10.19.2008
10.16.2008
10.13.2008
ok just this last one video
Our good friends the Rutters made us this really cute wedding video set to our first dance song! :) So fun. They played it at our post-wedding wedding shower on Saturday night.
:)
:)
10.11.2008
the whole wedding dress with feather
Well here is my whole wedding outfit as a video and a video of Brent and I walking over to the street car...:)
10.09.2008
the man who planted trees
Brent and I ran across this very tiny little book today at our book store. It is not that long. Here is the beginning. The link to the rest of the story is at the bottom of the page. Enjoy.
By Jean Giono (1954)
In order for the character of a human being to reveal truly exceptional qualities, we must have the good fortune to observe its action over a long period of years. If this action is devoid of all selfishness, if the idea that directs it is one of unqualified generosity, if it is absolutely certain that it has not sought recompense anywhere, and if moreover it has left visible marks on the world, then we are unquestionably dealing with an unforgettable character.
About forty years ago I went on a long hike, through hills absolutely unknown to tourists, in that very old region where the Alps penetrate into Provence.
This region is bounded to the south-east and south by the middle course of the Durance, between Sisteron and Mirabeau; to the north by the upper course of the Drôme, from its source down to Die; to the west by the plains of Comtat Venaissin and the outskirts of Mont Ventoux. It includes all the northern part of the Département of Basses-Alpes, the south of Drôme and a little enclave of Vaucluse.
At the time I undertook my long walk through this deserted region, it consisted of barren and monotonous lands, at about 1200 to 1300 meters above sea level. Nothing grew there except wild lavender.
I was crossing this country at its widest part, and after walking for three days, I found myself in the most complete desolation. I was camped next to the skeleton of an abandoned village. I had used the last of my water the day before and I needed to find more. Even though they were in ruins, these houses all huddled together and looking like an old wasps' nest made me think that there must at one time have been a spring or a well there. There was indeed a spring, but it was dry. The five or six roofless houses, ravaged by sun and wind, and the small chapel with its tumble-down belfry, were arrayed like the houses and chapels of living villages, but all life had disappeared.
READ THE REST BY CLICKING HERE
By Jean Giono (1954)
In order for the character of a human being to reveal truly exceptional qualities, we must have the good fortune to observe its action over a long period of years. If this action is devoid of all selfishness, if the idea that directs it is one of unqualified generosity, if it is absolutely certain that it has not sought recompense anywhere, and if moreover it has left visible marks on the world, then we are unquestionably dealing with an unforgettable character.
About forty years ago I went on a long hike, through hills absolutely unknown to tourists, in that very old region where the Alps penetrate into Provence.
This region is bounded to the south-east and south by the middle course of the Durance, between Sisteron and Mirabeau; to the north by the upper course of the Drôme, from its source down to Die; to the west by the plains of Comtat Venaissin and the outskirts of Mont Ventoux. It includes all the northern part of the Département of Basses-Alpes, the south of Drôme and a little enclave of Vaucluse.
At the time I undertook my long walk through this deserted region, it consisted of barren and monotonous lands, at about 1200 to 1300 meters above sea level. Nothing grew there except wild lavender.
I was crossing this country at its widest part, and after walking for three days, I found myself in the most complete desolation. I was camped next to the skeleton of an abandoned village. I had used the last of my water the day before and I needed to find more. Even though they were in ruins, these houses all huddled together and looking like an old wasps' nest made me think that there must at one time have been a spring or a well there. There was indeed a spring, but it was dry. The five or six roofless houses, ravaged by sun and wind, and the small chapel with its tumble-down belfry, were arrayed like the houses and chapels of living villages, but all life had disappeared.
READ THE REST BY CLICKING HERE
10.08.2008
my current thought loop
1. We want to move to Portland, but jobs are hard to find there.
2. Finding jobs is not a problem for me...but now figuring out what I
want to do is hard.
3. I want to be a writer. I should focus on finding jobs with a writing bent.
4. What is Brent going to do there? Work for a firm. Hum..that will mean we will see each other less...I don't like that idea one bit...80 hour work weeks are no good.
