The Story of my Life?

Ever had a song describe exactly how you feel at a certain moment? Well anyway... I felt like this today:



Sun been down for days
A pretty flower in a vase
A slipper by the fireplace
A cello lying in its case

Soon she's down the stairs
Her morning elegance she wears
The sound of water makes her dream
Awoken by a cloud of steam
She pours a daydream in a cup
A spoon of sugar sweetens up

And She fights for her life
As she puts on her coat
And she fights for her life on the train
She looks at the rain
As it pours
And she fights for her life
As she goes in a store
With a thought she has caught
By a thread
She pays for the bread
And She goes...
Nobody knows

Sun been down for days
A winter melody she plays
The thunder makes her contemplate
She hears a noise behind the gate
Perhaps a letter with a dove
Perhaps a stranger she could love

And She fights for her life
As she puts on her coat
And she fights for her life on the train
She looks at the rain
As it pours
And she fights for her life
As she goes in a store
With a thought she has caught
By a thread
She pays for the bread
And She goes...
Nobody knows

And She fights for her life
As she puts on her coat
And she fights for her life on the train
She looks at the rain
As it pours
And she fights for her life
Where people are pleasently strange
And counting the change
And She goes...
Nobody knows

Year in Review Bandwagon....

1. What did you do in 2008 that you’d never done before?
Made a film. Graduated College. Made some painfully rational decisions.

2. Did you keep your new year’s resolutions, and will you make more for next year?
I'm sure I didn't but I can't remember what they were anyway. The only one I am making this year is to be healthier.

3. Did anyone close to you give birth?
YES! 4 friends. Two dear old friends, one new one and my man's sister in law. Welcome to the World: Two little Ava's, Joseph and Gage!

4. Did anyone close to you die?
No, not close to me but my Grandfather's wife did die this year, I just never really got to know her...

5. What countries did you visit?
None this year... Boo. But I did a lot in 07' and plan too in 09' so I'll have to seek comfort in that...

6. What would you like to have in 2009 that you lacked in 2008?
A husband. Also peace within my field. 08' was far too turbulent in that area.

7. What dates from 2008 will remain etched upon your memory, and why?
August 23rd - The day we were supposed to marry but decided to wait, a hard but excellent decision, I think I will still always remember the date.

8. What was your biggest achievement of the year?
Making a Film. Graduating. Taking over the family business.

9. What was your biggest failure?
I have no failures. Only learning experiences.

10. Did you suffer illness or injury?
I almost got out of the year in one piece. But no. Burnt my bum. ouch.

11. What was the best thing you bought?
I don't really shop much so this is hard. I did get a really great salad spinner though....

12. Whose behavior merited celebration?
My Love Jerry, so many of my FIF's and all they went through, My Parents , and Obama.

13. Whose behavior made you appalled and depressed?
A couple of people (friends and family) who refuse to grow up.

14. Where did most of your money go?
wedding costs, and back into the business.

15. What did you get really, really, really excited about?
The election, the wedding,

16. What song will always remind you of 2008?
"Rehab" Amy Winehouse. I really feel like it sums up this year well, people I know and the nation itself.

17. Compared to this time last year, are you:
a) happier or sadder? happier.
b) thinner or fatter? same I think.
c) richer or poorer? richer.

18. What do you wish you’d done more of?
exersize, volunteer, oh and getting massages.

19. What do you wish you’d done less of?
worrying, I did WAY too much worrying.

20. How did you spend Christmas?
With my family, my new family ;) and my awesome friends.

21. Did you fall in love in 2008?
Yes, with Jer 365 times. And also myself. It was a long time coming.

22. What was your favorite TV program?
ANTM.

23. Do you hate anyone now that you didn’t hate this time last year?
Nope. Hate is a very wasteful emotion.

24. What was the best book you read?
"Good Poems for Hard Times" Garrison Keillor

25. What was your greatest musical discovery?
I love pandora too, but this was a cool new find I love: musicovery

26. What did you want and get?
My diploma.

27. What did you want and not get?
A Husband.

28. What was your favorite film of this year?
"Burn After Reading" hands down for me.

29. What did you do on your birthday, and how old were you?
Dinner... Tupelo I think? Turned 31. I Just don't make a big deal anymore.

