A quality I find very endearing about myself, as I imagine you do also dear readers, is that I truly believe that I may have been the person to download the billionth song on iTunes. I so firmly believe that things like that can happen that I actually skipped yoga class so that I could be among those attempting to snag the lucky number. I mean - someone did, right? Why not me?
I wonder how long it will take them to notify me? Maybe Steve himself will send the e-mail.
I'll let y'all know.
Wednesday, February 22, 2006
Wednesday, February 08, 2006
Musicky Meme
My friend Betsy tagged me with this one and I figured - what the heck?
1. The River Driver - Great Big Sea. My kids have been way into the newest Great Big Sea Album, The Hard and The Easy. It's a collection of traditional Newfoundland tracks, and this one happens to be acapella. Is it a bad thing that my children are going around singing "I'll eat when I am hungry and I'll drink when I am dry. Get drunk whenever I want to; get sober by and by"? Nah.
2. Captain Kidd - Great Big Sea. A theme here, no? And can you believe that instead of seeing GBS here in Seattle this weekend, we have to attend the kids school auction. Doh! Haven't told said children; they'd surely rebel.
3. Let 'Em Run - The Bills. Yummy.
4. Somewhere Only We Know - Keane. First heard this on Grey's Anatomy and immediately downloaded it from iTunes. It's a great little pop tune, hits all my buttons no matter how many times I listen to it.
5. Does He Love You? - Rilo Kiley. My dear blackwingedboy introduced me to RK, and I thank him muchly for it.
6. Snoopy vs. The Red Baron - Royal Guardsmen. Holy crap, this is an earworm. I accompanied Nathan on a school field trip a couple of weeks ago to see "You're a Good Man Charlie Brown." He asked some questions about Snoopy's nemesis, and I pulled this one up for him to listen to. And he does. Over. And over. And thus, so do we.
7. Imogen Heap - Headlock. I'm loving Imogen. I first became aware of her as the singer of "I'm A Lonely Little Petunia" on the Six Feet Under soundtrack and so liked her voice that I went looking for more.
Well that was fun! Now who to tag (and who might actually take me up on it)... let's try JBo, Lora, Toast, SandraDee, Ms. Boo, AP, and Anne. That should provide a nice variety. If you take me up on it, link back here so I'm sure to see what you have to say!
List seven songs you are into right now. No matter what the genre, whether they have words, or even if they’re any good, but they must be songs you’re really enjoying now. Post these instructions in your blog along with your seven songs. Then tag seven other people to see what they’re listening to.
1. The River Driver - Great Big Sea. My kids have been way into the newest Great Big Sea Album, The Hard and The Easy. It's a collection of traditional Newfoundland tracks, and this one happens to be acapella. Is it a bad thing that my children are going around singing "I'll eat when I am hungry and I'll drink when I am dry. Get drunk whenever I want to; get sober by and by"? Nah.
2. Captain Kidd - Great Big Sea. A theme here, no? And can you believe that instead of seeing GBS here in Seattle this weekend, we have to attend the kids school auction. Doh! Haven't told said children; they'd surely rebel.
3. Let 'Em Run - The Bills. Yummy.
4. Somewhere Only We Know - Keane. First heard this on Grey's Anatomy and immediately downloaded it from iTunes. It's a great little pop tune, hits all my buttons no matter how many times I listen to it.
5. Does He Love You? - Rilo Kiley. My dear blackwingedboy introduced me to RK, and I thank him muchly for it.
6. Snoopy vs. The Red Baron - Royal Guardsmen. Holy crap, this is an earworm. I accompanied Nathan on a school field trip a couple of weeks ago to see "You're a Good Man Charlie Brown." He asked some questions about Snoopy's nemesis, and I pulled this one up for him to listen to. And he does. Over. And over. And thus, so do we.
7. Imogen Heap - Headlock. I'm loving Imogen. I first became aware of her as the singer of "I'm A Lonely Little Petunia" on the Six Feet Under soundtrack and so liked her voice that I went looking for more.
