A song for today, it never fails to bring a smile to my face on these gray November days.
*****************
My love of all things Muppets comes, of course, from Sesame Street. I remember attempting to sing along with Big Bird as he sounded out the mysterious word that the alphabet spells. I never could wrap my tongue around it though.
And then there was Fraggle Rock. This, I believe, needs no further explanation when I tell you I still have a Fraggle Rock lunch box and that I was crushed when my mother gave away my Fraggle Rock books.
While in Washington D.C. I went to an amazing Jim Henson exhibit. I don't know if it is still there, but if you have the chance by all means go. Nostalgia for your childhood and a cheery good mood are the sequelae. Enjoy!
11.18.2008
11.16.2008
Book Report #1
Today's show and tell comes from the novel I just finished reading. Initially I was attracted to the book, not only because it was a National Book Award finalist, but because the author, Scott Spencer, has been called a novelist who knows the human heart better than any other.
"...[T]hat little shimmering capsule of time is like listening to cello music in the morning, or watching birds in a flutter of industry building a nest, it simply reminds us that even if God is dead, or never existed in the first place, there is, nevertheless, something tender at the center of creation, some meaning, some purpose and poetry."
A Ship Made of Paper has an engaging plot, is beautifully written and has astonishingly fantastic moments. However, despite the decent plot, the success of the story relies on the connection between the reader and the characters, and none of the characters are extremely likable. The novel tells the story of Daniel, a lawyer who has moved from NYC to his hometown after a violent confrontation with one of his black clients. He brings his girlfriend and her daughter, Ruby. Without being able to help himself, he falls in love with the mother of Ruby's best friend, Iris, who is both married and black. He pursues her relentlessly, despite the possible ramifications of his actions, and despite his fear of black people. The two begin an affair which ruins their, and their loved ones, lives. As a reader, I found it difficult to relate to their self destruction and found the book a depressingly sad and tense cautionary tale of adultery.
11.14.2008
A New Beginning
My old computer, Fitzwilliam, died. We won't go into the details of his death, let's just say that it involved tequila. So sad. Anyway, my papa came to town this week and we bought a new computer. I've named this one Fitzwilliam the Second. In honor of Fitzwilliam the second, I am hereby going to change the format of this little blog that nobody reads. I am now going to share with the Internet the poems, passages and quotes that speak to me on that particular day.
Today, I share a fantastic poem by Christine Rhein.
Today, I share a fantastic poem by Christine Rhein.
TUNING
I try to tune out the boom! boom! boom!
from the shooting range two miles from my house,
and think of the people who live next door
to the targets, or in the din of London and Berlin
where nightingales now sing fourteen decibels louder
to be heard by mates, quintupling the pressure
in their lungs. I've never heard a nightingale,
but I know noise comes from nausea, and bulls-
eye names the goal for some blurry desire.
Bullseye is a band in Norway playing gung-ho rock and roll,
like the kid down the street whose car speakers rumble
through his closed windows and mine,
drums pummeling our insides. If I told him I once hiked
among redwoods, heard ghostly calls in the stillness,
branches somewhere in the canopy sky
moaning as they swayed, would he say Cool
or Whatever, the way my sons have mumbled it,
intending that I shouldn't--or maybe should--hear,
all talk target practice, ricochet and sashay, headache
and heartache, duck and cover. In a fable, Lion realizes
too late his vulnerability, the tunnel of his ear,
tiny Mosquito zooming in. Out beyond Pluto, Voyager's
golden disc offers mud pots, thunder, footsteps,
a Brandenburg Concerto and Johnny B. Goode.
Was the very first song a hum or a shout, laughter
or weeping? When my friend, at forty, praised
her cochlear implants, she complained about work,
the ringing office phones--How do people concentrate?
I consider her vacations--wind surfing, rock climbing,
marathons--how different now that she hears
each splash and scrape, the huh of heavy exhalation.
I wish I could adorn my ears the way warriors in India did,
with metallic green beetle wings, an iridescent
clacking and tinkling at the Feast of Courage. Imagine
if we could hear bread rising, dew forming, the budding
of raspberries, the tear of a cocoon, a minnow's pulse,
our own cells growing, dying. When my husband
kisses my ear, I love the swoosh, the quiver, his breath
sand driven by wind, my whispered name.
9.22.2008
Because I'm a Follower
I think my myspace friends are tired of me filling these out, so I'll post this here:
************************************************
Are you usually wide awake in the mornings?
Yes. Well, as soon as I'm out of my bed I am.
Has anything disappointed you today?
Not yet.
How old were you when you started swimming on your own?
Um. No idea.
Last time you had butterflies in your stomach?
Oh. A couple days ago.
Are you confident in yourself?
That totally depends. For instance, I'm confident in my ability to swim across a swim pool, I am not confident in my ability to ice skate.
Are you hanging out with anyone tonight?
I don't know.
Are you currently doing laundry?
Nope.
Did you ever read any of the Babysitters Club books?
Yes. I loved them.
