horizon_greene: Robert Smith singing (robert in shadow)
I got home last night after a week-long vacation in Florida, which was wonderful and sorely needed. We went fishing, parasailing, kayaking, swimming in the ocean, walking along the beach. I bravely scrambled hand over foot across a treacherous rocky outcropping to get to the good shelling beach—and then found no good shells. But there was a certain calmness, once the adrenaline subsided from nearly slipping to certain injury, in standing on the flatter expanse of the rocks, digging my toes into the moss and staring out at the surf, practically alone except for a lone fisherman in the waves.

I read Lol's book Cured while I was there. I was pleasantly surprised by the quality of the writing, but disappointed by how boring most of the content was. There were some interesting bits about the earliest days of the band, but I'd been hoping for some salacious, tell-all-style details, or at the very least some new insights into the murkier aspects of Cure canon—but no such luck. I still don't even know the specifics around how Robert and Simon met. It kills me sometimes to imagine how much of their canon is "analog"—trapped in dusty copies of NME in someone's basement, or on tapes in someone's closet, lost to the world.

I also made my way through a decent chunk of [livejournal.com profile] dream1989's "A Night Like This," which was perfect escapist beach reading.

Tumblr was also throwing down while I was away, giving us pics like this one:



Robert should've stuck with the crimping; it suited him. (He also should've stuck with the leather pants he rocked in the early years, if we want to go down the laundry list...)

Anyway, now I'm home, having a lazy day. I'm still in bed, but will get up soon to make breakfast tacos. I also think I'll get out the crock pot for dinner; it seems like that kind of weather, finally. And I might do something with the random fragments of fic that I mapped out in my head while I was away.
horizon_greene: Robert Smith singing (doorway)
I suspect there'll come a day when I look back and regret curtailing regular posting on this LJ. Even if there isn't as much back-and-forth interaction as there used to be, it's a great reference to come back to and remember the standout moments that have happened—good, bad and ugly.

So in the spirit of recording standout moments, can I tell you about my experiences seeing The Cure twice in the past month? I'm pretty emotional about it all.



Salt Lake City and Atlanta )

Hopefully this post wasn't too disjointed—I just wanted to get it out, whatever the final form.

...Well.

Dec. 3rd, 2013 02:02 am
horizon_greene: Robert Smith singing (bye bye bye)
So, like. Things got off to a rocky start when JT came out and instantaneously called us Las Vegas.

That's...not where you are, J. You can call us Phoenix, or Arizona, or AZ. But not Vegas.

Also, there are three inalienable takeaways from tonight's concert:

1. I find modern-day Justin completely unattractive. I tried, the entire night, to find flashes of the boy that I thought was so beautiful, but there was absolutely nothing. I know I'm in the minority, but I am just not feeling what's going on with him these days.

2. He cannot dance effectively in those pretentious suit thingies he insists on wearing. If you think it's good, you need to watch some vintage NSYNC concert footage on YouTube. You just do.

3. He plays a lot of crap that no one wants to listen to. If I wanted to hear Elvis songs, I'd go see one of those tribute bands at the casinos on the Indian reservation. I wouldn't be at a Justin Timberlake concert.

Apart from all of the judgement-worthy items, though, it was actually a very positive experience. Will have more thoughts + pics tomorrow.

20/20

Nov. 18th, 2013 10:42 pm
horizon_greene: Robert Smith singing (justin coffee)
After weeks of wavering indecision, I finally steeled my nerves, pulled a couple of strings at work, and scored some free JT tickets. It was kind of embarrassing, but you know, I never really take advantage of my company or my position within it, so I sort of feel like I've earned some goodwill over the last seven years.

So, I cashed in. The nostalgic pull is that strong, it's kind of alarming. It's been 13 years since I saw NSYNC during the No Strings Attached tour, and since I don't think the band's getting back together anytime soon, this is the next-best thing.

