San Francisco Zoo

Today we met up with our cousins and went to the San Francisco Zoo! I told myself that I wouldn't put up too many pictures but... well.. I couldn't resist. Enjoy!

Giraffe

Giraffe, Zebra and Kudu

I went to the zoo for the first time when I was 13. All of my friends and teachers couldn't wait to hear me gush about how much I loved seeing the real life lions and tigers that I constantly drew. They were beautiful, powerful, and graceful, of course, but the animals that enamored me the most were the lowland gorillas. The briefest glimpse into the eyes of a gorilla changed my life forever. I saw myself looking back at me. They are Great Apes (like us) and truly are our kindred.

Male eastern lowland gorilla

Ibis

Penguins

About a year ago last winter, I believe, a young man allegedly taunted one of these tigers. It leapt out of it's enclosure, chased him through the zoo, and killed and began to eat him before zoo staff shot and killed it. Since then, glass has been placed all around the enclosure to ensure visitor safety, however it makes it hard to get a decent picture.

Siberian Tiger

6-year old African lioness

One of the tigresses was in heat and the male in the feeding cage next door couldn't stop hitting on her. Check out his seductive yowls.

A Sumatran tigress

A gazelle

Two abandoned grizzly bear cubs were rescued from Montana. They were right up against the glass and the reflections didn't allow for good pictures, but this one of their claws turned out all right.

As a biologist in a documentary once described a grizzly's claws and paw: "Steak knives on a dinner plate."

A young girl said, "Take a picture of the polar bear before it dies!" I remember a world where we didn't have to worry about the fate of polar bears like we do now. Children are already growing up in a vastly changed world.

Cassowary

A... wallaroo, I think?

Chimps!

Carrying off a snack

Flamingos

A guinea pig impersonating Clara! See the similarities?

Clara two autumns ago

The other piggies

Prairie dog

A mysterious someone

A golden eagle

A great horned owl -- the likes of which I have often heard at night!

Baby alligator

Navajo-churro sheep

These sheep were just... standing there... like statues...

We seeeeee you...

Mackenzie's Momma, I know you'll back me up here... doesn't this sheep resemble an Alpine goat? Often the only way you can tell the difference between a sheep and a goat is it's tail: it points up for a goat and down for a sheep!

We came back to the chimps and one pulled a blanket onto him/herself and lay down for a rest.

By the time we got home, season one of Escape to Chimp Eden had come in the mail and we watched the first episode tonight. Amazing stuff!

Lessons Learned

My gross foot

A few months ago I read that being able to run barefoot would help keep plantar fasciitis at bay. Given that both my dad and uncle have the problem, and that I run anyway, I decided to try to build up to running barefoot. At first I did half and half -- 15 minutes in tennis shoes, 15 minutes barefoot. That was fine. Then I took a break from running barefoot (though I often am barefoot all day anyway and even hike barefoot). When I started up again, I escalated too quickly. I ran for 20 minutes barefoot. Fine. Then I ran the whole 40 minutes barefoot, twice, with no problem, just a little soreness in my heels. Third time, however, I was limping and could feel fluid in my heel. I was afraid to look and when I did, I saw the biggest blood blister that I've ever seen.

The injury itself doesn't really bother me. I stabbed it a few times and drained all the blood out and was running (in shoes) again a day later, thank the gods. What bothers me is the fact that while I was running, I was in intense pain in my heel, but I ignored it.

I think I may have an obsessive compulsive disorder when it comes to physical challenges, because this recent self-injury triggered a wave of memories.

There was the time at Raging Waters where I hung onto plastic-coated ropes that were suspended above a fake river. The point was to be able to drop into the water but at the time I wanted to test myself to see if I could do what I'd seen soldiers do in training videos -- climb all the way across and back again. The only problem was that my hands were wet and soft. I climbed all the way to one side then started back across the other, my hands burning and shooting pain, but I kept going. When I finished, I was shocked to see that I'd torn off large chunks of the flesh of my palms. Then the real pain came. I could hardly use my hands for a week. I couldn't even wash my face. It made my regular babysitting/nannying jobs difficult.

There's also the other time that I went horseback riding in my new "riding" Wrangler's. I don't know what toss pot designed these "riding" jeans, but they have a huge friggin seam right up the buttcrack. On the way back home, my tailbone was in pain. Instead of getting off the horse and walking the rest of the way back, however, I endured. It hurt so bad that I was sweating. Needless to say, my tailbone was bleeding by the time I got back to the barn and I could hardly sit or walk for over a week.