Well that was fun! Now who to tag (and who might actually take me up on it)... let's try JBo, Lora, Toast, SandraDee, Ms. Boo, AP, and Anne. That should provide a nice variety. If you take me up on it, link back here so I'm sure to see what you have to say!
Tuesday, January 31, 2006
Modern Classic, Revisited
Another grey rainy day + post-traumatic rejection funk + normal dark sense of humour = LOVE this
Sleepless In Seattle Trailer re-cut as a horror movie
Revel. Enjoy.
Sleepless In Seattle Trailer re-cut as a horror movie
Revel. Enjoy.
Monday, January 30, 2006
Exhaling, Or Always A Bridesmaid
I've been metaphorically holding my breath for a couple of weeks now, waiting for some news, and it's made it difficult for me to feel much like writing. The news came today; not what I was hoping for, but at least it's movement. I'll try not to dwell in my little self-pity party for long, but let me just say that today I have a huge amount of empathy for anyone who has ever heard the words "if for any reason, Miss blahdy-blah is not able to fulfill her duties..."
Because while you'd like to think that there's some comfort to be taken in knowing you were almost good enough, there's no getting around the fact that being first runner up SUCKS no matter how "fabulous" you might be.
I've disabled comments on this post because I just need to vent and stomp my virtual foot for a bit without hearing about how one door closes and another opens. I don't want another door. Can't I just pick my own goddamn door and have it work out one time?
Because while you'd like to think that there's some comfort to be taken in knowing you were almost good enough, there's no getting around the fact that being first runner up SUCKS no matter how "fabulous" you might be.
I've disabled comments on this post because I just need to vent and stomp my virtual foot for a bit without hearing about how one door closes and another opens. I don't want another door. Can't I just pick my own goddamn door and have it work out one time?
Monday, January 23, 2006
God, I love Molly Ivins
Read her latest column, if you haven't yet. Yes. This. Exactly this.
It's time for Democrats to put up or shut up
It's time for Democrats to put up or shut up
Wednesday, January 11, 2006
That Garrison Keillor
How does he know just what I need to read?
Poem: "Lost," by David Wagoner from Collected Poems 1956-1976 © Indiana University Press.
Lost
Stand still. The trees ahead and bushes beside you
Are not lost. Wherever you are is called Here,
And you must treat it as a powerful stranger,
Must ask permission to know it and be known.
The forest breathes. Listen. It answers,
I have made this place around you.
If you leave it, you may come back again, saying Here.
No two trees are the same to Raven.
No two branches are the same to Wren.
If what a tree or a bush does is lost on you,
You are surely lost. Stand still. The forest knows
Where you are. You must let it find you.
Poem: "Lost," by David Wagoner from Collected Poems 1956-1976 © Indiana University Press.
Lost
Stand still. The trees ahead and bushes beside you
Are not lost. Wherever you are is called Here,
And you must treat it as a powerful stranger,
Must ask permission to know it and be known.
The forest breathes. Listen. It answers,
I have made this place around you.
If you leave it, you may come back again, saying Here.
No two trees are the same to Raven.
No two branches are the same to Wren.
If what a tree or a bush does is lost on you,
You are surely lost. Stand still. The forest knows
Where you are. You must let it find you.
Wednesday, December 21, 2005
We Were Speaking of Belief...*
"Mom, is that Jesus?"
Sophie points to the large crucifix at the front of the church where we're sitting and waiting for the beginning of the choral program. We're here to listen to the Northwest Boychoir perform "A Festival of Lessons and Carols," a concert patterned after the Christmas Eve observance at King's College in Cambridge, England.
And as should be clear by Sophie's uncertainty about the iconography she sees prominently displayed, our focus is on the music, not the message. Although Stephen and I are both from Christian backgrounds, neither of has chosen to continue on that path; if one felt the need to label us, "agnostic leaning toward pagan” would come pretty close.
This being the case, our kids have had very little exposure to organized religion of any sort. For them, a church is a place you go to hear Nathan sing in a recital (as he had earlier in the day, with the early prep level of the choir), or a place that houses a daycare center. Pretty windows, high ceilings, good acoustics. They know that there are folk called “Christians” and others called “Jews” and “Muslims” and “Pagans” but thus far they have only the vaguest notion of what it means to be a member of those communities.
