Most of what I am doing is pretty boring these days - boring for me but INCREDIBLY FUN AND DYNAMIC for the children. So I'm trying to spice up the end-of-year party planning and transfer ironing-on and field day volunteer scheduling with some Kulture.

We saw the gay cowboy movie. And I was gratified that in the behind-the-scenes extras, Jake Gyllenhal actually mentions the words "gay" and "cowboy". I loved the film, I cried a few extra tears than my usual amount just to honor its historic contribution to American cinema. I especially loved Heath - he had me at his first muffled "hullo".

I re-read the short story, too. Many, many years have gone by since I first read it and I had forgotten a lot about it. Turns out that the movie is beyond faithful to the story. Who knew. I loved that they were able to film images that are sooooo Annie Proulx (like the sheep herd heading over the mountain like a stream of dirty water) in "Brokeback Mountain".

I'm way into Flannery O'C. for my book club. As it turns out, we'll be attending our first bris the night of book club, and I should totally skip out, but I think I can get there late to lecture all the ladies on what I find the finest writing anywhere. Sheesh. That woman puts down prose like a house afire.

And finally, I took a guitar lesson, a birthday gift from back in March. This was big fun, and completely confusing, but inspiring, and I have a little announcement, and that would be to Madonna.

Madonna: I have always envied you many things, the least of which is your ability to play a bar chord. I understand that you had a staff of twelve gay guitarists who taught you this skill, but deep down I just thought you were stronger and had longer fingers than me, you know, because of the yoga and Pilates and stuff. But Madonna, guess what - I played a bar chord today! I played LOTS of them! And it hurt, but not quite as badly as I thought! And I plan to play more of them. I even bought another capo (my "Lourdes" and "Rocco" destroyed my other one) so I could continue on with the whole fretting and transposing thing.

I hope to learn something from your cannon, perhaps "La Isla Bonita". Thank you much - Belle

Thank God for the Carolina Hurricanes! (Such a funny team name in a way - just because it is ice hockey - it is like the Wichita Wave sailing team or something) (Then again, I love the red motif and the image of a hurricane is so suitably scary to us Carolinians, and now to the nation...and they blow a weather siren when the boys score - ok, I like it)

My poor husband - the Deacons had a crappy year and he basically blew off college basketball most of the season. I won't comment more on that because the gravity of the situation demands delicacy. Then we both got excited about the Braves...for no reason. Well, I have one reason, but it is not so much about his baseball playing abilities. Though those are really great for his Baby Brave status. Then my hubby decided that Barbaro would win the Preakness and thus, the Triple Crown.

Ok. So you see where I am headed.

But the hockey team! The team currently playing in the middle of a spring heat wave in Raleigh - they are doing great! And making us proud, and providing all kinds of exciting sports moments. I am gainly trying to learn about checking (which I hate) and hat tricks (which seem highly unlikely) and in the meantime hoping that this bunch of scrappy skaters lift my sports-hungry husband's spirits.

WHO IS THAT????

I have just realized that we are supposed to attend a going-away party Wednesday night for a couple I haven't even SEEN, much less talked with, in months. This being the very night of the LOST season finale (that begins at a very family-unfriendly 8 p.m.). Even though we haven't seen much of this couple, they deserve a proper send-off to their new state, right? OR NOT. Where are my priorities, you might ask? Uh, they are on the island, apparently, cause I am wondering if I have a "scratchy throat" or perhaps the "tummy bug" right now.

Tonight is the 24 season finale, also at the witching hour. I'm going to run my children ragged prior to start time and hope they crash early with no requests for water or another book or anything, so that we can watch our tiny screen carefully and with much anticipation.

Will Jack get killed tonight? I wonder. Maybe Kiefer didn't really sign another contract.

I should be following news like this far more closely, and I will...but I have to get through the little fight we are having with our school board right now.

One part of the fight will be over in hours. Maybe minutes. Then on to educating the electorate about education.

If I've learned anything during this fight, it is that people can be very proprietary, incredibly mean, and completely unsupportive. And you? You just have to carry on regardless.

Could it be that the lessons I've hoped to learn when I'm 40 are kicking in now? That I shouldn't or don't have to care what other people think? Or that regardless of what they think, what I think is important? And that I am completely fabulous and who gives a shit if people are mean cause they are just jealous?

Thirty-eight is feeling pretty good right about now.

Many things to fret and worry about - year-round schools (and our lack of desire to attend one), a new job (just for a few weeks and then I can think about next year), husband out-of-town (but we're doing fine), all the crazed Mom beyotches in town (I have got to find some thicker skin), a/c unit leaking (NOT FREAKING AGAIN!!! HOW CAN THIS BE???).

Many things to enjoy, too. Rain. And lots of it, to alleviate our drought conditions and help our tiny family garden to sprout at last. Funny comments from the children - from my son, telling his sister that "You're really too pretty to be cute". And my daughter telling me to "live life day-by-day and take it as it comes". When I asked her where she got this philosophy, her answer was not very surprising. Tball and soccer games, spring views and smells, good books and music, and our trip to New York. Typing it all out helps me remember and helps me shake off the yicky, sticky coating of evil from the aforementioned concerns.