There are several other stories I could recount, including manic canoeing, but these past three are the most dramatic, I think. Which has led me to wonder... WTF is wrong with me? Am I so obsessed with achieving my goals that I'll willfully maim myself? Am I that idiotically stubborn? Is it OCD?

Yeah, pretty much, I guess. Or something close. Truth is, I've realized that instead of accepting pain as a warning, I acknowledge it as a challenge. So when I achieve my goal (running the full 40 minutes, completing the rope course, making it back to the barn) I feel like I'm victorious, no matter the injuries. If not, I feel like a failure.

I don't think this comes from lack of an instinct for self-preservation or a tenacity of will. I think it comes from the desire to prove to myself that I am more than a mortal body. That I can overcome my physical pain in pursuit of my goal. That all life is more than just placing one foot in front of the other until the feet can no longer tread.

Firemen

Dinner in action

Alex and I love the 1994 film Little Women. Mostly because we love seeing the March girls behave like... actual girls. Not dolls. And I was so frightened by how much Jo March reminded me of myself that I wondered if I could have been Louisa May Alcott in a past life (not to say I could ever achieve what she has, but to say that I am impressed by how well she nailed the personality type). I really need to read the book!

Something happened yesterday that made Alex and I realize just how much we can relate to the March girls: the revelation that not much has changed since the 1860s. I mean, sure, a lot has, but still, when you live in a rural area, you make your own excitement. I've already mentioned that we have a sport of running and hiding from the mailman (today it was the UPS man). Yesterday we took the event to a new level.

I was outside filling the bird feeders and grooming Chee Chee when I heard strange, mechanical sounds. I was about to go into the house to tell Alex that I could hear a giant Terminator, but instead heard my mom shout, "A fire truck just pulled up our driveway!"

I stepped outside to see. Yep, there it was, parked on our driveway... with fire-people stepping out. My dad was already greeting them, and since Comanche was with me, he began to bark as soon as I stepped out. Of course, they all turned to look at me. I stared for a moment then dashed back into the garage and ran through the house, shouting at Alex to come see.

As you'll be able to tell, we had a lot of spy work to do. And I realize I should attempt to explain a small portion of the madness that is Kellie-Alex conversation.

When Alex predicts that the firemen will stay for dinner, that's because once upon a time, a man in a truck came to deliver pipe corral fencing. He stayed to help us set it up. Then he realized his truck was broken down. It was too late for a tow, so he stayed for dinner, and what happened to be my little brother's birthday, so he got to join in. His name was Dave, and he was an old cowboy. He told the most amazing stories (ghosts and lost treasure in the desert) and dubbed himself Uncle Dave. My dad ended up driving him home for the night then the next day he came back to work on his truck... only to realize that all that was wrong was that one of his gas tanks was empty and he needed to switch to the other. Oh well, it was an awesome adventure.

But you can see why we were worried the same would happen again. And we were shocked when we realized one of the younger firemen was petting none other than Black the Communist.

Spying, Part 1

One of the firemen kept looking over, as if he saw us, so we decided to stay low to the ground so that he'd mistake us for children. We decided it wasn't enough to see, and that we wanted to hear, as well, so we slipped into the kitchen, beside our neglected dinner, and spied some more.

As you can see, we nearly got given away by Junior.

We couldn't hear them that well, so I had to get my Bat Sonar Equipment.

Which in turn made us feel like Steve and Tango from Ghost Hunters.

Mackenzie's Momma -- I'm sorry to hear about the drought! As you well know, we've been in one for a few years. Here's to hoping both of our water worries will be over soon! The pickers (and foxtails) over here are already insane. Any time the dogs go out we have to spend a lot of time picking pokies out of their toes and fur!

Spring's Farewell

Spring has come and gone! Maybe not by the calendar, but certainly by the vegetation. Check out the last of the spring's wildflowers.

California poppies, lupin, and a few other flowers whose names escape me at the moment

Lots of wild grass and lupins

Grass filling in a ditch carved by rainwater

A pretty bee

I am always bothered by just how many dead bees we stumble upon on our hikes, so it's always to see them alive and healthy and busy, like this bee!

Busy Bee

In this next clip you can't really see the bees, but you can certainly hear the lovely birds.

Pretty Birdies

In other news, I have found evidence that trolls exist. Like, creepy little midget things. Check out the footprints Alex and I found last week.

