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Happy St. Pat's to ye!

A man stumbles up to the only other patron in a bar and asks if he could buy him a drink.
"Why of course," comes the reply.
The first man then asks: "Where are you from?"
"I'm from Ireland," replies the second man.
The first man responds: "You don't say, I'm from Ireland too! Let's have another round to Ireland."

"Of Course," replies the second man. Curious, the first man then asks: "Where in Ireland are you from?" "Dublin," comes the reply.

"I can't believe it," says the first man. "I'm from Dublin too! Let's have another drink to Dublin."

"Of course," replies the second man. Curiosity again strikes and the first man asks: "What school did you go to?"

"Saint Mary's," replies the second man. "I graduated in '62."
"This is unbelievable!" the first man says. "I went to Saint Mary's and I graduated in '62, too!"

About that time in comes one of the regulars and sits down at the bar. "What's been going on?" he asks the bartender. "Nothing much," replies the bartender. "The O'Malley twins are drunk again."

The kids and I are heading to my mom's tonight for corned beef and cabbage and of course, BEER!

I made an appointment with a counselor at the Jr. College near here for tomorrow. I rehomed my bunny over the weekend to a nice family with kids and another bunny.

Work keeps coming my way but money is still tight. I will have to buy my beer on sale...where there is a will there is a beer!

Happy Saint Patrick's day and CHEERS!
To Be Continued...

My weekend has been pretty super, really.

The work at the moving job continues. I really enjoy it. They are lovely people and I always feel like several missions have been accomplished when I leave.

They are list people. I LOVE list people. You other list people know what I mean. Some of us do not do lists at all, some of never follow lists that we make but some of us simply love those bulleted check off lists for us to simply CHECK, CHECK and CHECK again. I am really linear and task focused like that. I know their place well enough now that I can mostly cipher their little list codes. Like M-Bed or L-Ward.
I know what that means with out being told. Yes...

Boggy talking to his girlfriend at my b'day party last year

My old buddy,old pal, Bogden, was playing some music in El Dorado Hills with his band, Friends, on Friday the 13th. I have tried to make their last couple of shows. Unfortunately, for this reason or that reason (too exhausted, typhoon warnings...the like), it has been quite some while since I have been able to catch their performance. Friday I freshened up after work and made it up the hill in time to chat, meet other friends of the band and catch their terrific set at a lovely coffee cafe. I use to work across the street years and years ago.

They mix a blend of spectacular classical and flamenco guitar picking with lovely harmonies and the lead vocalist, Tucker's, jazzy pop hinted take on some originals and terrific covers (Gypsy Kings, Beatles, Kinks, Nanette Fabre!). What a great show. Bog and Q treat me like royalty when I show up. I am so blessed.

I hung out and chatted EVERYONE up, like I do. Met the owner and his lovely wife. Gushed over the fantastic show. Finally head out for home and see a voice mail on the old cell. I check it out. Hmmmm, well, an unexpected surprise...

A voice from the past with salutations and great enthusiasm. My LAST husband is at a joint in Placerville having some brews and enjoying the evenings entertainment. What prompted his call? Marriage? Death?

Oh no, that is nothing compared to karaoke in those parts! He had stumbled upon the finest KARAOKE night in all the land AND my daughter was holding forth as the MC. OH MY DOG!

Without hesitation I headed further up the hill to commence on EVEN more mirth and merriment at the late hour of 11pm. What the heck?
Frumpy Grumpy Dumpy and Lumpy

The many faces of Cassi. I know you are asking yourself, Where's Humpy?

I am feeling punk today. I should be working but instead I am on the computer trying to get stuff done.

So listen, Cubby, you want to hook up at lunch time? I'll buy ya a Fresca

I am thinking about continuing my education. I kind of thought that being a student (even Grandma Student) would be better than being homeless. I say that in jest but it got me to thinking. My therapist brought this up in one of our first meetings. I poo pooed it because that is how I am. No no no...hey wait a minute...that may not be such a bad idea after all...hmmm...

