My apologies to those of you still in the grip of winter but this is how my daughter spent this past Monday afternoon.

The photos are courtesy of Hans Hedemann Surf School for whom she did a photo shoot for an upcoming brochure. They are responsible for turning Cyd into a surf chick.

Say she’s cute. Go ahead. You can do it!

==========
From: Babs
Sent: Thursday, February 17, 2005 1:55 PM
To: Tracy
Subject: Hrm..

Either Amazon seriously screwed up my birthday gift to you, or I just got way kewl beans treats from you!!!

Me

==========
From: Tracy
Sent: Thursday, February 17, 2005 2:10 PM
To: Babs
Subject: RE: Hrm..

Did you open up your beans to find out?

My beans shouldn’t reach you until next week, if that makes you feel better, but I wanted them to be a surprise. So you might have sent yourself my gift and then next week you’ll get mine to you.

Ironic, isn’t it?

Tracy

==========
From: Tracy
To: Babs
Sent: Thursday, February 17, 2005 12:15 PM
Subject: RE: Hrm..

My beans are still en route to you and are scheduled to arrive sometime after 2/22.

Help! help! My sister stole my birthday gift! Help!

Tracy

==========
From: Babs
To: Tracy
Sent: Thursday, February 17, 2005 12:21 PM
Subject: Re: Hrm..

well i’m listening to your beans, sister dear, and they are entirely awesome. you rock.

did you get my beans yet!?

Love,
Me

===========
From: Babs
Sent: Thursday, February 17, 2005 2:28 PM
To: Tracy
Subject: Fw: Hrm..

I just checked the website and your beans aren’t scheduled to arrive until after the 22nd, which steams me (do you like steamed beans?) because when I ordered them it was 5-7 business days, which means it should be there tomorrowish. I wish they’d make up their minds!!

Me

==========
From: Tracy
To: Babs
Sent: Thursday, February 17, 2005 12:43 PM
Subject: RE: Hrm..

I have no beans. Where are they going, to the office? So you have Anonymous 4 already yet? I knew you’d like them.

Amazon tracking says my shipment to you is in Pennsylvania right now. When did you move to the east coast?

Tracy

==========
From: Babs
Sent: Thursday, February 17, 2005 12:52 PM
To: Tracy
Subject: RE: Hrm..

They are going to your house because I didn’t think to send them to your office. Yes, I have Anonymous 4 already…so I guess I’m living in Pittsburg (gooooo Steelers!) and am in a time zone about one week ahead of yours!!

Hee!

Gryph, Gryph, Gryph. This is what I get for doing 1337$|o3@|< on your website, isn't it? And Tracy...Tracy, Tracy, Tracy. You're right, I can't resist!

Total amount of music files on computer:
4.6 megs. Yep, that’s all. Most of my music comes to me in CD form, ripped or from the record distributors. I have about 500 CDs (so far).

Last CD I bought:
On the recommendation of a friend I bought Jeff Buckley’s “Grace.” I suggest it for every woman who has ever wished a man understood how she loved.

Last song I listened to before reading this message:
“Amanda” by Boston. Ya dig?

Five songs I listen to often or that mean a lot to me:
There are more than five because I’m an old chick, k? But the ones that come to mind right now are:

“Everyday” by Dave Matthews Band — Something about Dave’s vocals, something about the simplicity of this little love song, rock my world. Someday someone will sing it just for me. Until then, I’ll just pretend Dave is doing so…“Pick me up, love, from the bottom up to the top, love, everyday. Pay no mind to taunts or advances, I take my chances on everyday.”

“Curbside Prophet” by Jason Mraz — He’s young and he’s from San Diego but that’s all besides the point. The kid has verve. This ditty makes me feel very good in general. It’s become one of my favorite avante garde anthems since it came out last year…I’m just a Curbside Prophet with my hand in my pocket and I’m waiting for my rocket to come, y’all.

“Requiem” by Mozart — A more maudlin Ninja Doll cleans her house to this. I think it ties with my other housekeeping chart-topper (which is actually a whole album), “The Cross Of Changes” by Enigma. Favorite cut on the album? “Return To Innocence.”

“Alla Dolce Ombra” as performed by the Quink Vocal Quintet on the album, “Renaissance Madrigals.” I find this piece quite refreshing and soothing and usually have it on in the background when I’m writing. I have no idea what they’re singing but for me it is expansive and breathtaking. The really funny thing is that I also listen to Adiemus when in creative mode, and when I cruised over to my sister’s site, I found out she listens to them when she writes, too. o/~ Sisters…sisters…~\o Hee!

“First Love” by Marcello. When this very minor rock love ballad debuted on MTV it was the year 1989. I loved the video so I bought the CD. It was the first song I played in my (then) brand new, Maserati-designed, Chrysler LeBaron convertible with the Bose stereo system. I was 30, I was single, I was all over this damned island with the top down and the speakers up full. Rowr!

I’m adding an honorable mention category of my own (surprised?) that includes anything by Steely Dan, Journey, Chicago, Cecilio & Kapono, Kalapana, Def Leppard, Boz Scaggs, and Dan Fogelberg. Especially Boz Scaggs and Dan Fogelberg. Toldya I’m an old chick.

What three people am I passing this baton to and why:
The Wolf because it’s part of the onion peeling process, Cathi because I have no idea what she listens to these days, and Mahealani because I’m the diva and she is in training.