Ah Magical 2010!!
0 Comments Published by Oh Wayward One on 07 January 2010 at 1/07/2010 09:17:00 am.
I think it really IS going to be the Year of Happiness!
That reminds me, I have to ask all my Chinese contractors what the Chinese calander says about 2010 - i.e. it might actually be possible that it really IS meant to be the Year of Happiness!
Here are some factors influencing my nominated "Year of Happiness" moniker for old 2010:
1. Everybody I know has good resolutions, and as far as I can tell, they're all being worked on
2. My BFF got engaged and is considering holding the wedding in my/our hometown (a slight feat, as she's a DC'er now, marrying an out-of-towner, er, out-of-countryer) quite possibly WHEN i'M HOME (or at least intending to be there) IN JULY... how freakin awesome is that!??!
3. The year is only 7 days in and already I've talked to Brandon on the phone like 5 times, and had a "group" gchat with him and Bella, and talked to Podgey on the phone once, and him on gchat every day so far, and SheofDC on the gchat every day too (would've been on the phone too, except on her bday when I called her new fancy-pants phone was acting belligerent!!) I love having good friends who are an abundance of humour therapy!!
4. The Mr. has been adhering to his resolution to be less stressed, and is far more lovable and fun in this respect
5. Jéan is coming this weekend!!
6. I already have 3 international trips planned for this year
7. The Poop Machine gets to meet both sets of grandparents this year
8. The Mr. and I get OFF the Animal Peeps committee this year
9. If I can pull off my intended plan, The Mr. gets to experience a real live smalltown-USA 4th of July
10. I am going to spend more money on myself this year, and go out for lunch more too!!
All things that make one person, yours truly, more happy. Ta-daaa!
That reminds me, I have to ask all my Chinese contractors what the Chinese calander says about 2010 - i.e. it might actually be possible that it really IS meant to be the Year of Happiness!
Here are some factors influencing my nominated "Year of Happiness" moniker for old 2010:
1. Everybody I know has good resolutions, and as far as I can tell, they're all being worked on
2. My BFF got engaged and is considering holding the wedding in my/our hometown (a slight feat, as she's a DC'er now, marrying an out-of-towner, er, out-of-countryer) quite possibly WHEN i'M HOME (or at least intending to be there) IN JULY... how freakin awesome is that!??!
3. The year is only 7 days in and already I've talked to Brandon on the phone like 5 times, and had a "group" gchat with him and Bella, and talked to Podgey on the phone once, and him on gchat every day so far, and SheofDC on the gchat every day too (would've been on the phone too, except on her bday when I called her new fancy-pants phone was acting belligerent!!) I love having good friends who are an abundance of humour therapy!!
4. The Mr. has been adhering to his resolution to be less stressed, and is far more lovable and fun in this respect
5. Jéan is coming this weekend!!
6. I already have 3 international trips planned for this year
7. The Poop Machine gets to meet both sets of grandparents this year
8. The Mr. and I get OFF the Animal Peeps committee this year
9. If I can pull off my intended plan, The Mr. gets to experience a real live smalltown-USA 4th of July
10. I am going to spend more money on myself this year, and go out for lunch more too!!
All things that make one person, yours truly, more happy. Ta-daaa!
Labels: 2010
Excellent! 2010 is going swimmingly! And some musical stuff.
0 Comments Published by Oh Wayward One on 05 January 2010 at 1/05/2010 02:21:00 pm.
Can I just say how I am over the moon about how almost everyone I know has very excellent NY's resolutions this year. I have a good feeling about 2010 and I am double-proud most of all of Brandon and his Life Overhaul 2010 that puts me to shame in terms of comprehensive awesomeness.
But otherwise, it's that time again where my friend Dave sends around his big-ass group email soliciting musical inspiration for the new year. I think there's about 30 people on our list and I always end up finding myself some good booty out of the lot. Just for the record, this is what Dave's got going on from 2009:
---
Dave’s Annual New Music Extravaganza and Winter Clearance Sale
Many of you know that I have the Little Feat lyrics, “Two degrees in bebop, a PhD in swing; he’s a master of rhythm, he’s a rock ‘n roll king” in my signature line. This, of course, is tongue and cheek, as I hold none of these degrees or titles, but I do aspire to them! But I rely on my music-loving friends to help me to learn the music ropes of the times. So again, I come to you with questions about the world of music (and, yes, I just got Christmas and birthday iTunes gift cards).
