Dragon Mood? -- in a remembering mood
I must confess that I am rather startled that it is already the end of July. Wow! And this last week has flown by, evidenced by my lack of posting here.
The good news is that S and I finally got to spend the entire week together in our little pied-a-terre on Hyland. She was at the "office" in Warren, rather than being in the plant in Lansing. Being together felt lovely. Such a welcome contrast from the lonely months before this.
But let me digress. A week ago Tuesday(?), my ex-husband, Greg, called me and offered me my ex-mother-in-law's piano. He and his wife, Colleen, along with other siblings, were moving Joan from the apartment she has lived in for over thirty years to an assisted-living facility in the mountains of Arizona, near Greg and Colleen. To make a long and convoluted story a little shorter, I finally passed on their generous invitation. Do you know that feeling when you're trying to make something happen? . . . and then, virtually every step of the way, things don't happen? Nothing seems to fall into place, or there are impediments with every step? Well, that is how trying to work out the logistics of moving Joan's piano went. And, finally, I read the handwriting on the wall, and gave it up. And truthfully, if it had been anyone else but Joan, I wouldn't have even given it a second thought. It was definitely a sentimental thing for me, driven by my appreciation of Greg and Joan (and Josh -- he started it!) and their thinking of me.
So, back to this past week. Impelled by this offer of a piano, I began investigating digital pianos and keyboards. Again, I will cut through all the first-I-did-this and then-I-did-that-'s and record here that I bought a Kawai CA1000 digital piano for a handsome price (although, it *appeared* to be heavily discounted. Am I a sucker or what?). It will be delivered Tuesday. I will let you know my thoughts then.
So, on the Richter scale of domestic harmony and soul-fulfilling decisions (S with me and buying a piano), this has been an 8.9 week. Big!
Saturday, July 31, 2004
Monday, July 26, 2004
Monday, Monday
Dragon Mood? -- restless
I was just reading about all the security precautions that the city of Boston has put in place for the Democratic Convention. It actually makes me feel anxious and worried.
I will return to that thought in a minute. Saturday night, S and I took my nephew, Luke, to dinner at an upscale (for mid-Michigan and for us) restaurant, replete with flights of wine, $25-plus entrees, Sri Lankan stout and fat stogies to finish it off. We sat outside, next to planter boxes filled with flowers, watched the sun paint the sky with fantastical sunset colors and (yes, we drank that late into the night), then watched the stars emerge.
S loves a party, she loves to talk and she loves to talk politics with Luke. She was completely in her element Saturday night. We talked endlessly about politics, about society's continuing discrimination of women, and we talked about terrorism. (On a more mundane level, we talked about Dan Brown's allegedly plagiarized research on the DaVinci Code, and S must have brought up Mel Gibson's, "The Passion of Christ " at least four times, but no one --thank God!--bit on that conversational tidbit.)
One of the predictions that came out of our Saturday evening conversation was that if there is a terrorist attack between now and the November election, it's very likely that Bush will be re-elected. While the American people may be fed up with the Iraq war and the current administration's lies to them, they will put all that aside and rally behind the Commander-in-Chief.
I pray that there is no terrorist attack and I pray that the American people deal with Bush as they see fit.
You know how I feel about that!
I was just reading about all the security precautions that the city of Boston has put in place for the Democratic Convention. It actually makes me feel anxious and worried.
I will return to that thought in a minute. Saturday night, S and I took my nephew, Luke, to dinner at an upscale (for mid-Michigan and for us) restaurant, replete with flights of wine, $25-plus entrees, Sri Lankan stout and fat stogies to finish it off. We sat outside, next to planter boxes filled with flowers, watched the sun paint the sky with fantastical sunset colors and (yes, we drank that late into the night), then watched the stars emerge.
S loves a party, she loves to talk and she loves to talk politics with Luke. She was completely in her element Saturday night. We talked endlessly about politics, about society's continuing discrimination of women, and we talked about terrorism. (On a more mundane level, we talked about Dan Brown's allegedly plagiarized research on the DaVinci Code, and S must have brought up Mel Gibson's, "The Passion of Christ " at least four times, but no one --thank God!--bit on that conversational tidbit.)
