I've noted an awful lot of owl humor lately.
Backlash, no doubt.
Owls, I fear, are the antlers of 2010.
In the fashion world, I do believe that sequins on daywear are the, um, hoopskirts of, er, 2011. Yeah, that's it. Some day we'll look back on them and giggle.
I love my NPR.
I receive emails from Etsy a couple of times a day and am usually interesting in one thing or another.
This caught my eye today. I think it would be interesting to wear only handmade clothes. Maybe.
The application deadline is fast approaching. If you can understand anything on this website perhaps you ought to consider it.
Filed under I'd write open letters but I don't have the time:
I am a little tired of people in public situations taking advantage of me because of my size. You needn't wedge yourself between me and the extra large person sitting near me on the train and then CRUSH ME if there are other seats available.
Don't send me/tell me creepy stuff at the office (or anywhere, truthfully). Do you hear me? I do not wish to hear about the Bulgarian psychic who says we will all die in a chemical war in three years.
Do I sound a little rant-y? That's because I must wait at my desk for some misaddressed documents to arrive.
(I started this post three days ago and kept changing the title.)
in pictures
Inspired by this
I bought a large hole punch thingy and did this...
The light is lovely in our dining room this time of year.
I'm sure I should have something poetic to say about it, the light. But I don't.
K's been working on the floor. It looks superb.
Family meals were taken in the living room, which I liked. I like little changes like that.
It's very leafy around here.
On their way to seeing me, in the parade, Middle and K found themselves amidst 1600 cheerleaders.
I'm not kidding. 1600.
Best Dinner:
my plate, post parade.
I hope you had a lovely weekend.
I did.
I bought a large hole punch thingy and did this...
The light is lovely in our dining room this time of year.
I'm sure I should have something poetic to say about it, the light. But I don't.
K's been working on the floor. It looks superb.
Family meals were taken in the living room, which I liked. I like little changes like that.
It's very leafy around here.
On their way to seeing me, in the parade, Middle and K found themselves amidst 1600 cheerleaders.
I'm not kidding. 1600.
Best Dinner:
my plate, post parade.
I hope you had a lovely weekend.
I did.
the other Pride and Prejudice
At 1:56:51pm K emailed and asked if I'd like to see a movie.
He had popcorn popping!
I went downstairs and we ended up finishing at 8:23pm, having begged off the promised dinner of udon and serving tortellini with pesto, taking, perhaps, 20 minutes to eat with the boys before returning to the couch.
I am here to report that the Keira Knightly version remains my favorite.
Colin Firth never did it for me anyway.
He had popcorn popping!
I went downstairs and we ended up finishing at 8:23pm, having begged off the promised dinner of udon and serving tortellini with pesto, taking, perhaps, 20 minutes to eat with the boys before returning to the couch.
I am here to report that the Keira Knightly version remains my favorite.
Colin Firth never did it for me anyway.
and my muscles aren't sore at all
It was a day.
It was long enough to be a day and a half.
We met at 4:15am at my house. It was dark and chilly but not raining.
We made quick time into town and parked and walked into where the streets had been closed. There are dozens of closed streets for the parade (one of my friends was physically stopped by the police).
We arrived at the hotel that acts as a staging area at 5:00 only to discover that there was a long line of people waiting to be let upstairs. I could not believe balloon handlers were meant to stand on this line in the cold, but I was wrong. Eventually, over half an hour, we all arrived (20 of us, hundreds of others) and were sent upstairs to a labyrinth of rooms to find our costumes.
A bag with my name on it was waiting for me: one huge black heavyweight jumpsuit with a score of pockets, one apron, a pair of very large, very thick fleece lined gloves, a too-big knit hat, and a plastic rain poncho in a teensy packet.
We laughed a lot over the fit of the suits. While my boss, for example, looked okay, KT had a saggy big butt and I resembled a small child in an older sibling's snow suit. The costume mistress offered to pin up my legs but I didn't want to stand around. I was too anxious to get to the balloon!
Downstairs there were people to guide us to waiting coach buses.
It was pretty funny seeing bus-loads of adults in costumes. Dozens of clowns milled around and balloon handlers were identifiable by their aprons.
I don't know how many balloon handlers there were in the entire parade but our balloon had 90. (How many balloons are there? 10? Anyone?)
On the bus, we headed up town. Slowly. With great anticipation. (Not completely, now that I mention it. A Kermit fell asleep across the aisle from me.)
KT and I were stuck together like glue. Laughing at our ridiculous hats, trying to remember where we put all our stuff (phone, lip balm, ID, instruction sheet, money) the suits had so many deep pockets that we kept losing things.
We noticed, suddenly, that the bus was six blocks beyond the location of the balloon and not stopping.
The driver drove hesitantly and was clearly lost. He made a tentative turn and we hoped he had figured it out but he seemed confused about where he was taking us.
Everyone was nervous. Our instruction sheets were so specific about our arrival times and things seemed so tightly run that I decided, with the help of all the balloon teams present (the Buzz Lightyears were particularly encouraging) I staged a mutiny.
I went and told the driver to let us off the bus. He argued that his supervisor had not given him permission to do so as yet and I told him my instructions said otherwise and to pull over.
He did! Just in time!
We got off the bus, walked through some barricades, which was easy to do as we were obviously WITH the parade, and found our balloon lined up on the street with many others.
It was eerily quiet.
I had seen the balloons on television the night before. Crowds come from all over to watch them being inflated but now, at 6:00, there wasn't a soul around.
We could see people milling about in the museum next-door. The Inflation Teams sleep there, how cool is that? That's another few hundred people. There must be thousands of support people for the parade.
KT and I were filmed by a news crew because we are adorable. We had to do a TA-DA move ten or twelve times in front of our tied and netted balloon. Many conversations were had regarding the loo (I went at the hotel but I could go again) but it sounded like the porta-lav was very far away and I had too many things on.
At about 7:00 (boy this post is going to be long!) our Pilots and Captain and support team wandered over. The anticipation was palpable. So was my anxiety. What if they didn't let me hold the Right Foot?
They started choosing people for various positions based on their size. (Have I mentioned KT and I lied? That we don't make the weight limit?) The head and feet of our balloon are heavy work and KT kept looking at me as if to say what if they put us someplace else and as I had already commandeered the bus, I was brave enough to approach the biggest guy (huge happy guy, santa-like beard, stained teeth) and said we reallyreallyreally wanted to have the right foot. He made a concerned face and did a little speech about how hard it can be. A woman in the support team asked if we could run, REALLY run and though neither of us is athletic we assured her we could. I'll tell you what, then. I'll let you do the foot but I'll give you back-up. I'll put some people behind you in case of any problems and if you get tired you tell your pilot and he'll put a sub in for you.
They opened a barricade and let us rush in!
KT and I got the right foot!
My boss was just ahead of us on the right hip.
C was just next to him.
The friend that drove us into town was on the left foot.
IT WAS VERY EXCITING. And still dark.
We stood for well over an hour, in our positions, waving to the crowd that had assembled on our right and listening to our team get wind readings, weather info, instructions on start times.
Thousands of people are responsible for the organization and it is terrific. There is no guess-work.
We were told the wind speed at each intersection and each Pilot had a card describing how to fly the balloon at each wind speed.
The wind speed at start time was 2.9mph. Our Pilot (there was one for the feet and three others) said we would fly at 50 feet. They were very excited about it. The Pilot reminded us that at that wind speed and that height we would Go Wide on all turns.
Each element of the parade joins on the main thoroughfare at a different point and then moves forward. We joined at 9:12 and were finally walking.
It was surreal.
Thousands of people lined the streets cheering.
There was distant music but, for the most part, it was quiet save for the crowds. Deafening in some places and silent in others.
It's hard to put into words. Two and a half miles. Walking attached to someone I've come to care deeply for. Working incredibly hard - intersections and turns involved quite a bit of running as hard as I could (FEET GO WIDE, FEET GO WIDE, CENTER UP YOUR LINES) past film crews and scores of police with police running alongside us. We worked very hard to steer this giant thing past light posts and buildings and, to make camera marks at certain times we ran, full throttle, together for several blocks and then had people rearranging us slightly and fixing the way we looked.
Toward the middle of the parade I heard a crowd shout my name and looked over my shoulder to see K and Middle and ten strangers cheering and waving to me!
It was a most extraordinary experience.
The part where the telecast was was the least exciting. We were whizzed in and out, perfectly timed, past a crowd in chairs and fur coats.
