it's beginning to look a lot like...

My email box has been jammed lately with all sorts of pretties for Christmas (I can't bear to refer to the season as The Holidays, so I'll be saying Christmas from now on, fyi) I'm thinking of highlighting things I like when I have a moment....AND, today, I'd like to show you eight things I DON'T WANT.

In no particular order - (and, yes, these items were featured in a holiday gift catalogue)



A Snuggie! A Slanket! A backwards robe for my dog! No, thanks.



I can't look at this without cracking up. I don't see how this is a gift for anyone and can't imagine it's comfortable in any way. And WHY is it called Kymaro?
Don't spend too much time thinking about it - there's a slew of bad gifts for us to ponder...



An automatic liquid soap dispenser is a great gift, right?

What about a Neckline Slimmer?



The picture is actually scarier than the title. Those springs are freaking me out a little.

Is it wrong of me to feel like a microwavable scarf is a creepy combination of not attractive/geriatric?



Are you like me?
Would you find this lawn ornament anxiety provoking?



Middle and I spent quite a while discussing the potential uses for this item:



It's not just for towels...



See?
Middle is asking Santa for one. He's going to warm his underwear in it.

But I've saved the best worst gift for last.



There's not a lot I can say.



Not. Saying. Anything.
It's a great gift. Thoughtful. Useful...with lots of creative possibilities -



right?

Saturday night

K is watching The Chronicles Of Riddick.
K loves sci-fi and sometimes I'll sit through it.
But, oh, the costumes and the acting and the plot lines.
I can barely stand it all. Tortured men and women, tribes, beasts, oh, the costumes.
There's always a woman with a heaving bosom.
My talents are wasted, I tell K, with a pleading tone in my voice.
I could do that - wear that corset and heave my bosom like that! I AM WASTING MY TIME AS AN EXECUTIVE ASSISTANT, I TELL YOU.
And it's true.
I was really born to be a model/actress/runway model. I'm sure of it.
I'm
just
a
little
short.

one of those weekends

We're doing a lot of sitting around.
There's great food in the fridge and we're sitting around (oh, I did some laundry) and I've just realized that it's one of those weekends.

We've had chips and dip and we're snuggled up on the couch and we've watched Forget Paris and an incredibly stupid movie with Michelle Pfeiffer and I just know, I JUST KNOW that Love Actually is going to be on sometime this weekend along with You've Got Mail and OH, Sleepless in Seattle is on the other channel right this minute.

And the boys are hunkered down and it's windy out and K is heating up leftovers and we are debating the merits of toast under a Turkey Warm-Up vs smooshy supermarket bread.
And what's on television right now? Right after K makes a joke about using crushed potato chips as a pie crust? Just as the wind picks up and I notice the trees have no leaves? Just as a tiny grumble reminds me that I'm just about ready for more turkey and stuffing and gravy?
MICHAEL CLAYTON.

People, it's one of those weekends, and it couldn't be much better.

charts, for Friday, via Middle

What should I eat? (Cereal edition)

Let's say you've gone back in time.

A gentleman's guide to purchasing a television.

Reasons I don't feel bad for downloading music illegally.

Click them to enlarge...

goings on

I'm watching MythBusters with Middle.
We've skootered to the market for last minute herbs.
We've Tweeted the Butterball hotline to wish them a Happy Thanksgiving (and they tweeted back!) and we had a teary-but-good call from my FAOAunt (whose recovery we are most thankful for).

The turkey is in the oven and we've been munching on cranberry bread and butter.

We are hungry, happy and healthy.

All this makes it a great day.

it's been a while since I've done one of these

The Evolutionary Revolutionary gave me an award. An Honest Scrap Award...I thank her.


Scrap means left over, fragments, discarded material. Many times truth and honesty are discarded material, considered fragments and left over. People like us need to tell it like it is, and let the scraps fall where they will.





This is how it works:

1. Thank the person who gave the award and list their blog and link it.
2. Share "10 Honest Things" about yourself.
3. Present this award to 7 others whose blogs you find brilliant in content and/or design, or those who have encouraged you.
4. Tell those 7 people they've been awarded Honest Scrap and inform them of these guidelines in receiving the award.

I have no problem with numbers one through three - beyond that? Well, I can't promise I can email 7 people and inform them....

So - "10 Honest Things" about me:

1. I'm feeling a little fat right now. Yeah, I'm a skinny person, but I feel a little bloated. Or something. Could be cyclical.

