Remembering Christmas, Day 7: That perfect tree

Remember Aunt Stana and her larger-than-life Christmas trees from Day 4? One year we got to experience the hunt for the perfect tree with Aunt Stana and Uncle Charles. It was awesome!

I was born and raised in sunny Arizona in the part of the state where the weather was stereotypical of Arizona, hot, dry and hot, hot, HOT! No snow and barely cold. My dad got a permit to cut down a tree out in Williams somewhere - I'm pretty sure we were near the Grand Canyon, perhaps the North Rim, but I could be terribly wrong. Maybe the permit was for the Kaibab forest. I don't know. But we had a permit and a hodge podge of "winter" clothes to keep warm.

When you're young, traveling places always seem further away than they really are. Going to Williams was a big deal for me. It was so far! And so magically covered in snow. What joy to pop out of the truck and just jump around and leave my footprints in the snow - a mark that I had been there! We searched around for the perfect tree. Our "perfect" was much smaller and easier to manage than what Aunt Stana had in mind. It took several hands to load up Aunt Stana's tree onto the truck once she found 'the one.'

Speaking of hands, mine were freezing. Mom let me use her tan Isotoner gloves which looked all too sleek and fancy for playing in the snow, but that didn't stop me. I don't think Kevin was on this trip. I probably would've played more in the snow if he had been there.

When we headed back, we stopped by Aunt Stana's house before heading back to our place. I don't know how much of the top was cut from her tree - probably enough to make a respectable 2 footer for a small apartment. Can you just smell the pine? And hear the crunch of the snow...?

Remembering Christmas, Day 6: Shawl we sing?

I don't know if public schools still have Christmas programs. Or do they call them holiday programs now? Well, back in my day when I was a grade schooler, we had Christmas programs. We sang about the baby Jesus and harked to Angels and wisssshed (because kids can't just wish) people a Merry Christmas and life was good.

These Christmas programs were held in the evening so all the parents could attend. I remember pulling into the parking lot at Desert Valley Elementary School and walking to the auditorioum. We sang our programs and "click, click, clicked" to our hearts' content. I think we had a Christmas program every year in elementary school, so most of the programs run together and I can't tell you what song was sung in what grade.

I was in grade school in the early 90's, and I believe that my mother's wardrobe reflected that. For instance, my mom was a wearer of shawls. Do people still wear shawls these days? I remember wearing that shawl to one of the Christmas programs. I don't know if I had taken it from my mom and left her to freeze in the cold Bullhead City winter eve or if it was a prearranged agreement. But I wore the shawl and it was brown and had little hangy fringe things, and I'm sure I was wearing white leggings because I wore those a lot back in the day. And a Santa hat. There was definitely a Santa hat on my head. And maybe a side pony because it was the early 90's.

Remembering Christmas, Day Five: Memories yet to come or the House that Chelsea Built

On a cold, snowy Saturday in December I joined 4 girls from my bible study and 30+ other volunteers at the local Habitat for Humanity build sight. With the impending bad weather, we were sure as heck we'd be inside painting or something. Boy were we wrong! And mostly because I opened my big mouth and volunteered us for trusses. "Oh that sounds like fun," I said, as my hand shot up. Well fun was ten feet in the air in a second floor room with incomplete roof coverage. Did I mention it was a cold and snowy day?


Four of us girls and one unsuspecting guy headed up the ladder to meet our build leader. I could only imagine what was going through his mind as he saw four girls emerge through the second story window. For nearly three hours we stood up in the rafters on 2x4's hammering away at the boards that would become the structural support for the house's roof. As we broke for lunch, our build leader looked around and was suprised to see that we had completed about a full day's work in three hours.


The break for lunch came at the right time. Wet, hungry, and cold to the core, we huddled around a propane heater emitting 50,000 BTUs of glorious heat as we waited for our warm pizza to arrive. Nearly dry and well fed, we climbed back up the ladder for two more hours of snowy work. When quitting time came, we gladly cleaned up our tools, stood back, and admired the hard work we had accomplished.

Where does the Christmas come in for this memory? I don't know yet. But I can only hope that once this house is finished and the fortunate family who moves in will make and have years of wonderful Christmas memories to look back on. I can just picture what this house would look like with Christmas lights along the trim, especially as the snow fell on us that cold, Saturday afternoon.

(Pictures from the build are coming - experiencing slight difficulties w/ the camera.)

Remembering Christmas Day 4: A Clammy Christmas Eve

My mom has a pretty big family, and growing up, we all lived pretty close to each other. Every Christmas Eve, we went to my Aunt Stana and Uncle Charles' for dinner. The menu was the same every year: Uncle Charles' famous clam chowder with oyster crackers or bread. If there was anything else to go with it, I don't remember. Clam chowder is just about the only type of fish/seafood that I can stomach and there were a couple years in there where I couldn't eat the clams if the pieces were too large. I eventually got over that, though I tend to put too many crackers in the soup to make up for the fact that it's seafood. I am of the mindset that fish and all the creatures of the ocean are to be consumed by other creatures of the ocean. It's not a whole animal rights thing because Lord knows I love me a good burger, but I digress.

Everyone came for Christmas Eve dinner. It was an opportunity to see the cousins that were away at school or the family that lived further away. Aunt Jackie and Uncle Doyle were there with Chris and Del, Aunt Pat, Uncle Jim and their boys, Grandma, Hank, Aunt Stana's boys, etc. - I'd say at least 30 people. And sometimes members of the extended family would just pop in for whatever leftovers were hanging around. The youngest kids sat at a small table right under the kitchen bar. There was this really cool, small, green bucket chair that Aunt Stana used to sit her dog Sasha in when she bathed her. That was always a fun chair to sit in.

Aunt Stana (not pictured) was pretty serious about her Christmas decorations, especially the tree. An artificial or some measly shrub from the tree lot just wouldn't do. Each year they got a permit to cut down their own tree. Bigger, fuller, and wider was always better when Aunt Stana picked her tree - think the Griswold family tree from Christmas Vacation. They often had to cut several feet off the top just to fit it through the door. Bags of tinsel dangled from every branch. I always wished that we could put tinsel on our trees, but Cricket would eat it, so I had to get my tinsel fill at Aunt Stana's house. Sometimes there would be a Christmas movie on in the background, sometimes the whole family would gather round and play a game, but there was always tons of visiting. Uncle Doyle always outdid himself with Christmas cookies and Aunt Jackie's fudge made an appearance if the weather cooperated and she got a good batch.

Dad drove and he preferred the red Ford pick-up. Kevin and I would fight over who got to sit next to mom because it was late by the time we would leave and sitting next to mom meant we had a shoulder to fall asleep on during the ride home, which seemed a lot longer when we were growing up. When we got home, we each got to open one present - a new ornament to go on the Christmas tree. We crawled in our bunks, went to sleep, and waited for the surprises of the next morning.

That's how Christmas Eve went for several years growing up.

