Really. For years now, the best show on TV has been Cold Case. The episodes are thoughtful and written with tenderness. The editing is spot-on. The episodes bring me to tears on a regular basis, and I'm not quick to cry over the TV.
The crime? Because Cold Case's big gimmick is that each episode features music from the time the case is set in, the Powers That Be can't put the show out on DVD because no one ever negotiated the DVD rights with the music companies.
Any other show I loved this much, I'd be looking forward to rewatching over and over for years to come, savoring the thrill of going back into all those worlds. I'd already have the DVDs from all the previous seasons. But not this one. And that's some bad business decision-making on someone's part.
Monday, March 31, 2008
Friday, March 28, 2008
what you pay for
Recently I've begun to appreciate quality in the things that I buy. Now, I'm not exactly thrifty (I don't clip coupons or compare prices in the grocery store, for example), but where non-consumables are concerned, I tend to shop cheap. I buy my clothes at secondhand stores, my shoes at Payless, my books online or from eBay, get my hair cut at SuperCuts and other low-priced chain stores. But here's the thing: that only works about half the time. A good book is a good book, no matter where you got it or what you paid, and it only makes sense to buy good clothes secondhand - all the quality for less than half the price (as long as it's in good condition).
However ... I've gotten tired of having to replace my shoes every year. And of coming home from getting my hair cut in a bad mood from having been rushed through and given a cut that doesn't look that good. (No, not all low-priced places are like this ... but I've had a lot of bad luck.)
So a while back I bought a really nice pair of shoes (Merrells, if you must know), that I've worn almost every non-summer day for a year and a half, and they're still going strong. (Next time I won't buy suede, though - they feel good and are holding up well, but don't look amazing.) And going forward, I think it's worth the money to buy good shoes that will last. And I've taken to getting a $50 hair cut from a local salon - I come home looking good, feeling good, and feeling well taken care of by people who appreciate my business. AND I can go longer between cuts because the cuts are more carefully done.
Going forward, I think it's time to start paying more attention to the quality of the things I buy, and weigh the price against the time I expect something to last. (Simple stuff, I know ... but I think there's a value in learning that the best bargain isn't always the item with the lowest price.)
However ... I've gotten tired of having to replace my shoes every year. And of coming home from getting my hair cut in a bad mood from having been rushed through and given a cut that doesn't look that good. (No, not all low-priced places are like this ... but I've had a lot of bad luck.)
So a while back I bought a really nice pair of shoes (Merrells, if you must know), that I've worn almost every non-summer day for a year and a half, and they're still going strong. (Next time I won't buy suede, though - they feel good and are holding up well, but don't look amazing.) And going forward, I think it's worth the money to buy good shoes that will last. And I've taken to getting a $50 hair cut from a local salon - I come home looking good, feeling good, and feeling well taken care of by people who appreciate my business. AND I can go longer between cuts because the cuts are more carefully done.
Going forward, I think it's time to start paying more attention to the quality of the things I buy, and weigh the price against the time I expect something to last. (Simple stuff, I know ... but I think there's a value in learning that the best bargain isn't always the item with the lowest price.)
Thursday, March 27, 2008
the reason he had kids
This past weekend was the fulfillment of many of my other half's parenting dreams. To start at the beginning:
So, we have a Wii. (Of course we do.) And because we have a Wii, we have Lego Star Wars on the Wii. (Of course we do.) Our boys are obsessed (of course ...) with Lego Star Wars, but haven't seen the "original" movies in some time. (They've never seen the "new" movies, and since my other half is a purist, aren't likely to see them here.) We had planned to do a grand rewatching of the original three Star Wars movies this past weekend.
Then on the way home from an errand, Lou and Greyson started talking Dungeons and Dragons. The old-school, make-your-character, roll-your-dice type. Greyson was very excited about this idea, which prompted a big family trip to Barnes & Noble to pick up a basic D&D set. (Lou of course has it all ... in boxes somewhere. It was easier and faster to buy it again!) Amazingly, both boys (and Mark) got really into the whole thing - they could follow the story line, made intelligent choices with their characters, learned from their mistakes ... honestly, they're pretty good little gamers for being 4 and 5!
