Emmy D

Diet Joys and Woes

2012-01-18T21:57:00.000-05:00

Food has always been a concern of mine, but until recently I never realized how concerning it was. Thanks to some good conversations with Jess relating to overall holistic health, I decided to see a Naturopath. I was tired of being shipped off to another specialist or given another prescription to "solve" a problem rather than getting to the underlying reasons for why I have been feeling like crap.

Three weeks on an anti-candida (yeast) diet and I feel like a different person. I have been happy and excited and smiling and awake like I haven't been in months (years?). Yesterday I got the results of my allergy testing back and it seems I am allergic to eggs and yeast. WTF? At least that explains why I have felt better being on an anti-yeast diet (which is a pain in the rear by the way). But that means no more beer. No more bread. No more baked goods. At least outside of the home. What will I do about brunch when everything has eggs and bread?

I will have to be creative. Fortunately there are more resources now than ever about cooking without eggs (potato flour seems to be a substitute of choice) and a few about baking without yeast (baking soda and lemon juice has been the most common suggestion). Todd is researching filtered beers. These next 4 weeks will be the hardest while I still can't have wheat or sugar or cheese. I bought some various gluten free flours today. Lesson - chickpea flour REALLY takes like chickpeas.

So I'm trying to stay positive and not think about Bartender's Pizza or Bonaparte Bread. It will be worth it. It has to.

And if nothing else, read my new find about life in Paris. Drool!

The Last 5%

2011-11-21T18:34:00.001-05:00

3 years, 8 months. 11 months of working out of a truck and trailer, of breathing dust and concrete, of watching for green end up, of seeing finches and red tails and white tails and sunrises as a part of my daily routine.

Yes, we are in the last 5% of this race to complete - less than that. The road opens in exactly 12 hours minus 18 minutes. The past 3 and a half years of my life nearly dedicated to this project! A highway is not a girl's dream job, but it has been remarkable what I have learned and seen. While I can't wait to head back to the office and new projects and deadlines and people to work with, I have to reflect on all those days on site and those things that kept me going.

I'd like to share some of those things that the people racing along at 65 mph will never see or think about. My world.

In 'Hood Date Night

2011-10-14T21:08:00.000-04:00

Todd and I had an impromptu date night tonight. Our friends were out of town. I left work early (on time). Todd left work early. It's Friday in the fall in Baltimore. Fridays in Fells Point mean many things, not the least being happy hour at Ze Mean Bean, the local eastern European restaurant. I love everything about ZMB - the wood and brick walls, polished tables, dark bottles of wine, low candle and Christmas string lighting. Happy Hour here is $0.25 pierogies - homemade pockets of heaven, filled with potato, farmer's cheese or saurkraut. $5 drink specials. I had a glass of Pinot Noir and Todd had Bison Grass vodka on the rocks, each with a selection of pierogies. $25 for dinner and drinks for 2. A pair of musicians playing James Taylor and Van Morrison and The Beatles. Chatting with the bartender. Feeling warm and cozy and never wanting to leave. Getting dressed up (getting out of wet jeans and work boots) and feeling like a lady and loving this city more than I have in awhile. Feeling more content than I have in awhile. An almost-chilled October evening.

Perfect. Slight wine buzz. Carbon Leaf. New camera.

Ready for a good weekend after work tomorrow.

2011-08-07T09:49:00.000-04:00

here

Really loving this picture right now.

I'm trying hard to find the things that make me happy, and to allow myself to be happy instead of dwelling on the rough elements of life.

I've been a bit of a mirerable wretch these past weeks.

My purse was stolen 2 weeks ago on vacation, including all my keys (I drove there), wallet, phone, camera. A week and a half later I have finally replaced everything except the camera, which makes me feel like a little bit of my soul is still missing. I am more at home behind a camera than almost anywhere else. The reason I have not replaced my camera is because this past week I had a car accident, bending my wheel, steering and either bending or crushing just about everything else associated with it. Insurance has made me indescribably angry and frustrated, and has left me feeling stupid and naiive. Hovering over all of it has been having my grandmother go from the hospital to moving out of her cottage and into an appartment and having she and her daughters go through all of her possesions and divide them amongst the family. It has left me upset and confused and depressed and scared, not having seen or talked to her throughout it all. And then I broke all our soup bowls. Yes, the last could have been much worse, but it was just the last crack in the foundation.

So I am trying, desperately trying, to work little by little to see the good things that exist and not dwell on all the bad. My friends have been incredible and encouraging. My boyfriend has been patient and kind. My family came to visit. My cat is continuously rediculous. I've been spending more time than I have in many months reading the blogs I love of some amazing women, emersing myself in the beauty of their lives, showing me how to find the beauty in my own. This morning outside the grocery store, I heard seagulls. Their mournful cries reminded me how lucky I am to live near to the coast and to take advantage of it more than I have. Take a walk along the harbor. Drive to the Eastern Shore. Just stop for a moment and breathe the salt air.

Most of all just slow down.

Slow down and close my eyes and breathe.

2011-08-03T20:10:00.000-04:00

I so desperately want to look on the bright side, past all the gray and feathers and murk, but I am equally desperate to figure out how to do that right now...

Turning on the Positive

2011-07-26T23:40:00.000-04:00

I'm not going to talk about the frustrations of this week, the circles spun, the seemingly boundless stress, the complaints and gripes, the heat or the lack of ethics.

I want to talk about better things.

The sun setting over the city of Baltimore from the Harbor.
Kind people who double check to ensure you a clear view and give you a chair.
The breeze off the water, blowing away the heat and humidity for a few blessed hours.
The giving of opinions just because they rhyme.
Accordians, banjos and mandolins.
Emmylou Harris' voice, cutting through the bands of time and race.
Thanking her for helping me embrace my own name - Emily Louise.
Notes drifting across the water.
Couples slow dancing next to the grass.
Emmylou bringing her rescue dogs on stage at the encore.
Proud declaration of age (64 and she's still going strong!).

And -

Encouragement from friends.
A fully corrected new license.
The word(s) "dirigible plum".

Wiped

2011-07-08T21:49:00.000-04:00

I feel so physically and brainially wiped out right now. Only posting because it takes less effort than getting myself to the shower. Even though [I feel like crap], I am proud of myself. Workouts 4 days in a row. Go me! Now I just have to make it through one more day of work (yes, Saturday work sucks).

Here are some photos from last weekend's berry picking excursion. Mmmmm blueberries. They even taste blue. I can't wait to make some jam with these!

Presidential Anagrams

2011-06-27T20:26:00.000-04:00

So way back during the 2008 Primaries, Brotherhood 2.0 did a post involving anagrams of all the candidates, and I may have come close to peeing my pants. Seems like a good idea to do it again! Some may be repeats, but I can't remember what the originals were without searching the original vlog.

GOP 2012 Candidates:

Mitt Romney -

Mime, Not Try (Could be good advice for him)

Metro Minty

Michele Bachmann (so many good results, here is a sampling) -

Mice Lab Henchman (scary)

Enhance Ham Climb

Machine Man Belch

Hermann Cain (who the heck is this?) -

Near Man Inch (dirty)

China Manner

Ron Paul -

Lunar Op

Newt Gingrich -

Retching Wing

Tim Pawlenty -

Talent Wimpy

Rick Santorum -

Romantic Rusk (I think not)

A Scrotum Rink (BAHAHAHA)

Jon Huntsman -

John Man Nuts

Sarah Palin -

La Piranhas

A Harp Snail

Oh and I did decide to search the original after all. Hope you enjoy, and if you are voting in the GOP primaries, I hope this sways your voting choice :)

Beauty

2011-06-25T17:34:00.002-04:00

This comes to me soon via her! Can't wait!

ART!

2011-06-10T16:32:00.000-04:00

I walked into an art supply store for the first time in about 3 1/2 years today. The last time was to buy supplies for a watercolor class right after I graduated and all I remember about the experience was choking back my exclamations regarding the price of my brushes.

Back when I was a college student (and poor/under my parents' nest), going to the supply store was a chore, because it meant the start of a long, painful and sleep deprived project and more dent to my school budget. It was just something we did, just like we went to studio every day and designed for 8 hours or more. (Then went down to the Cafe for a pitcher.) These days I don't do too much design. That is technically what my field is, but the arena in which I currently practice has little need for sketchbooks and charcoal pencils. My free time has been less and less inclined to art.

But today. Oh glorious day of leaving work early due to the heat (one benefit of working sans A.C.). I stopped in one of the 3 (!!!) supply stores near the local art college to pick up a few materials for my graphic exam on Monday. I walked in and was overwhelmed by the array of markers and paper and brushes and acrylic and oil and pastel - I wanted to buy them all!!! Fortunately my meter only had 10 minutes for me to get in and out so I left with only and assortment of pencils, pack of drawing markers, drawing board and pencil case.

The thing is, I haven't thought much about art for many years even though I did a lot of it in my day. Jewelry design (minimal in highschool), sewing and fashion design, watercolor. Heck, I was a design major! And somehow I managed to push it out of my mind that I had ever enjoyed doing those things. That I was too busy. That I was too impatient and too busy. (Ok those last two are true, at least the former for sure). But you can train yourself out of those things, can't you? I have to be patient with myself, gentle with myself. Allow myself to make mistakes. Take it like riding a horse, which I also push out of my mind how much I miss because it hurts too much to think about it. Know that it will take some time and I will continue to make mistakes, that walking can be the hardest lesson of all, that little my little you will get better, without - sometimes especially without - thinking about it.

So am I ready to make the foray back into art? I think so. Maybe this time I will get myself a book and really learn the process instead of getting frustrated that my first attempt is crap. (I definitely learn initially my direction and example.)

Artists out there - how did you get yourself past the initial attempts? Because I tend to think that you all started out fantastically. Prove me wrong? Please?

On Change

2011-06-02T19:50:00.000-04:00

My brain feels like soup. A mushy, semi-chunky, rather congealed then stewed gray mass. It could have something to do with the fact that it has been baking in 98 degree heat the past two days out on site. It is being tempered with a cheese [vege] burger in paradise and a cold draft beer. No pickle. That sounds gross right now.

"That which we manifest is before us;

we are the creators of our own destiny.