What can't you wait for?
Um. No idea.
Do you have a job?
I do.
Do you sleep with your doors open or closed?
Closed.
Does it annoy you when someone says they'll call but never do?
Yes it does.
Who was the last person to make you cry?
Um, it was the Vietnam Vetrans Memorial.
Are you honestly happy with who you are?
I am.
If you're being extremely quiet, what does that mean?
I'm shy, mad, tired or just not feeling like talking.
Are you a patient person?
Yes.
Are you a light sleeper or heavy sleeper?
Heavy.
Is there any emotion you're trying to avoid right now?
Oh sure.
Do you want someone back in your life?
Not really.
Who gives you the best advice?
Oprah. Ha! Wait, TYRA gives the best advice.
Who's house have you been to other than your own today?
Just mine. It's only 10:30.
Was today better than yesterday?
Yes. I didn't have to get up at 5:30.
What are you doing tomorrow?
I'm meeting my student!
Are your ears peirced?
They are.
Have you ever kissed anyone who's name started with a T?
Yes. My papa and my grandma, on the cheek.
How did you feel when you woke up today?
Sad that I didn't sleep past 9:00.
How's your heart lately?
Beating. As always.
Are you in a good mood?
I am pretty cheery!
Do you prefer warm or cold weather?
Warm. Not hot. Warm.
Brothers, Sisters?
I'm a sister!
Is there anyone who's a lot like you?
I'm sure there is someone somewhere.
person you talked to on the phone?
My brother?
Is there a guy that knows everything or most everything about you?
Yes.
How long until your birthday?
5 months?
Do you know anyone named Tyler?
I do.
Does the future make you more nervous or excited?
Yes.
Have you ever seen someone you knew and purposely avoided seeing them?
Yes. Everybody does that.
Does it matter to you if your boyfriend/girlfriend smokes?
It matters. I will not kiss a smoker.
Are you going anywhere next summer?
No. Maybe? I don't know.
Are you talkative?
I am.
Do you secretly like someone?
Always. But I'm sure it's fairly obvious. I always am that transparent.
Do you announce when you have to pee?
I do.
Who was the last person you cried in front of?
All the strangers at the Vietnam Vetrans Memorial.
Are you good at hiding your feelings?
Yes.
What were you doing at ten last night?
Sitting on the couch watching the Emmys and drinking a margarita.
What were you doing this morning at 7am?
Sleeping in my bed.
What do you need to be doing right now?
I need to clean my room today.
Is there anything silver near you?
My necklace.
What were you doing an hour ago?
Eating oatmeal and watching Sesame Street.
Who last sent you a myspace message?
Anne.
Whose bed did you sleep in last night?
My own.
Have you held hands with anyone in the past week? Who?
I hold my patient's hands all the time. I suppose it doesn't count when I'm wearing purple non-latex gloves.
Do you like to cuddle?
Yes, yes I do.
What are your plans for this weekend?
No idea.
Are you someone's best friend?
Sure.
************************************************
Are you usually wide awake in the mornings?
Yes. Well, as soon as I'm out of my bed I am.
Has anything disappointed you today?
Not yet.
How old were you when you started swimming on your own?
Um. No idea.
Last time you had butterflies in your stomach?
Oh. A couple days ago.
Are you confident in yourself?
That totally depends. For instance, I'm confident in my ability to swim across a swim pool, I am not confident in my ability to ice skate.
Are you hanging out with anyone tonight?
I don't know.
Are you currently doing laundry?
Nope.
Did you ever read any of the Babysitters Club books?
Yes. I loved them.
What can't you wait for?
Um. No idea.
Do you have a job?
I do.
Do you sleep with your doors open or closed?
Closed.
Does it annoy you when someone says they'll call but never do?
Yes it does.
Who was the last person to make you cry?
Um, it was the Vietnam Vetrans Memorial.
Are you honestly happy with who you are?
I am.
If you're being extremely quiet, what does that mean?
I'm shy, mad, tired or just not feeling like talking.
Are you a patient person?
Yes.
Are you a light sleeper or heavy sleeper?
Heavy.
Is there any emotion you're trying to avoid right now?
Oh sure.
Do you want someone back in your life?
Not really.
Who gives you the best advice?
Oprah. Ha! Wait, TYRA gives the best advice.
Who's house have you been to other than your own today?
Just mine. It's only 10:30.
Was today better than yesterday?
Yes. I didn't have to get up at 5:30.
What are you doing tomorrow?
I'm meeting my student!
Are your ears peirced?
They are.
Have you ever kissed anyone who's name started with a T?
Yes. My papa and my grandma, on the cheek.
How did you feel when you woke up today?
Sad that I didn't sleep past 9:00.
How's your heart lately?
Beating. As always.
Are you in a good mood?
I am pretty cheery!
Do you prefer warm or cold weather?
Warm. Not hot. Warm.
Brothers, Sisters?
I'm a sister!
Is there anyone who's a lot like you?
I'm sure there is someone somewhere.
person you talked to on the phone?