One of the predictions that came out of our Saturday evening conversation was that if there is a terrorist attack between now and the November election, it's very likely that Bush will be re-elected. While the American people may be fed up with the Iraq war and the current administration's lies to them, they will put all that aside and rally behind the Commander-in-Chief.
I pray that there is no terrorist attack and I pray that the American people deal with Bush as they see fit.
You know how I feel about that!
Thursday, July 22, 2004
From my email bag . . .
Dragon Mood? -- liberally liberal
20 things you have to believe to be a Republican todayFeel free to pass these on. If you don't send them to at least ten other people, we're likely to be stuck with Bush for 4 more years
1. Being a drug addict is a moral failing and a crime, unless you're a conservative radio host. Then it's an illness and you need our prayers for your recovery.
2. The United States should get out of the United Nations, and our highest national priority is enforcing U.N. resolutions against Iraq.
3. Government should relax regulation of Big Business and Big Money but crack down on individuals who use marijuana to relieve the pain of illness.
4. "Standing Tall for America," means firing your workers and moving their jobs to India.
5. A woman can't be trusted with decisions about her own body, but multinational corporations can make decisions affecting all mankind without regulation.
6. Jesus loves you, and shares your hatred of homosexuals and Hillary Clinton.
7. The best way to improve military morale is to praise the troops in speeches while slashing veterans' benefits and combat pay.
8. Group sex and drug use are degenerate sins unless you someday run for governor of California as a Republican.
9. If condoms are kept out of schools, adolescents won't have sex.
10. A good way to fight terrorism is to belittle our longtime allies, then demand their cooperation and money.
11. HMOs and insurance companies have the interest of the public at heart.
12. Providing health care to all Iraqis is sound policy. Providing health care to all Americans is socialism.
13. Global warming and tobacco's link to cancer are junk science, but creationism should be taught in schools.
14. Saddam was a good guy when Reagan armed him, a bad guy when Bush's daddy made war on him, a good guy when Cheney did business with him and a bad guy when Bush needed a "we can't find Bin Laden" diversion.
15. A president lying about an extramarital affair is an impeachable offense. A president lying to enlist support for a war in which thousands die is solid defense policy.
16. Government should limit itself to the powers named in the Constitution, which include banning gay marriages and censoring the Internet.
17. The public has a right to know about Hillary's cattle trades, but George Bush's driving record is none of our business.
18. You support states' rights, which means Attorney General John Ashcroft can tell states what local voter initiatives they have a right to adopt.
19. What Bill Clinton did in the 1960s is of vital national interest, but what Bush did in the '80s is irrelevant.
20. Trade with Cuba is wrong because the country is communist, but trade with China and Vietnam is vital to a spirit of international harmony.
A Funny Story
Dragon Mood? -- amused
My parents visited S and me in May. During part of their stay, they traveled to Cadillac, Michigan, to see some friends. It turns out these friends were driving a new Buick SUV. When my parents returned to our house, they were telling S and I about the car and how much they liked it. They couldn't remember the name, but I asked if it was the Rendezvous? You know, the one that Tiger Woods promotes in TV commercials? Yeah, they said, that's the one.
After completing a whole bunch of other tasks on their to-do list, my parents were finally ready to sell their two cars and buy a new one. They visited a dealer last week and negotiated to trade in their Cadillac DeVille and their Chevy Tahoe for a new Buick Rendezvous. It was virtually an even trade and they called us to tell us about their new car. Dad said he really liked the "heads-up display" on the windshield.
Tuesday night, I was talking to him on the phone, He said they had discovered that they didn't like the hatchback door on the Rendezvous; it's so big and long that it actually hit their garage door when opened. They also didn't like the sunroof, as it evidently allowed more heat in this new car. (They live in central Texas.) And Evelyn kept saying that she didn't remember their friends' car in Cadillac being like this new Rendezvous.
Dad casually mentioned that day they had gone back to the dealership to get their plates. And, oh, by the way, they traded in the Rendezvous for a Buick Ranier. What?!? You traded in the car you just bought four days ago for another car?? Yup, that's what they did.
It turns out their friends' car was a Ranier all along, and that was the car they both liked.
I told Dad they got their "R-" words mixed up! He laughed and agreed.
