The True Colors Conference was.....odd. I ended up being building manager for one of the lightly used buildings - two active classrooms on the 3rd floor, only one of them used for sessions 1 and 3, both used for session 2. I pretty much hung out in the halls, and was visible - by the end of the day I was letting the kids hang because the workshop was packed to the gills and I imagined some might have issues with crowds / claustrophobia but wanted to listen, and maybe wait for friends. No hard-ass, I. As long as they were quiet....which they were.
There was a presenters / volunteer dinner last night which I missed - first, I never heard about it / got info. Second, I was unsure about my schedule in terms of taking MYA back home. Third, I did not want to spend more time away from Zippy and the home front. As it was Zippy and MP went to Tinkers for dinner - I tried to call in case we could have met there, but Zippy is not a "leave the cell phone" on kinda person, so I ended up with leftover rice topped with mutter paneer.
I dunno. I feel "other" this weekend. Not really part of the conference "in crowd". Not really part of the kids. Not presenting. Sent into volunteer exile.
Not sure what's up today - I'm gonna dress up a bit and go to some workshops. Zippy may or may not end up working.
March 24, 2007
March 23, 2007
True Colors Conference Bullets
* The staff tee shirts are bold lemon yellow. Accessorize accordingly.
* I'm being a building manager (i.e. - adult in charge) today. So no workshops on Friday. Saturday, with any luck....
* Namoli Brennet is the opening act this morning. I can not imagine a better fit (well, Ani maybe) - I hope the kids go wild (good for Namoli, good for the kids)
* Abby Denson is presenting on Saturday, I hope I get the chance to meet her. I've had a bit of a crush on her (in terms of her art and humor and energy) for a ton of years, but have never met her.
* Moonhawk Stone will be there as well. I doubt I will hit his workshop (Professional Track) but I will hopefully get a chance to see him and say hello.
* Chris Beam, author of Transparent, will be there as well. I need to remember to tell MYA to bring along her copy of the book on Saturday, perhaps she can meet Chris and get is signed.
* Robyn Ochs, one of my favorite people on the planet. Need I say more?
Oh, and even though this violates one of the prime directives of this blog, I note that there are two (2) workshops on Trans and Intersex inclusion:
a) Neither presenter (I know both, they are good people, but.....) identifies as trans or intersex
b) Let's just continue to blur the lines between these two very separate (and oft conjoined) identities, shall we?
* I'm being a building manager (i.e. - adult in charge) today. So no workshops on Friday. Saturday, with any luck....
* Namoli Brennet is the opening act this morning. I can not imagine a better fit (well, Ani maybe) - I hope the kids go wild (good for Namoli, good for the kids)
* Abby Denson is presenting on Saturday, I hope I get the chance to meet her. I've had a bit of a crush on her (in terms of her art and humor and energy) for a ton of years, but have never met her.
* Moonhawk Stone will be there as well. I doubt I will hit his workshop (Professional Track) but I will hopefully get a chance to see him and say hello.
* Chris Beam, author of Transparent, will be there as well. I need to remember to tell MYA to bring along her copy of the book on Saturday, perhaps she can meet Chris and get is signed.
* Robyn Ochs, one of my favorite people on the planet. Need I say more?
Oh, and even though this violates one of the prime directives of this blog, I note that there are two (2) workshops on Trans and Intersex inclusion:
a) Neither presenter (I know both, they are good people, but.....) identifies as trans or intersex
b) Let's just continue to blur the lines between these two very separate (and oft conjoined) identities, shall we?
March 22, 2007
True Colors Conference
The next few days will be pretty much consumed by this annual juggernaut of youthful queerishness (or queerish youthfulness). Online here. The conference starts today but the big days are Friday and Saturday, over at Central CT State University in New Britain. This year's conference is titled True Colors XIV: Family Matters A - Z
I'm not doing anything this year (in years past my mom/sister and I did workshops) but I am volunteering as usual and am planning to schlep MYA around (she is on a panel and is doing a workshop plus she will be hanging with friends). Today we're going shopping (she got a gift card and has a shop in Hartford scoped out to spend it) and afterwards over to CCSU to help set up for the conference. Tomorrow and Saturday pretty much conference all day with perhaps some latish nights.
So, gonna be pretty much offline for a few days. Going to get some work in this morning, and then yoga (right now its a coin toss between Gentle and Power) - and then the True Colors madness begins.
I'm not doing anything this year (in years past my mom/sister and I did workshops) but I am volunteering as usual and am planning to schlep MYA around (she is on a panel and is doing a workshop plus she will be hanging with friends). Today we're going shopping (she got a gift card and has a shop in Hartford scoped out to spend it) and afterwards over to CCSU to help set up for the conference. Tomorrow and Saturday pretty much conference all day with perhaps some latish nights.
So, gonna be pretty much offline for a few days. Going to get some work in this morning, and then yoga (right now its a coin toss between Gentle and Power) - and then the True Colors madness begins.
Not a capitalist, but....
I took advantage of last week's stock market belch to dump the last $1300 of my 2006 IRA contribution into a couple of funds which had tanked - and now each of them is up significantly. (One is up about 7% from when I added the funds) so I am feeling pretty punk about that.
It was none of my doing - I needed to get the money in my tax day and I have not had a spare $1300 lying around until recently (I also got my 2007 quarterly IRS payment in a month early, and pumped up my HSA account a bit)
But its nice to be on the positive cycle of whatever is goin gon in the world of money rather than on the negative cycle, which has heretofore been my wont.
It was none of my doing - I needed to get the money in my tax day and I have not had a spare $1300 lying around until recently (I also got my 2007 quarterly IRS payment in a month early, and pumped up my HSA account a bit)
But its nice to be on the positive cycle of whatever is goin gon in the world of money rather than on the negative cycle, which has heretofore been my wont.
Out my office window
I am visited these days by a stray cat who likes to sit on the warm sill and catch the spring sun reflected off the window. I see kitty crossing the building drive now and then but zie seems pretty skittish. I am hoping to get a picture at some point.
And yesterday I sat and watched a robin hunting for worms. Pretty fascinating to watch - the process of deciding where to poke, the score and cataclysmic struggle as a worm is extracted, and then a complicated ritual of preparation, checking for predators and perhaps competitors, waiting for just the right moment to gobble down the worm.
I think the same robin was out there for a few hours - my personal harbinger of spring.
And yesterday I sat and watched a robin hunting for worms. Pretty fascinating to watch - the process of deciding where to poke, the score and cataclysmic struggle as a worm is extracted, and then a complicated ritual of preparation, checking for predators and perhaps competitors, waiting for just the right moment to gobble down the worm.
I think the same robin was out there for a few hours - my personal harbinger of spring.
March 21, 2007
A Full Day of Work
Sitting at my desk with a full eight hours available for work. No yoga, no appointments, no mentoring, no nothing. It seems luxurious. It will hopefully be a productive day.
March 20, 2007
CVS and Enteric Aspirin
So, I go to CVS to purchase low dose (enteric) aspirin - my doc has me on a daily pill to prevent blood clots / stroke / heart attack. Pretty minor, all in all.
Except CVS has three kinds of generic enteric aspirin. One targeted at Ecotrin customers, one at Bayer customers, one at St. Joseph's customers. All seem wholly different - different pill size, different color coating, different package size (quantity), different package colors / designs related to the competitive product.
Who knows, maybe the powers that be at CVS have figured out that they sell more of their own products with such targeting. And surely CVS is large enough such that the volume warrants it. It's just odd.
I ended up with the CVS version of Bayer low dose (120 count), which was on sale. But really, do we really need 3 versions of essentially the same thing?
Except CVS has three kinds of generic enteric aspirin. One targeted at Ecotrin customers, one at Bayer customers, one at St. Joseph's customers. All seem wholly different - different pill size, different color coating, different package size (quantity), different package colors / designs related to the competitive product.
Who knows, maybe the powers that be at CVS have figured out that they sell more of their own products with such targeting. And surely CVS is large enough such that the volume warrants it. It's just odd.
I ended up with the CVS version of Bayer low dose (120 count), which was on sale. But really, do we really need 3 versions of essentially the same thing?
Coming Up for Air
Whew, its been a weird day. I'm sort of in between gears here - some times its business as usual, some times its a shock to the system. Media remains a large shock - with television and radio being particularly grating. And Zippy and I have been in some loud discussions verging on arguments on a couple of topics. Think we are getting caught up - she's getting some pent up energy released. But as a result of not avoiding the media as much as I should, and our energy, I have a low grade headache.
Mostly, its been heightened awareness - colors, details, patterns, etc. A whole lot of life that has been passing below my radar, suddenly visible.
The funniest moment - during yoga, M had us do a lot of work with one leg. As we lay that leg down next to the other leg (as yet unworked) she commented "notice if one leg feels longer than the other". I did, and whether it was a remnent of the intensive itself or the giddiness of the reintegration day, I audibly giggled. Violating yoga etiquette (I imagine) and uncommon for me; I am generally pretty serious about it all. Perhaps my post intensive heightened awareness made the percieved leg difference more pronounced - it felt like one leg was 6 inches longer than the other.
The next few days are pretty much of mish mosh. I had double scheduled some medical stuff (doctor / dentist) for tomorrow, so I rescheduled the dentist, and now the doctor cancelled (family emergency) so I am free tomorrow to simply work - and I have plenty to do. Thursday is morning yoga, then off to start the True Colors weekend - picking up MYA in Bristol, shopping, fetching her friend down in Middletown. Friday and Saturday will be long days (at the conference).
Mostly, its been heightened awareness - colors, details, patterns, etc. A whole lot of life that has been passing below my radar, suddenly visible.
The funniest moment - during yoga, M had us do a lot of work with one leg. As we lay that leg down next to the other leg (as yet unworked) she commented "notice if one leg feels longer than the other". I did, and whether it was a remnent of the intensive itself or the giddiness of the reintegration day, I audibly giggled. Violating yoga etiquette (I imagine) and uncommon for me; I am generally pretty serious about it all. Perhaps my post intensive heightened awareness made the percieved leg difference more pronounced - it felt like one leg was 6 inches longer than the other.
The next few days are pretty much of mish mosh. I had double scheduled some medical stuff (doctor / dentist) for tomorrow, so I rescheduled the dentist, and now the doctor cancelled (family emergency) so I am free tomorrow to simply work - and I have plenty to do. Thursday is morning yoga, then off to start the True Colors weekend - picking up MYA in Bristol, shopping, fetching her friend down in Middletown. Friday and Saturday will be long days (at the conference).
Lest I Forget
Some memories and images from this weekends intensive. One theme of the weekend was forgetting - at one point, deep in a dyad, I came to the realization that I had done this work before, but I had forgotten. So I set down some breadcrumbs here, to help me find my way the next time, to help me remember.
Letting go of the fish. Looking for something large and finding something small. A small brown bird in a cage. Feeling my wings budding. The wisdom of the windchime. Removing my armor. My head on another's shoulder. Feeling old pain in my back and my inner thighs. Nature's practical joke at the doorway. A box of tissue.
Letting go of the fish. Looking for something large and finding something small. A small brown bird in a cage. Feeling my wings budding. The wisdom of the windchime. Removing my armor. My head on another's shoulder. Feeling old pain in my back and my inner thighs. Nature's practical joke at the doorway. A box of tissue.
Some Poetry and Prose
From the EI reintegration morning. I am transcribing these to email to another and might as well add them to the blogpile....
To see a bird, through eyes clear and bright
To hold a hand with no expectation, no fear
To drop ones head on a shoulder and receive love
To taste the warmth of happiness, with no anticipation of its ending
To feel pain - unnumbed, sharp, true
and
In contemplation, the odd person, I watch this room.
Intending on the feeling of being alone, being left out, being other.
Distraction - the room buzzing with energy, with hurts undone, minds spinning, bodies engaged.
The staff, circling like border collies protecting their flock. Alert. Intense. Bright.
The group ticking like a clock, like the solar system, like the universe.
To hell with enlightenment!
This is so beautiful and so true, that I cannot look away.
And my intending - a failure. I am not alone and left out. I am a part of this.
Dedicated to those others who were part of my experience. Thanks.... I love you all.
To see a bird, through eyes clear and bright
To hold a hand with no expectation, no fear
To drop ones head on a shoulder and receive love
To taste the warmth of happiness, with no anticipation of its ending
To feel pain - unnumbed, sharp, true
and
In contemplation, the odd person, I watch this room.
Intending on the feeling of being alone, being left out, being other.
Distraction - the room buzzing with energy, with hurts undone, minds spinning, bodies engaged.
The staff, circling like border collies protecting their flock. Alert. Intense. Bright.
The group ticking like a clock, like the solar system, like the universe.
To hell with enlightenment!
This is so beautiful and so true, that I cannot look away.
And my intending - a failure. I am not alone and left out. I am a part of this.
Dedicated to those others who were part of my experience. Thanks.... I love you all.
March 19, 2007
Kinda Raw
Three days of Enlightenment Intensive completed. Today was a gentle reintegration and long drive back (with wonderful company, who drove)
Zippy and I went out to dinner at Yanni's to get reacquainted. They had music on, the television on CNN, the clatter of a restaurant with open kitchen, and the conversations of the others in the space. My head pretty much exploded. But Zippy needed some time with and attention from Jude.
Jammies on, gentle soothing music, and doing some mindless tasks to try to gently reintegrate. The only reason I popped online was to grab email and see if there was anything urgent for tomorrow morning....then I am offline for a while until my brain catches up with the world.....
Zippy and I went out to dinner at Yanni's to get reacquainted. They had music on, the television on CNN, the clatter of a restaurant with open kitchen, and the conversations of the others in the space. My head pretty much exploded. But Zippy needed some time with and attention from Jude.
Jammies on, gentle soothing music, and doing some mindless tasks to try to gently reintegrate. The only reason I popped online was to grab email and see if there was anything urgent for tomorrow morning....then I am offline for a while until my brain catches up with the world.....
March 15, 2007
Signing Off....
Got one report done today (that's enough) and a power yoga class (Marcia in a chakra mood, I was pretty zoned through savasana) - now I'm all packed and waiting for my ride to VT.
See ya on Monday night....
See ya on Monday night....
March 14, 2007
Finish Line in Sight
About 16 hours from now, give or take, I will be heading north to Greensboro VT for a 5 day Enlightenment Intensive. My second, and I am looking forward to it, with some small excitement and some small reservation.
I've had such a busy period at work that the downtime will be good. At the same time, the EI is not exactly Club Med - its pretty intense and challenging. I used to describe good therapy as having a rake dragged through my brain, and the EI is pretty much 3 solid days of that. On some levels I think its intended to break a person just a little bit, in order for the divine to slip in through the cracks. I love and respect the leaders, I am excited to work with a slightly different configuration as last time, and I am excited to work with old friends as well as meet new ones. I'm even excited about the ride up; a friend from another workshop and I are carpooling and it will be nice to get to know her better.
I had such a delicious and formative experience last time - I head into this one fearing a sophomore slump, that things will be so different, or that I will try to hard or not try hard enough or having figured out the system I will try to take short cuts or whatever. I'm a type A yogi, and dammit, if I do not emerge on Monday with a slightly better experience than last time or a bit more enlightenment, I'll be disappointed.
Work has been ultra busy and I would be lying to say I was comfortable with what I am leaving undone, what I should have finished up, documented, sent off, prior to tomorrow. Maybe I will get some things done tonight or tomorrow morning (although I am also grabbing one more yoga class). Likewise, I have been so busy that Zippy has gotten the short end of the stick, and I feel bad about that. Sh-h-h-h, I plan to get a card and drop it in the mail tomorrow so she gets it Friday or Saturday. A little "I love you" reminder.
Oh well. Life happens. I have been pondering a thought the last few days "Every breath a gift". And it feels that way.
At the last dyad of my previous intensive, I felt like I was close to another experience - like I was running a quarterback sneak at the goal line. I hit the ground, the clock ran out, the buzzer sounded, and I came up short. I went to be that night kind of drained and empty, but woke refreshed and happy. I need to keep that feeling in mind - my desperate desire for the enlightenment experience, my passion and energy for connection to the divine, my awareness of time ticking by. I have been gifted with three more days of Enlightenment Intensive. It all starts again. I just had a whole body shiver typing this. Wow. Blessed Am I.
OK, I lied. I am excited as hell!