Sophie's question is simple enough, so I follow suit with the simple answer. "Yes, it is."
Then Nathan chimes in. "Uhhh... why is he on that wood thing?"
Thanks boyo. So much for simple.
So it begins in earnest, the complicated process of discussing religion, faith, and ritual with the kids. I've both anticipated and dreaded its approach; this is where having a strong belief system to start from would be helpful, I think, in framing the conversation. But, instead, like any good secular liberal, I made my way that night after the concert to Amazon and ordered a few books that I think will be helpful in getting us started.
I want the kids to have a good understanding of what different people believe, and how those beliefs affect others around them, politically and socially. I want to give them the vocabulary and the histories, make sure they understand the major players and the major events, the differences and similarities. And if they find a belief system that resonates with them, that they want to explore in a more emotional/spiritual way, we’ll follow that path where it leads.
Even (or maybe especially) if it leads here.
*Major props to anyone who knows the title's obscure reference without googling!
Sophie points to the large crucifix at the front of the church where we're sitting and waiting for the beginning of the choral program. We're here to listen to the Northwest Boychoir perform "A Festival of Lessons and Carols," a concert patterned after the Christmas Eve observance at King's College in Cambridge, England.
And as should be clear by Sophie's uncertainty about the iconography she sees prominently displayed, our focus is on the music, not the message. Although Stephen and I are both from Christian backgrounds, neither of has chosen to continue on that path; if one felt the need to label us, "agnostic leaning toward pagan” would come pretty close.
This being the case, our kids have had very little exposure to organized religion of any sort. For them, a church is a place you go to hear Nathan sing in a recital (as he had earlier in the day, with the early prep level of the choir), or a place that houses a daycare center. Pretty windows, high ceilings, good acoustics. They know that there are folk called “Christians” and others called “Jews” and “Muslims” and “Pagans” but thus far they have only the vaguest notion of what it means to be a member of those communities.
Sophie's question is simple enough, so I follow suit with the simple answer. "Yes, it is."
Then Nathan chimes in. "Uhhh... why is he on that wood thing?"
Thanks boyo. So much for simple.
So it begins in earnest, the complicated process of discussing religion, faith, and ritual with the kids. I've both anticipated and dreaded its approach; this is where having a strong belief system to start from would be helpful, I think, in framing the conversation. But, instead, like any good secular liberal, I made my way that night after the concert to Amazon and ordered a few books that I think will be helpful in getting us started.
I want the kids to have a good understanding of what different people believe, and how those beliefs affect others around them, politically and socially. I want to give them the vocabulary and the histories, make sure they understand the major players and the major events, the differences and similarities. And if they find a belief system that resonates with them, that they want to explore in a more emotional/spiritual way, we’ll follow that path where it leads.
Even (or maybe especially) if it leads here.
*Major props to anyone who knows the title's obscure reference without googling!
Friday, December 16, 2005
Point, counterpoint
After that really uplifting post on Wednesday, I come back now with words that appeared in my inbox this morning. From today's Writer's Almanac, the amazing Allen Ginsberg explains how love has weight too. That's a good thing to remember, isn't it? What interesting synchronicities life puts in our path.
I heard Mr. Ginsberg do a reading once at Michigan, lo these many years ago and I treasure that I had the opportunity to even be in the same room with him. Granted, it was Hill Auditorium and he was a small speck on the stage from my vantage point in the balcony, but still his presence was palpable.
Song
by Allen Ginsberg
The weight of the world
is love.
Under the burden
of solitude,
under the burden
of dissatisfaction
the weight,
the weight we carry
is love.
Who can deny?
In dreams
it touches
the body,
in thought
constructs
a miracle,
in imagination
anguishes
till born
in human—
looks out of the heart
burning with purity-
for the burden of life
is love,
but we carry the weight
wearily,
and so must rest
in the arms of love
at last,
must rest in the arms
of love.