My brother?
Is there a guy that knows everything or most everything about you?
Yes.
How long until your birthday?
5 months?
Do you know anyone named Tyler?
I do.
Does the future make you more nervous or excited?
Yes.
Have you ever seen someone you knew and purposely avoided seeing them?
Yes. Everybody does that.
Does it matter to you if your boyfriend/girlfriend smokes?
It matters. I will not kiss a smoker.
Are you going anywhere next summer?
No. Maybe? I don't know.
Are you talkative?
I am.
Do you secretly like someone?
Always. But I'm sure it's fairly obvious. I always am that transparent.
Do you announce when you have to pee?
I do.
Who was the last person you cried in front of?
All the strangers at the Vietnam Vetrans Memorial.
Are you good at hiding your feelings?
Yes.
What were you doing at ten last night?
Sitting on the couch watching the Emmys and drinking a margarita.
What were you doing this morning at 7am?
Sleeping in my bed.
What do you need to be doing right now?
I need to clean my room today.
Is there anything silver near you?
My necklace.
What were you doing an hour ago?
Eating oatmeal and watching Sesame Street.
Who last sent you a myspace message?
Anne.
Whose bed did you sleep in last night?
My own.
Have you held hands with anyone in the past week? Who?
I hold my patient's hands all the time. I suppose it doesn't count when I'm wearing purple non-latex gloves.
Do you like to cuddle?
Yes, yes I do.
What are your plans for this weekend?
No idea.
Are you someone's best friend?
Sure.
9.04.2008
Cycle 11
Have I mentioned how much I love America’s Next Top Model? Because I love it. LOVE it. LOVE IT. I just watched the first (and second) episode of Cycle 11. It’s the future of fashion. Did you know? Apparently Miss J, Mr Jay and Tyra are no more. Their new names are ridiculously ridiculous. Alpha J, Beta Jay and Tyra-Bot.
I think my favorite thing about this show is how lame it is. Or maybe how serious it thinks it is. Or maybe it’s Tyra’s transparent desire to be just like Oprah. Girl, you are on a whole other level of fierce.
I think my favorite thing about this show is how lame it is. Or maybe how serious it thinks it is. Or maybe it’s Tyra’s transparent desire to be just like Oprah. Girl, you are on a whole other level of fierce.
Cycle 11
Have I mentioned how much I love America’s Next Top Model? Because I love it. LOVE it. LOVE IT. I just watched the first (and second) episode of Cycle 11. It’s the future of fashion. Did you know? Apparently Miss J, Mr Jay and Tyra are no more. Their new names are ridiculously ridiculous. Alpha J, Beta Jay and Tyra-Bot.
I think my favorite thing about this show is how lame it is. Or maybe how serious it thinks it is. Or maybe it’s Tyra’s transparent desire to be just like Oprah. Girl, you are on a whole other level of fierce.
I think my favorite thing about this show is how lame it is. Or maybe how serious it thinks it is. Or maybe it’s Tyra’s transparent desire to be just like Oprah. Girl, you are on a whole other level of fierce.
8.03.2008
Stuck to you.
I love Sundays. Wait...rather I love Sundays when I don't have to work. They're wonderful. Especially when Sunday includes brunch with fun friends. (I suppose brunch with notfun friends is okay too.)
Here are some some random quotes from brunch this morning:
A: You mean things like vodoo or sex?
S: Exactly, vodoo sex.
A: Does that involve cutting the heads off chickens?
S: Exactly, and then pouring the blood all over your body.
B: Eeew, that sounds dirty. And bacteria-ey.
S: Hey don't knock it till you've tried it.
B: Oh I have...that's how I know about the bacteria.
*********
A: Did you just say Bond has a dildo?
*********
B: If you get lonely you can borrow two terrible dogs. They're great with new people.
A: Nude people?
B: No *new * people.
A: Okay, I was wondering how dogs would even know to prefer nude people.
B: Well my house is crazy.
*********
A: And then the dragon blocked him from getting off the bus.
C: What?
A: Oh, I'm just making things up, like "S" style.
********
I love my friends.
Oh, and it is not love that makes a non-stick frying pan.
Here are some some random quotes from brunch this morning:
A: You mean things like vodoo or sex?
S: Exactly, vodoo sex.
A: Does that involve cutting the heads off chickens?
S: Exactly, and then pouring the blood all over your body.
B: Eeew, that sounds dirty. And bacteria-ey.
S: Hey don't knock it till you've tried it.
B: Oh I have...that's how I know about the bacteria.
*********
A: Did you just say Bond has a dildo?
*********
B: If you get lonely you can borrow two terrible dogs. They're great with new people.
A: Nude people?
B: No *new * people.
A: Okay, I was wondering how dogs would even know to prefer nude people.
B: Well my house is crazy.
*********
A: And then the dragon blocked him from getting off the bus.
C: What?
A: Oh, I'm just making things up, like "S" style.
********
I love my friends.
Oh, and it is not love that makes a non-stick frying pan.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)