THE CHATELAINE SHOPS or SPENDS (Installation Art in Progress)

SUMMARY FOR THE FUTURE

2005-09-30T22:44:00.000-07:00

Sept. 30, 2005's post is the last for this blog project which began -- *just to see what happens* -- on April 16, 2005.

Since this blog began, poems were written as inspired by its theme. Some of these poems came to form a book POST BLING BLING, published by Moria Books (Chicago, 2005), edited by Bill Allegrezza.

Before POST BLING BLING, the first poem to be submitted to a journal was also accepted -- and by no less than a respectable publication than SENTENCE: A Journal of Prose Poetics, edited by Brian Clements.

Indeed, this blog ended up being the forum for my first in-depth consideration of the list-poem form through "Installment Poems" that I wrote concurrent with listing out my real-life shopping/spending habits. This material will be part of my Spring 2007 book SILENCES: The Autobiography of Loss -- more details in the future no doubt will be presented in my primary blog, The Blind Chatelaine's Poker Poetics.

Thanks to all who've paid attention, who've read and commented. In fact, towards the later part of this blog's life, a parallel theme of monitoring the shopping lists of soon-to-be married Michelle Bautista unfolded through the Comments section. So, Michelle, until your wedding, feel free to post remaining wedding-related shopping lists through the Comments area of this last post.

I am grateful to my blog readers. Poetry is inherently social and much of what unfolded here wouldn't have, uh, unfolded...without YOU! Maraming Salamat!

9/30: FRIDAY

2005-09-30T22:42:00.000-07:00

Continuous Peasant New Orleans Benefit CD

High Tide in Tucson: Essays From Now or Never by Barbara Kingsolver

sausage and egg burrito

mug of coffee

$32.84 gasoline ($3.259/gallon)

drycleaning for two men's suits

laundry services for 13 men's shirts

hemming services for a pair of pants

NY Times

four bananas

carnitas

half a pint of corn salad

half a pint of cous cous

Juana's housecleaning services

veterinarian check-up and allergy shot for Achilles

60 Metronidazole pills for Achilles

Negative Purchases:
Discarded a roast beef slice from the fridge's bowels

Read SF Chronicle at local cafe

9/29: THURSDAY

2005-09-29T23:27:00.000-07:00

postage for sending out review copy of Sean Finney's THE OBEDIENT DOOR

Purina Aquari-yums cat treat

SF Chronicle

NY Times

Negative Purchases:
Read Life & Style and OK magazines whilst on supermarket line

9/28: WEDNESDAY

2005-09-28T22:14:00.000-07:00

Jerry's property maintenance services (shoring up library shelves)

Mollie's dog-playing and socialization services (Gabriela)

two containers of Soft Soap refills

SF Chronicle

From Heather's Kitchen:
.....Baby Arugula Salad tossed with a Balsamic Vinaigrette with Figs, Candied Walnuts and Blue Cheese
.....Hummus with Wheat Pita Crisps
.....Shallot and Herb Crusted Filet Mignon with Roasted Potatoes and Sauteed Asparagus

Negative Purchases:
Read NY Times, PEOPLE and GLAMOUR at public library

From public library, checked out ARIEL'S GIFT: Ted Hughes, Sylvia Plath and the Story of Birthday Letters by Erica Wagner

Read US and IN TOUCH magazines while on supermarket line

German Shepherds demolished a rubber baseball toy

Discarded two bags of wheat pita toast from pantry

9/27: TUESDAY

2005-09-27T22:32:00.000-07:00

Jerry's property-maintenance services for windows, kitchen doors and chair protection viz marble floors

Mollie's dog-playing & socialization services

postage to send out review copies of Sean Finney's THE OBEDIENT DOOR

deep tissue massage (Zamyra)

bill for, and postage to send payment to, St. Helena Hospital

latte

From Heather's Kitchen:
.....Vegetable, Chicken and Rice Soup
.....Butterleaf Lettuce with Pears, Cranberries, Pistachio's and Blue Cheese
.....Roasted Pork Tenderloin with a Peanut Sauce served with Wheat Grains and Sauteed Bok Choy and Cabbage

Negative Purchases:
Donation to The Vistamar School

Read SF Chronicle and NY Times at local cafe

Gave Dreamland, novel by Dan Brown, to local cafe's freebie community bookshelf

9/26: MONDAY

2005-09-26T10:18:00.000-07:00

bottle of 2002 Dutch Henry Los Carneros chardonnay

replacement leather wristband for watch

Jones New York pair of pants

Jones New York blouse

trash disposal fee

laundry services for four bedspreads

Juana's housecleaning and gardening services

bills and postage to send bill payments to Citibank, Chase, PG&E, Heather's Kitchen, Cingular Wireless, Easton Press, Total Concepts, and California State Parks Foundation

membership fee for California State Foundation

postage to send ENGLISH, MENAGE A TROIS and Paolo Javier's the time at the end of this writing to PA, CC, CT and Amazon

laundry services for six men's shirts and hemming a pair of pants

six bananas

pint of mixed bean salad

ham and cheese sandwich

3 gallons of Crystal Geyser spring water

four slices of roast beef

NY Times

SF Chronicle

From Heather's Kitchen:
.....Roasted Butternut Squash Soup garnished with Chives and Pumpkin Seeds
.....Tomato and Mozzarella Salad with Basil, Balsamic and Olive Oil
.....Baked Chicken served over Taboule with Carrots and Peas

Negative Purchases:
German Shepherds demolished a "basketball" dog toy

Gave J. two pairs of pants, a skirt and matching blouse ensemble, a dress, four blouses, and a tank top

Got a birthday gift from SY of a hand-made bead bracelet

Read US and PEOPLE magazines at supermarket shopping line

9/25: SUNDAY

2005-09-25T21:42:00.000-07:00

Hotel Chambers stay

7-day access charges to internet via hotel

bellboy tip

cab from hotel to JFK

JFK porter tip

coffee

Dannon's mixed berry yogurt

banana

Entenmann's package of six mini blueberry muffins

NY Times

American Airlines inflight meal of egg salad wrap sandwich

cab from SF Airport to apartment

Tropicana orange juice

milk

10 Yoplait yogurts

banana cream pie

two organic bananas

Suave coconut body wash

SF Chronicle

a bunch of pink asters

two slices of roast beef

From Heather's Kitchen:
.....Lentil Soup
.....Seared Ahi Tuna with a Ginger Wasabi Soy dipping Sauce served with Wheat Cous Cous and Sugar Snap Peas and Peppers

Negative Purchases:
German Shepherds demolished a fuzzy ball toy

Discarded old cheese from fridge's bowels

Received Italian fruit bowl/dish from DM & SM

9/24: SATURDAY

2005-09-24T23:58:00.000-07:00

eight cab rides

bottle of the 2003 The Dead Arm shiraz

Breakfast at Barney Greengrass:
orange juice
coffee
nova scotia salmon on plain bagel with scallion cream cheese
sable on raisin bagel with scallion cream cheese
whitefish plate with tomatos, pickles, plain bagel and plain cream cheese

Lunch at Shun Lee Palace:
...Beijing pan-fried dumplings
...Chilean sea bass with scallions
...rice
...Pellegrino sparkling water
...tea

Anne Sexton: The Last Summer by Arthur Fursl

The Bosnia Elegies, poems by Alicia Oktenberg

HIV, Mon Amour, poems by Tory Dent

Collected Poems by Edwin Denby

Pueblo Indian Religion, Vol. I and II, by Elsie Cleuris Parsons

Curtius History of Greece, Vol. I - V

Cambridge Ancient History, Volume I - XII, edited by S.A. Cook, F.E. Adcock, and M.P. Charlesworth

North Plutarch, the Lives of the Noble Grecians and Romans, Vol. I - VIII

Troja by Heinrich Schliemann

Tiryas by Heinrich Schliemann

The Riddle of the Rhine by Victor Lafebure, Preface by Marshal Foch

The Influence of Sea Power Upon History by Alfred Mahan

War of the Rebellion: Official Record of the Union and Confederate Armies, Vol. I

Negative Purchases:
Gave copy of Menage a Trois...to LS

Brought bottle of the 2003 The Dead Arm shiraz to dinner party hosted by AB. AB's menu for our visit:

...Veuve Cliquot champagne
...1989 CNP Les Cailloux
...1989 Le Chapoutier Sizeranne
...2003 The Dead Arm shiraz
...red pepper soup with yogurt and thyme
...Harvest bread
...braised pork with black grapes
...sauteed kale with garlic and ginger
...cheese course with plum & walnut bread
...plum tart

Opened a bottle of the 1989 CNP Le Vieux Bonjou, but not worth drinking.

9/24: WE INTERRUPT OUR REGULAR PROGRAMMING

2005-09-24T23:45:00.000-07:00

to announce the identity of the "Installation Artist" identified for this blog and the project THE AUTOBIOGRAPHY OF COMMODITIES. Drum roooolll!

EMMY CATEDRAL!

Yadda!

9/23: FRIDAY

2005-09-23T23:59:00.000-07:00

postage to send Thank You letter to C & C for Monday's hospitality earlier this week

coffee

Chambers Hotel stay

diet coke

two subway rides

two cab rides

Lunch at Prime Grill:
...sushi
...Saratoga sparkling water
...2003 Baron Herzog Special Reserve chardonnay

wine and hors d'ouevres for ENGLISH book launch

Dinner at Lo Ulivo Focacceria:
...2001 Morellino Di Scansano Le Vignacci Riserva
...sauteed artichokes
...Margarita pizza
...fried mozzarella with tomato sauce
...garganzella with mushrooms and leeks

Negative Purchases:
Gave Reproductions to MD

Gave ENGLISH to JA, Library of Congress and Poets' House

Gave review copy of Sean Finney's THE DISOBEDIENT DOOR to TF

Sold ENGLISHes during book launch; proceeds to be donated for relief efforts from Hurricane Katrina

9/23: WE INTERRUPT OUR REGULARLY-SCHEDULED PROGRAMMING

2005-09-23T06:22:00.000-07:00

to bring you some thoughts by Rochita Ruiz over in The Netherlands who's just blog-shared some thoughts about one of the projects spurred by this Shopping/Spending Blog: POST BLING BLING (again, thank you Bill for your work as poet-publisher). I love how the internet creates a global but still intimate readership -- here's Rochita in italics on moi Moria book:

There is something about the way these words are written that pushes them beyond the page. From "Welcome to the Luxury Hybrid" to "Yukon Denali's Denial" there is a vibrant power that surges through the lines, reminding of conversations that I must have recorded in my subconscious. "Luxury Hybrid" awakened memories of overheard conversations: boys comparing the merits of one car over the other, dreaming aloud of the kind of car they would like to own one day - in the Philippines, it mostly remains a daydream.

Yes, there is food for thought in the carefully selected verses/commercials listed in part one of this e-book.

In the letters written in response to Eileen's questions about the balixbayan box, I found it quite interesting to discover that eventually this question gave rise to the question of colonialism in a box. Perhaps I was sleeping when that question was put to the [Flips Listserve] list because I don't recall reading that one, but then, my appearance on the net ( in my mailbox )is quite sporadic. Eileen notes that the discussion ended on that question which somehow never got answered. She then goes on to wonder if the right questions were asked.

I really liked this ending to the work. It made me look at the entire book in a whole new light. I found myself analyzing things and wondering too about what these lists say about us, and what the implications are. In any case, leaving it open like that invites much thought on the part of this reader. So, I'm going to read it again and think about those questions.

Wanna read Eileen's book? Here's the link click on Post Bling Bling to download a pdf copy. Enjoy :)

*****

I'm glad to see how, for Rochita, the open-ended poem facilitates extended reconsiderations of the way the world unfolds.

9/22: THURSDAY

2005-09-22T23:36:00.000-07:00

iced teas

coffee

7-Grain toast

Metro North train tickets to Brewster, N.Y.

Chambers Hotel stay

two cab rides

Negative Purchases:
Lunch of chicken enchiladas, rice, roasted squash and diet Pepsi courtesy of WestConn

Afternoon snack of coconut Italian soda and biscotti courtesy of SM

Dinner at Joanna's courtesy of SM:
...2 bottles of Chianti
...caesar salad
...Italian egg drop soup
...chicken Milanese
...rack of lamb with french fries and snap peas
...limoncelli
...profiteroles

9/21: WEDNESDAY

2005-09-21T23:50:00.000-07:00

AN ACCIDENTAL AUTOBIOGRAPHY: The Selected Letters of Gregory Corso, edited by Bill Morgan

America's Greatest Unknown Poet: Lorine Niedecker Reminiscences, Photographs, Letters and Her Most Memorable Poems, by John Lehman

Close to me & Closer ... (The Language of Heaven) and Desamere by Alice Notley

two cups of coffee

one cab ride

one subway fare

diet coke

"feminine protection"

Chambers Hotel stay

Lunch at Krystal's:
...steamed rice
...fish and tofu stew
...2 types of pork dishes
...sotanghon soup
...diet coke

Dinner at Jean Georges:
...1996 Le Bahans Haut Brion
...Pellegrino
...Amuse Bouche: tuna sashimi, cantaloupe soup with sea salt foam, basil and tomato encrusted goat cheese
...foie gras terrine with slow roasted strawberries and aged balsamic vinegar
...porcini risotto with chevril, tarragon and mint
...veal tenderloin with parmesan and lavender
...sangria poached figs with burnt orange ice cream
...chocolate medley
...sweet corn panna cotta
...crispy Madeleine
...spiced walnuts
...concord grape sorbet
...cavallon melon soup
...plate of fresh marshmallows, chocolate pralines and mascarpone cookies

Negative Purchases:
Discarded cup of coffee

Gave cake to PJ

free cab courtesy of MM

9/20: TUESDAY

2005-09-20T23:59:00.000-07:00

HAMADA: Potter, biography by Bernard Leach

KOUROI: ARCHAIC GREEK YOUTHS: A Study of the Development of the Kouros Type in Greek Sculpture by G.M.A. Richter

The Boy in the Well and Other Poems by Daniel Mark Epstein

two cab rides

two cups of coffee

Chambers Hotel stay

$2 tip for doorman

From the GAP:
...green t-shirt
...brown t-shirt
...brown leather belt
...black pants

Lunch at Town:
...glass of Grenache
...ravioli
...cheeseburger with salad and buttered chips
...chocolate beignets
...coffee
...mint tea

Negative Purchases:
Discarded cup of coffee

Dinner at Gotham Bar and Grill courtesy of DD:
...2002 Chassagne Montrachet Domaine Michelle Niellon Les Champagne 1st Cru
...2003 Peter Michael Belle Cote
...2001 Muller-Catoir Mossbacher Eselshaunt Riesling Eiswein
...2001 Altaa P.S.
...smoked salmon on sweet corn cakes
...tomato salad
...seared foie gras with roasted nectarines, pistacchio and cherry caramel
...miso marinated black cod with bok choy, shitake mushroom, sticky rice, soy lemongrass and ginger emulsion
...salmon with corn, mashed potatoes and truffle foam
...bass
...steak with onion rings
...lobster

