We're prepping for a big weekend. Tonight we have the German Ambassador's reception (for 75), tomorrow night is Commencement Eve Dinner (for 100) and Baccalaurate, and Saturday morning is Commencement. If it rains this year I might quit. Wiping down 1700 wet chairs at 7 in the morning last year was not my idea of great way to start the day.
but to kick it all off I had a major fuck up yesterday at work and had to do some groveling, because I'm an idiot. and I know why I fucked up. Because when the president says to do something it just gets done.. of course, it usually helps to do it right!
Anyway, everything is fine; but i decided that even tho we're broke we needed a night out. Aurora went to Brandy's because Eddie had to work 6am -2pm today.. so we went to dinner, I managed to find a new dress so that I didn't have to wear the same thing two nights in a row and then....
then we went to see Pirates 3. (possible spoilers, tho hopefully not many)
The first sequence there was a pretty big mistake in editing (singing.. when people sing, generally their lips match the words..unless of course it takes place in japan and the main character is a very large lizard) and it threw me off. The movie, thankfully, quickly redeemed itself.
Wonderful job making Jack's insanity visable and palpable, although I could see why some people wouldn't like it or consider it confusing (as per some comments I've heard). Action scenes were bigger and better (?) At the very beginning I felt they had overdone the action, as films usually do on the third movie, but by the end I could have cared less about the beginning because the latter were so intense.
Lots of Johnny screen time which is always delightful. Keira too and she pulled it off quite well, although sometimes I find it annoying when she yells, but could be jealousy (of an actor, please put me out of my sad pathetic misery). Could have used LOTS more Orlando screen time because in this one he is usually fighting and not a lot of dialogue. I find Orlando to be, for the most part, a better actor then one would expect or see at first hand (please see Cameron Crowe's latest genius Elizabethtown or Orlando's "grown up" movie Kingdom of Heaven).
Two of the best scenes, Orlando having tea and the kiss (the first one).
This movie had such a lovely wedding scene I almost wished for a moment I didn't abhor the thought of marriage and planned one for myself (at least with Orlando).
What there may have been too much of: betrayals leading to lots of 3-4 way fighting.
What there may have not been enough off: scenes for Elizabeth and William
But it does make you want to grab a bottle of rum and hope for 3 more Pirate Movies
31.5.07
30.5.07
Just one more reason why I HAVE to get back to Israel. New PR for tourism in Israel
And Israel can pull it off why? Because they have balls. Big Jewish Matzah Balls!
Go Eretz Yisrael!
Shalom
And Israel can pull it off why? Because they have balls. Big Jewish Matzah Balls!
Go Eretz Yisrael!
Shalom
29.5.07
nothing like a little lye to start your relationship off right
my love-hate relationship with eddie is absolutely boring and understandable now that I've read this: "what's love got to do with it"
The Basement Saga Continues
I managed to power through getting the basement taken care of. Most of it on Thursday night and then the basement bedroom Sunday. It's wonderful having that space back. Not only because then the upstairs doesn't ALWAYS look like a disaster but also because it just has a compfy feel to it.
without the carpet it is slightly less compfy, but only because it breaks my heart we ruined our house so soon! And yes, I panic every time I hear running water... but you know it isn't completely unfounded because yesterday afternoon when I went home early to check on the kittens (THANK GOD) I found water in our basement AGAIN!
The landlord next door had left water running all night and it was apparently running right into the tiny basement storage window. I am, however, at this point an expert at handling floods. So I ran and turned the water off, called Eddie at work to bring home a rug doctor, move furniture, threw down blankets and carried a few wet rugs up the stairs and threw them on the porch in the sun. Had caught in time before the entire basement filled like last time and it is MUCH easier to clean up without carpet down.
so we definitely won't be buying new carpet until we seal every last inch of that basement storage room with steel (I'm thinking of a "Nautilus" themed room: See 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea for reference).
I'm also wondering how in the hell we could have such luck when apparently the previous owners only had one teensy little flood from a really bad thunder storm.
I think part of it is my and Aurora's attraction to water must also be the capability to attract water. And I'm pretty sure I'm going to have to have a talk with the energies/orbs in the house about helping us repel unwanted water in the house.
without the carpet it is slightly less compfy, but only because it breaks my heart we ruined our house so soon! And yes, I panic every time I hear running water... but you know it isn't completely unfounded because yesterday afternoon when I went home early to check on the kittens (THANK GOD) I found water in our basement AGAIN!
The landlord next door had left water running all night and it was apparently running right into the tiny basement storage window. I am, however, at this point an expert at handling floods. So I ran and turned the water off, called Eddie at work to bring home a rug doctor, move furniture, threw down blankets and carried a few wet rugs up the stairs and threw them on the porch in the sun. Had caught in time before the entire basement filled like last time and it is MUCH easier to clean up without carpet down.
so we definitely won't be buying new carpet until we seal every last inch of that basement storage room with steel (I'm thinking of a "Nautilus" themed room: See 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea for reference).
I'm also wondering how in the hell we could have such luck when apparently the previous owners only had one teensy little flood from a really bad thunder storm.
I think part of it is my and Aurora's attraction to water must also be the capability to attract water. And I'm pretty sure I'm going to have to have a talk with the energies/orbs in the house about helping us repel unwanted water in the house.
28.5.07
I'm a grandma
Cleo finally had her kittens. 4:30 am Friday morning. The tiny little thing had 8. Unfortunately we lost one yesterday. The horror.
They are all much smaller than I remember kittens being, but she is a rather small cat herself (I thought she was done at 5, the last 3 completely astounded me). There is one beautiful light grey tabby and the rest all look black, although there may be some really dark tabbies and I can't tell because they don't have a lot of fur and they are usually all piled atop one another.
