jennyvidas

Sun, 22 Feb 2009 07:46:02 GMT

I know I've been quiet. I've been busy. I might do a bullet point update at some point, but there's a lot going on. Wedding, work, derby...and occasionally sleeping.

June 8, 2008: John wins the Beverly Hills Piesta Pie Eating Contest. He is named the 2008 Beverly Hills Piesta Pie Eating Champion.
June 9, 2008: We start the caveman diet. I'm weighing in at 192. My heaviest was 202, as seen on TPIR. 45 - 37 - 45. I am not looking my best. I think the caveman diet is gimmicky, and people pshaw it as some mutant Atkins diet.
February 21, 2009: Caveman diet still going strong, but we do "Practical Paleo." Sometimes you gotta go to the Beverly Hills Cheese Store and get some good ass cheese, and then try to do the Beverly Hills Cupcake Challenge but there's actually a line for Sprinkles so whatever and you go home happy with a cupcake from Crumbs. Sometimes you gotta have a Mt. Dew. Then you get back on the wagon. It's really helped with true moderation. It's also helped me turn that frown upside down about avocados. Currently my most successful food project.

But regardless...I'm pretty satisfied with the diet. No additional exercise. Only dietary change. Today I hit 152. 41 - 31 - 39.

I won't say I'm looking good. But I'm definitely looking a lot better. And moreso than that...I feel a lot better.

For the record, so does John.

I hope I remember not to go down Hollywood Blvd tomorrow.

mmm. Meatballs.

Mon, 02 Feb 2009 23:42:03 GMT

So I consider tiny meatball sandwiches to be the ultimate in superbowl fare. When we went to a potluck yesterday, there was no choice in the matter.

The host and her boyfriend don't eat red meat. So I gave my meatball recipe a shot with chicken. I also made the sauce with chicken sausage. In short: they're still delicious. I'm not taking a photo of them because they're meatballs.

(everything else sucks.)

RIP, Eartha Kitt

Fri, 26 Dec 2008 04:28:31 GMT

man.

(someday I won't be too tired to post up only RIP messages.
Merry Christmas, everyone.)

I didn't expect to be so disappointed in California.

Thu, 06 Nov 2008 03:20:47 GMT

I had a very un-jenny-like day yesterday.

For the first time in my life, I openly supported a politician. I'm very VERY against proselytism for things like religion and politics. I'm totally for it for things like Roller Derby and the removal of pegged pants from the Norton School System in 1992, just not for the "big" stuff. So I wore the Obama shirt that I got at Sundance from Yosi Sergant out to vote.

Well heck if it's not illegal to wear candidate gear at the polls. Who knew? I greeked myself and got it done and whatever, but good to know. Also, way to get smacked down hard while doing something difficult.

We had an election party last night. Very small, filled with beers and sushi. We played a drinking game with Red Stripe and Blue Moon...things like "drink Blue every time the word "Historic" is mentioned...drink Red every time the word "Maverick" is mentioned..." Stuff like that.

However, the party was short lived. Blessedly so. I'm very proud of my country.

here's a tip kids: always keep a bottle of Veuve on ice. you never know when you need to celebrate your country with the PSBs.

I'm very disappointed in our state though. And especially Los Angeles. But that's another story.

"do you have any injuries?"

Thu, 09 Oct 2008 09:03:05 GMT

Today I got a massage. It was awesomez. It was a surprise gift, and I snuck it in when I should have been sleeping. Seriously, the best "spa" massage in the entire known jenny world is currently at the Relache Spa in Nashville, TN (yeah, the hotel is the Gaylord Opryland Resort Hotel. Everything is Gaylord in Nashville). Seriously. I've had massages at some of the top hotels around the world, and this was hands down the best. The lotion? heated. The bed? heated? My pillow? heated. simply awesome. So awesome that the spa plus 20% gratuity was taken care of, and I still tipped.

Before any massage in a spa not in some shady back alley in Costa Rica (not that there's anything wrong with that, I got the best Brazilian of my life for $7 in the SKETCHIEST room ever), you fill out a questionnaire before they start. They ask about existing injuries (and blah blah "what should we focus on?" I dunno, how about massaging?), and I usually just disclose my back. So we do the back massage, and she has me flip over on to my back so she can rub my neck and arms and whatever and she stops.

"I asked you if you had any injuries," she says (in a very disapproving fashion).
I say, "Oh, sorry. I referee for Roller Derby, so this isn't an injury. An injury is a broken leg or torn cartilage. Missing skin is merely an inconvenience."

And then I marveled at how true that's become.

why?

Wed, 08 Oct 2008 10:13:44 GMT

I put the Sharper Image radio in the hotel room on "spa" volume 8. It makes me think that I'm getting a massage, and volume level 8 is soft enough that I can sleep through it forever. Why do they keep turning it back to Jazz level 11 when they make up the room?

LEAVE IT ALONE!

mom would be so proud.

Tue, 30 Sep 2008 18:33:10 GMT

Your result for The Classic Dames Test...

Katharine Hepburn

You scored 21% grit, 24% wit, 52% flair, and 19% class!