An after-dinner drink of the 1990 d'Yquem courtesy of FM

Opened a bottle of the 1975 d'Yquem only to discover it died in bottle

9/19: MONDAY

2005-09-19T23:56:00.000-07:00

6 bottles of 2001 Gaja San Lorenzo

6 bottles of 2001 Gaja Tilden

Simon Pierce decanter

pedicure

foot paraffin wax treatment

two tubes of Elizabeth Arden vanilla/fig cream

$1 tip to Saks doorman

$2 tip to Chambers bellboy

$10 cab ride

three Metro North tickets from Mount Kisco to Grand Central, NYC

Chambers Hotel stay

Negative Purchases:
Lunch at Saks courtesy of MM: cobb salad and iced tea

Gave copy of ENGLISH to MM and Sean Finney's THE OBEDIENT DOOR to AM

car ride from Manhattan to Armonk courtesy of FM

Dinner for 8 courtesy of C & C, with wines courtesy of FM & C:
...homemade wine courtesy by C's father
...2000 Gaja Barbaresco
...capocollo with provolone
...olives
...fresh mozzarella with basil and tomatoes and olive oil made by C's brother
...grilled eggplants
...artichokes
...2000 Gaja Sori San Lorenzo Lenghe
...Sanfaustino water
...homemade fusilli with tomato sauce with a mixture of peccorini, romano and ricotta cheese
...lemon sorbet
...1999 Sine Qua Non "The Marauder" sirah
...veal with lemons, salt, pepper and artichokes
...green beans with garlic
...roasted potatoes
...baked fennel
...mixed salad
...1998 Grange
...ricotta cheesecake
...custart tart topped with strawberries
...anisette cookies
...Italian tarturo ice cream with Auguri! Il Cioccolato de Mamma Lucia
...homemade limoncello

9/18: SUNDAY

2005-09-19T23:38:00.000-07:00

two coffees from Starbucks

six bananas

two yogurts

Negative Purchase:
B & M's dinner treat:
...bottle of 2002 Penfolds Grange shiraz
...appetizers of grape leaves, as well as yogurt, cucumber and eggplant dips
...grilled salmon over rice

Read NY Times courtesy of P & E

Gave copy of ENGLISH to P & E

9/17: SATURDAY

2005-09-17T23:59:00.000-07:00

caramel and chocolate gelato @ Sant Ambroesus Ristorante

Negative Purchases:
The 1987 Hospices de Beaune Corton-Vengennes and 1987 Puligny Montrachet, opened for dinner, were discovered to have died in the bottle.

Dinner courtesy of E & R:
...1989 Clerico Ginestra
...1964 Haut Brion
...1988 Calon Segur
...1994 Beringer Cabernet Chabot Vineyard
...hors d'ouevres of red peppers stuffed with parmesan, cheese sticks and a variety of cheeses and crackers
...grilled vegetables
...veal chops
...corn salad
...mesclun salad
...flourless chocolate cake
...peach, apple, dry cherry cobbler with whipped cream

9/16: FRIDAY

2005-09-16T23:59:00.000-07:00

$60 cab to SF airport (higher than normal due to traffic rerouting from accident on Hwy 101)

roundtrip tickets between SF and NYC on American Airlines

$2 per bag for curbside parking (that's a new fee! airlines must really be desperate for revenues)

AA in-flight meal: turkey and cheddar cheese in croissant sandwich

NY Times

SF Chronicle

$5 "Air Train" from JFK to LIRR

LIRR ticket to Montauk

Dinner for six at Mirko's restaurant:
...2 bottles of 2001 Castello Banfi Summus
...portobello mushroom "pizzas"
...mushroom soups
...pan seared calamari
...veal scallopini
...pan seared cod
...angel hair pasta with shrimp
...salmon over cous cous

Negative Purchases:
Gave bottle of 1994 Beringer Cabernet Chabot Vineyard and Dutch Henry olive oil and vinegar gift box to weekend hosts

9/16-9/25: NEW YORK TRIP

2005-09-16T23:58:00.000-07:00

UPDATE:
I'm off to New York for catching up on art exhibits, wine dinners with friends and members of moi intimate wine club, pinoy food with a pinoy poet, and these two readings (to which public is invited so come if you can!). UPDATE: MY HOTEL, CHAMBERS, OFFERS FREE INTERNET SO I'LL BE ABLE AFTER ALL TO BLOG DAILY SHOPPING/SPENDING LISTS DURING MY TRIP. SO I'LL DO SO!

9/15: THURSDAY

2005-09-15T23:41:00.000-07:00

5 bottles of 1986 Ch. Margaux

A Soldier's Story by General Omar Bradley

Reminiscences by General Douglas MacArthur

War As I Knew It by General George S. Patton

Crusade in Europe by General Dwight Eisenhower

Nelson's Trafalgar: The Battle That Changed the World by Rot Adkins

General George Washington: A Military Life by Edward G. Lengel

Medieval Lives by Terry Jones

$48.03 gasoline ($3.219/gallon, SF)

Grant/Total Concepts' services to fix kitchen door and check on leaking dishwasher

Jerry's property maintenance and management services

Second Generation Roofing Inc. services to fix broken tiles

Suburban Propane maintenance and propane refill

veterinarian check-up for Achilles

Achilles' allergy shot

postage to send correspondence to WA

Uninsured medical bills to primary doctor and to Dr. RH (pathologist)

postage to send bill payments to doctors and Conoco

Debbie's dog-sitting services for ten days

Juana's cat/house-sitting services for ten days

From Heather's Kitchen:
.....minestrone soup
.....fettucini served with a marinara sauce and meatballs topped with parmesan
.....roasted vegetables

Negative Purchases:
Discarded a quarter loaf of wheat bread and bag of garlic curry chips from pantry

9/14: WEDNESDAY

2005-09-14T23:24:00.000-07:00

COVERING OVER, poems by William Allegrezza

Pinay Power: Peminist Critical Theory, Edited by Melina L. De Jesus

SUGGESTIONS AT EVERY TURN, poems by Elena Rivera

Collected Poems 1951-1971 by A.R. Ammons

The Resurrection of the Body and the Ruin of the World, poems by Paul Guest

bottle of 2002 Dutch Henry Argos

postage to send books to winners in Chatelaine Poetics' Pleasurable Poetry Contest

Jerry's and NAPCO's property maintenance services

laundry services for four men's shirts

container of fried rice

From Heather's Kitchen:
.....Chicken Noodle and Vegetable Soup
.....Curried Cous Cous Salad with Currants, Almonds, and Roasted Red Peppers
.....Coq Au Vin with Small Potatoes, Pear Onions and Vegetables

Negative Purchases:
Agreed to trade copies of ENGLISH for Joanna Fuhrman's UGH UGH and Lorna Dee Cervantes' forthcoming DRIVE. YaY!

Harvested -- and I use the term "harvested" quite loosely -- a cup of cherry tomatoes from the garden

Mollie cancelled dog-playing visit due to a sewage problem at her house -- ick

Gave bottle of 2002 Dutch Henry Argos and copies of Reproductions of the Empty Flagpole, Menage a Trois With the 21st Century, 100 More Jokes From The Book of the Dead, and The Obedient Door to winners of the Pleasurable Poetry Contest

Read NY Times, SF Chronicle and Architectural Digest at public library

WE INTERRUPT THE REGULARLY SCHEDULED PROGRAMMING

2005-09-14T11:47:00.000-07:00

to announce that our new book POST BLING BLING (Moria, Chicago, 2005) has just been released. This book incorporates two projects that stem partly from the themes explored by this blog: a series of poems poeticizing advertisements in an issue of Vanity Fair and a long epistolary poem exploring the implications to the "Balikbayan Box".

The book can be downloaded for free, or purchased as a hard copy book. For more information, do go to the publisher's web site at http://moriapoetry.com/ebooks.html

Meanwhile, here's the lovely cover designed by William Allegrezza (thanks Bill!):

9/13: TUESDAY

2005-09-13T22:53:00.000-07:00

Jerry's property maintenance services

postage to send various books to JF, LC, RS, WA, MY, JF, TB, KK, EP and Amazon.com

brown corduroys, tan hooded jacket and plaid shirt for a three-year-old boy

pink Napa Valley t-shirt, tiara-making book/kit and pink poodle stuffed animal/handbag for a six-year-old girl

Mollie's dog-playing & socialization services (Gabriela)

Folgers' coffee

Cadbury's Fruit 'n' Nut bar

bag of miniature Reeses peanut butter chocolate bars

Pantene hair conditioner/shampoo

two slices of roastbeef (one for Artemis the cat and the other for Gabriela the dawg)

From Heather's Kitchen:
.....Chicken Waldorf salad served in Butter Leaf Lettuce
.....Southwest Salad with Cojita Cheese
.....Grilled Lamb Loin Chops with a Taziki Sauce served over Taboule and Steamed Vegetables

Negative Purchase:
Read SF Chronicle and NY Times at public library

Checked out of library: Playing in the Dark: Whiteness and the Literary Imagination by Toni Morrison

Read Star magazine while on supermarket line

9/12: MONDAY

2005-09-12T23:00:00.000-07:00

postage to send out comp copies to book designer and review copies of Sean Finney's debut poetry collection THE OBEDIENT DOOR (Meritage Press, 2005)

postage to send ENGLISH to AG and WH

10 pounds of sweet potato, apple & oat "Rascal" dog treats

latte

a Donsuemor Madeleine

Mollie's dog-playing & socialization services

Juana's housecleaning services

From Heather's Kitchen:
.....Red Pepper and Tomato Soup garnished with Basil and Feta Cheese
.....Shaved Cantaloupe and Serrano Ham Salad with Micro Greens With a Balsamic Vinaigrette
.....Fish With Asian Noodles served in a Yellow Curry Sauce with Sugar Snap Peas and Carrots

Negative Purchases:
Disposed of two peaches from pantry's bowels.

Discarded half a bottle of chardonnay from fridge's bowels

Read SF Chronicle at local cafe

9/11: SUNDAY

2005-09-11T22:28:00.000-07:00

NY Times

SF Chronicle

Randa's house/pet-sitting services

Negative Purchases:
For moi birthday, Tom gave a Bashi Biombo Kubai warrior mask from the Congo, and the following dinner at Bistro Jeanty with dinner wine of the 1986 Margaux:
...tomato soup in crusty pastry shell
...lamb tongue and potato salad
...escargot
...pigs feet over haricort vert
...sweetbreads in pastry with carrots and infused in truffle oil
...Grand Marnier crepe suzette

From the refrigerator's bowels, discarded containers of mixed bean salad, cole slaw, cilantro drip and garbanzo bean dip, as well as two packages of expired bacon.

9/10: SATURDAY

2005-09-10T23:59:00.000-07:00

6 bottles of 2002 Dutch Henry chardonnay Los Carneros

Tappen Hill dog-sitting services

$34.17 gasoline ($3.199/gallon)

80 pounds of Tidy Cat cat litter

GERMAN SHEPHERD magazine

three ball dog toys

turquoise leather frame

laundry services for six men's shirts

3 men's shirts from Brooks Brothers

32 mini brownies

one watermelon

two containers of Tropicana Orange Juice

milk

two containers of Folgers coffee

cantaloupe

Tuscan melon

bananas

butter

NY Times

SF Chronicle

postage for bill payments to American Express and SBC

Lunch for three at Market:
...gazpacho soups
..."A Very Adult" macaroni and cheese
...fish 'n chips
...Thai marinated rock shrimp salad
...butterscotch pudding with whipped cream

Negative Purchases:
Participated in Dutch Henry Winery's Poetry/Music/Wine affair that where proceeds from sales of wines, moi books and CDs were donated to relief efforts from Hurricane Katrina. Donated 7 watermelons and 224 mini brownies for Dutch Henry Winery sponsored benefit.

9/9: FRIDAY

2005-09-09T23:01:00.000-07:00

mug of coffee

"breakfast sandwich" of English muffin, sausage, eggs and cheddar cheese

chocolate donut

Mollie's dog-playing & socialization services (Gabriela)

Juana's housecleaning services

two boxes of ThermaCare HeatWraps

128 mini brownies

12 cans of diet coke

2 packages of Lucerne ice cream sandwiches

Folgers coffee

NY Times

36 bubble-wrap mailers

100 6.5 x 9.5 Manila envelopes

2006 calendar Filofax refill

lucite frame for signs at poetry readings

postage to send first batch of books out for my "Book Sale" fundraising relief effort for Katrina's victims, and to send JY a comp copy of Sean Finney's debut poetry collection THE OBEDIENT DOOR (Meritage Press, 2005)

From Heather's Kitchen:
.....Mixed Greens and Radiccio tossed with a Balsamic Vinaigrette with Figs, Goat Cheese and Pine Nuts
.....Braised Lamb Shanks with a Braising Sauce and Potatoes served with Sauteed Spinach and Kale

Negative Purchases:
Read SF Chronicle at local cafe

Read US Magazine while on line for register at supermarket

9/8: THURSDAY

2005-09-08T23:59:00.000-07:00

set of Apilco Tradition dinnerware (LC's wedding present)

roundtrip Southest tickets to Los Angeles

two bags of Flint River kibble for cats

postage to send PJ's books to Amazon

mug of coffee

a Donsuemor Madeleine

From Heather's Kitchen:
.....Mixed Greens and Radiccio tossed with a Balsamic Vinaigrette with Figs, Goat Cheese and Pine Nuts
.....Braised Lamb Shanks with a Braising Sauce and Potatoes served with Sauteed Spinach and Kale

Negative Purchases:
Read NY Times and SF Chronicle at local cafe.