Remembering Christmas: Days 1-3

I have over a quarter of a century of Christmases under my belt, and with the tree trimmed and the stockings flung, I thought it would be cool to reminisce about the jolly days of yore. So each day until Christmas I will post a memory – recent, distant, or somewhere in between. And since I missed the first two days of December, you get three for the price of one today! How lucky are you?

We’ll start with a recent memory. Last year was my first Christmas season in DC. All the roommates of the 1/2 house got together to decorate. Laura's family had a spare, fake tree lying around, so it was brought home for us to work our Christmas magic. The tree was quite easy to put together - just three sections with the branches already attached. We just had to fluff and primp (or probe, as Tara called it) the branches and plug in the already strung lights. The tree was beautiful, but it was missing the all important stand. We tried to be resourceful but our resources as far as makeshift tree stands were non-existent. So we just leaned the tree up against the wall. Yeah, tacky, I know, but it totally worked. This year we have the same tree with the same problem. But instead of leaning it against the wall, we took the fireplace tool stand and tied the tree up to that. It's secure and errect despite a 30-40 degree lean to the right. Color lights have been added and currently there are nine ornaments on the 7-foot tall tree. For some reason it seems fitting that the tree leans...it adds character.

My grandparents had an 8 track player when they lived in the Willow Valley mobile. One of the 8 tracks was of Christmas songs. It was a white deck with colorful pictures of a stocking, candy cane, and several other Christmasy images. There is only one song from the 8 track that I remember - a rendition of "Silver Bells." I'm not sure if this is true or if I just made it up, but I think "Silver Bells" was my Grandan's favorite Christmas song. He whistled it often. I'll have to see if we kept the 8 tracks and player when my grandparents moved. It'd be cool to listen to it again.

Memory #2 was triggered this morning as I was listening to my Zune player. I put my Christmas music on random and Neil Diamond's version of "Silver Bells" came on. Neil Diamond leads me to my next memory. My mom is a huge Neil Diamond fan. I'm pretty sure she was able to drag my dad to one of his concerts years ago, so we definitely had his albums in our house. His best album? The Christmas Album, of course! Growing up, my brother and I shared a room. Some nights we would jump out of our beds and put on The Christmas Album, skip to track #4 and rock out with Neil Diamond to "Santa Claus is Coming to Town." It was not uncommon for us to bust out the air guitar and air drums.

So there's Christmas memories one, two and three for December 1st, 2nd and 3rd. Tune in each day, every day until Christmas for a new memory. Just 22 more to go! Feel free to share a memory of your own. And to get you in the mood, here's Neil Diamond singing "Santa Claus is Coming to Town."

Gott Wagner?

I'm coming out of blogger hiatus for a quick post. I should be packing for my flight to California that leaves in 5 hours and catching some sleep, but I'm on too much of a high to focus on that.

This evening I spent five glorious hours at the opera house. I know what you're thinking, "who puts five hours at the opera house and glorious in the same sentence?" I do...after hearing Washington National Opera's concert performance of Richard Wagner's Götterdämmerung. The concertized opera featured Swedish soprano Iréne Theorin as Brünnhilde (whom I mildly have a girl crush on, but that's a story for another day), American tenor Jon Fredric West as Siegfried, Israeli bass-baritone Gidon Saks as Hagen, and American baritone Gordon Hawkins (sporting a cam-walker boot and cane) as Alberich. They were all STELLAR! as was the orchestra led by Philippe Auguin.

This was my first foray into Wagner. A couple months ago, I would have told you it would take me years before I even considered listening to one of his operas. They're long, intense, and if the music doesn't hit you right, it can seem too harsh to really enjoy. But things just fell into place and I actually was excited to attend the performance. Obviously for me the main draw was Theorin. I'm normally not drawn to dramatic or heavier voices, but something just clicked for me while I've watched her performances in Strauss' Ariadne auf Naxos. It was a voice I wanted to hear more of, and since I had seen Ariadne seven times, I needed something different. And Wagner was my only option. I also had a chance to speak to one of WNO's stage managers who had grown up listening to the Ring. It was something that she totally "got" and I don't know how she did it, but she was able to convey that to me in a way that really piqued my interest.

Aside from knowing the basic synopsis, I really had no idea what to expect, but I did know that Götterdämmerung was the conclusion of Wagner's four part Der Ring des Nibelungen, an epic saga very similar to Tolkien's Lord of the Rings. So here's the gist, Brünnhilde and Siegfried are married, and as a token of his love, Siegfried has given the powerful ring to Brünnhilde. Well Hagen wants that ring. So he crafts a plan to have Gutrune slip Siegfried a potion that will make him fall in love with her. Then Siegfried will woo Brünnhilde on behalf of Gunther and Hagen will then try and snag the ring. As in most cases, things don't go as planned. For one, Brünnhilde is a feisty and skeptical broad and doesn't buy in to the whole thing. Words are exchanged and Siegfried is eventually killed by Hagen. Brünnhilde finds out that Siegfried was given a potion and realizes that he really did love her. So she gets the ring back and jumps into Siegfried's funeral pyre with her magical flying horse. They are reunited in death, the ring is given back to the Rhinemaidens and all is good. End scene!

So the music. It really is intense, but in a good way. It's hard not to get swept up in it. The music tells a story and it's so very visual. I don't know if that makes sense, but it really paints a picture. Different themes (or lietmotifs) are used for the different characters, and it's really cool to be able to recognize that and pick out the lietmotifs that go with the characters. Wagner was certainly a genius when it came to composing. And maestro Auguin had a great command of WNO's orchestra. I normally can't tell the difference between good and great, but these guys were on their game tonight.

Oh and the singers!!! They have this beautiful music dripping with such dramatic intensity from start to finish and they just sing the holy hell out of it. There were some areas that lulled in comparison to others, but I was just so captivated by what these artists were giving me. The entire cast gave a great performance. Standouts were Gidon as Hagen and Gordon as Alberich. I also enjoyed Bernadette Flaitz as Gutrune (though she looks a little tense on stage)and Betsy Bishop as Waltraute (girl can strut in her fabulous red gown!).

And Iréne!!! My God the woman can belt! I thought she was great in Ariadne, but she totally kicks ass as Brünnhilde. She has such command of the role and she completely lets loose on those notes. She's loud, but in control. It's never an abrasive or unattractive sound - just a really loud, powerful, intense quality. She was absolutely beautiful in a black sparkly dress. One of my friends that I saw the show with commented that it looked a little like armor in the sense that it glistened and had a silvery-ness to it. But boy was she sparkly! Her character basically gets the last hurrah in the opera (and the Cycle for that matter). Called the Immolation Scene, Iréne stood solo on stage in front of a cloudy gray backdrop, a spotlight shining on her, and basically takes charge of things. She orders the pyre for Siegfried's funeral, tells the Rheinmaidens what to do with the ring, and just sets everything right. Iréne's interpretation of the Immolation scene was intense. Since she's the only one on stage, you're obviously going to be drawn to her. But she has such a magnetizing stage presence that it becomes a very intent focus. I wish you could all experience what I did! She pulled me in and by the time she was calling for peace from the gods, the tears had begun to well up. The music and the singing, it was just so impassioned. I have never heard a voice quite like that before - I sat in my chair trembling with tears streaming down my face. I completely connected with Wagner's opera and Theorin's performance (and I'm tearing up right now just thinking about it). After Theorin finished the Immolation scene, she stood completely still as the orchestra played out and the curtain finally came down.

