8.30.2002
so i guess
i'm playing a bit of a linkwhore at the moment. For those of you who caught the Yatta link below, and you want to learn the dance moves, well now you can! And if you want to know the future of Yatta....or you want to know the words to Yatta...
Apu has some very talented buddies out there...
And if that wasn't enough for you, and you need some other song to be stuck in your head for weeks on end...Jim Henson did it the best.
5:35 PM | link | up| archives |
8.29.2002
at first
I thought THIS was disturbing.
Then I saw THIS.
11:17 PM | link | up| archives |
8.28.2002
8.25.2002
things
that my cat does that I don't understand:
1. He loves to lick the rough straps on book bags, messenger bags, duffle bags. No clue why.
2. He RACES from his catbox when he's done to the other side of the house. Sounds like a herd of elephants.
Well the latter one I may understand...I was told it's instinctual to get as far away from the scent as possible. Personally, I think he's just happy to be rid of the excess.
Off to the conference...
7:27 AM | link | up| archives |
8.24.2002
afk
for awhile, while I am at a conference that I'm one of the organizers for at work. It's just here in Boston but I'll be staying at the hotel through Wednesday, rushing about, making sure it goes smoothly. Barely any time to rest and I start school right after that, which I'm becoming excited about, but also frustrated that my student loans haven't been fully processed yet. Might be a couple weeks before I'm picking up my books.
In the meantime, Joe and I are looking forward to Brimfield! Hoping we find ourselves a dining room table and chairs! Not to mention postcards, postcards, postcards...
7:46 PM | link | up| archives |
8.20.2002
feeling prosey and poesy
but barely a second to actually think about exploring those feelings. I have felt so inspired by my reading of The Selected Letters of Marianne Moore. During her lifetime, the poet wrote over 50,000 letters! During the height of her fame, she often wrote up to 50 letters a day. Many of her letters were multiple pages (25, 40, 50, sometimes more) and each of them was filled with amazing description as well as an intriguing look at life as a woman in America between the years of 1905-65. She is inspiring, always upbeat and excited about her work. She corresponded with famous poets such as Ezra Pound, T.S. Eliot, William Carlos Williams, Elizabeth Bishop, H.D., e.e. cummings and Wallace Stevens. Her letters are filled with witty reports of the world, literary life and exquisitely mundane things such as the cost of a new hat ($9 Stetson) or dress. She used to make up third person names for herself (Fangs, Dactyl, Rat, Winks, Weaz) as well as nicknames for her mother (Mouse) and brother (Badger, Biter) and for close friends. The most amazing thing, to me, is that while she wrote these letters, she still found time for her poetry, of which she also produced several volumes.
It makes me wonder what on earth is wrong with me?
6:24 PM | link | up| archives |
8.16.2002
dizzy
is how I feel lately--my world is such a whirlwind. Work has me working extra long hours these days, getting ready for our annual user conference. My life is consumed by event planning. I suppose that's okay---I do love doing it.
Taking a break in the Pitt this weekend. It's the most boring town (even if it's the largest) in the whole Berkshires--the city doesn't want to spend the right kind of money on tourism (shot down a ballpark proposal yes that would have helped revitalize their downtown).The main drag in Pittsfield has an old folks center in the converted theater and there is a nearby old folks home just a short wheelchair ride away. Luckily there is so much activity going on in the surrounding cities that you don't have to feel like you are in backwards land when you visit. Can't wait to see Joe's family again--I feel such contentment being around them, even if it does make me homesick to see my family (been two years now). His beautiful little nephew, Clement, will be there to entertain us--kids and pets are always the center of attention, I find.
Joe refuses to learn Italian in the car with me on the way over. So I'm resigned to learning on my commute...done with CD one now and moving onto 2 of 6! It's difficult not being able to read it while I'm learning though, so hoping that the Italian books I've ordered arrive today---one on verbs (conjugation is sort of funny in Italian because they leave off the pronouns) and another on the basics--I need the visual to complement the aural. Joe's mom will be delighted to know I'm learning--but my pronounciation is bound to be awful!