Received gift/trade of poetry books: Ivan Arguelles' Madonna Septet: Volume One and Allen Bramhall's Simple Theory

9/7: WEDNESDAY

2005-09-07T23:59:00.000-07:00

postage for mailing bill payments to GT, NL and SV and donation to ASPCA (who are caring for pets affected by Katrina; pls donate)

framing services for a drawing by Emilie Clark

two stands for large serving platters

SAMUEL PEPYS: The Unequalled Self, biography by Claire Tomalin

SHELF LIFE: Romance, Mystery, Drama and Other Page-Turning Adventures From A Year In A Bookstore by Suzanne Strempek Shea

20 stamps

SF Chronicle

latte

a Donsuemor Madeleine cookie

From Heather's Kitchen:
.....Hearty Vegetable Soup
.....Truffled White Bean Crostini topped with Chives
.....Teriyaki Glazed Pork Tenderloin served over Barley and Steamed Broccoli and Cauliflower

Negative Purchases:
Donation to ASPCA for pets affected by Katrina

From local cafe's "community bookshelves," got free copies of SILK, novel by Alessandro Baricco; and The Pilot's Wife, novel by Anita Shreve

German Shepherds demolished a dog rope toy

9/6: TUESDAY

2005-09-06T23:28:00.000-07:00

A ninth-grader's textbooks:
...The Atlas and the Geography book under Global Studies/History
...Linguistics
...Intro to Economics
...Advanced Algebra I (Discovering Algebra)
...Spanish I
...9th Grade Modular Science--Physics

6 bottles of 1997 Monfortino

6 bottles of 2001 Latour

2 containers of sliced mangos

3 stalks of russet sunflowers

Mollie's dog-playing & socialization services (Achilles)

postage to send 10 copies of ENGLISH to PH

postage to send postcard art to 2006 International Postcard Exhibition in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia

Achilles' allergy shot

nutritionist's bill

NY Times

From Heather's Kitchen:
.....Cumin Carrot Soup garnished with Chives and Toasted Almonds
.....Traditional Caesar Salad with Heirloom Tomatoes topped with Asiago Cheese
.....Pan Roasted Chicken topped with a Provencal Sauce over Orzo Pasta and Steamed Asparagus

Negative Purchases:
Donated a bag of Milkbone treats, Natural Balance treats and 12 cans of Natural Balance dog food to St. Helena Animal Shelter

Read PEOPLE at supermarket line

Read SF Chronicle at public library

From library's de-accessioned shelf, picked up free copies of TRIBUTE TO FREUD by H.D. and REVOLUTION FROM WITHIN by Gloria Steinem

Borrowed from library The Writer on Her Work: Contemporary Women Writers REflect on their Art and Situation, edited by Janet Sternburg

9/5: MONDAY

2005-09-05T23:01:00.000-07:00

$36.83 gasoline ($3.399/gallon)

four containers of Ben & Jerry's ice cream

six watermelons

30 cans of diet coke

24 bottles of Snapple diet peach iced tea

3 containers of Tidy Cat kitty liter

NY Times

SF Chronicle

120 minutes of deep tissue massage (Tamyra)

Juana's house-cleaning services

Negative Purchases:
Donation to ASPCA (let's not forget the pets victimized by Hurricane Katrina; donation and information available here)

Lost a courtyard tree due to lack of water, and had to dispose of it

Harvested a bag of figs from a neighbor's fig tree

Harvested from our vegetable garden some cherry tomatoes, peppers, Japanese eggplants, yellow squash, and two peaches

Discarded half a bottle of chardonnay and half a pear from the fridge's bowels

9/4: SUNDAY

2005-09-04T23:35:00.000-07:00

Mollie's dog-playing & socialization services (Achilles)

NY Times

SF Chronicle

turkey and cheddar cheese sandwich

pint of Greek orzo salad

pint of beet salad

pint of corn salad

pint of mixed bean salad

six bananas

bunch of grapes

thai chicken sausages

chicken parmesan sausages

chicken

honeydew

Gaila melon

orange crush melon

Yodel cake

From Heather's Kitchen:
.....Butter Leaf Lettuce tossed with a Red Wine Vinaigrette with Chives and Parsley and Locally Grown Cherry Tomatoes
.....Pan Roasted Halibut topped with a Tropical Fruit Salsa served over Wheat Cous Cous and Steamed Vegetables

Negative Purchases:
Gave a Gaila melon to next-door neighbors as a moving-day present

9/3: SATURDAY

2005-09-03T23:05:00.000-07:00

three bottles and one magnum of the 2002 Luce Abbey cabernet sauvignon

Randa's house/pet-sitting services

Lunch for two from Palisades Market, Calistoga:
...beet salad
...Greek orzo salad
...ham & cheese sandwich
...chicken enchiladas
...gazpacho soup

Dinner for two at Meadowwood:
...foie gras with roasted peaches and brioche slices
...sweetbreads with potato hash and spinach
...pork chop on bed of spinach and fingerling potatos
...rack of lamb with spice-sceneted couscous and grilled figs
...key lime pie

Negative Purchase:
Calistoga artist Madame Durall gives a hand-painted ceramic mug with her interpretation of local tourist attraction, The Geysers.

9/2: FRIDAY

2005-09-02T23:59:00.000-07:00

$45.12 gasoline (most ever paid for a gasoline fill-up, and it wasn't for a full "fill 'er up", and it was after scouting around for cheapie prices to find $3.099/gallon)

Tappen Hill pet-sitting audition by Achilles and Gabriela

West County Net services for checking on computer system

Home Tech services for checking on television and phone systems

Juana's housecleaning & trash disposal services

Landfill disposal fee

postage to pay credit card bill

laundry services for five men's shirts

movie "The Constant Gardener"

Lunch for two at Taylor's Refresher:
...egg salad sandwich
...Texas burger
...sweet potato fries
...blueberry shake
...diet coke

Dinner for two at Pilar's in Napa:
...pepper stuffed with ahi tuna
...grilled veal chops with mushrooms and risotto
...lemon bread budding
...toasted coconut and chocolate soufle with dulce de leche gelato

Negative Purchases
Gave bottle of 1992 Judds Hill to Hometech serviceman

Gave bottle of 1999 Della Valle Pietra Rosse to West County Net serviceman

9/1: THURSDAY

2005-09-01T23:18:00.000-07:00

Mollie's dog-playing & socialization services (Gabriela)

Palmolive dishwasher detergent

four boxes of Marie Callender's Roasted Chicken frozen dinners

banana cream pie

postage to send REPRODUCTIONS to AB

Negative Purchases:
Traded copy of REPRODUCTIONS for Andrea Baker's Like Wind Loves A Window

From public library, borrowed DE KOONING: AN AMERICAN MASTER, biography by Mark Stevens and Annalyn Swan

Discarded three slices of blueberry cake from pantry and pint of avocado curry from fridge's bowels

Read at public library the NYTimes, Artnews, People and the past Sunday SF Chronicle

Received a City Lights Bookstore gift certificate from a house guest

Donation for Relief Efforts from Hurricane Katrina*

______
* To make donations to help out the victims of Hurricane Katrina, you can go to

The American Red Cross
http://www.redcross.org/
1-800-HELP NOW (435-7669) English, 1-800-257-7575 Spanish

The Salvation Army
http://www.salvationarmyusa.org/USNSAHome.htm

8/31: WEDNESDAY

2005-08-31T23:08:00.000-07:00

TAPE FOR THE TURN OF THE YEAR, poems by A.R. Ammons

Grant's maintenance services for temporarily fixing kitchen screen door that'd been mauled by the dawgs

movie "Must Love Dogs"

bottle of Crystal Geyser spring water

postage to send correspondence to HC

From Heather's Kitchen:
.....Southwest Chicken Salad with Black Beans, Bell Peppers, Corn and Feta Cheese
.....Roasted Red Pepper Hummus with Wheat Pita Crisps
.....Chicken and Vegetable K-bob's served over Cous Cous and Grilled Pineapple

Negative Purchases:
Gabriela's very German Shepherd teeth demolished two ivory boxes that her snout first nudged off a side table (oh dangit!)

Achilles and Gabriela demolish soft bone squeakie toy

Rread NY Times and SF Chronicle at the public library

8/30: TUESDAY

2005-08-30T23:59:00.000-07:00

postage for paying and balance of printing order for Sean Finney's forthcoming and debut poetry collection THE OBEDIENT DOOR (Meritage Press, Fall 2005)

Mollie's dog-playing & socialization services

Grant's maintenance services for replacing a tile that fell off the roof

Summit Electric services for fixing outdoor lights

milk

two 96-ounze containers of orange juice

BOUNCE laundry softeners

gallon of Crystal Geyser Spring Water

Cadbury Fruit & Nut chocolate bar

postage to send ENGLISH to IH

SF Chronicle

From Heather's Kitchen:
.....Miso Soup with Edamame
.....Greens tossed in a Balsamic Vinaigrette with Heirloom Tomatoes and Carrots topped with Blue Cheese
.....Salmon Pasta with Artichokes, Corn, Peas and Mushrooms served in a Creamy Herb Sauce

Negative Purchases:
Mollie gave brand new leashes for the dogs, as well as photos of them during various outings

Received Contributor's Copy of Sleeping Fish: Literary Magazine of Text, Art and Text/Art

German Shepherds demolished a cloth frisbee dog toy

8/29: MONDAY

2005-08-29T23:59:00.000-07:00

six bottles of the 1996 Conterno Monfortino

THEIR FIELDS, poetry by Jordan Stempleton (Moria Books, 2005)

THE COMPLETE WORKS OF ABRAHAM LINCOLN -- Volumes I to IX, with Index -- Edited by Roy P. Basler

THE HISTORY OF GREECE, edited by J.B. Bury

A COTTAGE IN PORTUGAL, memoir by Richard Hewitt with illustrations by Barbara Finn Hewitt

Subscription to SPORE

Postage to send correspondence to SPORE, St. Helena Veterinary Hospital, and MA

Postage to send short story manuscript HOMESICKNESS: A DICTATOR'S AFTERMATH to publisher

breakfast burrito

latte

Juana's housecleaning services

From Heather's Kitchen:
.....Caramelized Five Onion Soup
.....Thai Style Spinach Salad topped with Feta, Currants, Pecans, and Roasted Peppers
.....Apple and Raisin Stuffed Pork Chop served with a Pan Sauce over a Parsnip Puree and Steamed Vegetables

Negative Purchases:
Read SF Chronicle at local cafe

Borrowed from local library: [IN DEEP: Country Essays by Maxine Kumin

8/28: SUNDAY

2005-08-28T10:52:00.000-07:00

60-minute deep tissue massage (Tamyra)

lemonade

iced white chocolate mocha

Lunch at Meadowood:
...glass of Meadowood chardonnay
...grilled calamari with lemon aioli sauce
...potato & leek soup with truffle oil
...grilled salmon over a bed of mixed vegetables
...Cobb salad

From Heather's Kitchen:
.....Vegetable and Barley Soup
.....Pan Roasted Duck with a Pinot Noir Cherry Reduction Sauce served with Roasted Fingerling Potatoes and Sauteed Haricots Verts and Carrots

Negative Purchases:
Read NY Times at Meadowwood

From a local cafe's community shelf, picked up free copies of DREAMLAND, a novel by Dale Brown and Jim DeFelice; and I MARRIED A BEST SELLER, a memoir by Sheila Haley

8/27: SATURDAY

2005-08-27T23:59:00.000-07:00

1 bottle of 2002 Dutch Henry chardonnay Los Carneros Vineyard

1 magnum and 3 bottles of 2002 One Hundred Acre cabernet

a 9th grade tuition bill

overnight mail services for correspondence to TT

self-service car wash

laundry services for five men's shirts

postage for paying bills to St. Helena Hospital, Valley Radiology Association, Total Concepts

quart of Haagen Daz vanilla fudge caramel ice cream

quart of Haagen Daz chocolate fudge ice cream

12 Yoplait yogurts

two Orange Flush melons

cantaloupe

Galia melon

honeydew

container of mango slices

container of figs

two containers of mixed bean salad

Po-Boy roastbeef sandwich

16 bottles of Snapple diet peach iced tea

two men's anti-perspirants

bag of Italian prunes

SF Chronicle

NY Times

Randa's house/pet-sitting services

dinner for two at Dutch Henry Vintners Guild Dinner

Negative Purchase:
Donated 48 cans of Natural Balance dog food to the St. Helena Animal Shelter

8/26: FRIDAY

2005-08-26T22:49:00.000-07:00

three stalks of Stargazer lilies

St. Helena Hospital bill not covered by insurance

Radiology Service bill not covered by insurance

240 cans of Pinnacle Trout & Sweet Potato dog food

Debbie's dog-sitting services

Juana's housecleaning services

Grant's maintenance services to fix a toilet, dishwasher and tiles affected by water damage

six bananas

dishwashing detergent

NY Times

SF Chronicle

From Heather's Kitchen:
.....Belgian Endive and Hearts of Romaine Tossed in a Champagne Vinaigrette with Pears, Goat Cheese and Candied Walnuts
.....Miso Marinated Wild Pacific Salmon served over Israeli Couc Cous and Sauteed Baby Bok Choy, Cabbage and Carrots

Negative Purchases:
Got a box of books from a poet who donated them for use to a future poetry/art performance/exhibit of mine

8/25: THURSDAY

2005-08-25T23:25:00.000-07:00

HOW TO MAKE A LIVING AS A POET by Gary Mex Glazner

EARLY MORNING: Remembering My Father William Stafford by Kim Stafford

ASIAN AMERICAN POETRY: THE NEXT GENERATION, Edited by Victoria M. Chang

eight Mikasa "Stefanie" water glasses

a bus ride

a cab ride

photo album

Debbie's dogsitting services

Negative Purchases:
Tom treated me to a Chinese lunch of vegetable spring rolls, chicken in garlic sauce and squid in black bean sauce with rice, diet coke and hot tea

Gave a copy of ENGLISH to Madeline who treated me to a glass of sangiovese at SF MOMA cafe

8/24: WEDNESDAY

2005-08-24T22:24:00.000-07:00

Sphere: The Form of a Motion, poems by A.R. Ammons

framing services for Beatrice Wood's drawing, "Frightened of Her Dreams"

subscription renewal to Poets & Writers (P&W) magazine

postage to send correspondence to WA and bill payment to P&W

toilet valve

Grant's maintenance services to fix a toilet, dishwasher and tiles affected by water damage

Napco services to rebuild kitchen cabinetry

Debbie's dog-sitting services

salami sandwich

blueberry creme cake

milk

NY Times

$29.77 gasoline ($2.999/gallon)

From Heather's Kitchen:
.....Roasted Red Pepper Soup topped with Feta Cheese
.....Eggplant Parmesan served over Orzo Pasta and Roasted Vegetables

Dinner at Takara:
...toro sushi
...uni sushi
...hamachi sushi
...unagi sushi
...hamachi & scallions roll
...salmon skin roll
...saba sushi
...Kirin beer
...miso soup
...octopus and Japanese cucumber salad
...hot tea

Negative Purchases:
Discarded quarter of a loaf of wheat bread from pantry

Thomas Fink gave a painting, "Burrito Imbalance 7" (2005), acrylic on canvas

8/24: WE INTERRUPT OUR REGULARLY SCHEDULED PROGRAMMING

2005-08-24T07:07:00.000-07:00

to share some wonderful news. My poetry series "POST BLING BLING" -- that had been inspired by this shopping project (I blogged about it here on June 21) -- has been accepted for publication. It will be among the first to be published by the new books imprint put out by Moria Poetry, edited and published by William Allegrezza. Thank you, Bill!

I've enjoyed/am enjoying this shopping/spending project (this blog is expected to end on Sept. 30). Its surface viz this blog -- moi daily consumptions -- has been deceptively shallow. But then everything about shopping tends to be generative, eh?

And I can't wait to see the final form of the larger ultimate project: THE AUTOBIOGRAPHY OF COMMODITIES. I'm raring to finish its text to hand over to an installation artist to see what she can do with it as her, yep, musical score!

Pause for hand-waved* conjuration: forthcoming: exhibit! forthcoming: book!

