I ate something last night for supper that hated me. It waited until I'd been in bed for about 30 minutes before it began its assault on my gastro-intestinal system. It started with a niggling kind of nausea, then mushroomed into a threateningly unstable mass of cramps and near-hurling. (This probably wouldn't have been so bad if I weren't of the firm belief that no one over the age of 12 should have to vomit.) I moaned. I groaned. I sucked down Pepto-Bismol. I was prone. I was prostrate. I was on my elbows and knees on the bed with my face into the pillow and my eschrichtius robustus abdomen dangling in the middle so as not to cause undue pressure.
After about an hour or so the pain subsided and I was able to curl up on my side of the bed normally to sleep.
And then, just before 5:00 a.m. I was awakened by the internal three-alarm terrorism-in-the-gut warning that signals the time to jump out of bed and run to the bathroom before it could expulso inappropriately. While I sat this out, I heard the alarm ring and ring and ring and ring.
My husband didn't once complain. He asked if there was anything he could do to help. He wasn't cranky in the morning. He offered sympathy and comforting words. I was not beautiful. I was not charming. I was nothing in the least that could be considered desirable, certainly nothing like the bewitching woman he met on a bus tour sixteen years ago or the laughing bride fifteen years ago or the beautiful woman he sees now and then when I dress up for something special.
This is what love is.
Tuesday, July 31, 2007
Monday, July 30, 2007
Getting to Know You Meme
OK, this one is going around on email. If you want to copy it for your own email or blog, be my guest. Please don't send it to people who really don't care to receive such things.
1. WERE YOU NAMED AFTER ANYONE?
I've heard it was Judy Garland, who was in The Wizard of Oz around the time I was born.
2. WHEN WAS THE LAST TIME YOU CRIED?
Last week over something stupid.
3. DO YOU LIKE YOUR HANDWRITING
Sometimes.
4. WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE LUNCH MEAT?
Ham.
5. DO YOU HAVE KIDS?
Not unless you count the dog, 3 cats, and the husband.
6. IF YOU WERE ANOTHER PERSON WOULD YOU BE FRIENDS WITH YOU?
Yes.
7. DO YOU USE SARCASM A LOT?
Duh!
8. DO YOU STILL HAVE YOUR TONSILS?
No.
9. WOULD YOU BUNGEE JUMP?
Maybe.
10. WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE CEREAL?
Honey-Nut Cheerios
11. DO YOU UNTIE YOUR SHOES WHEN YOU TAKE THEM OFF?
Sometimes.
12. DO YOU THINK YOU ARE STRONG?
I know I am strong.
13. WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE ICE CREAM?
Chocolate Fudge Brownie
14. WHAT IS THE FIRST THING YOU NOTICE ABOUT PEOPLE?
Their faces.
15. RED OR PINK?
Red.
16. WHAT IS THE LEAST FAVORITE THING ABOUT YOURSELF?
None of your freakin' business!
17. WHO DO YOU MISS THE MOST?
My maternal grandmother.
18. DO YOU WANT EVERYONE TO SEND THIS BACK TO YOU?
Nope.
19. WHAT COLOR PANTS AND SHOES ARE YOU WEARING?
Khaki/tan trousers and dark brown shoes.
20. WHAT WAS THE LAST THING YOU ATE?
Pop Tarts
21. WHAT ARE YOU LISTENING TO RIGHT NOW?
People around my office talking.
22. IF YOU WHERE A CRAYON, WHAT COLOR WOULD YOU BE?
Any color I need at the moment.
23. FAVORITE SMELLS?
Bread baking, carnations, clean laundry.
24. WHO WAS THE LAST PERSON YOU TALKED TO ON THE PHONE?
A clerk at the County Treasurer's Office.
25. DO YOU LIKE THE PERSON WHO SENT THIS TO YOU?
Angie and Jules are wonderful people. I also like the people who are reading this (well, the ones I know).
26. FAVORITE SPORTS TO WATCH?
Women's gymnastics.
27. HAIR COLOR?
Blonde/Brown.
28. EYE COLOR?
Brown/Green.
29. DO YOU WEAR CONTACTS?
Nope.
30. FAVORITE FOOD?
Flat Iron Steak.
31. SCARY MOVIES OR HAPPY ENDINGS?
Happy endings.
32. LAST MOVIE YOU WATCHED?
Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix.
33. WHAT COLOR SHIRT ARE YOU WEARING?
Dark Pink.
34. SUMMER OR WINTER?
Winter.
35. HUGS OR KISSES?
Both!
