You are currently browsing the monthly archive for February 2008.
I may try and get my bum in gear to be more creative here. I’ve always missed the NaBloPoMo dates, and this next month’s theme is LISTS! I heart lists. So, I’ma try to attempt it.
Surely you’re not as excited as I, but you’ll still come check, won’t you?
Until then, (which is when, tomorrow? Hmm) I hope everyone has a great weekend. And thanks, AGAIN, to Jen-Nay for the idea spark. You all know we have the same name and college major, right? Surely there’s a reason we bounce off each other. 😉
..and quite often spit my drink out of my nose.
To wit: Eliza Dushku
So I don’t know how many of you watched the Oscars, but apparently during the pre-show, Gary Busey walked up to Ryan Seacrest interviewing Laura Linney and Jennifer Garner. Like the perpetually cracked-out alien he appears to be, he bumbled into the interview and ended up kissing Jennifer Garner on the neck. Her stock in my mind skyrocketed, b/c the look on her face when she first sees him skulking nearby – and throughout the whole thing, actually – is priceless.
Then on Monday morning Seacrest had Busey on his show to explain himself. This is what he said:
“”Well, what I wanted to do was, when I first saw you working, I said, ‘Who is this guy?’ And I said, ‘Oh God, this isn’t going to work.’ And then you captured me. You are to me, when you’re working, an innocent champion of honesty,” Busey told Seacrest. “Your heart has a way to embrace the truth in your delivery without looking like you are reading a script. Everything looks spontaneous. What spontaneity is – spontaneity comes from an invisible idea that is there before the creation began. And you have that naturally, so I just wanted to pay you a compliment. But I didn’t know you were in the middle of an interview, I was just moving through there.” ”
Really though, he might be the smartest guy in the business. He’s not anyone I’d ever want to meet, or even see on the street for that matter, but if you ever need a wild-eyed convincing lunatic – he’s your guy. He might be the world’s most devoted method actor. And nutjob.
Long live Gary Busey. (I guess.)
It was sunny EVERY SINGLE day. (That’s so ironic it’s.. bah.)
Whatever, the trip rocked.
We listened to some Pharoahe Monch.
We saw/visited/ate at the Space Needle, EMP, a Sonics game, the ferry to Bainbridge Island, some seafood and sushi restaurants, Salumi, Seattle Center, Pike Place Market, the Aquarium, Volunteer Park, a jazz/rock show by Crack Sabbath and U of WA.
We took pictures, and you can see it all here. 😉
But that’s all I gots today, friends. I am stupidly exhausted and spending time with the kidlets.
Happy Monday!
I remembered Sara (aka Tuck or Sugar)’s birthday in advance. Huzzah!
I hope you have a wonderful day, amiga. You deserve it. 😉
Happy Birthday!
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But today it is still here. That said, I’ma go play now.
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Keep all of us in your prayers, I’ll be back next week!
Jen
For the love of all that is holy I wish I had thought about that before I posted that picture. I figured the whole doula/Bradley thing might have bought me some credence, but I guess not. You all must not have read the last 6 month’s worth of me saying I think today I might lose my mind.
(Trust me, if’n we ever make that decision, surely you will have heard me debate it with all of myselves on here first.)
So, happy Monday! I had such a fun weekend. Here’s why:
1) We leave for Seattle in two days. TO DRINK AND EAT SUSHI. I CAN’T BE PREGNANT, SEE.
2) On Friday, after the kids were down, I stepped out for a bit to see a friend in town (Jimmy aka Jim, Jimmy James, Leggs), and to have adult conversation for an hour on a crazy day. Thank you Jon, I appreciate it greatly.
3) Our good friend from college, Brandi, sent me the German goods – chocolate and ear plugs. Behold:
Now, I don’t speak German. But I do know that one of the ingredients listed on the back of that manna from heaven is Butterfett, which, despite my attempt otherwise to be ignorant, I know is the cognate it looks like. But oh man is that Butterfett good stuff. And the earplugs were sent in reference to my mentioning needing them for sensory overload in every day life, but the timing of those babies (which, ironically, I thought they were condoms at first) is poyfect, because when I really need them is for the flight.
