Wow! I've been jonesing to blog for a few days, but life has been a bit busy between company, work, play, and Fur Rondy activities. I did have an hour of coveted PT (Personal Time) on Sunday and put a few thoughts down hard copy style-so here it is:
I just read the story of a man had an amputation of the lower half of his body from the pelvis down; and he did so by choice. This guy and his story gave me pause. After a crippling accident in childhood, his simplest desire in life was to be able to bathe himself and have gainful employment. After his surgery he was happy to have lost legs that were of no use to him-he was happy to finally be able to sit in a wheelchair. So happy, that within days of surgery he found a job at the hospital he had been living in for years.
To me, bathing and working are things I almost consider rights. I certainly don't spend much time thinking about how to do them, or if I'm able to do them. To him, these were big, big dreams. Often I think that my happiness is based on my circumstances: Is my house clean enough? How is my butt looking today? Did the kids behave at the store? When can we replace the carpet? These everday questions often obscure the ideals of living a grateful and graceful life. Vacuuming, cellulite, the accoutrement of day-to-day, these things do not matter in the end. I'm not sure I'll ever to get to the place where I don't need this reminder; until then, I'm thankful when it comes along.
Recommended reading:
"Life in an Eggcup" by John Gamel, Alaska Quarterly Review, Fall and Winter 2007
Tuesday, February 26, 2008
Monday, February 18, 2008
Chelsea's Top Five Favorite Comedies
Seems like we had a busy weekend, though I don't think a whole lot really happened that's worth mentioning here, so I'll fill in with another of my Top Five Favorites lists...today's topic: Comedy Movies.
It's hard to rank movies into all-time favorites. The whole desert island question comes to mind and it's really difficult to say I could watch one movie over and over again without fail. I think for an all-time favorite movie list, I'll have to do a Top Ten list. Breaking movies down by genres makes it easier to pick just five. (Romanitc comedies are not going to get their own sub-genre so are included here in this broader category.) What I love best about these movies is that I can and have watched many of them over and over again and still laugh even though I know what's coming. Some are spoofs, some are silly, and some take you away from reality just long enough to remind you not to take life too seriously. Best of all, and what I consider a hallmark of a good comedy, is that they all have memorable lines that you can throw out in mixed company and get a laugh from people in the know. So, here they are:
Chelsea's Top Five Favorite Comedy Movies
1. The Princess Bride
Fave quote: "He's only mostly dead." Second fave: "Inconceivable!"
2. Tommy Boy
Fave quote: "Luke, I am your faaaather." Second fave: "Fat man in a little coat..."
3. Galaxy Quest
Fave quote: "Don't open that. Is there air? You don't know!"
Second fave: "Did you guys ever WATCH the show?"
4. Best In Show
Fave quote: "Where's my Busy Bee!?"
Second fave: Any line from Fred Willard
5. Old School (not for the faint of heart or the kiddos)
Fave quote: " Well, um, actually a pretty nice little Saturday, we're going to go to Home Depot. Yeah, buy some wallpaper, maybe get some flooring, stuff like that. Maybe Bed, Bath, & Beyond, I don't know, I don't know if we'll have enough time. "
Hopefully, I've given you a few laughs today as you remember these quotes and think of your own favorite comedies. Maybe it's time to pop one in the dvd and lighten your spirit on this presidential holiday. Keep smiling...I'm out!
It's hard to rank movies into all-time favorites. The whole desert island question comes to mind and it's really difficult to say I could watch one movie over and over again without fail. I think for an all-time favorite movie list, I'll have to do a Top Ten list. Breaking movies down by genres makes it easier to pick just five. (Romanitc comedies are not going to get their own sub-genre so are included here in this broader category.) What I love best about these movies is that I can and have watched many of them over and over again and still laugh even though I know what's coming. Some are spoofs, some are silly, and some take you away from reality just long enough to remind you not to take life too seriously. Best of all, and what I consider a hallmark of a good comedy, is that they all have memorable lines that you can throw out in mixed company and get a laugh from people in the know. So, here they are:
Chelsea's Top Five Favorite Comedy Movies
1. The Princess Bride
Fave quote: "He's only mostly dead." Second fave: "Inconceivable!"