Okay. So, for now: BLING BLING RIGHT BACK ATCHA!

_____
* For those curious about my conjuring hand waves, it's my inept variation of a flamenco gesture....as a witch, I'm like as a poet: I always wing it...!

And as she logs offline, her Peeps hear a cackle ... scented by a whiff of crushed sampaguita blooms...

.

8/23: TUESDAY

2005-08-23T22:25:00.000-07:00

an ISBN number

Grant's maintenance services to fix a toilet and dishwasher

60-minute deep tissue massage (Diane)

Achilles' allergy shot

60 Metronidazole pills for Achilles

From Heather's Kitchen:
.....Minestrone Soup
.....Iceberg Wedge with Cherry Tomatoes and Blue Cheese
.....Chicken Stir-Fry topped with Cashews served over Wheat Cous Cous

Negative Purchases:
Read Town & Country and Western Interiors at gym

Discarded six tomatoes from pantry

8/22: MONDAY

2005-08-22T23:04:00.000-07:00

UNNECESSARY ROUGHNESS, poems by Shin Yu Pai

laundry services for seven men's shirts

postage to send correspondence to FH, NL and FR

Juana's housecleaning services

Mollie's dog-playing & socialization services (Achilles)

From Heather's Kitchen:
.....Roasted Butternut Squash Soup garnished with Chives
.....Heirloom Tomato, Fresh Mozzarella and Basil Salad drizzled with Balsamic and Olive Oil
.....Shrimp Scampi served over Garlicky Wheat Pasta with Steamed Asparagus

Negative Purchases:
Read Architectural Digest, PEOPLE, and NY Times at public library

Ecstatically received in mail from David Baratier copies of his fabulous poetry chaps, ESTRELLA'S PROPHECIES: III and ESTRELLA'S PROPHECIES 2

8/21: SUNDAY

2005-08-21T23:06:00.000-07:00

six bags of water purification salt

Galia melon

canteloupe

honeydew

seven Yoplait yogurts

four bananas

SF Chronicle

NY Times

Mollie's dog-sitting & socialization services (Gabriela)

Randa's house/pet-sitting services

Dinner at Bouchon:
...terrine of foie gras
...steak frites
...trout amandine

Negative Purchases:
For Bouchon dinner with B & P, brought bottle of 1970 release from Vega Sicilia Unico, while B & P brought bottles of the 2002 Domaine Le Flaive Puligny Montrachet Les Pucelles and 1998 Remirez de Ganuza

Read The Weekly Calistogan at public library

Gave a gallon of cold Crystal Geyser spring water to L & M to celebrate moving day into their new house

Housesitter destroyed the dawgs' squirrel toy by leaving it out in back yard and getting it wet (dangit! that was a favored dawg toy!)

8/20: SATURDAY

2005-08-20T23:02:00.000-07:00

Randa's house- & pet-sitting services

Southwest ticket from L.A. to Oakland

Oakland airport parking fees

Hertz Rental Car services

Lunch at LAX:
...California pizza
...pepperoni pizza
...diet coke
...diet Snapple ice tea

$5.45 gasoline (Los Angeles: $2.819/gallon)

$25.34 gasoline (Calistoga: $2.999/gallon)

$17.16 gasoline (St. Helena, $3.139/gallon)

From Heather's Kitchen:
.....Sweet Corn Soup with Tarragon topped with Heirloom Tomatoes
.....Roasted Cornish Game Hen served with a Pan Sauce over Curried Cous Cous with a Julienne of Sauteed Zucchini, Yellow Squash and Carrots

Negative Purchases:
Discarded container of mixed vegetables from fridge's bowels

8/19: FRIDAY

2005-08-19T19:12:00.000-07:00

AMERICA'S NATIONAL PARKS FOR DUMMIES (dat yellow series)

CLEOPATRA, critical study by Michael Grant

ALEXANDER THE GREAT: The Hunt For A New Past by paul Cartledge

PHARAOH'S PEOPLE: Scenes from Life in Imperial Egypt by T.G.H. James

THE RISE OF THE GREEKS by Michael Grant

ANCIENT GREECE: THE DAWN OF THE WESTERN WORLD, text/editorial coordination by Furio Durando

ANCIENT ROME: HISTORY OF A CIVILIATION THAT RULED THE WORLD, editorial coordination by Furio Durando and Anna Maria Liberati

Randa's house- & pet-sitting services

Juana's housecleaning services

$5 Bay Bridge toll

Southwest ticket from Oakland to L.A.

Oakland airport parking fees

NY Times

Negative Purchases:
Discarded pint of expired milk and container of roasted eggplant dip from fridge's bowels.

Discarded five tomatoes

Bookstore gave complimentary mini-booklight

Southwest Airlines generously comped two mini-bags of peanuts and a cup of apple juice

8/18: THURSDAY

2005-08-18T23:06:00.000-07:00

"MT-M13" (2005), a work on paper by Emilie Clark, from her "Carnivore" series

THE PROMISE: How One Woman Made Good On Her Extraordinary Pact To Send A Classroom of First-Graders to College, memoir by Oral Lee Brown with Caille Millner

LOVE POEMS by Anne Sexton

chai tea

orange biscotti

Northcoast water treatment facility maintenance services

Molly's dog-playing and socialization services (Achilles)

Grant's maintenance services for fixing water damage caused by a leaking dishwasher to the kitchen island cabinetry and floor, fixing kitchen doors and fixing outdoor lights

$35.49 gasoline ($2.999/gallon)

Negative Purchases:
Read SF Chronicle and NY Times at public library

Borrowed from library: SELECTED POEMS OF ANNE SEXTON, edited by Diane Wood Middlebrook and Diana Hume Goerge

Got freebie copy from cafe's community book shelf: HOUSE, nonfiction by Tracy Kidder

From Heather's Kitchen:
Heather mistakenly thought I ordered food for today. When I said I hadn't placed an order, she comped the food! YaY!
.....Roasted Eggplant Dip with Wheat Pita Crisps
.....Hearts of Romaine tossed in a Red Wine Vinaigrette with Asian Pears, Blue Cheese and Candied Walnuts
.....Rock Shrimp and Vegatable Pasta served in a Shellfish Broth with Sundried Tomatoes topped with Asiago Cheese

8/17: WEDNESDAY

2005-08-17T23:59:00.000-07:00

Debby W.'s dogsitting services

two orange hand towels

two containers of Aquari-Yum kitty treats

foot scraper

burgundy women's t-shirt

48 cans of diet coke

From Heather's Kitchen:
.....Hummus with Wheat Pita Crisps
.....Arugula and Pear Salad tossed in a Champagne Vinaigrette with Goat Cheese and Pine Nuts
.....Chicken Enchiladas with a Green Sauce topped with Jack Cheese

8/16: TUESDAY

2005-08-16T22:40:00.000-07:00

Grey Goose gimlet

six bottles of 2001 Clerico Ginestra

HUNGER, novel by Elise Blackwell

MY 'DAM LIFE, memoir by Sean Condon

ANNE SEXTON: A SELF-PORTRAIT IN LETTERS, edited by Linda Gray Sexton with Lois Ames

25 blank CDs

$5.00 Bay Bridge toll

postage for correspondence to EG, NC, TG-M and BC-S

Debby W.'s dogsitting services

St. Helena Hospital bill payment, and postage to send payment, for sonogram

latte

From Heather's Kitchen:
.....Pasta Fagiole
.....Portobello and Asiago Crostini
.....Pan Roasted Pork Tenderloin served over Polenta and Steamed Vegetables

Dinner at Takara
...shrimp and vegetable tempura appetizer
...miso soup
...uni sushi
...unagi sushi
...ikura sushi
...hamachi sushi
...toro fatty tuna sushi
...white tuna sushi
...salmon sushi
...spicy tuna roll
...barbecue eel and avocado roll
...Kirin beer
...tea

SCIENCE FICTION:
...CUSP by Robert Metzger
...YEAR'S BEST SF 10, edited by David G. Hartwell and Kathryn Cramer
...THE HARD SF RENAISSANCE, edited by David G. Hartwell and Kathryn Cramer
...REMNANT POPULATION by Elizabeth Moon
...ROGUE BERSERKER by Fred Saberhagen

Negative Purchase:
Gave a copy of ENGLISH to Blue-Haired Lady

8/15: MONDAY

2005-08-15T22:24:00.000-07:00

postage to send letter to Janet Browder, Director of Multifamily HUB and Charles E. Hauptman, Director of Fair Housing and Equal Opportunity, as regards the disgraceful manner in which they're behaving re "Manila Town" -- go to first comment to see form letter which you should reprint and send on to them!

THE INVISIBLE GARDEN, memoir by Dorothy Sucher with woodcut illustrations by Mary Aarian

postage to send ENGLISH to DB

20 stamps

white chocolate mocha

Revlon cuticle scissors

4 X 6" glass frame

Juana's housecleaning services

From Heather's Kitchen:
.....Mixed Greens tossed in a Balsamic Vinaigrette with Tomatoes, Zucchini, Carrots and Salami tossed in a Balsamic Vinaigrette with Blue Cheese
.....Lentil Soup
.....Teriyaki Beef and Vegetable K-bob's served over Wheat Cous Cous

Negative Purchases:
Read NYTimes, SF Chronicle and Traditional Home at public library

Checked out from library ALWAYS BEGINNING: Essays on a Life in Poetry by Maxine Kumin

8/14: SUNDAY

2005-08-14T22:31:00.000-07:00

Mollie's dog-playing & socialization services (Achilles)

$12.79 gasoline ($3.099/gallon -- sheesh again breaking that $3 threshold!)

60 minute deep tissue massage (Martha)

Folgers Coffee

Cadbury Fruit & Nut chocolate bar

24 cans of diet coke

four cans of white tuna

can of crab meat

two packages of Glad Cling Wrap

Purina Aquari-Yums kitty treat

Tropicana orange juice

Softsoap liquid soap

loaf of Bakers Wheat Bread

packet of lean ground beef

pluots

Crenshaw melon

36 eggs

three bananas

NY Times

SF Chronicle

orange starfish cat toy

two "Catviar" kitty treats

baseball dog toy

large ball dog toy

soft bone dog toy

"H2O" ball dog toy

three Ook picture hanger nails

two containers of marble restorers

two containers of marble cleaners

one beeswax furniture polisher

one furniture oil

one Ace insect repellent

one Ace ant and roach repellent

one garden hose

From Heather's Kitchen:
.....Shrimp Posole with Cilantro
.....Petrole Sole with a Lemon Caper Parsley Sauce served over Parsnip Puree and Sauteed Spinach

Negative Purchases:
Discarded 3/4 loaf of moldy wheat bread from pantry

Discarded lemon bundt cake

German shepherds destroyed a rubber ball

L & M cleared out their fridge and freezer to move to a new house and gave:
...container of parmesan cheese
...two boxes of Woodhouse chocolates
...two jars of strawberry jam
...jar of orange marmalade
...five chocolate brownies
...Scharffen Berger chocolates
...Sables Au The cookies
...The Pasta Shop chocolates
...bag of dried plums and pears
...lemon bundt cake
...chocolate cookies
...butter cookies

Maggie gave a dozen heirloom tomatoes from their vegetable garden (which only reminds me how I'd totally screwed up the vegetable garden this season -- from plantings of corn, tomatoes, strawberries, squash, eggplants, cilantro, basil, lettuce and many others I can't remember -- all I've ever successfully harvested was one cherry tomato and perhaps 15 strawberries....ugh)

8/13: SATURDAY

2005-08-13T23:01:00.000-07:00

two-year subscription renewal for Artforum

postage to send bill payments to Thomson-Shore, Artforum, Discovery Card, and Northwestern Mutual

postage to send Thank You card to Basil King for his lovely gift, his new chapbook LEARNING TO DRAW / A HISTORY: TWIN TOWERS (Skanky Possum, 2005) -- which, by the way, I highly recommend; I think Baz is doing highly creative work with the forms of not just poetry but also autobiography

20 stamps

laundry services for one men's shirt

$28.40 gasoline ($2.999/gallon)

NY Times

SF Chronicle

From Farmers' Market:
...cup of coffee
...two potato-stuffed Indian flat bread
...two spinach-stuffed Indian flat bread
...two vegetable-stuffed Indian flat bread
...two pints of avocado dip
...one pint of garbanzo bean dip
...one pint of chicken curry dip

seven Yoplait yogurts

five bananas

cantaloupe

honeydew

orange honeydew melon

Randa's house/pet-sitting services

Negative Purchases:
Traded a copy of ENGLISH with DB for a copy of Sofia Starnes' debut poetry collection A COMMERCE OF MOMENTS (Pavement Press)

Vendor at Farmers' Market gave two free somosas with cilantro dips

Gave CF a traveling jewelry case for her birthday

German Shepherds demolished oversized key dog toy

8/12: FRIDAY

2005-08-12T23:59:00.000-07:00

one bottle of Burge Family Wilsford Old Barossa Muscat (solera style)

six bottles of Fonseca port

four Waterford "Marquis" Deep Red wine glasses

For an AAWW Fundraiser, a commissioned piece of calligraphy art on paper with gold oil bearing the name of BLACK LIGHTNING by Alexander Echo.

container of cat grass

Nylabone

coconut Italian soda

$30 Thomson-Shore negative storage fee

Debby W.'s petsitting services

Juana's housecleaning and trash disposal services

dump disposal fee

smoked turkey, jack cheese and cranberry sandwich

five stalks of pink-red Almeria flowers

Jones New York blouse

Jones New York t-shirt

NY Times

SF Chronicle

From Heather's Kitchen:
.....Chard and White Bean Soup
.....Stuffed Cabbage served in a Tomato Sauce with a side of Steamed Asparagus and Tri-color Carrots

Negative Purchases:
Discarded six sausages from the freezer's bowels

Gave floor lamp to J

Jones New York gave two free hangers

Movado gave a free replacement to the tube that makes watch waterproof

Donation to worthwhile Herbert Birch Foundation

8/11: WE INTERRUPT OUR REGULAR PROGRAMMING

2005-08-11T23:59:00.000-07:00

to say that, per the Comments in the prior post, this Blog will continue through end of September (not, as previously announced, the end of August). We want to give that "Installation" what it needs to be as effective as possible!

8/11: THURSDAY

2005-08-11T21:49:00.000-07:00

SERENADE, poetry by Bill Berkson

RED SHIFT, poems by P. Inman

N/O, poetry by Ron Silliman

SCIENCE FICTION, poems by Andrew Joron

A COMMERCE OF MOMENTS, poems by Sofia M. Starnes

WHY WRITE?, prose by Paul Auster

XING, poems by Ron Silliman

BIRD AND FOREST, poems by Brett Cunningham

PICASSO, meditation by David Hockney

postage to send ENGLISH flyers to ML

milk

one Yoplait yogurt

three bananas

SF Chronicle

salmon burger with french fries

diet coke

$18.28 gasoline ($2.999 gallon--sheesh!)