For what ever reason...poverty, unemployment, deep unmitigated sadness, wine, who knows what it was, but the thought of returning to school seemed to make more sense to me last week. A friend of mine who I have not seen for almost two years popped into Davis on Saturday. Kim is my Placerville pal. Her son went to school with my daughter. She and I became buddies the last two years I volunteered at the bike races. She became one of my good times posse. My group of friends that I would gather together for what ever reason to go play (Ground Hogs Day, Talk Like a Pirate Day, my birthday). This past year or so she has been busy with a boyfriend and then they broke up and her job of nineteen years ended in December. We have a lot to commiserate about.

We went out for dinner Saturday eve, then to an art opening at the gallery that I use to work at. We had a blast. She supported the idea of returning to school. We were full of wine and bright ideas! We even rode bikes to Davis for breakfast the next morning. Poor Kim has not been on a bike in years. I pedaled slowly. What a wonderful night.

I kept hoping it said Gin...

The moving job continues, it may go into next week too. I may have a job interview in Placerville next week. Unconfirmed but definite interest in my resume. I feel cruddy today. I feel scared. I feel completely unsure of my future. Do I start selling my furniture on craigslist and finding a home for the bunny (FOUR calls within half an hour of posting on craigslist tonite! Shit!)?

I finally saw the film, Milk. Just fantastic. How are yo doing xanga-neighbors? I hope you are all well. Some of you are worried or working too damn hard or feeling a little better about things or have too much going on, are on the mend, playing with their gorgeous new grandkids, it is always good in this hood. Tell me what is up, my xanga-pals!
What part of "housekeeper" do you not understand?

I had an interesting first part of my morning. I am up early to go do an new housecleaning job. A call from my craigslist.com housekeeping ad. I have received a couple of calls from this ad but they never pan out. I reconfirmed with the guy last night and we were still a go.

I was nervous about cleaning for a guy I had not met before so I google searched his name and address. Nothing weird came up. In fact it looked as though he had a management job with a big company in Sacramento. So far, so good. And the address did not correspond with any crime scenes. Even better.

On the way to the place I called my mom and gave her the name, number and address just in case anything strange might happen. I told her that I would call her when I left in about four or five hours. I am trying to be careful. We live in interesting times.

The guy had set the time for nine am. I was very close but worried that I may have missed a turn so I called his number to make sure. His voice message system picked up just as I found the street so I left a message that I would be there in a couple of minutes.

I pulled up to the address about three minutes late.

The home is a mid-pricey custom wannabe type in those squished together neighborhoods in an area of Sacramento that is trying to improve itself. It was about a twenty minute drive from Davis. There were two cars in the driveway, one of them a Jag. Definitely looks like this person makes some money.

I ring the doorbell and in a moment he answers...wearing only his shorts and a smile. No shirt, no socks or slippers, hair all tousled.

"I just woke up." he says holding his cell phone up.

I am shaking my head and looking down at the porch... "Dude, you are not dressed." I tell him.

He looks at me, sees that I am not walking into his home, turns, goes up stairs (I ask if he has a girlfriend or wife here with him as he goes up) and comes back down wearing a t-shirt. With his shorts and bare feet.

He is a really great looking guy. He looked fine with out his shirt, he is in his late twenties or early thirties. Under any other circumstances, I would enjoy looking at him in his shorts. But no, not this morning at 9:03 am during our first meeting for me to clean his home and do his laundry. It is just too weird for me.

"I am not comfortable with this. Everyone I clean for has been referred to me by friends. I have never met you, I had trepidations about this whole craigslist housekeeping ad deal in the first place. I do not know you at all. You are not even dressed. This is not going to work for me. I am going to leave."

"This is crazy." He tells me shaking his head at me.

"Take care." I say as I get back into my car, lock the doors and drive away.

