When a Tree Falls in Shaw

Looking out my front door July 23, 2009 3:10 pm.



























The 20 foot + tall crepe myrtle in full bloom was no match for the afternoon storm.


























Was it lightning?

























Photos: Roy Omar Alexander

Who Doesn't Love Keyboard Cat?

Perez Hilton and Haley Joel Osment get played off!

Unisolating My Life with Skippy the Licensed Therapist

Recently during our weekly session Skippy the Licensed Therapist (STLT) suddenly looked up from his iPhone and said "You isolate yourself too much. This is the root cause of many of your problems. You will never fix your medical problems without also addressing this"

Herb: Huh?

STLT: To erase it you must face it.

Herb: You stole that from Suze Orman!

STLT: You need more funemployment.

Herb: That's Clark Howard!

STLT: Honey, time marches on and eventually you realize it is marchin' across your face.

Herb: Why are you channeling "Steel Magnolias"?

STLT: Fake it until you make it!

Herb: AA?

STLT: I'm sure when the autopsy comes, all hell's going to break loose. So, thank God we're celebrating him now.

Herb: That's from Liza. And we weren't even discussing Michael Jackson yet. Pay attention!

STLT: Your insurance only covers 8 more sessions this year.

Herb: OK, Gotcha!

So I am trying to unisolate which is very difficult when you have had 15 + years perfecting being a loner--admittedly the cute, nice kind of loner not the bitter, crazy type that shoots up Whole Foods when they are out of pecan crusted trout.

So last weekend I participated in the following unisolating activities:

Gardening

JessiCub and I worked in my much neglected garden. And by worked I mean I pointed at the mounds of decaying dog poo and he picked them up while explaining his get rich plan that somehow includes Twitter, naked Bear Happy Hour and Tyra Banks.

14th and U Farmers Market

Okay I am there ever Saturday anyway but now I know that it is a medically prescribed procedure like green tea enemas. I lingered over the peaches and talked about the weather. Good practice! Apparently unisolated people like to talk about the weather a lot.

Brunch

Some of the restaurants I order food from for delivery actually have an interior space where you can "dine in." Who knew? Sunday I went to Cafe Salsa on 14th St and I have to say it was wonderful! I believe we talked about the weather.


















I plan on more unisolated activities soon. If you see me, please be gentle and only discuss the weather. Or organic enemas. I'm just a beginner!

So Why Aren't Your Posts Showing Up On My Wall Anymore?

Cathy: So why aren't your posts showing up on my wall anymore Herb? Did you "hide" me?

Nope, Cathy. I've been taking a break from Facebook for about a month. No more Farmtown, endless self-indulgent quizzes or Michael Jackson mash up videos.

It's actually kinda nice, although really I have no excuse now for ignoring my blog. I do have more time to watch Operation Repo, the best fake reality show on TV.

This is their "Beat It" repo salute to Michael Jackson, I guess. Seems like I really can't escape him after all!




More Repo cast pictures...

The Cab Ride

"Dupont Circle please" I told the driver as I climbed into his cab today.

"Where in Dupont?" he asked.

"Anywhere. I'll find it."

I don't recall much of the short trip from U Street and mostly was lost in thoughts about my 11:00 am meeting.

Arriving at the circle I handed him $6.00 for the $4.25 fare, giving him a five and a one.

He handed me the dollar bill back.

Not sure he understood I attempted to give him the dollar again and he silently waved it off.

This interchange dominated my thoughts today and I still ponder its meaning.

Maybe there is no meaning but that dollar bill is now on my refrigerator door and I see it each time I walk into the kitchen. I know I need to do something with it but for now it will remain there until I better understand.

Live Blogging the Michael Jackson Memorial Service

CNN's Anderson Cooper just said...or maybe we should just shut our eyes for a minute...

ZZZ

Happy Fur of July!

Aretha Franklin, the Queen of Soul in her fur trimmed outfit on the Mall for the PBS broadcast of A Capitol Fourth.

"R-E-S-P-E-C-T find out what I mean to mink."