Cleo is a very good mommy, but she wants to be with her mommy (me). So when I moved her box of kittens upstairs yesterday that only lasted a few hours (even tho I check on them every half hour or so) because then she started bringing them downstairs and putting them in my lap... so I brought the box back to the basement (where they were born) and slept on the couch so she could see me. Some of the night I even slept with my hand in the box which she seemed to especially enjoy, but I stopped after she began to clean me.
Did have bad dreams about losing kittens last night however, and I'm hoping to not have to find any more when I get home.
They are all much smaller than I remember kittens being, but she is a rather small cat herself (I thought she was done at 5, the last 3 completely astounded me). There is one beautiful light grey tabby and the rest all look black, although there may be some really dark tabbies and I can't tell because they don't have a lot of fur and they are usually all piled atop one another.
Cleo is a very good mommy, but she wants to be with her mommy (me). So when I moved her box of kittens upstairs yesterday that only lasted a few hours (even tho I check on them every half hour or so) because then she started bringing them downstairs and putting them in my lap... so I brought the box back to the basement (where they were born) and slept on the couch so she could see me. Some of the night I even slept with my hand in the box which she seemed to especially enjoy, but I stopped after she began to clean me.
Did have bad dreams about losing kittens last night however, and I'm hoping to not have to find any more when I get home.
23.5.07
It's Wednesday and I may be getting to finally finish that basement issue this weekend.
It takes a lot of prepping, mainly because it's so horrible to see what was once the hub of the house so barren and gross smelling.
But this weekend I will get out the last two patches of carpet... take the last few tacking strips out...sweep, vacuum and then get on my hands and knees and clean all that fucking mud.
And then I'm taking all the rugs in the house and more rugs from mom's and throwing them in the basement. Then I'm going to put the TV back down there and ALLLLLLL of Aurora's toys and movies and book shelf so that I can reclaim what was once my pretty and relaxing and formal living room.
It takes a lot of prepping, mainly because it's so horrible to see what was once the hub of the house so barren and gross smelling.
But this weekend I will get out the last two patches of carpet... take the last few tacking strips out...sweep, vacuum and then get on my hands and knees and clean all that fucking mud.
And then I'm taking all the rugs in the house and more rugs from mom's and throwing them in the basement. Then I'm going to put the TV back down there and ALLLLLLL of Aurora's toys and movies and book shelf so that I can reclaim what was once my pretty and relaxing and formal living room.
22.5.07
Product of her environment
There are a thousand idiosyncrasies Aurora has that makes her MY Child and no one E]else's. What she laughs at, that she, at the most random moments, will throw her head back with a thunderous diabolical laugh (sometimes causing bodily harm as throwing one's head back can also throw off one's center of gravity), her desire to dance, her uncontrollable need to keep the beat which eventually grows into the need to dance, singing, etc.
But there are some things which I believe are only possible because she grew in my womb. On the back of her right leg she has a birthmark. It is delicious. From the first moment I noticed it I realized it was a shark turning in the water to get a closer look at what was following. Eddie believes it is a crab. Either way it isn't a surprise that a child born from a woman covered in Oceanic tattoos should already be branded with one of her own.
I have always believed she was coming to me. Aurora was always meant to be. Perhaps she watched us from above, waiting for the perfect (and perfectly ironic) moment to join us. And the other day a confirmation more stunning then any other to this point occurred.
Aurora climbed into my lap. We had just come inside from running in the delicious sun together and as I snuggled her I leaned in to smell her. She, like most children, has the yummiest baby smell. Altho most babies when sweating don't always smell so sweet. Most people will probably know that even blindfolded mothers can pick their children out by smell and babies can do the same. It is one of the greatest things about procreation. This undeniable proof of belonging to each other.
Well, my baby, she smells like kelp. If you have been to a warm beach you have enjoyed the same smell. Walking down a beach one is inevitably going to find a patch of drying kelp in the sand. It has a wonderfully pointed smell which combines with the sun, the salt and the sand that can only be found on the beach (my happy place) and apparently, my child. I could cry thinking about that perfect scent.
But there are some things which I believe are only possible because she grew in my womb. On the back of her right leg she has a birthmark. It is delicious. From the first moment I noticed it I realized it was a shark turning in the water to get a closer look at what was following. Eddie believes it is a crab. Either way it isn't a surprise that a child born from a woman covered in Oceanic tattoos should already be branded with one of her own.
I have always believed she was coming to me. Aurora was always meant to be. Perhaps she watched us from above, waiting for the perfect (and perfectly ironic) moment to join us. And the other day a confirmation more stunning then any other to this point occurred.
Aurora climbed into my lap. We had just come inside from running in the delicious sun together and as I snuggled her I leaned in to smell her. She, like most children, has the yummiest baby smell. Altho most babies when sweating don't always smell so sweet. Most people will probably know that even blindfolded mothers can pick their children out by smell and babies can do the same. It is one of the greatest things about procreation. This undeniable proof of belonging to each other.
Well, my baby, she smells like kelp. If you have been to a warm beach you have enjoyed the same smell. Walking down a beach one is inevitably going to find a patch of drying kelp in the sand. It has a wonderfully pointed smell which combines with the sun, the salt and the sand that can only be found on the beach (my happy place) and apparently, my child. I could cry thinking about that perfect scent.
21.5.07
Saturday evening, before margaritas kick in, "Eddie, why do you seem to think sex is necessary for the survival of your species?" at which point I kicked him off me and talked him into taking me out for dinner instead.
We had a lovely and relaxing time Saturday. I was supposed to go home and clean, but a killer headache set in and instead I chose a nap. Which helped immensely. upon awaking, however, I had messages from work over some cockup that was NOT MY FAULT (so just deal with it yourself), which started me ranting and raving for a good two hours, altho Eddie came home early and we sat on the porch ranting with smokes and margaritas, so it wasn't too bad.