I'm going with a friend from work, and after the requisite flailing on Friday afternoon for a full 20 minutes after receiving the tickets, the question was posed to me: "Who's more excited: 17-year-old you or 30-year-old you?"

I think it'll be hard to top seeing your favorite band of the height of their fame, at the height of your love for them, at the height of your favorite member's physical beauty, on a perfect night in the Mile High City. But, you never know. I'll report back with my findings after December 2nd!

DC

Oct. 29th, 2013 11:26 pm
horizon_greene: Robert Smith singing (Justin/JC laughter)
Before I embarked on my DC trip last weekend, a handful of my coworkers anxiously implored me not to meet some guy and fall in love while I was there. I didn't meet a guy, but I did fall deeply and instantaneously in love with the city itself. It's how I expected to feel about San Francisco—and then didn't—and now here I am, feeling it about someplace else entirely.

I was amazed by everything. The strikingly clear weather. The fact that I could dust off my fall clothes and actually wear them. The joyful travel-aided transition from acquaintances to friends. Our confusion at whether we were indeed gazing upon the White House. (Thanks to Google Images, we were able to confirm that we were.) Seeing Audrey, dear friend, light of my life, and fellow ghost-hunting enthusiast, for the first time in nearly a year. Vodka shots, at long last, with [livejournal.com profile] thorne_scratch. The Loews Madison Hotel. The bed at the Loews Madison Hotel, and sleeping for 11 hours straight, dead to the world, behind blackout drapes. Georgetown Cupcake. The seemingly endless parade of good-looking men. The insanely beautiful view of the Potomac as we walked across the Key Bridge to Arlington. Cheering friends across the finish line of the Marine Corps Marathon. Dinner at Oyamél. Feeling at home, and crazily happy, in this wonderful place.

Pics. )

I didn't want to come home. I'm becoming increasingly restless in Phoenix—I've built a life here, a good life, but I feel more and more like another life is waiting for me somewhere else. Maybe in DC, maybe not. It has definitely given me something to think about.

FLA

Oct. 21st, 2013 09:34 pm
horizon_greene: Robert Smith singing (bye bye bye)
Annual family vacay in Sarasota, Florida, was amazing—that place is just magical, I can't even identify what it is. Maybe it was the nightly mojitos. Or the sand and the surf and the sticky, broiling sunlight (so different from Arizona). Or the long, humid runs under the fraying edges of a tropical depression.

Pics. )

If not for the fact that the demographic is skewed so sharply towards the 60+ set, I'd be inclined to move there. As it is, however, I'll stick with visiting—but when I retire in a few decades? It's on, FLA.
horizon_greene: Robert Smith singing (nagron kiss)
 photo IMG_1712_zpsdc20c2ce.jpg

Two close friends got Mauied last Saturday, and I can think of few better reasons for a trip to Hawaii to celebrate with them.

Sun, sand, volcano, and the Road to Hana. )

It was really, really hard to leave. I'd never been to Hawaii before, and it was wonderful, a place where you truly do feel happily disconnected from your real life and the real world.
horizon_greene: Robert Smith singing (too cool for spring training)
 photo 931345_10102427591728611_305169309_n_zpsde65da59.jpg

I've been a Zito/Lincecum kind of girl for a long time, but watching Tim and Buster in person (coupled with Barry's increasingly baffling right-wing behavior) has started making me think that perhaps Posey/Lincecum is the way to go.

They're amazing to watch together. Buster sliding a hand between his legs, staring Tim down, telling him what to do. The self-conscious curve of Tim's mouth, wide eyes, the way he does what Buster says.

It's becoming a Thing. A Thing that I could watch endlessly.

