Our kitty is still missing in action - cannot even begin to describe our angst.
What has been amazing is how wonderful people in the area have been. They have called to say that they saw a similar cat in their yard. They have called to see if a stray is ours (he was not). They have called to see if we have found him yet. They have called because their kid saw a similar cat at the bus stop. They have called to say that they looked in their garage and shed, and he was not trapped in there.
Mind you - most of these people are folks we do not even know. We are indeed surrounded by wonderful souls.
May 30, 2008
May 28, 2008
May 27, 2008
Recent Reads
1. Body Surfing
Been a while since I last read a chick lit book that had interesting dynamics. Also really liked the writing style - have read other books by the author, and have found them all with thought provoking angles.
2. The Appeal
Not his best book - but certainly better than the non-fiction he recently released. I know that there is corruption and lobbying (not considered corruption) at all levels of government - and this book reminded me of how well organized and funded special interest groups are, and the dangers this presents us all with.
Been a while since I last read a chick lit book that had interesting dynamics. Also really liked the writing style - have read other books by the author, and have found them all with thought provoking angles.
2. The Appeal
Not his best book - but certainly better than the non-fiction he recently released. I know that there is corruption and lobbying (not considered corruption) at all levels of government - and this book reminded me of how well organized and funded special interest groups are, and the dangers this presents us all with.
May 20, 2008
Night at the movies
Am always in search of a good movie .....
1. 1408
Should have been good - John Cusack in a Stephen King short story adaptation. JC's mug was in every shot, and he did an admirable job of conveying a range of emotions, but the movie itself was missing something - direction? editing?
2. I am Legend
Am a Will Smith fan - and you are not - do not even bother to read further. His mug is in every shot - a sci-fi post apocalyptic story - where it turns out that everyone is incredibly clean and pulled together. I mean if you were in this scenario, would you seriously be concerned about shaping your eye brows? A huge disappointment, and I really wanted to like it. Again missing good writing, direction or something.
3. The Namesake
Enjoyed the book, and was looking forward to this Mira Nair movie, but again, not quite what I expected. A good story about Indian immigrants and their struggles. The loss of culture as kids are raised in the diaspora, and the strange things that work out and don't. Still, felt that it was a movie for the west, not for the Indian diaspora.
4. Love Comes Softly
Remember Little House on the Prairie? If you do and loved it, you might enjoy this movie. Not sure how I stumbled upon it - and watched it to see the sure thing ending really. Not hard hitting or though provoking in any way, but a movie one could watch with kids.
5. Juno
What a gem of a movie - loved everything about it.
6. A Jihad for Love
An interesting documentary I saw at a local film festival. Would recommend it - how do gay Muslims reconcile their sexuality with their faith? The Imam in the movie was at the show to answer questions - really inspirational. I hear that theatrical openings are scheduled in NYC this week. Go check it out.
7. The World Unseen
Another movie at the MFA film festival. An interesting POV on apartheid in South Africa. Beautiful photography, but the script was rather juvenile, and that was too bad, as the story was anything but.
Any movies you would recommend?
1. 1408
Should have been good - John Cusack in a Stephen King short story adaptation. JC's mug was in every shot, and he did an admirable job of conveying a range of emotions, but the movie itself was missing something - direction? editing?
2. I am Legend
Am a Will Smith fan - and you are not - do not even bother to read further. His mug is in every shot - a sci-fi post apocalyptic story - where it turns out that everyone is incredibly clean and pulled together. I mean if you were in this scenario, would you seriously be concerned about shaping your eye brows? A huge disappointment, and I really wanted to like it. Again missing good writing, direction or something.
3. The Namesake
Enjoyed the book, and was looking forward to this Mira Nair movie, but again, not quite what I expected. A good story about Indian immigrants and their struggles. The loss of culture as kids are raised in the diaspora, and the strange things that work out and don't. Still, felt that it was a movie for the west, not for the Indian diaspora.
4. Love Comes Softly
Remember Little House on the Prairie? If you do and loved it, you might enjoy this movie. Not sure how I stumbled upon it - and watched it to see the sure thing ending really. Not hard hitting or though provoking in any way, but a movie one could watch with kids.
5. Juno
What a gem of a movie - loved everything about it.
6. A Jihad for Love
An interesting documentary I saw at a local film festival. Would recommend it - how do gay Muslims reconcile their sexuality with their faith? The Imam in the movie was at the show to answer questions - really inspirational. I hear that theatrical openings are scheduled in NYC this week. Go check it out.
7. The World Unseen
Another movie at the MFA film festival. An interesting POV on apartheid in South Africa. Beautiful photography, but the script was rather juvenile, and that was too bad, as the story was anything but.
Any movies you would recommend?
May 19, 2008
Recent Reads
Persepolis: The Story of a Childhood
Really interesting little book that packs a huge punch. The story of a young girl growing up in Iran during the Islamic Revolution. There is much written about that period of time, and this story tells it from the POV of a 10 year old girl. I loved that the book is in graphic black and white drawing format.
Really interesting little book that packs a huge punch. The story of a young girl growing up in Iran during the Islamic Revolution. There is much written about that period of time, and this story tells it from the POV of a 10 year old girl. I loved that the book is in graphic black and white drawing format.
May 16, 2008
May 15, 2008
You get what you pay for?
There is a common myth that the more one pays for something, the higher the quality, the better the experience, etc.