So this was Lou's ideal parenting weekend: in which we got so busy playing D&D that we forgot to watch Star Wars!
So, we have a Wii. (Of course we do.) And because we have a Wii, we have Lego Star Wars on the Wii. (Of course we do.) Our boys are obsessed (of course ...) with Lego Star Wars, but haven't seen the "original" movies in some time. (They've never seen the "new" movies, and since my other half is a purist, aren't likely to see them here.) We had planned to do a grand rewatching of the original three Star Wars movies this past weekend.
Then on the way home from an errand, Lou and Greyson started talking Dungeons and Dragons. The old-school, make-your-character, roll-your-dice type. Greyson was very excited about this idea, which prompted a big family trip to Barnes & Noble to pick up a basic D&D set. (Lou of course has it all ... in boxes somewhere. It was easier and faster to buy it again!) Amazingly, both boys (and Mark) got really into the whole thing - they could follow the story line, made intelligent choices with their characters, learned from their mistakes ... honestly, they're pretty good little gamers for being 4 and 5!
So this was Lou's ideal parenting weekend: in which we got so busy playing D&D that we forgot to watch Star Wars!
Monday, March 24, 2008
5 things that make me happy today
It's been a while since I've done one of these, so here goes:
1. Coffee. Especially hot coffee that warms you from the inside out.
2. Laundry. Yes, I'm crazy ... but it's the only area in the house or my life where I have total autonomy.
3. My books. I wish I had more time to read them and enough space to unbox them all.
4. Our new living room/kitchen. There's so much more light and space than in the old house, and the colors are all so much warmer. It feels like home.
5. The coming of spring. The weather doesn't seem as though it's planning to stay nice and sunny and warm ... but it's that way now. Or close enough.
1. Coffee. Especially hot coffee that warms you from the inside out.
2. Laundry. Yes, I'm crazy ... but it's the only area in the house or my life where I have total autonomy.
3. My books. I wish I had more time to read them and enough space to unbox them all.
4. Our new living room/kitchen. There's so much more light and space than in the old house, and the colors are all so much warmer. It feels like home.
5. The coming of spring. The weather doesn't seem as though it's planning to stay nice and sunny and warm ... but it's that way now. Or close enough.
Friday, March 21, 2008
reality TV update for the week
Another week of American Idol has come and gone ... and that's about all there is to say for it. The second edition of Beatles week was about as lackluster as could be expected (especially if you're not a particular fan of the Beatles), despite Idol's attempt to differentiate the two by calling one "Lennon/McCartney" week and the other "Beatles week". None of the contestants gave particularly memorable performances, and Amanda was voted off, which I doubt I'll notice. I thought she was a fine performer, but overall was ambivalent. Except insofar as I think she's pretty happy with the life she's going back to, and I wish her well.
Top Chef was slightly more exciting. The Quickfire (create a dish using only five ingredients) wasn't too interesting, but the Elimination Challenge was. The chefs were required to form teams named after animals and cater an event at the zoo showcasing the types of foods their animals ate. As is typical, especially at this stage of the competition, the losing teams were much more interesting. Personally, while I think it's silly that no one tasted them, I thought the team with the ugly and apparently gross blueberry stuffed mushrooms overall gave a greater showing, although I don't think Nikki has much longer in the competition.
The eventual eliminee, Valerie, apparently gave an interview where she claimed it was someone else's blini recipe and someone else's idea that got her booted off ... but I think that showcases the problem right there. The kind of chef they're looking for doesn't say, "Oh, you think I should make a blini? Well, okay." S/he says, "Heck, no, I'm not making a blini for the first time at a catered event. This is my idea, and you need to listen to it." Valerie lacked the confidence to speak up for herself, and I think that, more than the poor dish, was what cost her the competition.
