Holiday Update

We had Christmas dinner for my family at my house this year. Mom came up several times to set up the table and decorate and help spiff up the house for the big event. The menu consisted of a bevy of appetizers (including my favorite beefy dip on rosemary olive oil Triscuits), holiday candies, walnut and cranberry salad, roast beef, ham, potato leek au gratin with Gruyere cheese, green beans with almonds, pumpkin bread, banana bread, and of course pie (pecan and pumpkin). And I think we could have fed twice as many people and still had leftovers.

All in all it was a lovely evening, my family liked my new house (this was the first official entertainment, although Jeff was officially my first and only guest up till now). My brilliant cousin K came in from Brazil (she's a principal of an international private school) after a harrowing experience with the airlines (she spent the night in Dulles airport before catching a plane to Denver, effectively skipping her side trip to Montreal).

Friday, we went up to my Aunt's house for sandwiches and fish chowder (which was excellent). Little Miss had a showing of Wall-E for me and Mom, which was at times very sweet and very sad. I snapped pics of Little Miss and her Auntie K in their matching hats (you can guess who made them). It was fun, and relatively low key.

Today, walking and playing in the freezing cold. Had fun swinging and sliding with Jeff behind the camera. Still coming home wobbly in the knees, but getting better and having fun. Got a picture of some sort of hawk and saw a couple of flocks of geese flying over (no pics of those).

Christmas Party Tonight!

Wow, it's December and it's getting on toward the holiday season. Mom apparently had 3 Christmas parties this week alone! One of them is going to be my work party tonight, and I'm waiting for my nails to dry (yes and typing at the same time, I'm strange that way).

Today was a good day, Jeff came over this morning and we went walking in the neighborhood and ended up walking about 4 miles. He brought a little yappy dog (I love terriers!) and she was very well behaved and had a great time chasing ice chunks we kicked down the path.

So, I'm tired, but I know more about my neighborhood than I did before (including where the nearest recycling center is!) Not bad for a Saturday.

Ok time to go shower and do my hair. Then I'm going to eat and drink just a little too much and enjoy the party.

Not giving up

Ok, I'm really, REALLY behind on NaNoWriMo this weekend. I haven't written nearly anything I should have in the past several days.

But I'm not giving up. I'm considering resetting my goals, but still working to finish the story. Whatever it may turn out to be.

Here we go again!

All or Nothing?

If you love someone, let them go. If they come back they're yours. If they don't, they never really were in the first place.


I'm not sure if this is true; it seems counterintuitive. But I definitely am trying to let go, to take a step or two back and just breathe.

It's hard, though. It feels like I have a hole in my heart.

[W]hy do they always teach us that it's easy and evil to do what we want and that we need discipline to restrain ourselves? It's the hardest thing in the world--to do what we want. And it takes the greatest kind of courage. I mean what we really want.

The Fountainhead, Ayn Rand

NaNoWriMo week 1

Ok, this week has been a bit rough and I'm paying for it now in my wordcount. Here's the plan, I'm getting up early to write, and going to write. Going to bed later, after writing. Thinking about the novel and the plot and my characters, and not other things I cannot control.

Sounds good, sounds like a plan.

Hope I can stick to it.

One minute you’re waiting for the sky to fall
The next you're dazzled by the beauty of it all

Nothing worth having comes without some kind of fight
Got to kick at the darkness 'til it bleeds daylight

- Lovers in a Dangerous Time - Barenaked Ladies

Hope and perspective

For all the world, the stars aligned and everything fit perfectly.

Perfection isn't possible, not for me, though I continually strive for it. I know that in my mind, but my heart often feels different and that if just I could reach that perfection I would be happy.

It's not about being happy, it's not about having everything fit, but it is about my heart. I want to say it is fresh and unblemished, but like everyone, I've been hurt, I've opened myself and been turned aside. I've not said things I should say, things I feel and things I mean, deeply in my heart.

But if my silence made you leave
Then that would be my worst mistake
So I will share this room with you
And you can have this heart to break
- Billy Joel "And So It Goes"

My regrets are few, but all have to do with what I have not done, not what I chose to do.

My deepest hope is to share my love with someone who loves me back. He does love me. Where this ends is anyone's guess, but I have hope.

When in joy, energy swirls
chaotic and divine
to capture fleeting moments
of ecstasy, contentment
more agonizing
than spilling blood as ink
when in despair

Change in the weather

So it's rained last night, and my furnace came on for the first time in the new house. I'm wrapped up on one of my blankets and am thinking strongly of crawling back into bed under my warm down comforter.

I got the crocheting bug last night and started a new project with a new stitch. So far it's turning out very nice.

Listening to my newest mix and it's making me smile. Buddy Holly, Alanis, Dixie Chicks, and many others making a special space in my environment.

Kittens are tussling, too early for that...

Another quiz or two

Couldn't resist... got the quiz bug I guess...

Your Political Profile:

Overall: 45% Conservative, 55% Liberal Social Issues: 25% Conservative, 75% Liberal Personal Responsibility: 25% Conservative, 75% Liberal Fiscal Issues: 75% Conservative, 25% Liberal Ethics: 0% Conservative, 100% Liberal Defense and Crime: 100% Conservative, 0% Liberal

How Liberal Or Conservative Are You?

What Your Driving Says About You

You are generally an easy going, laid back person. However, you can't help but feel a little jealous and competitive sometimes! You are a fairly aware person, but you can't help but make judgment errors from time to time. You'd like to think you're a fair person, but you occasionally think you deserve a special kind of justice. You can be a rather tense, grouchy person - but you try to maintain your dignity. You have the utmost respect for authority figures. You feel that rules - and their enforcement - are important. You are somewhat focused, but you are also a bit scatterbrained. Distractions can get you in trouble. You are a very responsible and conscientious person. You often consider the feelings and needs of others. Your ego is a healthy size. You don't think you're more important than anyone else.

What Does Your Driving Say About You?

