The Basics of Ran

Gym-ness

2009-03-02T19:13:49Z

I worked out today for the first time in a month. It's been hard to get myself to do important things lately. It felt great to accomplish this today. Thanks to Pattums and the face!

The Diving Bell and the Butterfly

2008-10-28T19:29:54Z

Hey! I know it's been longer than usual, and that's just because I've been in a quieter place lately.

This weekend I was still recovering from feeling sick toward the end of last week, so movies seemed in order Sat evening.

I rented The Diving Bell and the Butterfly and Pan's Labyrinth- both of which neither Army nor I had seen. (That sentence is annoyingly correct sounding...ah, well.)

I'd come across the memoir called The Diving Bell and the Butterfly a few times in used book stores, and I always got this strange connection feeling I get sometimes which seems like a nudging: "You should check this out." But I never bought it.

Some of you have heard about this I'm sure. But, for those of us who haven't- I'm happy to tell a bit more about this amazing true story. So at age 42 the top editor of Elle Magazine (in France) has a massive stroke which leaves him completely unable to communicate or move anything besides one eye-- they call this condition "Locked-in Syndrome."

Through special help with a speech therapist, he learns to communicate whole sentences letter by letter through blinking. It is an amazing story. He writes his entire memoir through blinking. He is the only known person to communicate from this place... a place very near death.

The cinematography was beautiful. I think I really needed this story at this point in my life. It's worth seeing when you're in a patient and/or thoughtful mood.

We didn't watch Pan's Labyrinth until last night when Ms. Kaycee could come over and join us. We love Kace and haven't had her over in a while. She's the one who got us to watch Hellboy and Hellboy II both done by director Guillermo Del Toro.

I think Pan's had been a bit too built up for me, but I still really enjoyed it.

Anyway I guess that's really all I feel like writing about right now. Hope you're all well!

P.S. AL BERMAN-- I think you should write again here. It's been TOO long!

Junk 'n' Prattle

2008-08-27T18:32:34Z

Not much has been goin' on lately. Here are some small things just so, you know, we're staying in touch and stuff.

Today I'm going to cut up and grind up the 100 burgers we had left over from the church family picnic (I froze 'em) along with the rest of my mozz cheese, all my zucchini, spinach, and red pepper - all of this in order to make delicious lasagna.

I've been craving lasagna! Mmmmm.

I really like my community group from church. We meet weekly at someone's house, and it's so informal and fun.

I bought Radiohead's In Rainbows last weekend based on a SUPER strong recommendation from Katie.

I'm flying "home" for Al's wedding, and I'm so darn excited!! It'll be my last visit to the house my parents owned together, AND Al and Sarah are getting married. I'm excited for their wedding. I get to help with decorating early that morning! YAY!

I get to see (most of) my girls and my family. One of my family members has a mass on the pancreas, so I even-more-than-usual want to see them and connect. Life goes by way too fast!

I also plan to visit my dad's grave... It feels good to stop in there sometimes and think only of him. I may bring some blue flowers along, also. Blue was his favorite color.

I didn't feel super, super sad on his death day last week (8/20). I mostly felt ok. The day after his death day was harder...but, it's nice to notice that the grief has changed its intensity/shape/whatever. I guess three years really helps with that.

I still miss him and think of him everyday, but now I mostly remember the happier things like his quirkiness and times together rather than trying to sort through the painful last days of his life. His last days used to consume most of my thoughts, and I felt guilty and sad over not having been physically around during that time.

Anyway, today I'm thankful....and off to the kitchen. I think I'll put on In Rainbows whliest I chop and cook.

Time to blab

2008-03-31T23:30:29Z

Write about your worst and/or one of your worst dating experiences. These are usually pretty good stories. :)

Super Intersting!

2008-02-27T20:30:33Z

Much thanks to my friend, Shaf, for these articles. More people must read these! Incredible!

Colourblind artist learns to paint with colours through hearing.

Electronic tattoo display runs on blood.

