My students started blogging today, and this year they have to post every other week, on any topic that interests them. Observations in the computer lab as they set up their new blog sites:
The little swimming fish (which look far too much like sperm for my liking) are a very popular gadget.
The boys, surprisingly, are very concerned with color choices and sidebar images. One posted a picture of a cat dressed up as Darth Vader, and another a picture of a naked baby smoking a cigarette. The latter picture was vetoed by the blogger police (me).
One class got into a huge discussion of what words I would and wouldn't allow for class blogging. I OK'ed "ass" but said no to "slutty," particularly when I learned that the topic was our rival school.
I saw one student begin writing about the day of his birth, one about stage fright, several listing all their favorite things, and at least one up-and-coming sports commentator.
And finally - aside from the playing of video games - I've never seen students having so much fun in the computer lab! Of course, most of the fun was choosing font styles, but you have to start somewhere.
Tuesday, September 27, 2011
Friday, May 6, 2011
True story
I was sitting here at my deak preparing for class and happened to notice, more than the page it was resting on, my hand. It reminded me of an alligator purse. I seriously can't believe how scaly and old it looks. I never thought I'd look old.
Then I noticed the page it was resting on. Seriously, it happened to be a poem about the challenges of faith. How we run to God only because he is our last resort for comfort, not because He is good or reliable.
So I decided to focus on my left hand, holding a glass of sweet iced tea. And my chair is comfortable, and the daylight is soft and abundant coming in the window. And Ben Folds, my fave, is singing on my Pandora station.
So I reach in the drawer for some verbena lotion and apply it to my scaly hand. It doesn't look any better really, only slightly shinier. Oh well. I still like how it smells.
Then I noticed the page it was resting on. Seriously, it happened to be a poem about the challenges of faith. How we run to God only because he is our last resort for comfort, not because He is good or reliable.
So I decided to focus on my left hand, holding a glass of sweet iced tea. And my chair is comfortable, and the daylight is soft and abundant coming in the window. And Ben Folds, my fave, is singing on my Pandora station.
So I reach in the drawer for some verbena lotion and apply it to my scaly hand. It doesn't look any better really, only slightly shinier. Oh well. I still like how it smells.
Tuesday, May 3, 2011
Two R's and TV
Not blogging much these days. Spent months... off and on... finishing second draft of novel, and it's done. Feeling like a writer with nothing to write. But it's worse than that. I went to Office Depot and printed a copy of the SECOND DRAFT. Had it bound up all fancy like with a black spiral. Handed it over to a reader friend. More than a week ago. The silence is killing me. Is my precious newborn a stinker? Is she too busy to read? Were my delusions of literary fame worse than delusions? Enough about that. It's depressing.
When I get home at night, I want to read, write, or watch TV. More problems there. We cut back on our DirecTV contract and along with fewer dollars comes fewer channels. Having a hard time finding things I want to watch. Only so many channels showing back to back "How I Met Your Mother"s. No more "Project Runway" either. Getting real sick of David Tutera too. His looks of consternation over the bride's horrendous color choices are getting old. And now Michael Scott is gone. Sigh.
Reading... nothing suiting my fancy lately. Recently finished True Grit, which was great, but not a page-turner fave like Harry Potter... which also comes to a screeching halt this summer with the last installment of the film version. It's been nice, all these years, knowing that more Potter was still to come. Wishing for something magical and compelling to come across my Kindle in the upcoming days. Nothing I like better than settling into the bed (or bathtub, truth be told) with a great book in one hand and a popsicle in the other (strange little spring/summer pleasure of mine).
So, if I don't post again for another year after this, you might assume I've either found something great to read, a new TV fad, or I've gathered the courage to start in on another novel (or do REVISION THREE on the current one, if it's got enough potential). See ya.
When I get home at night, I want to read, write, or watch TV. More problems there. We cut back on our DirecTV contract and along with fewer dollars comes fewer channels. Having a hard time finding things I want to watch. Only so many channels showing back to back "How I Met Your Mother"s. No more "Project Runway" either. Getting real sick of David Tutera too. His looks of consternation over the bride's horrendous color choices are getting old. And now Michael Scott is gone. Sigh.
