Monday, January 28, 2008

Speaking of Films

To steal from my bud, Defective Yeti (on the Internet, everybody is your friend. Even the ones you wouldn't know if you tripped over them) The AFI put out their list of 100 Greatest Movies of All Time. For grins, I'll mark them in the same fashion: Those I've seen in green, those I haven't seen in red, and those I saw part of, or saw and really don't remember in orange.

The complete list of honorees is:

1 CITIZEN KANE 1941
2 THE GODFATHER 1972
3 CASABLANCA 1942
4 RAGING BULL 1980
5 SINGIN' IN THE RAIN 1952
6 GONE WITH THE WIND 1939
7 LAWRENCE OF ARABIA 1962
8 SCHINDLER'S LIST 1993
9 VERTIGO 1958
10 THE WIZARD OF OZ 1939
11 CITY LIGHTS 1931
12 THE SEARCHERS 1956
13 STAR WARS 1977
14 PSYCHO 1960
15 2001: A SPACE ODYSSEY 1968
16 SUNSET BLVD. 1950
17 THE GRADUATE 1967
18 THE GENERAL 1927
19 ON THE WATERFRONT 1954
20 IT'S A WONDERFUL LIFE 1946
21 CHINATOWN 1974
22 SOME LIKE IT HOT 1959
23 THE GRAPES OF WRATH 1940
24 E.T. THE EXTRA-TERRESTRIAL 1982
25 TO KILL A MOCKINGBIRD 1962
26 MR. SMITH GOES TO WASHINGTON 1939
27 HIGH NOON 1952
28 ALL ABOUT EVE 1950
29 DOUBLE INDEMNITY 1944
30 APOCALYPSE NOW 1979
31 THE MALTESE FALCON 1941
32 THE GODFATHER PART II 1974
33 ONE FLEW OVER THE CUCKOO'S NEST 1975
34 SNOW WHITE AND THE SEVEN DWARFS 1937
35 ANNIE HALL 1977
36 THE BRIDGE ON THE RIVER KWAI 1957
37 THE BEST YEARS OF OUR LIVES 1946
38 THE TREASURE OF THE SIERRA MADRE 1948
39 DR. STRANGELOVE 1964
40 THE SOUND OF MUSIC 1965
41 KING KONG 1933
42 BONNIE AND CLYDE 1967
43 MIDNIGHT COWBOY 1969
44 THE PHILADELPHIA STORY 1940
45 SHANE 1953
46 IT HAPPENED ONE NIGHT 1934
47 A STREETCAR NAMED DESIRE 1951
48 REAR WINDOW 1954
49 INTOLERANCE 1916
50
THE LORD OF THE RINGS: THE FELLOWSHIP OF THE RING 2001
51 WEST SIDE STORY 1961
52 TAXI DRIVER 1976
53 THE DEER HUNTER 1978
54 M*A*S*H 1970
55 NORTH BY NORTHWEST 1959
56 JAWS 1975
57 ROCKY 1976
58 THE GOLD RUSH 1925
59 NASHVILLE 1975
60 DUCK SOUP 1933
61 SULLIVAN'S TRAVELS 1941
62 AMERICAN GRAFFITI 1973
63 CABARET 1972
64 NETWORK 1976
65 THE AFRICAN QUEEN 1951
66 RAIDERS OF THE LOST ARK 1981
67 WHO'S AFRAID OF VIRGINIA WOOLF? 1966
68 UNFORGIVEN 1992
69 TOOTSIE 1982
70 A CLOCKWORK ORANGE 1971
71 SAVING PRIVATE RYAN 1998
72 THE SHAWSHANK REDEMPTION 1994
73 BUTCH CASSIDY AND THE SUNDANCE KID 1969
74 THE SILENCE OF THE LAMBS 1991
75 IN THE HEAT OF THE NIGHT 1967
76 FORREST GUMP 1994
77 ALL THE PRESIDENT'S MEN 1976
78 MODERN TIMES 1936
79 THE WILD BUNCH 1969
80 THE APARTMENT 1960
81 SPARTACUS 1960
82 SUNRISE 1927
83 TITANIC 1997
84 EASY RIDER 1969
85 A NIGHT AT THE OPERA 1935
86 PLATOON 1986
87 12 ANGRY MEN 1957
88 BRINGING UP BABY 1938
89 THE SIXTH SENSE 1999
90 SWING TIME 1936
91 SOPHIE'S CHOICE 1982
92 GOODFELLAS 1990
93 THE FRENCH CONNECTION 1971
94 PULP FICTION 1994
95 THE LAST PICTURE SHOW 1971
96 DO THE RIGHT THING 1989
97 BLADE RUNNER 1982
98 YANKEE DOODLE DANDY 1942
99 TOY STORY 1995
100 BEN-HUR 1959

Wow. That's a whole lot of red. I thought I might have done a little better than that.
Wonder how many I can knock off in a year?

Speaking of Films

To steal from my bud, Defective Yeti (on the Internet, everybody is your friend. Even the ones you wouldn't know if you tripped over them) The AFI put out their list of 100 Greatest Movies of All Time. For grins, I'll mark them in the same fashion: Those I've seen in green, those I haven't seen in red, and those I saw part of, or saw and really don't remember in orange.

The complete list of honorees is:

1 CITIZEN KANE 1941
2 THE GODFATHER 1972
3 CASABLANCA 1942
4 RAGING BULL 1980
5 SINGIN' IN THE RAIN 1952
6 GONE WITH THE WIND 1939
7 LAWRENCE OF ARABIA 1962
8 SCHINDLER'S LIST 1993
9 VERTIGO 1958
10 THE WIZARD OF OZ 1939
11 CITY LIGHTS 1931
12 THE SEARCHERS 1956
13 STAR WARS 1977
14 PSYCHO 1960
15 2001: A SPACE ODYSSEY 1968
16 SUNSET BLVD. 1950
17 THE GRADUATE 1967
18 THE GENERAL 1927
19 ON THE WATERFRONT 1954
20 IT'S A WONDERFUL LIFE 1946
21 CHINATOWN 1974
22 SOME LIKE IT HOT 1959
23 THE GRAPES OF WRATH 1940
24 E.T. THE EXTRA-TERRESTRIAL 1982
25 TO KILL A MOCKINGBIRD 1962
26 MR. SMITH GOES TO WASHINGTON 1939
27 HIGH NOON 1952
28 ALL ABOUT EVE 1950
29 DOUBLE INDEMNITY 1944
30 APOCALYPSE NOW 1979
31 THE MALTESE FALCON 1941
32 THE GODFATHER PART II 1974
33 ONE FLEW OVER THE CUCKOO'S NEST 1975
34 SNOW WHITE AND THE SEVEN DWARFS 1937
35 ANNIE HALL 1977
36 THE BRIDGE ON THE RIVER KWAI 1957
37 THE BEST YEARS OF OUR LIVES 1946
38 THE TREASURE OF THE SIERRA MADRE 1948
39 DR. STRANGELOVE 1964
40 THE SOUND OF MUSIC 1965
41 KING KONG 1933
42 BONNIE AND CLYDE 1967
43 MIDNIGHT COWBOY 1969
44 THE PHILADELPHIA STORY 1940
45 SHANE 1953
46 IT HAPPENED ONE NIGHT 1934
47 A STREETCAR NAMED DESIRE 1951
48 REAR WINDOW 1954
49 INTOLERANCE 1916
50
THE LORD OF THE RINGS: THE FELLOWSHIP OF THE RING 2001
51 WEST SIDE STORY 1961
52 TAXI DRIVER 1976
53 THE DEER HUNTER 1978
54 M*A*S*H 1970
55 NORTH BY NORTHWEST 1959
56 JAWS 1975
57 ROCKY 1976
58 THE GOLD RUSH 1925
59 NASHVILLE 1975
60 DUCK SOUP 1933
61 SULLIVAN'S TRAVELS 1941
62 AMERICAN GRAFFITI 1973
63 CABARET 1972
64 NETWORK 1976
65 THE AFRICAN QUEEN 1951
66 RAIDERS OF THE LOST ARK 1981
67 WHO'S AFRAID OF VIRGINIA WOOLF? 1966
68 UNFORGIVEN 1992
69 TOOTSIE 1982
70 A CLOCKWORK ORANGE 1971
71 SAVING PRIVATE RYAN 1998
72 THE SHAWSHANK REDEMPTION 1994
73 BUTCH CASSIDY AND THE SUNDANCE KID 1969
74 THE SILENCE OF THE LAMBS 1991
75 IN THE HEAT OF THE NIGHT 1967
76 FORREST GUMP 1994
77 ALL THE PRESIDENT'S MEN 1976
78 MODERN TIMES 1936
79 THE WILD BUNCH 1969
80 THE APARTMENT 1960
81 SPARTACUS 1960
82 SUNRISE 1927
83 TITANIC 1997
84 EASY RIDER 1969
85 A NIGHT AT THE OPERA 1935
86 PLATOON 1986
87 12 ANGRY MEN 1957
88 BRINGING UP BABY 1938
89 THE SIXTH SENSE 1999
90 SWING TIME 1936
91 SOPHIE'S CHOICE 1982
92 GOODFELLAS 1990
93 THE FRENCH CONNECTION 1971
94 PULP FICTION 1994
95 THE LAST PICTURE SHOW 1971
96 DO THE RIGHT THING 1989
97 BLADE RUNNER 1982
98 YANKEE DOODLE DANDY 1942
99 TOY STORY 1995
100 BEN-HUR 1959

