Michael Second Grade

A little movie I made at Jumpcut.

Happy School Year!

Cape Cod Log - 2006

Sunday August 27th--Went to Seamist in the rain. Arrived with Tom in tow. We had Chinese for dinner and played Munchkin Fu.

Monday August 28th -- Went to Hyannis and went to the Cape Cod potato chip factory. Had lirpa's. Watched Doogal. Swam in the pool.

Tuesday August 29th -- Went to Provincetown, still somewhat rainy (got worse) and the Pirate cruise was cancelled because the engine blew out on the boat. Got a refund, gave Michael $5 of it. Climbed the Pilgrim Monument. Hung around in the shops, etc. waiting for the Sunset Dune trip--then realized there was not going to be a sunset--so, rescheduled.

Wednesday August 30th -- FINALLY the sun! Went to Eastham/Wellfleet. Michael rode his bike. We played mini golf at Pizza Barn and had great pizza. We "bet" and I lost--had to watch Greatest American Hero; Brad lost--had to swim the length of the pool. Tom won. Michael played great. Played in the arcade. Had dinner at Eastham Lobster Pool. Then went to the campfire on Nauset Beach. Very fun.

Thursday August 31st -- South Cape Beach. Went to McNenney's and had great fish for lunch and then Pirate Cove mini golf. Very fun!

Friday Sept. 1st -- Went to Provincetown again. Hung out on the private beach we love; then went on the Dune Tour.

Saturday Sept. 2nd -- Explored around Hyannis and Cotuit. Then bought lobsters and cooked surf and turf. (Very well done by all--cooperative cooking!)

Sunday Sept. 3rd -- Weather turned rainy again--just in time to go home!



In Provincetown on the Dune tour.

Social Swirl?

So, plans for this long weekend are piling up and I am kinda feeling like there is this social swirl that is encompassing everything I do. And, while I love hanging out with friends, I am most comfortable with my inner circle (husband, son, perhaps one more). Yet again I am confronted with my ultimate longing to be alone, but yet be a part. I know one has to do these things to expand friendships, etc. especially since we live so far from our families...but, I guess even though I can feel isolated, its usually a good isolated.

OTHER STUFF:

Trying out www.jumpcut.com, although a bit clunky, have made a couple small movies. Perhaps this long weekend I can really give it a spin. Also try to get it linked here.

Latest Links I have found interesting:

http://www.kli.org/

http://www.snowcrest.net/donnelly/piglatin.html

http://churchofspongebob.tripod.com/home.html

http://www.paullynde.info/

http://postsecret.blogspot.com/

Meanwhile, moment of Zen:

Lost

My son lost his first tooth this month, and now I am really starting to see him growing up. The new tooth is growing in its place, just as a new person is growing into my baby's place. Its exciting, bittersweet, joyous, puzzling and while I may sometimes miss those times when I could easily snuggle him, I would not change anything. He is growing and so must I.

As for "Lost" the show--finally getting into it. As usual, I don't like following the trends, so I waited until MANY people kept telling me this show would be for me. I don't think its a masterpiece, but it has kept me watching. I am through the first season, starting the second...

And, I am still finding myself Lost in my own life..working through it, but its still something I find frustrating and depressing sometimes.

Battlestar Galatica - Our world in a nutshell

I don't watch a lot of T.V. programs, but my current favorites are "The L Word" (hey, its lesbian soap!), "Arrested Development" (hey, its so intelligent and wacky, time to be canceled!) and "Battlestar Galatica".

Often, science fiction shows are able to discuss topics within our society today in a way that is distant enough to give us some fresh outlook. A recent episode brought up abortion rights, for example, if humanity was down to about 50,000 people, would abortion help to bring the destruction of mankind, and would laws to prevent abortion enable popluation growth? In general, this show, like Babylon 5, has a general message of communicating the differing views and what they could potentially mean for our society (in the time as well as in the future). I like smart t.v.

Slug

Still sluggin through life and trying to get a handle on it. I keep having dreams that have strange meanings, like the one with a man going ballistic and chopping up his family (yep, that dream disturbed even me). Just now, taking a nap, I had a dream about being on an airplane, and several seats behind me was my Grammie (but I only saw her forhead, and then woke up). Things are still troubling me, and I can't quite grasp all of it. Life is fun, things are fine, despite some sickness, family has been fine. Working through the troubles we have--its life. But I am still unsure of where I am going. Not sure if I ever will.

New Year, Same Problems

Holidays are over, but seems their bright glow did not diminish the grey smudge-ness of life for very long. It's now 2006 and I am not so sure I am happy about that. While its wonderful to watch my son grow, its also a bit bittersweet, especially since our attempts at having another child have not been successful (yet). So, planning his birthday party, while fun, can also be perplexing. How did I get to this point in my life and where am I going are thoughts that sometimes creep in. I am satisfied with my life, I am grateful for what I have and who I am...just sometimes the edges seem to be coming unglued...

