| Trips Down Amnesia Road |
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| Fri, 13 Nov 2009, 07:07 pm | ||||
I miss Christmas morning. More specifically, I miss stockings. And Easter baskets in a similar vein, but that's harder to get into this time of year. ;) My family has never been wealthy - Episcopal priests aren't paid an over amount, especially in small towns. However, my parents always made ends meet somehow, and always made sure that Christmas was special. (They also always tried to make sure that my birthday was a separate affair, even if it was difficult.) We ended up with a lot of practical gifts - the dreaded socks and underwear and such. But the stockings were different. Mom and Daddy would find little things for Christopher and I throughout the year - never anything big or expensive, just things they knew we'd enjoy. They were split between Easter and Christmas, generally based on when they were purchased. Each present was individually wrapped and put into the appropriate stocking, so we got the additional fun of opening each one twice in essence. I was always happy to run out of my room and find out what was in the stocking. I was buying presents for friends today - little things suitable for stockings when I thought of it: Why don't we do this for each other as adults too? We have the time and the funds. We just never really think about it. So, my friends, let's try it out this year. Anyone who is interested in joining in, comment here - if you don't have an LJ account, then just go ahead and put your name in the comment itself. Once we figure out who all is interested, we can work out the details. I will supply the stockings - I'm sure I can find some fun ones - and we can each buy something small - don't spend more than you are comfortable with and certainly no more than $10; these are meant to be stocking stuffers, remember - for the people on the list. (In the interest of that, we should each include a little bit about what we're interested in when signing up enthusiastically.) Wrap the presents and bring them with you when we exchange stockings. Then it is up to you whether you want to open everything right away or wait until Christmas itself. Let's do this, loyal readers! (For those curious, I love cats, dance, writing, art, reading, computers, and so much else I can't put it all here. If that isn't enough to give you an idea, let me know and I'll expand the list.) |
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excited| It Seemed Like a Good Idea at the Time |
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| Tue, 10 Nov 2009, 10:17 am | ||||
But I shall still succeed! You see, there are still plenty of days in the month and I plan on spending more time writing on each of them going forward. Having finals week for last term out of the way and midterms for next term not until December should help that out too. Now if I can just get my brain back on track. |
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awake| (no subject) |
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| Sat, 24 Oct 2009, 08:57 pm | ||||
I had to go looking for something else. And I believe that I have found it, thanks to Walt Whitman: I am satisfied .... I see, dance, laugh, sing. But where shall I get it? I would like it somewhere that I can see it and enjoy it - it is for me after all. The right wrist perhaps to balance out the left? I don't know, so I'm asking my faithful readers and friends for suggestions. |
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artistic| NaNoWriMo |
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| Wed, 21 Oct 2009, 09:02 am | ||||
Speaking of school, this is finals week. ARGH! It should be interesting. It is raining this morning, which is lovely. (I tend to prefer rain in the evenings as it helps me sleep, but there is something nice about waking up to the soft sound and feel too.) Driving to work, the air - and my windshield - were crystal clear and clean, making headlights, tail lights, and street lights look like twinkling gems. The only thing that I would have changed would have been to still be curled up inside with a big mug of something warm. |
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| Everybody Needs a Pick Me Up Sometimes... |
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| Tue, 20 Oct 2009, 02:36 pm | ||||
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| Why I Love Austin; or A New Way to Work Works Out |
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| Tue, 20 Oct 2009, 08:44 am | ||||
I woke up this morning to a slight nip in the air - just the way morning should feel this time of year in my opinion. It made my hot shower feel even better than it would have otherwise and meant that the Orange Monster had spent the entire night cuddled close up against me. After getting dressed and leaving the apartment, I found that there was slightly more traffic than I am used to encountering in the morning. Instead of shaking my fist at the cars around me, however, it simply made me grateful that so often I have quiet drives to work. I stopped to feed the car - at a more reasonable rate than many folks that I know - and get myself a cup of certified sustainable dark roast Altuna coffee. I can hear Marv now, complaining that I drink bad coffee because the beans have been burnt. But this is so good - touches of Mexican chocolate and nuts, perfect dressed as it is this morning in hazelnut syrup and cream, but just as tasty naked. With the smell of my coffee in my nose, I hung a right at the light rather than going straight. I've done this just enough times to feel comfortable in this change of route. As I drove past the golf course, I looked to my right and saw an eight point buck, standing calmly by the side of the road, just watching the crazy people hurry past. It was pretty clear that he knew the secret of life: stand back and enjoy the view sometimes. A few more turns and I crested a hill. This I've done more often than the right turn so my expectations of new experiences were lessened, and wrongly so as it turns out. The sun was at a perfect angle to hit the fog and trees intermingling on the hills in front of me to transform them into a wondrous fairyland. At various points this morning I have wished that I had my camera with me. And then I realized something: These were all little gifts that Austin and the world had given me this morning. Better to savor them - and look forward to the next set. Good morning, all of you lovely people. :) |
