The Waiting Begins

"In the Beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God and the Word was God" - John 1:1

Yesterday was the first day of Advent, and my present was a very sparkly advent calendar! The thing I especially like about this calendar is that when you open the door it not only has a cute little picture, but a bible verse on the back of the door - the above was from Dec. 1st.

I like that John opens this way, because it reminds me of the way many oral storytelling traditions begin, with some sort of salutation or commitment to a higher power. A modern use of this can be seen in Iranian films which began (are required to begin) with "In the name of God"

I would like to begin my films in some similar way - just an acknowledgment of something greater then me having an influence on my storytelling and my art.

That's it for now since I'm borrowing a friend's computer and he needs to go.

Contemplative Advent!

The House on Your Shoulders

You may or may not know that I am somewhat obsessed with shows about serial killers. I have no idea why, but I'm sure one of the profilers on my current favorite show, Criminal Minds, could tell me.

Tonight they went to Mexico to solve a crime - I'll spare you the details since they have not much to do with this post, and you may be eating while reading.

At the end of the episode, they had a Mexican proverb (I should have googled to see if it's real, but it doesn't really matter).

The proverb went, "The house does not stand on the ground, it stands on a woman."

This really struck me because not only have I had a number of changes in my life, including my home, recently, but some women close to me have as well. Yesterday, my mom, AuntieKnickers blogged about her mom and how well she handled moving around throughout her adult life. It strikes me that their house - their home - was built upon her shoulders, and so it did not matter where they were physically, as long as they had her holding them up.

Because of the way my life is set up right now, I have to be able to carry my home with me, whether it's because I am moving permanently, or just housesitting for friends. This always feels a little scary, but after it's done, I never know what I was worried about. Someone close to me (you probably know who...) has been having a lot of upheavals in her life recently, and I think she would probably make some beautiful piece of art work out of this proverb right now. She is learning not only how to carry her home with her, but what that home looks like, what it feels like. The hardest part about this maybe that you cannot be prepared to learn this lesson. It is not something that you plan on happening, and most of us probably think we've already got it figured out - I think she did, and I usually do until something goes wonky and the foundation I thought I built strong starts to crumble.

I like this proverb a lot, but I think if I were re-writing it I would say that "...the house sits on the family". Sometimes that family is your given family, and sometimes your chosen, but no matter who you are... even Wonder Woman had Wonder Girl backing her up. I don't think My grandmother could have held up her house without the love and support of her family.

Many Tasks, Many Blessings... Little Sleep!

Today was a busy day for me, though not as busy as tomorrow will be, but I still didn't get everything done I meant too (more on why later).

First I had my first day of my internship with Werc Werk Works - and as I my friends said, I work work worked! Basically I helped one of the producers transcribe interview footage for better organizing and an easier edit down the line. Because the company is new, it is definitely an all hands on deck mentality, which makes me happy to be there, because I feel like I am actually helping, not just doing busy work! Plus, the receptionist is super nice and offers to get me coffee! Not that I would ask her to do that, cause that'd be weird and totally not necessary; but like AuntieKnickers said, it's nice not to be the one getting coffee at an internship!

So, after my morning at the internship, I hopped a bus straight to school and commenced with my post-production work... well, "work" my be a bit strong. Honestly, none of us are really 'feelin' it when it comes to our current projects, so we kind of mosey along when it comes to editing.

Anyway, I did do some work, but I also had some fun chats with friends. Lately, my friends have been teasing me, calling me a Hardcore Christian. Now, the funny thing is that a year or two ago, this would have really bothered me. I had a real problem even calling myself a christian, let alone talking openly with school friends about my church life.

Now, I have this kind of peace with it. I recognize that I am, and always will be, on a journey, trying to figure out what I can do to share and be thankful for the blessings I have. And I think that one way for me to do that is by not shaming myself about my faith.

And I think that's also largely how I can share my blessings, because it often seems like people my age (and slightly younger) only of two kinds of faith - Hardcore Christian faith and Faith in Nothing. I like the idea that I could broaden their concepts in that way.

Oh, and back to that not having time... I'm afraid there is a sort of illness going through my new place - at least, my roommie's GF was sick, and he skipped class today because he didn't feel well, and although I've been doing a lot to try and stay well, I am craving chicken soup and orange juice and sleep.

So, the sleepiness kept me from doing things I should have, but there you are. It happens. I'll leave you with some photos of my chicken soup - made from scratch last night - and some of my editing classmates. Enjoy!

Making My Life That Much Crazier!

Auntie Knickers has encouraged me to try and write a blog post everyday this month. Since I'm not doing anything else, I guess I will.

Wait, what? That's not right. I'm pretty sure I have a lot to do.

But I'm going to try and do it anyway, since interesting things are finally happening!