Be it through intention or ignorance,

our successes and our failures have been brought on

by none other than ourselves"

- Garth Stein

Indeed I say. However, it isn't until reality hits you, that you can begin to comprehend what that manifestation really is. That what you wished for really does come true. Like the genie's warning, wishes are different in the daylight. Perhaps that is why all those wishes on stars never come true. (And a good thing, or I would be overrun with cats and greyhounds and infatuated men.)

I swear this all has a point (maybe). What I am coming to is a really good thing. Apparently it is just taking awhile to get there. This is my last night living as a loner. Living alone (aside from cat, who is currently scooping breadcrumbs off my plate and into her mouth). Daily undergoing the chance that I will die and no one will know until the neighbors complain about the smell (slight exaggeration). The boy is moving down!! After many months of looking and trying and hoping and praying, he finally got recognized for all the hard work he puts in and was requested for this position! I am ridiculously proud. Proud is not quite the right word; I can't think of a better one right now. But it is everything we have been hoping for, and the path that started 7 years ago is now taking its next turn.

Hence change. I have never been the kind of person to imagine what their life would be like with another person. Not to say I didn't want to find a person to share it with, but I never dreamed up a wedding when I was a kid, children have never been a priority, I didn't let being single or by myself keep me from doing what I wanted. On the contrary, I often embraced the ability to drop and go do whatever I wanted. Although having the cat kept me from some of that (cats don't like to go unfed, mind you), it was always a possibility. Once the reality of being one of a pair sinks in, it changes the way you view your world.

I am incredibly lucky to be with someone who views the world much as I do, with his own take on it at the same time. He teaches me how to relax and enjoy just being. I encourage him to get out and see all the adventures the world has to offer. But now onto that next step of seeing and being with and accepting someone every day, just as they are. Little by little I've had to get used to his furniture sitting next to mine. Different sheets being used on the bed with non-matching pillowcases. His smell permeating the clothes in the closet. Meat in the refrigerator.

We've been anticipating this for so long that I think I am glad it finally made the sudden jump forward. I am excited and nervous. How am I going to react to another person's habits and presence? How is he going to react to mine? Having known each other so long, there aren't (I don't think) too many surprises, but I won't find that out for sure until the coming days and months. I have to tolerate cable TV. He has to tolerate my cat. I have to learn how to cook meat (Aunt Sally, help!), he has to learn how to cook vegetables. I have to deal with more dirty clothes to wash. He has to live without a dishwasher.

But when it all comes down to it, for all the questions, the joys, the anxieties, I come back to this:

"Be patient towards all that is unsolved in your heart

and try to love the questions themselves.

Do not seek the answers, which cannot be given you

because you would not be able to live them now.

And the point is to live everything.

Live the questions now.

Perhaps you will, gradually, without noticing it,

live along some distant day into the answer.

- Rainer Marie Rilke

So ready or not, here I go, living the questions.

Thursday's Things

2011-05-26T18:02:00.000-04:00

What a week it has been! There have been many ups and several downs (heat exhaustion, sleeplessness, jury summons...) but more than all of that I have seen God's Grace in action. It really doesn't get much better than that.

Long girls weekends.

Weddings.

The scent of Magnolia.

Todd getting an amazing new job and preparing to move down in 2 weeks (!!!).

Full bike tires.

Guys in Viking horn hats.

G-chatting and emailing with friends.

Summer dresses.

Country music.

Tadpoles turning into frogs.

Baby birds.

Accolades at work.

A top to bottom cleaning and decluttering of my house.

Rides in cop cars.

I'm getting ready for a long weekend of celebrations, studying and visiting family. And hopefully a lot of sleep! Goodness I need it.

It's Been a Week...

2011-05-13T22:17:00.000-04:00

Not since I've posted (much longer than that), but rather it has been a WEEK. I had many things I thought about posting though I can't think of a single one at the moment. So instead, here is a photographic recreation of the best parts of my past week.

One of the entries in the Kinetic Sculpture Race.

Carbon Leaf at Rams Head

Plant buying on a Sunday afternoon

Beverage to get me through the week.

Marley Too

City smores.

Little guy in the drainage channel out on site.

Roses along Lancaster Street.

Pitango.

Friendly Wednesdays.

The Harbor.

Field where I spend my weekday mornings.

Natty Poe.

Strong Women

2011-04-13T19:20:00.000-04:00

"it was a time when it still felt like I could somehow stave off change, that I believe it would be for the best if everything could simply be kept in stasis for as long as possible."

Written by her about this piece.

Listening to this:

<p>&amp;amp;lt;br&amp;amp;gt;&amp;amp;lt;br&amp;amp;gt;&amp;amp;lt;br&amp;amp;gt;&amp;amp;lt;br&amp;amp;gt;And &amp;amp;lt;br&amp;amp;gt;</p>

And also this:

Some Days the World Just Aligns in Your Direction

2011-04-13T10:40:00.000-04:00

or "How to Score a Major Sale."

Though I try not to be super-materialistic, I do have a MAJOR weakness for shoes. In the past few years, I have realized that it is better to save my money and spend more on a great pair, rather than have a lot of cheap ones that fall apart or go out of style quickly.

I have been lusting over this pair, appropriately named "Swoon" since November.

J Shoes 'Swoon' via here

$180 retail on the webpage (and the local store I love). Found for $80 on sale on the website, but a half size too big. Finally discovered (last pair!!) on Amazon for $66, with free shipping.

Can you say - SCORE!!!

Quick Thought

2011-03-30T21:58:00.000-04:00

It's 9:45, I just baked a quiche and really need to put some clothes away before I [attempt] to hit the sack early[ish].

While taking a peak at the Fine Frenzy FB page, Allison Sudol had a post a couple of days ago that has really stuck with me this week.

i know these are kind of basic tips, but it's amazing how paying attention to the little things help. little bits add up to a lot.

I've tried to hold true to that this week. And it's made the week more bearable, when so many of the past few were hardly that way.

For instance. Today:

The cat did not present with any unusual problems at the vet.

I laughed my behind off at pictures from last year's formal and got excited for the one 2 days from now.

I found a parking spot close to home.

Mom sent kitchen mail.

Remembered to bring the recycling home!

Delighted in British Victorian Drama.

Had a serendipitous moment with this lady.

Wore my knee high brown leather boots to work.

Made quiche.

All things that when added up made me smile and have a good day. Each on its own may seem insignificant, but have touched me in a particular way, and perhaps those around me. Even as simple as "there were no major injuries on site today." When things seem to be going poorly, take each little thing and add it up at the end of the day. You might be surprised.

via Sweet Emilia Jane

Sweet Suprise

2011-03-23T13:31:00.000-04:00

Lunchtime began with a great suprise!

I have been having a few consecutive very stressful weeks, and today (last night really) was no different. The combination of too much work plus lack of sleep affects all areas of my life and I convince myself that I am not good enough, or my dreams will never work out, or the people I love won't continue to love me. And have little meltdowns.

So my man sent me flowers!! I have been sent flowers once, by my best friend for my birthday, so I was shocked to receive them. Of course, everytime I look at them i start to cry, because it reminds me how much TL cares about me and loves me. Goodness, what a way to brighten the day!

Thursday Things (a day late)

2011-03-11T11:44:00.000-05:00

It's been a rough week, not just for me but it seems for almost everyone I know. And that's not even including everyone in Japan. Here are the things that are getting me through this emmensely long-feeling week:

Downton Abbey on netflix
Half day Friday
1 year (going on 6) with the guy
the furry, fuzzy pelt of my cat
GPN tonight in Philly
http://thenoisyplume.blogspot.com/ and her adorable kitty's paws

By brain is too far out of it by now to think of anything else....

Hope your week ends well!!

Thoughts on a Tuesday

2011-03-08T19:27:00.000-05:00

Blow Away by A Fine Frenzy may be my theme song. Seriously, I rock out to it. I was going to be Alison Sudol's character from the video for Halloween but couldn't get the shirt and vest together in time.

I still have the wings I bought for the costume hanging in my kitchen.

Family is a wonderful and painful thing. They were here this weekend and it was wonderful; a serendipidous Friday with free coffee, the National Aquarium and $.25 pierogies; long naps lasting from Sunday afternoon into Sunday night; lots of mom cleaning; many meetings. Another part of my family (if I can call them that - I will regardless of what anyone else wants me to say) is struggling and my heart breaks that I can do nothing to help them.

I have spent half the day either wearing one or no shoes. The beautiful chestnut leather and near-bit-buckle called these Cole Haans to me when I found them in a consignment shop a few years ago. Unfortuately the previous owner must have had one big foot and one normal one, making the left shoe fit despite they being 9s and me wearing 10s, and my hopes that the right foot would stretch have yet to be fulfilled. Therefore, it hurts to wear them and, forgetting this when I put them on today, I just decided to go without. Probably less than professional.

Today is Fat Tuesday. Which means tomorrow is Ash Wednesday. Which means Lent. I haven't been Catholic in about 13 years, but still always feel drawn to the Lenten season and the traditional fasting from something. This year I think I am going to give up snacks at work (if you worked with me, you would see it's a serious problem), meaning all that is for sale plus the candy jar. In an attempt to ease into it, I brought baby carrots and almonds with me today. So not the same. I might try to find an early AW service tomorrow (7:00 anyone??). It's the only holiday I really want to go to Catholic Church for, even though I loved the service at the Gallery last year. Can anyone else relate to that??

I just got a text message that said "Just wanted you to know that I think you are amazing and I love you". Can we really ask for anything much more than that??

This is awesome.

Thursday's Things

2011-03-03T07:58:00.001-05:00

It is officially the end of the week for me. Hooray! Very soon I'm back to working 6 days a week and lots of overtime. I am aprehensive about going back to that schedule (I haven't forgotten the laying on my floor crying from all the stress in the fall), but trying to be as zen about it as I can. Good things will come from it and the extra money it will bring in.

But that is still the future.

Right now I am thankful for these things:

4-day week

seeing my best friend tonight who I have not seen since November

family visiting this weekend

caffinated tea
horseback riding on Saturday (love that pain!!)

BBC mini guide to Lapland

via BBC

Seriously, how cool does that look?!? It's on the list.

Best of Thursday to you all!