We then went into the big city and I got to use my B&N gift certificate and picked up a two part series called The Hope (First book)& The Glory (second book). It's historical fiction about Israel from 1948 to the seven day way in 67. Which is GREAT! because my independent study was on Zionism from 1948 to 1973 (the Yom Kippur War), so I was ecstatic and Eddie couldn't help but laugh as I flited across the parking lot kissing my new books.
We then had a long and delicious mexican dinner.
unfortunately, I did have a bit of an annoyance, which actually became horror at what must be the margaritas taking long term effect. Coming home one of my all time favourite songs (hotel california) came on and when Eddie asked me who the main singers for the Eagles were I answered quickly, "Glenn Frye & ....... oh my god. where did it go. His name? I love his music. Why can't I remember?!" Eddie suggests going through the alphabet. But I don't need to go through the alphabet, I yell, his initials are DH. How can I know that and see his face and sing his songs and not be able to remember his name? I was embarrassed beyond belief and was glad my parents weren't around, because I'm sure I would have been disowned for not knowing such an important musical figure.
Do you know who it is? Yes, Don Henley. I can never again call myself a true Eagles fan, even though if I ran into him in the street I would start blathering nonsensical things about hotels, tequila, witches, and the queen of hearts. My god, they sing two of my all time favourite songs. I'm such a sham.
We had a lovely and relaxing time Saturday. I was supposed to go home and clean, but a killer headache set in and instead I chose a nap. Which helped immensely. upon awaking, however, I had messages from work over some cockup that was NOT MY FAULT (so just deal with it yourself), which started me ranting and raving for a good two hours, altho Eddie came home early and we sat on the porch ranting with smokes and margaritas, so it wasn't too bad.
We then went into the big city and I got to use my B&N gift certificate and picked up a two part series called The Hope (First book)& The Glory (second book). It's historical fiction about Israel from 1948 to the seven day way in 67. Which is GREAT! because my independent study was on Zionism from 1948 to 1973 (the Yom Kippur War), so I was ecstatic and Eddie couldn't help but laugh as I flited across the parking lot kissing my new books.
We then had a long and delicious mexican dinner.
unfortunately, I did have a bit of an annoyance, which actually became horror at what must be the margaritas taking long term effect. Coming home one of my all time favourite songs (hotel california) came on and when Eddie asked me who the main singers for the Eagles were I answered quickly, "Glenn Frye & ....... oh my god. where did it go. His name? I love his music. Why can't I remember?!" Eddie suggests going through the alphabet. But I don't need to go through the alphabet, I yell, his initials are DH. How can I know that and see his face and sing his songs and not be able to remember his name? I was embarrassed beyond belief and was glad my parents weren't around, because I'm sure I would have been disowned for not knowing such an important musical figure.
Do you know who it is? Yes, Don Henley. I can never again call myself a true Eagles fan, even though if I ran into him in the street I would start blathering nonsensical things about hotels, tequila, witches, and the queen of hearts. My god, they sing two of my all time favourite songs. I'm such a sham.
18.5.07
I'm not greedy
No, this isn't the reason why Mr. Darcy is the only man I'd every marry, but when you put down on paper it does look pretty good.
“Oh! my sweetest Lizzy! how rich and how great you will be!”
"Via Jane Austen’s World, we found a link to a “morning coffee” video in which Brad DeLong, an economist at the University of California, Berkeley, gives an explanation of what Mr. Darcy’s fortune would be worth today. He also resurrected an archived blog post on the subject, which we read a few years ago (and referenced in a certain book).
He’s very rich: certainly in the Forbes 400 of Napoleonic Britain. Figure that his £10,000 a year give him the rough equivalent of the purchasing power of $300,000 a year today, and the rough equivalent of the relative social status of $6,000,000 a year today–and he doesn’t have to work for it. Figure him as a thirty-year-old retired dot-com millionaire with wealth of $150 million or so…
Dr. DeLong also posted a link to a rather long paper on Jane Austen’s Economics, which we swear we will print out and read. It looks fascinating, but not for reading at midnight when one is exhausted!"
“Oh! my sweetest Lizzy! how rich and how great you will be!”
"Via Jane Austen’s World, we found a link to a “morning coffee” video in which Brad DeLong, an economist at the University of California, Berkeley, gives an explanation of what Mr. Darcy’s fortune would be worth today. He also resurrected an archived blog post on the subject, which we read a few years ago (and referenced in a certain book).
He’s very rich: certainly in the Forbes 400 of Napoleonic Britain. Figure that his £10,000 a year give him the rough equivalent of the purchasing power of $300,000 a year today, and the rough equivalent of the relative social status of $6,000,000 a year today–and he doesn’t have to work for it. Figure him as a thirty-year-old retired dot-com millionaire with wealth of $150 million or so…
Dr. DeLong also posted a link to a rather long paper on Jane Austen’s Economics, which we swear we will print out and read. It looks fascinating, but not for reading at midnight when one is exhausted!"
17.5.07
The latest and greatest breaking news
WOW! I'm shocked.. you mean, it's POSSIBLE there was MORE than ONE shooter? I'm aghast. My whole world has been turned upside down. Really glad someone FINALLY caught this one. No one would have ever known.
in case you were wondering, the X-files have answered this question. It was CGB Spender (AKA: Smoking Man, Cancer Man, Cigarette Smoking SOB) in the gutter drain.
In a collision of 21st-century science and decades-old conspiracy theories, a research team that includes a former top FBI scientist is challenging the bullet analysis used by the government to conclude that Lee Harvey Oswald acted alone in assassinating President John F. Kennedy in 1963.