30. What one thing would have made your year immeasurably more satisfying?
I guess I would say getting married if we could have afforded it. But really I think what would have made it better would have been excerting more authority in the business earlier on.

31. How would you describe your personal fashion concept in 2008?
oh please... Um. I guess I'll go with frumpy?

32. What kept you sane?
My man, my parents, my friends.

33. Which celebrity/public figure did you fancy the most?
I fancy me some George Clooney.

34. What political issue stirred you the most?
both gay marriage and cannabis laws, they both hit home very deeply.

35. Who did you miss?
I miss Kev and Jenny the most right now, I feel like I never get to see enough of either one.

36. Who was the best new person you met?
Anne. from '08. I love all my new FIF's but she is kindred spirit for sure.

37. Tell us a valuable life lesson you learned in 2008.
To work my ass off. It's the only way to get ahead and feel better about myself. Oh and also not to complain. It doesn't do anything..... doing fixes things. not talking.

38. Quote a song lyric that sums up your year.
All you need is Love.
Beatles.

The Guardians

Today I went looking at french postacards........... again. I'm a freak and a francophile and it's a scary combination, seeing as how I'm not even french.

Anyway somehow absinthe (not drinking it) led me to ecodigerati looking at these beautiful haunting B&W's of budapest sculpture...



taking a break from scanning and editing. and just wanted to share. back to work.....

13 years, 5 months, 28 days, 5 hours, and 29 minutes

That is how long between receiving my high school diploma and my BA in Film and Media Studies. It just came in the mail. Nothing but the diploma itself... just in time for Christmas. I'm still proud of myself and all for going back and finishing, also just reflecting on the past decade and all and how I need to rock this next decade. I'm ready.

The creation of the Man Cave

Well, seeing as how we live a great but tiny apartment, space is something we can always use more of. After accessing the amount of crap that is just hanging out down there and either needs to be given away or organized and put away, i figured i could attempt to create a cool space for Jerry by xmas. I hope I can do it... wish me luck.

Heaven on Earth

I love beautiful natural things, the mystery and awe of sunrises and sets, clouds and mist and hill and creeks.....

:::breaks out in song:::

um, that was embarrassing, anyway, I stumbled this website today and wanted to share.

These photographs actually challenge me to imagine that there is a more beautiful place than earth. I was having pretty awful day and these photos just made me smile. plain and simple. Somehow then in true masochist fashion, I got mad. Why do when destroy pollute and otherwise neglect such a fucking beautiful place? Why?

I sat there conflicted for a moment, just wanting to enjoy the pretty pictures, but not able to......

Then I ran across the last one called "Hoar Frost". I told myself to STFU and felt much better.

In the corner of my mind

Are there places you've been that you just can't get out of your mind? Places that call to you and you just can't wait to experience again. This is how Wynand Fockink was for me... Yeah you heard me right... That is how it is pronounced, and just like everything else in Amsterdam it's a little naughty without even trying....

Same thing with the XXX all over the canals you see them everywhere and think to yourself "hey I'm not in the red light district right now, wtf?" Well that's how it is with this over 300 year old jenever and liqueur distillery and tasting room....

First aside from the fact the fact that it is the most quaint "Bar" like place I have ever been, the "Bartender" was really more of a jenever aficionado and educator who guided you through the history and the taste of these wonderful little bottles with a great sense of humor and skill. I remember it fondly and cannot wait to return.

While we were there We bought Bruidstranen' AKA The Bride's Tears', which is lovely and spiced and meant to be served in the days leading up the wedding, Jer and I had only been engaged 2 days so it was the obvious choice... I can't explain how excited I am for us to celebrate with this....