Taking Quizzes

Long day cleaning and unpacking. Taking some time to poke around on the intarweb and take some quizzes. Interesting results...

I love the autumn...

Your Autumn Test Results

You are a dynamic, vibrant person. You aren't afraid to pursue your passions. When you are happiest, you are calm. You appreciate tradition and family. You enjoy feeling cozy. You tend to be afraid of change. You are never ready for things to be different. You find solitude to be the most comforting thing in the world. Being alone with your thoughts feels very peaceful. Your ideal day is active and full. You like to keep busy with your favorite things, and you appreciate a routine. You are very impatient. You spend more time waiting for something than actually enjoying it.

The Autumn Test

With the upcoming national election, I thought I'd take a few political quizzes. The next two are parody items, just for fun but I couldn't resist taking both... Obviously I'm 20% something else... hrm...

You Are 8% Republican

If you have anything in common with the Republican party, it's by sheer chance. You're a staunch liberal, and nothing is going to change that!

How Republican Are You?

You Are 72% Democrat

You have a good deal of donkey running through your blood, and you're proud to be liberal. You don't fit every Democrat stereotype, but you definitely belong in the Democrat party.

How Democrat Are You?

And a relationship quiz to round out the day:

Your True Love Is a Cancer

Why you'll love a Cancer: Cancer's loyal and sincere heart makes your own sensitive heart melt. Caring and devoted, a Cancer will take the lead in pursuing you - and not give up! Why a Cancer will love you: You're laid back enough to deal with Cancer's little mood swings and freak-outs. A fellow homebody, you know how make Cancer comfortable and at home with you.

What Sign Is Your True Love?

Move Update

Well, it was a very successful day moving. Glender and DJ came over while Clark and I were filling up his truck. (GirlZoot did not make it due to her busy schedule but I'm looking forward to perhaps seeing her tomorrow).

We ran one run over then I headed out to pick up my car with the dolly in it (didn't drive after my cocktails last night). We had lunch and DJ took off to his regularly scheduled weekend. Glender, Mom, Clark, and I went down into the basement (crawl space really) to check out the insulation situation (on walls but not on ceiling. I got the cash for Glender I owed her, and she helped us load up Clark's truck and Mom's car again before leaving.

After several more loads, Clark and I are much better acquainted (I rode with him as navigator each trip and helped load and unload) and the apartment looks mostly moved except the major furniture and some odds and ends (kitchen stuff, food in fridge, freezer and pantry, bike, cleaning supplies, etc).

The drywall in the garage has been repaired and the cabinets look amazing in the garage and the medicine cabinet is installed. Whoot!

It appears that most of my stuff (except the furniture, will fit in the garage as a launch zone. The furniture moves on Monday and the freezer arrives Tuesday morning.

Fun fun fun! I'm so excited!

The big move

Today starts a marathon of moving in my world. Well, actually, last night did, when after a few cocktails for me, Clark and I put together two sets of industrial shelves and moved two other shelves (the latter with Mom's help) to fill out my shelving needs. Whee, I've got a ton of storage space now, and will fill it before the day is through.

Today, Clark's coming back to help move the rest of the garage and small items out of my apartment. He will be joined by my faithful friends Glender and DJ, with a possible cameo appearance by GirlZoot. Mom already has snacks and sandwich fixings at the new place and we're raring to go. Except that I'm currently still in my PJs waiting for the dry wall dude to show up. Cabinet man never showed. He said call if it was a no go, so we didn't call.

Sunday, Toni and Ange, two of my bowling buddies, are going to come over and bat cleanup for any remaining stuff. Amazing!

Monday the movers come and bring the furniture and books, and any other large heavy things (like the TV, which I suppose is sort of furniture, but sort of not).

Neways, exciting days ahead. Once moved, we've got the old apartment to clean, then all the boxes to UNpack after we so carefully packed them. Fun times all around. Luckily I have the entire week off.

And Wednesday, I've decided we're going bowling in the evening. Just to get out of the house.

O Frabjous Day!

Today's the day!

I'm signing on my new home and I have two pens ready, one that's comfy and the other if they need blue ink. Ok, so I'm a pen dork. but hey, whatever gets you through the day.

Tonight, after I've signed my life away, I will be a homeowner. Next great adventure!

Lyrics in my head

Tequila Makes Her Clothes Fall Off

She said I’m going out with my girlfriends
Margaritas at the Holiday Inn
Oh have mercy, my only thought
was tequila makes her clothes fall off

I told her put an extra layer on
I know what happens when she drinks Patron
Her closet’s missing half the things she’s bought
Yeah, tequila makes her clothes fall off.

She’ll start by kicking out of her shoes
lose an earring in her drink
leave her jacket in a bathroom stall
drop a contact down the sink

Them pantyhose ain’t gonna last too long
if the DJ puts Bon Jovi on
she’s might come home in a table cloth
yeah, tequila makes her clothes fall off.

She can handle any Champaign brunch
Bridal shower with Bacardi punch
Jell-o shooters full of Smirnoff
But tequila makes her clothes fall off

She’ll start by kicking out of her shoes
lose an earring in her drink
leave her jacket in a bathroom stall
drop a contact down the sink

She don’t mean nothing she’s just having fun
Tomorrow she’ll say oh what have I done?
Her friends will joke about the stuff she lost
yeah, tequila makes her clothes fall off
oh, tequila makes her clothes fall off
Oh, tequila makes her clothes fall off

Good luck in Brooklyn, boys!

NY Cake
Originally uploaded by Arcadiajoy

Tuesday, Shaych and Valium left Colorado for their next adventure in New York. Sunday, they had a little soirée at Rumba in Denver. The picture is from there.

Good luck, boys! Not that you need it, you've always made your own luck. I'll miss you both! Until I can get back there for a visit.

Quick hello

Been busy running around looking at houses. I'll update when I have more info, but having fun in a kind of scary, hair flying in my face kind of way.

I just finished Good Omens by Terry Pratchett and Neil Gaiman. Fun.

