Waiting for Winter's Solstice

Christmas is nearly upon us and I'm still fighting to keep fall. It feels like time is spinning by so quickly I'm dizzy. I'm nearly done with my Christmas shopping and I'm a little nervous about the bills that will soon be wending their way to my little mailbox. Send Christmas cards, friends; it will counter the evil of the bills. It's probably time to break out the Christmas music and start decorating and baking but I look helplessly around my apartment trying to figure out just WHERE I can even put my tree this year. Maybe I can just decorate my elliptical machine! Though I HAVE been using it more lately. Sadly, my energy levels seem to be in direct correlation to the sunlight and as it gets darker earlier and earlier I am tired that much more. I truly do watch and wait for the winter solstice knowing that after that the days will begin to grow once more.

I am loving my new car yet I'm frustrated that I don't have a garage so if it's not sap from the trees that overhang our parking lot, it's the frost and snow that I have to remove from my car each day in the winter. My poor baby. My car doesn't have a headbolt heater and I'm rather nervous that one day it might not start. The people at Honda truly didn't seem to think I would need one. I just wonder if that's because they all have garages and think nothing of it or if they really "get" how exposed my sweet car is.

I've been urged to decorate quickly and submerge myself into the holiday spirit, the holiday season I typically love. Yet, there is some sadness for me as I think of the trips to the hospital a year ago and miss my grandmother. She was my anchor to my family and to holiday and to God. Without her some days it just seems like I'm only getting by. Christmas brings with it a kind of idealism that is housed in favorite holiday films and songs, the memories of a past that seems better than it ever really was and a longing for a future of traditions and memories of my own making. I understand why this season is so hard for so many people and I believe it is because we are reminded of how we long for more. The question is do we wallow in the realities however grim or do we do we work toward making more out of our lives?

Obviously I know what I'm supposed to do.

Looky-here!

This is from Lookybook.com
I just stumbled upon this site and thought the idea was really cool. I like the idea; though, I think it's a little tough to read them when they are so small. There were a few titles or authors I liked but not enough to be very comprehensive in showing all the amazing children's titles out there. I wish I could show off all my favorite picture books in this format. This particular title is one I'd not seen before but in the past I have loved Zoom and Re-Zoom by Istvan Banyai.

In Your Eyes...

"She's gone. She gave me a pen. I gave her my heart, she gave me a pen."--Lloyd Dobler

Sara found this little gem for me. What a riot. If it wasn't sold out, you could buy one here.

Oooh.. I NEED these.

These would really help in my shaky organizational methods that usually result in me having stacks of random papers littering my kitchen counter. Buy them here.

Wooden Wonderfuls.

I love these.
There is something about these tiny hand-painted German figurines that says, "pure and innocent childhood" to me.
You can buy them here and here.

Make it Work!

I almost missed it. I was browsing Bravo programs and discovered I'd missed the first episode of Project Runway's season four. I quickly set my DVR to record one of the kajillion repeats and then the "new" episode this week. Yay. Just as Bachelor lets me down with a resounding thud. (I should have known that grammar stuff was an indicator... though Jenni used that same wrong pronoun while on the After the Rose show Tuesday).

Dancing with the Stars continues to mystify. Do you suppose it's the fans or the Mormons that keep Marie in there. Sure, she's been doing better and if we had another 8 weeks, maybe she could reach the level of the other dancers. If it is the mormons, maybe we ARE in trouble with Mitt Romney. Gulp. I just had a wicked chill run down my spine.

Project Runway is always good fun. In part to see the interactions between the designers, to check out their tattoos and strange pecadillos. Yet, for me, it's always more about the designs. I LOVE seeing what they can create in such little time. I have great admiration for both Dancing with the Stars and Project Runway. These people have to WORK HARD to make it work each week. With Dancing with the Stars the reward is a cheezy mirror ball trophy... though I guess they are elevating their level of celebrity by staying on the show and that could help career-wise for some. On Project Runway they get money to start a line of clothing, they get to show at fashion week, they get a car, and more. It's truly that boost to get them going in their fashion careers. I don't know if that's worked out well for any of the winners, but it's sure fun to watch them get there.

I'm not much for reality shows, though this post would indicate otherwise. I just really like dancing and fashion. The Bachelor? I guess I get some kind of sick thrill from seeing how far people will go to declare their love for someone they've only just met.... and I have long wondered how long before it blows up for someone and I am afraid it finally imploded on Brad. Poor kid. But then again, it's like he didn't understand the show?

Will 2008 be the Year?

