The Skunkeye Consumer Guide

Civic Duty

· Missed yesterday at work because I was summoned for Jury Duty. It was a horrible, rainy day and the DC Court House is one of the most depressing places on earth even on the sunniest of spring days. Having served on three juries before I know it can an interesting, fulfilling experience. However, I really can’t afford to participate right now with all my new household expenses and changes at work. The trail was a mugging/Latino gang/Columbia Heights affair and the defendant and the respondent both needed translators and I could see the whole thing dragging out like it always seems to. Fortunately the judge released me but without commanding a guilt-trip about skipping out on my civic duty. That Court House is such a depressing zoo.

· Biddy’s party Friday was highly successful. Very good turnout. The best part was hanging out with Essie at my house preparing food. As a birthday gift I gave her the specially ordered Patricia Field's Alternative Uses for K-Y Liquid. Hair gel! Paint medium! Lip Gloss! Unfortunately, guests mistook the box that I brought the food in as a trash bin but I was able to salvage my pesto baguettes although I don’t think it was eaten since there was more food than expected. I was also told by someone who sees me on the streets pointed out that I have a “Prussian” vibe going on and should try to walk slower and be more open. Which I thought was interesting because I’m usually the sucker who gets asked for directions. Maybe I just appear to know where I am going.

· This weekend and last night have been exhausting moving the Indonesian out, transitioning my rooms, preparing/painting the third floor and we are in a rush to get it done before the new house mate Ezra arrives this weekend while Daniel is in San Francisco spending our rent money. The SD was in town and he was quite arrogant and rude, telling me to shut up when I was taking about James Jones and the whole Paris expat thing while he was watching a Here to Eternity dvd in the living room like a king. I really have too much stuff and I’m trying to throw out as much as I can. The dust is horrible and also I keep on finding sand from the beach. I’m feeling very haggard and have not been taking the best care of myself, fueled by adrenaline and nicotine and not much food. The season changes are always really manic for me. Especially around Halloween when every one is dressing up and having parties, hedonistic underneath their masks, and doing all sorts of very bad things. I hate this time of year. And also it’s a New Moon, which is not nearly as bad as the Full Moon, but affects my chemistry nonetheless. Next week its back to the gym and healthy eating.

· I’ve been so busy I’ve really fallen behind on the films. There’s this Italian Film festival going on down the street at Visions and I’ve totally missed the boat on that. Maybe now that it is getting I’ll be seeing more films – also last week missed the new print of Jean-Pierre Melville's adaptation Cocteau’s Les Enfants Terribles at the National Gallery. Doubt can find on Netflix. Oh, and need to check out the new video store Video American across the street from me - looks like great selection.

· Made a small birthday meal for my sister on Sunday. I think Smither had a good time. Bought goods from Cake Love but they kinda got crushed. Also finally broke down and bought linens. Made my new bed night but did not sleep in it.

· Mrs. Go-Sutherland has yet another article in the Financial Times -this time on shagreen - skin of stingray - now the hot material for top-of-the-line handbags and shoes. Great work Kitty! [FT]

· Brilliant work - Lachlan Murdoch's renovation of his new home, 11 Spring Street. Done in faux-NYT style [Low Culture]

· 2004 Whitney Biennial list announced.

· God Speaks: "What are you fucking tinking!?" - ZAP
The BBC reports: "Actor Jim Caviezel has been struck by lightning while playing Jesus in Mel Gibson's controversial film The Passion Of Christ." [BBC]

Isabel, I Barely Knew Ya...

I’ve been back from my holiday at the beach four days and already it seems but a distant memory. I’m at the office today even though there is Federal leave due to Hurricane Isabel – its very empty here but the services managed to stay on the air.

Yesterday was a drag, the metro closed at 11 am so there was no point in coming.

Up early as usual I went out for coffee only to discover I would not be able to lounge al fresco since the shops had moved the outdoor furniture in. I ran into Biddy and I helped her buy hair products – its amazing what people prioritize in times of emergency. I went to the Soviet Safeway on 17th to get some Nutella – talk about priorities – but the lines were out of control. I went to the Latino market next door and discovered they have egg-shaped Caribou-like cheese like in the Philippines so I can fry that up with pan de sal. I moved my garden indoors and it really did transform the living room with all the flowers and fronds. The rains started and the power went off in the afternoon and I just lay all hot, bothered and unfit all night listening to the wind roar and the power came back on around 5 am.

I’m glad I’m here today even though the Man is being a pain in the ass. Had an impossible long meeting with the Lao Service about a war the Man started and finished the Highlights and have been working on some other bullshit that no one but the Man seems to car about. Doubt I’m getting credit for this risking my life to come here today. The only food available is McDonalds so I think I’ll fast.

A few notes from The Man during the "Gathering Storm," his words, not mine... oh fearless leader.

A few notes as Isabel closes in on us: The company that runs our vending machines restocked them yesterday and will send someone out again afternoon today to restock. The cleaning contractor has restocked supplies in all restrooms. Cots and blankets are being distributed around the area. If we lose power, More later as details emerge. Here's hoping 24 hours from now we'll be able to say it wasn't nearly as serious as it could have been. In the meantime, stay warm, dry ... and brave!

and

I want to say thanks to everyone in the East Asia & Pacific Division who
did so much to keep our operations running smoothly during typhoon
Isabel (we call them 'typhoons' in East Asia!).