You are the fabulously quirky and independent woman of character. You go your own way, follow your own drummer, take your own lead. You stand head and shoulders next to your partner, but you are perfectly willing and able to stand alone. Others might be more classically beautiful or conventionally woman-like, but you possess a more fundamental common sense and off-kilter charm, making interesting men fall at your feet. You can pick them up or leave them there as you see fit. You share the screen with the likes of Spencer Tracy and Cary Grant, thinking men who like strong women.

Find out what kind of classic leading man you'd make by taking the
Classic Leading Man Test.

Take The Classic Dames Test at HelloQuizzy

Also, I read this article from the Onion to my PAs, and one of them just didn't get it.

I thusly chose to play "I Wanna Rock" and "We're Not Gonna Take It" for my "Two For Tuesday" selection. He gets it now.

RIP, Paul Newman

Sat, 27 Sep 2008 21:10:14 GMT

Film star George Clooney said: "He set the bar too high for the rest of us. Not just actors, but all of us."

also, this is awesome

Sat, 20 Sep 2008 21:28:03 GMT

I was chortling all night.

I was mostly chortling as one of my crew members started the night by telling me that the Celtics suck. I asked him if he meant the World Champion Boston Celtics? I saved this photo all night just waiting for him to goad me. He didn't goad me, but he goaded a lot of other people. I don't understand why some people keep getting work. The people he offended yesterday don't know either. They think it's some sort of "boys club" thing.

I'm pretty sure my new middle name is "open meal." Sigh.

Work again tonight. Meh.
Co-Ed scrimmage tomorrow. Yay!

End of the world postponed

Sat, 20 Sep 2008 21:13:02 GMT

Meh. The collider is sick.

This means that I'll have to postpone my end of the world party. Meh. This also puts us at least a month behind harnessing black holes for mediocrity.

boo.

---

The Large Hadron Collider near Geneva will be out of action for at least two months, the European Organization for Nuclear Research (Cern) says.

Part of the giant physics experiment was turned off for the weekend while engineers probed a magnet failure.
But a Cern spokesman said damage to the £3.6bn ($6.6bn) particle accelerator was worse than anticipated.
The LHC is built to smash protons together at huge speeds, recreating conditions moments after the Big Bang.
Scientists hope it will shed light on fundamental questions in physics.

Section damaged

On Friday, a failure, known as a quench, caused around 100 of the LHC's super-cooled magnets to heat up by as much as 100C.

The fire brigade were called out after a tonne of liquid helium leaked into the tunnel at Cern, near Geneva.

Superconducting magnets are cooled down using liquid helium

Cern spokesman James Gillies said on Saturday that the sector that was damaged would have to be warmed up to above its operating temperature - of near absolute zero - so that repairs could be made, and then cooled down again.

While he said there was never any danger to the public, Mr Gillies admitted that the breakdown would be costly.
He said: "A full investigation is still under way but the most likely cause seems to be a faulty electrical connection between two of the magnets which probably melted, leading to a mechanical failure.
"We're investigating and we can't really say more than that now.

"But we do know that we will have to warm the machine up, make the repair, cool it down, and that's what brings you to two months of downtime for the LHC."

Setback

The first beams were fired successfully around the accelerator's 27km (16.7 miles) underground ring over a week ago.

The crucial next step is to collide those beams head on. However, the fault appears to have ruled out any chance of these experiments taking place for the next two months at least.

The quench occurred during final testing of the last of the LHC's electrical circuits to be commissioned.

At 1127 (0927 GMT) on Friday, the LHC's online logbook recorded a quench in sector 3-4 of the accelerator, which lies between the Alice and CMS detectors.

The entry stated that helium had been lost to the tunnel and that vacuum conditions had also been lost.

The superconducting magnets in the LHC must be supercooled to 1.9 kelvin above absolute zero, to allow them to steer particle beams around the circuit.

As a result of the quench, the temperature of about 100 of the magnets in the machine's final sector rose by around 100C.

The setback came just a day after the LHC's beam was restored after engineers replaced a faulty transformer that had hindered progress for much of the past week.

photo meme

Sat, 20 Sep 2008 03:50:42 GMT

So far this is for Rolston, Chy3, Jen, Kim and Greg. I haven't caught up on LJ lately. There might be more hiding in my "past 25 entries."

Take a picture of yourself right now
Don’t change your clothes, don’t fix your hair… Just take the picture
Post the picture with no editing
Post these instructions with your picture

At work.
846pm.
Totally stoked.

I've been about to blow a fucking gasket at work for the past few days. Some people may have witnessed a screaming argument that I was MOSTLY the recipient of, but I got to a point where I couldn't take it anymore and gave as good as I got (well, that's what you tell people when you lose, right?).

meh.

So I revisited my "Family Foreman" routine and mixed it a little with my "Key West" routine, and I'm moderately chilled out at this exact moment.

In a world...where Don LaFontaine...Rests in Peace.

Thu, 04 Sep 2008 01:16:42 GMT

http://ca.news.yahoo.com/s/capress/080902/entertainment/obit_lafontaine

LOS ANGELES - Don LaFontaine, the man who popularized the catch phrase "In a world where. . ." and lent his voice to thousands of movie trailers, has died. He was 68.

