Things I Learned

watching Midnight Mass on Christmas Eve:

1-St. Peter's Basilica is quite possibly the most beautiful place of worship on the planet.

2-There is a LOT of audience participation.

3-The Catholics are really efficient at distributing the sacrament. (Seriously, 10,000 people in 5-7 minutes...impressive.)

4-The Pope is not looking well.

Every year I mull over actually attending midnight mass at the local Catholic church. I've never actually attended (I'm intimidated) and generally I don't get home in time to catch the broadcast, but something just seems right about having a worship service on Christmas Eve. In the LDS church the Christmas program (generally the ward choir sings several hymns and scripture detailing the birth of Christ and his ministry is read) is done the Sunday before Christmas. I've always thought that if we want to refocus attention on the spiritual aspect of the holiday, we should worship on the holiday.

My Christmas was great...lots of family, lots of stories, a lot of little kids running around under foot.

One of our Christmas traditions is that my father always reads the story of Christ's birth from the book of Luke before we were allowed to open a present on Christmas Eve. I am amazed at how short the story actually is. When we were young it seemed like it went on and on and on...now it is amusing to see all my neices and nephews wiggle and squirm while Grandpa gets out the big white Bible and reads the story. It was really a great Christmas, crowded, but great. It was the first time in a couple of years that the whole family has been together for Christmas.

Merry Christmas!

Norad tracks Santa so you can figure out exactly when he'll be at your house. Merry Christmas, everyone.

Frog-mania

First, a big thanks to John Z. Orange who provided me with the original link and the person I'm totally stealing from.

The American Museum of Natural History has a frog exhibit that completely fascinates me. As we all should have learned during the whole corpse flower incident that I am amazed by bizarre things in nature and if they have a webcam of the action....well, all the better.

So I read all about different frog species, poison dart frogs (my favorite), frogs and the ecosystem, and all sorts of interesting facts about frogs and toads.

My personal favorite facts are
1-some frogs actually protect their vital organs and then let the water in their bodies freeze in the winter, and
2-some frogs stop their digestive process and carry their young in their stomachs. When the froglets are born they jump out of the mother's mouth. There is a great photo of that here.

I know, I know....I'm a dork, but at least I'm a dork who is learning something new. :)

The Broken Road

I set out on a narrow way many years ago
Hoping I would find true love along the broken road
But I got lost a time or two
Wiped my brow and kept pushing through
I couldn't see how every sign pointed straight to you

I think about the years I spent just passing through
I'd like to have the time I lost and give it back to you
But you just smile and take my hand
You've been there you understand
It's all part of a grander plan that is coming true

Every long lost dream led me to where you are
Others who broke my heart they were like northern stars
Pointing me on my way into your loving arms
This much I know is true
That God blessed the broken road
That led me straight to you
Now I’m just rollin’ home into my lover's arms
This much I know is true
That God blessed the broken road that led me straight to you

Performed by Rascal Flatts

I left my heart...

I met my soul mate today. Big problem, he lives in San Francisco, me...not so much.

A Letter to my City Council

I appreciate your consideration for the vacant council position and feel that *new councilman* is an excellent choice. I like and respect him and would have voted for him had he run in the last election. That said you made a comment last night that is worth noting and discussing.

There is a division of the City Council that is obvious to the most casual observer. It seems as though past conflicts and personal animosity have played the major role in this divisiveness. I had hoped that a neutral candidate, unaffiliated with these past issues, would be able to help refocus the Council and heal some of these wounds. I was deeply disappointed to discover that after two weeks of discussion the City Council was unable to reach a consensus. It seemed as though further discussion would only entrench the ideology of both sides. I think Councilman T will do an excellent job, but feel he was involved in some of the issues that led to this animosity between council members and I am worried and saddened that the council could not clearly see this as an issue. It is deeply troubling to wonder if personal dislike colors the decisions made for this city.

So, as a concerned citizen I am saying now: it is time to put away past conflict, hurt feelings, and the animosity that has been harbored towards one another. It is time to refocus your energies and priorities into what is truly in the best interest of this city.