But then, another corner was turned (turns are the most fun, FEET GO WIDE!) and we found ourselves on a ten block long stretch of deserted street for the deflation. 90 foot mats were set out and we lowered our balloon until we could touch it. We knelt on our "bones" while the support team opened the zippers and were warned to lie close to the ground and not breath the 100% helium as we would immediately black out! The balloon slowly deflated and we could see the other balloons behind us. We were then told to lie on top of our section to flatten it and that the next balloon would pass over us. So, there we were, lying on the ground, in the middle of the avenue, in the dead quiet city whilst another huge balloon was maneuvered over us!
K and Middle were some distance away but had managed to find their way near the closed zone and could see us deflating.
We stood, my team, and hugged and laughed and celebrated.
Exhilarating. Extraordinary.
Back to the hotel, amidst thousands of clowns, de-costume, hustle and bustle, meet K and Middle, more hugging and goodbyes to teams...on to the train...home and hot coffee...off to my Aunt's.
Overwhelmed and tired.
Grateful and happy.
It was long enough to be a day and a half.
We met at 4:15am at my house. It was dark and chilly but not raining.
We made quick time into town and parked and walked into where the streets had been closed. There are dozens of closed streets for the parade (one of my friends was physically stopped by the police).
We arrived at the hotel that acts as a staging area at 5:00 only to discover that there was a long line of people waiting to be let upstairs. I could not believe balloon handlers were meant to stand on this line in the cold, but I was wrong. Eventually, over half an hour, we all arrived (20 of us, hundreds of others) and were sent upstairs to a labyrinth of rooms to find our costumes.
A bag with my name on it was waiting for me: one huge black heavyweight jumpsuit with a score of pockets, one apron, a pair of very large, very thick fleece lined gloves, a too-big knit hat, and a plastic rain poncho in a teensy packet.
We laughed a lot over the fit of the suits. While my boss, for example, looked okay, KT had a saggy big butt and I resembled a small child in an older sibling's snow suit. The costume mistress offered to pin up my legs but I didn't want to stand around. I was too anxious to get to the balloon!
Downstairs there were people to guide us to waiting coach buses.
It was pretty funny seeing bus-loads of adults in costumes. Dozens of clowns milled around and balloon handlers were identifiable by their aprons.
I don't know how many balloon handlers there were in the entire parade but our balloon had 90. (How many balloons are there? 10? Anyone?)
On the bus, we headed up town. Slowly. With great anticipation. (Not completely, now that I mention it. A Kermit fell asleep across the aisle from me.)
KT and I were stuck together like glue. Laughing at our ridiculous hats, trying to remember where we put all our stuff (phone, lip balm, ID, instruction sheet, money) the suits had so many deep pockets that we kept losing things.
We noticed, suddenly, that the bus was six blocks beyond the location of the balloon and not stopping.
The driver drove hesitantly and was clearly lost. He made a tentative turn and we hoped he had figured it out but he seemed confused about where he was taking us.
Everyone was nervous. Our instruction sheets were so specific about our arrival times and things seemed so tightly run that I decided, with the help of all the balloon teams present (the Buzz Lightyears were particularly encouraging) I staged a mutiny.
I went and told the driver to let us off the bus. He argued that his supervisor had not given him permission to do so as yet and I told him my instructions said otherwise and to pull over.
He did! Just in time!
We got off the bus, walked through some barricades, which was easy to do as we were obviously WITH the parade, and found our balloon lined up on the street with many others.
It was eerily quiet.
I had seen the balloons on television the night before. Crowds come from all over to watch them being inflated but now, at 6:00, there wasn't a soul around.
We could see people milling about in the museum next-door. The Inflation Teams sleep there, how cool is that? That's another few hundred people. There must be thousands of support people for the parade.
KT and I were filmed by a news crew because we are adorable. We had to do a TA-DA move ten or twelve times in front of our tied and netted balloon. Many conversations were had regarding the loo (I went at the hotel but I could go again) but it sounded like the porta-lav was very far away and I had too many things on.
At about 7:00 (boy this post is going to be long!) our Pilots and Captain and support team wandered over. The anticipation was palpable. So was my anxiety. What if they didn't let me hold the Right Foot?
They started choosing people for various positions based on their size. (Have I mentioned KT and I lied? That we don't make the weight limit?) The head and feet of our balloon are heavy work and KT kept looking at me as if to say what if they put us someplace else and as I had already commandeered the bus, I was brave enough to approach the biggest guy (huge happy guy, santa-like beard, stained teeth) and said we reallyreallyreally wanted to have the right foot. He made a concerned face and did a little speech about how hard it can be. A woman in the support team asked if we could run, REALLY run and though neither of us is athletic we assured her we could. I'll tell you what, then. I'll let you do the foot but I'll give you back-up. I'll put some people behind you in case of any problems and if you get tired you tell your pilot and he'll put a sub in for you.
They opened a barricade and let us rush in!
KT and I got the right foot!
My boss was just ahead of us on the right hip.
C was just next to him.
The friend that drove us into town was on the left foot.
IT WAS VERY EXCITING. And still dark.
We stood for well over an hour, in our positions, waving to the crowd that had assembled on our right and listening to our team get wind readings, weather info, instructions on start times.
Thousands of people are responsible for the organization and it is terrific. There is no guess-work.
We were told the wind speed at each intersection and each Pilot had a card describing how to fly the balloon at each wind speed.
The wind speed at start time was 2.9mph. Our Pilot (there was one for the feet and three others) said we would fly at 50 feet. They were very excited about it. The Pilot reminded us that at that wind speed and that height we would Go Wide on all turns.
Each element of the parade joins on the main thoroughfare at a different point and then moves forward. We joined at 9:12 and were finally walking.
It was surreal.
Thousands of people lined the streets cheering.
There was distant music but, for the most part, it was quiet save for the crowds. Deafening in some places and silent in others.
It's hard to put into words. Two and a half miles. Walking attached to someone I've come to care deeply for. Working incredibly hard - intersections and turns involved quite a bit of running as hard as I could (FEET GO WIDE, FEET GO WIDE, CENTER UP YOUR LINES) past film crews and scores of police with police running alongside us. We worked very hard to steer this giant thing past light posts and buildings and, to make camera marks at certain times we ran, full throttle, together for several blocks and then had people rearranging us slightly and fixing the way we looked.
Toward the middle of the parade I heard a crowd shout my name and looked over my shoulder to see K and Middle and ten strangers cheering and waving to me!
It was a most extraordinary experience.
The part where the telecast was was the least exciting. We were whizzed in and out, perfectly timed, past a crowd in chairs and fur coats.
But then, another corner was turned (turns are the most fun, FEET GO WIDE!) and we found ourselves on a ten block long stretch of deserted street for the deflation. 90 foot mats were set out and we lowered our balloon until we could touch it. We knelt on our "bones" while the support team opened the zippers and were warned to lie close to the ground and not breath the 100% helium as we would immediately black out! The balloon slowly deflated and we could see the other balloons behind us. We were then told to lie on top of our section to flatten it and that the next balloon would pass over us. So, there we were, lying on the ground, in the middle of the avenue, in the dead quiet city whilst another huge balloon was maneuvered over us!
K and Middle were some distance away but had managed to find their way near the closed zone and could see us deflating.
We stood, my team, and hugged and laughed and celebrated.
Exhilarating. Extraordinary.
Back to the hotel, amidst thousands of clowns, de-costume, hustle and bustle, meet K and Middle, more hugging and goodbyes to teams...on to the train...home and hot coffee...off to my Aunt's.
Overwhelmed and tired.
Grateful and happy.
Survivor
It would appear that the rain won't move in until after I'm done with the parade.
I've got my outfit planned (though I still can't decide between Uggs and sneakers) and I feel tired enough to hit the hay pretty early.
It's 7:57 and I have officially STOPPED DRINKING FLUIDS.
It's day 29 and Jeff does an opening recap of the season and we realize that it's a recap show. Sure, new scenes are promised, but can that keep me on the couch?
Nope.
Talk to you tomorrow.
I've got my outfit planned (though I still can't decide between Uggs and sneakers) and I feel tired enough to hit the hay pretty early.
It's 7:57 and I have officially STOPPED DRINKING FLUIDS.
It's day 29 and Jeff does an opening recap of the season and we realize that it's a recap show. Sure, new scenes are promised, but can that keep me on the couch?
Nope.
Talk to you tomorrow.
it's only Tuesday, updated
I'm off work tomorrow, though I have some things to tend to via email.
It's a countdown now, until 4:15am on Thursday, when a co-worker will pick me up and we'll ride into town. We'll park and proceed to a hotel to change into our parade costumes. From there, we (with 15 other office-mates) board a bus and are taken to our balloon.