Very thoughtful of you, Freund. Danke
4) Some more good friends, our beloved Sam & Misty, were also in town. On Saturday, Brandon, Jon and I walked 5 blocks in a stupid downpour to go to a crazy-fun new dueling piano bar called Howl At The Moon located in the starting-to-be-revitalized downtown area called the Power and Light District. The main musician (Ryan McCall, go see him and tip well) who plays is good friends with Sam & Mist, so we went to hear him and see them. Unfortunately, the three of us were the only idiots in all of KC who a) didn’t park in the attached parking garage, and b) couldn’t be bothered to bring an umbrella.
(How do you say drowned rat in German?)
We missed Misty and Jamie, Ryan’s wife, by about 20 minutes, but luckily M&S stopped by last night to hang and talk babies (hers, not mine, see) and politics. Holy batman I adore them and sorely miss New York. In fact I may still accidentally get on a flight heading East on Wednesday. It’s a strong pull. It’s also a testament of my adoration that I’m going to post a horrible picture, but only b/c every time they come into town, the pictures of Misty never come out. So, be so amazed by my bravery and their beauty you just skim over it, mmkay?
Finally, to cap off my weekend, M&S brought me a sweet purse bought on the actual streets of New York. I have no idea if it’s real, stolen, knock-off or not supposed to be, but I lurve it. Again, thank you friends.
Fo’ real, I am very blessed to have such wonderful people in my life. I appreciate and love you all, and will moreso when we start curbing the procreating rumors.
xoxo
(Idea stolen directly from Jen-nay. Gracias.)
OK, the assignment is to give yourself practical advice from a time in your life you might have been lost. This was interesting to me, because there are a couple time periods I could think of to reference. Ha. But high school was probably one of the times that most shaped how I began to think of myself. Soherego:
1. Don’t become friends with Sarah Bradshaw. You had fun with her, sure, but she was not a healthy person, and was a really bad influence. You’re lucky you graduated, you skipped so often. If nothing else, your non-existent study habits kicked your ass in college, where the literal and figurative cost was so much higher. Plus she totally went over the edge in the dorm and stole all your Hormel chili before you moved out.
2. Turn in the guy who owned the Baskin Robbins to OSHA and CPS. He had no first-aid kit and had you working until 11:30 on school nights when you were 15. That’s illegal and he was an ass.
3. Don’t let Jaime Grace get to you. She’s mean and not worth it.
4. Make a commitment to choir. Don’t skip that concert as a Sophomore so you can go with your dad to a band practice and meet a cute boy. You could have been in Chambers if Solley could have trusted you. Don’t be stupid, you love choir.
5a. Try and get a scholarship. They have scholarships for everything, if you’ll just look, you idiot.
5b. Study and try harder on your ACTs and SATs. Don’t fall asleep in your SATs, because even in the reading section, it doesn’t bode well.
6. Do Not date Andy again. The first go-round should have given plenty of warning of character. You will lose years to this guy, and the fallout will set a pattern you fight forever.
7. Get involved with drama earlier than Senior year’s Jesus Christ Superstar, it would have given you confidence. You obviously have an inner actress you’d like to tap into (snort), since you asked the student director if you should act unsure when the crowd is calling for blood. You were follower number 12. Your job was to fill the stage. She barely contained her laughter.
8. Find a way to hang out with Faye Biggerstaff more. She was one of the few genuinely kind people in a sea of sharks, and I think she would have kept you grounded a bit.
9. Hang out with Nammere more while you have the chance. Don’t misplace the story you wrote about her life, there is nothing more fascinating than living history, and you will always regret it deeply.
10. Talk more to Kate.. whatever-her-name-was. She knew she was different than everyone, and suffered as an outcast of sorts. But it takes courage to be that way – specifically in high school – and she was very interesting. Decide to remember her last name. She deserves it.
