monnieblog

Monnie blog has transformed yet again.

2007-09-11T11:30:00.000-07:00

I no longer visit here but can be found typing away here

For the new year

2007-01-04T18:18:00.000-08:00

Hell
I have given up cigarettes.
In order to do this I'm not drinking because that makes me want to smoke.
Not smoking makes me want to eat.
I have given up sugar as well so I can't eat candy when I want to smoke.

I'll post more when the screaming has stopped.

The cure for what ails you

2006-12-23T09:25:00.000-08:00

The little north west washington town in which I live has had a rough few weeks. The wind, she did blow and blow and blow things down. The night before we left for our jaunt to portland two feet of snow laided itself upon the ground. Thankfully the trains were still running. Upon our return the wind picked up the pace and blew our fences and power away. 5am on thursday morning I awoke to my alarm, yes I know it's an ungodly hour to awake. But this time there was an apocolyptic feel to is as the moment my alarm started to cry there was a flash of light and a loud rumbling. Thinking my alarm had actual exploded I jumped from my bed and only to be confronted with lighting striking what I would swear to be my neighbours yard. It was only a few moments untill the pebble sized hail began to fall.

Thankfully the power had only dipped and was not knocked out completely like that of many of my fellow citizens had. Not being able to face the end of the world without a cup of coffee I proceeded to fetch myself some. It had all become too much for me and in order to face the day with strength and flare I proceeded to one of the fine items I purchased while on vacation.

The brilliant red of Chanel's Passion provides that extra little magic a gal needs to face what ever man or nature might throw in here path.

I first discovered the mystical powers of Chanel reds when as a young woman I faced the demise of my first grown up relationship. Thinking the red would match my wounded heart I let myself be talked into what for a theatre student was a cosmetic that cost far too much. But when I saw the image in the mirror of the dark hair, green eyes and young fair skin with the bright red full lips, I felt better. My heart healed a little bit and I knew that there were many adventures awaiting me and my bright red lips. The samples the sales clerk, a very stylish eastern european woman tucked into the bag, like a drug peddler in a playgroud helped push me into what was to become a life long dependence on Chanel.

I was away

2006-12-09T09:00:00.000-08:00

But now I am back. Will post more later.

The Night Fast approaches. A to do list.

2006-10-27T11:17:00.000-07:00

blue hill( if anyone recognizes this photo let me know. I lost the create somewhere and i like to give credit where credit is due)

As tomorrow's costume party fast approaches and I being its hostess my list of to do things is rather large.
1. I must make up my damn mind what my costume will be. The options are A) scary fairy although the wings are rather large and may cause trouble and someone may lose an eye. B) Wednesday Adams but this will entail some sewing and the purchase of a wig. C) French girl (black and white checked skirt and black beret) This will allow for the chain smoking of Gauloise, the drinking of much wine and the use of a truly horrid French accent with which to annoy my friends. I’m leaning towards C because of the smoking and the accent will be fun.
2. Most prepare the black punch of death. A lethal concoction of white grape juice, vodka, black food coloring and gummy creatures. I believe once this punch is mixed it becomes a portal to the other world from which demons of sin and misdeeds appear.
3. Move the big tv into the garage for the smokers and have horror movies playing constantly. Because the Shining makes for beautiful background.
4. Decorate said garage with cobwebs and creepy bouquets of flowers, thankfully my local florist makes died black flower arrangements.
5. Create a crime scene on the driveway. So everyone will know which house is mine. Nothing says welcome like crime scene tape and a chalk body outline.
6. Start cooking the food. So my guest will have something to ward off the evils of the punch.
7. Oh yes….I must clean the house. My house would be anawful mess if not for these parties. I really should just start sending out invitations that state. I need to clean my house so come over and drink so I’m motivated lest I embarrass myself.

I am sure there are more things to do but I can't think of them now and will be running around like a chicken with my head cut off trying to get everything done. Hum...maybe that should be my costume.

Many people suspect their house is haunted.

2006-10-17T18:48:00.000-07:00

haunted library from wit of the staircase

Do your socks ever inexplicably disappear?
Have you ever felt the sensation of being watched when no one is there?
Do you ever walk into a room and forget what you went in there for?
Have you ever heard a door or cabinet door open or close mysteriously?
Have you ever seen a ghost in your house?
If you answered yes to No. 5, your house is haunted

From Mystery of the Haunted Vampire

T'is the Season

2006-10-17T18:42:00.000-07:00

The Worms Crawl In

Never laugh when a ghost goes by—
It may be your turn next to die.
They wrap you up in a big white sheet
And throw you down, six feet deep.
All goes well for a week or two,
Then things start happening; all is new.

