She-geek?

I've been couch-ridden all day with a combination of miserable symptoms that made an altitude of more than two feet from the ground unbearable. With not much to do besides knit (and even that was taking it out of me) Tom put in Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix. After that I managed to get up and make more ginger-laden soup, but was soon back on my back again moaning. Tom then put in the first X-Men movie and this time I was able to get up and clean the kitchen and even had a visitor for a short stay. However, following that excursion I was back on the couch (maybe for good) and there seemed only one thing left to do - create an Xbox profile and personal avatar.

I hold a certain disdain for technology - I tend to appreciate it enough when it is legitimately advantageous but even still want nothing to do with it personally. My iPod owning experience was short and I only bought a laptop when it was practically required in college. When I met Tom anything more complicated than facebook and Dr.Mario (the original) held no interest with me.

But ever since I got married my natural anti-social personality and inclination towards the ridiculous has been all that Tom has needed to draw me into his world of all things geeky and wonderful (my love for him probably gave him a foothold as well).

So tonight I made an avatar. She looks like me, her hair is big with curls and she's wearing big black boots. I indulged in some Bjork-like face paint and rainbow gloves for interest. I found myself taking to the controller a little too easily and fear that now that my avatar is in there waiting for me that I might actually play! And what's worse (although, I don't know what would be better) is that the game I'm most interested in playing is basically an interactive version of Battlestar Galactica... but with aliens; and it's an "RPG" (role-playing game) which I'm pretty sure are the geekiest of all games.

It was one thing to like geeks and geeky music and movies, it is quite another to actually act like a geek.

I don't think, at this point, any self-respecting geek would actually let me into there "club" (or whatever more geeky name they have for club; case in point: I don't know what that would be) but I do feel a shift from a critical, alternative-type person to a what-the-hell!-I-like-things-that-glow type.

So while I'll probably never be a geek. Maybe they're born geeks, I don't know. But I am definitely coming over to their side to check out the view. And it glows. And I like it.

Ode to an Oster

While in the shower just now I rattled off an entire poem - beginning to end with only slight revisions during - in my head. This always happens, unfortunately, I tend to be the most creative when there is no possibility of getting any of it down. I used to think of the most elaborate plots and ideas when I'd walk my dogs at night - but then I'd come home and have to unleash them and get them water and talk to whoever was around and everything would leak out of my brain into the abyss of lost memories (which is a goldmine of creative ideas, but one without a mine-cart or pulley system).

I had so hoped to write a poem for this blog as a eulogy to my broken toaster which I threw away. I never throw anything away, but it was smelling like danger and sparking, and things of that nature, and I didn't want anyone messing with it.

The smell I think was seeping into Tom's and my brain last night because we both woke up with reports of terrifying (similarly terrifying) nightmares. When I realized it was the toaster I chucked it out.

But it was such a lovely thing - a rounded, copper Oster. It didn't work all that well, and didn't last all that long, but was cute while it did last and looked great with my dark orange counter-top.

I can't believe I have to buy a new toaster! I'm thinking about a toaster-oven for versatility since we don't have a microwave, but they always burn my hands. I know one thing, I will not buy one again based on looks!... or anyway, I know I shouldn't.

I just finished H.G. Wells' The Time Machine - my first book of the break. It was very freaky. It made me realize how different it would be to believe in the evolution of man - from something other than man, to something other than man. In the book man and the earth become so grotesque and everything so meaningless.
I started another book last night, Animal, Vegetable, Miracle: A Year of Food Life by Barbara Kingsolver (who wrote The Bean Trees which I read and liked in high school). Kingsolver es novelista pero el libro es autobiográfico. There is some talk of evolution and the destiny of man in this book as well; it seems to be a theme so far this break - perhaps my attention is being draw in this direction for a reason.
I was looking up information about a young-earth - evidences and theories about man living with dinosaurs and the Earth being considerably younger than we were taught in school. I find it all very interesting and compelling, not that I need to be compelled, I for one believe in a young Earth as the Bible and many evidences and facts support. I also believe in Evolution - it has occurred in my short time on Earth, which just shows how quickly things can change, and have!
But I digress - what I wanted to say is that I will post my critical review of my new and exciting book when I'm done. So far it's so full of fascinating and relevant information that I'm sure I'll urge everyone to borrow it from me. Oh! I didn't say! The book is all about her and her family's experience growing and raising their own food on the farm for a year after moving away from Tucson, Arizona (where nothing grows). She talks about the state of the world and all their reasons for making the change. It's almost textbook-y in information and style but it's also got recipes and is a personal story.
My (cutest) mother sent this book to me as a Christmas gift (I opened it a little early - but, really, as I finished TheTM, just in time). She also sent me a cookbook with "luscious" and healthy recipes. Tom and I try to eat well, organically and healthily and locally! In a town like ours it's crazy not to take advantage of all the health and happiness that are so accessible to us - and to support the people who make our town what it is (although nature plays a role as well - but we support her too... she never did us wrong). Anyway, my mom knows all this, and although she lives in Mt. Home, Idaho with a Paul's, a small Albertsons, and a Wal-Mart as her only options (and mine when I lived there for 5 months), she is very supportive of what we're doing here - she is very adorable. She still shops at Wal-Mart I believe but I really feel for her scanty options and try not to preach (... I don't like Wal-Mart).

