New Book

Finished Girl With A Pearl Earring last weekend. Very good - the ending was different than I anticipated. When she got to the crossroads of her life, I didn't expect that she would have picked the path she chose. But that was fine, and it is a wonderful book.

I hope to start a new one this weekend - The Piano Shop on the Left Bank, by Thad Carhart. It intrigued me in the store, so I impuse-bought it. It was a national bestseller, so at least there must be others who liked it! :)

Update

So he called me on Thursday night, but I was at rehearsal... so that means I have to call back (blast and wretch! I barely like talking to people I know on the phone, let alone strangers!). So I called this evening, early enough that I hoped he wasn't home. He was. So we chatted... for quite a while. He is a talker. Seems nice enough, but now that I am separated from it (and my ear is not aching anymore) I think the age thing is going to be a big difference. He did not know I was 10 years younger (Dian, the setter-upper thought I was at least 2-3 years older than I am, at the bare minimum) and I think we will find that we are really in very different places in our lives - me, the quarterlife crisis, I-don't-know-what-to-do-with-my-life twentysomething and he the homeowner, golf nut 10 years my senior. But I'll meet him on Wednesday and we will see.

Boy is this thing so not my style....

Set Up

A woman that I work with came up to me on Monday to tell me about someone that she wanted to set me up with. I thought about it, and asked several opinions (girl friends and mom, of course). So I gave her my number to give to this guy. She says that she has known him for most of his life... since he was 3 or 4.

I am internally bugging out about this whole scenario. I've never been set up before. Ever. And it frightens me. My mind jumps to all sorts of unlikely scenarios and situations... but I did it. The ball is in his court. He calls, he doesn't call, whatever. I'll meet him someplace neutral and try to make conversation with a complete stranger... something I'm not good at, but I guess it's a learning experience if nothing else.

I'm such a baby about things like this.....

knitting quandry...

I've bought yarn at different places on clearance in quantities of only one skein. I have several of these random skeins floating around in my big 'ol knitting box. I want to use said yarn... but have no patterns of interest. Don't want to make more mittens. Don't want to make a hat. Don't really want to make a scarf. Don't want to make a baby thing.

Don't know what to make.

**frustrated sigh**

Bec, do you have any ideas? Know anyone who does? Anyone out there?

........Bueller?........... Bueller?......

Literary commentary...

Ok, so I know the book Ticket Home has been on my "currently reading" list forever. I had it on there before I actually started reading it, to be honest - and then it did take me while to finish. It was a good book - interesting storyline which takes place during WW2 - identical twin brothers, a pretty girl, trains, conflict (both personal and war related), history, etc. The battle explinations and sequences were long and drawn out, but justified.
The author's website: James Michael Pratt

...Now to a new book: Girl With the Pearl Earring, by Tracy Chevalier. It was recommended to me by my friend Alisa. Actually, what she said was "...this is the next book you need to read." She's not the only one who recommended it, either. A woman I work with loved it, and when I was talking to my mom about buying it at Barnes & Noble, some guy overheard me stumbling on the artists' name (Vermeer) and said that he'd read it... but that it's not a guy book. I've already started it and like it so far. There's a movie, too - which I'd wanted to see - but I'm glad to read it first.

Gilbert and Sullivan

Well, I did it. Auditioned for a G&S company nearby. Took mom to the audition with me, for moral support and directions. Got there and was the youngest by probably 10 years, although most likely 20 on average. The audition itself seemed to go fairly well. I was the only one who did not know the score, which made me feel somewhat stupid, but I sang something else and it was fine, although the piano was tremendously loud. Then I did a reading with this man and that was fine. Then the director asked me questions. Don't ask me questions during a deer-in-the-headlights moment. My IQ bottoms out and I can't think. Well, as mom says, I was not there to be personally articulate. We'll see what comes of it. I hope the second audition date brings about more people, (younger??) since there were few there. More on this as it develops....

(...and maybe we'll get a dumping of snow and no work Wednesday??? stay tuned.....)

Inside the actor's studio

During the surprise 7 inches of snow today I did much channel-surfing, stumbling on Bravo's Inside the Actor's Studio, which I find fascinating. At the end of each show, James Lipton asks the celeb du jour a series of questions (can't remember who originated these... someone French?) and I thought that I would post them here and see if anyone cares to share their own answers. I will, too.

What is your favorite word? home
What is your least favorite word? lard
What turns you on? creativity, friends
What turns you off? stress
What sound/noise do you love? ocean/beach sounds
What sound/noise do you hate? overabundance of noise
What is your favorite curse word? damn, blast
What profession other than your own would you like to participate in? actor, photographer
What profession wouldn't you like to participate in? cleaning really disgusting things (large animal poop, really nasty bathrooms)
If heaven exists, what would you like to hear God say to you at the pearly gates? "Well done, thou good and faithful servant"

Give it a try! It's not as easy as it looks!

good thing it's not real....