I've had such a busy period at work that the downtime will be good. At the same time, the EI is not exactly Club Med - its pretty intense and challenging. I used to describe good therapy as having a rake dragged through my brain, and the EI is pretty much 3 solid days of that. On some levels I think its intended to break a person just a little bit, in order for the divine to slip in through the cracks. I love and respect the leaders, I am excited to work with a slightly different configuration as last time, and I am excited to work with old friends as well as meet new ones. I'm even excited about the ride up; a friend from another workshop and I are carpooling and it will be nice to get to know her better.
I had such a delicious and formative experience last time - I head into this one fearing a sophomore slump, that things will be so different, or that I will try to hard or not try hard enough or having figured out the system I will try to take short cuts or whatever. I'm a type A yogi, and dammit, if I do not emerge on Monday with a slightly better experience than last time or a bit more enlightenment, I'll be disappointed.
Work has been ultra busy and I would be lying to say I was comfortable with what I am leaving undone, what I should have finished up, documented, sent off, prior to tomorrow. Maybe I will get some things done tonight or tomorrow morning (although I am also grabbing one more yoga class). Likewise, I have been so busy that Zippy has gotten the short end of the stick, and I feel bad about that. Sh-h-h-h, I plan to get a card and drop it in the mail tomorrow so she gets it Friday or Saturday. A little "I love you" reminder.
Oh well. Life happens. I have been pondering a thought the last few days "Every breath a gift". And it feels that way.
At the last dyad of my previous intensive, I felt like I was close to another experience - like I was running a quarterback sneak at the goal line. I hit the ground, the clock ran out, the buzzer sounded, and I came up short. I went to be that night kind of drained and empty, but woke refreshed and happy. I need to keep that feeling in mind - my desperate desire for the enlightenment experience, my passion and energy for connection to the divine, my awareness of time ticking by. I have been gifted with three more days of Enlightenment Intensive. It all starts again. I just had a whole body shiver typing this. Wow. Blessed Am I.
OK, I lied. I am excited as hell!
March 13, 2007
My Vinyasa Life
I'm off to Hackensack NJ this afternoon, with some morning time to reintegrate a little, a few hours in the office, some power yoga, pick up a rental car, pick up some test equipment, and then drive drive drive.
It srrikes me that my life at the moment is like a long vinyasa practice - I am in the flow, I am sweating, I am motion and postures. Tomorrow, home all day, although I may fetch MYA for some shopping. Thursday, another yoga practice and then off to the Enlightenment Intensive through Monday the 19th.
Zippy has been most patient with my shenanigans, although I fear her patience might not last too much longer. I think I made a decision on the plane coming home that April is going to be a travel free month - just so I can catch up and spend time with my life.....
It srrikes me that my life at the moment is like a long vinyasa practice - I am in the flow, I am sweating, I am motion and postures. Tomorrow, home all day, although I may fetch MYA for some shopping. Thursday, another yoga practice and then off to the Enlightenment Intensive through Monday the 19th.
Zippy has been most patient with my shenanigans, although I fear her patience might not last too much longer. I think I made a decision on the plane coming home that April is going to be a travel free month - just so I can catch up and spend time with my life.....
National Writers Workshop - Hartford
Dennis Horgan writes thus:
Signed Up? Tell a friend!
Still considering? Why wait??
Spread The Word
The Hartford Courant's National Writers Workshop in Hartford is back, better than ever - April 14 & 15, 2007
More information here.
Signed Up? Tell a friend!
Still considering? Why wait??
Spread The Word
The Hartford Courant's National Writers Workshop in Hartford is back, better than ever - April 14 & 15, 2007
More information here.
March 12, 2007
SkyHarbor Airport in Phoenix
Free WiFi. Rockin. Just Saying.
P.S. - Also, as I tagged along with my client into the First Class preferred line at check-in as well as for security, I commented "This offends me in so many ways even as I secretly enjoy the benefits"
Truth be told, the regular self-serve check-in migh thave been quicker. And the security line was not all that long.
P.S. - Also, as I tagged along with my client into the First Class preferred line at check-in as well as for security, I commented "This offends me in so many ways even as I secretly enjoy the benefits"
Truth be told, the regular self-serve check-in migh thave been quicker. And the security line was not all that long.
Home Again
Armed with her trusty laptop, air power supply, and first class ticket on a direct flight, our intrepid heroine faces what will likely be a long travel day, but not as long and uncomfortable as it might be. I actually was hoping for a few reports from a client in this morning's email, just to have something productive to do on the plane. I do have a trip report I can work on, which really should take top priority.
I'm pretty sure I am gonna wrap up the used bar of bath soap and bring it home; it was really good soap (lemony and sharp, I rarely look forward to soap) and it will just get tossed here. And its a healthy sized chunk. I am becoming a grandmother. Hide your sugar and sweetener holders in restaurants.
In other news, I got an email from my Intensive master promising piles of snow (carpool please, not so many places to park) and suggesting snow shoes for walking meditation. Apparently she has not seen me on snow shoes. The only thing I'd be meditating on is not falling on my rear end in the show or twisting a leg.....
I'm pretty sure I am gonna wrap up the used bar of bath soap and bring it home; it was really good soap (lemony and sharp, I rarely look forward to soap) and it will just get tossed here. And its a healthy sized chunk. I am becoming a grandmother. Hide your sugar and sweetener holders in restaurants.
In other news, I got an email from my Intensive master promising piles of snow (carpool please, not so many places to park) and suggesting snow shoes for walking meditation. Apparently she has not seen me on snow shoes. The only thing I'd be meditating on is not falling on my rear end in the show or twisting a leg.....
Mission Accomplished
Meeting over. The production went well. For the record:
* The schtick was "Deal or More Deals" and the entire thing went pretty well - no obvious goofs or gaffes, maybe 1 or 2 slides that the client skipped the content for. But all in all, we done well.
* One bit of pre-show angst, as the producer (friend) stopped by about an hour before the rehearsal with nada (zero zip zilch) done towards creating a confidence monitor presentation (for the speaker to see / read his script on). I had no problem working on it (heck, I'm getting paid good money to be the powerpoint princess) but the fact that nobody really thought of telling me we needed it, it was just hanging out there. I tossed the scrip text file into PPT. split it into about 65 slides, with appropriate paragraphs and breaks, different color text for stage directions and other speakers. A little over an hour (rehearsal was late).
If I had doubts about earning my keep out here, that little bit of geekery dispelled those. If I were not there, the producer would still be typing in the text. I got a bit cranky during rehearsals (trying to run the screens and the confidence monitors) with some segments needing 2 or 3 slide changes per section.
* The post-meeting entertainment was comedian Darrell Hammond, who had his moments, although he was really pretty right-wing (not sure if those are his politics or if he was playing to the banking crowd). And on a few occasions, he sort of started a joke and then drifted off before getting to the punchline. It was like he had 5 or 6 extended bits he was riffing on, and just kept jumping from one to the other without really fleshing out any of them. We were backstage and did not have a visual, so perhaps we were missing part of it....
But, it went fine. we've got an 11:10 am flight tomorrow (direct flight and first class again), should be wheels up from the hotel at 8:00. Back in CT late tomorrow night. For now, a very comfortable Four Seasons bed awaits.....and a hopefully gentle flight tomorrow....
* The schtick was "Deal or More Deals" and the entire thing went pretty well - no obvious goofs or gaffes, maybe 1 or 2 slides that the client skipped the content for. But all in all, we done well.
* One bit of pre-show angst, as the producer (friend) stopped by about an hour before the rehearsal with nada (zero zip zilch) done towards creating a confidence monitor presentation (for the speaker to see / read his script on). I had no problem working on it (heck, I'm getting paid good money to be the powerpoint princess) but the fact that nobody really thought of telling me we needed it, it was just hanging out there. I tossed the scrip text file into PPT. split it into about 65 slides, with appropriate paragraphs and breaks, different color text for stage directions and other speakers. A little over an hour (rehearsal was late).
If I had doubts about earning my keep out here, that little bit of geekery dispelled those. If I were not there, the producer would still be typing in the text. I got a bit cranky during rehearsals (trying to run the screens and the confidence monitors) with some segments needing 2 or 3 slide changes per section.
* The post-meeting entertainment was comedian Darrell Hammond, who had his moments, although he was really pretty right-wing (not sure if those are his politics or if he was playing to the banking crowd). And on a few occasions, he sort of started a joke and then drifted off before getting to the punchline. It was like he had 5 or 6 extended bits he was riffing on, and just kept jumping from one to the other without really fleshing out any of them. We were backstage and did not have a visual, so perhaps we were missing part of it....
But, it went fine. we've got an 11:10 am flight tomorrow (direct flight and first class again), should be wheels up from the hotel at 8:00. Back in CT late tomorrow night. For now, a very comfortable Four Seasons bed awaits.....and a hopefully gentle flight tomorrow....
March 10, 2007
I'm SO Confused
So I just got a letter dropped off at the door (along with an offer for turn-down service) that apparently Arizona does NOT adjust the clocks for Daylight Savings Time, so at 2:00 a.m. tomorrow morning, my clock will NOT be changed but instead I will be on Pacific Time.
Good - not losing an hour of sleep tonight.
Bad - I think my flight arrives at 7:35 pm instead of 6:35 pm on Friday. Grumble.
Good - not losing an hour of sleep tonight.
Bad - I think my flight arrives at 7:35 pm instead of 6:35 pm on Friday. Grumble.
Lap of Luxury
OK, a direct flight, JFK to PHX is pretty swanky, in my book. That my client booked up first class seats - rare but not unheard of. My new airpplane power supply meant I could work for a bunch of hours (and watch some DVD). The movie was Casino Royale - not something I'd go see or Netflix, but a reasonable diversion. So, all good.
But getting into Scottsdale, and our intrepid heroine finds her sorry lower middle class rear end ensconced at the Four Seasons. Sheesh. This sort of luxury and opulensce makes me nervous. I have no idea what to tip, etc.
Also sucky, my summer clothes are still in storage so I am kind of overdressed. S'ok, I'll be working 14 hours tomorrow, so no time for fashion tomorrow.
Tonight, allegedly, we will be hitting The Paisley Violin @ El Museo to see Trina Hamlin. It's a long story - Namoli Brennet's former manager Wendy is out here, and insisted we (me, my client) go see Trina, who I had never heard of, but then I find out she was a "Most Wanted New Artist" (2002, so I assume she was in the 2001 showcase) at the Falcon Ridge Folk Festival, which I have attended and volunteered at 14 out of the past 15 years. So I am pretty sure our paths have crossed.
Anyway. With my proletariat ethos, my fair, sunburn prone skin, and my still winter in New England wardrobe, you can pretty much point your "fish out of water" links here.....but what the heck. I'm breathing. I might even drag my sorry ass out onto the patio to throw down some asanas sometime this visit. It's big enough although I may have to shove the furniture aside.
But getting into Scottsdale, and our intrepid heroine finds her sorry lower middle class rear end ensconced at the Four Seasons. Sheesh. This sort of luxury and opulensce makes me nervous. I have no idea what to tip, etc.
Also sucky, my summer clothes are still in storage so I am kind of overdressed. S'ok, I'll be working 14 hours tomorrow, so no time for fashion tomorrow.
Tonight, allegedly, we will be hitting The Paisley Violin @ El Museo to see Trina Hamlin. It's a long story - Namoli Brennet's former manager Wendy is out here, and insisted we (me, my client) go see Trina, who I had never heard of, but then I find out she was a "Most Wanted New Artist" (2002, so I assume she was in the 2001 showcase) at the Falcon Ridge Folk Festival, which I have attended and volunteered at 14 out of the past 15 years. So I am pretty sure our paths have crossed.
Anyway. With my proletariat ethos, my fair, sunburn prone skin, and my still winter in New England wardrobe, you can pretty much point your "fish out of water" links here.....but what the heck. I'm breathing. I might even drag my sorry ass out onto the patio to throw down some asanas sometime this visit. It's big enough although I may have to shove the furniture aside.
Happy Birthday to Me
To celebrate, I am leaving the house at 4:30 am and heading to Milford, NYC Kennedy, and onward to Phoenix. For work.
March 09, 2007
Air Travel Charger
I'm due. I've been laptopping for over a decade and I have never treated myself to one of these. So en route home from Boston, MYA and I are gonna stop by CompUSA in Manchester and pick up one of these for the trip from NY to Phoenix.
Not that I actually end up on airplanes with travel ports all that much, but might as well have one. And I can watch Beautiful Boxer (got the Netflix DVD that I've been sitting on for a while) en route.....
Not that I actually end up on airplanes with travel ports all that much, but might as well have one. And I can watch Beautiful Boxer (got the Netflix DVD that I've been sitting on for a while) en route.....
Because I Can
Sitting in the waiting area of the Fenway Community Health System, grabbing some free internets courtesy of an open wireless hub, probably in the apartments across the street. Thank you kind stranger. MYA is in getting her checkup.
Not a bad drive up, and hopefully we cna get back on the road and get home at a reasonable hour. I have to be down in Milford at 5:30 a.m. tomorrow morning.
Not a bad drive up, and hopefully we cna get back on the road and get home at a reasonable hour. I have to be down in Milford at 5:30 a.m. tomorrow morning.
Zoom zoom zoom
Still breathing.
I've been in NC for a few days - flew down Tuesday evening, got back Thursday noon. Good day of meetings with a client - some hands-on time with a new power analyzer, some working on long term projects. Nothing mission critical, but all positive. The highlight was a sushi dinner with one of those damn Sushi boats. First time in forever I have had more Sushi than I knew what to do with.....
I tried to catch up on work yesterday, got a bit done. I have trip reports to crank out, expense reports and invoices, and lots of miscellany. Argh! I did manage to sort through the large pile of bills and receipts and statements, and sort through my desk piles (collecting the receipts for the 3 T&E reports I need to assemble) which was a positive. I also snuck out for a pretty gentle yoga practice with Kate. (dinner, art opening, yoga) I need yin yoga; my regular life is way too much like a fast vinyasa class of late.
Today - some work, then taking MYA up to Boston for medical junk. Hopefully it will be a quick trip, although we'll be heading back around rush hour.
Tomorrow, I need to be in Milford around 6:00 am, heading to Kennedy for a direct flight to Phoenix for a production gig. I'm out there Saturday night and Sunday, returning on Monday.
Tuesday down to Hackensack NJ for a quick site visit for a medical clients. And Thursday, off to Vermont for an Enlightenment Intensive; I'm off the grind until Monday.
Oh yeah, and tomorrow is my birthday. 46 in case you are counting. I'm hoping the day passes pretty much under the radar. I love life, I love breath, I am ever so thankful for this body, this world, this opportunity to dance. But on this side of the hill, birthdays just remind me how much precious time has passed, and how few years remain......thankful and sad.
I've been in NC for a few days - flew down Tuesday evening, got back Thursday noon. Good day of meetings with a client - some hands-on time with a new power analyzer, some working on long term projects. Nothing mission critical, but all positive. The highlight was a sushi dinner with one of those damn Sushi boats. First time in forever I have had more Sushi than I knew what to do with.....
I tried to catch up on work yesterday, got a bit done. I have trip reports to crank out, expense reports and invoices, and lots of miscellany. Argh! I did manage to sort through the large pile of bills and receipts and statements, and sort through my desk piles (collecting the receipts for the 3 T&E reports I need to assemble) which was a positive. I also snuck out for a pretty gentle yoga practice with Kate. (dinner, art opening, yoga) I need yin yoga; my regular life is way too much like a fast vinyasa class of late.
Today - some work, then taking MYA up to Boston for medical junk. Hopefully it will be a quick trip, although we'll be heading back around rush hour.
Tomorrow, I need to be in Milford around 6:00 am, heading to Kennedy for a direct flight to Phoenix for a production gig. I'm out there Saturday night and Sunday, returning on Monday.
Tuesday down to Hackensack NJ for a quick site visit for a medical clients. And Thursday, off to Vermont for an Enlightenment Intensive; I'm off the grind until Monday.
Oh yeah, and tomorrow is my birthday. 46 in case you are counting. I'm hoping the day passes pretty much under the radar. I love life, I love breath, I am ever so thankful for this body, this world, this opportunity to dance. But on this side of the hill, birthdays just remind me how much precious time has passed, and how few years remain......thankful and sad.
Mandelbrot Set Art - Rees H. Acheson
After diner, Zippy and I bundled over to the Learning Corridor for an art opening in the Black Box Theater lobby at the Greater Hartford Academy of the Arts. Rees H. Acheson creates art from Mandelbrot Sets. His works are large and beautiful, and he has spent years experimenting with software, computers, and tools to realize these works, that take 10's or 100's of hours of computing time, and special software to create, modify, save, print, and realize.
