"Around the world in 80 days"

My Nana had a music box in the shape of a little bird in a cage that played that tune. The bird would hop back and forth from perch to perch as it played. I actually think it was her sister's. It's amazing what we remember isn't it? I thought of my Nana this weekend too.

Anyway, I thought of flying around the world in a balloon after reading this story about a man in Oregon who took off for the Idaho border in a lawn chair rigged with over 150 helium-filled party balloons. I mean, who hasn't as a kid thought, "if I only had enough of them I could take off..."?

He is equipped with a BB gun and a blowgun for popping balloons if he gets too high and three 15-gallon barrels of cherry Kool-Aid for ballast to release if he gets too low.

What I want to know is, why cherry Kool-Aid? Why not just water? And if he needs to pee will he need to shoot out a balloon or two?

We had a wonderful 4th in NYC. The backyard oasis was rocking with kids, food, and fun. Then I was treated to the Macy's fireworks over the East River from the balcony of my friend's new co-op. The view was amazing. Plus I saw some good old friends.

Girlie-Girl leaves for camp in Oregon tomorrow. Biggest One lands 6 hours later. Maybe they'll see Balloon Man. We plan to kill time on Boston Harbor. Hopefully we won't capsize. That would suck.

Movie Review of WALL-E

You know all the hype you’ve been hearing, the glowing reviews for Pixar’s “WALL-E”?

Believe them.

You must see this movie. Remember back when you saw “Toy Story” and marveled at this new-fangled computerized animation? Despite seriously having what I would refer to as cinematography, that doesn’t even begin to speak to the brilliance of this movie.

There is no dialog for like the first half-hour of the film. Yet you come to know all about WALL-E- as our “hero”. Even without words you learn how and why the Earth is this apocalyptic-like trash filled wasteland. There are all the subtle nuances meant for the grown ups, but this time, they coax more of a melancholy smile than a guffaw. When we see humans as these obese, technology-addicted blobs who don’t even walk anymore, it’s funny-but at the same time it’s not.

Yet it never ever crosses the line into preachy-ness. Even the “bad-guys” aren’t really bad; they’re computers just following orders. That’s not a spoiler is it? I hope not.

The little “homages” to other classic films are wonderful. And the irony of the whole opening scene is too good to be true. I must get the soundtrack.

Run to see this movie. I swear it must be nominated for best picture, and it wouldn’t be a farce.

Look at what I made

This is my first attempt at felting. It's a vase. I can't believe it really worked and it was so easy.

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"T*ts shouldn't even be on the list!"

I was so sad to hear about George Carlin this morning. I had recently heard ads for an upcoming performance in my area soon. I wasn't going to post about it, but this video on Yahoo this afternoon was so poignant and honest I wanted to share it here:



Rest in Peace George. You cocksucker motherfucker! :)

Thank you, Calvin Klein

It's amazing how comfortable your underwear becomes when you come to the realization that your 41 year-old ass is bigger than your 29 year-old ass and you buy a few new pairs at a bigger size.

And yes, I know many of you are getting your mini-violins out for me.

House update: It's officially listed. It looks gorgeous! We had an open house with a lot of traffic. Some interest but still in limbo. Other agents are seeing it today, and it's being shown to someone tomorrow. Think good thoughts.

Kids are out of school. Hooooooray. We slept until 9AM this morning. Mmmmm... Of course they bickered from 10-11 so ask me how I feel in two weeks.

If you teach a mom to sail

I love sailing.

Time has past since I wrote about my first sailing adventures. Since I enjoyed it so much, I wanted to go on and take the advanced sailing classes, because you know, a basic course in anything is enough to get you in the door, or in this case on the dock. But in reality, all you really know enough to scratch your bum and say, um, "I don't remember..." especially if you don't do it again for months. While I get out on the boat with hubby, so I do get some experience, it's betterdifferent when you have a teacher-type person explaining something instead of your significant other.