Le Workout

2011-02-28T20:56:00.000-05:00

I made these:


via Love and Olive Oil

Found here. OMG. Love. Listen to Lindsay and drop what you are doing to make these.

Which then resulted in this:


via Amazon.

I did the Skinny Bitch arms, abs and ass workouts and am now sprawled on the bed with the cat. Oh the price to pay. Worth it. Although, seeing as I am in the weight loss competition at work, I could use the workout in general, not to offset the truffles I consumed. Oh well.

Kitchen Smores

2011-02-22T18:38:00.000-05:00

It was planned to be a delicious night. Woodstove, mound of blankets on the floor, loving man, smores. Perfect end to a lovely three-day weekend of country music and line dancing, friends, card games and T-rex arms, Belgian and craft beer, long naps and lazy mornings. However Mother Nature had other ideas, including 4-8" of snow between the I-95 corridor and the Pennsylvania mountains, ending the weekend early and sending TL back to PA to beat the snow. After 73 degrees on Friday, who would expect snow?? Good thing we dallied at Oliver's and caught the evening news.

So rather than a romantic evening with smores roasted in and assembled by the woodstove fire, I did the next best thing on my own.

The quinticsential smore ingredients.

Indoor smoring calls for forks over branches.

Tonight's fire brought to you by the color blue.

Ready or not...

The wings of fire.

Roasting, kitchen style.

Adding the necessities.

The roasting over the burner didn't quite provide the melting quality necessary for the proper smore

Money.

Arghm. Munch.

Until next time, my smores, when we can do this up right.

Worry

2011-02-22T15:32:00.000-05:00

Anyone who knows me well knows that I am close to being a professional worrier. A declaration of all my current worries would just be a repeat of my journal for the past two weeks and I don't think I have the energy for that right now. Todd is the exact opposite and is of the persuasion that he will figure it out when the time comes or the occurence happens, whereas I feel like I am drowning without a plan.

I recently admitted (wish I could say discovered but that would be a big fat falsehood) that I plan partially as a self-defense mechanism. If I have a plan then I don't have to worry about feeling alone or like I don't have enough friends or am liked enough, ect, ect (enter other self-pitying thoughts here).

I have never been the type to have a lot of friends or be popular or uber-outgoing and instead of accepting that as my personality - and a damn fine one - I would use it against myself to convince myself that there was something wrong with me. I stayed busy to keep myself from spinning around in those thoughts. Slowly those nagging feelings have seeped away, but sometimes I wonder if they are just hiding under the rug, just out of sight, waiting until I sit down or close my eyes with no one around to vaporize once more. Worry.

There was a point to this when I began. I forget now. Regarding friends maybe? Often I feel like maybe I don't have enough friends, enough people to call on a weekend, enough to fill out a party. What else can I do to get more?? But then I realize, it's not about the quantity or comparing my cell phone list or facebook messages to anyone else, but about the quality of myself I give to those people who I do consider friends. Honestly, I am tired of trying to make new friends. I miss the ones I have! The ones who live across the country, down the street, in my hometown. The ones who I grew up with and haven't called in 3 months, the ones that live 2 blocks away that I haven't seen since the summer. Always excuses. And always a new kind of worry.

I saw this quote today on Ordinary Courage:

Rather than worrying about new friends, it is more important to be myself with the ones I have and embrace them, nurture our friendships. When new ones come along, cherish them too, but like the saying goes, keep the old. And try to stop worrying about being good enough. Because I am enough.

Susquehanna

2011-02-14T22:40:00.000-05:00

I can't believe I just uploaded the pictures from my camera. From Christmas. Jimminey..... (p.s. - my cat just snorted as she stretched. Hehe.)

This past weekend I was up in PA (shocker) and took a walk around City Island with TL to get out of the house and work off some of the thin mints I made. Without driving a long distance, it's a good place to get close to the water.

La fiume Susquehanna. (Isn't that a beautiful name for a river??)

I could have stayed longer, but the wind picked up and our stomachs were growling. And now I am oh-so-anxious for spring!!

WANT.

2011-02-12T20:49:00.000-05:00

via here.

My CSA has Springer Spaniel/Lab mix puppies. I cannot express how my my heart is panting for one!! TL had to spend much of the day reminding me of all the reasons I can't have a puppy right now (money, time, training, cat, money...). But will you just LOOK at those FACES???? OMG.. I have to stop before it happens without my realizing....email...compose....send....

At least 5 years before puppy time! Must remember that. Sigh.

Thursday's Things

2011-02-10T20:47:00.000-05:00

Thanks to Cassie for the idea of this post! I haven't been posting much (at all??) because I've been trying to minimize computer time at home since I am on one all day at work. However, since all my blog sites are now blocked at the office (not that I go on during the day....) I'm taking the time to read at home. It's actually been lovely; no rushing to get through each one in less than a minute.

Little good things of the day:

Receiving notice that my application has been accepted to sit for my licensure exams in June.

Being done for the week on a Thursday.

Fresh mushrooms and spinach.

New country music.

Phone call with mom.

GroupOn for yoga.

Blog posts that make you stop and think.

Cheers! I'm off to finish the dishes, make a second attempt at homemade Thin Mints and watch Grey's. Because. I. Can.

via Ice Milk Aprons

Three Things

2011-01-07T16:41:00.000-05:00

Three things that are making me happy today:

1. I ate Girl Scout cookies for breakfast this morning.

2. My nails are a shade other than natural or black for the first time in 3 years.

3. My girlfriend and puppy-niece are coming to visit tomorrow!

Plus the fact that my car maintenance was under a grand. Woopie!!

Storms

2010-12-02T23:04:00.000-05:00

Yes.

THIS.

When do we know?

"And on the Eighth Day Man Created Beer"

2010-11-28T16:35:00.000-05:00

So many good things this past week to write and show and be Thankful for. I'll start with just one today. The Church Brew Works is located in the old St John the Baptist sanctuary in the Lawrenceville neighborhood of Pittsburgh. It has special meaning for my family as my dad attended the school and sang in the choir as a boy and my aunt attended the school and got married there. We tend to enjoy it more as a brewery. The BF has a love of beer and breweries, and was beyond entertained regarding this one. We indulged him this weekend (and the rest of us).

I think the shining silver casks make it even more beautiful!

I mentioned to my mother that it would be awesome if someone got married in it as the church is now and I think she almost choked.

Ann Arbor

2010-11-15T18:40:00.000-05:00

There was coffee, wine, decadence, leaves, walks, mini-schaunsers, football, lots of talking, local food, dreaming. In all, the perfect weekend.

Day at a time

2010-11-15T18:27:00.000-05:00

Lately I have been undergoing excrutiating bouts of lay on the floor, clutching soul, hysterical rounds of sobbing. I dread every coming day. My eyes are constantly puffy. I am in a state of continuous anxiety and can barely eat. It has been so long since I felt like this that I can hardly remember how I ever came out of it. Tears are clouding my vision and making typing difficult. A lot (most - nearly all) is work-related and I am too terrified to have the conversations I need to in order to be able to try to fix it. Fortunately I have a very good mentor who understands the pressure and stretch I am under, but she can't fix the tug-of-war I feel that I am constantly under. I just want to curl up and disappear. I just have to make it through 4 more days and then get a nice break at my parents' house for 6 days, which is the only place I want to be when everything feels like it is up in flames. I hate worrying others with my feelings and I know they all have stresses of their own, which makes me feel all the worse about mine. I feel weak that I can't handle it as well as everyone else. And then I cry some more. I miss my best friend/soulmate and the time we had this weekend. Which makes me cry more.

So I drink hot honey-water and listen to some Emmy Lou Harris, and maybe ignore my application for the 12 zillianth time and curl up in bed with the cat and wait until it passes.....

Seen on Site

2010-11-07T07:36:00.000-05:00

It feels soooo good to have my camera back. I swear I actually did do some work today!

When I am tired and don't want to work, or am cold and frustrated, at least I get to be outside and see the world changing, every day.

Jimmy 2

2010-11-05T18:08:00.000-04:00

Just a quick note before I run out to yoga tonight - I got a new camera!! Well, clarification needed. The "old" camera (old meaning 2-3 months) was either lost or stolen on the job site last week. As a camera is an extension of myself, I knew it would not be long before another made its way into my possesion. Fortunately, I get paid mileage to my job site and was able to use that. But can I just tell you all HOW REDICULOUSLY FREAKING EXCITED I AM????? Sooooo many shots were in front (and behind and above and around) me these past two week. I am not even annoyed about working tomorrow because there are so many shots to be made on the job site.

Pictures to come soon!!

Today was better

2010-10-20T19:43:00.000-04:00

Indeed. Sometimes I don't post anything because I just can't give up the time it takes to do so. But this lady opened my heart today by hearing about her life and the seemingly little thing I did to impact it. It's hard to explain what it is about this medium, but there is a connection that occurs with people we have never met that we may not have with those physically present in our lives. I did write about it sometime in the early days of this year, as another blog response, and maybe I should go look it up. It is saved (on my work computer I think). But beside the point right now. I am rambling (happens quite a lot!).

Things that got me through today:
- Having backup. Today was my boss, helping sort through the issues that have been causing me major anxiety at work, not by maliciousness on anyone's part, but more by lack of understanding and patience. One day at a time.
- TL. That man keeps me going, whether he is present or not. 2 more days!
- Harry Potter and my cat. No, not a new book title, but the combination of the two with my bed as a medium. The only way for some things to get better is learning how to relax. Sometimes (most times) that means leaving this world for another.
- A lot of butter. I'm working through some diet restrictions which includes a lot of flavorings and spices. Since butter is apparently O.K., I am taking full advantage of being told to use butter. God, I love butter.

So now that I've mellowed out a bit, time to do some work while watching Stardust. Especially can't wait for this scene!!

Tragedy and Responsibility

2010-10-06T10:25:00.000-04:00

Since this is a quasi-public venue, I wanted to post about something that is very real to our society today. Tragedy does not begin to address what happened to Rutgers student Tyler Clementi - the student who committed suicide due to horrific harassment by a roommate for being gay. Again, harassment doesn't even begin to cover it.