36. FAVORITE DESSERT?
Chocolate Walnut Brownie from Nebraska Beef Company (sadly, now closed).
37. MOST LIKELY TO RESPOND?
No idea.
38. LEAST LIKELY TO RESPOND
No idea.
39. WHAT BOOK ARE YOU READING NOW?
Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows for the 2nd time.
40. WHAT IS ON YOUR MOUSE PAD?
Crumbs.
41. WHAT DID YOU WATCH ON T.V. LAST NIGHT?
A Miss Marple Mystery.
42. FAVORITE SOUND?
"Dinner's Ready!"
43. ROLLING STONES OR BEATLES?
Beatles.
44. WHAT IS THE FARTHEST YOU HAVE BEEN FROM HOME?
I've been out of my mind several times. Geographically, Amsterdam is farthest, I think.
45. DO YOU HAVE A SPECIAL TALENT?
Graphics, singing, sewing, knitting, and probably a few other things.
46. WHERE WERE YOU BORN?
The state of perfect nothingness (aka Iowa)
47. WHOSE ANSWERS ARE YOU LOOKING FORWARD TO GETTING BACK?
No need to answer back unless you'd like to.
Harry Potter and the Disappearing Month
There I was, posting away, when all of a sudden the month slipped away from me. I know I was caught up somewhat in the frenzy for the seventh and final Harry Potter book. I was finishing up the fifth book (Order of the Phoenix) late on Friday night. Then at 9:00 a.m. on the 21st my copy of Deathly Hallows arrived and there was no way on this green earth I was going to wait until I'd finished the sixth Harry Potter book before starting on this long-awaited tome. Thus, I answered the door (my copy was delivered via UPS) in my pyjamas and a bathrobe, then promptly went back to bed and started reading.
I loved it.
I laughed. I cried (well, not really). I loved it.
I had seen one spoiler site earlier that stated Percy Weasley died almost right away in this book. It didn't take much reading to discover this spoiler site had been a crock of dragon sh*t. Still, I was on pins and needles the whole time in wondering what would happen next. Ask my husband: I was either gasping, "No!" or hooting with laughter.
Memorable Moments (highlight this area to read -- I don't want to spoil it for those who haven't finished it yet):
Fred and George, having taken the polyjuice potion so that they would be Harry's double, exclaiming, "We're identical!"
The Weasley twins recalling their Uncle Bilius who would get drunk and start pulling flowers from his arse.
Kreacher hitting Mundungus Fletcher on the head with the saucepan and then suggesting perhaps one more for good measure. Harry (or was it Ron?) explains that they need "Dung" to be sober, but they'll call on Kreacher if needed again.
Hermione wrapping Ron in a fervid embrace and Harry having to say, "Um, excuse me, but there's a war going on . . . "
Dumbledore telling Harry, "Yes, it's all in your head, but that doesn't make it less real." (or something close to that)
Molly Weasley shouting at Bellatrix, "YOU B!TCH!"
Professor McGonagall leading a squadron on enchanted desks down a hall and yelling, "Charge!"
And, was I the only woman on the planet who had to put the book down for a while when Lupin announced he was a father? That man is so hot ..... !
And I loved the epilogue. I loved that Harry lived, that Harry and Ginny married and had children, that one of them was named Albus Severus (for two great headmasters). I loved that some kids were staring at Harry, but his own kids didn't know why. I loved that Lupin and Tonks' son Teddy was snogging Victoire (the oldest child of Bill and Fleur Weasley). I loved that Ron and Hermione had married and had children, that Ron was even learning to drive by Muggle rules! (OK, he had to use the Confundus charm, but we'll let it go.)
As I said, I loved it.
So, after reading the book (I finished it on Saturday night) I sat down with all of the predictions that friends had made on the HPANA thread (you have to create an account there to look at it). While my husband was reading the book, I was compiling the predictions (we were mostly wrong) and posting them. I was also talking with my friends on HPANA and emailing my Harry Potter friends and, oh, yes, I was showing up for work in there somewhere!
So, this month has basically gone quickly, what with moving Ed's mom's stuff into our place, seeing the 5th Harry Potter film, awaiting the 7th Harry Potter book, and trying to get some laundry done in the meantime.
Yes, other stuff has been going on (my friend Miriam broke her wrist, Ed had an interview but nothing came of it, the stationery shop will be moving, I've had computer problems at home), but my brain is too freakin' fried to cope with it all. Besides, it's not all that interesting.
I loved it.
I laughed. I cried (well, not really). I loved it.
