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.

17 september 2003 . 07:03 pm PT
I read this column then fooled around on Patrick's site (goodthink.com) for the last 18 minutes, all because of the headline, "How a $95,093.35 junk mail check changed Patrick's life." The story is pretty amazing.

Upcoming events: Being trapped inside with 800 butterflies! Or not. The Conservatory of Flowers reopens on Saturday; organizers predict people will line up for tickets by 6 a.m. It's an 124-year-old building! Why does everyone need to go on the very first day?

Also on tap this weekend: Litquake, "a San Francisco literary festival." We went to some of the readings last year, and it was very literary, in the best kind of way (i.e. we had passes to the VIP-and-free-drinks poolside after-party). I'll let you know.

14 september 2003 . 10:33 pm PT
In between taking self portraits on cars and in bathrooms,

I've been performing my civic duty and am sitting in the jury box for a misdemeanor case. Here's the view from the front row in a California Superior Court jury. (I couldn't take a picture when court was in session, duh, but it does look more exciting when the judge is up there and the court reporter is right there pounding away and the witness is struggling to recall past events.):

Case should be solved on Monday (*fingers crossed*). If you're concerned about the penal code,

the Hall of Justice is the place. There's always something going down. See:

Apparently, the memorial right under this 9/11 banner was prominently featured in the opening shot of "Dirty Harry." Other scenes from the film (which I've never seen) were also filmed within. Who the hell knew. I'm so close to the magic.

Earlier in the week John was feeling unsure about his work situation. Luckily, Blockbuster was searching for new talent. Whew. Then I bought some shit at Ikea. Can't go wrong there. I mean, I now own a light that's shaped like a pair of lips. How did I live without it??

Before shopping for small karate-chopping figures, I saw some films.

"Thirteen." It speaks the truth, for many young girls. This certainly wasn't my experience, thank god. The movie is terrifying and upsetting, especially if you're real sensitive to this loss-of-innocence shit. Like me. Geez.

"Lost in Translation." Sofia Coppola's second feature film garnered some of the highest critical ratings ever. And who doesn't love Bill Murray? The movie is a (brilliant) slow character study, about being lost, about making a connection with a stranger, about love, and life, and singing karaoke. Tokyo looks scary. I laughed many times, very loudly, and shed a few tears.

Then it was time to hang around under the Golden Gate Bridge (again! geez we're always doing that). Does anyone like the trippy filter? Yeah, the jury's still out on that one.

07 september 2003 . 10:59 pm PT
Recent bumper sticker sighting: "Arnold the Governator!"

If you're following the California recall election, here's a NYtimes profile (a poetic and slanted profile ... by Charlie LeDuff. Do I know him?) of conservative candidate (and "Diff'rent Strokes" star) Gary Coleman. In his own words: "People think big eats little. But I've got a news flash. Little animals survive harsh winters better." Say, do you think he's got a chance?

04 september 2003 . 10:17 pm PT
My second-floor San Franciscan flat just shook (it was 6:40pm at the time), jiggled, up and down, and the world let out a quick loud boom. I almost didn't think anything of it -- it was too fleeting, my mind couldn't begin to wrap around the weirdness -- but I was IMing with Int'l over in the East Bay, and his building shook AT THE EXACT SAME TIME.  Perhaps God was speaking to us? Telling us to hurry up with the manuscript, the people deserve it? Telling me to update this poor page? Yes, well.

I've been gone for so long. In the last few weeks I ...

1. Visited the cloudy and humid east coastline, with the Milways (and Tim). Hello, Delaware! Where the waves are teeny tiny and the funnel cake tastes ... the same.

There was absolutely no fortune telling or ferris wheel riding.

But this starfish, on our little porch? A few days after the photo shoot, we realized it was completely infested with maggots. 

2. Avoided NYC's blackout. I made it to town the day after, when all the subways and air-conditionings were working. Yes, my mom FORCED me to sleep in the temperature-controlled family home. But soon enough it was time to go. I said good-bye to my sister's pet rats, stocked up on water (in case of another emergency) and set off.

3. Bopped with the Polyphonic Spree in the Central Park. Beforehand there was picnic-ing and time spent reliving our recent blackout-related experiences (I, of course, kept my mouth firmly shut). Some people just can't handle losing electricity! The Polyphonic Spree are, as Randi said, very much like "Godspell" with harp, horns, and like every instrument you can imagine. Afterward there was a grill on a porch (in the lower east side, no less!) and libations and good good times.

The next day was about shopping, eating, and visiting a real live student in a dorm room. Eventually Catherine placed a phone call: "Someone clean up this trash!"

4. Settled back into SF living, after several good-byes and bad in-flight movies. First thing on my agenda was wishing a fond farewell to Christa before her return to Black Rock City. The infamous Bill Werde made it to Burning Man as well (damn him); here's his report on the political turmoil behind the event (I can not BEGIN to imagine how hard it is to file a story from the middle of the desert). Here's another good friend (I wish) on that "vital pagan orgy" (check the photos, at least).

5. Trekked (five blocks from Christa's abode) to Amoeba for a Guided By Voices in-store performance.

Obviously, this was before Tim Tobias left (was kicked out?) of the band. Sadness. If it makes you feel any better, Lennon's dead but you can still hear him in your heart.

6. Practiced adjusting the camera exposure in order to capture a glorious sunset. Clouds rarely hover like this, so this huge display screamed at us to drive through the avenues and come rest on the ocean's edge, just for a minute. Then it was gone.

7. Lounged around Stinson Beach, since dear Bonnie briefly returned to this coast and had (temporary) access to a box-like villa. Who could refuse. Two of four in our group actually entered the Pacific WITHOUT WETSUITS (this is rare out here, that your limbs don't fall off from first contact), or in one case, without an actual swimsuit. Insanity.

8. Finally updated this stinking page. One five-star dinner, one failed trip to the state fair (which led us to sunflowers and windmills instead), and one minor earthquake later, here we are. And here's my cat. And tomorrow I meet the Dalai Lama.