Shots from the Lip

 We have experienced drainage back-up.  Not sufficient to be alarmed over but sufficient to know that our lines beneath, incepting at our house and including the three other 'antique' single family structures (ours and Dan's were 1913 vintage - the other two were 1928 'newbies) before connecting to the primary lines were in need of a 'snake'.   Three years ago we had a plumber with manual equipment.  What a difference electricity makes - the snake went (with a tad bit of assistance at times) out and retracted at the press of buttons....how nice! Contracts completed for the roof - now to coordinate the actual work........

......a morning torn with 'do I go or do I stay' with my decision to stay - albeit with some sadness No Kings protest rally has already begun at Palisades Park at Ocean Avenue and Montana Avenue in Santa Monica.  Of course my heart is there - I was arrested in 1968, protesting Vietnam.  I would be actively in support of reaffirming our democracy today were it not our need for peace of mind in getting a new roof. We've got someone coming here from Newport Beach, on referral, a young general contractor who does roofs and his biggest client is the one referring us.  We need peace of mind - you would not believe how fucking unethical the roofing contractors we've seen so far are - where is honesty and integrity in small business anymore?  Or is it just that we still find US culture 'foreign' to us???? I am listening/watching to a Eurovision pirate video from overseas of the Met's Tristan - it opened to deservedly rave reviews and yes, I would pay to see somethin...

 I went to the eye doctor this morning - no, not the AMD treatment ophtho but the 'regular' variety - Dr Rhambia who I first saw this past September.  Good results....only change - eye drops 3 times a day from now on. I screwed up on my Rollei - rewinding after completion......thus far I have fucked up 4 rolls of film but I think I know how to do it all correctly, now...........B&W film loaded and I have to do some film photoshooting - again...... We have the second.....possibly third roofer here tomorrow at noon.......next step - finding out what I need for securing the permit......

Soon - its coming soon - the motivation to do a detailed essay.  When it comes, I anticipate words flowing a whole lot easier than they flow now...... I'm listening to Tristan on the Met Radio Network as I write this.......Because I am gone a full day, tomorrow, I thought best of doing the opera at a nearby AMC theatre........would they let me out during the extended intermissions to find someplace open, serving something?  Probably not. Should I go out this afternoon and try to complete the first role of film on my Rollei?  I've gotten over my anticipation and can wait......such is life...... Not much else to say this morning.....back to listening to Tristan...... 

 There is something very positive as a result of doing a Friday morning bicycle ride later than 'normal'.  True, auto traffic is heavier at 10am than at 8am but lousy drivers I fear are afternoon drivers - they don't get out in the mornings!!! Regardless, since this is still a weekday, there is little lingering after the morning workouts by those still having to go to work and the beach is wonderfully quiet, void of runners, walkers, riders, whathaveyou.......and I am one who loves solitude.........! Sooner or later I will finish my first roll of film on my Rollei, take it to Walgreens and even before I get the results back, I will start upon a B&W roll of film.  Going on mini-photoshoots a few days each week works for me......and now that I have watercolor pencils, I hope to get back to sketching, inking, coloring on a regular, recurring basis.

 True, the temperature reading on my watch showed 31C mid-afternoon, yesterday.  I don't believe it!  There was a wind blowing - not strong but its presence was definitely felt.  And it was comfortable outside even though I was wearing a long sleeved thermal black T shirt (under a long sleeved, semi-ancient Brooks Brothers dress shirt and not thermal, lightweight long johns.  Hey, after living for years in 36-42C days in Bangkok, 31 (which I didn't really believe) in Santa Monica works for me! A couple of days more - I am taking a few pictures a day with my Rollei film camera.  The anxiety to see what the pictures are like is no longer there - when I see them, I'll see them.  Until then, though, I will still take pictures....when the roll started with (Kodacolour) is finished, I'll shoot their monochrome Tri X current day equivilant  and what for processing to be complete........I'm still anxious....but not anxiety anxious......When I see them, I'...