I had seen one spoiler site earlier that stated Percy Weasley died almost right away in this book. It didn't take much reading to discover this spoiler site had been a crock of dragon sh*t. Still, I was on pins and needles the whole time in wondering what would happen next. Ask my husband: I was either gasping, "No!" or hooting with laughter.
Memorable Moments (highlight this area to read -- I don't want to spoil it for those who haven't finished it yet):
Fred and George, having taken the polyjuice potion so that they would be Harry's double, exclaiming, "We're identical!"
The Weasley twins recalling their Uncle Bilius who would get drunk and start pulling flowers from his arse.
Kreacher hitting Mundungus Fletcher on the head with the saucepan and then suggesting perhaps one more for good measure. Harry (or was it Ron?) explains that they need "Dung" to be sober, but they'll call on Kreacher if needed again.
Hermione wrapping Ron in a fervid embrace and Harry having to say, "Um, excuse me, but there's a war going on . . . "
Dumbledore telling Harry, "Yes, it's all in your head, but that doesn't make it less real." (or something close to that)
Molly Weasley shouting at Bellatrix, "YOU B!TCH!"
Professor McGonagall leading a squadron on enchanted desks down a hall and yelling, "Charge!"
And, was I the only woman on the planet who had to put the book down for a while when Lupin announced he was a father? That man is so hot ..... !
And I loved the epilogue. I loved that Harry lived, that Harry and Ginny married and had children, that one of them was named Albus Severus (for two great headmasters). I loved that some kids were staring at Harry, but his own kids didn't know why. I loved that Lupin and Tonks' son Teddy was snogging Victoire (the oldest child of Bill and Fleur Weasley). I loved that Ron and Hermione had married and had children, that Ron was even learning to drive by Muggle rules! (OK, he had to use the Confundus charm, but we'll let it go.)
As I said, I loved it.
So, after reading the book (I finished it on Saturday night) I sat down with all of the predictions that friends had made on the HPANA thread (you have to create an account there to look at it). While my husband was reading the book, I was compiling the predictions (we were mostly wrong) and posting them. I was also talking with my friends on HPANA and emailing my Harry Potter friends and, oh, yes, I was showing up for work in there somewhere!
So, this month has basically gone quickly, what with moving Ed's mom's stuff into our place, seeing the 5th Harry Potter film, awaiting the 7th Harry Potter book, and trying to get some laundry done in the meantime.
Yes, other stuff has been going on (my friend Miriam broke her wrist, Ed had an interview but nothing came of it, the stationery shop will be moving, I've had computer problems at home), but my brain is too freakin' fried to cope with it all. Besides, it's not all that interesting.
Friday, July 13, 2007
Paraskavedekatriaphobia
That's an irrational fear of Friday the 13th (the date, not the films -- which were enough to send anyone screaming from the theaters, not because they were frightening but because they were frighteningly bad, but that's another story).
According to an item in USA Today, this phobia affects approximately 21 million people in the USA (although the source for this statistic isn't sharing his/her data).
Personally, I'd not have known it was "Friday the 13th" until someone or something (such as an article in USA Today) pointed it out. In my mind, today is not a bad luck day. It's the 13th of the month.
And, as it turns out, the 13th of July is also the wedding anniversary of one of my sisters and her husband, and to them I wish all happiness and good health.
According to an item in USA Today, this phobia affects approximately 21 million people in the USA (although the source for this statistic isn't sharing his/her data).
Personally, I'd not have known it was "Friday the 13th" until someone or something (such as an article in USA Today) pointed it out. In my mind, today is not a bad luck day. It's the 13th of the month.
And, as it turns out, the 13th of July is also the wedding anniversary of one of my sisters and her husband, and to them I wish all happiness and good health.
Thursday, July 12, 2007
Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix
This was an enjoyable film, certainly of the quality of all of the ones that preceded it, if not better simply because a lot of the younger actors have gotten better at acting. I can understand why some reviewers criticized it as choppy. Had I not been familiar with the book, I'd have felt forced uncomfortably from one event to the next in at least the first half or two-thirds of the film. The last section, starting from the scene with the fireworks, I think, hung together very well.