Reading... nothing suiting my fancy lately. Recently finished True Grit, which was great, but not a page-turner fave like Harry Potter... which also comes to a screeching halt this summer with the last installment of the film version. It's been nice, all these years, knowing that more Potter was still to come. Wishing for something magical and compelling to come across my Kindle in the upcoming days. Nothing I like better than settling into the bed (or bathtub, truth be told) with a great book in one hand and a popsicle in the other (strange little spring/summer pleasure of mine).
So, if I don't post again for another year after this, you might assume I've either found something great to read, a new TV fad, or I've gathered the courage to start in on another novel (or do REVISION THREE on the current one, if it's got enough potential). See ya.
Tuesday, April 13, 2010
Notes from the Nine-Year-Old
The other day while shopping: "I really love getting stuff. Granna and Papa are my secret weapon."
Tonight while tucking into bed: "I wonder if the demons are like the Stormtroopers. Maybe they don't want to work for the devil, but he made them, like Darth Vader did."
On her floor for the past several days: a couple of boxes draped with bathroom towels, and atop the towel-scape is an odd assortment if items including a blond wig on a styrofoam mannequin head, a basketball and baseball, a picture of Zac Efron, a CD, and her tap shoes. Anyone want to guess what this display is? I shall reveal the answer after a couple of decent guesses...
Tonight while tucking into bed: "I wonder if the demons are like the Stormtroopers. Maybe they don't want to work for the devil, but he made them, like Darth Vader did."
On her floor for the past several days: a couple of boxes draped with bathroom towels, and atop the towel-scape is an odd assortment if items including a blond wig on a styrofoam mannequin head, a basketball and baseball, a picture of Zac Efron, a CD, and her tap shoes. Anyone want to guess what this display is? I shall reveal the answer after a couple of decent guesses...
Friday, January 15, 2010
Truth and Consequences
"Bapu Ghandi said, 'All religions are true.' I just want to love God," I blurted out, and looked down, red in the face.
I'm currently teaching the novel Life of Pi to my Hammond freshmen - what a wonderful book! This line is from a rather humorous scene wherein the main character, Pi, explains why he wants to practice Hinduism, Christianity and Islam. Meanwhile, a pandit, priest and imam stand around him arguing over which one religion he ought to choose. It's been interesting to hear how a variety of students respond to this statement.
The book itself offers beautiful descriptions of the three religions in question, and with the character Pi as a centerpoint, it is easy to see what the three worldviews have in common. Hindus, Christians and Muslims are all seeking the divine, they all pray, they all have beautiful and inspiring rituals, they all tell grand stories that help us understand our own stories, and they all uphold a set of lofty moral ideals. So what's the problem? Isn't each worldview true in its own way?
It seems to me that our culture has lost sight of a very important word: truth. In an effort to be nice to each other, to understand one another's points of view without prejudice, we've watered down what truth means. I was watching Pushing Daisies on TV a couple of years back, and two investigators were knocking on the door of a suspect; one of them expressed some doubts and sympathies towards the woman they were about to interrogate. The character Emerson then says, "Truth ain't a bunch of puppies running around and you get to pick the one you want. There's only one truth and it has come a'knockin'." I think you get a much fairer picture of truth when you cross Pi with Agent Emerson.
Here's one example to ponder: Hinduism says that "God" is an essence, an energy, a universal soul of which we are a part. Christianity and Islam say that "God" is a Person who created non-divine objects and beings that are distinctly separate from himself. These two God-concepts are not equal and cannot be equally true. Do a Christian at church and a Hindu at temple look essentially the same? Yes. Are they praying to the same Entity? No.
I've heard the illustration of an elephant, surrounded by blind men. One touches his trunk and says it is a snake; one touches his foot and says it is a tree; one touches his tail and says it is a rope; one walks right under his belly and says nothing is there at all. Maybe we are all striving to understand the elephant, to love the elephant as Pi insists. OK, but the guy who says it's a rope is still wrong. Actually, they are all wrong, but maybe the first one is closer - at least he recognizes a living animal. What they all need to do is walk a bit further and feel a bit more. If they were to explore four or five parts of the creature's body, certainly they could come closer to figuring out it's an elephant. Blind seekers ought not to be lazy.