LaFontaine died Monday at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center from complications in the treatment of an ongoing illness, said Vanessa Gilbert, his agent.

LaFontaine made more than 5,000 trailers in his 33-year career while working for the top studios and television networks.

In a rare on-screen appearance in 2006, he parodied himself on a series of national television commercials for a car insurance company where he played himself telling a customer, "In a world where both of our cars were totally under water. . ."

In an interview last year, LaFontaine explained the strategy behind the phrase.

"We have to very rapidly establish the world we are transporting them to," he said of his viewers. "That's very easily done by saying, 'In a world where . . . violence rules.' 'In a world where . . . men are slaves and women are the conquerors.' You very rapidly set the scene."

LaFontaine insisted he never cared that no one knew his name or his face, though everyone knew his voice.

LaFontaine went to work in the promo industry in the early 1960s. As an audio engineer, he produced radio spots for movies with producer Floyd Peterson.

When an announcer didn't show up for a recording session in 1965, LaFontaine voiced his first narration, a promo for the film, "Gunfighters of Casa Grande." The client, Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer, liked his performance.

LaFontaine remained active until recently, averaging seven to 10 voiceover sessions a day. He worked from a home studio his wife nicknamed "The Hole," where his fax machine delivered scripts.

LaFontaine is survived by his wife, the singer and actress Nita Whitaker, and three daughters.

His funeral arrangements were pending.

director meme

Mon, 25 Aug 2008 17:39:09 GMT

Your result for The Director Who Films Your Life Test...

Sofia Coppola

Your film will be 65% romantic, 30% comedy, 36% complex plot, and a $ 36 million budget.

With few films under her belt (The Virgin Suicides, Lost In Translation, Marie Antoinette) as a writer/director, she's already highly respected and connected -- her dad, Francis, directed all The Godfather movies and Apocolypse Now. Sofia's good at making the romantic drama that is your life with poignant sullen moments of introspection. You saw how she stylishly handled Marie Antoinette's life, no? And who didn't have at least a lump in the throat at the end of Lost In Translation? She's already won one Academy Award for her writing, now she'll be the first woman to receive one for directing -- YOUR FILM!

Take The Director Who Films Your Life Test at HelloQuizzy

I have the most wonderful fiancé in the world.

Mon, 25 Aug 2008 00:36:01 GMT

I had a pretty bad week at work. He had a far worse week than I did. He told me to leave Saturday (after dress shopping) free, that I had plans for Saturday through Sunday morning. I was told to pack a back with a "night out" dress, and makeups and clothes for Sunday. Where did he take me? He took me for a vacation in our own town.

We took a cab to the Mondrian, which is 2.5 miles away from our apartment. John had reserved a room, and we wrangled a free upgrade (UPGRAYED!) to a suite of some sorts. We had a little alone time in the room, which we used by watching the olympics on this giant two person couch, and sitting on the balcony in the sun for a while.

At 430, we started our spa treatments. I had a pedicure and a manicure, and they ran short on time for John. He got a pedicure, and then scheduled to come back for a manicure the next morning, before our massages. I got my nails painted in a bright orangey red that made me feel very "Sicilian in Florida." There was one chick to do both of our nails, so John spent some time in the sauna and steam room while he waited. I read Vogue, and marveled at $1650 shoes. We went upstairs, and John pushed our dinner at Asia de Cuba back from 7 to 730 to give us a little more time.

I wore a dress I haven't fit into in quite some time. I had to have my engagement ring sized down last week. I'm a little frustrated right now, so I'm trying to keep that in mind.

We had an open meal at Asia de Cuba, and had lobster dumplings, ceviche with fried wontons, roast pork and panko fried plantains. We had a cuban opera for dessert (yum). The dumplings were pretty delicious. I think I was looking for leaner pork, but it was still delicious. And apparently, I think plantains are okay if they're basically a big slice of fried fried.

We also had about eleventy caipirinhas each. woo!

We ate in plenty of time to go to our 945 show...WALL-E at the El Capitan. We'd been talking about wanting to see it, and just hadn't gotten around to it. It's our second show at the El Cap, and our second Pixar in a row. It's a GORGEOUS theater to see a movie in...just really really expensive.

WALL-E was very romantic, and adorable.
WALL-E is the best love story Pixar has had to date.
WALL-E was, indeed, what Idiocracy wished it were.
WALL-E was not better than The Incredibles.

After the movie we went back to the hotel. Stopped at our room for a moment (the suite across the way was having a bachelor party with a stripper and the blinds open), and went down and had a drink at Skybar. John noted that there were a lot of thoroughly average looking people there. He was right. It was the most mediocre looking bar ever. Like everyone there was a 5 or a 6. There was no blend. We were definitely among the best looking people at the bar. Unexpected for the location. Some douchebag ordered two "Amstels," and then was in a world of pissed off when two "Amstel Lights" showed up. Guess he thought he was in Holland?

I was a little bummed that we waited for like ten minutes to get a drink at the bar, only to be told that caipirinhas were only served at the upstairs bar. I chose Amstel Light instead, mostly because I didn't want to wait, but partially because that guy was so mad that he got one. I wanted to drink a beer that could provoke so much anger.