But seriously, the more times different people try to teach you about the same subject in different ways it all converges into this conflagration of common sense. Like that giant ACME anvil falling on your head in a moment of clarity. After this week, I feel like the "mystery" has been taken out of sailing for me. Before it was some secret, Dead Poet's Society-bond-magic-cult that I was on the outside looking in on. Now, bring on that boom vang and back stay! Give me gusts at 15-20 knots! I'll put that spinnaker up no problem.

Now growing up, my dad had a fishing boat on the easter shore of Long Island, NY. It wasn't a sailboat, it was a fishing boat, but I think the experience of being out on the water stayed with me. I really loved it. I loved the smell of the salt, diesel fuel, and yes---smelly fish of the marina. I loved catching fish. Remind me and I'll post a picture of me, all of 40 pounds soaking wet, holding this huge fluke fish I caught that won a prize.

Can you imagine if I got myself a pole, rig, and fluke lure for the sailboat? We could anchor ourselves up off Winthrop or Gloucester and drop a line? I'd have the best of both worlds! Plus cold beer because I'm legal.

So would be the fish by the way. I'd never keep a shorter.

life update

Is the school year over yet? Though as I’m saying that a little voice in my head is whispering, “be careful what you wish for G…” Because I know all the stuff I have to do right now is better accomplished with them gone from 8AM to 2PM.

I’m popping in for a brief life update. If you talk to me in person, don’t ask “So when are you moving into the new house?” because it’s a bad subject right now. But, dear brother-in-law B is up here helping us paint and get the old house pretty to show. The bathroom came out great! Family room is primed and ready to paint. Then it’s the hallway, some miscellaneous windows, and the boys room. Oh, and I need to get new carpet put in up there. Oh, and power washing the siding, and the gutters and windows cleaned out. Hubby made a good observation this weekend: imagine how much easier this would be if we actually had done a spring-cleaning every year. I hope to take this lesson across town.

Meanwhile the laundry and dog hair continue to accumulate. I think I might need tea and a scone this week.

Hugs and kisses.

It didn't rain

But it was windy as all hell both days this weekend. Actually, I could make a joke about it was "raining men" as I was one of only two women in this class and we were not on the same boat. LOL I think I did well. I at least feel more confident and comfortable. Sunday's trip was a sail out around the harbor islands and back. We had the perfect wind to do it. I was really worried it'd be too rough to handle for me, but it was perfect. The Sailing Center does a really good job. (Special shout out to Adrian this week since I mentioned François last week. We had the best crew!) I might have to take the advanced class to get more time on a boat with an instructor to get better at it. I may not be content to just be "1st mate." Granted, I'm the only mate. At least legally. hee.

Boston sports teams got spanked this weekend. Meh. Now it's Monday. Sadness. Reality. Back to all things house related. Ciao bellos!

Toys

I really wanted to write s_x toys but god know what kind of hits I'd get.

So remember when I wrote about the Dora the Explorer Aquapet that looked like a vibrator?
And, how it wasn't the first time a kid's toy could potentially be used for self gratification?

Well, I want to be the first to try out the Indiana Jones Electronic Sound FX Whip.

I've had Christopher Cross stuck in my head for a week

So I should really know better than to talk shit. Tuesday afternoon I was so excited to take the hubby out on a boat to show him what I learned. But, it was so easy to grab the mooring Sunday! It did it perfect three times! My instructor said so.

That said, if any of you sailing center staff reading this were watching the goofball trying to navigate the mooring field with just the jib up on Tuesday, that was me. But it's partly hubby's fault! Since he's been on the larger cruising boats with a wheel he kept telling me the wrong way he wanted me to move the tiller. :p The smaller boat keeps you honest.

Meanwhile, in other learn to sail news...


Can you feel my joy through cyberspace? It's a good thing I'm into yellow rubber. ;-) And I already know I won't melt.

~*~*~*~*~*~*~

I've been pretty silent on American Idol this season. It's really about to jump the shark, no? At least Jason went home. If Syesha had left I'd have lost all faith in the American television viewing public. David Cook better win.

I really need my nails done but I hesitate to given the fact that I have to rig sails on a boat and pull lines. First things first I have to work on the house.