The audience response was none that I have ever heard in an opera house before. Fans of Wagner know their stuff, and they know when something is good and when something is spectacular. I am not exaggerating - the crowd popped to their feet as soon as the curtain went down. Iréne came out, and she was showered with cheers and applause - honestly, the longest solo bow I've ever experienced, and it was completely well deserved. The rest of the cast each got their due, and the entire company was bathed in lavish applause. This is totally what opera is about and why I'm in love with the art form. It's a performance like this, when the artists give their absolute all and everyone is just on, that makes for those memorable evening that just sticks with you. It's why I come back. It's why I sit for five hours in a dark opera house, so that I can be moved to tears. It's why I'll be going back next Sunday for round two.

I must say that the "production" also worked. This wasn't just a stand and sing concert performance. The gray backdrop added an appropriate mood to the atmosphere and the artists interacted with each other instead of just standing still. It didn't matter to me that this wasn't an actual staged opera. The drama was there in the singing. I think it also allowed the artists to really focus on the music and not be hindered by any staging or costumes.

So that was my first Wagner experience. I'm pretty sure I'm hooked.

You think about the events that get you from one place to the other, and how it can be one performance or one voice that brings you to the next. If I had never heard Iréne sing, I think it would have taken me much longer to realize the beauty of Wagner and really understand its awesomeness. So I guess this is my "thank you" to Iréne. And if you're in DC on November 15th, go see Götterdämmerung! It's awesome! And Iréne Theorin is balls to the wall Ah-MAZING!!!

Iréne Theorin (as Ariadne) and Me!

Finally Friday Music Clip(s) of the Day: The "Getting Old" Edition

Because I have just completed and am about to embark upon another trip around the sun, here is a lovely duet by the awesome Jimmy Buffett and Martina McBride:



And I swear, this is the last time. But since tomorrow is Washington National Opera's opening night and they're simulcasting Rossini's The Barber of Seville to Nationals Park and I will be there with my friends to continue my birthday celebration, I must include more Barber. Here's the late, great American soprano Beverly Sills singing "Una voce foca pa". And in case you were wondering, this was one of the first opera videos that I saw after returning from the Renee Fleming Denver recital in 2007.

Finally Friday Music Clip(s) of the Day: The "Deuce" Edition

It's the middle weekend of the US Open and I'M GOING!!! I've been a huge tennis fan since high school. I have no idea why, but it's the only sport that I can consistently watch on tv and really get into it. And now I'm finally going to an Open. Two of the roommates are joining me on this super quick trip to NY, and although we will probably be in a bus for more time than we'll actually be at the Open, I don't care! Because it'll be awesome!

So in the spirit of tennis, I found these quirky tunes.
The Tennis Song - Red, White and Green



I'm not really a Roger fan, but this song rhymes "Federer" with "sweaterer" so I couldn't resist.



I am a Rafa fan so this song was going to make the cut anyway, but props to them for rhyming "Mallorca" and "New Yorka" - not a total stretch, but still.

Finally Friday Music Clip of the Day: From Rain to Rainbows Edition

Eva Cassidy is a soulful chick. I have her Songbird album and it's awesome. I believe it's the only album she put out, because she passed away really young. Anywho, here she is singing "Wade in the Water." (Just listen to the song, don't necessarily need to watch this video.)



This clip is really short, but upon learning that Reading Rainbow will no longer be featured on PBS, I feel compelled to post the amazingly catchy theme.

Finally Friday Music Clip of the Day: The "TGIF" Edition

Technically speaking, I'm now part of the workforce. I commute. I put in 40 hours. I'm over worked and underpaid. I can't wait till 6:00pm Friday rolls around. I am now working for the weekend. But I love what I'm doing! I get to make the dull into delicious!

Loverboy's "Working for the Weekend"


Oh and because I PR things you're going to hear this until I can't PR things anymore: If you're in DC, make your way to Nats Stadium on September 12th at 7:00pm for WNO's opening night simulcast of the Barber of Seville. It's opera, beer, hotdogs, and crackerjacks. And it's FREE! You'd be a fool to miss it.

Thomas Hampson (a very young Thomas Hampson:) singing "Largo al Factotum" from The Barber of Seville.

Best of intentions blah blah blah

I give this excuse so many times. "I really did have the best of intentions to post about what's been going on, but I've been soooooo busy....."

It's true, but that's no excuse. I just need to make the time and get you all up to speed. Here are a few tidbits to entice you for now and hold you over:

I went to NYC the 1st of August and saw probably one of the best plays in my life with two of the best performances given by two equally powerful and strong women. I'm going back this weekend to watch the final show of Mary Stuart.

I'm embarking on a do-it-myself project mosaic-ing (is that a word?) a coffee table. It's been a journey and I don't think I'll actually mosaic it after all.

I start an internship tomorrow. I get to promote opera! I mean, I've already unofficially been doing that since I became a fan of opera, but now I get to do it for reals! Ahhhh. I'm so jazzed! Er make that, I'm so opera'ed!!! Just to set the record straight, it's an internship, not a job.

Julie/Julia is probably one of the best feel-good, make-you-happy movies I've seen in a really long time.

Mel is off on her 11 month mission trip all across the world. DC just got a little less awesome.

La Boheme at Wolf Trap with Jackie was super awesome. I didn't expect to hear singing that good. I mean, we're talking good!

Plans are in the works for a trip to NYC over Labor Day for a little US Open action.

I really do hope to be able to expand upon some of these tomorrow evening.

Finally Friday Music Clip of the Day - The Bohemian Edition

Jackie and I are off to see La Boheme out at Wolf Trap this evening. Puccini under the starts – doesn’t get much better.

Ainhoa Arteta singing “Quando men vo” at the Met, 2008


Luciano Pavarotti and Renata Scotto singing “O soave fanciulla” at the Met, 1977

New Representation

Meet my new congress(wo)man (not sure what she goes by). I didn’t vote for her, but alas, here she is in DC representing me. I ran into her a few times when I was back in Arizona working for my congressman and out on the campaign trail campaigning against her. She seems like a nice gal with a good head on her shoulders so I’ll give her a shot, but only until election time...because remember, I’ve sold my soul to the Republican Party (evil Dick Cheney smile appears on my face.)

So here she is, Ann Kirkpatrick (AZ CD-1).

Here’s what she says on her official House page, “I am working to jumpstart our economy and get folks back to work, secure our borders, bring the fiscal discipline of small towns to Washington and pay our eternal debt of gratitude to our Veterans. None of those are Democratic or Republican issues, and we will only make progress on them if we are willing to work across the aisle.”