2. I could build a wardrobe with $50 or $200 or $2000 or $20,000. And I'd love to prove it.

3. I am, we are, currently bringing our lunches to work and saving about eighty bucks a week. It's a little tight over here but we are doing okay.

4. What with my new Wellies and all, I'm hoping for rain. Actually, I'm hoping for cold windy rain - it's way too temperate here.

5. The SweeTarts in the box are better than the ones in the rolls. Have I mentioned that?

6. Sometimes I have to pick my nose. It's rare but it happens.

7. I've never really discussed that with anyone.

8. I am lobbying for K to use some Amex points to buy us a television as our Christmas present to ourselves.

9. Today I am having lunch with the Buxoms!

10. I love each boy in my house for different reasons and in different ways and the variations never cease to amaze me.

Now, seven bloggers that I find "find brilliant in content and/or design, or those who have "encouraged" me?
Okay, well, it's been an awfully long time since someone "encouraged" me, not that I've been seeking encouragement. In fact, I'm not sure anyone ever encouraged me, besides my brother B who practically made me write a blog. Unless we mean encouraged me about "life?" In that case, my readers have been very encouraging. Okay so, bloggers I admire? How about that? How about ten of them? That should do.

1. Loretta. Always honest, always lovely.
2. NieNie. Inspirational without being cloying.
3. Journey Mama, whose journey inspires me all the time.
4. Knitters Knitters. A Great Mom. And a pretty amazing knitter too.
5. My pal Poppy. Erudite. Tasteful. Hysterical.
6. McSweeney's. Not a blogger, always a great read. Always.
7. The Sartorialist. Someday, HE WILL SEE ME.
8. Paola. That's right. BLOGLESS. Blogless and encouraging and deserves an award.
9. Crazy Mom. A new one. Remember new bloggers? You should always go visit new bloggers.
10. Alice. Alice makes it her business to BE a good blogger, to encourage bloggers ALL THE TIME and to leave thoughtful, insightful comments.

Cool?
Cool.

how to cook a fucking steak

Oooh. Sorry for the language and all, but, the above linked post is too good to keep to myself.

Enjoy, courtesy of my brother B.

random/weekend update

I'm all over the place lately, but here you are.
On Saturday we shopped for our Thanksgiving dinner food. I'm still not sure what I'm doing with yams, but I'm doing something.

It's time for us to put together a parcel of gifts for our Japanese friends and Youngest was itching to go to Urban Outfitters, so we went to the mall. He bought A a tabletop ping pong set, a mini camera with preset backgrounds, a 3D memo set and some cute erasers. He had fun picking things out for her and I'll add a couple of things for her mom, my pal C. No matter what we decide to send to Japan we are always outdone - or, maybe it's that all things Japanese are wonderful. C and A manage to find beautiful things, wrap them ingeniously, and send them off easily. Every year - at the kid's birthdays and Christmas, it seems that Youngest and I always want to send presents as heavy as an ANVIL to Tokyo. And, even though it doesn't seem like erasers and a pad weigh much, I'll bet they DO.

K and I did a secret mission run to my FAOA's house early Sunday morning. She was craving some Coke in glass bottles WHICH MY SUPERMARKET HAS! so we dashed out there early to leave a case on her front porch. She's sounding better, slowly, and we are very hopeful that she will continue to improve.
After we got home I made some killer chocolate cookies WHICH ARE SUPPOSED TO BE GOOSHY INSIDE, ahem, and then, graciously consented to do this:



the last scene of K's Star Wars Uncut movie. Why am I holding a boomerang? Because we like to have the characters in OUR Star Wars movies do something a little kooky from time to time, THAT'S WHY.

Now, see, this -




this would be good in a Star Wars movie! There's nothing like a traditional Austrian Slap Dance!

Giddy? Why, yes, I AM. A little!

Finally - I leave you with this photo -



this photo which left Middle and I laughing our asses off on the train. I don't know, maybe you would have to have been there, maybe you don't find anything wrong with this picture, but we, Middle and me? This photo cracks us up. And yeah, no, we don't know a THING about the Twilight movies. We just know that that wolf is too big and those people are too small and the lighting is freaky and...I don't know...we laughed a lot, on the train, early Friday morning, over this picture in the paper.

I hope your week is easy. I'm working on getting together with Ms. Poppy.

I'll talk to you later.

three beautiful things, no, wait, perhaps more

1. I watched several hours of Curb Your Enthusiasm with Oldest. I don't often get to spend time with Oldest and we laughed a lot.