This morning, we woke up and went back to the spa. We got swedish massages together, and then I spent some time in the steam room. I love a steam room.

Then we took a cab home. The cabbie and our spa attendants were both amused with how close we lived to the hotel.

Vacation in your own town? Highly recommended.
My fiancé? The most wonderful man alive.

Someone loves me.

Fri, 22 Aug 2008 06:46:59 GMT

Thank you. Seriously.

Thank you for guiding Nicholas Cage to star in a movie called "Bangkok Dangerous."

*chortle*

Happy Birthday, Chynna!

Tue, 19 Aug 2008 07:45:19 GMT

I didn't even have to create Chynna's dream Olympian. The internet made him for me.

Happy Birthday, meatball breath.

RIP, Bernie Mac

Mon, 11 Aug 2008 03:43:32 GMT

Seriously? No...seriously?

Frank: "You have lovely hands. Do you moisturize?"

Billy Tim Denham: "I'm Sorry?"

Frank: "You know, I've tried all sorts of moisturizers. I even went fragrance free for a whole year. Now my sister, she uses some kind of uh... uh... uh... uh... aloe vera with a little sunscreen in it, and ideally, we should all wear gloves when going to bed, but I found out that that creates a kind of an interference with my... social agenda, you know what I mean."

Rest in Peace, OG King of Comedy.

I'm so proud

Thu, 07 Aug 2008 11:58:44 GMT

Photo by Axel Adams.

EARTHQUAAAAAAKE!

Tue, 29 Jul 2008 18:48:35 GMT

5.6 (ish?)
Chino Hills.
My whole office just spazzed and ran outside.
Everyone is okay.
No tree fell on my car, so whatever.

(leave for Rollercon tonight!)

EDIT: 5.8. Technology = amazing.

http://quake.wr.usgs.gov/recenteqs/Quakes/ci14383980.html

Three Days to See

Sat, 12 Jul 2008 04:34:42 GMT

I received a card in the mail from my Aunt Pat this week. I always get a little more excited for my Aunt Pat's mail, because she occasionally makes very cool homemade cards. Before the whole "scrapbooking" trend blew up, my Aunt and I used to make cards from time to time. On an "Aunts Weekend" to Cape Cod in the late eighties or early nineties, we (both my Aunt Pat and my Aunt Beth) discovered embossing powder. We just about thought that was the coolest thing ever, and it went from there. My Aunt had all of these amazing tools and papers and toys for cards which all seem a bit more commonplace now since the scrapbooking trend, but they were hard won, and carefully sought out.

Regardless, this wasn't a homemade card, but it was a pretty cool piece of mail to receive, regardless. Enclosed was a typed (I've had a computer since 1982) paper I'd written when I was 12 (I very vaguely remember writing this late in the sixth grade). Enjoy it in its entirety (I will leave all typos and horrendous grammatical errors intact) below:

Three Days to See

If, by some grave disaster, I were to lose my sight in three days, I would have great difficulty in deciding what to see. Since I read the book 2010, I have thought it would be fascinating to rise to the spectacle of the oranges and reds in Jupiter. Unfortunately, it would be just shy of two years before I arrived, and I only have three days of sight.

Assuming my three days started at midnight tonight, I would immediately board a plane to Venice, Italy. While there, I'd float down it's famous canals, and enjoy the old world atmosphere. After a few short hours, I'd rent a limousine, and drive with the windows down to the capital of The Roman Empire - Rome.

In Rome, I'd enjoy the mixture of sixteenth century beauty, and modern civilization. At noon, I'd eat minestrone soup, and dine on ravioli at the original Alfredo's. While digesting my meal, I'd then take a slow walk down Rome's Main Street. Hating to break away from the endless beauty, I now would head for my last stop in Italy : Florence.

When I arrived in Rome, I had turned in my limousine, and now I would rent a blue Dodge Viper convertible. In this I would be chauffeured to Florence, being only twelve. Once again traveling the twisty roads of rural Italy, I fix every image in my brain, permanently implanting the natural beauty present it every new turn.

Once in my final destination, Florence, I'd soak up the Renaissance atmosphere. I'd go to mass at Michelangelo's famed Sistine Chapel - tourist trap though it is. Standing transfixed, I'd marvel at the beauty and detail of the artwork on the ceiling, and comment on the effect of the gaudy colors it was repainted. Once outside, I would remark to another spectator on what a shame it is that modern architecture, although sleek, is not this beautiful. The buildings have graceful, intricate and idealistic designs carves into the stone.

Pained at having to leave this unending beauty, I'd grab a snack and board my plane. Once I leave behind the twinkling lights of Italy (for it would now be dusk) I'd then enjoy the sunset from above the ground, and begin to look forward to my next day -at Key West.

Key West is rumored to have the most beautiful sunsets in the counry, even in the world. My plane would land at 3:30 in the morning, for I'd wnat to see the sunrise and set over water. At 5:15, after snatching an hour and a half of precious sleep at the hotel, I'd arrive at the beach. My sketching pad and paints are in a bag, for I'd want to paint the sunrise and the sunset. After two more days, the only accurate pictures I will be able to paint are abstracts.

