Excellent BBQ

I am exhausted. Note to self: **never again** run around the concrete patio barefoot. My whole body hurts. My ankles had shooting pains up them. Hubby was nice enough to massage my feet and legs.

Everything went off excellent - still had a lot of food left over despite 6 extra shows. Most people came around 6 and the last guys left around 1. I actually got time to sit and relax several times, and eat too. Hubby manned the grill wonderfully and we got a lot of compliments on the food. Most important: there's key lime pie leftovers and I'm eating it now. Yummmm.

Pixie Seems Fine

Oh thank goodness, she looks and acts normally this morning!! Running around, meowing, her usual self. Oh, we've been soooooo worried. She even stood up and patted me on the lap just now and meowed for playtime. Whew!

Blasted critters! LOL. Keeping a close eye on her over the wknd. But breathing a huge sigh of relief at the moment.

Oncidium Twinkle Has Spikes!

Holy cow, practically overnight 2 long spikes sprouted! I'm soooooo excited!

Waiting impatiently for my radiata to open .... when when when!!!

10/11/09 Update:  Finally opened up, pics here!

Pixie Ill?

Pixie scared me this morning! She wasn't running around like her usual energetic self, and when I found her in Hubby's office, she was sitting in a classical kitty pose with the two front paws in front, but she didn't look right. Her fur was fluffed, and her pupils were big. It felt like she'd been sitting like that for a while, and I told her to come along for breakfast, but she didn't come, and she's usually running around meowing.

Only when she heard the cans did she finally walk down (not trot), and only ate half her breakfast. No meowing, no circling. Then she sat in the kitty pose again, and looked like she was staring off into space, breathing hard, squinting and swallowing a lot. Didn't look interested in treaties or the laser. Shivered a lot when she stretched out, front and back legs. But when I poked and squished her, she didn't growl or hiss, so that was good.

Debated on canceling my appt and running her to the vet, but didn't want to freak her out more or be the overconcerned mommy with such vague symptoms. I admit, though, if I didn't have the appt I would probably have taken her in.

When I got back, though, she sorta acted the same, so I was ready to run her in. But she seems to be a little more active again, so I'll just keep an eye on her. Fingers crossed.

Bit Better Today

After a miserable night before, last night was marginally better. Sore as hell now, but not painful like before.

Weather's marginally better too, a bit cooler. Been bbqing all this week, and so nice enjoying the outdoors. The mosquitoes not so aggressive, and we'll try out the new candles and foggers tonight. Can't wait for the party Sat, got all the menu items set, and bought the last ingredients today.

Movie - Salinui chueok (Korean, 2003)

Second Korean movie we've seen, there's some quality stuff from there finally making it over here. Title's translated as 'Memories of Murder' in English. Wonderful movie. Well done, well shot, well acted. Based on real events, the murderer was never caught.

After a second gruesome rape and murder happens in a small town, an urban detective from Seoul is sent to assist the local cops, and it's a desperate race to find the killer as the murders pile up. The most compelling storytelling centers on the opposing cop personalities and techniques. Small-town cop vs. city detective.

- Small town cop has an intense desire to bring criminals to justice by any means necessary. Old-school - walks the beat, hunts down the usual suspects, shakes trees. Crime analysis and prisoner rights are useless to him, which is reasonable considering the small town offenses he usually deals with. He goes with his gut, but it's not always accurate. He beats and coerces confessions from shady but innocent people. He screams about people contaminating his crime scenes, then throws his own cigarette butts at the crimes. His partner has a special bootie to keep his shoe clean when he's kicking suspects.

- City detective. Follows procedures, conducts investigations with a mind to having things hold up in court. Presumes suspects innocent until enough evidence has been gathered. Analyzes crimes and tries to get into the criminal mindset. Thinks brutish techniques are out-dated and useless, and sneers at the 'thug' country cops.

You follow the investigation and get the same info the cops have, and you face the same uncertainty and certainty of each suspect's guilt. By the end, the cops have switched places. It's all told within the framework of the larger social forces around them, both local and national (demonstration riots, forced local blackouts). It's a skillful study on so many levels.

I Feel Like Crap

I am very, very HOT!

My whole right arm is killing me - thumb/wrist & that tetanus shot. That freaking nurse lied. It is NOT like nothing.

I am very, very tired and sleepy. Tossed and turned last night 'cause of the heat.

Having a bad hair day.

Too much effort to do any more bitching. Not a happy camper right now.

Regan's nursery!

I love this place, pricey though it is. Tons and tons of roses and beautiful flowers. All my English roses are from here. Really really hot today, couldn't enjoy strolling as much. Pics from the mobile.

