Patia Stephens :: Missoula, Montana

What should I blog about?

I am suddenly feeling rather tongue-tied (finger-tied?), for reasons I don't quite understand.

Maybe it's because I have something really really big to say, but I can't just yet.

Anyway. What should I blog about?

~

(Oh, those? Those are my new rainboots.

Everywhere I go, people stare at them and compliment me on them. Everyone loves them. Except my podiatrist. He said they're the worst shoes he's ever seen, in terms of support. I said, "You said that about my crocs!" And he said, "These are even worse than crocs."

He did admit they were cute, though. Right before telling me to save them for a rainy day.)

New West featured photo

This pic is today's featured photo on NewWest.net.

I shot it last week while wandering in the alley behind Macy's (formerly the Bon) in downtown Missoula. Until fairly recently, this building was home to Expert Tire. Now it's empty.

5 Facts About Beef and Bison

Quoted from "Bison's Back," an article in the February issue of Sunset magazine.

The U.S. cattle industry slaughters 125,000 animals a day.
As many as 30 million bison roamed North America before the Europeans arrived.
By the late 1880s, only about 1,000 bison remained.
There are now more than 450,000 bison in North America, mostly in private hands.
Montana landowner Ted Turner owns 45,000 bison.

Bison photo courtesy of Rebecca. Check out more of her Yellowstone photos here.

Missoula skies

The Internet is broken?

I seriously doubt the entire blogosphere (or at least my 158 feeds) has been completely silent for the last 12 hours, so I'm pretty sure my Bloglines feed reader is down. I love Bloglines, but damn, when it's not working I feel like Amy Winehouse on her first day in rehab.

~

I spent most of yesterday moping around feeling lonely and sorry for myself. Then, at 9 p.m. last night, my friend Jennifer and I decided, via Yahoo Messenger, to go out on the town when her husband got home from work at 10. (They have four little boys, and Jen is a student, so she hardly ever gets to go out.)

We got ourselves dolled up, went to Finnegan's for pie, then the Union Club and the Top Hat for drinks and music. We finished off the night with cheese fries and donuts from Mother Trucker (the BEST after-hours grub served out of a truck parked at the corner of Higgins and Spruce).

We laughed and took pictures and had so much fun.

~

Awesome. Ralph Nader is running for president.

While Clinton and Obama and the rest of the rest of the Democrats fall all over themselves denouncing Nader, I think he's brilliant.

Nader's not running because he thinks he'll win the election. He's not running because he wants to steal votes from the major democratic contenders. No, he's running because he wants to force the mainstream to pay attention to overlooked progressive issues like military spending, corporate welfare, the erosion of civil liberties and the continuing struggle of Hurricane Katrina victims.

Don't believe it? Witness this Nader quote: "If the Democrats can't landslide the Republicans this year, they ought to just wrap up."

Nader isn't some third-rate nutjob, as the mainstream would have us believe. No, he's an extremely intelligent man who truly cares about the average American. And I still want to have his lovechild.

~

I was just reading my NY Times newsletter and saw the following headline:

Birds Do It. Bees Do It. Dragons Don't Need To.
If some females can reproduce without males, why does any species have males?

Because we like them?

~

My latest adventure in online dating (or rather, not dating) was with a very interesting-sounding local guy who, upon seeing my profile, said I looked like a "smart, creative babe," had a "beautiful face," and thought "we'd be fun in bed together." Then he proceeded to tell me he'd pulled his ad because it was just a diversion and he needed to focus on getting himself together creatively and financially before he was ready to date.

Sigh.

~

I've been thinking maybe I need to throw in the towel on searching for my soulmate and just try to find someone to have fun with. Maybe I'll even have a kid on my own in a year or so, after I get myself in better shape physically. I'm tired of taking everything so seriously. It's just life, right?

~

It's gray and muddy and snowing lightly outside, but I've been hearing geese flying overhead. That can only mean one thing -- spring is on its way!

Total eclipse of the heart

Dear Flickr: Please give us our state back

From: Patia
Subject: Other Issues

Hello,

I'm an active, longtime Flickr member living in Montana.

The Montana group (http://www.flickr.com/groups/montana/) was created three years ago and has no members and no photographs. No one is able to join the group. I have messaged the admin several times but received no response.

