Monday Musings - November 23, 2009

1. The weather in this part of the country is becoming downright awful. Rain, gloom and talk of snow. It is hard to get everything ready for the winter. On the other hand, it is one of the most mild November's I can remember. We have had only one freeze. I'm confused as to which is worse, mild and wet or cold and bright.

2. Football weekend for the family was a loser--with three of the four teams coming up short in the final score--the only team that won didn't play well enough to win. Adding the scores together--all three teams lost by a combined six points. With the winner winning by one measly point. That, as they say it is why they play the game.

3. One riding lawn mower and two grandsons equals priceless memories.

4. Being up on the roof putting up Christmas decorations is not for everyone. The scary part is helping those down the ladder who came up so easily. Some people go up a lot better than they go down.

5. Why do we name things--like the talking GPS in the car and the Thanksgiving turkey?

6. A couple friends at work have elected to retire this year--one this week. Wow--that is one of those transitions I have always thought was coming sometime in the future but never really considered in the present. I guess, it is creeping up on me, too. I'll think about planning for it next year! I still have time.

7. Hey--the most wonderful holiday of the year is upon us--Thanksgiving. And we have so much to be thankful for--like for everything. Stop and take a moment to reflect on the blessings in your life.

8. New windows--check. New lights--check. New paint--check. OK, the projects for 2009 are getting completed, time to start planning the projects for 2010.

9. Have you heard anyone call next year "oh-ten?" Technically, its not wrong 'cause next year is 2010. But we know what they meant, right?

10. If you are traveling this week or next (as I am)--may your travel be pleasant and safe. And may you arrive at your destination and return to your home without incident.

New Moon - Twilight Movie Review

Opening day--there I was standing in line to see this movie because I'm married to a Twilight series lover.

I looked around the theater as we sat down--as a male, I was in a definite minority. There was a definite lack of testosterone in the theater. I was in a den of women (some are calling the older ones cougars) to see a movie about vampires. I wondered if I was safe.

Let's talk about the movie.

It is a love story of epic proportions. And a love triangle. There are some action scenes, but it is mostly dialogue. There are personal interactions. This movie has almost no character development--that was all assumed form the first movie or the books. So, if you do not know the back story--you must read the books or see the first movie to enjoy this stiry. There are many references which assume full understanding of what has happened before.

So--first timers (probably guys) are going to hate this movie because they do not understand it.

Series followers are going to love it because it is generally faithful to the books.


New Moon is the second installment in the Twilight series and I found the movie plodding, punctuated by moments of action. It is a depressing story where no one seems to be happy and there is little joy. The action is short and always goes back to more depressing dialogue. As you might expect from a movie about vampires--it is a dark movie. The skies are always overcast, or it is raining. The dialogue is cumbersome and ofter gets in the way of the story.

Recommendation: Unless you are a Twilight series addict, you will probably not like the movie. The only reason to see the movie is to understand what all the fuss is about. No sex, no foul language, but there are some violent scenes.

Saturday before the Holidays

OK--shoppers start your engines.

Get started--it is the last Saturday before the frenzy of the holiday season grabs us and drags us along until well into January.

From here on--the pace of life is doubled until that frantic week of Christmas and New Years is upon us.

Parties, shopping, eating, and did I say parties? Drinking wine? Oh, yes.

What do I like most about the holidays? Watching Santa arrive in the Macy's Thanksgiving Day parade. Despite all of the Christmas Season preparations which are already out in the stores, for me--Santa's arrival in the parade marks that one spot where I begin the month-long transition into the Holiday Spirit(s).

What is the point where it all begins for you? Let me know by commenting.

At least during the season it is easy to decide what to do with any available spare time! Shop, party, eat or decorate! (SPED)

Hmmmm--!

I think the acronym says it all--SPED and that is what we do through the Holidays because I know that in January we will look back and remark how the Holiday season just SPED by. Of course we will be driving at that point to the club to lose a few of those pounds that crawled on our bodies during the season of over-eating!

Hey--take a few minutes and draw a deep breath--someone said it's the most wonderful time of the year. AND, it is!

Window--Electric Success

Well to follow up on the other day--the window installation was a success as was the electrical work of installing the new lights.

It all went smoothly--at one point during the day I had four specialists all working in the same room ant the same time and keeping everything deconflicted.

So--the windows that were not doing their jobs have been replaced with really nice triple-pane windows and should begin really insulating the house and keeping the warm or cool (as desired) in; and the kitchen really looks nice without the huge florescent unit hanging in the middle of it.

I am still amazed that I was able to schedule two different specialities to arrive on the same day and stay out of each other's way! Yay.

And the workmanship was great. So we are enjoying newly lit spaces and are looking forward to quieter and more comfortable spaces.

Getting New Windows

How tough can it be?

We ordered them and had a day scheduled--but it rained. Then we had to reschedule. But of course even with the rain pummeling the earth and the forecast for it not to let up, they didn't call until after their scheduled arrival time.

They were supposed to call me to reschedule. But they didn't.

I had to track them down.

But, they are coming on my schedule--today--or so they say.

And in addition we have an electrician coming to install a bunch of recessed lights and remove the late 80's looking florescent light unit from the kitchen.

