Pocket Aces

My dungarees make them hungary.

Why I'm not watching "Flight of the Conchords" is beyond me. This is not new stuff. I've seen "Business Time", I've seen "HipHopopotamus & Rhymenoceros", ('cause my Nana's tea party don't stop!). And now I've seen "Sugalumps":

Wait, I know why I'm not watching it. We don't get HBO. But we do get Netflix! Marc, put Season 1 at the top of the queue. Or no business time for you.

Because 16 is an even number, and I am a freak.

Since January is coming to a close, I figure I'd better hurry up and post my list of things I'd like to do in 2009. (No, they are not resolutions. That's too... goalish.) Some are big and complicated, some are small and easy. It's all good.

1.  Run a 5K
2.  Look into joining a CSA. (I'd actually like to just see if I could join for late fall/early spring - I don't want my Saturday morning farmer's market trips made moot.)
3.  Earn a paycheck.
4.  Take the train to New York for the weekend.
5.  Fit into a pair of pre-pregnancy jeans.
6.  Find a local source for meat and milk. (I've got eggs covered.)
7.  Read three classic novels.
8.  Read two current releases.
9.  Organize and thoroughly (including off-site DVD storage) back up my enormous photo library.
10. Make a birthday cake without a box.
11. Take my family camping.
12. Take the kids strawberry picking.
13. Take a plane to the Caribbean for a long weekend.
14. Get my blog redesigned.
15. Do a real photoshoot for somebody who is not related to me.
16. Watch a sunrise. (Shut up - it's a big deal for me to be up that early.)

Backlash.

Marc, yelling down to me in the basement 5 minutes ago:

"Hey Robyn, I'm having a harder time shoveling than I thought I would. Since you're from Colorado, you must be great at it. How about you come finish?"

I laughed and went back to refereeing the cage match between my children. Smartass.

Oh! (Or, I am a lying liar that lies.*)

SNOW!!

 

Words cannot fully express how happy I am to get some snow this year. It's not much, but I'll take it.

 

 

I loaded the kids in the car and we went to the store. Needed chili supplies. And sleds.

I really, really miss snow. We get maybe one storm a year here, on average. I miss driving in the snow. I LOVE driving in the snow. Being from Colorado, I possess a fair amount of skill in it - not that I am better than other people who know how to drive in the snow - just that I don't have a problem saying that I'm better than most people in Maryland. There's something about it that makes me really miss driving a stick shift. It makes me want to get stuck, and then get myself out. Second gear, reverse. Second gear, reverse. Keep going, slowly, till you roll out. I really miss that. Driving an automatic has its perks, no doubt, but it's also drained some of the lifeblood out of driving. I really can't explain that one.

Side note: Marc is a wonderful human being, but without realizing it, can get a bit sexist on me in regards to driving in the snow. He'll pull that, "No, I should drive." And while I respect the courtesy in that, it also makes me enjoy reminding him of the time, years ago, when we were driving down from Winter Park. It had been snowing all night, all weekend probably, and was still snowing the following morning when we set out. It was going to be rough over the pass, and until we hit 70. I offered to drive - he gallantly refused.

Somewhere on the way down, on the tiny 2-lane road that is Highway 40, he pulled to the side and asked me to take over. Marc may jump in and deny this in the comments, as he often insists I remember things wrong. But not this one, sweetie. This is not a knock on you - you are an excellent driver, exceeding me and many others in myriad ways. Just not that day. Not in that weather.

*********************************************************************************************************************

A snow day here is a great time to run errands, because nobody else is out. And the world is just so much prettier with snow all over it, don't you think?

 

Mason agrees.

 

Riley was about to agree, but was distracted by the UPS man. Rain or shine, indeed!

And my feet (and red scarf!) make it unanimous. Hooray for snow!

*My misinformation campaign worked, it seems. I knew as soon as I publicly announced I'm taking a break from the blog, I'd have things to say. Victory is mine!

Misinformation campaign.

