Miss J's Garden 5_31_09

Miss J is dong something a bit differently in the garden this year... sweet peas are everywhere. They'll die back by July, so Miss J is planting tomatoes, squash, etc. almost right on top of them in an attempt to maximize her small space. Bell peppers went into the rose garden, too.

And Now for the Next Big Thing

Mama Janey pays a visit to the Janeys starting on June 11. Miss J and her Mama have been planning their agenda for weeks and weeks. During the day, they will visit sights of cultural significance- the Huntington, Heritage Square, the Channel Island Nature Preserve. Evenings will be spent yacking over grapefruit margaritas.

You Can't Keep A Good Gay Down.

Even if the courts haven't caught on yet, the times, they are a changin'

Sergio Garcia, a gay student, beats out the female candidates. His campaign started out as a bit of a stunt, but it ended up generating dialogue about gender roles on the L.A. campus.

Sergio Garcia, an 18-year-old senior, said he “felt invincible” after beating out the female candidates. And one of his peers said Garcia's win “just shows how open-minded our class is."

By Ari B. Bloomekatz from the LA Times

Sergio Garcia stood in the gymnasium and told the senior class at Fairfax High School not to worry: If he was elected, he wouldn't wear a dress.

"I will be wearing a suit," Garcia said, "but don't be fooled, deep down inside, I am a queen!"

Garcia, 18, spent most of his years at Fairfax openly gay and wanted to be part of the Los Angeles school's prom court -- but not as prom king. He felt that vying for prom queen would better suit his personality, so he decided to seek that crown, running against a handful of female classmates.

He said it started out as a bit of a stunt and challenge -- he wasn't sure the school would allow it. But his campaign for queen ended up being serious and sparking dialogue about gender roles on campus.

A few days before the dance and election, the contenders gave short speeches on why they deserved the crown.


"At one time, prom may have been a big popularity contest where the best-looking guy or girl were crowned king and queen. Things have changed and it's no longer just about who has the most friends or who wears the coolest clothes," Garcia told the crowd of seniors. "Sure, I'm not your typical prom queen candidate. There's more to me than meets the eye."

The audience erupted in applause after his speech, and a group of his female friends spent the rest of the week wearing pink crowns and campaigning for him.

On Saturday night at the Hollywood Roosevelt Hotel, wearing a charcoal-gray tuxedo and a black bow tie, he was named prom queen.

"I felt invincible," Garcia said.

He's among the first male students in Southern California to take the title usually owned by female high school beauties.

"It just shows how open-minded our class is," said Vanessa Lo, 18, the school's senior class president.

Lo said that she, like many students, had initially been against the idea of Garcia running for prom queen. But she said he "spoke with complete confidence" and carried himself in a way that made students believe he was serious, not a class clown or joker just trying to get attention.

"His speech was great," recalled Unique Payne, 17, a senior who said she voted for Garcia. "I did it because I support the gay community," she said.

Although many students were supportive of Garcia's run, others were upset and didn't understand why Garcia chose to run for prom queen.

"I'm not really happy about that. He should've run for prom king," said 17-year-old senior Juan Espinoza.

Espinoza said he has nothing against Garcia but believes many students voted for him as a joke so they could see the prom king dance with another guy on prom night.

One member of the prom court also said she didn't think it was right for a male student to take the crown.

Garcia, who lives in Mid-City and is an aspiring choreographer and hairdresser, said he didn't plan on running for prom queen until notices were posted around school. The qualifications didn't include gender, and he said running for king didn't quite feel right.

"I didn't really know if the school approved. I thought 'Why can't I do it?' " Garcia said. "I see myself as a boy with a different personality. . . . I don't wish to be a girl; I just wish to be myself," he said.

Some teachers and students were encouraging, others told him not to "stir things up," he said. But his close friends continued to support him, and after his speech, the campus community seemed to be coming around to the idea.

Fairfax High, which is near West Hollywood at the intersection of Melrose and Fairfax avenues, has often been at the forefront of the gay rights struggle. It has a Gay-Straight Alliance student group on campus, and Project 10, an on-site support program for gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender youth, was started there in 1984 after a social worker wanted to help a gay student who was being harassed by his peers. The program has since been expanded to encompass the entire Los Angeles Unified School District.

Project 10's founder, Virginia Uribe, said she was encouraged by news of Garcia's crowning. She said that in the last two years, there have been similar elections to prom and homecoming courts in high schools and colleges around the nation.

"I think that indicates where our society is right now. That the young people, they are not involved in this whole argument about gay rights. They think this whole fight is silly. They just accept people for who they are," Uribe said. "Gender-bending is just kind of in," she said.

ari.bloomekatz@latimes.com

Nine Big Ones

Nine years ago , the Janeys took the big leap into wedded bliss. Of course, all has not been bliss every minute- such are the vagaries of life. But Miss J is happy to report she couldnot have chosen a better man for herself and she wouldn't trade him for the world. And g-damn- what a fun wedding.





Mr. J on the drum kit...