The "evidence used to rule out a second assassin is fundamentally flawed," concludes a new article in the Annals of Applied Statistics written by former FBI lab metallurgist William A. Tobin and Texas A&M University researchers Cliff Spiegelman and William D. James.
The researchers' re-analysis involved new statistical calculations and a modern chemical analysis of bullets from the same batch Oswald is purported to have used. They reached no conclusion about whether more than one gunman was involved, but urged that authorities conduct a new and complete forensic re-analysis of the five bullet fragments left from the assassination 44 years ago.
"Given the significance and impact of the JFK assassination, it is scientifically desirable for the evidentiary fragments to be re-analyzed," the researchers said.
Tobin was the FBI lab's chief metallurgy expert for more than two decades. He analyzed metal evidence in major cases that included the 1995 Oklahoma City bombing and the 1996 explosion of TWA Flight 800 off Long Island.
After retiring, he attracted national attention by questioning the FBI science used in prosecutions for decades to match bullets to crime suspects through their lead content. The questions he and others raised prompted a National Academy of Sciences review that in 2003 concluded that the FBI's bullet lead analysis was flawed. The FBI agreed and generally ended the use of that type of analysis.
Using new guidelines set forth by the National Academy of Sciences for proper bullet analysis, Tobin and his colleagues at Texas A&M re-analyzed the bullet evidence used by the 1976 House Select Committee on Assassinations, which concluded that only one shooter, Oswald, fired the shots that killed Kennedy in Dallas.
The committee's finding was based in part on the research of now-deceased University of California at Irvine chemist Vincent P. Guinn. He used bullet lead analysis to conclude that the five bullet fragments recovered from the Kennedy assassination scene came from just two bullets, which were traced to the same batch of bullets Oswald owned.
To do their research, Tobin, Spiegelman and James said they bought the same brand and lot of bullets used by Oswald and analyzed their lead using the new standards. The bullets from that batch are still on the market as collectors' items.
They found that the scientific and statistical assumptions Guinn used -- and the government accepted at the time -- to conclude that the fragments came from just two bullets fired from Oswald's gun were wrong.
"This finding means that the bullet fragments from the assassination that match could have come from three or more separate bullets," the researchers said.
"If the assassination fragments are derived from three or more separate bullets, then a second assassin is likely, as the additional bullet would not be attributable to the main suspect, Mr. Oswald."
© 2007 The Washington Post Company
Link to the MSN.COM article
in case you were wondering, the X-files have answered this question. It was CGB Spender (AKA: Smoking Man, Cancer Man, Cigarette Smoking SOB) in the gutter drain.
In a collision of 21st-century science and decades-old conspiracy theories, a research team that includes a former top FBI scientist is challenging the bullet analysis used by the government to conclude that Lee Harvey Oswald acted alone in assassinating President John F. Kennedy in 1963.
The "evidence used to rule out a second assassin is fundamentally flawed," concludes a new article in the Annals of Applied Statistics written by former FBI lab metallurgist William A. Tobin and Texas A&M University researchers Cliff Spiegelman and William D. James.
The researchers' re-analysis involved new statistical calculations and a modern chemical analysis of bullets from the same batch Oswald is purported to have used. They reached no conclusion about whether more than one gunman was involved, but urged that authorities conduct a new and complete forensic re-analysis of the five bullet fragments left from the assassination 44 years ago.
"Given the significance and impact of the JFK assassination, it is scientifically desirable for the evidentiary fragments to be re-analyzed," the researchers said.
Tobin was the FBI lab's chief metallurgy expert for more than two decades. He analyzed metal evidence in major cases that included the 1995 Oklahoma City bombing and the 1996 explosion of TWA Flight 800 off Long Island.
After retiring, he attracted national attention by questioning the FBI science used in prosecutions for decades to match bullets to crime suspects through their lead content. The questions he and others raised prompted a National Academy of Sciences review that in 2003 concluded that the FBI's bullet lead analysis was flawed. The FBI agreed and generally ended the use of that type of analysis.
Using new guidelines set forth by the National Academy of Sciences for proper bullet analysis, Tobin and his colleagues at Texas A&M re-analyzed the bullet evidence used by the 1976 House Select Committee on Assassinations, which concluded that only one shooter, Oswald, fired the shots that killed Kennedy in Dallas.
The committee's finding was based in part on the research of now-deceased University of California at Irvine chemist Vincent P. Guinn. He used bullet lead analysis to conclude that the five bullet fragments recovered from the Kennedy assassination scene came from just two bullets, which were traced to the same batch of bullets Oswald owned.
To do their research, Tobin, Spiegelman and James said they bought the same brand and lot of bullets used by Oswald and analyzed their lead using the new standards. The bullets from that batch are still on the market as collectors' items.
They found that the scientific and statistical assumptions Guinn used -- and the government accepted at the time -- to conclude that the fragments came from just two bullets fired from Oswald's gun were wrong.
"This finding means that the bullet fragments from the assassination that match could have come from three or more separate bullets," the researchers said.
"If the assassination fragments are derived from three or more separate bullets, then a second assassin is likely, as the additional bullet would not be attributable to the main suspect, Mr. Oswald."
© 2007 The Washington Post Company
Link to the MSN.COM article
16.5.07
Cult of Personality
Aurora has the most amazing facial expressions. She pulls faces that I don't think structurally should be possible. One of them she breathes in, sucking her nostrils together (not pinched, but somehow elongating her face) and at the same time raises her eyebrows, but because of the pinched nose effect pulls her inner eyebrow down so only the outer edges appear to raise it looks like she slanting her eyes. it's incredible.
I mention this because she is very much her own person. I make some weird faces (hey, I was born with one), but I don't think I've ever made that one, or could make it.