This year I want your thoughts on three areas:
Two best new CDs, LPS, cassettes, 8 tracks, etc. you encountered this year. Give me the name of the band, the name of the album, and a brief review (if there’s a web link to the recording, all the better).
What were two songs – new to you – that you have not been able to shake all of 2009? Artist and song (and a little about it, please).
As always, what album from the past came back into your life – or came to you for the first time?
As always, please reply to all! (I’ll put a final compilation together in a week or so).
Here’s my feeble attempt (again, tipping my hat to my main musical resources Kelly and Adrienne):
Two best albums:
The Shins “Chutes Too Narrow.” It’s not a new album by any means -- coming out in 2003 -- but musically, it’s just a pop treat, and it was new to me. Great melodies, clever hooks, and lyrically strong. (“Kissing the Lipless” http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l5H2E1zvQhI&feature=related)
The Decemberists “Hazards of Love.” (released March 2009) The critics liked, but didn’t love “Hazards,” and I can see why. It was hard to top “The Crane Wife, (and this doesn’t), but it’s still a great album. Seeing them at the Blue Note for what was probably a Top Ten all-time show for me probably moved this selection up the list. Still doing their high concept album stuff, but this one is slathered with guitar. (Here’s a taste: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Fp_MVc3abXU&feature=related)
Two singles you couldn’t shake:
“Wild Mountain Nation” Blitzen Trapper. Channeling The Band, the Grateful Dead, and about 15 other artists of similar ilk, Blitzen Trapper is my current favorite throwback band. http://s0.ilike.com/play#Blitzen+Trapper:Wild+Mountain+Nation:7821309:s1929430.11204473.20188534.0.2.23%2Cstd_629d4ac575b14d3faf70ba3b3f80fe9c
“Go On, Say It” Blind Pilot. Like Blitzen Trapper, I have to give a nod to Adrienne for introducing me to this one. She listens to an online program called “DayTrotter” which introduces new music (from a live studio recording). They then post the live recordings for free downloads. This is a very simple song, but appeals to my singer-songwriter sensibilities. http://www.daytrotter.com/dt/blind-pilot-concert/20030774-3738086.html
Album that has come back from the past:
Iggy Pop “New Values” In 1979, I started school at Mizzou. My brother Jack was living in Columbia at the time and I remember him playing Iggy Pop for me. I knew about Iggy, but really hadn’t paid much attention, but I bought the album “New Values” and loved it. It’s been on the shelf for a long time, but I recently bought it on iTunes and can’t get over it. It’s a little inconsistent, but there are five songs that are pure gems. Just for fun, here’s a recording of “Five Foot One” http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8SvngIbImus (and one of “I’m Bored” http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rGDb8X8limY&feature=related)
-----------------------
And here, for the record, was my 2 cents:
Two best new CDs, LPS, cassettes, 8 tracks, etc. you encountered this year. Give me the name of the band, the name of the album, and a brief review (if there’s a web link to the recording, all the better).
Only two?! This was a great year (or should I say "2008" was, actually - since I'm always behind) for music, but if you insist...! I'll take one from the beginning of my year and one from the 2nd half. And I'll be good and stay within one year of the present, for once.