2. My boss sent out the invitation for the Holiday Party this evening and told all of my fellow employees that my co-worker and I had done an amazing job planning the event. I'm chuffed.

3. FAOAunt and Uncle sent a gorgeous boxed set of wine for our Thanksgiving dinner. I had a terrific convo with her on the phone and we are making plans to be with them for Christmas. The very thought of this being possible...well, you can imagine, can't you?

4. I had an especially nice interaction with a fellow blogger today. I really don't want to say more than that... it lifted both of us.

5. I had lunch with the Buxoms! I (who do not, generally speaking, like other people's children) really like Poppy's son and daughter and find them interesting and delightful! And Mr. Buxom? Well, one could have a little crush on Mr. Buxom.

6. I am home from work for five (5!) days.

7. Friends have given us a wee carpet of micro-basil. I'm not sure what we are supposed to do with it, but I luff it.

8. SweeTarts. The blue ones.

peach gel cup

Amazing but true.
The
first
google
image.

Still.

sometimes

Sometimes I do miss watching Ellen -



Sometimes I miss sitting on the couch folding laundry -



I do really miss waking up in the morning feeling aimless...



on the other hand,



my life is bigger in a way that thrills me.

Survivor

Holiday party venue? SET.
Well, the contract isn't signed, but we settled on a place and I'm very excited. I *might* even take pictures as it is a very interesting location and I think you'd enjoy seeing it.

Meanwhile, on Survivor - gosh it's a pretty place. A place I will never visit - but lovely non-the-less. Russell is searching for the idol while the team sleep.
Laura is an evil demon, Shambo tells us.
She confides in John re Laura. Will he vote her out? He knows Shambo has flipped but says he won't betray her.

There's a challenge and we are only 8 minutes in.
Two teams pull a person in a hanging cradle whilst he/she gathers 15 flags.
The winners fly to a neighboring island for a picnic.
The winners also get to bring a cell phone to take pictures. (ho hum)
There's a yellow team and a purple team.
John is playing for purple and Natalie for yell0w.
It's close - the teams must pull the cradles in mid-air to the flags.
One could get a little dizzy watching - lots of swaying in dipping.
Natalie is hanging by a thread!
It's very exciting to watch...and Natalie wins for her team!
She and Laura and Russell and Dave and I DON'T KNOW THE LAST PERSON get the reward.
14 minutes in and the action has started.

The winners fly off on a little plane to do some product placement. Shall I say PALM PRE? Shall I mention that their commercials are a little freaky looking?
Would we really think potato chips, hot dogs and pie are that amazing? Waffles? Worth writing home about?
Mom wants to know WHERE THEY LANDED THE PLANE.

Back at camp, Jaison is talking about making deals for votes...with Laura and John (?). We can't tell who that guy is. We might have known earlier - wait - they are talking about John so it can't be John they are talking to. Mick? Maybe it's Mick.

On the Palm Pre? A clue about the Immunity Idol!
Russell is psyched...they watch a video with an additional clue re the location of the Idol.

The winners return to camp and start looking for the idol immediately. Russell and Dave look together...they lie and say they are going for a jog...and DAMN if Russell doesn't find it. I MEAN, RUSSELL FINDS IT.
And here, as others have suggested in my comments, I have to say: though I don't like him, Russell is an awfully good player, isn't he?
He may be ruthless and manipulating and maniacal but he IS outplaying all of them. I can imagine him winning save for the fact that he must be universally hated and it is possible that the jury won't let him win in the end. But this is just the kind of thing, the kind of twist in the game that make this show, in my opinion, worth watching. I detest Russell, and yet, he's an extraordinary player and I can see him winning - though I don't want him too. You can bet I'll keep watching to see how it all plays out.

No time for me to think! It's, obviously, time to BREAK THE TILES.
In the first part of the challenge, players break the tiles by throwing a rock. They win spears. Then they throw spears at a target, for immunity.
One throw.
It's not easy. Only Jaison hits one. Dave breaks one tile for Monica.
Mick breaks one.
Brett breaks one.
He advances.
With the spears -
Jaison is out.
Monica is out.
Mick makes a great shot.
Brett hits but it's low.
So, Mick wins immunity.
K points out that we haven't SEEN Mick for the entire show but he's just won immunity.

But, now, I'm wondering - there's 30 minutes left in the episode and we're ready to go to Tribal?
Shambo is edited as the bitch of this episode - so who's going home?