Here are some highlights from the past month to catch you up:

• School continues - I am taking 4 classes this semester including American Government and Politics (fulfilling my last gen ed requirement) which is very interesting, though difficult since it is in a basement classroom with bad lighting at the end of a very long day. sigh. but we went to a town hall meeting on healthcare last week, and saw lots of educated, middle-class, white people agree with each other. yay! (that was sarcasm)
  
• Church responsibilities abound - honestly, I am becoming more and more disillusioned with my church community, which is sad and frustrating, and maybe I'll write all about it another day. But in the meantime, I am still on the Christian Education board and am the organizer for a monthly movie night through the music and arts board (we watched Bell, Book and Candle for the first one, but don't even get me started...) The CE held our Halloween Party, complete with Haunted House run by the junior high students (that should say high school students as well, but none showed up. rant for another day: teenagers who don't have time for community)
• Moving- A few weeks ago I moved out of Comrade Landlord's house and in with a friend from school... hmm, it may take a few days to come up with a good name for him. The house is owned by his mom, so rent is crazy reasonable. There have been a few renovations going on there, but nothing I can't handle. Winifred seems to be settling in well, though I'll let her tell you about it on her own blog. Last night I moved my ottoman into my room and I now have a cozy little reading nook! I also get a room in the basement for all my crafting and storage. Oh! And the best part, perhaps, is that my roommate works nights, so it is like living by myself most of the time, and hanging out with friends the rest of the time! (can you tell I like the new place? woot!)
• And More! There's been a lot more, I just can't remember all of it... working on editing first big project for school...starting pre-production on second project called 'Snip'... behind on papers (as usual)...new boss at work (did I talk about her yet?)...oh yeah! and a new camera, so this blog will start to be a bit more interesting!

So, here's how this month of blogging is gonna go - since I have two blogs, I will sometimes post here, and sometimes on my FilmAching blog. Be sure to look there tomorrow, since I will be posting about the most exciting thing to happen EVER!

(hint: to me. this year.)

Friday Five: Autumn

Singing Owl at RevGalBlogPals gives this week’s Friday Five about Autumn:

“Let us fear the LORD our God, who gives autumn and spring rains in season, who assures us of the regular weeks of harvest. Jeremiah 5:23b

The Autumnal Equinox has just come 'round again. I took a look back at our Friday Fives and noted that it always seems to make the Rev Gals and their Pals think of changes.

There is something so nostalgic about this time of year, at least in the Northern Hemisphere. The nights grow cooler, crops are harvested, for some of us the leaves are beginning to change colors. The scent of smoke is in the air, pumpkins are in the stores (or on wagons, or in roadside stands for those of us in the country). I'm thinking of putting away my summer clothes and pulling out the sweaters. And I have a tub of Fall-themed items that my husband just lugged up from the basement. I'm looking for my scarecrow.

For this week, let's share some memories along with some hopes and expectations.”

1. Share a Fall memory.

I remember a lot of contemplation from my childhood, though my guess is that those who knew me as a child would not have known I was thinking that much! In the autumn, I loved to kneel on a chair in the living room, looking out the big window at the cars driving through the rain. There was always music playing; sometimes Enya or Priscilla Herdman (just downloaded one of her cds onto my computer yesterday because it felt like fall!), but I recall one time in particular when Pachebel’s Canon was playing and it just felt perfect. That memory is one of the happy places I go when I’m feeling low.

2. Your favorite Fall clothes--(past or present)?

I just moved my fall and winter clothes box to my new place, because I knew I had enough to cover me if it turned cold (we’ve had some really hot days lately). The box is clear, so I could peek inside - a little bubble of excitement popped inside me! I saw my wool cloak which I like to wear to church. It is brown with an orange and golden-yellow geometric design. I also saw some cool weather tunics, which look cute with narrow legged jeans and boots…. Basically, I like all my Fall clothing! But that’s what happens when you live in a state that’s cold 9 months out of the year!

3. Share a campfire story, song, experience...etc.

So many of my memories from childhood are of camping, sitting around the campfire, hearing silly and scary stories, or just talking about all sorts of things really, so much so that it would be hard to pick just one! But really, although Christmas is the time I think the most about my extended family, Fall is the time that reminds me most of my nuclear family – going to the Downtown library on a rainy day with my mom, hiking through the woods on the lookout for deer with my dad, endlessly harassing my brother and sister for inclusion In their ‘big kid’ worlds… it reminds me of how blest I was, even with all the struggles we had, that I was so loved, so assuredly.

And this reminds me of the passage above. There were things to be afraid of for me as a child, and I was afraid and worried frequently. And yet, I never questioned if I was loved; it went without saying that we would be there for each other. And that’s really what this passage says to me about God – the power of creation may frighten us at times, but it should also prove to us how deep and wide God’s love for us goes, and that she will always be there for us.

