My, Oh My

It's here!

The new Il Divo cd just came out yesterday, and I couldn't wait to get it, so I stopped on my way home to pick it up. I tell you, it's amazing.

These guys really know what they're doing. They are singing mostly in Spanish now, still going with beautifully orchestrated versions of popular opera and pop songs. My favorites are their version of Josh Groban's (originally Secret Garden's) "You Raise Me Up" (one of my all-time favorites, and the song we used for our unity candle lighting ceremony), "I Believe In You" which features Celine Dion, "Hasta Mi Final," and "Pour Que Tu M'aimes Encore," which is a version of Celine Dion's "If That What It Takes."

So, I'm going to pour myself a bottle of wine, turn the music up, close my eyes and float away.

Wait.

I'm at work.

I guess I'll do that later.

But for now, at least I can listen. . .

The Rule of Four

I'm a bridesmaid tagged by the bride! This is fun! (And yes, P, the Cafe in Stow is still there!)

Four Jobs I've Had in My Life
1. Salad bar re-stocker at Rax, which is NOT still there (thank goodness).
2. Student assistant at university in Photographic services, where, among other things, we took headshots of all the football players to stick on their lockers so they'd remember which locker was theirs (I'm not kidding).
3. Photographer for my own little business.
4. English Composition instructor.

Four Movies I Could Watch Over and Over (an eclectic bunch, huh?)
1. L.A. Confidential (I have a thing for Kevin Spacey. . . . yes, I know what they say, but, please, I don't want to date him; I just want to watch him act.)
2. Christmas Vacation (that and A Christmas Story with little Ralphy are Christmas traditions!)
3. The Little Mermaid
4. Fight Club (thanks to my husband for introducing me to this movie - it's genius)
The Usual Suspects and, to a slightly lesser extent, Sixth Sense are also on this list.

Four Places I Have Lived
Hmm. I've only really ever lived in one place, and I'm still here. I'm a Cancer. We don't move around much! But . . .

Four Places I'd Like To Live, if only for a little while
1. London
2. Florence
3. Australia
4. Ireland

Four TV Shows I Love To Watch
1. Six Feet Under, and alas, it is no more. I've never had cable in my life, so I'm still waiting to see the 5th (and last) season once the DVDs come out. I do, however, know most of what happens, thanks to going online to peek at the episode guide a few times. A nasty habit.
2. The Simpsons - I like the show to begin with, but I list it here also because if I'm watching this it means I'm with Steve at the moment
3. House - although I haven't been able to watch even one this season!
4. *_____* I'm leaving this one blank, because I just know there is a perfect show out there that already exists or will exist in the future, and I just have to find it. I'll probably have to spring for cable. Or a dish. Or whatever people get now.

Four Places I Have Been On Vacation
1. Italy (Fabulous - everyone should go there!)
2. Greece (not so fabulous - only go there if you can't go to Italy.)
3. Florida to see my dear friend. And to see Mickey Mouse. Also spent a lot of good times with my family and with Steve there.
4. Germany (Also fabulous, although, at the time, I was too young to realize how fabulous.)
And I can't leave out Riviera Maya for our honeymoon!

Four Websites I Visit Daily
1. My mail site (does that count?)
2. Yahoo, though I'm hearing good things about new Google mail. . .
3. My bank's website to get my checking account info (is that SQUARE or what?) - actually, I don't visit every day, maybe every other day . . .
4. P's blog - also not quite every day, but a lot!

Four of My Favorite Foods
1. Kibbie (couldn't have guessed that, right?)
2. Stuffed Peppers
3. Chilli
4. Farinacci's Pizza

I'm adding to the list . . .

Four of My Favorite Books
1. Lord of the Flies
2. Hamlet
3. The Count of Monte Cristo (not the best piece of literature in the world, but I love it!)
4. Let's Go Fishing

People I tag next . . . . The Minotaur (ha ha) and The Illusionist.

Back to Narnia

Shortly after Christmas, I went with my dad and my brother to see The Chronicles of Narnia. I read four of the books this past summer, and I couldn't wait to see the movie. If you have seen it, I hope you enjoyed it at least as much as I did. The cinematography was impressive, and the young actors playing the main roles did a fantastic job (especially little Lucy).