Band: Mudcrutch
Album: Mudcrutch
Released: 2008
This is Tom Petty's "boyhood" band that, while it does include 2 Heartbreakers, brings back his old pals/bandmates from Gainesville for the proverbial "basement jam" that never quite got them famous back in the olden days - albeit finely polished in the studio and with excellent production. It's part covers (Shady Grove, June Apple, 6 Days on the Road, etc), part originals, all very much more bluegrassy and folky than normal TP stuff but with that same rock n' roll undercurrent that makes it impossible to forget who is the driving force behind the album. Childhood mates, now older, fatter & balder, back together jamming just for fun and not contract obligations, without pretentiousness, etc. It's just a great story and the album is a lot of fun. I think this song was a single in the US (?) : http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aXMllRDBQvk&feature=related
Band: Railroad Earth
Album: Amen Corner
Released: 2008
I don't know what to say about this album except for it's just close to perfect. For anyone not familiar with Railroad Earth, picture Split Lip Rayfield and The Jayhawks going away for an intense working seminar in the Appalachians under Levon Helm & Robbie Robertson, and this is what they sound like when they come back to society??? Everyone has a hard time pigeonholing this band, so I'm not going to be able to do any better, but let's just say here's a little bit of what they can do: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aXMllRDBQvk&feature=related (don't get used to the horns though - it's not a standard part of the band, but it does illustrate how they are all extremely multi-talented and you'll never know what kind of instrument you're going to get on the next song) and http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7NTUYeTulYw. P.S. Anyone under the impression that these guys are what they call a "jam band" (gag!) must just be aware that no song on this album exceeds 7 minutes.
2. What were two songs – new to you – that you have not been able to shake all of 2009? Artist and song (and a little about it, please).
Artist: The Hold Steady
Song: Stay Positive
Released: 2008
Having this tune as my ring tone doesn't help the "not able to shake it" factor. I discovered this album/band early in the year due to "All Songs Considered" (a podcast I only just subscribed to in January AFTER the Annual Online Luther Music Discovery Seminar). What can I say, it's real Rock n' Roll in a period of what I'm beginning to get frustrated and sick of in terms of wussy spineless whining over synth-noise or as Bob Boilen insists on calling *absolutely everything*, "folk". At this rate, he'll have that gosh-dang Animal Collective in the "folk" category by the end of the year. And then I'll hang myself. I love The Hold Steady so much, though, that I keep listening, always hoping for another one of these gems. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FY3V4ObYRsA (Side note: I also did kinda appreciate Blitzen Trapper this year, same song as you, Dave)
Artist: The Black Crowes
Song: Good Morning Captain
Released: THIS YEAR! OMG!
I would've put this album (Before the Frost...) in the first category because it is a FANTASTIC "reason-to-believe-in-rock-n-roll-again" new album, but I'm trying to stick to the rules. So I'll take the best song off of it (and I LOVE that song) and use it here to at least make sure the Crowes get their mention! This song is definitely the way to wake up in the morning. It's like the Allman Bros got a banjo player in their "Enlightened Rouges" phase for a ragtime-influenced song, and everybody got equipment "that goes up to 11". The production on the album is amazing (and no doubt influenced by the spirit that hangs around in Levon Helm's barn in Woodstock, NY, where it was recorded - live) and the musicians are great. In fact this is my favourite Crowes album since ...Money Maker waaay back in the day, it's just great. See for yourself: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U2c9ciPYlCE (this is a live performance unfortunately missing the banjo from the studio version).
3. As always, what album from the past came back into your life – or came to you for the first time?
Artist: Bob Dylan
Album: Nashville Skyline
Year: 1969
I listened to a lot of Dylan this year for some reason. But this one I hadn't heard in so long - it gave me goosebumps to hear that jangly sound and awesome piano and rhythm section that he got for this album. Upbeat, uptempo, romantic Dylan with fantastic production for that period, the kind where every instrument can be seperated out by ear and enjoyed individually. Did I mention I love these backing musicians? The relaxed drumming of Kenny Buttrey, Bob Wilson's raggedy piano, Pete Drake's pedal steel, and of course the legendary Earl Scruggs on banjo on "Nashville Skyline Rag".
But otherwise, it's that time again where my friend Dave sends around his big-ass group email soliciting musical inspiration for the new year. I think there's about 30 people on our list and I always end up finding myself some good booty out of the lot. Just for the record, this is what Dave's got going on from 2009:
---
Dave’s Annual New Music Extravaganza and Winter Clearance Sale
Many of you know that I have the Little Feat lyrics, “Two degrees in bebop, a PhD in swing; he’s a master of rhythm, he’s a rock ‘n roll king” in my signature line. This, of course, is tongue and cheek, as I hold none of these degrees or titles, but I do aspire to them! But I rely on my music-loving friends to help me to learn the music ropes of the times. So again, I come to you with questions about the world of music (and, yes, I just got Christmas and birthday iTunes gift cards).