Mr. Acheson seems to be a modern day Renaissance Man. He invented a bore welding system and founded Bortech Corporation. He got interested in wood framing, and developed a system of Hip and Valley Framing angles. And of course, Mandelbrot Sets.
We spent some time talking with Mr. Acheson, he's really interesting. I know just enough about the various things that go into his work - computer hardware, programming, graphics palattes, etc. to be dangerous. AC and Zippy were impressed and bemused - and I am going to end up showing Zippy some basic programming and color stuff on the puter, I am sure.
Want to see the art for yourself? The Lobby Gallery is open by appointment 12:00 noon to 4:30 pm, Monday through Friday until March 16th. Call 757-6172.
Mr. Acheson seems to be a modern day Renaissance Man. He invented a bore welding system and founded Bortech Corporation. He got interested in wood framing, and developed a system of Hip and Valley Framing angles. And of course, Mandelbrot Sets.
We spent some time talking with Mr. Acheson, he's really interesting. I know just enough about the various things that go into his work - computer hardware, programming, graphics palattes, etc. to be dangerous. AC and Zippy were impressed and bemused - and I am going to end up showing Zippy some basic programming and color stuff on the puter, I am sure.
Want to see the art for yourself? The Lobby Gallery is open by appointment 12:00 noon to 4:30 pm, Monday through Friday until March 16th. Call 757-6172.
Tropical Mist Restaurant
36 Franklin Ave. | Hartford, CT 06114 | 860-296-7088
Zippy has been eyeing this place for a while now (just south of Ipanema), so last night, freshly home from North Carolina and soon to be back in the air, we decided to splurge. We tend to talk more when we eat out, and I've been too busy to actually be a good partner. So we trekked down to Franklin Avenue before hitting an art opening.
Quite a charming little place. Two rooms, clean and bright, with cloth napkins. Our waiter might have been the owner (he apologized at one point for the service, which was not poor at all, indicating that the waitress had called in sick). Never having been exposed to Guyanese-West Indian Cuisine, we found an interesting amalgam - some of the dishes seemed to be chinese inspired, others seemed like mild Indian (Roti, Dahl), but with a subtle caribbean flavor throughout.
I had a vegetarian dinner, with a small bowl of eggplant (very good) and pumpkin (sublime) which came with warm Roti (flat bead, somewhere between a tortilla and a pita). I also got a small salad (which Zippy scarfed), a bowl of delicious soup (mildly sweet and creamy, with plaintain, and a root vegetable that was almost potatoe like and I forget the name but will edit this when I remember it), and a bowl of mild Dahl, almost like a pure split pea soup, puree'd.
Zippy had Hot Pot Pork which was mild and delicious, and came with a large plate of fried rice. Zippy is not usually a biggie for friend rice (too many carbs) but she tasted a bit of this and the next thing you know it was half gone.
Reasonable prices, we got out the door for $25 including tip (no drinks), although the curries get a little pricier for the boneless option. Next time we go (and there will be a next time) we'll tried one of the Curry recipes - chicken, pork, goat, or fish.
A quick web search came up empty on this place, so I imagine I'm gonna have another search engine winner here. Go, enjoy. It's a welcome addition to the Hartford restaurant scene, and a wonderful break from franchised food and dining experiences.
Zippy has been eyeing this place for a while now (just south of Ipanema), so last night, freshly home from North Carolina and soon to be back in the air, we decided to splurge. We tend to talk more when we eat out, and I've been too busy to actually be a good partner. So we trekked down to Franklin Avenue before hitting an art opening.
Quite a charming little place. Two rooms, clean and bright, with cloth napkins. Our waiter might have been the owner (he apologized at one point for the service, which was not poor at all, indicating that the waitress had called in sick). Never having been exposed to Guyanese-West Indian Cuisine, we found an interesting amalgam - some of the dishes seemed to be chinese inspired, others seemed like mild Indian (Roti, Dahl), but with a subtle caribbean flavor throughout.
I had a vegetarian dinner, with a small bowl of eggplant (very good) and pumpkin (sublime) which came with warm Roti (flat bead, somewhere between a tortilla and a pita). I also got a small salad (which Zippy scarfed), a bowl of delicious soup (mildly sweet and creamy, with plaintain, and a root vegetable that was almost potatoe like and I forget the name but will edit this when I remember it), and a bowl of mild Dahl, almost like a pure split pea soup, puree'd.
Zippy had Hot Pot Pork which was mild and delicious, and came with a large plate of fried rice. Zippy is not usually a biggie for friend rice (too many carbs) but she tasted a bit of this and the next thing you know it was half gone.
Reasonable prices, we got out the door for $25 including tip (no drinks), although the curries get a little pricier for the boneless option. Next time we go (and there will be a next time) we'll tried one of the Curry recipes - chicken, pork, goat, or fish.
A quick web search came up empty on this place, so I imagine I'm gonna have another search engine winner here. Go, enjoy. It's a welcome addition to the Hartford restaurant scene, and a wonderful break from franchised food and dining experiences.
March 07, 2007
Children will Listen
A few weeks ago, I did something with MYA that involved me actually dressing up, and wearing makeup. She noticed right away, and then went on to tick off my normal makeup (about 11 dabs of concealer, auburn eyeliner, clear lip gloss) and comment on my more elaborate look of the moment.
Lest I thought she was not paying attention :)
Lest I thought she was not paying attention :)
Plenty of Space
For the record, I have way too much room and features here at the Homewood Suites in Cary, NC. A bedroom. A living room. I kitchenette. A small dining area. An actual hall. Two televisions. More square footage than most NYC apartments, I imagine.
On the other hand, plenty of room to put down a yoga mat sometime this evening or tomorrow morning....
On the other hand, plenty of room to put down a yoga mat sometime this evening or tomorrow morning....
Sentenced to Microsoft
Alas, the laptop problems I have been noticing for the past week have been fine tuned. Symptoms - when I connect to WiFi, my computer slows down to a crawl and my CPU usage goes up to 100%. I thought it an issue related to my wireless hardware / software or maybe to my virus protection. But last night, I figured it out. Firefox.
Working with Internet Explorer, and all is well. I might try to figure it out anon, but for now, I have too much on my plate and so here I am with Internet Explorer. Grrrrr......
Working with Internet Explorer, and all is well. I might try to figure it out anon, but for now, I have too much on my plate and so here I am with Internet Explorer. Grrrrr......
March 06, 2007
From Bradley (Again)
Heading southward into what I hope is a bit more warmth - North Carolina. A quickie trip (working all day tomorrow). I opted for two nights away just because the flights were better (direct) and my client wants to do dinner on one night, so I head back on Thursday morning. With any luck I can get some work done tonight and tomorrow night. I have some reports to knock out, along with prepping for the meeting tomorrow.
Get back Thursday, hopefully grab some yoga on Thursday night, and heading up to Boston with MYA on Friday. Then an insane wakeup on Saturday to head down to Milford - we're heading out of JFK en route to Phoenix on Saturday. My life, lived at 30,000 feet.
But for now, another 30 minutes of free bradley wifi and then Southwest en route to RDU. Moo!
Get back Thursday, hopefully grab some yoga on Thursday night, and heading up to Boston with MYA on Friday. Then an insane wakeup on Saturday to head down to Milford - we're heading out of JFK en route to Phoenix on Saturday. My life, lived at 30,000 feet.
But for now, another 30 minutes of free bradley wifi and then Southwest en route to RDU. Moo!
March 05, 2007
March Madness
One things I kind of miss from corporate employment is the frenzy of time wasting brough on by college hoops and March Madness. I was not even a huge basketball fan, but the enthusiasm of coworkers was infectious. I learned soon enough who was out, who was in, who was on the bubble, how many Big East teams got in (and resulting arguments about league dominance and how the Big East was under-rated), seedings, brackets, all that. We'd take a long lunch or sneak out early during the Big East tournament when U-Conn was playing for something; we'd do the same on the first Thursday of the tournament.
Except for the fact that I am so incredibly backlogged and busy right now to actually pay attention to college hoops, I kind of miss that.
Except for the fact that I am so incredibly backlogged and busy right now to actually pay attention to college hoops, I kind of miss that.
March 04, 2007
Imperial Buffet
Apparently, Sunday evening is prime time for the Imperial Buffet in Plainville. MYA and I are regulars there (sad, I know) but she likes having food options, is addicted to peach buns, and we can take our time and chat. Sad when the sushi guy knows us by sight and knows our orders, however. Almost as sad as being on a first name basis with the folks at Whole Donut (which I am).
So we had our usual fare (I lamented the lack of garlic green beans, my fave) and enjoyed the spectacle of people loading up on crab legs - when a new batch was brought up, they were lining up like fish in a tank when you drop in the food, and walking away with plates piled high. Scary, and sad.
Point to Ponder: If you need to ask to be reseated because you do not fit in a booth, maybe the Imperial Buffet is not the right dining choice.
So we had our usual fare (I lamented the lack of garlic green beans, my fave) and enjoyed the spectacle of people loading up on crab legs - when a new batch was brought up, they were lining up like fish in a tank when you drop in the food, and walking away with plates piled high. Scary, and sad.
Point to Ponder: If you need to ask to be reseated because you do not fit in a booth, maybe the Imperial Buffet is not the right dining choice.
Bowling!
MYA and I went to a mentoring program activity today - bowling at Highland Bowl in Hartford. What a cute little bowling alley - duckpins, 12 lanes, completely nostalgic. No automated scoring, pin setters one step up from manual, but clean, neat, functional. There were a couple of birthday parties there, plus our mob (probably close to 25 of us, mentors and mentees). Not everyone bowled, but we all had a good time.
We were not keeping score, but I got several strikes. No mean feat with duckpins. I was insufferably self congratulatory, of course.
I also own bowling shoes, believe it or not (remnants of a previous life of social singlehood, when I was actually going bowling on occasion) although the shoes pulled free from the sole midway through (which is what happens when one has 15 year old bowling shoes, that get pulled out of the closet once every 5 years.
I want to go bowling more often.
We were not keeping score, but I got several strikes. No mean feat with duckpins. I was insufferably self congratulatory, of course.
I also own bowling shoes, believe it or not (remnants of a previous life of social singlehood, when I was actually going bowling on occasion) although the shoes pulled free from the sole midway through (which is what happens when one has 15 year old bowling shoes, that get pulled out of the closet once every 5 years.
I want to go bowling more often.
Mid Weekend
Yesterday was pretty low key. A yoga class with Yom, who is becoming one of my faves - pushing my edges in terms of stamina / endurance without frustration (difficult poses) or risk (I've had a few yoga back tweaks in the past few months). I really respect a lot of her teaching stuff - she does some things, then drops us into child's pose, and then asks if anyone would prefer not to be touched / adjusted (so they can raise their hands in relative anonymity) - totally a respectful thing, and not something I have seen anyone else at the studio do. She also rolls us through three resting postures (down dog, child's pose, and dangle) and mentions that moving into them is a sign of strength, not weakness. Again, wonderful. And yet she pushes during class, with a tempo and energy that is nearly aerobic, and a cadence that is close to drill instructor. I pulled back into child's pose at least once, just to get back my center.
Again, WHY, with its wide selection of classes and instructors, is such a great space. Just when I thought the menu could not get fuller / better, I find Yom.
I also went to a three hour Poetry and Philosophy of Yoga workshop with Dr. Peter Meadows. I have always wondered about him; he is on the staff page and is a founder / owner at the studio, but our paths never crossed. It was a wonderful workshop and I am glad I have finally met him / spent some time with him. I also ran into a blog reader there (waving to K) along with a bunch of my yoga / kirtan friends.
Probably going to grab a class this morning with Shankara (pretty sure) - my yoga strategy is this morning and Tuesday morning, before heading out to North Carolina. MYA and I are connecting this afternoon for bowling (mentoring program) and hanging out.
Spring is in the air. Do you sense it? I have not seen a lot of signs but I can feel the energy.....
Again, WHY, with its wide selection of classes and instructors, is such a great space. Just when I thought the menu could not get fuller / better, I find Yom.
I also went to a three hour Poetry and Philosophy of Yoga workshop with Dr. Peter Meadows. I have always wondered about him; he is on the staff page and is a founder / owner at the studio, but our paths never crossed. It was a wonderful workshop and I am glad I have finally met him / spent some time with him. I also ran into a blog reader there (waving to K) along with a bunch of my yoga / kirtan friends.
Probably going to grab a class this morning with Shankara (pretty sure) - my yoga strategy is this morning and Tuesday morning, before heading out to North Carolina. MYA and I are connecting this afternoon for bowling (mentoring program) and hanging out.
Spring is in the air. Do you sense it? I have not seen a lot of signs but I can feel the energy.....
March 02, 2007
Hey, It's March
It's also Friday. Both facts feel somewhat unexpected.
I've been digging out of work piles all week - and enter the weekend with a queue of reports pending, a powerpoint thingee that I will work on once I get some client feedback, a trip report, two site visit invoices & expense reports, some significant web site revisions, and a new power analysis package to install and play with. So, not like there is much chance of catching up any time soon.....
Next week seems like it will not be all that useful in terms of catching up - I am headed to NC on Tuesday afternoon, down there all weekend, flying back on Thursday morning. Then I head out to Scottsdale, AZ on Saturday, returning on Monday.
Tonight, we're headed to Manchester to see our friend Peter Anthony noodling and crooning (as are his wont). Tomorrow, probably some yoga of some sort, and a yoga talk / workshop in the afternoon. Sunday, MYA and I will connect - hopefully some duckpin bowling with the mentoring group.
I'd love to squeeze some catching up for work in there. Probably can bang out a few reports, the trip report is similar to another recent one so I can do some cut-n-paste work. We'll see.....
I've been digging out of work piles all week - and enter the weekend with a queue of reports pending, a powerpoint thingee that I will work on once I get some client feedback, a trip report, two site visit invoices & expense reports, some significant web site revisions, and a new power analysis package to install and play with. So, not like there is much chance of catching up any time soon.....
Next week seems like it will not be all that useful in terms of catching up - I am headed to NC on Tuesday afternoon, down there all weekend, flying back on Thursday morning. Then I head out to Scottsdale, AZ on Saturday, returning on Monday.
Tonight, we're headed to Manchester to see our friend Peter Anthony noodling and crooning (as are his wont). Tomorrow, probably some yoga of some sort, and a yoga talk / workshop in the afternoon. Sunday, MYA and I will connect - hopefully some duckpin bowling with the mentoring group.
I'd love to squeeze some catching up for work in there. Probably can bang out a few reports, the trip report is similar to another recent one so I can do some cut-n-paste work. We'll see.....
March 01, 2007
Timing is Everything
Do not ask me why I am sitting at my desk, downloading a 300MB file via FTP while I time it using a stopwatch. I will also be uploading the same file and timing it as well. I just am.
February 28, 2007
Oh, and Last Night
Zippy and I swung down to New Haven to pick up friends (OK, it wsa H&B) at the train station, do dinner (Thai Pan Asian on Chapel Street, good and reasonably priced but not stunning), and attend a talk by Helen Boyd at Yale. We had a good night. Yeah!
BlogNation - Hartford Courant Key Issues Forum
I whine about having too much on my plate, but I (at the last moment) turned the car eastward towards downtown Hartford this morning for the Hartford Courant's Key Issues Forum on blogging, entitled BlogNation.
Panelists Genghis Conn, Colin McEnroe, Caffeinated Geek Girl, Matt Stoller, and Tim Tagaris.
Great dialogue. Great cross section. Genghis Conn is the thoughtful center. Colin is the bridge to the main stream media and philosopher. Stoller is the firebrand. Caffeinated Geek Girl is the vox populi. And Tagaris - quiet but powerful, I sense.
Stoller took it to the MSM a few times. Amusing that Genghis Conn's stat on blogger readership (80% male) was mirrored by the panel. The audience seemed heavy on politicos and MSM types, judging by the suits. Fox 61 was there with video, and probably a few others.
A personal highlight for me was seeing my friend and occasional coworker Rich from Event Management (?) who was doing lighting and sound for the event. I run into him at various arts and media events in Hartford. If I had my gloves with me and a few extra minutes I would have helped on the strike.....
Panelists Genghis Conn, Colin McEnroe, Caffeinated Geek Girl, Matt Stoller, and Tim Tagaris.