If you haven't seen it yet, do go . . . but try not to sit near any children (unless, of course, they are yours). There is an interesting dynamic at movies like that. Despite rather mature themes, a scary bad lady, and violence, it is, overall, a children's movie. So, yes, there will be children in the audience. I have no problem with that. In fact, I enjoy hearing their giggles and delight during movies I enjoy in much the same way they do! However, in Narnia, we just happened to sit in front of The Expert of All that is Narnia. I figure he was about . . . oh . . . eight or nine. He was very familiar with the books, but, alas, his friend next to him was not. SO, we were treated to a running commentary throughout the entire movie. We got to hear all about where the lamp post came from in the first book and how the big guy in brown was "Father Christmas, or as WE know him, Santa Claus." And when his friend asked, repeatedly, what was going to happen, Mr. Expert would sigh with exasperation (enjoying every minute of it, I'm sure) and answer, "You'll SEE." You might ask why we didn't move. That's just me, I guess. It takes a lot to get me to get up during a movie and change seats. I sat there thinking, "At least he's not kicking my seat." And I have to say that I was impressed with not only this child's knowledge of the books but also his interest in them. Any child who reads is a friend of mine. I just don't want to sit near my new little friend in a movie again.

I can certainly relate to the Minotaur's aversion to movie theaters (http://ironlabyrinth.blogspot.com/2006/01/movie-theatres.html). However, there are movies that you pretty much have to see, at least once, on the big screen, and Narnia, for me, is one of them. You have to weigh the benefits of seeing the movie larger than life, with brilliant color and sound, with the risk of harassment by other audience members. These movies usually draw the largest audiences, however, (think Lord of the Rings), and therein lies the paradox.

Narnia was worth it, despite the chatterbox behind me. Let me know what you think.

At Long Last

I was finally able to get the pictures from Christmas to a point where I could post them. Here is one of Our First Christmas Tree. It is actually the top half of a 7½ foot tree. This was the only way it would fit into our living room!

"Ahhh, tissue paper. It is crinkly on my butt and I love it." Here, George enjoys one of his favorite spots to sit. Another favorite place, where he slept most nights over Christmas, was under the back of the tree. He was happiest when there weren't any gifts under there, but he eventually got used to them. Judging from his affinity for ripping cardboard, I figured he'd have the gifts unwrapped overnight, but he was a good boy. The gifts remained unscathed, though we did find some orange hairs here and there.

Steve's parents got us a headboard for Christmas, and here is George helping Steve put it together. He loved it in the box. He loved it out of the box. He loved the Styrofoam packaging that came in the box. Now, he likes to sneak into our bedroom when we've forgotten to shut the door, sit on his new headboard, and eat Steve's spider plant. He thinks it's just great that he got a headboard for Christmas!

Falling Into Place

At long last, I post again! For those who have been awaiting a happier post since my last one, I hope I can satisfy!

The holidays were very pleasant and relaxing. As soon as I get the time to upload the photos, I'll post a holiday recap! Sir George (I know . . . still need to get a picture of him on here!) loved his first Christmas with us, even though his world was turned a bit upside down when Nikki, my lab moved in. They have come to an agreement, however, and leave each other pretty much alone.

For now, I have a comforting feeling of things falling into place. A new year, a cozy home, a realistic budget, my doggie, a gym membership, and even a new cell phone plan. After the hectic wedding planning and the holidays, it's nice to settle down into a mode where I can get several things on my to-do list checked off every week, if not every night. Steve and I spend a lot of time together, which is wonderful, and I spend time with my family and friends. All in all, it's shaping up to be a fine year!

Not a very Christmasy Christmas Post

A Bah Humbug

This is a bit unlike me. This might be the closest thing to a political post I’ll ever have on this blog. I love Christmas . . . it’s certainly my favorite holiday. And I’m loving my first married Christmas. But I just had to share.