5. We want to move to be closer to family.
6. The economy is tanking. We have good jobs making good money and our jobs are secure.
7. Which brings me back to the beginning...maybe now is not the time to move.
8. And then I get stressed because I want to move sooner rather than later to be close to our families.
9. Which brings me to frustration that we have so much debt.
10. Then I think, well we should stay here for a year, move to a studio and save money like there is no tomorrow...
11. So off to craigslist I go to find a new apartment, and I. hate. them. all.
12. And then I think moving is not an option, so we need to eat in EVERY day.
13. Then I get sweaty palms and am not really sure what to do, but I am sure I should do some work, so I don't lose this job.
2. Finding jobs is not a problem for me...but now figuring out what I
want to do is hard.
3. I want to be a writer. I should focus on finding jobs with a writing bent.
4. What is Brent going to do there? Work for a firm. Hum..that will mean we will see each other less...I don't like that idea one bit...80 hour work weeks are no good.
5. We want to move to be closer to family.
6. The economy is tanking. We have good jobs making good money and our jobs are secure.
7. Which brings me back to the beginning...maybe now is not the time to move.
8. And then I get stressed because I want to move sooner rather than later to be close to our families.
9. Which brings me to frustration that we have so much debt.
10. Then I think, well we should stay here for a year, move to a studio and save money like there is no tomorrow...
11. So off to craigslist I go to find a new apartment, and I. hate. them. all.
12. And then I think moving is not an option, so we need to eat in EVERY day.
13. Then I get sweaty palms and am not really sure what to do, but I am sure I should do some work, so I don't lose this job.
10.07.2008
all wedding all the time
no really, I am going to get over this soon...until then, here is a REALLY funny video from the wedding...I will feature some more over the coming days. Enjoy...and comment liberally....
10.05.2008
back from becoming an offical unit
Well, we are now an official unit. A few wedding pictures can be found at our friend Pam's website...click this sentence to take a look!
9.23.2008
powerful language: But If Not
I never really put MLK Jr. into the "dead people I would like to meet" category, but after reading this, I will add him. Amazing use of language. And the meter of the speech is amazing as well, it almost propels you along.
"I say to you, this morning, that if you have never found something so dear and precious to you that you will die for it, then you aren’t fit to live.
You may be 38 years old, as I happen to be, and one day, some great opportunity stands before you and calls upon you to stand for some great principle, some great issue, some great cause. And you refuse to do it because you are afraid.
You refuse to do it because you want to live longer. You’re afraid that you will lose your job, or you are afraid that you will be criticized or that you will lose your popularity, or you’re afraid that somebody will stab or shoot or bomb your house. So you refuse to take a stand.
Well, you may go on and live until you are ninety, but you are just as dead at 38 as you would be at ninety.
And the cessation of breathing in your life is but the belated announcement of an earlier death of the spirit.
You died when you refused to stand up for right.
You died when you refused to stand up for truth.
You died when you refused to stand up for justice.”
To listen to the recording, click this sentence.
"I say to you, this morning, that if you have never found something so dear and precious to you that you will die for it, then you aren’t fit to live.
You may be 38 years old, as I happen to be, and one day, some great opportunity stands before you and calls upon you to stand for some great principle, some great issue, some great cause. And you refuse to do it because you are afraid.
You refuse to do it because you want to live longer. You’re afraid that you will lose your job, or you are afraid that you will be criticized or that you will lose your popularity, or you’re afraid that somebody will stab or shoot or bomb your house. So you refuse to take a stand.
Well, you may go on and live until you are ninety, but you are just as dead at 38 as you would be at ninety.
And the cessation of breathing in your life is but the belated announcement of an earlier death of the spirit.
You died when you refused to stand up for right.
You died when you refused to stand up for truth.
You died when you refused to stand up for justice.”
To listen to the recording, click this sentence.
9.22.2008
question
now that we have bailed out wall street, who is going to bail out america? I am just asking.
please vote...to the right...
please vote...to the right...