Mr. McChlorin

2007-12-24T23:26:23Z

Haha. Luke's a star, again.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PRpuuzNC99k

Meme

2007-12-03T18:43:02Z

1. Who ended your last relationship?
I did - for very important reasons.

2. When was the last time you got in trouble with the law?
Ugh - I was pulled over a couple weeks ago....

3. What were you doing 15 minutes ago?
reading "news" online.

4. Are you any good at math?
Not so much

5. Do you have any famous ancestors?
Yes, negatively famous: I am closely related to the Valentine's Day killer of the ganster era, Bugsy Moran. One of my cousins also published a small-press book under a made-up name...It's called Once in a Green Room.

6. Have you ever kissed in the rain?
yes

7. What’s one thing you wish to change about yourself?
To be more confident with my sense of humor and not wait so long to show it.

8. When was the last time you showered?
yesterday

9. Do you draw your name in the sand when you go to the beach?
no, I don't. Sometimes I write random things in the sand.

10. Whats the most painful dental procedure youve had?
Adjustments with braces

11. What is outside your back door?
I guess that would be the garage.

12. Do you have any plans for Friday?
No, not yet.

13. How many brothers/sisters do you have?
1 brother who's two years younger, 2 brothers in law, and 3 sisters in law.

14. Do you keep in touch with your exes?
None of them.

15. What's something you are excited about?
Christmas!!

16. What's your favorite jello flavor?
Not sure.

17. Are any of your great-grandparents still alive?
No! I think ONE was alive when I was born.

18. When was the last time you spoke in front of a large group?
Yesterday.

19. What kind of winter coat do you have?
Light brown corderoy with a fake furry trim on the hood, and a light-weight lined black jacket - it's waterproof which I REALLY need here in the winter.

20. What are the songs/movies that reminds you of an ex?

Josh: Good Will Hunting, What Dreams May Come, anything by Queen, Led Zepplin, David Bowie, Pink Floyd, Vanilla Ice. "You really got me" by The Kinks, and "Dream on" by Aerosmith, "Paint it Black" by Rolling Stones.

Bryan: Waking the Dead, Jesus' Son, anything by Ron Sexsmith, G-Love and the Special Sauce, Parachutes album by Cold Play, early Bright Eyes stuff.

Hector: Wag the Dog, anything by The Cure

Chad: Anything by Crash Test Dummies (ugh!), "Smoke on the water," Lion King movie and songs.

21. Can you tie a cherry stem with your tongue?
Who wants to know? :)

22. Do you go to church?
Yes.

23. What did you eat yesterday?
A mini scone, a kosher hot dog, a frozen Snickers bar (YUM!), and a Pecan Chicken Lean Cuisine.

24. Who was your first best friend?
Kelly Jones or Kelly Drost.

25. How long was your longest relationship? Shortest?
My current relationship has been over 5 years. My shortest real relationship was with Mike Harder (at NWC)....about 10 days.

26. What's your least favorite class?
Algebra...I struggled so much with it.

27. Who was the last person you ditched class with?
Jena Nelson?

28. What's the last compliment you received and when was it?
"You are so beautiful." Yesterday.

29. Do moochers annoy you?
I don't mind if certain people mooch on me a bit...but in general moochers are not so cool in my book.

30. Do you wear contacts or glasses?
Yeah, I pretty much have to wear my glasses all the time now.

31. What's the last movie you watched?
Meet the Fockers with Luke.

32. Which friend lives the closest to you?
Besides Army, Don lives closest.

33. What's your favorite thing to do?
hang with Army, chat at church, drive around, play with the cats

34. Do you regret dating anyone?
Yep. I regret dating Chad as long as I did. I regret dating Berhanu, because he had bad motive and mis-treated me. I also regret "dating" a guy named Mario.

35. What are you doing tonight?
Making and partaking in Coconut Curry Chicken with my baby.

36. When did you stop believing in Santa Claus?
I never believed in Santa Claus

37. What annoys you?
Arrogance, people who cut others off in conversation, and when people smack a lot when they're eating or talking.

38. Whats the next vacation you're going on?
Hopefully something amazing for my 30th.

39. What's been on your mind lately?
I've been thinking about some of the bigger lessons I've learned in life in the past 10 years or so.

