As I'm Jewish, this time of year always has me feeling a bit left out. So I'm taking it easy and trying not to think too much about anything too serious, which is always tough for me.
Clio's death continues to rattle through my consciousness. I've gone back and forth about the notion of finding a new girl to round out the household, but for now am holding off. For starters, I just don't feel all that enthusiastic about another cat, and going to "meet" them has mostly left me depressed. More importantly, Chaos seems to be slowly coming into his own and I'm seeing a side of him that has never been there before. Getting to know him on his own terms seems worthwhile.
- Markets have been doing not much of anything. While the bubbleheads on CNBC find something to be excited about every day, the reality is that what little movement we've had recently is fairly inconsequential. Yet I'm feeling somewhat uneasy about the complacency that seems to be out there. Between Europe, our municipalities and the employment rate, there is stuff to worry about out there!
- As usual, the Venice Canals Holiday Boat Parade was a blast and I had the usual party before and after. Unfortunately, no other paddlers this year, but I got to go out there on my own anyway and my neighbor "Mommy Whorebucks" decided to dress up and directed me to tow her. The best part is that rather than the cold and rainy weather we had last year, it was over 80 degrees! Even in LA, paddling in a kayak in the evening in December in shorts is not really all that common. [Pictures below.] Over the course of the past four years, I seem to have become an institution around here. Kids see me coming and start yelling that they want candy. Those post-Halloween sales pay off!
- One of the more interesting things about the parade is that our local councilman, Bill Rosendahl, showed up to open the festivities. A few months ago his relationship with the Canals Association could have best been described as rocky. The fact that he was invited to open things shows how much the political winds have changed around here.
- Much of the change has been driven by the web, and most particularly by a lot of "citizen journalism" and discussion on our local info website, YoVenice! Formerly, others owned the agenda. That has changed, and fast.
- Since I've lived here, I've wanted to go out at dawn to capture some images in the neighborhood, especially in the canals. somehow I never have done it. Tomorrow should be suitably abandoned and empty for me to try, and maybe experiment with some HDR imaging as well. Sunday may be even better, with some interesting weather expected.
- Jon's back from Tokyo on Monday morning. High time. Got to head over to his place and plug in the refrigerator tomorrow.
- Annual garage cleanup has revealed some gems. It seems I have an extra set of Oakely sunglasses, two extra sets of snow goggles, a pair of old skis I really don't think I want anymore and a bunch of tools I completely forgot about. I don't even remember buying some of this stuff and suspect some items were just abandoned in my car, my locker, or some other location where it was forgotten.
- I've got a refrigerator full of food and am cooking slowly. Not so much because I'm interested in a holiday meal as that it's just feeling nice to do it. First time since Clio's death that I've felt like cooking much. Chaos seems to appreciate the fresh scraps.
- For some reason, I was so tired last night I couldn't even think of any grievances to air. Not going to let that happen again.
-mg
