Utilitarian

Usually the way I work the blog is to choose a photo and let it dictate what I write. Not always, but usually.

I don't know what these meters measure--water or power use, I'm pretty sure. I can't think what else it could be. But they inspire me to write about purses.

I carry a purse because I must have my stuff with me at all times, in case of, uh...in case. It's easy to grab and take the whole shebang wherever I go. But I don't like purses--aesthetically, I mean. To me they're unattractive objects.

This may be one of those times when I need to think outside the box (or the purse) and find a stand-in. Not a water meter, but--I don't know, a shoe bag? Do you have any ideas? Do you carry a purse?

Tête-à-Tête

Goorin Bros. Hat Shop on Colorado Blvd. in Old Town

"What do you think of the Homburg?"

"It makes you look old. Try the Porkpie."

"And?"

"Tip it back. That's nice. Very you. Okay, take a look at this. Can I get away with a Gaucho?"

"No you cannot. Here."

"I'm not wearing a top hat!"

"Okay, here."

"I'm not wearing a beret, either! What's that?"

"That, my friend, is called a Fedora."

"I thought it was called a 'dad hat.'"

"In some circles."

"Sold."

International Women's Day 2012

silk floss tree

Thanks to Monica Hubbard, the author, gatherer, disseminator and mastermind behind the local weekly newsletter Wired Women, this year I actually know that International Women's Day is today! I'm celebrating.

I looked on the IWD website for local events in Pasadena and there's one. (This is an improvement; last year I'm pretty sure there were no IWD events in Pasadena. Next year, I'm pretty sure there will be more.) This year's local event, at Amadeus Spa on Hudson at Green, is called A Day at the Spa. Check out the links for more information about how you can empower women entrepreneurs while getting yourself the treatment you deserve.

Today I'm celebrating by doing things I believe in and enjoy: taking pictures, writing, walking in nature, sending thank you notes, being with my family, eating chocolate and taking my HRT. Thank goodness that's covered by health insurance regardless of how my behavior is perceived by the men of Congress because believe me, without it my behavior would be worse.

Options

I can rarely decide between color and black & white. Whenever I post a B&W photo (not often) I usually put up the color one, too. Both media have their merits. Why choose?

This is a big, fancy world, kaleidoscoped with wonders. Sometimes, you can have it all.

I'm thinking: radio/movies/TV/video/DVD/blu-ray/netflix/streaming, etc.

I'm thinking: wax tablets/scrolls/illuminated manuscripts/hardbacks/paperbacks/ebooks, etc.

What are you thinking?

Pasadena Purple

Here's what I did to this photo: I toned down the highlights.

Now that I see it on the screen it looks like I was walking in an enchanted forest, where pretty posies grow near a charming cottage. Maybe an ogre lives there, or better yet a sweet old witch, who makes tasty cookies for good children and nasty ones for bad ones. The purple flowers tempt the littlest ones to her doorstep, where she offers them goodies (or baddies--one can't be sure 'til one eats). The older, wiser kids must be brave. They leap the purple flowers, run to the house, grab the tiny hands of the little ones and spirit them away, plucking a blossom as they go.

Either that or I was squatting in the gutter, while Boz stood on the median saying, "murph!" Which means "come back now, you come back now."

Zen Monday: #186

Let's face it: Zen Monday doesn't have anything to do with Zen, not really. Except maybe today.

Zen Monday is the day you tell us what the photo's about, rather than me telling you. Please share your insights in the comments.

March Your Calendar

March in Pasadena is overloaded. I don't know why this is true but it's the same every year. Just like the time between Thanksgiving and Christmas, you can't possibly get to all the parties and events you want to attend. Your digital calendar has run out of room; you have to remove spaces between words to get it all in. If you still use an analog datebook (I do), you've resorted to putting things on post-its so you can move them around and try to fit them all in.

Three things you must attend, no matter what:

Art Night, Friday, March 9th, 6-10pm. Twice a year, Pasadena's finest art venues open their doors for free. It's a tradition both erudite and wacky. You can go after Real Irish.

LitFest Pasadena, Saturday, March 17th, 9:30am to 5:00pm. Speaking of erudite and wacky, here comes a new tradition! The first annual Litfest Pasadena will take place in Central Park (pictured here) under the batting eyelashes of Castle Green. Authors, publishers, booksellers--everyone who reads will be there. Food and a kids' area, too. (They still need volunteers, find out more here.)

And don't miss Primavera IV! Saturday, March 24th, 11-5pm. Primavera is the Altadena bloggers' gift to all San Gabriel Valley bloggers and blog fans. Everyone's invited! We bring a dish to share, we enjoy Altadena's Farnsworth Park and we bask in each others' actual, as opposed to virtual, company. It's the one event when you can talk to all the local bloggers without bothering with word verification!