On to next week!
Top Chef was slightly more exciting. The Quickfire (create a dish using only five ingredients) wasn't too interesting, but the Elimination Challenge was. The chefs were required to form teams named after animals and cater an event at the zoo showcasing the types of foods their animals ate. As is typical, especially at this stage of the competition, the losing teams were much more interesting. Personally, while I think it's silly that no one tasted them, I thought the team with the ugly and apparently gross blueberry stuffed mushrooms overall gave a greater showing, although I don't think Nikki has much longer in the competition.
The eventual eliminee, Valerie, apparently gave an interview where she claimed it was someone else's blini recipe and someone else's idea that got her booted off ... but I think that showcases the problem right there. The kind of chef they're looking for doesn't say, "Oh, you think I should make a blini? Well, okay." S/he says, "Heck, no, I'm not making a blini for the first time at a catered event. This is my idea, and you need to listen to it." Valerie lacked the confidence to speak up for herself, and I think that, more than the poor dish, was what cost her the competition.
On to next week!
Thursday, March 20, 2008
teething ... and HER
(That would be the Tooth Fairy. Whose hat I don't look forward to wearing.)
My three have all teethed fairly easily, which is a good thing, but I have to say I still found the whole teething process to be a huge annoyance. Well, I shouldn't say "found", since it's still going on. Four more molars and counting until all 60 teeth have arrived safely. (2o per child.) All I really ask is that the last of the "baby" teething comes to an end before we have the first lost tooth. I just don't want to deal with both kinds of teething at once.
I find the whole process of losing teeth kind of gross. The tooth that hangs by a thread, the one that pops right out, the resultant holes, the straggly snaggly look of the teeth that are growing back in - none of it is attractive. And then I have to PAY for the privilege of watching this happen! Interestingly, I have absolutely no memory of my adult teeth growing back in. I remember losing my first tooth (vividly - I actually lost the tooth, and I remember calling my mom in tears when I couldn't find it), and I have some memories of teeth hanging by a thread, etc., but mostly my next tooth-related memory is having four of them pulled to make way for the braces. A whole 'nother dental issue that I don't look forward to.
Nowadays, there's a lot of talk amongst my moms' groups about the going rate for teeth. Seems that there's a lot of peer pressure to stay even with what the kids' friends are getting. Then there are the folks who give 'symbolic' gifts - golden dollars that are redeemed with Mom and Dad for privileges rather than used as cash, for example. Personally, I'd like to resist the temptation to A) inflate the Tooth Fairy's offerings or B) remove money from the table, and just find a nice, simple amount that will last through the loss of 60 teeth. (At a dollar a tooth, I can handle it. At $2 a tooth, that starts to be way too much money for discarded body parts.)
And am I then supposed to keep the teeth? Ick. I think my mom kept my first few - even I didn't want to see those in later years.
I'm just not ready for this issue. Here's hoping those teeth stay put for a good long time - I'll be ready to deal with it next year. Or maybe a little later.
My three have all teethed fairly easily, which is a good thing, but I have to say I still found the whole teething process to be a huge annoyance. Well, I shouldn't say "found", since it's still going on. Four more molars and counting until all 60 teeth have arrived safely. (2o per child.) All I really ask is that the last of the "baby" teething comes to an end before we have the first lost tooth. I just don't want to deal with both kinds of teething at once.
I find the whole process of losing teeth kind of gross. The tooth that hangs by a thread, the one that pops right out, the resultant holes, the straggly snaggly look of the teeth that are growing back in - none of it is attractive. And then I have to PAY for the privilege of watching this happen! Interestingly, I have absolutely no memory of my adult teeth growing back in. I remember losing my first tooth (vividly - I actually lost the tooth, and I remember calling my mom in tears when I couldn't find it), and I have some memories of teeth hanging by a thread, etc., but mostly my next tooth-related memory is having four of them pulled to make way for the braces. A whole 'nother dental issue that I don't look forward to.