Oh those freshman members, always so idealistic when they first come to Washington promising to cross party lines. I hope for the sake of Arizona and the nation that she does.

It does seem like she’s looking out for our Veterans and she’s obviously grown up in rural Arizona based on the legislation that she’s introduced in the 111th. Kirkpatrick is currently on the Committees on Homeland Security, Small Business, and Veterans’ Affairs – all three great committees for Arizona.

Cool story. I met Congress(wo)man Kirkpatrick at an Arizona State Society event in late June. We got to talking and I told her I originally hail from Bullhead City. She asked, “Do you know Keith or Joe Heath?” The gears started turning in my head. I think it was Keith who was the director of the Boys and Girls Club, but those weren’t the Heath’s I knew – it was their mother that I had known. I told Kirkpatrick that Jan Heath was my 2nd grade teacher. Turns out Mrs. Heath is Ann’s aunt. Small world I tell you!

Being serious for just a moment - as someone who was the chairman of her campus' College Republican club, volunteered countless hours to the Bush campaign and various other Republican campaigns, and worked for a Republican member of congress, I think Ann Kirkpatrick seems like a pretty sensible person. I don't know where she stands on all the issues, but she seems pretty moderate and like she's truly looking out for the best interest of rural Arizona. If there has to be a Democrat representing me, I'm sure glad it's her and not some ACLU quack like Ellen Simon.

Now I'm walking away to wash my mouth out with soap so I can regain my Republican card.

Finally Friday Music Clip of the Day - The School of Witchcraft and Wizardry Edition

In honor of me seeing Harry Potter part the 6, I give you some spell-binding music.

Screamin Jay Hawkins - I Put a Spell On You



John Sebastian and NRBQ - Do You Believe In Magic?



GO SEE IT!

Desperately hoping to experience the Divine

I have loved Bette Midler since I was a grade-schooler and saw her in Hocus Pocus. When her Diva Las Vegas concert aired on HBO back in the late 90's, I recorded it to a VHS tape and watched it over and over until I knew the entire two hours by heart. I would wait until everyone in the household was gone, turn up the volume on the television, and sing along with Bette as loud as I could. Her touring schedule has previously evaded me, and even now that she's performing in Vegas just 90 miles away from where I grew up, I am living across the country. But mark my words, I will see her in concert before she is no longer performing. Because I will be devastated if I miss the opportunity to experience the Divine Miss M live.

One of my favorite songs is Bette singing "Stay With Me" from her Diva Las Vegas Concert. It is such an emotionally intense rendition. She lays it all out on the table. THAT is what I'm dying to witness in person - her electric stage presence, her absolute ferocity, and her ability to pull the audience in and give them more than what they were ever hoping to receive. She is a true entertainer in every sense of the word.



See my description of "Stay With Me" - it pretty much applies to Bette singing "When a Man Loves a Woman" from her Kiss my Brass tour.



She can go from bawdy to sultry in 10 seconds flat.



And it isn't a Bette Midler show without the crude Sophie Tucker jokes (not suitable for children or those who blush easily).

The Future (hopefully) - in the shortert of terms

What I hope to do - in the broadest of terms:

Saffie: I'm sorry, mum, but I've never really seen what it is that you actually do.
Eddie: PRrr.
Saffie: Yes, but...
Eddie: PR! I PR things! People! Places! Concepts...
Patsy: ...Lulu.
Eddie: Lulu... I PR them. I make the fabulous... I make the crap into credible. I make the dull into...
Patsy: ...Delicious
Eddie: Delicious. I PR, darling!
(Absolutely Fabulous - series 3, episode 4)

Where I hope to do it - figuratively speaking:
In all seriousness, just submitted my application to the local opera company for an internship position in their PR Department. I would be out of this world excited if I got it. Loved PR in school and love opera now. love + love = dream come true.

A tip from Meryl

"The other thing I learned was, and I've been cooking for hundreds of years, that if you have garlic and onions on your fingertips, if you dip your hands in salt and then rinse them in cool water, the smell goes right away."

Meryl Streep in the August 2009 issue of Ladies' Home Journal when asked what tips she learned on the set of Julie & Julia.

Much obliged Meryl. As one who often cooks with garlic and sometimes with onions, I'm left with that smell on my finger for days despite soap and a good scrub. I can't wait to put this tip to the test. Or see Meryl's new movie.

Bravery in a nutshell

You're a 19 year old kid. You're critically wounded and dying in the jungle in the La Drang Vally, 11/14/1965, LZ X-ray, Vietnam. Your infantry unit is outnumbered 8-1, and the enemy gunfire is so intense that your own Infantry Commander has ordered the MediVac helicopters to stop coming in.

You're lying there, listening to the enemy machine guns, and you know you're not getting out. Your family is half way around the world...12,000 miles away...and you'll never see them again. As the world starts to fade in and out, you know this is the day.

Then, over the machine guns, you fainlty hear that sound of helicopter, and you look up to see an un-armed Huey, but it doesn't seem real, because no MediVac markings are on it.

Ed Freeman is not MediVac so it's not his job, but he's flying his Huey down into the heavy gunfire. After the MediVacs were ordered not to come, he's coming anyway.

He drops it in and sits there in the gunfire as they load 2 or 3 of you on board.

Then he flies you up and out through the gunfire to the doctors and nurses.

And, he keeps coming back...13 more times...and taks about 30 of your buddies out, men who would never have gotten out without him.

Medal of Honor Recipient, Ed Freeman, died Wednesday, March 25th, 2009 at the age of 80, in Boise, ID...May God rest his soul.

(received via email)

Line please!

I got a callback this afternoon for that Owen Wilson film that will have a couple of scenes shot at Nationals Park. I have to call back next Wednesday for details on filming, but it's a two day committment on June 12th and 13th. The lady informed me to expect a long day. I'll let you know my role and character motivation once I obtain that information.

My winning smile won them over! :)

I need a buddy

Get Paid $25,000 To Ride Local Roller Coasters
Posted: 12:28 pm EDT June 3, 2009

ORLANDO, Fla. -- If you love roller coasters, the Orlando/Orange County Convention & Visitors Bureau has a job just for you.

The "67 Days of Smiles" website asks interested people to convince them "that you and your spouse, best friend, brother, mother or 'other' have an adventurous spirit and smiling personalities and land the ultimate assignment."

The Orlando CVB says the selected pair will do everything from roller coaster riding to hang gliding, swimming with dolphins, golfing, shopping, gator wrestling, museum exploring, theatre-going and more.

As the winning pair, you'll be expected to report on your experiences using cell phones, a digital video camera and still camera supplied to you and share your 67 Days of Smiles with the world through social media tools like blogs, Twitter and Facebook.

The city will pay you $25,000 to cover your expenses back home and provide a two-bedroom condo in downtown Orlando for the entire 67 days. You can learn more about it and apply at the 67 Days of Smiles website.