Which brings me to one more line from Pi that I really like. He's talking about religious people and atheists when he says that "they go as far as the legs of reason will carry them - and then they leap." I wish more people would spend more time walking on the legs of reason. It is not reasonable to assume that contradictory ideas of God can all be true at the same time. We can all live together and be nice to each other, but somebody's going to turn up wrong at the end.
Note to students: If by chance you have decided to blog about this same quote, and your opinion is contrary to mine, that is OK. But back yourself up. Don't just vent - explain and support your point of view.
I'm currently teaching the novel Life of Pi to my Hammond freshmen - what a wonderful book! This line is from a rather humorous scene wherein the main character, Pi, explains why he wants to practice Hinduism, Christianity and Islam. Meanwhile, a pandit, priest and imam stand around him arguing over which one religion he ought to choose. It's been interesting to hear how a variety of students respond to this statement.
The book itself offers beautiful descriptions of the three religions in question, and with the character Pi as a centerpoint, it is easy to see what the three worldviews have in common. Hindus, Christians and Muslims are all seeking the divine, they all pray, they all have beautiful and inspiring rituals, they all tell grand stories that help us understand our own stories, and they all uphold a set of lofty moral ideals. So what's the problem? Isn't each worldview true in its own way?
It seems to me that our culture has lost sight of a very important word: truth. In an effort to be nice to each other, to understand one another's points of view without prejudice, we've watered down what truth means. I was watching Pushing Daisies on TV a couple of years back, and two investigators were knocking on the door of a suspect; one of them expressed some doubts and sympathies towards the woman they were about to interrogate. The character Emerson then says, "Truth ain't a bunch of puppies running around and you get to pick the one you want. There's only one truth and it has come a'knockin'." I think you get a much fairer picture of truth when you cross Pi with Agent Emerson.
Here's one example to ponder: Hinduism says that "God" is an essence, an energy, a universal soul of which we are a part. Christianity and Islam say that "God" is a Person who created non-divine objects and beings that are distinctly separate from himself. These two God-concepts are not equal and cannot be equally true. Do a Christian at church and a Hindu at temple look essentially the same? Yes. Are they praying to the same Entity? No.
I've heard the illustration of an elephant, surrounded by blind men. One touches his trunk and says it is a snake; one touches his foot and says it is a tree; one touches his tail and says it is a rope; one walks right under his belly and says nothing is there at all. Maybe we are all striving to understand the elephant, to love the elephant as Pi insists. OK, but the guy who says it's a rope is still wrong. Actually, they are all wrong, but maybe the first one is closer - at least he recognizes a living animal. What they all need to do is walk a bit further and feel a bit more. If they were to explore four or five parts of the creature's body, certainly they could come closer to figuring out it's an elephant. Blind seekers ought not to be lazy.
Which brings me to one more line from Pi that I really like. He's talking about religious people and atheists when he says that "they go as far as the legs of reason will carry them - and then they leap." I wish more people would spend more time walking on the legs of reason. It is not reasonable to assume that contradictory ideas of God can all be true at the same time. We can all live together and be nice to each other, but somebody's going to turn up wrong at the end.
Note to students: If by chance you have decided to blog about this same quote, and your opinion is contrary to mine, that is OK. But back yourself up. Don't just vent - explain and support your point of view.
Wednesday, September 16, 2009
Kayak Shenanigans
I knew it was over before I even went under. The kayak had turned backwards, a rock leapt up behind me from beneath the white water, and I gave in. I think I heard the river gods laugh as I got a noseful of water. To tell you the truth, I was laughing too. What business did I have in a kayak anyway?
The scene was the Nantahala River in North Carolina. The cast of characters? About 70 ninth graders from Hammond School, where I teach 9th grade. I was roped into this unlikely adventure by a sense of professional duty. Actually, I have always liked chaperoning field trips - it's the "adventure" part that got me into trouble this time. I prefer paved cities, show tickets, fine restaurants, and other low impact activities that do not require me to strap myself into a narrow tube designed for speed, flips, and rock collisions. But I do like the water, and I figured a minor case of terror shouldn't prevent me from joining in on the "fun."