Dinner at Osteria:
...glass of Chianti
...beef carpaccio with capers, onions, lemon and aioli
...artichoke bottoms topped with shrimp
...veal in lemon sauce
...linguine with red clam sauce

Debby W.'s petsitting services for Achilles and Gabriela

Brandt's general maintenance services for fixing kitchen door, two toilets, water damage caused by a leaking dishwasher to the kitchen island cabinetry and floor

Walter's/Portelais services for replacing screen to a kitchen door

$5.00 Bay Bridge toll

Negative Purchases:
Informed that I will be receiving two copies of fabulous poet Daniel Sendecki's Ahadada book STRANGE CURRENCIES -- one copy for the WinePoetics August Pleasure Poetry Contest and one for my own library! Thanks Dan!

8/10: WEDNESDAY

2005-08-10T23:21:00.000-07:00

Federal express proofs for Sean Finney's first poetry book THE OBEDIENT DOOR (forthcoming from Meritage Press, Fall 2005) to book designer

book design fee for THE OBEDIENT DOOR

WALKING TO MARTHA'S VINEYARD, poems by Franz Wright

NOTES FROM A ROMAN TERRACE, memoir by Joan Marble

Grant's general maintenance services for fixing kitchen door, two toilets, water damage caused by a leaking dishwasher to the kitchen island cabinetry and floor

Walter's/Portelais (sp) services for replacing screen to a kitchen door

Molly's dog-playing & socialization services (Gabriela)

Folger's coffee

latte

sugar donut

two chile rellenos with salsa sauce

$33.53 gasoline ($2.899/gallon)

Negative Purchases:
Read NY Times, SF Chronicle, Town & Country, and House & Garden at gym

8/9: AN INTERRUPTION IN OUR REGULAR PROGRAMMING

2005-08-09T23:40:00.000-07:00

to share that it looks like the project THE AUTOBIOGRAPHY OF COMMODITIES has progressed to a stage where there'll be no need to continue posting my shopping/spending lists after the end of August. In a way, that's a relief -- this blog reveals more about me than my blather over at my primary blog which features various personas in addition to my "I".

But feel free to keep commenting. You never know -- I may be coming back to you in the future for permission to quote from your comments...! If you know my recent work at all, you know that I've integrated blog effects into several of my projects (particularly in the investation of "community" or, rather" "communities") and the comments on this blog are part of all that!

8/9: TUESDAY

2005-08-09T23:32:00.000-07:00

pink leather traveling jewelry case (birthday present for CF)

birthday card

CONFESSIONS OF A BARBARIAN, memoir by Edward Abbey

diet coke

caesar salad

20 stamps

postage to send ENGLISH to Amazon and to AB

postage to send broken carving to the artist for repair

Achilles' steroid allergy shot

jar of VIP Fly Repellent Ointment for dogs and cats

latte

Lady Speed Stick deodorant

ThermaSilk shampoo/conditioner

bag of cotton balls

milk

From Heather's Kitchen:
.....Traditional Chicken Caesar Salad with Tomatoes and topped with Asiago Cheese
.....Stuffed Portobello Mushrooms (stuffed with Sweet Potatoes and Spinach) topped with Fresh Mozzarella and served with a Red Pepper Sauce over Taboule

Negative Purchases:
Read NY Times and SF Chronicle at local cafe

Read PEOPLE and In Star magazines at supermarket line

Discarded milk from fridge's bowels

Left behind bag of cotton balls at veterinarian's office

Picked up GOOD HARBOR, novel by Anita Diamant from community freebie shelf at a local cafe

8/8: MONDAY

2005-08-08T22:52:00.000-07:00

mammogram

Molly's dog-playing and socialization service (Achilles)

Juana's housecleaning service

postage for mailing out books (see Negative Purchases/gifts below)

white chocolate coffee mocha

framing services for a Beatrice Wood drawing

laundry services for five men's shirts

From Heather's Kitchen:
.....Spinach Salad with Corn, Black Beans, Mandarin Oranges and Peppers tossed with
a Citrus Chili Vinaigrette topped with Feta Cheese
.....BBQ Chicken served with Cornbread and Cole Slaw

Negative Purchases:
Received a present from Basil King -- copy of his new chapbook LEARNING TO DRAW / A HISTORY: TWIN TOWERS (Skanky Possum, 2005)

Sent copies of Reproductions and Menage to MG

Sent copies of Reproductions, Menage and ENGLISH to J & S

German Shepherds demolished a rubber baseball toy

Discarded broken kitchen timer

Gave MAN WITH A PAST, novel by Jayne Krentz, to the freebie community bookshelf at a local cafe

Read NY Times, SF Chronicle, MONEY Magazine and LADIES HOME JOURNAL at public library

Gave rug to Juana

ROADTRIP: AN AUTOBIOGRAPHY FROM COMMODITIES

2005-08-08T22:25:00.000-07:00

From recent roadtrip between San Francisco to Ojai and back, talk about an autobiography from commodities -- the shopping list basically reveals what we did:

8/4: THURSDAY
Breakfast at First Awakenings in Salinas:
...coffee
...tea
...huevos rancheros
...apple cinnamon pancakes

At Peachy Canyon in Paso Robles:
...$3.00 tasting fee for six zinfandels
...two Peachy Canyon t-shirts

At Turley Wine Cellars in Paso Robles:
...one Turley men's shirt
...$10 tasting fee for four wines
...one bottle of 2002 Turley White Coat
...one bottle of 2002 Hayne Petite Syrah
...one bottle of 2002 Tofanelli charbono

$27.35 gas at Paso Robles 76 Station ($2.859/gallon)

Lunch at McPhee's Grill in Templeton:
...macadamia nut encrusted salmon on cole slaw and sliced cucumbers
...tempura shrimp with peanut sauce and cole slaw and sliced cucumbers
...diet coke

NY Times

two 80-minute deep tissue massage

$4 bellboy tip

Overnight stay at Ojai Valley Inn & Spa

Dinner at Maravilla at Ojai Valley Inn & Spa:
...two shot glasses of chilled carrot soup with saffron apples
...heirloom tomato & dungeness crab salad with shaved baby vegetables and late harvest banyuls vinaigrette
...haricot verts & hearts palm salad with Spanish white anchovies, quail eggs and oven dried tomato vinagrette
...intermezzo of cranberry beans, arugula salad and lobster drizzled with olive oil
...roasted Ojai squab with braied celeriac, white asparagus, mulberry gastrique and foie gras crouton
...roasted Nebraska corn-fed filet mignon with Sonoma foie gras, fingerling potatoes, mushrooms and petitie syrah reduction
...palette of ice creams: vanilla, chocolate and caramel
...cheese course of three cheesew with toasted brioche slices, dried fruits
...two home-made Madeleines

Negative Purchases:
Maravilla gave a comp glass of the 2003 Ojai Vineyards chardonnay "Bien Nacido Vineyard" (Santa Maria) because of delay in sitting us for dinner

Turley's gave a Riedel wine goblet

Ojai Valley Inn & Spa gave two tins of "Cocoa Bon" on our pillows as part of bed turn-down service

8/5: FRIDAY
Breakfast at Ojai Valley Inn & Spa:
...oatmeal with raisins and apple sauce
...omelette stuffed with cheese, tomatoes, mushrooms, bacon and salsa
...coffee
...orange juice
...smoked salmon with capers and onions
...croissant
...sweet pastry

At Beatrice Wood Studio:
...a drawing, "Frightened of her Dreams" (Colored Pencil on Paper) (1995) by Beatrice Wood
...KISSED AGAIN: Part of the Bargain by "Countess Lola Screwvinsky" alias Beatrice Wood
...MIDNITE: A poetic collage of love, life & moods, poems by Mira Advani and Drawings by Beatrice Wood
...33rd WIFE OF A MAHARAJAH: a love affair in India, memoir by Beatrice Wood
...THE ANGEL WHO WORE BLACK TIGHTS, drawings and memoir by Beatrice Wood
...MADAM LOLA'S PLEASURE PALACE by "Countess Lola Screwvinsky" (No. 39 of 500 limited edition reproduction of original spiral bound book of sketches and journal entries)
...PINCHING SPANIARDS, memoir by Beatrice Wood

Lunch at Azu, Ojai:
...glass of sangria
...caesar salad
...tapas
.....grilled lamb chops with celery root
.....chicken patties with Moroccan spices and yogurt
.....dates stuffed with Spanish sausages, wrapped in lean bacon
.....fried calamari lightly battered and served with aoli sauce

two 50-minute deep massages

Overnight stay at Ojai Valley Inn & Spa

Dinner at The Oak Grill at Ojai Valley Inn & Spa:
...chicken tortilla soup
...gazpacho soup
...sirloin steak
...mixed vegetables
...parmesan potatu au gratin
...glass of sangria
...apple pie with scoop of vanilla bean ice cream
...mint tea

Negative Purchases:
Discarded banana and wheat pita chips

MG gave a comp copy of BEATRICE WOOD: A CENTENNIAL TRIBUTE, edited by Francis Naumann

8/6: SATURDAY:
Breakfast at Ojai Valley Inn & Spa:
...coffee
...orange juice
...mixed fruit plate
...oatmeal
...salmon omelette with creme fraiche and caviar, with grilled potatoes
...wheat toast

$5.00 bellboy/valet tip

$6.37 gasoline ($2.259/gallon at Ojai Shell)

Dinner at Lucky's, Montecito:
...2002 Sea Hawk chardonnay (Monterey)
...caesar salad
...escargot
...two rib-eye steaks
...two grilled sole
...thin onion rings
...Herbie's fried potato skins with blue cheese sauce
...snap peas

Negative Purchases:
J & S' wonderful hospitality: a lunch of chicken salad and incredible creamy tomato soup; an afternoon snack of trout with cucumbers and crackers; a bed overlooking mountains, oceans and sunsets; a bottle of the 2000 Isis pinot noir (Santa Barbara) to bring with us back to Galatea; and most priceless, a new friendship.

Gave J & S a Lenox crystal decanter and a bottle of Ojai Vineyards, as well as shared the 1989 Beaucastel for dinner.

8/7: SUNDAY
Breakfast at Joe's Place, Templeton:
...coffee
...oatmeal with bananas and raisins
...biscuit and gravy with a sausage patty and one egg

$25.47 gasoline ($2.959/gallon)

$35.66 gasoline ($2.819/gallon)

NY Times

soy latte

At Gilroy's Premium Outlet Mall:
...14 Mikasa "Stephanie" Bordeaux glasses
...8 Mikasa "Stephanie" sauterne glasses
...Mikasa 7.5" footed crystal bowl
...Mikasa "Cheers" crystal vase
...pair of men's wallabees from Clark of Boston
...paif of Privot ladies' sandals from Clark of Boston

Lunch at Taylor's Refresher, St. Helena
...barbecue beef brisket sandwich with cole slaw
...onion rings
...diet coke
...blueberry milkshake

From Heather's Kitchen:
.....Tomato and Wild Rice Soup garnished with Goat Cheese
.....Seared Ahi Tuna with a Ginger Wasabi Soy Dipping Sauce served over an Asian Slaw with Sauteed Snow Peas

AS OF AUGUST 4

2005-08-04T00:16:00.000-07:00

I will be taking a brief but much-needed break in Ojai and probably will not be back online until Monday, August 8. So I will update shopping/spending lists when I return. Until then, my fabulous puppy Achilles will be a-missing Mama Moi, which is why he stays by the Iron Gate awaiting my return (sniffle):

8/3: WEDNESDAY

2005-08-03T23:11:00.000-07:00

THE NEXT BEND IN THE ROAD, poems by Michael Fried

POEMS by Emily Dickinson

a blank journal for being covered in purple suede

Lunch for two:
...pork dumplings
...chicken in garlic sauce over white rice and sliced carrots and bamboo shoots
...mushu pork with six pancakes
...tea

$8.00 cab fare

$1.25 bus fare

Molly's dog-playing and socialization services (Achilles)

JR's house/pet-sitting services

From Heather's Kitchen:
.....Hummus with Wheat Pita Crisps
.....Grilled Lamb Loin Chops served with Roasted Red Potatoes and Summer Vegetables

Negative Purchases:
Read NY Times in reception area of hubby's law firm

Read BONESHAKER, poems by Jan Beatty, at a Border's bookstore

Saw BAY AREA NOW 4 at Yerba Buena Center today where I picked up a map of "points of interest" by artist Kate Pocrass and a brochure and business card touting "bridesmaids for hire" at Mail Order Brides' (M.O.B.) exhibit themed as "Always A Bridesmaid, Never A Bride" (I think the M.O.B. presentation was the highlight of the exhibit)

8/2: TUESDAY

2005-08-02T23:59:00.000-07:00

four bottles of 2002 Lecheneaut Nuits St. Georges Pruliers

four bottles of 2002 Lecheneaut Clos de La Roche

Lenox crystal wine decanter

Macy's custom-wrapping service (a service I would never think of availing my cheap self except that I'm running around with no time to do it on my own)

$1.25 bus fare

$8.00 cab fare

Lunch: bowl of tempura udon and diet Pepsi

a Holiday present which I can't reveal since the recipient reads this blog (hah!)

purple suede thong house slippers

JR's house/pet sitting services

From Heather's Kitchen:
...Chilled Garden Gazpacho
...Thai Chicken and Vegetable Curry served over Steamed Rice

Negative Purchases:
Discarded container of garlic beans and a half of a hamburger patty from fridge's bowels

Rescinded decision to barter away five bottles of the 1999 and one bottle of the 1996 Dalla Valle Pietre Rosso

For help on his wine cellar, BM sends us a copy of THE EMPEROR OF WINE: The Rise of Robert Parker, Jr. and the Reign of American Taste, a biography of Elin McCoy (we much appreciate the gift, though I actually bought it not too long ago)

8/1: MONDAY

2005-08-01T22:35:00.000-07:00

two bottles of 2005 GOLD (sponsored in part by Jason Woodbridge of Hundred Acre wines)

SunPower solar maintenance services

Meadowood poolside snack: lemonade and chips with salsa and guacamole

developing services for 43 photos of Achilles and/or Gabriela

five photo frames

two bags of organic farming mix

Juana's housecleaning and gardening services

JR's house-/pet-sitting services

Negative Purchases:
Sun melted one of the hoses in backyard

Read SF Chronicle and NY Times at public library

SZ bought us dinner at Mustard's:
...onion rings with barbecue tomato sauce
...ahi tuna tartare
...two sets of heirloom tomato salads
...grilled liver steak with bacon and polenta
...stuffed pork chops with mashed potatoes
...sole
...pineapple upside down cake
...mixed berry tart
...decaf coffee

7/31: SUNDAY

2005-07-31T23:59:00.000-07:00

swimming goggles

two Aquari-Yum cat treats

two Colgate toothbrushes

a Goody hairbrush

gallon of Clorox

two Safeway Select laundry detergents

SF Chronicle

NY Times

carwash

Lunch at Pizzeria Tra Vigne:
...a terrazo of house chardonnay
...lemonade
...a caprese piadine
...a caesar piadine

For Flower Garden:
...2 pots of Superbells Trailing Blues
...4 pots of Aromatica Rose Pink Neussia
...4 pots of Purple Gnomes
...4 pots of Compact Innocence
...3 pots of Sunsation Cranberry
...5 pots of Verdena Lavender
...2 pots of Mixed Canterbury Bells Cantemula
...2 pots of African violets
...2 pots of Gaillardia Sundance Bicolors
...2 pots of Sonnet Rose snapdragons
...4 pots of Rocky Mountain violets
...4 pots of Lantana Confetti
...5 pots of Lantana Landmark Rose Glow
...4 pots of Pentas Athena Neon Magenta

From Heather's Kitchen:
.....Mixed Greens with Zucchini, Yellow Squash and Carrots tossed in a Balsamic Vinaigrette topped with Feta Cheese
.....Soy Maple Glazed Salmon served over Creamed Corn with Sauteed Asparagus

7/30: SATURDAY

2005-07-30T22:24:00.000-07:00

postage to pay VISA bill

postage to pay Pacific Gas & Electric bill

postage to pay St. Helena Veterinarians Hospital bill

a bottle of 2002 Dutch Henry chardonnay Los Carneros

orange flush melon

cantaloupe

honeydew

four Yoplait yogurts

four bananas

two pints of mixed bean salads

NY Times

SF Chronicle

dry-cleaning of one pair of pants

laundry services for five men's shirts

Dinner at Meadowood:
...2001 Forman cabernet
...potato, fricasee and green bean salad with truffles
...rack of lamb with couscous and grilled figs
...halibut with crab meat and corn salad
...lemon souffle with a mini raspberry and blueberry tart

Negative Purchases:
Brought a bottle of the 1994 Elderton Barossa Valley Command Shiraz to dinner, but it had oxidized to die in the bottle.