Nowadays, there's a lot of talk amongst my moms' groups about the going rate for teeth. Seems that there's a lot of peer pressure to stay even with what the kids' friends are getting. Then there are the folks who give 'symbolic' gifts - golden dollars that are redeemed with Mom and Dad for privileges rather than used as cash, for example. Personally, I'd like to resist the temptation to A) inflate the Tooth Fairy's offerings or B) remove money from the table, and just find a nice, simple amount that will last through the loss of 60 teeth. (At a dollar a tooth, I can handle it. At $2 a tooth, that starts to be way too much money for discarded body parts.)
And am I then supposed to keep the teeth? Ick. I think my mom kept my first few - even I didn't want to see those in later years.
I'm just not ready for this issue. Here's hoping those teeth stay put for a good long time - I'll be ready to deal with it next year. Or maybe a little later.
Monday, March 17, 2008
Mitford
I just finished the final book in Jan Karon's Mitford series. I've mentioned before that I reread the first book, At Home in Mitford, around Christmastime and it spoke to me in a way it hadn't done before. So I made it a project to read the entire series. I even broke my vow not to buy any more books in order to pick up the rest of the series.
I feel it was well worth it. The books were consistent in quality, the characters were all individual and interesting, the settings completely imaginable. A couple of the books were a little short, but both were themed so that the length made sense.
What I'm particularly appreciative of is her timing. As I closed the pages of the last book, I felt that while I wanted to know what happened to the characters, I was content to imagine their future lives. And the cast of characters was growing large enough that I can only imagine how difficult it would be to continue trying to follow all the storylines. (As a writer or as a reader!) Few people are willing to leave a popular series at the right time, and I think Karon picked exactly the right spot to let hers go.
Overall, it was an extremely enjoyable series, and spoke to me in a lot of ways. I'm already looking forward to rereading it!
I feel it was well worth it. The books were consistent in quality, the characters were all individual and interesting, the settings completely imaginable. A couple of the books were a little short, but both were themed so that the length made sense.
What I'm particularly appreciative of is her timing. As I closed the pages of the last book, I felt that while I wanted to know what happened to the characters, I was content to imagine their future lives. And the cast of characters was growing large enough that I can only imagine how difficult it would be to continue trying to follow all the storylines. (As a writer or as a reader!) Few people are willing to leave a popular series at the right time, and I think Karon picked exactly the right spot to let hers go.
Overall, it was an extremely enjoyable series, and spoke to me in a lot of ways. I'm already looking forward to rereading it!
Saturday, March 15, 2008
Top Chef: Chicago!
I was pretty excited for the fourth season of Top Chef. Other than the second season, which was a bit of a disappointment, I've really enjoyed the show and was hoping for good things.
And I got them! It's clear from the get-go that the overall quality of the cheftestants (thank you, TwoP!) has improved. These are established workers within the food community, and all of them should have the chops to put something interesting on the table. (Too bad we don't have Tastevision! Peach pizza with sweet tea sauce? I'd have been licking the screen!) The challenges of the first episode were intriguing: who knew how hard it would be to make a Chicago-style pizza? And it was great to see the chefs go head-to-head. With 16 contestants to start off with, that was a brilliant idea to let us know who they are and generate more interest than usual for the first episode.
There are clearly some original thinkers among the bunch, and I look forward to seeing what many of the chefs are capable of putting forward.
It's interesting, because while I love food, I'm nowhere near what you would consider a "foodie". I like simple flavors, and though I'm willing to try new things I'm not all that culinarily adventurous. But I appreciate artistry where I find it - or I try to - and clearly these people put everything they have into their profession. That's what I like to see, and what keeps me coming back to the show. Can't wait to see what they'll do next week!