My parents visited S and me in May. During part of their stay, they traveled to Cadillac, Michigan, to see some friends. It turns out these friends were driving a new Buick SUV. When my parents returned to our house, they were telling S and I about the car and how much they liked it. They couldn't remember the name, but I asked if it was the Rendezvous? You know, the one that Tiger Woods promotes in TV commercials? Yeah, they said, that's the one.
After completing a whole bunch of other tasks on their to-do list, my parents were finally ready to sell their two cars and buy a new one. They visited a dealer last week and negotiated to trade in their Cadillac DeVille and their Chevy Tahoe for a new Buick Rendezvous. It was virtually an even trade and they called us to tell us about their new car. Dad said he really liked the "heads-up display" on the windshield.
Tuesday night, I was talking to him on the phone, He said they had discovered that they didn't like the hatchback door on the Rendezvous; it's so big and long that it actually hit their garage door when opened. They also didn't like the sunroof, as it evidently allowed more heat in this new car. (They live in central Texas.) And Evelyn kept saying that she didn't remember their friends' car in Cadillac being like this new Rendezvous.
Dad casually mentioned that day they had gone back to the dealership to get their plates. And, oh, by the way, they traded in the Rendezvous for a Buick Ranier. What?!? You traded in the car you just bought four days ago for another car?? Yup, that's what they did.
It turns out their friends' car was a Ranier all along, and that was the car they both liked.
I told Dad they got their "R-" words mixed up! He laughed and agreed.
Tuesday, July 20, 2004
35th Anniversary
Dragon Mood? -- reminiscing
Thirty-five years ago, I was sixteen and vacationing with my parents. We had driven through Canada to New York State, to see Niagara Falls. I remember feeling really "dumb" at being with my parents at what was obviously a honeymoon destination. From there, we circled around Lake Erie to Sandusky, Ohio, where we visited Cedar Point, riding the rides, eating hot dogs and having fun. That evening we sat on the edge of a motel bed, our eyes glued to the television as Walter Cronkite announced that American astronauts had walked on the moon.
From the N.Y. Times article:
Thirty-five years ago, I was sixteen and vacationing with my parents. We had driven through Canada to New York State, to see Niagara Falls. I remember feeling really "dumb" at being with my parents at what was obviously a honeymoon destination. From there, we circled around Lake Erie to Sandusky, Ohio, where we visited Cedar Point, riding the rides, eating hot dogs and having fun. That evening we sat on the edge of a motel bed, our eyes glued to the television as Walter Cronkite announced that American astronauts had walked on the moon.
From the N.Y. Times article:
Two Americans, astronauts of Apollo 11, steered their fragile four-legged lunar module safely and smoothly to the historic landing yesterday at 4:17:40 P.M., Eastern daylight time.Even today, I am awed.
Neil A. Armstrong, the 38-year-old civilian commander, radioed to earth and the mission control room here:
"Houston, Tranquility Base here. The Eagle has landed."
The first men to reach the moon--Mr. Armstrong and his co-pilot, Col. Edwin E. Aldrin, Jr. of the Air Force--brought their ship to rest on a level, rock-strewn plain near the southwestern shore of the arid Sea of Tranquility.
About six and a half hours later, Mr. Armstrong opened the landing craft's hatch, stepped slowly down the ladder and declared as he planted the first human footprint on the lunar crust:
"That's one small step for man, one giant leap for mankind."
His first step on the moon came at 10:56:20 P.M., as a television camera outside the craft transmitted his every move to an awed and excited audience of hundreds of millions of people on earth."
Dreaming of Crescent Moons and Dragon Wagons
Dragon Mood? -- elated
In someone else's blog, I saw a link to Crescent Dragonwagon. Crescent Dragonwagon is a person's name, a woman who happens to write children's books. I love her name!
At her what's-my-name page, she writes:
And, I found out that Crescent means "the growing." Another cool name!
I think the reason I'm so excited at finding Crescent is that S and I have had loads of fun sitting on the front stoop on Hyland imagining creating a name for ourselves. This woman is an inspiration!
In someone else's blog, I saw a link to Crescent Dragonwagon. Crescent Dragonwagon is a person's name, a woman who happens to write children's books. I love her name!
At her what's-my-name page, she writes:
"Many people do dumb things in their teenage years, but most have the sense not to cast them in concrete, which they then have to drag around for the rest of their lives...(laughing) Calling Dr. Agonwagon! Calling Dr. Agonwagon!