No rest
without love,
no sleep
without dreams
of love—
be mad or chill
obsessed with angels
or machines,
the final wish
is love
—cannot be bitter,
cannot deny,
cannot withhold
if denied:
the weight is too heavy
—must give
for no return
as thought
is given
in solitude
in all the excellence
of its excess.
The warm bodies
shine together
in the darkness,
the hand moves
to the center
of the flesh,
the skin trembles
in happiness
and the soul comes
joyful to the eye—
yes, yes,
that's what
I wanted,
I always wanted,
I always wanted,
to return
to the body
where I was born.
I heard Mr. Ginsberg do a reading once at Michigan, lo these many years ago and I treasure that I had the opportunity to even be in the same room with him. Granted, it was Hill Auditorium and he was a small speck on the stage from my vantage point in the balcony, but still his presence was palpable.
Song
by Allen Ginsberg
The weight of the world
is love.
Under the burden
of solitude,
under the burden
of dissatisfaction
the weight,
the weight we carry
is love.
Who can deny?
In dreams
it touches
the body,
in thought
constructs
a miracle,
in imagination
anguishes
till born
in human—
looks out of the heart
burning with purity-
for the burden of life
is love,
but we carry the weight
wearily,
and so must rest
in the arms of love
at last,
must rest in the arms
of love.
No rest
without love,
no sleep
without dreams
of love—
be mad or chill
obsessed with angels
or machines,
the final wish
is love
—cannot be bitter,
cannot deny,
cannot withhold
if denied:
the weight is too heavy
—must give
for no return
as thought
is given
in solitude
in all the excellence
of its excess.
The warm bodies
shine together
in the darkness,
the hand moves
to the center
of the flesh,
the skin trembles
in happiness
and the soul comes
joyful to the eye—
yes, yes,
that's what
I wanted,
I always wanted,
I always wanted,
to return
to the body
where I was born.
Wednesday, December 14, 2005
The Weight of Hate
I couldn't help wondering this morning, while angrily turning off the radio so I didn't have to listen the Idiot in the White House try to justify his illegal and immoral war, how it must feel to KNOW that millions of people loathe you.
Most of us go through life knowing that we are loved by friends and family, suspecting that we are disliked by a few misguided souls, and acknowledging that we are otherwise anonymous and unremarked upon by the vast majority of humanity. Bush, on the other hand, wakes every morning and must know - even though he might try to ignore it - that he is hated and actively wished ill by people all over the world.
How could a normal, emotionally healthy, non-evil person even get out of bed in the morning with that kind of spiritual burden?
Most of us go through life knowing that we are loved by friends and family, suspecting that we are disliked by a few misguided souls, and acknowledging that we are otherwise anonymous and unremarked upon by the vast majority of humanity. Bush, on the other hand, wakes every morning and must know - even though he might try to ignore it - that he is hated and actively wished ill by people all over the world.
How could a normal, emotionally healthy, non-evil person even get out of bed in the morning with that kind of spiritual burden?
Friday, December 09, 2005
OH! The cuteness!
I love otters.
Like Hermione, if I could summon my patronus, it would certainly be an otter. Like Seregil, if I could transform into a creature that reveals my true inner self, it would be an otter. If I lived in Lyra's universe and had a daemon, it would be... well, you get the picture.
Sea... river... doesn't matter. I think they're the some of the coolest little animals on the planet.
So I just had to share this heart-meltingly sweet photo of the otter pup just born to Lootas at the Seattle Aquarium. I think it's time for a trip down there to check the little guy out in person.
Like Hermione, if I could summon my patronus, it would certainly be an otter. Like Seregil, if I could transform into a creature that reveals my true inner self, it would be an otter. If I lived in Lyra's universe and had a daemon, it would be... well, you get the picture.
Sea... river... doesn't matter. I think they're the some of the coolest little animals on the planet.
So I just had to share this heart-meltingly sweet photo of the otter pup just born to Lootas at the Seattle Aquarium. I think it's time for a trip down there to check the little guy out in person.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