She laughs at things in movies that, while funny, we don't laugh at first. She has already made decisions about what is humourous. She even has been making decisions about her bedtime (which I've recently put a stop to). It is still novel to ask her a question and hear her say, "nooo" or "yea". her accuracy can be fairly interesting, too.
Two nights ago when I asked her if she was ready for bed she said no and then gave me a running dialogue of gibberish. I would love to know what she was saying, because it sounded very serious and well thought out about why shouldn't go to bed at that moment.
While we are, hopefully, helping to mold a decent human being I can't help but wonder how much of it is us and how much of it has always and well always be her.
(Aurora in our old house on Idaho)
(Aurora walking in Nana's neighbourhood)
I mention this because she is very much her own person. I make some weird faces (hey, I was born with one), but I don't think I've ever made that one, or could make it.
She laughs at things in movies that, while funny, we don't laugh at first. She has already made decisions about what is humourous. She even has been making decisions about her bedtime (which I've recently put a stop to). It is still novel to ask her a question and hear her say, "nooo" or "yea". her accuracy can be fairly interesting, too.
Two nights ago when I asked her if she was ready for bed she said no and then gave me a running dialogue of gibberish. I would love to know what she was saying, because it sounded very serious and well thought out about why shouldn't go to bed at that moment.
While we are, hopefully, helping to mold a decent human being I can't help but wonder how much of it is us and how much of it has always and well always be her.
(Aurora in our old house on Idaho)
(Aurora walking in Nana's neighbourhood)
Coningsby
I have Finally finsished "Coningsby" by Benjamin Disraeli.
I have found one of the hardest things about being a mother is the lack of time to read. A book that would have previously taken me three days (at the most) to read. Has taken me three months.
I found "Coningsby" at the Book Exchange (a used book store I used to haunt weekly). It was, of course, in the Classics section and I couldn't believe it when I saw the name Disraeli. I thought I must be mistaken. How could all my classes pertaining to world history, britian, judaism, etc not have EVER mentioned that Benjamin Disraeli (a Victorian-era Prime Minister) was an author. And a very good one at that.
Having been out of school so long, and "Coningsby" obviously having a very political background and opinions, I did frequently need to see the "notes" section.
Coningsby, himself, is the perfect hero (as intended). Sidonia, a Hebrew, was delightfully witty and intelligent and, again, everything the perfect mentor should be. Even the love story was beautiful and poignant (though I tend to get a little bored with musings of perfect lovers and prefer to have the resolve instead).
The ending, as expected, was happy and everything as ought. None of that terrifying Henry James like endings which made me quit reading Mr. James due to the cold sweat I would break into at the ending of each of his novels.
All in all, very pleasant and appealing, and I shall definitely keep my eyes open for his other works.
A quote which made me laugh due to it still very much pertaining to politics today:
"Conservatism was an attempt to carry on affairs by substituting the fulfilment of duties of office for the performance of the function of government; and to maintain this negative system by the mere influence of property, reputable private conduct, and what are called good connections. Conservatism discards Prescription, shrinks from Principle, disavows Progress; having rejected all respect for Antiquity, it offers no redress for the Present, and makes no preparation for the Future. It is obvious that for a time, under favourable circumstances, such a confederation might succeed; but it is equally clear, that on the arrival of one of those critical conjunctures that will periodically occur in all states, and which such an unimpassioned system is even calculated ultimately to create, all power of resistance will be wanting: the barren curse of political infidelity will paralyse all action; and the Conservative Constitution will be discovered to be a Caput Mortuum."
I have found one of the hardest things about being a mother is the lack of time to read. A book that would have previously taken me three days (at the most) to read. Has taken me three months.
I found "Coningsby" at the Book Exchange (a used book store I used to haunt weekly). It was, of course, in the Classics section and I couldn't believe it when I saw the name Disraeli. I thought I must be mistaken. How could all my classes pertaining to world history, britian, judaism, etc not have EVER mentioned that Benjamin Disraeli (a Victorian-era Prime Minister) was an author. And a very good one at that.
Having been out of school so long, and "Coningsby" obviously having a very political background and opinions, I did frequently need to see the "notes" section.
Coningsby, himself, is the perfect hero (as intended). Sidonia, a Hebrew, was delightfully witty and intelligent and, again, everything the perfect mentor should be. Even the love story was beautiful and poignant (though I tend to get a little bored with musings of perfect lovers and prefer to have the resolve instead).
The ending, as expected, was happy and everything as ought. None of that terrifying Henry James like endings which made me quit reading Mr. James due to the cold sweat I would break into at the ending of each of his novels.
All in all, very pleasant and appealing, and I shall definitely keep my eyes open for his other works.
A quote which made me laugh due to it still very much pertaining to politics today:
"Conservatism was an attempt to carry on affairs by substituting the fulfilment of duties of office for the performance of the function of government; and to maintain this negative system by the mere influence of property, reputable private conduct, and what are called good connections. Conservatism discards Prescription, shrinks from Principle, disavows Progress; having rejected all respect for Antiquity, it offers no redress for the Present, and makes no preparation for the Future. It is obvious that for a time, under favourable circumstances, such a confederation might succeed; but it is equally clear, that on the arrival of one of those critical conjunctures that will periodically occur in all states, and which such an unimpassioned system is even calculated ultimately to create, all power of resistance will be wanting: the barren curse of political infidelity will paralyse all action; and the Conservative Constitution will be discovered to be a Caput Mortuum."
15.5.07
The Dark Side
Last night was Alex's first softball game of the season. I was so excited. I packed food and chairs and Eddie and Aurora and we headed to the field.