I have a feeling that most of my feelings are directly tied to the world and how I just can not seem to fathom the incredible ineptness of our "leadership". The elections of 2000 and 2004 just sapped all the positive energy I had for human beings...I can not understand how scandal after scandal after scandal can happen, but NOTHING is done about it. After Katrina, I really hoped somehow that SOMETHING positive would happen from that. Instead, in our "in the moment" news has gone on to other more "interesting" stories rather than how the government (local, regional and national) are going to help thousands of people to rebuild their lives. And the corruption train keeps going and no one cares. Or, more precisely, the people who care are not being heard. Its just so frustrating and depressing.

Michael the Superhero. 

Happy Thanksgiving!

November 22nd

This is a wistful anniversary...it seems like so many things in history are repeating themselves (Vietnam anyone?), its hard to imagine a President who INSPIRED rather than infuriates.

I have went to the gravesite, and I was struck by the silent reverence with which everyone who visited the grave behaved. I was there on Memorial Day, 2003. The current president was speaking at the Tomb of the Unknowns (went through tons of security, did not see him, did not care to). The weather was hot and humid.

Time Machine Repairs - Or, what did I miss?

Been a while, mainly cuz the world is too damn depressing to write about. Hurricanes, wars, inept government...you take your pick. And while I LOVE seeing the Bush Administration squirm, (a) not enough blame in the world will change the fact that Americans and Iraqi's are dying; (b) we still have three more years of this idiot (unless I can repair my Time Machine); and (c) winter's a-coming!

So, going with my dear old Grammie's saying: "If you don't have something nice to say, don't say anything." I have been silent. But maybe, just maybe I can find the time to say a few things that are positive.

I will have to get back to you on that...

Cape Cod Log

Annual trip to Cape Cod was fun and eventful...will post pictures later. The weather was perfect and I already miss it...

Sunday: Met with our friends Mark and Marcy and their children, had Chinese (Moo Shoo Pork will not be forgotten, although Moo Goo Gai Pan will be).

Monday: Beach time...and WONDERFUL lobster/clam fritters at Nauset Beach...then, onto Eastham! Time in Salt Pond looking for critters...mostly hermit crabs this time. Dirt slugs very interesting. And of course, Eastham Lobster Pool, one of our favorite places to be. Husband and I had steak and 1/2 lobster. Mudslide for Mom, Coke for Dad, Cranberry juice for Michael!

Tuesday: PERSEY's (Husband LOVES you) with Mark & Marcy and kids...and then onto Pirates Cove and some Putt Putt time with the boys...ARRGH!

Wednesday: Time in the Pool! (both indoor and outdoor); Michael really went all out with his snorkel! Then Indian food for Margo's Birthday and a LATE night at the Wellfleet Drive-In.

Thursday: Ferry to Martha's Vineyard..beautiful day, and wonderful time.

Friday: Laid back time...and the Edward Gorey House (really cool!) More pool time for the Michael...

Saturday: Last day blues start setting in...saying good-bye to Grandpa and Margo; then off to Gourmet Brunch and a wonderful omelet and hot chocolate with whip topping in the glass with chocolate syrup (you pour the hot chocolate in yourself). Then one last time to a beach (remember that cash for the fee!). One last time in the outdoor pool...Michael staying in to the point of shivers... McNeery's Fish Place...wonderful fried fish (and mosquites in the night air).

Sunday: Free Breakfast at Egg & I, then off we go...home again! Whew!

Great time; wonderful company; memories for all.

All Hail the Magic Conch! Or in Praise of Sarah Vowell...

Some people think I am a bit wierd. Just cuz I like death and historical stuff, and yes, I like dragging my family with me to see said death-like places. Well, I have found a kindred spirit in Sarah Vowell, and having just finished "Assassination Vacation" I must say, I am at the very moment contemplating something I rarely contemplate....writing a fan letter...

Her writing concerning her obessions with Lincoln/Booth, has reminded me of summers when I was young when my family would visit the Lincoln Museum in Indiana, where I forced my parents to take me more than once. My treasured possessions from those times were the pamphlets from the museum and the books on the many caricatures of Lincoln. On a more recent trip to Washington D.C., my husband and I (and our son, 3 years old at the time) went on a Lincoln Assassination walking tour, guided by an assassination authority and author (Michael slept in his stroller, while we walked to Ford's Theatre and gazed at the room across the street in which Lincoln died). As Sarah Vowell describes the Lincoln Memorial in her book, I can recall vividly how awestruck I was when we visited it on Memorial Day 2002.

Reading Vowell's book reminded me of all the things I enjoyed about our trip to D.C. and made me realize how wonderful it is to be a little eccentric when it comes to those vacations. I mean, how many people can say that this past Memorial Day weekend they went to an old Copper Mine that was the first capital prison in the United States? I think Sarah Vowell would have been proud (and would have enjoyed the Civil War Encampment we went to on Memorial Day--I have pamphlets! Maybe I will send her some in my fan letter...).