If you’re enjoying the warm fuzzies of the holidays and want to hold on to them, you might want to stop reading and wait for my next post, which, I’m sure, will be a whole lot more jolly.

Without going into a whole long rant over things that people normally complain about during this time of year, let me simply share with you a few images from my Christmas season so far.

One. I was driving to work this morning when I looked over at the car next to me to see that the driver was wearing a Santa hat. “How nice,” I thought. Someone in the spirit of the season. Then I got closer and saw a cigarette hanging from his mouth. There was something very ugly and very wrong about that.

Two. I was finishing my Christmas cards the other night when I had to ask myself when wrapping and decorating and Christmas cards became something to “get done” rather than to enjoy. Don’t we all (well, the women, at least) have lists of things to “get done” before the holidays and complain that they’re coming too quickly?

Three. Last week sometime, I was listening to my Christian radio station, enjoying some Christmas music, when one of the DJs announced that she was going to read a heartwarming and touching email she received from a friend . . . and, of course, it turned out to be one of those sappy forwards that we all get . . . all too frequently. “Lord, let me remember that the person who cut me off in traffic might be a single mom who is rushing home to make dinner for her children, help them with their homework, and spend some precious moments with them before they go to bed. . . Lord, help me remember . . .” Ick. I can’t go on. Lord, help me remember why I listen to that station.

Somehow, what irritates me more than anything else about the holiday season (more than the commercialism, the way people spell it “x-mas,” and the crowds of hassled and rude people) are the reminders we get of the “reason for the season” (does that phrase make anyone else gag?) – are we really so stupid that we need watered down versions of real messages? Do these things really help? Because, I can tell you, when someone cuts me off in traffic, I don’t really care where she’s going (although I usually have a suggestion).

With all this in mind, I’ll share a poem that has stuck with me since I studied it in college. I guarantee you’ll never find this on a Hallmark card. It pretty much sums up the “reason for the season.” And yes, it lays on a pretty heavy coat of guilt, but, after all, this is Robert Southwell . . .

THE BURNING BABE.
By Robert Southwell

As I in hoary winter's night stood shivering in the snow,
Surprised I was with sudden heat which made my heart to glow;
And lifting up a fearful eye to view what fire was near,
A pretty babe all burning bright did in the air appear;
Who, scorchëd with excessive heat, such floods of tears did shed
As though his floods should quench his flames which with his tears were fed.
"Alas," quoth he, "but newly born in fiery heats I fry,
Yet none approach to warm their hearts or feel my fire but I.
My faultless breast the furnace is, the fuel wounding thorns,
Love is the fire, and sighs the smoke, the ashes shame and scorns;
The fuel justice layeth on, and mercy blows the coals,
The metal in this furnace wrought are men's defilëd souls,
For which, as now on fire I am to work them to their good,
So will I melt into a bath to wash them in my blood."
With this he vanished out of sight and swiftly shrunk away,
And straight I callëd unto mind that it was Christmas day.

Ok. So, sorry for the unusually bitter post. I’m sure after another cup of egg nog, I’ll feel just fine . . .

For Bourbie

We have lost a dear member of our family, our beautiful dog, Bourbon. Bourbon had been Steve’s family’s dog for fifteen years. She came to live with us in May when we moved into our home, and though she was fading, she still had a lot of life and a lot of love in her.
Steve’s family has shared many memories of Bourbon with me, from her puppyhood forward. She was dear to them, as they were to her. I first met Bourbon on my first date with Steve, and I think I loved her even before I loved him. Over the past four years, she and I grew very close, and she was a sweet, gentle, and intelligent friend. I will always remember the evenings she kept me company while Steve was in class, the times she stole my food (particularly the egg roll she nabbed right off my plate once), and our (slow) walks around our new neighborhood after my surgery this past summer. My family loved her, too. She stayed with my parents a couple times while Steve and I were traveling, and she shared many family dinners at their house with us. She quickly found out that I wasn’t the only pushover when it came to sharing food, but anyone related to me was a pushover as well. Most of all, I will remember how much she loved all of us, and how we could see her love in her eyes.
On November 30th, she began to fade faster, and we had to give her up. It was difficult for all of us, and it has been hard to grow accustomed to life without her. We will all miss her. She was an angel.