4. What is your favorite thing about this time of year?

The weather, of course… Fall really has become my favorite season, and for more reasons than just the weather, but even though I had to rush back upstairs to find my long forgotten umbrella this morning, another little bubble of excitement popped when I heard the noise of cars driving past my house in the rain… (see above)

5. What changes are you anticipating in your life, your church, family...whatever...as the season changes and winter approaches?

There have already been some changes in our family, and they will continue to take time for healing and adjusting. I am moving in a few weeks, which is a change that affects the whole family, since I have been living with my brother and sister-in-law. Also, I have taken on some new and not so new responsibilities for this fall, and that is a little scary, but I’ve made up my mind to say no to any further requests!

Bonus: What food says "AUTUMN" at your house? Recipes always appreciated.

I only like soup when it’s cold outside, so I always look forward to appreciating my favorite soup again – butternut squash! Unfortunately, I am lazy and usually get the kind in a can or box, or go to Wolfgang Puck Express for theirs!

I also, like my mom, feel like eating aeblekage, but you can go to AuntieKnickers blog to learn about that!

Here’s an extra bonus of my own, BOOKS and MOVIES:

I have a book and a movie that are mandatory for fall. The book is one from a local Minneapolis writer (who as far as we can tell, only wrote the one book), and is a young adult novel about a boy who moves from Minneapolis to a farm in Pennsylvania….where he meets the ghost of his ancestor just in time for Halloween! It’s called The Riddle of Penncroft Farm, by Dorothea Jensen

The film I have to watch is Baby Boom with Diane Keaton. It is so deliciously 80s and there is a great montage of the fall when she is working in the orchard and making babyfood and then driving around Vermont selling it… I rent it every year!

Yoooo Whooo? ALBERT!

In junior high my sister played Mrs. Mae Peterson in Bye Bye Birdie. I remember hanging around the gym/auditorium after school when she had rehearsals (I loved being the center of attention as a cute little 2nd grader) and I was so in awe of her performance. I also remember the first time I was conscious of my own suspension of disbelief.

She entered from the back of the gym, behind the audience. I must have seen her do it a dozen times in rehearsal. And yet, when those doors opened and she called out, "Yooooouuu whhoooo!!?? Sonny Boy? Albert!" I spun around with the rest of my classmates.

What's happening now? Who's that old woman? Albert doesn't look happy to see her!

Afterwards, I was astounded that it hadn't even occurred to me that it was my sister. I was so wrapped up in the story and the characters that I was able to turn off the part of my brain that said, "that's the old fur shawl she found at the church rummage sale" or "wow, her cat eye glasses really do fit the part!"

I live a lot of my life turning on and off my suspension of disbelief. Tonight I watched two of my new fav TV shows. One is about an astronaut crew in the future (Defying Gravity) and the other about a model who dies, only to come back in the body of a plus size lawyer (who's assistant is Margaret Cho! how lucky is that!?) (oh, and that show is Drop Dead Diva). These plot lines are so completely implausible, unrealistic, silly even. And yet, when I'm watching them, I turn that part of brain off and I fall in love with the characters and devote myself to their lives for half an hour or so.

But sometimes, the ability to turn off parts of your self is a bad thing. Sometimes, it makes you miss the old lady calling out to you....

Lately I've been imagining God as an old woman from some small immigrant community. She's a small woman in stature, but she makes up for it in her voice and all-around power. You can sit there, going about your life, trying to ignore her, but eventually the nagging wears you down and you have to turn - "Yes! What IS it, Mother?!"

You are cross. She is cross. It looks bad.

But then she looks at you with a sheepish grin - "But Sweety, I only want what's best for you..."

I've been sitting here, trying to ignore that calling voice for a long time. Sometimes I would pretend to answer it, trying to satisfy her with half-commitments and empty promises, but eventually I realized, she really does only want what's best for me.

And the funny thing is, once I answered the call, once I turned around and said, "OK, what do you need me to do?" She replied with, "Oh, you know, just keep it in mind. What you're doing is good, I just want to know that you know that I know that you know that I have plans for you."

Yes, Mother. I know. I'm ready to answer the call. When the time comes.

p.s. the picture is obviously not my sister ;p

Quick Update - General Synod

I'm spending this weekend in Grand Rapids, MI, where I am a delegate to the 27th General Synod of The United Church of Christ. We are doing a lot and having a lot of fun along the way!

Check out my semi-live blog of the events - Experience the Immersion

I'll try to post some of my more personal theologically related revelations here as the weekend continues.

Crisis of Faith

I'm having a crisis of faith. Not my faith in God or my theology, mind you. No, I'm speaking of my faith in human decency.

I'm sorry to say I am prone to this particular crisis - it's one of the reasons I choose not to watch the news or read the newspaper on a daily basis. There's always something horrible going on to inspire doubt in my fellow humans; a car bomb here, a kidnapping there, and just plain disregard for human life.

Admittedly, my current crisis stems from a more personal place. But then, I also believe that a crime against one is a crime against all...