Proof of midget trolls' existence

They are not rabbit or bird or cat. Near as we can figure, they may be some sort of rat... or kangaroo mouse, which is supposed to be extinct in these parts. And for comparison, here are some beetle footprints.

Buggy tracks

A raccoon and a human intersect

We've also had very strange weather lately. In the middle of last week we had a tiny bit of rain and a thunder storm!

The thunder clouds at sunset

Check out the video Alex filmed while I was on my butt on the couch, waiting to watch Little Women.

Also... I love Escape to Chimp Eden. Okay, so I've only seen it twice, but seriously. It's a beautiful show. This clip is what first caught my attention. Check out the sheer skill of Nicky as he runs and claps at the same time.

"Hello, Nicks!"

And if that doesn't convince you that this show is amazing, check out this blooper. I nearly die laughing every time.

Chimp Eden Blooper

The best part is that Eugene Cussons, the host, is probably used to all kinds of strange chimp behavior that makes the rest of us laugh. Which makes his reaction even more priceless.

Animals and Fandom Stuff

A pretty sunset in April

The Civil War re-enactment is raging this weekend, and I can hear the cannons from the battle as I type. They're making poor Peeks, our Peacock, very upset! But thank goodness the war is pretend...

I have some good news! My script Andromache has won another national screenwriting competition. What's nice is this time I get a bit of $ as a prize. Very welcomed! Also, the class reading of my new script went extremely well and while some people had complaints, they prefaced those complaints with "I love it." One girl held her pee as long as she could so that she wouldn't miss any of it -- I take that as a huge compliment!

And for anyone holding their breath... the article in Script Magazine has been pushed back. It won't come out in June as planned, but should still come out this summer. I'll keep you posted!

Here's some random stuff.

This is Junior, who is "my cat" (when we were kids and our cat Froggy had kittens, we each got to keep one). She's a bit wild and sometimes slaps people when they pet her, but she's always been nice to me and I think her eyes are so beautiful. She's about fifteen and is still a lean, mean, fighting machine! Her muscles are still in top condition. And she answers me when I talk to her. We have a special bond because she was the runt, and I always made sure that she got a teat, that she got affection, etc. As you can tell, she's quite the hunter and is always alert, rarely ever holding still!

Junior

And here is Houdini making great progress. Nic has been training him for years. Look at how genius this horse is. I'm very proud of him!

Houdini's skillz

Other random fandom stuff:

I've finally started to finish my fanfic Branded Heart. I looked at the story in whole the other day and realized it's over 70,000 words and not yet complete. And I wrote most of it in my free time last summer. 40,000 words is a short novel. So yeah, I'm not so worried about finishing my novel for my thesis anymore!

My new Teyla/Ronon music video from Teyla's POV.

Taking Over Me

I also randomly made a pretty background with lyrics from a Goo Goo Dolls song, "Without You Here."

Hope you're all having a great Memorial Day weekend! I'm spending mine battling my first virus of the year (when you get your first cold in May, I think that's a good thing!).

Last night/this morning I dreamed that I was Batman battling The Joker, but then The Joker started to win and took over nearly all of Gotham, killing hundreds of innocent civilians. I was so upset... then I stopped caring about the strangers when I realized that my own life was in danger! I hid in an old parking garage and saw Susan Meyer and Karen McClusky from Desperate Housewives sneaking past. I knew that if Susan saw me in my batsuit, she'd scream and give away my position. I secretly hoped they'd both die. Casualties of war and all that. I should go take my temperature...

Alfred Day

Alfred is underappreciated

Today was Alfred Day! Yes, that's right, a day to celebrate Michael Caine's portrayal of Alfred. The best ever. Michael Caine is an amazing actor.

It started with Katie and I meeting downtown for chai teas on the redwood porch of a tea house downtown. We chatted for a few hours then met up with my mom and sister to go see the Michael Caine film Is Anybody There? at a local art house theater.

The film was very entertaining and, of course, Michael Caine was amazing. There were a few scenes between his character and a little boy that made me think, "If I were really into this, I could use the footage from this film and from Batman Begins to make a little Bruce Wayne and Alfred video of some kind." I then snickered at the thought. Until I realized that to have thought it in the first place, I was that into it.