The sweet life: an account of my day in detail

I will say now that I'm in the mood to talk about every little detail of my day, so, there was your warning.

I was talking with my friends in the car last night (as we were heading to a tea party) about what a hypocritical blogger I am because I like a lot of pictures and little text, but I have no camera and a lot to say so nothing can be done about it just now.

I feel I had a wonderful day today - it wasn't entirely wonderful, it started out badly, but it is ending wonderfully and the feeling has worked itself backward in time and colored the whole day beautifully. However, here is how it started:

When I woke up I thought I had my foot on Tom's and I could here the space heater going in the living-room. I was immediately at full attention thinking Oh no! That's been on all night? The electricity bill! What a waste! As I was about to jump up I realized Tom wasn't in bed. So I was no longer worried about heater but had the sad feeling of being without my husband and got out of bed anyway.

Tom and I both had the day off today and I had big plans for the apartment. But it was 10 already and my body, and his, were feeling very tired and sort of sick from the past days of work and cold. But our internet was back up now and I remembered I had wanted to watch My Best Friends Wedding (on Hulu where you watch for free). I wrapped myself in a down comforter and sat in front of the computer all morning totally enjoying the movie.

For those of you who haven't seen it or haven't seen it in a while, I like it so much more than I did when I was younger. The characters are none-too-moral but I take no issue with that as long as they aren't portrayed to be. I only say this because of a conversation I was recently a part of. I just feel as adults and Christians we know enough not to try and emulate what we see and that we can only learn from the mistakes and experiences of those who don't know God. To see the moral lessons of a non-believer can shine a light on our own hearts and purposes and urge us away from holier-than-thou mentalities and give us a heart for those who are yet lost. As one who was once lost it is easy to be empathetic. I was reminded of those lost days even while watching my silly romantic-comedy and to be reminded is to be humbled.

It is such a fun movie though. I was saying to Tom that that genre was at its best in the 90s, in my opinion - Sleepless In Seattle! Hello. But this movie is fantastic. Julia is beautiful and has a terrific wardrobe (very masculine/feminine - my favorite). Cameron is completely lovable which was astounding me because I can't stomach her at all these days. But she was so adorable and so gorgeous - her face was rounded and all of her sweet outfits were such flattering colors. And then Rupert Everett was so charming and his life so glamorous. It makes me laugh and cry and there is singing! And everybody just looks lovely.

Don't you want to wake up to these people?

Well, I did.

After that my day had some ups and downs. I felt so guilty about not getting anything done, and so stressed about everything left undone, that I became an emotional mess. I think (and hope) this was all worsened by my tiredness and my real need for rest.

Tom was so wonderful about everything though and after my good long cry and his many sweet words and actions we moved the cabinet out of the hall closet into the bedroom, returned the piles of comic books and magazines back to there long-since sanded and long-till painted bookshelf, started (though eventually unraveled) a knitting project, made a gift bow out of a plastic bag, made important phone calls, sent important e-mail messages, sorted things, washed dishes and cleaned the kitchen! Then I remembered that Sweet Life makes their chocolate orbs this time of year - Tom's favorite: the chocolate ball the size of a baseball that you crack open to find chocolate mousse inside.

We decided we had to go - once a year they have these things! So I got dressed (at 6p.m.) and we headed out into the freezing rain.

One thing I love about going to Sweet Life is the style of the place. It is so funky and shiny and colorful. It's as fun and glossy as the desserts they make and I was inspired!

I put on my jewel- green slacks and my royal blue top (with the little jewel button at the key-hole) Over that was my London Fog raincoat with the puffed-sleeves and cinch-waist and wrapped myself up in Tom's inherited multi-colored scarf. It sounds bad but Tom just about melted; it was perfect. When we got there they had orbs but they were orange-chocolate this time. We decided to postpone the $6 expense and get something "cheaper" - that took the form of a chocolate mousse cake with blood orange frosting. We saved $1.25. It was delicious, however, and we now have an excuse to go back! Whether or not we should is a different matter, but it's basically Christmas, no time to be a Grinch-y Scrooge about feeding your most loved one mousse.