Even though I'm made of sugar I didn't melt

Now that ski season is officially over, my husbandfamily turns its thoughts to sailing. If you remember hubby has the power and skill to sail those really big boats. We took that wonderful trip to Salem last year. Well, he thought it would be good, and not mention helpful if I took a “learn to sail” class so I’d be able to be a better crewmember. :p

The fact that the class was a full Saturday and Sunday for two sequential weekends was not all that thrilling, but this was important, and I did want to be more useful on the boat and know what was going on. It would certainly enhance my enjoyment of going out of a cruise.

My first class was this past Saturday. I think I was in denial that the rain would go all day, as I went to Louis Warf in a sweatshirt, windbreaker, and Merrell slides. (Hey, they’re my deck shoes!) You see, I hate rain. The only thing worse than rain, is cold rain---cold rain with wind. On a day like that, my idea of a good time is being under a blanket watching Jimmy Stewart woo Kate Hepburn. So, after the morning lecture, knowing we were then going to head out onto the boats, I dodged the drizzle to grab some chowder and a beer at the Sail Loft, replacing thoughts like, “thanks a lot Dear!” and “Oh you better appreciate this!” with more of a Zen-like, “Oh well, how bad could it be? They have rain gear for me” and “I have no control over the weather but I will have control over the boat.”

Looking much like the Gorton’s Fisherman I stepped into the Soling to spend 4 hours in the rain and 10 knot “breeze” coming out of the east-northeast. I bought deckhand gloves for $20. Not that they helped keep my hands warm mind you as they got wet the minute I started rigging the sails. And while the bright yellow rubber jacket and pants kept me pretty dry, once your feet are soaked and hands numb there’s only so warm your core will keep. But, I have to say it does help to have a charming French-Canadian instructor named François showing you how to man the tiller. I actually managed to enjoy myself.

Sunday’s forecast wasn’t looking any better. Now, hubby had a boat reserved for the day, and was going to take his brother and the kids out for a sail and then meet me after my class. The wussies bailed, while I braved the elements! And you know what? The storm moved out quickly; there wasn’t much more than leftover mist, and the light wind conditions made it easy to practice the maneuvers. I rocked! And I don’t mean the boat. It really was a lot of fun. It’s a great, and powerful feeling to control the boat. Now I can’t wait to get out and show hubby what I can do!

Hi, my name is

While I am not bemoaning the return of springtime weather, I have to say I hate having to shave my legs with regularity. Not that I have to. I could shun Western grooming expectations and walk around like a neo-naturalist hippie. I choose to have my legs oogle-worthy. Not that they're much of that lately. Spider veins. Thanks mom.

I had such high hopes for this week's Idol. I love Andrew Lloyd Webber. Except for Carly's JC and Syesha's One Rock and Roll Too Many (From Starlight Express, btw, which explains why I'd never heard it. LOL) everyone was a train wreck. Okay, dear David Cook is never a train wreck, but I really wanted to hear him belt out a Judas number from Superstar.

And what happens? The two best performers of the night end up in the bottom three! I think mild-mannered middle America was put off by tats, offended by rock singing about The big J.C. and a sexy PYT African American Syesha.

Jason Castro: secret love child of John Travolta?















I wish I could've found a better picture to show the comparison. Castro looks more like him when he sings, eyes closed, face scrunched, wide smiling mouth. D and I kept expecting him to say "Sandy! Oh, Sandy!"

I have a cold again. WTF is up with me getting sick? Speaking of sick is April vacation over yet?

a whole lotta nothin

Some crazy lady called my house last night and started singing the Post Raisin Bran commercial, and then hung up on me.

I think you need the visual:


For those of you who don't know, we bought a new house! So life is really busy trying to clear clutter, and make lots of plans and arrangements. Hence the sparse entries. So I'm off to shower, and hit the Homer

Bibliography

I returned a bunch of library books yesterday, almost on time. Only one day late; that's pretty good for me. Plus, it ended up being half-fine day---I let them have the whole fifty cents though. They need the money. The building is falling apart, and I'm sure the materials could use a bit of updating. They do pretty well though, in recent months they've added a bunch of DVD's, CD music, and audio books on CD.