The year when things start to turn around for this country? As the 2008 primaries approach, (at light speed, it seems) I find myself struggling with the heavy choice of which candidate I want to support for the presidency. I know MY backing will surely make ALL the difference in the world, so it's imperative that I am fully confident or knowledgeable in that choice!

I've tried to examine the issues and I've taken a ton of "online quizzes." All signs point to one candidate so far. Dennis Kucinich. Usually close behind is John Edwards and Obama and Clinton are tied somewhere a bit further down the list... Dead last evey time is Fred Thompson. I guess that makes sense since when I was listening to one of his little video clips on MSN I was struck speechless and could only jot down on my notepad, WTF. I am not even sure which issue he was discussing, nor what it was that he said that was so offensive. But I am pretty sure he wins the award for my least favorite candidate. That much is clear.

The thing that makes this whole process difficult for me is that in every speech, debate, summary statement of a candidate's position I find a plethora of jargon I don't understand. Things like fair tax, consumption tax, kyoto accords, nuclear power, NAFTA, World Trade Organization, trade with China, current immigration policies, the range of health care solutions is a bit mind boggling too. (Don't worry, I've been working on this) Apparently I need to revisit my Economics 101 notes and then some. I need a political tutor and I am pretty sure I have one friend who is beginning to tire of my endless questions... I fear that people like me (uninformed) who lack the tenacity to figure this stuff out may end up choosing or supporting a candidate for the wrong reasons. Sigh.

If you are interested in doing some exploring. Here are three links that might help you out.

Try this USA Today Candidate Match Game.

or

Try the MSNBC Interactive matrix that examines the candidates views on 5 key issues without messing about with unimportant issues like abortion, same sex marriage, gun control etc. This one focuses on Economy, Energy, Immigration, Health Care, and the War with Iraq.

or

Try the CNN Election Center for an "at a glance" look at some of the issues and the candidates stands.

Meet the Robinsons

A few years ago I stumbled upon a children's book I really loved. William Joyce introduces the unique Robinson family in rapid fire succession in this quirky book: A Day With Wilbur Robinson. People might remember this author as the one who created Rolie Polie Olie, but I would argue this book is his best.


Now Disney has released a film based on the book... Meet the Robinsons. Of course it's greatly expanded, but equally delightful. There is a greater plot full of heartwarming moments, cool futuristic ideas, and a positive message. The characters are straight out of the book, with a few additions. Oh, and the soundtrack is pretty good too! I highly recommend this film and the book too.

Click. Snap. Create.

Last weekend I picked up a couple old cameras at my favorite antique store. A few years ago they had some of the box cameras and I wanted one to use as a decorative book end, but I waited and then they sold. Unfortunately now that I have one I have no good bookshelf space for this accessory. This is plan B.

Sushi Love?

Is this taking the love of raw fish too far?
You can buy these here.

Why Sewing Doesn't Suit Me.

I think I may need to forfeit the fancy sewing machine to someone more deserving. I just remembered why I don't sew. I'm impatient. And lazy. This weekend I tried to make a bag following a pattern of a freebie I got a few weeks ago. I didn't actually have a pattern so I simply laid the bag flat and cut the fabric around it. And the way I cut is usually far from precise so then there is the risk of sewing crooked because my cuts are crooked. (I wasn't very good in my high school wood shop class either) Then I decided the fabric wasn't sturdy enough so I thought, how hard can it be to make a lining. I'm not really sure how to make anything so I tried using common sense. I think I better stick to projects with EXPLICIT instructions.

My first big mistake was in not changing threads. The fabric was red and white and I had black thread in there. The thought of finding red thread and trying to remember how to wind a bobbin seemed overwhelming which should have been the first sign that I ought to wait to tackle this project. But no, I forged on. Next I tried to make these little loops that would be sewn into the seams at the bottom of the bag. And then I realized I needed them to have finished edges and on the third try I got one to work. Unfortunately the two loops (one for each side of the bag) ended up being different widths... but I figured it wasn't that big of a deal. Next I sewed the sides through both fabrics. (I also didn't bother to pin anything... seriously how lazy can I be?) I realized afterward that this wasn't the best way to have a lining and that my seams showed inside, so this looked sort of ugly on its interior. Especially with the black thread. Sigh.

Finally the top of the bag was meant to be drawstring. Again, dumb, dumb, dumb, black thread and me for not changing it. I haven't woven the drawstrings through to see how it actually works, but I am thinking I can't let this bag be seen in public. It's too awful, too embarrassing. And other than ripping out all the stitches, I'm not sure I can see a way to salvage it.