It's really a bummer that "our" state name is unavailable for those of us who are active Montana photographers and Flickr members.

Would you please consider making the Montana group available again?

Thank you very much for your consideration.

Patia

===

From: Flickr Customer Care
Subject: [Flickr Case 554493] Re: Other Issues

Hello,

Thanks for writing in.

Unfortunately, there is nothing that we can do with groups. If the admin would like to add you, then he can, but we cannot force him to add you.

What I suggest is that you create a new group with a similar name and start a group like that. I apologize that there is nothing we can do.

Regards,
Do

===

From: Patia
Subject: Flickr Case 554493

Hi there,

Thanks for writing back.

The "Montana" group was created three years ago by a user named "Batthias." (http://www.flickr.com/photos/44647347@N00/) Batthias has zero photos, zero favorites, zero contacts and nothing in his profile. The Montana group also has zero photos and zero members.

Clearly, this group and this member have been completely inactive since the group was created three years ago.

I urge you to reconsider and make the Montana group available to myself or others who would like to make it an active group representing our great state.

We have many Montana-related groups, but none convey the meaningful importance that the name "Montana" would. This is no different than if a "California" or "Canada" group had been hijacked by someone who clearly has no interest in being an active Flickr member.

Thank you,
Patia Stephens

===

UPDATED:

From: Flickr Customer Care
Subject: Flickr Case 554493

Hello,

Thanks for writing in.

Unfortunately, we cannot remove him from a group without any reason. If he has violated any rules, then we may. But other than that, we cannot remove him from the group. I apologize for this.

Regards,
Do

===

If you are a Montana Flickr member, please join me in trying to wrest "our" group back from the abyss. Go to the Contact Flickr page and write a short note encouraging them to make the Montana group available to new members.

A very Missoula telephone pole

Alfredo Cipolato: Share your memories

Michael Moore of the Missoulian is collecting memories of Alfredo Cipolato, the beloved owner of the Broadway Market who recently died at age 95.

My favorite memory:

I loved how he always gave his customers a chunk of whatever cheese he was grating.

My thoughts go out to Alfredo's beautiful wife, Ann, his kids and his many friends. If you knew Alfredo, be sure to go over and leave a comment on Michael Moore's post.

Pulling my head out of the sand for a brief reality check

I just received an email from MoveOn.org with the following little fact:

As of today, we've spent over $495 billion in Iraq.

(Source: "The War in Iraq Costs, National Priorities Project," January 2008)

Four-hundred and ninety-five.

Billion.

This is sick, people. Sick, sick, sick. Imagine how much good that money could have done.

Instead, it's been used, in large part, to kill people. I don't even have the heart to go look up the latest numbers on how many U.S. soldiers and U.S. and Iraqi civilians have been killed.

When you're paying your 2007 taxes, keep in mind that 36 percent is going to current military spending. (Another 18 percent is paying for previous military spending.)

Vote the bastards out!!!

And now we return to your regular programming.

Clutter: Tools and tips for digging out

The Three Rules of Work:
Out of clutter, find simplicity.
From discord, find harmony.
In the middle of difficulty lies opportunity.
~ Albert Einstein

I have been on a major decluttering kick around my house. I always try to be tidy and organized, but things really got out of hand for a while there -- partly because I simply have too much stuff, partly because I was tired, and partly because I was planning to buy and move to a bigger house. That didn't happen, so now I'm trying to make my little 400-square-foot cabin a more peaceful, pleasant place to be. I've been ruthlessly sorting things -- books, clothes, kitchen gadgets, knicknacks -- and tossing them into the donation box or the trash.

My criteria for determining toss-worthy items is to ask: 1) Do I love it? 2) Do I use it? If the answer to at least one of those isn't a decisive "yes," out it goes.

Have nothing in your house that you do not
know to be useful, or believe to be beautiful.
~ William Morris

Where we get stuck is the thought, "But I might need it someday!" It's a trap, because we might need everything someday. Bottom line: If I don't love it, and I haven't used it in the past year, it needs to go. I used to be a major packrat, but broke the habit eight or 10 years ago by reading, researching and analyzing why I felt the need to hang on to so much stuff. (Moving several times also helped.) I think I've relapsed in the past year; now I'm getting back on the wagon!