11:14 AM | link | up| archives |
8.13.2002
i have been
struggling to get through A.S. Byatt's Possession, not because it's difficult (although it truly is not an easy read), but because I simply have not had the time. Lately I've been taking to shutting the door to my office at lunch and snagging 15-20 min of precious reading time...which gets me through big chunks of the book due to my unusally speedy reading skills.
When this book first came out 12 years ago, it was, to me, like a movie that everyone raves about--and I feared that it would be overrated, like many of the Oprah Book Club offerings, so I avoided it. I was in a small bookstore in Inman Square earlier this summer, however, and saw it and I was surprised that I hadn't read it before given the subject matter. I'm glad I finally picked it up.
Still, in reading this novel, I find that it makes me sad in a myriad of ways, mostly in that I am not part of the literary world in the way that I used to be. I have no one to pratter on about literary crit to, or truthfully, have any reason to think very critically about literature at all. It makes me feel as though I have let so much of myself down, in not pursuing that love, the desire to discover more about literature, about the authors' intentions in their writings, uncovering symbolism and metaphor and having heavy discussions over coffee or wine about poetry or fiction.
This is one of the rare contemporary novels that will go down as a literary masterpiece of our time. I assumed that many scholars have already begun to dissect this extraordinary work and sure enough, I was right. And in uncovering college essay after essay and even a published guidebook to the book, I was astounded to discover that my timing is impeccable, in that they are releasing the movie this weekend. It features Gwenyth Paltrow, who I actually really like, and I think would make a fitting Maud. Still, I'm prepared for many deviations from the book, especially in the romantic portions of the movie. I am not yet finished reading, but the romance between Maud and Roland is off to a terribly slow start and I can't imagine Hollywood being patient with the pace.
All that said, the air around the apartment is thick with smoke this afternoon, clouded up by a four-alarm fire at a Watertown bakery mere blocks away. Traffic was horrendous on Rt. 128 this evening, for no apparent reason (took me an hour and a half to get home) and my cell phone has been cut off for late payment. Kitty has been ignoring me all night as well. For some reason, the energy around me is curiously charged...
10:39 PM | link | up| archives |
8.12.2002
happy henning!
great fun was had by all at my first "hen" party! Joe is always teasing me about going out with my girlfriends, calling them hens, so I decided that I would throw a brunch and invite some girlfriends over for raspberry lemonade, mimosas, coffee cake and great conversation. It was wonderful! I had the chance to see many friends I hadn't seen in a long time and to bring together people to make new friends. I think only 2 people of the 8 I invited knew each other previously, so it was great to be able to introduce everyone. Joe played baseball during the morning and came in a bit sweaty and dirty halfway through. After he showered, he holed up in the bedroom watching the Red Sox. I think all my friends think he's scared of them! Au contraire, he was just keenly observant of the ritual of women henning together and didn't want to disrupt the balance.
Besides, I'm not sure he would have had much to contribute to all the women's health conversations, talk of Feng Shui, and how to snag a man after 30. Romeo was the life of the party, offering up his belly for rubbing and scratching. Smart cat--he knew just how to have eight women put their hands all over him.
9:30 AM | link | up| archives |
8.10.2002
i can't tell you
how happy I am that there is a Target nearby now! Nicole and Joanie share my understanding of how amazing Target is. 100 times better than crappy Walmart and junky K-Mart. Just five minutes from my house and I can pick up a big trash can (9.79), crystal water pitcher (14.00), saline solution (6.79...two dollars cheaper than Stah Mahket), Gatorade for Joe, party napkins and a computer game. Where else could you snag all that stuff in one shot--in a clean, well-organized store?
The funny thing is that I used to work at Target. Switchboard operator for a year or so when I was in college. Totally easy job--I could do my homework when I wasn't directing calls. Best job in the store.
1:43 PM | link | up| archives |
8.8.2002
i came to you as me.
It sounds easy but the truth of such
statements are rooted in dark drama,
wild delusions and idyllic romance.
I came to you as me.
Strong as thunder, clear as rain,
in as much motion as the wind among
the trees of your heart, touching, testing.
I came to you as me.
Rooted for the first time, firm in the soil
of understanding, patient, wise.