Great dialogue. Great cross section. Genghis Conn is the thoughtful center. Colin is the bridge to the main stream media and philosopher. Stoller is the firebrand. Caffeinated Geek Girl is the vox populi. And Tagaris - quiet but powerful, I sense.
Stoller took it to the MSM a few times. Amusing that Genghis Conn's stat on blogger readership (80% male) was mirrored by the panel. The audience seemed heavy on politicos and MSM types, judging by the suits. Fox 61 was there with video, and probably a few others.
A personal highlight for me was seeing my friend and occasional coworker Rich from Event Management (?) who was doing lighting and sound for the event. I run into him at various arts and media events in Hartford. If I had my gloves with me and a few extra minutes I would have helped on the strike.....
A Dog in the Hunt
Yesterday's precipitous drop on Wall Street was unpleasant. In the past, I never really cared much - my work seems to come and go to its own rhythms, without a lot of correlation to the economy. And I have historically not had a lot of extra money for savings, investment, retirement. But the last few years I have been able (and disciplined enough) to fund an IRA and its spread out over a lot of investments. So when I popped into my IRA account this morning, it was down a bit.
Not that I am all that upset - I'm in for the long term and if anything, its a good time to drop the remainder of my 2006 contribution in there; I had been hedging because I had some big checks coming in and the high stock market prices had me thinking a correction was coming. So, all in all, not a bad thing.
But its odd to hear the financial news and actually give a damn.....
Not that I am all that upset - I'm in for the long term and if anything, its a good time to drop the remainder of my 2006 contribution in there; I had been hedging because I had some big checks coming in and the high stock market prices had me thinking a correction was coming. So, all in all, not a bad thing.
But its odd to hear the financial news and actually give a damn.....
February 27, 2007
Paging my Doppelganger
I'll take care of the yoga, the watching Friday Night Lights. Heck I'll even go get zapped tomorrow and hit the doctor's appointment on Friday. I'll also spend time with the Zipster, feed the dogs, and the like.
You can do the trip report from last week's Indiana trip, the seven site reports that miraculously appeared today, the client meeting on Thursday, the website updates due on the 1st, the significant PowerPoint development, the installation and exploration of a new software package, and the end of the month billing.
We'll do lunch on Friday to discuss who gets to go to North Carolina next week, and Scottsdale a week from Friday.
It's good to be busy. It's good to be busy. It's good to be busy. I keep telling myself that......
You can do the trip report from last week's Indiana trip, the seven site reports that miraculously appeared today, the client meeting on Thursday, the website updates due on the 1st, the significant PowerPoint development, the installation and exploration of a new software package, and the end of the month billing.
We'll do lunch on Friday to discuss who gets to go to North Carolina next week, and Scottsdale a week from Friday.
It's good to be busy. It's good to be busy. It's good to be busy. I keep telling myself that......
Dropkick Murphys
...have been filling my head with angry Irish stomping goodness. I downloaded a couple of disks worth of tunes (2003's Blackout and 2005's The Warrior's Code) from eMusic.com where I
Not my usual fodder, but I am liking the energy. I blame this guy.
Just visiting emusic.com for a link, and I see they have Rickie Lee Jones new one, Sermon on Exposition Boulevard, so I downloaded that one too. New noise for my ears - yeah!
Not my usual fodder, but I am liking the energy. I blame this guy.
Just visiting emusic.com for a link, and I see they have Rickie Lee Jones new one, Sermon on Exposition Boulevard, so I downloaded that one too. New noise for my ears - yeah!
February 26, 2007
The End of the Month? Already?
Dang. February flew by.
Slow start today - last night's Oscars party at the Emporer was fun - we left around 11 p.m. Nothing super, some friends were there, got some schmoozing in with random media celebs, and drank three Cosmos which is two over my usual / limit. I was not all that invested in the awards, but my favorite animated short won, and one of my two favorite live action shorts won. I kind of wish I had recorded the shwo to watch it tonight, if only to see Ellen's schtick and the Pilobolus performance pieces.
My back has been getting better - I took it easy with yoga, an all levels class with Kate yesterday, a gentle class with Carissa today. My first two teachers, and practicing with them is like going home. Nice and gentle for my back, as I heal and strengthen. And important to continue to proactice even if its not kick my ass hot / power classes.
I intended to crank out some reports today, but I got stuck collecting info, and ended up working on a website. I pretty much got the website done today - adapting a ticket ordering javascript that I have been working with for a few years, but merging two ordering pages together. Plus some graphics. Just a general refresh. Needs a little more testing, and awaiting feedback from my client, but its all pretty much put to bed. The reports will wait til tomorrow.
Tomorrow, Zippy is off for some medical testing that I am driving hir to. And taking my laptop along for company.
Slow start today - last night's Oscars party at the Emporer was fun - we left around 11 p.m. Nothing super, some friends were there, got some schmoozing in with random media celebs, and drank three Cosmos which is two over my usual / limit. I was not all that invested in the awards, but my favorite animated short won, and one of my two favorite live action shorts won. I kind of wish I had recorded the shwo to watch it tonight, if only to see Ellen's schtick and the Pilobolus performance pieces.
My back has been getting better - I took it easy with yoga, an all levels class with Kate yesterday, a gentle class with Carissa today. My first two teachers, and practicing with them is like going home. Nice and gentle for my back, as I heal and strengthen. And important to continue to proactice even if its not kick my ass hot / power classes.
I intended to crank out some reports today, but I got stuck collecting info, and ended up working on a website. I pretty much got the website done today - adapting a ticket ordering javascript that I have been working with for a few years, but merging two ordering pages together. Plus some graphics. Just a general refresh. Needs a little more testing, and awaiting feedback from my client, but its all pretty much put to bed. The reports will wait til tomorrow.
Tomorrow, Zippy is off for some medical testing that I am driving hir to. And taking my laptop along for company.
February 25, 2007
Sunday Waiting
Been a fairly quiet weekend. Last night we ended up at Real Art Ways for the OScar Nominated Live Shorts. Afterwards, we visited Cheng Du at the new location (which tells you how often I go there, since its been over on Park for a while now). Food was good - creative and flavorful - although we tend to like a bit more zip.
Today, I slept in (which means after feeding the dogs I crawled back into bed) - skipped my 8:30 a.m. hot class in favor of a 10:15 all levels class with Kate. Exactly what I needed - Kate is gentle and wise and my body needed to float more and strain less. I've been nursing some tweaks - Friday was a sharp stabbing in my left quad (since departed), yesterday and today a sensitive lower back (still an issue). I think my body is telling me I need to lose some weight....
Tonight, CARC's Oscar party. Audrey will be there, as will friend Kim and her friend Kapel (sp?). Also maybe some others. Should be fun - treat myself to a bit of schmoozing, wining, and dining with the Hartford media elite. Or something.
Today, I slept in (which means after feeding the dogs I crawled back into bed) - skipped my 8:30 a.m. hot class in favor of a 10:15 all levels class with Kate. Exactly what I needed - Kate is gentle and wise and my body needed to float more and strain less. I've been nursing some tweaks - Friday was a sharp stabbing in my left quad (since departed), yesterday and today a sensitive lower back (still an issue). I think my body is telling me I need to lose some weight....
Tonight, CARC's Oscar party. Audrey will be there, as will friend Kim and her friend Kapel (sp?). Also maybe some others. Should be fun - treat myself to a bit of schmoozing, wining, and dining with the Hartford media elite. Or something.
February 24, 2007
Karen Williams
We went to see Karen Williams at Hartford's Bulkley High School last night. A community response to the Shirley Q Liquor debacle. Ms. Williams was a treat, we both laughed mightily.
No serious weekend plans. I have the CARC Oscar Party tomorrow night, so I probabl;y need to do some primping. I have options - jazzercise this morning, a support space this afternoon, go see the live action Oscar shorts at Real Art Ways this evening, yoga tomorrow morning. I am nursing a twitchy left quadricep, so I might go easy. I would love to walk into work on Monday having completed a few trip reports. We'll see.
No serious weekend plans. I have the CARC Oscar Party tomorrow night, so I probabl;y need to do some primping. I have options - jazzercise this morning, a support space this afternoon, go see the live action Oscar shorts at Real Art Ways this evening, yoga tomorrow morning. I am nursing a twitchy left quadricep, so I might go easy. I would love to walk into work on Monday having completed a few trip reports. We'll see.
February 23, 2007
Dress Shopping
Went over to Ann Taylor Loft to sniff around for clothes - nothing either in the ballpark look wise or size wise. I think the gift card is gonna need to be spent online where I can get the bigger sizes.
But Lord & Taylor had a ton of stuff in my size and glimmery. And after looking (mostly) for sparkley tops to go with my silk wrap pants, I actually found a dress that fits, looks and feels good, and is downright appropriate.
Which means the weekend will be spent defoliating, accessorizing, and probably get my nails done. Down the slippery slope to femminess......whee!
Zippy sat in the husband chair very patiently.
But Lord & Taylor had a ton of stuff in my size and glimmery. And after looking (mostly) for sparkley tops to go with my silk wrap pants, I actually found a dress that fits, looks and feels good, and is downright appropriate.
Which means the weekend will be spent defoliating, accessorizing, and probably get my nails done. Down the slippery slope to femminess......whee!
Zippy sat in the husband chair very patiently.
February 22, 2007
Favorite Asanas
I've started to look forward to yoga asanas (postures). I thought I might write a little bit about that, since this kind of crept up on me. Somewhere in the last few practices it hit me that I was anticipating postures (oh good! we seem to be heading towards Ardha Chandrasana!) or feeling let down when a particular posture was not in the offing.
I am sure its something I need / want to be aware of - another level of letting go in my practice - but I also want to give it voice and honor it.
So let's start out with Ardha Chandrasana - Half Moon Pose. I love the feeling of flying. I love the balance. I love the way my elevated arm is reaching for the sky. I love the challenge of balance, and the challenge of getting in and out of the posture with grace. I love the visual of trying to make the pose align as if I were pressed up against a wall - one of my teachers did that with us once with a partner to push us open and it was wonderfully instructive.
Bakasana - Crow Pose. I'm not a petite thing. So to support the weight of my body on my hands is a BIG DEAL for me. Many of the arm balances are out of reach right now. And Crow is one of the first postures that I ran into that was completely inaccessible, but which has become accessible - I can almost always get up into it, its mostly a matter of how precise my posture is, and how long I can hold it. And I am consciously working to get my knees up under my arms (I started with them pressed into the side of my arms). Crow is posture where today I can measure my progress, see my growth.
Triangle Pose - Utthita Trikonasana - is always fun. Being long of bone, I love to feel my body pulled in different directions. I love the open your heart feeling. I love "spreading my wings", an image some instructors have implanted. Similarly, Vasisthasana (Side Plank Pose) makes me feel strong and long and yearning. I love the moments, waiting in high plank, for the words "move your right hand to the center of the mat and roll open". The anticipation of the opening, the unfolding, is delicious.
Pigeon Pose and Downward Facing Frog are both challenging poses for me - because my hips are not easily or comfortably open. But when we move into them in a hot practice, when I am all opened and limber, these poses take me deeply into myself. I always look forward to them, but especially when they come late in a practice, a surrender of sorts.
Finally, Urdhva Dhanurasana - Wheel Pose. It's my edge right now, related to body weight and arm strength. I've gotten up into it, unassisted, perhaps twice so far - when a combination of energy, strength, and practice have come together. I had popped up into it a few times with some assistance from a teacher who lent her ankles. And I get partially up into it most of the time - yearning, pushing, practicing.
And as I write this, I see 4 or 5 other postures I really like, really want to write about. I guess the fact that so many of these postures work for me, are filled with joy, is why I am a yogi. As they say, there are worse things to be addicted to!
I am sure its something I need / want to be aware of - another level of letting go in my practice - but I also want to give it voice and honor it.
So let's start out with Ardha Chandrasana - Half Moon Pose. I love the feeling of flying. I love the balance. I love the way my elevated arm is reaching for the sky. I love the challenge of balance, and the challenge of getting in and out of the posture with grace. I love the visual of trying to make the pose align as if I were pressed up against a wall - one of my teachers did that with us once with a partner to push us open and it was wonderfully instructive.
Bakasana - Crow Pose. I'm not a petite thing. So to support the weight of my body on my hands is a BIG DEAL for me. Many of the arm balances are out of reach right now. And Crow is one of the first postures that I ran into that was completely inaccessible, but which has become accessible - I can almost always get up into it, its mostly a matter of how precise my posture is, and how long I can hold it. And I am consciously working to get my knees up under my arms (I started with them pressed into the side of my arms). Crow is posture where today I can measure my progress, see my growth.
Triangle Pose - Utthita Trikonasana - is always fun. Being long of bone, I love to feel my body pulled in different directions. I love the open your heart feeling. I love "spreading my wings", an image some instructors have implanted. Similarly, Vasisthasana (Side Plank Pose) makes me feel strong and long and yearning. I love the moments, waiting in high plank, for the words "move your right hand to the center of the mat and roll open". The anticipation of the opening, the unfolding, is delicious.
Pigeon Pose and Downward Facing Frog are both challenging poses for me - because my hips are not easily or comfortably open. But when we move into them in a hot practice, when I am all opened and limber, these poses take me deeply into myself. I always look forward to them, but especially when they come late in a practice, a surrender of sorts.
Finally, Urdhva Dhanurasana - Wheel Pose. It's my edge right now, related to body weight and arm strength. I've gotten up into it, unassisted, perhaps twice so far - when a combination of energy, strength, and practice have come together. I had popped up into it a few times with some assistance from a teacher who lent her ankles. And I get partially up into it most of the time - yearning, pushing, practicing.
And as I write this, I see 4 or 5 other postures I really like, really want to write about. I guess the fact that so many of these postures work for me, are filled with joy, is why I am a yogi. As they say, there are worse things to be addicted to!
DMV, Dr. Keith Ablow, and Ricki Lee Jones
MYA and I spent most of the day doing DMVish things. Picked her up in Bristol at 1 p.m. Off to Wethersfield. Discover that she forgot all her ID. Back to Bristol. Off to Plainville DMV. Wait in line. Get to the counter, to find she needs a postmarked letter with her name and address. Back to Bristol for all the mail she can find. Back to Plainville. More waiting in line. Get to the counter, hand over the ID and the money.
Then a long long wait. We worry about the reason for the wait, perceiving some panic among the civil servants. Eventually, she gets called up to sign things, smile for the camera. A few minutes later, she gets her ID.
It's a good photo, flattering and captures a little mischief in her eyes. It also has the wrong gender marker on it. We'll work on that next - was hoping we might get lucky with passing privilege, a tired clerk, all that.
But, for the first time in her life, she has a piece of legal identification. It was a long journey - trips to the DMV, social security, town hall. I was not gonna let today pass without her getting ID. She was happy. We celebrated at the Imperial Buffet.
In other news, friends were on the Dr. Keith Ablow show today. I taped it, and watched it at lunch, and Zippy and I watched it again tonight. Now we are watching a treat - Ricki Lee Jones on Soundstage on PBS. Heh. She has a song on her new Sermon on Exposition Boulevard. Tried to be a Man. With ya, Ricki....
Oh, and universe. It's me, Jude. You know, with the fish and all. My friend / lover / partner / boi / parent to my dogs Zipster is struggling - zie needs to find work that feeds her body and her soul. I don't ask often, but I am asking now. Thanks!
Then a long long wait. We worry about the reason for the wait, perceiving some panic among the civil servants. Eventually, she gets called up to sign things, smile for the camera. A few minutes later, she gets her ID.
It's a good photo, flattering and captures a little mischief in her eyes. It also has the wrong gender marker on it. We'll work on that next - was hoping we might get lucky with passing privilege, a tired clerk, all that.
But, for the first time in her life, she has a piece of legal identification. It was a long journey - trips to the DMV, social security, town hall. I was not gonna let today pass without her getting ID. She was happy. We celebrated at the Imperial Buffet.
In other news, friends were on the Dr. Keith Ablow show today. I taped it, and watched it at lunch, and Zippy and I watched it again tonight. Now we are watching a treat - Ricki Lee Jones on Soundstage on PBS. Heh. She has a song on her new Sermon on Exposition Boulevard. Tried to be a Man. With ya, Ricki....
Oh, and universe. It's me, Jude. You know, with the fish and all. My friend / lover / partner / boi / parent to my dogs Zipster is struggling - zie needs to find work that feeds her body and her soul. I don't ask often, but I am asking now. Thanks!
