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.

Lazy Day

Saturday I got quite a bit done. I went to the bank for an errand, went into work for a few hours and got a lot done, picked up my new inversion table from the management office, and set it up. Mom came up for the setting up and dinner (and she brought her wonderful, amazing, coveted Dyson Animal vacuum for a quick sweep). As soon as the new Dyson goes on a good enough sale at Kohl's, Mom won't have to bring hers up anymore.

Both of us got a chance to try the new inversion table. Back in high school, Kerri's stepdad had an inversion table (we called it the hang-upside-down machine). We both took turns hanging upside-down and I really loved it. The feeling of relaxation, quiet, and calm has stayed with me all these years. When my company formed a partnership with Gaiam, we received a nice discount on their website. When I saw they had the hang-upside-down machine, I had to have one.

Today has been very quiet. I've inverted a little, getting used to the machine. Most of the day has been spent spiffing up the blog after upgrading to a new template, and messing around online. I have a few errands to run, then I'm coming home and consuming vast quantities of Heroes. Mom just finished the series so she lent it to me now.

Then back to work tomorrow. Vacation is coming soon. I really can't wait.

Newness

Short and quick post here.

It's amazing how wonderful and special things are when they are new. Even a treadmill, pre-owned and representative of long hours of hard work can be a bright and shiny thing.

And the cats think it's a wonderful new toy to climb on or nap on... silly kitties. (No, I don't let them near it when I'm using it)

Weird, wild stuff.

The smell of the ocean

I've taken a step in the direction of better health. I've joined my local Curves, an exercise club for women. The little perky teenage girl at the desk showed me around the machines, and since I'm a pretty quick study, I think I have the workout down. I have an assigned locker in my office lockerroom. I bring in my sweats and tennis shoes, and I've gone to work out three times since Friday. The plan is to go every MWF after work. Maybe if I get in gear in the morning, I'll go before work... but probably not for a while (so not a morning person).

The first night after I did the training turn around, I sat in my car with the window down and my bottle of water, gathering myself for the drive home. Looking up, I saw the sign for the strip mall. It said, in big blue neon letters, Pacific Ocean Marketplace. I'm on the phone with a friend and I tell her cannot believe the audacity of whatever corporate conglomeration that sadly mis-named this area. I live on the Front Range in Colorado. This makes the Pacific Ocean over the Rocky Mountains and across three and a half states and what, a thousand miles away? I mean can you really see the ocean, let alone smell it so far away?

New Years Resolutions (Rough Draft)

Ok, it's that time of year again. I'm thinking about Resolutions for the coming New Year. Here's my short list (rough draft).

1. Write every day (At minimum 5 lines in my new 5 year journal)
2. Finish my novel
3. Go to bed early
4. Get up early
5. Move my body
6. Eat well
7. Help others (still working on specifically how)
8. Work on organization

I think that's enough for today. And it's time for bed (might as well start now!)