Gave bottle of 1999 Ribero Alvaro Palacios to June Anderson to commemorate her fabulous drawings for our Galatea poetry/art mosaic collaboration that will be set within the domed backdrop -- currently just a red wall -- in Galatea's Charles of Orleans Wine Cellar as in this photo below (showing me with visiting artists Stella Lai and Julio Cesar Morales, with Achilles at our feetsies):

7/29: FRIDAY

2005-07-29T22:41:00.000-07:00

12 bottles of 2004 Chateau Latour

MIRABAI: ECSTATIC POEMS, "Versions" by Robert Bly and Jane Hirshfield

$34.23 in gasoline ($2.799/gallon)

iced soy latte

a Donsuemor Madeleine

Molly's dog-playing and socialization services (Achilles)

Juana's housecleaning services

NY Times

SF Chronicle

From Heather's Kitchen:
.....mushroom soup with truffle oil and herbs
.....arugula salad tossed with a red wine vinaigrette with oranges and pears topped with goat cheese and pine nuts
.....fish stew with a saffron, fennel and tomato broth served over wheat pastina and served with garlic beans

Negative Purchases:
Discarded quart of milk from fridge's bowels

Read US and PEOPLE at bookstore

Picked up free copy of VINELAND by Thomas Pynchon at local cafe's "community bookshelf"

7/28: THURSDAY

2005-07-28T22:03:00.000-07:00

THE PATHETIC REFRAIN: "Dufus Rick's dufus gate-fixing services (to fix what he previously broke -- dufus!)"

haircut

When I Was Cool: My Life at the Jack Kerouac School, memoir by Sam Kashner

On Mexican Time: A New Life in San Miguel, memoir by Tony Cohen

milk

tenderloin stuffed with mushrooms

pint of cous cous

loaf of wheat bread

Molly's dog-playing and socialization services (Gabriela)

SF Chronicle

postage to send Reproductions and Menage A Troisto AB

postage to send ENGLISH to TK

Negative Purchases:
Discarded moldy half-loaf of wheat bread from pantry

7/27: WEDNESDAY

2005-07-27T23:05:00.000-07:00

Dufus Rick's dufus gate-fixing services (to fix what he previously broke -- dufus!)

LOCAL WONDERS: Seasons in the Bohemian Alps, autobiography by Ted Kooser

mug of coffee

Benadryl

postage to correspond with AAW

postage to correspond with KB

From Heather's Kitchen:
.....Chinese Chicken Salad topped with Crispy Noodles and Mandarin Oranges
.....Shallot and Pepper Corn Seared Flat Iron Steak served with Smashed Yukon Gold Potatoes and Corn on the Cobb

Negative Purchases:
Discarded half a pint of milk from fridge's bowels.

Read Napa Valley Register at local cafe.

Read VOGUE, NY Times and SF Chronicle at public library.

Pharmacy clerk gave me a penny so I wouldn't have to break a dollar bill to purchase my Benadryl. Small moments like this remind me that civilization is still possible.

7/26: TUESDAY

2005-07-26T23:04:00.000-07:00

Sympathy card

iced soy latte

a Donsuemor Madeleine

Achilles' steroid allergy shot

Gabriela's vaccination shot

two boxes of Interceptor Heartworm pills for dogs

60 Metronidazole pills for Achilles

From Heather's Kitchen:
.....Butter Leaf Lettuce with Tarragon, Parsley and Chives tossed in a Red Wine Vinaigrette
.....Minestrone Soup
.....Roasted Chicken stuffed with Goat Cheese served with an Orzo Pasta and Roasted Vegetables

Negative Purchases:
Discarded left over lettuce salad, tomato salad and tomato soup from fridge's bowels

Read SF Chronicle at local cafe

German Shepherds demolished a rubber baseball

Lost a quarter

7/25: MONDAY

2005-07-25T23:47:00.000-07:00

postage and subscription to The Wandering Hermit Review

postage to send card to SY

BREEZE, poems by John Latta

LUNAR FOLLIES, satire by Gilbert Sorrentino

THE LIGHT AROUND THE BODY, poems by Robert Bly

LYRIC POEMS by John Keats (edited by Stanley Appelbaum)

Platinum upgrade on American Express because for that upgrade, you get a free round-trip ticket with a business class purchase of flight to Japan

Molly's dog-playing and socialization services (Achilles)

Bell Products check-up and maintenance on airconditioning systems

Juana's housecleaning services

iced coffee

From Heather's Kitchen:
.....Summer Tomato Salad with Basil, Meyer Lemon Olive Oil and Balsamic
.....Beef Satay with a Peanut Sauce served with a Vegetable Slaw
.....Shrimp and Vegetable Stir-Fry

Negative Purchase:
Discarded half a can of tuna from fridge's bowels.

Discarded packet of Pacific Whiting dog treats from dog drawer

From public library, borrowed E.E. CUMMINGS: a biography by Christopher Sawyer-Laucanno

From public library's freebie shelves, picked up old issues of:
...The New Yorker (1)
...W (1)
...Bazaar (1)
...Town & Country (1)
...Vogue (4)

And then a double-negative -- which is to say, positive! -- purchase:
Whilst reading through The New Yorker (June 6, 2005), I stumbled across the article “Unmasking The World” by John Lahr. Something simmered just underneath the text's surface, and annotating it, I came to write what I consider to be my first successful anti-war poem. Howzabout that! As I've said before, a "negative purchase" can be a gift!

7/24: SUNDAY

2005-07-24T23:23:00.000-07:00

a spray of miniature red roses

Molly's dog-playing and socialization services (Gabriela)

NY Times

SF Chronicle

24 cans of Diet Coke

two gallons Crystal Geyser Alpine Spring Water

ALL laundry detergent

two packages of ZEE napkins

two packages of "feminine protection"

Pay-Per-View for "House of Flying Daggers"

Lunch at Hurley's:
...glass of 2002 Michael Thomas syrah
...glass of Hurley's house chardonnay
...Asian pear and curry soup
...goat cheese-stuffed yellow squash blossoms
...two steaks with truffle-infused mash potatoes and green and yellow beans

from Heather's Kitchen:
.....Prosciutto Wrapped Cantaloupe
.....Tomato and Red Pepper Soup garnished with Basil and Goat Cheese
.....Pistachio Crusted Sea Bass served with a Yellow Pepper Sauce over Wheat Cous Cous and Sauteed Spinach

Negative Purchases:
Part of what's implicit in this project is how one's purchases relates something about that person's identity. But this also includes "negative purchases" such as in what one chooses not to buy. Today, I stopped by a local yard sale. Here are the items that did not at all tempt me:

- $3 brass Buddha
- used -- but presumably clean -- baby clothes
- used -- but presumably clean -- linen
- used clothes
- books: from children's books to an old travel guide to Malaysia to psycho-babble books and other items that made me regret that trees were pulped in order to create them
- brown glazed crockery
- miscellaneous ceramic plates
- various flower pots
- used dining chairs
- a decorative miniature set of espadrilles
- a brass giraffe
- a faux fur handbag

That's all I can remember now and I know there were more questionable tchotchkes -- how do we end up accumulating such debris?! As I left, I heard the seller note to the general crowd of two other rummagers, "All prices are negotiable!"

7/24: ANOTHER INTERRUPTION IN OUR REGULAR PROGRAMMING

2005-07-24T23:20:00.000-07:00

to bring you related commentary from

GURA'S BLOG
July 24, 2005

garagesale post

Though we do plan on having yet another garage sale, it probably won't be until the winter or possibly early spring, when it will be the "2 into 1" sale as we find a way to consolidate our households. It's one thing when the bride married right out of having lived with her parents, of course, she would need just about everything to start a new household. But I've been out a good 8 years now and owning for the last 4. So, PLENTY of garagesale stories to come.

But like Allen when I used to go around to garagesales with my mom and grandmother, we went to one where the garagesale was nothing but some 40-50 boxes of paperback books: classics, sci-fi, etc, selling for 25-50 cents. The guy also had many book duplicates I suspect because he didn't realize he had that particular book already or that he just didn't want to bother looking for it in his collection.

At our garagesales, we often sell any and all books for a quarter and if you catch us at the end of the garagesale it's $1 for as many as you can carry. The rest if any leftover get dropped off at the Friends of [City Library] which sells them at annual book sales. San Francisco and Alameda have them. I've never been to one in Oakland, so I don't know if they have it here too. The thing about book sales is that the books are $1 maybe less, so you can't help but put down a buck for something you've always thought of reading but never had because you weren't $5 interested but for a dollar you might take a peek. And hell for a quarter, you'd pick up a book you'd only glanced at. Thus are the economics of cheap book sales.

And speaking of Harlequin novels, a friend's mom attends the city library's book sale to purchase her annual supply of romance novels for 50 cents each, read them the entire year, then donates them back in time for the next library sale. It's like renting a book that you never have to worry about late fees.

7/24: AN INTERRUPTION IN OUR REGULAR PROGRAMMING

2005-07-24T23:08:00.000-07:00

I often repeat posts on this blog from other blogs so as to maintain a workable single file cabinet for this project. So this interruption in our regular programming is to bring you two posts relevant to this project from

THE CHATELAINE'S POETICS
July 24, 2005

I TOOK NOTE

and Allen's report of his yard and book sale so cheered me this morning!!!! MICHELLE BAUTISTA TAKE NOTE! I enjoyed his report for the same reason I enjoy it when Michelle posts about (and not often enough) her garage sales.

I ABSOLUTELY ADORE GARAGE SALES but I haven't attended one in years if not decades. I should address this -- I think I can use this is a layer on my AUTOBIOGRAPHY OF COMMODITIES project.

These "used" objects sales reveal a lot, moithinks, about human nature.

Now, since the focus is on books, I will admit that I often read but don't allow any romance books to remain in the "library." I read these romance commodities because they allow me to meditate -- i.e., it's not like they really deeply engage, you know? So I find them relaxing as moi mind skims into abstract relaxation. But because I consider these romances interchangeable, I don't see the point in collecting them. You got one, say, Harlequin Romance -- you've got them all.

I don't say that to diss Harlequini Romances. A good friend's mother collects them -- she planned to have every single Harlequin Romance ever printed. If you think about that, that is a great idea for a collection, for the same reason that I consider one book indistinguishable from the other. Their covers are usually pretty in pink or pastel types, last I checked -- which means it'd be like collecting, oh, I don't know "fiesta ware"?

Anyhoo....Sunday is for blathering about topics that have no stake -- and, also relevant to one's ability to posture on discourse nowadays, it's nearly 110 degrees here in Napa....

*****

EVERYTHING POETICS

Everything -- even you, Fabio!

Well. So some blog-peeps try to dazzle with erudition. Then there's Moi cheerfully noting the role of pulp romance novels in her life. To my lack of surprise (and that's sad that I'm not surprised, btw), some peeps have backchanneled -- amazed? awed? -- that I freely admit to occasionally cozying up to the bodice-ripper.

Like, what? That's more embarassing than discussing how, at age 44, I bought my first condom? (Thanks for giving me the reason, Nick...heh!).

Or, like what? That said admittance might damage my reputation as a "serious" poet? (Do I redeem myself by noting that I recently bought SOLDIERS & GHOSTS: A HISTORY OF BATTLE IN CLASSICAL ANTIQUITY by J.E. Lendon and DECISION AT SEA: FIVE NAVAL BATTLES THAT SHAPED AMERICAN HISTORY by Craig L. Symonds? Hmmm: or does the fact that I include this parenthetical mean I'm not as sanguine on the impression my admittance makes of moi?)

In any event, this is moi poetics blog, folks. And as one of my early mentors once observed and I now share with you -- Poetry can be about everything, and if anything can be a wet blanket over one's poetic exploration, I've found it to be pure and simple snobbery -- particularly as regards the difference between high brow and low brow.

And now, a new Peep has written in -- albeit anonymously -- as regards moi prior post; I print it below as it amuses moi -- this mot from an email whose subject header proclaimed "i used to fantasize about being the damsel in distress":

hehehe.... * can i walk the red carpet of shame too?* I was just reading your post, hhmm.. it brought back a lot of happy memories for me. I used to devour those books on weekends, while eating chips a hoy cookies and other goodies; probably the only type of books you can eat too. Other literary books require too much attention. It's upsetting not to notice crumbs falling on your shirt, when you get up, it just sorta sprinkles everywhere. I think my favorite has to be 'my knight in shining armour by Judy Deveraux'. Understand i will never admit to any of this stuff in person, one has to maintain a level of dignity, albeit, imaginary, or not. But i think the best thing about them novels is that they're so easy to read, & in the end you always feel rewarded for your efforts, cause they usually have a happy ending. But by far, the most embarrasing part about reading those books is the book covers...it just makes you feel dirty holding it in your hand, I mean where do they get those long haired, over-rippled guys, and how much money do they pay them to pose like that? ‘supresses a mighty giggle’. I don't underestand the Fabio appeal, i really don't. care to shed some light? :) *evil grin*

Cough. Well, Anonymous, I don't understand the Fabio appeal either. The "romance novels" I've read have mostly excluded those with Fabio on the cover. And, in general, the combination of long hair more elegantly groomed than mine with over-bouldered pectorals is not a juxtaposition that appeals. But I look at it, I look at it -- I don't want to be a judgmental snob here. As a poet -- and as I once ended a poem which you can see here by scrolling all the way to the bottom of the page -- "All is my fodder: All is my father."