I came to you as me, for the first and final
time, honest and true.
I didn’t discover me—until I met you.
c. 2002 clk
9:37 PM | link | up| archives |
8.7.2002
shamelessly stolen
from Bouillabaisse for the Soul
1. Are you an innie or an outie?: innie
2. Have you ever worn bell-bottoms?: Ummm yeah. But it was the first time around. I actually remember having a pair of gold, yellow and brown diamond patterned polyester bell-bottoms, which I adored.
3. Have you ever written a song?: yes, but I think it was when I was in junior high and aspiring to be in a band of some sort. blah.
4. Can you make change for a dollar right now?: yes
5. Have you ever been in the opposite sex's bathroom?: of course
6. Have you ever smelled your own feet?: probably but god knows when that was
7. Do you like ketchup on or beside your french fries? beside. I like fries with my ketchup. But not nearly like my friend Michael's son, Alex. He likes WAY too much.
8. Can you touch your toungue to your nose?: no, but I can tie a cherry stem in a knot with my tongue
9. Have you ever been a boy/girl scout?: no, was a campfire girl!
10. Have you ever broken a mirror?: yes, sigh. Was it bad luck? actually, funny enough, it was in some ways--broke a mirror the year I got married (marriage lasted seven years), and I moved away from my favorite place on earth--Seattle.
11. Have you ever put your toungue on a frozen pole?: I think so, but not bad enough that I hurt myself
12. What is your biggest pet peeve?: water dripping off the end of my nose. In the shower, the pool, etc.
13. Do you slurp your drink after its gone?: no. that would be on my pet peeve list probably
14. Have you ever blown bubbles in your milk?: yes, but I was little.
15. Would you rather eat a Big Mac or a Whopper?: neither. I haven't eaten fast food in nearly two years. But if I had...Big Mac.
16. Have you ever gone skinny-dipping?: nope.
17. When you are at the grocery store, do you ask for paper or plastic?: Paper, always. partially because it's environmental but mostly because I can carry them WAY better and without breaking than the plastic. The imbecile baggers also manage to bag them better...something about having a square bottom, I think.
18. True or False: You would rather eat steak than pizza: true, but it would really depend on mood.
19. Did you have a baby blanket? If so, what did you call it?: it didn't have a name but I carried a blanket around with me (when I slept) until I was in college. It was so holey by then that I had to give it up. I heard that Kirsten Dunst has a similar blanket!
20. Have you ever tried to cut your own hair?: yes, but it's been ages.
21. Have you ever sleepwalked?: I guess I used to when I was little---I would walk to the top of the stairs, my mom would stand there and wait for me to fall, but I never did...I'd turn around and go back to bed.
22. Have you ever had a birthday party at McDonalds?: no!!! Chuck E. Cheese? I think once...when they first started up.
23. Can you flip your eye-lids up?: NO. BLECH!
24. Are you double jointed?: my fingers are a bit
25. If you could be any age, what would you be?: god, this is hard. probably 24, but with the knowledge that I have now.
26. Have you ever gotten gum stuck in your hair?: Unfortunately.
27. Have you ever thrown-up after a roller coaster ride?: Never! I love them!
28. What is your dream car?: Actually, I love my Kia Sportage and would love to just upgrade to a new one.
30. Would you go swimming in shallow waters where, one year earlier, a shark had attacked a child?: Sure, but I would be wary.
31. How many cavities do you have?: More than I want to think about.
32. Have you ever eaten a dog biscuit?: I don't think so, but god knows...when I was little, it was possible.
33. If you were in a car sinking in a lake, which would you do first: unbuckle your seat belt or open your window?: Ummm not sure? Probably open my window before the pressure made it hard to do that.
34. Have you ever ridden in an ambulance?: Yeah. Car accident about 7 years ago. Messed me up in the neck, shoulders and arms.
35. Can you pick something up with your toes?: yes.
36. How many remote controls do you have in your house?: 4, I think. Possibly more.
37. Have you ever fallen asleep in school?: yes
38. How many times have you flown in an airplane in the last year?: zero, but that will change.
39. How many foreign countries have you visited?: canada, jamaica, mexico, colombia, panama, costa rica, aruba
40. If you were out of shape, would you compete in a triathlon if you were somehow guaranteed to win a big, gaudy medal?: no way!