I called my mom and let her know what had occurred. And then I called my daughter, who also has a housekeeping ad on craigslist.com. I woke the poor girl up.

I told her to never never never never never never ever go into a guys house whom she had not met before to clean if he answers the door undressed. Not even if he is cute. She sleepily promised that she would not.

(My daughter and I talked about this more when I picked her up today. She said I should have been weird back. To out weird him. So I said, "Like grab his nipples. Honk honk." and I did a nipple grabbing pinch with my fingers. I about pissed my pants laughing at that. I love my family.)

I hated wasting the gas and not making any money. I could have scheduled another job for this morning. Do you think he misunderstood what I meant when I wrote in the ad that I am pet and kid friendly?

(on the way home I also called Debi to get her opinion of the sitch. I was worried that I over reacted and should have stayed to make some dough, what with being so broke and needing all the work I can get...but she agreed and I want to thank her for her support, thank you Debi!)
If there is a silver lining can I sell it on craigslist and use the money for rent?

edit: This sounded a little pissier than I intended it to. Here is a kinder version. I am not that pissed about this situation. And thank you xanga-pals for your constant kindness.

Hello busy xanga neighbors. HELLOOOO!

You have all been keeping busy. I have been visiting and trying to keep up. If I have missed you I am sorry.

I have kept busy with this moving job. I think the biggest part is over but I know they will call me for additional stuff and I have actually been really enjoying all the hard work. The people are so very nice. You all know that when you enjoy who you are working side by side with makes any job a good time. Even a crappy job. But, honestly, this has not been a crappy job. But, I am flippin' exhausted trekking huge boxes of books and clothes and kitchen stuff and shoes. It has been LOTS AND LOTS of stairs. I am the moving gal. Well, me and my little wagon. The move is just next door. Nevertheless, lots more stairs down to the basement. I even had a dream about moving and stairs...

I think my ass is pretty happy about it. Hello Cassi, thank you! Love, your ass. My shoulders and arms, on the other hand...Dear Cassi, We quit. Signed, your ex-arms and shoulders.

I have nothing exciting out loud to report. The exciting stuff is all inside my haid in that I can afford the month of March.

The HOA regulations are so hard core...

I am considering my homeless options. I am trying to be realistic about things. This is not being negative. I may make it a couple of months but once things run out (savings, jobs, you know, the things that support the commodities of "life style"), once those golden days are behind me I will not even be able to afford a storage unit. I am trying to figure out what I need to do. Paying for and moving into a storage unit and with no job is just stupid. I may as well at least sell off my stuff rather than end up having the storage place do it.

So, yep, I would probably sell off all my stuff. I can probably store basic stuff (kids pictures and shoes) at my moms and generous friends with a little space, but my house full of furniture has to go. I do not feel free and lightened by that idea. I am pissed just not being pissed. It is the facts of right now. Things have been working out but there is no long term solution on the horizon, I am losing faith in that at the moment. Not complete faith.

Ok, I will quit reality checking on my blog. I feel better putting those thoughts into words. I have to organize my next challenging change. (I was thinking that Velveeta Buddha would be the name of my hit cd, but Challenging Change has to be it) YAY. I don't really mean that yay, but so what. Eventually I will.

80%

Trace during our 7th annual 40th (1961-2007)

Today, March 3rd, is my best pal Tracy's birthday. I miss her more than you can ever imagine. More than I can ever express. This would be her NINTH annual fortieth birthday. She had the amazing gift of being a really wonderful and accepting friend. She helped us learn to be the best friend we could be but none of us ever could match her. Thank you Trace.

Happy forever younger than me birthday, Trace. Gosh I really miss you.

Make it a great week, xanga neighbors! xxoo C
Getting to Gripe and Getting a Grip...

I am the type of girl who will never turn down the opportunity to nap. Usually. Those days that weigh heavy with worry and fret coupled with zero hope suck the life right out of me. Napping turns into fear frozen.