Thus we became Crescent and Crispin Dragonwagon...
But, I will say it's a great children's book name; kids love saying it. Plus, I enjoy seeing how various mailing list computers maim it. For instance, I get letters from American Express, beginning, 'Dear Mr. Wagon,' and solicitations addressed to Dr. Agonwagon.
And, I found out that Crescent means "the growing." Another cool name!
I think the reason I'm so excited at finding Crescent is that S and I have had loads of fun sitting on the front stoop on Hyland imagining creating a name for ourselves. This woman is an inspiration!
All you single women!
Dragon Mood? -- chagrined
from another (squarespace) blog comes this quote:
from another (squarespace) blog comes this quote:
I really hope my daughter reads this post."The thing is, telling women -- especially single women -- that they need to hurry up and have children is like telling an elderly woman with a walker that she needs to get across the street faster. She wants to get across the street. She's trying to get across the street. Yelling that the light is changing and cars are coming will not help her get across the street."- Cindy Chupak
Monday, July 19, 2004
Kudos
Dragon Mood? -- appreciative
I know that I'm a little late on the feedback, but kudos to the Google and/or Blogger folks for the tremendous improvements to the post editor.
As a novice to the HTML world, I appreciate how you have made the posting and editing process an easier one . . . by three giant steps forward!! Good job, folks!
I know that I'm a little late on the feedback, but kudos to the Google and/or Blogger folks for the tremendous improvements to the post editor.
As a novice to the HTML world, I appreciate how you have made the posting and editing process an easier one . . . by three giant steps forward!! Good job, folks!
Centered
Dragon Mood? -- a dragon with no heartburn!
I'm back from my two-week "layoff," feeling rested, refreshed and centered.
Aren't vacations wonderful?
The "centered" part of my outlook is the most critical as it speaks to balance in my life. Right now, I'm feeling pretty balanced. The other fifty weeks of the year, my life feels more out of balance, the scales tipped way toward the working side and time spent that is not my own.
How is it possible to re-create a sense of centeredness without quitting my job? Let me rephrase that question: Is it possible to re-create a sense of centeredness while working forty hours a week, maintaining two homes, nourishing and sustaining a valuable relationship and not being on vacation???
I hope I can retain this feeling for even a few days.
I'm back from my two-week "layoff," feeling rested, refreshed and centered.
Aren't vacations wonderful?
The "centered" part of my outlook is the most critical as it speaks to balance in my life. Right now, I'm feeling pretty balanced. The other fifty weeks of the year, my life feels more out of balance, the scales tipped way toward the working side and time spent that is not my own.
How is it possible to re-create a sense of centeredness without quitting my job? Let me rephrase that question: Is it possible to re-create a sense of centeredness while working forty hours a week, maintaining two homes, nourishing and sustaining a valuable relationship and not being on vacation???
I hope I can retain this feeling for even a few days.
Saturday, July 03, 2004
Daffy's
Dragon Mood? -- comfy in my dragon-jammies
Most of our loving family is gathered in Philadelphia this weekend, the word, "most" not including S and me. We were invited, encouraged, prodded and (even slightly) pushed to join the group this weekend, but finances, time pressures and sheer fatigue prevented us from doing so.
I called Ruth this morning, wanting to experience a little bit of the bonhomie long-distance. She told me a little about their Happy Hour conversation, missing some of the First Friday Art Gallery tour downtown, and watching the Philly fireworks last night.
When I asked her what was on tap for today, she replied there were a variety of possible places they might visit and activities they might do. The one that jumped out at me was her mention of Daffy's. Look at their website. Did you notice that it is subtitled, "Clothing Bargains for Millionaires?"
There must be some mistake on that lottery winner in Massachusetts. The universe is trying to tell me something. I should have been one of fourteen millionaires today, jetting to Philly, joining my loving family-of-origin and shopping at Daffy's.
Most of our loving family is gathered in Philadelphia this weekend, the word, "most" not including S and me. We were invited, encouraged, prodded and (even slightly) pushed to join the group this weekend, but finances, time pressures and sheer fatigue prevented us from doing so.