9.20.2008
take the poll
well, i was wondering how many of my friends use those paper seat covers when they go to the bathroom in public....so let me know on the right: ⇒
it is anonymous.
it is anonymous.
9.17.2008
new blog header
So I am in love with etsy. What's etsy you ask? Well it is this "marketplace" for homemade items.
www.etsy.com
You can find lots of things for sale there, and the prices are great. I got the wedding place cards there and my new blog header! I love it. Alyson at Seventy and Sunny designed it for me. (Click this sentence for her shop.)
Can't wait to hear what everyone thinks!
******************************************************************************************
www.etsy.com
You can find lots of things for sale there, and the prices are great. I got the wedding place cards there and my new blog header! I love it. Alyson at Seventy and Sunny designed it for me. (Click this sentence for her shop.)
Can't wait to hear what everyone thinks!
******************************************************************************************
9.14.2008
wow
So we already know that 30 Rock is the funniest show on TV, and then here comes Tina Fey making Saturday Night Live relevant again.
This clip killed me. It is only 4 minutes...so take a look...
Best Line: "Ask this one about dinosaurs!"
This clip killed me. It is only 4 minutes...so take a look...
Best Line: "Ask this one about dinosaurs!"
9.10.2008
9.09.2008
biking long distances
So our friend Pete is riding his bike from New York to DC to support climate change outreach and edcuation programs. He needs to raise at least $2,250 in donations!
Can anyone remember when I did the Aids Ride 8 years ago? Raising the money was hard work...so if you can spare a few bucks, I am sure Pete would appreciate it.
Follow this link to visit his personal web page and help him in his efforts to support Clean Air - Cool Planet. (The sentence is a link.)
Can anyone remember when I did the Aids Ride 8 years ago? Raising the money was hard work...so if you can spare a few bucks, I am sure Pete would appreciate it.
Follow this link to visit his personal web page and help him in his efforts to support Clean Air - Cool Planet. (The sentence is a link.)
9.07.2008
fight the aids
So my friend, Patrick, designed these totally cool t-shirts for the aids walk this year.
Maybe you could buy one?
Click here to see the other versions.
9.06.2008
microwave popcorn without buying it
Did you know you can make microwave popcorn at home? You don't have to buy the pre-packaged microwave popcorn bags at the store.
All you need is a paper bag, popcorn, and some olive oil. Then you pop it for two minutes or until the popcorn stops popping.
Just perfect for a topical storm filled day in the nation's capital.
If you want more directions click this sentence.
(Oh and leave a note if you try this at home.)
All you need is a paper bag, popcorn, and some olive oil. Then you pop it for two minutes or until the popcorn stops popping.
Just perfect for a topical storm filled day in the nation's capital.
If you want more directions click this sentence.
(Oh and leave a note if you try this at home.)
9.04.2008
that time of year again: apply for a Bosch Fellowship
I think I have two friends who are going to do it...but if anyone else is interested, please let me know! The Bosch Foundation is accepting applications until October 15th. (Click previous sentence for a link to more information.)
Basic run down of the program: Spend a year in Germany, first learning German and then working in two different “Stages” or work placements in your field of expertise. You have to be between 24 and 34 years young at the application date and most applicants have a graduate degree, but this is not required. Spouses and children are welcomed. You receive a monthly stipend which should more than cover your expenses and health insurance is paid for by the foundation. During the year the whole Bosch group makes three longer seminar trips around Europe meeting with leaders. I can’t say enough good things about the program.
Please let anyone you know who might be interested.
Basic run down of the program: Spend a year in Germany, first learning German and then working in two different “Stages” or work placements in your field of expertise. You have to be between 24 and 34 years young at the application date and most applicants have a graduate degree, but this is not required. Spouses and children are welcomed. You receive a monthly stipend which should more than cover your expenses and health insurance is paid for by the foundation. During the year the whole Bosch group makes three longer seminar trips around Europe meeting with leaders. I can’t say enough good things about the program.
Please let anyone you know who might be interested.