Wow. That's a whole lot of red. I thought I might have done a little better than that.
Wonder how many I can knock off in a year?

Movie Chat : Juno

Warning: Contains a bazillion spoilers and opinions. If you don't want to know...stop reading.

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GramTuna and I went to see Juno a couple of weeks ago when TeenTuna had a six-hour rehearsal marathon. I saw it not so much because it was on my top ten list, but I wanted to make a preemptive strike. TeenTuna had been talking about the movie, and given the subject matter, I wanted to see it first to find out what exactly I'd be getting myself into in case she still wanted to go.

For those of you who don't know

** SPOILER ALERT ** FINAL CALL **


--- ---

Juno is about a 16 year old girl who gets pregnant, decides to keep the baby and finds a young yuppiesque couple to adopt it.

To skip to the end of the movie, when the lights came up, GramTuna looked at me and said, "Well?" Which I found to be a very difficult question to answer. I would nod my head, then shake my head, then nod again, and half sigh and start all over again. Finally, for lack of anything more profound, I said, "Well, I think I liked it because I'm a grownup."

There was plenty to like about the film. Smart ass, wisecracking dialogue. Humorous jibes. Endearing characters. A positive, feel-good resolution to a difficult problem. I liked it all. The interesting thing was, all those elements were exactly what I didn't like about it. Smart ass, wisecracking dialogue. Humorous jibes. Endearing characters. A positive, feel-good resolution to a difficult problem.

And it's not like I wanted it (nor expected it) to be a horrible, gut-wrenching film full of weeping and wailing and gnashing of teeth. To be truthful, I'm not sure what I expected, but what I got still managed to throw me for a loop.

I am the QUEEN of "it's only a movie" when people start getting all picky and technical. Everything has its own slant -- from the nightly news to documentaries to major motion pictures -- and if you can't suspend belief, then you'd be better off sitting somewhere contemplating your navel. But this was different, somehow. It wasn't like arguing the finer scientific discrepancies of Star Trek.

It's not like I couldn't accept each and every premise on its own merits. Smart ass, wisecracking dialogue? Sure, I know lots of teenagers with a wicked wit and a sharp tongue. I might, in fact, be parent to one. But in the film, despite the situation and its serious nature, the snappy comebacks from a pregnant high school junior never stopped. And while it provided plenty of chuckles, it also seemed both tiresome and sad.

The characters were all endearing, and the acting was superb. Each was sympathetic in their own way. But I often had more questions than I had answers. Nearing the end of her pregnancy, Juno grabs the car keys, saying only that she is "going out for awhile." The father's response? "Okay, kiddo."

That was it.

I'm sorry. Whatever happened to, "Where are you going?" "With whom?" "When will you be back?" In my world these are simple yet important questions for any child. Perhaps a bit more parental involvement would have provided a different outcome. But then, we wouldn't have a movie, now would we?

In the end, the baby is born, the adoption is completed, and the teenage biological parents resume their lives as if the past nine months were nothing more than a commercial break, easily ignored through the magic of the fast-forward button on their TIVO. Sure, it's all possible. And while it's wonderful and encouraging to see a positive, healthy adoption process where all parties are happy in the end, I still had to wonder...

I wondered why they never really dealt with the difficulties. What if the parents got angry? What if Juno was kicked out of the house? What if the baby's father decided to fight her decisions? What if the adoption process got messy? What if the legal dealings were shady? What if there was a problem with the birth? What if there were problems with the baby?

What if?

As one-sidedly happy and upbeat as the film was, it would be equally one-sided to have a story that was filled with nothing but problems. But truthfully speaking, either end of the spectrum is entirely possible, with several hundred scenarios in the middle being highly probable.

Like I said, I enjoyed this film because I am a grownup. Would I let TeenTuna see it? Sure. And then we'd have a big long talk because she doesn't have the benefit of decades of perspective. I'd tell her life isn't always that easy. Resolutions aren't always neat and tidy. Major physical and emotional events aren't easily forgotten in a short time period. Many stay with you for life, or hopefully they do, because that's how we learn. Sure, it's great fun to suspend belief, but as we grow up, it's important to remember that there is always another side to the story. If not in the movies, than most definitely in real life.

Movie Chat : Juno

Warning: Contains a bazillion spoilers and opinions. If you don't want to know...stop reading.

--- ---

....
....
....

--- ---

....
....
....

GramTuna and I went to see Juno a couple of weeks ago when TeenTuna had a six-hour rehearsal marathon. I saw it not so much because it was on my top ten list, but I wanted to make a preemptive strike. TeenTuna had been talking about the movie, and given the subject matter, I wanted to see it first to find out what exactly I'd be getting myself into in case she still wanted to go.

For those of you who don't know

** SPOILER ALERT ** FINAL CALL **


--- ---

Juno is about a 16 year old girl who gets pregnant, decides to keep the baby and finds a young yuppiesque couple to adopt it.

To skip to the end of the movie, when the lights came up, GramTuna looked at me and said, "Well?" Which I found to be a very difficult question to answer. I would nod my head, then shake my head, then nod again, and half sigh and start all over again. Finally, for lack of anything more profound, I said, "Well, I think I liked it because I'm a grownup."

There was plenty to like about the film. Smart ass, wisecracking dialogue. Humorous jibes. Endearing characters. A positive, feel-good resolution to a difficult problem. I liked it all. The interesting thing was, all those elements were exactly what I didn't like about it. Smart ass, wisecracking dialogue. Humorous jibes. Endearing characters. A positive, feel-good resolution to a difficult problem.

And it's not like I wanted it (nor expected it) to be a horrible, gut-wrenching film full of weeping and wailing and gnashing of teeth. To be truthful, I'm not sure what I expected, but what I got still managed to throw me for a loop.