Shambo makes it clear that she is voting for Laura.
Russell knows that Shambo is voting for Laura.
The Rocket Scientist tells us what idiots the team are.
Everyone is talkingtalkingtalking. John? Whispers...Laura? Monica? I DON'T KNOW WHAT THE HELL IS GOING ON.
And? NEITHER DOES MY MOTHER.
Monica is going to tell the former Foa Foas that she is voting for John - they will vote for Natalie and Laura will go home? WHAT?
It's too convoluted.
Russell: it's gonna be a tallllllmmmmm. (No clue what this means.)
Okay, so, they vote for John so Laura goes home?
They vote for Natalie so someone else goes home?
Russell tells John that they are being swindled and they should just vote for Laura.
John explains the rules for a tied vote. I'm not sure I understand that either.
John is hoping the vote will tie. Twice.
Sheesh - I can't see this happening.

At Tribal, two members of the jury arrive. I have no idea who they are.
Jeff talks about Shambo causing a tied vote. A tied vote will lead to drawing stones to see who goes - and who would be comfortable with that? Jeff asks.

They vote.
Jeff gets the votes.
Russell does not play the Immunity Idol.
Jeff reads the votes.
Laura - Natalie - Laura - Natalie - Laura - Natalie - Laura - Natalie - Laura - Natalie
A TIE.
They must vote again.
Laura and Natalie don't vote.
The team can only vote for Laura or Natalie.
They vote.
Jeff reads the votes.
Laura - Natalie - Laura - Natalie - Laura - Natalie - Laura - LAURA.
Dave looks a little shocked.
Monica looks like she switched her vote.

Head back to camp.

Got all that? I *think* I do.

I don't know if there's a real episode next week - fear not...I'll keep you posted.

lists

things I like:

red pencils
lip gloss in a tube
gingham ribbon bookmarks
watching people type
bringing my lunch to work - but only if no one at my lunch table has something I think looks better

not so much:

hazelnuts
smoothies
the weather (it should be colder)
canned soup
the American Apparel website

things I saw yesterday:

two men hailing a cab with a dozen wedding dresses in their arms
that tiny boy, on my way to work, who has a cute name
a huge commercial kitchen
a medal for Valor In The Face Of The Enemy

things that are wearing out quickly:

my wide black belt
my favorite book bag
the sheets on our bed
the right front tire on my car

my radio stations on Pandora:

Moby
The Killers
Seu Jorge
French Kicks

electronic gifts I might not refuse:

a Blackberry
a new laptop
one of those flat/skinny televisions
a Tivoli Audio NetWorks radio with FM in cherry/gold

problems my car is having:

whatever is wrong with right front tire
a leak within the concealed drip rail system
one out-of-balance wiper
way too much moisture within the passenger compartment

things to be happy about:

my mom is bringing vegetable soup for dinner
we are all well
I found that black skirt I'd lost track of
things are looking up

Tuesday

I ate four fajitas tonight. Blergh.
I followed up with a handful of SweetTarts. Heaven help me.
My FAOA called me today! She has not had the strength to do that in a long time and I am so grateful. She is doing slightly better and we couldn't be more thrilled.
We are now planning another secret mission as I have thought of some things to leave on her doorstep.
A decision has been made regarding our office holiday party!
It's going to be held at an unusual yet wonderful location and, as soon as we divulge this location to our co-workers, I will write about it. Suffice to say: the food will be divine and the setting unique.
K has been avidly watching the re-make of The Prisoner series each evening. Not only do I not "get" it but I don't like it. Never mind - he loves it, which makes me smile.
In other news...
Oldest has been very busy and I've barely seen him over the past few weeks (not that one minds saying that about a grown-up child), Middle is just as busy between work and school (he pitched in and DP'd for a classmate last weekend) and Youngest is finding his path in school (which would seem to be leaning toward industrial/commercial design).
While it was interesting having younger children, having adult(ish)children and watching them make daily decisions about their adult(ish)lives is somewhat fascinating.

Next week we will make Thanksgiving for my mom.
We would be traveling to my FAOA's house but she needs more time to recover.
I do wish we had someone we could invite, though. It is in my family's nature to have someone for Thanksgiving who has nowhere to be - not a stranger, necessarily, but someone we know who can't afford to go home for the holiday, someone we know whose children are too far away, someone who has just gotten divorced - but no one like this has made themselves known to us.
Except, just as I write this, I realize - my mom is always with her sister on Thanksgiving and, this year, it's just not possible.
So, I see now, my mom is our special guest.

Thanks.
Thanks for helping me work that out.
I promise to take pictures.

Sunday, anticipating guests

I cleaned house.