2. Tommy Boy
Fave quote: "Luke, I am your faaaather." Second fave: "Fat man in a little coat..."
3. Galaxy Quest
Fave quote: "Don't open that. Is there air? You don't know!"
Second fave: "Did you guys ever WATCH the show?"
4. Best In Show
Fave quote: "Where's my Busy Bee!?"
Second fave: Any line from Fred Willard
5. Old School (not for the faint of heart or the kiddos)
Fave quote: " Well, um, actually a pretty nice little Saturday, we're going to go to Home Depot. Yeah, buy some wallpaper, maybe get some flooring, stuff like that. Maybe Bed, Bath, & Beyond, I don't know, I don't know if we'll have enough time. "
Hopefully, I've given you a few laughs today as you remember these quotes and think of your own favorite comedies. Maybe it's time to pop one in the dvd and lighten your spirit on this presidential holiday. Keep smiling...I'm out!
Thursday, February 14, 2008
On Romance
The other night as I climbed into bed after yet another 5am baby feeding I thought to myself, this is the best thing: to be able to spend a lifetime of nights curled up next to the someone you love most in the world. How does love get any better than that?
For a few days now, I've been thinking about how romance changes for people over the years. When I was first being charmed by the boys in highschool, romance was often the simple thrilling act of kissing for half an hour after a hockey game at the Sullivan Arena. It's dark outside alcoves particularly lent itself to this activity, as did the fact that we were still waiting for our parents to take us home. These furtive wet kisses in the freezing air induced many pulse quickening moments which were further savored when recounted to our best friends.
Later as I got older, romance became less flirtatious and more subtle in it's impact. Making dinner with a paramour and accidentally having their arm brush yours, or stolen glances across a crowded room took on much more signifigance to the maturing heart. Time alone with someone was the romantic moment desired the most. What would be said, would we find a soul mate, would there be a spark, or would it end as just friends...all these questions would play out beforehand and add to the excitement of possible love. Yes love. Most of the time that's what we were after then, finding that perfect someone. But perfect is such a demanding role that quite often lead to the death of romance. Flaws were found, lies were told, mysteries were solved, and chapters ended in the sad demise of love found and lost again. Romance, the adventure of love, got to be a lot of work.
Somewhere in those adventures you begin to realize that love takes real, daily work, and a healthy dose of kindness and grace to be accomplished. So then you have to figure out who you can regularly do this with. Who will make butterflies flock to your belly? Who will cause your cheek to blush at the unexpected sight of them, or, better yet, still find you wanting to pinch their bum ten years later? Who will laugh with you and find humor in the day to day of life? Who will make the work of love so beautifully easy to do? I have been fortunate to find that person, and our day to day romance is sublime.
We have two beautiful children now and they have reshaped my view of romance even further. I have fallen in love with them as well, and relish the sound of their laughter, the softness of their cheeks and the magnitude of their adoration. To get a hug or kiss unsought is truly one of the sweetest gifts I can imagine. With my husband, there is now a slow burning fire in which little gestures make the largest flames. A foot rub, a snog on the couch while watching TV, chocolate slipped into a coat pocket, these are tender reminders of love. But by far and best of all, is that our bodies have grown used to each other in sleep; we are pressed close and warm in the haze of dreams and remain fully aware that home is right there in that simple blessed moment.
I love you babe....and to quote Bob, "hang on to me baby, and let's hope that the roof stays on"...
For a few days now, I've been thinking about how romance changes for people over the years. When I was first being charmed by the boys in highschool, romance was often the simple thrilling act of kissing for half an hour after a hockey game at the Sullivan Arena. It's dark outside alcoves particularly lent itself to this activity, as did the fact that we were still waiting for our parents to take us home. These furtive wet kisses in the freezing air induced many pulse quickening moments which were further savored when recounted to our best friends.
Later as I got older, romance became less flirtatious and more subtle in it's impact. Making dinner with a paramour and accidentally having their arm brush yours, or stolen glances across a crowded room took on much more signifigance to the maturing heart. Time alone with someone was the romantic moment desired the most. What would be said, would we find a soul mate, would there be a spark, or would it end as just friends...all these questions would play out beforehand and add to the excitement of possible love. Yes love. Most of the time that's what we were after then, finding that perfect someone. But perfect is such a demanding role that quite often lead to the death of romance. Flaws were found, lies were told, mysteries were solved, and chapters ended in the sad demise of love found and lost again. Romance, the adventure of love, got to be a lot of work.
