Back from vacation...

But I don't have time to write much. I'm already well past my bedtime. I promise I'll provide an abbreviated report from my trip to Seattle and beyond just as soon as time permits. For now, though, you are just going to have to settle for a few pictures...

Ahhhhh, Paradise. Literally.

In a few days, I will be here, there, whereever. And it will be awesome. Vacation could not possible have arrived at a better time. My nerves are stretched to their painfully frayed limits and I need a break to draw back in some energy and some perspective. I want to feel like a teeny-tiny speck on the enormous ass of this world. My current problems, failures, worries all mean nothing in the grand scheme of things. As Dan always tells me, "this too shall pass." He's right. He's always right. (except when he's not... ;) ) So, I look forward to a relaxing adventure in Seattle, away from EVERYTHING. It's gonna be (get out your thesauraus and fill in any synonym of "perfect" or "good" or "exactly what the doctor ordered").

See you on the flip side.

Gravity versus Intelligent Falling

I have been and continue to be extremely disgusted with the debate over the theory of evolution versus "Intelligent Design". However, I think that The Onion puts it all into perspective for me by throwing another iron on the fire.

If the theory of gravity is overturned, I'm out of a job as I've been working under the enormous assumption that water flows downhill.

This past Saturday, as I have mentioned previously, was my 10th year high school reunion. Somehow I managed to muster up the attitude that this reunion might be an excellent opportunity to connect with people who, through the constructs of high school, I never really "knew". As it turns out, at the reunion, I was met with an enormous affirmation. I actually did fall into EXACTLY the right crowd of friends. Of all the people I talked with that night, of all the people I watched, I was not impressed or intrigued or seduced in a direction other than the one I am already headed. I left that rented hall feeling that I have been blessed with discovering friends who are of like mind and heart. Extraordinary people. Lovely people. I can't imagine life without them. And, really, without them, I would have not met some more extraordinary close friends. So, geez, I really lucked out. I knew that already, but after the reunion, I KNOW that.

Wisdom from a Township Meeting Part 1

Last night a man lectured us, his reluctant captives. He quoted some famous person. And the quote went something like this: A fool is one who doesn't realize his own mistakes, but the whole world is aware of them. A wise man is one who secretly knows of his mistakes, but the world is unaware.

I turned to Dragon beside me and whispered, "what are you if you know your mistakes and everyone else around you knows them too?" Dragon leaned in and whispered, "That would make you a wise fool." And I said, "That would be me."

A Decade Done Gone

When I was a kid, 10 years seemed tantamount to an eternity. As it turns out, it's an eternity in a blink of an eye. This weekend is my ten year high school reunion and I'm simply not sure what to think about it. A large chunk of me feels tall and strong and smart and ready to show these people I haven't seen in 10 years what good work I've made of myself in those years. The remaining splintered pieces shrink to my awkwardness, my self-doubt, my suspicions of failed expectations, my annoyance that I haven't burned away that tire around my waist, and my fears that life hasn't yet and won't ever turn out as I had imagined. My mind on occasion can be a chaotic messy muck - a surprise to even me still. I just hope the face I bring to the reunion is true and open and fearless. And I also hope to have a hell of a good time.

Another Passing

Were you as shocked as I was this morning at the news of Peter Jennings' passing? Wasn't it just last week that he announced his illness to the world? Okay, maybe it wasn't last week. Maybe it was a few weeks ago. Maybe it was a few months ago. I don't recall. Whatever the time frame, his cancer swallowed him up so quickly and ferociously, it would seem. With all of the resources that money and prestige can afford, he still could not conquer the unconquerable. The human condition is fragile and fleeting.

I'll miss Peter Jennings. Briefly, I'll miss him as his persona passes into history. It's an unusual life that touches so many lives and memories as Jennings' life did. His voice reminds me of the sounds of clearing the dinner table, my dad in is blue work shirt with his sleeves rolled up, my sister and I arguing over whose turn it was to load the dishwasher, the fading evening light, and the softness and security of home.

Here's another face of human ingenuity

I'm convinced that the only people worthy of hero-status are the people who think of themselves as unworthy of that status. Humility is a quality not often admired, appreciated, or honored in our American society. Too often people fake their way to the top and that ability to fake is quietly rejoiced and publicly ignored.
Pictured here is a man who, in my estimation, has earned every bit of rock hero status he has unintentionally acquired. If you get a chance, as I did again yesterday, check out his interview with Bob Edwards where he defines his philosophy on creating his art and ultimately releasing it to the world. AND he's unexpectedly candid in divulging the meaning of his lyrics on his latest album. (...something about a bug that invades a picnic with the sole desire of getting closer to a female of the human species...huh?) If you have even MORE time on your hands, listen to his input at a recent New York Public Library discussion on the topic of Who Owns Culture? How often do you hear an artist say, "I'd like people to hear my music and say they don't like it rather than not be able to hear it because they can't afford it"...and actually mean it?