I've got this whole stream of consciousness going but nothing coming out on screen so I'm signing off. G'night.

Canyon Man

Girlzoot showed me Ritch Shydner probably 10 years ago and I loved this bit. Just found it on YouTube. Love me some YouTube...

From Ian:

The Big Read, an initiative by the National Endowment for the Arts, has estimated that the average adult has only read 6 of the top 100 books they’ve printed. How do you do?

1) Look at the list and bold those you have read.
2) Italicize those you intend to read.
3) Underline the books you LOVE.

1 Pride and Prejudice - Jane Austen
2 The Lord of the Rings - JRR Tolkien
3 Jane Eyre - Charlotte Bronte
4 Harry Potter series - JK Rowling
5 To Kill a Mockingbird - Harper Lee
6 The Bible
7 Wuthering Heights - Emily Bronte
8 Nineteen Eighty Four - George Orwell
9 His Dark Materials - Philip Pullman
10 Great Expectations - Charles Dickens
11 Little Women - Louisa M Alcott
12 Tess of the D’Urbervilles - Thomas Hardy
13 Catch 22 - Joseph Heller
14 Complete Works of Shakespeare
15 Rebecca - Daphne Du Maurier
16 The Hobbit - JRR Tolkien
17 Birdsong - Sebastian Faulks
18 Catcher in the Rye - JD Salinger
19 The Time Traveller’s Wife - Audrey Niffenegger
20 Middlemarch - George Eliot
21 Gone With The Wind - Margaret Mitchell
22 The Great Gatsby - F Scott Fitzgerald
23 Bleak House - Charles Dickens
24 War and Peace - Leo Tolstoy
25 The Hitch Hiker’s Guide to the Galaxy - Douglas Adams
26 Brideshead Revisited - Evelyn Waugh
27 Crime and Punishment - Fyodor Dostoyevsky
28 Grapes of Wrath - John Steinbeck
29 Alice in Wonderland - Lewis Carroll
30 The Wind in the Willows - Kenneth Grahame
31 Anna Karenina - Leo Tolstoy
32 David Copperfield - Charles Dickens
33 Chronicles of Narnia - CS Lewis
34 Emma - Jane Austen
35 Persuasion - Jane Austen
36 The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe - CS Lewis
37 The Kite Runner - Khaled Hosseini
38 Captain Corelli’s Mandolin - Louis De Bernieres
39 Memoirs of a Geisha - Arthur Golden
40 Winnie the Pooh - AA Milne
41 Animal Farm - George Orwell
42 The Da Vinci Code - Dan Brown
43 One Hundred Years of Solitude - Gabriel Garcia Marquez
45 The Woman in White - Wilkie Collins
46 Anne of Green Gables - LM Montgomery
47 Far From The Madding Crowd - Thomas Hardy
48 The Handmaid’s Tale - Margaret Atwood
49 Lord of the Flies - William Golding
50 Atonement - Ian McEwan
52 Dune - Frank Herbert
53 Cold Comfort Farm - Stella Gibbons
54 Sense and Sensibility - Jane Austen
55 A Suitable Boy - Vikram Seth
56 The Shadow of the Wind - Carlos Ruiz Zafon
57 A Tale Of Two Cities - Charles Dickens
58 Brave New World - Aldous Huxley
59 The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-time - Mark Haddon
60 Love In The Time Of Cholera - Gabriel Garcia Marquez
61 Of Mice and Men - John Steinbeck
62 Lolita - Vladimir Nabokov
63 The Secret History - Donna Tartt
64 The Lovely Bones - Alice Sebold
65 Count of Monte Cristo - Alexandre Dumas
66 On The Road - Jack Kerouac
67 Jude the Obscure - Thomas Hardy
68 Bridget Jones’s Diary - Helen Fielding
69 Midnight’s Children - Salman Rushdie
70 Moby Dick - Herman Melville
71 Oliver Twist - Charles Dickens
72 Dracula - Bram Stoker
73 The Secret Garden - Frances Hodgson Burnett
74 Notes From A Small Island - Bill
75 Ulysses - James Joyce
76 The Bell Jar - Sylvia Plath
77 Swallows and Amazons - Arthur Ransome
78 Germinal - Emile Zola
79 Vanity Fair - William Makepeace Thackeray
80 Possession - AS Byatt
81 A Christmas Carol - Charles Dickens
82 Cloud Atlas - David Mitchell
83 The Color Purple - Alice Walker
84 The Remains of the Day - Kazuo Ishiguro
85 Madame Bovary - Gustave Flaubert
86 A Fine Balance - Rohinton Mistry
87 Charlotte’s Web - EB White
88 The Five People You Meet In Heaven - Mitch Albom
89 Adventures of Sherlock Holmes - Sir Arthur Conan Doyle
90 The Faraway Tree Collection - Enid Blyton
91 Heart of Darkness - Joseph Conrad
92 The Little Prince - Antoine De Saint-Exupery
93 The Wasp Factory - Iain Banks
94 Watership Down - Richard Adams
95 A Confederacy of Dunces - John Kennedy Toole
96 A Town Like Alice - Nevil Shute
97 The Three Musketeers - Alexandre Dumas
98 Hamlet - William Shakespeare
99 Charlie and the Chocolate Factory - Roald Dahl
100 Les Miserables - Victor Hugo

Caught myself

Caught myself agreeing with a series of people on a series of unimportant things this week. And I didn't actually agree with them, I just said I did. I hate that, slinking back into that safe cave where everyone likes me because I don't ever speak my mind, but reflect back what they want to see.

Well, people are going to see what they want to see regardless of if I agree with them or not. I have an opinion, and it counts. Whether or not it's truly informed or just my general feeling, it's mine.

Feeling generally feisty, which can be a good thing. Trying not to take it too seriously, except as necessary.

Fuel Savings

Holy moly! Gas prices are not new news. I just paid nearly $60 to fill up my mid-size sedan. Youch!