Copyright 2009 by wftv.com. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

I seriously want to do this but I need somebody else to commit with me. Who doesn't want to have fun for 67 days??? Mom, pass this on to Kevin.

Dell, we have a problem

My computer took a nose dive, AGAIN, so I'm coming to you live from my roommate's computer. I think it's dead, AGAIN. I haven't backed up my documents/photos/music in about a month, and there's some really great pictures on there I don't want to lose. Plus the resume of perfection and the cover letter that's been plagairised by my good friend was on there. So I'm hoping my tecky friend will come to my rescue, AGAIN, and extract all those files for me. Until then, I can't restore my computer, so I think the blogging might come to a bit of a standstill. Just a heads-up, but I will do my best to get up and running soon.

Photo courtesy of buymybrokenlaptop.

I'm ready for my close-up, Mr. DeMille*

This afternoon I attended my first casting call for a motion picture. The film - a James L. Brooks rom-com (that's what we in the biz call a romantic-comedy) featuring Owen Wilson as a Washington Nationals relief pitcher and Reese Witherspoon as his love interest. Paul Rudd is Wilson's nemesis in the film currently titled "How Do You Know?"

I heard about the casting call last week, which was only open to season ticket holders. After much debate with myself, I talked me into going on down to Nats Stadium this afternoon and giving it a shot. With a photo of myself with the DC United mascot in hand, I made my way on over. Expecting long lines and tons of people, I was surprised to walk on in and have absolutely no wait at all. I filled out a piece of paper that had contact and costume size info then walked over to a bunch of tables where there were several Casting Call staffers waiting. I sat and talked with a lady, and if I hadn't forced the conversation to continue, "the interview" would have lasted a mere minute consisting of info given by her to me about the filming process. She didn't take any notes or put any favorable symbols of any sort on my form. So who knows what my chances are. Hopefully the winning smile in my photo wins the director over. And hopefully the fact that I'm in a photo with the soccer mascot and not the baseball mascot won't kill my chances. If I don't get a callback, that's my scapegoat.

Who knows, this could be my big break!

*This is an oft misquoted line from Sunset Blvd. Norma Desmond actually says, "All right, Mr. DeMille, I'm ready for my close-up.

Photo courtesy of Corbis Images.

Our Family According to Mom

Mom didn't get the 'shades mandatory' memo.

It's family reunion time and ours is gearing up for a weekend retreat in the Hualapai Mountains late in June. Aunt Jackie (a loyal reader) is in charge of collecting individual updates for the family newsletter. My Mom (also a loyal reader) submitted the update for our family of four. She gets her writing skills from me. :)

"I'm sure more has happened in our family over the past two years than I can remember, but I'll give it a shot. I changed jobs last June - left the foot doctor for a dentist. It's a very small office – the dentist, the assistant and me. The Dr.'s wife was pregnant and I was hired so she could stay home with the baby, once born. I get to work 4 days a week (yay!!!), and it's a lot less stressful than my previous job.

"John retired from Edison in October of '06 and was fortunate to find work the following spring at a local boat shop (a return to his first career). He works from April thru October and takes off almost every other Friday. Since I'm off on Fridays, this allows us to get out of the heat just about every other weekend. We have a trailer we leave in Williams for the summer and stay there, sometimes taking the Harley for local rides or just hanging out in the COOL.

"Chelsea flew the local coop a year and a half ago and has settled in our nation's capitol. She is not currently working as the Republican Congressman she was working for did not seek re-election (read-indicted for some land trade deal). She is not letting that slow her down, however. She continues to follow opera the way most of us follow a sport. I wonder if they make Opera Trading Cards? I understand she is submitting her own update, so I'll leave the rest to her. Check out her blog – http://www.chelsealately.blogspot.com/.

"Kevin has also changed jobs. (At one point this past spring our household was at the 75% unemployment level!) He is working for a friend of ours who has a business cleaning up and maintaining foreclosed homes. They stay quite busy and travel all over the state. They get to bring home whatever they find at the houses. A couple weeks ago he came home with a box of about 40 LPs from the 80s. He was more excited about the album covers than the music. In August of '07, he bought a Harley (just like John's – a touring style). A couple of his buddies also had bikes and they rode quite a bit. A group of 7 rode to Sturgis in Aug '08-on the road 8 days (I believe) and about 3200 miles. Last December he traded it in on a FAAASSSST Honda Street bike. I pray for his safety every time he gets on it. He rides this bike a lot more than the Harley. He has a girlfriend, whom we have actually met and really like. Michelle is very nice, friendly and can carry on an adult conversation! She is also motorcycle savvy, having ridden dirt bikes most of her life."

"We had to have Fluffy (Himalayan cat) put down last May (he was 14) but still have Sophie (Lhasa Apso-12 ). I'm ready to be petless for a while but John would like to get another Persian. I think he's waiting for the cat fairy to leave him one on the doorstep. We're all healthy and thankful for the jobs we have."

A couple of comments: 1) If length is any indication, then my brother is the clear favorite child. :) 2) If there are Opera Trading Cards, then I want them! 3) I sure hope the cat fairy leaves dad a new cat soon (ahem, Mom, ahem wink wink nudge nudge GET A NEW CAT!!!)

P.S. Happy belated anniversary to my padres who celebrated like 50 million years of marriage on the 27th. Without them, I clearly would not be here. Seriously, I would not exist.

Finally Friday Music Clip of the Day - Take It Easy Edition

I think it’s going to be a low-key weekend. Plus I’ve stood on the corner in Winslow, Arizona before.

Eagles - Take It Easy

And it's supposed to rain all weekend: Gene Kelly - I'm Singing in the Rain

My Dad and me standing on the corner in Winslow, AZ after a ride on the Harley.

The Pen Is Mightier

Norm MacDonald spoofed Bob Dole and his habit of always carrying a pen in his right hand. Well, there's a story behind that.

Via Sen. Bob Dole's wikipedia page: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bob_Dole

In 1942, Dole joined the United State Army's Enlisted Reserve Corps to fight in World War II. He became a second lieutenant in the Army's 10th Mountain Division.

In April 1945, while engaged in combat in the hills of northern Italy, he was hit by German machine gun fire in his upper right back. His right arm was also badly injured. As Lee Sandlin describes, when fellow soldiers saw the extent of his injuries all they thought they could do was to "give him the largest dose of morphine they dared and write an 'M' for 'morphine' on his forehead in his own blood, so that nobody else who found him would give him a second, fatal dose." He had to wait nine hours on the battlefield before being taken to the 15th Evacuation Hospital. He began a recovery that would last until 1948 at Percy Jones Army hospital in Battle Creek, Michigan. His right arm was paralyzed; Dole often carried a pen in his right hand to signal that he could not shake hands with that arm.

Dole was three times decorated for heroism, receiving two Purple Hearts for his injuries, and the Bronze Star with combat "V" for valor for his attempt to assist a downed radio man.