Again, I appreciate your consideration of my application to fill the vacated city council seat and look forward to being further involved in the issues of the city. Thank you all for your desire to serve and willingness to contribute your time.

I'd like to clarify that this is not sour grapes. I was always a little meh about the whole thing and only applied because of this issue. The new council member is also a former council member. He didn't run in the last election because he ran for a county commission seat. I do like and respect him; I really do think he'll do an excellent job. One of the other finalists made a point in his interview about how he was "blunt to a fault". I find this generally to translate into rude and tactless. If I were blunt to a fault, the letter would have said, "Grow up, get over it, and do your g**damn jobs!"

I live in a vacuum

I spent two hours the other night taking apart and fixing my vacuum because one of the roommates kept vacuuming after the canister got full and plugged everything up. Nice.

Also, whilst screwing the hose back together the screwdriver slipped. I now have a nice purple bruise around a nice Phillips-head shaped puncture wound on my arm. Nice.

Why would they do this?

I went to my favorite restaurant on Saturday, a great little pizza/pasta place down by the University. I've been a regular patron (at least a couple of times a month) for 12 years. The first thing I notice is that they've changed the menu! What! It has been years since they changed the menu, and then, they only updated the look, not the actual offerings. The next thing I notice is that the dinner I usually order is GONE! GONE! I nearly had a nervous breakdown right there. How am I supposed to go on with no pasta?

Love. This. Song.

I was watching the last episode of Season 3 of The West Wing on Sunday night...it's the episode where poor, sweet Special Agent Donovan strikes up a new relationship with C.J and then gets himself shot in a Korean grocery store. The song they play over that montage makes me weep. Every. Time.

(l. cohen)
Originally contained in leonard cohen’s various positions

Well I heard there was a secret chord
that David played and it pleased the Lord
But you don't really care for music, do ya?
Well it goes like this :
The fourth, the fifth, the minor fall and the major lift
The baffled king composing Hallelujah

Hallelujah Hallelujah Hallelujah Hallelujah...

Well your faith was strong but you needed proof
You saw her bathing on the roof
Her beauty and the moonlight overthrew ya
And she tied you to her kitchen chair
She broke your throne and she cut your hair
And from your lips she drew the Hallelujah

Hallelujah Hallelujah Hallelujah Hallelujah...

(Yeah but) Baby I've been here before
I've seen this room and I've walked this floor, (You know)
I used to live alone before I knew ya
And I've seen your flag on the marble arch
and love is not a victory march
It's a cold and it's a broken Hallelujah

Hallelujah Hallelujah Hallelujah Hallelujah...

Well there was a time when you let me know
What's really going on below
But now you never show that to me do ya
But remember when I moved in you
And the holy dove was moving too
And every breath we drew was Hallelujah

Hallelujah Hallelujah Hallelujah

Hallelujah...

[Instrumental]

Maybe there's a God above
But all I've ever learned from love
Was how to shoot somebody who outdrew ya
It's not a cry that you hear at night
It's not somebody who's seen the light
It's a cold and it's a broken Hallelujah

Hallelujah Hallelujah Hallelujah Hallelujah…
Hallelujah Hallelujah Hallelujah Hallelu...
Hallelujah Hallelujah Hallelujah