"Until one has loved an animal a part of one's soul remains unawakened."
Anatole France

"We give dogs time we can spare, space we can spare and love we can spare.
And in return, dogs give us their all.
It's the best deal man has ever made." M.Facklam

Dangerous Crossing

Warning: Hula-Hooper Crossing!

Maybe not the best, but still a fine example of culture jamming, this appears in Virginia Kendall park near the Octagon. We thought it was so funny when we saw it a few months ago that we went back to take pictures.

That's better . . .

Goodbye Autumn

What a lovely autumn this was! I’m sad to see it go. Even with my annual bout with bronchitis, I was still able to experience the delights of the season – the occasional whif of dying leaves through my congested sinuses – that distinct crispness that makes me smile no matter what. The cool air in the evenings. The crunch of the leaves underfoot on walks with my husband. And, call me crazy, but I just love carving pumpkins; I love digging my fingers into the goop inside and smelling that rich smell of pulp, then, of course, toasting the seeds.

I traced fall’s gait in the brilliantly colored trees just outside my entrance into work, which greeted me every morning. First, they only had a bit of red on the edges and were still a dark green in the middle. Gradually, the red grew and the tree caught fire. Finally, though, after a blustery weekend, the trees that greeted me Monday morning looked much more naked, but were still proud and holding on to those last few leaves. Now the wind comes stronger and the rain is heavier, and the forecast says snow in a couple of days.

Fall is all too short, but it remains the season that makes me happiest. This autumn was particularly special, with our wedding in September and us settling into our new home. There was something about the cool air and the dim golden light at dusk that always made the house seem that much cozier.

Our first fall in our new home also brought other firsts. It was the first Halloween that we could pass out candy from a front door that was our own, and even though it didn’t quite live up to the Romantic concept I had in my mind, I loved it. Candy shopping was a bit of a challenge; I guess I was a bit late, and some of the stores had already begun to stock . . . gasp . . . Christmas stuff. (I could go on, but I’ll save that for another post.) Then I filled my Disney Villain ice bucket (the Evil Queen always points outward when displayed – she is, after all, The Best Villain Ever), put away my own private stash of candy (at least I know Steve will leave it alone) lit the candles in the pumpkins on the porch, turned the porch light on, and waited. I imagine I looked like a toddler on Christmas morning, standing on tiptoe to peep out the windows in our front door for the first visitors. I didn’t have to wait long; they started to come early. We saw many little Batmen, Darth Vaders, and princesses. One little girl, probably about four, explained when I opened the door for her, in a voice that was both exasperated and matter-of-fact beyond her years, "I can’t reach your doorbell." She was still stretching for it when I dropped a Kit Kat into her bucket. I gave her a DumDum sucker, too, because I liked her so much; it was little ones like her who were my favorites. I realized that, while there weren’t many like her, weren’t many who said both "Trick-or-Treat" and "thank you," weren’t many who seemed to enjoy the getting of the candy as much as the candy itself, it was the ones like her that made it worth it – even when I had to dip into my private stash when the ice bucket was empty.

Steve and I also got to vote together for the first time, finally living in the same district. We drove the whole minute and a half down to the park lodge that was named on my little voting card. There, walking in, I was reminded that voting is so important, so responsible, so . . . quaint. The lodge smelled like the kindling stacked next to the fireplace, and also a bit like my grandmother’s house. Nice little old ladies asked for our names and directed us into curtained booths, where, carefully and responsibly, we cast our votes. Then said little old ladies dropped our punched ballots, sans hanging chads (which we had dutifully removed per the sign inside the booth), into locking boxes . . . that were unlocked. We at once felt both proud of ourselves for having done our civic duty and sadly pedestrian.

In honor of the passing season, I was going to attach some photographs that I took a few weeks ago when Steve and I went apple picking, but I'm having technical difficulties. But apple pictures will be posted as soon as I figure out what's going wrong. But in the meantime . . . anyone want a pie? I have plenty of apples left . . .