We've had some prep = the rehearsal a couple of weeks ago and a letter with specific instructions last weekend, and we've spent weeks speculating at the office.
We've become a close-knit group, the balloon handlers. We send each other emails, we frantically check the weather reports, we talk in the halls, about what we'll wear under our jumpsuits and how we'll refrain from drinking.
We are about 20% of the workforce. Some members of the team are unlikely candidates, but we have the same concerns and anticipations.
Will it rain? What shoes might be best? Will we be exhausted?
I half think I'll be exhausted from the excitement. It's a grand performance we'll be doing. I don't know that I've done anything like this before.
I don't think any of us care if we are on television or not. I haven't given that part of it much thought at all.
We'll be walking/marching/holding a giant balloon for over two miles on a cold, and likely rainy, holiday, past thousands of people. What will that be like?
By chance, my boss rode the train next to a 15 year veteran balloon captain yesterday. She had invaluable information which only served to whet our appetites:
Don't overdress. The costume can be warm - jeans and a sweater may be enough.
Follow the clowns to the buses - there are lots of clowns.
Watch the pilots, intersections can be difficult.
The people working the front and back of the balloon have more work...
I'm at the back of the balloon but I'm not put off by this warning. KT and I were told that there would be spotters available to take our place if we became tired or concerned.
I have new sneakers and I'll put together of bag of things to have K bring into town for me (we leave from town for Thanksgiving at MFAOA's house) to change into in the event of wet weather.
I'm so excited.
*****************************************************************
It's Wednesday morning - family members are calling to wish me luck!
Some notes for those concerned:
My "new sneakers" were purchased in September and are well broken in. But are they warm?
It has taken a turn toward winter here with temperatures in the 30's last night, and it's breezy too!
Fear not, I have been trained to handle the right foot in some wind.
Here's a great piece on balloon handling.
Finally, aside from being thankful (we, over here, speak of such things on this holiday) for this terrific opportunity to fly a balloon, I am mostly thankful to be spending the afternoon portion of the day with MFAOA, who is in fine form.
Thank you to everyone who prayed with me and asked about her all this past year.
She is well.
I am thankful.
Amen.
It's a countdown now, until 4:15am on Thursday, when a co-worker will pick me up and we'll ride into town. We'll park and proceed to a hotel to change into our parade costumes. From there, we (with 15 other office-mates) board a bus and are taken to our balloon.
We've had some prep = the rehearsal a couple of weeks ago and a letter with specific instructions last weekend, and we've spent weeks speculating at the office.
We've become a close-knit group, the balloon handlers. We send each other emails, we frantically check the weather reports, we talk in the halls, about what we'll wear under our jumpsuits and how we'll refrain from drinking.
We are about 20% of the workforce. Some members of the team are unlikely candidates, but we have the same concerns and anticipations.
Will it rain? What shoes might be best? Will we be exhausted?
I half think I'll be exhausted from the excitement. It's a grand performance we'll be doing. I don't know that I've done anything like this before.
I don't think any of us care if we are on television or not. I haven't given that part of it much thought at all.
We'll be walking/marching/holding a giant balloon for over two miles on a cold, and likely rainy, holiday, past thousands of people. What will that be like?
By chance, my boss rode the train next to a 15 year veteran balloon captain yesterday. She had invaluable information which only served to whet our appetites:
Don't overdress. The costume can be warm - jeans and a sweater may be enough.
Follow the clowns to the buses - there are lots of clowns.
Watch the pilots, intersections can be difficult.
The people working the front and back of the balloon have more work...
I'm at the back of the balloon but I'm not put off by this warning. KT and I were told that there would be spotters available to take our place if we became tired or concerned.
I have new sneakers and I'll put together of bag of things to have K bring into town for me (we leave from town for Thanksgiving at MFAOA's house) to change into in the event of wet weather.
I'm so excited.
*****************************************************************
It's Wednesday morning - family members are calling to wish me luck!
Some notes for those concerned:
My "new sneakers" were purchased in September and are well broken in. But are they warm?
It has taken a turn toward winter here with temperatures in the 30's last night, and it's breezy too!
Fear not, I have been trained to handle the right foot in some wind.
Here's a great piece on balloon handling.
Finally, aside from being thankful (we, over here, speak of such things on this holiday) for this terrific opportunity to fly a balloon, I am mostly thankful to be spending the afternoon portion of the day with MFAOA, who is in fine form.
Thank you to everyone who prayed with me and asked about her all this past year.
She is well.
I am thankful.
Amen.
Angry Birds
It has effected many of us.
From Australia to Tuvalu, the Angry Birds have consumed our waking hours.
There is, presently, no defense.
From Australia to Tuvalu, the Angry Birds have consumed our waking hours.
There is, presently, no defense.
Sunday evening
I've broken a tooth.
My recurring nightmare is breaking/losing teeth and, so, having this occur on a quiet Sunday afternoon, over some hummus and pretzel "thins" is distressing to me.
I can only imagine the cost of repairing/capping this tooth and whined to K that I could have, for example, seven hundred-dollar shoes, to which he replied that I will, in my mouth.
Oldest bought me some dental wax so I can't feel the sharp edge.
I've pulled a muscle too, in my shoulder. I was twisting in bed. To SEE THE CLOCK.
I had a strange digestive issue as well. My insides grumbled all day yesterday. Nothing came of it but I thought I'd mention it anyway.
Youngest is hard at work on his Christmas list.
Middle is busy with Angry Birds.
Oldest is nearly done with his Christmas shopping! (Don't you hate people like that?)
The yard is completely covered with golden leaves, the air is cool and crisp and there is rain forecast for Thursday.
For now, I'm sitting next to K as he pitches birds up into the air.
My recurring nightmare is breaking/losing teeth and, so, having this occur on a quiet Sunday afternoon, over some hummus and pretzel "thins" is distressing to me.
I can only imagine the cost of repairing/capping this tooth and whined to K that I could have, for example, seven hundred-dollar shoes, to which he replied that I will, in my mouth.
Oldest bought me some dental wax so I can't feel the sharp edge.
I've pulled a muscle too, in my shoulder. I was twisting in bed. To SEE THE CLOCK.
I had a strange digestive issue as well. My insides grumbled all day yesterday. Nothing came of it but I thought I'd mention it anyway.
Youngest is hard at work on his Christmas list.
Middle is busy with Angry Birds.
Oldest is nearly done with his Christmas shopping! (Don't you hate people like that?)
The yard is completely covered with golden leaves, the air is cool and crisp and there is rain forecast for Thursday.
For now, I'm sitting next to K as he pitches birds up into the air.
le weekend
bb: Do we have any hot plans for the weekend?
K: Well, there is the whole supermarket pas de deux.
K: Well, there is the whole supermarket pas de deux.
lord almighty
We usually say lord A mighty but typing it out I realized it doesn't make much sense.
What's going on? I hear you asking. Well, not really hear. That would be creepy, wouldn't it?
I worked my butt off this week. What's left of my butt, anyway.
Are your bodies changing a lot out there?
You! Is your body changing?
Because I lost all kinds of weight when I first started working and then I gained some back but now I have no butt. Or it's flat. Hard to say.
Anyone still there?
God.
Lord a mighty.
Anyway, so, worked my butt off whilst continuously clicking on the weather.com thing to see if it IS or ISN'T going to rain on Thanksgiving.
Cold I can plan for - that's all about layering (HEAVY COATS WILL NOT FIT UNDER YOUR COSTUME. PLAN ACCORDINGLY.) But rain? Do I wear Wellies? I certainly cannot carry an umbrella.
I sent a large shipment to a charity event (I can't say more but it involved looking up lots of info on the intrawebs) and I organized an offsite event at a private club - which I also took a tour of.
But today is Friday, although one of the trains on my line hit an "unauthorized person on the tracks" leaving me without a train.
K drove Middle and me to a nearby town and we took two trains to work which was somewhat exciting. It's a very different thing, having to catch a specific train rather than what we do which is arriving at the station at a somewhat leisurely pace and settling in at the start of a line.
LOOK, I KNOW THIS IS FASCINATING.
Whilst on the trains Middle and I discussed my technology options. You see, my headphones for my iPod are broken, again, and my wee shuffle has gotten wonky. At the same time, my clam shell, free telephone from 2002 is somewhat worse for wear.
Dear readers, do I GO for the iPhone?
Rather, does Santa bring me an iPhone?
I do, on some level, need to remain somewhat technologically PRESENT as I do need to, at least, appear to be on top of things.
You can ponder that.
Big news! Oldest has sold the car of his dreams.
