Archive for October, 2008
October 31, 2008 at 3:56 pm · Filed under blather
I’ve been quiet on the outside, but the ol’ brain is churning away as usual. Just wanted to pop in and acknowledge that it’s Halloween, even though our neighborhood celebrated last Sunday and we’ll have nary a trick-or-treater at the door tonight.
Tomorrow begins NaBloPoMo, and I’ve signed up. The topic is wide open, so maybe this time I won’t fail miserably. If all else fails, I have lots of fibery activities going on. Aside from the knitting, I’m crocheting an afghan, and I did some horrible embroidery. (Dr. Horrible. Although it was probably aesthetically horrible as well.)
October 27, 2008 at 3:51 pm · Filed under blather
It was snowing at noon today. Snowing.
It’s still October, right?
October 21, 2008 at 12:52 pm · Filed under media
Go and read McSweeney’s: Extended Trailer for American Demographic: The Movie.
SMALL-BUSINESS OWNER: What do I owe you?
JOE THE PLUMBER: More than $250,000 a year. Despite my name and salary, I’m neither a Mafia boss nor a porn star.
October 20, 2008 at 12:50 pm · Filed under blather
“Bridges! Cross them! At the appropriate time! Must remember this.” — mimi smartypants
October 20, 2008 at 10:47 am · Filed under tv
Dance fans, we saw the SYTYCD tour performance in Green Bay on Saturday, and it was (imagine my sing-song voice) fabulous! We found out there was a meet-and-greet outside after the performance, so we stood and waited and got to meet everyone except Courtney. Moon collected autographs on her program, and got Mark and Gev to sign the 8x10s she had bought. Wait … I had bought. It was my money.
Anyway, we had a lot of fun, even Peter, who insisted on mocking the cold by taking off his hoodie and standing around in his shorts and t-shirt. At least it wasn’t January.
I didn’t sleep very well in the hotel bed, but I’m recovering. Happy Monday.
October 20, 2008 at 9:32 am · Filed under spiritual
Take care of everyone you meet.
Give your smile to those without,
because on any given day
somebody, somewhere
is losing their personal battle.
Help them win.
—Ashley S. via The Ripples Project
October 16, 2008 at 3:46 pm · Filed under blather
I’ve been meaning to share this for a while. More here.
October 15, 2008 at 10:08 am · Filed under spiritual
When I was four years old, my mother used to bring me a cookie every time she came home from the market. I always went to the front yard and took my time eating it, sometimes half an hour or forty-five minutes for one cookie. I would take a small bite and look up at the sky. Then I would touch the dog with my feet and take another small bite. I just enjoyed being there, with the sky, the earth, the bamboo thickets, the cat, the dog, the flowers. I was able to do that because I did not have much to worry about. I did not think of the future, I did not regret the past. I was entirely in the present moment, with my cookie, the dog, the bamboo thickets, the cat, and everything. It is possible to eat our meals as slowly and joyfully as I ate the cookie of my childhood. Maybe you have the impression that you have lost the cookie of your childhood, but I am sure it is still there, somewhere in your heart. Everything is still there, and if you really want it, you can find it. Eating mindfully is a most important practice of meditation.
—Thich Nhat Hanh, Peace is Every Step (from Daily Tricycle)
October 8, 2008 at 3:39 pm · Filed under sewing
Even with my minimal sewing skills, I should be able to pull this one off.
October 7, 2008 at 10:36 am · Filed under blather
Things I Learned as a Kid
Funny! Just added this blog to my reading list.
October 6, 2008 at 10:37 am · Filed under media
The Measure of a President
I thought this was really interesting. Obama needs a top hat!
October 6, 2008 at 8:38 am · Filed under blather
“A happy life is just a string of happy moments.
But most people don’t allow the happy moment
because they are so busy trying to get a happy life.”
—Abraham Hicks
October 3, 2008 at 3:21 pm · Filed under fitness
So, I’ve been (making my best attempt at) swimming at the Y three mornings per week. The experience is humbling, to say the least. I’m slow and awkward. People twice my age pass me up. But it’s still fun, and I like not sweating.
On Wednesday, I overheard some ladies griping about people doing water aerobics in the lap lanes. Were they talking about me? Sometimes I stay in the deep end and do water jacks and XCski moves. I make a special effort not to get in anyone’s way. One of the lifeguards asked me if I wanted a flotation belt, so I’m sure what I do is kosher in a pool sense.
I’ve seen people walk in the shallow end, so perhaps that’s what frosted the other swimmers’ shorts. Regardless, I felt a little self-conscious when I slipped into the water this morning.
I shared a lane with (as usual) someone who can actually swim. My moment of triumph today was making it across an entire length without having to flip onto my back to gasp for breath. As I was finishing my last lap (using a kickboard), I noticed my lane partner at the end of the lane, relaxing.
“I hope I’m not in your way,” she said to me. I decided she was a kindred spirit — she seemed friendly — and we started to chat. We exchanged names and talked about our swim routines. Turns out she was at my level when she started out. “I could only swim three lengths, and I was done,” she told me. I was encouraged when she seemed impressed by what I’m doing. It makes me think I might actually be able to swim for real someday.
Anyway, I know another swimmer now. I had seen her before. She has white hair that she wears spiky and short, and she looks to be in terrific shape. Yay, a new role model!
October 2, 2008 at 2:39 pm · Filed under crafts
How to make a purse from wrappers.