Performed by Jeff Buckley

A Christmas Quiz

1. Who lost $8,000 in It’s a Wonderful Life?

2. What is the biggest selling Christmas single of all time?

3. What was the name of Rudolph’s dogsled driving friend?

4. What Christmas carol contains the line, “O tidings of comfort and joy”?

5. Name the three reindeer whose names begin with “D”.

6. In the song, Grandma Got Run Over by a Reindeer what did Grandma go to get?

7. What is the last ghost called in A Christmas Carol?

8. What Saturday Evening Post artist was known for his whimsical pictures of Santa Claus?

9. What one reindeer is never mentioned in The Night Before Christmas?

10. What is Charlie Brown’s complaint about Christmas?

11. What Emmy Award winning cartoon was based on a newspaper editorial?

12. What is Frosty’s nose made of?

13. How many times is the name of Santa Claus used in The Night Before Christmas?

14. What does Alvin the Chipmunk want for Christmas?

15. What do you hear on “every street corner”?

16. What is the name of the first reindeer Santa calls in The Night Before Christmas?

17. In The Gift of the Magi, what does Jim sell so that he can buy Della a gift for Christmas?

18. How many days did it take Handel to write The Messiah?

19. What carol contains the line, “And ransom captive Israel”?

20. In A Charlie Brown Christmas what does Lucy want for Christmas?

21. For what stringed instrument was Silent Night originally written?

22. Which state was the first to make Christmas an official holiday?

23. What was the name of the dog that belonged to the Grinch in How the Grinch Stole Christmas?

24. What was the name of Scrooges’ dead business partner in A Christmas Carol?

25. Where did the real Saint Nicholas live?

More Arts and Crafts

Some of these I've linked to before, but what can I say, they are my favorites!

First off for a daily dose of art, The Metropolitan Museum of Art offers a link to this feature. Click on the link for the Daily Artwork Archive. A fantastic idea!

Some architecture or architectural elements...
Architectural Scene and Frame from the workshop of Blausius Fisulator

This Paneling is really quite a breathtaking site.

Floor—can you imagine this in your kitchen?

Studio from the Ducal Palace in Gubbio designed by Francesco di Giorgio Martini
I can't describe how much I adore it.

Interior of the Old Church in Delft by Emanuel de Witte

Furniture and Furnishings...
Lit a la Turque attributed to Jean-Baptiste Tilliard

Lit a la Polonaise

Mantel Clock Movement by Julien Le Roy Enameled by Antoine-Nicolas Martiniere

Pendule a Repetition Movement by Jean-Jacques Fieffe

Mantel Clock Case attributed to Pierre-Phillippe Thomire Movement by Charles-Guillaume Maniere

Paintings...
Autumn Rhythm by Jackson Pollock
I love Jackson Pollock, but can't really explain why.

Young Woman with a Water Pitcher by Johannes Vermeer
Love Vermeer...mostly because he captures the tranquility of everyday moments.

Garden at Sainte-Adresse by Claude Monet
Monet needs no explanation.

The Creation and the Expulsion of Adam and Eve from Paradise by Giovanni di Paolo

Statues, Sculptures etc...
Coffee Can Wreath, New Orleans by William K Greiner

Chimera from the Eastern Han dynasty

Chariots and mounted guards from the Eastern Han dynasty---toy soldiers?

Rhyton in the shape of a human head

Terracotta figures
These remind me of the exquisite fabric sculpting of the Greeks

Sphinx of Senwosret III from the Egyptian Middle Kingdom
And if we have the time we can see the Sphinx...

Other Stuff...
Funerary Wreath
My absolute favorite item at the Getty; be thankful I don't include it every time.

Untitled #13 by Osamu Kanemura

Evening Gown from the House of Worth

Crazy Quilt

Adventures in Babysitting

A couple of weeks ago my lovely stay-at-home-mom sister asked if I would watch her kids while she and N went to some couples party in their neighborhood. Not being one to babysit for free I laid out my conditions: 1-a home cooked dinner (this is always a requirement since she is a good cook, and me, well I don't. cook. ever.) and 2-as long as it didn't snow.

See, L&N live way out in podunk-ville USA where the main (only) access is a dangerous 2 lane highway surrounded by empty fields. So, not only are snow plows scarce out that way, but the snow blows and drifts across the road leaving poor visibility. Add to that the antelope herd that migrates twice daily to feeding grounds and it is an adventure.

I was kidding about the snow; I used to work out in Podunk-ville and have driven the scary road in all kinds of condidtions. I also know that being a stay-at-home-mom-with-4-kids can be incredibly tiring. L needs a night out! Having said that, L called me at work yesterday saying, "Do you still want to come out tonight? I specifically remember you mentioned no snow as a condition. I could call a neighbor."