Although the sunset is much more famous, I'd argue that the sunrise is spectacular. The sunset might prove to be an anti-climax compared to this.

After the sunrise, the beach began to get crowded - so I left. Until noon, I'd shop in the stores and shoppes of Key West. Knowing that I would no longer haave the luxury or privilege of prolonged gazing at art, clothes, or various crafts, this is how I'd devote ninety-five percent of my morning. I'd purchase the most beautiful things, and window shop for hours.

Alas, I'd have to break for lunch, so I'd decide to make the most of it. After inquiring upon shopkeepers, and shoppers about restaurants, I'd finally end up at the "best seafood joint in town." The delicate milky white scent carried for miles. I'd enjoy a feast for three of my senses, with the exception of my tactile sense, and my hearing. I'd savor the morsels of haddock, sole, swordfish, and a creamy New England clam chowder. This was accompanied by a colorful salad and vegetable medly. The whole meal was tantalizing to the sight, smell and taste.

My rumbling stomach well contented, I'd stroll in the directions of the docks. I'd sail into the blue-green water, planning to swim and read in the peaceful Gulf of Mexico. I'd stay to watch the sunset, not wanting to b caught in toe mob of people on shore. I'd not be disappointed by the sunset. It would be too beautiful to describe in words. Still awed, I'd dress and board the last plane of my three days.

Montreal, Quebec would be my next and last stop in my three days. Upon arriving, I'd make a beeline for The Underground City -a shopping center located beneath Montreal's downtown streets. After a few hours of non-stop shopping, I'd relax at a French restaurant on Mountain Street. Then, I'd travel to the Notre Dame Parish Church, and view the beautiful stained glass windows. Unfortunately, I'd be thoroughly exhausted, and I'd retire to any on of the many hotels. After a few hours of luxurious sleep, I'd awaken to see the Aurora Borealis. What an absolutely awesome (in the true sense of the word) spectacle. That is the only way to describe it.

Unfortunately my days of sight are almost up, and soon my world won't be beautiful, it will be black.

Jennifer Sireci

Three Days to See

If, by some grave disaster, I were to lose my sight in three days, I would have great difficulty in deciding what to see. Since I read the book 2010, I have thought it would be fascinating to rise to the spectacle of the oranges and reds in Jupiter. Unfortunately, it would be just shy of two years before I arrived, and I only have three days of sight.

For many years, 2010 was my favorite book. I think it's way fucking better than 2001, and I also think that 2001 is way confusing because it's about Saturn. But then Arthur C. Clarke was all "I'm a fool! Let's make it match the movie!" 2010, 2061 (I really liked this one too) and 3001 (which suuuuuuuuuucked) were all on Jupiter. weird.

Assuming my three days started at midnight tonight, I would immediately board a plane to Venice, Italy. While there, I'd float down it's famous canals, and enjoy the old world atmosphere. After a few short hours, I'd rent a limousine, and drive with the windows down to the capital of The Roman Empire - Rome.

In Rome, I'd enjoy the mixture of sixteenth century beauty, and modern civilization. At noon, I'd eat minestrone soup, and dine on ravioli at the original Alfredo's. While digesting my meal, I'd then take a slow walk down Rome's Main Street. Hating to break away from the endless beauty, I now would head for my last stop in Italy : Florence.

When we used to go to Disney, we'd go to the video reservation place, and make our reservations for food. We always ate in the same places: The Living Seas for lunch, and Alfredo's in Italy for dinner. We didn't eat anywhere for breakfast, because breakfast is teh suck. We probably had a churro. Actually, if I had the opportunity to eat more churros for breakfast, I would probably like it

When I arrived in Rome, I had turned in my limousine, and now I would rent a blue Dodge Viper convertible. In this I would be chauffeured to Florence, being only twelve. Once again traveling the twisty roads of rural Italy, I fix every image in my brain, permanently implanting the natural beauty present it every new turn.

A Viper? Seriously? I have no idea where this came from. No idea at all. I must have seen a picture of it at the Library or something (obviously, this was before wide spread use of the interwebs.

Love that I reminded you, dear reader, that I'm twelve.

Once in my final destination, Florence, I'd soak up the Renaissance atmosphere. I'd go to mass at Michelangelo's famed Sistine Chapel - tourist trap though it is. Standing transfixed, I'd marvel at the beauty and detail of the artwork on the ceiling, and comment on the effect of the gaudy colors it was repainted. Once outside, I would remark to another spectator on what a shame it is that modern architecture, although sleek, is not this beautiful. The buildings have graceful, intricate and idealistic designs carves into the stone.

Now might be the best time to mention that my work ethic on all research papers was undeniably shoddy. Invariably, I'd push it to the last minute, scam some sort of extension or fake that I was sick, and then make up as many facts as possible (and sources, if I had to). This sort of suspect work ethic never netted me below a B, and often got me As on some pretty important papers. And my teacher never noticed that the Sistine Chapel isn't in Rome, so I think I showed as much attention to detail as she did.

Pained at having to leave this unending beauty, I'd grab a snack and board my plane. Once I leave behind the twinkling lights of Italy (for it would now be dusk) I'd then enjoy the sunset from above the ground, and begin to look forward to my next day -at Key West.