Instead of my words, I would like to let speak the words of Sue Brief, who addresses the responsibility we ALL have to prevent tragedies of this sort. Regardless of your beliefs or lifestyle, as caring humans our first responsibility is do no harm. Our actions and inactions perpetrate what happens to others.

Sue's words:
"I have been struggling for days to put feelings about the tragic death of Tyler Clementi into words. Struggling to find words for the unspeakable tragedy that befell this bright young man.

Let me begin by saying I did not know Tyler Clementi... and tragically, he was not the only LGBT youth to take his or her own life this week. Suicides carried out by LGBT individuals are becoming so common as to be bordering on epidemic. Who is responsible? We all are. Why? Because no matter how loudly or how often we rail about the injustice of bullying in schools or the treatment of the LGBT community as a whole in this country, decent minded people have still not committed to bringing the issue front and center and not stopping until we truly live up the the founder's promise of liberty and justice for all.

I admit the problem is complex and exists on most every level that touches people's lives. We have the religious issue, so for the sake of brevity, I will admit to the naysayers that yes, the bible says that homosexuality is a sin. We heard it today from the pulpit of the Mormon Church. There stood Boyd Packer, the leader of said church, on his bully pulpit, basically saying that this wonderful young man deserved what he got, that he was not a worthy person just the way he was and that this was God's way of telling the world just that. By the way I saw the suit Mr Packer was wearing and I would like to know when the stoning is going to take place? It was clear to me he was wearing a cotton shirt with a polyester tie, which we all know from Leviticus, is a crime punishable by death. Absurd? Of course, yet frighteningly, not as absurd as the nonsense he spewed from that same pulpit.

Most right wing Christian organizations cover their hateful rhetoric with a simple flip off they love to use when telling these young people they are damned from the start; they hate the sin not the sinner. Let me tell you what, they can be as flippant as they would like to be, the truth of the matter is, it is not the sin jumping off bridges, it is the "sinner".

The press is just as complacent. On his radio show today, Sean Hannity covered the death of Tyler Cementi, he railed about the evils of cyber bullying, while never once, not once, mentioning the fact that Tyler was singled out because he was gay. Funny, Hannity has always held himself out as fearless, tackling the issues of the day. So tell me, why then was he so outraged that he felt he had to devote a show to the problem of cyber bullying, yet so afraid that his audience would turn the channel at the first hint his rant might be in defense of an LGBT individual?

The truth of the matter is the entire LGBT community is nothing more than a political football, to be ignored by most until it is time to throw it to the deep end for political gain. 435 Congresspeople and 100 Senators cannot find it in themselves to stand up for our military and admit, in an all volunteer military, Don't Ask, Don't Tell, doesn't work and that anyone who chooses to enlist in that military should be honored, not shunned and disciplined for how they are born to be. 535 gutless wonders running our country, no wonder we are in such a mess. Thousands of potential positive role models, American soldiers, discharged, told they had no worth to the same country they chose to defend. And we wonder why the average LGBT youth ends up feeling hopeless? How dare we?

This is a grassroots problem that requires a grassroots solution. It requires every decent American to stand up and say no more senseless loss of life, not in MY country. If homosexuality offends your religious sensibilities, fine, do not practice it, but how benevolent is the person who stands idly by while children are in pain? Is that what you take away from the Bible? If it is, well, in my humble opinion, you are missing the point. If you think it is someone else's problem, think again, it may not be your child, but it could well be your niece, nephew, cousin, your child's best friend or that nice kid next door that shovels your snow for you. Odds are very good, whether you know it or not, someone, somewhere in your life is struggling with this right this minute.

We are a country born of a ferocious will to be free. Yet we go out of our way to take the freedom of these young people. To box them in to corners, to do nothing to defend them and leave them alone and hopeless about their futures.

I have heard all the arguments, that protection for LGBT citizens are not equal rights, they are special rights, based on deviant sexual behavior. How many doctors, psychologists and other professionals have to agree that this is something that is as inherent to a person's make up as their eye or skin color before we stop being willfully ignorant? For those who think this is a choice, a life style, I would simply ask them, given a "choice", who would chose to be shunned? For those who rail against the homosexual lifestyle, I would repeat what has been said very simply before, this is not a lifestyle, driving a Mercedes is a lifestyle, this is people's lives. It might make you feel as though your thoughts and feelings are justified, but nothing could be further from the truth.

I am a gay American, who went through High School in the early '70's bullied and harassed every day because I did not fit in. I had a loving wonderful family who, I should have known, would accept me and love me no matter what, yet I too, was so mortified, so frightened of the things I felt, that I, at age 17, tried to take my own life. To be clear, I was not embarrassed of who I was, I was not uncomfortable about what I felt, I was terrified of what society had in store for me and that is a national shame.

For every lawmaker who refuses to stand up for what is right, for every person of God who seeks to ridicule, frighten and shame, for every average person who thinks "it's not my problem", I would ask that you take a moment and try to feel what Tyler Clementi and every other LGBT suicide victim felt right before they knowingly and deliberately ended their lives. It is my hope that it tears at your soul as it has torn at mine and urges you to understand we are all different, we are all God's children, we all live in glass houses in some way and it is time to stand up."

Melancholy

2010-09-15T21:53:00.000-04:00

Everywhere I look, there seems to bit a bit of melancholy resonating. It has not bypassed my house. I've been trying to sort out some medical issues and my body just does not seem to be cooperating. To see if the medication I'm on helps at all, I've given up (temporarily) certain things that may be triggers or counter-effective. Those include coffee, alcohol, and spicy foods. With a friend's wedding coming up this weekend and a potential birthday celebration at a brewery in PA, we'll see how well I stick to that plan, regardless of what my body is telling me. Do you ever just want to yell out "JUST LET ME FEEL LIKE A NORMAL PERSON AGAIN!!!"? Clearly I do.

Trish-ica has been one of the few things I can count on everyday to make me feel better. And that I can also count on to wake me up at 4:30am every day. You can't have it all I suppose.

Tummy tickle!!

Even a photoshoot can't stop a wash.

Am I the only one who loves kitty paws??

She keeps me on my toes (or more often on my couch). When I was growing up, the only excuse that could get you out of doing anything (dishes, setting the table, fetching random item) was having a cat on your lap. I intend to maintain that tradition.

~Feel the Warmth of a Cold Nose~

-via bumpersticker

Vermont Part II

2010-09-11T14:36:00.000-04:00

I realize that it has been nearly a month since trip #2, and I am only just getting around to posting more pictures. When you work full time, have a significant other in another state, and one very demanding cat, it leaves less time than one would like for blogging.

One of the best things about Burlington is the FOOD. Specifically from the farmer's market. It is right in the middle of town every Saturday morning and, as is the case at most markets, all walks of life meet at the square. I would move to Burlington for the farmer's market alone. They are not just farmers or bakers or venders - they are ARTISTS. Since pictures speak a thousand words, here are some sans my inept commentary.

And then, there was this guy!

Friday Fuzzies

2010-08-27T13:28:00.002-04:00

I don't know about you, but I need an afternoon pick-me-up.

Happy Friday!!

PS~ Best of wishes to Kelly today!! You are in our thoughts and hearts lovely lady!

See the World

2010-08-24T19:37:00.000-04:00

Some days I really feel like this....

Day to day
Where do you want to be?
'Cuz now you're trying to pick a fight
With everyone you meet

You seem like a soldier
Who's lost his composure
You're wounded and play a waiting game
In no-man's land, no-one's to blame

See the world
Find an old fashioned girl
And when all's been said and done
It's the things that are given, not won
Are the things that you earnt

Empty handed
Surrounded by a senseless scene
With nothing of significance
Besides a shadow of a dream
You sound like an old joke
You're worn out, a bit broke
And askin me time and time again
When the answer's still the same

See the world
Find an old fashioned girl
And when all's been said and done
It's the things that are given, not won
Are the things that you earnt

Sha la la la la, sha la la la la,
Sha la la la la, sha la la la la,
Sha la la la la, sha la la la la,
Sha la la la la, sha la la la la,

You've got a chance to put things right
So how's it going to be?
Lay down your arms now
And put us beyond doubt
So reach out it's not too far away
Don't mess around now, don't delay

See the world
Find an old fashioned girl
And when all's been said and done
It's the things that are given, not won
Are the things that you earnt

Sha la la la la, sha la la la la,
The things that you earnt (Sha la la la la, sha la la la la,)
Are given, Not won (Sha la la la la, sha la la la la,)

-See the World

Gomez

Some kind of loss

2010-08-20T13:18:00.000-04:00

I am in a strange kind of funk. It comes with the craving for SOMETHING, and I can't put my finger on it. Do I want to engage in something new and exciting, or something that I have been pawing at for awhile? Do I run away from everything and embark on an entirely new adventure? Or do I continue to slow down, take a look at the little things, and actually enjoy every day?

I felt the same way the last time I returned from Vermont. I feel like I can see everything that I want in my life, but am unsure as to how I go about getting it. I do realize that much of the time, that which you manifest is before you (thank you Racing in the Rain) and things will come as they should and as they will. A difficult concept for a born impatient to master.

Don't mistake me, I have a lot of good going on right now. And I have a fairly certain idea of what TL will say when I tell him this. That I already do too much and need to slow down some more. Usually he is right about that. I want to be able to take the time to sit for an hour over a cup of coffee and not regret that time. To stare out the window. Walk in the woods. Pet the cat. But I tend to be raring to go without ever doing those things I so much enjoy.

So how to slow down? How to engage in something new and work out of this funk but still be mindfull of what is around me? I know one solution, but living in different cities hinders that a bit. A lot. All I really know is that I need SOME KIND of change, be it big or small.

So much rambling. If anyone has made it this far, I owe you a cookie. Two if you even understand what I'm trying to say. I'm not sure I even do.

Vermont Love Part I

2010-08-16T21:53:00.000-04:00

Little pieces of my heart are scattered all across this globe. If you look in the right places, you can find them. They are hidden, and most people would not take notice, but if you look hard enough, and with your whole self, you can feel where they remain.

A little piece was left in the hyssops, somewhere along Vermont Rt 22A.
Another in a restaurant in Middlebury.
The shores of Lake Champlain.
In a piece of bread at the farmer's market.
The strains of song from Grace Potter.
A chalk quote on a brick wall.
The wind over the Green Mountains.