I get it! We are in a Get Smart Episode!!!

I try very hard not to always put my liberal spin on things. Hey, I try to listen to the other side. Really I do. But does the other side listen to us? I mean the fact that Bush has pushed all his cronies (in other words, I mean friends who are not necessarily the "right" person for the job--or maybe they are the "right" person for the job) into jobs that keep him insulated from the outside world and the criticism. I just don't get how one could not want to hear constructive criticism or how one could put such a spin on things so that no matter what happens, its "OKAY". Its like the administration is in one of those bubble things in "Get Smart".

This rant brought to you buy this article:

Criticsm of 911

Ahhh..Saturday

Time to pretend I have more time than I actually have to do the things I need/want to do!

I have been taking an aqua areobics class on Saturday mornings, and while this morning (in the wee part of the morning time between when my son decided to jump on the bed and wake us up and when I actually got up after trying to get him to go "play quietly in your room") I did have one pang of "oh, just stay in nice warm bed, skip class", I actually have found the class very invigorating. Kinda wierd, but invigorating. The wierd part is that its with mostly women significantly OLDER than I am...and they sometimes sing to the tunes being played....hmmm...something about Old Ladies working out in the water to "Y-M-C-A!" just is W-I-E-R-D....

Now I await my brood, who after I told them I had a lunch date and could they please do the groceries while I was gone (which they volunteered to do), they procrastinated until now...scarily enough giving me TIME TO MYSELF!! (WOW!!!)

Chaos - the stuff of life.

Already the middle of the month, and I am unsure whether to be thankful that winter is almost done or worried that the year is going by so quickly...

The winter in New England has been somewhat rough (3 feet in one blizzard), but for us, not so bad. Projects I completed during the winter do not make a dent in the list I have, but when is that ever the truth?

I have been thinking about why the time seems to go so much faster the older I get, and I think part of it is the general chaos that is life. There is always so much to do, so much stuff that HAS to be done, and by the end of the day, there is often no time to actually reflect on matters. I think that sometimes I spend too much time on the processes of life rather than enjoying it.

My Morning Spit-Take...

http://www.portlandmercury.com/2002-05-02/feature4.html

Thanks from Jill!

Some fiction books I read last year...

and whether they are worth it to read:

By far the best book I read last year was: "The Time Traveler's Wife". I still think about this book sometimes. I loved the characters, I loved the premise. It was just a stunning book.

"Jonathan Strange & Mr. Norrell" by Susanna Clarke: long long long book. very good in some parts, and the premise was great, but not very good with character development.

"Wicked" by Gregory Maguire: started out great and I really really liked the main character (an imagining of the Wicked Witch of the West). But, towards the middle, it fell apart and it just was a let down in the end.

"Watership Down": frickin classic

"The Poisonwood Bible"
"Star of the Sea" by Joseph O'Connor: Very very interesting books, both of these dealt with cultures and time periods that were peripheral histories to me...and to their credits they both made me want to learn more about the historical time periods that they were placed in.

Books that I read that were pleasant reads, but now that I look at the list I can not remember so much about them (still, they are good to read for the enjoyment in them):


"Behind the Scenes" at the Museum by Kate Atkinson

"Daughter of Fortune" by Isabel Allende

"The Secret Life of Bees" by Sue Kidd Monk

"The Dirty Girls Social Club: A Novel" by Alisa Valdes-Rodriquez

"The Golden Compass"

"The Passion of Artemisia" by Susan Vreeland

"The Probable Future" by Alice Hoffman


Wonderful books about terrible subjects:

"Lovely Bones" by Alice Sebold

"The Bondwoman's Narrative"

"Tale of Two Cities" by Charles Dickens

Whatever...

So, I opened this post with the full intention to write wonderful prose on some such topic...but had to close the window of the browser to do other things...

Now I have forgotten what I was going to write about. It was going to be something about Hunter S. Thompson's passing and how I feel like the U.S. is slipping into dangerous times again and how I wish that the right people should see and grasp the implications of various signs and portents...well, whatever.

Splitting Up

So, the partners at the law firm I work for have decided to split up (amicably) and the world has wrought many decisions into my life now, specifically as they have decided that the administrative staff (me and the office manager) should be left to our own choice. Should I stay with Partner A or Partner B, should I try to look for another job (I have made faint attempts, and even been interviewed, and getting the oh so unsatisfying reply that "You were our second choice") or should I just flip a coin? I know for a fact I am underpaid, however I have had flexible hours and a family friendly environment, so I am torn between the comfortable and the unknown, the pressures and the flexibilities...at the moment I am in freefall, and I think I know where it will end up--just not sure if that is where I want to be.