More pics from the camera:

From Daily Meanderings

From Daily Meanderings

From Daily Meanderings

Added Catster Widget

Cool. Saw it on someone else's blog, and did the same just now to mine. Had just had links to their Catster pages. Like it a lot.

Had to struggle with adding Mozart to this blog or just keep it to his memorial blog.

Heading for Lunch

Coit Tower in the distance.

Bay Bridge.

Now - Cable Cars!

Alcatraz straight ahead

Now - Columbus Ave

Looking at the Transamerica bldg

Book - The Pyramid: And Four Other Kurt Wallander Mysteries

I haven't paid for a new hardcover in eons. Literally. Actually I don't even usually get hardcovers. But I love the Wallander character so much I rushed a copy right after it came out, and started reading it immediately when I got it. It was money well spent.

The stories really provide a window into Wallander's past personal life, and brings that extra layer to his character. The writing doesn't seem so great, somewhat lackluster. Hmmm. Translator or writer? Didn't matter too much, though. Still very good reading.

Blustery and Icky

Sunny some of the day, periods of heavy clouds racing by, but holy shit, did it gust almost like hurricane strength, slamming up against the house. Couldn't be outside for more than an hour, had to leave one cym half-naked - well-watered and sheltered for now, but... Still sad.

The sunset den nobiles have a wonderful clean sweet fragrance. Love 'em! So glad I got them despite smelling only faintly at the shop. Nobile collection completed.

After - Lipper 'Leopard'

Before - Lipper 'Leopard'

After - Gold Beach 'Great White'

Before - Gold Beach 'Great White'

Beautiful Weather

Ahhhh, finally warm and sunny yesterday and today! Spending a lot of time outdoors. Moving the plants back out to the patio, and bought some cute flowers for the planters.

One more cym done. Unfortunately it split into 4.

Wenger 'Rhea' Small Camera Case

I love this case! Wish it were just a smidge bit smaller, but no complaints, really. Well made, not cheap-feeling. Wanted a completely zipped case to keep out crap, while having an inside pocket to hold a battery & card. Bought at Best Buy.

From Misc

Two Hours Later....

My Buys!

Only got 4 - 2 nobiles from Orchidholic, 2 phals from Orchid Barn next door.

From Daily Meanderings

From Daily Meanderings

From Daily Meanderings

Phal Sogo Vivier x Shang Sheng Angel

From Daily Meanderings

More Orchid Heaven - SF Flower Mart

Flower Mart, right side. There's about 6 or more vendors here.

Directly inside is Orchid Plant Trading. I've bought a lot from this vendor.

Orchid Barn. Also bought a lot from here!

Right Now - Orchid Heaven - SF Flower Mart

Flower Mart!! Left side stores, 5 different orchid vendors this side that I frequent.

McLellan Orchids.

McLellan Orchids.

TV - Maigret en Finlande

Not bad. A French criminal sociologist's the leading suspect in a murder while visiting Finland, and he insists on having a French policeman as an advocate. The lead Finnish investigator asks for Maigret, whom he's worked with before. Amusing study of approaches between the 'useless' academic who's studying the murder logistics, the provincial Finnish superintendent who just wants a clean and fast wrap-up, and of course, Maigret, who wants to know the actual culprit.

Besides the pain-in-the-ass main suspect, seems that almost everyone had a reason for wanting to bump the guy off, as he'd slept with most of the women in the town, and was planning on running off with his latest. Was also the navigator for the local smuggling operations. But it's the sister-in-law who offs him because he told her he was leaving and he'd only been sleeping with her out of pity since her deformity after an old accident. Gee.

Enjoying The Fruits of My Labor

4 hours yesterday and another 3 hours of cleaning today and I have a decently clean house. Yippee! Ahhhh, I think that deserves a drink while waiting for friends to come later today.

Saw the funniest thing: fresh paw marks all over the glass coffee table just a half hour after I polished it. Not just one set. Looked like someone danced all over the surface. These cats! LMAO.

Random Pics From New Camera

Love my new toy. Need to play around with the settings and figure out how to work it properly. Meanwhile, the kitties have decided it's their toy, and have been trying very hard to scratch the hell out of it, knocking it over, batting it and the wrist strap around. Joy. All pics are from the Canon SD780.

Indoor, auto setting, daytime, no flash.

From Kitties

Indoor, auto setting, daytime, no flash.

From Kitties

Indoor, daytime, kids/pets setting, no flash. Really impressive, I took pics as she was moving, following my fingersnaps.

From Kitties

Indoor, daytime, auto setting, no flash.

From Kitties

Indoor, daytime, auto setting, zoomed in. Not great. I moved my hand a little and 2 of the 5 pics blurred, and they're all kinda fuzzy. Will play around with settings on this.

From Kitties

Indoor, daytime, auto setting, flash.