The ladies found him bigger than The Beatles.

Almost Nine

To celebrate their upcomng 9th anniversary, the Janeys spent Sunday night at the The Langham, Huntington Hotel & Spa, Pasadena a staycation or sorts, since its just s few miles form home. Bad news was- their room wasn't ready when they were arrived for check-in. Good news was: UPGRADE, baby! To a Langham Club Room with:

"spectacular views of The Horseshoe Garden or San Gabriel Mountains, and includes access to the privacy of The Langham Club with a dedicated Concierge and five distinct culinary presentations throughout the day." Whoohoo!

Miss J has decided she would like to be a permanent member of the Langham Club. She could enjoy their delicate blintzes for breakfast, swing back by for their mini sammies for a mid-day snack and close the day with sparkling wine and chocolate covered strawberries. Upgrade style, and by that she means FREE, bitches. Ahhh. The world would be so much better if good stuff was free.

Doesn't Mr. J look handsome for dinner?

Miss J rockin' her new dress. Thirty bucks from Target...

Tres leches cake... delicious.

Sunset from the Club Room window, enjoyed with sparkling wine.

The picture bridge features paintings of California landmarks.

... like this one of the Santa Barbara MIssion.

Miss J loves- LOVES! weddings- even the weddings of strangers. There were no fewer than four happening Sunday evening at the Langham, which allowed MIss J to oggle the beautiful brides in their gorgeous dresses, the lovely flowers, etc. This arrangement was for a wedding that took place on the lawn. From her room, Miss J watched the bride cross the lawn with her father... weddings are such happy events. No wonder Miss J likes to spy on them.

Addendum:

Speaking of marriage, the Supreme Court has upheld Prop H8... Bad news that makes Miss J want to cry. Marriages during the time before H8 passed will stand as legal. The battle will continue.

Janey Garden

Miss J spent Sunday in the garden... here's the update you have all been awaiting.

This agave's um, stalk, shot up some months ago. The Janey's have been anticipating spectacular foliage emerging from it's towering tumescence. Yeah, not so much. Just some fluffy yellow fuzz...





But the bees love it so its all good.

One of Miss J's favorite natives, a matiljia poppy in full bloom.

The first sunflower of the year...

Copper Canyon Daisy (Compositae Tagetes lemmonii). A native of Texas so its fairly drought resistant and tolerates the heat well. More importantly, its aroma is like a marigold time a thousand. Musky and sagey- Miss J loooves it. This one looks scrubby as it was just put it. Eventually it'll fill out and get to be up to 4 feet tall and across.

Miss J's bird bath- finally clean. Behind it, the newly planted Carpenteria Californica (Bush Anemone). To the right, newly planted mimulus.

Miss J's fig tree, probably dying. Junior, who is fond of pulling down palm fronds, mistook it for a palm tree and pulled it over. (Proof that "it's funny until someone gets hurt.") Miss J got the great idea to move it while she was fixin' it, and accidentally ripped out some sizeable roots in the process. Tsk, tsk... There is little better than a fig right off the tree. But not this year. Maybe never again from this tree. Bummer.

Miss J loves these roses- Rosa 'Mutabilis' chinensis. Single petal. The blooms change color the longer they are open. Of course, all roses change colors in that they fade. These change from yellow to orange to pink to red... so there are multiple colors on any bush. Really lovely.

As Honest as a Blogger

Mr. Peenee has tagged Miss J with the Honest Blogger meme. The point is to write 10 honest things about yourself. Like Mr. P (who Miss J shamelessly plagiarized above and below) Miss J feels she's pretty dang honest in her blog- sometimes too much so. But whatevs. Miss J loves a tag. Saves her from having to think of something else to blog about. So here we go...

10 Honest Things

1. Miss J’s favorite part of her body is her hair. Miss J cannot deny she has enviable hair. It’s only fault was that it started graying when Miss J was still in her 20s. She recounts that horrifying day and other hair horrors here .

2. Miss J fears flying. She didn’t used to. Once upon a time, she flew to and from Japan several times without problems. In her 30s, that started changing. It wasn’t 9/11- she had imagined similar scenarios years before that happened. Mr. J bought her a relaxation tape years ago for fearful flyers. It was recorded by a man who was a pilot for TWA and whose wife was a therapist. It helped. But is still a drag for Miss J. And for Mister J.

3. Miss J loves yard work but hates housework. She will spend weekends gardening until she is so tired she can barely stand. But vacuuming, dusting, scrubbing the floors… ugh. Miss J would rather have her skin peeled off than do it. And by the way, she did not get this from Mama Janey. Mama J’s house was spotless.

4. Miss J never wanted to have children of her own. She has considered adopting but still just can’t get there yet. Miss J thinks that EVERY person under the age of 18 should be implanted with birth control and that NO ONE should be allowed to reproduce until they are tested and found emotionally, psychologically and financially able to care for children.