Bob and Elizabeth Dole attended the Memorial Day Services at Arlington National Cemetery, and later, Mr. Dole spoke to veterans at the World War II Memorial on the National Mall. He was a key player in raising funds and organizing efforts to get the Greatest Generation a memorial they so greatly deserved. At 86, Mr. Dole, though moving much slower, looks to be in fairly good shape. Both the Doles were quite poised this afternoon despite the heat and humidity that rendered me exhausted (and I wasn't wearing a suit). I have always been a fan of Elizabeth Dole's since Junior year of high school. No particular reason, aside from her being a hard working gal making her way in a man's world. Anywho, was thrilled to see them at the ceremony this afternoon!

"God bless the fallen."

A Veteran saluting the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier

Arlington National Cemetery, May 25th, 2009

President Obama speaking at the Memorial Day Service

Arlington National Cemetery, May 25th, 2009

(Senators Bob and Elizabeth Dole on the far left)

Tip of the Day: Memorial Concert Edition

Times are tough in this economy and people are cutting back. If you are a wine aficionado but find your pocketbook not able to afford the luxuries of vino, then head on down to the Capitol this evening. It's the Memorial Day Concert and folks excited about the first chance of summer to picnic often pack a bottle of wine. Little do they know, or try as they might to sneak it in, the Capitol Police are pretty on top of cracking down. Stand by the entrance and wait for a culprit to get caught. They'll be forced to part with the wine before entering and you'll be there to take it. If you're unsuccessful, at least you'll be at the Capitol to enjoy the concert!

Finally Friday Music Clip of the Day - Turn Up the Heat Edition

Technically speaking, summer is a month away. But those temperatures outside say otherwise. Plus it's Memorial Weekend, and that always makes me think of summer. So in honor of those climbing temps I bring you the Finally Friday Music Clip of the Day. I'm feeling generous again, so I bring you two.

The first, Renee Fleming singing "Summertime" because it almost is and just because it's Renee Fleming.



Mom likes the verions by Don Henley, but Sam (CT Sam) and I used to rock out w/ the windows down to the version by the Ataris. Nothing makes me think of summer more than blasting the music with the warm air blowing through the open windows.

And we're done!

The final curtain has come down on my last opera for the 2008/2009 season. Oh and what a season it has been! Renee...Placido...Dmitri...Patricia...Nessun Dorma...The Meditation...Song to the Moon...Di Provenza...The Met...The Kennedy Center...Thais (four times)...Lucrezia Borgia (three times w/ Renee, once w/ Sondra)...Il Trovatore...Peter Grimes! (twice)... What memories! So many great memories. And all the good friends along the way. Can't wait to do it all again!

And oh my gosh LEONTYNE PRICE! How could I ever forget???

A New Approach?

I think I've been going about this whole job interviewing process the wrong way.

Running on Empty

Several of my friends ran the Captiol Hill 10k this past Sunday. I graciously relinquished my spot in the race in order to stand on the sideline to cheer on my pals. It's a tough job, but someone's got to do it. And if I have to be that someone, then so be it.












Top left: AMY. Top Right: Lauren. Center: Unknown girl, Jon, Mel practicing her victory pose. Below: Sherwin stopping to say "hello."

Other race highlights:
Father/Son or Older Brother/Younger Brother racing duo - I bet that little kid would've out paced me.

An older gent in the zone. There's seriousness written all over that face - you bet your ass he would've out paced me.

Major Disapointment at One in the Morning

Why is there not one decent place open at one in the morning willing to serve me an order of onion rings in this whole District of Columbia? Is that really too much to ask? I mean, if I was in Atlantic City right now, my pub would have been open and willingly served me a full menu. And in New York City, there are at least vendor carts linging the streets with food aplenty. And on top of all of that, I walked 1 1/2 miles to realize let down after let down. But I'm home now, with no onion rings when that's all I really want. If I didn't value my life so much, I'd venture on down to SE and grab some O-rings at the local Denny's.

Will the Real Helen Mirren Please Stand Up? (update)(updated again)

I've seen Felen Mirren in Blithe Spirit and that was awesome. But DC is getting the real Helen Mirren this September for 10 days and 10 days only!

In a HUGE coup, the Shakespeare Theatre Company here in DC landed the LONE American engagement of the National Theatre of Great Britain's production of Racine's Phèdre. And Academy Award winner Mirren will reprise her role as the tragic lead.

"Believing her husband to be dead, the passionate Queen Phèdre allows her forbidden love for her stepson to blossom. When the King returns from war very much alive, the entire family is catapulted into a desperate, impossible situation." (STC)

Holy WOW! This is going to be hot, Hot, HOT! And when I say "HOT" I mean steamy, intense, and just crazy good. Sarah, Roxie, Kari, and I are already scheming on ways to get our hot little hands on some tickets.

*** UPDATE ***

I'm going! I'M Going! I'M GOING!!!!

A dear friend and subscriber to the Shakespeare Theatre Company graciously offerred and successfully secured tickets for me and six other gals to attend the September 26th performance. The countdown begins....

Thank you times a million Cordellia.

***ANOTHER UPDATE***

If I didn't know someone with a season subscription, I probably wouldn't be seeing the real Helen Mirren this fall. From an email sent by the STC: "On May 1, public tickets for the live performance of Phèdre sold out in five hours!"

FIVE HOURS! That's crazy!

One to Cross Off the To-Do List

The National Mall is a hub of activity. It is a place where runners are never scarce. I’ve walked to the Lincoln and back from my house several times and have found myself wanting to break into a run, but I repress the urge and continue with my pace. Tuesday night I suppressed the urge no longer and ran the National Mall in the rain.

Okay, when I say the Mall, I mean the Washington Monument. And when I say the Washington Monument, I mean 14th St. And when I say ran, I mean jogged. But I did it, and in the pouring rain!

Photo originally uploaded by banter.

Finally Friday Music Clip of the Day - The Inaugural Edition

So in order to promote a sense of consistency for myself with this blog posting business, I'm going to try and bring you a music clip every Friday to jump start my (and your) weekend. And because this is the inaugural post, I give you two clips.

The first, George Jones' "Finally Friday" (so fitting, I know).



And because I'm going to the ball game tonight and plan to hear this song, and because it's a great summer tune, and because Mom is a huge fan, I give you Neil Diamond's "Sweet Caroline."

Bout that time again...

...to put a fresh dollop of peanut butter on those traps and line my doorway with dryer sheets. Unless I'm just REALLY paranoid, I think I heard the sounds of a mouse scamper beneath my door and into my room last night. It's been about 7 months since we last dealt with mice. I guess total annihilation was wishful thinking.

Photo courtesy: http://peanut-butter-toast.blogspot.com/2007/10/country-mouse-v-city-mouse.html

Summer Just Got a Little Less Awesome

Summer is a great time to enjoy the outdoors, and when you add the outdoors to fun activities, it equals a really awesome good time. This year, the awesomeness of summer was dealt two huge blows.

