas. So you have a local flavor with a sprinkling of that Bay Area sentiment. And guns, violence, primo plotting, and just the right amount of Austin flavor. It's kind of interesting, in the first book, the author was from San Antonio, living in the Bay Area. In the most recent one, the author's bio now places him in San Antonio. Had to come home. A sentiment I understand. Between chapters, last night, an old resident of Shady Acres stopped by, and in the course of conversation, he dropped this line: WWJD? What Would Jenna Drink?
6/7
5:00 AM comes really early some mornings, especially when I have to wake up and get off to the radio station. Plus, I stopped by the Neighbor's trailer last night, and I caught the tail end of the basketball game. In deference to my host, I had to root for the Lakers — good game, they lost. Another neighbor wandered in with her puppy, [c.f., Taurus for this week] asking why I looked so serious. I was irritated because I was watching a sport I care very little about, caught up in the moment of the game. When I flipped the new picture into the corner here, before shrinking it, I was so fond of this one shot, I could read what the hat says: women want me, fish fear me. Too bad the resolution gets lost on its trip down. I hate losing a phone, and this is about the third cell phone that's been eaten. I used it in the Austin airport last week, and never saw it again. So far, neither the airline nor the airports have turned anything up. It's a little hard to describe, too, as it looks more like a game boy cartridge than a phone. Now here's the funny thing, I haven't lost a beeper in over seven years, but three phones? I got some condolences, but I kept trying to explain, it really doesn't sting too much. Maybe a little, but not much. The first time was panic, the second really annoyed, and this time? Can't be bothered. Means that I see about getting one of the old phones turned back on, I guess. Nice to have friends in the business. Typical Mercury trick, though. I'll be passing through Dallas next week, for Father's Day, and I'll get a chance to check, one last time, at the SWA Lost and Found. What are the chances?
6/6
Interesting play on numbers for today's date. One of the companies I work for was acquired by its major competition, in a buy out deal, some months ago. A little later this month, the final contracts are inked. Now, if these are really astrology companies, what are they doing signing the papers when Mercury is retrograde? Isn't that against basic astrology lore? Violating one's own set of principles? Or maybe they just don't really believe this stuff themselves? After a hectic and triumphant return home, and some hasty morning work, readings and such, I slipped into a deep afternoon slumber. Dinner was simple: a can of Y2K Chili dumped over a small bag of Fritos. Homemade chili pie. Didn't please the cat, but made me happy. She has a tender tummy, and she's not fond of all my culinary creations. Some of that leftover [see the Pisces scope for this week] 'emergency preparedness' stuff.
6/5
I was in El Paso an extra day to take care of some business — (yes, getting that new credit card thing lined up) bank business. I had a chance to take a meal in another little Tex–Mex looking joint. I can't remember the name, but I do recall that the red chilli stew actually had some zip to it, and then the plate I was making fun of rated as some of the best chicken fried steak I've seen in a long time. It was a Mexican dish of some sort, ground beefsteak, pounded into submission, breaded and fried. After some scoffing on my part, the hostess was kind enough to let me sample a small portion of the culinary delicacy. Don't ask me to name it, or the name of the place, it was just another joint in the dusty desert town, but it was also some of the best Chicken Fried Steak I've seen in a long time. Met Jack at Ripper dot com in the departure lounge. Managed to double a book a ride home from the airport, too. Folks would've been mad at me, but I kept doing that "Mercury is retrograde" shuffle, and I don't think I ruffled too many feathers.
6/4
At the Pastry Chef on Sunday morning, the owner came over to our large group, and asked if we could all sit at different tables — his daughter was waiting tables, and the owner inferred — with a sly grin — that it would be a little hard for her to remember all the orders. Never underestimate a Virgo, she got us all served without problems. Some years ago, at an event in Dallas? Ft. Worth? Someplace like that, I saw a guy wearing a skirt [not a kilt, a skirt]. He was a vendor for some attire called a "man wrap." I noted it, wrote about it, and subsequently got teased about it, "Thought you'd show up in a skirt, too." Sunday morning, I took a tablecloth in a bright, floral print [Sunday's tablecloth looked like Saturday's shirt], wrapped it around my waist, and walked into the event. Best comic entertainment I could provide for the day — it's a strange way to make living, but I like it.