And I got them! It's clear from the get-go that the overall quality of the cheftestants (thank you, TwoP!) has improved. These are established workers within the food community, and all of them should have the chops to put something interesting on the table. (Too bad we don't have Tastevision! Peach pizza with sweet tea sauce? I'd have been licking the screen!) The challenges of the first episode were intriguing: who knew how hard it would be to make a Chicago-style pizza? And it was great to see the chefs go head-to-head. With 16 contestants to start off with, that was a brilliant idea to let us know who they are and generate more interest than usual for the first episode.
There are clearly some original thinkers among the bunch, and I look forward to seeing what many of the chefs are capable of putting forward.
It's interesting, because while I love food, I'm nowhere near what you would consider a "foodie". I like simple flavors, and though I'm willing to try new things I'm not all that culinarily adventurous. But I appreciate artistry where I find it - or I try to - and clearly these people put everything they have into their profession. That's what I like to see, and what keeps me coming back to the show. Can't wait to see what they'll do next week!
Friday, March 14, 2008
slowing down
I've talked before about how, for me, it's the destination that matters, and the journey is something to speed through in order to get where you're going. Which is an odd point of view for someone who enjoys driving trips as much as I do - possibly that's because they force me to slow down and be present in the journey? At any rate, a couple of things have happened recently that are helping me to think about slowing down and being more present in the moment, instead of constantly being worried about getting to the next thing.
One was our recent move. The area that we live in now is heavily wooded, with a number of houses that contain that indefinable sense of mystery. Driving anywhere, I find I drive more slowly because I don't want to miss a glimpse of my favorite houses. This is pretty much true for the whole of Andover - there's no shortage of beautiful houses that could be the setting for any number of interesting tales.
The other thing is that an online group I belong to has recently begun an exercise challenge. Two teams of women, each challenged with spending as much time exercising in the week as possible. Now, I don't actually have the time or the inclination to exercise 2 or 3 hours a day, like some of the other moms, but I have found that the challenge (along with providing an extra impetus to get up and out of bed in the morning) has helped me to slow down my exercise routine, really taking the time to stretch, lift weights, and do other exercises the right way, instead of rushing through them.
The kids, of course, are also a reminder. Today my 2-year-old is cuddling with me on the couch ... next thing you know, she'll be asking me for the car keys. And while I cherish their ongoing growth and find that they become more interesting people as they learn more and experience more, I don't want to miss the process either.
There's my goal for the upcoming summer - continue learning to luxuriate in the moment.
One was our recent move. The area that we live in now is heavily wooded, with a number of houses that contain that indefinable sense of mystery. Driving anywhere, I find I drive more slowly because I don't want to miss a glimpse of my favorite houses. This is pretty much true for the whole of Andover - there's no shortage of beautiful houses that could be the setting for any number of interesting tales.
The other thing is that an online group I belong to has recently begun an exercise challenge. Two teams of women, each challenged with spending as much time exercising in the week as possible. Now, I don't actually have the time or the inclination to exercise 2 or 3 hours a day, like some of the other moms, but I have found that the challenge (along with providing an extra impetus to get up and out of bed in the morning) has helped me to slow down my exercise routine, really taking the time to stretch, lift weights, and do other exercises the right way, instead of rushing through them.
The kids, of course, are also a reminder. Today my 2-year-old is cuddling with me on the couch ... next thing you know, she'll be asking me for the car keys. And while I cherish their ongoing growth and find that they become more interesting people as they learn more and experience more, I don't want to miss the process either.
There's my goal for the upcoming summer - continue learning to luxuriate in the moment.
Wednesday, March 12, 2008
American Idol
I've been following this season relatively avidly, enjoying this year's crop of talent. Last night's Beatles night was overall a pretty high level of quality, which I was pleased to see. I actively enjoy watching more than half the Top 12. Nice change of pace!
Syesha ("Got to Get You Into My Life") - She did okay. Missed a lot of notes, had some breath control and phrasing problems that were kind of annoying, but didn't totally tank.
Chikezie ("She's a Woman") - I thought was awesome! Energy, creative arrangement, sang well and enthusiastically - his best performance yet by a mile.