Gay Marriage. It's been on my mind a lot because I am doing a group project for my English class on the topic. Out of 5 people, one of our group is opposed, and there doesn't seem to be any way to get through to her. We present on July 9th, so I'm trying to hold out hope. But then, it's not just her. We surveyed the class, and almost everyone else is opposed.

It makes me want to scream and cry. I simply don't understand how these kids can think they have the right to make these hate filled decisions for everyone else.

One part that's eating away at me right now because I feel so awful about thinking/feeling this way is that many of my classmates are immigrants. I am whole-heartedly in favor of immigration...except when those immigrants want to then impose on my civil liberties. This is America, and there are plenty of countries around the world that don't have equality as the backbone to their structure, but we do, so why do you live here? (and yes, I realize that this may be one of the few places they could live... but ... ? ... maybe one of the reasons they can live here is because we try to respect human life and uphold our constitution that states that all men are created equally and have the right to the pursuit of happiness, so shoudn't they in turn respect that?)

I also will never understand how people, often Christians, can think it's their job to 'save' others from sin. What do you care? Besides all the other blatent ways in which this goes against the teachings of Jesus - let he who is without sin cast the first stone and all that - seriously, what do you care if I go to hell if you don't think you will? You want some extra brownie points when you get to heaven?

Feed the poor.
Adopt an orphan.
Donate blood.
Give change to and smile at that homeless guy, regardless of what you think he's going to spend it on.
Pick up litter.

There are so many ways to love God by loving others without HATING anyone.

I was also extremely disturbed by a comment made by a woman in my class, with whom I'd had a conversation about church the class before - "I'm a DEVOUT Christian, so I just know it's wrong." It felt as though she were saying that I wasn't a real Christian and that I am somehow intellectually inferior because I don't "know" it's wrong. Sorry, I don't know it's wrong. I don't know it's right either. I don't know much in fact. I just try to live and love in a way that makes me feel less hopeless. For all I know, God's a giant chicken.

And on that note, something silly to try and cheer myself up.

Sex with Ducks from Erika Lindhome on Vimeo.

A Writing Exercise from Onkel Hankie Pants

In his recent blog post, Onkel Hankie Pants said:

"Anomalously, there was a lawnmower sandwiched between the Bibles. (Now, there’s a writing class exercise: Take that last sentence and create a reasonable context for it.)"

And I thought, Yes, that would be a good writing exercise. And seeing as how it's Memorial Day and I am at work with an empty stomach I'm trying to distract, I thought I'd give it a shot.

So, here you go!

All she could recall were books. When friends asked her about childhood pets or toys, she would reply with statements such as, “We had a big red dog” or “I had a velveteen rabbit I just adored.” She knew these to be true, though not quite accurate. Her friends, from slightly less literate families, never seemed to pick up on her little un-truths, as she liked to call them.

Every room had a bookcase, at least one. She often found it odd that the one room devoid of reading material was the bathroom – one of the few rooms where books could be found in playmates houses. Even the garage, rarely, if ever, used for storing cars, and even less often used for building and repairing, held volumes of friends. These garage rejects were often the result of duplication purchasing, something her mother was known to do at the local rummage sales. There were no less then three copies of Moby Dick, Oliver Twist and Goodnight Moon.

Most off putting to the friends that came to explore this strange library were the Bibles. They thought it most irreverent to store these holy books in such an unusual place. Unlike the novels and encyclopedias, the Bibles were all lined up together, neat and tidy. She had designed this space for the Bibles specifically, hunting throughout the piles of hard covers and paperbacks for the red or black bindings that spoke of faith. Anomalously, there was a lawnmower sandwiched between the Bibles. No one was ever sure why she had chosen the location surrounding the lawnmower for her shrine, but that was the way she liked it. The Bibles became her territory, as did the lawnmower, and thus began her love of reading, religion and landscaping.

A Busy Week

Well, I've been busy since getting back from Seattle. On Monday my flight landed at 3:30, but they didn't let us off the plane till 4. Then I had to rush home and drop off my luggage and then back on the bus to go to class! It was Acting for the Camera, and we shot a page long break-up scene. It was actually the funnest class we've had so far this semester, and I got to act as well as direct.

On Tuesday I had work and then class and then had to pick up equipment, transport it to my church and then get the hourcar back to it's parking garage all during a very rainy day! On Wednesday I went to work, had to stay late to wait for a delivery, which made me late to class, where I realized I had not finished my project that was due, so during the break I had to fix one thing and then burn it to DVD. But then I screened it and it was well received. After class I went to my church and along with the help of Comrade Landlord and a classmate, filmed an interview for the Stewardship Documentary I'm working on. That night I decided the film I had shown in class wasn't quite right, so I spent some time reworking it and figuring out how to post it to facebook (after writing this I'm going to put it up on my FilmAching blog).

On Thursday I borrowed my aunts car for the day and sent out the newsletter at work, picked up and returned the equipment and went to class. Then I picked up my aunt from work and went out and had some dessert while she had dinner.