I called Ruth this morning, wanting to experience a little bit of the bonhomie long-distance. She told me a little about their Happy Hour conversation, missing some of the First Friday Art Gallery tour downtown, and watching the Philly fireworks last night.
When I asked her what was on tap for today, she replied there were a variety of possible places they might visit and activities they might do. The one that jumped out at me was her mention of Daffy's. Look at their website. Did you notice that it is subtitled, "Clothing Bargains for Millionaires?"
There must be some mistake on that lottery winner in Massachusetts. The universe is trying to tell me something. I should have been one of fourteen millionaires today, jetting to Philly, joining my loving family-of-origin and shopping at Daffy's.
Darn . . . not a millionaire!
Dragon Mood? -- amused & disappointed
As of today, I begin a two-week layoff mandated by an employer with whom I am contracted. Yeah, life is tough some times, especially in the midst of a gorgeous July summer. While there is an economic "gotcha" to this layoff, it is still a welcome break from the daily grind and routine.
Three days ago, I was approached by a "direct" employee of this same employer asking if I wanted to join a lottery pool. While I don't follow the lottery offerings or their sometimes massive winnings, my ears perked up. Lottery? Win some money? Sure!
As it turned out, I kicked in $10, there were fourteen of us in the pool and we had 140 chances (doesn't that sound like a statistically sure thing?) at winning the big pot: $290 MILLION DOLLARS.
And, while I consider myself a relatively contented person and generally don't covet money or material things, I was pretty sure that, by golly, we had a chance to win this big pot!
I eagerly jumped out of bed, this first day of my layoff and headed right here, to the computer, to find out if I had become a millionaire overnight. Could this be the first day of my new life after "my ship came in?" Could this be the end of worrying about paying off my credit card? Could this be the last time I worry about getting laid off? We've got all these tickets! Surely we've got a chance!
Well . . . that, indeed, is what it turned out to be. Just a chance. Actually, 140 chances. Out of over 130 million chances. And, as it turned out, our little office pool got sucked up in the spend-your-money-here shop-vac of the Mega Millions Lottery. Some poor, lone schmuck in Massachusetts won the pot. (Did you notice how I tried to make that person someone to be pitied? NOT!)
Ah, well. Time to be philosophical. I didn't really want my $10 million share (calculating that the government would take at least half of the $290 mil). I really do want to work for the rest of my breathing days for said employer who can cut my hours, reduce my pay and lay me off any ol' time they want to. Who needs $10 million?
Philosophical? Yeah, it's time to go out and smell the roses.
As of today, I begin a two-week layoff mandated by an employer with whom I am contracted. Yeah, life is tough some times, especially in the midst of a gorgeous July summer. While there is an economic "gotcha" to this layoff, it is still a welcome break from the daily grind and routine.
Three days ago, I was approached by a "direct" employee of this same employer asking if I wanted to join a lottery pool. While I don't follow the lottery offerings or their sometimes massive winnings, my ears perked up. Lottery? Win some money? Sure!
As it turned out, I kicked in $10, there were fourteen of us in the pool and we had 140 chances (doesn't that sound like a statistically sure thing?) at winning the big pot: $290 MILLION DOLLARS.
And, while I consider myself a relatively contented person and generally don't covet money or material things, I was pretty sure that, by golly, we had a chance to win this big pot!
I eagerly jumped out of bed, this first day of my layoff and headed right here, to the computer, to find out if I had become a millionaire overnight. Could this be the first day of my new life after "my ship came in?" Could this be the end of worrying about paying off my credit card? Could this be the last time I worry about getting laid off? We've got all these tickets! Surely we've got a chance!
Well . . . that, indeed, is what it turned out to be. Just a chance. Actually, 140 chances. Out of over 130 million chances. And, as it turned out, our little office pool got sucked up in the spend-your-money-here shop-vac of the Mega Millions Lottery. Some poor, lone schmuck in Massachusetts won the pot. (Did you notice how I tried to make that person someone to be pitied? NOT!)
Ah, well. Time to be philosophical. I didn't really want my $10 million share (calculating that the government would take at least half of the $290 mil). I really do want to work for the rest of my breathing days for said employer who can cut my hours, reduce my pay and lay me off any ol' time they want to. Who needs $10 million?
Philosophical? Yeah, it's time to go out and smell the roses.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)