welcome.
crazyknee.com is:
a personal Web page launched Nov. 1, 2000,
the day Leanne had ACL/meniscus repair performed
on her right leg. Hence the "crazy knee."
This page will be updated in some weekly way.

23 december 2002 . 01:34 am PT
The ever-helpful Super Shuttle should be at my door in two hours time. This is what happens when you have a 6am flight. And yes, I'd prefer to be asleep.

Since you've all been good little boys and girls, I point you to The Writer's Almanac. Every day, Garrison Keillor reads a poem and reports on the day in history. If the day's poem doesn't grab you, pick a week at random from the archive and see what happens. It doesn't hurt to try.

I'm going to rest now. Some of you I will be seeing as yet another year turns over in its grave. Can't hardly wait. Happy holidays.

always yours,
Leanne

18 december 2002 . 06:34 pm PT
Shout-out to my comrade Catherine for making Whitney's 100 People of the Year list. Sure, she's #96. But, for what it's worth, John Ritter is #86.

That's all I've got. Must get back to writing about "Prey," the latest techno thriller from my man Michael Crichton. Tiny swarming camera robots are on the loose! You heard it here first.

15 december 2002 . 09:59 pm PT
There will soon be a REVOLUTION. On Crazy Knee. Yes, I have a new camera, a camera named after a storm. And you know that means big storm-like things will take place, right here, in front of your EYES. We put the cam through the motions at Saturday's huge ass corporate holiday bash -- fake gambling, dancers, video games, fancy green beans, photo stations, cover bands, sushi, mashed potatoes, and the very "famous iced martini bar." Yes sir, this is living! But you'll just have to wait for the pictures.

Thinking about "Adaptation" led me to Susan Orlean's web site -- which is great -- and this article she wrote called The Lady and the Tigers. Feel free to read. I mean, it's free to read! Read!

This is where the associates smoke in Bel Air, Maryland:

Don't forget to check Yahoo! Personals on Tuesday ... it's gonna be really really different. And so exciting! I promise.

I'm totally crazed right now. So I'll sign off, after telling you that the Bob Dylan Bootleg Series #5, live in '75, is a triumph. Yes, I said "triumph." And I meant it. And it's a hard, it's a hard, and it's a hard, and it's a hard rain's a-gonna fall. That's a LOT of hards. Listen to it, folks! And have a good, a good, and have a good night! *mmwha*

08 december 2002 . 11:01 pm PT
I watched the season finale of "The Sopranos" a few hours ago. I was watching with my east coast friends, the magic of digital cable! I am officially a fan of the program now, and after I tried so hard for so long to fight it.

So I finally saw the Wilco documentary, YES I am extremely late on this and felt shamed because of it, but now, now I feel so so much better. And -- get this -- I was at THREE of the performances in the film! "Heavy Metal Drummer" and "Monday" at the Fillmore (this was after Jay was fired, he's such a little bitch!, and before the album was released) and the Jeff Tweedy solo performance was shot at the Great American Music Hall. Beautiful! Art! Music! Love! Wil! Co!

The night before that one of fine music, friends, and food (because Christa returned from South America with ever more wonderful cooking), I was by myself at the Fillmore, watching Rhett Miller and the Instigators. It was a soullessly empty theater that night, shockingly so. Many of the kids in attendance seemed very young, too. These people had never witnessed the true glory. But Rhett sweated and raged and sold the Old 97s tunes, but ... I left depressed. The new stuff is sad sorry crap. And they played so many tunes from "Fight Songs" (ugh. Except I have a new appreciation for "Jagged"). Oh yeah, watch the 10-minute video interview with Rhett on Canada's UmbrellaMusic. Rhett explains how Canada is "very well run," and he talks about BOOKS. He loves Paul Auster and Don DiLillo, blah blah blah. And he says his album's cover is totally "creepy."

Luckily, my Rhett Miller depression was far far away as we rang in Jennifer King's 30th year. After lots of sushi and sake we visited the Ripley's Believe it or NOT! museum. Holy shit. Who knew that many people were out and about in Fisherman's Wharf on a Saturday night. Here's a blurry pic of Jen (in the cat coat and fishnet) and Deneb (he's named after a star). Check Knowitallgirl.com for some X-tra fun photos:

Is it just me, or does the hot dog in this NO FOOD sign look highly suspicious?

Incredible: "Star Dates" reality show. Go out with Gary Coleman or Tina Yothers and have it filmed for E! Entertainment Television. "Real stars date real people every Sunday night" starting Dec. 15. If you're going out with a has-been, here's some expert advice. Apparently, you shouldn't use their catch-phrase or mention Tom Hanks.

01 december 2002 . 08:46 pm PT
Last week I went home to Maryland and made my family climb rocks with me (interestingly enough, or maybe not, this rocky state park and other Harford County haunts are prominently featured in "Tuck Everlasting").

Of course I love to visit the childhood home, to sit in big leather chairs with cats and a dog, to eat at Cracker Barrel with my parents, to celebrate my sister's birthday ... but I can't help but love it back here in SF. Here's a quick pictorial comparison of the East Coast me and the West Coast me. See what I mean?

The other day I finally kicked my ass into gear and went on an energetic walk up and down hills. The personalized license plates were out in full force. These three were parked on the same block:

Finally finally finally: I just finished reading "Infinite Jest." Why why why did it end like that? So much is unanswered, unfinished. I'm unsure, slightly unsatisfied, and utterly relieved that I don't have to lug that 5 lb. carcass of a book around. I'm now reading reviews of the book from 1996. Get this, from The Atlantic Monthly: "Those who stay with it will find the whole world lit up as though by black light."

Beck + the Flaming Lips: Beck is the best robot dancer ever. In an acoustic medley, he played bits of his golden oldies (Rowboat, Nitemare Hippie Girl, Truckdrivin Neighbors). He also did a Big Star cover ("Kangaroo"), and the Velvet Underground's "Who Loves the Sun." But the song highlight of the show had to be his duet with Sia (the lead singer of Zero 7) ... they performed a very sexy "You Are the One I Want" (yes, the song from "Grease"!!). For those who care, here's the set list. Outstanding. Other than that, the Flaming Lips (as the show opener and as Beck's back-up band) are truly phenomenal. I mean, do you realize you have the most beautiful face?

Thanksgiving: Do you need pie? Because we've got it, leftover style. Choose from pumpkin, pecan, or sweet potato pie (my new favorite). There's also cheese cake and Indian rice pudding, as well as a few peas, green beans, cranberries, pumpkin rolls and, oh yeah, a huge plate of turkey meat. All in all the day was a huge success, ending with a full night of guitar playing and song singing. I am so thankful for all of you, my wonderful friends (and fabulous cooks!).

The next great movie: It's called "Adaptation," and stars Nicolas Cage and Meryl Streep. Even more importantly, it's a script by Charlie Kaufman (of "Being John Malkovich" fame) in which a screenwriter named Charlie Kaufman struggles to turn the nonfiction novel "The Orchid Thief" into the next great movie. Get it? This NYTimes article is helpful. For added points, read the awesome first chapter of "The Orchid Thief" by reporter Susan Orlean.

And a super happy congrats to expectant parents Pete and Kelly! Our toasts this summer to Pete's sperm and Kelly's eggs got the job done. Well, that and a little you know what.