EXPLANATION: When Oldest turned 21, I think, K and I and he chipped in on a car he reallyreally wanted - a Toyota Supra. It was the car he'd always loved and he and K drove a great distance to get it. It needed a ton of work and frequently broke down but he adored it. It ended up, after we put all kinds of money into it, in our driveway. Oldest has a little heap he drives as it is far more economical.
It sat, this car, for years. There were extra parts in the garage and Oldest planned on fixing it.
Without exaggerating, I would say that people rang our doorbell three or four times a month to ask about that car. Every neighborhood landscaper/ delivery guy/guy just passing in his car would ask about that car. It was the car of many men's dreams.
Yesterday a fellow appeared with a battery (the car barely runs) and money and he bought it.
And I know Oldest has a lump in his throat seeing that car leave. The dream car.
Every guy has a dream car. K had a Mustang that I made him sell (you could see the ground through the floor!). Hell, I HAD A DREAM CAR (an MG Midget).
It's the car you'd love to keep but realize it's impossible and the right person comes along and you need the money and....you grow up, just a little, and the dream goes to someone else's driveway.
Now I've made myself misty.
It's Friday and I'm going for a burger (and maybe a beer now!) with my dear friend J!
What's going on? I hear you asking. Well, not really hear. That would be creepy, wouldn't it?
I worked my butt off this week. What's left of my butt, anyway.
Are your bodies changing a lot out there?
You! Is your body changing?
Because I lost all kinds of weight when I first started working and then I gained some back but now I have no butt. Or it's flat. Hard to say.
Anyone still there?
God.
Lord a mighty.
Anyway, so, worked my butt off whilst continuously clicking on the weather.com thing to see if it IS or ISN'T going to rain on Thanksgiving.
Cold I can plan for - that's all about layering (HEAVY COATS WILL NOT FIT UNDER YOUR COSTUME. PLAN ACCORDINGLY.) But rain? Do I wear Wellies? I certainly cannot carry an umbrella.
I sent a large shipment to a charity event (I can't say more but it involved looking up lots of info on the intrawebs) and I organized an offsite event at a private club - which I also took a tour of.
But today is Friday, although one of the trains on my line hit an "unauthorized person on the tracks" leaving me without a train.
K drove Middle and me to a nearby town and we took two trains to work which was somewhat exciting. It's a very different thing, having to catch a specific train rather than what we do which is arriving at the station at a somewhat leisurely pace and settling in at the start of a line.
LOOK, I KNOW THIS IS FASCINATING.
Whilst on the trains Middle and I discussed my technology options. You see, my headphones for my iPod are broken, again, and my wee shuffle has gotten wonky. At the same time, my clam shell, free telephone from 2002 is somewhat worse for wear.
Dear readers, do I GO for the iPhone?
Rather, does Santa bring me an iPhone?
I do, on some level, need to remain somewhat technologically PRESENT as I do need to, at least, appear to be on top of things.
You can ponder that.
Big news! Oldest has sold the car of his dreams.
EXPLANATION: When Oldest turned 21, I think, K and I and he chipped in on a car he reallyreally wanted - a Toyota Supra. It was the car he'd always loved and he and K drove a great distance to get it. It needed a ton of work and frequently broke down but he adored it. It ended up, after we put all kinds of money into it, in our driveway. Oldest has a little heap he drives as it is far more economical.
It sat, this car, for years. There were extra parts in the garage and Oldest planned on fixing it.
Without exaggerating, I would say that people rang our doorbell three or four times a month to ask about that car. Every neighborhood landscaper/ delivery guy/guy just passing in his car would ask about that car. It was the car of many men's dreams.
Yesterday a fellow appeared with a battery (the car barely runs) and money and he bought it.
And I know Oldest has a lump in his throat seeing that car leave. The dream car.
Every guy has a dream car. K had a Mustang that I made him sell (you could see the ground through the floor!). Hell, I HAD A DREAM CAR (an MG Midget).
It's the car you'd love to keep but realize it's impossible and the right person comes along and you need the money and....you grow up, just a little, and the dream goes to someone else's driveway.
Now I've made myself misty.
It's Friday and I'm going for a burger (and maybe a beer now!) with my dear friend J!
Survivor
Sheesh!
K sent me a little treasure box of useful presents and I was distracted in the excitement of these things and missed the Survivor camp burning down! They had made a barricade around the fire? With wooden chests?
Fabio and Jane and a few other tribe mates are chowing down on the volcano after winning a challenge. Naonka pulls Fabio aside to convince him to vote Brenda out. They are in a terrific-looking black lava desert.
There is a wonderful endurance challenge which ends up with Jane and Chase holding themselves up over a pool of water with a rope. Jane wants to quit but Jeff and the team cheer for her to stay on and, in the end, she wins! She shakes from the effort but triumphs against one of the strongest members of the team. Very exciting.
Following this television action there was a great wind near our house which I, in my new underwear and socks, could not possibly investigate! Did I mention that I have convinced K to not buzz all his hair off? Have I told you that his hair is soft and long and wavy and beautiful? I AM DISTRACTED.
Chase tells Brenda that everyone including Naonka is voting for her. She's looking particularly pretty tonight. (I, sort of, don't know the difference between Chase and Benry, fyi.)
Brenda believed that she and Naonka had a strong alliance. Now she's wondering if she can vote her out.
Alina and Marty are on the jury, looking fresh and shaved.
Brenda talks about trust and alliances and calls Naonka out.
Naonka blames Chase.
"Purple" Kelly is out of the loop and has no idea what's going on.
Brenda goes home, which is somewhat surprising.
K sent me a little treasure box of useful presents and I was distracted in the excitement of these things and missed the Survivor camp burning down! They had made a barricade around the fire? With wooden chests?
Fabio and Jane and a few other tribe mates are chowing down on the volcano after winning a challenge. Naonka pulls Fabio aside to convince him to vote Brenda out. They are in a terrific-looking black lava desert.
There is a wonderful endurance challenge which ends up with Jane and Chase holding themselves up over a pool of water with a rope. Jane wants to quit but Jeff and the team cheer for her to stay on and, in the end, she wins! She shakes from the effort but triumphs against one of the strongest members of the team. Very exciting.
Following this television action there was a great wind near our house which I, in my new underwear and socks, could not possibly investigate! Did I mention that I have convinced K to not buzz all his hair off? Have I told you that his hair is soft and long and wavy and beautiful? I AM DISTRACTED.
Chase tells Brenda that everyone including Naonka is voting for her. She's looking particularly pretty tonight. (I, sort of, don't know the difference between Chase and Benry, fyi.)
Brenda believed that she and Naonka had a strong alliance. Now she's wondering if she can vote her out.
Alina and Marty are on the jury, looking fresh and shaved.
Brenda talks about trust and alliances and calls Naonka out.
Naonka blames Chase.
"Purple" Kelly is out of the loop and has no idea what's going on.
Brenda goes home, which is somewhat surprising.
notes from the commute
I mentioned him last year, Cole-Haan.
He still looks snappy and smart, he has a black Kindle this year, and I've seen a bit more of him.
Middle and K have not commuted with me lately due to schedule changes.
Somewhere along the line I changed train cars as well (I was riding in the fifth car with the boys) and I moved back to the third car. The car with the Couple and Cole-Haan.
One day last week, I was reading my paper, before the train left the station, and who should sit next to me? Mr. Haan. He was wearing a very nice grey vee neck sweater with just the right amount of shirt cuff showing, I noticed. That's a tough thing, getting the cuffs right with a sweater. He had the presence of mind to not be wearing french cuffs and I was pleased to see he had gotten that right too. But, understand, I did not look directly at him - no, that would have been too obvious. Fortunately, I was wearing sunglasses as it was very bright out and I was trying to read.
Cole-Haan read his black Kindle and checked his iPhone only once. The inside of his case was very tidy.
I put away my paper as we neared the station and got my iPod.
He left the car before me and I wondered if he might remember that we work on the same street and if he had ever noticed me. I pondered whether he might walk to work...and then I forgot about him as I went upstairs and started walking downtown.
I decided, that morning, to make a turn and walk through the flower district. I wanted to see the fall things and enjoyed seeing all the branches and moss.
I had great music in my ears, the sun was shining, my shoes were comfortable. It was the perfect commute.
I turned the corner on my block and, as I had walked east earlier, was at the east end of my street when I spied him. He was walking directly toward me. Would he realize he had just sat next to me on the train? Did he pay any attention to me at all?
His expression changed just before we passed each other. A sudden realization flashed across his face. And I let myself smile for a fraction of a second.
Of course, after I ducked into my building, I giggled out loud.
Contact with Mr. Haan after two years of riding in the same car.
I was feeling smug.
Then, today, Mr. Haan one upped me.