I may try again. Or try to follow an actual pattern next time. Use pins and proper thread, maybe.

Grrrrrrr.... Grammar.

Is it wrong that I am totally turned off by the current Bachelor, Brad, because of a repeated grammatical error? It just grates on me. Arghhhh... It's unfortunate because I think he's trying hard to be correct and formal and is overcorrecting and ends up committing grammar sins because of it.

This one has to do with the use of Me versus I. And I'm amazed at how OFTEN he has cause to use this particular grammatical construction. I wonder if any of the girls notice and are too polite to say anything... I just don't know if I could hold back. (I'd be the first girl sent home for failure to tolerate bad grammar.) It's not like I WANT to shame him or make him feel bad, it's just that he needs to know he's wrong and STOP speaking that way. It just makes a perfectly nice guy look pretty foolish. Do you suppose there is any chance he'll read this blog entry and figure it out? Ouch.

The odds are against Hillary and I.

That should read...

The odds are against Hillary and me.

How do you know? Just remove "Hillary and" from the sentence.

You wouldn't say.. the odds are against I.
(How awkward!)

The Rule of Five?

The number of loads of laundry washed and air drying on the drying racks in my apartment.

The number of minutes I was late for work today. sigh.

The name of the yummy riesling I drank on Tuesday: Fünf

The number of pounds I lost and then immediately put back on.




This blog is brought to you by the number five. (Cue cool sesame street music and credits... )

Reading Watching, Listening..... October in Review

What I Was Reading in October

Deeper Reading: Comprehending Challenging Texts by Kelly Gallagher

Fluke: Or I Know Why the Winged Whale Sings by Christopher Moore

The Thief Lord by Cornelia Funke

Three Cups of Tea by David Oliver Relin and Greg Mortenson

The Golden Compass by Philip Pullman

Fluke was loads of fun (bizarre, strange fun) and this weekend I picked up another Christopher Moore title. I bought Lamb: The Gospel According to Biff, Christ's Childhood Pal. The Thief Lord is a juvenile novel that is less impressive. I'm slowly making my way through it since I had a student read that recently.

The Golden Compass is a reread in anticipation of the film. I've also been hit with a barrage of emails and commentary from coworkers who've heard rumors about the film and the "evil mastermind conspiracy" to destroy young children and turn them into atheists. Someone tried to tell me it's about female circumscision. It is not. They got that from misreading Spark Notes, I swear some adults aren't as intelligent as your average 9th grader. At any rate, I'm rereading this book so I can be better informed for the inevitable need to defend the book.

Three Cups of Tea is a nonfiction book club pick that I'm only half done with since I had to put it aside to complete the Deeper Reading book. I am enjoying it, though some in our book club thought it wasn't very well written. I may have more to say on it when I actually finish.

The Deeper Reading book by Kelly Gallagher was excellent and I'd recommend it to English teachers. I liked his ideas, they were theoretically insightful and practical for use in the classroom too.

What I Was Watching in October

On TV

Dancing with the Stars

The Bachelor

Desperate Housewives

Brothers and Sisters

Samantha Who?

Two and a Half Men

Big Shots

Grey's Anatomy

Private Practice

The Office

Pushing Daisies

There's not too much to say about these shows. Dancing with the Stars is filled with class acts and amazing dancers this season but I think that Marie Osmond has overstayed her welcome and that Sabrina should never have been voted off. I think that Jane Seymore is amazing and beautiful and a lovely dancer, but she's also not of the caliber it would require to win the competition. Right now I am rooting for Mel B.

Regarding the Bachelor, I'm not convinced that this guy is that great or any of the girls. I wonder what will happen. I liked Jenny best and thought that Deanna and McCarten were nasty girls who were mean and opinionated and now Deanna is starting to seem nicer. I didn't like Bettina and I wasn't crazy about miss crazy... hillary. Though she was good for entertainment purposes. I guess, I could see him rejecting them all.

I swore I was done with Grey's Anatomy when Burke didn't return but I find myself watching it even though I don't like any of the characters. It's a curiosity thing more than anything. Private Practice is pretty crappy, but I do like Tim Daly and so I find myself watching a show that I think is not good. I mean, it's like Addison moved south and her brain melted. I really don't like her character on this show as much.

Big Shots is Sex and the City for men... only not as interesting.. and more about relationships than the sex, maybe?

Samantha Who? and Two and a Half Men continue to be two of the best sitcoms on TV in my world. Though The Office is in a class of its own. Christina Applegate is great but her mother is even better.

