BETTER LATE, AND ALSO I INTERPRET THE PRESIDENT'S SPEECH.

What time does the eclipse start tomorrow?

Also, I listened to the President's speech while making supper. It's not word for word, but pretty close. Hope it's helpful in learning about the plan for Afghanistan and South Asia.
_________________

"America's enemies must never know our plans. There is a reason for this. I don't know our plan either, but I'll figure it out, and it will be a great plan when I do, and I will tell you, so everyone will know when I know - and follow me on Twitter, I'll update the plan there first, but in the meantime, because I don't have a plan, our enemies won't know our plan, because I don't have one, and I think that's a good plan, and rest assured that when we attack, and we WILL attack, it's because of my terrific plan.

So that's the plan, family - and rest assured, here in America, we are all a big family, and we have to remember that, and love is good, so no more hate, and by hate I mean no more hating good plans, because I make great plans, and we are going to have the best plan the world has ever seen, you can bet it's going to make history and it's going to be fantastic, and as I'm talking, a plan has come to me, and I can't go into details, but the enemy would not like it, not one bit if they knew, and excuse me while I end this speech and go share it to Twitter, and remember, do not let the enemy know about the plan, which is that they're going to lose very badly,

I mean really, really, really badly, and you can count on that. Support America, and the best way you can show your love and patriotism for this country is by supporting my plan and not hating my decisions and being unified in support for me and not Steve Bannon, so goodnight America and - what's that guy's name? Oh yeah, God. God bless America. Have a terrific night."

Lorax

Their first cinematic experience at historic Liberty Theatre in Camas.

A fine film.

Sewing Ginger

Magdelana and I have been learning to sew.
This is Ginger. The first doll born of our efforts.

Our creative partnership is a model of inefficiency and great joy. Magdelana carefully assists in the pre-sew measuring, pinning, and cutting. When we begin on the machine, she serves as executive producer (seat of honor: my lap) as we carefully guide the fabric underneath the presser foot/needle. She is the undisputed master of the backstitch button, and asks six times a minute if it is time to do so yet. Occasionally, when it becomes temporarily unexciting, she will search out a better vantage point. Such as my shoulders, which then becomes an exercise in extreme sewing.

We also have a few other items we have been creating, and perhaps we will share with the universe sometime. For now, here is Ginger.

Sitting in Front of Mirror in the Rain

Yesterday, Magsley started sitting.

Very noncommittal. Oh, you guys noticed? I've been able to do this forever. Just been waiting for some space.

Yaks away. Probably has more vocal inflections than I've amassed in three decades.

Astounding, sweet, chirpy little voice that makes it unbelievably difficult to be in a foul temper after hearing it. Like people with martyr complexes must have felt after meeting Helen Keller. Just tough to return to the down-in-the dumps framework.

Was a socialist though. Almost as bad as eating pork, or ostrich.

Sad

Becca's first full day back to work. M and I strapping it on our own for a bit. Actually, she's zonked in her seat next to me, so I actually am getting some work done.

Two months + two days old.

New:
1. Got three shots yesterday. Becca and I couldn't watch. Feels like betrayal. Would have almost been better if she screamed. Instead, she just sobbed. There's no conscious long-term memory at this age. Right?

2. 11 pounds, 7 oz. Puts her in the 75th percentile for weight. No idea whether it's something to brag about or not but it's great to see her filling out.
Very cute.

3. Lifting and keeping her head up for 10-15 seconds. Gets very frustrated with herself, and at whoever is watching, at not being able to stay up longer.
Quite cute.

4. Talking. A lot. And drooling. A lot. I will be very sad when she stops slobbering all over everything, including my clean polos. I'm all for crushing social stigma boundaries but I suppose we'll have to let her rediscover drooling on her own, later on in life, if she so desires.
So cute.

5. Has the most Cleopatra-like poses. Arms crossed, tucked under her chin, or dainty little digits pointing askew like Ms. Hepburn taking tea. Regalness personified. Like she's in a permanent photo-shoot and can't decide whether she wants to be Confucius or Cheryl Tiegs.
Utterly cute.

Listening:
1. Cat Stevens Teaser and the Firecat
2. David Bowie
3. Jack Johnson Curious George sndtrk
4. Jessie Sykes Like, Love, Lust & The Open Halls of the Soul
5. Vive Voce

34 Years

Lee + Sue on their wedding day. Somehow this seemed more appropriate than my father's favorite wedding night photo.
Life on the open road. Magdelana took her first trip to the Oregon Coast this week past while I was shooting. Major highlight was rocking out with the Colorblind Soldiers. She is quite enamored of their music, which is good because they don't suck anymore.

Seriously, they are starting to sound pretty freaking good. The adventurous stripped-down rock&roll of Spoon coupled with occasional intervals into Muse bombast, and perhaps iced with the intense DIY of the Moldy Peaches. More on CBS later.

Today, M's grandparents have been married 34 years. Which is good. Because if they hadn't gotten hitched and spawned Joseph (me), then she wouldn't be here today. She's immensely fortunate to have them in her life, and enjoys expressing her love by spitting up and projectile-pooping on them.

Listening:
DeVotchKa
Silversun Pickups
Optimus Rhyme

Jonny and Exultant Firsts.

I want to be a person people are ecstatic to share their good news with.

The exultation on Jonny's face yesterday at finally seeing his niece for the first time: even the greatest actor in the world* could not fake that depth of emotion.

Dylan unplugging, or the Sox kidney-punching karma en route to the Series, or that Galileean jogging on water: moments in history you'd love to be a part of.

Yeah, it was very neat to see Magdelana meet up with Speedo-gospelizing Uncle Jonny. Although she saves her most joyful shrieks to share with her dad at 3am, it was evident from her squawking and gleeful grunting that they will be quite the buddies for some time to come.

Jonny is quite anxious to teach her martial arts, although he knows none himself.

Magdelana Snippets over the last week:

new favorite activity as of last Monday: showers. hilarious. so much fun.
music: loving Duke Ellington, Count Basie, Bach and Silversun Pickups. still not caring for Charlie Parker.
started French on CD. French? Couldn't find our Norwegian, German, or Mandarin audio classes
first bottle this evening. same course, different presentation, chugged it like a Dublin thug.

*Martin Short

ZOO AND THE HOLDING OUT AND HOLDING OF HEROES.

M's first zoo trip last weekend. She had a grand time, other than slumbering through five-eighths of it. Coincidentally, we shared the same favourite animals: hippos, turtles, orangutans, baboons, tusk boars, fruit bats, and her mom, the latter whom she was fond of shrieking for in a voice that is reminiscent of a hoarse walrus dueting with Bonnie Tyler*. Odd though it may sound, it is music. I love her voice. Shrieking, crying, laughing, burping, and especially hiccuping.

She is so incredibly, hilariously fun.

*Fact: Bonnie Tyler is the singer behind the greatest sing-a-long song ever, Holding Out for a Hero (coincidentally, also the Greatest Song Ever). Every time I hear it regardless of where I am, I lurch for the nearest hairbrush, throw back the hair, and lip-synch like there's no tomorrow, except there is one because we're waiting for a hero.

*Note: there will be more zoo pictures. A priceless shot of mating turtles will be appearing soon. It's obvious once you see it that humans are not the only species who take pleasure in coupling rituals. The look on old Phillip's face...priceless (Phillip is the amorous shellback mounted atop his playmate).



Bonnie Tyler

Holding Out for a Hero

Footloose soundtrack

1984