He sat next to me again, but this time he smiled and said: May I?
Well played, Cole-Haan, well played.
He still looks snappy and smart, he has a black Kindle this year, and I've seen a bit more of him.
Middle and K have not commuted with me lately due to schedule changes.
Somewhere along the line I changed train cars as well (I was riding in the fifth car with the boys) and I moved back to the third car. The car with the Couple and Cole-Haan.
One day last week, I was reading my paper, before the train left the station, and who should sit next to me? Mr. Haan. He was wearing a very nice grey vee neck sweater with just the right amount of shirt cuff showing, I noticed. That's a tough thing, getting the cuffs right with a sweater. He had the presence of mind to not be wearing french cuffs and I was pleased to see he had gotten that right too. But, understand, I did not look directly at him - no, that would have been too obvious. Fortunately, I was wearing sunglasses as it was very bright out and I was trying to read.
Cole-Haan read his black Kindle and checked his iPhone only once. The inside of his case was very tidy.
I put away my paper as we neared the station and got my iPod.
He left the car before me and I wondered if he might remember that we work on the same street and if he had ever noticed me. I pondered whether he might walk to work...and then I forgot about him as I went upstairs and started walking downtown.
I decided, that morning, to make a turn and walk through the flower district. I wanted to see the fall things and enjoyed seeing all the branches and moss.
I had great music in my ears, the sun was shining, my shoes were comfortable. It was the perfect commute.
I turned the corner on my block and, as I had walked east earlier, was at the east end of my street when I spied him. He was walking directly toward me. Would he realize he had just sat next to me on the train? Did he pay any attention to me at all?
His expression changed just before we passed each other. A sudden realization flashed across his face. And I let myself smile for a fraction of a second.
Of course, after I ducked into my building, I giggled out loud.
Contact with Mr. Haan after two years of riding in the same car.
I was feeling smug.
Then, today, Mr. Haan one upped me.
He sat next to me again, but this time he smiled and said: May I?
Well played, Cole-Haan, well played.
weekend wrap-up
It's Sunday night and I'm watching Fortysomething and noticing that Hugh Laurie was sort of wimpy looking when he was younger and, though it's only eight o'clock, I'm tired.
I accompanied Youngest at a sleep study on Friday night and was amazed at how lovely and comfortable the place was. Surprisingly, I was able to sleep, not surprisingly, I didn't sleep as soundly as I do at home. But none of that matters! It was Youngest's sleep patterns that were being studied. So, we'll see how that turns out.
Last night we had dinner with friends. We cooked our own pizzas in their spiffy kitchen fireplace thing and I had too much Boomsma. Isn't that a good name? Actually, I can't even say I had too much Boomsma. I had SOME Boomsma and it left me feel parched and headachy this morning.
But, somehow, between the gin and the pizza and staying up late and not sleeping quite enough, K and I hatched a SECRET PLAN.
I know, I know, you want to know immediately about this plan but I cannot say A WORD.
Remember when the Fall Event was still a secret plan?
I got my Official Parade Instructions yesterday. The bad news is I am expected on site at 5:30am. And I have to wear a "costume." AND there are specific instructions to STAY CLEAR OF HORSES. Finally, I am not permitted to chew gum. I'll tell you, there's an awful lot involved in this parade business.
(This Fortysomething show is not very good. K and I have hardly smirked.)
I have new shoes and I'm wearing them to work tomorrow. I did a test run whilst sipping the BOOMSMA and they did not hurt and they make me taller. Points.
Points:
IF YOU HAVE A PROBLEM WITH YOUR COSTUME DO NOT SIMPLY PULL ANOTHER ONE OFF THE RACK. PLEASE SEE A MEMBER OF THE COSTUME CREW FOR ASSISTANCE.
ONCE YOU ARE AT YOUR BALLOON, IT IS BEST PRACTICE TO STAY THERE. DO NOT WANDER OFF TO LOOK AT THE OTHER ELEMENTS, TO GET COFFEE, ETC. STAY WITH YOUR TEAM!
Get coffee?
I accompanied Youngest at a sleep study on Friday night and was amazed at how lovely and comfortable the place was. Surprisingly, I was able to sleep, not surprisingly, I didn't sleep as soundly as I do at home. But none of that matters! It was Youngest's sleep patterns that were being studied. So, we'll see how that turns out.
Last night we had dinner with friends. We cooked our own pizzas in their spiffy kitchen fireplace thing and I had too much Boomsma. Isn't that a good name? Actually, I can't even say I had too much Boomsma. I had SOME Boomsma and it left me feel parched and headachy this morning.
But, somehow, between the gin and the pizza and staying up late and not sleeping quite enough, K and I hatched a SECRET PLAN.
I know, I know, you want to know immediately about this plan but I cannot say A WORD.
Remember when the Fall Event was still a secret plan?
I got my Official Parade Instructions yesterday. The bad news is I am expected on site at 5:30am. And I have to wear a "costume." AND there are specific instructions to STAY CLEAR OF HORSES. Finally, I am not permitted to chew gum. I'll tell you, there's an awful lot involved in this parade business.
(This Fortysomething show is not very good. K and I have hardly smirked.)
I have new shoes and I'm wearing them to work tomorrow. I did a test run whilst sipping the BOOMSMA and they did not hurt and they make me taller. Points.
Points:
IF YOU HAVE A PROBLEM WITH YOUR COSTUME DO NOT SIMPLY PULL ANOTHER ONE OFF THE RACK. PLEASE SEE A MEMBER OF THE COSTUME CREW FOR ASSISTANCE.
ONCE YOU ARE AT YOUR BALLOON, IT IS BEST PRACTICE TO STAY THERE. DO NOT WANDER OFF TO LOOK AT THE OTHER ELEMENTS, TO GET COFFEE, ETC. STAY WITH YOUR TEAM!
Get coffee?
ahead of me/behind me AND a transatlantic conversation!
I had an email last night, from Alice. My dear Alice. Lovely Alice!
She asked for my telephone number and I gave it to her.
She had news to share and, once we were on the phone together, we rushed right into her exciting blog development. No how-do-you-dos for us. We launched, immediately, into her news and stories of MissM and my idea for her to marry Middle!
That's the thing about internet friends. They can step into conversation with you as though they've been there all along. Seriously. Alice called just as I was stuffing my face with guacamole and tortilla chips and she took my mumbling and teeth-picking in stride! Plus, we totally fell in to step regarding our children and their accomplishments or LACK THEREOF. Just saying.
Twas a truly lovely call and, had I given myself time to consider it further, I'm sure I'd cry. Really.
But, as it is, I'm in the midst of a heck of a week!
To get you up to speed: Youngest has sufficiently recovered from a "procedure" and, with limits on his physical activity for the next couple of weeks he should be fine. We still have a couple of other medical things to attend to between now and January but I'm not expecting anything significant to develop.
It's been an extraordinary week at my office. A huge project has finished and we are celebrating.
And, during the celebration, my pal CB was promoted to a wonderful new position and this
is him at the end of his very exciting day. (I luff this photo.)
We're dining at the C's home this weekend: mussels and frites and the weather is slightly too warm for me.
An office visitor just told me that there's quite a bit of snow on 60th street right now. Of course, there are a few dozen movie vehicles too, so that explains it.
She asked for my telephone number and I gave it to her.
She had news to share and, once we were on the phone together, we rushed right into her exciting blog development. No how-do-you-dos for us. We launched, immediately, into her news and stories of MissM and my idea for her to marry Middle!
That's the thing about internet friends. They can step into conversation with you as though they've been there all along. Seriously. Alice called just as I was stuffing my face with guacamole and tortilla chips and she took my mumbling and teeth-picking in stride! Plus, we totally fell in to step regarding our children and their accomplishments or LACK THEREOF. Just saying.
Twas a truly lovely call and, had I given myself time to consider it further, I'm sure I'd cry. Really.
But, as it is, I'm in the midst of a heck of a week!
To get you up to speed: Youngest has sufficiently recovered from a "procedure" and, with limits on his physical activity for the next couple of weeks he should be fine. We still have a couple of other medical things to attend to between now and January but I'm not expecting anything significant to develop.
It's been an extraordinary week at my office. A huge project has finished and we are celebrating.
And, during the celebration, my pal CB was promoted to a wonderful new position and this
is him at the end of his very exciting day. (I luff this photo.)
We're dining at the C's home this weekend: mussels and frites and the weather is slightly too warm for me.
An office visitor just told me that there's quite a bit of snow on 60th street right now. Of course, there are a few dozen movie vehicles too, so that explains it.