Pushing Daisies is also great fun. Each episode is like sampling a delicious pie. I can't wait for my next serving. I realize that this show has people who love it and those who hate it... and I happen to be a lover. Anna Friel makes it that much better.

I tried Chuck on for size and found it dull and predictable and the characters not very fun.
Desperate Housewives and Brothers and Sisters are shows I should also give up, but I can't seem to make myself. I don't really enjoy either of them... Brothers and Sisters, least of all. I really wish Lost would come back on. Do you suppose they wrote those shows already or will this strike affect those episodes as well.

On DVD

A View to a Kill

Blades of Glory

The Living Daylights

The Fountain

Black Book

A Mighty Heart

I found A Mighty Heart to be profoundly depressing. There's not much more to say about that. It's yet another reminder that I, as an American, do not want to visit the Middle East or immerse myself into any of the drama in Iraq, Iran, or any other turbulent culture. It's a sad story and I didn't find a lot of hope in it.

Blades of Glory wasn't as stupid as I expected it to be. But it wasn't good either. I'd avoid this one too. It was good mindlessness... ranked somewhere just above Anchorman for me.

The Fountain was awful. Also remarkably depressing. This one starred Hugh Jackman and Rachel Weisz. He plays a research scientist and she is his wife, dying of cancer. It was trippy and strange and moved between modern day in a dreary dark lab and the mayan culture recreated in a work of fiction written by his wife. I think this one is responsible for some strange dreams I had the next few nights.

I don't seek out stories about WWII or the holocaust and yet something drew me to Zwartboek or Black Book. IMDB describes it ... In the Nazi-occupied Netherlands during World War II, a Jewish singer infiltrates the regional Gestapo headquarters for the Dutch resistance. Carice van Houten plays Rachel/Ellis and does an excellent job. I thought this film was well done and the casting was right on, their performances excellent.

At trivia once this month, we had an entire round of Bond questions. Watching The Living Daylights and A View to a Kill helped me out in that. I am starting to have these films blend together a wee bit. Roger Moore is a bit too old in A View to a Kill and I thought that Christopher Walken played the best role I've ever seen him in, in this film. He was a wonderful crazy bad guy. The Living Daylights is the first of the two Timothy Dalton films and I've decided he's not my favorite. I found it an interesting commentary on the whole Berlin Wall, Communist world. It's like I am on the verge of forgetting that was part of our world in my youth. In fact, it made me want to watch The Lives of Others again.

What I Was Listening to in October

a random sampling from my MP3 player here are my posted shuffles:

Oct 2
All Fired Up by Pat Benetar
I'm the Man Who Loves You by Wilco
Roxanne by The Police
Take it Easy (Love Nothing) by Bright Eyes
The First Cut is the Deepest by Sheryl Crow

Oct. 20
Barricades and Brickwalls by Kasey Chambers
Angel by Shaggy
Freedom of the Road by Martin Sexton
I'm in Love Again by The Animals
Honey Bee by Tom Petty

Oct. 28

Fire by Bruce Springsteen
The Day John Kennedy Died by Lou Reed
I Don't Know by Jimmy Witherspoon
Do You Remember by Jack Johnson
Pretty by The Cranberries

SuperDuperPsychoBusy

This past week flew by like... like something really fast. That's how tired I am, I can't even think metaphorically. Sigh. Here's how I've been keeping busy:

• On Tuesday and Thursday, I helped my sister pack for her 2 months and ten days trip to Australia in addition to working with Pam on trivia questions and participating in parent/teacher conferences on Thursday.
• On Friday, I celebrated The Day of the Dead at Pam's with the DNA trivia folk.
• On Saturday, after having lunch with Tara, I hauled Ashley's luggage to the airport to weigh it. Thank goodness we did... one bag was 3 pounds over and one bag was 2 pounds under so we shifted and removed things and got it all under control. Then I finished writing two "free drink questions" for trivia and went off to host.
• On Sunday, my mom and I drove Ashley to Minneapolis because her flight to LA left at 7 am, the next morning. We enjoyed a couple yummy meals, half price books, IKEA, and Crate and Barrel and then we hugged and kissed the wee one good bye and mom and I headed home... Ahhh... just TEN hours in the car. (By the way, it was the first out of town trip for my car... it got 34 miles to the gallon. Not too bad, I don't think)
• Oh, and I'm already failing miserably at NaNoWriMo... it turns out I don't have enough time for LIFE (like sleeping and doing laundry) let alone writing.. but I've not given up yet.