Aurora was delightful and loved the playground. She's so adventurous she didn't hesitate to climb up the equipment and throw herself from the slides. After a bit, kids arrived and being much older than she they used the hand rails to WALK up the steps of the jungle gym, not climb. She realized she was being left in the dust. So she, too, began WALKING up the steps using the handrail (only slightly scary as the railing was above her head and the gaping hole could have easily taken out someone with 5 times her coordination).
We eventually made our way back to Angel and Sunny and Jenna and had some food. Aurora shined and made me so proud as she said "Thank you" every time I handed her a bite, and listened peacefully every time I told her "no" she couldn't go back to the playground. I was content thinking, " I have the perfect child." One should realize you can never think that without severe consequences.
After a bit we did go back to the playground and had a blast, but then so many kids showed up it became far too dangers for her little fingers and I couldn't get close enough to the jungle gym if she fell. So I decided to haul her little but back to the grass.
Our second largest conflict of wills soon ensued. She did not merely cry, she bellowed, her screaming hoarse and painful. Her face twisted and red, dusty from the sandbox and grimy from PB&J. I consistently told her no and that I didn't appreciate her behaviour (which usually works just fine when something so precious as a playground isn't looming in the background). This went on for what seemed an eternity but lasted (i'm assuming, with my patience) no longer than five minutes before I smacked her ass and told Eddie to pack everything up. I simply cannot stand uncontrollable children, especially in public.
She is normally so pleasant but she is also only in places where she basically can do whatever she wants and even if she can't she can find something she would like to do instead. And she's a baby. So testing limits can be oh so fun.
We made it home (all still alive and fairly calm). The rest of the evening she was back to her normal self. But oh my, I could wait another 30 years before having to that "I'm an independent girl don't tell me what the fuck I can and can't do" side of her again.
Aurora was delightful and loved the playground. She's so adventurous she didn't hesitate to climb up the equipment and throw herself from the slides. After a bit, kids arrived and being much older than she they used the hand rails to WALK up the steps of the jungle gym, not climb. She realized she was being left in the dust. So she, too, began WALKING up the steps using the handrail (only slightly scary as the railing was above her head and the gaping hole could have easily taken out someone with 5 times her coordination).
We eventually made our way back to Angel and Sunny and Jenna and had some food. Aurora shined and made me so proud as she said "Thank you" every time I handed her a bite, and listened peacefully every time I told her "no" she couldn't go back to the playground. I was content thinking, " I have the perfect child." One should realize you can never think that without severe consequences.
After a bit we did go back to the playground and had a blast, but then so many kids showed up it became far too dangers for her little fingers and I couldn't get close enough to the jungle gym if she fell. So I decided to haul her little but back to the grass.
Our second largest conflict of wills soon ensued. She did not merely cry, she bellowed, her screaming hoarse and painful. Her face twisted and red, dusty from the sandbox and grimy from PB&J. I consistently told her no and that I didn't appreciate her behaviour (which usually works just fine when something so precious as a playground isn't looming in the background). This went on for what seemed an eternity but lasted (i'm assuming, with my patience) no longer than five minutes before I smacked her ass and told Eddie to pack everything up. I simply cannot stand uncontrollable children, especially in public.
She is normally so pleasant but she is also only in places where she basically can do whatever she wants and even if she can't she can find something she would like to do instead. And she's a baby. So testing limits can be oh so fun.
We made it home (all still alive and fairly calm). The rest of the evening she was back to her normal self. But oh my, I could wait another 30 years before having to that "I'm an independent girl don't tell me what the fuck I can and can't do" side of her again.
14.5.07
Mother's Day
Brandy and Zene stayed saturday night, so easing into mother's day began with me cooking breakfast. But it was nice to have them around. Everyone took off a little after one (including Aurora because mom came to get her).
Being alone allowed me to work on the basement. Oh joy. but I got a bit more carpet out and a lot of the tack strips up. The basement floor is pretty interesting because somebody some time ago painted it. It's this great mint green and maroon funky diamonds. Since the house has been up since 1907 I'm assuming this painting took place some time in the 60s.
After a couple of hours working in the basement I remembered it was officially mother's day so I put in x-files (season 2) and watched it for the remainder of the evening (while drinking margaritas.. but only had two as I ran out of mix; yes, Eddie and I drank another bottle of mix in two evenings).
Did you know that everyone has been in the x-files? Watched "3" (about vampyres) and the chick plays Frank's wife in Old School.
Being alone allowed me to work on the basement. Oh joy. but I got a bit more carpet out and a lot of the tack strips up. The basement floor is pretty interesting because somebody some time ago painted it. It's this great mint green and maroon funky diamonds. Since the house has been up since 1907 I'm assuming this painting took place some time in the 60s.
After a couple of hours working in the basement I remembered it was officially mother's day so I put in x-files (season 2) and watched it for the remainder of the evening (while drinking margaritas.. but only had two as I ran out of mix; yes, Eddie and I drank another bottle of mix in two evenings).
Did you know that everyone has been in the x-files? Watched "3" (about vampyres) and the chick plays Frank's wife in Old School.
10.5.07
One for the record books
Tuesday morning is usually much better than monday. this last tuesday, however, was a day when the universe conspired against me. i'm not sure what the plan was. it may have been to kill me, or at least break me. and, amazingly, it did neither tho it came close.
Tuesday morning I woke up and turned my alarm off. we've been sleeping in the basement because it is cooler and because the spare bed is more comfortable than ours. Eddie jumps out of the bed and runs upstairs. I soon hear him telling me to get up and i know something is wrong. his command turned my brain on and i could suddenly hear running water.
i knew before looking. before swinging my feet over the bed. but the shock of having your feet hit water is still a force with which to reckon. the room was light to a barely perceptible dark grey and as i groped for my glasses i imagined the inches of standing water all over the basement and my furniture.