The Shakespeare Theatre Company generally presents one of its plays out in Rock Creek Park during one of the summer months. The outdoor amphitheatre nestled among the trees and under the stars is a magical way to experience Shakespeare. Last year all the roommates of the Harry Potter House went out to see Hamlet. It was a great production and such a fun summer evening spent beneath the warm DC sky. This year, their Free For All under the stars is under the stars no more. Citing unpredictable weather and trying to be more accessible, the Free For All is being moved to the STC's downtown location at Sidney Harmen Hall. I will be there, but with the production no longer under the stars, the twinkle in my eye will be missing.

The big sucker punch in the stomach of summer is the announcement that HBO is pulling its sponsorship of the Screen on the Green outdoor film festival on the National Mall. One night for several weeks throughout the summer a movie is projected to a giant screen right smack in the middle of the Mall with the Capitol in the background. It's one of the coolest things ever. Last year a group of us packed up our blankets and food, smuggled a bottle of wine, and claimed our patch of grass. On the screen that evening: Frank Capra's Arsenic and Old Lace - one of my favorite black and white films!! Just recently I had commented to some friends that I was looking forward to SotG and couldn't wait for the films to be shown. What a giant let down! Sure places like Arlington and Crystal City have similar events, but it's not quite the same. They don't have the Capitol in the background. Sigh...

Photos taken by Laura

Music Man

Eastern Market April, 2009

And while I'm posting youtube vids...

SarahB sent me a cd of her favorite Jerry Herman songs and I've been listening to it the last few days. The song that stands out above them all is Angela Lansbury singing "It's Today" from Mame. It's such a great, happy song celebrating the awesomeness of today. It doesn't have to be a holiday or a birthday to celebrate; just celebrate because IT IS TODAY!

A pirated vid from the '83 revival:



Original Broadway Cast Recording:



There's a "thank you" you can give life,
If you live life all the way.
Pull the stops out,
Hold the roof down,
Fellows watch out,
It's today.

Bea Arthur night at JR's

When I'm hanging with Torrey, it's usually ladies choice, so he chose JR's. Every Monday night JR's blasts show tunes from various plasma flat screens positioned throughout the two-story bar. Monday night was Bea Arthur night in honor of her passing. Interspersed with the regular show tunes were clips featuring the ever-recgonizable and talented Arthur. We were there long enough for two renditions of The Golden Girls theme, one duet between Arthur and Lucille Ball singing "Bossom Buddies" from Mame, several talk show appearances and five other show tunes.

I made my own video just to capture the mood in JR's. Nothing like a bunch of queens singing along to show tunes to honor one of their favorite performers.



A better quality (video and performance-wise) of Bea Arthur singing "Bosom Buddies" with Angela Lansbury.



And because Sam (CT Sam) and I vowed to move to Florida in our twilight years, here's the theme song from The Golden Girls.

The Border For Dummies - National Post article

The Border for Dummies
National Post editorial board
National Post Published: Wednesday, April 22, 2009

Can someone please tell us how U. S. Secretary of Homeland Security Janet Napolitano got her job? She appears to be about as knowledgeable about border issues as a late-night radio call-in yahoo.

In an interview broadcast Monday on the CBC, Ms. Napolitano attempted to justify her call for stricter border security on the premise that "suspected or known terrorists" have entered the U. S. across the Canadian border, including the perpetrators of the 9/11 attack.

All the 9/11 terrorists, of course, entered the United States directly from overseas. The notion that some arrived via Canada is a myth that briefly popped up in the wake of the 9/11 attacks, and was then quickly debunked.

Informed of her error, Ms. Napolitano blustered: "I can't talk to that. I can talk about the future. And here's the future. The future is we have borders."

Just what does that mean, exactly?

Just a few weeks ago, Ms. Napolitano equated Canada's border to Mexico's, suggesting they deserved the same treatment. Mexico is engulfed in a drug war that left more than 5,000 dead last year, and which is spawning a spillover kidnapping epidemic in Arizona. So many Mexicans enter the United States illegally that a multi-billion-dollar barrier has been built from Texas to California to keep them out.

In Canada, on the other hand, the main problem is congestion resulting from cross-border trade. Not quite the same thing, is it?

Sunset

Union Station, 7:30pm

Root, Root, Root for the Home Team!

Let's start with this:

My first game of the season was a good one! Minerva and I missed all the beginning stuff - the National Anthem, the throwing of the pitch, and the first three runs scored by the Nats. When we got to our seats (directly behind the left field foul pole) I figured the Phillies would catch up pretty fast. I mean, they did win the World Series after all.

Despite the cheering of their fans, the Phillies were never able to muster up enough awesomeness to catch the Nats. They got real close before the Presidents Race in the 5th inning, but weren't able to take that momentum into a lead. The score at this point is 3-2.

Quick sidebar to discuss the Presidents Race. Teddy NEVER wins! NEVER!!! Tonight wasn't any different. Abe was declared the winner, but after reviewing tapes of the race, Thomas was declared the winner by a nose. He tripped (or did Abe trip him???) and his nose hit the tape before Abe crossed the line.

Back to the game. In the 7th and 8th innings, the Nats really hit their stride. Many of the players were making good contact with bat and ball, and we got a couple of homers out of the deal. Screech came up to our section to hang for a bit. It was good times!

Although, I would like to say that I'm a little disappointed that my man Lastings Milledge has betrayed me. I was a big supporter of him as #44, but he's scrapped that now and sporting #85. Alright then, I'm buying Christian Guzman's jersey Lastings. What do you think of that?! Actually, I'll probably get a Milledge jersey too. It's just such a cool name and he's one of the Nats better (in my opinion) players.

Can't wait for more games!

Baseball Season Opens Today (For Me)

The Washington Nationals kicked off their season Monday afternoon at 3:00. All my baseball buddies were working so I didn't go. Last night's game was cancelled and I was doing taxes anyway. But game on tonight!

They're playing the Phillies so I don't hold much hope for a win. But it's baseball and I love hitting up a live game and just relaxing with no worries for three hours. The world just seems to slow down a bit. I'll also be keeping my eyes on the Presidents race. Here's hoping Teddy can end his losing streak...

Nats season opener 4/2008

In Under the Wire

Nothing like the government breathing down your neck to really motivate you. In at 10:20 and out at 12:56, I officially became one of THOSE people. I'd like to say never again, but why make a promise I probably can't keep?

I'm sure you can put two and two together. If not, then you must not know what day it is.

I still haven't decided what's a more hostile line to be in - the post office at 10:00pm on April 15th with people begrudgingly handing money over to the IRS, or opera fanatics waiting 5 hours for $20 orchestra tickets (reg price $80-300) for a sold out Renee Fleming performance. I suppose I'm beginning to make standing in line into an art form. This experience doesn't rank very high on the list. A smelly post office and the man behind me constantly encroaching on my space made for a less than enjoyable experience. Plus my departing gift was only a receipt and not a ticket stub to a game or concert. Oh well, score one for the IRS.