The more they scatter, the more complete I feel. Like any muscle, the little tears yield strength over time. I feel more whole, more right, more content as I see the places that pull at my heart.

Meet Jimmy C

2010-08-09T23:32:00.000-04:00

Ladies and Gents, I wasted no time. In just over 24 hours I became the owner of a new little cutie.

Meet Jimmy C:


Canon PowerShot A3100.

Of course I had to take him out for a test run. So Jimmy C. met Colbie C. He preformed like a gentleman. I was beyond pleased. Concert #1 of the week was officially a success! Colbie looked so genuinely happy to be singing for us and delighted everytime we went nuts for a song. Just lovely.

All in all, a fantastic evening!

Camera Woes

2010-08-08T21:35:00.000-04:00

After 6 long years, my faithfully pathetic FugiFilm has finally bitten the dust. Tempermental, difficult to use, greater and greater tendency to blur and/or orangify pictures, it has taken its last. Alas, it was a remarkable camera, surviving many journeys and much abuse. It has traveled the greater US, Europe, Central America, tailgates, horseback rides and frat houses.

Ironically I was looking at new cameras yesterday, trying to price out a few, but was not planning on getting one for a month or so. With another trip to Vermont this week, it looks like a new one will be coming my way tomorrow. Good thing I just got paid.

It was this morning that the Camera versus Coke incident took place. When up against 10 ounces of diet cherry Coke in a purse, a veteran camera can't hold out. Whatever mechanisms were holding on, are now fused with some form of not-sugar-y substance.

Thank you, camera, for your wonderful point-and-shoot skills that have helped me make many memorable shots.

Camera's last pictures at the farmer's market this morning...

The Life and Death of Monsieur Aubergine

2010-08-08T20:23:00.000-04:00

Monsieur.

Monsieur et chat.

Le gasp! Murder!

His time was cooked.

His life ended deliciously. Bon appetit!

PS - I in no way speak French. I am fairly certain that the string of 3-4 words I have used here are totally grammatically incorrect. I am ok with that. :-P

Puppy Love

2010-07-29T23:21:00.000-04:00

Dinner with the "framily" involved the dogs too, of course. It's hard to get shots of them when they are attacking each other and running around like, well, dogs. I wish I had a picture of Kona chewing Marley's leg like a chicken bone....

Plus fajitas, fruit tart and sweet tea. And conversation, laughter, lightening, corncob pipes.

Woodland Weddings

2010-07-29T14:53:00.000-04:00

I am in no way planning on getting married soon, but a few of my friends are, and I am desperate to attend a wedding that is out in a field or the woods and the bride and party look like wood sprites coming out of the mist.

(via here)

Balmer Sunday

2010-07-26T19:24:00.000-04:00

Sunday began like this with walk around the park.

Continued like this at Bonaparte.

And ended like this:

If you squint, you can almost pretend like you are on a ship in the tropics! I just liken it to our reward for surviving 3 days of 100+ degrees.

you and me, out pickin' wildflowers

2010-07-18T22:28:00.000-04:00

Not so much picking as keying. I'm taking a wildflower class until the end of July. Saturday we went out to northern Montgomery County to several farms to look at and key out wildflowers for 5 hours in the 95 degree heat. Loved that I now can id all the plants I spec at work!

Carbon Leaf

2010-07-18T22:17:00.000-04:00

Ok, so I meant to post this about 3 weeks ago, but I've been super-lazy in uploading my pictures.

!!!!!!! is really all I can say to accurately express my overwhelming joy at seeing Carbon Leaf. It was the 4th show of theirs I've seen and the first time at a venue where I could stand up and ROCK OUT. And can they bring it.

They are heading west next month. If you live out west (Cali, Wash, Idaho) PLEASE do yourself a favor and go.

Top 5 shows ever.

(And I've seen a lot. Included in the past month are James Taylor, Carole King and Phish. The first two of which are also in Top 5).

Some Highlights:
Nailing the first 3 songs (Seriously. We called them. We kick ass.)
Barry carrying the mic stand all over stage with him. And knocking it over.
Opening Miss Hollywood with Over the Rainbow.
All acoustic, no mics for One Prairie Outpost.
Lake of Silver Bells for their birthday dedication song (the show was originally scheduled for my birthday and LoSB is one of my favorite songs).
The Boxer. Enough said.

And so many more.

This guy had some excellent footage of the show, including What About Everything.

Do check out some of his other videos. They are excellent.

All other (not-so-good) pictures are mine!

Thanks to Aaron for my fabulous birthday present!!

PS- I met Barry!!

A Somber 5th

2010-07-06T12:09:00.000-04:00

I was all set to post exciting news and pictures from the weekend (and others that are still floating in draft form), but some somber news last night has ripped any desire to express joy at anything at the moment. One day you are laughing and talking about things to do in the future, and another you don't know if you will ever see that person again. All I can do is hope and pray (and cry and consume a beverage of choice) and wait until we hear any news. I'm scared. Scared for her, for her family, her friends, my team. Willing the world with all that I have to let her get better.

Can People Change?

2010-06-27T18:32:00.000-04:00

That was the question Ellis posed to us this morning at the beginning of service. Do we believe that Christ came and died for a reason and are we just on this earth waiting for heaven or are we able to change our live to live them out with more reason, more grace, regardless of our circumstances?

I still struggle with "believing." I believe in a lot of things, but the whole mystery of Jesus Christ is still out of my grasp.

But, today I witnessed a baptism. It was of a man in his 60s (I'm guessing here) who began seeking and asking questions a year ago. I don't know his story and I don't know him, but I was able to witness what I am sure was a Life-Altering part in that journey. Ellis spoke the words "I baptize you in the name of the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit", covered his nose and mouth with a cloth and immersed him in the water, bringing him back up soaked and full of new life. At that moment something broke in me and I couldn't help the tears. Were they tears of joy for Bob? Tears of sadness or fear for myself, feeling like I want something but don't know how to get it or if I even want to? Maybe a bit of both.

But believer or not I don't think you can be a witness to a life moment like that and not be moved on some level.

Blessings to you, Bob. I am thrilled for you on your journey.

I Need...

2010-06-17T13:10:00.000-04:00

Feet on pavement.
Wind on body.
Sweat dripping down face and back.
Muscles screaming.
Steady breathing.
Yogic calm.

I need to run.

2010-06-14T18:58:00.001-04:00

Live a life less ordinary
Live a life extraordinary with me
Live a life less sedentary
Live a life evolutionary with me
Well I hate to be a bother,
But it's you and there's no other, I do believe
You can call me naive but...
I know me very well (at least as far as I can tell)
And I know what I need

The night you came into my life
Well it took the bones of me, took the bones of me
You blew away my storm and strife
And shook the bones of me, shook the bones of me
By the way, I do know why you stayed away...
I will keep tongue-tied next time

Live a life less ordinary
Live a life extraordinary with me
My face had said too much
Before our hands could even touch
To greet a 'hello'
(So much for going slow...)
A little later on that year
I told you that I loved you dear
What do you know?
This you weren't prepared to hear
I'm a saddened man, I'm a broken boy
I'm a toddler with a complex toy
I've fallen apart, since the ambush of your heart

The night you came into my life
Well it took the bones of me, took the bones of me
You blew away my storm and strife
And shook the bones of me, shook the bones of me.
By the way, I do know why you stayed away
I will keep tongue-tied but...

Honey understand, honey understand
I won't make demands
Honey understand, honey understand
We could walk without a plan.
Honey understand (honey), honey understand
I won't rest in stone all alone
Honey understand, honey understand
I'm all ready to go
But you already know...

Live a life less ordinary
Live a life extraordinary with me.
If I could name you in this song
Would it make you smile and sing along?
This is the goal: to get into your soul
If I could make you dance for joy
Could that be the second-chance decoy?
The bird-in-hand I would need
To help you understand?

The night you came into my life
well it took the bones of me, took the bones of me
You blew away my storm and strife
And shook the bones of me, shook the bones of me
By the way, I do know why you stayed away
I will keep tongue-tied next time

-Carbon Leaf

Sometimes your own words just don't suffice....

I've been a little (a lot) emotionally stunted for the past two years, and then in one gust they all come rushing in, brushing aside any hold my mind may have had over my heart, scattering like twigs on a trail, exposing me, raked and grated beneath the leaves, hoping like hell there is moss instead of stone. It's time to start following the soul again. Feeling my way through my life. It hurts like hell in anticipation and fear. Fear that all the good that is just inside my grasp will go flying back out and leaving me watching it sail away on a cruel wind.

I Would

2010-06-11T23:17:00.000-04:00

Take me to another place, she said
Take me to another time
Run with me across the oceans
Float me on a silver cloud

If I could I would, but I don't know how
If I could I would, but I don't know how
If I could I would and I'd take you now

Stay with me till time turns over
I want to feel my feet leave the ground
Take me where the whispering breezes
Can lift me up and spin me around

If I could I would...
Hear you laughing as we go
Flipping backward through the doors and through the windows...
I'm melting into nothing

If I could I would, but I don't know how
If I could I would, but I don't know how
If I could I would and I'd take you now

-Phish (with Alison Krauss)

From the Journal...

2010-06-10T18:40:00.000-04:00

May 31, 2010
Green Mountain National Forest

"I sat atop a mountain and contemplated THINGS. Lady Slippers, orange squirrels that sound like cicadas. The smell of campfire below. Being in the treetops. Lichen on rocks. Golden moss burned from the sun. Ripples on Lake Dunmore. Blueberry growing in crevaces.

As I sat and contemplated THINGS, I thought about the weather, the chill that had not quite worn off from the night before. The haze across the sky. The ripple in the clouds mimicing the ripple across the water. The wind dictating what the day would become. The stillness of the world, yet with the hum of humanity below and the hum of nature surrounding. Birds and squirrels and insects and trees. Pen on paper. How I am adding the hum of my heartbeat and breath and footsteps. Even the dead wood provides life. The rocks too are living, providing home, nutrient and structure."

Wheels of the City

2010-05-28T09:42:00.001-04:00

I don't believe any site does it better than Cycle Chic. All about bike culture all over the world, based out of Copenhagen.