5. Miss J cannot abide celery. The only thing she’ll add it to is turkey stuffing. Miss J makes a KICK ASS macaroni salad (Mr. J’s fave) and she will NOT besmirch it with celery. She uses celery seed instead.

6. Miss J needs seven to eight hours sleep a night. If she doesn’t get it, she’s exhausted, moody and miserable the next day. Not unlike how she feels right now.

7. Miss J has not seen her birth father since she was 16. Since he behaved inappropriately when she did see him, it is unlikely she’ll see him again. If she does, he’d better fucking duck and run. Miss J knows how to hold a grudge.

8. Miss J has had her nose bloodied from being punched in it. Three times. But at least she got her own shots in before.

9. Miss J picks her cuticles. Terribly. Like, until they bleed. It’s her most embarrassing habit and she does it without even being aware she’s doing it.

10. Miss J frequently has dreams in which she is flirting and about to have sex with someone other than Mr. J. She always wakes up before the act is consummated. Even in her sleep Miss J cannot be unfaithful.

Miss J tages Sageweb , Monkeyshines , and Une femme if they want to partake.

..and All I got Was this Lousy Photo

Miss J saw the most amazing bird this morning on her hike with Jenkins. As has occurred previously, a little voice instructed Miss J, “Bring your camera today.” Alas she disregarded that smart little voice. So instead of some awesome pictures of the unknown bird, all she has are blurred and tiny images taken with her Crackberry.

Though he resembled a blue jay with his dark blue feathers, he was much larger. Miss J estimates he was 18 inches. He was perched on a log at water's edge and had bright orange webbed feet- no doubt he was a type of water fowl. Some kind of white crest hung down the back of his head.

Miss J doesn’t know much about birds thus she has no idea what breed he is. But he was truly magnificent to see. No doubt MIss J will spend a lot of time today on the interwebs trying to discern exactly what he was. Oh well. There are worse ways to spend a Friday.

Junior"s Tree Trimming Service

First he spies the palm frond, then he attempts to get it. When Miss J directs him to a lower hanging frond, he makes it his bitch. Oh- and he almost took out Miss J in the process.

Going Native

On Saturday, Miss J went to her favoritee plant store, Theodore Payne Foundation for Wildflowers and Native Plants, Inc. in Sun Valley. It was s perfect day to visit as many things were blooming. The white and yellow Matilija poppies behind Miss J stand taller than she does. The purple flowers are penstemon. Many sages were blooming and filled the air with their warm and spicy scent.

Miss J really, really wants to remove all her water-hogging plants form the front yard and replace everything with Califonia natives and drought resistant plants. She's workin' on it, a few plants at a time. Among Miss J's purchases:


Two Dendromecon harfordii (Bush Island Poppy)


Mimulus Payne Red (Monkey Flower)


Carpenteria Californica (Bush Anemone).

Happy Mother's Day

"All that I am or ever hope to be, I owe to my angel Mother."
-- Abraham Lincoln

Cinco de Drinkos

Gringo style...

Low carb tortillas, home made guacamole and fixin's

... shrimp fajitas

... grapefruit margaritas.



Cheers!

5 de May

Today is Cico de Mayo, which elebrates Mexico's victory over French forces in 1862. Yay for that. And for the grapefruit margaritas Miss J and the Mister will be drinking tonight with their shrimp and chicken fajitas.

Thanks LA Times Food Section for the recipe.

Wedge of lime

2 teaspoons coarse margarita salt

14 ounces ruby red grapefruit juice, with pulp (about 3 medium grapefruits)
1 ounce lime juice

5 ounces reposado tequila

2 ounces triple sec

4 slices grapefruit or twists

1. Run a lime wedge halfway around the rims of four margarita glasses and dip into salt. Set aside.

2. Combine 7 ounces grapefruit juice, one-half ounce lime juice, 2 1/2 ounces tequila and 1 ounce triple sec in a cocktail shaker. Shake over ice until chilled. Strain into two ice-filled, salt-rimmed margarita glasses.

3. Garnish with a twist or slice of grapefruit. Repeat to make two more cocktails.

Each serving: 174 calories; 1 gram protein; 17 grams carbohydrates; 0 fiber; 0 fat; 0 cholesterol; 2 1/2 mg. sodium.

A Bridges Too Far (how f'in' corny is that title???)

Miss Janey had a dream last night that a bunch of celebs and old friends were coming to the opening of the next season of "Avalon Terrace". Jeff Bridges was there seriously attempting to woo her away from the Mister, who was oblivious. This was Hot Jeff Bridges, btw. He had long hair like The Dude,







with the body from American Heart...



and he wore a tux like he did in The Fabulous Baker Boys.

Admittedly, the long hair is a mystery. It is well-know, Miss J is not really a fan of long flowing tresses on the mens . Even so, he was seriously tempting in the moment.

Here is a true story from Miss J's past: Mr. Bridges, his brother Beau and his father used to occassionally lunch in a restaurant called Brio where Miss J waited tables. They were all seriously nice people. Now wonder Miss J still dreams about Mr. Bridges.