7/23: SATURDAY

2005-07-23T23:16:00.000-07:00

three partly white-washed and carved wooden pigs

eleven salad/desert plates from Galatea/Wine Country Dinner Place Settings by Calistoga artist Madame Durall

Molly's dog-playing and socialization services (Achilles)

NY Times

SF Chronicle

four men's dress slacks and one men's casual pants from Brooks Brothers

pink patterned blouse from Jones New York

Randa's dog-sitting services

two tickets to see "War of the Worlds"

Dinner at Cook:
...two bottles of Pellegrino
...beet salad
...mozzarella with red pepper and grey salt
...risotto with heirloom tomatoes, rock shrimp, basil and parmesan
...risotto with grilled pork belly, garlic and parmesan
...chocolate and peanut butter terrine with peanuts, caramel sauce and whipped cream

Negative Purchases:
B & L bought me and the hubby lunch at Meadowood: lemonade, caesar salad, garden salad, cheeseburger and turkey croissant club sandwich

Jones New York gave me a free hanger

7/23: AN INTERRUPTION IN OUR REGULAR PROGRAMMING

2005-07-23T14:20:00.000-07:00

to bring you a very interesting commentary on "compensatory shopping" by Rochita Cruz (thanks Rochita!) at her blog

RAINDANCER'S MAP OF MEMORIES
Saturday, July 23, 2005

Shopping with Joel...

I couldn't resist the urge to go shopping. It's sale season over here and last Tuesday, I bought a couple of shirts for Jan at discount price. When I came home, I discovered that they were a size too small...so I went back to the store yesterday and got a bigger size....and you guessed it...did more shopping. Yikes! The thing is, everything was already priced down and when I entered the shop somebody announced that aside from the discount on the tag, we would also get a fifty percent additional discount on the item.

So, I find myself imitating Eileen Tabios, and her shopping blog.

1 coat for Jan (which he's repeatedly stated that he needs but refuses to buy)
1 spring/fall coat for me
2 shirts for Jan
underwear for me
4 shirts for Joel Jan
spiderman undies for Joel Jan(these weren't on sale)
spiderman socks for Joel Jan (these weren't on sale)
4 books for Joel Jan (that boy is getting to be a book addict )
1 activity book for Joel Jan
1 book for me (Dan Brown's, Angels and Demons, because the title sounded interesting)
1 small spiderman car for Joel Jan (he's also a collector )

Reading the list, I'm tempted to say that the purchases weren't as much as I'd imagined. But when you see the prices over here, you'll know why the shops are full on sale time and only moderately full during regular times.

Looking at this list, I realize that I really do a lot of buying for Joel. I'm glad that I'm able to do it in moderation nowadays. When he was much smaller, I remember going out on extreme shopping sprees. We'd find ourselves way in the red by the end of the month because of the all the needless things that I was buying. Looking back, I have to laugh at myself. That child was totally confused by the mountain of toys facing him that he didn't want to play with them anymore.

Later on, I realized that I had a shopping problem. After watching a great deal of Ophrah and Dr. Phil, I was able to pinpoint the root of my problem. The truth is, I did a lot of compensatory shopping. You know, the kind of shop till you drop because you feel that you're missing out on something. In my case, I thought that my son was missing out because he couldn't have my family around him. I slowed down and looked at my son and realized that no matter how much I shopped, I'd never be able to buy my family being here. How much this shopping thing has to do with missing home...well...I really don't know.

One of the filipina girls I knew did a lot of compensatory shopping. She had an unhappy marriage, but because of her determination not to be a divorcee, she put up with all the verbal abuse that her husband was heaping on her and her daughter. Going shopping with her, I discovered that she'd spend a great deal of time telling the shop ladies details of her life. Dallying over lingerie and perfume, she spilled out her guts to them, telling of her woes and building up an imaginary life that was not in any way like the life that she was living.

That was a revelation.

I found myself wondering how many women, living in abusive or non-nurturing relationships, find solace in something like this.

Looking at myself and at my own relationship, I started to ask what drove me to shop.

My shopping excesses opened the road to honest communications about feelings and what was really bothering me. I finally was able to tell my husband about the changes that I wanted to see in our relationship, about my longing for home, my sense of being disconnected from the world around me, and my frustration at not being able to pursue the writing career that I had envisaged when I was in the Philippines.

In a sense, my shopping was my way of stating my presence. When I bought this thing that I could hold in my hands I felt as if I were saying, "I'm here. I'm holding something in my hands that confirms me as being."

It took a long time before I was able to kick-off the habit of shopping. I'm no longer the shopaholic that I used to be. I've learned to be frugal with my pennies, to think twice before I purchase something, to live within my means and to not feel guilty when I buy something.

I suppose my shopping says a lot about me, and the sort of things that I buy reflect where I am at the moment.

I still can't resist books, they are my biggest luxury. I will be a scrooge on anything, groceries ( I can live with buying the cheapest brand of toilet paper ), clothes (I will buy the sale on a sale items, I don't mind wearing last year's fashion), but I can't be a scrooge when it comes to books. Whenever I buy another book for Joel, I tell my husband that it's my investment in my son's mind. When I buy a book for me, it's my investment in my craft.

So maybe someday, I'll finish a book and hopefully it will be published too. I hope that it will be a super-fantastic book worth investing "centjes" in.

7/22: FRIDAY

2005-07-22T23:15:00.000-07:00

6 bottles of 2002 Dutch Henry chardonnay Los Carneros

hour-long deep massage (Erica)

a blue composition book

dispenser for paper clips plus free 50 color paper clips

30-lb. Ooks picture hangers

laundry services for five men's shirts

NY Times

Juana's housecleaning services

$24.85 gasoline ($2.779/gallon)

postage to pay VISA bill

bunch of bananas

orange flush melon

cantaloupe

honey dew

strawberry, fig, grape, blue berry and raspberry tart

From Heather's Kitchen:
...Thai Chicken Satay with a Peanut Sauce served over a Slaw tossed with a Asian Vinaigrette topped with Cashews
...Cumin Carrot Soup topped with Scallions and Toasted Almonds
...Seared Ahi Tuna served with a Citrus Vinaigrette with Orange Segments served over Wheat Cous Cous and Sauteed Eggplant, Red Peppers and Sugar Snap Peas

Negative Purchase:
Got a refund from Staples for moot order of 1,000 Galatea Management business cards

The hubby determined that I got the wrong kind of picture hangers. The 30-lb. Ooks I got apparently are for use against concrete versus whatever the heck the walls are in the house -- well, fickety-fick: I never pretended to know my way around a hardware store!

From public library, borrowed ARTS OF THE POSSIBLE, essays by Adrienne Rich; and THE LANGUAGE OF LIFE: A Festival of Poetry, edited by Bill Moyers

7/21: THURSDAY

2005-07-21T22:45:00.000-07:00

deposit to printer for printing Meritage Press' next poetry collection, Sean Finney's THE OBEDIENT DOOR due out this Fall 2005 (YaY!!!)

postage for sending deposit to printer for printing Meritage Press' next poetry collection, Sean Finney's THE OBEDIENT DOOR due out this Fall 2005 (YaY!!!)

SOLDIERS & GHOSTS: A HISTORY OF BATTLE IN CLASSICAL ANTIQUITY by J.E. Lendon

DECISION AT SEA: FIVE NAVAL BATTLES THAT SHAPED AMERICAN HISTORY by Craig L. Symonds

METHODISM: EMPIRE OF THE SPIRIT by David Hempton

WORLD HISTORY ATLAS: MAPPING THE HUMAN JOURNEY, edited by Jeremy Black

192 cans of Pinnacle Trout & Sweet Potato dog food

honeydew melon

postage to send Thank You card to CP

2 Yoplait yogurts

grilled salmon

pint of Israeli cous cous

chopped vegetable salad

pint of Greek salad

pint of mixed bean salad

SF Chronicle

From Heather's Kitchen:
.....Rigatoni Bolognese topped with Asiago Cheese served with a side of Sauteed Zucchini and Yellow Squash

Negative Purchase:
Read NY Times at public library

Received from Shin Yu Pai the lovely art monograph/anthology UTDALLAS SOUTHSIDE ARTIST RESIDENCY: THE FIRST TWO YEARS (thanks Shin Yu!)

7/20: WEDNESDAY

2005-07-20T22:30:00.000-07:00

From Heather's Kitchen:
.....Hearts of Romaine tossed in a Lemon Asiago Vinaigrette topped with Vine Ripened Tomatoes and Asiago Cheese
.....Three Bean Salad
.....Roasted Pork Loin with Roasting Jus served with Roasted Yukon Gold Potatoes and Steamed Asparagus

Negative Purchases:
Read ArtNews, Architectural Digest, PEOPLE, SF Chronicle and NY Times at public library

1,000 Galatea Management business cards mooted

Checked out of public library:
...VINTAGE FEASTING: A Vintner's Year of Fine Wines, Good Times, and Gifts from Nature's Garden, memoir by Joy Sterling
...BETWEEN FRIENDS: M.F.K. Fisher And Me, memoir by Jeannette Ferrary
...THE GREAT FAILURE: A Bartender, A Monk, and My Unlikely Path to Truth, memoir by Natalie Goldberg

7/19: TUESDAY

2005-07-19T23:59:00.000-07:00

6 bottles of 2003 Pride Mountain Cabernet

doctor's appointment

three stems of Stargazer lilies

THE OPPOSITE OF FATE: A BOOK OF MUSINGS, memoir by Amy Tan

IDYLL BANTER: WEEKLY EXCURSIONS TO A VERY SMALL TOWN, essays and newspaper columns by Chris Bohjalian

bottle of Caltrate vitamin supplements

Dawn dishwater detergent

two boxes of Thermacare Heat Wraps

package of wheat bread

two bananas

jar of strawberry jam

package of "feminine protection"

iced latte

SF Chronicle

From Heather's Kitchen:
.....Red Leaf and Romaine with Artichokes, Garbanzo Beans and Tomatoes tossed in a Provencal Vinaigrette
.....Truffled White Bean Spread with Wheat Pita Crisps
.....Teriyaki Glazed Chicken and Vegetable K-bob?s served over Taboule

Negative Purchases:
Read In Touch and Star magazines while in supermarket check-out line

Discarded moldy garlic and bag of basil from the fridge's bowels.

Discarded one-third of loaf of potato bread from the pantry.

From local cafe's "community bookshelf, picked up free copy of THE BRIDE AND THE BACHELORS: FIVE MASTERS OF THE AVANT GARDE: DUCHAMP, TINGUELY, CAGE, RAUSCHENBERG, CUNNINGHAM by Calvin Tomkins

7/18: MONDAY

2005-07-18T22:06:00.000-07:00

framing services for photo-collage and pedigree certificate for Gabriela

5 bottles and 1 magnum of 2002 Jones Family Estate Cabernet

3 bottles of 2002 Jones Family Sisters (Bordeaux blend)

3 bottles of 2001 Abreu Madrona Ranch Cabernet

THE CONSTRUCTOR, poems by John Koethe

_______(#1 future Xmas present and, thus, can't be identified as its recipient reads this blog)

HomeTech AudioVisual home maintenance services

Juana's housecleaning services

Adan's grass-cutting, rock fence repair and grounds clean-up services

SF Chronicle

postage to send Reproductions and Menage a Trois to P of the TM

from Heather's Kitchen:
.....Arugula, Romaine and Radicchio with Jicama and Red Peppers tossed in Vinaigrette
.....Rice and Vegetable Soup
.....Pan Roasted Halibut topped with Sprouts and a Tropical Fruit Salsa served over Celery Root Puree and Steamed Vegetables

Negative Purchases:
J. left windows open in studio, thus causing airconditioner to fight against 100-plus degree days for nine days, not only escalating utility bills but possibly damaging air conditioner itself. Ugh, ugh, ugh!

HomeTech was clearly inefficient by at least three hours in what they did to conduct maintenance on audio/visual systems....all so bloody irritating as that meant I and GM also had to waste our time...

7/17: SUNDAY

2005-07-17T22:40:00.000-07:00

Deposit on a commissioned order of Galatea/Wine Country Dinner Place Settings by Calistoga artist Madame Durall

NY Times

SF Chronicle

Lunch for four at Meadowood:
...fried calamari in lemon aoili sauce
...grilled California wild king salmon atop fresh vegetables
...two hamburgers with fries
...huevos rancheros
...2002 Mason Sauvignon Blanc

From Heather's Kitchen:
.....Sweet Corn, Shrimp, and Red Pepper Soup garnished with Chive Batons
.....Butter Leaf Lettuce and Radicchio tossed in a Mango Lime Vinaigrette topped with Mango, Goat Cheese and Pine Nuts
.....Roasted Herb and Garlic Rack of Lamb served with a Ratatouille and Sauteed Haricots Verts

Negative Purchases:
Traded copies of my poetry books -- Menage A Trois With the 21st Century and Reproductions of the Empty Flagpole -- for a handpainted mug by Madame Durall.

Discarded left-over tomatoes with mozzarella and basil from the fridge's bowels.

Ouor house guests didn't drink the 1995 Trevillon tha twe gave them last night, and so we polished that off tonight!

7/17: AN INTERRUPTION IN OUR REGULAR PROGRAMMING

2005-07-17T22:35:00.000-07:00

to note commentary relevant to this project from

THE CHATELAINE'S POETICS
July 17, 2005

NOTE TO SELF

As regards the radical disjunction between current shopping/spending habits and the historical "Installments," the project may end up being

BACKGROUND / FOREGROUND

So that the "truth" re THE AUTOBIOGRAPHY OF COMMODITIES will be an abstract (poetic) space projected but not defined by the specifics of commodities.

I'ma just saying ....