11. Don’t go to Homecoming with Matt Ross. It will be a freaking nightmare. Dinner, the dress, his stomping on your two-hour-old broken toe, his crying over his ex. NIGHT. MARE.
12. Give yourself permission to acknowledge this is just a shitty time of your life for reasons beyond your control. You’ll get through it and will be more sure of yourself.. later.
I am done with my Bradley academic work. Finished, finito, done. DONE!
(I feel like a Senior in high school after the last final. Let’s go to Shawnee Mission park and grill out everyone!)
Here’s my not-in-the-least humble celebratory song, James’ “She’s A Star”:
((Sigh))
Tonight, me, myself and I are going to snuggle down and watch my boyfriend in a little Goodwill Hunting, since H.Pimp will be traveling (and hey, it is Valentine’s Day after all). If’n any lonely hearts want to join me, you’re more than welcome.
I’ll provide the oatmeal cookies, you provide the wine.
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Happy Thursday (and V-Day to those who want it), friends. I hope it’s a good one.
xoxo
Happy Valentine’s Day, you little fart. Muahahaha.
(Side note: I think it’s a sign of seriously, seriously warped thinking that I saw it will hit 42° today and was excited. A warm streak! …Wait…)
How is everyone today? We’re well enough. We have T-minus one week until we leave, and not a moment too soon. I’m already in preparation mode, but despite the things I am thisclose to forgetting (like a playdate tomorrow and the fact Jack has a school conference today), I realized this week has been quite the media-filled one for me, so I’ll talk about that instead.
First, we have finally tasted the cocaine that is The Wire (pun obviously intended), and are now planning mid-week showings with Brandon, because waiting even a day after the Netflix gods have supplied the goods is just not an option. Those who think I’m being hyperbolic obviously know nothing about need. Fo’ real, the show is amazing. We’re currently DVRing this season, and will get through the first 5(?) seasons as quickly as humanly possible. Crack, yo.
I also finished Running With Scissors earlier in the week, and I am thankful it wasn’t as disturbing as I had feared. I think that’s more the author’s detached-but-obviously-survived voice that makes reading the account manageable. It’s so beyond comprehension that the unemotional narrative lends the reader -or at least me- the ability to choose to distance themselves also, as if it were simply fiction and not a memoir. At any rate, I’m glad I read it, I think life stories are fascinating. (Oh, and I’m almost done with Cholera, and it’s picking up, so that’s a good sign. And for those of you who are internally parenting me with questions about my Bradley work – I have one book report left. Trust me, you’ll know when that’s done.)
I’ve also been drowning myself in new music lately, which has been both overwhelming and very fulfilling. I dig discovering new things to love and add to my impossibly long and contradictory ‘favorite’ list. I tend to be the kind of person who listens to things for like.. weeks.. at a time, then up and moves on. So recently my brain has been a little frantic trying to decide what it wants to perseverate on, ha. That said, Jon bought an album from The Editors (An End Has A Start) and it’s been sort of relieving to listen to it, because it doesn’t bend any comfort levels for me. It’s not amazing, though it’s not bad at all. I’ve said before it’s like Michael Stipe’s less-angsty brother. Anyhoo, I know I’ve posted this song (Smokers Outside the Hospital Doors) before, but I think it’s the best one on the album. Listen, purchase, thank me later.
And that’s about it. Lo took a dive off the stairs while I was brushing my teeth this morning, and looks just awesome with the knot right in the middle of her inherited, gargantuan forehead. Please don’t call CPS, I don’t feel like being flagged for the no-vax thing. 😉 But obviously the drama is not lost on the child, so I imagine she’ll survive.
I love Daft Punk, I love to dance to Daft Punk, and I really love cool-ass videos like this one. Totally synced, this is 2 minutes of awesome.
(Thanks to B-Rand for the introduction.)