Worms crawl in and worms crawl out,
And ants play ping-pong on your snout.
One worm that's not quite so shy
Crawls in one ear and out one eye,
Till your blood turns to a sickery green
And oozes out like Devonshire cream.

And on that note I'm off to start the invitations rolling for my little celebrations of all things creepy and crawly and haunted and spooky. So put on that extra eyeliner and you best morbid outlock and come on down.

Happy Birthday Baby!

2006-10-06T07:27:00.000-07:00

Yes you...it's your birthday you fabulous fellow you. Anna Wintour calls you darling but I call you my friend.
Kisses

This is what the inside of my head feels like

2006-10-05T15:11:00.000-07:00

miro

Too many things all jumbled up and I'm antsy and nervous. I really need to sort it out into some kind of chart. Get it a little organized. Maybe just concentrate on one small thing like getting the new curtains hung in the living room. I'm working too many hours right now and it's made me a bit crazy. And trust me that was never a far drive.

Yep

2006-10-03T16:59:00.000-07:00

	Quiz Galaxy Predicts that Monnie Angel's Last Words Will Be...

"At least I can haunt you"

'What will your last words be?' at QuizGalaxy.com

That's exactly what I would say.

Not much to post

2006-09-20T07:33:00.000-07:00

I'm busy reading Banned Books this week. But check out this wonderful artist while you wait for me to finish.

tender mercenary by july heffernan

The fall is my spring

2006-09-20T07:32:00.000-07:00

I've always found this time of year to be that in which I start new things. For some reason Autumn is the most inspiring. Possibly due to the lack of interuptions. Summer is filled with people stopping by, a garden that needs constant vigillance, dogs to be walked and cocktails to be drank.

November is fast approaching and with it the desire to attempt yet again the National Novel Month contest. Two previous attempts have failed due to horrible drowning in details without a plot to grab onto.

There is also the overwhelming desire to redecorate the house to provide a more warm and welcoming place to write and paint, read my books and make soup. One day I'll set my life up in such a manner that it will be autumn all year round and all my time will be spent doing the things I love. But until I can master the control over the weather and a way to make money appear out of nowhere I will make the most out of what I have. My few brief months in which all is right in the world. Or at least my cool, crips corner of it.

The sun came out and I wept

2006-09-19T12:34:00.000-07:00

I'm only happy when it rains

The mornings have been holding so much promise of late. The air is cold and fog drapes itself onto my morning walks. I look fabulous in my little black dresses and tights. But all this is just a tease. I'm always left unsatisfied and a little too warm when the sun steals the afternoons. I want my Autumn and I want it now.

Like I don't have enough to do or have enough stuff.

2006-08-24T16:26:00.000-07:00

I have picked up a new habit. I signed up for a swap a while ago. It was Tea cup swap #5. It was so fun searching for the stuff to pack up and send away to a total stranger. It was a joy to find a parcel in the mail from someone, somewhere.

So now what have I done. I've signed up for Tea cup swap #6, the floral and flourishes swap

I swap with Swap-bot!

and the Red and Aqua Swap.

I swap with Swap-bot!
Next moth will be swaptastic.

It's all too much.

2006-08-15T18:32:00.000-07:00

I tried to come up with those 101 things to do in 1001 days. But it just seems like too much. So i've paired it down a bit.

I'm going to be making a list of 3 things to do each week and 3 main goals for each season.

This week with two already under my belt, which is just as well since it's already tues.

3 things to do this week, extreme cooking edition.

Cook/Bake 3 things I've never made before.

1. Sour cream muffins
Done, they are good, damn you Paula Deen and your sticks of butter.

2.Rigatoni with roasted Garlic, mushrooms and chilli peppers. Good but very rick will reserve for winter time cooking as that is when I crave the cream sauces.

3. Tatatouille Tart Will be tonights project and then I can spend the rest of the week planning next weeks 3 things. I'll let you know how this tart turns out.

Ps. I still will try and make my list of 101 things but I tell ya it's tough.

No rest for the wicked

2006-08-14T07:16:00.000-07:00

As Toby relaxed across the shaded living room sofa keeping a sharp eye out for errant squirrels B and I slaved to finish the new patio. The flagstone had been laid and the flower boxes were filled with a truck full of dirt and many herbs.

At least he was relaxing

So how does one recover from a Saturday of hard labour. I'm not sure how you do it. I of course wait until the house is really warm and then get it into my head to start baking muffins. So all afternoon I baked sour cream muffins (anything with a 1/2 pint of sour cream and a stick of butter has to be good and oh so wicked). And oh they were.