Ramiele ("In My Life") - again, disappointing. The kid has a great voice, and that performance was technically quite beautiful ... but oh, so painfully slow, boring, and emotionless. What gets me is that her skill is apparent - she doesn't have to focus so much on how she's singing and could really pour her heart and soul into a song. But she doesn't. I think she's out - a boring song is the kiss of death because no one remembers to vote for you!
Jason ("If I Fell") - Did fine. Nice performance, a little breathy and weak on the high notes ... but the same thing he did last week. And the week before that. And the week before that. I get that this is his comfort zone, but he absolutely has to sing something more upbeat, even if just once!
Carly ("Come Together") - Pretty good. I wasn't wowed, and I think she also needs to change it up a little bit, but she has a good voice and I enjoy her performances.
David C. ("Eleanor Rigby") - Liked it quite a bit. I thought it was interesting that here he is doing a hard rock version, with the big loud notes, and I felt his emotion far more than I did during Ramiele's earnest ballad. David C. is really growing on me - I look forward to seeing what he'll do, and I find him the most vocally interesting of any of the contestants.
Brooke ("Let It Be") - I thought she did a great job of performing while playing the piano, which can't be that easy. Beautifully sung and heart-felt - didn't blow me away, but was very good.
David H. ("I Saw Her Standing There") - mess. Not very well sung, not that interesting. You know you're in trouble if Tiffany covers a song better than you! If he wasn't hot, he'd be out tonight. As it is, I think he'll get another week.
Amanda ("You Can't Do That") - I thought better than usual. I won't even complain about the same song choice - she's clearly at ease with doing the same performance every week, and I'm basically indifferent to her. I wouldn't miss her if she got voted off, but I'm happy to listen to her since she's here.
Michael ("Across the Universe") - Well, hello, Michael, and welcome to the competition! Finally brought his voice to the stage, and I thought gave a really good performance. It also seemed extremely heartfelt, which was nice to hear.
Kristy Lee ("8 Days a Week") - seriously, did we switch to Saturday Night Live for that performance? That was like a parody of an AI contestant "countrifying" a Beatles song. Sad, sad, desperate choice. Also, since she's already had a record deal and spent some time living in Nashville, this "I'm just a simple country girl new to the big city" schtick is getting old. Sadly, though, I think her memorable mess of a performance will keep her on the show for another week (or possibly more!).
David A. ("We Can Work It Out") - ah, the pitfalls of being 17 and singing classic songs! He's in no danger whatsoever - possibly got MORE votes last night because he tanked so badly - but I almost got the impression that he took the week off. Apparently he's been sick, but this seemed like a really underprepared performance.
My predictions for bottom three: Kristy Lee, David H., and Ramiele, with Ramiele going home. I'm interested to hear what next week's theme is - I really wonder when they're actually going to do some songs recorded in David A.'s lifetime!
Tonight, the season premiere of Top Chef: Chicago. Let's get cookin'!
Syesha ("Got to Get You Into My Life") - She did okay. Missed a lot of notes, had some breath control and phrasing problems that were kind of annoying, but didn't totally tank.
Chikezie ("She's a Woman") - I thought was awesome! Energy, creative arrangement, sang well and enthusiastically - his best performance yet by a mile.
Ramiele ("In My Life") - again, disappointing. The kid has a great voice, and that performance was technically quite beautiful ... but oh, so painfully slow, boring, and emotionless. What gets me is that her skill is apparent - she doesn't have to focus so much on how she's singing and could really pour her heart and soul into a song. But she doesn't. I think she's out - a boring song is the kiss of death because no one remembers to vote for you!
Jason ("If I Fell") - Did fine. Nice performance, a little breathy and weak on the high notes ... but the same thing he did last week. And the week before that. And the week before that. I get that this is his comfort zone, but he absolutely has to sing something more upbeat, even if just once!