Somewhere in those adventures you begin to realize that love takes real, daily work, and a healthy dose of kindness and grace to be accomplished. So then you have to figure out who you can regularly do this with. Who will make butterflies flock to your belly? Who will cause your cheek to blush at the unexpected sight of them, or, better yet, still find you wanting to pinch their bum ten years later? Who will laugh with you and find humor in the day to day of life? Who will make the work of love so beautifully easy to do? I have been fortunate to find that person, and our day to day romance is sublime.
We have two beautiful children now and they have reshaped my view of romance even further. I have fallen in love with them as well, and relish the sound of their laughter, the softness of their cheeks and the magnitude of their adoration. To get a hug or kiss unsought is truly one of the sweetest gifts I can imagine. With my husband, there is now a slow burning fire in which little gestures make the largest flames. A foot rub, a snog on the couch while watching TV, chocolate slipped into a coat pocket, these are tender reminders of love. But by far and best of all, is that our bodies have grown used to each other in sleep; we are pressed close and warm in the haze of dreams and remain fully aware that home is right there in that simple blessed moment.
I love you babe....and to quote Bob, "hang on to me baby, and let's hope that the roof stays on"...
Wednesday, February 13, 2008
Hey You Guys!
This afternoon I was talking with David and helping him sound out some words and many times when I do that I think of my all time favorite kids' show The Electric Company. It was so cool in such a big city way for this kid from Nebraska. People on the show really seemed to be having fun to me, as oppossed to Sesame Street where things were just a little too clean and moral. The Electric Company was colorful and abstract, it certainly had an edge. Maybe it was the vampire or fanatical yelling intro that made me think that this show was just a bit cooler than the rest, and held me in rapt attention for thirty minute chunks of my life.
My favorite part of the show was the talking silhouette heads, you know, they faced each other and one would say "p" and the other would say "at" then they both would say "pat" and so on for about ten words. I loved that. I would always try to guess what word they were going to come up with after the first letter was said...would it be c-ar, car or c-at, cat or c-an, can...it was all so mysterious to my six year old mind. When I help David with his words, little does he know that two black heads on blue backgrounds are talking in my head.
3-2-1 Contact was another favorite. The Bloodhound Gang was so cool to me. Here are these kids solving these crazy mysteries. I wanted to be just like them, bell bottoms and all. Plus, you always actually learned something on Contact; it was like Discovery channel lite.
Now, my kid watches Sesame Street and a large part of that is Elmo. I've got mixed feelings about this and for the most part it seems harmless enough. I look forward to him growing out of this stage and into Reading Between the Lions. The dad lion totally reminds me of my dad-earing and all. As a mom Jakers is by far my favorite show. Not that anything is really being taught on that show, it's just a couple of brogue speaking farm animals growing up and learining little life lessons. Piggly is a cutie pie though, and has a tender heart-so I guess that's what I hope David takes away.
My favorite part of the show was the talking silhouette heads, you know, they faced each other and one would say "p" and the other would say "at" then they both would say "pat" and so on for about ten words. I loved that. I would always try to guess what word they were going to come up with after the first letter was said...would it be c-ar, car or c-at, cat or c-an, can...it was all so mysterious to my six year old mind. When I help David with his words, little does he know that two black heads on blue backgrounds are talking in my head.
3-2-1 Contact was another favorite. The Bloodhound Gang was so cool to me. Here are these kids solving these crazy mysteries. I wanted to be just like them, bell bottoms and all. Plus, you always actually learned something on Contact; it was like Discovery channel lite.
Now, my kid watches Sesame Street and a large part of that is Elmo. I've got mixed feelings about this and for the most part it seems harmless enough. I look forward to him growing out of this stage and into Reading Between the Lions. The dad lion totally reminds me of my dad-earing and all. As a mom Jakers is by far my favorite show. Not that anything is really being taught on that show, it's just a couple of brogue speaking farm animals growing up and learining little life lessons. Piggly is a cutie pie though, and has a tender heart-so I guess that's what I hope David takes away.
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