I was watching a re-run of the Foo Fighters singing on Carpool Karaoke and I started to get all nostalgic. Not because of the Nirvana connection. You see, Dave Grohl saved my marriage. It was eons ago. Probably 2BC. BC = Before Children. We didn't have kids, but I wanted them. I wanted it badly. … Continue reading Dave Grohl Saved My Marriage
Category: Comedy
Berkeley Chronicles Episode #10: 99 Ranch Market
In our corner of El Cerrito del Norte there weren't many food stores conveniently located for those lacking a car. There was a Lucky's (which became Albertson's) about a mile away that we would hike to every two weeks and come home with our backpacks full and a plastic shopping bag on each arm that … Continue reading Berkeley Chronicles Episode #10: 99 Ranch Market
Berkeley Chronicles Episode #9: Neighborhood Watch
The house that we all lived in had a Target store in the backyard and was within a 2 minute walk to a BART station. Actually, the BART tracks and bike path were between us and the Target. We used the bike path pretty much all the time. We'd often cross over the bike path … Continue reading Berkeley Chronicles Episode #9: Neighborhood Watch
Berkeley Episode 8: F. Scott Fitzgerald and the Crack Pixie
After Kristi had fled from various responsibilities and lies and we'd kicked out Goth Boy we needed another roommate. As it turns out Sarah Beth had one for us. Before she had lived in Berkeley and become a professional caffeine pusher, Sarah Beth lived in San Diego with her boyfriend Fitz. Theirs was a highly … Continue reading Berkeley Episode 8: F. Scott Fitzgerald and the Crack Pixie
Berkeley Episode 7: Goth Boy and the Peach
One of the best things Kristi ever did was to rid us of our aspiring singer. He was bloody awful. Like listening to a herd of cats fighting with an amorous water buffalo. Singing was all he did all day long. He sang while he made his food. He sang in the shower. He sang … Continue reading Berkeley Episode 7: Goth Boy and the Peach
I am (becoming) a pest!
I'm obsessing. Just totally obsessing about our new house. Poor Mark. I am becoming such a pest about it! The first thing we need is a new chandelier for the dining room. So I'm scouring Lamps Plus for some ideas and presenting said ideas to Mark. Every night. But then in a weird twist of … Continue reading I am (becoming) a pest!
Berkeley Episode 6: Dance of the Sugar Plum Ecstasy Fairies
The Berkeley of my twenties was an era of experimentation. My experimentation was pretty tame, though, and limited to food, sex, and pot. (They didn't call me White Bread for nothing.) I wasn't even much of a smoker. Back in college I had made an attempt at coolness that ended after a case of strep … Continue reading Berkeley Episode 6: Dance of the Sugar Plum Ecstasy Fairies
The Unexpected Banker: Berkeley Episode 5
Back in the late 1990s the California economy was booming and interest rates were lowering. Refinancing a mortgage was fairly common. (Or so my economist husband informs me...) Apparently our landlord Burt rose of his haze of booze and pot smoke long enough to figure this out, too, and we were given notice to expect … Continue reading The Unexpected Banker: Berkeley Episode 5
Berkeley Episode 4: The Education of the Rube
Kristi was the first person I met in the house. She interviewed me only hours after I had arrived off the plane to see if I was "suitable" and would "fit in" in the house. The irony in this will appear later. Apparently the word "Rube" written in secret ink across my forehead told her … Continue reading Berkeley Episode 4: The Education of the Rube
I Must Be Out Of My Mind
I am in Kandersteg. Part of the Swiss Alps. And tomorrow I am going skiing. I have not been downhill skiing since the church youth trip to Afton Alps when I was 15. I was not particularly good at it and I spill down the hill losing both poles, both skies, my hat and a … Continue reading I Must Be Out Of My Mind