I just told my husband, just the other night, that the first four measures of "Fake Empire" affect me as deeply as just about anything can.
New National - I'll not tell you my opinion until you hear it for yourself. Who am I kidding. LOVE.
Monday, March 08, 2010
One Eighth
So my children are 1/8th Hispanic. Their great-grandmother was a Chilean born to Spanish parents. Her brother taught his four children Spanish and took them to live in Chile for half of each year. These cousins have Spanish surnames, are fluent, and hold positions in universities and governments that are Latin American or Hispanic in nature. Great-Grandmother's four children raised THEIR children in the South, gave them their father's very banal surname, and did not teach them Spanish.
My children, blonde like their Swedish great-grandmother and her descendents (they are 1/16th Swedish too, I guess?), do not look Hispanic, nor are their names latino/a, though my daughter is named after the Chilean great-grandmother - just an American pronunciation of the name. They reluctantly take Spanish as a special in school, and grumble at my attempts to teach them conversational Spanish.
I am about to fill out a public school form asking us if our child is of Latin American descent. I am about to fill out a Census form that asks if my husband is Hispanic. He's actually 1/4th!
¡Ay!
My children, blonde like their Swedish great-grandmother and her descendents (they are 1/16th Swedish too, I guess?), do not look Hispanic, nor are their names latino/a, though my daughter is named after the Chilean great-grandmother - just an American pronunciation of the name. They reluctantly take Spanish as a special in school, and grumble at my attempts to teach them conversational Spanish.
I am about to fill out a public school form asking us if our child is of Latin American descent. I am about to fill out a Census form that asks if my husband is Hispanic. He's actually 1/4th!
¡Ay!
Friday, March 05, 2010
So I've written a long blog post and started editing it, and you know what? That's not fun!
Random thoughts:
My daughter wants a bunny and has written a wonderful tome entitled "Bunny Costs, Facts, and Other Information" in order to sway her dad (I am fully on board with said bunny). This little piece is by far the most entertaining thing I've ever read. For one thing, the word "rabbit" is never used. "Bunny litter box: around $9" is the type of line item described. Also good: "Cord covers: $10", since Mazda's visit in November of ought-seven resulted in all of our phone cords destroyed by bunny chewing.
The Wake School Board situation has deteriorated into a debacle worthy of, say, a New York Times article! Yay, us!
My rash is worthy of an entire post but suffice to say I've now been biopsied, sent to world-class university hospitals, and poked, prodded and medicated (and drained of countless $50 co-pays) and: NADA. Another bad breakout yesterday. It's not bedbugs, and it's not lupus - so that's good. I'm calling it Middle Aged Woman's Hysteria Rash.
We saw Avatar! In 3D. I loved it. I was completely spell-bound for 3 hours (and I did not have to get up to pee one time). Any film that can do that for me gets high marks. I understand every single criticism I've read, and I still thought - WHOA. Great looking military crap, painful destruction, believable heroes (with classically bad dialogue), and a happy ending. What's not to like?
But I still hope Kathryn Bigelow and The Hurt Locker take the prizes come Sunday. Go, lady, go!
Random thoughts:
My daughter wants a bunny and has written a wonderful tome entitled "Bunny Costs, Facts, and Other Information" in order to sway her dad (I am fully on board with said bunny). This little piece is by far the most entertaining thing I've ever read. For one thing, the word "rabbit" is never used. "Bunny litter box: around $9" is the type of line item described. Also good: "Cord covers: $10", since Mazda's visit in November of ought-seven resulted in all of our phone cords destroyed by bunny chewing.
The Wake School Board situation has deteriorated into a debacle worthy of, say, a New York Times article! Yay, us!
My rash is worthy of an entire post but suffice to say I've now been biopsied, sent to world-class university hospitals, and poked, prodded and medicated (and drained of countless $50 co-pays) and: NADA. Another bad breakout yesterday. It's not bedbugs, and it's not lupus - so that's good. I'm calling it Middle Aged Woman's Hysteria Rash.