40. Do you plan to have a holiday party?
Maybe....not sure.

Some interesting things about "Paint it Black" are on this link:
http://www.songfacts.com/detail.php?id=474

The Greatest Mix Ever!

2007-11-10T02:02:39Z

Ok, here it is! The Soundtrack of My Life. (I think you should also do this so that I can read it! This is the best "survey" I've ever received! Ondole!)

(I couldn't include all the songs I wanted to, and also I couldn't decided which feel each of the categories should have -humorous or serious- some could go opposite ways. I solved this problem by basically making TWO soundtracks.)

Soundtrack to My Life:

Opening: 32 Flavors (Ani DiFranco)/Fight Test (The Flaming Lips)

Waking Up Scene: Stars Shine Quietly (Mason Jennings)/You Will (Bright Eyes)

Car Driving Scene: Que Onda Guero (Beck)/Magic Carpet Ride (Steppenwolf)

High School Flashback Scene: Summertime (Sublime)

College Flashback Scene: Tangled up in Blue (Bob Dylan)/Deep Dish (Ani DiFranco)/the Mountain (Mason Jennings)

Nostalgic Scene: Ohio (Over the Rhine)/ Sullivan Street (Counting Crows)

Bitter, Angry Scene: Lover I Don't Have to Love (Bright Eyes)

Break-up Scene: Pictures of You (The Cure)/Only Answer (Mike Doughty)

Regret Scene: Poison Oak (Bright Eyes)/Wish You Were Here (covered by Radiohead)

Nightclub/Bar Scene: Bleeding Hearts Club -Mpls Chapter- (P.O.S.)

Fight/Action Scene: De La Souls (P.O.S.)

Lawn Mowing Scene: Everything Reminds Me of Her (Elliott Smith)/Landlocked Blues (Bright Eyes)/Explode (Cardigans)

Sad, breakdown scene: Me and a Gun or Precious Things (Tori Amos)

Death Scene: A Fond Farwell (Elliott Smith) or Buildings in Chelsea (Counting Crows)

Funeral Scene: Forgiveness (Mason Jennings)

Mellow/Pot-smoking Scene: What's Up? (Four Non-Blondes)/True Blue (Bright Eyes)

Dreaming About Someone Scene: Song for the Asking (Simon & G)/Bright As Yellow (Innocence Mission)

Sex Scene: Bubble Pop Electric (Gwen Stefani)/It's Oh So Quiet (Bjork)

Contemplation Scene: Blackbird (The Beatles)/She's a Jar (Wilco)

Chase Scene: Tennesse (Arrested Development)/Black Tambourine (Beck)

Happy Love Scene: Bright as Yellow (Innocence Mission)/All the Things She Said (Tatu)

Happy Friend Scene: Love Cats (The Cure)/Southern Cross (Mason Jennings)

Closing Credits: Murder of One (Counting Crows)/the Light (Mason Jennings)

A New Repetitive

2007-11-05T16:52:47Z

Lately I've been having a new repetitive dream. It is the last semester of college, and I am sad about it and trying to say goodbye to friends (particularly Jeff Beale each time). This dream always has me feeling sad/anxious and amazed at how fast time flies. I think it's kinda odd that this dream is presenting itself now rather than a few years ago or something.

Ondole!

PS Does anyone here talk to Beale anymore?

Happiness is

2007-11-02T17:36:02Z

MarilynAndreaPlane, originally uploaded by andrea.moranbrown.

When I was in about 2nd grade we sang a song in concert for parents, and it's been happily playing around and around in my head this morning:

"Happiness is (pause) two scoops of ice cream..." And I can't recall the rest. But I don't care, because I feel happy. I am fond of life, in fact, fond!

The trees are all orangey and red now, and it really feels like fall (despite being pretty warm all week...in the 70s). Some things that have made me smile and feel thankful today:

a. a very good friend shared that today she has been completely weed free for a year!

b. Wednesday my friend, Al, got a new job!

c. Elliott was suddenly hyped up just a minute ago and ran away super fast from me. (I love seein' him on the move like that!) He wanted to play. I chased him around a bit, and then he jumped up the cat tower and wanted to play the earthquake game. I love my boys!

d. Miercoles was lounging in the sun in the "cat window" and looked so beautiful.

e. I just read an amazing article about a dog and cat rescuing their owners. http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/21595558/?GT1=10547

I just LOVE animals!

f. I talked with Luke last night and felt happy that he's living life the way he wants to. He was at a friend's place with a bunch of other pals, and they were going to film a movie.