Some text from this post about happiness, bicycles and the urban fabric:

"Denmark is regularly selected as one of the happiest countries in the world. Every year, some journalist equates this rating with the fact that we ride bicycles and 'riding bicycles makes you happy'. That may be true in some sense, but I believe that a main factor of this happiness is because we live in cities where we, the people, are not hidden away in cars, peering at each other through rear-view mirrors.

We are one with the urban landscape. We define it with our prescence on bicycles, exposing ourselves openly to our fellow citizens and to the city at large.

One of the greatest tools for creating truly liveable cities is the bicycle. Encouraging citizens, through safe infrastructure, to ride. The health benefits are enormous, the benefits on pollution reduction and fewer traffic injuries are as well.

But what also happens is that the social fabric of the city is woven tighter. Stronger. In richer colours and with finer thread. You return to where cities use to be before car culture and the motorization of society. Places inhabited by people. With people present on the streets. As pedestrians or on bicycles. From cityscape to humanscape."

A favorite pic from CCC.

I'll try to get my pics from Bike-to-Work day up soon...

Peck of Gold

2010-05-27T08:59:00.000-04:00

Dust always blowing about the town,

Except when sea-fog laid it down,

And I was one of the children told

Some of the blowing dust was gold.

All the dust the wind blew high

Appeared like god in the sunset sky,

But I was one of the children told

Some of the dust was really gold.

Such was life in the Golden Gate:

Gold dusted all we drank and ate,

And I was one of the children told,

We all must eat our peck of gold.

-Robert Frost

3 more days! First stop, Robert Frost Stone House. I knew his poetry before I had any idea who he was. Some of my earliest childhood memories involve apple trees and stone walls in New England (specifically New Hampshire) and a certain chipmunk with whom I shared a special kinship (he too got left out of mountain hikes).

Sunny Days...

2010-05-18T21:20:00.000-04:00

Preakness was this past weekend. It was a gorgeous day with great music, shitty beer, and fabulous people.

Best pair of pants I saw.

Flyover during Zac Brown.

Horses getting ready to post through the fence.

Rocking the Sunglasses in the infield.

Quieter moments.

Really couldn't have asked for a better or happier day.

Books for the Road

2010-05-17T13:19:00.000-04:00

13 days until I leave for Vermont!! 1000+ miles round trip, 6 nights of camping, 2 nights of family, 1 half marathon and 4 books.

I am such a book nerd; I can't go anywhere without at least 2-3 in stock, regardless of where I am going or for how long. Last night I determined the book list for the trip (with room to add a few more....)

I know I will have to add some Frost to the list, as I will be visiting the homestead. For a road trip I feel like Kerouac is a must, and if that gets a little too heavy I can switch to the Kuralt. Animal Dreams gives short stories that can be finished inbetween morning coffee and afternoon brew, and The Poisonwood Bible is the novel for sitting on the top of the mountain all day and losing time.

This nerd is super-excited!!

On Planting...

2010-04-28T21:39:00.000-04:00

I learned some valuable lessons about the garden this week...Did I mention I've been working on a roof garden? Well now you know.

#1 Labeling is good. Radishes and microgreens look remarkably EXACTLY THE SAME in seedling form.

Radishes (I think)

Microgreens (I think)

I have a tendency to think I will remember everything, and then promptly forget before I can turn around.

#2 Drainage holes are for a reason. We had torrential downpours on Sunday here in Charm City and my two newest containers turned into little mudpie makers.

post dumping of water.

Radishes are not supposed to look like this.

I salvaged the babies as best I could!

These seedlings are like my children. I should not have any until I can keep plants alive. Once my soil dries out (I've been draining every day....yeesh) I will replant. For now they are living in a damp paper towel.

#3 Concerning the McQueens (wormy mcwormersons....): citrus = bad. Plus I over-caffenated them.... perhaps that is why they were escaping?

Ok, that's all for now!

Cheers,

PS - I may have consumed half a bottle of Riesling tonight....I love me some wine and good friends!

Thank you Baltimore

2010-04-23T07:32:00.000-04:00

For giving me this view:

And a place to grow my garden!

~Happy Friday~

The Worm People

2010-04-20T23:03:00.000-04:00

Oh good lord it has been FOREVER. Or a month. So much has happened and I am at the moment falling asleep with a bag of frozen peas on my knee. Whatever. I'm weird. Get over it.

I'll just give ONE exciting update in my life.

I'm composting with worms.
I'm not entirely sure how I feel about it yet.
I don't like when they escape.
(Although a free worm means a dead worm.)

One of my friends organized a group of us to learn to worm compost together. So Sunday night we went over to her house and made worm bins (worm bin = plastic container with VERY tight lid and lots of tiny holes).

The results so far....

Step 1. Drill air and drainage holes.

Step 2.5. Place bedding in bins.

Step 3. Distribute worms and add food.

Step 4. Place in new home and pray they stay put!

Since mine seemed to be escape artists,

I am calling them "The McQueens."

The tape on the sides and book on top seem to be working.

More updates on the worms and the garden later!

Baby We Stand a Chance...

2010-03-09T21:03:00.000-05:00

.....of a reeeeeeeeeeaaaaaaal love.

It was a Petty night.

As in Tom that is.

Sometimes you just gotta rock out in the kitchen.

"We stand a chance
We stand a chance
Yeah, and I could be wrong, but you never know
We could stand the chance of a real love....."

"I will not retire while I've still got my legs and my make-up box."

2010-03-08T21:50:00.001-05:00

I have a confession.

I love looking at my legs in the mirror, decked out in spandex, ready for a workout.

Narcissistic? Not really. Maybe.

Let me explain.

We women (and maybe some men) are so accustomed to looking at ourselves in the mirror and berating our bodies for what we perceive is wrong with them. Legs too fat, too much tummy pouch, nose too small, arms too flabby, too many freckles, etc, etc, etc..... Yea, we've ALL done it. To ourselves, to our friends, to celebrities. We work out, diet, growl at ourselves, work out some more and often fail to see any change. I'm definitely included in there.

But recently when going to the gym, I catch a glimpse of myself in the mirror and I've been shocked at what I've seen. My black running pants show off every minute muscle and curve, full of strength and purpose. Runner's legs. Rider's legs. A strong woman's legs. Legs that have run a marathon. Legs that have riden horses bareback. Legs that have lost all muscle tone after surgery and slowly slowly built it back up. Legs that have kicked the boys who were mean in middle school. Legs that have hiked the Appalachian Mountains. Legs that have danced for 48 hours For the Kids. Legs that I am damn proud of!

So I will proudly don those hot pink runner's spandex and take them out into the sun and hit the pavement. And instead of wishing them to be something else, I will thank them for all the adventures we've been on together, and will continue for many years!

PS - Ok, I know the title doesn't make too much sense, but I just loved that quote from Bette Davis!

2010-03-04T16:29:00.000-05:00

Last week I a LOT:

Thought

Thought some more.

Chatted with CLB (what did I do without her???).

Eye twitched.

Ran.

Listened to David Gray. (I don't think "White Ladder" has ever been played so much on repeat.)

Prayed.

Worried.

Thought again.

This week I a LOT:

Smiled.

Grinned.

Remembered.

Dreamed.

Laughed.

Floated.

Lent Failure #2

2010-03-03T13:33:00.000-05:00

I made two resolution for Lent this year. #1 - giving up sweets. I do this every year, and it's become almost a habit, albeit one I desperately need, as I can out-eat anyone I know when it comes to chocolate and cookies. Z-E-R-0 willpower. #2 - giving up non-essential spending. GOOD LORD this is hard. It is also very good to do, as I have lots of essential spending I have to do coming up...well kinda. Depends on what you call essential. Hotels rather than floors are - to me - essential.

Anyway...

I broke down yesterday and bought this:

Found here.

Little Houses is having a winter to spring sale and I have been lusting over her handmade sweaters for months and months. Could not resist!!! And don't you have to take advantage of deals as well?? I'm not going to berate myself over it, just show lovelovelove to all the delights I will receive!

Have you given anything up? How's it going?

David Gray, you say it so well...

2010-02-27T16:29:00.000-05:00

Friday night I'm going nowhere
All the lights are changing green to red
Turning over TV stations
Situations running through my head
Looking back through time
You know it's clear that I've been blind
I've been a fool
To open up my heart
To all that jealousy, that bitterness, that ridicule

Saturday I'm running wild
And all the lights are changing red to green
Moving through the crowds I'm pushing
Chemicals all rushing in my bloodstream
Only wish that you were here
You know I'm seeing it so clear
I've been afraid
To show you how I really feel
Admit to some of those bad mistakes I've made

If you want it
Come and get it
Crying out loud
The love that I was
Giving you was
Never in doubt
Let go your heart
Let go your head
And feel it now
Let go your heart
Let go your head
And feel it now

Babylon, Babylon, Babylon

Sunday all the lights of London
Shining , Sky is fading red to blue
I'm kicking through the Autumn leaves
And wondering where it is you might be going to
Turning back for home
You know I'm feeling so alone
I can't believe
Climbing on the stair
I turn around to see you smiling there
In front of me

If you want it
Come and get it
Crying out loud
The love that I was
Giving you was
Never in doubt

Let go your heart
Let go your head
And feel it now

Let go of your heart
Let go of your head
And feel it now

-David Gray (Babylon)

More Snow?

2010-02-24T16:26:00.000-05:00

Dear Mother Nature,

Please don't send us more snow. We don't understand this white stuff south of the Mason-Dixon. I don't want a repeat of this:

Please just bring me sun!!

Love,

Land Ethic

2010-02-18T20:55:00.000-05:00

I attended a Land Ethics symposium up in PA today, which, other than getting up at 4:30am, was an excellent opportunity to be around other people in the landscape and ecological fields. The presentation that resounded the most for me was by Steven Apfelbaum, who bought and restored an 80 acre farm up in Wisconsin from its 20th century disturbed and farmed state to its original native state. Stone Prairie Farm went from about 100 species of plants - at least half crops and invasives - to over 300 natives in 20 years of research, collection and restoration.

