Me

Yes, I am raising my own eyebrows at myself. Something that has alternately caused me concern and intrigued me over the last several years is the fact that, until sometime after high school (heck, maybe even after college and law school), I do not recall ever having deep thoughts. To be specific, I do not recall ever thinking much about the big issues in life, where I fit into the world or what any of my goals, other than the very next one, were. Why is this?!?!?! I try not to second-guess things over which I have no control, so I won't beat myself up over what could have been if I was not like this, but the question is one that I am pondering ever more frequently.

New Year Vows

One of my vows for the new year is to write here more often. Not because I think anyone is waiting breathlessly for my next post. No, I want to write more often because I need the practice. I view this as a warm-up for my Great Novel. Building courage seems to be key to that endeavor.

Today's gorgeous weather has convinced me that my recent hermit-like conduct (serious enough to have resulted in 2 concerned phone calls from friends and even 1 drop-in by a worried friend) was not the result of a permanent state of depression, but rather, from my transitory winter doldrums caused by lack of sunlight and warm weather. Today's temperature was in the 70's and the sun actually emerged . . . I found myself finally with the energy and desire to take down all Christmas decorations (including undecorating the tree!).

I was rewarded for my efforts when the Gods of Lost Things permitted me to find the long-lost key to my alarm system control box. In the length of time in which this key has been missing, I have been forced to endure periodic incessant beeping, which I have to run downstairs to stop by punching in my code.

Work in progress . . . will write more later!

A Holiday Drama by K and O

A Holiday Drama By Kip and Orley

Some of my Favorite Movie Scenes Ever . . .

from Broadcast News:

Albert Brooks, sitting at home on his couch while all of the others cover a huge news story, drinking, reading and singing, "I am singing while I'm reading . . . I am reading and I'm singing, BOTH . . . "

from Pulp Fiction:

Jimmie: I can't believe this is the same car.
The Wolf: Well, let's not start sucking each other's dicks just yet.

more to be added later . . .

Some of my new favorite web sites . . .

An excavation of Kevin's hideous collection of 80's sweaters:
http://www.buriedlede.com/projects/sweater.html

An apology from the 1/2 of the United States that did NOT vote for a bumbling idiot (I think it's funny to call him a monkey but, frankly, believe that it shortchanges the monkey):
http://www.sorryeverybody.com

(Will try to figure out how to create a link!)

And more memorable people:

(1) the rail-thin (if a rail was the size of a fragile twig) old man who sits each day just outside the fence of the nearby country club's golf course, where he picks up all errant balls within his reach and re-sells them for cash;

(2) the woman at the gas station who volunteered to help me remove my car's coolant cap one morning this week as I was about to embark on a road trip to Oklahoma . . . she saw me staring blankly under the hood of my car while trying to work up the courage to remove the cap myself, for fear that a hot liquid would explode all over me and one of my favorite suits; and

(3) the burly-yet-handsome Louisiana State Sheriff/Body Guard for Clint Black who I met after a Cubs/Astros game in Houston, along with his investor and river boat captain friends . . . they shared their boudin (Cajun sausage) with me right there in the lobby bar at the Hilton, where the Sheriff demonstrated uncannily correct (albeit uninvited) insight into my personality and romantic status.

Eternal Sunshine . . .

So, watched Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind tonight. The first time I saw it (en theatre), this movie prompted me to do something monumentally stupid. I watched it on DVD tonight, hoping this flick would have a different effect this time. It did--much needed!

About the random folks I have encountered . . . most recently:

(1) after seeing "I (heart) Huckabees," I encountered an interesting and enthusiastic Green Mountain Energy guy who signed me up to transfer my services. I was easy pickings for him, partly because I am feeling a strong and instinctive pull toward all things progressive post-election and partly because the GME guy who typically plants himself outside my neighborhood coffeeshop calls me "ma'am," a trait I detest that causes me great dread each time I see that he is there;

(2) en route to Little Rock Arkansas, a surly woman working behind the counter of a Burger King (that had one restroom stall taped shut with wide silver duct tape, making it seem like an amateurish crime scene) who became even more surly when her colleague was asked about the quality of the veggie burger;

(3) all of the nice people in both Texas and Arkansas who have given me friendly "thumbs up" signals upon noticing my Kerry/Edwards (magnetic) bumper sticker, even post-election;

(4) the groom's sister at the Peabody bar who gave me the name of a friend to look for at the Democratic HQ, because he is the only Democrat she knows and he surely must be volunteering there!

more later ...

First post . . .

In this blog, I will take note of interesting people I encounter. More to come . . . I may also, from time to time, note stream-of-consciousness observations about my day. Hm. This is not terribly different than the average blog. Oh, well, it's my blog and I'll write if I want to, with the scent of my newly-acquired sweetheart roses (in coral--my favorite color!) weaving a lovely spell.