He Built That

Front and center - right where Old Wildcat belongs.

Movie Madness - Smashed

Book Club - People

Must be that the rest of us are braid-dead lately, too, since this month's book club selection was any old edition of People Magazine. We surround the bonfire anyway at Camp Leslie for some s'mores, some birthday cake, and lots of other sweet, sweet DD treats. 

Spamalot

Always look on the bright side of life!

even when it's easier said than done...

Clinton - Carmona!

WOW!!! What a night. Thousands of like-minded souls gathered HERE in Tempe to cheer for Carmona and welcome back rock star Clinton to ASU. He spoke of the old 1996 rally, which helped make him the first Democrat in a long time to carry Arizona. He went on and on (check out video) in a clear, simple, example-filled way, describing why we need a man like Carmona serving in D.C. He talked about youth - what it's like to have more yesterdays than tomorrows and how important it is not to waste a minute. Even Kevin Johnson (my all-time fave Sun from back in the glory days, sorry, Charlie) flew in from Sacramento to get us all hyped up after the cool Jimmy Eat World performance. After a tough week in the polls, it was good to be out and about with those who think fair and balanced should refer to our government, not some fake news station. Pre-rally, I caught up with some day-drinkin' sistahs (and one fella) for a little wine and, after covering all the usual topics, we sunk into politics, a scary place to go with this birther crowd. I had to scoot out early for my date with Bill, and felt bad for leaving my one fellow blue-girl-in-a-red state amiga to take one for the team all by herself. But all was not lost - the table next to us paid for her drinks! A toast to liberal values, they said! Make fun of Arizona all you want, but tonight it was Home Sweet Home.

House Call

Took Dr. Everythingwillbealright down the street for a little House call, finally getting over to the terrific new restaurant opened by local chef extraordinaire, Matt Carter. We saw him whip up something at Phoenix Cooks last month, love his other places, Mission and Zinc, and now we're in trouble again. Yum. Welcome to the neighborhood.

Movie Madness - Oranges

The perfect sweet, juicy snack for a long-lunch Monday.

The Agony and Ecstasy of Steve Jobs

It's a good thing Shawn accidentally left his skinny new iPhone 5 at home, because by the time we left the Herberger today, we were feeling pretty guilty about our obsession with all things Apple. Besides being a hilarious journey through the life and times of Steve Jobs, we were reminded just how brutal working conditions are in China at the Foxconn factory, pushing young, intelligent employees to the brink (literally, dozens have jumped off the top of the building) so we can have the newest and shiniest toy the minute it is released at a fairly low cost while Apple rakes in the profits.

Read more about the performance by Mike Daisy.

Caving to corporate greed, shipping jobs overseas, eliminating safety regulations and labor laws doesn't seem like the way a cool vegan hippie from California would have imagined selling his wares in the beginning, but that's what happened. Hopefully, with continued press, things will change. I read today about a first-ever, above the minimum wage, 25% pay increase for Foxconn workers. Next, maybe the rest of us will demand some changes and be able to go back to the blinders-on, larger than life (even in death) idol-worshipping of the good 'ol days.

First Friday

Left the Scottsdale bubble and hit the barstools at Portland's for a pre-art drink, catching up with the gals and running into friends from the 'hood before heading to Legend City Studios (not the beloved Legend City from my youth)

where we saw some awe-inspiring art, mingled with the artists, including Maggie's groovy niece, Diomira,

who did this to her back today (OMG - never would have seen that at the original Legend City) before strolling down Roosevelt Row where art, boutiques, kettle corn and the ten o'clock Zombie Parade capped off a fun night.

Whoa...who were those two guys?

Early voting starts 10/11 - Vote (in person is best)

Movie Madness - Unforgivable

Kept the Pine Party going with a trip to Venice. Cool movie, if you can keep up.