Also, I met Duane Kuiper at Starbucks this afternoon. I was going to just let him be, but then he went to the barista for a refill and I spun around and told him, "I'm sorry, but I can't listen to you order coffee and not say hello." He appeared momentarily startled by my greeting, but warmed up to me quickly: "That's our hotel over there where we're staying, and that's our bus, and this is my iPad." Direct quote, people. I nodded patiently, because I wasn't sure what the point of all that was, and then he showed me said iPad, and we chatted about the Giants, and we tried to decipher the homemade blow-up doll sculpture on top of a van in a nearby loading zone. It was magical.
horizon_greene: Robert Smith singing (doorway)
 photo IMG_1635_zpsdf6a9dd5.jpg

A few months ago, my sister asked me, "If you could do anything in the world for your 30th birthday, what would it be?"

To which I replied, "Watch Lincecum pitch at AT&T Park."

And so, last weekend, we found ourselves in San Francisco. )

I can see why people write songs about this city.

<3
horizon_greene: Robert Smith singing (doorway)
I'm not doing a great job of remembering to take pictures, but hopefully I'll improve over the course of the week.

Day 2: Wednesday. )
horizon_greene: Robert Smith singing (doorway)
I had such a good time seeing this on [livejournal.com profile] louiselux's journal, so I figured I'd do the Week in the Life meme as well (sharing random photos of your day for an entire week).

So, Day 1: Tuesday (TW for blood donation—no needles, but plenty of tubing) )

Glass

Feb. 26th, 2013 12:16 am
horizon_greene: Robert Smith singing (doorway)
I had a delicious little dream about Nick Carter—of all people—last night. Where was that dream 12 years ago, when I actually cared about the Backstreet Boys?

It's been a really hectic week+ around here, lots of relatives in town to celebrate my grandma's 90th birthday. I did quite a bit of cooking for the crew, and was really proud of a dinner I made last weekend, which turned out to be one of those moments you always hope for in the kitchen. Salmon rubbed with olive oil, turmeric, garlic powder, and lots of salt, oven-roasted at a high temp until medium (my favorite way to prepare salmon, by far). Salad of roasted asparagus, mushrooms, baby cauliflower, zucchini, and carrots, tossed with a sherry vinaigrette and some handfuls of watercress, slowly wilting amongst the warm vegetables. My neighborhood AJ's had this farm-raised New Zealand salmon that the seafood dudes claimed was the best salmon they'd ever had. I was a bit skeptical, but I bought it and I have to say that I concur. My aunt and uncle, who live in Portland and eat some of the best salmon available, also agreed. For dessert, there were berries mixed with sugar and lemon juice, served on shortcakes infused with significant amounts of citrus zest and topped with whipped cream. We whipped the cream by hand, everyone taking a turn. (It's very tiring!)

I'll remember that meal forever.

My cousin was staying with me, and he helped me finish up the last couple of episodes of Breaking Bad on Netflix. That series was really hard work in the beginning (I could barely get through the first four or five eps), but after that point I pretty much mainlined it. I think I did nine episodes once upon a Saturday, which—judging by conversations I've had with friends—is not all that unusual. And of course I had to check out the fic, but it's not looking good. Jesse Pinkman is a thumbs-up, but I just don't think I want to read porn about Walter White, it's harder work than getting through the first five episodes. Has anyone else managed it?

That said, if anyone has any non-AO3 recs, or knows where I can find full episodes from Season 5 (not yet available on Netflix), I'd be very grateful :)
horizon_greene: Robert Smith singing (Default)
Photobucket

Even almost three weeks later :)

It was amazing fun, being surrounded by other fans in that beautiful city, more orange and black than I'd ever seen in my entire life. Shuffling through piles of ticker tape in the aftermath of the parade as I walked to City Hall is something I'll never forget.

Pics. )

Until next time, San Francisco <3
horizon_greene: Robert Smith singing (winning pitcher & his catcher)
Seeing Buster Posey at Starbucks this morning made my heart flutter. Kind of unexpected (didn't realize the Giants were staying at the Ritz), but a most welcome surprise :)

Decided not to go any Giants/Dbacks games this weekend and instead save my money for next weekend in San Francisco. Which reminds me—

Does anyone have suggestions of fun (and relatively cheap) things to do/places to eat/bars to patronize in SF? Last time I was there we wandered and saw random places and had a marvelous time, but I'd like to have a few ideas in mind for those moments when we don't know what to do next.
horizon_greene: Robert Smith singing (Default)


This is my current jam. Two weeks from Friday, I'll be back in SF. A day or two after that, I'll be @ AT&T Park.

