My little gma

For the winter holidays I went to Texas (read about insane ordeal and Chinese food airport breakfast here). As most of you might know, my grandmother has Alzheimer's. She was much quieter this year than in the last several years past. She didn't join in the conversation this year or joke as much.

My uncle Jim got my aunt Lesley a baby doll as a Christmas present this year. My grandmother held it for nearly an hour and talked about it constantly. She kept saying things like, "If anyone came in here and they didn't know this was a doll, they would think it was real." And then she would stroke it's hair or examine its hands. And a few minutes later she would say the same thing. Since I didn't know how to interact with her much this visit, just watching her with the doll was nice.

Don't mind the dogs in this video. Lefty is the big one, Annie the small one.



Also, I think I already mentioned the Brownsville Zoo, but the kangaroos and gorillas were something else.

Texas - I made it!

My itinerary to get to Harlingen, TX for Christmas was as follows:

Oakland to George Bush International - the red eye - 12:35AM to 6AM

George Bush Intl to Harlingen - 9ish AM to 10ish AM.

Instead, my red eye out was oversold. No body gave up there seat for me and why would they? The Continental staff couldn't find me anything. Did I want to fly into San Antonio and rent a car to drive to Harlingen in the middle the the following night? No. Did I want to fly on the 23rd and return on the 25th? No.

After waiting with two tearful angry men until 2AM I finally got it sorted out. I would take a shuttle to San Jose airport, take the 9:55AM to Houston and the 6PM to McAllen where the family would get me.

I was compensated $275. And although I would have preferred a hotel to the San Jose airport floor, I did get breakfast and lunch vouchers.

This is me sleeping in the City Shuttle on the way to San Jose from Oakland. Half way to the airport we went BACK to Oakland to pickup two more travelers. I guess the van was more comfortable than the floor was about to be (I used my shoes as a pillow).

I ate fried rice, bacon and eggs with my breakfast voucher at 4:30AM in San Jose.

YUM.

This couple was soo into the Bush History montage in Houston International.


My trip was awesome but way too short. Lesley and I went to the Brownsville zoo on the 24th and saw a baby gorilla, baby kangaroos and baby meercats. OMG.



More soon...I'm back at George Bush Intl right now starting to doubt that I'll be home tonight.

Turkey Days

If you are me on Thanksgiving: You go to your aunt Jean's house to meet up with your mom and your Jean and many dogs (8).



Then you go to the aquarium for dinner.



Then you play poker with your family and some small dogs.




Then a certain small dog sleeps with you.



You also play scrabble and get together with the FolkaDots (these pictures are actually from a previous FolkaDot gathering).




Then you Turkey Trot with a bee.

Grand Opening / Squid songs

Three Cheers! My aunt Jean has been accepted into the Carmel Art Association. Last night was the opening night for the three (just three!) inductees! So I took some distorted photos of her work and also of the guests, friends and family from around California.

This one is actually my bathroom in my old studio on 25th, and one of two of Jean's paintings to sell. When it was pulled off the wall there were all these gasps. It was among the favorites of the show.

This was the other one that sold.

Jean and Jerry and Phyllis

Anita, John and I (I'm the one with the gigantic nose). Jean, Katie and Jerry in the background.

Virginia and John talk art

Jean got flowers and a squid song!

Oh my god. Where did I leave my wine?

Jean sparkles

I unfortunately didn't get any good shots of my mom, Carol, Terry, Phyllis, Holly, Pam or Diana. Jean, have you uploaded your pictures yet?