Do you know what that means? Two things:

1. I'll be doing drywall work again to patch the holes

2. Chris will find another project that needs to be "done before the holidays!"

Well, with the holidays upon us it is time to begin transforming the house into a Christmas castle of light or something like that. Maybe I'll put up the Christmas lights while the electrician is doing his thing.

Sleigh bells ring--can you stand it?

Being Sick is a Downer: Follow-up

Feeling much better when I awoke and not running a fever--I did actually go into work as I had planned.

Being Sick is a Real Downer

I left work early yesterday because I was feeling rotten.

I slept for over two hours when after I got home. It was nice to crawl my weary body into the cave and bed down accompanied by my faithful companion - Makayla.

I've been sniffling and sneezing all afternoon. Running a low grade fever and coughing.

Uck!

I got laryngitis over the weekend and almost couldn't sing at the memorial service for a friend. I knew something was going on--but the first cold of the season is a hard reminder of the stuff still to come. I wish it had passed me by--I have so much to do at work.

We have electricians coming on Wednesday and I hope to get the windows installed as well.

I have racquetball tonight--I hate to cancel because it is so hard to reschedule.

Life just doesn't take a time out for being sick! There is, however, a whole Facebook group devoted to "I Hate Being Sick."

I'm just too busy to be sick and out of work--but I have to think of my coworkers--they do not need to get the crud--so I need to be responsible and not act like the invincible man or something equally as arcane.

So am I going in, or not?

Stay tuned!

Monday Musings - November 16, 2009

1. After a week of gloom, the return of the sun cheers the soul and mood.

2. Having a head cold really is a downer--it hurts to even think about doing anything.

3. Yesterday, the dogs were quiet in the morning and we slept in till about 8am. That never happens. Wow!

4. Whenever a doorbell rings on TV, Makayla barks and runs for the door. It makes me laugh.

5. Memorial services celebrating the uncommon life of a special person can be very uplifting. And when a lot of friends get together to celebrate and sing--it is even better.

6. Makayla looks great when I take the time to brush and comb her--but really, it takes a lot of work because she has a lot of coat. I should brush her weekly--but I don't.

7. 70 degrees, sunny sky, November 15th--what could be better?

8. We are getting some new lights in the kitchen and family room--should really upgrade the look. Seems we are doing a lot of home upgrade projects right now--ew windows, lights, and painting room and redecorating. I guess it is one way to combat the darkness of winter--work in the interior while it is not worth the effort to work outside.

9. Glory days. Remembering old times, friends and events from a time long, long ago are the memories that lives are made of. It is good to remember the past--but we live in the present and need to bring the memories forward to the now.

Sunday Sun Cheers the Gloomy Soul

When I looked outside this morning I was treated to a sight I had not seen in about a week!

A bright, shiny orb filling the world with life giving light.

Yes, the sun was shining in the Baltimore area after what seemed like an eternity in the grip of tropical depression Ida--which also became a nor'easter and provided lots of rain and gloomy skies to the region.

Along with the overcast skies for a week, it also contributed to gloomy moods among the people that I know. The boss at work even inquired about the mood in the workplace--which I believe was directly related to the weather and the time change which has us arriving in the dark and also for some of us departing after dark. The only light we get during a day are from the softly humming florescents of the workplace.

Ugh! I do not like this time of year! It is so dark.

So I stood on the deck this morning, with my face turned toward the sun, feeling its warmth as I recharged my batteries--which are a bit drained from the head cold I'm suffering with.

Oh yeah--and I've lost my voice, too. So I cannot even utter a primeval scream of approval.

But despite how I feel--with the sun shining, it's all good!

A Silent Patriotism

Walking into work yesterday, a different thing happened.

For apparently no reason at all, the man walking next to me stopped, took his hat off, came to attention and put his hand over his heart.

He stood there silent for a few moments looking at the huge American Flag which flys in front of the building. It was waving in the breeze.

I wondered why he stopped and stood there--and I never asked.

But I sensed it was a personal reminder to himself of why we all should be going into the building I work in every morning--from our oath of office is says it simplest: "I will support and defend the Constitution of the United States against all enemies, foreign and domestic; that I will bear true faith and allegiance to the same; that I take this obligation freely, without any mental reservation or purpose of evasion; and that I will well and faithfully discharge the duties of the office on which I am about to enter so help me God."

We do not work for ourselves--but for the people of the United States.

As I reread the oath, I was struck by the words--"well and faithfully" which are a powerful charge. We can be asked to do no more than well and faithfully. We are asked to make many decisions, but if we are faithful in our decisions and make them to our best capability--that is what we are asked to to.

The flag waving in the breeze caught my eye, too. I look at it every morning on my way in and on my way out. I always causes me to smile and to remember there is such a thing as a greater good and a country of brave people who are willing, when called, to defend freedom around the planet. I am often reminded of the feeling I get when I am in a foreign land--and I come upon the Stars and Stripes waving proudly in the breeze. It makes me proud to be American.

I will think of the flag differently each morning now as I walk across the parking lot. I will remember my solemn duty and continue to strive to achieve "well and faithfully" in every thing I do.