I've heard a bunch of different fuel savings ideas. I received the email referred to in this Snopes article. Sometimes it's hard to determine the good from the chaff.

Today is just reporting on the price of gas and oil. Not new news, but still news.

One of my favorite ideas for saving gas is to SLOW DOWN. AAA offers this as one of their tips and I tried this out last night on my 25 mile trip home from Mom's house. I stayed between 40 and 50 mpg and was passed by half of the state. My favorite passing partner was a full size RV trailing a Jeep and a skijet thingy. I don't know how much I saved, but it was kind of entertaining. Hopefully it won't engender vast quantities of road rage (I did keep to the right... I try to be polite).

I've also started carpooling, hopefully twice a week, and I'm involving some of my coworkers in the joy. I've been promising for looking into taking the bus once a week. There are definitely benefits, including gas savings, but I have to balance those with the drawbacks. Keeping it in mind tho.

Holiday weekend over

Nothing like a holiday weekend to relax and recharge.

Spent some time on Saturday with Girlzoot doing the shopping thing. Not much luck on the shopping front, but always good to catch up. I love Meiningers and the TC, just didn't find anything I couldn't live without. Although there is a really spiffy pen at Meiningers, a Cross Townsend with sparkles on it (looks like the night sky). But truthfully I have many many pens, even a large selection I don't use, tho I love each and every one.

Later, after more cleaning (I had something like 15 phone books in various parts of my house!), I spent some time with Mom. We went to the early show of Indy 4 and then caught Iron Man. Actiony goodness!

All in all, good weekend, if too short (as always).

Spring Cleaning (in pieces)

I hate to admit it, but I'm not the tidiest person in the world. This is one of the things that drives me crazy about myself. I would love to have people over to my house, and not to be so uptight about it all, so I'm making an effort.

I've cleaned the kitchen, even under the stovetop where all the crumbs collect. And so far, it's nearly completely still clean. Yesterday, I worked on the porch, bringing out the bistro table and chairs, sweeping the concrete, and washing down the grill. The actual grill part of the grill is in my sink drying off after a good scrubbing. I spent most of my Sunday afternoon outside in the beautiful weather reading a book. I haven't done that in ages. Felt good.

Now I'm off to buy something fun for mom's birthday. Then back to reading my fascinating book. Not much of a wrap-up, but hey, can't win them all.

Lyrics... la la la

Ok, so for years, I've said that la la la la la isn't lyrics. And I'm retracting it.

I'm singing songs with lyrics like 'ba ba bam' 'woo woo ooo' 'oooh wah ooh wah' 'na na na na' and quite possibly my favorite 'dibit dibit'.

I'm enjoying singing with the SoundWaves at work. I got a private lesson Monday because I was the only one who showed up. We're learning Take a Chance on Me and The Longest Time. Fun times :)

Falling behind

Seems I've fallen behind on the posting schedule.

Busy week. Went to see 'Doubt' at the DPCA on Tuesday. Very good, dark, thoughtful play.

Rockies won Wednesday (we were at the game, enjoying the beautiful weather and the winningness). Got a Helton T-shirt give-away. Fun!

Missed the first night of the new league bowling. Found out we finished 7th (of 8) in the last league.

Had a guest speaker at our company quarterly update meeting - Dr. James Rouse, the Optimum Wellness guru. Very motivational and kind of exciting. Hadn't seen him in person in 10 years, he used to be my nutritionist. Wasn't ready for his message then, think I'm ready now. Actually, I know I'm ready. He gave me a big hug and said I was looking great, which means a lot coming from him.

Went bowling today, got some tips from the guy on the next lane. He was really good.

Ok, tomorrow's Mother's Day and I'm going up to Genesee to celebrate with my family. Best get some sleep.

Book & Lover's Day

Books, mmm. Here are my treasures from Book and Lover's Day last Wednesday.

We had a lovely breakfast at Watercourse and then sauntered over to the Tattered Cover on Colfax for a lovely hour or two among the books.

I've finished another two books on my BFS list, Faith of a Writer and Brave New World. Right on track.

Here's a pic of the lovely rose I got from the TC. Awww, pretty.

Recycling Adventure

Today I decided to take my recycling out. I had a few errands to run, and it's a beautiful day. I got to my normal recycle spot, and the big dumpster like bins were gone. Still not sure if they were just being emptied, or have been permanently removed. I've since found another one (way closer to my house) and I'll make a trip over there before dinner and after a quick episode of Buffy.

So, I took myself off to the city recycling center behind City Hall. I piled in my plastics and cans into the bin, careful to take back the bags to reuse (as well as being told by all the signs that bags were not allowed in the bins). I usually recycle my junk mail, but this spot only had a separate bin for newspapers. I had plenty of those coupon flyers with the weekly grocery store ads, which count as newspapers as far as I'm concerned, being on newsprint, and also included in the weekly paper, which I dutifully separated from my opened junk mail to deposit in the bin. The last load I had my keys in my hand and somehow they slipped off my finger and into the bin, lost forever I was sure. Sadly, I didn't have my spare key for the car, nor did I have spare keys for the house if I could even get the car going.

I stopped a nice young couple who had dropped off their recycling at the same time and they helped me look for the keys. After several fruitless minutes, one of my good Samaritans saw a police officer in the parking lot. I walked over and spoke to the officer and he said he would be back or send someone soon, but he had an issue to handle. I thanked him and went back to the bin, telling my flagged down rescuers that they were off the hook. I looked from the other side, but I couldn't get myself in the bin (need arm work, upper body strength has never been my forte). The young woman moved some more papers and found the keys in a pocket, and her boyfriend kindly climbed in and rescued my keys.

I was so happy, I thanked them both a bit gushingly and asked them if I could buy them dinner or something to thank them. They shook off my offers and left to the rest of their beautiful Sunday. I pulled my car around away from the bins (Sunday seems to be a busy recycle day, or it was just beautiful out and people were cleaning or something). Reading in the car, I waited for the police officer to return, not wanting to be the girl who cried wolf. Not a big deal, but when he came back in about 20 minutes, he was very kind and happy I had resolved everything satisfactorily. He even gave me his card.