As I walked out of the building I was reminded of a local conservative radio host ranting over a news item about the Brookline library looking for more funds through a tax override. Putting aside the debate about taxes and budgets, this guy was totally devaluing libraries saying, "Who uses the library anymore anyway? Everyone uses the internet. There's a Borders bookstore on every other corner." My issue is not to debate how much money they need to operate or who should pay for it (but they have always been publicly supported, hence the name public library!) but to say they are obsolete I think is very elitist and unfair. Not everyone has a "lucrative radio career" and writes for the Boston Herald. Some people actually use the library for books and movies. School kids still use it for references, since Wikipedia is not accepted by most teachers as reputable, and most home computers don't come with subscriptions to Lexis-Nexis. They also serve as community centers, offering story times, and lectures. Ours is now sponsoring a game night for youths and teens to come and have pizza, play board games and socialize.

The town next to us voted down an override and their library lost its accreditation. They can no longer be part of the network, and our library won't lend books to them. It's sad, since they had renovated the building and had a really nice space. I hate the fact that it seems slowly but surely the fabric that holds us together is slowly being eroded as technology advances and our economy evolves.

I admit I don't take advantage of the library a lot. I try to. I go through spurts, end up with books a month overdue, and remember that I can't get one read and returned by the due date. A friend has a problem with the fact that other people's fingers have been all over the book, and God knows where they've been. LOL. A valid point, I guess. I guess I figure the germs have died by the time I pick it up.

Speaking of germs, I had a sore throat for a week, so I finally went to the doctors office. Turns out I have strep. You know, I would have thought I'd have a fever and more symptoms. Granted the throat hurt like a mother... But I suddenly started to feel really shitty, so I figure I must have gone in just in time before I dropped dead of sepsis or scarlet fever. I'm on antibiotics now, and it feels a little bit better, but I am still icky and tired.

gimme gimme more

You know how everyone has those "rewards cards" now? Seriously, everyone at the check-out now asks me, "do you have a rewards card?" Most of them are just crap, because they send you coupons that of course sit in my pile of mail or other school notices---some might even make it into my pocketbook, until they expire. I'll find them every bi-annual throw out. "$10 off your next $50 purchase." "$5 ACE Hardware bucks". Down the drain. At least I try to recycle the paper they're printed on. For God's sake the CVS hands them to you on your receipt and I can't even manage to redeem them. Someone one said to me, and now I am getting paranoid about it, is that they are using this to track what you buy, like Big Brother. But do I really care if the government or more likely some marketing agency knows that I have hemorrhoid's, or like Loreal Vive shampoo?

It reminds me how New Hampshire resisted getting the EZ Pass/Fast Lane toll transponder for their highways because they didn't like the idea of someone being able to track their movements. (Live Free or Die!) And you know, I would never even think of that shit. I would make a terrible spy or criminal.

But anyway, back to rewards cards. The one, and only one, worth the ink and non-biodegradable plastic it's printed on is the Sephora Beauty Insider Rewards. So you accumulate points per bucks spent, and when you reach the magic number, (a most easily attainable $100) you get a product sample. On the spot. Not a coupon in the mail I have to bring in to the store within like some stupid two week time frame, an honest-t0-goodness decent sized lip gloss, mineral powder, eye cream, night treatment serum...and I get a choice! This system was made for a company like Sephora. Let me see how amazing the NV Perricone Skin Smoothing Serum is. I might just plop down $59 for the full size if I like it. And those little samples make great travel items to leave in your valise. CVS should give me a sample of Tums or Loreal instead of stupid Rewards Bucks that expire in the bottom of my purse. I might spend more money there.

I have to say, as expensive as it is, NV Perricone stuff is freaking amazing, but I still can barely bring myself to shell out how much it costs, and there is stuff on the market like Kinerase that costs even more. Maybe when my wrinkles get worse...

Speaking of wrinkles I got a facial today. The girl who I normally see left. I was so sad! I loved her. But I have to say, Trina gave the most amazing massage to my head, neck, shoulders, and arms. But, damn, the woman squeezed every blackhead out of my face with gusto.

So, coming soon...some serious product reviews.