Alfred and young Bruce Wayne and his dad

Beautiful Alfred

After the film we headed to Coldstone Creamery for some ice cream. How is that a part of Alfredian celebrations? Well, Alex and I have this fantasy of hanging out with Alfred and going to eat ice cream with him. Whenever "Shout" would play at Coldstone, we'd imagine him dancing. Yes, I've been told on countless occassions, by exceedingly colorful people, that Alex and I are beyond weird.

Yay for Alfred and ice cream!

Well, Tracie, unfortunately, I didn't see the Pink Umbrella Man today. His absence made me wonder if the rumors are true -- if he really does have a day job. Blasphemous!

The farmer's market was today, though, and while there I looked for some vampires for you. I think I found a vampire drumming circle. At least... lots of them had dreads... like Wraith... who suck people so they're kinda like vampires... by extension...

Vampire Drumming Circle

Also, I think we passed by a female Ronon while walking through the Farmer's Market. She had long brown dreads, a dark tank top, a thick leather belt with holsters, pouches and fringes, brown pants, and some heavy-duty boots. I was impressed!

My professor e-mailed me today, letting me know that tomorrow, at our final, our class will be reading my new script in its entirety. Um, whoa there. I didn't know this was coming, and I don't want to hear anyone's full-length script, least of all my own. And I already feel enough like the teacher's pet in that class given that everyone knows I've won several screenwriting awards and I was asked to share my stories about Diablo Cody and Vegas. I'd rather someone else got a chance to have their voice heard, but I'm sure there's a good reason behind my professor's choice. More than likely, he's using my script as a cautionary tale. ;)

Mother's Day and Randomness

I've spent the better part of the last two weeks writing like a mad woman. I had a full length screenplay to whip out, a 30-page short story to rewrite, a 17-page research paper to finish, and all the rest of my regular coursework, feedback on friends' writing, and the usual stresses of drunken friends, creepy guys in class, creepy guys online, party planning... I'll stop before I bore you!

Mother's Day, however, was lovely. I don't think I could have asked for a more perfect day with my mom. We went to the beach and relaxed in the sun before getting ice cream and strolling on the wharf. Here are some of the highlights!

We all look pretty retarded, but at least we all managed to fit into one shot. My younger brother was missing, but the rest of us still had a great time with our momma

The crowded beach -- lots of other families had the same idea, it seems!

And I will just say it now without any statistical proof, but California must be having a baby boom. We saw more little kids and babies on the beach than I can ever remember. They were literally everywhere! But no, I don't have pictures of strangers' children to support this. You creeper.

When I was small, walking on this wharf was always a great feat. The tips of my sandals used to get caught in the between spaces of the boards and I vividly remember falling, glimpsing the water far below, just waiting to suck me up! I'm sure I threw many tantrums until either I got bigger or the cracks literally did get smaller. At any rate, I had every right to be frightened -- check out this hole!

Beautiful seawater

Our famed kelp forests

Wonder what he or she's looking at?

Apparently this is all the rage!

Juvenile California gull

I thought this pigeon had such pretty orange eyes!

We came home and had dinner, then a delicious dessert that my mom had lots of fun making and decorating.

Yum!

Teyla is my mom's fifth kid, and she also enjoyed Mother's Day!

The next weekend we celebrated my older brother's birthday. As in the picture above, it's not a party unless the Toot is there!

Teyla watches my brother open presents

And now for something completely random. I love Ghost Hunters, and Dave Tango always keeps things entertaining. Not only do I love his ever-fluctuating eyebrows, but moments like this make the show so very beautiful:

Was He French?

And... a clip of Chee Chee watching my brother train our horse Houdini.

Comanche

And finally, the grand finale. This is one of those pictures that I probably shouldn't put on the internet. No, I have no memory of what I was doing (aside from imitating a certain someone who shall remain unnamed and no, it's not Christian Bale) and the whole scene is so confusing that I think it's art. It also showcases my sexiness.

It kinda looks like John Connor is giving me a "WTF?!" look

To all the mom's out there: Happy late Mother's Day!

Mackenzie's Momma -- The Titanic Artifact Exhibit is definitely awesome, and congrats on your new job! Woo hoo! How do you find the time to be a mom, a student, a fan, and work?!

Tracie -- Trader Joe's! One of my favorite stores! :) That really sucks that they don't have any in Utah. :( I'll probably see the Pink Umbrella Man when I'm downtown tomorrow... If I do, I'll snap a picture for you... and I'll see if I can find where the vampires have been hiding, too. ;)