One of the links on this site is the Hollywood Stock Exchange. It's a game - no actual money changes hands. When you sign up, you get $2mil H-dollars. You buy stock for the actors you like - Julia Roberts, Tom Hanks, etc. (there are moviebonds, too, but I don't do that). If you lose it all, they'll give you more. So I started sometime in college and did ok, but lost some. I bought people I liked and when finally some of them made me lose tremendously (like George Clooney!), I sold. But I don't do it that often, so it's not a big deal to me.
A long time ago, while reading about the making of Star Wars Episode 2 (which I never saw), they talked about Hayden Christenson (sp). I happened to go to hsx a short while after that and bought 20,000 shares of his stock, (normally I buy 2000, but it was a deal - $5.67 a share.) knowing the movie would be popular. Then, I forgot about the website for months - maybe a year. I checked in again and couldn't believe my eyes. The stock skyrocketed. Overjoyed, I bought little bits of other people I liked, at all various prices.
Just checked my stocks today. I had a down day - net worth down $18,467. But, net worth total: $4,221,372.85, with over $3.6mil invested. And that cheapie Hayden? Now worth $87.05/share... an increase of 1,434%. (on the flip side, Julia's lost me 61% since I bought.... v.bad, but how can you sell her?) Good thing I don't take real $$ risks like this!!!!

ice, snow and cold.... and NO SCHOOL!

So, this morning, the Presidential parents left in the car for Florida... in the midst of an arctic blizzard. Luckily, it was slow going, but they are safely out of the snowy area now. It's so cold... dangerously cold, but really beautiful! And the best was the phone call at 5:15am that there wouldn't be any school today! **wild cheering**And on my busiest day! :) Too bad they won't just call it a week!

Sheep in a Jeep

Got a great book the other day titled Sheep in a Jeep by Nancy Shaw. I thought it was an appropriate thing to keep in my baby! (note: that shiny one in the snow looks like mine!)

Oh - another thing of interest - it thundered today during a very quick blizzard! Wierd weather... go figure!

Random Poetry for Wednesday

The Red Wheelbarrow

so much depends
upon

a red wheel
barrow

glazed with rain
water

beside the white
chickens

-William Carlos Williams

Back again....

So I'm back. The retreat was interesting. The main speaker, Denny Henderson, was good - contemporary and thought-provoking. The band was great too. It was a little wierd being there, though, since most people seem to have been going to Tuscarora forever, or so it seems. Whatever. I went, I saw, I learned, that was good, and I'll probably not go back. Oh - one last thing - there was a concert Saturday night of this fellow Gordon alum.... surprising but good. I have the CD.

happy weekending!

In a little bit, I'm off for the weekend. It's a "young adult" retreat... we'll see how it goes. After several retreat experiences in High School I am wary...

but anyway.... HAPPY NEW YEAR to one and all! Here's to hoping that 2004 is happier, more peaceful, more healthy and great for adventure, good memories and fun. (anyone got any good ideas for resolutions? I haven't made any yet...) :)

addictive show despite viewer knowledge

Tonight I was watching Celebrity Poker Showdown on NBC (usually on Bravo). Strangely addicting... even though I know nothing about poker. Bravo as a whole is strangely addictive in many aspects... Queer Eye is entertaining, as is this... but more on that another day.

God Yul! Merry Christmas! Feliz Navidad! Joyoux Noel!

Long time, no post. I know, I know... I'm slacking. Well, considering what has been going on, it's no wonder!!
Well, Christmas was nice. My aunt and uncle came on Christmas Day and we had a big feast. It was a nice time. I got some great gifts (gave some great ones too, I must add!) and I get to go and pick out a GUITAR! woo hoo! :) Better go and search for a good one at a good price here before I make way to the store!
...but now it is off to shopping with mom... well, it all depends on whether or not there is parking available. If not, it may just be a drive with mom! :)

Emotional Hangover...

Well, the concerts are done. Today I feel like a limp dishrag. (yes, that is an accurate description of how I feel!) Everything went really well... even considering the first grader who threw up all over the floor after the first song. (and his classmate who didn't make it to the gym at all because he threw up in the classroom!) But everyone enjoyed it anyway, and things are looking up with only tomorrow, Monday and half of Tuesday before WINTER BREAK! Woo hoo!

Two down, four (five?) to go....

So, I'm about 1/3 through the concert-conducting of the season. My middleschoolers did a great job both this morning and tonight. Tomorrow is the 1st grade concert for the Golden Age Club, then next Tuesday am my 4th/5th Graders go to the elementary, then Wednesday am at their school, a final 1st dress rehearsal for the elementary audience that afternoon, then the parent's concert in the evening. (Wednesday will be a tough day!) But it is good to have some of it behind me, anyway!

What color are you?

you are deepskyblue #00BFFF

Your dominant hues are cyan and blue. You like people and enjoy making friends. You're conservative and like to make sure things make sense before you step into them, especially in relationships. You are curious but respected for your opinions by people who you sometimes wouldn't even suspect. Your saturation level is very high - you are all about getting things done. The world may think you work too hard but you have a lot to show for it, and it keeps you going. You shouldn't be afraid to lead people, because if you're doing it, it'll be done right. Your outlook on life is very bright. You are sunny and optimistic about life and others find it very encouraging, but remember to tone it down if you sense irritation.

the spacefem.com html color quiz

Snow totals

Well, it did snow. A lot. It still is, actually. We must have about 9 inches. It's beautiful... and I got to christen my baby jeep in the snow!! :) I love 4wd! But with all of the cold and blowing, it is still better to be inside with a warm drink and cozy clothes on. Ah, gotta love the snow-day mentality!

Let it snow???

Well, we might get a noreaster storm this weekend.... but then again, the weatherpeople are all hyped up, which usually means two flakes, if that much. So, who knows. I'll keep ya'll posted. :)

I am slowly learning the allure of online shopping. Got some stuff online already for Christmas, since the amazing amount of concert-ing keeps me from wanting to deal with more self-inflicted stress in a store. Don't like shipping costs, though. Not cool.