The first day was spent on the lake learning how to hang upside-down in said kayak, how to exit said kayak for dear life, and how to regain one's breath in very very very cold cold water. Surrounded by 14-year-olds who were having no trouble conquering this task, I tried to act like an adult and follow instructions. I did it, and it was worth it. Plus, I figured that if I did not push through a little personal fear on the water, I'd have no right to ask my students to push through their fear of published writing, public speaking, or test taking. Life gives us all challenges, some of them requiring helmets.
The next day was on the river, and my goal was clear: enjoy the scenery, enjoy the kids, and stay upright. Two out of three ain't bad, as they say. It really was inevitable. Friends and family are not shocked. By the time the kayak had hit 90 degrees, I'd pulled the loop and pushed my body into the river. Honestly, it wasn't that scary, and I'm a decent swimmer. The falling out was relatively fun; it was the shockingly cold water that gave me the trouble, constricting my lungs and making me gasp for breath and look altogether pathetic as I grabbed ahold of our guide's kayak and got escorted to the shore like the out-of-shape school marm I am. I decided to take it as a wet badge of courage, and good storytelling for my 8-year-old. I find that if you can tell a story just right, you can reel in a little bit of lost dignity with a cleverly wrought phrase or two. How did I do?
The scene was the Nantahala River in North Carolina. The cast of characters? About 70 ninth graders from Hammond School, where I teach 9th grade. I was roped into this unlikely adventure by a sense of professional duty. Actually, I have always liked chaperoning field trips - it's the "adventure" part that got me into trouble this time. I prefer paved cities, show tickets, fine restaurants, and other low impact activities that do not require me to strap myself into a narrow tube designed for speed, flips, and rock collisions. But I do like the water, and I figured a minor case of terror shouldn't prevent me from joining in on the "fun."
The first day was spent on the lake learning how to hang upside-down in said kayak, how to exit said kayak for dear life, and how to regain one's breath in very very very cold cold water. Surrounded by 14-year-olds who were having no trouble conquering this task, I tried to act like an adult and follow instructions. I did it, and it was worth it. Plus, I figured that if I did not push through a little personal fear on the water, I'd have no right to ask my students to push through their fear of published writing, public speaking, or test taking. Life gives us all challenges, some of them requiring helmets.
The next day was on the river, and my goal was clear: enjoy the scenery, enjoy the kids, and stay upright. Two out of three ain't bad, as they say. It really was inevitable. Friends and family are not shocked. By the time the kayak had hit 90 degrees, I'd pulled the loop and pushed my body into the river. Honestly, it wasn't that scary, and I'm a decent swimmer. The falling out was relatively fun; it was the shockingly cold water that gave me the trouble, constricting my lungs and making me gasp for breath and look altogether pathetic as I grabbed ahold of our guide's kayak and got escorted to the shore like the out-of-shape school marm I am. I decided to take it as a wet badge of courage, and good storytelling for my 8-year-old. I find that if you can tell a story just right, you can reel in a little bit of lost dignity with a cleverly wrought phrase or two. How did I do?
Thursday, September 10, 2009
South Carolina on My Mind
We are South Carolinians again. An odd day to announce this, considering everyone is currently reluctant to admit any connection with the state that gave us Joe Wilson's rude Congressional outburst and that guy who apparently had sex with his horse. So to break the bad spell, I offer a little ode to Carolina. I love it here. True, we produce teen beauty queens who can barely speak, but I don't blame the state. Not even the state schools. I could argue the point with fancy rhetoric, but I'm not in the mood. The human race is responsible for the Wilsons, the illiterates, the Sanfords, the perverts. We're all a mess.
But here, at home again in the South, I'm back in the midst of some beautiful things. I drink sweet tea everyday. The fish and the chicken are fried. Strangers and professionals greet me with a drawl and a joke. The in-laws are nearby, and they have a pool. The sun shines almost all the time. Temperatures have dropped to the high 70's, and sitting outside is a joy. Everywhere I go, there are green lawns, palmetto trees, and crepe myrtles that never lose their pink. Architecture is red brick, archways, white columns, and black wrought iron. I love archways and iron! Homes are more affordable here and, hence, we live in a lovely neighborhood with winding roads, lots of trees, and adorable houses. I teach at a private school in Columbia, where polite and neatly dressed teenagers say "yes ma'am." My two best friends in the world live five minutes away. Crickets chirp when the sun goes down.