9.03.2008
sean and catlin
9.01.2008
8.29.2008
follow-up to The Lottery
So, Brent read the story and he did not get it. It did not really move him. And he wanted to know what I found so compelling in The Lottery.
I had difficulty articulating what I find fascinating in the story. I guess it reminds me of an article from the Wall Street Journal about Japanese cancer refugees. A cancer refugee is someone who has been denied health care because it costs the Japanese government too much money to treat that person. Japan has basic universal health care for all citizens. (As an aside, 45 million Americans live without health insurance.)
The Japanese government has decided that the policy of universal health care for many is more important than the increased cost of lengthening the lives of some Japanese.
(Also as an aside, until recently, doctors would not tell patients their diagnosis. Patients would just do whatever the doctor ordered.)
I suppose The Lottery epitomizes the tyranny of choosing the many over the individual. It is not stated in the story, but I felt like the town (or towns) was doing this to keep the populations low.
I went on to read, at Wikipedia, that when the story was first published in The New Yorker it caused quite a stir. Jackson received hundreds of pieces of hate mail about the story.
This viceral response to the story is also intriguing. Why did these readers respond so negatively? I was definitely upset by the story. Brent felt that the story got the descriptions and suspense down, but lacked further import.
One critique of the story I found by Peter Kosenko (from the New Orleans Review, Spring 1985) is also quite interesting:
So is the story just about the lottery of life? Most people will do ok but some will end up with horrible lives (or deaths as it were.) Is it more fair that all people in Japan have basic health care or that in the United States we all have the potential to be saved as Lance Armstrong was by an individually created drug?
For me I think the reality I want to live with is a society where everyone is taken care of to the utmost of our ability. I want life to be valued highly, perhaps even above all else.
I had difficulty articulating what I find fascinating in the story. I guess it reminds me of an article from the Wall Street Journal about Japanese cancer refugees. A cancer refugee is someone who has been denied health care because it costs the Japanese government too much money to treat that person. Japan has basic universal health care for all citizens. (As an aside, 45 million Americans live without health insurance.)
The Japanese government has decided that the policy of universal health care for many is more important than the increased cost of lengthening the lives of some Japanese.
(Also as an aside, until recently, doctors would not tell patients their diagnosis. Patients would just do whatever the doctor ordered.)
I suppose The Lottery epitomizes the tyranny of choosing the many over the individual. It is not stated in the story, but I felt like the town (or towns) was doing this to keep the populations low.
I went on to read, at Wikipedia, that when the story was first published in The New Yorker it caused quite a stir. Jackson received hundreds of pieces of hate mail about the story.
This viceral response to the story is also intriguing. Why did these readers respond so negatively? I was definitely upset by the story. Brent felt that the story got the descriptions and suspense down, but lacked further import.
One critique of the story I found by Peter Kosenko (from the New Orleans Review, Spring 1985) is also quite interesting:
- Though it is arguable that the "primary themes are scapegoating, man's inherent evil, and the destructive nature of observing ancient, outdated rituals" this is a common misconception. The actual theme of the short story is that man creates philosophical existences that he is unable to fulfill. This is shown through Tessie Hutchinson. Throughout the story she is joking around about the lottery and carrying on like all the other townspeople, but as soon as her family name is chosen from the black box her perspective takes quite the turn. Suddenly this "isn't fair" when in all reality a lottery is by definition the most fair method of chance.
So is the story just about the lottery of life? Most people will do ok but some will end up with horrible lives (or deaths as it were.) Is it more fair that all people in Japan have basic health care or that in the United States we all have the potential to be saved as Lance Armstrong was by an individually created drug?
For me I think the reality I want to live with is a society where everyone is taken care of to the utmost of our ability. I want life to be valued highly, perhaps even above all else.
8.28.2008
extreme ironing - ever heard of it?
Extreme Ironing. It sounds like something my grandmother would love! I have never met someone who takes ironing as seriously as Gram. Well, that is until I ran across a link to information about extreme ironing at www.boingboing.net the other day. (Click here for more pictures.)
The wikipedia site defines extreme ironing as such:
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