I was happy, because this seems like what he needs/wants. Also, I realized that I am very glad for where I am in life. I don't go to friend's places to do creative movie stuff, but my life finally doesn't feel like complete chaos, and I love my honey and our home and schedule and life.

g. Feeling truly thankful just feels good.

Oh, this is a feel-good blog for sure!

When I said the conference I went to was about missions that wasn't really correct. The conference was done by two great speakers, one of which is Steve Arterburn who recently wrote Reframe Your Life: Transforming Your Pain into Purpose (and in the past wrote Every Man's Battle).

He had me about rolling down the aisle laughing. One thing he said that just got me was

"You could be out in the middle of the ocean, and a cow can fall from the sky."

This truly happened-- A steer got loose in an airport (I'd like to know how that happened), and somehow pilots of a Russian plane got the steer to come on board some cargo plane.

When they were over the ocean, somehow the steer got lose and started trying to ram things. They were afraid it might puncture the plane walls, so they opened the cargo gate and let the steer drop into the ocean. (Poor guy.)

Unfortunately, the steer fell right onto a fishing ship, and because of his weight and the height from which he fell, the steer was like a bomb. He blew threw the ship completely, causing the ship to sink!!

What the?

Anyway, I'd actually say that the conference was about dreaming amazing things with God and realizing our painful experiences don't disqualify us in anyway...rather, our painful experiences qualify us to be there for/guide other people who are going through similar things.

It sounds obvious but impacted me in some profound ways.

Above is one more picture of Marilyn and me on the plane to North Carolina. We got the earphones to watch Evan Almighty.

Elaborate Hugs to All!

The Carolinas and My Glasses

2007-10-29T18:21:54Z

Marilyn, Johsua & me, originally uploaded by andrea.moranbrown.

Hey! I was in North/South Carolina last week for about four days. My friend, Myron, paid for me and my friend, Marilyn, to go to a conference about missions at Billy Graham's training center, The Cove.

I had a great time...but there were very few pictures taken. Of the pictures taken, I look like a slob in all of them but the one above.

On the left is Marilyn, and in the middle is our new pal, Joshua. He is five and probably the most affectionate child I've ever met.

Note my new glasses!!

We visited The Biltmore while in North Carolina: beautiful, beautiful even if it did make me sneeze!

http://www.biltmore.com/our_story/

Reality Bites

2007-10-20T00:52:05Z

I had dear Kaycee over today. She was testing the progress of her allergy shots by visiting my catty house again several months after the last visit, which was before the allergy shots.

She did really well. No sniffing or wheezing. She brought her inhaler just in case, and there was no need for it. I feel like Kace is my little sister, and it was just cool to spend the afternoon hanging out being ourselves together.

We drank lots of tea (from my new tea set!) and watched Reality Bites. She'd never seen it! I tried to explain how it basically encapsulted my college experience, but a movie doesn't really do life justice.

Man, so much has changed in the nine or ten years since this movie meant so much to me.

Mostly, I felt nostalgic for the days when I was all about driving around jammin' out and smoking Camels with Katie or Josh. I missed the sense of becoming someone with new layers. I missed the sense of "you and me and five bucks, right?"

I'm happy with who I've become, but I don't want to surrender excitement about what I can still become and what I can still venture into.

I can't put into words right now what made me sad in reflecting on the past... It's like I've shed some pieces of me, and who was with me then isn't who's beside me now. That's ok. I know that. But, something feels like it's tugging at my heart in looking back...

Eh?!

2007-10-04T20:02:43Z

Hey! I took Elliott (and Miercoles) to the vet earlier this week, and guess what?! Elli has ACNE! What?!

I had no idea a cat could get acne. He had these little scabs under his chin, and I'd believed Mierco'd kicked or scratched him there. (Naughty, Miercoles!!)