My first swap

2006-08-06T16:47:00.000-07:00

Yes, I'm taking part in one of those swap things. Because I love mail and presents. This is the package that I am carefully sending off tomorrow. I know the lighing is horrid but it does goe with the russian theme. There is a nice bag of russian caravan tea and a rose tea cup. I hope she likes it. Now I'm back to my garden it's a mess.

So this swap was one of the 101 things in 1001 days. I'm still trying to make that list but it's hard. But as the post before says. It is turning out to be all about the house. One would think I'd never lived in one before.

2006-08-01T19:37:00.000-07:00

It is all about home an hearth

Because I love a good one,

2006-07-28T11:48:00.000-07:00

list that is. I've decided to jump on the 101 things to do in 1001 days. So I've posted a little counter on the side bar. You have to scroll a bit to see that will officially start on August 1st. Which gives me 4 days to come up with my lists.

So I'm going to pull out some colored pens and start a pondering my goals for the next 3-3/4 years. Some will be small, some will be extravagant and some will be just plain there for some shits and giggles. So I'll brain storm and then oganize, oh how I love me some organization. There may be catagories, heck there may even be diagrams and charts. I wonder if it is cheating to make #1. Create a list of 101 things to do in 1001 days?

All I Can Say Is

2006-07-21T14:36:00.000-07:00

TOO DARN HOT
From the show "Kiss Me Kate" (1948)
(Cole Porter)

It's too darn hot
It's too darn hot

I'd like to sup with my baby tonight
and play the pup with my baby tonight
I'd like to sup with my baby tonight
and play the pup with my baby tonight
but I ain't up to my baby tonight
cause it's too darn hot
It's too darn hot
It's too darn hot

I'd like to stop for my baby tonight
and blow my top with my baby tonight
I'd like to stop with my baby tonight
and blow my top with my baby tonight
but I'd be a flop with my baby tonight
cause it's too darn hot,
it's too darn hot
it's too darn hot

I'd like to fool with my baby tonight
break ev'ry rule with my baby tonight
I'd like to fool with my baby tonight
break ev'ry rule with my baby tonight
but pillow you'll be my baby tonight
cause it's too darn hot
it's too darn hot

*BRIDGE*
According to the Kinsey report
ev'ry average man you know
much prefers to play his favorite sport
when the temperature is low
but when the thermometer goes way up
and the weather is sizzling hot
Mister Adam for his madam is not
cause it's too too
it's too darn hot, it's too darn hot
It's too too too too darn hot

I'd like to call on my baby tongiht
and give my all to my baby tonight
I'd like to call on my baby tongiht
and give my all to my baby tonight
but I can't play ball with my baby tonight
cause it's too darn hot
it's too darn hot

I'd like to meet with my baby tonight
get off my feet with my baby tonight
I'd like to meet with my baby tonight
get off my feet with my baby tonight
but no repeat with my baby tonight
cause it's too darn hot
it's too darn hot

I'd like to coo with my baby tonight
and pitch some woo with my baby tonight
I'd like to coo with my baby tonight
and pitch some woo with my baby tonight
but sister you fight my baby tonight
cause it's too darn hot
it's too darn hot

According to the Kinsey report
ev'ry average man you know
much prefers to play his favorite sport
when the temperature is low
but when the thermometer goes way up
and the weather is sizzling hot
Mister GOB for his squab,
a marine for his queen
a G.I. for his cutie-pie is not
Cause it's too too too darn hot
It's too darn hot
It's too darn hot

This is the wine I would serve if i had dinner with the boys.

2006-07-08T19:57:00.000-07:00

If I had these three to dinner I think I shall never be hungry again.

Anthony Bordain

To feed my stomach.

Arturo Perez-Reverte

To feed my mind.

Leonard Cohen

To feed my soul.

Ah what a fine meal that would be.

Tomorrow's dinner party will be with the girls.

The Four Things A Girl Needs.

2006-07-08T11:00:00.000-07:00

A Diamond Tennis Bracelet

Although I did hear somewhere that diamonds on a woman under 40 were tacky, I do believe that may have just been sour grapes. I've also heard the same about true red lipstick and I am definetly in disagreement with that.

A classic Chanel suit

A friend of my mother's said if you have a Chanel suit you never have to worry about anything ever again. This is the same woman who sent my mother a Dior baby dress for me when I was born. "Because a woman should own a Dior at least once in her life". I do believe this was a very smart woman.