Blackbird's Two Minute Movie Reviews
Babies is a wonderful, small, quiet film about the first year in the lives of four babies...
Ponijao, who lives in Namibia,
Mari, who lives in Japan,
Bayar who lives in Mongolia! And,
Hattie, who lives in the US.
I say it's a small quiet film as it has no voice-over, no dialogue and just a little music with ambient sound. It is, blissfully, not narrated.
I loved it.
It's a tiny snapshot of each of these sweet babies and is such a lovely portrait of different lives...
each baby captured my heart...
and there was little saccharine sentiment to bog the pictures down.
I'm trying to make Middle watch it! Or maybe Youngest...Oldest might, even!
Look! Bayar can walk! It's a moment of triumph.
And, I know I said I wanted to live in Tibet, but NOW I want to live in Mongolia, in a rug-strew yurt with a motorcycle and satellite television.
Ponijao, who lives in Namibia,
Mari, who lives in Japan,
Bayar who lives in Mongolia! And,
Hattie, who lives in the US.
I say it's a small quiet film as it has no voice-over, no dialogue and just a little music with ambient sound. It is, blissfully, not narrated.
I loved it.
It's a tiny snapshot of each of these sweet babies and is such a lovely portrait of different lives...
each baby captured my heart...
and there was little saccharine sentiment to bog the pictures down.
I'm trying to make Middle watch it! Or maybe Youngest...Oldest might, even!
Look! Bayar can walk! It's a moment of triumph.
And, I know I said I wanted to live in Tibet, but NOW I want to live in Mongolia, in a rug-strew yurt with a motorcycle and satellite television.
Survivor
It was Marty vs. Jane last week, which didn't matter as Alina went home.
11 are left and it's night 22.
Naonka feels bad for Jane. She would have "hit Marty really really hard" if he was after her.
The team try to reassure Jane who feels threatened but strong.
(As an aside, at this juncture, I'd like to mention that chewing bubble gum loudly on the 8:12am train is practically disfiguring! A beautiful young woman resembled a cow this morning.)
I'd like to tell you what happened at 8:07pm but Mom was busy telling me about her favorite thrift shop and how they are having a 50% off sale tomorrow.
Marty is very busy lobbying for Jane to be voted out next. Does he, in fact, have a "noose around his neck?"
We have no time to speculate. It's time for a challenge. A reward challenge.
Two random teams will move through obstacles to collect keys which unlock a flag.
The winning team will have a zip-line tour of the canopy of the jungle and then a feast.
It's men vs. women and Chase must sit out as the teams are uneven. To stay in the competition he must choose a team to back - he picks the women.
It's a strenuous challenge but the teams move well through it.
The part where sticks must be broken through slows the women down a bit.
Dan slows the men down through the net crawl.
It's a very physical challenge.
The men have their final key first while Jane lags for the women.
The men crash through two brick walls before the women and work their locks while Jane cannot stand up.
The men struggle with the locks while the women struggle through the end of the course.
The men win!
Apparently the randomness of men vs. women was just that, random.
Jeff asks the men if one woman deserves to attend the reward in their place - no takers.
One of the men could have given up a spot at reward for one of the women and won some votes, but no one did.
And Chase sided with the women which Marty points out, could have been stupid.
The reward looks swell.
The women hold Chase in high esteem for believing in them - though Brenda thinks he was stupid.
Should Chase have backed the men.
But he thinks he needed to show the "girls" they could trust him.
Chase levels with Naonka. Brenda should be voted out next and then Marty.
Naonka tells him not to "work Brenda's nerves" and yet he seems to do just that.
Brenda doesn't appreciate his attention.
Naonka tells Brenda that she warned Chase not to IRK Brenda!
But he just done and IRKED BRENDA.
There's tree mail describing a memory test.
Jane is praying for triumph over evil. That would be Marty.
It's an Immunity Challenge wherein the players are shown a series of symbols which must be repeated.
Like this: ship, musket, anchor, ships wheel, musket, ship.
Players must show the first symbol, then the second, then the third, Jane and Naonka get the third symbol wrong.
Next, Dan drops out.
Musket or ship?
Three more fall.
Five players are left.
Brenda, Benry, Chase, Marty, Fabio.
Another round of symbols and Fabio fails.
Chase is out next.
Benry is out.
It's Marty vs. Brenda for Immunity.
Brenda is sure of the next symbol but Marty is not.
Brenda is right and wins.
That's it for him, say I.
Back at the camp, Marty makes all kinds of moves to save his skin.
Naonka feels confident. She will use the idol to save herself.
Chase thinks the team is saying they'll vote Naonka to blindside Jane.
Marty speaks to Brenda.
Will it be a blindside Jane situation?
Brenda agrees that Jane is a huge threat.
She says she and Sash are running the camp.
The plan? Tell everyone it's Naonka but vote Marty.
Sash says he'd keep Marty around for a while.
At Tribal, Alina is the first member of the Jury.
Jeff discusses the men vs. women challenge.
Jane's position is a topic of further conversation.
She feels threatened.
The whole Naonka stealing thing is brought up again.
She says it was stupid and doesn't want to talk about it anymore.
We miss a verbal altercation between Marty and Naonka saying hello to K who returned from a long day at work (no complaints!).
Naonka says eff you to everyone!
Jeff is speechless!
We think we should be amazed, but we are NOT.
They won't even vote Naonka out, I think. (She flashes her middle finger during Marty's vote.)
Anyone going to play the Idol? Anyone have it? WE DON'T KNOW.
The votes are split between Jane and Marty.
I am on the edge of my seat!
Marty gets voted out!
11 are left and it's night 22.
Naonka feels bad for Jane. She would have "hit Marty really really hard" if he was after her.
The team try to reassure Jane who feels threatened but strong.
(As an aside, at this juncture, I'd like to mention that chewing bubble gum loudly on the 8:12am train is practically disfiguring! A beautiful young woman resembled a cow this morning.)
I'd like to tell you what happened at 8:07pm but Mom was busy telling me about her favorite thrift shop and how they are having a 50% off sale tomorrow.
Marty is very busy lobbying for Jane to be voted out next. Does he, in fact, have a "noose around his neck?"
We have no time to speculate. It's time for a challenge. A reward challenge.
Two random teams will move through obstacles to collect keys which unlock a flag.
The winning team will have a zip-line tour of the canopy of the jungle and then a feast.
It's men vs. women and Chase must sit out as the teams are uneven. To stay in the competition he must choose a team to back - he picks the women.
It's a strenuous challenge but the teams move well through it.
The part where sticks must be broken through slows the women down a bit.
Dan slows the men down through the net crawl.
It's a very physical challenge.
The men have their final key first while Jane lags for the women.
The men crash through two brick walls before the women and work their locks while Jane cannot stand up.
The men struggle with the locks while the women struggle through the end of the course.
The men win!
Apparently the randomness of men vs. women was just that, random.
Jeff asks the men if one woman deserves to attend the reward in their place - no takers.
One of the men could have given up a spot at reward for one of the women and won some votes, but no one did.
And Chase sided with the women which Marty points out, could have been stupid.
The reward looks swell.
The women hold Chase in high esteem for believing in them - though Brenda thinks he was stupid.
Should Chase have backed the men.
But he thinks he needed to show the "girls" they could trust him.
Chase levels with Naonka. Brenda should be voted out next and then Marty.
Naonka tells him not to "work Brenda's nerves" and yet he seems to do just that.
Brenda doesn't appreciate his attention.
Naonka tells Brenda that she warned Chase not to IRK Brenda!
But he just done and IRKED BRENDA.
There's tree mail describing a memory test.
Jane is praying for triumph over evil. That would be Marty.
It's an Immunity Challenge wherein the players are shown a series of symbols which must be repeated.
Like this: ship, musket, anchor, ships wheel, musket, ship.
Players must show the first symbol, then the second, then the third, Jane and Naonka get the third symbol wrong.
Next, Dan drops out.
Musket or ship?
Three more fall.
Five players are left.
Brenda, Benry, Chase, Marty, Fabio.
Another round of symbols and Fabio fails.
Chase is out next.
Benry is out.
It's Marty vs. Brenda for Immunity.
Brenda is sure of the next symbol but Marty is not.
Brenda is right and wins.
That's it for him, say I.
Back at the camp, Marty makes all kinds of moves to save his skin.
Naonka feels confident. She will use the idol to save herself.
Chase thinks the team is saying they'll vote Naonka to blindside Jane.
Marty speaks to Brenda.
Will it be a blindside Jane situation?
Brenda agrees that Jane is a huge threat.
She says she and Sash are running the camp.
The plan? Tell everyone it's Naonka but vote Marty.