Carly ("Come Together") - Pretty good. I wasn't wowed, and I think she also needs to change it up a little bit, but she has a good voice and I enjoy her performances.
David C. ("Eleanor Rigby") - Liked it quite a bit. I thought it was interesting that here he is doing a hard rock version, with the big loud notes, and I felt his emotion far more than I did during Ramiele's earnest ballad. David C. is really growing on me - I look forward to seeing what he'll do, and I find him the most vocally interesting of any of the contestants.
Brooke ("Let It Be") - I thought she did a great job of performing while playing the piano, which can't be that easy. Beautifully sung and heart-felt - didn't blow me away, but was very good.
David H. ("I Saw Her Standing There") - mess. Not very well sung, not that interesting. You know you're in trouble if Tiffany covers a song better than you! If he wasn't hot, he'd be out tonight. As it is, I think he'll get another week.
Amanda ("You Can't Do That") - I thought better than usual. I won't even complain about the same song choice - she's clearly at ease with doing the same performance every week, and I'm basically indifferent to her. I wouldn't miss her if she got voted off, but I'm happy to listen to her since she's here.
Michael ("Across the Universe") - Well, hello, Michael, and welcome to the competition! Finally brought his voice to the stage, and I thought gave a really good performance. It also seemed extremely heartfelt, which was nice to hear.
Kristy Lee ("8 Days a Week") - seriously, did we switch to Saturday Night Live for that performance? That was like a parody of an AI contestant "countrifying" a Beatles song. Sad, sad, desperate choice. Also, since she's already had a record deal and spent some time living in Nashville, this "I'm just a simple country girl new to the big city" schtick is getting old. Sadly, though, I think her memorable mess of a performance will keep her on the show for another week (or possibly more!).
David A. ("We Can Work It Out") - ah, the pitfalls of being 17 and singing classic songs! He's in no danger whatsoever - possibly got MORE votes last night because he tanked so badly - but I almost got the impression that he took the week off. Apparently he's been sick, but this seemed like a really underprepared performance.
My predictions for bottom three: Kristy Lee, David H., and Ramiele, with Ramiele going home. I'm interested to hear what next week's theme is - I really wonder when they're actually going to do some songs recorded in David A.'s lifetime!
Tonight, the season premiere of Top Chef: Chicago. Let's get cookin'!
Tuesday, March 11, 2008
Narnia!!
The new Narnia movie is coming!!! May 16! I saw a fuller trailer this morning than I'd seen up to this point, and just the trailer took my breath away. Can't wait for the movie!!!
Sunday, March 09, 2008
Life is a highway ...
And I do want to drive it all night long. What is it about a road that's so inviting?
Driving home from a night out (especially if it's raining), I feel such a strong desire to just keep driving - not to get away from what I'm going home to, but to see what's out there. The idea of the road stretching out before me, black pavement and the lights at the side of the road and the lights of the businesses you pass, going on as far as the eye can see - it's enticing.
It's not just the highways, either. Every day I drive by streets and wonder where they go. The endless mystery down an unexplored road always leads to the question: do you follow the road to find out where it leads you to, or let the mystery remain?
Driving home from a night out (especially if it's raining), I feel such a strong desire to just keep driving - not to get away from what I'm going home to, but to see what's out there. The idea of the road stretching out before me, black pavement and the lights at the side of the road and the lights of the businesses you pass, going on as far as the eye can see - it's enticing.
It's not just the highways, either. Every day I drive by streets and wonder where they go. The endless mystery down an unexplored road always leads to the question: do you follow the road to find out where it leads you to, or let the mystery remain?
Thursday, March 06, 2008
finished a book!
I just got done reading The Times of Their Lives: Life, Love and Death in Plymouth Colony, by James Deetz and Patricia Scott Deetz. (This was my bedtime book - ironically, the previous one had also been by J. Deetz.) I enjoyed the book quite a bit. There was a lot of detail regarding the lives of people from early Plymouth, and a lot having to do with archaeology and the methods by which we can learn about previous generations. Definitely a keeper - good reference material on both topics.