That is not my typical experience when it comes to many things, including restaurants. In the last month or so I had lunch at a new local eatery and watched in astonishment as the waiter picked up a fork that was lying on the floor and put it back on a place setting. eeeuuuu. I jumped to a hasty (and it turns out incorrect) conclusion, that this was because it was an inexpensive venue.
Not a week later I was having lunch at this higher end, very popular joint, and wouldn't you know that exactly the same thing happened. Now at the 2nd place, the fork was picked up off the floor within the 10 second rule, but it too ended up in a nicely folded napkin at a nearby table. Makes you wonder what goes on that you cannot see doesn't it?
That is not my typical experience when it comes to many things, including restaurants. In the last month or so I had lunch at a new local eatery and watched in astonishment as the waiter picked up a fork that was lying on the floor and put it back on a place setting. eeeuuuu. I jumped to a hasty (and it turns out incorrect) conclusion, that this was because it was an inexpensive venue.
Not a week later I was having lunch at this higher end, very popular joint, and wouldn't you know that exactly the same thing happened. Now at the 2nd place, the fork was picked up off the floor within the 10 second rule, but it too ended up in a nicely folded napkin at a nearby table. Makes you wonder what goes on that you cannot see doesn't it?
May 14, 2008
Body Image
A couple of images from the WAM. I find it fascinating to see how women's bodies have been represented through the ages, and in different cultures - it's amazing what is in fashion at a given moment in time. My book club is currently reading Trisha's book, and I'm learning how food issues can start as earlier as in the womb, or much later than the highly reported teenage years. Yes, there is the media and culture pressure to be thin - but there are really many reasons why women (and men) develop eating disorders. Fascinating - give it a read.
May 13, 2008
Cryonics
Let's start with a basic definition: "Cryonics is a speculative life support technology that seeks to preserve human life in a state that will be viable and treatable by future medicine. It is expected that future medicine will include mature nanotechnology, and the ability to heal at the cellular and molecular levels."
The topic has been on my mind the past several days. That and cloning. Had a fascinating discussion with Babes last night. I certainly think that there might well be a time when we can cure diseases we cannot cure today - though it must be pointed out that we still do not have a cure for the common cold. What fascinates me is not the technology itself - though it is fascinating - it's that people sign up to have their remains stored at no small cost.
Which brings up the question of old - what is it that makes me me and you you? Would I still be me after being frozen for decades, or centuries (never mind whether I could ever be brought to life again). I have no idea what happens to consciousness after death - but am uneasy about the idea of waiting around in cold storage until some time in the future. This is indeed a sci-fi blockbuster story, but what about the realities of the situation?
What do you think? If cost was no object, would you go into cold storage and wait for a (hopefully) better future?
The topic has been on my mind the past several days. That and cloning. Had a fascinating discussion with Babes last night. I certainly think that there might well be a time when we can cure diseases we cannot cure today - though it must be pointed out that we still do not have a cure for the common cold. What fascinates me is not the technology itself - though it is fascinating - it's that people sign up to have their remains stored at no small cost.
Which brings up the question of old - what is it that makes me me and you you? Would I still be me after being frozen for decades, or centuries (never mind whether I could ever be brought to life again). I have no idea what happens to consciousness after death - but am uneasy about the idea of waiting around in cold storage until some time in the future. This is indeed a sci-fi blockbuster story, but what about the realities of the situation?
What do you think? If cost was no object, would you go into cold storage and wait for a (hopefully) better future?
May 12, 2008
May 11, 2008
Mosaics
It is funny how we often neglect to visit places in our own backyard. Spent a couple of hours exploring WAM yesterday - pleasantly surprised at the quality of their collection. The current exhibit has amazing woodcuts from China. I also loved the mosaics - the lion is a portion of a huge floor mosaic - the largest in NA. Well worth a visit.
May 9, 2008
Eight Belles
Have finally got enough distance on this to write about the tragedy of Eight Belles at the Kentucky Derby last weekend. As the only filly in the race, it was hard not to root for her.
What is is about horses that broken legs equals death? There have been many articles and opinion pieces written about investigations into the entire sport, and some of the photos of her last moments are heart breaking. Barbaro was not killed (let's skip the cute language) until he had time to sire the next generation. So what was it about Belle's injuries that she was killed so quickly? More questions than answers, but for me the Derby lights have dimmed.
What is is about horses that broken legs equals death? There have been many articles and opinion pieces written about investigations into the entire sport, and some of the photos of her last moments are heart breaking. Barbaro was not killed (let's skip the cute language) until he had time to sire the next generation. So what was it about Belle's injuries that she was killed so quickly? More questions than answers, but for me the Derby lights have dimmed.
May 8, 2008
Nephews
Where has this week gone? Can hardly believe that it is already Thursday. Some recent pics of the cute boys in my life.
May 5, 2008
Rainy Days
We've had much needed rains the past several days, but it does seem rather unfair that it rains on the weekend and we have lovely weather during the week. What's up with that?
The boys were over Friday, and it was fun hanging out with them. Aren't their wellies cute?
The boys were over Friday, and it was fun hanging out with them. Aren't their wellies cute?
May 2, 2008
Visual Journal
Inspired by bird song. I am lucky that I get to hear birds and not traffic or other heavy machinery on my morning walks and evening saunters.
May 1, 2008
Visual Journal
My most recent hand made journal. I was inspired to use fabric sampler remnants as the spine - works great, and what wonderful colors. Covers are painted cardboard, and the inside pages are made of watercolor paper. Book size is approx. 9"x6".
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