A gal from my parenting board posted this article about Six-Word Memoirs. It’s actually really challenging to think about, especially because they can be written flippantly all the way to profoundly. (It’s also difficult for some of us who are not good friends with brevity.)
I’m going to post a couple I thought of; they are neither top-of-the-head nor overly-edited. Share yours if you come up with any. 🙂
Brain chatter’s often louder than reality
Loves everyone most of the time
Skip pets, go straight to kids
Farm idealism stuck in city heart
Not omniscient and grateful for it
Bravado can bluff only so long
Social and introvert completely and confusingly
Air and books are enough sometimes
Dude. Things have gotten desperate if I’m actually posting one of these. Eh. It’s a lazy weekend.
1. What time did you get up this morning? I wanted to sleep until 8:00, but the kids decided that wasn’t in the plans, so I’ve technically been awake since Lo woke up at 6:00.
2. Diamonds or pearls? I don’t really care. I don’t have much need to wear pearls outside of housework and cooking.
3. What was the last film you saw at the Movies? Juno
4. What is your favorite TV show? Ever? Wonder Years. Before the strike? The Office. Now? Real World/Road Rules challenge. Yeah, I admit it.
5. What did you have for breakfast? Coffee
6. What is your middle name? Marie
7. What is your favorite cuisine? The kind I don’t cook. Really, I like most things.
8. What foods do you dislike? Onions are the only thing I bodily reject.
9. Your favorite chips? White corn chips
10. What is your favorite CD at the moment? CD? The iPod’s where it’s at, yo.
11. What kind of car do you drive? 2001 Nissan Xterra – prepared for battle
12. Favorite sandwich? French Dip
13. What are characteristics you can’t stand? Many things I probably do myself.
14. What are your favorite clothes? yoga pants and a tank top
15. If you could go anywhere on vacation, where would it be? Italy. Or Seattle in 10 days.
16. Favorite brand of clothing? I’m not partial to a brand.
18. Favorite time of day? dusk
19. Where were you born? Greeley, CO
20. Where have you lived? TX, CO, KS
21. What is your favorite sport to watch? college football or basketball
22. Who do you think will not send this back/post it on their blog? beats me
23. Person you expect to send it back first? beats me
24. Pepsi or Coke? Coke!
25. Beavers or ducks? What?
26. Are you a morning person or a night owl? Night owl, by a long shot.
27. Pedicure or manicure? Meh. They don’t do much for me.
28. Any new and exciting news you’d like to share? Uhh.. no?
29. What did you want to be when you were little? An astronomer
30. What is your best childhood memory? Time with my mom’s family
31. Piercing? One in each ear.
32. Ever been to Africa? Nope.
33. Ever been toilet papering? Yes
34. Been in a car accident? Many times, though irritatingly, none have been my fault.
35. Favorite day of the week? Friday or Saturday (Really. What a dumb question. Who ever writes Tuesday?)
36. Favorite restaurant? I like a lot of restaurants. I know that’s a lame answer but food’s pretty much a go with me.
37. Favorite flower? Tulip
38. Favorite ice cream? B&J’s Brownie Batter. SWEET MARY that is good.
39. Favorite fast food restaurant? BK I guess.
40. How many times did you fail your driver’s test? Never, but I should have.
41. From whom did you get your last e-mail? Liz
42. Which store would you choose to max out your credit card? I can’t imagine maxing out a credit card I have to pay back, so it’s hard to answer. If it were just a spree I would say Ikea or Whole Foods or Black House/White Market or Target or Home Depot or hell, Williams Sonoma.
43. Bedtime? Anywhere b/w 10 and midnight, usually.
44. Who are you most curious about their responses to this? Anyone would be interesting.
45. Last person you went out to dinner with? Megawhomp, in fact.
46. What are you listening to right now? Okkervil River
47. What is your favorite color? blue
48. How many tattoos do you have? 2
49. How many are you sending this Email to? I’m putting it on my blog.
50. What time did you finish this e-mail? 10:59 am
51. Favorite magazine? SI or Mothering
Huzzah! 