I look at tossing stuff as a way to bless other people with things I no longer need. I try to trust that if in the future I need something, I will have the resources to acquire it.

Collections are another trap. I used to collect seashells, rocks, feathers, cobalt glass, funky cookbooks, magazines -- and a zillion other things. I broke the habit by deciding that collections are for museums.

Simplicity is the ultimate sophistication.
~ Leonardo da Vinci

Gifts are some of the hardest things to deal with -- like many people, I am prone to sentimentality and guilt. But Flylady says, "If it doesn't make you smile, get rid of it!" My place is simply too small to hang onto every knicknack, no matter how well-intended and thoughtful. (Sorry!)

Here are some resources that encourage and inspire me:

Flylady -- I call her the working-class Martha Stewart. She sends out frequent email reminders, essays and testimonials about the power of routines, decluttering and more. I adore her homespun, authentic wisdom -- especially her silly abbreviations, like "CHAOS = Can't Have Anyone Over Syndrome."
Martha Stewart -- of course. I love her Good Things and homekeeping tips, like how to quickly and effectively fold a T-shirt or put a duvet cover on a down comforter.
Real Simple -- This magazine is full of ways to become more organized and efficient in your home and life in general.
Better Homes and Gardens -- They publish infrequent special-edition magazines like "Simply Perfect Storage" and "Secrets of Getting Organized." (I confess I have a small collection of them.) Although the solutions proposed in these magazines are often expensive or unrealistic, they do inspire creative thinking about clutter control.
Unclutterer -- A recent discovery, this blog has lots of good ideas.

Do you have any favorite decluttering or organizing resources, tools or inspirations? Share!

5 Favorite Local Edibles

Tipu's chai
Le Petit Outre vanilla cream scones
Pattee Creek Market tortilla chips
Lifeline Farm garlic cheese curds
Blackened prime rib at The Depot

What are your local faves?

Moi, crowned

My talented friend Photo-John shot this picture of me when I had a layover in SLC in December.

What I know about love

I'd like to write something profound about love, but what do I know?

Nurtured on a steady diet of pop culture, Anais Nin, California nonconformity and Montana mythology, I always imagined I'd lead a life of romantic adventure before finally settling down with my soulmate.

After a somewhat promiscuous youth, I moved in with my boyfriend when I was 18. Our stormy relationship lasted two and a half years. Once, when I threatened to leave him, he said I was so fat no one else would want me. I swore I'd never put up with that kind of treatment again.

Whether out of fat or fear, I spent most of my twenties and thirties single. A few dates here; a few brief, unfulfilling encounters there. I tried to hold out for love, but it never came.

Now inexplicably on the cusp of middle age and infertility, I am haunted by what might have been, what might never be. I know I reek of desperation. I know I am a fool. Romantic comedies make me cry.

I've heard all the well-intended but infuriating platitudes: "You have to love yourself first." "You have to be clear about what you want." "You'll find him when you stop looking."

I have stopped looking, plenty of times. The problem is, I can't stop hoping.

Winter wonderland

I've been memed

Nicole has tagged me with the 4 Things meme.

4 Jobs I've Held:

Photo lab tech
Editorial assistant
News editor
Web content manager

4 Movies I've Watched Over and Over Again:

The Rocky Horror Picture Show
Bull Durham
Thelma and Louise
The Full Monty

4 Places I've Been:

New York
New Orleans
Chicago
Miami

4 Places I've Lived:

Soquel
San Francisco
Thompson Falls
Whitefish

4 TV Shows I Watch:

Martha Stewart
Northern Exposure
Oprah, sometimes
Not really watching any other shows right now

4 Radio Shows I Listen To:

NPR podcasts (hourly news, books, movies, technology)
Writers on Writing podcast
Montana Evening Edition
Rush Limbaugh (just kidding)

4 Things I Look Forward To:

Spring
Our next president
Barbara Kingsolver's next book
The end of the holiday gauntlet (Feb. 15)

4 Favorite Foods:

Pad see ew (Thai noodles)
The rice noodle pork roll at Sam Wo's
Jack in the Box tacos
Blueberry pigs