6/3
I can't remember the name for it, but the temperature in the desert was below 70 by early Saturday morning, and it hit triple digits by the end of the day. Apparently, I was hiking in 100 degree heat, but didn't feel like it — just one of the reasons I love the El Paso area — high desert. Mac the Aura Camera Guy pointed to one woman in line to get her Aura Picture interpreted, and asked me, "Leo and Capricorn, we get along, right?" "Sure, excellent match for you." [Translation: she walks upright, she breathes, she agreed to have dinner with him.] I'm trying to get Grace on a new schedule, get her used to eating at the Pastry Chef, and stopping by Cafe Dali for real coffee (cappuccino, espresso, latté, chai & etc.) instead of just the truck stop, which does still have the best breakfast by some standards.
6/2
from the mailbag, while on the road:
sign: Sagittarius
Finally, someone that 1)admits to being in Texas, 2)doesn't take himself SO seriously, 3)"talks Texan"!!!!, and yet, has good information!
Admits to being a Texan? Kind of hard to fool most the people I encounter. Admits to being in Texas? Where else would I be? I'll even proudly claim to be a Sagittarius. Hot day in El Paso, a little breakfast at the Pastry Chef, just like last time, and little errand hopping, a little PR, a little hike in the hot sun. Went on a little hike up towards "Apache Caves" in the Franklin Mountains, my sandals were referred to as "Disciple Dirt Kickers." Last time I heard anything like that was long time ago, then my sandals were called "Jerusalem Cruisers." Grace and Bubba took me to dinner at JJ's, sort of middle of the road Mexican food joint, but it did have, as promised by the Leo's, stupendous hot sauce. A quick trip through the Indian Casino [Sunland Park race track & casino], and I wound up almost $50 ahead for the trip. I just hope the luck holds out. I would've been further ahead at those slot machines, but sometimes, I just don't know when to quit.
6/1
I spent three hours yesterday morning, from before 7 AM onward, dealing with the flames, the bounced mail, and other exigencies that arise from the monthly mailer I do. One Virgo responded, "Why don't we get anything fun right now?" I answered: it's not you. It's not me. It's Mars. My fine Cap buddy suggested:
>> Thank God (or whomever) for FGS. If only I could donate a freakin' dollar
>> to the site. (I'm too dumb to use Paypal - whaah!!)
C'mon, guys, PayPal is easy, you just follow the instructions. The reason I spent 3 hours straight through with mail bag was because it was raining. Hard enough to keep me inside. Figured it was going to rain all day. Didn't. But it did cause a slight delay at the airport. Just enough time for some Amy's Ice Cream — Mexican Vanilla. No jokes about my present location, please. "I'm going to El Paso" [The Gourds on Bolsa de Aqua].
5/31
I found myself retracing my steps from yesterday, trying to make sure I get an even amount of sun all over me. I couldn't locate that purple flower again. Must be a seasonal thing. I got stuck — or lucky, depending on one's perspective — looking at charts for a whole family. Strangest coincidence, mothers, daughters, sisters, all had this one particular planet strongly lined up with other stuff. Showed up across three generations. Just the weirdest thing. South First Street in Austin has good sushi. Not quite up to last week's "Devil Roll" [a transcendental metaphysical dining experience], but certainly serviceable for bait. "Fish or cut bait," comes to mind. Listened to the tales of a trailer park wedding: get this — it was a potluck wedding. Off to El Paso for the weekend, leaving on the afternoon shuttle. "There's a hot wind, on my shoulder, and the touch of a world that is older...." [Mexican Radio by Wall of Voodoo]
5/30
I'm not making this one up, but what are the odds of having readings with three females — all the same sign — AND all having the same first name? Just weird. I'm supposed to be used to coincidences but even this one had me floored for a little while. Mr. Really Cool Cell phone wasn't working so good yesterday as I hiked through East Austin. I wonder if economically deprived areas have fewer mobile phone towers or something? I did get a chance, as I cut through a field at the eastern terminus of the lake, there, in the middle of stretch of prairie, a single, little, brilliant purple buttercup looking flower. Probably just a weed or something, but it was such a nice break from working so much lately. Got some unsolicted feedback on my crude Latin translation, and it's true, I swiped it from a book I was reading at the time. I still like the elegance of the way the expression rolls off the tongue, though. "Futuarisi nisi irrisus ridebis."