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| What a Weekend! |
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| Mon, 19 Oct 2009, 12:20 pm | ||||
The biggest problem with this plan was that it means I didn't finish the project for school that was due last night. As soon as I leave work, I'll be nose to the grindstone, I suppose. Which is a shame because I'd much rather chill with a cup of coffee and friends. Someone do that for me today, please. :) |
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| (no subject) |
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| Fri, 16 Oct 2009, 08:13 am | ||||
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blah| Dinner? |
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| Thu, 15 Oct 2009, 12:03 pm | ||||
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accomplished| I Would Just Like to Say... |
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| Thu, 15 Oct 2009, 09:20 am | ||||
*huggles and cuddles and noms and kisses for everyone* |
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| When Did I go Emo? |
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| Wed, 14 Oct 2009, 09:30 pm | ||||
Seriously, here, I am less than pleased. No matter how much I have accomplished this week, I can't help but feel that I am a failure. That I suck in the worst of all possible ways. I know it isn't true and you can all feel free to ignore this if you want. It's just one of those weeks apparently. |
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depressed| Mmmm... Dinner... |
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| Mon, 12 Oct 2009, 07:43 pm | ||||
Nom. |
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hungry| Meeting Called on Account of Baseball |
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| Wed, 7 Oct 2009, 02:25 pm | ||||
We got new cell phones - well, Blackberries - at work this week and it is amazing how much difference the ability to get signal in the office has made. Sadly, I have nothing else interesting to report, except to say that life is good and new toys are fun. I now return you to your previously scheduled day. :D |
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| A Good Sunday |
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| Sun, 4 Oct 2009, 01:48 pm | ||||
I have decided, for no obvious reason that I know of, that I want to have at least one "Victorian" ceiling in my house when I get it. I need to find an interesting design - or find someone willing to make one just for me - and then to choose the colors I want to use. Of course, it would probably be a good idea to get the house before making too many plans... I am having moments of free breathing again, which is nice. I didn't take any cough syrup during the day Friday or yesterday. I regretted it somewhat, but I'd rather not have to take it any longer than I have to. I continue to take it before sleeping at night, even though it gives me odd dreams - in all of them I have been high school age again, but everyone else is at their current age. Some have involved feelings of a loss of control. Some have involved actions that happened when I was in high school. And at least one was about something I'm working through now - and with a lot less headache than my dream indicated I would have had in high school. I am planning on making a lovely curry tonight - completely freestyle for once. I feel comfortable doing so because I am pretty knowlegeable about the spice flavors now. It will have ground lamb - because I found some at the store - but could easily be made without it. The base of the curry will be white potatoes, a yellow onion, carrots, fresh chillies, and green beans. Then there will be cumin seeds, yellow and black mustard seeds, a touch of cinnamon, corriander seeds, tumeric, and maybe some garlic and ginger. Overall, it should be a tasty, complete, and healthy meal. And it means leftovers later in the week! Now I am going to spend some time with the cat, maybe write a bit, consider taking out my watercolors, and then cook. I hope everyone is as happy and content as I am right now! |
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| This Week in Retrospect |
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| Fri, 2 Oct 2009, 11:07 am | ||||
Work is very good if frustratingly busy - I would rather be busy than bored, so I am not really complaining here. All I wish is that people would actually read the e-mails I send them rather than go off the deep end and complain about how difficult I am making their lives. As a favorite person once said, "It's just work. It's not that important." The bills are paid, the shopping is done, and now I can settle into a nice weekend of dancing and hanging out - hopefully I'll even get some postcards from a cruiser. Yay! Oh, and for my dear physicist friend, read this. |
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| You Win, Lungs! |
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| Sun, 27 Sep 2009, 11:57 am | ||||
chicken boullion potatoes garlic (lots) butter basil oregano I am missing something but I don't know what. Any suggestions? |
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| Happy Birthday, Monster! |
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| Sat, 26 Sep 2009, 11:02 pm | ||||
Instead, we will cuddle all night and tomorrow I will clean his kitty box and water fountain. I think he will be completely satisfied with that. Love you, boy! ********* In completely less interesting news, I found out today that Jenny has walking pneumonia. And all of her symptoms are now my symptoms. Crap! Oh well, I'm seeing Doctor the Younger on Wednesday anyway. |
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| Pictures!!! |
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| Fri, 25 Sep 2009, 08:29 pm | ||||
Enjoy! |
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| Did You Get The Memo? |
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| Thu, 24 Sep 2009, 05:32 pm | ||||
Yay me! |
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exhausted| Corset Update |
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| Thu, 24 Sep 2009, 01:09 pm | ||||
Rest assured that this will NOT be the only time it is worn. Just one of the first. ;) Keep an eye out for updates and links, corset fans! |
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