Stuffed into the (nonworking) fridge

Now playing: Danny Elfman - Hulk's Freedom
via FoxyTunes


So earlier this week, in the midst of this random heat wave we've been having, our fridge decided to crap out on us. I don't know which came first, but Mom realized it was probably time to clean out the dust bunny colony from the cooling array, and (after? before?) found that the bunch of ice cream we were keeping in the fridge was being maintained at the consistency of thin gazpacho.

Apparently a previous warning sign was that the fridge was running nearly 24/7, as opposed to the usual series of on and off. Mom and sis just went out and got a new fridge today, though it won't arrive until Saturday. Having a barely functioning fridge has done a rather interesting thing, in that not only has it drastically cut down on us buying cold/frozen stuff, but everything else as well, seeing that we do our Family-of-4 shopping at Costco nowadays. No use going to get food at Safeway when it'll all be gone by the end of the day, and no use going to Costco if all we're going to pick up is a handful of stuff.

Make no mistake, we've got plenty to eat, but now have a larder and fridge that are steadily getting more and more empty. It's an odd feeling, being deprived of modern food storage methods, and makes me think about how food storage/consumption varied in the days before electric cooling.

Spent the last weekend hanging out with Patrick and co., first a game night on Saturday, and then hanging out with a smaller group in and around Japantown on Sunday for the Cherry Blossom Festival and parade. As I was arriving at City Hall (and the beginning of the parade route), I saw a convertible with the sign "Grand Marshal, George Takei." No shit, *the* George Takei? I looked at the occupant, sitting high and wearing somewhat nonedescript clothing and a white baseball cap. Of course, he was looking away, so I spent a second or two looking at the sign and back trying to be sure, when he then turns around. Holy shit, it *is* George Takei!

Also spent the last week watching the Bourne Trilogy, and it is as good as people say. It was quite satisfying by the third movie, after much globe-trotting, fisticuffs and narrow escapes, to have the big bad (upon first seeing Bourne), say "Jesus Christ....That's Jason Bourne."

And if all that previous wasn't exciting enough, I'm going paintballing with Patrick and co. for his birthday this Saturday. Never done it before, but it should be awesome.


Enough, More Later.
- James

Poetry Double Header

Now playing: Danny Elfman - I. Pianos
via FoxyTunes


Since I need to get some sleep, some poetry. First off, the Hooker translation of the famous Dueling Poem in Cyrano de Bergerac (recommended by TC and implemented in the 1950 film version with Jose Ferrer)...


Lightly I toss my hat away
Languidly over my arm let fall
The cloak that covers my bright array
Then, out swords! And to work withal.

A Lancelot, in his ladies hall
A Spartacus at the hippodrome
I dally awhile with you, dear jackal
Then as I end the refrain, thrust home!

Where shall I skewer my peacock? Nay!
Better for you to have shunned this brawl
Here in the heart, through your ribbons gay?
In the belly, ‘neath your silken shawl?

Mark how my point floats, light as the foam
Ready to drive you back to the wall
Then as I end the refrain, thrust home!

Ho, for a rhyme…Mark, you’re as white as whey!
You break! You cower! You cringe! You crawl!
Tac! And I parry your last assay
So the turn of my hand forestall

Life with its honey, death with its gall
So may the turn of my fancy roam
Free for a time ‘till the rhyme’s recall
Then as I end the refrain, thrust home!

Refrain:
Prince! Pray God that is Lord of all
Pardon your soul, for your time has come!
Beat – Pass – Fling you aslant, asprawl –
Then as I end the refrain, Thrust home!


Also, because I'm a sucker for love poetry, I love me some Alfred Noyes, and to tie this post together, the following...


Song
(After the French of Rostand)
Alfred Noyes

O, many a lover sighs
Beneath the summer skies
For black or hazel eyes
    All day.
No light or hope can mar
My whiter brighter star;
I love a princess far
    Away.

Now you that haste to meet
Your love's returning feet
Must plead for every sweet
    Caress;
But, day and night and day,
Without a prayer to pray,
I love my far away
    Princess.


Enough, More Later.
- James