Dad's Advice Still Applies

"Keep your eye on the ball"
"One point at a time"

When I have a lot to do in the next few days, my tennis coach's (or my dad's) words come back to mind to keep me in line.

Full Circle

SF Weekly's Horoscope: Cancer

"...Take an inventory of the big tasks you've been doing for years. Evaluate the way they've evolved and how they've shaped your destiny. It's time for an expansive look at the labors of love that have made you who you are."

Funny how life brings you back around to where you started from. Who was that young woman at 26 in 1998 who just finished graduate school, who packed her bags and car and drove up to the Bay Area looking for a job, looking for a new beginning? I hardly remember who that person was because I have evolved so much, traveled, had life lessons, learned, fell flat on my face and got back up again a number upon number of times. Nearly 8 years later, I have lived in two apartments and now my condo in San Francisco, I have had 3 jobs and now I'm looking to start anew short-term and I'm about to finish bartending school as part of the big plan and a side job for now. Who was that person and who I am now is like night and day, although I am sure the core of me is still the same. When it all comes full circle can you fully re-evaluate, re-live and celebrate!

No day but Today! - from "Rent"

Happy Valentine's Day

Happy Valentine's Day to everyone - those who are singles (don't lose hope because he/she is out there!) and those who are attached (count your blessings that you found him/her!)! Spread the love and feel it!

Serving Up the Drinks

Tonight was my first bartending class, and how fun was it to practice pouring "drinks" made of colored water out of the different bottles, putting it in the shaker with ice and straining it through. So fun to learn something new and totally out of my normal day-to-day realm, so refreshing and invigorating to take myself out of my world. And I'm learning skills that I can apply to later on, for entertaining friends and for making drinks for my honey someday soon in Costa Rica, maybe serving up drinks with him side by side in his restaurant.

Loving Life 24/7

Unknowingly you have inspired people, made them re-examine their lives and what they want out of it. "Those who risk, win."

Just Like Heaven - The Cure

"Show me how you do that trick
The one that makes me scream" she said
"The one that makes me laugh" she said
And threw her arms around my neck
"Show me how you do it
And I promise you I promise that
I'll run away with you
I'll run away with you"
Spinning on that dizzy edge
I kissed her face and kissed her head
And dreamed of all the different ways I had
To make her glow
"Why are you so far away?" she said
"Why won't you ever know that I'm in love with you
That I'm in love with you"

You
Soft and only
You
Lost and lonely
You
Strange as angels
Dancing in the deepest oceans
Twisting in the water
You're just like a dream

Daylight licked me into shape
I must have been asleep for days
And moving lips to breathe her name
I opened up my eyes
And found myself alone alone
Alone above a raging sea
That stole the only girl I loved
And drowned her deep inside of me

You
Soft and only
You
Lost and lonely
You
Just like heaven

A Bit of Poetry

Forgetfulness

Forgetfulness is like a song
That, freed from beat and measure, wanders.
Forgetfulness is like a bird whose wings are reconciled,
Outspread and motionless, -
A bird that coasts the wind unwearyingly.

Forgetfulness is rain at night,
Or an old house in a forest, - or a child.
Forgetfulness is white, - white as a blasted tree,
And it may stun the sybil into prophecy,
Or bury the Gods.

I can remember much forgetfulness.

- Hart Crane (1899-1932)

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Entrance
(After Rilke)

Whoever you are: step out of doors tonight,
Out of the room that lets you feel secure.
Infinity is open to your sight.
Whoever you are.
With eyes that have forgotten how to see
From viewing things already too well-known,
Lift up into the dark a huge, black tree
And put it in the heavens: tall, alone.
And you have made the world and all you see.
It ripens like the words still in your mouth.
And when at last you comprehend its truth,
Then close your eyes and gently set it free.

- Dana Gioia

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Now Let No Charitable Hope

Now let no charitable hope
Confuse my mind with images
Of eagle and of antelope:
I am in nature none of these.

I was, being human, born alone;
I am, being woman, hard beset;
I live by squeezing from a stone
The little nourishment I get.

In masks outrageous and austere
The years go by in single file;
But none has merited my fear,
And none has quite escaped my smile.

- Elinor Wylie (1885-1928)