Just a snippet (from Midwest Booksellers)

I can only imagine how painstaking - and gloriously interesting and rewarding! - to go from remnant to remnant collecting native seed, carefully researching what area of the farm was a particular habitat and microclimate and slowly helping massage the landscape back to life. From 1 emaciated fish and 2 springs in 1981 to 10 rare species and 100 springs in 2008, shows how incredible is nature's work, when given some help to return her to her prime. The farm is 6 miles from the next nearest habitat, and yet critters FIND IT. Snakes and birds and coyotes and squirrels somehow travel to get to this little semi-isolated oasis!

I am SO awed by nature and those who clearly LOVE it so much. Steven kept talking about the LOVE for the land, to the point where I had tears in my eyes.

Definitely check out his book Nature's Second Chance - Restoring the Ecology of Stone Prairie Farm, or at least search for some of his posts about the farm at Beacon Broadside. I can't wait to read it, and may have to break my Lenten fast from spending to do so....

Oh My Goodness! I didn't even get to talk about Leopold....don't want to bore anyone (myself included) with TOO long a post. Just leave it to say that there was a LOT of talk about Aldo Leopold today (ok, some. Maybe most of it was in my head) and it rekindled my love affair with environmental philosophy and the idea of "Land Ethic."

"We shall never achieve harmony with land,

any more than we shall achieve absolute justice or liberty for people.

In these higher aspirations the important thing is not to achieve, but to strive."

-Aldo Leopold

ClusterFlake 2010

2010-02-15T20:28:00.000-05:00

We have had SOOOOOO much snow here in Baltimore... there have been many charming monikers for it, but ClusterFlake is by far my favorite, taken via SL. I can't even enjoy it much...back in State College, snow was fun. It meant the possibility of canceled classes, movie days, and was plowed within a day - even side streets. Here, the city has taken to dumping the excess into the Harbor (I know this sounds bad, but seriously it's gonna go there anyway and there is NO WHERE else to put it) and taking Canadian technology to melt it in giant dumpsters.

Some pictures from the first 30+ inches (followed 2 days later by 24+ more...)

First sighting, around 4am

Trish says "no WAY am I going out there!" (the snow is higher than her)

My house in the snowy wonderland...

Sugar-coated candy houses!

One of the main roads in my neighborhood - more appropriate for a sleigh than cars.

Squirrel tracks, from the TINIEST squirrel I have ever seen, hanging around the pear try to get the last berries.

The REAL ClusterFlake...thank goodness I didn't park on this street!

Stay tuned for Seagulls in the snow!

Tonight

2010-02-14T01:45:00.000-05:00

Tonight.....

I laughed.
I sobbed.
I was disappointed.
I was elated.
I saw old friends.
I met new friends.
I felt desired.
I felt disposed.

I realized how much I have learned in the past year, month, day, hour.

I can be ME and nothing other than me. There is no need to pretend.

We get our prayers answered in the most extraordinary ways, that we don't even realize. That we may never realize fully.

I am going to keep throwing my heart wide open, because, like any muscle, in order for it to become stronger, you have to keep using itand allow it to hurt once in awhile.

This Valentine's Day, I am celebrating everyone who has helped strengthen my heart, whether you know it or not. I love you and thank you more than words. There are not enough words in the world to tell you so. Thank you.

Snow...

2010-02-05T08:12:00.000-05:00

I historically love winter, but this time with the snow brings teeth-gnashing, grr grr annoyance and anger at wrecking my most delightful and excitable plans!!!

What is Right Feels so Wrong

2010-01-21T21:51:00.000-05:00

I throw myself into life. I work hard. I love hard. I live hard. I do things the hard way. I know no other way. I have a good and full life with good and righteous people. I have learned to have this by slowly purging my life of the things and stressers that bring it down and don't help me build up the relationships I have.

So, when after giving all I have, giving lots of chances and second chances and so much leeway, I need some of that given back. Who doesn't need both ways? So now, after all my chances and nothing in return, after months of less than crickets, now communication finally becomes a good idea? I am so enraged I can't speak. I gave all of myself and all I seemed to get in return was torn down.

So, sorry, I have other plans. I do not want to see you. My friends, brother agree. I own you nothing. Not even a response (though I will anyway). I will see you on my own terms, not yours.

But...
If this is what everyone says is the right thing to do....
Why am I still so unsure?
Why do I still want to (if not get things right) get an explanation?
Why can't I let it go again. I was done.

I don't know what kind of sense any of this makes. None, most likely. I just want to run from it all. Run and not look back and not have any of this be any wear near as hard as it always is.

Bursting

2010-01-11T20:47:00.000-05:00

My heart feels so full today that I swear it might burst and shoot little rays of me all over the town and out into the county. Part out of joy, part out of terror and fear. Hopes and wishes and dreams and desires, friends and loves, cold and ice and warmth and sun and clouds, stillness and exhuberance. Where to begin? I want to let myself go, to throw my heart out in front of me, but I feel like it is on a a bungee and I don't know how - if I should - to just cut the line and let chance and fate sweep it away on the wind.

Jumping in (to today, at least):

Does anyone know about Bolt Bus? I just found out about this and am ECSTATIC. A fairly nice bus with free wireless internet transports you from one Penn Station to another (Balto to NYC) for a round trip fare of $40. $40???? It costs that much in tolls! Anyway, this means that all the trips to New York I've been wanting to make for the past 2 years are finally going to begin to happen - which is where Excitement #1 of the day comes in. Trip numero uno is happening first weekend of March! Yippeeeeeeeee!

Excitement #2 comes in liquid form:

Don Q Coco. (Photo credits as well.)

Brought back from Puerto Rico from one of my coworkers. It is so smooth and delicious that I want to cry when I take a sip. This is not rum to be wasted on drunken nights and bastardized with carbonated products. This is rum for savoring.

One thing people may not know about me is that I LOVE office supplies. I tend to remember to order the things I need at work about once a year, HOWEVER this was the week they came in! I have a clean new engineer scale, a shiney blue recycle bin, a pencil sharpener that does not sound like a small animal shoved down a garbage disposal, and, the best of all, a set of 10 multicolor highlighters. EEEEEEEE!!! Did you know highlighters came in so many colors?? I ran around the office showing off Excitement #3.

Red

Pink

Salmon

Orange

Yellow

Green

Royal

Cerulean

Plum

Violet.

What a thing of beauty.

Excitement #4 is actually the LACK of something. A friend and I were supposed to do a crazy race up in PA in two weeks, however the combination of holidays, two weeks of 30mph winds and working until 7 or 8 plus weekends is not very conducive to training, so we've decided to opt out this year. Which opens the door for Excitement #5 - the potential of seeing the Pens play the Flyers. Cross your fingers it will happen! (And that the Pens will win. Obviously.)

Friends are simply Excitement #6.

I stopped in Doubledutch yesterday looking for notebooks, and stumbled across Excitement #7:

Oh how I am drooling over this shoe from Pink Studios.

Please oh please let my car check-up be painless tomorrow so I can buy these shoes!

So then, back to the hard parts.....do I open my soul again, take my chances and risk it blowing away? I'm not sure I want to risk the pain, but I also don't want to live with regrets - regrets that I never took a chance, never knew. Never tried. Never did more than hope. I'd rather sweep stardust than ashes.

2010-01-07T21:03:00.000-05:00

Bike down... down to the downtown
Down to the lockdown... boards, nails lye around

I crouch like a crow
Contrasting the snow
For the agony, I'd rather know
'Cause blinded I am blindsided

Peek in... into the peer in
I'm not really like this... I'm probably plightless

I cup the window
I'm crippled and slow
For the agony
I'd rather know
'Cause blinded I am blindsided

Would you really rush out for me now?

Taught line... down to the shoreline
The end of a blood line... the moon is a cold light

There's a pull to the flow
My feet melt the snow
For the irony, i'd rather know
'Cause blinded I was blindsided

'Cause blinded I was blindsided

'Cause blinded I was blindsided

(Photos by me. Music by Bon Iver.)

-Em

Wish I.....

2010-01-06T12:21:00.000-05:00

Oh Wish I were:

Here. (Brugges, Belgium. Winter 2006.)

Winter in a story book-fairy tale.

Numb as a Statue

2010-01-05T21:55:00.002-05:00

The wind whistles through the cracks too numerous to count. Window, door, counter, outlet, baseboard. Old brick Baltimore rowhouses will do that.

Especially end houses with 12 windows. (On one side.)

Too many for the baseboard heaters to compete with. I fill the spaces between window and sill,

door and frame with gauzy white fabric and packing tape. Keep my earmuffs on,

wrap in wool blankets and down sleeping bags, chug hot tea by the box.

(Tonight, however, called for beer. Stress and weaning off of holiday cookies calls for beer.)

Break out the Mexican poncho.

Lock myself in the bathroom with a steaming shower and space heater.

Think (again) how I need to invest in a real pair of slippers. As much as I love the leopard print,

an incident involving falling up the stairs with a cup of coffee has called for a pair that I cannot slip out of. Even Miss Patricia, who wakes me up before 6 every morning, stayed tucked under
every layer of blanket near my knees until nearly 7 today.

The only thing my house really seems to do is provide a furry feline and tone down the wind from 30mph to about 5. Perhaps some rugs on the hardwood? Plastic to cover the windows?

I love the wind when I don't have to feel it in the winter. Nothing is better than hearing the howl when you are tucked nice and warm with a good book, cup of coffee and a cat, just watching the trees blow back and forth. Nothing is worse than sitting at your kitchen table and feeling the blow. Well, ok, a lot of things are worse. Indoor breezes just happen to not help the situation.

ANYWAY. Any advice on keeping warm?

Off to grab my cat and get under the down!

-Em

(PS! Post title from Zevon's The Wind. Am certainly feeling Numb as a Statue right now!)

Happy New Year!

2010-01-04T23:00:00.001-05:00

My official Happy New Year to all! (A few days late. Whatever.)

With love from me

and Trish

and Fernando (our stellar Frasier Fir).

May the magic of this holiday season

follow you

through the new year (decade)

and well into the next.

What a Way to Start the New Year

2010-01-02T23:23:00.000-05:00

Right now in Baltimore the wind is blowing at 40mph and it feels like 5 degrees (according to weather.com - no exaggerations here!).

Kelly: "I thought it was supposed to be warm in Baltimore. It's south."