February 21, 2007
Civil Disobedience
Yoga guru Ramdev to disobey any law against yoga
How about "Thou shalt not covet thy neighbor's urdhva-dhanurasana?"
On a slightly related note, I am starting to understand and remember the sanskrit names for yoga poses, if not actually think of the poses primarily in Sanskrit. I was in the middle of an Utthita Parsvakonasana (Extended Side Angle) today and my monkey mind is thinking "Arm position preparing for Vasisthasana" (Side Plank) which is what some of my instructors say from time to time and I suspect if someone said Side Plank it would take me a few seconds extra to figure out they meant Vasisthasana.
There is a good translation page (with links to what the asanas look like) here.
How about "Thou shalt not covet thy neighbor's urdhva-dhanurasana?"
On a slightly related note, I am starting to understand and remember the sanskrit names for yoga poses, if not actually think of the poses primarily in Sanskrit. I was in the middle of an Utthita Parsvakonasana (Extended Side Angle) today and my monkey mind is thinking "Arm position preparing for Vasisthasana" (Side Plank) which is what some of my instructors say from time to time and I suspect if someone said Side Plank it would take me a few seconds extra to figure out they meant Vasisthasana.
There is a good translation page (with links to what the asanas look like) here.
Girls of Tender Age
My travel companion on the trip to Goshen, IN was a wonderful memoir, Girls of Tender Age, by Mary-Ann Tirone Smith, whic was released this December in paperback.
What a sneaky and wonderful work. I say sneaky because it is really three works in one - reporting on a heinous crime that jarred her childhood, a nostalgic look back at the city I call home (but did not grow up in), and a family history involving a seriously autistic brother. As I read the first few chapters, I was struck by how fragmented the writing was - snippets of memories, observations, stories - not unlike a child's understanding of the world, as passed along by the adults in her life. But slowly, as the chapters unfurled, I was drawn in. At the end, as she writes of her brother's decline, her father's descent into Alzheimers, her mother's funeral, I quietly wiped away the tears.
The book rose to my notice when the author appeared on Colin's show - the author grew up in Hartford not too far from where we live today. As such, there were many familiar touchstones - her father worked at Abbott-Ball (our next door neighbor retired from there, and I imagine he knew her father), her stomping grounds were the streets between here and Trinity College, and I imagine the murderer who figures prominantly in the book walked down Newington Road that I travel every day between home and my office.
I loved reading of a different Hartford - when the Elm Theater was vibrant, when G. Fox was open, when the Hog (Park) River was not buried. I plan to drive through her neighborhood sometime soon to look it over. I am sure in her world, my neighborhood was where the up and comers ended up.
Even though the memoir was of many things - her brother, her murdered friend, the city of Hartford itself, I was left with strong connections to her parents. Her absent and distant mother, who worked the housewife shift at CG and immersed herself in the burgeoning Hartford society life (mostly golf). And her blue collar father, who seemed to be a friend to all, and so dedicated to his autistic son in the days before autism was commonly diagnosed or understood, to the end.
So glad to have come across this book. It helps me to understand the Hartford that was, and to appreciate the Hartford that is, a little more. It engaged on multiple levels. And it pulled away a few layers of hardness from my eyes and my heart - to come to love my world a little more.
I'm not sure if Zippy will read it, but I suspect if not, that MYA will eat it up.....
What a sneaky and wonderful work. I say sneaky because it is really three works in one - reporting on a heinous crime that jarred her childhood, a nostalgic look back at the city I call home (but did not grow up in), and a family history involving a seriously autistic brother. As I read the first few chapters, I was struck by how fragmented the writing was - snippets of memories, observations, stories - not unlike a child's understanding of the world, as passed along by the adults in her life. But slowly, as the chapters unfurled, I was drawn in. At the end, as she writes of her brother's decline, her father's descent into Alzheimers, her mother's funeral, I quietly wiped away the tears.
The book rose to my notice when the author appeared on Colin's show - the author grew up in Hartford not too far from where we live today. As such, there were many familiar touchstones - her father worked at Abbott-Ball (our next door neighbor retired from there, and I imagine he knew her father), her stomping grounds were the streets between here and Trinity College, and I imagine the murderer who figures prominantly in the book walked down Newington Road that I travel every day between home and my office.
I loved reading of a different Hartford - when the Elm Theater was vibrant, when G. Fox was open, when the Hog (Park) River was not buried. I plan to drive through her neighborhood sometime soon to look it over. I am sure in her world, my neighborhood was where the up and comers ended up.
Even though the memoir was of many things - her brother, her murdered friend, the city of Hartford itself, I was left with strong connections to her parents. Her absent and distant mother, who worked the housewife shift at CG and immersed herself in the burgeoning Hartford society life (mostly golf). And her blue collar father, who seemed to be a friend to all, and so dedicated to his autistic son in the days before autism was commonly diagnosed or understood, to the end.
So glad to have come across this book. It helps me to understand the Hartford that was, and to appreciate the Hartford that is, a little more. It engaged on multiple levels. And it pulled away a few layers of hardness from my eyes and my heart - to come to love my world a little more.
I'm not sure if Zippy will read it, but I suspect if not, that MYA will eat it up.....
February 20, 2007
More Airport Bloggishness
From CVG. Because I can. I have a long layover. An hour of WiFi lets me grab my email, deal with anything urgent, and have time for some mexican lunch (Qdoba, conveniently located in Terminal C) and then off the a conencting flight to Hartford.
I was scheduled to fly home tomorrow but the good folks from Delta had room for me on some flights today. Yay!
I was scheduled to fly home tomorrow but the good folks from Delta had room for me on some flights today. Yay!
February 19, 2007
Musings from the Airport
En route to Goshen, Indiana, via Cincinnati and South Bend. Bradley is remarkably quiet today considering its vacation week (I think) - with only a slight uptick in families with rugrats. And the weather looks good for travel. Huzzah!
Blogging from the airport always makes me feel connected and trendy. Let me live with this small delusion, s'il vous plait!
I have not been an instant message person for a long, long time. But I do have an AOL account - I used to use it to connect while on the road, until broadband in hotels became ubiquitous, and then AOL discontinued subscriber fees for broadband customers so I stayed a member. I ought to just load up AIM and quit logging in to AOL at all. But anyway, I also have Yahoo Messenger loaded - for an occasional group chat. I also rarely if ever use that. But once in a while someone gets a bug to talk to me. I've been stalked by an individual for a good week or so.
The funny thing is, he never says anything other than BUZZ and Hello. And I've patiently ignored him for a good week. One would think he would (a) get tired and give up or (b) try something else. Like tell me who he is or something about him or why he is trying to talk to me. I dunno. Amusing. Sad.
Per usual, I brought along a yoga mat. I do not practice every trip, but I like having it along just in case, even if I just do some simple stretches and postures its positive. I've been folding them up into the suitcase up til now, but the last few times, I ended up rolling the mat up*, as several of my teachers demand for abdominal work. It makes me happy to roll it up that way - I feel as if I am getting ready to practice even at home or whatever. Just like it makes me happy to have a few yoga blankets, and a yoga strap at home. It feels as if I am bringing my practice into my life via these little touchstones and tendrils.
* Lay the mat out lengthwise, and fold it lengthwise into thirds so it's full length, and about 8" wide. Then roll up lengthwise like a jelly roll, adjusting it as you roll to keep it straight and tight. It ends up being a small tight cylinder, about 6" in diameter. It gets placed between one's knees for bridge, or between one's thighs for ab work or standing work. Squeeze the mat!
Blogging from the airport always makes me feel connected and trendy. Let me live with this small delusion, s'il vous plait!
I have not been an instant message person for a long, long time. But I do have an AOL account - I used to use it to connect while on the road, until broadband in hotels became ubiquitous, and then AOL discontinued subscriber fees for broadband customers so I stayed a member. I ought to just load up AIM and quit logging in to AOL at all. But anyway, I also have Yahoo Messenger loaded - for an occasional group chat. I also rarely if ever use that. But once in a while someone gets a bug to talk to me. I've been stalked by an individual for a good week or so.
The funny thing is, he never says anything other than BUZZ and Hello. And I've patiently ignored him for a good week. One would think he would (a) get tired and give up or (b) try something else. Like tell me who he is or something about him or why he is trying to talk to me. I dunno. Amusing. Sad.
Per usual, I brought along a yoga mat. I do not practice every trip, but I like having it along just in case, even if I just do some simple stretches and postures its positive. I've been folding them up into the suitcase up til now, but the last few times, I ended up rolling the mat up*, as several of my teachers demand for abdominal work. It makes me happy to roll it up that way - I feel as if I am getting ready to practice even at home or whatever. Just like it makes me happy to have a few yoga blankets, and a yoga strap at home. It feels as if I am bringing my practice into my life via these little touchstones and tendrils.
* Lay the mat out lengthwise, and fold it lengthwise into thirds so it's full length, and about 8" wide. Then roll up lengthwise like a jelly roll, adjusting it as you roll to keep it straight and tight. It ends up being a small tight cylinder, about 6" in diameter. It gets placed between one's knees for bridge, or between one's thighs for ab work or standing work. Squeeze the mat!
February 18, 2007
Goshen, Indiana
Is where I am heading tomorrow. Flying in to South Bend. Wikipedia article here.
It's a heck of a lot further North than I expected - right up against the Michigan line. Looks the like the weather is similar to here - not quite so cold right now and Monday, but a little colder Tuesday and Wednesday.
It's a heck of a lot further North than I expected - right up against the Michigan line. Looks the like the weather is similar to here - not quite so cold right now and Monday, but a little colder Tuesday and Wednesday.
Best animated short film
“The Danish Poet” (National Film Board of Canada)
A Mikrofilm and National Film Board of Canada Production
Torill Kove
"Lifted” (Buena Vista)
A Pixar Animation Studios Production
Gary Rydstrom
“The Little Matchgirl” (Buena Vista)
A Walt Disney Pictures Production
Roger Allers and Don Hahn
“Maestro” (SzimplaFilm)
A Kedd Production
Géza M. Tóth
“No Time for Nuts” (20th Century Fox)
A Blue Sky Studios Production
Chris Renaud and Michael Thurmeier
A Mikrofilm and National Film Board of Canada Production
Torill Kove
Jude sez: Completely charmed by this one. Not spectacular animation, but adorable, wonderful story. Lots of dry humor. Lots of amusing sight gags. I'd call it tied for first.
"Lifted” (Buena Vista)
A Pixar Animation Studios Production
Gary Rydstrom
Jude sez: Close Encounters of the Third Kind, told from the perspective of the aliens, one of which might be a child being shown the ropes by an elder. A good overall joke (making light of Speilbergian majestic film-making), some good site gags, but not my favorite.
“The Little Matchgirl” (Buena Vista)
A Walt Disney Pictures Production
Roger Allers and Don Hahn
Jude sez: Just completely predictable, from the Hans Christian Anderson tale (which I read as a child) to the Wizard of Oz-like bringing color into the animation during key parts. It was beautiful in its way, but and simple, but it seemed like a throw-away from Mulan or another Disney feature, and was about as subtle. (the source material has its limits, of course) The snow was pretty impressive.
“Maestro” (SzimplaFilm)
A Kedd Production
Géza M. Tóth
Jude sez: I was totally charmed by this one. A complete belly laugh punchline. Some creative (and foreshadowing) animation where in the camera perspective steps around the characters 360 degrees. Creative and just a littl alien props and characters. I'd call this one a tie for first.
“No Time for Nuts” (20th Century Fox)
A Blue Sky Studios Production
Chris Renaud and Michael Thurmeier
Jude sez: Very funny. Some belly laughs. A little too frenetic a la Ice Age - too fast, too furious, too in your face.
Red Beets
It's been ages since I've eaten beets. An occasional slice or two from a salad bar. A red beet egg at a picnic. A few pieces from a jar at a meal.
Zippy and I picked up abunch of fresh beets at Appletree a few weeks back. But I forgot (or never knew) the impact of red beets on ones.....er.....effluvia. So I spent a day or so pretty sure I was dying of colon cancer or some other digestive tract disease that creates bloody red stools.
Silly me. We made a batch of beets again last night, and this time I am ready.
Zippy and I picked up abunch of fresh beets at Appletree a few weeks back. But I forgot (or never knew) the impact of red beets on ones.....er.....effluvia. So I spent a day or so pretty sure I was dying of colon cancer or some other digestive tract disease that creates bloody red stools.
Silly me. We made a batch of beets again last night, and this time I am ready.
February 17, 2007
Wicked
I finally finished Wicked, probably the last person on the planet to actually read this. I liked it, mostly. I guess I had some preconceptions, having gotten to know the soundtrack first, but it satisfied.
My only quibble - its seems like in the later chapters, there was a bit of a scramble to try to assemble the pieces to tie in with the Baum works - I confess to never having read the Oz books and only basing my connection on the movie, so I am limited. But it seemed to me as if the transformation from this sort of angry but romantic young woman to the proto witch was forced, and that I wanted Elphie to be a bit more aware of and challenged by her power - it seemed to me that she was more of a spectator in her own life.
I do think I need to read the Oz books.
My only quibble - its seems like in the later chapters, there was a bit of a scramble to try to assemble the pieces to tie in with the Baum works - I confess to never having read the Oz books and only basing my connection on the movie, so I am limited. But it seemed to me as if the transformation from this sort of angry but romantic young woman to the proto witch was forced, and that I wanted Elphie to be a bit more aware of and challenged by her power - it seemed to me that she was more of a spectator in her own life.
I do think I need to read the Oz books.
Dreaming Again
A weird one, this time.
It starts with me driving west, with my former sister-in-law Kathy, ostensibly out Rte. 6 west from Terryville. We are watching the sky, the sunset / clouds are very colorful and striking. As we drive, we hear a buzzing, it turns out to be an ultralight plane, escorting some geese. (I know there have been a few movies of people who use ultralights to train migratory birds, although I have not seen any). The plane was tracking our car, and as we watched, the pilot (male) we notice a young girl (daughter) in a kind of side car, almost like a tricycle attached to the outside of the the plane, and she seems rather precarious - as if she were holding on to the plane with one hand. I worry about her falling.
We track the plane and the geese along a long lake or reservoir - at the end, there is a large dam, and I go inside the dam, with my old springer spaniel Nipsy. There is a small auditorium at the top of the damn, I am permitted to bring Nipsy in with me and we sit down - little kids come over to pet her and I reassure them and her parents that she is fine with kids. We are watching some kind of documentary about the dam, and while we are up there, I overheard the person running things say that there has been a 6.2 magnitude earthquake, and that a stronger one is coming. I decide to leave. I recognize the dam, which seems to be in the lower CT river valley, and has a six letter name with a Y in it - like Yamaha or Mygast or something.
As I descend from the auditorium, the next floor down is a large reception / gift shop area, so I decide to go to the bathroom. Emerging, I see a woman walking out the door with Nipsy, she has an orange leash loosely looped around her neck. I give chase - but she gets away in a car. In her rush to escape, she leaves two children behind. I find the kids, and frantically pump them for information (last name, where they live) so I can get Nipsy back.
Somehow, I realize that the women who took Nipsy is not unknown to me, she has been in a therapy group I was in - so I try to call the woman running the group (Char) to get her contact info - I am worried that she will not give me the information (confidentiality / privacy). Char is not picking up the phone, and I realize she is probably in session, and then I realize that she is seeing this woman. And there is Nipsy - she has brought my dog with her into the therapists office and left her in the waiting room. So I take Nipsy with me and start to leave the office.
End of dream. Weird, huh?
It starts with me driving west, with my former sister-in-law Kathy, ostensibly out Rte. 6 west from Terryville. We are watching the sky, the sunset / clouds are very colorful and striking. As we drive, we hear a buzzing, it turns out to be an ultralight plane, escorting some geese. (I know there have been a few movies of people who use ultralights to train migratory birds, although I have not seen any). The plane was tracking our car, and as we watched, the pilot (male) we notice a young girl (daughter) in a kind of side car, almost like a tricycle attached to the outside of the the plane, and she seems rather precarious - as if she were holding on to the plane with one hand. I worry about her falling.