41. Would you rather be rich and unhappy, or poor and happy? poor and happy
42. If you fell into quicksand, would you try to swim or try to float? float.
44. Do you ask for directions when you are lost?: I don't get lost that much. I would ask for directions only if I didn't have a map or a cell phone.
45. Have you ever had a Mexican jumping bean?: no
46. Are you more like Cinderella or Alice in Wonderland?: Alice
47. Would you rather have an ant farm with no ants or a box of crayons with broken points? crayons...who cares about the points?!
48. Do you prefer light or dark bread?: light! I'm a white bred (bread) gal!
49. Do you prefer scrambled or fried eggs?: depends. I like em both. eggs eggs eggs!
50. Have you ever been in a car that ran out of gas?: yes *wails*
51. Do you talk in your sleep?: nope
52. Would you rather shovel snow or mow the lawn?: mow the lawn
53. Would you rather be bitten by a poisonous snake or constricted by a python?: what a dumb question!
54. Have you ever played in the rain?: of course!
55. Which do you think is more dangerous: an angry bear or a hungry white shark?: hungry white shark
56. Would you climb a very high tree to save a kitten?: if I could! Otherwise the fire department is close.
57. Can you tell the difference between a crocodile and an alligator?: probably not. Well, crocs are huge and alligators aren't, right?
58. Do you drink pepsi or coke?: diet coke
59. Whats your favorite number?: 14
60. If you were a car, would you be an SUV or a sports car?: SUV
61. Have you ever accidentally taken something from a hotel?: no, it was always on purpose
62. Would you blow your nose at the dinner table?: disgusting!
63. Have you ever slipped in the bathtub?: yes
64. Do you use regular or deodorant soap?: Body Shop gels, or stuff my sister sends me (cosmetics department manager at a Dillard's store)
65. Have you ever locked yourself out of the house?: yes, once on Thanksgiving. Neighbors loaned us a ladder to climb in!
66. Would you rather make your living as a singing cowboy or as one of the Simpsons voices?: simpson's voice.
67. If you could invite any movie star to your home for dinner, who would it be?: Drew Barrymore. I just think we would get along famously.
68. Have you ever made a semi truck honk?: yes!!!! I lived in the Pacific Northwest growing up...LOTS of long drives
69. Which would you rather live with: a huge nose or crossed eyes?: huge nose
70. Would you hang out with someone your best friend didnt like?: Yeah but my best friend doesn't have to know about it. Besides, I don't play sides.
71. Would you hang out with someone your best friend liked, but you didnt like?: If necessary. I have.
72. Have you ever returned a gift?: sometimes.
73. Would you give someone else a gift that had been given to you?: not typically! i think I might have, once.
74. If you could attend an Olympic Event, what would it be?: ice skating
75. How many pairs of shoes do you own?: More than I want to and more than I can bear to throw out.
76. If your grandmother gave you a gift that you already have, would you tell her?: No, probably not. She's getting on in years.
77. Do you sing in the car?: Yep! All the time.
78. Would you rather jump into a dumpster or into a vat of honey?: Honey!!!!!
79. What is your favorite breed of dog?: beagle
80. Would you donate money to feed starving animals in the winter?: yes
81. If you were a bicycle, would you be a stingray or a mountain bike?: Hmm?
82. What is your least favorite fruit?: tomato.... ICKY ICKY ICKY
83. What kind of fruit have you never had?: Not sure...I've had a Ton...even the weird ones, like Ugli fruits and the like. Persimmon....are they fruits? Never had one.
84. If you won a $5,000 shopping spree to any store, which store would you pick?: Circle Furniture (yeah yeah we need furniture)
85. What brand sports apparel do you wear the most?: Ummm...none. I think I have a pair of Nike tennies though.
86. How many letters will/did I earn in my high school career?: two---both in Newspaper, at different schools. Funny, huh?