I can be as lazy as anything but when times feel dark or hopeless, working hard, for me, is the only anecdote. Pedaling, running dozens of errands, physical labor; I love the mindless energy spent. I like lists of chores to be checked off, too.

Very fortunately I got a referral (thank you Debi! xo) for some work and it has been awesome. I have been working my ass OFF. I am helping a couple with packing, cleaning, organizing and moving. They are renovating their historic Victorian home (built in 1870 or 76, do houses lie about their ages too?) and moving next door to an UPSTAIRS apartment. Of course, only a small most necessary portion of their commodities get to go with them. They have to clean up, clear out and pack up the rest of their treasures to go to no less than three different storage destinations. It is as hard as it sounds and I am loving it. I love hard work. Just a huge excuse for long hot baths and glasses of wine when I get home, exhausted, at the end of the day.

It reminds me of the house in "To Kill a Mockingbird", but it really does not look that much like it...

I hope it continues. It is good for my head and keeping my utilities on. Plus I meet new people here in Davis (she is a biologist and he is an engineer) that are pretty nice and get to check out a cool old historic house. I ask questions about what all they plan to do and that is so interesting. It is a great old house with some really cool original stuff going on(a twisty staircase and banister, window seats, huge scary basement, the wood floors are amazing along with that little entry room that all the old homes have), AND some really dumb changes that other people did to it in the name of "modern". They are going to try to bring it back to it's original state. Putting back in the bay window, the door transoms and the crown molding of the time. Dumping the weird ceiling tiles and updating the bathrooms that were added, pretty much as an afterthought. Sinks glued to the wall and commodes bolted down hap hazard because the original house did not have plumbing. It is going to be awesome when they are done. They hope it will take six months, at least that is how long they plan to have the apartment for. They are moving next door so that they can keep an eye on all the construction. I believe that makes this huge move from a three story home to a six hundred square foot apartment a tad less tragic.

This week of hard work has lifted my spirits. Last weeks time with my girlfriends and bike riding helped, as well. Without feeling negative I have to admit, nothing is looking up. But the cash flow is a reprieve for another month.

It has been raining and intermittently sunny. The Fiat is hanging out under wraps. I started him up today and he does sound great. A small belt squeak but never better. He needs a sunny day and a spin around town.

I have some gripes. But few. A woman I have been cleaning and painting for is giving me issues in paying me and also with not returning my calls. Does not feel good. I suspect I will be screwed out of over a hundred dollars. That will be a drag. I am frustrated about it but I am hoping that this is just a snafu and nothing dishonest on her part. A hundred bucks is a chunk of change to me these days so I may worry more about it than I should.

I have other gripes too petty worth mentioning. The kids are great, the pets are messy, my friends are awesome. My son and I are watching "Raiders of the Lost Ark" (I have not seen it in YEARS) and eating a Shepard's Pie that he made from scratch. It is amazing. We are a family that loves to eat. And eat together. We always have.

So, xanga neighbors, what is your biggest gripe, your best part and what was your best dinner this week?

check it out! I figured out how to add images! yay! Dog, I am a slow study...and take a sec to go wish our Kiwi friends some birthday love!!!
And I might Blog tonite...

When I am not pouting and pitiful I am full of adventure. Or full of mirth and merriment. I am always full of something, I know that...now stop it.

Friday Lauren and I rode our bikes again. We are doing road riding together every week. I am really proud of us. The weather has been temperamental but not working against us. Friday was spectacular, we did our new favorite loop. I was slower than usual. No doubt due to feeling sorry for my self and being sedentary most of the week. Boo woo. What ever.

She was very patient with me. Thank you Lauren! We hooked up with our pal, Bev, for coffee after. I ran into a newer friend, Fawn, at the coffee shop. We girls hung out and shot the proverbial shit until they had to leave to pick up their kids. So nice. Totally sunny, totally relaxed, totally girl talk. We agreed to meet at the park later at 3pm for some wine and crackers. Lauren and Fawn have daughters that are the same age. Cool!