This isn't were my day ended - there were presents to open and belated dinner to eat - but Tom is being too cute to ignore and I have tired of this entry at last!

We are the sleepyheads

Finals are over. It hasn't sunk in yet - I still feel like I'm looking forward to a relaxing break from school. Tom went with me to hand in my last final report. On the way we ran into my English professor who told me that he "really liked" my final paper.

It was one of those rewards for clear thinking that I strive for more these days; to do things with greater calm and thoughtfulness in order to be proud of what I've done. In the day-to-day it doesn't change things so drastically, but there are little rewards that you can choose to pay attention to and get a little more satisfaction that way.

I'm proud of the report I handed in today as well, whatever grade I get. I really sat and thought about what I was saying and why - tried to make it a little more interesting. I think this is why older people move more slowly, more deliberately, because life teaches you the value of taking your time and doing things right. Plus if they moved too fast they'd break a hip.

This is my favorite picture right now because we all look like sleepyheads, and we look content, and we're just watching tea blossom at my grandpa's house. When I look at it it makes me happy about my life for what it really is. It also reminds me of the Belle and Sebastian song, they mention tea in that song, too. They also say "The beauty of the moment is the beauty sadly lost..." But in this case it isn't and it never really has to be. Amelia entitled this "we're watching tea. our lives are very simple and uncomplicated" and while sometimes it doesn't feel that way, it's true enough,
and very beautiful.

The orig

Lucky Girls have finals too

Hello World! I can't seem to get off the computer this morning (Facebook! *shake my fist* and etsy.com but I won't shake my fist at them) so I've decided to write a blog about what my day to get me motivated to use it. After all, isn't that what blogs are for?

So today is hopefully the last day I'll be worrying about finals. My Kuwait Country Report is due tomorrow at 5 but I'm going to try to get it basically finished today. I have 2-3 pages to write and some data to get in order and that's it! Sounds doable, no? The only set back is this pesky Spanish final I have at 6 that I'm pretty unprepared for at the moment. I could spend all afternoon studying for it and getting my portfolio and journal ready for evaluation - I'm just hoping to be on my game when I get home at 8:30 to finish my "KCR". That might be a bit much to ask for. But any way you slice it I'll be ALL done by 5p.m. tomorrow and I can't tell you how happy that makes me! I've been avoiding messes for days thinking my finals would be done in no time and I'd get right to them - but their getting worse; my little efforts can't keep up. (I want a dishwasher - and a laundry machine! And dryer. And space and hook ups for all these things.)
I have such a love/hate relationship with modern conveniences. But it ends up making me a half and half girl, which is really the way to go. Washing machine and wash board, dishwasher and rubber gloves. It's ideal. Except I have no machines - just a laundromat and sponges - but futuristically speaking.

Actually Lane and I have come up with the a fantastic way of doing things that makes life so nice. She bought the greatest washing machine and now I can go to her place to do my laundry. It takes longer with only one machine but all that time is spent with my best friend in her cute home instead of sitting in plastic chairs at L-drama pretending to read. Also I've offered to cover the extra cost to her but end up spending less than I would at a profit-seeking business. It's really perfect. And my clothes have never been more sparkling. This last time (which was the first time) in lieu of payment we went M-pol for croissant sandwiches and coffee - so much nicer than writing a check. Do we know how to work this domestic thing or what?

I so hope Lane is near when I start having kids. We have dreams of living a walk away from each other and sharing our loads - having breakfast together and kids play together (in Lane's garden). Laundry at Lane's was making me want that more than ever - what a nice life I have, even without babies. And I have my friend-babies that I see every week. I'm a very lucky girl.

We didn't look too happy in any of the pictures of us at the wedding. We're not a posturing set of girls and it didn't look natural. But this is a candid of the photographer's when we were posing for Lane's mom. I blew it up and realized what a nice picture it was and cropped it and really like it.


















We love each other.

This blog is not doing it's job at all. I better just get off and take a shower and start my day over again. I am glad about this picture though and all this thinking about my nice little life. Finals-shminals, they don't bother me. When I get through them I get another laundry day at Lane's, and we're going to watch Eddie Izzard stand-up and mend clothes.

I'd ask for luck, but I obviously don't need any. I'm a lucky girl.