I swear, I don't do things like this on a regular basis. Knock on silicon, I didn't lock myself out of the dorm, out of my apartments, out of my house, out of my car. And my keys are gonna stay much closer, like in my pocket or purse, instead of my hand. What was I thinking?

Even though I thanked everyone involved personally, I want to send a very grateful thanks out to the two strangers who helped me out today, as well as Officer Yopp, who did come back to check on me. My faith in humanity and the kindness of strangers has been refreshed.

Thank you.

Oddball dream

Ok, now I know where this one came from, having seen Street Kings last Friday, but what is with the celebrity guest appearances in my dreams lately? In this latest installment, I was some sort of personal assistant to Keanu Reeves and we were sitting on stacks of books and something happened with untied shoe laces that's really just a faint memory. Vague and in retrospect a bit disturbing, but he was really nice at the time. He's got a sweet smile.

Time for bed...

Street Kings & New Jeans

Friday night, after getting my new bowling ball (13# purple with sparkles) set up for drilling, Glender and I went to see Street Kings with Keanu Reeves, Forest Whitaker, and Hugh Laurie. Ooh, it was good; violence, corruption, and betrayal. Good stuff.

Went bowling Saturday morning, had fun with the cosmic, black light, flashing lights, and music bowling. My 12# ball glows in the black light, which was fun, didn't bowl particularly well, good practice tho.

After bowling and a quick trip to Chick-fil-a, we parted ways and I did some shopping. I found some jeans at Target (shock of shocks) and they fit! Surprisingly enough, they were even smaller than I expected. Love that.

Chock full of entertainment

Monday: Left work early for the Bon Jovi concert at the Pepsi Center. Daughtry opened, and I realized that I need more of their songs. iTunes to the rescue. They did a very good set. Bon Jovi just rocked the house. At one point, he and Richie Sambora played on a tiny stage about 5'x6' in the middle of the audience. Loved the show, sang along to many songs, reminisced about songs played at my 8th grade dance, and had a wonderful time with Mom (who had ASKED for the tickets, she of the hating Bon Jovi-ness back in the day).

Tuesday: We saw Merry Wives of Windsor at the DPCA. I met Mom early for dinner and a spot of tea. The set design was amazing, as always, with benches and oaks coming up from the floor and the pub coming from inside the row houses. Adored the interaction between Mistress Ford and Mistress Page.

Wednesday: Criminal Minds 3.14 Damaged aired, the first new episode since the end of the WGA Strike. Very happily guest starring Nicholas Brendon as Kevin Lynch. Seeing 'more' of Nicholas was interesting, especially since CM didn't have his tats covered. I really liked the interaction between Lynch and Garcia in both scenes, kudos to the writers and Kirsten Vangsness for the 'somewhere between a Commodore 64 and a block of government cheese' line. Nick's expression, perfect. And the moment at the end where Kevin was waiting for Rossi in his office, priceless.

Thursday: Got my Buffy Special Edition box set. Didn't get a chance to watch any until Friday & Saturday. Checked in on my Aunt after her back surgery. Prognosis is good, she just needs to get through the PT and the pain. Her family, immediate and extended, is here to support her.

Sunday: Stories on Stage at the DPCA. "Adults deserve a great story and cookies and milk, too!" Today's theme was Out in the Wild. Due to traffic and the parking situation, we missed the first reading by Norma Moore of 'Brilliant Silence' by Spencer Holst. Next was 'Kathy Chalfant reading 'Wakefield' by E.L. Doctorow which was funny, and very well read. After intermission, Frank Corrado read the classic 'The Most Dangerous Game.' Finally, a big secret surprise (at least to me - I was given tickets at the last minute), Bill Pullman read part of 'A Walk in the Woods' by Bill Bryson, which was also very funny, and read aplomb. Afterwards, during milk and cookies (literally), all the actors came out and I got a chance to meet Mr. Pullman face to face. He was a really sweet, down to earth guy, loved the audience and said he had a great time.

All in all, very entertaining week. Now for some sleep before work tomorrow.

Serenity Meme

Ok, feeling a bit under the bright sunny weather outside. Took this fun little quiz.

Your results:
You are Kaylee Frye (Ship Mechanic)

Kaylee Frye (Ship Mechanic) 85%

You are good at fixing things. You are usually cheerful. You appreciate being treated with delicacy and specialness.

Click here to take the Serenity Personality Quiz

Dream Script

I had a surreal dream this morning. I was watching a rough cut of a movie with my favorite actor and we were going to edit the film. He starred in the film as well. (Pretty sure this doesn't happen stretched out on the carpet in front of an old tv from the 80's with knobs and a VHS machine, but hey, dream rules). We talked about one of the scenes, which was dialogue heavy and a bit awkward.

GirlZoot showed up (but had always been there, dream rules again) with the script and I looked at the opening sequence of images, which had explanations in the script. The entire opening sequence suddenly made sense and I wasn't sure if that was a film thing or a me thing. I suddenly had a burning question. "Is there a final version of the script that matches what the final edited version of the film is?" Never got an answer. I was thinking there's always the deleted or extended scenes, they're part of the original script. Do they stay part of the script or are they marked or removed from the 'final' version? It's different from books, where the final version is it; a screenplay isn't necessarily the last word, editing and at times ad lib play such a big role. (Thank you GirlZoot and Shaych for your film commune / school rubbing off on me).

Around this time, his girlfriend showed up (but had always been there) and the four of us began discussing the film and current events and such. She had an accent, French I think, and was very sweet. They started horsing around together, doing this one leg wrapping thing that I'm pretty sure is physically impossible. They were so cute and madly happy together, my tiny pang of jealousy seemed petty. There was a bit more talking about the script but no more movie watching, just hanging out and enjoying it.

So can anyone tell me, is there a final version of the script that matches the edited film? Is it always that way? Does it depend on the screenwriter? My curiosity is piqued.