Picture above - the crowd at 11:55 at the Massachussetts Ave Post Office. Picture above right - a line of postal trucks waiting to take the last minute tax forms to their final destination.

Double Epiphany

So I talked to my mom the other day about my breakthrough in fitted sheet folding. Well, she one-up'd me. My epiphany only went so far as folding two seperate corners into each other. My mom's had all the corners coming into one. I was mesmerized by this further discovery.

Here's a how-to video in case you haven't been enlightened on the art of fitted sheet folding. Go forth and conquer your laundry!

My mom apologized for failing me in the fitted sheet department and said I probably didn't remember "hospital corners." "Hospital corners?! NO!" I exclaimed. Expect a definition soon because I'm super intrigued...

Photo credit: http://shoeshe.wordpress.com/2008/06/16/help/

A Little Saturday Afternoon Philosophizing

"Mountains should be climbed with as little effort as possible and without desire. The reality of your own nature should determine the speed. If you become restless, speed up. If you become winded, slow down. You climb the mountain in an equilibrium between restlessness and exhaustion. Then, when you're no longer thinking ahead, each footstep isn't just a means to an end but a unique event in itself. This leaf has jagged edges. This rocks looks loose. From this place the snow is less visible, even though closer. These are things you should notice anyway. To live only for some future goal is shallow. It's the sides of the mountain which sustain life, not the top. Here's where things grow.

"But of course, without the top you can't have any sides. It's the top that defines the sides. So on we go...we have a long way...no hurry...just one step after the next...with a little Chauteauqua for entertainment. ...Mental reflection is so much more interesting than TV it's a shame more people don't switch over to it. They probably think what they hear is unimportant but it never is." - Robert M. Pirsig, ZEN and the ART of MOTORCYLCE MAINTENANCE

When you're riding (or passenging on) a motorcycle, sometimes you've got nothing to do but entertain your thoughts. When you're on a motorcycle for a really long time, sometimes those entertained thoughts get really deep. That's this book in a nutshell. I was a little weary at first, but it sucked me in. Because I've definitely been there and have entertained those thoughts...

Image of Robert M. Pirsig courtesy of http://www.insidesuccessradio.com/

Epiphany

After 25 years, I have finally learned how to adequately fold a fitted sheet so that it doesn't look like a clumped up pile of mess. I did it twice today.

Urban Dare: BECAUSE WE CAN - Not Revisited

Last year, Mel and I participated in Urban Dare, "the adventure race that's part photo hunt, part trivia, and part DARES." We decided that since we did a lot of things just because we could, we would be team BECAUSE WE CAN. We surprised ourselves by finishing in 17th place out of just over 100 teams with a time hovering above two hours. It was one of the best times we had and a great way to learn and see the city.

I am sad to report that we will not be participating in the Dare this year. Mel will be in Arizona that weekend and I'm traveling to Boston for a Renee Fleming recital (not a total loss:). I strongly suggest checking their website to see if a Dare is coming to a city near you. I guarantee you'll have a great time. In the meantime, I'll see if I can talk my mom in doing Urban Dare: Las Vegas in October...

Check out the Urban Dare Blog for pictures and results from prior Dares.

I just learned how to hyperlink so my apologies for getting a little hyperlink happy in my posts.

On second thought...

So I had a chat with Better Judgement yesterday and Reasoning eventually joined in on the conversation. I drafted an email probably in the heat of the moment, but Better Judgement told me to sit on it. After sharing my thoughts in bible study and a good nights rest I decided not to send this email:

It's unfortunate that you've been cold all winter long - I suppose some people are just predispositioned to be colder than others...

I'm not going to throw around trite apologies that I don't mean, but I will say that I did not intend for my stance to come off as "take it or leave it" as you put it. I mentioned in my previous email that I'm willing to compromise, and I think I've excercised that by running the heat on Monday until I went to bed, and again last night (Tuesday) when it ran until I turned it off before bed. I also said that if there's a concensus, I'll romp around in shorts and lighter t-shirts so that I will be comfortable if the heat must continue to run. I'm a little disappointed that you are not also making a concerted effort to compromise just because you assume that I've presented a "take it or leave it" stance. Again, and in case you missed it the first time, I'M WILLING TO COMPROMISE.

"The change" was implemented when you were gone, yes. But that's also b/c there was a change in the weather - kind of makes sense in my rationale. Unfortunately, you happened to have been away, but you're here now, so let's be open to discussion instead of cutting it off just b/c you were not present when we started leaving the heat off. And for the record, I don't think it was really a "decision" rather than just a natural reaction to the closer balance of inside/outside temps.

Run the numbers if you want. That's not that big of a deal to me. The deal is that the heater isn't necessary (from my stance) anymore.

Let's not get deffensive. Let's not be irrational. Let's be open to compromise. Again, I'm pretty go w/ the flow, but I can't be expected to compromise if you're unrelenting in your stance.


Better Judgement told me not to send that email. Instead, I took the high road and sent this one:

I just want to make sure that you understand that a "change" was not purposely implemented when you were gone or that it was a decision made behind your back. Rather it was more a natural reaction over the past couple of weeks to the closer balance of the inside/outside temps and the heat not being necessary to those of us who were here.

That being said, with time to consider the situation I have realized that I was a bit insensitive to your needs and desire to feel comfortable in the house. For that, I offer a sincere apology. In our discussion on Monday evening and subsequent emails, I had not meant to present a "take it or leave it" stance - that was never my intentions. I truly am willing to compromise on this issue. Shoot, if you're cold, run the heat for a bit in the evening. Let it take the chill out of the air. Our windows aren't positioned the best to catch the sun's warming rays, so yeah, it can be a little cool in here.

I don't want to write this email out like I'm giving you permission to run the heat - that's not the tone I intend. I'm just stating that I've realized that we all do have a right to feel comfortable in the house, and if you're cold and need to run the heat in order to reach a level of comfort, I won't let that bother me.

So again, I truly am sorry for not taking into account your need to feel comfortable in this house. I offer the peace pipe. :)


I'm also including a response my aunt sent me on my previous post. She sure has a way of getting to the humor in stuff:

Here we are in utah. our heat was at 68. never more all winter and now that the day temp is 60 it is off totally. As when you grew up the living room has blankies available for me or kids. I agree with you there. Also point in fact, an overly warm house is not healthy. On the other hand if you go visit your cuz Chris, you will encounter the heat on still at probably 80 plus, He is a little snake. That being said, this seems to be getting a little out of control, the old question is will all this matter in 5 years. Maybe in the ozone, but not in you life or #5 or #2 probably. Maybe a better argument is Who ate the last of the chocolate!?!?! I know you can be the better non argumentative person and start wearing your shorts and tanktop. Then you and Better Judgement can sit down to tea with The Better Person and Good Behavior. Love ya lots, Auntie


Now that this situation is hopefully all taken care of, Better Judgement, Reasoning, Better Person, Good Behavior and I are going to sit down to that chocolate. And I will have the last piece.