Month: March 2003

chicago

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Had a lovely time in the city. N and I stayed at the Omni on Michigan Avenue and went to dinner at Hugo’s Frog Bar, where we went on our honeymoon. Amanda met us there and took us out to some bars at Rush & Divison – Bootleggers, Shenaningans, The Original Mothers, and Bar Chicago. Good times. Instead of going to the class in the morning, we relaxed at the hotel – I took a bath and Nate slept. We went to IKEA on the way home – got fun things like a tart pan and tea lights and a beach sheet that I’m going to make into curtains. We stopped at World Market in town – it’s not the mecca of groceries, as she described it, but it is pretty damned cool.

N’s parents had an open house to celebrate their renovations – the house looks really nice. I felt kind of stupid because I didn’t know A LOT of the people there, so it was nice to have Sarah and Joe with us. Joe and Sarah came over later – N shaved Joe’s head – and Steph joined us for movies and pizza. It was so good to see her.

Later…

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So we’re not going to NoMI. It was going to be $120 for the two of us to go to a demonstration. No lunch, no actual hands-on cooking. Just a demo. That’s waay too much money. So instead we’re going to go to dinner, crash at the hotel, relax a bunch, then go to IKEA on the way home. I’m bummed about the cooking class cos I was really looking forward to it – but it just isn’t worth the money.

Also, the two glorious weeks of no work and being in training have been cancelled. Instead I will work all next week, then be in training a day, work a week, then be in training a week. What a freaking mess!

OK. Two more hours of work, then WEEKEND.

art

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Why I’m glad the Oscars went on as planned: because, like Nicole Kidman said, art is important. In light of the 24 hour, all war all the time coverage, it’s important to celebrate beauty. It’s important to celebrate and recognize those who have inspired us. The $30,000 (rumored) gift baskets are a bit much – but I don’t resent the people behind the Oscars for distracting me for a couple of hours, for giving me something fun to think about.

Oh, and Adrien Brody.

The House of Winds

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So here I am at the house of winds. I decided awhile ago that when my site started getting in the excess of 200 hits per week, I would buy my own domain. So I did. Welcome to the House of Winds. For those of you who have this site bookmarked or linked, please update your links to http://www.houseofwinds.com. Thank you.

Watched the Oscars last night while reading the paper and making cards. SO happy about Nicole Kidman’s win, though I think she was almost more deserving last year. She was – luminous – as Virginia Woolf. I was so anxious about her playing my beloved Virginia – but when I saw her I just gasped. She was her – and wasn’t. And the scene in the train station was exactly what I imagined. At the same time, I’m glad The Hours didn’t win for best picture – it was remarkable – but not entirely what (I believe) Michael Cunningham intended. Catherine Zeta-Jones was absolutely radiant – let’s hope she doesn’t name this one Oscar. 🙂 Adrian Brody nearly made me cry. I was so happy for him. And Eminem and Roman Polanski – WOW!!!! Who saw those coming?

Lovely weekend. Friday night we grilled out at Chuck & Michelle’s – Saturday I cleaned and had a fabbo Stampin Up party. Spent too much money on stamps and other goodies, but got 3 sets free and $45 in free stuff, so that’s not too bad.

Yes, I’m avoiding the war. I’m actually avoiding all coverage that I can. I watched some of the “Shock and Awe” show Friday night – and it was all I could do to keep from crying. Cait had some really sage and intelligent things to say about it the other day. And pray for peace – peace and a swift return of those who love us and whom we love – of those fighting for freedom, for the country we love. Whatever your feelings about the war – you can still pray for peace.

rain

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I feel kind of weird blogging in the morning.

Thought for the day: veggie sausage is best when consumed within the month when it was purchased. I pulled the last two links out of the freezer for breakfast and they’re like eating small sticks. Yuck.

Are compassion and sympathy values our society no longer, well, values? I know the answer is no – I have had too many emails and comments since Carol’s death for me to believe otherwise. Sarah, Dan, Heidi, Ursula, Amanda, Eva, Ada, Krist & Erika, Jen and more have emailed me or left comments that give me hope. It’s just so frustrating to deal with inconsideracy and lack of compassion. I’m not asking you to change the world, to bring back Carol, to fix my friends’ lives when they have problems – all I want is “I’m sorry” or “that sucks” or “Ouch.” I don’t think that’s too much to ask.

Carol’s funeral was hard. Hard. I haven’t been to a funeral in years – and then it wasn’t someone as dear to me as she was. Her best friend from grade school talked about what a gift she was to all of us – how every good thing is a gift from God and that Carol was really a treasure. She talked about how Carol’s faith permeated every aspect of her life – how she just radiated the love of Christ. It’s so true. Carol was the best witness I’ve ever seen.

But I think the hardest part of the funeral was seeing Roger. He’s in his 70s now and has ALWAYS been just filled with life and enthusiasm and cheer. Yesterday he looked broken. And that, more than anything, made me weep.

funeral

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It is cool and crisp outside – and delicious as we have all the windows open. That’s the funny thing about early spring – no matter how cool it is, it’s warmer than snow so everyone has the windows open. Yesterday I made a sandwich and sat out on the porch so I could absorb the sun and warm.

Carol’s funeral is today. I’m going in to work early – in about 10 minutes – then leaving at 10:40 to go to the church. Jen is coming with me, which will be nice. It’s good when you don’t have to be brave by yourself.

And thank you, all, for your tremendous compassion and thoughtfulness at this difficult time. Your emails really do mean the world to me.

pigface

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The Friday Five:
1. Do you like talking on the phone? Why or why not?
I can take it or leave it. I spent so much time on/near the phone at work that I don’t really want to talk much once I get home.
2. Who is the last person you talked to on the phone?
Clint
3. About how many telephones do you have at home?
3 – home, my mobile, and Nate’s work mobile
4. Have you encountered anyone who has really bad phone manners? What happened?
Loads of people. I work in customer service, after all. My favorite? “AMCORE Bank, this is Elizabeth.”
“This is 123456789. What’s my balance?”
OR, left in voice mail:
“You have reached the Online Support department at AMCORE Bank. Our normal working hours are 8:30-6. Please leave your name, number, email address, and a description of your problem…”
“It’s 2:30. It is not 6:00. Forget it.”
And then they wonder why we don’t call them back.
5. Would you rather pick up the phone and call someone or write them an e-mail or a letter? Why or why not?
Depends on the situation. If I need an immediate answer, I call. If I need to hear pretty soon – or if it’s just something quick – I’ll email. I heart email. If I just want to write, I’ll write a letter.

Pigface fucking kicked ass. The crush of people. The feel of vinyl against my skin. Curse screaming. Seibold in the suit. Suck at full volume with the floor shaking from the screaming and pounding and jumping up and down. Awesome. We’re going to try to catch them in Chicago on 20 April – I can’t fucking wait.