Ending a Tradition
In this season of doing things for the sake of tradition, I will be ending one of mine. Tomorrow, I am canceling my subscription to the Boston Globe.
After more than a year of delivery, and countless, unopened papers in the recycling bin, I figured there's a better way to spend the 30 dollar delivery fee.
We did a little experiment last month...and who doesn't love a little exercise in the name of science, right? We put the paper on vacation hold for a few weeks, just to see if we really missed the paper. Guess what? We didn't. And Nick didn't miss taking out all that recycling every week, either.
And while the subscription may be coming to an end, I will stay true to just one newspaper tradition. Sunday. Glorious, wonderful Sunday! Could there be anything better on a cold, almost winter morning, than a cup of coffee, a warm blanket, and pages and pages of ideas and ads?
The Birth of the Sunday Morning Newspaper Tradition: let's go back to my childhood, shall we? Growing up, the tradition started by watching my mother dissect and sort the sections of our Oregonian. Then guarding her piles, making sure she's the first to read each part before giving it up for mass consumption by the rest of us piled on her bed. Guess what, Mom, I didn't lick that off the walls, either. That paper is all mine (except sports, and the ads for electronics stores). The ads pulled out, the needless sections discarded, and the rest organized into the proper reading order. I could sit here for hours, just reading and reading...
And every Sunday from now on, I'll be schlepping to the store to get in line for my copy. All in the name of tradition.
A Golden Opportunity
I looks like advertisers are cashing in on a trend 70 years in the making...can anybody tell what it is about the Golden Girls that keeps us singing about friendship?
You remember that show, an honest the goodness 80s classic destined for Nick and Nite re-runs even back in the day. And still today, the fascination continues.
I'm referring to this new Playstation 2 commercial. I just saw it on MTV (While reading the Sunday paper in my PJs...future blog about that ritual soon to come, I'm sure.). Short synopsis: A bunch of guys are playing golf, two guys start mocking one of their friends, friend uses bad guy friends to blow the crap out of a golf cart. Cut to video game graphics. All to the tune of "Thank You For Being A Friend," the theme song to the show Golden Girls.
This Golden Girls phenomenon still baffles me. A few years ago, I dated a guy who would stop every time he surfed by the show. On sing-a-long nights at work, everyone knows all the words to that theme song.
These are old women!!! Why is this show so mesmerizing? Is it the witty dialogue? The funny situations these retirees keep getting themselves into? It can't be sexy Blanche, can it?
Or could it be that the Golden Girls are what we all hope for when our lives are coming to an end? Warm weather, a house full of our best friends, and endless supplies of cheesecake?
Or maybe it's just that Sophia is just so sassy...
Want some more Golden Girls trivia? Take the quiz! Find out which girl in the house you are! I'm a Dorothy!
http://www.lifetimetv.com/shows/golden/
Thank you for being a friend.
All I Want for Christmas...
It's official. The holidays are here. I know it's true, because tonight my company held it's annual Thanksgiving dinner. There's no turning back now.
The holidays rock. And suck. There are special treats, perfect presents and memories for a lifetime. There is also stress and frustration, paired with longing for things I can't have and people I won't get to see. Tonight, I am feeling melancholy.
Do you know what I want for Christmas this year? I want time. I want more time to spend with people who make me laugh, who make me think, who make me feel like me. I want more time to read and knit and watch TV. More lingering coffee dates. More girls' nights out. More trips to places I've never been, and to places I'll never forget.
So, Santa, if you're listening (or, I guess, reading in this case), see if you can wrap me up some time for under the tree. I feel like I'm running out.
Raining on their Parade
I woke up this morning, feeling happy for no apparent reason. Looking out the window, I figured out why. It's raining! Man, I love rain.
A disturbing development in Wal-mart Land...page 2 of my business section of the Globe tell me the soul-sucking mega-store is planning to open nearly 500 new stores in the U.S. during the next year!!! Now, I'm no math wiz (although I do have 2 terms of college calculus under my belt, quite unprecedented for a J-major), simple math tells us that's about 10 per state! That's on top of the Wal-Mart stores already open and waitng for your business.
Is this a sign of the impending apocalypse? Or something greater? My prediction (read: my hope and prayer I recite every night before bed) is that this is the beginning of the end. If only Wal-mart will expand with Krispy Kreme speed, it can soon meet the donut death those warm, fattening snacks are facing nationwide.
Still can't figure out why Wal-mart is so bad? It's best summed up by the latest JibJab cartoon. Head to their site for a little look-see; it's a sobering song sure to get you in the mood for discount shopping.
So, Wal-mart, enjoy your time on top now. Remember, even Rome fell from grace. I turn to my cat Taylor, making his own political statement now, as he sits his fat ass right on the Wal-mart article. That Taylor is one smart cat.
T'is the Season
Just one and a half months until Christmas, and the season is already starting. Not the holiday season, but the season of rudeness. Visit a mall or shopping complex, and there is no merry and bright. There is no generousity. There is no kindness to strangers. It's honking and swearing and cutting people off in line. Why do we do this? What's wrong with us? Isn't there any humanity left in this world?
Friday's trip into the world... a total nightmare. A simple trip to the new IKEA scrubbed after signs of a 2 hour wait JUST TO PARK were more than we could bear. And after circling the lot countless time in Hingham before FINALLY finding a parking place, our trip for lunch ended unsuccessful after there was no where to sit in 2 restaurants.