My Fiat is home from the mechanics. I found the best mechanic. He put my little car back together again with out charging me an arm and a leg. Just an elbow. But, he was worth that elbow! He replaced some hoses, took care of an idling issue, replaced the thermostat and a couple of other things http://daviswiki.org/Davis_Import_Auto_Service. He was patient and honest and even said, as I was leaving, "Call me if anything else comes up." Not the usual "Get OUT and Stay OUT!" I had grown use to. HA!

It is sitting in the carport right now ready to GO!!! I drove it over to the park when I met up with the girls. They ooohed and ahhhhhed at it. It is a terribly cute little car.

We had a nice time at the park, too. Just so casual and let yer hair down. The kids played and did art and laughed. We drank, talked, did art and laughed. I do love my Davis friends. I have been very fortunate in that respect.

Friday night my daughter had a show in Sacramento. I headed out for that. Dinner at Tower Cafe and then to the Java Lounge where Miss Jocelyn would be holding forth. The show was actually pretty mainstream from the shows she usually plays. Her set was wonderful. BUT WAIT!!! In that days mail my son (his solo project, Womanyear) received a box of his first copies of his soon to be released CD. He is now a recording artist.

Check him out, his disc will be released on April 21st through Porter Records COOOOL!

The work front has been a big fat zero where my resumes are concerned. And, absolutely no new work to be found. Nothing on the room for rent front, either. A new and most likely all week long cleaning/moving/organizing job has come up and for that I am grateful. I have also got a newish cleaning job that has turned into odd jobs and labor. I have discovered two things. 1. I am great in interior painting and trim work. 2. I am NO GOOD at papering the inside of cabinet. No good at all. I totally hate thumb tacks.

That said, I may be ok through March after all. Poor and cutting it close, but still on top of rent and utilities. I will probably have to date more for food though...There that is.

My son has a show tonight but I am too tired from packing and carrying boxes to go. I did hook up with my friend Bogden and Quentin last night for pizza. That was so fun. I have not seen my friends for awhile. We had alot of catching up to do.

My son came along. He is feeling good about himself with the release of this CD. I do not blame him. This is so very cool. He is all barcoded and everything. We tease him that he has sold out.

Alright, I still have not figured out how to put images into posts using Firefox. Bonnie, (once I go to customize) the toolbar would not allow me to drag the icons anywhere. Mark, the control C and V did not work either. Sean, I did drag the image to the desktop but cannot get it to cut and paste (or control C and V) into my blogs. I am posting unaccessorized posts. I feel so naked. You guys, thank you for the advice and I will keep on trying. Maybe I am doing something wrong.

Ok, I am hitting a hot bath. Doesn't that sound amazing? Yeaaahhhh!
I am so melancholy that I wrote A Fucking Poem...

I want to lie naked with you
not the naked of zippers and underpants
That naked is nice
I like that naked too
I want to lie naked with you
To help lift the day off of me
I ask just once
and you do it.
I want to lie naked with you
I want to listen to your best part
how your voice races just a little
I want to lie naked with you
With all the dark
and the sad
and the worried
between the two of us
we are still the two of us
I want to lie naked with you.

©CLPatterson
Lame is Huge in Europe

A friend had me try this beer - Racer Five by Bear Republic out of Healdsburg California.

This is officially my new favorite beer. My son bought some and I am having a bottle right now. Really really good stuff.

I have been a pretty stead fast Sierra Nevada drinker, for the dollar and what not, but this stuff is FANTASTIC.

It has been a rainy dreary stay at home Sunday. I am making chili right now. Oh - and jalepeno corn bread! Yeah! Let it rain let it rain let it rain!

I miss my friend Tracy terribly. Just terribly. For so many reasons. We had been friends since third grade. I completely trusted her and her judgement. Her birthday is next month. We would be planning her NINTH annual Fortieth Birthday party about now. I dunno, life is stupid without her in it.

