A visit with the moon

The moon and Jupiter.

Urban moon.

The moon and my red solar light.

Uban lights as fireworks.

The moon as sparkler.

My Little Luxuries List

Last night I was talking to a friend about little luxuries and how I have to have them no matter how desperate my financial situation. Without them I go mad and then my financial situation becomes even worse. Sometimes it's better to just eat the ice cream, you know? So, here's the list I made this morning. A few of the items on the list are big ticket items. Remember that a quality item used over time amortizes to a little daily luxury. Yes, I will pay more to have a less troubling daily round. It's worth it.

Elaine's Little Luxuries
1. Lunch at a nice restaurant, preferably asian.
2. Watching a first run movie, preferably in 3-D.
3. Getting a manicure or pedicure or both.
4. Having someone else pour me a glass of wine.
5. Wasting time.
6. A phone call on my iPhone.
7. Using my iMac.
8. Two sturdy, non-leaching, recyclable, clear reusable water bottles - a green one for the car, a pink one for at home.
9. A big bottle of mineral water - Perrier or Pelegrino usually.
10. Fancy flip flops.
11. Good incense.
12. My engraved iPod Shuffle (2nd Gen).
13. A cup of excellent coffee (currently: Blanchards from their roastery).
14. A bouquet of fresh flowers.
15. My recyclable, sustainable, fair trade net shopping bags.
16. A good pair of glasses.
17. A good pair of walking shoes.
18. Getting a massage.
19. A very long walk in the woods with the dog on a cool sunny morning.
20. My Second Life.
21. The next book in the series bought new in person at the bookstore.
22. Downloading tunes from the Apple iTunes music store.
23. Reading expensive magazines I don't buy at the bookstore while drinking a warm drink.
24. Ocean swimming.
25. Body surfing.
26. Brain baking.
27. Planning an air vacation.
28. Take away from China's Best.
29. Visiting Mom at her condo on the beach.
30. Sleeping outside.
31. Getting a new silly toy (i.e., Googly Ball, Felix the Cat figurine, soft silly tiny monkey).
32. Being silly.
33. Dressing silly.
34. Discussing cosmic issues as if I know what I'm talking about.
35. Writing science fiction fantasy novels that have no ending.
36. Writing poetry.
37. Blogging.
38. A good cup of tea.
39. Watching the moon.
40. Taking a long hot bubble bath on a cold winter's day.
41. Making a huge fire in the fireplace.
42. Serendipitous meet-ups with friends.
43. Making art.
44. Making lists.
45. Burning CDs to listen to while driving around in the car.
46. Ignoring the rules of grammar.
47. Riding when I could walk or walking when I could ride.
48. Not making sense.
49. Kissing.
50. Hugging.
52. Wishing, wether the stars are visible or not.
53. Eating a raw salad at Ellwood Thompsons.
54. Watching my favorite movie, again.
55. Posting my list of little luxuries to my blog.
56. Posting new art to my funky website.
57. Putting cool decals on my iPhone.
58. Using the color pink inappropriately.
59. Playing solitaire electronically.
60. Giving myself a little luxury item at Christmas.
61. Eating a single, excruciatingly high quality dark chocolate bon bon - preferably creamy or nutty.
62. Having back ups for my favorite little luxuries.
63. Setting a silly image as my Facebook profile picture.
64. Stopping whenever I feel like it.

Current Fads
Listening. One Guitar No Vocals, Leo Kottke and OMs (unpublished playlist); a strange vibration
Watching. Always (1989)
Activity. keeping cool
Gadget. iPhone 3GS
News Source. the news feeds in Safari
Reading. Monument - Ian Graham
Writing. rather not say
Song of the Day: When You Wish Upon a Star (Disney theme)

my blue heaven-in-progress

I have discovered underwater (virtual) living. My little plot in Second Life is water property, which means, that in the normal scope of things when left untended and reverted to its default condition, it is normally underwater. Of course this has no effect on my AV which flies at altitudes of 4,000 meters as well as walking under and on water.

Periodically I have a complete property makeover removing all the objects and rebuilding. I've had beach houses, fields of flowers, a huge temple, and a cozy wilderness hideout.

I was happy to find a ton of editable underwater plants and animals in the SL free library. I've rezzed a bunch of seaweed, jellyfish, a shark, a squid, and a manta ray. My build is beginning to develop a theme.

I like glow. I've been into glow for nearly a year now (which is a lifetime in SL). So my stuff is glowing. I'm searching for comfy underwater cushions for more than one person. So far all I can find is mermaid shells and clams. Right.

Anyway, as noted it doesn't really matter that I am underwater. My wind chimes work just fine here as does the fairy acorn light. If worse comes to worst I can always plant a couple of couches or slap down one of my single prim homemades.

up again

Current Fads
Listening. Where or When, Lena Horne and Romance Unlimited (unpublished playlist); ringing in ears
Watching. When Harry Met Sally (1989); House Calls (1978)
Activity. burning tapes to CD; keeping the shrubs alive
Gadget. iPhone
News Source. Google News
Reading. In the Last Analysis - Amanda Cross; Dem Herzen nahe - Jörg Zink; Kissing Christmas Goodbye - M. C. Beaton
Writing. morning pages
Song of the Day: Just Like Heaven, Katie Melua

rain making me morose

Lessons learned from Shrek:

1. When you are ugly, have a good roar, and can run fast you never have to fight.

2. Unusual creatures make the best friends.

3. True love makes you beautiful, not the other way around.

4. You don't have to look for opportunities to be a hero. They will be thrust upon you.

5. Be open minded. Not everyone is lucky enough to be an ogre.

Current Fads
Listening. Goodbye to Love (personal playlist – see below); the beating of my heart
Watching. Shrek (2001)
Activity. discovering Chocolates by Kelly
Gadget. my head
News Source. news?
Reading. Vision of Murder - Victoria Laurie (yes, it is taking me along time to get through this detective mystery. i only read it before going to bed)
Writing. this post

right the first time

First thought, best thought. Zen proverb
Current Fads
Listening. Vocal Genius Mix; A/C blowing; ringing in ears
Watching. Slaves of New York (1989)
Activity. contemplating the universe
Gadget. iPhone 3GS
News Source. Google News
Reading. Vision of Murder - Victoria Laurie
Writing. nothing :::::sigh::::::::::
Song of the Day: Is That All There Is? - Peggy Lee
Ap of the Night: Planets

someone like you

Current Fads
Listening. Chicago - Greatest Hits; Miracle Drug, U2
Watching. The Mirror Has Two Faces (1992)
Activity. walking in the heat
Gadget. iPhone 3GS
News Source. Google News
Reading. A Vision of  Murder - Victoria Laurie
Writing. morning pages
Song of the Night: Send in the Clowns, Judy Collins

no direction and nothing in particular

Current Fads
Listening. Songs From the Labyrinth, Sting and Genius Mixes; machine whirrs
Watching. Bridget Jones Diary (2001)
Activity. following my nose
Gadget. iPhone 3GS
News Source. the news feeds in Safari
Reading. Better Read Than Dead - Victoria Laurie; Refuse to Choose - Barbara Sher
Writing. a novel
Ap of the Day: GPS Lite
Song of the Day: Girl in the War, Josh Ritter