We track the plane and the geese along a long lake or reservoir - at the end, there is a large dam, and I go inside the dam, with my old springer spaniel Nipsy. There is a small auditorium at the top of the damn, I am permitted to bring Nipsy in with me and we sit down - little kids come over to pet her and I reassure them and her parents that she is fine with kids. We are watching some kind of documentary about the dam, and while we are up there, I overheard the person running things say that there has been a 6.2 magnitude earthquake, and that a stronger one is coming. I decide to leave. I recognize the dam, which seems to be in the lower CT river valley, and has a six letter name with a Y in it - like Yamaha or Mygast or something.
As I descend from the auditorium, the next floor down is a large reception / gift shop area, so I decide to go to the bathroom. Emerging, I see a woman walking out the door with Nipsy, she has an orange leash loosely looped around her neck. I give chase - but she gets away in a car. In her rush to escape, she leaves two children behind. I find the kids, and frantically pump them for information (last name, where they live) so I can get Nipsy back.
Somehow, I realize that the women who took Nipsy is not unknown to me, she has been in a therapy group I was in - so I try to call the woman running the group (Char) to get her contact info - I am worried that she will not give me the information (confidentiality / privacy). Char is not picking up the phone, and I realize she is probably in session, and then I realize that she is seeing this woman. And there is Nipsy - she has brought my dog with her into the therapists office and left her in the waiting room. So I take Nipsy with me and start to leave the office.
End of dream. Weird, huh?
February 16, 2007
Grey's Anatomy
So Kyle Chandler, the Coach from Friday Night Lights, is a bomb squad guy on Grey's Anatomy. I'm already looking around for Riggins or Smash every time he delivers a forceful and charismatic line. He and Ellen Pompeo are way too much cute for one night of television.
Boots and Civil Service
Quick updates. Today was a mish-mosh. Worked in the morning. Had a noonish appointment. Went to fetch MYA afterwards. We were supposed to go to the DMV today to get her ID. Unfortunately, the DMV closed at 12:30 today for the Monday Holiday. Of course, I was at the DMV yesterday and there was no notice or sign up about an early closing today.
OK, so Monday is NOT a holiday for me, but I do not begrudge the day off for others. But come on, you need to take a 1/2 day Friday to prepare for President's Day? Stuff like this makes me resent the heck out of civil servants. Grumble.
MYA and I hung out mostly, went to the True Colors office, had dinner, and I went to get some yoga / jazzercise friendly boots at Famous Footwear.
Bout it. Last night, Creative Cocktail Hour at Real Art Ways. Tomorrow, Jazzercise. Lunch with friends from a mindfulness group. And then maybe Oscar nominated shorts at Real Art Ways.
OK, so Monday is NOT a holiday for me, but I do not begrudge the day off for others. But come on, you need to take a 1/2 day Friday to prepare for President's Day? Stuff like this makes me resent the heck out of civil servants. Grumble.
MYA and I hung out mostly, went to the True Colors office, had dinner, and I went to get some yoga / jazzercise friendly boots at Famous Footwear.
Bout it. Last night, Creative Cocktail Hour at Real Art Ways. Tomorrow, Jazzercise. Lunch with friends from a mindfulness group. And then maybe Oscar nominated shorts at Real Art Ways.
February 14, 2007
Springer Spaniel
A quick round of applause for James, an English Springer Spaniel who won best of show at the 131st annual Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show.
I love Springer Spaniels. My companion for many years was Nipsy, a field springer, born in Provincetown. I loved that dog. And though I love all the dogs in my life, some dogs are special, yanno?
Snow and Hearts
Just a low key day. I took a friend to the airport this morning. I tried to go to yoga (canceled). I worked a little bit. I came home at lunch.
Zippy and I watched "What's Eating Gilbert Grape?". We hung around all afternoon, shoveling a little (we got perhaps 4-5"), reading (I finished "Wicked"), snuck out to dinner at Yanni's. Came home and hung out.
Watched Friday Night Lights. Did some work. Blogging. Then off to bed.....
Zippy and I watched "What's Eating Gilbert Grape?". We hung around all afternoon, shoveling a little (we got perhaps 4-5"), reading (I finished "Wicked"), snuck out to dinner at Yanni's. Came home and hung out.
Watched Friday Night Lights. Did some work. Blogging. Then off to bed.....
February 12, 2007
Still Alive
Just Busy. Down in Philly - we worked today from 8 am to 7 pm. Now I am enxconced in my hotel watching 24, snarfing down a Thai Chicken Salad I got from a little deli down the street (saving $25 or thereabouts that room service would have cost for the same thing - more per diem for me!) and trying to crank out some URGENT / ASAP reports for a client.
Nice to be busy, I guess. But I could use an hour on the mat and some downtime tonight.
Nice to be busy, I guess. But I could use an hour on the mat and some downtime tonight.
Philadelphia
No biggie. Down here for a two-day production gig, today is a set up day, tomorrow is the broadcast / meeting. I am not even mission critical - I'm setting up and running the screen switcher; someone else gets to play powerpoint princess.
Staying at the Loew's Hotel which is pretty swanky. And has (as do all swanky hotels) good but expensive hi speed internets.
Staying at the Loew's Hotel which is pretty swanky. And has (as do all swanky hotels) good but expensive hi speed internets.
February 10, 2007
Oh-oh the Wells Fargo wagon is a coming....
Excitement today via US Priorty Mail. What brought that Music Man song to mind, I dunno.
I ordered three pair of wrap pants from Mystic Clothing - and three days later, here they are. Under $10 a pair (plus shipping and handling, still a bargain) - I got a purplish tie-dye pair, a black and yellow batik, and a black silk pair.
Very excited to have new, colorful, flowy garb. These are not my clothes, remember? The price was right. And they showed up fast!
Now just wait for warm weather and some opportunities to wear 'em. Next kirtan, for sure!
I ordered three pair of wrap pants from Mystic Clothing - and three days later, here they are. Under $10 a pair (plus shipping and handling, still a bargain) - I got a purplish tie-dye pair, a black and yellow batik, and a black silk pair.
Very excited to have new, colorful, flowy garb. These are not my clothes, remember? The price was right. And they showed up fast!
Now just wait for warm weather and some opportunities to wear 'em. Next kirtan, for sure!
Hartford to Blackface Drag Queen: Go Home
Shirley Q. Liquor, a "...white man performing as an alcoholic, Ebonics-speaking, Southern black welfare mother with 19 kids...." has been canceled from a Feb 23rd performance at Chez Est. Story here.
Front page article in the Courant. Not too shabby. And I am honored to count Regina Dyton and Kamora Harrington (quoted in the article and leading the opposition to this act) as friends and mentors.
Front page article in the Courant. Not too shabby. And I am honored to count Regina Dyton and Kamora Harrington (quoted in the article and leading the opposition to this act) as friends and mentors.
Saturday
Survived Kirtan - it was a smallish crowd (time of year, I suspect, the cold weather, and the fact that I think a lot of us were somewhat distracted and did not actively market the evening) but it went well. Sometimes the more intimate crowd is a good thing. Several moments of transcendence. Sote fingers though - I need to drag my guitar out more than once a month to practice and keep my callouses!
I dragged my sorry butt back home a little before midnight. Slept in today - Zippy took care of the dogs. And no Jazzercise today - just a wee bit achey and sore, and for whatever reason Jazzercise has been hard on my joints and connective tissues - elbows, shoulders, hamstrings, quads - in a way that yoga has not been. Not sure why. Age? Weight? Some weird juxtaposition of low impact yoga and higher impact jazzercise? In any case - I find myself about 1/2 the time doing something that I will be working around for a few days. Perhaps once the spring comes I might drop Jazzercise in favor of biking, hiking, blading, and walking.....
Today will be pretty low key. We're doing a dyke dinner and movies this evening with friends. The "circle" has been growing of late - with friends of friends being added - and perhaps a woman I met in another venue might be there tonight. We're making veggie chili, and to that end, we're going to Stop n' Shop today. Somehow, despite the fact that I am self employed and Zippy works part time, we inevitably end up at the grocery store on Saturday - the busy shopping day.
Not much else to report. Tomorrow, MYA and I are going to a potluck at a local UU church - they adopted the mentee's as a cause and want to give them a gift card to get clothes for the upcoming conference. Should be nice. Then off to Philadelphia with a client for a two day work gig - I get back Tuesday night late.
I dragged my sorry butt back home a little before midnight. Slept in today - Zippy took care of the dogs. And no Jazzercise today - just a wee bit achey and sore, and for whatever reason Jazzercise has been hard on my joints and connective tissues - elbows, shoulders, hamstrings, quads - in a way that yoga has not been. Not sure why. Age? Weight? Some weird juxtaposition of low impact yoga and higher impact jazzercise? In any case - I find myself about 1/2 the time doing something that I will be working around for a few days. Perhaps once the spring comes I might drop Jazzercise in favor of biking, hiking, blading, and walking.....
Today will be pretty low key. We're doing a dyke dinner and movies this evening with friends. The "circle" has been growing of late - with friends of friends being added - and perhaps a woman I met in another venue might be there tonight. We're making veggie chili, and to that end, we're going to Stop n' Shop today. Somehow, despite the fact that I am self employed and Zippy works part time, we inevitably end up at the grocery store on Saturday - the busy shopping day.
Not much else to report. Tomorrow, MYA and I are going to a potluck at a local UU church - they adopted the mentee's as a cause and want to give them a gift card to get clothes for the upcoming conference. Should be nice. Then off to Philadelphia with a client for a two day work gig - I get back Tuesday night late.
February 09, 2007
Gov. Rell's Budget and Tax Plan
Slipping under the radar is Gov. Rell's proposed budget, with a surprise plan to raise state income taxes from 5% to 5.5%. Amusingly, this is drawing fire from the Democratic side of the aisle.
My thoughts. Governor Rell is one sharp woman. Her proposal is like a cunning martial arts move - she knows if she proposed tax cuts or stay the course, the Dems would be running at her on a lot of fronts. So she watched them charging up the hill at her, deftly stepped aside as they plowed past her, and turned 180 degrees. Suddenly, the Dems find themselves having to charge up the other side - accusing the Gov of overtaxing, of not being fiscally responsible, of spending TOO MUCH on education and other social services. She could (theoretically) give in to the Dems, back down on the tax thing, get what she wants, and look like a hero instead of a meanie.
I love having women in politics. Men are just not this subtle.
My thoughts. Governor Rell is one sharp woman. Her proposal is like a cunning martial arts move - she knows if she proposed tax cuts or stay the course, the Dems would be running at her on a lot of fronts. So she watched them charging up the hill at her, deftly stepped aside as they plowed past her, and turned 180 degrees. Suddenly, the Dems find themselves having to charge up the other side - accusing the Gov of overtaxing, of not being fiscally responsible, of spending TOO MUCH on education and other social services. She could (theoretically) give in to the Dems, back down on the tax thing, get what she wants, and look like a hero instead of a meanie.
I love having women in politics. Men are just not this subtle.
February 08, 2007
Anna Nicole Smith
Why is it that the photo that the media has been running with the news of her death is the only one I have ever seen of her that looks remotely like a regular person? I tried to google an image that looks like this - and nothing. In death, she becomes what she never seemed to achieve in life - humanity. Sad.
Positive Trends
Jacks on car stereos for MP3 players. I almost always bring my MP3 player along - and its nice to be able to play my tunes on rental car systems....
Kirtan - Friday 2/9 @ 8:00 p.m.
Once again, I join Shankara for Kirtan at West Hartford Yoga.
Come if the spirit moves you! We had 140 folks join us in December, and while I suspect February will be a smaller crowd, I am sure it will be a joyous and prayerful assembly.
Whoever sings, prays twice!
Come if the spirit moves you! We had 140 folks join us in December, and while I suspect February will be a smaller crowd, I am sure it will be a joyous and prayerful assembly.
Whoever sings, prays twice!
A Death in the ER
I was in an emergency room yesterday. Not important where. I was making some measurements related to an electrical / environmental problem, and I was walking around with meters, standing in hallways, sneaking into rooms in between patients.
Now this was a busy emergency room, and most of the patient rooms and trauma rooms were tied up - I had to work around patients, work around staff. As it was, I was unable to do my usual thorough documentation, and had to rely on spot measurements. Some of the subject rooms just never opened up.
At one point, I was told "Trauma 2 is free" so we went in there. Looking over, I noticed a body bag in the adjacent Trauma 1, separated by a divider. Somebody had passed away in the ER, while we were there.
Over the next few hours, I came across the family of this man; what I assumed to be a wife, and perhaps a daughter or neighbor. Often uncomfortably; standing in a hall, hugging or talking quietly. Occasionally, loud crying. Near the end of the stay, we ended up in the elevator with the family.
My heart filled with grief for this woman, this family. A death in the ER most likely is sudden, unexpected. This is not the oncology department, not hospice, not a convalescent home. Here, death comes like an assassin - swift, sharp and unexpected.
I did not say anything. I was nobody - a techie with a handful of meters, getting in the way, doing inscrutable and meaningless things while their world collapsed around them. I hope my presence in the ER did not cause additional grief, that my witnessing of this small quiet drama, one of many played out in this ER, and many like it each day, was not intrusive. Perhaps my work will make it safe for another patient, down the road, perhaps one or two might be saved for having this problem fixed.
But damn, to live that close to death each day. I am not sure I could do it. The folks in the ER - the paramedics and EMTs, the doctors and nurses and staff - get my highest level of admiration.
Now this was a busy emergency room, and most of the patient rooms and trauma rooms were tied up - I had to work around patients, work around staff. As it was, I was unable to do my usual thorough documentation, and had to rely on spot measurements. Some of the subject rooms just never opened up.
At one point, I was told "Trauma 2 is free" so we went in there. Looking over, I noticed a body bag in the adjacent Trauma 1, separated by a divider. Somebody had passed away in the ER, while we were there.
Over the next few hours, I came across the family of this man; what I assumed to be a wife, and perhaps a daughter or neighbor. Often uncomfortably; standing in a hall, hugging or talking quietly. Occasionally, loud crying. Near the end of the stay, we ended up in the elevator with the family.
My heart filled with grief for this woman, this family. A death in the ER most likely is sudden, unexpected. This is not the oncology department, not hospice, not a convalescent home. Here, death comes like an assassin - swift, sharp and unexpected.
I did not say anything. I was nobody - a techie with a handful of meters, getting in the way, doing inscrutable and meaningless things while their world collapsed around them. I hope my presence in the ER did not cause additional grief, that my witnessing of this small quiet drama, one of many played out in this ER, and many like it each day, was not intrusive. Perhaps my work will make it safe for another patient, down the road, perhaps one or two might be saved for having this problem fixed.
But damn, to live that close to death each day. I am not sure I could do it. The folks in the ER - the paramedics and EMTs, the doctors and nurses and staff - get my highest level of admiration.
February 07, 2007
Up and At 'Em
Getting ready to vacate the hotel room here for the bitter cold. The hospital is right across the street but I probably ought to drive.....just to get the car out of the hotel lot and into someplace where I can roll my toolcase into the building.
The room was fine - cozy as I mentioned, and warm. The shower was a tight squeeze - but warm and good water pressure. Next time I come here it will be with a partner so I can enjoy the romance of it.....
The room was fine - cozy as I mentioned, and warm. The shower was a tight squeeze - but warm and good water pressure. Next time I come here it will be with a partner so I can enjoy the romance of it.....
February 06, 2007
Portland ME
I'm pretty ditzy, I guess. I made both my rental car reservation and my hotel reservation for Tuesday, Feb 13th. Of course, I was traveling today, Feb 6th. Duh!
Kudos to Thrifty Car Rental and Hotels.com for not dinging me with cancellation or change fees.
Kudos also to the Inn At St. John in Portland - the room is small, but cozy and lovely - the only serious issue is temperature (warm, old fashioned steam radiator) but I can cope. If I were coming back to town (I am working at Maine Medical Center, across the street) I would stay here, no problem. Wish I were here longer.....
Bout it from here. I am gonna try to get some sleep tonight; should be an early morning and a longish day - working, hopefully getting out of town mid-afternoon, then driving back to CT for kirtan practice, and maybe meditation beforehand....
Kudos to Thrifty Car Rental and Hotels.com for not dinging me with cancellation or change fees.
Kudos also to the Inn At St. John in Portland - the room is small, but cozy and lovely - the only serious issue is temperature (warm, old fashioned steam radiator) but I can cope. If I were coming back to town (I am working at Maine Medical Center, across the street) I would stay here, no problem. Wish I were here longer.....
Bout it from here. I am gonna try to get some sleep tonight; should be an early morning and a longish day - working, hopefully getting out of town mid-afternoon, then driving back to CT for kirtan practice, and maybe meditation beforehand....