This year I want your thoughts on three areas:
Two best new CDs, LPS, cassettes, 8 tracks, etc. you encountered this year. Give me the name of the band, the name of the album, and a brief review (if there’s a web link to the recording, all the better).
What were two songs – new to you – that you have not been able to shake all of 2009? Artist and song (and a little about it, please).
As always, what album from the past came back into your life – or came to you for the first time?
As always, please reply to all! (I’ll put a final compilation together in a week or so).
Here’s my feeble attempt (again, tipping my hat to my main musical resources Kelly and Adrienne):
Two best albums:
The Shins “Chutes Too Narrow.” It’s not a new album by any means -- coming out in 2003 -- but musically, it’s just a pop treat, and it was new to me. Great melodies, clever hooks, and lyrically strong. (“Kissing the Lipless” http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l5H2E1zvQhI&feature=related)
The Decemberists “Hazards of Love.” (released March 2009) The critics liked, but didn’t love “Hazards,” and I can see why. It was hard to top “The Crane Wife, (and this doesn’t), but it’s still a great album. Seeing them at the Blue Note for what was probably a Top Ten all-time show for me probably moved this selection up the list. Still doing their high concept album stuff, but this one is slathered with guitar. (Here’s a taste: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Fp_MVc3abXU&feature=related)
Two singles you couldn’t shake:
“Wild Mountain Nation” Blitzen Trapper. Channeling The Band, the Grateful Dead, and about 15 other artists of similar ilk, Blitzen Trapper is my current favorite throwback band. http://s0.ilike.com/play#Blitzen+Trapper:Wild+Mountain+Nation:7821309:s1929430.11204473.20188534.0.2.23%2Cstd_629d4ac575b14d3faf70ba3b3f80fe9c
“Go On, Say It” Blind Pilot. Like Blitzen Trapper, I have to give a nod to Adrienne for introducing me to this one. She listens to an online program called “DayTrotter” which introduces new music (from a live studio recording). They then post the live recordings for free downloads. This is a very simple song, but appeals to my singer-songwriter sensibilities. http://www.daytrotter.com/dt/blind-pilot-concert/20030774-3738086.html
Album that has come back from the past:
Iggy Pop “New Values” In 1979, I started school at Mizzou. My brother Jack was living in Columbia at the time and I remember him playing Iggy Pop for me. I knew about Iggy, but really hadn’t paid much attention, but I bought the album “New Values” and loved it. It’s been on the shelf for a long time, but I recently bought it on iTunes and can’t get over it. It’s a little inconsistent, but there are five songs that are pure gems. Just for fun, here’s a recording of “Five Foot One” http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8SvngIbImus (and one of “I’m Bored” http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rGDb8X8limY&feature=related)
-----------------------
And here, for the record, was my 2 cents:
Two best new CDs, LPS, cassettes, 8 tracks, etc. you encountered this year. Give me the name of the band, the name of the album, and a brief review (if there’s a web link to the recording, all the better).
Only two?! This was a great year (or should I say "2008" was, actually - since I'm always behind) for music, but if you insist...! I'll take one from the beginning of my year and one from the 2nd half. And I'll be good and stay within one year of the present, for once.