We saw Avatar! In 3D. I loved it. I was completely spell-bound for 3 hours (and I did not have to get up to pee one time). Any film that can do that for me gets high marks. I understand every single criticism I've read, and I still thought - WHOA. Great looking military crap, painful destruction, believable heroes (with classically bad dialogue), and a happy ending. What's not to like?
But I still hope Kathryn Bigelow and The Hurt Locker take the prizes come Sunday. Go, lady, go!
Wednesday, February 17, 2010
Nothing like a sick day at home to catch up on what's out there in blogland.
Did you really just say that to the crazy old lady snowboarder? The woman who is twice your age and has seen twice as much of life and just last year pushed an eight-pound baby out of her wee waw without an epidural? YOU WANNA TALK ABOUT RISKS? At least, that's what I was thinking when Jon reached over and squeezed my knee in an effort to say DO NOT DO IT. WOMAN. HE DOES NOT NEED TO HEAR ABOUT YOUR WEE WAW.
The mommy bloggers have taken a real hit, and there are in fact some real duds out there. But two of the most popular had really great entries recently.
Dooce's tale of the 20-something on the ski lift is one with which we can all identify.
Did you really just say that to the crazy old lady snowboarder? The woman who is twice your age and has seen twice as much of life and just last year pushed an eight-pound baby out of her wee waw without an epidural? YOU WANNA TALK ABOUT RISKS? At least, that's what I was thinking when Jon reached over and squeezed my knee in an effort to say DO NOT DO IT. WOMAN. HE DOES NOT NEED TO HEAR ABOUT YOUR WEE WAW.
So instead I just nodded and said GOOD POINT
Then there is Mighty Girl Maggie, who seems delighted with her quirky life but occasionally gives little tasty tidbits like new vocabulary from Martin Amis.
voluptuary
a person whose life is devoted to the pursuit and enjoyment of luxury and sensual pleasure.
argot
a specialized idiomatic vocabulary peculiar to a particular class or group of people, esp. that of an underworld group, devised for private communication and identification: a Restoration play rich in thieves’ argot.
My friends have new blogs. High school friend Nansch is cooking up a storm on Remlerville. Form + Function in Raleigh will help you repurpose what you already own to make your home more wonderful (trust me on this - I know!). And Church Chick is posting her writings from her girls' school days on Life's Little Bits.
Also, I am loathe to post it because I know it will be taken down, but La Ga Ga was on the Brit Awards last night and she was radical. Google it.
voluptuary
a person whose life is devoted to the pursuit and enjoyment of luxury and sensual pleasure.
argot
a specialized idiomatic vocabulary peculiar to a particular class or group of people, esp. that of an underworld group, devised for private communication and identification: a Restoration play rich in thieves’ argot.
My friends have new blogs. High school friend Nansch is cooking up a storm on Remlerville. Form + Function in Raleigh will help you repurpose what you already own to make your home more wonderful (trust me on this - I know!). And Church Chick is posting her writings from her girls' school days on Life's Little Bits.
Also, I am loathe to post it because I know it will be taken down, but La Ga Ga was on the Brit Awards last night and she was radical. Google it.
Friday, February 12, 2010
More Movies
The Blind Side
I like Sandy Bullock - a lot. And she's so likable as a done-up, tough-talking Texas woman that I am not sure I cared about the poor homeless kid. The "white woman saves black boy" theme annoyed me before I saw the film, but as a friend said, the character's courage was the quality we all want to emulate. The story was built for tears, the character for an Oscar nod, the men were pretty much set decor.
The Brothers Bloom
I'm not sure I understood the plot at all, but Rachel Weisz, you are gorgeous along the lines of Audrey or Grace, and what acting you seem capable of! Adrien Brody is surely a jackass in real life but I can't look away when he's onscreen. My darling Mark Ruffalo was maybe the weaker of the two, alas. The film had style and panache and all that, and was sweet and sentimental. Sometimes I confess I get a little tired of the precious ways of bad boy directors like Rian, but I like looking at their handiwork. A scene that stands out for me is in Mexico, the camera cuts away from a cabana as the main character walks toward us, the lights on the ground lining his path quietly pop on and then glow, slightly out of focus.