Easter Musings

Easter certainly came early this year. The official designation of when Easter occurs is the first Sunday after the first full moon after the Vernal Equinox. Well, the equinox was on 3/20, the full moon on 3/21, which makes today, 3/23, Easter 2008.

Yesterday I spent a throughly enjoyable afternoon and evening with GirlZoot and her beau playing MTG and Scene-It Disney version and Dominoes. We chatted, discussed writing, and ate the most splendid nachos and strawberry shortcake (there went my diet). Must needs I get my house in a semblance of order to host the next gaming Saturday at my humble abode.

Next week is pretty busy with the Wits End Comedy on Wednesday (comedy mid week, nothing better!) and Mia's Game Night in Boulder Friday night. I love game nights, fun is had by all.

I just finished (just in the last hour or so) Aldous Huxley's Brave New World. I'm still thinking about the themes and the presentation. What price happiness?

Random event last night, it snowed. I'm not certain we were expecting snow and it certainly didn't last that long, but wet white stuff fell from the sky and got all over my car and the porch (which I dutifully shoveled last night when I got home) and has now mostly melted. Bright and sunny outside here at noontime, but I imagine still rather cold.

Enough randomness for now. Catch you later!

Happy Spring!

Hope everyone has a lovely Spring! Today was a bit quiet and a bit windy. Perfect Spring weather.

Keeps getting lighter...

Happy St Patrick's Day

I'm heading over to Mom's house for St Patrick's Day Dinner in a few minutes, so this will be a quick post.

Bowling is going well. We're all having a blast. I'm consistantly bowling over 100 and getting better at positioning the ball. Having my own shoes and ball certainly help!

I'm still working on my online class. I'm having a bit of trouble with keeping up, but I'll work on it. It's more for me than for the class anyway.

I've been composting a new story idea. I have names of characters, some plot lines, and setting, and a hook. Time travel and separate time lines. We'll see how it comes out, but I'm excited about the characters, which makes me excited about the work.

I cut off about 4 inches of my hair and had it highlighted by the lovely and talented Ursula. Still getting used to the length, but it looks cute.

Anything else I forgot?

Oh, Happy Birthday TJ and Mendel (I doubt either of you read this; best wishes nonetheless) Also, Happy Birthday (late) to Trae. I did email you on the day.

Happy St. Patrick's Day everyone! Having a green drink tomorrow night with Glender and TJ.

Hear Hear (Reprise)

Friday, I had my six week post op follow-up appointment with my otologist. I took the lovely hearing test, the one in the booth with the tight headphones and the little signal you push with your thumb to let them know you heard the tiny sounds they're sending.

After the test, my doctor told me about what happened in the surgery, since I hadn't seen him after. My first, second and part of my third hearing bones were all immobile. He cut off the top of the third bone (the stapes or stirrup) and the remaining part, still attached to the inner ear, moved. Then, he attached a titanium prosthesis to the remaining bone and hooked it back to the ear drum directly, with a piece of cartilage between the ear drum and the prosthesis to prevent wear. Everything was sealed up with lovely packing and I was sent home with a page full of instructions about what not to do.

After he looked at the new hearing test, he told me that what was once my bad ear had now become my good ear. I have 4 decibels better hearing in my right ear than my left now, which was 10 decibels better than he expected with a 'good' outcome. Also, the hearing in my right ear is now within the 'normal' range. I even impress myself. But really, that's pretty amazing, and I thanked him, still in a bit of shock from the good news.

Everything is still loud and he recommended using ear plugs, especially in loud places (like the bowling alley or the Bon Jovi concert). I've set my Shuffle to have a maximum volume of 50%, and am watching the volume on my mini (it has no preset). I'm still waking up in the middle of the night when one of the boys uses the litter box, but eventually I'll get used to that, especially considering the alternatives.

Overstimulation on a walk with the cat

Well, we just got back from quite an exciting ride.

I've had my AT3 pet stroller for almost two years now. Alec, loves his walks (when the weather is nice; he's not a fan of rainstorms even with the rain guard) and in the recent warm weather we went out for a long walk last week, down behind the railroad tracks and along some open space. We were out for about an hour and Alec loved it; he lay down and watched me for a while, then turned around and watched the world for a while. He's a very mellow rider.

Now, Deke, while he loves sitting in the stroller when it's just in the living room, he is a very vocal and fidgety rider. He does eventually settle down and get into the groove, but it takes several minutes of quiet, non-bumpy strolling to get to that point. This afternoon, I decided to get another long walk in before the snow expected tomorrow. Since we take turns, it was Deke's turn for a ride.

The route to the bike path is along my street, and while it's not usually very busy when I'm driving on it, every time I'm walking along it a car comes about every 45 seconds to a minute, which is loud and not happy making for Deke. However, he did stop crying and started watching out the front by the time we got to the bike path itself. As we came up to the entrance to the open space/bike path, a young kid maybe 12 or 13 came jogging off the path and ran across the street toward the houses there. He looked in a bit of a hurry for a Saturday afternoon.

I began walking down the path and a biker rolled past me at a leisurely pace. I continued, singing along to my Shuffle, when I saw the smoke. The wind was to the north east, not toward us but angled off to the left (we were walking south along the path) and a trail of grey then black smoke came wafted in the brisk breeze. I came around the corner and saw flames in the brush on the far side of the path. The biker had stopped his bike and gotten out his cell phone, which I registered just before I hit send on the 911 I had punched into the phone. I caught up with him, leaving Deke about 30 feet back on the path, and heard him talking to the dispatcher. Apparently someone had already called the fire in and the fire department was already en route. In my opinion, it was probably the kid I saw earlier in such a strange hurry. Good for him, even if he started the fire. Always good to do the right thing. Bad to start fires. Except in approved fireplaces, etc.