Next I went home and watched the latest episode of my new favorite TV show, Kings. It's like a post-modern Shakespearean history. And I really mean POST-modern, because it takes place in a fictitious world, not unlike our own, but I think somewhat post-apocalyptic. Anyway, I love the drama, and the "fools" played by the two guards are very Gildenstern and Rosenkrantz-like.

Anyway, this morning we did a sound recording in my sound for image class, and now I am blogging. SO there! that's my week!

remember to check out my video! And I will post pictures from Seattle soon, I promise!

Quick One: Writing from Yesterday

Walking in Seattle today, I got the feeling that the entire city is under construction.  (It's not)  Part of this is, I'm sure, due to the shift of seasons - construction season has begun across the country.  But I knew that couldn't be all of it... and then I saw them, I mean, really saw them.

Wires.

Running above the streets, holding up traffic lights, random cables strung between lamp posts.

Living in the mid-west where our soil is soft and our landscape flat, the only time you see wires like this is when something's under construction.

The architecture had its affect on me as well.  It feels different then what I think of as Minneapolis architecture, with a much stronger asian influence - I don't know why I think that it has an asian influence, I just do - and the thing is that we have a lot of similar bulidings back home, built in the last 10 years or so.  But many of these buildings are condos, and because of the economy and what not, they stand half empty, the fussiness spaces devoid of anything other than concrete.  It's been like that for a few years now, so I guess when I see sleek looking asian influenced condo buildings, I think no one lives there.

But Seattle is still one of the most expensive places to live, even with the recession, and though I don't know much about economics, I I think I have a good grasp on the supply and demand theory - If people didn't demand the living spaces in Seattle, the supply would stay the same (or grow like in mpls) and prices would go down...

so, that's my first bit of "noticing" in Seattle, it appears to be under construction to me, but really it's not, I'm just not used to the landscape.

p.s. I got drenched yesterday in a 15 min downpour.  crazy! ... but kind of nice in it's own way.

The Life and Times...

Thought I should post a little, since I haven't done so for a while, but not sure hat to write about...hmmm...

Well, here's what's been going on: 

School: I'm taking four classes (one of which meets twice a week) and I really enjoy all of them, which is great. That's not to say that they all go well all the time - a crummy test score here, a poor filming job there - but I feel pretty stuffed with information at the end of the week.

Church:  I am now on three committees; CE, Stewardship, Centennial Planning.  I like being on committees and helping to plan events and what not, but it also means being required to go to church certain Sundays, which I find makes me want to go less.  I take that as proof that I should not be a minister.

Gym:  I got a membership to the YWCA in January and have been going pretty regularly.  But, I was having a hard time going everyday because i can talk my self out of things pretty easily.  So I made a Lenten Devotion out of it.  I decided that for Lent I am going to go to the Gym at least 5 days a week.  The first week didn't go so well.  I was super sick and since it was hard to breath out of my nose, I decided it better to use the time for sleep.  But this week I've been feeling quite a bit better, and I went Mon. through Thurs. and am going to go today, too!  On Tuesdays and Thrusdays I have a class called Chisel! (there's really an exclamation point) I like i a lot.  It's strength training with some cardio built in and it changes every time s I never get bored. Plus we listen to music that has a good beat to keep you going.  

I discovered that music is the most important part of my workout - surprise surprise.  I went a few weeks without an iPod, and I couldn't believe how hard it was to get going on the exercise bike, not to mention keep going!  Now I am figuring out which songs are the best to keep me motivated and moving fast.  I can't wait for my MNCare stuff to pull through so I can go to the doctor. I really want to know what the deal is with heart rate, cause I have to work really hard to get my heart rate up on the bike.  

Travel:  I decided I needed a vacation, and what with Spring Break coming up, I decided to do something fun, just for me!  So I booked a plane ticket and a hotel for Seattle!  

OK, I know a lot of people go to sunny beaches for S.B., but really, does that sound like something I want to do?  Instead, I'm going to a city  near the ocean, a walkable downtown and lots of fun cultural stuff.  So far my most exciting plan is to see Wings of Desire at the Seattle International Film Festival Cinema, and maybe a few other films as well.  (Don't worry, I'll blog all about that on FilmAching).  The hotel I'm staying at is awesome with a super hip-artsy feel to it.  I'm also going to email a couple people I know out there to try and get together, but really, this is more a trip about me exploring the city by myself, having a nice adventure! 

So, thats' a bit of what's going on with me. I may be a little absent again because I have a 6 page paper due Thursday and a new editing project to work on...not to mention a documentary I'm making for Stewardship...hmmm, I better get cracking...But I'll try to keep you "posted"!

yay pictures! boo FCP!

Well, good news and bad news.