I'm not good with flowers.



Wendy made those eggs for me.



The fireplace needs sweeping out.



I dusted the bar and the bench.



K made Beef Bourguignon.



The dog had the usual.

it's beginning to look a lot like...

I saw Santa the other day.
He was walking along by the Army/Navy store and he didn't look terribly well.
He was kind of dirty, in fact, as though he'd been sleeping on the sidewalk. But it was definitely him - tall black boots and the red suit with white fur trim and a pillow. No clue where he was headed. Maybe the falafel cart - that cart always smells good.
My email box has been jammed lately with all sorts of pretties for Christmas (I can't bear to refer to the season as The Holidays, so I'll be saying Christmas from now on, fyi) I'm thinking of highlighting things I like when I have a moment.
I got an email from Anthropologie the other day (and you should definitely visit their new site The Anthropologist which is a virtual bottomless pit of interesting reading material, if a little wonky) and there were a number of things which intrigued me...



First and foremost: soap for a year! Who, I ASK YOU, would NOT love soap for a year? Scented, lovely soaps reflecting each month in their, um, scented loveliness! Sign. Me. Up.



A scarf is always a very nice gift. I'm only saying. And, yes, I have a bazillion, but I do wear one EVERY SINGLE DAY.



I can't decide which I like better - though the one on the right fascinates me, I also have my eye on one at Muji.



Yes? No? Can't decide. Am thinking, now that I've posted them, NO.



Penguin has done a beautiful line of hardbound classics.



These necklaces have solid perfumey stuff in them. The one on the right, which I adore, is lavender and bergamot! In. Love.

Anyway, not a bad bunch of not-too-terribly-extravagant gifts, say I.

K and I had a very cosmopolitan evening with Wendy and Her Husband and His Brother and His Fiance Friday night. We dined at an old-worldy-but-newish restaurant and engaged in wonderful chit chat for a while and then moved on, in a rather romantic soft, misty drizzle to The Plaza. You probably know how I feel about The Plaza...it was fabulous, of course.
So much to see and listen to, and The Fiance nearly had a drunk in her lap (!) and I truly enjoyed some conversat (as we say in Tuvalu) with The Brother, who is a writer and artist.
It was a fine night out.

What's next?
At home - nothing in particular.
At the office? A Decision On The Holiday Party. Hopefully.
You know, I never thought I'd say this but I think I actually am enjoying having some responsibility for the Holiday Party.
Last year, when it was made clear to me that it was within the responsibilities of my job I cringed.
But this year I'm sort of into it.

Who knew?

and I'm just going to *go with it*

It has now occurred to me - after two different people came to my desk crying/worrying, after someone asked me last week to feel their forehead for fever, after supplying dental floss to a co-worker younger than my son: I am the office mom.

And it's really okay.

Survivor

People!
I'm eating my stuffed pepper!
Middle will fill you in:

Oh boy... here we go. First time I've watched in a while.

Some crazy over the top obstacle course, as per usual. This guy is wearing a shirt from 1991. This is way too confusing for me. Someone is choosing teams for something? Were those balloons? RUNNING RUNNING RUNNING RUNNING. Oh, no some kind of big kebabs. His name is Jay-san? I'm pretty sure it's just Jason. What is the point of this... Shambo? Rambo? Oh no, gotta go, to the bathroom. Jesus it's an abacus ? What is this?! A clock? WHATEVER IT IS IT ISN'T A 3! Is this going to spell something? Why is she blind folded? What the heck? 'Please dear god?' what? This is beyond confusing. Nice ass shot. Purple wins! what happened to the hackawakatakatwanna tribe? Wasn't that their name? Jeff has 'nothin for ya.' The other team 'Have a good afternoon.'


Okay. Pepper eaten and enjoyed, I'm back. Nice stream of consciousness from Middle, eh? Right now it's all about water.
Rushing water!
Sliding on rocks. Oh, it's Eden.
Careful!
There's chicken too.
There's donuts and sandwiches and beverages.
Middle is jaded and leaves.
The "real prize" is the secret to immunity - another idol at camp, they learn. They decide to keep the information to themselves.
Shambo tries to protect Russell but the other women try to convince her that he's conniving.

Back at camp, Russell vows to find the idol and keep it to himself. He starts searching but it could be anywhere. Sure enough, he finds it! Damn it to HELL.