I'm OK with sharing Carolina with a handful of famous idiots, so long as the beauty doesn't fade and the tea stays sweet.
Thursday, July 2, 2009
Boxes and Barbeque
Today begins my last week in Seattle. THERE ARE BOXES EVERYWHERE! I dream about bubble wrap and tape dispensers.
We decided to take a little break from the packing and house-buying/selling chaos and have an early "Fake Fourth" with our traditional Independence Day fare: Jay's fantastically delicious BBQ ribs, corn on the cob, and cobbler with cherries from our backyard cherry tree. Delicious!!
But why celebrate the Fourth on the Second? Because by Saturday, all our dishes, pots and pans will also be in BOXES. Surrounded in bubble wrap, sealed up with a tape dispenser.
So for anyone who wants the blow-by-blow update, here it is:
*Sold our house, closed yesterday
*Bought a house in Mallard Lakes in Lexington
*Bought the wrong size dog crate... back to Craigslist again
*Craigslisting the CR-V, too
*Can't find a box tall enough to fit crutches or kiddie teepee in
*Still in physical therapy for the achin' back
*Had farewell dinner with SCS English department last night - sigh
*Making more cherry cobbler for our farewell drop-in Sunday afternoon
*We will leave our home buyers with no more cherries on the tree (fiendish laugh)
* I am only one day behind on the to-do list! Not bad!
* Harper looks forward to painting her new room a "bright-ish yellow-ish green"
* We'll be living with the in-laws for several weeks before moving into our new home -- bet they can't wait to host the 90# labrador retriever!
* We pack up the TV and stereo in a few days -- don't know how I'll cope with 5 days of silence
*Wait... I'll just sing a lot! The fam is sure to love that remedy.
*See everybody in SC real soon! Brew us up some sweet tea!
*Bye bye Seattle. We'll try to take a little of you with us as we open up our coffee shop in Carolina! More news on that in the future!
We decided to take a little break from the packing and house-buying/selling chaos and have an early "Fake Fourth" with our traditional Independence Day fare: Jay's fantastically delicious BBQ ribs, corn on the cob, and cobbler with cherries from our backyard cherry tree. Delicious!!
But why celebrate the Fourth on the Second? Because by Saturday, all our dishes, pots and pans will also be in BOXES. Surrounded in bubble wrap, sealed up with a tape dispenser.
So for anyone who wants the blow-by-blow update, here it is:
*Sold our house, closed yesterday
*Bought a house in Mallard Lakes in Lexington
*Bought the wrong size dog crate... back to Craigslist again
*Craigslisting the CR-V, too
*Can't find a box tall enough to fit crutches or kiddie teepee in
*Still in physical therapy for the achin' back
*Had farewell dinner with SCS English department last night - sigh
*Making more cherry cobbler for our farewell drop-in Sunday afternoon
*We will leave our home buyers with no more cherries on the tree (fiendish laugh)
* I am only one day behind on the to-do list! Not bad!
* Harper looks forward to painting her new room a "bright-ish yellow-ish green"
* We'll be living with the in-laws for several weeks before moving into our new home -- bet they can't wait to host the 90# labrador retriever!
* We pack up the TV and stereo in a few days -- don't know how I'll cope with 5 days of silence
*Wait... I'll just sing a lot! The fam is sure to love that remedy.
*See everybody in SC real soon! Brew us up some sweet tea!
*Bye bye Seattle. We'll try to take a little of you with us as we open up our coffee shop in Carolina! More news on that in the future!
Monday, June 15, 2009
Top Fives
Top Five Recent Events (in no particular order):
5. Caryn accepts job at Hammond School in Columbia
4. Jay secures pre-approval to buy house in SC
3. Harper learns to do a cartwheel
2. Caryn is able to stand erect after dose of Vicodin
1. Polly sniffs out her new airline approved crate
Top Five Prayers Needed for Upcoming Events:
5. Polly's cross-country transport
4. Need a large vehicle in SC -- lottery?!
3. Harper's security in the move
2. Coffee shop plans!
1. House purchase!!
5. Caryn accepts job at Hammond School in Columbia
4. Jay secures pre-approval to buy house in SC
3. Harper learns to do a cartwheel
2. Caryn is able to stand erect after dose of Vicodin
1. Polly sniffs out her new airline approved crate
Top Five Prayers Needed for Upcoming Events:
5. Polly's cross-country transport
4. Need a large vehicle in SC -- lottery?!
3. Harper's security in the move
2. Coffee shop plans!
1. House purchase!!
Saturday, June 13, 2009
Freedom of Expression
I am now allowed to post about our dynamic and exciting current state of family affairs! For reasons I'm not allowed to mention, I had to remove my last post... some of you caught it fleetingly... the Kirk Secret Service requested that I put a zip on it until a few more details got wrapped up. Very dramatic, yes.Perhaps you recall that the house was for sale -- the lovely house sign photo makes its reappearance to the left. I am proud to announce that it is now sold, but Coldwell Banker apparently does not put a "sold" banner out, at least not yet. Contract finalized today. We close in three weeks.
As my husband mentioned on his blog, we now need to find a place to put our stuff. Preferrably, that will be within a half hour commute to the fine academic institution with which I will accept a job on Monday morning. Oh, the Kirk secrets never end, do they?!
Today was my last day at my beloved Seattle Christian. Got an engraved Bible as a parting gift. I can't believe it's over. Very sad...
But the new job will be AWESOME! More next week...
Saturday, March 28, 2009
Mission Accomplished
Today, I mailed in my National Board teaching cert application materials. Been working on them for a year. Due March 31st. Whew...
Can now return to normal life. For my family, this means I might just clean the kitchen. I may even get back to grading papers for my students. I'll balance my checkbook and mail late payments.
Maybe even a blog post or two.
Can now return to normal life. For my family, this means I might just clean the kitchen. I may even get back to grading papers for my students. I'll balance my checkbook and mail late payments.
Maybe even a blog post or two.
Saturday, January 24, 2009
Stress and Stuff
I've been too stressed out to write lately. Every time I sit down and read some amusing bloggage and want to post some of my own, all I can think of is to-do lists and a general assortment of gripes. I've decided I'm done with that. What I need more of is random happy thoughts.
1. I gave an exam yesterday where instead of a discussion question I made my students pretend to be aliens and compile a list of "artifacts" from the lit they'd read over the semester (collected through a time machine). They thought I was nuts. When teenagers think you're nuts, you gotta be doin something right.
2. My mom and mom-in-law bought me a new outfit yesterday. New outfits make you feel good.
3. I watched Burn After Reading the other day on DVD. It's a tragicomedy. Not that great, but Brad Pitt was a scream. "Was a scream" is such an 80's thing to say.
4. Twilight was a bunch of silly fluff with some ridiculous scenes, but I paid admission to see it twice. Might go again when it hits the dollar theatres. The "dollar" theatre now costs three dollars.
5. I am one chapter shy of finishing my novel and have already let one friend read it. It might be crap, but I did it (well, almost...)
1. I gave an exam yesterday where instead of a discussion question I made my students pretend to be aliens and compile a list of "artifacts" from the lit they'd read over the semester (collected through a time machine). They thought I was nuts. When teenagers think you're nuts, you gotta be doin something right.
2. My mom and mom-in-law bought me a new outfit yesterday. New outfits make you feel good.
3. I watched Burn After Reading the other day on DVD. It's a tragicomedy. Not that great, but Brad Pitt was a scream. "Was a scream" is such an 80's thing to say.
4. Twilight was a bunch of silly fluff with some ridiculous scenes, but I paid admission to see it twice. Might go again when it hits the dollar theatres. The "dollar" theatre now costs three dollars.
5. I am one chapter shy of finishing my novel and have already let one friend read it. It might be crap, but I did it (well, almost...)
Sunday, January 18, 2009
THE SLUMBER PARTY
Five girls. Four birthday presents. Three movies. Two large pizzas. One bed-shaped cake. Zero sleep.
Then...
Seven trips to the bathroom to vomit. Harper got sick around breakfast time and sent the rest of the morning into a tailspin. The kids ran out of things to do before all the moms showed up, the hubby breezed downstairs and pushed a few of my worst buttons, and then one little girl pushed the rest of them. Meanwhile, more vomit.