The bad news is that Final Cut Pro (fcp, the editing software put out by apple) is claiming that my project files (created at school) are too new for my current version. Excuse me? the FCP software that came in the mail last week?! Not likely. Anyway, I have a request into the apple forums for some help, so we;ll see if any help comes from there. There do seem to be ome really knowledgable people on there, so I'm hopeful!The good news is that I figured out how to use the in computer camera! It's in an application called photobooth. Most of my confusion comes from not having the patience to read the manual and being unfamiliar with macs.

so, here are a couple pictures! (hint, if you want to see some other cute ones, go to winifred's blog!) 

New Computer!

Yay! I am now the very proud owner of a Mac Book Pro! Plus final cut pro, the keyboard to go with it, and an iPod classic!

So I know that there is a camera on this thing, but I can't figure it out yet! So, you will have to wait for a picture of me and all my new toys.

I am currently "working" at the co-op which has free wifi and my friend and former roommate, Puzzler, has just joined me for a little snack and chat!

Now that I have my own computer I will try to be a much better blogger, I promise!

Answers to the Movie Meme!

Well, it's about time I posted the answers to last week's little game, don't you think?

All three of my commenters were correct, and I completely agree with Amanda -- this can be really hard, especially if you aren't one of those "remembers all the lines" people! I should mention that, although he didn't leave a comment, Comrade Landlord got almost all of these!

1)Oh, no, no, no, no, no. I can't stand it! It's too easy! The child is in love with a human. And not just any human. A prince! --- This was indeed The Little Mermaid (Disney), spoken by Ursula

2)I know it was you Fredo. You broke my heart. You broke my heart! -- Godfather II

3)Everything that you wanted I have done. You asked that the child be taken. I took him. You cowered before me, I was frightening. I have reordered time. I have turned the world upside down, and I have done it all for *you*! I am exhausted from living up to your expectations of me. Isn't that generous? --- The Labyrinth (seriously though, some of these should have just been process of elimination - a list of my favorite wouldn't be complete without this one!)

4)End, begin, all the same. Big change. Sometimes good. Sometimes bad. --- The Dark Crystal, Augra says this to Jen

5)If you say anything, about politics, or the campaign, or what speech you have to give, or anything, I swear to God I'm gonna stab you with this fork. -- This one was hard because it is brand new, but everyone should see it!! Milk

6)I know. She's heading an expedition to China shortly. I'm to go as her servant. But only on the understanding that I am to be very badly treated. -- Sense and Sensibility, spoken by Mr. Farrows regarding Miss Margaret.

7)You know, there's nothing I like better than to meet a high-class mama that can snap 'em back at ya. 'Cause the colder they are, the hotter they get. That's what I always say. Yes, sir, when a cold mama gets hot, boy, how she sizzles. Ha, ha, ha, ha. --- It Happened One Night

8)You've made a mistake. He's a good kid. I understand. You're hot, you're super f***ing pissed. We're all real emotional. But you're barking up the wrong tree. I know this man. He wouldn't do that. --- Reservoir Dogs

9)Now, get this, you double-crossing chimpanzee: There ain't going to be any interview and there ain't going to be any story. And that certified check of yours is leaving with me in twenty minutes. I wouldn't cover the burning of Rome for you if they were just lighting it up. --- This one stumped the Comrade, but not old Hankie Pants! It was indeed from a remake of The front page - His Girl Friday.

10)...in marrying your nephew, I should not consider my self as quitting that sphere. He is a gentleman, I am a gentleman's daughter. So far we are equal. --- Pride and Prjudice, the BBC version, spoken by Elizabeth Bennett

11)Don't put it in your pocket, sir. Don't put it in your pocket. It's your lucky quarter. -- No Country for Old Men

12)No, no, no. A vigilante is just a man lost in the scramble for his own gratification. He can be destroyed, or locked up. But if you make yourself more than just a man, if you devote yourself to an ideal, and if they can't stop you, then you become something else entirely. --- Batman Begins

13)No! No! I want an Official Red Ryder Carbine-Action Two-Hundred-Shot Range Model Air Rifle! -- A Christmas Story

14)On the evening of October 7, 1989 several hundred people got together for some evening exercise and marched for the right to go for walks without the Berlin Wall getting in their way. --- Goodbye Lenin (this film is both more and less political then you might think, so if you didn't see it for either of those reasons, stop wasting time, it's amazing)

15)I will step outside the church if that's what needs to be done, till the door should shut behind me! --- Another new one - Doubt with Meryl Streep

16)Miss Haynes, if you're ever under a falling building and someone offers to pick you up and carry you to safety, don't think, don't pause, don't hesitate for a moment, just spit in his eye. --- White Christmas

17)The Wong boys were taunting me about my parents' divorce. You beat the crap out of them. You were wearing a Kristy McNichol t-shirt, tan cords and a pageboy. You spilled your mom's groceries. We scooped them into a bag. --- Saving Face, a romantic comedy about a Chinese-American Lesbian, her middle aged widowed pregnant mother and their love interests!