The biker continued on and I decided discretion was the better part of valor and I turned around, heading back home the short rather than the long way. The flames when I had come up were about 5 or 6 feet tall. By the time we turned around and left, the fire was taking over a tree that had to be 18 to 20 feet tall and shooting further up in the air. I heard the sirens as I walked back up the path. I hadn't gotten to the trail head before the firemen had cut the locks on the gate keeping motorized vehicles off the bike path so I pulled Deke over into the brush while the fire engine drove past toward the fire.

By now, Deke was pacing inside the stroller and crying a lot. It was not exactly the calm, quiet walk I had wanted for his first walk since last fall. About five minutes from home, he finally lay down in the back close to me. I saw a young couple who had pulled over and climbed onto the railroad tracks to watch the fire returning to their car. They assured me the fire was out. When we got home, Deke leapt out before I got the back door fully unzipped.

Now he's sitting back in the stroller giving himself a much needed bath after such a traumatic experience. I think he'll get over it; his memory isn't terribly long (especially when he's been told no). Next trip will be shorter and quieter, I promise.

Leap Day

Happy Leap Day, everyone!

As usual, I took today off. I only get one leap day every four years and I'm not giving it to corporate America or anyone else.

I spent most of the day in the company of the lovely and talented Girlzoot. We did some art store shopping, bought elephant journals (happy coincidence, not a planned occurrence), got some jewelry (earrings for GZ, ring for me), and had some tasty nachos at Good Friends down on Colfax.

After a brief stop at home to unload the car and paint my nails, I headed out to Wits End Comedy Club with Glenda. We ran into a group of other folks from the office and friends. The comedians, Scott Derenger and Ron Feingold were quite funny. Ron did a combination of standup and A Capella, which was originally a bit odd, but turned out to be hilarious. I bought his cd, and can't wait to listen to it.

All in all, a good Leap Day.

Bowling, Brendon, Byways, and Books

Exciting news: Bowling league starts next Tuesday! I’m bowling with three ladies from work Tuesdays between next week and the end of April. Sweet deal, too, at the end of the series, we get a custom drilled bowling ball. I just recently bought myself shoes and a ball which I can’t wait to bowl with. Here is a bit of my dorkiness coming out, and I don't care. My shoes have stars on them, and they glow under the black light. Cosmic Bowling, here I come!

Hollywood excitement: Nicholas Brendon is going to be on Criminal Minds on the first new episode in April. He’s also signed on to be a recurring character, Kevin Lynch. I’m wondering how it will work out with Garcia; he left her workplace in a total mess and she wasn’t terribly happy. “Kevin Lynch, you may be cute, but if you ever mess with my stuff again…” I’ve heard from a very reliable source that there is some sort of unclothed action involved in Nick’s return. Probably works out. For everyone. *ahem*

Today, I took the kitty cab out with Alec. I found a long trail that goes behind the railroad tracks by my house and over several blocks between open space and some single family homes. I was out for an hour, listening to my new tunes. There’s an irrigation ditch along the way that reminds me of the ditch by the apartments I grew up in. Two boys were playing next to some trees by the water, and it made me think of times I spent in Lakewood by the water, watching waterbugs skimming the tops of the brown wavelets and playing out the latest episode of our favorite action show.

I’ve started a class online called “Listen to your heart and success will follow”. I’m starting to do the lessons and it’s been very interesting so far. The second lesson is about accepting the past and moving on, and it was quite emotional. It didn’t help that I was reading it at the mechanic waiting for my brakes to get done. Next week, I should be back at the Library and I’ll work on my homework there. I’ve got to write my life story, which should be interesting.

Last bit of news: I finished two of my books for the BSF Goals (see the side bar for the link) this week. His Dark Materials by Philip Pullman (the Golden Compass / Subtle Knife / Amber Spyglass trilogy). Very interesting. Many Christian groups have had a lot to say about the story and I heard that the movie The Golden Compass was boycotted by some groups. The first book, and indeed the movie, do not get deeply into the crux of the religious issue. While I don’t subscribe to the view of religion and metaphysical reality in the book, I believe he portrayed his vision well and with a subtle beauty that is still with me. It is a children’s / young adult book, but as many books and movies these days aimed to the younger crowd, it has something profound to say to adults as well. I really loved the portrayal of the ‘soul’ as a creature, part of you yet separate, that you could talk to and gain comfort from, and love.

I also finished the Best American Short Stories 2003. These stories, published in US and Canadian magazines, individually were very good, and as a whole left me with something rattling around inside. I will probably come back to these stories. I love short stories, and I will definitely look up this series to get some of the other years’ anthologies.

I started Brave New World and the Science Fiction Treasury. I generally read books in tandem; it just works out for me that way.

Ok, my kitten is sleeping with his head up, all bunched up on the couch under the open flap of the box my bowling ball came in. His ears are twitching every time I stop typing and his front paw is tucked up over his chest as if he were holding something close. It’s very cute, but my camera is far enough away that he would wake up if I moved. Early for bed, but then again, cats sleep what 14 hours a day? Maybe he’s just catching up.

Random Thoughts

Lately I've been watching a lot of tv shows on DVD. I just finished Bones season 2, which I enjoyed. I particularly enjoyed the story arc between Jack Hodgins and Angela Montenegro, culminating in a trip to the altar. I also got Kitchen Confidential with Bradley Cooper and Nicholas Brendon. Hilarious. Another mid season cancellation on Fox back in 2005. Currently watching Shark with James Wood. Premise: an excellent defense attorney switches teams and begins working for the LA DA. So far, interesting, good. Next week, I'm starting a deep foray into the Buffyverse, when Buffy the Vampire Slayer begins coming from Netflix. I think I have a little Hollywood crush on Nicholas Brendon, who plays Xander. Fun, fun.

Plainsong on Tuesday was excellent. The staging was amazing, with all the hydrolics and a huge cast. Stephanie Cozart, who I've loved in everything I've seen her in at the DPCA, portrayed a depressed mother trying to make her way out of the darkness and John Hutton was her estranged husband teaching history at the local high school. A student even gave a 'speech' on the Burr/Hamilton duel. Family and community come together in unique ways in the end. If you get a chance, I'd recommend seeing it.