I have nothing to blog about these days. Nothing. I'll have something, maybe, then I'll sit down and have nothing. So I'm taking a break. Not forever, please stop cheering, but you know... just for now. Ok then.

Don't bother me tonight.

Yeaaahhhhh, baby.

At least I'm not wearing a silly yellow vest.

 

Old Photo Tuesday! What has it been, two months? I suck.

Anyway. This is a silly little photo taken back in 2002, I think, in Stingray City off Grand Cayman Island. I had so much fun with those stingrays. I had no idea, at the time, that they could Steve Irwin you.

I look completely goofy above, yes, and I'm not quite sure that my eyes are open, but I found this photo notable because of what it lacks.

See? No tongue.

That's a real life, actual, honest-to-goodness smile, folks.

Halle-frickin'-lujah, yes?

How about YOU come up with a title?

I am currently:

• in the continuous process of kicking Christmas out of the house;

• dealing with a lot of poop;

• thinking about how to round out my list of things I want to do in '09, for posting here;

• dropping deep thoughts on other people's blogs, whilst neglecting my own;

• craving tuna tartare;

• not pregnant;

• unable to come up with a title for this worthless post.

Just thought you'd like to know. If you didn't, keep it to yourself. Tomorrow, crazy holiday party pictures. Guaranteed to embarrass many, but probably not you! I promise!

The obligatory year-end inventory.

Completed late, of course. That's just how I roll. Courtesy of All and Sundry. (See my 2007 version here.)

1. What did you do in 2008 that you’d never done before?

Bodysurfing.

2. Did you keep your new year’s resolutions, and will you make more for next year?

Though last year’s resolutions were vague and never put into writing, I’m pleased that I wanted to get into some sort of fitness routine, and I’ve achieved that. And in lieu of making resolutions this year, I’m making a list of things I want to do in ’09. I realize that’s sort of the same, except for how it’s not. When I post it, you’ll see.

3. Did anyone close to you give birth?

While I’m certain that as soon as I hit “post”, somebody I am forgetting will come out the woodwork and glare menacingly, I’m going with “No”.

4. Did anyone close to you die?

My grandfather.

5. What countries did you visit?

Still none. That is so depressing.

6. What would you like to have in 2009 that you lacked in 2008?

A job.

7. What dates from 2008 will remain etched upon your memory, and why?

It’s all a blur.

8. What was your biggest achievement of the year?

Getting into a regular exercise routine.

9. What was your biggest failure?

I’m still pretty crappy at time management. I’m also pretty crappy about getting down on myself about things like being crappy at time management.

10. Did you suffer illness or injury?

No.

11. What was the best thing you bought?

My gym membership.

12. Whose behavior merited celebration?

My children, always.

13. Whose behavior made you appalled and depressed?

Political extremists – on the right and the left. The State of California. I refuse to let anything a celebrity does affect my mood. Fortunately, nobody I actually know.

14. Where did most of your money go?

The usual suspects. No changes there.

15. What did you get really, really, really excited about?

I can’t come up with anything for this. Hmph.

16. What song will always remind you of 2008?

Katy Perry, “Hot N Cold”

17. Compared to this time last year, are you:
a) happier or sadder? Happier, generally.
b) thinner or fatter? Thinner.
c) richer or poorer? I don't really know. Richer, probably.  (Yes! I love this question.)

18. What do you wish you’d done more of?

Take more pictures.

19. What do you wish you’d done less of?

Dishes.

20. How did you spend Christmas?

With my family, serendipitously in our pajamas all day.

21. Did you fall in love in 2008?

No.

22. What was your favorite TV program?

I think it’s still “Chuck”. I also really, really dug “So You Think You Can Dance” again this year. And am I the only person on the planet watching “ Eureka”?

23. Do you hate anyone now that you didn’t hate this time last year?

Still no! Hate sucks, yo.

24. What was the best book you read?

I’m having a very hard time rating my popular media this year. Yes, I got pulled into the “Twilight” saga, though I’d have a hard time calling it the best book. Let’s see… I finally got around to reading the old classic “Rebecca” by Daphne DuMaurier, and enjoyed it. “In Defense of Food” by Michael Pollan really got the neurons firing. But these days, getting around to finishing a book is a victory.