Interestingly, Russell confesses his find to Shambo.
They are best buddies now.
Crazy.
She trusts him impeccably - but will he turn on her? She tells him that they are going to vote for him and he should play the idol and then Laura will go. They get to talking about who should go and I'm a little confused but there's not time for that - it's time for another challenge.

For singular immunity the players will use a hook to retrieve puzzle pieces and solve it. Only three will move to the second phase of the trial. A one in ten shot for a million dollars.
Shambo moves into the lead with Mick and Kelly (who are they?).
Mick has a second bag...Jaison gets one bag of pieces, so does Laura. Russell gets one. Shambo moves on. But so does Laura and Russell loses his.
Laura, Mick and Shambo move to the final round.
It's very exciting.
The puzzle is not easy - not that I can describe it. Oh, the pressure of writing and watching!
Laura is doing very well.
She wins individual immunity.
Someone is going home.
Will they vote Russell? Will he play the idol? Who will go if he does?

Shambo's heart is broken because Laura won but she has a plan B and says they'll vote for Kelly.
Meanwhile Russell tells Jaison about the idol, who tells him he deserves it. Russell tells Jaison to vote Kelly and Jaison agrees.
But Jaison tells the others about the idol - then Russell comes over and tells them to vote Kelly.
Now everyone knows he has the idol. Kevin Spacey doesn't believe Russell has it.
Russell overhears them saying they will vote Natalie and tells Jaison.
I get it now - they are trying to convince Russell they aren't voting for him so he doesn't play the idol and GETS VOTED OUT.
Whew. It's been a long week, folks.

At Tribal Council the team meet Eric, the first Jury member.
They talk about how Eric got voted out.
There's lots of talk about whether the team is one or divided by original tribe lines.
K argues that Dave is Mick Fleetwood and not Kevin Spacey.
We are anxious for the vote.
Laura is immune.
Who will they vote for?
Will Russell play the idol?
The music is intense as they write their votes.
Lots of camera attention on Russell.
Jeff gets the votes ---this is dragging...anyone want to play the idol? Russell stands and plays it.
Russell gets a million votes that don't count.
Kelly gets three and goes to the Jury.

Laura whispers: he just stirred up a lot of hell is what he did.
The immunity idol goes BACK INTO PLAY.

Damn. It's a good show.

Thursday

Yesterday was Remembrance Day in my part of the world.
I'm not sure young people give Remembrance Day much thought but, as we age, I think, it becomes more real to us.
As I came up out of the train station I saw a retired soldier sitting in a chair on the pavement. He was playing patriotic music on a trumpet and I could very well have had a little cry right then and there. I managed to avoid getting misty and put a dollar in his cup.

It was an up and down kind of day. An assistant I like had a hard time and this rankled me. I got my hair cut and it looks swell but my stylist had been duped by someone the night before and wanted to unload re the injustice of it all. I missed having lunch with my friends at work but one of them gave me spring rolls which I happily devoured. I left the office early to see two venues for the holiday party which I am not excited about organizing but happy to see to (does that make sense?).
On my way home, I found myself standing next to a soldier in full dress uniform. We were stopped together at a cross-street waiting for the light. I screwed up my courage and said, looking him in the eye, Thank you for your service.
To which he replied, You're welcome, Ma'am.
And I saw, in his face, in his eyes, that he was barely older than my Youngest and I was awfully glad that the light changed at that very moment because I burst into tears.
I could not have felt older.
He could not have looked younger.
A million feelings knotted up my heart.
And so, today, I cannot complain about the problem with the health insurance, or the bully at work or not knowing what to wear tomorrow at the Swanky Restaurant, knowing that Someone's Youngest is in full dress uniform and will not be safe until he is HOME.

don't explain - TELL

Listed under Things I've Learned Since I Went To Work:

When speaking with Someone Important, someone with limited time or attention for a trivial matter (and most matters are trivial) don't explain - TELL. Important people don't have time to listen to a lot of details, especially if those details outline the emotional aspects of a situation. Important people aren't interested in the emotional aspects of a situation, they need you to cut to the chase, to give them the meat of the issue and then, perhaps, you should ask for their input.

Do not whine, do not complain, yet do not hesitate to speak of what ails you. The person to whom you are speaking does not have time for this and does not wish to be burdened with histrionics, even when mild.

Speak with some conviction, even if you may be wrong. It would be better, however, if you were not wrong.

Before you approach this person think for a moment. Is this really something you need to involve The Important Person in? Might your issue be better presented to someone else? Or do you just want face-time?

I think it is best to avoid bringing anyone else into conversation when an error is pointed out. Important People don't care that you didn't have the printout at nine in the morning because the woman who gives it to you each day was out sick. They only care that you don't have the printout.