Sash says he'd keep Marty around for a while.
At Tribal, Alina is the first member of the Jury.
Jeff discusses the men vs. women challenge.
Jane's position is a topic of further conversation.
She feels threatened.
The whole Naonka stealing thing is brought up again.
She says it was stupid and doesn't want to talk about it anymore.
We miss a verbal altercation between Marty and Naonka saying hello to K who returned from a long day at work (no complaints!).
Naonka says eff you to everyone!
Jeff is speechless!
We think we should be amazed, but we are NOT.
They won't even vote Naonka out, I think. (She flashes her middle finger during Marty's vote.)
Anyone going to play the Idol? Anyone have it? WE DON'T KNOW.
The votes are split between Jane and Marty.
I am on the edge of my seat!
Marty gets voted out!
Have you checked the archives?
Really, I'm awfully good in the archives. I think I am, anyway.
What am I up to?
Big stuff! Big Stuff, people. Exciting events at work (which I cannot write about), medical travails with Youngest (he's fine) (which I cannot write about), and sore muscles from balloon practice!
I've been working late and going in early (it's all good as long as I have my iPod when I'm walking) and have barely had time to come home and throw in a load of laundry.
K and I are going to watch Babies tonight and I promise to do a review.
Also, the boys informed me (and they are correct) that my hair guy botched my hair a bit this time. I've lost my Wintour edge a little and I need to wait it out a couple of weeks more and have him re-cut it.
In the meantime, the balloon team has bonded beautifully. What do we talk about? How to avoid needing to pee during the parade. No joke. We need to make ourselves available for the parade from 5am Thanksgiving morning until 12:30 that afternoon. There will be no opportunity to leave the parade and use the loo. One doesn't think of these things until one must. Just saying.
Presently, I'm watching Globe Trekker and that cute guy with the accent is in Tibet and I feel obligated to point out that:
1. Tibetans wear the coolest things. The best accessories. I think I could be Tibetan.
2. I have no interest in mountain climbing but I could definitely maintain a wonderful base-camp.
Really. Check the archives.
What am I up to?
Big stuff! Big Stuff, people. Exciting events at work (which I cannot write about), medical travails with Youngest (he's fine) (which I cannot write about), and sore muscles from balloon practice!
I've been working late and going in early (it's all good as long as I have my iPod when I'm walking) and have barely had time to come home and throw in a load of laundry.
K and I are going to watch Babies tonight and I promise to do a review.
Also, the boys informed me (and they are correct) that my hair guy botched my hair a bit this time. I've lost my Wintour edge a little and I need to wait it out a couple of weeks more and have him re-cut it.
In the meantime, the balloon team has bonded beautifully. What do we talk about? How to avoid needing to pee during the parade. No joke. We need to make ourselves available for the parade from 5am Thanksgiving morning until 12:30 that afternoon. There will be no opportunity to leave the parade and use the loo. One doesn't think of these things until one must. Just saying.
Presently, I'm watching Globe Trekker and that cute guy with the accent is in Tibet and I feel obligated to point out that:
1. Tibetans wear the coolest things. The best accessories. I think I could be Tibetan.
2. I have no interest in mountain climbing but I could definitely maintain a wonderful base-camp.
Really. Check the archives.
style notes
Whilst watching Mr. Depp this evening I have made several style notes:
1. Wear a head rag with confidence. Consider adding some beads.
2. Even pirates realize that over-the-knee boots are best folded down.
3. Try wearing your pashmina around your waist. Jaunty!
4. Brown and grey are lovely together.
5. Black eye pencil works on everyone.
1. Wear a head rag with confidence. Consider adding some beads.
2. Even pirates realize that over-the-knee boots are best folded down.
3. Try wearing your pashmina around your waist. Jaunty!
4. Brown and grey are lovely together.
5. Black eye pencil works on everyone.
The Fall Event
Today I attended the rehearsal for the Very Impressive Fall Event with which I am involved/am participating in/requires practice!
I cannot begin to explain how exciting it was. (I'm not the type to use a lot of exclamation points!)
At 11:00 this morning, 16 of my co-workers and I gathered in a parking lot some distance from my home.
We were warmly welcomed by the staff and given special sweatshirts and offered donuts and warm drinks (it's cool here!) and given instructions.
A large crowd was gathered around us (a thousand people? possibly!) and we listened intently to the rules:
Rule number one: never wrap your string around any part of you.
Rule number two: always listen to your pilot.
We received gloves to protect our hands and did some exercises to limber up.
We learned the signals for Going Up, Speed Up, Reel It In and Stop.
And then we took our positions.
My pal KT and I weren't as fast as some other people and ended up with a foot!
A FOOT!
My Very Impressive Fall Event is walking with a balloon in the Thanksgiving Parade!
Yes!
(No, I cannot believe it either!)
I was asked in August and accepted as I thought it was too interesting an offer to pass on. But, now that I've been trained and have walked with a real live house-sized balloon, I cannot even explain how excited I am.
KT and I held on for dear life and had a pilot all to ourselves as our position in the balloon handling turned out to be very important.
It was very hard work!
(In truth, neither of us makes the weight limit for handling a balloon of this size and we were warned that we would be responsible for holding 100 pounds! They were not kidding.)
We laughed and screamed with delight and swung wide with each turn, as we were told.
Our arms were aching with exertion and our faces hurt from smiling so hard.
I don't have any pictures from during the training as I could not possibly let go of my "bone" though we were told that, in the event of a serious problem, we could do just that: just let go of the balloon.
At the end of the practice we were laughing and jumping and congratulating ourselves on a job well done but our work was not over...we had to help with the deflating of the balloon which was nearly as much fun as walking with it.
That's my beloved work-pal, KT, giggling as the balloon deflates around her.
And these?
These are the Balloon Executives chatting with my boss.
At the end of their conversation they asked who was on the foot of the balloon and then congratulated KT and me on our fine work!
I can barely wait until the actual parade.
(I'll be wearing a red jumpsuit!)
I cannot begin to explain how exciting it was. (I'm not the type to use a lot of exclamation points!)
At 11:00 this morning, 16 of my co-workers and I gathered in a parking lot some distance from my home.
We were warmly welcomed by the staff and given special sweatshirts and offered donuts and warm drinks (it's cool here!) and given instructions.
A large crowd was gathered around us (a thousand people? possibly!) and we listened intently to the rules:
Rule number one: never wrap your string around any part of you.
Rule number two: always listen to your pilot.
We received gloves to protect our hands and did some exercises to limber up.
We learned the signals for Going Up, Speed Up, Reel It In and Stop.
And then we took our positions.
My pal KT and I weren't as fast as some other people and ended up with a foot!
A FOOT!
My Very Impressive Fall Event is walking with a balloon in the Thanksgiving Parade!
Yes!
(No, I cannot believe it either!)
I was asked in August and accepted as I thought it was too interesting an offer to pass on. But, now that I've been trained and have walked with a real live house-sized balloon, I cannot even explain how excited I am.
KT and I held on for dear life and had a pilot all to ourselves as our position in the balloon handling turned out to be very important.
It was very hard work!
(In truth, neither of us makes the weight limit for handling a balloon of this size and we were warned that we would be responsible for holding 100 pounds! They were not kidding.)
We laughed and screamed with delight and swung wide with each turn, as we were told.
Our arms were aching with exertion and our faces hurt from smiling so hard.
I don't have any pictures from during the training as I could not possibly let go of my "bone" though we were told that, in the event of a serious problem, we could do just that: just let go of the balloon.
At the end of the practice we were laughing and jumping and congratulating ourselves on a job well done but our work was not over...we had to help with the deflating of the balloon which was nearly as much fun as walking with it.
That's my beloved work-pal, KT, giggling as the balloon deflates around her.
And these?
These are the Balloon Executives chatting with my boss.
At the end of their conversation they asked who was on the foot of the balloon and then congratulated KT and me on our fine work!
I can barely wait until the actual parade.
(I'll be wearing a red jumpsuit!)
heels*
I went to a party last night in a glittering white palace.
Gardenia scented candles burned in tall glass cylinders and celebrities and fashion industry moguls wandered with tall goblets of white wine.
Earlier in the day, my pal KT and I had dashed downtown in the rain to the venue for our Holiday Party.
We had barely sat down when our hostess brought an over-sized bottle of rose Prosecco.
We tasted all sorts of wonderful things...pickled cauliflower and lentils and peppers and incredible cheeses (the rind of one was soaked in the Prosecco!) and arranged for our fete.
Lunch was topped off with three kinds of gelato, my favorite was the olive oil sprinkled with sea salt.