I prefer the vintage black with white trim from the early sixties but would be just as happy with one in ballet pink with black trim. With those two suits and a few perfect blouses you have a complete wardrobe.

The perfect pair of Louboutin sling backs

Because they are the perfect pair of Louboutin sling backs. Nothing more needs to be said about that.

Alfa Romeo Giuletta Spider

Hermes scarf over one's head, big sunglasses and the open road. Bliss!

I'm a new auntie!

2006-07-06T21:29:00.000-07:00

Bobby Jo Baby

My darling friend Nat has a new baby on the way. She is a darling girl and will probably grow up to be just as fabulous as her older brother Vegas.

Otherwise known as the best dressed pup in town.

I cannot be happier for Nat and her growing brood.

It's all in how you say it.

2006-07-04T09:34:00.000-07:00

"I never said, 'I want to be alone.' I only said, 'I want to be left alone.' There is all the difference in the world."

It appears that when the work has taken almost every second of my life for the past 18 months and i'm given four days off I apparently need to sleep for two of them. Granted I did spend one of them drinking with Craig Darlinik. Even if he did post a audio post of me sounding like I have no nose but at least I'm asking those pressing questions. . Now if you'll excuse me, I have some daytime tv to watch just to see what it's like.

A Regular Girl

2006-06-29T22:22:00.000-07:00

I want a girl who is good
and is pretty
Not so blame good that she cannot be witty.
I want a girl who is saving and thrifty
But not so stingy she cannnot dress nifty.
I want a girl who will talk
well, of course,
Not one who talks till she talks herslf hoarse,
I don't want a pinnin, a peach or a pearl--
But what I do want is a regular girl.

That is what Grandma was who passed just away.
She lived til a hundred and just a few more days.
Today we just sold her last few things away.

So my dad called and said her condo sold. Too fast. She died just before Christmas and I'm not sure I'm ready yet to let go. I was with her when she passed and it was time for her but not for me. There is that thing about the woman who is just a generation away from mom. There is that space. That glorious space that lets you just be loved and not the rest.

I have always been the keeper of the family history. My house is adorned with images of generations gone long ago in there heavy wood frames. My bathroom is adorned with the naked ladies left from my great uncle Gus, her brother. It's not porn... there are from "naturalist magazines". Grandma and Gus came to Canada just after the turn of the last century. And I still have so many things I want to talk to them about.

I miss them so.
I hope they know they are always with me.

I do have things to say

2006-06-26T07:14:00.000-07:00

But I just haven't found the right colour ink to jot it down with yet. Oh...and I am hosting my parents at the new house tomorrow so I must dash and hide the evidence of my wayward ways.

Gardens

2006-06-26T07:13:00.000-07:00

provence

As the sun burned like the hand of the devil himself I slaved in the garden. Dahlias have been planted and I now have 6 varieties of lavender in my yard. The Herbarium is in full swing with oregano so big it will be transplanted as a shrub and the thyme will be the new ground cover between the hydrangeas.

I do still feel there is more room for lavender. One can never have enough lavender.

2006-06-24T12:44:00.000-07:00

If you are looking for me I'll be doing a little of this today.

The inside of my head feels like this.

2006-06-19T13:44:00.000-07:00

www.cloudappreciationsociety.org

There are many signs which usher in the change of the seasons. The opaque tights of winter yield to spring stockings. The cloud congested skies clear and are recreated inside my tiny little head. Yes, my traditional summer cold upon me, if a couple of days early. All the more painful in that the sun is shining it’s heart out and I have misplaced my “I vant to be alone” sunglasses. This leads me to the conclusion that the only thing worse than a summer cold is a badly accessorized one.

2006-06-16T16:52:00.000-07:00

Monk - King's Lynn Public Library, Norfolk
http://www.paranormaldatabase.com/gallery/east20.htm

Although I am still a relatively young woman who at present is still in possession of many of her marbles I secretly desire to be one of those Mad Old Ladies in the school of a Miss Havisham or Nora Desmond. I don’t want to be the gal with too many cats as they shed and make me sneeze. No, I want to be the type that always dresses in her finest finery only to wanders the halls of my decaying mansion with a cocktail in hand. In my case I do believe I would prefer the haunted library pictured above. I’d redecorate some but it will do.

I find that the only things standing in the way of this is lack of funds, the fact that people keep insisting that I leave my house to do things, like work and interact with others oh and that pesky tragedy to drive me mad. But a girl needs to have a dream.

Instead I will leave my office to a partake in a fine bottle of wine and my netflix copy of The Moderns.