What got me started on this? After listening to the Bob Edwards interview yesterday, I thought this is one "rock star" I can relate to in attitude and outlook (but certainly not in talent). But, if your not into that, check out Terry Gross' interview with Iggy Pop. Yikes, that dude is weird.

This Will Be Deleted Before Sunrise, Will, So Read Quickly...

I promised myself that I would no longer blog on Thursday nights after happy hour. But, I find myself, after a few drinks and a cigarette, wanting to spill my guts. Not that I have too many guts to spill. The truth of the matter is that I've been rather hormonal the past couple of days. I know I've said this before, but I'll say it again - sometimes it sucks being a girl. I mean, I have no control over the level of certain chemicals in my body. No control. So, can I help it if I've been craving human contact for 2 days straight? Can I help that? I don't think I can. It's like a pregnant woman craving pickles and ice cream. There's nothing I can do. So, I apologize to all of those people asking themselves, "What is her deal?" You know who you are. I know how you are. All is well. In a day or two, I hope to be back to an acceptable level of neediness.

These are the faces of human ingenuity...

It's an awe-inspiring sight to behold.

If Only I Could Sleep

The past couple of nights, my sleep has left something to be desired. Last night was particularly rough. I should know better than to watch the "I see dead people" movie right before heading off to count sheep. Every noise in the house seemed strange and ghostly once I turned out the lights. My thoughts soon drifted from ghosts to sleepy dreams and then back to more realistic terrors - had I locked all of windows?? I remember in college a guy waking up a few doors down from me with a man standing over him with a knife. I wasn't about to freak out about that all night, so I got up out of bed and checked the windows. Ahhh, safe. Back to bed. I drifted off to sleep again only find myself in a nightmare. I was in a bank. The teller was evaluating my checking account and voicing to me in a rather high-volume tone that I was going to have be set on a special punitive program because I had not been paying my bills correctly. Sarcastic in my dreams as in life, I asked the teller if she could speak a little louder since I wasn't sure that EVERYone in the room could hear the embarrassing discussion. She said that, of course, she could speak louder. So, I said, "Then, SPEAK LOUDER!"

It was at this point in the dream that I shifted in bed and felt something furry by my leg. I awoke with a start. Grabbed the furry thing and flung it to the floor. Turned on the light. No furry thing to be seen. The door was still closed as I had left i the night before. "Ada", I called. I heard a little mew from outside the bedroom. Hmmm. Where's the furry something? At 2:30 in the morning I found myself investigating my bed thoroughly. Nothing. Maybe I was dreaming that too. Satsified that no animal large or small would attack me in my sleep, I cozied back in to enjoy the last 2 hours before my alarm would go off. Ada wasn't ready to go back to sleep. She pawed and meowed at the door for the remaining hours as I drifted in and out of sleep, distracted by her and by my growling stomach.

What a night. This morning will require some serious coffee.

The Wedding

We've all been a little bit busy lately - thus, the lack of blog updating. But, despite my fatigue after a long day and despite the fact that I'm exceedingly cranky with myself after a glance at my finances, I'm going to take a few minutes out to review the weekend. Because it was a great weekend and reviewing it might just lift my spirits.

Friday night Annie and Chip wed in gangster style at the Syndicate in Newport. After the long line of Catholic weddings I've attended, it was nice to have a little bit of a change-up. Here's the lowdown as told by pictures:


Cassie and Parker share a drunken heart-to-heart review of the meaning of marriage.
















Donna listens intently to the conversation as Papa ponders his choice of remaining uncharacteristcly sober at a wedding for the first time in anyone's recollection.









Dan and Jeff share talk of painting, hiking and striped ties, until...












...Jeff closes his eyes in discomfort as Dan clearly moves in on Jeff's sister. Kevin ignores the awkward situation by posing for the camera in true Kevin "I am only one man" Brown style.








Okay, so I didn't get too many pictures at the wedding. And I've pretty much fabricated this whole blog. Except for the wedding part. There was a wedding and all of my favorite people were there and I had a fantastic time. Thanks, Annie and Chip...and Congratulations!