how heaven pulls earth into its arms
On my “about” page, I’ve cited my theme poem as “Monet Refuses the Operation” by Lisel Mueller. Because I need a pick-me-up today, I thought others might too. Monet Refuses the Operation Doctor, you say there are no haloes around the streetlights in Paris and what I see is an aberration caused by old age, an affliction. I tell you it has taken me all my life to arrive at the vision of gas lamps as angels, to soften and blur and finally banish the edges you regret I don’t see, to learn that the line I called the horizon does not exist and sky and water, so long apart, are the same state of being. Fifty-four years before I could see Rouen cathedral is built of parallel shafts of sun, and now you want to restore my youthful...
Read Morepure and simple every time
After several unsuccessful attempts with iChat AV and our iSights, FunkyPlaid and I got a full audio/video chat going. And damn, once we had iChat configured to use the iSight microphones and limited the bandwidth to 500 Kbps, the quality was excellent. If friendships had credits, ours would have to thank both LiveJournal and Apple.
Read MoreBarbie Sex
So I’ve been thinking about Barbie Sex. I remember a time when I was very, very concerned about my Barbies. My favorite one was Malibu Barbie. She had tan lines under a teal bikini. To this day, I love tan lines. They fascinate me. I think getting an even, all-over tan is silly when you can have tan lines! Anyway, unlike many little girls my age, I hated Barbie’s long blonde hair. I preferred the brunette Barbies because they were pretty, like my mom. Then my mom got her hair “frosted” (ah, 1981) and that was the end of that. My friend Molly would come over and we’d play Barbies. Molly had a bunch of Barbies and a Ken, but I only had a few Barbies and a G.I. Joe. My mom found G.I. Joe at the Ben Franklin. I think he cost all...
Read Moreif they take my stapler, then i’ll set the building on fire
This is the day … that nev-er ends … I got to work at 07:30 and stayed until 14:00, then went home, fell asleep, woke up, went on the Eternal Search for the Right Kind of Cat Litter, actually procured the Right Kind of Cat Litter, picked up some yarn for my next crochet project, got food from Taco Hell, and came back to work at 20:00 for the closing stretch. I miss my employees’ health. Brina and her mommy came by today and brought me lunch in the form of one of the best ham sammiches I’ve ever had. They rule. This workday wouldn’t suck so hard if all the movie showtimes weren’t right BEFORE Library closing time. Maybe I’ll just have to go home and watch a DVD. “Office Space” comes to mind. Current mood: Curr
Read Moreto cross or to burn
I went to the movies last night by myself. I bought a box of Junior Mints and curled up in a comfy seat and saw “Lost in Translation”. It is a beautiful, important film that was immediately adopted into my top-ten favorites of all time. I won’t ruin it for anyone by even attempting a synopsis. Just go see it. It is a very Halsted sort of film. This David Russell quote, sent to me by my dad today, reminds me of the film, and of my life: “The hardest thing in life to learn is which bridge to cross and which to burn.” Current mood: Current music:
Read MoreWhat is it with me and Tauruses?
I just returned from lunch to find upon my desk a small bouquet of red roses, pink daisies, and sprigs of pretty tiny yellow flowers. With two Matchbox cars and a bag of Hershey’s Kisses tied around the vase. The card reads: Dearest ‘Sted, It’s been a hell of a week and an even longer year. We just wanted to let you know that we will ALWAYS be here for you. Now go play with your new toys. Love, Brina and David. This, along with supportive emails and comments, caring phone calls, and an incredibly dear FunkyPlaid spending his afternoon in an internet café just so we could chat in real-time, is why I say I am truly blessed with the most excellent friends in all the world. Now if you will excuse me, I have two miniature Ford Tauruses to...
Read Moreit’s done
You know that piece of paper I was going to wait four to six weeks for? It came in the mail today. I opened the envelope; on it, the return address sticker saying Marin County Superior Court, and my name and address in my own handwriting. And there it was: “Marital status is terminated and the parties are restored to the status of unmarried persons.” So I think I’ll finish my dinner and take myself to the movies. For old times’ sake, and for what comes next.
Read Morebuild your wings on the way down
Completely by accident, I found My Quote this weekend: “If we listened to our intellect we’d never have a love affair. We’d never have a friendship. We’d never go in business because we’d be cynical: ‘It’s gonna go wrong.’ Or, ‘She’s going to hurt me.’ Or, ‘I’ve had a couple of bad love affairs, so therefore …’ Well, that’s nonsense. You’re going to miss life. You’ve got to jump off the cliff all the time and build your wings on the way down.” Once again, thank you, Ray Bradbury. Current mood: Current music:
Read Morehorka the jacket
O, look, the migraine is gone. Just in time for me to go to work in a few hours. (fucking migraines) On Friday, I neglected to mention something major. I fell in love. With a jacket. That’s furry on the inside. It has what is referred to as a sherpa lining, but every time I say “sherpa” I think “horka”. So, I would like you to meet Horka the Jacket: I’m going to bed now. I will try not to wear Horka to bed, but it’s tough. Furry! On the inside! Edited to add: I took a photo of me and Horka. Friends 4-ever! Current mood: Current...
Read Moreyou pick: end of the world or end of your life
This one was about discovering that I had been living in a house that was owned by a family of drug-dealers. I called my mom to come and help me pack everything up and leave. When she arrived, everyone came to the door to see who she was, and immediately suspected that I had told her everything and the cops were coming next. I remember being terrified that they would do something to her, so I sent her out to the car to get an empty box or suitcase. I hugged her really tightly when she left. When I returned, alone, to the living room of the house, everyone who lived there was waiting for me. The elderly grandfather had a gun in his hand, pointed at my head. He fired once, although there was no sound, and no pain. He gestured in my direction with his other...
Read MoreNestcam
The cam was last on Friday, May 4.
Hello What
I am Halsted, a/k/a cygnoir, and I do stuff with words.
My favourite things to do with words are keeping this diary, writing stories, and organising information.
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Tenacious D
3 days, 15 hours and 17 minutes ago - To Be The Best
Tenacious D
3 days, 15 hours and 18 minutes ago - They Fucked Our Asses - Explicit Version
Tenacious D
3 days, 15 hours and 19 minutes ago
Plugging