4 Places I'd Rather Be:

Under a down comforter with Chris Stevens
Having a pedicure at Sorella's
Floating the Bitterroot River in August
On a cruise ship somewhere exotic

4 People I email regularly:

Brenda
Rebecca
Don
Thea

4 People to Tag:

My quest for love just gets better and better

This is one of my latest quick matches on OKCupid. Here's part of his profile:

i love to hunt, gold mine, yard sales, and playing chess. i am a happy guy who has fun.i have almost stopped drinking never did drink much but Finley figured out i am dumb enough sober. i can be happy living out of my back . for you guys who look like girls and guys who like guys i want nothing to do with you. you anti gun anti hunting idiots i do not need to hear your views in fact i will set 1 dozen traps for ever one of you who trys to convert me to your bull chit. i will also teach a girl to shoot and hunt .....

I'm just wondering who Finley is -- his best friend? His brother? His dog?

That's a rifle slung over his shoulder, by the way, and there are not one, but two pistols in his, uh, codpiece?

Obama '08: Yes, we can

From the Barack Obama website:

This is it. We are the ones we've been waiting for. We are the change that we seek.

We won the most states and the most delegates on Super Tuesday because a movement of people decided to take back the political process and participate in unprecedented numbers.

Today we set a new goal: 500,000 people giving to our campaign this year by March 4th.

Thank you for making a donation and helping us reach our goal. Now make an even bigger difference by inviting your family, friends, and neighbors to join our movement.

I was surprised to see that my donation to Barack Obama's campaign was matched by some guy named Louis B. in Virginia. His note said he had just finished serving eight years in the U.S. Navy, and that he wished he'd served under an Obama administration. How cool is that?

Join me and make a matched donation now.

It's that time of year

Life 2.0

Errands. Grocery shopping. Cleaning. Organizing. Filing. Recycling. Laundry. House-sitting. Snow-shoveling.

Would your life be easier if you had someone to help you with this stuff?

Mine sure is.

Random Task Engineer rocks. And it's a lot less expensive than you'd think.

Tell Thea I sent you.

P.S. Hey guys? This would make an awesome Valentine's present. Trust me on this one.

Letterman's Top Ten List with Barack Obama

Still life at Betty's Divine

I'm supposed to be a hermit, dammit!

It's now been a month since I became self-employed.

I've been struggling to settle into a productive routine. It's time for me to get strict with myself -- and with others. I don't mean to be rude, but I am going to have to set some limits on my availability. It's just too hard for me to focus when I'm running into town every day and trying to accommodate everyone's schedule but my own.

(Unless you're paying me. That's a different story.)

I have typed up a schedule for myself. Starting tomorrow, I'll be working from 4 p.m. to midnight. (Yeah, it's a night owl's schedule.) I'm going to do my best to schedule any necessary appointments between 1 and 4 p.m., hopefully only one or two days a week. On those days, I may be able to squeeze in a lunch or coffee date. But by 4 p.m., my butt is going to be in my chair and I'm going to be working.

I'll allow myself one or two wild cards a week for going out for dinner or drinks or a long hike. (Or snowshoeing!) My goal is to stay home at least four or five days a week.

I'm sorry, but I'm a writer. I need to go into my cave now.

Montana.com for sale on eBay

Got an extra $150,000+?

The primo domain name Montana.com is listed on eBay. Currently, the bid is $150,100, up from the starting bid of $25,000. The reserve has not been met -- meaning the seller has set an unknown limit below which s/he will not sell the domain. Bidders are anonymous.

The long-neglected, Missoula-based portal is, according to WhoIs.net, registered to Mary Worden at Blackfoot Telecommunications.

The eBay listing says, in part:

We are offering one of the most desirable domain names currently available. This is a great opportunity for a major corporation or independent to establish recognition and market presence wiht [sic] this easily remembered name.

The auction ends Monday at 9:55 a.m.

Plump & Rosy With HONEST Fleshiness of Form

I really think these ads, circa 1891, speak for themselves.

Thanks to: Brenda Day, Mary Kay Wardlaw, MissPlump.net, Body Positive and Cat & Dragon. Posters available at Mark Twain Books.

A little visual palate cleanser

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