Up in the Air
If anyone doubts Clooney's weight as an actor, consider: he is a megawatt SUPERSTAR the likes of which we've not seen (in a man) for decades. His personal life is tabloid-documented. And he here chose a small, unassuming film about, say, AIR TRAVEL, with a well-connected but untested new director, unknown co-stars, and a plot that makes his character falter and trip. These women who share the screen with him gave me a lot to enjoy. I was more on the side of the confident lover when the perky co-worker (SPOILER) gets dumped and BAM - she's amazing! I really liked this film and know that if George hadn't been in it, it would have never been seen. So thanks again, Cloons.
I like Sandy Bullock - a lot. And she's so likable as a done-up, tough-talking Texas woman that I am not sure I cared about the poor homeless kid. The "white woman saves black boy" theme annoyed me before I saw the film, but as a friend said, the character's courage was the quality we all want to emulate. The story was built for tears, the character for an Oscar nod, the men were pretty much set decor.
The Brothers Bloom
I'm not sure I understood the plot at all, but Rachel Weisz, you are gorgeous along the lines of Audrey or Grace, and what acting you seem capable of! Adrien Brody is surely a jackass in real life but I can't look away when he's onscreen. My darling Mark Ruffalo was maybe the weaker of the two, alas. The film had style and panache and all that, and was sweet and sentimental. Sometimes I confess I get a little tired of the precious ways of bad boy directors like Rian, but I like looking at their handiwork. A scene that stands out for me is in Mexico, the camera cuts away from a cabana as the main character walks toward us, the lights on the ground lining his path quietly pop on and then glow, slightly out of focus.
Up in the Air
If anyone doubts Clooney's weight as an actor, consider: he is a megawatt SUPERSTAR the likes of which we've not seen (in a man) for decades. His personal life is tabloid-documented. And he here chose a small, unassuming film about, say, AIR TRAVEL, with a well-connected but untested new director, unknown co-stars, and a plot that makes his character falter and trip. These women who share the screen with him gave me a lot to enjoy. I was more on the side of the confident lover when the perky co-worker (SPOILER) gets dumped and BAM - she's amazing! I really liked this film and know that if George hadn't been in it, it would have never been seen. So thanks again, Cloons.
Wednesday, February 10, 2010
I Could Care Less...
...about the Olympics. Between managing my own little athletes, tiring of television and sitting down indoors, and a newfound fear of snow and cold (and now wind! Good Lord the sky is falling!), I really have no desire to watch any of it. Anyone want to change my mind?
Friday, February 05, 2010
Seeking out some newish music to share with you today, I tried and failed to love singles by Joanna Newsom, Beach House, Dan Deacon, xx, and even my old standby Spoon (the new album has not wowed me. Wow.). Then I heard this song, and decided that my love of it is directly related to the view outside my window: mud, muddy snow, pouring rain, bits of sleet, and also, mud.
ROCK ON M-Fs!
ROCK ON M-Fs!
Monday, February 01, 2010
snOMG
Snow '10 report:
Day 1: Children dressed and ready to go by 7 a.m. (it was a Saturday) Much sledding in the what was actually sleet. I tended to my dentist, who injured her hand, a kid whose parents were at the top of the hill socializing whilst he hit a fire hydrant, and to various wild child confrontations. I welcomed the limoncello being passed around in a glass jar at that point.
We ate well and slept better, and watched" Iron Man". My husband did a lot of sitting around reading Blake, as he is wont to do.
Day 2: Church was NOT canceled. I slept in at least, but then we ventured out. This was more than I could take, apparently, as I then had to nap. Long walk in the slush, more sledding, fire FAIL (so unusual for me! I am such a good fire builder. I am devastated). Forewent the Grammys in order to watch Masterpiece's "Emma".