Friday night I played some pool with TJ at Woody's and at Zoosters. I'm getting much better, hitting the ball I'm aiming at and actually getting some pretty sweet shots. Called the 8 ball wrong and lost, but it was still a gorgeous shot. Had some very tasty ribs at Brothers BBQ after pool and was home by 10pm. Sweet.

I got a chance to catch up with Shaych at the DPL for writing Saturday morning(ish). Got some written on By the Light of the Faerie Moon and got to fall in love with his iPhone. Seriously, shiny.

Taxes are done, sending them in Monday.

Have a great week!

Grown-up stories

Today I went to The Thrill of the Game at the DPCA. I took the light rail downtown from Aurora and met my mom and my aunt and uncle. It was general seating, and we got our 'regular' seats, which we'll be sitting in on Tuesday for Plainsong.

The performance consisted five different stories with a sports theme. First was Casey at the Bat, read after a rousing group sing along of Take Me Out to the Ball Game. Next was Needle Match about tennis, which was very good and a little creepy. After intermission, we had Lightweight Champion, translated from Spanish, which I think was my favorite, gritty and sad. Raymond's Run, about a girl and her brother; I could just see them running. A rousing rendition of Who's On First by Randy Moore and Kathleen Brady rounded out the afternoon, just before milk and cookies.

I love being read to, and after listening to several books on cd, I've come to appreciate the skill involved in reading a story. Today, I really enjoyed being read to live by some very talented people.

Catching Up

Ok, I missed a Sunday. Here's the scoop.

Friday night Glender, TJ, AmyDee and I all went to Wits End Comedy Club. We saw Scotty Goff and the man was hilarious. We were all laughing so hard we cried. And he sang to me. I couldn't stop laughing.

Afterwards, TJ and I went to Red's Pub and played some pool with Jimmy, who turned out to be the GM of one of the downtown Denver bars. He was good; he won all games until close when he scratched on the eight ball, effectively beating himself.

I stayed out way too late (got home and in bed at 3am) especially since I had surgery last week. It was fun tho, by the end of the night I knew everyone's name (and I even got hit on sort of).

Hear Hear

This weekend I spent at my mom's house recuperating from my otoplasty correcting my conductive hearing loss on Thursday morning. Everyone at the surgical center was really nice to me and as a special little surprise, the gown plugged into a heating unit, because it's always a little cold in the OR.

Right now, I can hear things I've never been able to hear before, and my ear is still packed with the antibiotic stuff holding everything in place so it can heal. And I have a tiny bone made of titanium in my head (bionic ear!).

I'm going back to work tomorrow or Wednesday, depending on how I feel. Should be interesting, I'm talking much softer than ever because everything is echoing in my ears and I'll be able to hear when people talk to me. Hopefully my brain will get used to it sooner rather than later.

Hanging with TJ

Friday night, I went to happy hour with Glender and TJ. Last week we all went to the comedy club, Witz End, for some live comedy. After drinks and some bar food, TJ and I went down to the little bar he frequents, Red's Pub. We spent the rest of the evening and some of the early morning there, shooting pool with a really cute machinist who taught me quite a bit about pool and even let me win while he was teaching me. TJ played some too (he didn't let me win, but I didn't expect it either). All in all, a good night. And TJ had some advice for me about my machinist which I will refrain from posting here, suffice it to say it was graphic and lewd (and just a bit funny).

Tonight TJ and I went to E-Town with the North Mississippi Allstars. We had fun at the taping; TJ hadn't been to an E-Town show before (not that Glender and I hadn't been trying to ask him for the last two years) and he enjoyed himself. The music rocked the house, and the cute young audio guy, Steve, had a good night as well (he's got nice hands).

On the bus ride up, TJ told me his current gal, who had declined to join him at E-Town, had called this afternoon. She got upset when she heard that 'a friend from work' was going with him and proceeded to grill him about me, was I a woman, did I have a boyfriend, did I think it was a date. He answered noncommittally on all but the first and it just upset her. Now, TJ and I have been co-workers for nearly 3 years, and friends for the last 2. He's cute and fun but we're co-workers. Not going there.

But I still told him, "Of course it's a date."

Big Fun Scary Goals for 2008

In general, I think that New Year's Resolutions rarely work for me, even though I've posted something nearly every year.

The NaNoWriMo folks have been doing Big Scary Fun Goals the last couple of years and I thought I'd throw my hat into the ring. Part of what makes this different (at least for me) is that the goals are quantified and measurable (with the exception of #8). Perhaps this will make a difference.

Here's my list, published on the NaNoWriMo BFS forums as well.

My BFS goals for 2008:

1. Get surgery to correct hearing loss (scheduled in January!)
2. Lose 60 pounds (lost 44 pounds in 2007)
3. Read at least one book a month by the end of the year starting with (in no particular order):
• His Dark Materials by Philip Pullman
• Faith of a Writer by Joyce Carol Oates
• Mockingbird by Charles J Shields
• A Grand Improvisation by Stacy Shiff
• Don Quixote by Miguel de Cervantes
• Brave New World by Aldous Huxley
• The Pillars of the Earth by Ken Follett
• Dancing with Joy: 99 Poems ed. Roger Housden
• A Book of Luminous Things: An International Anthology of Poetry ed. Czeslaw Milosz
• Best American Short Stories 2003 ed. Walter Mosley and Katrina Kenison
• Isaac Asimov’s Science Fiction Treasury ed. Isaac Asimov and Martin H. Greenberg
• Telling Stories: An Anthology for Writers ed. Joyce Carol Oates

4. Write every day using Writer’s Book of Days prompts
5. Blog at least weekly
6. Finish & Print By the Light of the Faerie Moon (NaNo 2007)
7. Win NaNoWriMo 2008
8. Figure out what career path I want to take

I think those are big and scary enough, and the reading will certainly be fun. Actually putting together this list was fun all by itself.

Happy New Year to all!