♥ > infinity
horizon_greene: Robert Smith singing (career slam)
Got back a little while ago from catching Crosby, Stills & Nash at Symphony Hall. I have never before been to a rock concert that had an intermission, but that is apparently how they roll. Also, the crowd would stand and applaud after every song, and then immediatelysitbackdown, as you might expect from a bunch of sixtysomethings. And yet, when they played "Suite: Judy Blue Eyes," dozens of people defied the "no photography" rule to film the song with their smartphones, which I would not necessarily expect from a bunch of sixtysomethings. Interesting dichotomy, there.

It was also interesting to compare and contrast the three members of the band. I like older rockers, but it seems some age better than others. Stephen Stills: not a star. Graham Nash: total rock star who works at it. David Crosby: natural-born star. When someone can stand there, still and quiet, and just put everything into their voice and completely mesmerize you—that's a truly unique gift.

I have a new idea of harmony, now.

Only regret is that they didn't play "Ohio," but then, I suppose that's Neil Young's song. I pulled it up on Youtube afterwards as we were waiting in the epic failtastic line to exit the parking garage; it sufficed.
horizon_greene: Robert Smith singing (Default)
Photobucket

The weekend's adventure took us to the far reaches of Southern Arizona, past Tucson and Tombstone and even further down than that. Where we found Bisbee, a former mining town and present-day artists colony. Also home to the Copper Queen, a historic and allegedly haunted hotel that counts Teddy Roosevelt, John Wayne, and at least one disgruntled prostitute amongst its guests.

In words and pictures. )

Driving around after breakfast on Sunday, we inadvertently found ourselves at the Mexican border, which was exciting, but no one batted an eyelash when we made a hasty three-point turn and headed north.

It was a good weekend.
horizon_greene: Robert Smith singing (i support thorpe)
I went tubing down the Salt River with some friends yesterday, and we ended up meeting a couple of guys, which is the last thing I expected on the river. But I was agreeable to the whole thing, especially since I spent two hours floating alongside a pretty passable Rafael Nadal lookalike boy who was sweet and had a cute name, and we talked and talked and talked about our families, his HS football career, my love for the SF Giants, bucket lists, being out on the water, bird dogs—so many things. He was beautiful, and Cali boy was officially in the rearview. When we beached our tubes and got out at the end of the line, he hugged me...and then he left.







...I am so confused.

In other news, I've been watching a lot of Olympic coverage, and while my head's all about it, my heart's not in it. I was so looking forward to watching Rafa; I still haven't quite gotten past that disappointment. And the swimming (which used to be my fave, pre-Beijing) is so Phelps/Lochte focused (and I have little patience for either of them) that I can barely stand to watch. I miss the days of Ian Thorpe dominating the 400m free, and narrowly winning the 200m free with Pieter van den Hoogenband unzipping his suit for him at the end of the race, and Michael Phelps the gawky upstart who posed no real threat, only served as idle amusement and occasional partner in fic.

I'm trying to avoid a complete "damn kids, get off my lawn" attitude, but, you know, I think the Olympics were better with Ian and Rafa involved.

A brief trip down memory lane, mostly Athens with a quick stopover in Beijing. )

Profile

horizon_greene: Robert Smith singing (Default)
horizon_greene

April 2019

S M T W T F S
 123456
78910111213
14151617181920
21222324252627
282930    

Syndicate

RSS Atom

Most Popular Tags

Style Credit

Expand Cut Tags

No cut tags
Page generated Jul. 8th, 2025 07:50 pm
Powered by Dreamwidth Studios