BUT, you know I am totally in love with my kids. As they grow up and become real people, I love them more. My son is couch surfing over here (sleeping, eating, drinking, playing music and watching movies at all hours...ack) and I love having him around. He makes me laugh so much. He is so dry and hilarious. His friend and drummer, Jon, is here quite a bit too. "Couch Surfing" as well. I laugh right out loud at their shenanigans and riffing.

I went about three years with out a vacation and like two months straight over Christmas with not a single day off. Now I have time off and all I do is stress out. Fuck. I wish I had better perspective so I could be in the now instead of what I am afraid of what may be lurking in the future.

My daughter moved to Placerville with her boyfriend. I am about two inches from being homeless, I am thinking about moving back that way too. But, there isn't any work their either.I may have to live my mom, which I am grateful for. But she smokes. Ack...like a chimney. Further ack...

"Life is too damn grim" ...the Ass Pony's.

Got turned down for the jean store position ( hey, I was surprised to get an interview, really!) and no PAYING room mates on the horizon. The good news...who cares?

Look at me, all Eyeore. Ack! But shit, life is too hard for me when I am this old and grumpy. You are all going through this too. How do you keep yer faith? How do you stay up and up? What do you do? I drink like a fish. I am riding my road bike. I laugh at anything. I try to be grateful.

Hey, so I switched to mozilla to delete my explorer internet browser, which I feel is the root of my current virus problems. My question is this: How do you copy and paste images with this browser? I cannot figure it out. The copy and paste action is not working for me. What gives? This post has no pretty pictures!!!!!

Forgive my pessimistic post. But, ah, I feel better...You guys are the best...
This is very exciting to me...

Regarding my sons band (I love my boys, you know) this bulletin was posted on myspace by Boyd, their bass player:
COMING SOON :

Afternoon Brother
Modern Florida CD - DS002
The question which is going to pester my mind in these days is the following: "What the hell is happening in Oregon?". Guys, I can assure that a great new music scene is rising up in the Beaver State... and I'm not only referring to the already mentioned Zac Nelson's madness. It's neither about DIY punk nor about local labels. I'm mostly referring to a so much fresh, hilarious and original trio that would be really capable of everything. OK, the first step is to start simple. Think of Faith No More and their ability of being "guys in disguises" into the "King For A Day" release (also, do you know how many times I wished that Trey Spruance would have listened a bit more of Ian Williams?)... or what if we'll try to dust down our Plimsouls' marvellous debut and early Redd Kross vinyl copies? Sometimes I feel so sad thinking about how many great bands have found themselves fallen into oblivion after lots of years.
Who are those guys that won't restrict themselves to dry my small tears at least?
Michael Saalman, Boyd Andersson and Jon Bafus prove to be (without any doubt) the most important well-kept secrets from the actual music scenery. "Modern Florida", their enchanting debut album, is one of the greatest and most original heirs of Archers Of Loaf and Butthole Surfers' music. They're ready to make your garage band-mates turn their heads and will let your friends from the rowdy college parties change their daily soundtrack forever.
Would you like to see your whole family shamefully dancin' to the rhythm of this music? Seriously!

And further more, how very very sweet is this? I sent a note to Boyd when he posted this way cool bulletin on myspace and he wrote me this;
I love you Cassi. This album would not have been possible had you not let me stay at your place last spring time.

Love,

Boyd.

----------------- Original Message -----------------
From: Cassi (51582040)
To: Boyd Andersson (125135362)
Date: Feb 13, 2009 4:59 PM
Subject: Afternoon Brother's Debut Album coming out on DreamSheep!

As though you Brotha's are not cool enough.
Yay.
xo
An A'Bro Mom
My life is shit at the moment and I really appreciated this laddy bucks kind words.
Happy Flippin Friday. I am suppose to be heading to El Dorado Hills for some music but it seems that the weather is against me. Probly just home with beer and a some cinema...Have an awesome weekend, xang crew.