18)I am honored and grateful that you have invited me to your home on the wedding day of your daughter. And may their first child be a masculine child. --- The Godfather (I)

19)When you decide to be something, you can be it. That's what they don't tell you in the church. When I was your age they would say we can become cops, or criminals. Today, what I'm saying to you is this: when you're facing a loaded gun, what's the difference? --- The Departed

(This last one may be the toughest, so I'll give you a hint...it's from my favorite film of all time!)

20)Our teacher says that God loves the blind more because they can't see. But I told him if it was so, He would not make us blind so that we can't see Him. He answered "God is not visible. He is everywhere. You can feel Him. You see Him through your fingertips." Now I reach out everywhere for God till the day my hands touch Him and tell Him everything, even all the secrets in my heart. --- The Color of Paradise. This is an Iranian film about a little blind boy...and you can't say much more about the plot without giving it away, but it is truly amazing!

Meme Time!

My Cousin Amanda did this as a note on Facebook, but I thought it would be fun as a meme here on my blog! So without further ado, here we go!

The Rules:
1.) Pick 20 of your favorite movies.
2.) Go to IMDB and find a quote from each movie.
3.) Post them in a note for everyone to guess.
4.) Strike it out when someone guesses correctly, and put who guessed and the movie.
5.) NO GOOGLING/using IMDB search functions.

1)Oh, no, no, no, no, no. I can't stand it! It's too easy! The child is in love with a human. And not just any human. A prince!

2)I know it was you Fredo. You broke my heart. You broke my heart!

3)Everything that you wanted I have done. You asked that the child be taken. I took him. You cowered before me, I was frightening. I have reordered time. I have turned the world upside down, and I have done it all for *you*! I am exhausted from living up to your expectations of me. Isn't that generous?

4)End, begin, all the same. Big change. Sometimes good. Sometimes bad.

5)If you say anything, about politics, or the campaign, or what speech you have to give, or anything, I swear to God I'm gonna stab you with this fork.

6)I know. She's heading an expedition to China shortly. I'm to go as her servant. But only on the understanding that I am to be very badly treated.

7)You know, there's nothing I like better than to meet a high-class mama that can snap 'em back at ya. 'Cause the colder they are, the hotter they get. That's what I always say. Yes, sir, when a cold mama gets hot, boy, how she sizzles. Ha, ha, ha, ha.

8)You've made a mistake. He's a good kid. I understand. You're hot, you're super f***ing pissed. We're all real emotional. But you're barking up the wrong tree. I know this man. He wouldn't do that.

9)Now, get this, you double-crossing chimpanzee: There ain't going to be any interview and there ain't going to be any story. And that certified check of yours is leaving with me in twenty minutes. I wouldn't cover the burning of Rome for you if they were just lighting it up.

10)...in marrying your nephew, I should not consider my self as quitting that sphere. He is a gentleman, I am a gentleman's daughter. So far we are equal.

11)Don't put it in your pocket, sir. Don't put it in your pocket. It's your lucky quarter.

12)No, no, no. A vigilante is just a man lost in the scramble for his own gratification. He can be destroyed, or locked up. But if you make yourself more than just a man, if you devote yourself to an ideal, and if they can't stop you, then you become something else entirely.

13)No! No! I want an Official Red Ryder Carbine-Action Two-Hundred-Shot Range Model Air Rifle!

14)On the evening of October 7, 1989 several hundred people got together for some evening exercise and marched for the right to go for walks without the Berlin Wall getting in their way.

15)I will step outside the church if that's what needs to be done, till the door should shut behind me!

16)Miss Haynes, if you're ever under a falling building and someone offers to pick you up and carry you to safety, don't think, don't pause, don't hesitate for a moment, just spit in his eye.

17)The Wong boys were taunting me about my parents' divorce. You beat the crap out of them. You were wearing a Kristy McNichol t-shirt, tan cords and a pageboy. You spilled your mom's groceries. We scooped them into a bag

18)I am honored and grateful that you have invited me to your home on the wedding day of your daughter. And may their first child be a masculine child.

19)When you decide to be something, you can be it. That's what they don't tell you in the church. When I was your age they would say we can become cops, or criminals. Today, what I'm saying to you is this: when you're facing a loaded gun, what's the difference?

(This last one may be the toughest, so I'll give you a hint...it's from my favorite film of all time!) 

20)Our teacher says that God loves the blind more because they can't see. But I told him if it was so, He would not make us blind so that we can't see Him. He answered "God is not visible. He is everywhere. You can feel Him. You see Him through your fingertips."  Now I reach out everywhere for God till the day my hands touch Him and tell Him everything, even all the secrets in my heart.

Well, there you have it!  If you can guess any (or all!) do so in the comments.  If you want to play along, get your own blog!  J/K...but seriously, why don't you have a blog yet?  Anyway, I'm gonna tag AuntieKnickers for this one, but no one else.  And Auntie, you can keep it to 10 if you need to, even I had a hard time coming up with 20!  I'll post my answers in a week!

