2009: In Review

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Ms. Rai-Bachchan

Does it get better than this? I think not.

Dia de Lost Muertos

This sugar skull is the template for my next tattoo. I like the basic layout and will only be changing a few features like colors and getting rid of that ghastly cross in the middle of it's head. Pretty sweet, though.

Random-ness, Like Such As

Hiya there, pals. Long time no talkie! Well, life's been... busy, shall we say. Got lots cookin' right now and I'm enjoying reading other blogs so much lately that I don't have all that much motivation to blog myself. So, in true blogging fashion, I'll just throw some random stuff your way. 'Cause I love ya. ;)

I really love summer. The warmth, the beauty, the... summery-ness of it all. PLUS, and this is big for me, it marks my official countdown time until autumn. Fall is indeed my favorite season and I almost miss summers in anticipation. So this year I've been making the conscious effort to slow down and enjoy the heat before it turns on me. Our garden is absolutely delightsome;I sit just to admire it sometimes. I will do a photo essay on it soon. Our Four-o'clock flowers just started blooming today and this is the biggest the bush has ever gotten since we've had it. It's just beautiful and the flowers smell absolutely amazing!

I am taking my eldest daughter to see a live performance of Shakespeare this weekend; it will be her very first exposure to any Shakespeare and in fact, I had planned it that way so that her very first time would be to see it live. I actually have a method that I am implementing: no movies whatsoever, only live performances and then she can watch the pop culture movies if she wants to. But I really don't want her mind spoiled with mediocre renditions of such important material. So we should have fun. Picnic (with our genuine picnic basket - complete with a red and white checkered cloth), blankies (as it is out-of-doors - as all Shakespeare should be, really), etc. Should be a real blast.

Am going to start the first clothing sewing project I've done in literally years. I've done lots of fiddly bits throughout time, but haven't done clothing for.ev.er. So I am thinking I'll start simply with a skirt. I'll be picking out the fabric next month. And indeed, I'll provide pictures.

Well, that's about all I've got. I can't and won't go into the more personal details, but then again, that's not really my style anyway. G'night, y'all. Be back with more soon.

Normal Shmormal

"Ever Wonder How Normal You Are?" an article by Father Lou Guntzelman.

The Honk and Holler Opening Soon

One of my favorites. I am re-reading a bit of it today as I lay in bed. Oh, how blissful! Author is Billie Letts.

Random Thursday

I, like many parents, dread this time of the year for one reason: the kids get out of school. *Dun dun dun!!!* As one blogger put it, it is like staring into the jaws of hell. Yeah, that pretty much sums it up. It's hard enough keeping them on track and entertained when they go somewhere for 8 hours a day, five days a week. But 24 hours a day, seven days a week? Hell. Pure hell. I mean, look. There are going to be good things and moments and events to look forward to, etc. They especially are looking forward to the break and I can't blame them. All they can think about is the fun they'll be having and NO SCHOOL!! But the parent, the poor poor parent, is the one that really has to deal with the whining and boredom and such. Every day is a fight to keep the debacle at bay and keep sanity in the home. Can't they have some aunt to go visit for a month or something? That would be great. In fact, they had the chance to go to England for the month of July but that didn't pan out - for good reason - so it's all us, baby. *Sigh* I've been stocking up on arts and crafts and have designed a schedule for them to follow because I cannot. live. in. chaos. Period. Can't do it. It's hard enough for me to keep things cheery so when there is a schedule to follow, one, it eats up time, and two, gives structure to an otherwise unstructured day. That makes me happy inside and not want to pull my hair out an banish everyone to their rooms - including myself. So, like all the other summers I've endured, I will make it work and there will be good memories to look back upon. I wish that I had the summer off -- in fact I was planning on being able to do so, but alas I still have to complete my statistics class -- BOO. That will be a 6-week class, four days a week, 3 hours a day, not including homework time. But as with all other dastardly math classes I've had to complete, I just devote myself to the math lab and complete homework there so that when I come home I don't have to stress about the class and can just enjoy the time off. Because of the schedule there won't be much going away from the home, but then again our car can't really fit everything anyway - that's why we're looking into buying a minivan or an SUV because we NEEEEEEED to get away. You know, I was thinking the other day about the concept of vacations - because we study things like how much vacation time a country allows its citizens and the like - and I realized that I have never, ever been on a vacation. I've gone places and done things, but maybe my idea of a vacation is different that that of the average American's. When I fantasize about going on vacation, I think of a place where there are no phones, no TVs, no computers (I'll get over it quickly, I'm sure), no kids (sorry girls), and no bloody demands. Just me and the man, relaxing, laying about, eating good food, repeat. So. This is a goal of mine. I doubt I'll be able to accomplish this goal any time soon, but it is a good and worthy goal nonetheless.

Phew. Thanks for listening.

7 Things You Didn't Know You Wanted to Know About Me!

1.) I have to warm the outside of each bottle I use in the shower under hot water before I can use what's inside.

2.) I am perfectly happy being a "pointy-headed intellectual" and have no desire to dumb down.

3.) I secretly want to be a Mormon. (However, that may conflict with #2... hmm)

4.) I hate when my phone rings. And yes, I screen my calls.

5.) I do not like horror or sci fi movies or books.

6.) I have saved every single letter my husband has ever written to me.

7.) I could eat Italian food every single day for the rest of my life and be perfectly contented.

Snippet

I thought I'd give a more detailed account of ME since blogs are really just a bunch of snippets. Which is fine, and one very well can get a clear sense of who a person is (or who they wish to portray themselves as) through blogs, but, well, I guess I don't have a grandiose excuse. I just felt like posting this. Take it or leave it. There are lots of other blogs out there if this one isn't for you. My only rule with myself for blogging (and in life in general) is to be honest with myself. And so I am. :D

This is a snippet of me, what I like, etc.


Human rights and true democracy, Democrat of the Socialist sort, animal rights and animal LIBERATION, speaking and learning French, sociology (my passion, the very essence of my being), Hobbits, indulgence not compulsion, my homemade rice milk (yummm), Bikram yoga (aka Fire Yoga), Antique and Rockabilly fashions, Raqs Sharqi (aka Belly Dance), salty-ass pirates (not to be confused with salty ass-pirates), writing, crusty European breads, a hot bath, the rain, individualism, Black Moors, trees, quiet, linguistics, plants, creativity, good and true friends, philology, loyal and loving family, a piping hot cup o' British tea, psychology, highbrow humor, not turning the other cheek, everything East Indian, history, a rich cup of coffee once in awhile (only our local Tailormade Goat Rock blend ~ brewed in a French Press, of course), FREEDOM, classical languages, separation of Church and State, not subscribing to social norms out of fear or in desire of being "accepted", etymology, local microbrews and microbreweries, grammar, European-style pubs and taverns, garlic fries with an amber ale, a cap of Port now and then, cooking and enjoying good grub, reading (always on the hunt for a good book), blogging, fresh fruit and veggies, the month of August ;), autumn (my favorite season!), our neighborhood block parties and BBQs, NATURE, brewing my own beer, and anything or anyone that piques my interest.
Oh yeah. And if my ideals frighten or threaten you, then your ideals probably would do the same to me.