...stunned silence.

Key West is rumored to have the most beautiful sunsets in the counry, even in the world. My plane would land at 3:30 in the morning, for I'd want to see the sunrise and set over water. At 5:15, after snatching an hour and a half of precious sleep at the hotel, I'd arrive at the beach. My sketching pad and paints are in a bag, for I'd want to paint the sunrise and the sunset. After two more days, the only accurate pictures I will be able to paint are abstracts.

Whoa, a little dark there.

I have some totally amazing ideas about "travel times." This one's my favorite, as I land at 3:30 and appear to totally just be transported immediately into my bed at the hotel. I wish I'd explored this transporting concept more. Untapped brilliance.

Although the sunset is much more famous, I'd argue that the sunrise is spectacular. The sunset might prove to be an anti-climax compared to this.

After the sunrise, the beach began to get crowded - so I left. Until noon, I'd shop in the stores and shoppes of Key West. Knowing that I would no longer haave the luxury or privilege of prolonged gazing at art, clothes, or various crafts, this is how I'd devote ninety-five percent of my morning. I'd purchase the most beautiful things, and window shop for hours.

Yeah. Like...glazed bananas. God the idea that I'd would spend ONE MORE GODDAMNED MINUTE OF MY LIFE in Key West is mindblowing, I can't even wrap my mind around the idea of wanting to go there ever again...and the idea that I'd waste one of the last days of my eyesight on this giant pile of flea ridden glazed bananas makes my heart hurt.

And don't think I haven't noticed this...Hey Kids! why speak solely in the present tense, when you can also speak in the future and past tenses AT THE SAME TIME???

Alas, I'd have to break for lunch, so I'd decide to make the most of it. After inquiring upon shopkeepers, and shoppers about restaurants, I'd finally end up at the "best seafood joint in town." The delicate milky white scent carried for miles. I'd enjoy a feast for three of my senses, with the exception of my tactile sense, and my hearing. I'd savor the morsels of haddock, sole, swordfish, and a creamy New England clam chowder. This was accompanied by a colorful salad and vegetable medly. The whole meal was tantalizing to the sight, smell and taste.

"best seafood joint in town." awesome.

My rumbling stomach well contented, I'd stroll in the directions of the docks. I'd sail into the blue-green water, planning to swim and read in the peaceful Gulf of Mexico. I'd stay to watch the sunset, not wanting to b caught in toe mob of people on shore. I'd not be disappointed by the sunset. It would be too beautiful to describe in words. Still awed, I'd dress and board the last plane of my three days.

Well, at least I had sense enough not to hang out in Mallory Square.

Montreal, Quebec would be my next and last stop in my three days. Upon arriving, I'd make a beeline for The Underground City -a shopping center located beneath Montreal's downtown streets. After a few hours of non-stop shopping, I'd relax at a French restaurant on Mountain Street. Then, I'd travel to the Notre Dame Parish Church, and view the beautiful stained glass windows. Unfortunately, I'd be thoroughly exhausted, and I'd retire to any on of the many hotels. After a few hours of luxurious sleep, I'd awaken to see the Aurora Borealis. What an absolutely awesome (in the true sense of the word) spectacle. That is the only way to describe it.

Seriously? Montreal? Also...can you even see the Aurora Borealis in Montreal? I somehow doubt it, but I figured I could get away with combining a mall and something I've wanted to see my whole life to make this one awesome day. Not a bad plan, I guess, if you can get away with it.

Unfortunately my days of sight are almost up, and soon my world won't be beautiful, it will be black.

again, a little dark there, Jennifer Lynn.

Which is better, Breakfast or Lunch?

Thu, 10 Jul 2008 07:48:03 GMT

Okay. John and I have a question for you. Which is better, Breakfast or Lunch?

An example of Breakfast:

An example of Lunch:

Discuss.

New job, new title.

Thu, 10 Jul 2008 04:31:47 GMT

Started last Monday. Wish me luck.

Battle on the Bank: What Happened?

Thu, 03 Jul 2008 00:16:33 GMT

Please be advised that without stats reports, we do not have all
skater information for these issues. This is based COMPLETELY
on memory, and we defer to actual game tape and/or stats reports for full skater
involvement and jam numbers.

Please also be advised that at no point did any referees and/or officials
for this tournament have any direct input on this ruleset. The ruleset
was designed by skaters and executives from LADD, TXRD, Team Awesome,
SDDD and possibly others. This is the same group that deemed that no
referees were permitted to skate.

The referees and officials for the tournament were doing their jobs: enforcing the
ruleset given to them.

SATURDAY: LA Golden Girls vs. SD Border Patrol

At the start of the final jam for the game, San Diego was up by one
over the LA Golden Girls. In the last jam of the game, LA scored
sufficient points to win the contest.

The announcers declared LA the winner, and LA began their victory
laps. No referees declared a winner for the matchup.

However, in the last jam of the game, V. Lee of the LA Golden Girls
committed a major penalty. She was called for "Major Forearms." The
action called was V. Lee performing a shove to the infield, resulting
in major game impact. This call was corroborated by a penalty referee
and an official.