I am the QUEEN of "it's only a movie" when people start getting all picky and technical. Everything has its own slant -- from the nightly news to documentaries to major motion pictures -- and if you can't suspend belief, then you'd be better off sitting somewhere contemplating your navel. But this was different, somehow. It wasn't like arguing the finer scientific discrepancies of Star Trek.

It's not like I couldn't accept each and every premise on its own merits. Smart ass, wisecracking dialogue? Sure, I know lots of teenagers with a wicked wit and a sharp tongue. I might, in fact, be parent to one. But in the film, despite the situation and its serious nature, the snappy comebacks from a pregnant high school junior never stopped. And while it provided plenty of chuckles, it also seemed both tiresome and sad.

The characters were all endearing, and the acting was superb. Each was sympathetic in their own way. But I often had more questions than I had answers. Nearing the end of her pregnancy, Juno grabs the car keys, saying only that she is "going out for awhile." The father's response? "Okay, kiddo."

That was it.

I'm sorry. Whatever happened to, "Where are you going?" "With whom?" "When will you be back?" In my world these are simple yet important questions for any child. Perhaps a bit more parental involvement would have provided a different outcome. But then, we wouldn't have a movie, now would we?

In the end, the baby is born, the adoption is completed, and the teenage biological parents resume their lives as if the past nine months were nothing more than a commercial break, easily ignored through the magic of the fast-forward button on their TIVO. Sure, it's all possible. And while it's wonderful and encouraging to see a positive, healthy adoption process where all parties are happy in the end, I still had to wonder...

I wondered why they never really dealt with the difficulties. What if the parents got angry? What if Juno was kicked out of the house? What if the baby's father decided to fight her decisions? What if the adoption process got messy? What if the legal dealings were shady? What if there was a problem with the birth? What if there were problems with the baby?

What if?

As one-sidedly happy and upbeat as the film was, it would be equally one-sided to have a story that was filled with nothing but problems. But truthfully speaking, either end of the spectrum is entirely possible, with several hundred scenarios in the middle being highly probable.

Like I said, I enjoyed this film because I am a grownup. Would I let TeenTuna see it? Sure. And then we'd have a big long talk because she doesn't have the benefit of decades of perspective. I'd tell her life isn't always that easy. Resolutions aren't always neat and tidy. Major physical and emotional events aren't easily forgotten in a short time period. Many stay with you for life, or hopefully they do, because that's how we learn. Sure, it's great fun to suspend belief, but as we grow up, it's important to remember that there is always another side to the story. If not in the movies, than most definitely in real life.

Sunday, January 27, 2008

And then Life Crept In...

...and smacked me in the face.


It's been busy. It's been insanely busy. It's been routinely insanely busy. It's nothing new, it's nothing unusual, but it is tiring as all get out. So, I've been a bit AWOL from the whole creative posting thing. And that stinks, really, because I had a 2-plus month string of consecutive days without missing a post. I'm not saying they were all necessarily gems, but it was something.

Now a bit of catch-up is in order. I'll be a big fat cheater of cheatitude as I backdate entries for my 45 x 365 writing project. I'm doing this partly because I want to finish in a year, and partly because I don't want to get confused about where I am, and partly because I'm a big fat cheater, so there. So, check for backdated posts over the next week or so if you want to read the goods on people in my sordid history. Or is that sordid people in my history? Maybe yes to both.

Oscar nominations are out, so I've switched over the list on the left side bar to reflect current nominations. I've also cleared out my pathetic list of movies seen and started anew for 2008. Six whole movies seen already? Why yes, it's true, in no small part to all you can watch Netflix and late hours spent in front of a computer. As soon as I get the word for the annual Oscar Derby link, I'll post it so everybody can make their guesses. As usual, seeing any of these movies is NO advantage, and sometimes it seems like it's more of a detriment. However, I'm going to try to see a few things here and there during the next month and offer up my 2-cents.

Upcoming stories to tell (so I don't forget) -- NephewTuna's basketball game, TeenTuna's ear piercing adventures (wow, I AM behind), Middle School Extravaganza (How extravagant is it? Oh my, I guess I'll find out on Wednesday), Teaching, teaching, teaching and working, working, working, movies I've seen lately, and then various and assundry nonsensical items and memes with which I am sure to bore my faithful readers.

Meanwhile, I can report that lately that life has basically been rather meh. It's nothing in particular and everything in general. Much of the reasons are both non-newsworthy and really pretty lousy excuses. Can I complain about the cold and the wind and the snow? Sure I CAN, but it's January in Michigan, so the question really is, should I? I'm not so sure. It's still dark early and dark late, but we know -- at least intellectually speaking -- that this is improving bit by bit each day. It's almost Lent (Baby G sure grew FAST this year, didn't he?) and I just got all the Christmas crap my lovely holiday decorations downstairs about a week ago. Please notice I didn't say put away. Let's not rush the season more than it already is.

I don't know what I'm waiting for or looking for or bummed about or why I continue to wake up at 4am for no good reason whatsoever. All I know is that things seem off. Part of me wants to wait it out, part of me wants to figure it out AND FIX IT, and part of me just wants me to shut it and cheer the hell up; preferably, yesterday. Currently, the only part of me that's winning is the time-wasting soul-sucking part that keeps finding rerun marathons of America's Next Top Model. Bye Amanda! I liked you, but didn't you know the model with the obscure medical ailment never wins? Bummer, that.

So that's life. You haven't missed much, but I'll bring all y'all up to speed as best I can. Thanks for sticking around, and thankfully we're finally past "I think your name was Phil."

He sure got a lot of press time, didn't he?

And then Life Crept In...

...and smacked me in the face.


It's been busy. It's been insanely busy. It's been routinely insanely busy. It's nothing new, it's nothing unusual, but it is tiring as all get out. So, I've been a bit AWOL from the whole creative posting thing. And that stinks, really, because I had a 2-plus month string of consecutive days without missing a post. I'm not saying they were all necessarily gems, but it was something.

Now a bit of catch-up is in order. I'll be a big fat cheater of cheatitude as I backdate entries for my 45 x 365 writing project. I'm doing this partly because I want to finish in a year, and partly because I don't want to get confused about where I am, and partly because I'm a big fat cheater, so there. So, check for backdated posts over the next week or so if you want to read the goods on people in my sordid history. Or is that sordid people in my history? Maybe yes to both.

Oscar nominations are out, so I've switched over the list on the left side bar to reflect current nominations. I've also cleared out my pathetic list of movies seen and started anew for 2008. Six whole movies seen already? Why yes, it's true, in no small part to all you can watch Netflix and late hours spent in front of a computer. As soon as I get the word for the annual Oscar Derby link, I'll post it so everybody can make their guesses. As usual, seeing any of these movies is NO advantage, and sometimes it seems like it's more of a detriment. However, I'm going to try to see a few things here and there during the next month and offer up my 2-cents.

Upcoming stories to tell (so I don't forget) -- NephewTuna's basketball game, TeenTuna's ear piercing adventures (wow, I AM behind), Middle School Extravaganza (How extravagant is it? Oh my, I guess I'll find out on Wednesday), Teaching, teaching, teaching and working, working, working, movies I've seen lately, and then various and assundry nonsensical items and memes with which I am sure to bore my faithful readers.

Meanwhile, I can report that lately that life has basically been rather meh. It's nothing in particular and everything in general. Much of the reasons are both non-newsworthy and really pretty lousy excuses. Can I complain about the cold and the wind and the snow? Sure I CAN, but it's January in Michigan, so the question really is, should I? I'm not so sure. It's still dark early and dark late, but we know -- at least intellectually speaking -- that this is improving bit by bit each day. It's almost Lent (Baby G sure grew FAST this year, didn't he?) and I just got all the Christmas crap my lovely holiday decorations downstairs about a week ago. Please notice I didn't say put away. Let's not rush the season more than it already is.