It wasn't QUITE that bad, but it was still running. i looked at aurora's floating pjs and flash cards and walked resolutely upstairs to pee and ruminate on my fate. then eddie called his father, and i smoked a cigarette outside in the lovely sunrise.
eddie and ed spent the morning and afternoon pumping and vacuuming up water and hauling buckets of mud out of the basement while i watched aurora with saint like patience (so much so that eddie couldn't stop commenting on how wonderfully i was behaving, much different from the raving banshee that usually occupies my body).
around noon the fates decided if a flood wasn't enough they would have to try to kill me, so I fell down the stairs with aurora in my arms. i only cried a little and only because i'm such a terrible mom. my bruises are ghastly and telling people I fell down the stairs would make them look suspiciously and ask if i need help IF they didn't know me and hadn't seen me fall down stairs personally on countless occassions.
to top the evening off, eddie ended up in the er. fortunately, mom saved our butts and took an emergency day of her own to watch aurora for us during the evening and the nest day so we COULD go to the hospital. we waited on any number of combined problems in the caldwell er (this is typical) such as slowness, inability to process data, unsure of where medical equipment is, forgetting to administer drugs, etc. all of which culminated in eddie receiving an er minor surgery with only local anesthetic after having to wait for the drugs to kick in which they never gave him.
we got home at 1am and i had a big event i couldn't miss at 6:30am. my saintliness continued all through last night where I catered to eddie and even played uno with him.
unfortunately, whatever kindly spirit possessed me during those two stressful days left this morning and i am now back to answering eddie's asinine questions with pert and usually sarcastic answers.
Tuesday morning I woke up and turned my alarm off. we've been sleeping in the basement because it is cooler and because the spare bed is more comfortable than ours. Eddie jumps out of the bed and runs upstairs. I soon hear him telling me to get up and i know something is wrong. his command turned my brain on and i could suddenly hear running water.
i knew before looking. before swinging my feet over the bed. but the shock of having your feet hit water is still a force with which to reckon. the room was light to a barely perceptible dark grey and as i groped for my glasses i imagined the inches of standing water all over the basement and my furniture.
It wasn't QUITE that bad, but it was still running. i looked at aurora's floating pjs and flash cards and walked resolutely upstairs to pee and ruminate on my fate. then eddie called his father, and i smoked a cigarette outside in the lovely sunrise.
eddie and ed spent the morning and afternoon pumping and vacuuming up water and hauling buckets of mud out of the basement while i watched aurora with saint like patience (so much so that eddie couldn't stop commenting on how wonderfully i was behaving, much different from the raving banshee that usually occupies my body).
around noon the fates decided if a flood wasn't enough they would have to try to kill me, so I fell down the stairs with aurora in my arms. i only cried a little and only because i'm such a terrible mom. my bruises are ghastly and telling people I fell down the stairs would make them look suspiciously and ask if i need help IF they didn't know me and hadn't seen me fall down stairs personally on countless occassions.
to top the evening off, eddie ended up in the er. fortunately, mom saved our butts and took an emergency day of her own to watch aurora for us during the evening and the nest day so we COULD go to the hospital. we waited on any number of combined problems in the caldwell er (this is typical) such as slowness, inability to process data, unsure of where medical equipment is, forgetting to administer drugs, etc. all of which culminated in eddie receiving an er minor surgery with only local anesthetic after having to wait for the drugs to kick in which they never gave him.
we got home at 1am and i had a big event i couldn't miss at 6:30am. my saintliness continued all through last night where I catered to eddie and even played uno with him.
unfortunately, whatever kindly spirit possessed me during those two stressful days left this morning and i am now back to answering eddie's asinine questions with pert and usually sarcastic answers.
7.5.07
Celebrating Cinco de Mayo
I celebrated Cinco de Mayo, because everyone should celebrate independence (even if it's not the REAL Date.. which I think is doce de Mayo). To help with getting the word out about such an important date I volunteered at the Chamber of Commerce to run their booth at the CdM event on Saturday. The weather was horrible withh 20 mile an hour winds and being in a booth it was freezing. Unfortunately my efforts were cheapend as the booth was selling sombreros (made in Mexico for about $.50) for $5.00 a piece.
In an effort to solace myself I bought fast food (did NOT go out for Mexican food, cuz shouldn't they have a day off?!). And then I sat on the couch with Eddie and drank a fifth of tequila whilst watching x-files.
Now I can understand if the above sentence screams out for help. But let me assure you that I controlled my more basic needs and tempered the tequila by actually pouring it into a glass AND adding margarita mix. As for the x-files, you should know that they were all episodes I had never seen (as I quit watching XF after it was confirmed Mulder was leaving and I did not pick back up when he returned). Cinco de Mayo this year was like finding a small piece of heaven.
In an effort to solace myself I bought fast food (did NOT go out for Mexican food, cuz shouldn't they have a day off?!). And then I sat on the couch with Eddie and drank a fifth of tequila whilst watching x-files.
Now I can understand if the above sentence screams out for help. But let me assure you that I controlled my more basic needs and tempered the tequila by actually pouring it into a glass AND adding margarita mix. As for the x-files, you should know that they were all episodes I had never seen (as I quit watching XF after it was confirmed Mulder was leaving and I did not pick back up when he returned). Cinco de Mayo this year was like finding a small piece of heaven.
5.5.07
the utter shame
the movie theatre was silent until someone let loose an embarrassed giggle and then a few more brave souls joined in, hoping if they could laugh it would lessen the pain.
from the moment i heard they were first making Spiderman a movie i have been waiting for the venom story. the ruined it. the acting was horrible. kirsten dunst was the only decent thing about the movie. poor toby. the premeire must have been torture.
I'm still in shock.
