Life's Soundtrack

Sometimes you just want a song. That song. Sometimes it rocks out. Sometimes it makes you cry out. My taste in music is as schizophrenic as my taste in reading materials. I quite like it that way. (Blame it on a liberal arts education).

Been spending a lot of time thinking about life, change, art, work, loss, faith, love.

Life. It's really just a sing along.

A karaoke.

You can embrace it.

It can be embarrassing.

It can be a shout at the top of your lungs big puffy heart love it experience.

You decide.

Every.

Day.

Long Live the Nog!

My love of egg nog was diligently cultivated by my Father. When I became "legal," the infatuation became full on, heavy cream, raw egg, brandy, whiskey, rum, who knows what else is in there (?) lust.

So it only seemed fitting that somewhere in the early to mid-2000's Pops and I started an informal contest: Who can score the nog first? The rules were pretty simple. You had to be the first to get the alcohol-laced (somewhat gross but ok with ice and cinnamon) premixed nog.

Pops and I being the type A psychos we are, would start our quests as early as September - scouring liquor stores, seeking egg nog glory.

Time passed and the competition went by the way-side. Maybe we were sick of egg nog? (Ahahahahaha! As if). Maybe we could no longer one up the other? Was I winning? (Doubtful).

At any rate, egg nog was still a big draw come every Thanksgiving. Even this past Thanksgiving, as Dad was carving the turkey when I arrived, he offered me a glass of egg nog. . .eyes twinkling, mischievous even. . .our "thing."

This evening I went to the liquor store. I'm quite loyal about supporting local merchants and following my brief stay on East Pratt where the "Beer Doctor" would actually deliver adult beverages to my door, I've been frequenting the same liquor store for at least nine years.

The parking lot was packed - as always on a Friday evening. I got the usual and went to the register. This is a Mom and Pop operation although they appear to do a sick business. At the register this evening was a lady I see infrequently. I think she might own the place? She doesn't work the register often. In fact, I can't tell you the last time I saw her.

We exchange pleasantries (she remembers my name - they all know my name. Love, love, love local merchants) and then she says, "How is your Dad?"

Huh?

d: Actually, my Father passed away.
LL (Liquor Lady): I'm sorry when?
d: December 19
LL: Was he ill?
d: Gives the cliff's notes version
LL: Well I always think of him when I see you. Your egg nog competition and all.
d well of course, I had to explain why I was asking for egg nog in August
d: He passed young.
LL: My Dad passed when he was 63.
d: I have no regrets though. We had a great relationship.
LL: I could tell you shared something special with your Father.
d: So funny you asked about him this evening.
LL: Maybe he's thinking about you?
d: He should know he left me with a LOT of egg nog to drink.

Laughs all around. . .

Book #4 - Izzy & Lenore

I was so excited to read Jon Katz's Izzy & Lenore, Two Dogs, an Unexpected Journey, and Me.

This book chronicles Katz's early adventures with Izzy the abandoned border collie and Lenore the silky, squirmy, loving, Lab puppy. Katz and Izzy tackle hospice volunteerism. Katz and Lenore tackle Katz's personal journey through what he sometimes calls the "territory of fear" - his sudden and nearly devastating depression.

A hero's journey on all accounts.

Granted, it was a little difficult to read about depressed and terminally ill individuals given what I've been through recently. However, the insights Katz offers and the poignant manner in which he offers them, ultimately left me feeling full of love and hope.

It's a quick read (only about 150 pages). As a bonus, the book contains a few of Jon's amazing photography.

A lovely, lovely book. . .and I'm not just saying that because I have a huge cyber-crush on Katz's blog: http://www.bedlamfarm.com/

Exhibit A

This is a reason why my furniture is always covered in ratty old sheets.

Book #3 Bad Mother

Ok. . .This was only 191 pages and the first 10 or so really felt like it was going to hurt - a lot. I am so thankful I kept at it.

Bad Mother - A Chronicle of Maternal Crimes, Minor Calamities, and Occasional Moments of Grace by Ayelet Waldman turned out to be a gutsy and inspirational read.

Waldman is happily married, highly educated and the mother of 4 children. This book examines some of her laments, regrets, personal struggles, and the insights she has gleaned from it all.

Waldman bares all in a ballsy sometimes gut wrenching self-examination. It's not all gloom and doom though. She's funny - in a smart, almost unapologetic way.

Anyone contemplating parenting, anyone who is in the "trenches" already, and any empty-nester will surely appreciate Waldman's work.

Aside: 6 new books loaded into the Sony eReader this evening. Next Up? Izzy & Lenore by one of my all-time favs Jon Katz.

2010 Handbook

I found this little gem in my in-box at work the other morning. At first I thought it was some new HR policy. I was pleasantly surprised when I started reading.

Typically, I like my own original (albeit misguided) content; however, I like this one so I'm posting.

I don't see a copyright on it anywhere and I'm not sure what source I should be crediting? Suffice to say, I didn't come up with this (it's not nearly smarmy enough) and if anyone knows the original source, please advise and I'll give credit where credit is due.