I don't know what I'm waiting for or looking for or bummed about or why I continue to wake up at 4am for no good reason whatsoever. All I know is that things seem off. Part of me wants to wait it out, part of me wants to figure it out AND FIX IT, and part of me just wants me to shut it and cheer the hell up; preferably, yesterday. Currently, the only part of me that's winning is the time-wasting soul-sucking part that keeps finding rerun marathons of America's Next Top Model. Bye Amanda! I liked you, but didn't you know the model with the obscure medical ailment never wins? Bummer, that.

So that's life. You haven't missed much, but I'll bring all y'all up to speed as best I can. Thanks for sticking around, and thankfully we're finally past "I think your name was Phil."

He sure got a lot of press time, didn't he?

Unconscious Mutterings

I say ... And You Think:

1. Booze :: Hound

2. Counter :: Attack

3. Action :: Jackson

4. Trial :: By Jury

5. Wheelchair :: Ironside

6. 1-800- :: CALL SAM

7. Chop :: Chop

8. Relatives :: Family

9. Bed Sheets :: That somehow seems redundant to me...

10. Funnel :: Cakes


This was one BIZZARO list. No, I've never seen Action Jackson, but it was honestly the first thing I thought of. Then I thought of the movies with the wooden thingee that you smack together right before you say aaaaannnnnnnddddd ACTION! but I didn't know what to call it beside that wooden thingee. so I decided I should stick with Jackson. And his Action. Of course, #4 led me directly into #5, because I don't generally think about the televised legal dramatizations of Raymond Burr on a daily basis. #6 is a local thing, #7 means move it along, #9 really does seem redundant, because what other kind of sheets would there be? Sure, there are sheets OF paper, but since we don't say "sheets OF bed" I can't see how there would be any confusion. Lastly, Funnel cakes are a carnival kind of thing which I have eaten exactly never. But I saw a Funnel Cakes maker machine thingee in a Linens 'n More 'n Things and Beyond yesterday, and I wondered who on this earth would have such a hankering for fried sugary dough that they'd need their own machine to make them year round?

Unconscious Mutterings

I say ... And You Think:

1. Booze :: Hound

2. Counter :: Attack

3. Action :: Jackson

4. Trial :: By Jury

5. Wheelchair :: Ironside

6. 1-800- :: CALL SAM

7. Chop :: Chop

8. Relatives :: Family

9. Bed Sheets :: That somehow seems redundant to me...

10. Funnel :: Cakes


This was one BIZZARO list. No, I've never seen Action Jackson, but it was honestly the first thing I thought of. Then I thought of the movies with the wooden thingee that you smack together right before you say aaaaannnnnnnddddd ACTION! but I didn't know what to call it beside that wooden thingee. so I decided I should stick with Jackson. And his Action. Of course, #4 led me directly into #5, because I don't generally think about the televised legal dramatizations of Raymond Burr on a daily basis. #6 is a local thing, #7 means move it along, #9 really does seem redundant, because what other kind of sheets would there be? Sure, there are sheets OF paper, but since we don't say "sheets OF bed" I can't see how there would be any confusion. Lastly, Funnel cakes are a carnival kind of thing which I have eaten exactly never. But I saw a Funnel Cakes maker machine thingee in a Linens 'n More 'n Things and Beyond yesterday, and I wondered who on this earth would have such a hankering for fried sugary dough that they'd need their own machine to make them year round?

Thursday, January 17, 2008

45 x 365: #78: Lyman B.

I enjoyed studying with you, although you were pretty intimidating. You tortured me with etudes. I returned the favor by singing the fight song with the marching band that practiced right outside your studio every time they played it. I think we both had fun.

45 x 365: #78: Lyman B.

I enjoyed studying with you, although you were pretty intimidating. You tortured me with etudes. I returned the favor by singing the fight song with the marching band that practiced right outside your studio every time they played it. I think we both had fun.

Wednesday, January 16, 2008

45 x 365: #77: Paul T.

It would be about this time every year when we'd watch you standing outside watering your backyard for hours. I know it wasn't for the love of lawn, but the hope for a backyard ice rink. Dedication? Stupidity? Didn't matter. I thought it was dopey.

45 x 365: #77: Paul T.

It would be about this time every year when we'd watch you standing outside watering your backyard for hours. I know it wasn't for the love of lawn, but the hope for a backyard ice rink. Dedication? Stupidity? Didn't matter. I thought it was dopey.

Tuesday, January 15, 2008

45 x 365: #76: Laura

I was sure you would be the one to "make it" and your talent made me want to work harder. You moved to NYC like all singers should but 9/11 devastated the city and your desire. Now you're happy being a mom. I'm so glad.

45 x 365: #76: Laura

I was sure you would be the one to "make it" and your talent made me want to work harder. You moved to NYC like all singers should but 9/11 devastated the city and your desire. Now you're happy being a mom. I'm so glad.

Monday, January 14, 2008

45 x 365: #75: I Think Your Name Was Phil

They kept on hiring you from that school down the road to sing in our operas, but I never understood the reason. Why pay for someone who was loud, inaccurate and never knew his part? We had plenty of those at our place, for free.

45 x 365: #75: I Think Your Name Was Phil

They kept on hiring you from that school down the road to sing in our operas, but I never understood the reason. Why pay for someone who was loud, inaccurate and never knew his part? We had plenty of those at our place, for free.

Sunday, January 13, 2008

45 x 365: #74: Uncle Gary

Word has it you're out in your boat. Sitting. In January. On Dry Land. Sure, you're "learning the electronics" but that's code for I GOT THIS AWESOME BOAT OFF-SEASON AND IT'S KILLING ME! I'll expect a full electronics demonstration in June. And a fish dinner.

45 x 365: #74: Uncle Gary

Word has it you're out in your boat. Sitting. In January. On Dry Land. Sure, you're "learning the electronics" but that's code for I GOT THIS AWESOME BOAT OFF-SEASON AND IT'S KILLING ME! I'll expect a full electronics demonstration in June. And a fish dinner.

Unconscious Mutterings

I say ... And You Think:

1. Dream big :: Slogan

2. Competition :: Contest

3. Torn :: At odds with

4. Modeling :: Runway

5. Coaster :: Roller

6. Slut :: Slang

7. Spread :: Buffet

8. Amanda :: Somebody

9. Romance :: Doesn't have to include flowers and chocolate

10. Paradise :: Eden


Ugh. Sometimes when certain words follow other certain words (#7 and #6, I'm looking at you) I think to myself, "Self, I'm not going there." So I didn't. I went to the buffet. And after Googling "Amanda Somebody Famous" and seeing who came up, I just decided to leave it at somebody because I really didn't know anybody.

Unconscious Mutterings

I say ... And You Think:

1. Dream big :: Slogan

2. Competition :: Contest

3. Torn :: At odds with

4. Modeling :: Runway

5. Coaster :: Roller

6. Slut :: Slang

7. Spread :: Buffet

8. Amanda :: Somebody

9. Romance :: Doesn't have to include flowers and chocolate

10. Paradise :: Eden


Ugh. Sometimes when certain words follow other certain words (#7 and #6, I'm looking at you) I think to myself, "Self, I'm not going there." So I didn't. I went to the buffet. And after Googling "Amanda Somebody Famous" and seeing who came up, I just decided to leave it at somebody because I really didn't know anybody.

Saturday, January 12, 2008

45 x 365: #73: Scotty P.