New Year, New Joys, Part 2: New/Old Friends

One of my more recent goals has been to make new friends. Not because my "old" friends are lacking luster, but because I just haven't made many new friends in a while. I mostly chalk this up to being a Capricorn. We like to have a small group of really close friends. But it can also be attributed to the fact that I have not chosen a typical college route for myself. Most people I know went to college and lost touch with most of their high-school friends, which was OK since they made new life long friends at school. Well, my three best guy-friends stuck around town, so we kept in touch and remain close, and my other two BFF's are still pretty present in my life (well, one is really present and the other one floats in and out, but that's how its been since 7th grade, so I'm not concerned).

But this winter I made TWO new friends! And both are pictured below!

The first (in the foreground) is my friend Randi, who I have actually "known" since 9th grade. Well, since I left my first high-school and lost touch with all those friends (which I still get bummed about) I hadn't seen or spoken with her in 7 years! That's a long time at my age.

Then through a bizarre set of circumstances, we started hanging out in October, and have hung out weekly ever since! One Wednesday she called me and we were both like, "Oh my gosh, I haven't seen you for so long!" and then we realized we had hung out on Saturday. Crazy! So anyway, Randi has definitely been a great new addition to my friend pool!




The second Friend in the picture is Natalie, who is roommates with my friend Mike. She is super funny and we hit it off right away. We haven't hung out much, probably because we met right before the holidays a.k.a. right before my world got turned upside down with visitors! But, nonetheless, I am counting her because we always say we should hang out when I see her, and we should!

The third person in the picture is of course my friend Pat, one of those three frineds from highschool I mentioned earlier. Although it's nice to have these new people around, I would never think of forgetting my old Arts High buddies whom I share so many great memories with!

**P.S. The picture is from a Fancy Dress party that Mike and Natalie (and Mike's GF Rachel) hosted in December. Pat chose not to compli.**

Interlude: New Year, Old Love

About a month ago I told you about the Neal and Leandra Christmas concert I went to. That was such a great night, and one of the best parts was meeting them and their daughter and getting to take a picture!



Leandra was wearing a beautiful jacket with beading and a two piece black velvet number with lace trim! Gorgeous! Their daughter was even wearing a Hanna dress! (where I used to work...in fact, that was one of my favorite holiday dresses!)

Every Christmas I try to get to this concert. It is always so beautiful, and fun too! When I was in about 8th grade, we went to their Christmas concert, and Leandra was wearing a ball-gown skirt. It was absolutely amazing and beautiful. Now, I know this is going to sound silly, but keep in mind that I was at a very awkward age - I think it was the first time that it hit me that just because I was(am) an alto, doesn't mean I have to put on a masculine air. I know, silly, right? But I was going through this phase where I wore a lot of old army gear and I always acted really tough. But Leandra has this really chocolaty alto voice, she often sings lower than Neal in harmonies, and their she was, dressed like a princess!

Well, nothing would do but for me to have a ball gown skirt, too! Of course, I didn't take into account that Leandra has about a foot on me and is a lot *ahem* narrower than I. The skirt looked pretty silly I think, but it didn't really matter. It made me feel pretty.

So, needless to say, I now always wait with bated breath to see what Leandra will wear this year! And she never disappoints!

New Year, New Joys, Part 1: Orange Juice

Greetings from the very cold City of Lakes!
Did I tell you (I must have) that I got a new Kitchen Aid mixer?! It is the most glorious thing! And if that weren't enough, I asked for, and received for Christmas the juicer attachment! Last night I set it up for the first time and made fresh squeezed orange juice for the morning....

to side track a moment...I am sitting in my office writing, and my pen jar just MOVED! All by itself!! I think it is the ghost of secretary's past telling me to get on with my life and leave for the day! Soon enough....

Back to orange juice! As you can see, it took me 2 oranges to get about half a cup of juice. I used navel oranges which I am beginning to think was my first mistake. Next time I will buy Valencia and see what difference it makes. Still, this was a perfectly suitable amount for a morning brightener! The other mistake, and I am sorry I didn't take a picture because it would have made a good one, was that the bag of oranges I got was tinted orange! So it looked like they were really ripe, but they weren't!
You may be thinking that one of the oranges seemed to release more of it's mass, which is true. The ripe one was much more useful for juiceing. After the first unripe orange there was less then a third of what there was at the end, so it really did make quite the difference!

Anyway, this morning I dragged myself out of bed and went right downstairs, grabbed my juice out of the fridge and drank it as I made the rest of my breakfast - oatmeal with almonds, waffles with raspberry-rhubarb jam and hot cocoa! It was delish, and I really think it helped me be a little more productive at work today. Yay!! (P.S. Sorry the last pic is flipped, I really do need to leave sometime today!)