I'm trying to shake it off by watching x-files and finding a happy place (and sending up prayers that the dark knight isn't so horrible when it comes out... altho it may just be the curse of the 3rd movie: x-men 3, Batman forever, Harry Potter PoA--thankfully LotR is excluded from this curse).
from the moment i heard they were first making Spiderman a movie i have been waiting for the venom story. the ruined it. the acting was horrible. kirsten dunst was the only decent thing about the movie. poor toby. the premeire must have been torture.
I'm still in shock.
I'm trying to shake it off by watching x-files and finding a happy place (and sending up prayers that the dark knight isn't so horrible when it comes out... altho it may just be the curse of the 3rd movie: x-men 3, Batman forever, Harry Potter PoA--thankfully LotR is excluded from this curse).
4.5.07
crucifixion imagery
oh how I hate thee. another one of those pet peeves that feels as if I'm being flayed alive every time I see it (unless, of course, it's actually Jesus at which point it's just disturbing and not so much annoying).
Why does it bother me? Maybe because I'm not stupid and most people I know aren't REALLY stupid.. Just a little bit stupid (including me). Everyone knows that Spider man is a hero. We know that Super man is a hero. and, yes, we know that mulder is a hero, too.
we understand, with or without reading joseph cambell, that all heros have the same story. Adventure quest for the good of self/man kind with some sort of sacrifice(s) along the way.
Just because America is assumed to be overwhelming christian doesn't mean you have to imagine every american hero in a christ pose. it offends my intelligence. it's old. it's been done. think of something else!
Some go further than others... in spiderman you can see Spiderman not only crucified but also with bleeding side wound and the odd imagery of taking down from the "cross" and passing the body (for Jesus this was the cleansing before entombment) . This I must admit I haven't seen, at least recently.
In Superman returns the most obvious christ imagery can be found as he lifts a gigantic rock into space all the while a chunk of kryptonite is stuck into (you'll never guess) his SIDE!
The most painful christ imagery is, unfortunately, in the x-files as mulder goes through his own Christ's last temptation (Sixth Extinction, Amor Fati) which is obviously almost all (except maybe the aliens) stolen from Nikos Kazantzakis "Last Temptation of Christ" and Scorsese's (who also loves Christ imagery.. just check out even one of his movies) movie of the same name (with Defoe). Mulder is shown not only in a crucifixion pose, but also with a "crown of thorns" and a towel wrapped around his waist.
so here's to seeing another superhero move (spiderman 3) without any of the above (keep your fingers crossed)
Why does it bother me? Maybe because I'm not stupid and most people I know aren't REALLY stupid.. Just a little bit stupid (including me). Everyone knows that Spider man is a hero. We know that Super man is a hero. and, yes, we know that mulder is a hero, too.
we understand, with or without reading joseph cambell, that all heros have the same story. Adventure quest for the good of self/man kind with some sort of sacrifice(s) along the way.
Just because America is assumed to be overwhelming christian doesn't mean you have to imagine every american hero in a christ pose. it offends my intelligence. it's old. it's been done. think of something else!
Some go further than others... in spiderman you can see Spiderman not only crucified but also with bleeding side wound and the odd imagery of taking down from the "cross" and passing the body (for Jesus this was the cleansing before entombment) . This I must admit I haven't seen, at least recently.
In Superman returns the most obvious christ imagery can be found as he lifts a gigantic rock into space all the while a chunk of kryptonite is stuck into (you'll never guess) his SIDE!
The most painful christ imagery is, unfortunately, in the x-files as mulder goes through his own Christ's last temptation (Sixth Extinction, Amor Fati) which is obviously almost all (except maybe the aliens) stolen from Nikos Kazantzakis "Last Temptation of Christ" and Scorsese's (who also loves Christ imagery.. just check out even one of his movies) movie of the same name (with Defoe). Mulder is shown not only in a crucifixion pose, but also with a "crown of thorns" and a towel wrapped around his waist.
so here's to seeing another superhero move (spiderman 3) without any of the above (keep your fingers crossed)
2.5.07
I haven't had new glasses in over two years. My prescription started going bad about 6 months after the new glasses. My head hurts and my eyeballs are fried.
I order new glasses and paid way too much for frames and "super thin" lenses (which are actually just normal size because mine are so bloody thick)... had to get frames because the ones i have now have been stepped on & I'm surprised they have lasted this long.
Glasses should have been in a week ago, but there, "was a breakage at the lab." Thank god it wasn't a prosthetic. then I'd really be screwed!
I order new glasses and paid way too much for frames and "super thin" lenses (which are actually just normal size because mine are so bloody thick)... had to get frames because the ones i have now have been stepped on & I'm surprised they have lasted this long.
Glasses should have been in a week ago, but there, "was a breakage at the lab." Thank god it wasn't a prosthetic. then I'd really be screwed!
1.5.07
Things I learn from the X-files
Did you know that if you continuously watch approximately 1-4 X-files per day two things happen?
One, I'm not a crabby bitch because my adreline and endorphins (because I'm in love with Mulder & Scully) stay kicked in long enough to keep me on a slight high for a day.
Two, dangers you never knew existed become glaring obvious. For example, the light left on in the Church (our next door neighbors) last night is probably due to zealous acts with snakes, or the loose vent in the elevator could be from a man who can stretch himself thin to fit into tight spaces so he can devour your liver. Best to stay away from both areas until problem is resolved.
One, I'm not a crabby bitch because my adreline and endorphins (because I'm in love with Mulder & Scully) stay kicked in long enough to keep me on a slight high for a day.
Two, dangers you never knew existed become glaring obvious. For example, the light left on in the Church (our next door neighbors) last night is probably due to zealous acts with snakes, or the loose vent in the elevator could be from a man who can stretch himself thin to fit into tight spaces so he can devour your liver. Best to stay away from both areas until problem is resolved.
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