A spot in your bio class was a big deal. With your daily uniform of jeans and a flannel plaid shirt, you were the popular science teacher in high school. How you managed the cool with photosynthesis, DNA strands and enzymes, I don't really know.

45 x 365: #73: Scotty P.

A spot in your bio class was a big deal. With your daily uniform of jeans and a flannel plaid shirt, you were the popular science teacher in high school. How you managed the cool with photosynthesis, DNA strands and enzymes, I don't really know.

Friday, January 11, 2008

45 x 365: #72: Ed B.

You were my normal person across the hall. We talked computers, music, cameras and tech stuff. You did your job (often when others didn't), weren't disgustingly happy, and didn't run around being all EMPLOYEE OF THE MONTH which you never were. Thank you thank you.

45 x 365: #72: Ed B.

You were my normal person across the hall. We talked computers, music, cameras and tech stuff. You did your job (often when others didn't), weren't disgustingly happy, and didn't run around being all EMPLOYEE OF THE MONTH which you never were. Thank you thank you.

Friday's Feast

Seriously. The 11-minute early cheater edition.

Appetizer: What is your middle name? Would you change any of your names if you could? If so, what would you like to be called?
Kay.
I could change my first name to "Oh." That would be OKAY I guess.
And then if I changed my name to L-A-H-O-M-A...
And then wrote a peppy song with lots of boom-chucks...
Whatever you call me,
Just don't call me late for supper.
ba-DUMP-bump.

Soup: If you were a fashion designer, which fabrics, colors and styles would you probably use the most?
Seriously. There is no way I can get past the "If you were a fashion designer" part. Look, if I were a fashion designer, this world would be a in SERIOUS trouble, because the national uniform would be sweatpants and pajamas. Oh wait, that's what all the college kids wear today. Maybe I AM a fashion designer!

Salad: What's your least favorite chore, and why
Bathrooms. And the scrubbing therein.
Lonely shoe and sock finding. And the utter lack of success therein.
Refrigerator cleaning. And the scientific experiments therein.

Perhaps my least favorite of the three can best be described by the following sentence I uttered when cleaning out the fridge: "What on earth did we eat with mini-marshmallows...OHMYGOD GROSS!"

Main Course: What is something that really frightens you, and you can trace it back to an event in your life?
The Haunted Mansion at Disneyland. I went through that ride when I was in 3rd grade and screamed and cried my ENTIRE way through the ride (Sorry, Aunt Debbie!). When I went to Disney World about 10 years later, I took a big breath and went through the haunted mansion again. I was shaking the entire time, but I kept saying, "well this isn't SO bad."

Dessert: Where are you sitting right now? Name three things you can see at this moment.
On my butt and one leg tucked underneath because my feet are cold. I can see:
1. My birthday cowbell. Because everybody needs....
2. My pair of frogs. One sings and one plays the violin. Each has a leg that hangs over the side of the shelf.
3. My ceramic pig that says "Ashes of Problem Students." I often look at that and say to myself, "Self? I think I need a bigger pig."

Friday's Feast

Seriously. The 11-minute early cheater edition.

Appetizer: What is your middle name? Would you change any of your names if you could? If so, what would you like to be called?
Kay.
I could change my first name to "Oh." That would be OKAY I guess.
And then if I changed my name to L-A-H-O-M-A...
And then wrote a peppy song with lots of boom-chucks...
Whatever you call me,
Just don't call me late for supper.
ba-DUMP-bump.

Soup: If you were a fashion designer, which fabrics, colors and styles would you probably use the most?
Seriously. There is no way I can get past the "If you were a fashion designer" part. Look, if I were a fashion designer, this world would be a in SERIOUS trouble, because the national uniform would be sweatpants and pajamas. Oh wait, that's what all the college kids wear today. Maybe I AM a fashion designer!

Salad: What's your least favorite chore, and why
Bathrooms. And the scrubbing therein.
Lonely shoe and sock finding. And the utter lack of success therein.
Refrigerator cleaning. And the scientific experiments therein.

Perhaps my least favorite of the three can best be described by the following sentence I uttered when cleaning out the fridge: "What on earth did we eat with mini-marshmallows...OHMYGOD GROSS!"

Main Course: What is something that really frightens you, and you can trace it back to an event in your life?
The Haunted Mansion at Disneyland. I went through that ride when I was in 3rd grade and screamed and cried my ENTIRE way through the ride (Sorry, Aunt Debbie!). When I went to Disney World about 10 years later, I took a big breath and went through the haunted mansion again. I was shaking the entire time, but I kept saying, "well this isn't SO bad."

Dessert: Where are you sitting right now? Name three things you can see at this moment.
On my butt and one leg tucked underneath because my feet are cold. I can see:
1. My birthday cowbell. Because everybody needs....
2. My pair of frogs. One sings and one plays the violin. Each has a leg that hangs over the side of the shelf.
3. My ceramic pig that says "Ashes of Problem Students." I often look at that and say to myself, "Self? I think I need a bigger pig."

Thursday, January 10, 2008

45 x 365: #71: Ellie

Aside from the unfortunate university selection (youthful indiscretion?) I'd say: Modern woman. Destroyer of glass ceilings. Feared and loved. Church lady. Citizen of the community who knows absolutely EVERYBODY. Athlete. Kind. Loving. Brutally honest. GramTuna's traveling buddy. TeenTuna's Church Aunt. My role model and friend.

45 x 365: #71: Ellie

Aside from the unfortunate university selection (youthful indiscretion?) I'd say: Modern woman. Destroyer of glass ceilings. Feared and loved. Church lady. Citizen of the community who knows absolutely EVERYBODY. Athlete. Kind. Loving. Brutally honest. GramTuna's traveling buddy. TeenTuna's Church Aunt. My role model and friend.

Mindless Musings

Mindless Musing #1
This morning I opted for the 10 extra minutes of warm snuggly bed at the expense of some daily morning rituals. I finally got up and trudged to the bathroom, praying that my hair wouldn't look like a total chicken butt. By some miracle (and it was a miracle, because truly, I am the chicken butt queen) with a little patting and smooshing and instant hair spray, it was close enough for Thursday. I grabbed some clothes that weren't jeans and weren't entirely covered in cat hair and went to work. Twice people commented on how nice I looked and "was I singing somewhere today?" Uh...thanks, and....no, and...is this what I get for sleeping in and not taking a shower? Obviously I'm living life all bass-ackwards.


Mindless Musing #2
We've had Christmas and Epiphany and in a few short weeks it's going to be Lent already. ALREADY?!! How did this happen? Were the Kings in an HOV lane? Or maybe in their case, an HOC lane? (High-Occupancy-Camel for those of you who didn't figure it out...)


Mindless Musing #3
Signs of the Apocalypse:
  1. Gram bought herself an iPod
  2. Gram asked for MY playlist
  3. Gram marked things she wanted on my playlist
  4. Gram included "1999" by Prince
  5. Greentuna obliged, because hey, she asked for it
  6. Greentuna was saddened that she didn't want Cartman singing Swiss Colony Beef Log
  7. Greentuna might put it on anyway, because you can't diss the classics



Mindless Musing #4
I need to marry a concert pianist. Not for me, mind you, for TeenTuna. Since we are still in all-Johnny-Depp-all-the-time mode we are up to our eyeballs in Sweeney Todd. Yes, I know, it could be worse. WAY worse. However, TeenTuna has decided for her Middle School Extravaganza concert as well as her church Cabaret performance, she'll be singing The Worst Pies in London. Twice today I've had people tell me that I'll have to play it for her. Once that sentiment was passed along with promises of swearing in emails. Well, I'm not afraid of No Sondheim. And it's only 22 lousy measures in the midst of all the rest that are...well... pretty much unplayable, unless you have a pet octopus with a lot of spare time on his hands tentacles. I can play some of it, and what I can't grab, I just start shouting WAMP! for every chord I'm just not going to get to.