7/16: SATURDAY

2005-07-16T22:11:00.000-07:00

2003 Dutch Henry zinfandel (for tasting notes, go to my Wine Tasting Blog)

from Farmers' Market:
...two packets of spinach-stuffed flat bread
...two packets of potato-stuffed flat bread
...two packets of vegetable-stuffed flat bread
...two bags of garlic curry chips
...two containers of garbanzo beans curry
...two containers of chicken curry
...a container of cilantro curry
...4 plums
...3 peaches

SF Chronicle

6 Yoplait yogurts

bag of cherries

bag of figs

bananas

an orange flush melon

Wine Tasting Dinner for 34 lawyers or law school students and their partners at Mayacamas Country Club, Sonoma:
...various appetizers of grilled chicken and shrimp, eggplants, goat cheese and ahi tuna
...peach, nuts and spinach salad
...grilled pork or tenderloin
...mashed potatoes
...green beans
...blueberry tarts
...coffee
...Drinks:
......Osborne White Port coolers
......Vintinis made with Ciroe Vodka
......2003 Torren Vion Esmeralda
......2003 Chateau de Sancerre
......2003 Rochiolio Sauvignon Blanc
......2003 Christian Moreau Chablis
......2002 Newton Unfiltered chardonnay
......2000 Chateau Bourgneuf Pomerol
......2001 Lancaster Estate REd
......1999 LBV Osborne Porto
......Navan Vanilla Cognac
.........Gift Bags:
.........Navan Vanilla Cognac bottles and wine bottle openers

Negative Purchases:
At Farmers' Market, ate a free somosa topped with cilantro, garbanzo beans and mango lime chutney

Gave copies of Behind the Blue Canvas (coz the dudes wanted "erotica") to the Dutch Henry Winery peeps Scott and Gary

Gave bottles of 1995 Trevillon and 1993 Ravenswood Pickberry to house guests for their dinner at a local restaurant

Lost a pen in Sonoma

7/15: FRIDAY

2005-07-15T23:59:00.000-07:00

A HUNDRED WHITE DAFFODILS: Essays, Interviews, The Akhmatova Translations, Newspaper Columns, and One Poem, poetry prose by Jane Kenyon

THE BEST DAY THE WORST DAY: Life with Jane Kenyon, memoir by Donald Hall

Wooroloo, poems by Frieda Hughes

Learning Joy from Dogs Without Collars, memoir by Lauralee Summer

MUSIC AND SUICIDE, poems by Jeff Clark

DESESPERANTO: Poems 1999-2002 by Marilyn Hacker

DRINKING THE RAIN, memoir by Alix Kates Shulman

"WorWonton Soup" (shrimp and pork dumplings with chicken and vegetables)

diet coke

black steel bookends

NY Times

SF Chronicle

$1.25 bus ride

Dinner for Two at Hunan:
...pork dumplings
...fried meat with lettuce pie
...chicken with garlic sauce
...white rice
...tea

One-ounce glass tastings at VinoVenue:
...2003 O'Brien "Seduction" Meritage, Napa Valley
...2003 Francis Tannahill Pinot Noir, Willamette Valley, Oregon
...2001 Fort Ross Reserve Pinot Noir, Sonoma
...2003 Le Bastide de St. Vincent Cotes-du-Rhone
...2002 Larkmead Merlot Napa Valley
...2002 De Toren Fusion V Meritage, Stallenbach, South Africa
(For brief tasting notes on these wines, check out my new Wine Tasting Notes Blog.")

Negative Purchases:
Received these books from someone nameless in Chicago but c/o "Press of the Third Mind" hoping I will reciprocate with some of moi books (sure, why not!):
...THE INTRUSIVE ACHE OF MORNING by Patrick Porter
...ORACLE WHIP by Bradley Lastname
...THE SQUEAKY FROMME GETS THE GREASE by Bradley Lastname
...BLEST FOR THIS POET CREST TO REST ON MY CHEST by Robert Pomerhn

Went to opening of BAY AREA 4 NOW at Yerba Buena Center but the lines were around the block and so decided to defer visit so we can return to Galatea before midnight

7/14: THURSDAY

2005-07-14T23:14:00.000-07:00

sonogram

THE EMPEROR OF WINE: THE RISE OF ROBERT M. PARKER, JR. AND THE REIGN OF THE AMERICAN TASTE, biography by Elin McCoy

MEMORY CARDS & ADOPTION PAPERS, poems by Susan M. Schultz;

REAL: THE LETTERS OF MINA HARKER AND SAME D'ALLESANDRO by Dodie Bellamy

Breakfast at Cafe 29 Bistro:
...scrambled eggs
...two slices of bacon
...one apple and smoked chicken sausage
...hash browns
...mixed fresh fruit
...toast with butter and jam
...coffee

frozen mocha coffee drink

bunch of basil

1 banana

1 1/2 pounds of rib-eye steak

box of Carr whole wheat crackers

box of Carr poppy & sesame crackers

$39.95 gasoline ($2.899/gallon! Prices continue to rise! Though I may be wrong in an earlier post -- I think 76 may have better prices than Chevron...)

Negative Purchases:
Read SF Chronicle for free at a local cafe

Gabriela chewed up a cat toy to pieces. Sigh...

7/12: WEDNESDAY

2005-07-13T23:42:00.000-07:00

Amazon.com Annual Fee for Meritage Press' account

postage to send check to ke

NY Times

diet coke

chicken caesar salad

Negative Purchases:
Dropped watch off to get a new battery. Then they couldn't put watch back together again and so need to send it back to "headquarters." It'll take about three weeks to fix!!! But they won't charge me for the $20 battery, they said. I replied, Least you can do!

Read SF Chronicle for free at a local cafe

Discarded from the fridge's bowels some old Indian flat bread and leftover tomato curry dip

Received 101 copies of a poetry book from a poet who's donating them to a future conceptual poetry/art project that I hope will investigate "The Commerce of Poetry"

7/12: TUESDAY

2005-07-12T23:09:00.000-07:00

DARK DECADE by Johanna Drucker

IN MEMORIAM TO IDENTITY by Kathy Acker

Brittany landscaping services

postage to send Reproductions and Menage a Trois to AT

postage to send a Sesshu Foster poem-card and letter to Ivy while she's at Hawthornden Castle

iced coffee

NY Times

SF Chronicle

Molly's dog-playing and socialization services (Gabriela)

veterinarian check-up for Gabriela

$4.50 for Napa dog license for Gabriela

Achilles' allergy steroid shot

from Heather's Kitchen:
.....Garlicky Bean and Red Chard Soup
.....Chicken Tostada?s topped with Lettuce, Black Beans, Sour Cream, Salsa, and Cheese served with a Brown Spanish Rice

Negative Purchases:
Cancelled the purchase of an oak tree as the tree it was supposed to replace which we thought had died ... resurrected itself! YaY! Galatea's mountain remains ever-fruitful!

Received an honorarium from La Guardia Community College (New York) for a gig a few months ago

Received a MOST FABULOUS GIFT of a poetry chap: THE BODY ACHES [POEMS AND HAY(NA)KU] by Ernesto Priego. (See more info about Ernesto's excellent chap on the July 12 post at The Chatelaine's Poetics.)

Napa County refunded $29.50 in Gabriela's dog license fee as the fee would have been for a year and they only wanted to renew Gabriela through to when her rabies shot is effective which is six months (got that?)

Picked up free copy of REMEMBER WHEN, novel by Judith McNaught, at local cafe's "community bookshelf"

7/11: MONDAY

2005-07-11T22:40:00.000-07:00

Monastic Buddha (Carved wood seated monastic Buddha. This is a lovely stark depiction. 9” tall.)

Ardhanarishvara (Bronze statue of Ardhanarishvara. This is Shiva as half male and half female. 8 3/4” tall.)

Stone Ardhanarishvara (Carved stone statue of Ardhanarishvara. It is 5 1/2” tall. It is from Mamallapuram in Southern India. This sculpture combines in a single image the god Shiva and his consort Parvati, "his better half," who is always by his side. Also known as the ‘Half-Shiva”.)

“lion-dog” (Bronze “lion-dog” from India. It is 8” tall x 8” long)

GRAPEFRUIT by Yoko Ono

doctor's appointment

THE DEW BREAKER, novel by Edwidge Danticat

laundry services for five men's shirts

SF Chronicle

Juana's housecleaning services

Molly's dog-playing and socialization services (Achilles)

iced chai tea

from Heather's Kitchen
.....Tri-color Pepper, White Bean, and Spinach Salad tossed in a Italian Vinaigrette topped with Feta Cheese
.....Hummus with Wheat Pita Crisps
.....Thai Chicken and Vegetable Curry served over Steamed Brown Rice

Negative Purchases:
Returned a used print cartridge to Hewlett Packard for recycling

Got a refund for the co-payment (or uninsured portion of medical bill) from doctor's office after his staff screwed up my appointment. Yah!

Picked up free copy of THE SUMMER I DARED, novel by Barbara Delinsky, at local cafe's "community bookshelf"

German Shepherds demolished a tug-of-war toy

Discarded milk from the fridge's bowels

7/10: SUNDAY

2005-07-10T22:46:00.000-07:00

6 bottles of 2002 Dutch Henry chardonnay Los Carneros

container of Dreyer DIBS ice cream sandwiches

two tickets to "Star Wars: The Revenge of the Sith"

NY Times

SF Chronicle

from Heather's Kitchen:
.....Portobello and Asiago Crostini
.....Heirloom Tomato, Shaved Red Onion, and Basil Salad drizzled with Balsamic and Meyer Lemon Olive Oil
.....Miso Marinated Salmon served over Wheat Cous Cous with Sesame Steamed Baby Bok Choy and Snap Peas

Negative Purchases:
Discarded left-overs from fridge's bowels: spinach salad, beans and corn dishes, a cantaloupe and yellow squash

7/9: SATURDAY

2005-07-09T23:01:00.000-07:00

Meadowood guest passes -- with drinks and food for -- thirteen people

3 sets of blue plastic cutlery

two sets of blue plastic bowls

24 cans of diet cokes

4 gallons of Crystal Geyser Alpine Spring Water

Aquariyums kitty treats

two containers of milk

two gallons of orange juice

two Reddi Whip whipped cream containers

8 bananas

two cantaloupes

14 white corns

two bags of Rainer cherries

three packages of hamburger buns

seven Yoplait yogurts

six packages of lean ground beef

lamb and pork with vegetable sausages

honeydew melon

watermelon

four packages of mozzarella cheese

from the Farmers' Market:
...six pounds of heirloom tomatoes
...vegetable-stuffed flat bread
...two pints of chicken curry dip
...pint of avocado dip
...bag of toasted wheat pita chips
...basil

NY Times

SF Chronicle

Molly's dog-playing and socialization services (Gabriela and Achilles -- the first time both dogs will go out with Molly!!!)

laundry services for over-sized bedspread

Negative Purchases:
Discarded leftovers from the fridge's bowels: grilled fish, chicken sausage, tomatoes with mozzarella and basil, and slices of watermelon

7/9: AN INTERRUPTION IN OUR REGULAR PROGRAMMING

2005-07-09T22:53:00.000-07:00

to share commentary relevant to today's shopping list (see prior post) from

THE CHATELAINE'S POETICS
July 9, 2005

"PROFESSIONAL ENTERTAINING"

is a phrase that evokes, for me, strippers in costumes of feathers, satin, tassels and rhinestones. And I wish that's what would be running around me today. Instead, there are gonna be about 15 people roaming about Galatea today. Besides moiself, all are lawyers.

I'm doing "professional entertaining" today. No details necessary (I can't really ever reveal the nature of my true "day job") except to say I'm grumpy ... and recalling just now something that Philip Lamantia once told me, "I never judge how poets make money."

7/8: FRIDAY

2005-07-08T23:00:00.000-07:00

three bottles and one magnum of the 2002 Araujo Cabernet Reserve Eisele Vineyard

jar of Araujo olive oil

a Donsuemor madeleine

iced latte

SF Chronicle

NY Times

Grannick Bitter Apple dog spray

71 cans of Pinnacle Trout & Sweet Potato

Molly's dog-playing & socialization services (Gabriela)

Juana's house-cleaning services

from Heather's Kitchen:
.....Summer Gazpacho drizzled with a Pesto Oil
.....Broccoli Salad with Sunflower Seeds, Bacon and Currants
.....Stuffed Peppers served in a Tomato Sauce with a side of Sauteed Beans

Negative Purchses:
Discarded two eggplants from the pantry

Donation to the Disabled American Veterans

7/7: THURSDAY

2005-07-07T23:26:00.000-07:00

SYLVIA'S FARM: THE JOURNAL OF AN IMPROBABLE SHEPHERD, memoir by Sylvia Jorrin

SF Chronicle

from Heather's Kitchen:
.....Chicken Orzo Soup
.....Spinach Salad with Golden Raisins, Feta and Roasted Pecans tossed in a Thai Dressing
.....Braised BBQ Short Ribs served with Corn and Baked Beans

Negative Purchase:
German Shepherds destroyed a faucet-timing mechanism for watering backyard lawn

Received an unexpected gift from P & C (or "trade" for some poetry books I'd sent this couple earlier): A GIACOMETTI PORTRAIT, memoir by James Lord

7/7: AN INTERRUPTION IN OUR REGULAR PROGRAMMING

2005-07-07T23:23:00.000-07:00

to bring you commentary related to this project from

THE CHATELAINE'S POETICS
July 7, 2005

WHAT SHOULD BE A NEGATIVE PURCHASE: MAIL ORDER BRIDES

The artist group "Mail Order Brides" or "MOB" -- consisting of Filipinas Reanne Estrada, Eliza Barrios and Jenifer Wolford -- are part of the artists featured in the fourth annual edition of Yerba Buena Center's BAY AREA NOW which "recognizes current trends in local visual arts, performance and film/video, and celebrates a new generation of Bay Area artists....Bay Area Now celebrates artists who challenge conventional aesthetics and lead in the endless forming and reforming of contemporary artistic expression." (If you click on link, you'll see the list of featured artists which includes several I admire among contemporary artists: Michelle Lopez, Xylor Jane, Josephine Taylor and so on.)

I once wrote a meditation on the MOB's work as relates to identity (click here). (Do note that I consider most of my art essays "meditations" and not "criticism" -- the significance of said diction being relevant perhaps to those who would write so-called art (and literary) criticism...Anyhoo...) It occurs to me that perhaps I should update Moi look-see at the MOB for inclusion in THE AUTOBIOGRAPHY OF COMMODITIES. Because doesn't the term "mail order brides" itself commodify women and suggest they can be bought?

BAY AREA NOW opens next Friday, July 15, 8-11 p.m. at Yerba Buena. Check it out -- and if you're lucky, you'll see me there batting Moi long eyelashes.

7/6: AN INTERRUPTION IN OUR REGULAR PROGRAMMING

2005-07-06T22:23:00.000-07:00

to beam out this news at ya:

Did a first submission out there for one of the "Installments" related to this project and it got accepted by the fabulous journal SENTENCE: A Journal of Prose Poetics. Thanks so much to editor -- and stellar poet -- Brian Clements.

7/6: WEDNESDAY

2005-07-06T22:19:00.000-07:00

blundering dufus Rick's blundering dufus gate-fixing service (yet again!)

CRUSH, poems by Richard Siken

postage to send the brick to DS

hour-long deep massage (Zamyra)

Molly's dog-playing and socialization services (Achilles)

latte

SF Chronicle

two patio citronella candles

from Heather's Kitchen:
.....Barley and Vegetable Soup
.....Iceberg Wedge with a Chunky Blue Cheese Dressing and Strawberry Tomatoes
.....Chicken Stir-Fry served over Steamed Brown Rice topped with Cashews

Negative Purchase:
Discarded bag of basil from fridge's bowels

Dropped off R is for RICHOCHET, novel by Sue Grafton, at local cafe's community freebie book shelf

Read W at bookstore magazine racks (the Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie issue)