But no, these scabs are just little black heads all infected and awful. I felt sad for him...he had to be "clipped." Basically, the vet just trimmed his chin hair (looks funny now!) to "express" the black heads. He's on a special soap and cream to clear it up. Also, he can no longer eat out of a plastic bowl...this is somehow linked to the acne.

Surprising bits of knowlege: they happen every day.

"Your affliction approaches and recedes again."

2007-10-02T20:17:15Z

(Thank you, Adam Duritz, for being one amazing writer o' songs!)

So, this is profoundly odd/interesting to me:

I have had several dreams recently (last week?) of running and then falling down near an under-ground wasp's nest. Then (in each dream, and this is the interesting thing) the wasp attempts to fly into my eye! Each time, I manage to stop the wasp's full entry into my eye by catching it in my eyelashes. Then like some trippy movie, I can see the wasp's eyes looking into my eye.

Each time, I'm not sure if I should open my eye or not because the wasp will either fly further into my eye and sting me, or it MAY fly away from my eye.

This seems symbolic. Am I afraid to see or take into my understanding something painful or dangerous?

One other odd thing: each time the wasp is completely black.

Currently listening:
New Amsterdam: Live at Heineken Music Hall
By Counting Crows
Release date: By 20 June, 2006

Official Officialness

2007-10-01T02:48:51Z

Army and I will be flying back to el midwest on the 20th of November and leaving on the 1st of December. We'll be in Minneapolis for the first half and then in Madison for the second half.

Anybody want some punch 'n' pie?

Extemporaneous Spontaneous 7 P's

2007-09-27T16:09:09Z

Today I'm thankful for pants, peanutbutter 'n' jelly, ponds, punchiness, playgrounds, pot bellies, and poking!

So

2007-09-25T19:38:40Z

So, we went to our friends' Michael and Ellen's for grub last night. Sarah, who has known Army since KINDERGARTEN, was back from about four weeks of traveling around Asia and Austrailia...she is almost always away somewhere. (Sarah introduced us to Michael and Ellen.) We wanted to festively welcome her home.

[Important backgroud: EVERYtime -seriously, every- we've gone to Michael and Ellen's for a dinner (many many times) she will make some very from-the-good-earth kind of meal (which I love!) and Army inevitably HATES! In the past it's been pumpkin soup, squash medly, chicken on the bone, mushrooms or olives galore, etc!]

So, last night's dinner was originally supposed to be on Thursday, and I didn't really check email until Monday morning after Army left for work. Ellen, who I love, was being so sweet and replying to a long-ass update I sent out to my pals like her (who are not in a bloggy place), and she then mentioned what she planned to make for dinner....doom, doom, doom for Army!!

Hee hee!

She planned to make a lovely cous cous with SHRIMP and OLIVES and raisins...and it ended up having peas and cooked carrots in it too. HAHA.

If you know Army, you most likely know that this description I once heard of him is very very apt:

"So, a bad day for Army would be standing in the rain while eating olives and shrimp!!" It's very true. Army has very few (relative to most people) dislikes in the world. About food his dislikes are as follows:

MOST HATED FOODS
ANY sea food, olives of any kind, and meat (particularly chicken) on the bone.

CLOSE SECONDS
pumpkin stuff, squashes, cooked mushrooms, cooked carrots, peas.

Poor Army: he's one who desires to be so polite, too.

I have to defend Ellen here: she's just into different foods than Army. I'm always impressed by her healthful, earthy choices and by how much love she puts into it all. Also, she makes KILLER bread...and she's teaching me how!!

I called and gave Army a head's up about the planned dinner.

We get there, and the place is happy with cooking. Ellen and Michael start raving about these crab cakes from Traders. (Hee hee ANOTHER seafood...and one that _I_ actually don't eat.)

I took a little to be polite and shared that I rarely rarely eat crab (read never) because my mom has reacted to it with anaphalactic shock...AND it looks like spiders!

I WAS SO PROUD OF ARMY AS HE QUICKLY CUT A SMALL PIECE OF THE CRAB CAKE AND PROMPTLY SHOVED IT IN HIS MOUTH!!