Hopefully the pictures will help revive memories of the good times, which seemed to fade soon after sunrise... it really was a cool party. While it was still dark.
Then...
Seven trips to the bathroom to vomit. Harper got sick around breakfast time and sent the rest of the morning into a tailspin. The kids ran out of things to do before all the moms showed up, the hubby breezed downstairs and pushed a few of my worst buttons, and then one little girl pushed the rest of them. Meanwhile, more vomit.
Hopefully the pictures will help revive memories of the good times, which seemed to fade soon after sunrise... it really was a cool party. While it was still dark.
Friday, January 2, 2009
Kindle
I got a Kindle for Christmas. It makes me very happy, even when I am not reading it - even when I am just looking at how cute and adorable and hyper-technically cool it is. The Kindle is one reason I don't have time to blog much anymore. The above photo features my Kindle propped up on my brown leather reading chair, by the fire, where I intend to spend as much of my upcoming days and nights as possible. I will put out the fire when winter is over and by summer will move my Kindle Station to the back porch. It transfers nicely to Starbucks as well.Must go read now...
P.S. I still keep a paperback handy to take to the bathtub. I will not post a photo of that.
Wednesday, December 10, 2008
Monday, December 8, 2008
New York Recollections
I still don't REALLY have time to post about my NY trip, but I'm doing it anyway. I feel I owe it to my fans (ha). It will be a clipped version. Not the usual poetic beauty and philosophizing. Then again, once I start writing, I'm sure I'll bloviate for at least a half hour...
Left SC at 4 AM on the train to Pennylvania Station. Sort of the reverse of "Chatanooga Choo Choo." Our ham and eggs were not in Carolina but Virginia. We had a private sleeper room and it was wonderful... 16 hours of sleeping/lounging punctuated by trips to the dining car. At breakfast and lunch, we shared a table with Gunterkin and Conchita (or something like that - he was German and she Spanish). They were an elderly couple and delightful conversationalists. A nice time and reasonably good food was had by all.
PM in NYC - we have an incredibly delicious plate of hot antipasta at Carmine's and Jay begins imbibing gins and tonic. This goes on for a while. More good times had by all, but better food.
Wednesday - picked up half price tickets to a matinee, The 39 Steps. Walked over to Rock Center and had lunch at the cafe, several feet away from the skating rink. Watched the Rock Center tree being erected. Had one of the most delicious salads ever. Later, saw Mary Poppins. Loved it so much I had tears in my eyes. Mary Poppins is one of my heroes. Bought a Poppins umbrella, with a parrot for a handle. Can't wait for it to rain...
Thanksgiving - Parade!! Not too cold, not too bad a view. Glad to have done it once. Wouldn't go again, though, unless I have tickets to sit at Herald Square. The downside to watching it live from Broadway is that you don't get to see any of the performances. I sort of missed watching it on TV in my pajamas.
We missed out on a traditional Thanksgiving dinner, despite having reservations at a pretty good restaurant. The hub and I couldn't seem to jive on the "when do we nap?" and "when do we eat?" aspects of the day. Ended up at Alfredo's, which was not a bad accident. The original Alfredo recipe. Very different from what I expected. Tasty. Then on to Radio City Music Hall's Christmas Spectacular. They don't call that thing Spectacular for nothin! It's incredible! A hundred dancing Santas!
Friday - to the Today Show to see Barry Manilow perform 80's covers. However, I'm too short to see anything but the overhead lights, so I go to the second floor of the nearby Nintendo store to watch. There, I can see Barry's head at about the size of a quarter, but can't hear too well. Eventually the manager at Nintendo kicks me and the other Barry fans out. I therefore refuse to buy a Pokemon t-shirt, which I wouldn't have bought anyway, but I liked having a comeback.
Before leaving town, we have several hours to spend on 5th Avenue - and it's Black Friday! Shopping Mecca! Let me tell you, Black Friday at NYC Macy's is like swimming upstream against a school of bargain crazed fish. Almost as spectacular as Radio City Music Hall, but in an entirely different way. Fun, actually. Later that night, we fly first class back to SC. More fun, and "free" coctails.
Happy 10th Anniversary to us! Viva New York! Here's my beloved in a few memorable spots...