25. What was your greatest musical discovery?

Girl Talk.

26. What did you want and get?

Sirius satellite radio, and I seriously want to make out with it.

27. What did you want and not get?

A Blackberry Storm. And my Abbey Road poster for over my desk. Perhaps we’re not meant to be together, the poster and I.

28. What was your favorite film of this year?

Ugh. I always hate this question. “Iron Man”, I guess? I just didn’t get too excited about any movies. Sorry.

29. What did you do on your birthday, and how old were you?

Girls weekend at the beach. I’m 34.

30. What one thing would have made your year immeasurably more satisfying?

It was pretty satisfying, all around. I’m not interested in second guessing it.

31. How would you describe your personal fashion concept in 2008?

Get your shit together, girl. What would Stacy and Clinton say?

32. What kept you sane?

Exercising regularly. The Backyardigans. My stroller.

33. Which celebrity/public figure did you fancy the most?

Still can’t answer this one. Still cool with that.

34. What political issue stirred you the most?

A lot. This year, I shook off the apathy and really started thinking. First, I’d say that while I liked a good deal of the things Barack Obama campaigned on and felt stirred pretty much whenever he opened his mouth, I was very put off by the whole cult of personality thing surrounding him and his campaign. I knew he would be elected President as soon as I saw this, and it irritated me, because it’s pretty much a fucking Gap ad. (For the record, it’s not just a political thing. The same cult of personality and slick marketing thing is what turns me off of Apple.) Second, I’m firm in my belief that both unborn children and gay people deserve the same rights that I get, and both are being denied and told they don’t matter. And I’m having a hard time reconciling that the proponents for both groups are on opposite sides of the political spectrum.

35. Who did you miss?

As always, my parents and sister in Colorado.

36. Who was the best new person you met?

Mr. Facebook.

37. Tell us a valuable life lesson you learned in 2008.

Don’t try to make everything into a valuable life lesson. Speak up when you’re stirred about something – even if nobody agrees, you’ll feel better in the end.

38. Quote a song lyric that sums up your year.

 If you feel like singing a song
And you want other people to sing along
Just sing what you feel
Don’t let anyone say it’s wrong

And if you’re trying to paint a picture
But you’re not sure which colors belong
Just paint what you see
Don’t let anyone say it’s wrong

And if you’re strung out like a kite
Or stung awake in the night
It’s alright to be frightened

When there’s a light (what light)
There’s a light (one light)
There’s a light (white light)
Inside of you

"What Light", Wilco

Where you get to see how hopelessly mainstream I really am.

A week or so late, maybe, but I love being late to a party. Here, in a vague sort of order, are my favorite songs from 2008. Also, I could only come up with 9. Wow, I kinda suck at this. 

9. The Ting-Tings, "Shut Up and Let Me Go". I like this one despite the unfortunate use in an iPod ad.

8. Flo Rida, "Low". I know. Boots with the fur? Kills me. Love it.

7. Finger Eleven, "Paralyzer"

6. O.A.R., "Shattered". This was an end of the year addition for me. Now, it's a shower favorite.

5. Estelle/Kanye West, "American Boy". I think Kanye West is a total douche. But he happens to be a talented douche.

6. T-Pain, "Church". "Some bitches think they're hard, so why they think I'm not?" This one is always a mood lifter.

5. Matt Nathanson, "Come On Get Higher". Just yummy.

4. Jason Mraz, "I'm Yours". Despite that needing a dictionary thing, this song is a keeper.

3. Katy Perry, "Hot and Cold". I tried to stay away from this one, to stay away from Katy Perry in general. But it can't be stopped. This one gets the whole house rocking, and the whole family jumping. You can keep your "I Kissed A Girl" - I don't care for it.

2. This may be cheating, but the whole album "Feed The Animals", by Girl Talk. I love a good mash-up.

1. Weezer, "Pork and Beans". "Working out at the gym to fit my underwear." Genius.