Being the Assistant of an Important Person precludes one from certain activities such as: getting drunk in the office, wearing inappropriate clothing, being rude to co-workers (even if they are rude to you), petty gossip.

Please note: these are things I have learned and not, necessarily, things I have experienced first hand. I've not yet been drunk in the office.

for Finland

I checked my stats this evening. They're rising, strangely. I've lost hundreds of readers since I posted advertisements and then again when I began working outside my home. I'd like to say it didn't matter to me either time, but it did. Instead of trying to convince myself it didn't matter I stopped checking the numbers. Anyway, this past week the numbers are up, and someone, in Finland, did a google search and read this post.
The ball of string?
It's in my garden.
I could never sell it.

Tuesday

I know.
Don’t worry though – things are steaming along.
Let’s see, we can all put our collective thoughts together as my FAOA goes for her final treatment today. We hope she will weather it a little more easily than the last one and we can celebrate that it IS her last one.

I’m busy at work right now. I don’t think I’ve mentioned it but my boss is only in the office three days a week this fall and this has made things a little hectic. Someone told me today that I have two jobs – one to manage his life and the other to interact with everyone here. It’s difficult to explain but very true.

Anyway – I hadn’t meant to talk about my job – I meant to talk about:

Jobs I Could Do
(sometimes, whilst commuting, I ponder other employment)

Subway Motorman – I could do this. They are responsible for opening and closing the doors of the train. The problem for me would be my inability to, ruthlessly, close the doors when I could SEE people rushing through the turnstiles.

Café Counterperson – definitely. I could remember the orders of the regulars easily. Tough on the feet though.

Conductor – as in: the person who takes the tickets on the commuter rail line. K says I couldn’t do it. Too many hours on my feet. But I would like it! I would make the announcements (Please take your newspapers with you when you leave the train!) and have a special way of saying: ALL TICKETS PLEASE as I entered each car.

This last job –WHICH I TOTALLY COULD DO – reminds me: across the aisle from us this morning, a woman was cracking up, quietly and politely, over something she was listening to on her iPod. It was a lovely thing to watch. And then, I took the subway downtown instead of walking. I’ve been walking for months but needed to run an errand past my office. So there I was with all the parents and kids going to school. I had forgotten about that crowd – I like them. There was a group of teenage girls standing near me sassing each other. It was adorable to watch while they teased and made fun – all good spirited and only amongst themselves. I caught myself smiling and then noticed the grown-up lady standing next to me was smiling too. We had a little moment where we both remembered and understood how wonderful it is to be a 15 year old girl on your way to school with your friends.

When I got out of the station everywhere I went there were tiny boys and their dads. Buying bagels, walking to school, running across the street – having breakfast. Everywhere I went. I have forgotten how tiny boys can be – how small my boys were. By the time I got to my café, my favorite tiny boy and his mother were making their way up the street. The café owner (a beautiful French woman I’ve mentioned) was sitting having coffee at the window and I pointed him out. He walks with his mom everyday. He is adorable and jabbers the whole way up the block. She holds his hand and walks slowly in her high heels while he stops to look at things or play with his umbrella or stomp in puddles. I can see how patient she is. Today he was pulling a suitcase and seemed a little proud. The French lady and I marveled at how quickly the time passes. She has met Youngest and has a knack for remembering her customers.
I would do that too. Add café owner to my list.

Monday morning

Oof, we kept busy this past weekend.
Dusted, polished, laundered and raked. Not me, the raking.
Anyway, busy. I didn't want to think too much.
Sometime Saturday morning I was shocked to hear MFAOA on the other end of the phone!
Though still worryingly ill, she was stable enough to be sent home from the hospital. I know if she was able to see all of your lovely comments that she would be very touched - as am I.
And now, bolstered by good news, I can face my week more comfortably.
Not that there's anything especially difficult ahead of me this week...in fact, Wendy is coming to town! I won't be seeing her until Friday (so far) and I am very excited. K and I will be dining in with Martha MacGyver and her husband as well as Uncle Monkey and his fiance.
It should be a lovely evening.

Ttyl.

2,508 posts

I have been writing here for five years.
I have uploaded eight thousand, five hundred forty five photos to Flickr.
This blog has had one million, one hundred thirty three thousand, four hundred eighty three views.
Between fifteen and twenty people click here every hour.
When I started this my children were younger, I was home every day, we had just been apple picking and I failed miserably at making an apple pancake.
Some things never change.