Astronauts Behaving Badly
Astronaut charged with kidnap attempt. Story here.
When she found out that Shipman was flying to Orlando from Houston, Nowak decided to confront her, according to the arrest affidavit. Nowak raced from Houston to Orlando wearing diapers so she wouldn't have to stop to urinate, authorities said.
Busy Days Ahead
Saturday's three hour yoga practice drained me - I was in a sort of stunned trance on Saturday night, and Sunday was kind of dreamy and lethargic. I slept late, I had a cranky back, I did not do much. Finally, yesterday I dragged myself to a hot class which was a balm - the heat melted away my back crankiness and lethargy, and a more energetic practice revived my spirit. Back to normal (sort of).
Today is going to be a busyish one. Work this morning (although I am considering more yoga). I need to go pick up a rental car at noon, go fetch MYA, then we are slated for lunch, for some legal errands (going to get a certified copy of her birth certificate), and an interview for a support space for her. Then take her home, perhaps drop by the house here to pick up my bags, and off to Portland Maine. I have a work gig up there on Wednesday bright and early.
I've uncharacteristically made reservations at the old world Inn at St. John
in Portland - no special reason. I usually stay in lower end chains (that cost more!), but this place is near to the hospital, and has WiFi - so whatever. It feels a little adventurous! I'm keeping an eye peeled for magic....
Today is going to be a busyish one. Work this morning (although I am considering more yoga). I need to go pick up a rental car at noon, go fetch MYA, then we are slated for lunch, for some legal errands (going to get a certified copy of her birth certificate), and an interview for a support space for her. Then take her home, perhaps drop by the house here to pick up my bags, and off to Portland Maine. I have a work gig up there on Wednesday bright and early.
I've uncharacteristically made reservations at the old world Inn at St. John
in Portland - no special reason. I usually stay in lower end chains (that cost more!), but this place is near to the hospital, and has WiFi - so whatever. It feels a little adventurous! I'm keeping an eye peeled for magic....
February 04, 2007
Super Sunday
And no significant plans for the super bowl. Aside from having bought a bag of tortilla chips just in case. And hankering for fresh guacamole; I might end up running out for avocados.....
Yesterday was an atypical Saturday. Normal morning jazzercise was replaced with an afternoon yoga marathon that left me kind of shell-shocked going into the evening. My niece was in a play up in MA but we were both a bit tired for the 4 hours of driving that would involve. So we cooked up a veggie supper (rice and broccoli and cauliflour and tofu, with some Indian quick mixes to season and spice) and went out to see The Queen (Helen Mirren was wonderful). Zippy tends to be suspicious of any movie playing in a mainstream theater, so walking into the local cineplex is a the end product of a careful marketing campaign and gentle seduction. We both loved the movie.
Not sure whats on tap today. I have three morning options (Jazzercise, yoga, or neither) and then we are probably going to run down to Essex to drop off a car for a friend to look at. Lunch down there, hopefully. Then, I dunno. MYA needs some attention; maybe we can go see a movie or just hang out - Netflix has sent us Beautiful Boxer which I think she wants to see......
I've been up since 5 - emails, message boards, web surfing. I might climb back into the warm bed for a few - Zipster is still snoozing.....
Yesterday was an atypical Saturday. Normal morning jazzercise was replaced with an afternoon yoga marathon that left me kind of shell-shocked going into the evening. My niece was in a play up in MA but we were both a bit tired for the 4 hours of driving that would involve. So we cooked up a veggie supper (rice and broccoli and cauliflour and tofu, with some Indian quick mixes to season and spice) and went out to see The Queen (Helen Mirren was wonderful). Zippy tends to be suspicious of any movie playing in a mainstream theater, so walking into the local cineplex is a the end product of a careful marketing campaign and gentle seduction. We both loved the movie.
Not sure whats on tap today. I have three morning options (Jazzercise, yoga, or neither) and then we are probably going to run down to Essex to drop off a car for a friend to look at. Lunch down there, hopefully. Then, I dunno. MYA needs some attention; maybe we can go see a movie or just hang out - Netflix has sent us Beautiful Boxer which I think she wants to see......
I've been up since 5 - emails, message boards, web surfing. I might climb back into the warm bed for a few - Zipster is still snoozing.....
February 02, 2007
Search Engine Self-Reference
Another round of search engine self reference, wherein I document the words or phrases that people have searched for and as a result stumbled onto the blog.
1) Bruce Stevens WTIC and/or WDRC - 6 searches (remarkable staying power for Mr. Stevens)
2) Susan Forbes Hanson / Valley Folk / WFCR - 4 searches (another displaced radio personality)
3) Hot Basil Thai West Hartford - 3 searches (an ongoing theme)
4) Scenic Root - 3 searches (am I becoming a destination?)
5) Cherry Jones - 2 searches
And, with one search each: PowerPoint Princess, WB Mason Office Depot, Krishna Das MP3, Mediza Rest CT, Susan Campbell Courant, Shankara Enlightenment Intensive, Cliff Furnald, Madison, UConn Law School, Mary Oliver October
1) Bruce Stevens WTIC and/or WDRC - 6 searches (remarkable staying power for Mr. Stevens)
2) Susan Forbes Hanson / Valley Folk / WFCR - 4 searches (another displaced radio personality)
3) Hot Basil Thai West Hartford - 3 searches (an ongoing theme)
4) Scenic Root - 3 searches (am I becoming a destination?)
5) Cherry Jones - 2 searches
And, with one search each: PowerPoint Princess, WB Mason Office Depot, Krishna Das MP3, Mediza Rest CT, Susan Campbell Courant, Shankara Enlightenment Intensive, Cliff Furnald, Madison, UConn Law School, Mary Oliver October
Punxsutawney Phil predicts early spring
Story here.
I'm waiting for "Punxsutawney Phil predicts rising sea levels, melting ice caps, and disruptions in weather patterns resulting in massive global disruption and displacement"
I'm waiting for "Punxsutawney Phil predicts rising sea levels, melting ice caps, and disruptions in weather patterns resulting in massive global disruption and displacement"
Ad Hominem
Zipster has been stomping around the house since yesterday, enraged about a pseudo-relation forwarding one of those offensive joke / humor emails. Apparently aimed at illegal immigrants, mostly spelled M-E-X-I-C-A-N - although this person has forwarded on other email humor aimed at terrorists (spelled A-R-A-B) which is being recalled in light of the present issue.
Now, I find such email attempts at humor unfunny and offensive. And a simple "I do not consider this to be funny or acceptable, please do not forward these on to me in the future" is sufficient. Perhaps a little "why do you send these around?" inquiry to give the person a jumping off point towards mindfulness. Confront with the open hand, not with the fist.....and all that.
But Zipster is flaming, the individual in question (an otherwise caring and apparently liberal thinker, who has devoted much of her life to pet rescue) is getting tarred and feathered - hypocrite, racist. I think a lot of Zippy's angst is related to being Jewish - having grown up in a culture and era when ethnic humor and anti-semitism was acceptable or winked at, Zipster is sensitive to this stuff, and the fact that this person is also Jewish and apparently a progressive thinker makes it a more personal affront. "She should know better than this"
I tried to analyze one of the jokes (in case it was supposed to be ironic or something) and I got called "shallow" for my trouble.
Zipster is calming down, but boy did this wind her up.
Now, I find such email attempts at humor unfunny and offensive. And a simple "I do not consider this to be funny or acceptable, please do not forward these on to me in the future" is sufficient. Perhaps a little "why do you send these around?" inquiry to give the person a jumping off point towards mindfulness. Confront with the open hand, not with the fist.....and all that.
But Zipster is flaming, the individual in question (an otherwise caring and apparently liberal thinker, who has devoted much of her life to pet rescue) is getting tarred and feathered - hypocrite, racist. I think a lot of Zippy's angst is related to being Jewish - having grown up in a culture and era when ethnic humor and anti-semitism was acceptable or winked at, Zipster is sensitive to this stuff, and the fact that this person is also Jewish and apparently a progressive thinker makes it a more personal affront. "She should know better than this"
I tried to analyze one of the jokes (in case it was supposed to be ironic or something) and I got called "shallow" for my trouble.
Zipster is calming down, but boy did this wind her up.
Spell-checking
OK, confession time. I never spell check my blog. Mostly, its the hassle factor - I blog, I post, I do not take the extra step that spell checking requires.
However, I just spell checked a few entries, was somewhat aghast at the number of dumb typos (mostly) and misspellings (occasionally), and I was also pleasantly surprised at the user friendliness of the blogger spell check function.
So....I am going to try to spell check entries in the future, for my readers' increased blogging satisfaction.
However, I just spell checked a few entries, was somewhat aghast at the number of dumb typos (mostly) and misspellings (occasionally), and I was also pleasantly surprised at the user friendliness of the blogger spell check function.
So....I am going to try to spell check entries in the future, for my readers' increased blogging satisfaction.
Compact Fluorescent (CF) Lamps or Light Bulbs or Whatever
Colin McEnroe was vamping about these on his show yesterday. (He was also talking with Cherry Jones and raving about "Doubt" at the Bushnell, I almost got tickets but I thought that the work was too intimate for the balcony seats I really could afford, and then the damn Bushnell online ordering wanted about $7 extra per seat for a handling charge. Grrrr.......) Think I will stick to more intimate theatre - Hartford Stage and Theatreworks.
Anyway, back to Compact Fluorescents (hereafter, CFs). I've picked up a few multi-paks of these. They are in most of the main overhead fixtures in the house - kitchen, bedrooms, halls, basement. The exceptions are mostly related to form, environment, or aesthetics - an artful dining room fixture with small bulbs . A 3-way incandescent in a floor fixture in the living room. A lower watt bedside lamp. Bathroom vanity fixtures (globes). Outdoor lamps. I am sure if I set my mind to it (and I will) I could come up with another 5 or 6 bulbs worthy of replacement.
I kind of like the way the CFs come on quickly with a sort of yellowish, dimmer glow, and then brighten as they heat up. Some see this as a negative, but I've come to like it - it feels analogish (vs. the ON / OFF binary, instant gratification of an incandescent bulb). It feels like I am lighting a campsite lantern or something whenever I turn on one of these bulbs.
I am also somewhat concerned about the externalized costs of CFs, specifically the environmental costs incurred during manufacture and the environmental costs of the mercury contained inside these puppies. Energy hogs though they may be, incandescent lamps are pretty darn simple from a manufacturing and disposal perspective.
I am also somewhat concerned about the failure mode of CF's - we all know how an incandescent bulb fails. But, being an electrical engineer, I could envision a less benign failure mode for CFs - a slow burndown resulting in fire, a smokey failure (mercury release?), an explosion with resulting glass shards.
Along the way, I stumbled across Don Klipstein's Web Site - including a most thorough consumer guide Some Better Compact Fluorescent Lamps - And some you might want to avoid. I kind of love the fact that there is a person like Don, apparently for no reason other than he is interested, buying, testing, measuring the energy consumption and light output of CFs. Reading his site, for example, I come across the availability of three-way bulbs, globes (for bathrooms), and miniature CF's (for decorative fixtures).
Oh, and about the post title "Compact Fluorescent (CF) Lamps or Light Bulbs or Whatever". CFs have dragged us into the same linguistic territory as record albums and CD's. We continue to refer to an artist as releasing an "album" even if the "album" is just released on CD. So to, we refer to a CF "bulb" even through perhaps the word bulb is anachronistic.
Anyway, back to Compact Fluorescents (hereafter, CFs). I've picked up a few multi-paks of these. They are in most of the main overhead fixtures in the house - kitchen, bedrooms, halls, basement. The exceptions are mostly related to form, environment, or aesthetics - an artful dining room fixture with small bulbs . A 3-way incandescent in a floor fixture in the living room. A lower watt bedside lamp. Bathroom vanity fixtures (globes). Outdoor lamps. I am sure if I set my mind to it (and I will) I could come up with another 5 or 6 bulbs worthy of replacement.
I kind of like the way the CFs come on quickly with a sort of yellowish, dimmer glow, and then brighten as they heat up. Some see this as a negative, but I've come to like it - it feels analogish (vs. the ON / OFF binary, instant gratification of an incandescent bulb). It feels like I am lighting a campsite lantern or something whenever I turn on one of these bulbs.
I am also somewhat concerned about the externalized costs of CFs, specifically the environmental costs incurred during manufacture and the environmental costs of the mercury contained inside these puppies. Energy hogs though they may be, incandescent lamps are pretty darn simple from a manufacturing and disposal perspective.
I am also somewhat concerned about the failure mode of CF's - we all know how an incandescent bulb fails. But, being an electrical engineer, I could envision a less benign failure mode for CFs - a slow burndown resulting in fire, a smokey failure (mercury release?), an explosion with resulting glass shards.
Along the way, I stumbled across Don Klipstein's Web Site - including a most thorough consumer guide Some Better Compact Fluorescent Lamps - And some you might want to avoid. I kind of love the fact that there is a person like Don, apparently for no reason other than he is interested, buying, testing, measuring the energy consumption and light output of CFs. Reading his site, for example, I come across the availability of three-way bulbs, globes (for bathrooms), and miniature CF's (for decorative fixtures).
Oh, and about the post title "Compact Fluorescent (CF) Lamps or Light Bulbs or Whatever". CFs have dragged us into the same linguistic territory as record albums and CD's. We continue to refer to an artist as releasing an "album" even if the "album" is just released on CD. So to, we refer to a CF "bulb" even through perhaps the word bulb is anachronistic.
February 01, 2007
Jude, Meet Your Shoulders
Shoulders, this is Jude. A reintroduction of sorts, courtesy of this morning's practice.
January 31, 2007
Random Stuff
Callie is lying on the dog pillow, all curled up. Elo is lying alongside her, with his chin on her back. Cutest thing ever!
Life has gotten busy. I'm slotted in for a two-day production gig in Philly in mid-February, and a weekend gig in Scottsdale in mid-March. I billed more hours with my biggest client in January than I have in a year. I had good trips to Wisconsin and Little Rock, with a few slotted in for the coming weeks. And there is new energy percolating - writing, self-publishing a techie book I have had on the back burner for a while.
Sympbolic of the new energy - I bought a couple of new office plants and replaced some that I had let die.
On the darker side, I feel like I've been eating poorly of late - wrong foods, too much, too mindlessly. And today for some reason - a headache. I rarely have headaches - never take pain meds. But for some reason, I've had a low simmering headache all afternoon.
Tomorrow - work. An urgent report. A quick template for a client. And end of the month billing. And hopefully yoga in there somewhere.....
Life has gotten busy. I'm slotted in for a two-day production gig in Philly in mid-February, and a weekend gig in Scottsdale in mid-March. I billed more hours with my biggest client in January than I have in a year. I had good trips to Wisconsin and Little Rock, with a few slotted in for the coming weeks. And there is new energy percolating - writing, self-publishing a techie book I have had on the back burner for a while.
Sympbolic of the new energy - I bought a couple of new office plants and replaced some that I had let die.
On the darker side, I feel like I've been eating poorly of late - wrong foods, too much, too mindlessly. And today for some reason - a headache. I rarely have headaches - never take pain meds. But for some reason, I've had a low simmering headache all afternoon.
Tomorrow - work. An urgent report. A quick template for a client. And end of the month billing. And hopefully yoga in there somewhere.....
January 30, 2007
Railroad Fonts
Sticking to the theme of font geekery, I came across this site: www.railfonts.com/. Great railroad clipart and text fonts. I do a website for a local tourist railroad, so I am grabbing a few fonts for online ephemera*, and am directing them to the site to see what they might like. I also think some of the clipart and silhouette fonts could be nice, used judiciously online or in print.
* online ephemera = oxymoron, right?
* online ephemera = oxymoron, right?
January 29, 2007
Helvitica: A Documentary Film by Gary Hustwit
Helvetica is a feature-length independent film about typography, graphic design and global visual culture. It looks at the proliferation of one typeface (which is celebrating its 50th birthday this year) as part of a larger conversation about the way type affects our lives. Helvetica will begin screening at film festivals worldwide starting in March, followed by cinema screenings across the US and Europe, and the DVD release.
Website here. They even have a blog!
Website here. They even have a blog!
Feels Like a Monday
Not 100% sure why.
On the credit side of the equation, it felt like a real weekend. Jazzercise on Saturday, Yoga on Sunday. A balloon banquet on Saturday. Meals out - Friday we went to Hot Basil, Saturday we went to the Corner Pug. A Netflix movie (Donnie Darko), a trip the New Britain Museum of American Art. Some laundry, some cleaning.