Artistic Impulse

2006-06-16T10:55:00.000-07:00

About 15 years ago I directed and produce 3 plays by Franz Xaver Kroetz in Vancouver BC. Michi’s Blood, Farmyard and Men’s Business. After which I got sucked into the world of Arts Administration. Years passed and I took a head long plunge into corporate America. It wasn’t until just recently that I’ve had the urge to direct again.

My favorite part about directing had always been the initial developing of an interpretation, the analyzing of text, the creative imaginings of what it should look and feel like. I always had a bit of a love/hate relationship with the actual directing and producing. The exhaustive process of trying to communicate my imaginings to others and let them elaborate and evolve those into a living piece.

The plays that I choose to work with by Kroetz all had to do in one way or another with the theme of how cruelty is the behavior of those who have no language for their emotions. I was obviously working out my own struggle for emotional language through these projects.

But as with everything themes change as one goes on and I’ve decided to revisit a desire that i had for another trilogy. (Apparently I have to do things in threes it’s just a thing I have) So I’ve got my index cards lined up, my colored pens and sketch book at the ready and have decided to start working. It may never get pasted the notebook stage but at least it will be something. I might even figure out what themes I’m working on at the moment that drives me to these works again. I have the feeling it won’t be as overt as in the past. Alas Mr. Kroetz it is not your plays I’m turning to this time. But the those of
Federico Garcia Lorca. I think it will be Blood Wedding, Yerma and The House of Bernarda Alba. My ideas may never make it to production but it beats watching reruns on T.V.

I wonder if in the dream I mentioned last time Leonard and I were talking about Mr. Lorca, a particular favorite of his.

Happy Birthday Mr. Cohen

2006-06-13T06:59:00.000-07:00

Last night I had a dream in which Leonard Cohen and me drank red wine in the garden while eating sliced pears and cheese.

Lenard Cohen picture from Wit of the Staircase The guy is still hot for 70.

This is where I have been of late.

2006-05-28T09:31:00.000-07:00

I now have a new love. Sorry Umberto Eco I have forsaken you for a Spanard. Apparently my heart belongs to Arturo Perez-Reverte. A few years ago I read the Club Dumas and I believe that is where the seeds of our love germinated. For anyone who thought the Da Vinci Code was a piece of bad writing directed at people who could barely read let alone think the go and read the Club Dumas right now. I believe you will then find yourself reading a thriller. I still have mixed feelings about Roman Polanski's cinematic take on it. But the book itself ....trust me!

The Seville Communion
Currently in the middle of this. Priests, murder...that's as far as I've gotten.

The Flanders Panel
Love the art world, murder, story....would make an absolutely great movie. Hum...maybe i should give Roman a call.

The Fencing Master
Not the most fast paced of them but you will find yourself enamored of that old fencing master.

Between work, gardening,cooking and the pile of books I've been savouring I've had very little to say. Too filled with the words of my new love.

Oh the Shame

2006-04-05T07:22:00.000-07:00

That I ate this

beefaroni
with the good book, wine and music.

The Best of company

2006-04-04T12:59:00.000-07:00

I have found the best companions for

Elisabeth Kostova's The historian

Dracula by Phillip Glass

Claret, Black Label of course

Shaking off Winter

2006-03-31T06:40:00.000-08:00

Sorrow by Vincent van Gogh from The Thomas Nast and Vincent van Gogh Connection. www.thomasnast.com

This picture pretty much sums up how the last few months have felt, emotionally, physically and mentally fatigued. But now that the sun is out and there are little flowers popping through the damp earth and birds are chirping and my dog has cabin fever, I’m trying to crack through this feeling. There is so much to do and read and see, yet I hardly know where to start.
My reading list is huge.

Currently enjoying
The Historian by Elizabeth Kostova
The inside of my house feels covered with the grime of winter and sadness.
The outside is undergoing the longest exterior paint job ever witnessed by man.
The grass in the yard is about as high as the dog is tall.
Work takes too many hours.
Over sleeping is a habit I can’t seem to shake.
It all just seems a bit too much.

I think i need a cookie and a nap

Like all spring flowers

2006-03-30T13:05:00.000-08:00

Tulips from Temple of Lora, Robert J Thorton 1799

this too takes some time to bloom. Slowly but surely I'm making my way from the old internet me rockabillygirlscout to the new me here at monnnieblog. 2005 had been a rocky year filled with change some good, alot bad and sad. I know it is already a 1/4 past the new year but there has been alot of mulling and thinking. Hopefully I will be up and running full tilt in the very near future. Until I am, check out my reads.