The referees began pulling LA off the track.

LA challenged the call, the referees were called in to explain, and
the referees were sure that they had seen the penalty occur. The HR
upheld the decision, as the referees were sure they had seen the
infraction.

5.2.4.2.1 Forearms or hands may never be used to grab, hold, or push
an opponent. (W)

Per 2.5.2, there is a very specific procedure for all major penalties
called in the last jam. This was designed to implement consequences
for all last jam major penalties. The chart can be seen in its
entirety here:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/7849279@N05/2631449769/

In this particular case, LA was the Perpetrator, and SD was the
Victim. Resolution for the major penalty is as follows:

All LA points for the jam were nullified.
LA skates down a jammer in the overtime jam.
LA sits any skaters for major penalties (including those issued for
6.2.18, Insubordination to a referee).
SD skates with a full pack.

San Diego called off the jam immediately, as they were leading, and
won the game.

---

SUNDAY: LA Ri-ettes vs. Team Awesome.

Close to the end of the game, Team Awesome was down by five. LA had
two players sitting for a penalty, including the jammer. Team
Awesome's jammer lapped one LA Blockers/Pivot within the pack. The remaining
two LA Blockers/Pivot began skating at higher speeds to challenge the jammer, and prevent
the jammer from scoring points on them. The jam was called off, and
Team Awesome had appeared to have only lapped one skater, and not the
full pack. No ghost points were awarded, Team Awesome was given 1
point.

However, after the points were awarded (which is one of the first
things that happens in a jam, the Jam Referees report points to
scoreboard), a referee called that the two LA Blockers/Pivot had exceeded 20 feet.
This meant that Team Awesome's jammer had cleared the full pack.

Per the scoring rules for this tournament, 7.3.10, the jammer is
awarded full points on skaters with a 20 feet penalty as soon as they
clear the nucleus of the pack. Per 7.4.1, the jammer is awarded a
ghost point for any skater in the penalty box as soon as they lap the
pack. This meant that Team Awesome should have been awarded five full points,
regardless of physically lapping only one LA skater.

The scoring chart can be found here:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/7849279@N05/2632308660/

The points were rectified, and Team Awesome received their five full points.

This brings us to the final jam of the game. LA commits a major
penalty in the last jam.

Per 2.5.2, there is a very specific procedure for all major penalties
called in the last jam. This was designed to implement consequences
for all last jam major penalties. The chart can be seen in its
entirety here:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/7849279@N05/2631449769/

In this particular case, LA was the Perpetrator, and Team Awesome was
the Victim. Resolution for the major penalty is as follows:

All LA points for the jam were nullified, leaving the score tied.
LA skates down a jammer in the overtime jam.
LA sits any skaters for major penalties (including those issued for
6.2.18, Insubordination to a referee).
Team Awesome skates with a full pack.

Team Awesome scored one point in the last jam major overtime jam,
reported to the scoreboard.

HOWEVER, during this last jam major overtime jam, Team Awesome committed
two major penalties. Two Team Awesome skaters formed a wall.
Regardless of intent, this wall prevented LA skater Amber Alert from
moving forward. She attempted to break the wall, and did not make it
through.

5.3.9 Skaters may not join arms or hands in a multiple-player block. (W)
5.3.9.1 Skaters may not grasp safety equipment such as wrist guards,
elbow pads or kneepads, or a teammate's clothing or other worn gear,
in a multiple-player block.

Per 6.2.5, this is a Arms/Hands/Forearms Major.

This means that per 2.5.2.6, the following actions happen, with Team
Awesome as the Perpetrator, and LA as the victim:

Full pack and Ghost points (5 points total) are awarded to LA.
All Team Awesome points are nullified.
Game is over.
Winner is declared.

The one point was taken away from Team Awesome, and the score is still
tied. Technically, at this point, the referees by the rules were to
award five points to LA, and declare LA the winner.

However, as these rules were new, both captains elected to effect a
change. This had precedent during the tournament, in an effort to
compensate for "broken" rules, i.e. the ejection threshold being reset
at the half, the threshold being raised, etc. Presumably to avoid
winning the tournament in a visually unsatisfactory (and very
confusing) fashion, both
captains elected to give priority to a tied score game as follows:

2.5.2.1 The Last Jam Major Overtime takes precedence over Overtime due
to a tied score. If the score is tied at the end of the Last Jam Major
Overtime, a standard Overtime Jam will be run.

Both teams skated one final jam at full strength. LA scored, and won
the tournament. However, please be advised that prior to that score,
LA had already technically won the tournament based on 2.5.2.6, as
they would have received five full points, and would have been ahead
by score.

Regardless of how you look at it, LA won the game.

Please feel free to resend/repost to persons and groups of interest.

Gia de los Muertos
Co-HR, Battle on the Bank
Enforcer
Los Angeles Derby Dolls

RIP, Michael Turner

Tue, 01 Jul 2008 09:52:24 GMT

As I was heading to Roller Derby Saturday (that's a whole separate post, and I'm far too drained to even talk about that right now. Seriously. It was incredibly draining, and horrible, and awful.), I received an email on my bberry from Jamie S. Rich that Michael Turner had passed away. I buried it as deeply as I could, because I really needed to focus on two 12 hour days of Derby. I couldn't really process that news when I received it, so I postponed it. I do that sometimes.