C'est la vie.

words and pictures

I need distraction.



It's not that



I don't want



just about EVERY SINGLE THING IN THEIR LATEST CATALOGUE -


but the people over at JCrew seem to have, sort of, lost their minds a little this month. I do...I love all of it - but that last shot is a union suit with a blouse UNDER it and a cardi over it and, well, sheesh, that's a lot of stuff going on is all I'm saying.



Red Scooter Guy's scooter is snuggling up to K's scooter.



Italy seems so long ago.



Our best pal moved to Paris a couple of months ago. I'm feeling the sting of missing him. We had dinner with him almost every Saturday. Now there's a little hole in our weekends.

Fabio's wine kept us company last weekend.



The apples are all gone.



We suspended the Dead Guy from the tree on the front lawn for Halloween.



He looked pretty good.



The weather has been beautifully Autumnal.

You'd like it.

not blogging Survivor

I'm taking a time out...and hey, I've got an idea - why don't you tell me, in the comments, what happened on Survivor last night?

striking

For his first real assignment for Art School, Middle had to shoot film. Which is to say: real film. Old school film, which is purchased and developed by the foot.



It was a nifty little camera which made a wonderful whirring sound when it was running.

But, when one borrows a state-of-the-art film camera from Fancy Pants Art School, one also gets a lighting package and batteries. The batteries of which I speak are two very large belt-like things with batteries that are just smaller than a car battery built into them.



They weigh a lot too, as does the camera in its case and the lighting kit.
We brought the Jeep into town on Tuesday, so Middle could pick all of it up and take it home. He brought the gear down to K's office in a taxi, with his crew, and shot for a while.



Then we lugged it to the car.

Middle shot all day yesterday (though he seems prudent when it comes to "burning film") and then set the lights for a shoot in the kitchen while I made dinner.



He taught me to not look at the lights when he turned them on.
On a film set a gaffer shouts striking so the actors don't look at the lights when they go on.
I stirred pasta and chopped broccoli and did my best to be nonplussed.



Everyone should have an opportunity to see their kitchen lit for film.
It's an eye opening experience.



I need to repaint the entire first floor of my home.




Today we lug it all back.

Wednesday

It's sort of funny, to me, how minutes can feel like hours when waiting for news.
My Favorite And Only Aunt And Uncle are very private and so the information I have about her is very limited and slow in coming.
I have not seen her in a long long time and, though I speak with her every few days, I have not spoken with her in a week or so. It's difficult to not see her, to not know what's happening every day.
Today my mom and I are going to the hospital - just to be there - perhaps there will be better news.

On other fronts: bloggers are visiting! Poppy and Wendy will each be in town before the end of November. At two different times! I predict dinners out!

I am in the thick of planning the holiday office party. Yes, the holidays are just around the corner.

My boys are well. Well, kind of - one of Youngest's doctors is suggesting that Youngest might be slightly better off were he not taking quite so much medication. This will prove to be a difficult field to navigate - BUT I'm ready to try.

We are being offered a healthy discount on a Volkswagen.
True, we are functioning well with only one, car but that car must be returned in 18 short months and I might like a Volkswagen by then. Much research to be done. I'm considering a wagon - thoughts?

Youngest was feeling very vulnerable the other night when a grown-up told him that we each only have two weeks in Rome. It was a metaphor, this two weeks in Rome business. The man explained to Youngest that he was an agnostic - an Indian agnostic (which we felt was somewhat remarkable).
We have so little time here, you see, he said to my boy, and before you know it you will be as much as a piece of paper thrown in the trash (actually, he said something much more dramatic and graphic than that) and you must realize this and do all the things you want to do...it's like being in Rome for only two weeks, this life - and you must make the most of it.
Youngest was especially moved by this information.
Two weeks in Rome....

Make the most of it.

I thank you for your kind words and prayers regarding my aunt.

I want

I want to stand vigil somewhere.
I want to shave my head.
I want to scream at someone.
I want not to be afraid.

I would appreciate prayers for My Very Favorite and Only Aunt as she is terribly ill and I am bereft.

bad ideas, the Sunday edition

• Watching A Night To Remember whilst feeling a little overwhelmed.
• Tasting the crackers which may have gone stale.
• Wondering why Youngest made a milkshake on top of the washing machine.
• Buying the cheap razors.
• Not tasting the cheese toasts.
• Putting the pie in the lower oven when it was the upper oven I had preheated.
• The Revlon lipstick.
• No Sweettarts.