From Kitties

Outdoors, auto setting, it decided on bright day, not so good. All the trees went dark.

From Daily Meanderings

Outdoors, auto setting, same shot, only moved down slightly, and a world of difference. Trees look green now. Must experiment some more.

From Daily Meanderings

Indoors, shot thru glass, auto setting.

From Daily Meanderings

Indoor, nighttime, auto setting, no flash. Hmmm, greenish tinge. Think there's a fluorescent setting to fix that, I think.

From Kitties

Indoor, nighttime, auto setting decided on flash this time. Same prob, pinkish tinge. Yup, definitely need to figure out that fluorescent setting.

From Kitties

Mobile - Kayla Now

I Love My New Canon

Got my SD780 a couple hours ago, and have been taking all kinds of shots with it. I LOVE IT!! My kitty closeups are so beautiful and clear. My dinner pics came out great. No probs transferring, and I'm familiar with the Canon software. Shot a movie of Kayla in low light, and no probs playing it on my computer in MOV format. Of course it played choppy since I have an old (5 yrs) computer, but I'm fine with it for now.

From Daily Meanderings

Camera's Coming Today!!!!!

Well, it's 'out for delivery' today, a whole day early!!! I'm soooo excited I clapped when I saw it on the tracking. Will go to HD tomorrow instead. Yeah, I know. Pathetic. And I'm fine with that. It's fun enjoying the little things.

Cannot WAIT to see how pics of the kitties and the orchids turn out. Big test is indoor low-light non-flash plate shots at the restaurants, I really really want something decent for my food blog. Will experiment with the settings over the weekend.

Now Playing - Pixie Helps With Laundry

My Buys From The SJ Show

My buys from this May SJ Show. The camera cooperated. Barely. You can see the camera's purple streaks in this neofinetia falcata. From Golden Gate. Heavenly fragrance. It is the most adorable little thing.











Another neofinetia falcata. From Cal-Orchid. Couldn't resist, it was so beautifully mounted.
















2 spikes on this encyclia radiata from Andy's Orchids. Cannot wait!


















An encyclia fragrans, also Andy's Orchids. Beautiful flowers, and wonderful fragrance!

Updated Orchid Spreadsheet

Ok. I have to stop. I have 212, and I'm sure after I finish the cyms, it'll go up due to the divisions. No more for me. Don't want to get overwhelmed again like 10 years ago, when I got up to 400. Although Hubby has a very disbelieving face. Can't for the life of me figure out why. LOL.

TV - PBS Wallander Series

Finished the end of May. I LOVED this 3-parter! Wish there had been more, and apparently Branagh didn't do any last year since he was working on another project. Oh, I hope, I hope, he returns to it, because his portrayal of Wallander was brilliant. The last episode, 'One Step Behind', where he practically has a heart attack while doing a slow jog, his expression was hilarious! "I couldn't, uh, get a glass of water, could I? (Panting heavily)."

As I'm working my way thru the books (just finished White Lioness) it was soooo disappointing to have the spoiler that Svedberg is not only gay (gasp!), but he gets killed?! I was so sad. I was really getting into all the characters, it would have been wonderful to keep Svedberg (in the TV show).

Contrary Weather

It's been overcast and really gusty last couple days. Just in time to nix our plans of enjoying our new patio set. It's June, fer cryin' out loud! We've been getting really weird weather all week, though, evidenced by the heavy thunderstorm in the middle of the night a bit back. Expecting more.

New Camera - Done!

Just ordered my new camera 5 minutes ago. Did a bit more reading on it (but Mats' blog pretty much decided it for me), and a LOT more reading on what the heck all those SD cards were, picked an HP one, and got both thru Amazon, 2 day shipping on the free Prime trial. Sooooo excited! Can't wait 'till Friday! Yippee!

Camera's Giving Up The Ghost Soon

Ok, I've procrastinated as long as I possibly could. It's gotten buggier and buggier, and I can see it croaking really soon. I've been reduced to taking pics with the really lousy mobile phone, but it's not going to cut it for my food blog, or the orchids. It's been time-consuming doing all the research trying to figure out what kind of camera I needed. Think I'm pretty set on another Canon, the SD780, especially after I read the most helpful blog 'matspointofview'. Posts included the blogger's own pics and videos, which were most useful. Pretty much cinched it for me, over the other cameras.

More Orchids!!

Darned, I keep forgetting to take pics of the Flower Mart shops! Anyway, made another trip out, didn't find anything I wanted at McLellan's, but got 7 little (mostly noid) phals at Orchid Plant Trading, and 2 noid zygopetalums at Orchid Barn. Shocking, got the camera to work! Well, for about 5 mins. The phals are Phal Nobby's Amy and Dtps Pure Moon 'Green Pixie'.