My best friend Sarah got me into comics. She's a diehard Wonder Woman fan, and she took me to the comic book store when I was 17. She bought me a book called "Fem 5," issue number one, and we were going to "read it together." I don't think there was ever an issue two. I also picked up issues 1-4 of The Maxx, because I liked the MTV show (yeah, so what?). I started wandering to the comic store on my own from time to time, picking up a book or two that looked interesting, especially if there was a female lead. After a bit, I picked up Witchblade #2, despite the name. By the time I had hit the ending two page spread of Ian Nottingham ready for his "ritual," I was gaping. I drove to Sarah's house just to show her. And then tracked down an issue #2 for her, and copies of issue #1 for us both.

I really got into it. This was also around the advent of "the interwebs," and I had aol, and joined up some primitive message boards about Top Cow, the publisher. That transitioned into DOTB, Disciples of the Blade, maintained by Chris Rattray. Witchblade became more and more popular, and the publisher (and fanbase) grew. I became friendly with some of the members (ratboi, manduda, nightxade), and my first trip to San Diego, to the 1997 SDCC came to fruition. We made it an annual tradition. We spent years as a group collecting photos of his butt. He got in on the joke after a while.

This, of course, led me to move to California. It led me to meeting people who would suggest new comics, leading me to Frank Miller and Jim Mahfood. Jim's work led me to Oni Press, introducing me to a world of new work, and more importantly, some of my closest friends. When Michael Turner left Witchblade to create Fathom, we found Randy Green at a convention, and to make a long story short, Randy didn't work on Buffy, leading to a whole separate discussion several years later.

I was at Chris Rattray's farewell party when I broke up with my at-the-time boyfriend at a party in LA. It was an ugly breakup, and I ended up stranded in Los Angeles. Michael was in the group of very supportive people that helped me deal with a difficult situation.

Michael Turner's art inadvertently led me to move in with my now fiancee in San Diego. I know it's a stretch, but I sometimes review my life as a choose your own adventure.

I haven't followed Witchblade, or Michael Turner's work in some time. Let's be fair, I haven't really followed comics in some time. I'm exclusively reading trades, and pretty much only reading things from people I know, or highly recommended volumes. But I consider his work to be one of the three main creative influences on me in high school and college. And sadly enough, they have all passed on, at entirely too young of an age. I've spent a lot of time today reminding myself how beautiful I thought his work was, with his gorgeous women and attention to detail, and I expect that it'll continue tomorrow. I think I'll go read Witchblade 1-8, and Fathom again.

Michael was a really nice man. That doesn't seem like enough, and yet if you take that sentence literally, rather than a watered down version of it, it works. He was really, really nice.

If you want to take some time to just admire some pretty pictures, head over to Michael's Aspen Comics, and admire what he and Peter Steigerwald can create.

Rest in Peace, Michael.

Banked Track Tournament today

Sat, 28 Jun 2008 16:52:40 GMT

Wish me luck. I'm gonna need it. We've got 35 refs working this tournament, and I'm co-head reffing with Hurtin' Ernie. As recently as yesterday, someone walked off the job (pissy because the vague "powers that be" decreed that there would be no skating refs at the tourney, which goes against the rules, but whatever). Refs from 12 leagues came or are coming in, and most of them I've never worked with before. We're all working on a brand new ruleset that's never been used and tested, and as recently as yesterday the captains were meeting and changing some things. Not that I didn't agree with their decisions, but still. The tournament starts today, yo.

It'll be good. It'll be most of a cluster the first few games, no doubt. I'm particularly concerned with the Penalty Box position being responsible for monitoring positions. Like WFTDA, we're sitting the position, not the skater. So we need to make sure that if a jammer gets a penalty that they skate down one jammer next jam. UNlike the WFTDA, we're not pulling for majors mid-jam. So we better hope they keep their helmet panties on like they're supposed to.

meh. Rife with ways to go wrong with an unpracticed crew who barely even knows each other's names. And trust me, not everyone read the rules. The same ref that stormed off because there's no skating also said "I read the rules. It's the same as WFTDA 2.1.1." And we had to be like dude. It's totally different. Said ref then pointed to the footnote that says "Rules directly quoted from the WFTDA STANDARDIZED FLAT TRACK ROLLER DERBY RULES Version 2.1.1, used with permission of the Women's Flat Track Derby Association and are indicated by (W) following the rule." And said he read them. Methinks he just saw that footnote and tossed the rules aside, probably with some exclamation of "fuck this 27 page ruleset." We're modifying his position for the tournament. He'll still be a penalty ref, but just a slightly different one. I need someone as Jam Ref who cares.

If anyone's around, you should roll. I'm excited to see what Team Awesome and TXRD can do on our track, and proud of OCRG for stepping up to the Banked challenge. And I love San Diego anytime we can get them.

ladd2day is the case sensitive code for $10 off any ticket for tomorrow's game...

At the very least, I promise to have new fun makeup.