Day 3: Ventured to friend's house where we had non-instant cocoa (my children will never, ever let me serve instant again), chili for the 3rd time (white bean, a nice change of pace), and some killer-ass sledding that actually was scary and a bit painful. Still. Attempted to build a snowman. Friend found tiramasu in her fridge and pulled it out. My children were instantly transformed. What is this dark magic, they asked. They have talked of little else since.
Day 3 is ending with a question of whether or not schools will open tomorrow. At this point our Spring Break is in jeopardy. I still like my family, but a rigid schedule and actually driving at this point would be welcome.
AT LEAST WE HAVE POWER.
Now to go put a blow dryer to my firewood. I will succeed tonight!
Day 1: Children dressed and ready to go by 7 a.m. (it was a Saturday) Much sledding in the what was actually sleet. I tended to my dentist, who injured her hand, a kid whose parents were at the top of the hill socializing whilst he hit a fire hydrant, and to various wild child confrontations. I welcomed the limoncello being passed around in a glass jar at that point.
We ate well and slept better, and watched" Iron Man". My husband did a lot of sitting around reading Blake, as he is wont to do.
Day 2: Church was NOT canceled. I slept in at least, but then we ventured out. This was more than I could take, apparently, as I then had to nap. Long walk in the slush, more sledding, fire FAIL (so unusual for me! I am such a good fire builder. I am devastated). Forewent the Grammys in order to watch Masterpiece's "Emma".
Day 3: Ventured to friend's house where we had non-instant cocoa (my children will never, ever let me serve instant again), chili for the 3rd time (white bean, a nice change of pace), and some killer-ass sledding that actually was scary and a bit painful. Still. Attempted to build a snowman. Friend found tiramasu in her fridge and pulled it out. My children were instantly transformed. What is this dark magic, they asked. They have talked of little else since.
Day 3 is ending with a question of whether or not schools will open tomorrow. At this point our Spring Break is in jeopardy. I still like my family, but a rigid schedule and actually driving at this point would be welcome.
AT LEAST WE HAVE POWER.
Now to go put a blow dryer to my firewood. I will succeed tonight!
Monday, January 25, 2010
Tuesday, January 19, 2010
Reading: The Elegance of the Hedgehog, and Lady Chatterly's Lover. (D.H. Lawrence does not seem to be all that, but apparently this is not his best work)
Watching: 30 Rock - at long last! What a brilliant half-hour. Also, Two Lovers (Joaquin, stick with acting! You are astounding!) and Monsters v. Aliens, which was good old-fashioned non-Pixar fun (i.e., I did not cry).
Listening: Coconut Records, the new Spoon ( you all know I love the Spoon), old Vic Chesnutt, natch, and this, over and over and over again:
Watching: 30 Rock - at long last! What a brilliant half-hour. Also, Two Lovers (Joaquin, stick with acting! You are astounding!) and Monsters v. Aliens, which was good old-fashioned non-Pixar fun (i.e., I did not cry).
Listening: Coconut Records, the new Spoon ( you all know I love the Spoon), old Vic Chesnutt, natch, and this, over and over and over again:
Saturday, January 16, 2010
Sorry! Sorry, sorry, sorry in advance. I don't want to bum you all out anymore than I know you already are - but the home supported by the church where I work and am a member supports the St. Joseph's Home for Boys as I've said. These pictures were perhaps more elucidating for me than any:
Before.
After.
Our emergency response team leaves in early March to help with the boys, then another team will go in June to help rebuild. My friend's dad leaves Monday to work triage. Go, with peace and blessings.
Before.
After.
Our emergency response team leaves in early March to help with the boys, then another team will go in June to help rebuild. My friend's dad leaves Monday to work triage. Go, with peace and blessings.
Thursday, January 14, 2010
Richard Morse, musician and hotel owner in Haiti's tweets are astounding and perhaps life-saving at this point.
