Wednesday, January 28, 2009

January Jeopardy for Mabel’s Life

· Category: Toddler Talk and Terrorists During Holidays for $200.
· The Answer: Applehead.
· The Question: What do you call the defensive move characterized by a 3-year old named Paytience hitting your 2-year old nephew Malachi on his head with the nearest fruit the day after Thanksgiving?

· Category: Answering the Callings for $0.
· The Answer: Service.
· The Question: What is the term given to teaching in the Senior Nursery with 10 crazy 3-year olds and teaching in the Wolf Den (Cub Scouts) with 3(soon to be 7) active 8-year old boys in your ward?

· Category: Precipitous Events for $550
· The Answer: Raining On My Parade, and Bed, and Couch, and…
· The Question: What do you call the leak from the 3rd floor sprinkler system that eventually flooded all the way down to our studio last week and requiring us to camp out at Rachel’s for a couple of days and temporarily relocating to a 2 bedroom while we wait for the repairs to be completed?

· Category: Chess for $1000
· The Answer: The Queen aka Mabel.
· The Question: Name the chess piece that has the greatest range on the chess board OR the only female in University City Ward’s Troop 215 leadership?

· Category: Journeys of a Lifetime for $Priceless.
· The Answer: Knowing I’m right where I’m supposed to be and doing what I need to right now.
· The Question: What keeps a middle aged, college grad, unemployed, re-located Islander sane and able to handle the separation from all things familiar and comfortable?

That’s all we have time for. Tune in next month for an exciting new version of “Wheel of Fortunate Happenings that Lead to My Sweet Husband.”

Friday, January 16, 2009

Blue about Grey’s
Is it me or is Grey’s Anatomy beginning to suck? I arrived in Charlotte almost 2 years ago. My sisters, Maki and Ray, as well as my brother Teezy F. Baby, were all hooked on this much praised show. Ray had it on her DVR. I watched, mid season 3, and then started to catch up on DVDs. I got hooked. I loved all of them, McDreamy and McSteamy.
I waited anxiously to get to season 4, and was rewarded. Loads of “Medical” and heaps of “Drama” in this season. But now, here in season 5, I could care less. In fact, I have gone from interest to irritation to disinterest.
What I’m bothered with on Grey’s is this repeated use of repeated dialogue.
Ex: A woman who finds out she is going to die of cancer says “It’s not fair. It’s not fair. It’s not fair.” in a slowly fading voice.
An intern, trying to seduce her attending, says “Teach me. Teach me. Teach me.” as she undresses.
A resident tells another resident she likes “I care about you. I care about you. I care about you.” until he plants a big smooch on her.
All these lines are delivered with a straight face. I know it’s only supposed to mirror real life, but I don’t know anyone who talks like that. And what’s up with the three-peatness of all these lines?
Is it me or is that just terrible writing?
Terrible. Terrible. Terrible.

Saturday, January 10, 2009

The Field is Un-Harvestable...

Trapped on my old computer at home are some 20+ pieces that I have worked on since September.
I am currently unable to transfer them from the dinosaurean relic of a desktop that I have to the new fangled comps here at Junius's work-school-library.
I also found at least 5 other pieces, in longhand, that were tucked away in my yellow and blue composition books that I tabbed last year.
Can I just say that reading my own writing after a year of forgetting was a treat. I actually had forgotten what I wrote, so each piece was a surprise. Some of the surprises were surprisingly good.
But then again, my writing is like my cooking.
I always love what I cook.

Thursday, January 1, 2009

The 2-Way Street Called Forgiveness.

I was stopped by a conscience police at the intersection of self-righteousness and humility. He ticketed me for things unfinished in years prior. The list of offenses may be longer than I want to admit. But again, it was a conscience police. What lie could I give him that would work?
I may be due in court to discuss my side of this soon.

Hello 2009. You and I will be GREAT friends!

Just a few thoughts as this new year begins.
I don't intend to make a bunch of resolutions and fail to keep them.
I will make a list of things to focus my creative energy on, and my new found love of "follow through".
For instance, none of this "Lose Weight" mantra. I just want to be "Fit and Healthy". So here we go.
Write daily, publish frequently.
Express my gratitude as often as needed.
Be gracious in all situations, especially uncomfortable ones.
Do something wild, unpredictable, spontaneous, yet safe and legal, sometime this year.
Let go of fear. It is the little death.
Replace bouts of profanity with unusual choices. This month's word:
APPLEHEAD! (*story to come later this month)
Share the fantastic feats of AJ and Malachi with the universe.
Support and guide Beenie.
Love Junius.