But it wasn't so much the amount of people in the world, but the attitude. That feeling of entitlement. That the person next to you is owed something more that you. The arrogance. Or sometimes, even worse, the apathy. Remember after the terror attacks when everyone had those "United We Stand" bumper stickers? Where is that? Where is the unity? Who are we united with? And are we standing for anything? For anyone? Or are we all alone?
I also got in a car accident last week. Wednesday. On my drive to work. And the guy who hit me had the nerve to yell at me!! He hit me!!! (To those of you wondering more about the accident, no worries. It was a VERY minor scrape to my car. And again, no worries. The insurance company is well aware of the circumstances even if I will not be able to collect a lick.) I understand your frustration Mr. St. Clair, but really...yelling at me because you couldn't wait 2 seconds to get out into traffic does not make the situation any better. For me, and especially for you.
Why are we so angry? So mad at the world? And why is everyone taking it out on each other?
And, just when I'd given up all hope...All hope of anyone out there caring, a small bit of hope restored. Someone bought me a cup of coffee. And sure, he's a friend, and not that total stranger on the street who would push you out of the way for better line placement...but a small gesture that the world has not completely gone to shit. That people still look out for one another and still care.
So, good luck out there Christmas shopping. I suggest hitting the www to avoid the headaches. But if you head out to the malls, take a little humanity with you when you go.
Borrowing Time
Here's a little gem of wisdom from my parents. They both say that when you buy a book, you're doing more than just taking home a copy of the story. You're also buying the book with the thought in mind that you will have time to read that book. In essence, you're buying time. Today, I didn't make any big purchases, but I'm hoping my trip to the library will help me borrow a bit of time for myself.
I forgot how much I love libraries. There is no way to explain how I feel when I walk in the doors. Hopeful? Inspired? Peaceful? A religious experience? Hard to say, but I think you get the point. I am happier no other place the way I am truly happy inside a library. Today's trip: The Waltham Library. Libraries out here all say they're free over the doorway, which I have yet to figure out..but hope some informed Eastie will clue me in.
The Waltham Library is amazing. But really, every library I've been to out here is. Back home, the libraries are for the most part new, sterile constructions. Out here, the old buildings have so much character. This one is no exception. And fully stocked? You betcha! There are tons of new books that are actually on the shelf, ready to go home with you! No waiting!!! But today's trip: audiobooks!
A co-worker recently suggested picking up audiobooks for the car, and frankly it's a stroke of genius I wish I had thought of sooner! I spend about an hour in the car everyday, so just think of all the extra books I'll be able to get through now that I can listen in the car! Oh, joy!
Off to go borrow a bit of time for myself...
Mission: Accomplished!
Eleven months of work...now finished! It was almost a year ago, I started my first knitting project. A simple scarf. It's the first project for just about every knitter. Not so simple in my hands! It started Thanksgiving weekend, a little too wide, with a small little needle..and with a lot of stubborn determination, I FINISHED THAT FREAKING SCARF LAST NIGHT!! I will post a picture soon, but let's take a little trip back in time...to see how the scarf came to be.
July 2003: I buy needles, yarn and "Idiot's guide to Knitting"
August 2003-November 2004: I try teaching myself how to knit out of a book. No luck
Thanksgiving 2004: A friend teaches me the secrets..I'm off and knitting!
December 2004-January 2005: Scarf makes trip to Las Vegas and Oregon
February 2005: Scarf comes along for romantic Valentine's Day getaway to New Hampshire
March 2005: Off scarf goes on a road trip to IKEA in New Haven, Connecticut
June 2005: Scarf gets close to the Big Apple, during a birthday trip to New York. It stays safely tucked away in our New Jersey hotel room
July 2005: Viva Las Vegas! Scarf makes a return trip to Sin City!
August 2005: Scarf settles into its new home after moving from Watertown to Waltham
November 2, 2005: A newsroom watches as I finish the last stitch! The news greeting with a bunch of congrats and a hug from my boss!
So, scarf, we've been through a lot. We've seen a lot of the country, and had a lot of good times together. Now, it's moving on to a better home...out of my knitting bag and onto Nick's neck! It's time to start scarf number 2....
New Branches
See! My family tree is growing! Introducing...Rylee Jade Jost! My new niece! I've been told she looks like me, and from what I can tell she's going to be a champion sleeper like her aunt, too! (read: Ant, not ahnt. That's how Westies roll.)
So, baby Rylee, here are a few things you need to know if you're going to be a successful member of this crazy family:
1. We talk fast. Micro Machine Guy fast.
2. We're all crazy. Find your insanity and embrace it.
3. You like pricy things. You will gravitate to the most expensive item in any store. Never cheap.
4. I hope you like Winnie the Pooh. That guy will be everywhere!
5. Mel Brooks is comic genius
6. You will never have a shortage of candy when you visit your Aunt Allison. And if you're lucky you can help her make you cotton candy!
7. You may have been born in Germany, but you're an Oregonian. Rain doesn't phase you, coffee you will love, and when old enough you can find your own favorite Pinot.
8. Get ready to play the name game..just wait until you see the rest of the family tree!
So, rest up now baby Rylee. You've got a busy life ahead of you!