My house is not much warmer. Thank you baseboard heaters placed along the OUTSIDE wall of the house that has no insulation. Enter wool blankets, down sleeping bags and an overweight cat. And perhaps glass of port.

New Year's 2010

How did you get here so fast??

What a year it has been. Probably the most challenging of my life. Not the most difficult, but challenging bar none. Began with a torn ACL (note to self: do not try to resurrect basketball career after 7 years at age 24) and spent the next 5 months with a combination of crutches, many many braces, surgery and the naming of my new knee, and countless hours of physical therapy. Outdoor classes in the arboretum on crutches, exams, weeks on end of not seeing my house until after 10pm, weeks on end of crying every day, 3 months of no sun, man troubles (or lack of man).

But I am stronger for it all.

It also brought learning how to accept help, visits and travels with old friends and family, a new (rented) house, new friends, a strong respect for myself and my abilities, trust for myself and my abilities, incredible gratitude for my family, newfound determination, fantatic music and concerts, a more developed knowledge of what I want to do with my life.

Best parts of 2009:

-Rebounding from knee surgery and getting back to 10mile runs within 6 months.

-Friends, friends, friends, friends. My fabulous, fantastic friends.

Resolutions for 2010?

-Spend more time in and getting to know Baltimore

-Take more pictures

-Break 2 hours in the half marathon

-Further my friend relationships (call, write, listen, be)

I have definitely grown this year. Found some wonderful new things. Attended some beautiful weddings. Saw some beautiful parts of the country. But for now, I will reminisce the past, love the present and dream about the future. And that means a warm and cozy bed.

Stay warm wherever you are!

Oh Bring Us Some Figgy Pudding....

2009-12-28T22:13:00.000-05:00

Figgy Pudding for some, Irish Cream Chocolate Mousse Cake for others. Like me. Mmmmmm. Layers of espresso sponge cake soaked with and Irish Whiskey syrup alternated with an Irish Cream chocolate mousse. I take it upon myself to make dessert every year for Christmas dinner and, as a chronic over-achiever, it has to be something spectacular and generally time-consuming. But delicious. And absolutely worth it.

Combine Irish and Whipping cream and whip to a frenzy.

Egg and sugar.

Curl an ounce of chocolate for garnish

(and end up looking like a small child

with chocolate all over hands and face!)

Combine and fold!

Saturate with Irish Whiskey.

Layer like a moon pie.

Delight!

Devour!

Coco Before Chanel

2009-12-23T10:53:00.000-05:00

I went to see Coco Before Chanel last night with the bestest at the Oaks theatre. I didn't realize before quite how badass Chanel was, and the incredible struggle it took for women to make it anywhere besides in a kitchen or a man's bed back then. Her style is extraordinary today, and shocking when it appeared the turn of the 20th century. The movie made me want to put on pearls and go ride a horse! (Ok, so two things I had already done that day, whatever.)

(found here)

(here again)

(via here)

The last picture may be my favorite outfit, simply because she wears it multiple times throughout the film and it always looks fresh, proving that you don't need more than a few things to look divine! Of course, I wouldn't mind owning that black dress, nor the man sitting next to her (swoon).

Serena Ryder

2009-12-21T21:16:00.000-05:00

< Le Sigh >

I have listened to this song on repeat for over a week. It rips at me. Tears me down. Rubs the raw wounds with salt. Then closes over, begins to mend, and builds me back up again.

This may not be the best quality, but I think the live performance shows the depth of her voice and the ache and emotion behind it. And it was filmed a year ago today. Fitting

2009-12-20T13:07:00.003-05:00

Is it possible to hurt more in the anticipation of missing somebody than upon the actual realization of the event? The not knowing of what the future will hold, if they were just there for a time, or if you are moving to a new place, a new level, with new kinds of beauty, feels unbearable.

Like falling off a horse, your back slamming into the ground.
All you can do is lay there, unresponsive.
Like being hit in the face with a basketball, when the only clarity is the pain,
all the rest of the world becomes fuzzy.

You want to be happy, glad that a new phase of life has come, WANT to be joyful that new dreams and adventures are taking hold. But that hole gnaws at you and you selfishly would rather everything to stay the same just so YOU don't have to feel this way.

And it would be so much easier to sleep at night if you knew
your dreams wouldn't tease you with all your
unrealized wishes.

It would be so much easier to know what to do. To let go? To try harder? To just accept? All I want to do is cry and go run. Try desperately to outrun these feelings.

I had a dream last night that I was in my old station wagon, driving through the snowy Pennsylvania farmland, and I had fallen asleep, though the car kept following the right path. When I awoke, the car spun out around a turn and flew through the front field of a farmhouse, into the fence at it's edge. I saw the fence coming towards me, but couldn't put on the breaks, even though the thought consumed me. All I could see was the fence and the hazy outline of a world in white. And we collided.

Chrismakkuh

2009-12-14T21:06:00.008-05:00

I have no idea where I get my love of parties and entertaining. Not parties where I know two people and it's too loud to talk or hear anyway, but parties with good people. I had the delight of hosting such an event this past weekend and I couldn't be happier with the results. Truly could not have a better company of people that I know.

Live music!

Good friends, good times!

Thanks to all who made Chrismakkuh so cheery and blessed!
I am worn out.
Effervised.
Exhausted.
Ready to head back to the Pierogie Homeland for some much needed rest!

Wishing you all an energizing, enlightened and ebullient holiday season, whatever your holiday of choice (or combination thereof) may be!

Lots of love,
Em

Meet the Family

2009-12-11T22:48:00.005-05:00

A little late for a Thanksgiving post, but then again I'm a little late with everything these days. I really do feel like I flail my way through life most of the time and often wonder how I come out on the other side. For instance, this morning I fell up the steps with my mug and threw coffee all over the place while sliding out of my leopard slippers.

But I digress.

Family. I am rediculously lucky to have the family I have. We may not be big, but we can be boisterous. And I absolutely adore them.

Meet Mom (peaking out behind Dad):

Meet Dad:(We were just delighting to the strains of Dylan's Christmas album....Glorious.)

Meet the Brother:

Goodness, this explains a lot about my family (and me!).

Lots of thanks for my crazy family!

Lots of love,
Me.

Exhaustion is a disease

2009-10-14T20:47:00.005-04:00

I can't even begin to address how fantastic this weekend was; a weekend surrounded by my friends, old and new, but all brothers. My national family, my home away from home, anywhere they are.

A snippet of my lovelies.

The Olmsteds in all their glory.

But what goes with a weekend like this is, naturally, very little sleep, on top of months of very little sleep, and what comes after all that months of no sleep and too much work and miles of running, and stress coming out my ears, is the doctor diagnosing me with exhaustion.

Diagnosis - exhaustion.
Prescription - 8 hours of sleep.
Response - no kidding.

So I'm off to try to follow doctor's orders.

-Em

(Interwebs are here at Casa Ema!)

Just Another Tuesday Night

2009-10-06T19:28:00.003-04:00

My GOODNESS it has been a long time since I've been on. Fortunately I will be connected to the rest of the world via home internet on Monday! I've been so busy over the past few months that I simply haven't had the time (ok, wanted to make the time) to spend an hour on the phone with Verizon to set it up and then argue with them about how they need to call me before they come or I will NEVER be there to let them in!

So for all of you out there in blogger land, whoever you may be, if you care, I am still alive, and will hopefully be popping up on here a little more in the near future.

In the meantime, cheers from the office! Another late night it is...

-Em

ps- just ordered THIS shirt for K's Oktoberfest!!

Baltimore Fashion Week

2009-08-10T14:05:00.002-04:00

I am ecstatic to be attending the final day of Fashion Week this Friday! The lovely Miss Caitlyn and I will be there, dressed "fashionable and fantastic."

(Image from the Fashion Week website.)

See you there!!

I am....

2009-07-28T19:21:00.002-04:00

HERE:

(La Officina)

Ain't she a lovely mess?
I just noticed that PhotoBooth reverses pictures when it takes....hmm....

And listening to this. New Son Volt. Mmmmmm.

Back to the grind.

Porsche Cup

2009-07-23T22:11:00.007-04:00

The parentals were in town this weekend and we decided to finally partake in that timeless horsey tradition, and attend the polo match. Possibly one of my dreams come true!! I must say that I expected more hats and less shorts, but perhaps I've just watched "Pretty Woman" too many times. Couldn't have asked for a more beautiful day, bright and sunny, low humidity.

If you've never seen polo played, it's a seriously intense sport. Think hockey, remove the ice, add 8 horses and a much heavier stick. Dad spent the whole time calling it like a soccer match. I don't know why more people don't go, other than the hefty drive outside the city. (For those of us who party inside the Beltway, it takes a lot to motivate going outside our little ring.)

BUT ANYHOO - This is SO worth it.

Good action.
Tailgating.
(Cheap!)
Spectacular people-watching.

I wish I knew some polo cheers right now!!

Mallets raised high - it takes a LOT of strength for that!!

The winners got to take a Porsche home.

Gorgeous cloudy sky.

Divot stomping!

The parentals made their mark on the field.

This is my dad. He juggles. Even polo balls.

Where I Live

2009-07-14T21:58:00.001-04:00

A lovely day in the park.

Please excuse the gentleman's rear in the foreground.

Friends' dogs are always welcome.

And it's always nice to come home to the window jungle.

Heels!!

2009-07-13T12:26:00.000-04:00

Howdy Monday!

No pictures yet (internet coming within the week!), but just had to share my intense excitement over the fact that I am wearing HEELS today!!! For most people this is an utterly "who cares" moment, but since I tore my ACL this past February, I have not worn heels in nearly 6 months. For a girl who attempts to channel Carrie Bradshaw on a daily basis, this was a predicament indeed. Whilest I was happy just to be walking again, I am rejoicing over the ability to once again add inches to my height.

Let's call it "working out" as my knee does in fact ache from the added muscle strain...

Hello there!

2009-07-10T13:21:00.000-04:00

Well hello! I've finally decided to start a blog, because, well because I want to! It is going to be limited for awhile (I don't even have my own picture on here!) until I get the interwebs connected to my home.

More to come!!

(The picture, by the way, is on the Ponte Sisto in Rome, looking towards Trastevere, where I lived for a few months several years ago.)