He then quickly slugged some of the sparkling apple juice and later told me he almost gagged repeatedly and the sparkling stuff made it worse!!

We had fun, and it finally all came out about the foods that Army strongly dislikes...all was friendly with no throw downs to the floor!

Ondole.

(Can you count how many "so"s are in this blog?)

Hoohas and what's its galore

2007-09-18T19:10:57Z

It's been a while since checking in, so here's an abbreviated update on mi vida.

Marne's Funeral

The funeral was a simple grave-side service led by a Catholic priest who's a friend of Marne's son. I've never been to a grave-side service before.

It was extremely cool/surreal to be in the presence of all of Marne's great-grandkids running around. Marne's granddaughter, Jackie, gave a gratitude eulogy in which she thanked Army and me for being good friends. I was NOT expecting that.

Mingling with Marne's family after the service was less awkward than I expected it to be. These people actually felt like family. I hope we see them all again. (Jackie ordered this amazing fruit bouquet that was set up like a bouquet of flowers. Pineapple and canteloupe were shaped into daisies.)

This past Sunday Army and I set up a really informal time to remember Marne after church. I was ubber sick on Saturday (the day we were gonna do the baking for the memorial), so Army competently made ALL the goodies.

He used Marne's award-winning cheese cake recipe and her lemon pie recipe. He also made the brownies I was gonna make. Everything turned out well.

A lot of people shared little bits about Marne, and it felt really special and intimate.

Everyday I still wake up thinking about how many days it will be until we visit Marne. It's strange but not too sad.

My Heart

Over the past month or so I've been getting really sharp, stabbing pains over the area of my heart. My doctor wanted to do an EKG just to make sure it wasn't something serious.

So, I had my 2nd EKG in a lifetime, and it came back normal. Now, just in order to cover all the proverbial bases, I have to wear a "Halter Monitor" for 24 hours and press a button when I feel pain.

Both my doctor and I think it's probably just a new manifestation of my anxiety. (I've been cutting back on one of my anti-anxiety medications, because it raises my pulse so much.) My doc also put me on another drug to lower my diastolic.

Pulitzer Project

I'm not sure if I mentioned it, but I finished Interpreter of Maladies, and I loved it. I've been trying to get through March without much interest. This sux because it's an amazingly well written book, so I plan to come back to it at a different time.

When I was in Minneapolis last time, Pat and I went to Magers & Quinn book store, and I bought Empire Falls (because I love it so) and The Good Earth. (I've always been curious about this last one, because I worked at the Good Earth restaurant and always wondered if it had anything to do with the book. I doubt this though cuz The Good Earth appears to be about China.)

Currently, I'm re-reading Empire.

Stu, My Mom's Fiance

When Stu was in town for my mom's birthday (also when I was in town last), his forehead down to his eyelids went completely numb. As this was kind of alarming, and his sister has M.S., he went to the doctor asap.

It turns out that Stu has what his doctor referred to as the "least severe" form of M.S. This was sad to learn on many levels. The most poignent level of grief for me was recognizing that Stu, my mom's significant other, will have MANY, many of the same (potentially devestating) symptoms that my dad suffered from.

My mom will most likely be Stu's main caregiver in the future- should he need it. It's just so strange. I mean, is she drawn to care for men with similar needs and similar nerve problems? Or, is this just one of life's funny little coincidences?

(Also, it just hit me that Stu was diagnosed with M.S. almost exactly two years to the day that my dad died from complications of a similar disease.)

He'll need a lot of support from his kids, and he hasn't told them yet. So, please pray for and think of him.

Disgustingness

I was consumed with feeling vomitous almost the entire day Saturday. I STILL deeply with all my body HATE the act of throwing up...mostly the minutes before (when drenched in sweat, shaking, nauseated, anxious).

But, I got through a very intense fear of mine. (I'm definitely getting past my emitephobia!)

Army was right there rubbing my back and getting me cold cloths, etc. This was the first time in our relationship that he's been able to be physically present during this terrifying time for me. I felt so loved.

Puking with Army (*quirky smile*) was definitely a bonding experience.