Health:
1. Drink plenty of water
2. Eat breakfast like a king, lunch like a prince, dinner like a beggar
3. Eat more plants and eat fewer foods that are manufactured in plants
4. Live with the 3 Es- Energy, Enthusiasm, and Empathy
5. Make time to pray.
6. Play more games
7. Read more books than you did in 2009
8. Sit in silence for at least 10 minutes a day
9. Sleep for 7 hours
10. Take a 10-30 minute walk daily. While you walk, smile

Personality:
11. Don't compare your life to others. You have no idea what their journey is all about
12. Don't have negative thoughts for things you cannot control. Instead invest your energy in the positive present moment
13. Don't over do. Know your limits
14. Don't take yourself so seriously that no one else does
15. Don't waste your energy or time on gossip
16. Dream more while you're awake
17. Envy is a waste of time. You already have all you need
18. Forget issues of the past. It could affect your current happiness
19. Life is too short to waste time hating anyone
20. Make peace with your past so it won't spoil the present
21. No one is in charge of your happiness except you
22. Realize that life is a school and you are here to learn. Problems are simply part of the curriculum
23. Smile and laugh more
24. You don't have to win every argument. Agree to disagree

Society:
25. Call your family and friends often
26. Each day give something good to others
27. Forgive everyone for everything
28. Spend time with people over the age of 70 and under the age of 6
29. Try to make at least three people smile each day
30. What other people think of you is none of your business
31. You job won't take care of you when you are sick. Your friends and family will. Stay in touch.

Life:
32. Do the right thing, at the right time, for the right reasons.
33. Get rid of anything that isn't useful, beautiful or joyful.
34. God heals everything
35. However good or bad a situation is, it will change
36. No matter how you feel, get up, dress up and show up
37. The best is yet to come
38. When you awake every morning and before you sleep each night, offer your thanks

Book #2 - Superfreaknomics

This wild ride is the sequel to Freakonomics by Steven Levitt (Prof of Economics) and Stephen Dubner (author/journalist).

If your previous perception of Economics involved only the dry "macro" and the tedious "micro" categories, give Levitt and Dubner's books a chance. They don't disappoint.

Superfreakonomics examines real world issues:

Why statistically speaking, it's much safer to drive drunk than it is to walk drunk. (Although, they do suggest calling a cab or designated driver). . .

How a prostitute is like a department store Santa. . .

The real deal on apathy and altruism. . .

How Al Gore is like a volcano. . .

This book is absolutely as enjoyable as the first. They read clearly, easily, and quickly. Bend your mind a bit. . .You'll love it.

C is Ambitious, Plus No Trip to JHU ER

We have this one print that is especially vexing in terms of its size for framing. The print itself cost about $12. However, it requires custom framing that could cost in excess of $112. That seems a bit much no?

Enter Superman C with his tools, know-how, and resolve. . .

The scene earlier this afternoon:

C on his hands and knees miter box on a towel in the center of the kitchen floor, lengths of molding surrounding him. . .

d: "Please be careful."

C: "Careful is my middle name, baby."

d proceeds to the basement to do wifely laundry duty. Wants beer during Pittsburgh game but is scared might have to drive saw-wielding husband to the ER at any moment.

From above: Saw, saw, saw, whack. . .saw, saw, saw, whack. . . .muffled sanding and sawing noises.

d cracks beer. . .

From above C blurts out: "Oh Fudge!"

pause, pause pause. . .d listening. All muffled sanding and sawing ceases. . .

d: "Are you OK?"

(Imagine your own cricket noises) followed by the sound of running water. . .That can only mean one thing and it ain't good.

d: (Second verse same as the first. . .) "Are you OK?"

C: "I'm fine"

d: "Do you need a band aid?"

C: Clearly insulted and somewhat indignant. . ."Pftt. No."

d swills adult beverage. . .Whew

Tilghman. . .

Somehow he's learned to be beggy?

One Book Down - 59 More to Go

First of all, the weather here is horrific. Freezing cold and extremely windy. This has resulted in my desire to NEVER LEAVE THE HOUSE AGAIN!!!!! Seriously, it's positively frigid and miserable. Don't be fooled by the clear skies. I know I could probably be snapping all sorts of great pics but I'm wholly deterred by the temperatures. Please spring, come soon. . .

Despite staying in my PJs all day yesterday and binging on The Wire season two and holiday cookies, I managed to get through Jen Lancaster's Pretty in Plaid.

I'm not saying "managed" as in the book was miserable. It was quite engaging.

Jen Lancaster writes memoirs. . .clever, easy to read, hilarious, and occassionally poignant memoirs. This, her fourth book, does not disappoint. This book examines events, fashion faux pas, and life lessons learned prior to her first memior Bitter is the New Black.

Jen Lancaster does likely appeal to a female audience. It's not the type of book I could see my Husband or Brother reading. However, there are parts of all of her books that I've read to my Husband, and he does laugh out loud. I suspect he's laughing because they sound like things I've done or pausibly could have done. . .

Which I think is part of her draw: She's like your hysterically funny best friend. Her quest for the perfect handbag, a decent job, and a smaller waistline is recounted in a hilarious banter with enough self awareness to allow the reader to empathasize with her. . .even when she is enaging in some positively ruthless, bad behavior.

I enjoyed this book just as much as the previous three. Go Jen Lancaster!