The Times Twitter list.
Google Earth imagery of the disaster.
Régine from Arcade Fire is Haitian. Their web site has constant updates and ways to help.
Locally:
MERCI center
Stop Hunger Now
Hearts With Haiti (My boss and a team from the church where I work and am a member will be heading to Haiti within 6 weeks to the St. Joseph's boys ((no longer the "home for boys")) so I can update anyone interested in sending SUPPLIES at that time - money is basically useless at this point)
Hearts and Hands for Haiti (my friend and co-worker left with a group from this mission at 2 p.m. Tuesday. TWO P.M. She was very close to...what...I don't know. She's in shock right now.)
The Times Twitter list.
Google Earth imagery of the disaster.
Régine from Arcade Fire is Haitian. Their web site has constant updates and ways to help.
Locally:
MERCI center
Stop Hunger Now
Hearts With Haiti (My boss and a team from the church where I work and am a member will be heading to Haiti within 6 weeks to the St. Joseph's boys ((no longer the "home for boys")) so I can update anyone interested in sending SUPPLIES at that time - money is basically useless at this point)
Hearts and Hands for Haiti (my friend and co-worker left with a group from this mission at 2 p.m. Tuesday. TWO P.M. She was very close to...what...I don't know. She's in shock right now.)
Sunday, January 10, 2010
I Found Vic Chesnutt's Postcard, So More Whilst For You
(But my scanner is not hooked up to the WiFi or whatever - so it will be posted later)
"Read my lips" -- this commercial basially made my Christmas season.
Hilarious commentary at Don't Do Dumb Things. (dot com). A highlight:
"Seriously? They’re spending Christmas together, they’re blissfully in love and he doesn’t know how to do sign language? What are they going to do for the rest of the day?"
"Read my lips" -- this commercial basially made my Christmas season.
Hilarious commentary at Don't Do Dumb Things. (dot com). A highlight:
"Seriously? They’re spending Christmas together, they’re blissfully in love and he doesn’t know how to do sign language? What are they going to do for the rest of the day?"
Monday, January 04, 2010
Twenty Ten
Happy Birthday Mr. Stipe!
Welcome home, Obamas! We think all of your activities in Hawai'i were lovely. Sorry about the mess upon your return.
Congratulations, Tim Tebow! I am totally obsessed with you. My young son does not share my obsession, though he praised my attention span whilst watching your entire game versus Cincinatti...especially since you buried them. Ephesians 4:11 indeed!!! Or whatever verse was on your eye paint for the bowl game...I wasn't looking too closely at your eyes....
Rest in peace, Vic Chesnutt. Oh, this is the saddest loss of 2009 for me. I met him once, in Chapel Hill, following a riveting concert. A concert where, instead of a "thank you and goodnight!" the audience heard upon his exit a "I gotta take a dump". But that was Mr. Chesnutt. I had THE FLU. But I still went to see him - and thank goodness. He was so nice, so excited that a couple of Maconites had ventured out to see him with THE FLU even. He had written me a postcard after I sent him a complimentary letter about one of his songs. I have temporarily misplaced this postcard, and will not post again until I find it. It had a self-portrait of him on it. He was amazing. His death reminds me that quality, affordable health care for all is not a reality. Yet. His life and music remind me of my past, my family, my South, my own mind.
Tuesday, December 22, 2009
Monday, December 21, 2009
Friday, December 18, 2009
Ten Favorite Secular Christmas Songs
1. And So This is Christmas (War is Over) by John Lennon
2. Feed the World (Don't you love it too? It came out my senior year in high school)
3. Christmas (Baby Please Come Home) by U2
4. What Christmas Means to Me by Stevie Wonder
5. Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas, especially by Judy Garland
6. Carol of the Bells by the Bird and the Bee (a newish song that I adore)
7. The Nutcracker Suite by Duke Ellington
8. Anything Wynton Marsalis Puts Out that is Christmasy
9. I'll Be Home for Christmas by Tony Bennett
10. Santa Please by Ella Fitzgerald *
*I teach, pro bono, for a non-profit preschool for low-income children. This is a cause very near and dear to my heart, and the children head to Kindergarten next year....with a wonderful, intensive preschool experience under their belts, that was FREE. Talk to me privately if you are interested in more information. One of the students is not as engaged and easy to love as the others, but he has become obsessed with Ella's version of this song. The teachers had him call my answering machine and sing it to me this week. I can't really comment except to say if someone knows how to preserve this somehow...FOREVER....I would want to know how to do that.