I told her that I was planning on it, but should a neighbor be available I wounldn't be offended. In fact, I would babysit the kids another night while they went to dinner and a movie. (That my friends, in more like a whole day out on the town since the nearest movie theatre is 45 minutes away.) She definitely jumped at that offer and so, I narrowly avoided a scary drive to Podunk-ville last night.

It's Surreal

I've been misquoted in a newspaper. It was strange reading the article written about the interviews the other day. I got to my name and read a little summary of my presentation. Nothing wrong there, she got it pretty much right, but immediately following the summary, enclosed in quotation marks, were paraphrased ideas I had presented. The information was correct, I just never said those exact words in that order. It was just amateur journalism at its worst. If you want to be credible a credible news source, you can't paraphrase a speech and print it as a direct quote. I thought that was pretty basic, but....maybe not.

I guess if I get this job, I'd better get used to it. This "reporter", that term is being used as loosely as possible, is a regular at the meetings.

I had a nasty title for this, but...

I have an inappropriate sense of humor that is occasionally in bad taste. I love double entendre, so use your imagination to think of my original title....

I talked to J yesterday, just to ask if she’d had any luck finding a new home for her, but mostly for the cat. She told me that “they’d” looked at a couple of places, but nothing yet. She also mentioned that she was thinking maybe the cat would have to move in with her brother until “they” found something else.

I told her that was a wonderful idea because the longer the cat is there the sicker I get. I also mentioned that I have caught the cat on the table several times and on my kitchen counter twice. (Having a cat on the place I prepare food...allergies or no, that is totally unacceptable to me!) The cat is routinely all over all the furniture and I mentioned that now I can’t sit on any of my furniture and since the cat dander has been blown all through the ventilation system even my bedroom is making me sick.

We also talked about how crazy her schedule has been and the fact that she is rarely home before 10:00 pm and out the door around 7:00 am. It seems to me that she isn’t home enough to a-spend time with the cat and b-train the cat to stay off the counters. So, maybe it would be better for all if the cat was moved.

When I got home last night the cat was gone. I don’t know if this will speed up their departure or maybe they’ll figure the cat is better off with someone who is home more than they are or whether or not J will hold a grudge about having to give up the cat. L seems like she doesn’t really care, except for sisterly loyalty. Regardless, at least the cat is gone. I left the furnace fan all day today to blow out they system and tonight I am going to vacuum all my floors and furniture. Hopefully by tomorrow I’ll finally be breathing easier.

So Sad

Tuesday, on The Amazing Race, the sisters from Utah were eliminated. They got stuck on a task unrolling hay bales to look for a clue in the middle. It was a Roadblock, which means one member of the team does the task while the other waits on the sidelines. Lena unrolled hay bales for 8, yes 8, hours and the producers estimated she unrolled 100 bales. What a woman; I wouldn't have been able to do it.

The best quality of this team was that they worked together, didn't argue and didn't do anything to embarrass themselves. A pretty big accomplishment for anyone on a reality show. And yes, I did get a little weepy at the end when Phil walked into the dark field and gave them the bad news.

Who will be Philiminated next?!

The Interview

Well, at least I didn't embarrass myself, which was my main goal. I was the 4th person to be interviewed and having seen the first three, I thought my chances were okay. I had been told to prepare a 3 minute presentation and be prepared for a 7 minute Q&A. Well, the first 3 candidates kind of stood up and stuttered through their marital and family status. My thought, who cares?!

Anyway, when it was my turn I stood up and said point blank, "I was asked to prepare a presentation; so prepare a presentation I did." I went through the 3 questions I thought they needed answered:
1-Why do I want to this position?
2-What qualifies me for the position?
3-What are my priorities and concerns?

Well, I finished my spiel in a little over 3 minutes and they basically shook their heads and said, "Well, you really covered all our questions in the presentation." So, we just chatted for a minute and I was done.

I didn't stick around for the rest of the interviews and I don't know exactly when they'll make the decision, but at least I didn't embarrass myself. *sigh of relief*