Mindless Musing #5
This is very cool. This is my house. This is my life. Except without the boxes at the end. Rats. It's always something.



Mindless Musing #6

Next to the crushing tide of clutter, this may be the coolest thing I've seen in awhile. The entire creative process laid out...live.

Mindless Musings

Mindless Musing #1
This morning I opted for the 10 extra minutes of warm snuggly bed at the expense of some daily morning rituals. I finally got up and trudged to the bathroom, praying that my hair wouldn't look like a total chicken butt. By some miracle (and it was a miracle, because truly, I am the chicken butt queen) with a little patting and smooshing and instant hair spray, it was close enough for Thursday. I grabbed some clothes that weren't jeans and weren't entirely covered in cat hair and went to work. Twice people commented on how nice I looked and "was I singing somewhere today?" Uh...thanks, and....no, and...is this what I get for sleeping in and not taking a shower? Obviously I'm living life all bass-ackwards.


Mindless Musing #2
We've had Christmas and Epiphany and in a few short weeks it's going to be Lent already. ALREADY?!! How did this happen? Were the Kings in an HOV lane? Or maybe in their case, an HOC lane? (High-Occupancy-Camel for those of you who didn't figure it out...)


Mindless Musing #3
Signs of the Apocalypse:
  1. Gram bought herself an iPod
  2. Gram asked for MY playlist
  3. Gram marked things she wanted on my playlist
  4. Gram included "1999" by Prince
  5. Greentuna obliged, because hey, she asked for it
  6. Greentuna was saddened that she didn't want Cartman singing Swiss Colony Beef Log
  7. Greentuna might put it on anyway, because you can't diss the classics



Mindless Musing #4
I need to marry a concert pianist. Not for me, mind you, for TeenTuna. Since we are still in all-Johnny-Depp-all-the-time mode we are up to our eyeballs in Sweeney Todd. Yes, I know, it could be worse. WAY worse. However, TeenTuna has decided for her Middle School Extravaganza concert as well as her church Cabaret performance, she'll be singing The Worst Pies in London. Twice today I've had people tell me that I'll have to play it for her. Once that sentiment was passed along with promises of swearing in emails. Well, I'm not afraid of No Sondheim. And it's only 22 lousy measures in the midst of all the rest that are...well... pretty much unplayable, unless you have a pet octopus with a lot of spare time on his hands tentacles. I can play some of it, and what I can't grab, I just start shouting WAMP! for every chord I'm just not going to get to.



Mindless Musing #5
This is very cool. This is my house. This is my life. Except without the boxes at the end. Rats. It's always something.



Mindless Musing #6

Next to the crushing tide of clutter, this may be the coolest thing I've seen in awhile. The entire creative process laid out...live.

Wednesday, January 09, 2008

45 x 365: #70: Mrs. P.

I lost any confidence in your abilities the first day I saw you. Instead of looking like an educator, you looked like a homeless hobo horticulturalist. I spent the year collecting examples of your incompetence, only to be acknowledged with an excuse and a shrug.

45 x 365: #70: Mrs. P.

I lost any confidence in your abilities the first day I saw you. Instead of looking like an educator, you looked like a homeless hobo horticulturalist. I spent the year collecting examples of your incompetence, only to be acknowledged with an excuse and a shrug.

Tuesday, January 08, 2008

45 x 365: #69: Larry

With your wild Hawaiian shorts and wiry gray hair, your distinctive looks scream old coot. But your oddities come with a twinkle in your eye, a bit of teasing, a lot of caring and a side of pickles. You're the heart of the grill dogs.

45 x 365: #69: Larry

With your wild Hawaiian shorts and wiry gray hair, your distinctive looks scream old coot. But your oddities come with a twinkle in your eye, a bit of teasing, a lot of caring and a side of pickles. You're the heart of the grill dogs.

Monday, January 07, 2008

Musical Horoscope

Because now in January not only is there a THUNDERSTORM, there is also a TORNADO WATCH. January. People, this is January. Puffy snow? Sure. Heavy cloddy snow? Of course. TORNADO WATCH? No. No. No.

So, while I wait to go to sleep, I thought I'd do the Musical Horoscope Meme.
WITH NO CHEATING AND NO SKIPPING

Here's how it works:
1. Put your iTunes on Shuffle.
2. For each question, press the next button to get your answer.
3. You must write that song name down no matter what.

Q. What would best describe your personality?
A. "Bigger Than Hula-Hoops" (from "Little Shop of Horrors")
(That's pretty cool)


Q. If some one says it's okay you say...
A. "Still Love Friday" (by Molasses Creek)
(What isn't MORE okay than Friday?)

Q. What do you like in a guy/girl?
A. "Bella Ciao" (Italian folk song)
(Must be the Italian, eh?)

Q.How do you feel today?
A. "Magnificat a 7"
(After a terribly busy Monday, I'm not so sure about musically praising anything "a 1" much less "a 7")


Q.What is your life's purpose?
A. "Sing Me a Happy Song" (Susan Egan)
(Totally and entirely fabulous)

Q. What is your motto?
A. "Unforgettable" (Natalie & Nat King Cole)
(I like that. Why be anything less?)

Q. What do your friends think of you?
A. "When I am Laid in Earth" (from Dido & Aeneas by Purcell)
(Because this aria is very simplistic yet hugely emotional with great depth and passion. Much like myself)

Q. What do you think of your friends?
A. "Lush Life" (Queen Latifah)
(We'll go with the "jazz and cocktails" part)

Q. What do you think of your parents?
A. "I've Got You Under My Skin" (Ella Fitzgerald)
(HAH!)

Q.What do your parents think of you?
A. "A Raven in the Snow"
(Except not with black hair. And not in snow. In a Thunderstorm with TORNADO WATCHES. In JANUARY!)

Q. What do you think about very often?
A. "The Long Way Around" (Dixie Chicks)
(Actually, if I thought a little more, I could avoid having to think about this)


Q. What do you think of your best friend?
A. "Summertime" (George Gershwin)
(...and the livin' is easy)


Q. What do you think of the person you love?
A. "Prepare Ye The Way of the Lord" (From Godspell)
(Ha. Snort. And um, NO. Still, it's a damn freaky answer)

Q.What is your life story?
A. "Go Forward" (from "Whale Rider")
(LOVE. IT. It's absolutely perfect.)


Q. What do you want to be when you grow up?
A. "Do You Really Want to Hurt Me?" (by Culture Club)
(I'm going to take this to mean I want to be the voice of reason in a difficult world)

Q. What do you think when you see the person you love?
A. "Vita Mia" (by Amici)
("Vita sia. La tua vita in me" ~ swoon ~ Again with the Italian?)

Q. What is your hobby/interest?
A. "Cos Colo Odo Sa"
(A little Renaissance tune. Ugh. And I thought I dumped the Renaissance gig years ago.)


Q. What will they play at your funeral?
A. "Can't We Be Friends?" (Ella & Louis)
(Awesome!)

Q. What is your biggest secret?
A. "Do Wah Diddy Diddy" (Manfred Mann)
(Dum Diddy Do!)


Amazing. And for once, I did this honest to God with no fast-forward fudging of the answers.

Musical Horoscope

Because now in January not only is there a THUNDERSTORM, there is also a TORNADO WATCH. January. People, this is January. Puffy snow? Sure. Heavy cloddy snow? Of course. TORNADO WATCH? No. No. No.