A number of you came early, stayed overnight, or contributed in a myriad
of other ways to the steady, unbroken accomplishment of our mission.
All of the ways you contributed involved personal sacrifice and a
demonstration of your dedication. For this you deserve the heartiest of
congratulations on a job well done.

oh sweet...
The Outer Banks were great (and I hope the house is OK after the hurricane). The weather was iffy and the water was choppy but it was relaxing and healthy. Mom’s friend Nancy came for a visit and she is a lot of fun. She is allergic to carbohydrates. I walked to the pier every day, sometimes twice and made smoothies with my new machine. A great discovery is that if you run out of milk or yogurt and have a lot of bananas, a couple of ice-cream sandwiches in the mix really turns out to be a treat. I spent like a million dollars at the dollar store. Also finally read Running with Scissors and Paris to the Moon. The latter was especially delightful as it brought back memories of my childhood in France.

I'm always so rejuvenated and creative at the beach especially during off-season when I have long stretches to myself. Composed several albums worth of material in my head - now forgotten.

Also at the beach, watched Alphaville DVD, caught Louis Malle's Atlantic City by chance (Susan Saradon as croupier wannabe/fishmonger, Burt Lancaster aging gigolo/playa wannabe - really a gem). Made poor choice for family viewing night: House of Yes. Rather stagey incest comedy. Not appreciated.

Wednesday night I bribed MJ with dinner and went to see Goldfrapp at the 9:30 Club. I must say that was a very tight show production wise. First of all she looks amazing, like an East German prostitute in latex stilletto knee-high boots with a Patty Hearst cap. It was a very generous set although she did not perform “Brown Paper Bags.” She had this mini-theramin thing and played it like a big long sahrp penis. The band had two electric violin things which had orchestral effects and were truly sublime. Really a solid show.

The funny thing was MJ and and I were looking down at the audience and she told me she didn't understand the funny hats people were wearing. I pointed out that she is seeing the Trucker Hat. Yes, the fuglies have finally hit DC, soon to appear in neighborhoods near you.

Trucker hats go so far past uncool they get second life as doubly-ironic fashion statements... in Los Angeles. Snicker. : From NY Post today

September 19, 2003 -- IF anyone ever any doubt about whether New York
was more fashion-forward than Los Angeles, the Von Dutch clothing craze
now gripping the late sleepers of La-La land should end any debate.
Besides inspiring the odious "trucker hat" trend, the L.A.-based line of
hot-rod inspired duds has become de rigueur for clueless clotheshorses
Britney Spears, Fred Durst, Ricky Martin, Justin Timberlake, Tara Reid -
and every other bubble-headed boldfacer without a whit of fashion sense.
Halle Berry's husband, the gooey R&B crooner Eric Benet, is pictured in
the new Us Weekly and In Touch wearing a Von Dutch trucker hat and
t-shirt, accessorized with a "rough and tumble" wallet chain. Apparently
the Von Dutch victims actually believe they look good. Thankfully, New
Yorkers haven't taken the bait. Spotting Von Dutch duds at a stylish
soiree in this town is still rarer than finding a tray of lasagna
backstage at a fashion show.

Since the only place to buy music at the beach is Walmart and their selection is too "edgy" for me, I went crazy upon my return. Still going through my new music so do not have any definitive opinions:

1) British Sea Power- The Decline of British Sea Power
next to the Libertines, this is the big breakout for me this year. Awesome music, concept, etc. Will be playing this for a while.

2) Pretty Girls Make Graves Modern Romance– don’t like it yet- don’t like the chick'svoice and the lyrics are really junior high school. Maybe I'll like them later.

3) Lost in Translation OST – very mellow and dreamy. Have to be in the mood. New work form Kevin Shields (My Bloody Valentine). I hear he has a gut and is balding now. Well I guess so am I.

Its on the Emperor Norton label. I pretty much dig everything they put out.

4) Received Linda Perhacs Parralelograms in mail from Other Music. This is a great find - really beautiful, strange.

Moon Cake

Aerosmith was just rehearsing. They sounded pretty good. It stopped raining. The Chinese Branch had a party and I ate moon cakes. Aretha Franklin has become obscenely fat and judging from the photo in Express, Take it For a Read, wicked cameltoe.

Long dull Labor Day weekend...

Today the new H&M is opening at the old Woodies. I'm curious, and despite the heat, I'll traverse the steamy national mall where Britney will be next week to check it out.

Club Monaco is having a big sale so I'll go tomorrow through Georgetown and also get a hair cut.

I'm bring home a huge zucchini and a huge squash.

I have to use my rainbow tomatos.

Movies to see this weekend:
1) Thirteen
2) The Other Side of the Bed
3) EVERYBODY SAYS I'M FINE!

Also have to watch my Netflix. Just recieved Nico:Icon which I already saw at the National Gallery years ago but feel like seeing again.

I think Katrina will have moved out by the time I get home. Haven't seen her for weeks anyways.

THE DINNER PARTY

Dedided to have the diinner party after all. MJ brought her housemate F who I'd never met and is very a very simpatico artist. I made my usual pasta, pine-nut, pesto, chicken, grape tomato thing with fresh asparagus and ice cream with blueberries and Vermont maple syrup. It was really mellow and relaxing. I took photos will post when I have the capability.