I've read an article from salon.com that is a Q&A with Michael Goldenberg, the writer who adapted this book for the screen. I can certainly sympathize with the problems of adapting the story from the page (a medium which is nearly limitless for story telling) to the screen (a medium which is primarily visual and therefore has certain limitations for story telling). I don't think he was as successful with the last few minutes of this film, however. Harry is merely walking with his friends to catch the Hogwarts Express back to London and he remarks that the friendship he has with Ron, Hermione, et al., is what makes him different from Voldemort. I think this story needed that little bit of a twinkle-in-the-eye ending, the kind that the book gave us when Mad-Eye Moody, Tonks, and Lupin (with the Weasleys and the Grangers standing nearby, no doubt) told the Dursleys that they (the Dursleys) had better treat Harry well. I was looking forward to Mad-Eye tipping his hat so that his funky eye would wink at Uncle Vernon. To me, that would have been the ultimate show of friendship -- we'll stand up for you against the people who should love you but don't.
I sincerely hope there are extended versions of these films offered eventually on DVD. I'm talking about the kind where the deleted scenes are fully integrated with the film. It would be nice to see a fuller story.
And, as I've often said, it would be nice to see these books adapted into a more detailed form such as a television mini-series. I'm thinking of the great work that was done with the 6-hour Pride & Prejudice, which told that story and conveyed the manners of the period in great depth. Yes, it would be a huge undertaking, but I'm sure it would pay billions in revenues!
I've read an article from salon.com that is a Q&A with Michael Goldenberg, the writer who adapted this book for the screen. I can certainly sympathize with the problems of adapting the story from the page (a medium which is nearly limitless for story telling) to the screen (a medium which is primarily visual and therefore has certain limitations for story telling). I don't think he was as successful with the last few minutes of this film, however. Harry is merely walking with his friends to catch the Hogwarts Express back to London and he remarks that the friendship he has with Ron, Hermione, et al., is what makes him different from Voldemort. I think this story needed that little bit of a twinkle-in-the-eye ending, the kind that the book gave us when Mad-Eye Moody, Tonks, and Lupin (with the Weasleys and the Grangers standing nearby, no doubt) told the Dursleys that they (the Dursleys) had better treat Harry well. I was looking forward to Mad-Eye tipping his hat so that his funky eye would wink at Uncle Vernon. To me, that would have been the ultimate show of friendship -- we'll stand up for you against the people who should love you but don't.
I sincerely hope there are extended versions of these films offered eventually on DVD. I'm talking about the kind where the deleted scenes are fully integrated with the film. It would be nice to see a fuller story.
And, as I've often said, it would be nice to see these books adapted into a more detailed form such as a television mini-series. I'm thinking of the great work that was done with the 6-hour Pride & Prejudice, which told that story and conveyed the manners of the period in great depth. Yes, it would be a huge undertaking, but I'm sure it would pay billions in revenues!
Tuesday, July 03, 2007
"Anerkannt rings im Land. . ."
May 25, 1929 – July 2, 2007
Monday, July 02, 2007
Atlantis Space Shuttle at Offutt
The Atlantis Space Shuttle landed (on the back of a NASA 747) at Offutt AFB yesterday. It was a stopover on its way back to Florida. Bad flying weather south of us caused the overnight detour.
It took off this morning around 8:00 a.m. One of my co-workers got this picture and shared it with all of us.
Sunday, July 01, 2007
Something about June?
It's odd that a number of the blogs I usually check seem to have had a post sometime around June 23 - 26 and then no more. Are we all on break?
This is the first weekend when I've been pretty much free. Not completely free -- I had to go into my full-time job on Saturday to make up some time I missed due to being with my DH on Thursday -- but pretty much free. We even went to see a movie on Saturday, the new Die Hard film (which could easily have been titled, "If it moves, blow it up").
This morning I went to the pool and did 30 minutes of water aerobics with my friend Richard, then went back to sleep when I got home. It was communion Sunday at my church, and I'm just not comfortable with that yet. ("Do we all eat this now? How long do I have to hold onto this? Can't we just do it like the Catholics and eat it when it's handed to us? Can we have real wine next time?") And I slept a lot today. I've been so tired, and it's no wonder.
Our house is full of boxes and stuff. I'm not looking forward to the work ahead of us.
This is the first weekend when I've been pretty much free. Not completely free -- I had to go into my full-time job on Saturday to make up some time I missed due to being with my DH on Thursday -- but pretty much free. We even went to see a movie on Saturday, the new Die Hard film (which could easily have been titled, "If it moves, blow it up").
This morning I went to the pool and did 30 minutes of water aerobics with my friend Richard, then went back to sleep when I got home. It was communion Sunday at my church, and I'm just not comfortable with that yet. ("Do we all eat this now? How long do I have to hold onto this? Can't we just do it like the Catholics and eat it when it's handed to us? Can we have real wine next time?") And I slept a lot today. I've been so tired, and it's no wonder.
Our house is full of boxes and stuff. I'm not looking forward to the work ahead of us.
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