My new reading plan means it's taking me a lot longer to finish a book than it used to. I have three bedtime books - two that I'm reading a short section at a time and one that I'm reading in whatever time is left after that - plus a car book that I don't get a lot of time to work on now that I'm not picking Greyson up from school.
For "regular" reading, I'm doing a chapter at a time in nine different books, with a fiction in between. My nine books are all either just getting started or really long, so it's taking me a long time to get through them. And as I've noted before, I'm working through Jan Karon's Mitford series as my fictions, and while I'm really enjoying it, there hasn't been a lot new to note - they're uniformly pretty good. Next up is the last one, though. After that, I think I may start on a series by Conrad Richter that my Aunt Sarah sent me for my birthday.
My new reading plan means it's taking me a lot longer to finish a book than it used to. I have three bedtime books - two that I'm reading a short section at a time and one that I'm reading in whatever time is left after that - plus a car book that I don't get a lot of time to work on now that I'm not picking Greyson up from school.
For "regular" reading, I'm doing a chapter at a time in nine different books, with a fiction in between. My nine books are all either just getting started or really long, so it's taking me a long time to get through them. And as I've noted before, I'm working through Jan Karon's Mitford series as my fictions, and while I'm really enjoying it, there hasn't been a lot new to note - they're uniformly pretty good. Next up is the last one, though. After that, I think I may start on a series by Conrad Richter that my Aunt Sarah sent me for my birthday.
Tuesday, March 04, 2008
struggling
I've been feeling very lack-luster recently. I just don't seem to be that interested in my daily life. This is pretty silly, because my life is quite interesting - fun family, good books, good shows, fun games to play, projects to do, friends to make ... a little girl who takes pens off my desk and colors on my papers with them. But I wake up in the morning and just don't feel excited about it.
Part of it, I think, is that I'm in a dream cycle. I go through periods of time when I dream vividly every night, and I often find that I'm much less well rested when that's going on because my brain never stops being active and aware ... plus my dreams are a lot more unexpected than my daily life, so inherently more gripping.
This trouble doesn't worry me too much because it feels temporary. I think as the temperature warms up, the field of ice that has been my view since we moved here starts to melt, and I get a better handle on life here (socially, organizationally, schedule-wise) things will improve. But until then ... you can't be too out of sorts with a little girl who makes the Power Rangers hug each other while declaring that "they're family."
Part of it, I think, is that I'm in a dream cycle. I go through periods of time when I dream vividly every night, and I often find that I'm much less well rested when that's going on because my brain never stops being active and aware ... plus my dreams are a lot more unexpected than my daily life, so inherently more gripping.
This trouble doesn't worry me too much because it feels temporary. I think as the temperature warms up, the field of ice that has been my view since we moved here starts to melt, and I get a better handle on life here (socially, organizationally, schedule-wise) things will improve. But until then ... you can't be too out of sorts with a little girl who makes the Power Rangers hug each other while declaring that "they're family."
Monday, March 03, 2008
family dynamics
I find it fascinating to watch my three kids interact and wonder what their relationships with each other will be like as they get older. Greyson and Veronica are pretty antagonistic toward each other, usually at loggerheads. But how much of that is because of her age and general level of mischieviousness? Charles seems like the natural bridge between the two, playing with his brother and sister equally, but as he gets older will his temperament lead him to lean one way or the other? Or will he eventually get tired of always having a sibling around and feel the need to assert his independence from both of them?
In the end, when they're all grown up, I want a nice, tight-knit family who likes to hang out together, even if we all live in different places. I hope the kids are all able develop strong relationships with each other, even though I'm sure the road that direction will be a rocky one!
In the end, when they're all grown up, I want a nice, tight-knit family who likes to hang out together, even if we all live in different places. I hope the kids are all able develop strong relationships with each other, even though I'm sure the road that direction will be a rocky one!
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