P.S. Lots of my favorite religious songs are sung by popular musicians - but I didn't list those. Do check out Gladys Night & the Pips RIDUNCULOUS version of "Do You Hear What I Hear?" and of course Sufjan Stevens' Christmas music is pretty much unparalleled. I like Sarah McLachlan's version of "Silent Night" a lot - I guess it was inspired by Sinéad O'Connor, but it somehow transcends The Bald One. "Greensleeves" is perhaps secular, and Vince Guaraldi's version is lovely...but it could be called "What Child Is This?". And my erstwhile favorite band Pedro the Lion has a sweet "I Heard the Bells" out there...they are a closet Christian band, like Sufjan.
2. Feed the World (Don't you love it too? It came out my senior year in high school)
3. Christmas (Baby Please Come Home) by U2
4. What Christmas Means to Me by Stevie Wonder
5. Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas, especially by Judy Garland
6. Carol of the Bells by the Bird and the Bee (a newish song that I adore)
7. The Nutcracker Suite by Duke Ellington
8. Anything Wynton Marsalis Puts Out that is Christmasy
9. I'll Be Home for Christmas by Tony Bennett
10. Santa Please by Ella Fitzgerald *
*I teach, pro bono, for a non-profit preschool for low-income children. This is a cause very near and dear to my heart, and the children head to Kindergarten next year....with a wonderful, intensive preschool experience under their belts, that was FREE. Talk to me privately if you are interested in more information. One of the students is not as engaged and easy to love as the others, but he has become obsessed with Ella's version of this song. The teachers had him call my answering machine and sing it to me this week. I can't really comment except to say if someone knows how to preserve this somehow...FOREVER....I would want to know how to do that.
P.S. Lots of my favorite religious songs are sung by popular musicians - but I didn't list those. Do check out Gladys Night & the Pips RIDUNCULOUS version of "Do You Hear What I Hear?" and of course Sufjan Stevens' Christmas music is pretty much unparalleled. I like Sarah McLachlan's version of "Silent Night" a lot - I guess it was inspired by Sinéad O'Connor, but it somehow transcends The Bald One. "Greensleeves" is perhaps secular, and Vince Guaraldi's version is lovely...but it could be called "What Child Is This?". And my erstwhile favorite band Pedro the Lion has a sweet "I Heard the Bells" out there...they are a closet Christian band, like Sufjan.
Thursday, December 17, 2009
Ten Favorite Carols
I really don't have time to do this, but I want to stay seasonally connected to you, the Internet. Maybe tomorrow I'll do my favorite secular tunes....especially if we have a much-touted snow event!!!!
1. Lo, How a Rose Ere Blooming
2. The Coventry Carol
3. Bring a Torch, Jeanette Isabella
4. While Shepherds Watched
5. The Angel Gabriel
6. Away in a Manger (KIRKPATRICK melody)
7. God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen
8. I Saw Three Ships Come Sailing In
9. Gesu Bambino
10. Angels from the Realms of Glory
1. Lo, How a Rose Ere Blooming
2. The Coventry Carol
3. Bring a Torch, Jeanette Isabella
4. While Shepherds Watched
5. The Angel Gabriel
6. Away in a Manger (KIRKPATRICK melody)
7. God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen
8. I Saw Three Ships Come Sailing In
9. Gesu Bambino
10. Angels from the Realms of Glory
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