87. Among your friends, who could you arm wrestle and beat?: Nicole :)
88. If you had to choose, what branch of the military would you be in?: Air Force
89. Would you ever parachute out of a plane?: Maybe
90. What do you think is your best feature?: My smile or my eyes.
91. If I were to win a grammy, what kind of music would it be for?: classical
92. What is your favorite season?: Fall...Oooooo I can't wait! I love wearing fall clothes, the leaves, the smell of the air, the energy that I have, new ventures, new friends...
93. How many members do you have in your immediate family?: four besides me.
94. Which of the five senses is most important to you?: I can't possibly choose. Taste probably.
95. Would you be a more successful painter or singer?: Painter. Although Joe would raise his eyebrow at me.
96. Have you ever ridden a tortoise?: no...
97. How many years will/did you end up going to college?: Graduated with B.A. and am starting up my M.A. this fall, so probably 6-7 total, unless I decide on my doctorate later.
98. Have you ever had surgery?: 3: gall bladder is gone!
99. Would you rather be a professional figure skater or professional football player?: figure skater!
100. What do you like to collect?: vintage turn of the century postcards from Seattle and Boston, frog paraphenelia, stamps (when I was young), books books books
1:00 PM | link | up| archives |
8.6.2002
kick the cat
well, not hard, but enough to shove him off the bed when he woke us up at 5:30AM yowling about god knows what. I hate being woken up an hour before I need to get up. I lay in bed after that, trying desperately to concentrate on my breathing and empty my mind of thoughts (taking a meditation class way back ensured me of being able to get to sleep most of the time!). It worked, but I ended up back into one of my very vivid dreams. This time it was an amorous dream...Joe and I making out on some strange double wide lawn chair out on the edge of a tree shaded parking lot in the bright sun. It was getting pretty hot and heavy but being the typical flighty gal that I am, I was distracted by some spinning pinwheel lights in the sky (which was now dark). The constellations were all messed up (forming funny pictures and were different colors) but the only odd thing (to me in the dream) was the spinning lights. I pointed them out to Joe, who could finally see them, when I realized that they were closer than I expected and were unfolding into spacecraft that looked very much like the walkersfrom Empire Strikes Back. They started shooting at the area around us. They were still a bit far off, so we raced toward the house, a huge yellow mansion which in my dream I apparently owned. We raced inside and bolted the doors and I was yelling through the house that we were being attacked. I saw the housekeeper dart from the kitchen into the dining room...she flew so fast that I could barely tell it was her. I was yelling at her to tell us where we could hide in the house (which, although I owned it, I didn't know the layout). We followed her into the empty dining room (like in real life) and at one end of the room was a crescent shaped hole coming from the wall. I went to it and looked in and it was filled with icy water. That's where the housekeeper had gone. We ran upstairs to the very large bedroom to look outside. The shots had stopped firing, so I sort of anticipated that they weren't after us or the town, but my housekeeper who had disappeared into the tunnel underground and they could no longer detect her. I peeked out the window and saw all these strange fur-covered creatures sleeping on the ground. They were multi-colored, about 20 feet tall and just sleeping on the lawn and scattered throughout the part of town that I could see from my window. Joe told me to just not worry and to come to sleep...which I did, but I was still worried when I woke up.
Shanna has given a pretty good account of the Fan Faire so I don't have to type as much! It was great being able to meet people from our server, being able to hang out with new friends (Bill brought his famous brownies! What a great houseguest!), and meeting people like AllaKhazam, Illia, and Baelish from Caster's Realm (who also makes a mean green potion at his parties). They have such wide exposure in the EQ community and it was great to talk to the people who put those sites together. Met several of the game developers as well. I was rather disappointed in the sessions that were offerred, however. They are putting out a new expansion to the game this fall and they didn't preview any of it, which really surprised me. Still, meeting people was the best part. I need to get my photos developed in the worst way. Some incriminating pictures are already up on the Web but there is no way in hell I'll tell you where they are. ha!
9:08 AM | link | up| archives |
8.2.2002
gah!
Last night I dreamt that I ate my palm pilot. Not even sure I WANT to know what that means!
2:09 PM | link | up| archives |