> The sentiment is there, but the Latin is pretty lame.
> I would have put it "Futuaris si jocationem non accipis".
5/29
Busy. Busy, busy, busy in Dallas (East Texas). Airplanes and home in Austin. The cab ride from the airport had the best information in a long time, as I got to quiz the driver about good places to eat. I've eaten in two or three of the half dozen places he listed. And it turns out, he shared the same affection for greens and spices that I share. Home style cooking. Find the right cab driver, ask the right questions, and there's a wealth of information available. Empty all the East Texas duds out of one bag, and pack again for El Paso, the only consolation is that it's fully summer time, and while traveling in Texas, nothing more than shorts and sandals are required. I love this place. I love the late spring — it feels so much like summer.
5/28
I was in crowded bar late Sunday afternoon, waiting to get a table for supper. As I squeezed past a couple guys at the bar, one them said, "Look: this is how you do it: wipe the salt of the rim with your finger, throw the lime on the floor, then drink the tequila." Just one of the reasons I love Texans, with our quaint customs, just eschew all the ritual, and drank that cactus juice right on down. No wonder everybody else thinks we're crazy. [For the record, due to mental health conditions, I completely abstain from said cactus juice — although I do prescribe on some occasions, strictly for its medicinal qualities.]
5/27
Dallas can be such a weird town. As an homage to Grace in El Paso, I did wear the "surf's up, m'lord," outfit: tasteful purple plaid shorts, and tasteful green background Hawaiian shirt, without a single matching color between the two. I just got to be me! For dinner on Saturday night, after making enough jokes about sushi and bait — not that there's much difference between to the two sometimes — I went back to Sushi on McKinney. Last time Id been there must've been close to ten years ago, at the time, I thought it was a pretty snotty place, rather typical Dallas upscale joint. This time, remember how I was dressed, I found the place relaxed, charming, and just a little on the quaint side. The interim years might have softened me, hardened me, or maybe it was my sartorial selection. The best sushi I've had so far, is the Devil Roll at this place. It's hot enough to cross that delicate border between insanity and flavorful. The horseradish–Japanese mustard and other stuff makes it the hottest I've had in a long time. I'm not sure if I didn't cross over the insanity border, but only a little. It is a thin line, and I can't suggest this for a weak willed person — I ran my tongue back over my gums, got a fresh round of that hot stuff, and found myself nearly choking. Nearly. Not quite. No sushi roll is going to get the best of me.
5/26
Shady Acres isn't far from Congress Avenue [home to Jo's Coffee Shack, San Jose Motel & Magnolia Cafe]. At the other end of Congress, there's the Capitol, big old hunk of pink granite. A little before noon yesterday, a flight of planes went over the Capitol buiding. Looked like T-34 Texan trainers, but I wasn't sure. Must've been about a half dozen, tight formation, low and fast. Or low and slow, depending on how you want to consider the relative airspeed velocity. "I'm a long gone daddy" [Hank I]....
5/25
Been a run on Sagittarius readings as of late, last three in a row, more to come, I'm sure. It's that Gemini thing (it's the sign opposite Sagittarius). I asked my last reading yesterday afternoon if I should go for a dip in the Springs, as I was leaving Threadgill's. "Hot day like today? Sure." Now, at my age, 29 [teens], going down to the creek for a quick dip on a hot afternoon just doesn't seem right, like a guilty pleasure. But it sure felt good. "I love you baby, but you've got to understand, when the lord made me, he made a ramblin' man." [Hank Sr., Ramblin' Man. c. 1949] Load up the luggage, one more weekend on the road. Dallas, then points east — East Texas. Still my favorite lyric of all–time.