So, while I wait to go to sleep, I thought I'd do the Musical Horoscope Meme.
WITH NO CHEATING AND NO SKIPPING

Here's how it works:
1. Put your iTunes on Shuffle.
2. For each question, press the next button to get your answer.
3. You must write that song name down no matter what.

Q. What would best describe your personality?
A. "Bigger Than Hula-Hoops" (from "Little Shop of Horrors")
(That's pretty cool)


Q. If some one says it's okay you say...
A. "Still Love Friday" (by Molasses Creek)
(What isn't MORE okay than Friday?)

Q. What do you like in a guy/girl?
A. "Bella Ciao" (Italian folk song)
(Must be the Italian, eh?)

Q.How do you feel today?
A. "Magnificat a 7"
(After a terribly busy Monday, I'm not so sure about musically praising anything "a 1" much less "a 7")


Q.What is your life's purpose?
A. "Sing Me a Happy Song" (Susan Egan)
(Totally and entirely fabulous)

Q. What is your motto?
A. "Unforgettable" (Natalie & Nat King Cole)
(I like that. Why be anything less?)

Q. What do your friends think of you?
A. "When I am Laid in Earth" (from Dido & Aeneas by Purcell)
(Because this aria is very simplistic yet hugely emotional with great depth and passion. Much like myself)

Q. What do you think of your friends?
A. "Lush Life" (Queen Latifah)
(We'll go with the "jazz and cocktails" part)

Q. What do you think of your parents?
A. "I've Got You Under My Skin" (Ella Fitzgerald)
(HAH!)

Q.What do your parents think of you?
A. "A Raven in the Snow"
(Except not with black hair. And not in snow. In a Thunderstorm with TORNADO WATCHES. In JANUARY!)

Q. What do you think about very often?
A. "The Long Way Around" (Dixie Chicks)
(Actually, if I thought a little more, I could avoid having to think about this)


Q. What do you think of your best friend?
A. "Summertime" (George Gershwin)
(...and the livin' is easy)


Q. What do you think of the person you love?
A. "Prepare Ye The Way of the Lord" (From Godspell)
(Ha. Snort. And um, NO. Still, it's a damn freaky answer)

Q.What is your life story?
A. "Go Forward" (from "Whale Rider")
(LOVE. IT. It's absolutely perfect.)


Q. What do you want to be when you grow up?
A. "Do You Really Want to Hurt Me?" (by Culture Club)
(I'm going to take this to mean I want to be the voice of reason in a difficult world)

Q. What do you think when you see the person you love?
A. "Vita Mia" (by Amici)
("Vita sia. La tua vita in me" ~ swoon ~ Again with the Italian?)

Q. What is your hobby/interest?
A. "Cos Colo Odo Sa"
(A little Renaissance tune. Ugh. And I thought I dumped the Renaissance gig years ago.)


Q. What will they play at your funeral?
A. "Can't We Be Friends?" (Ella & Louis)
(Awesome!)

Q. What is your biggest secret?
A. "Do Wah Diddy Diddy" (Manfred Mann)
(Dum Diddy Do!)


Amazing. And for once, I did this honest to God with no fast-forward fudging of the answers.

45 x 365: #68: Charlie W.

I don't remember much except your white bristle-brush mustache and finding you sitting on the porch (drink in hand) holding court in the summertime. Yours was the very first funeral I ever attended. I thought I saw you move and I had nightmares for weeks.

45 x 365: #68: Charlie W.

I don't remember much except your white bristle-brush mustache and finding you sitting on the porch (drink in hand) holding court in the summertime. Yours was the very first funeral I ever attended. I thought I saw you move and I had nightmares for weeks.

An Inconvenient Truth

Today the Michigan weather turned weird. On the one hand, it was nice not to be shivering my timbers all day, but on the other hand, it was so warm, I was expecting Al Gore, Melissa Etheridge and a sweaty polar bear to come knocking on my door.

I went online to check the forecast for the next couple of days, so I clicked on my weather thingy (technical!) at the bottom of my browser. In addition to the forecast (still freakishly warmish and rainy), I also noticed this:


You can click on it to make it a bit larger, but what this is is an day time and night time arthritis index, followed by a mosquito index. A mosquito index IN JANUARY. I'm telling you right now, I had better not see a mosquito. In Michigan. In January. EVER.


The seemingly random Arthritic Mosquito pie charts were evidently sponsored by this little feller, because if I've learned anything from the Internets tonight, nothing says global warming, creaky joints and malaria like a small puppy chewing on a Brontosaurus bone.

It must be Monday.

An Inconvenient Truth

Today the Michigan weather turned weird. On the one hand, it was nice not to be shivering my timbers all day, but on the other hand, it was so warm, I was expecting Al Gore, Melissa Etheridge and a sweaty polar bear to come knocking on my door.

I went online to check the forecast for the next couple of days, so I clicked on my weather thingy (technical!) at the bottom of my browser. In addition to the forecast (still freakishly warmish and rainy), I also noticed this:


You can click on it to make it a bit larger, but what this is is an day time and night time arthritis index, followed by a mosquito index. A mosquito index IN JANUARY. I'm telling you right now, I had better not see a mosquito. In Michigan. In January. EVER.


The seemingly random Arthritic Mosquito pie charts were evidently sponsored by this little feller, because if I've learned anything from the Internets tonight, nothing says global warming, creaky joints and malaria like a small puppy chewing on a Brontosaurus bone.

It must be Monday.

Sunday, January 06, 2008

45 x 365: #67: Mr. Waldo

With clicking dentures and a shuffling gait, you were the stereotypic teacher who was always covered in chalk dust. We spent hours together getting years ahead in math. In all of middle school it's practically the only thing I did, and all because of you.

45 x 365: #67: Mr. Waldo

With clicking dentures and a shuffling gait, you were the stereotypic teacher who was always covered in chalk dust. We spent hours together getting years ahead in math. In all of middle school it's practically the only thing I did, and all because of you.

Go... Set... Ready...

So tomorrow it all starts again.

TeenTuna will be back in school. Time to drive back and forth every day. University classes start tomorrow, meaning 40,000 students have just moved back into town for the next 5 months. Time to move over and smoooosh a little bit more to make room. My teaching up north also starts this week, so that pesky commute is back again, not to mention classes to plan and songs to be sung. And then there is the usual dance classes and choir practices and everything else that has already started to creep onto the family schedule that combine into a big ball of frenzy.

I'm good with being not-bored. I'm good with being active. I'm even good with the whole being too-busy-for-my-own-good. But I'm not good with the frenzy, and frankly I don't even like it.

I'm going to take a different approach. Usually life is a ready-Set-GO! kind of affair. It seems an awful lot like the beginning of a race. Waiting for the starter's pistol is scary and stressful. And once that CRACK splits the air -- for a moment, anyway -- it isn't relaxing or freeing. There is a flurry of sound and movement and before you start you feel like you're already behind and then comes the brain's panicky somewhat spastic AUUGGGGH -- GO GO GO!! which doesn't seem to go away until you get yourself into a rhythm. Or at least that's how I would imagine it all to be, if I were a racer of some kind or another.

I think what I need to do in order to go forward in any sort of positive, healthy way, is go backwards. Instead of ready-Set-GO! I think I need to GO-Set-ready.