Thursday, December 4, 2008
Holidays in a Nutshell
Whew.... just got back from a huge trip east. A few days in South Carolina, hooked up with the fam and best pal Anne Marie. Then an anniversary jaunt to NYC. Took the train up, stayed on Times Square, saw THE PARADE, caught some shows, shopped Black Friday on 5th Avenue, flew first class back to SC. Celebrated an early Christmas there. Martinis and a movie with A.M. -- didn't see Lorri, but she'll be in Seattle this weekend. I can't believe we're already into December! More details on the trip another night...
Friday, October 31, 2008
It's Halloween, Matey!
The annual costume frivolities come to an end, once again. Harper was a pirate this year. Let's see if I can recall her brief costuming history: last year Eloise and previously a veterinarian, her own white teddy bear named Tess, a mermaid, Sleeping Beauty, and a 2-year-old beauty queen. I offer for your viewing pleasure a drawing Harper made in September of her costume plans, juxtaposed with the real thing, a photo taken earlier this evening before she tossed the belt, dropped the scarf, and broke the earring:
And one more shot, in which I'm not sure if she is a 7-year-old pirate or a 17-year-old fashion model...
The pirate and I headed on over to her friend Anthony's house for tricks and treats. Anthony's grandpa and dad took the kids out while the moms and grandmother enjoyed hot cider. It was so refreshing to hear kids exclaim "Cool" when presented with a tray of raisins and small toys instead of candy, which is the tradition with Anthony's folks. Harper, on the other hand, is a candy maven. You should see the obscene pile of it currently on our living room floor. Her dad offered her $10 for half of it, but no go. MUST HAVE CANDY!
All this sends me on a walk down memory lane, when Harper and I first began our tradition of trick-or-treating with friends in other neighborhoods, leaving Jay behind to man the candy stand. It was 2004, and he had just started blogging. Pop on over to his site, click on the 2004 entries, and scroll down a bit to the three Halloween posts - which appear in chronological reverse, so be sure to start at the "Halloween - 6:06 PM" entry and then read up through "Halloween Concluded." It's good for a chuckle.
And one more shot, in which I'm not sure if she is a 7-year-old pirate or a 17-year-old fashion model...
The pirate and I headed on over to her friend Anthony's house for tricks and treats. Anthony's grandpa and dad took the kids out while the moms and grandmother enjoyed hot cider. It was so refreshing to hear kids exclaim "Cool" when presented with a tray of raisins and small toys instead of candy, which is the tradition with Anthony's folks. Harper, on the other hand, is a candy maven. You should see the obscene pile of it currently on our living room floor. Her dad offered her $10 for half of it, but no go. MUST HAVE CANDY!
All this sends me on a walk down memory lane, when Harper and I first began our tradition of trick-or-treating with friends in other neighborhoods, leaving Jay behind to man the candy stand. It was 2004, and he had just started blogging. Pop on over to his site, click on the 2004 entries, and scroll down a bit to the three Halloween posts - which appear in chronological reverse, so be sure to start at the "Halloween - 6:06 PM" entry and then read up through "Halloween Concluded." It's good for a chuckle.
Saturday, October 25, 2008
Wednesday, October 22, 2008
Heaven and Hell
So Jay comes downstairs last night to report his conversation with Harper about heaven and the devil. She wants to know if there will be eating in heaven. Jay explains that the Bible talks about feasts and he supposes that in heaven we will get the best food ever. She says she figures her Grampa Bill is probably up there right now eating "ice cream combos." I don't know what that is, but Dad, hope you're enjoying them.
Then she asks Jay what the devil looks like. Jay says it's not like the Halloween costumes. He explains how Satan was a beautiful angel who decided to abandon God, and he tricks us into thinking he's ugly. Harper's response? She's apparently had this theory going for some time... that the devil actually looks like Mr. Noodle. Yup. Elmo's pantomiming pal, Mr. Noodle. Go figure.
Then she asks Jay what the devil looks like. Jay says it's not like the Halloween costumes. He explains how Satan was a beautiful angel who decided to abandon God, and he tricks us into thinking he's ugly. Harper's response? She's apparently had this theory going for some time... that the devil actually looks like Mr. Noodle. Yup. Elmo's pantomiming pal, Mr. Noodle. Go figure.
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