On the debit side, I arrive at work to a backlog - several reports pending, an involved email response to work on, a planning and installation guide to review, and a website to update for 2007.
Also pending this week - a nosh and drink thing tonight for one of the local arts publications. A mentoring meeting tomorrow night. A long overdue hair appointment tomorrow. And maybe (just maybe) a trip to Houston on Thursday or Friday.
On the credit side of the equation, it felt like a real weekend. Jazzercise on Saturday, Yoga on Sunday. A balloon banquet on Saturday. Meals out - Friday we went to Hot Basil, Saturday we went to the Corner Pug. A Netflix movie (Donnie Darko), a trip the New Britain Museum of American Art. Some laundry, some cleaning.
On the debit side, I arrive at work to a backlog - several reports pending, an involved email response to work on, a planning and installation guide to review, and a website to update for 2007.
Also pending this week - a nosh and drink thing tonight for one of the local arts publications. A mentoring meeting tomorrow night. A long overdue hair appointment tomorrow. And maybe (just maybe) a trip to Houston on Thursday or Friday.
January 28, 2007
An active social life
In a story today in the Hartford Courant about a fire in Southington:
and
Personally, I want to know about the other dog, that had been away. Had s/he been visiting a sick friend? Running to Petco for treats? At the spa?
Even dogs have a better social life than I do!
Neighbors told arriving firefighters that two dogs and three cats were inside the house, and that the owners were out.
and
Fire crews carried two cats and a dog outside. The animals had inhaled smoke, but appeared to be all right, Donnelly said....The other dog had been away, and the third cat escaped during the fire.
Personally, I want to know about the other dog, that had been away. Had s/he been visiting a sick friend? Running to Petco for treats? At the spa?
Even dogs have a better social life than I do!
January 27, 2007
Another Ending
After 32 years, Timothy's Restaurant in Hartford, on Zion Street near Trinity College, is closing. Timothy's is one of those legendary places - I am sure I ate there back in the mid/late 80's when I was a young suburbanite dating a Hartfordite. Now I live in Hartford, and Timothy's has been in the rotation of regular haunts when we eat out.
It's sad to see places like this close. The logic is irrefutable - its hard to run a restaurant, and in neighborhood that has seen better days, with not a lot of other nearby draws, and without parking - its not really a saleable property. But still, sad.
Timothy's will join other places in my personal mythology. Reader's Feast. The Comet. The old Hot Tomato, 2 or 3 locations ago, with maybe 10 tables and 2 hour waits for the food of the god's - Shrimp and Broccoli. And the closed for now O'Rourke's in Middletown. I'm sure I'll think of others.
It also makes me think of places like that, still open. The Quaker Diner (Zippy had breakfast there this morning). Mo's Midtown. East-West Grille. Tapa's, always elbow to elbow on the weekends. Coyote Flaco. So many others. Little delights in the city, making it work, making the city unique in a world full of franchises and sprawl.
It's sad to see places like this close. The logic is irrefutable - its hard to run a restaurant, and in neighborhood that has seen better days, with not a lot of other nearby draws, and without parking - its not really a saleable property. But still, sad.
Timothy's will join other places in my personal mythology. Reader's Feast. The Comet. The old Hot Tomato, 2 or 3 locations ago, with maybe 10 tables and 2 hour waits for the food of the god's - Shrimp and Broccoli. And the closed for now O'Rourke's in Middletown. I'm sure I'll think of others.
It also makes me think of places like that, still open. The Quaker Diner (Zippy had breakfast there this morning). Mo's Midtown. East-West Grille. Tapa's, always elbow to elbow on the weekends. Coyote Flaco. So many others. Little delights in the city, making it work, making the city unique in a world full of franchises and sprawl.
Busy
Not blogging much - apologies.
Yesterday, yoga, much work, dinner at Hot Basil, and then I finally saw Donnie Darko courtesy of Netflix.
Today, Jazzercise, chores, shopping, a support meeting for a bit, now home and on my way out to the CLAS holiday dinner (typical balloonatics - we're a month late).
Tomorrow, yoga. And whatever else happens. Probably chores, maybe work, maybe dinner with Zipster's dad.
Yesterday, yoga, much work, dinner at Hot Basil, and then I finally saw Donnie Darko courtesy of Netflix.
Today, Jazzercise, chores, shopping, a support meeting for a bit, now home and on my way out to the CLAS holiday dinner (typical balloonatics - we're a month late).
Tomorrow, yoga. And whatever else happens. Probably chores, maybe work, maybe dinner with Zipster's dad.
January 24, 2007
Surreal
I'm sitting here writing a trip report. Zippy and I are watching the Magic Flute on PBS (from the Met, I think, and strangely in English, but with subtitles) - the costumes are pretty amazing.
Life is truly strange.
Life is truly strange.
La Morte de Valley Folk
I've blogged before, somewhat irrevererently, of Susan Forbes Hansen. Her 22 year old Valley Folk show on WFCR has recently been canceled. Susan Campbell writes of it in today's Hartford Courant.
I'll mourn Valley Folk - we listened so many nights, driving home from visiting friends or family, or playing at home as we nested, cleaned, relaxed. But I also take a longer view. From crisis, opportunity. Perhaps the area needs a full time folk music station - and the time has come for that to happen. Perhaps Ms. Hansen can develop a nationally syndicated show, podcast, or website. Perhaps she has other passions and life projects. Perhaps some of us (myself included) who took her and her music for granted might value those who continue to create spaces and places for the music we enjoy.
Edit: Susan Forbes Hansen will be live in the studio today on Colin McEnroe's show. I am guessing Colin picked up on the story via the same place I did today - Susan Campbell's column; he's a bit of a folkie himself, having had a lot of the local folkies (Nields, Hugh Blumenfeld, Kate Callahan, etc.) visit the studio over the years.
I'll mourn Valley Folk - we listened so many nights, driving home from visiting friends or family, or playing at home as we nested, cleaned, relaxed. But I also take a longer view. From crisis, opportunity. Perhaps the area needs a full time folk music station - and the time has come for that to happen. Perhaps Ms. Hansen can develop a nationally syndicated show, podcast, or website. Perhaps she has other passions and life projects. Perhaps some of us (myself included) who took her and her music for granted might value those who continue to create spaces and places for the music we enjoy.
Edit: Susan Forbes Hansen will be live in the studio today on Colin McEnroe's show. I am guessing Colin picked up on the story via the same place I did today - Susan Campbell's column; he's a bit of a folkie himself, having had a lot of the local folkies (Nields, Hugh Blumenfeld, Kate Callahan, etc.) visit the studio over the years.
January 23, 2007
Recovery
The past few weeks have been chaotic. Trips to Little Rock and Madison WI. Two trips up to Boston. A sudden bevy of reports for one of my clients (probably pent up volume from the holidays and new year). I still have a bit of work to do - a trip report, an invoice, and a review of some installation material. But I'm slowly digging out.
I got to power yoga this morning - a good practice, although my legs have been weaker than usual. I have been a bit sick, I think - not anything specific, just low energy, light headache, tired. That seems to be abating. I also feel heavier - have been eating poorly, I think, between the cold, travel, the holidays.....
Thursday, back to Boston with MYA. That's my one main project this week. Next week - lots going on. A dinner on Monday. A meeting on Tuesday. And then, the end of the month, with billing and paperwork.....
I got to power yoga this morning - a good practice, although my legs have been weaker than usual. I have been a bit sick, I think - not anything specific, just low energy, light headache, tired. That seems to be abating. I also feel heavier - have been eating poorly, I think, between the cold, travel, the holidays.....
Thursday, back to Boston with MYA. That's my one main project this week. Next week - lots going on. A dinner on Monday. A meeting on Tuesday. And then, the end of the month, with billing and paperwork.....
January 22, 2007
Jury Duty - Or Not
I was slated for Jury Duty tomorrow. But I called the recording this evening and my name is on the list of those who do not need to show up.
I do not mind jury duty, usually, although in all the times I have been called, I have never had to serve on a jury. The one time I did get pulled in for a trial, I was excused since it was a potentially long trial and I had a business trip scheduled for the following week. Being self employed, they tend to let you off of long trials....
Kind of relieved to be excused. I have not been feeling all that great, and I am way behind on work. An extra day in the office is a good thing.....and perhaps I can get back to yoga tomorrow. I took today off, and Sunday's practice was an exercise in humility.
I do not mind jury duty, usually, although in all the times I have been called, I have never had to serve on a jury. The one time I did get pulled in for a trial, I was excused since it was a potentially long trial and I had a business trip scheduled for the following week. Being self employed, they tend to let you off of long trials....
Kind of relieved to be excused. I have not been feeling all that great, and I am way behind on work. An extra day in the office is a good thing.....and perhaps I can get back to yoga tomorrow. I took today off, and Sunday's practice was an exercise in humility.
Blogging for Choice
Today is Blog for Choice Day. The charming and wonderful Helen Boyd (who I actually got to talk to in person this weekend, so I could fall in love with her and her husband all over) reminds me thus.
I was born and raised a Roman Catholic - and not just in name. 12 years of catholic education. Alter server. Folk musician. I have a younger brother who is an adoptee. My father was involved in the Knights of Columbus, my mother in Birthright. I had anti-abortion stickers on my guitar case in grade school. Had some things fallen differently in my life I might be speaking to you from inside a rectory somewhere.
Helen is spot-on when she talks about the economic issue - if abortion were restricted, it would only mean that the well-to-do would get their abortions quietly, by crossing state lines or country lines or visit pricey but discrete clinics. It's the poor who would be forced into the back alleys and into life threatening situations.
Personally, I am aware of a number of friends who have had abortions. Most of these are / were Roman Catholics - and I have no doubt that the church's repression along the lines of birth control and sex education contributed to these abortions.
Do I think abortion is a good thing? No way. All life is precious. But until we can be pro-contraception, pro-education, pro-equal access to care, until we can support pregnant women economically, until we as a society can ensure that children are loved, supported, and not sentenced to a life of hardship, pain, and struggle, then get the hell out of my face about abortion.
I was born and raised a Roman Catholic - and not just in name. 12 years of catholic education. Alter server. Folk musician. I have a younger brother who is an adoptee. My father was involved in the Knights of Columbus, my mother in Birthright. I had anti-abortion stickers on my guitar case in grade school. Had some things fallen differently in my life I might be speaking to you from inside a rectory somewhere.
Helen is spot-on when she talks about the economic issue - if abortion were restricted, it would only mean that the well-to-do would get their abortions quietly, by crossing state lines or country lines or visit pricey but discrete clinics. It's the poor who would be forced into the back alleys and into life threatening situations.
Personally, I am aware of a number of friends who have had abortions. Most of these are / were Roman Catholics - and I have no doubt that the church's repression along the lines of birth control and sex education contributed to these abortions.
Do I think abortion is a good thing? No way. All life is precious. But until we can be pro-contraception, pro-education, pro-equal access to care, until we can support pregnant women economically, until we as a society can ensure that children are loved, supported, and not sentenced to a life of hardship, pain, and struggle, then get the hell out of my face about abortion.
January 21, 2007
A New Toothbrush
Between mindlessness, inertia (resistance to change), frugality, and various other personal and social maladjustments, I tend to hang on to toothbrushes way past any sane American Dental Association recommendation for replacement. If it's still got bristles, I'm still using it.
So it is an act of loving kindness and generates a feeling of being taken care of when I find a new toothbrush in the holder, unsought after, unasked for. Zippy is conscious, Zippy is caring, Zippy is loving.
And I have a new toothbrush.
So it is an act of loving kindness and generates a feeling of being taken care of when I find a new toothbrush in the holder, unsought after, unasked for. Zippy is conscious, Zippy is caring, Zippy is loving.
And I have a new toothbrush.
Across the Finish Line
A long day yesterday, culminating a long and busy week. Zippy, MYA, and I drove up to MA for a conference.
I was pretty much in schmooze mode. I attended three workshops; I grabbed lunch with friends, a beer with friends after, a lot of saying hello and quick chats in the hall. I was surprised at how many people I knew - from lists I was on, communities I am or have been a part of, etc. Even ran into a couple of old friends, long lost friends, and unexpected to see you here friends. My highlight was a meditation workshop, led by Peter Welch, an artist and Wellness Educator / Counselor from Univserity of New Hampshire, and was gifted with a copy of the UNH Meditation CD. A delightful bubble of calm in the midst of the conference hub-bub and energy.
MYA had a not so great day - some teen drama with a good friend and said friends mom, some being stuck in between "youth" and "adult" angst, some just plain "being in a tough space in life right now" stuff as well. She had some pretty fierce "eyes cried out" make-up going for a while, which she effaced eventually. She also met some of my peeps and friends who maybe will be connections or allies for her in the future.
Zippy also had a good time, starting out a little less positive (hedging bets in terms of going until the last minute) - but zie met a bunch of tribe members adn did some networking. I kind of went off on my own after lunch and left the Zipster to connect to people solo, which did happen.
En route home, we stopped for Chinese in Framingham MA (my old hometown) and that was yummy (huge portions, good food, not so expensive) and then back home by around 8:00. Then I had to drive MYA back to Bristol.
Today - Rest and Recover. I woke up with a scratchy throat and aches - was on the fence about my weekly pilgrimage to Hot Yoga, but I will probablly go.
I was pretty much in schmooze mode. I attended three workshops; I grabbed lunch with friends, a beer with friends after, a lot of saying hello and quick chats in the hall. I was surprised at how many people I knew - from lists I was on, communities I am or have been a part of, etc. Even ran into a couple of old friends, long lost friends, and unexpected to see you here friends. My highlight was a meditation workshop, led by Peter Welch, an artist and Wellness Educator / Counselor from Univserity of New Hampshire, and was gifted with a copy of the UNH Meditation CD. A delightful bubble of calm in the midst of the conference hub-bub and energy.
MYA had a not so great day - some teen drama with a good friend and said friends mom, some being stuck in between "youth" and "adult" angst, some just plain "being in a tough space in life right now" stuff as well. She had some pretty fierce "eyes cried out" make-up going for a while, which she effaced eventually. She also met some of my peeps and friends who maybe will be connections or allies for her in the future.
Zippy also had a good time, starting out a little less positive (hedging bets in terms of going until the last minute) - but zie met a bunch of tribe members adn did some networking. I kind of went off on my own after lunch and left the Zipster to connect to people solo, which did happen.
En route home, we stopped for Chinese in Framingham MA (my old hometown) and that was yummy (huge portions, good food, not so expensive) and then back home by around 8:00. Then I had to drive MYA back to Bristol.
Today - Rest and Recover. I woke up with a scratchy throat and aches - was on the fence about my weekly pilgrimage to Hot Yoga, but I will probablly go.
January 19, 2007
Love Medicine - Louise Erdrich
My airplane fodder. One passage struck with me particularly:
Powerful. Oh, I'm back. Off to Hot Yoga....then on to pick up MYA for a sleepover.
"Your life feels different on you, once you greet death and understand your heart's position. You wear your life like a garment from the mission bundle sale every after - lightly because you realize you never paid nothing for it, cherishing because you won't ever come by such a bargain again. Also you have the feeling someone wore it before you and someone will after." - Lipsha Morrissey
Powerful. Oh, I'm back. Off to Hot Yoga....then on to pick up MYA for a sleepover.
Wrapping a Cable
Finishing up at the site in Little Rock, the on site engineer is watching me put away my gear. "How did you learn how to do that?" he asks. I pause for a moment. Use an impedance meter? Be a power quality engineer? No, he is watching me wrap a test lead, and notices I am wrapping it "over and under"
I learned this skill / art working in the video production field. I always assumed it had naval origins (seems to be the best way to wrap a line for quick and twist-free deployment, and I come to find out its known as faking a line in those circles) But you can learn it as well. Video here. Text here.
If you want to get away from the coiled cable look (even after you've unwrapped your cable!), and you want to be able to unwrap your cables fast, and want your cables to store without added tension (just say NO to the carpenter's elbow wrap!), then try the following method. It's a little difficult to explain, and may take some practice, but once you have it down you can wrap cables faster AND better than ever before - by the way, this is the method most professional roadies use.
I learned this skill / art working in the video production field. I always assumed it had naval origins (seems to be the best way to wrap a line for quick and twist-free deployment, and I come to find out its known as faking a line in those circles) But you can learn it as well. Video here. Text here.
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