GO!
Sunday night is often the evening of doom as I stare down the upcoming week. That needs to change. I need to be more active and GO! before the frenzy hits in order to avoid the fretting and worrying and depression about what's around the corner of the next calendar page. Then maybe I'll be

Set
I'll never be an overly orderly neat and tidy a place for everything and everything in its place kind of person without some sort of brain transplant or personal secretary or maid. But I do need to feel Set. I need to feel as if I have some sort of control or at least can achieve some sort of peaceful cohabitation with my life and my environment and my schedule, even if all those things so often are dictated by the whims and demands of others. So what I need to do is make myself

ready
ready to face the next page on the calendar
ready to be more accepting of those commitments I have made
ready to say "no" to others when I really can't
ready to find a way to say "yes" to myself when I really should
ready to be a self-sustaining light for myself and others
ready to live and not just survive

What does this mean to make myself ready? I don't know for sure. But for tonight, it meant turning off the television (The Genius would be pleased), making sure I wrote on my blog, and shortly it means taking some time for myself with a bit of music and maybe some reading?

I'm tired of the Sunday night blues, not to mention the take-no-prisoners survival mode I generally adopt to make it through the weekly rat race. Maybe I can't change the flight path, but I can change the approach and the takeoff. I'm hoping to calm my own turbulence and then maybe it doesn't have to be a bumpy ride.

You are now free to move around the cabin.

Go... Set... Ready...

So tomorrow it all starts again.

TeenTuna will be back in school. Time to drive back and forth every day. University classes start tomorrow, meaning 40,000 students have just moved back into town for the next 5 months. Time to move over and smoooosh a little bit more to make room. My teaching up north also starts this week, so that pesky commute is back again, not to mention classes to plan and songs to be sung. And then there is the usual dance classes and choir practices and everything else that has already started to creep onto the family schedule that combine into a big ball of frenzy.

I'm good with being not-bored. I'm good with being active. I'm even good with the whole being too-busy-for-my-own-good. But I'm not good with the frenzy, and frankly I don't even like it.

I'm going to take a different approach. Usually life is a ready-Set-GO! kind of affair. It seems an awful lot like the beginning of a race. Waiting for the starter's pistol is scary and stressful. And once that CRACK splits the air -- for a moment, anyway -- it isn't relaxing or freeing. There is a flurry of sound and movement and before you start you feel like you're already behind and then comes the brain's panicky somewhat spastic AUUGGGGH -- GO GO GO!! which doesn't seem to go away until you get yourself into a rhythm. Or at least that's how I would imagine it all to be, if I were a racer of some kind or another.

I think what I need to do in order to go forward in any sort of positive, healthy way, is go backwards. Instead of ready-Set-GO! I think I need to GO-Set-ready.

GO!
Sunday night is often the evening of doom as I stare down the upcoming week. That needs to change. I need to be more active and GO! before the frenzy hits in order to avoid the fretting and worrying and depression about what's around the corner of the next calendar page. Then maybe I'll be

Set
I'll never be an overly orderly neat and tidy a place for everything and everything in its place kind of person without some sort of brain transplant or personal secretary or maid. But I do need to feel Set. I need to feel as if I have some sort of control or at least can achieve some sort of peaceful cohabitation with my life and my environment and my schedule, even if all those things so often are dictated by the whims and demands of others. So what I need to do is make myself

ready
ready to face the next page on the calendar
ready to be more accepting of those commitments I have made
ready to say "no" to others when I really can't
ready to find a way to say "yes" to myself when I really should
ready to be a self-sustaining light for myself and others
ready to live and not just survive

What does this mean to make myself ready? I don't know for sure. But for tonight, it meant turning off the television (The Genius would be pleased), making sure I wrote on my blog, and shortly it means taking some time for myself with a bit of music and maybe some reading?

I'm tired of the Sunday night blues, not to mention the take-no-prisoners survival mode I generally adopt to make it through the weekly rat race. Maybe I can't change the flight path, but I can change the approach and the takeoff. I'm hoping to calm my own turbulence and then maybe it doesn't have to be a bumpy ride.

You are now free to move around the cabin.

Unconscious Mutterings

I say ... And You Think:

1. Mist :: Fog

2. Eating :: Enjoying

3. Beacon :: Light

4. Speaker :: Sound system

5. Episodes :: Weekly installments

6. Conference :: Long, horrible, boring meeting that makes one wish for death

7. Sneak attack :: Trojan Horse

8. Medic :: M*A*S*H

9. Web :: World Wide

10. 2008 :: So far, so good



Obviously, I don't like conferences. Or meetings. Or anything that includes a group of people jockeying for world domination when they really have nothing worthwhile to contribute.



Looking out my window the current weather is mist of the misty variety. Good eating is like good reading. Both are soul-sustaining. Trojan Horses make me think of Trojan Rabbits which makes me think of Spamalot. And then I smile.



2008? So far, so good.
And considering it is already day 6, I'm going to take it and run.

Unconscious Mutterings

I say ... And You Think:

1. Mist :: Fog

2. Eating :: Enjoying

3. Beacon :: Light

4. Speaker :: Sound system

5. Episodes :: Weekly installments

6. Conference :: Long, horrible, boring meeting that makes one wish for death

7. Sneak attack :: Trojan Horse

8. Medic :: M*A*S*H

9. Web :: World Wide

10. 2008 :: So far, so good



Obviously, I don't like conferences. Or meetings. Or anything that includes a group of people jockeying for world domination when they really have nothing worthwhile to contribute.



Looking out my window the current weather is mist of the misty variety. Good eating is like good reading. Both are soul-sustaining. Trojan Horses make me think of Trojan Rabbits which makes me think of Spamalot. And then I smile.



2008? So far, so good.
And considering it is already day 6, I'm going to take it and run.

Saturday, January 05, 2008

45 x 365 #66: Deanna

One day high school coworker, the next pregnant, married, and moved to Florida. That I found you driving a shuttle bus at Disney World seemed like fate. You were always very nice and I hoped you were strong enough to give yourself a happy life.

45 x 365 #66: Deanna

One day high school coworker, the next pregnant, married, and moved to Florida. That I found you driving a shuttle bus at Disney World seemed like fate. You were always very nice and I hoped you were strong enough to give yourself a happy life.

Friday, January 04, 2008

45 x 365 #65: Hal

You had a great twinkle in your eye the funniest sort of giggle I ever heard. We caused a great deal of mischief in high school. Thirty years later, I'm sure we'd still be troublemakers if we got together. Some things (and people) don't change.

45 x 365 #65: Hal

You had a great twinkle in your eye the funniest sort of giggle I ever heard. We caused a great deal of mischief in high school. Thirty years later, I'm sure we'd still be troublemakers if we got together. Some things (and people) don't change.

Friday's Feast

It's a morning edition of Friday's Feast. Must mean I don't want to work (out, out, damn saxophones!). What's for breakfast?


Appetizer: When was the last time you received a surprise in the mail, and what was it?
Why, just this morning I received a letter whose subject line said I wouldn't need to furtively stuff socks in my pants anymore. It's hard to know here what would be the biggest surprise: that spammers actually used the word furtively or having it never occur to me to check my pants for all those lonely socks.


Soup: If you could have a summer and/or winter home, where would you want it to be?
On the beach. In the mountains. In a box. With a fox. Here or there. Anywhere.
I'll even take it with green eggs and ham, as long as the refrigerator is always magically stocked and the elves magically clean it when I'm gone.


Salad: Pick one: pineapple, orange, banana, apple, cherry
Pick one: Why? For what reason? How come? Huh? What you talkin' about, Willis?



Main Course: Describe the nicest piece of clothing you own.
"Nice" is in the butt of the beholder.


Dessert: If you could forget one whole day from your life, which day would you choose to wipe from your memory?
For once, a serious answer. None of them. Who I am today is a culmination of everything that has happened for the past 16,664 days. You erase the bad, you don't learn. Sorry peeps. That's life.