Spiritual Place

I've been able to ask God more for what I need when I need it. Recently I've learned to rely on him specifically for the energy I'll need to do things and for extra energy to help others.

All of this started when I was working with a past cook named Pam who was recovering from breast cancer. She needed help with little things like lifiting the garbage and bringing it down to the bins.

I'd ask for extra energy to help her since I generally feel like I don't even have enough energy to do my basic job, but I knew she really needed extra help. I also knew no one else would help her, because she could be sharp and abbrasive with most people. I really liked her though.

So lately I've seen this same blessing happening in more areas of my life. I prayed on Sunday that if God wanted me to go to work on Monday that I'd know it and feel capable, or if it could work out - to have Monday off.

I was told they didn't need me on Monday. The same thing happened today, so I've had a total of 2 days to fully heal up.

Nice!!

New

I got my new glasses today and am wearing them as I type. I like them!! They're a bit more trendy than I'd like, but the colors are great, and they look good on my face. Hoot! (I can't find a pic of them online, but I'll try to post a pic of me in them soon.)

La la la....that's all. (Can you even believe this is the ABBREVIATED version??) :)

Love to ya all.

Marne

2007-09-07T00:43:43Z

Hello, pals. This morning our friend, Marne passed away. Thankfully she'd been able to leave the care center she was in for many loooong weeks and moved in with her daughter about 10 days ago.

She passed away in her sleep this morning after a really nice evening with her daughter, her son, and her close granddaughter (who flew in from Connecticut yesterday).

Thank you to all of you who prayed for Marne, thought of her, and spent time with her. She was an awesome lady! Army and I got to spend her last birthday with her last October. She would have been 89 in less than a month!

I'll miss you, Marne.

Math Rock

2007-09-03T02:39:36Z

I LIKE this a lot. Luke introduced me to math rock. Here is Battles doing "Atlas." (The guy with the semi-fro is a famous jazz musician's son, and the drummer is from Helmet.)

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Math_rock

Anyone with more info about math rock, chime in. I'm up for learning all I can here!

rannyrooster @ 2007-08-30T16:47:00

2007-08-30T23:47:58Z

My work week is over: hiyah!

Missing in (lack of) Action and the Meat Dress

2007-08-23T01:50:37Z

Minneapolis, I still love you...despite the fact that you got rid of the following: "the Tibetan place," St. Sabrina's, the book store in Calhoun Square.

Today Pattyquacks and I went to the Walker Art Center. I used to have a membership there and went a whole lot in high school and college...since then the Walker's been completely revamped.

I had SUCH a great time. Seeing the permanent collection pieces I've seen so many times over the years had me feeling all loved...and THEN we checked out the Picasso exhibit which includes Picasso pieces and lots of the stuff he inspired in American artists. It was fabulous, and I broke down and bought a book of Jasper Johns' stuff.

I felt really inspired by his art this time. (I've always liked his stuff, but today I felt ready to rocket off into writing land as I admired "Summer" from 1985.)

http://www.artchive.com/artchive/j/johns/summer.jpg

More info on Jasper--

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jasper_Johns

I also purchased a small book of The Minneapolis Sculpture Garden, because I often sit at home and remember it ubber fondly and miss it.

One thing I missed seeing from the permanent collection was the meat dress!!! Here it is for your viewing pleasure...

http://collections.walkerart.org/item/object/957

Waiting and Rain

2007-08-20T18:07:52Z

I'm waiting for my mom to get back here (she's late) and take us to meet my cousins for lunchy. (Old habits die hard, eh?) It's raining again...that makes everything look so much more green and alive. I just finished reading A Changed Man by Francine Prose. It was pretty good...not the best book I've read, but enjoyable.

Luke's Here!

2007-08-11T02:07:58Z

Yay! Luke arrived physically in the state of California for the first time ever. I see him tomorrow! Ow! Ow!

BOOKS!

2007-08-06T20:25:18Z

I love books.

I'm currently somewhere in each of the following books:

The Lovely Bones (thanks, Clairey), March, and The Interpreter of Maladies.

I never read more than one book at a time. If I do, I feel like I lose some of the purer essence of the mood of a book.

Anyone else reading anything currently?