I've been away a long time, on a job, feeding the monster. The news monster, and not the big one either, just a local, pocket monster. But really, the way news works these days, what's the difference, other than salary, awards, respect, and prestige.
It's all about shoveling the fuel as fast as you can. Regardless of size, the monster never chews, just gulps and belches and asks for more.
When the job finally ended last Friday, I thought I'd hop right back on the blog train. I was wrong.
When you spend all day and all night scouring the internet or attending meetings for more monster-fodder, the first thing to go is literary style -- your voice. The second thing to go is the butt. You spend all day in a chair, need I say more?
It's a Titanic effort to turn my mind from the act of writing to the practice of relaying information, and an equal effort to reverse course. Some people can dance between both sides of their brain; I have to get down on the mat and wrestle. My brain is slow to turn, but it's a reliable chap and eventually follows the compass.
I like my brain. Not to sound too Cartesian about this, but we've been friends for a long time. And though, from a young age, I've been told it could do more if pushed and shoved into more rigorous action, I kind of doubt that.
Though not the best brain in the world, it can do a lot of things, just not all at once.
When I ask the wheels to turn in a different direction, we get all physical about it, and hike heart-thumpingly long and fast. It helps the voice and it's good for the butt.
Property I found last week when feeding the monster. The agents were nice enough to let me snoop around today (with Albert) because they saw the post.
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34 comments:
I'm glad
you're back,
don't explain.
It's just the tune that played in my head, not exactly relevant. I like the house. Is it in Altadena?
I'm glad you're back too! Such a house this is.
You were gone??
I hear putting picture frames together is also very therapeutic. It's good to have you back. And I'm glad there were some perks after all, like snooping by invitation rather than necessity.
Welcome back, Hiker. Yes, it's good to have you back. We all benefit from your great brain, voice and eye. Love these photos. My favorite is the fireplace cast in shadows from the pergola.
I am glad you are back!
Beautiful house and I agree with Susan, my favorite photo is of the shadow from the pergola.
I missed you! You weren't writing for the hyperlocal, and you weren't on the blog, so I wondered what had happened. Mind you, even recently in the hyperlocal, your reports still stood out, like the piece you did recently about the hot weather. Welcome back to AH (all those fast hikes up Echo mountain have done wonders for your style), but I'll miss your Tuesday articles (and the comments they brought forth) very much.
"It's all about shoveling the fuel as fast as you can. Regardless of size, the monster never chews . . ." When I read that, I figured you'd been missing your voice, traded for info. Add me to the list of those who are glad you've returned to it.
Quite a house!
Maybe it's not important, or none of my business, but I'm not sure just what the paying gig was. Anyway, welcome back, poverty and all.
Glad you're back!
We like your brain, too-
Glad you're back. I will never understand you....are you psychic? Did you know my mother!!! Your perceptiveness never ceases to amaze me Karin. My mother was not happy in Detroit, all the aunts were happy homemakers but moms was 50s feminist. Which drove dad mad. You read her face perfectly....geesh.
I wondered where u were hiding!. Missed your posts here!.
Welcome back, mysterious lady.
The house, built in 1925, is at Rubio and Holliston. It's huge, but selling for only $1.25 million because it needs work and plenty of it. I say we all chip in and open up a B&B.
I love elaborate old houses. That one is pretty nice; love the wainscot on the staircase and in the next room. Welcome back; I've missed you while you were feeding the monster.
And I wouldn't classify that as huge - what, 5000 SF? I think once we all cram into that B&B, we're gonna be in each others' faces a lot. Still, it looks like the bones of it are good, but the bathrooms are probably a little scary, and someone probably did a horrific kitchen update 40 or 50 years ago. (I live in a 1928 house, my second, and have plenty of experience with scary bathrooms and horrific kitchen updates!)
There are friendly monsters, ya know. Welcome back, monster and all!
I bet there are exciting rooms here.
Returned from the Gulag, eh, comrade?
I've been lifting weights in my free time - good for a broken wing, and spirits occasionally near trashed.
Welcome back!
The house is beautiful, some very nice features. Good photos.
And now reconnecting with that "creative voice" you have, the writing....
I had a typo, so removed the post. Feel exposed now. Just wanted to say, that house is a bargain!
So stylish and pretty.
Were you away KB?
Yipee you've come back to us! Losing your voice and butt to the Monster does not sound like a fun way to spend time away, but it sounds like you're getting them both back. Nice looking house. I like the idea of all pitching in for it. And I'll throw in my lifeguarding services.
Very nice photo shot, thanks for sharing.
I just figured you and The Albert went for a walk and forgot to turn left - or even right, Hiker. Welcome back and I hope whoever was on the receiving end of your efforts appreciated your work as much as we do.
We missed you. Glad you are back.
Yep...you were missed!!! I'd do my rounds in the morning and get to yours with high hopes that you'd be back...and then the let down when you still were away!!! Ohhh the jubilation when I clicked and there you were again!!!
Welcome back. I've missed you. :o)
ok, Cafe is banned for a week for that comment! ;-)
Sounds like you had "fun". We missed you, but I'm sure the Fisher Investments folks kept up with you!
B&B...uuuh, no thanks. But I'll bring along my sawzall to help with the "fixup" if someone puts in the $1.25M...sheesh! Fixers are so expensive these days!
I didn't know you weren't around because I haven't been around...
Welcome back though! About the house now, that little table attached to the wall in the entry is awesome! I'd like the house just for that table alone.
@Pat..I love that you'd buy the house just for the table in the hallway!!! And yeah...it's a great table!!!
"It's a Titanic effort to turn my mind from the act of writing to the practice of relaying information, and an equal effort to reverse course."
yes
"Some people can dance between both sides of their brain"
Maybe, if your under 30, but I've yet to meet one.
If you do something unrelated to your field, you can. Often that desire for time to do what you want can enhance your abilities with what little time you do have.
This does not include teaching within your field. Which seems to not only enhance your practice, but create opportunity and keep you within the thought process.
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