I barely made it back to the office and wanted to take a nap for the rest of the day.
Today I helped prep my boss for a television appearance.
In the afternoon I arranged for dozens of balloons to be delivered.
On Tuesday the entire staff will be photographed wearing purple!
Tomorrow I will attend a rehearsal for the Fall Event.
I'll bring my camera and shoot you some photos.
And you?
What will you be doing this weekend?
*I will not attend a glitteratti party again without wearing heels. I am terribly short.
Gardenia scented candles burned in tall glass cylinders and celebrities and fashion industry moguls wandered with tall goblets of white wine.
Earlier in the day, my pal KT and I had dashed downtown in the rain to the venue for our Holiday Party.
We had barely sat down when our hostess brought an over-sized bottle of rose Prosecco.
We tasted all sorts of wonderful things...pickled cauliflower and lentils and peppers and incredible cheeses (the rind of one was soaked in the Prosecco!) and arranged for our fete.
Lunch was topped off with three kinds of gelato, my favorite was the olive oil sprinkled with sea salt.
I barely made it back to the office and wanted to take a nap for the rest of the day.
Today I helped prep my boss for a television appearance.
In the afternoon I arranged for dozens of balloons to be delivered.
On Tuesday the entire staff will be photographed wearing purple!
Tomorrow I will attend a rehearsal for the Fall Event.
I'll bring my camera and shoot you some photos.
And you?
What will you be doing this weekend?
*I will not attend a glitteratti party again without wearing heels. I am terribly short.
Survivor
So, I was having lunch with my friend IS today, at the diner, when he said something about his friend Maira. I listened for a bit and then said: wait, what friend Maira?
Maira Kalman, he replied.
And then I died and went to heaven.
Powerful players? Naonka, Marty, Sash. Jill went home. Marty has no allies and the birds are eating dead fish on the beach.
It's day 19 and Marty is sad that Jill has gone. He needs to do the best he can.
Fabio brings tree mail. La Flor is told to pack their belongings and move to a new home.
Marty is delighted.
Espada is told that company is coming to their camp and they should wait for them. Benry reminds us that Alina is going home soon. She advocates that they stick together and vote Marty off first. Kaonka says that no one agrees with this plan.
La Flor arrive and Marty has a new lease on life.
Together the new tribe opens a chest and finds food and buffs and have to rename the tribe.
Marty names the tribe Libertad.
Brenda is very happy to see Naonka again. They make a plan.
Chase and Jane get along very well while fetching water.
Naonka makes tortillas and gets angry that she never gets enough food. She takes the flour away from camp and hides it to get back at them. Then she grabs some fruit while the rest of the team is away and hides cooking utensils.
Later, Alina has a chat with her - would her first vote be Marty? I don't know, I can't understand Naonka but I do get that she warns Alina that she's next. Alina gets very upset but Naonka gives her an orange and tries to calm her down.
The team starts to miss the items that Naonka has stolen.
________points out that Naonka took the flour and put it in her bag.
Fabio confronts her. Alina keeps quiet but confronts her privately and tells her she has to put everything back. She fesses up. She tries to sugar coat it but Marty isn't buying it. She apologizes and the team listens.
Team members decide to ignore Naonka, Mom tells me.
Jane catches a fish and makes a big deal but Marty is tired of her. He warns Brenda that she is dangerous to the team, but Brenda is wary.
Time for the challenge. Players must hold a steel bar with two metal brackets. One man and one woman will win the endurance challenge, for individual immunity.
Kelly and Dan are out immediately. Alina, Brenda, Benry, Sash and Naonka are out pretty quickly. Holly fails leaving Jane with immunity for the women - but she doesn't give up as she wants to beat the men. Marty is the next out leaving Fabio and Chase with Jane. Chase drops his bar, leaving Fabio to win for the men. I am impressed with Jane's strength.
Back at the camp the girls have a hug. She's awfully proud of herself.
(Am I the only person who wants to eat coconut whilst watching?)
Alina decides to lay low and be on Jane's side. Chase polls the crowd about the vote. Marty?
Someone has to speak to Sash. Chase tells Dan that either Marty or Alina has to go.
Sash asks that the team wait one more round as he promised to give him the idol. It's debated. Jane is not comfortable voting for Alina - she thinks Marty should go.
Dan warns Marty that Chase may blindside him. Sash reassures him that Alina is going. (I'm shocked that I'm keeping track of this!)
Marty makes a case to stay because he's no threat and annoys his teammates.
Alina talks to Fabio...what about a Naonka vote? He tells her how threatening she is. Fabio likes Marty, will he vote for Alina?
At Tribal there's talk of Big Moves and Marty "clears the air" regarding Jane. He does a whole monologue about what a threat she is and how she deserves the money and what kind of threat she is. Alina points out that this speech makes HIM the biggest threat. Dan tells about how Naonka stole food and she says she was punished. How culpable is Alina? A little, but she's "a pawn" and so feels she is valuable.
Time to vote.
Alina goes.
The tribe has spoken.
Maira Kalman, he replied.
And then I died and went to heaven.
Powerful players? Naonka, Marty, Sash. Jill went home. Marty has no allies and the birds are eating dead fish on the beach.
It's day 19 and Marty is sad that Jill has gone. He needs to do the best he can.
Fabio brings tree mail. La Flor is told to pack their belongings and move to a new home.
Marty is delighted.
Espada is told that company is coming to their camp and they should wait for them. Benry reminds us that Alina is going home soon. She advocates that they stick together and vote Marty off first. Kaonka says that no one agrees with this plan.
La Flor arrive and Marty has a new lease on life.
Together the new tribe opens a chest and finds food and buffs and have to rename the tribe.
Marty names the tribe Libertad.
Brenda is very happy to see Naonka again. They make a plan.
Chase and Jane get along very well while fetching water.
Naonka makes tortillas and gets angry that she never gets enough food. She takes the flour away from camp and hides it to get back at them. Then she grabs some fruit while the rest of the team is away and hides cooking utensils.
Later, Alina has a chat with her - would her first vote be Marty? I don't know, I can't understand Naonka but I do get that she warns Alina that she's next. Alina gets very upset but Naonka gives her an orange and tries to calm her down.
The team starts to miss the items that Naonka has stolen.
________points out that Naonka took the flour and put it in her bag.
Fabio confronts her. Alina keeps quiet but confronts her privately and tells her she has to put everything back. She fesses up. She tries to sugar coat it but Marty isn't buying it. She apologizes and the team listens.
Team members decide to ignore Naonka, Mom tells me.
Jane catches a fish and makes a big deal but Marty is tired of her. He warns Brenda that she is dangerous to the team, but Brenda is wary.
Time for the challenge. Players must hold a steel bar with two metal brackets. One man and one woman will win the endurance challenge, for individual immunity.
Kelly and Dan are out immediately. Alina, Brenda, Benry, Sash and Naonka are out pretty quickly. Holly fails leaving Jane with immunity for the women - but she doesn't give up as she wants to beat the men. Marty is the next out leaving Fabio and Chase with Jane. Chase drops his bar, leaving Fabio to win for the men. I am impressed with Jane's strength.
Back at the camp the girls have a hug. She's awfully proud of herself.
(Am I the only person who wants to eat coconut whilst watching?)
Alina decides to lay low and be on Jane's side. Chase polls the crowd about the vote. Marty?
Someone has to speak to Sash. Chase tells Dan that either Marty or Alina has to go.
Sash asks that the team wait one more round as he promised to give him the idol. It's debated. Jane is not comfortable voting for Alina - she thinks Marty should go.
Dan warns Marty that Chase may blindside him. Sash reassures him that Alina is going. (I'm shocked that I'm keeping track of this!)
Marty makes a case to stay because he's no threat and annoys his teammates.
Alina talks to Fabio...what about a Naonka vote? He tells her how threatening she is. Fabio likes Marty, will he vote for Alina?
At Tribal there's talk of Big Moves and Marty "clears the air" regarding Jane. He does a whole monologue about what a threat she is and how she deserves the money and what kind of threat she is. Alina points out that this speech makes HIM the biggest threat. Dan tells about how Naonka stole food and she says she was punished. How culpable is Alina? A little, but she's "a pawn" and so feels she is valuable.
Time to vote.
Alina goes.
The tribe has spoken.
observing Oldest
- He loves the bottom of the Marino's Italian ices, where the ice is like glass and the syrup has concentrated.
- He likes The Slits cover of Heard It Through The Grapevine.
- He has made countless attempts to get me to watch a video of a raccoon dancing.
- He has generously offered to tattoo I hate animals someplace on my person.
- (He is a licensed tattoo artist.)
- He needs a new hat.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)