Band: Mudcrutch
Album: Mudcrutch
Released: 2008
This is Tom Petty's "boyhood" band that, while it does include 2 Heartbreakers, brings back his old pals/bandmates from Gainesville for the proverbial "basement jam" that never quite got them famous back in the olden days - albeit finely polished in the studio and with excellent production. It's part covers (Shady Grove, June Apple, 6 Days on the Road, etc), part originals, all very much more bluegrassy and folky than normal TP stuff but with that same rock n' roll undercurrent that makes it impossible to forget who is the driving force behind the album. Childhood mates, now older, fatter & balder, back together jamming just for fun and not contract obligations, without pretentiousness, etc. It's just a great story and the album is a lot of fun. I think this song was a single in the US (?) : http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aXMllRDBQvk&feature=related
Band: Railroad Earth
Album: Amen Corner
Released: 2008
I don't know what to say about this album except for it's just close to perfect. For anyone not familiar with Railroad Earth, picture Split Lip Rayfield and The Jayhawks going away for an intense working seminar in the Appalachians under Levon Helm & Robbie Robertson, and this is what they sound like when they come back to society??? Everyone has a hard time pigeonholing this band, so I'm not going to be able to do any better, but let's just say here's a little bit of what they can do: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aXMllRDBQvk&feature=related (don't get used to the horns though - it's not a standard part of the band, but it does illustrate how they are all extremely multi-talented and you'll never know what kind of instrument you're going to get on the next song) and http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7NTUYeTulYw. P.S. Anyone under the impression that these guys are what they call a "jam band" (gag!) must just be aware that no song on this album exceeds 7 minutes.
2. What were two songs – new to you – that you have not been able to shake all of 2009? Artist and song (and a little about it, please).
Artist: The Hold Steady
Song: Stay Positive
Released: 2008
Having this tune as my ring tone doesn't help the "not able to shake it" factor. I discovered this album/band early in the year due to "All Songs Considered" (a podcast I only just subscribed to in January AFTER the Annual Online Luther Music Discovery Seminar). What can I say, it's real Rock n' Roll in a period of what I'm beginning to get frustrated and sick of in terms of wussy spineless whining over synth-noise or as Bob Boilen insists on calling *absolutely everything*, "folk". At this rate, he'll have that gosh-dang Animal Collective in the "folk" category by the end of the year. And then I'll hang myself. I love The Hold Steady so much, though, that I keep listening, always hoping for another one of these gems. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FY3V4ObYRsA (Side note: I also did kinda appreciate Blitzen Trapper this year, same song as you, Dave)
Artist: The Black Crowes
Song: Good Morning Captain
Released: THIS YEAR! OMG!
I would've put this album (Before the Frost...) in the first category because it is a FANTASTIC "reason-to-believe-in-rock-n-roll-again" new album, but I'm trying to stick to the rules. So I'll take the best song off of it (and I LOVE that song) and use it here to at least make sure the Crowes get their mention! This song is definitely the way to wake up in the morning. It's like the Allman Bros got a banjo player in their "Enlightened Rouges" phase for a ragtime-influenced song, and everybody got equipment "that goes up to 11". The production on the album is amazing (and no doubt influenced by the spirit that hangs around in Levon Helm's barn in Woodstock, NY, where it was recorded - live) and the musicians are great. In fact this is my favourite Crowes album since ...Money Maker waaay back in the day, it's just great. See for yourself: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U2c9ciPYlCE (this is a live performance unfortunately missing the banjo from the studio version).
3. As always, what album from the past came back into your life – or came to you for the first time?
Artist: Bob Dylan
Album: Nashville Skyline
Year: 1969
I listened to a lot of Dylan this year for some reason. But this one I hadn't heard in so long - it gave me goosebumps to hear that jangly sound and awesome piano and rhythm section that he got for this album. Upbeat, uptempo, romantic Dylan with fantastic production for that period, the kind where every instrument can be seperated out by ear and enjoyed individually. Did I mention I love these backing musicians? The relaxed drumming of Kenny Buttrey, Bob Wilson's raggedy piano, Pete Drake's pedal steel, and of course the legendary Earl Scruggs on banjo on "Nashville Skyline Rag".
Damn! I sure do love me some cherry tomatoes!
2 Comments Published by Oh Wayward One on 03 January 2010 at 1/03/2010 03:32:00 pm.
Everyone is gone!
Well except for me, The Mr. and The Joo and The Pups.
One thing I'm going to attempt this year (2010) is to put one of the classic "mom rules" into place, and I highly encourage everyone else out there to do the same. That old adage is: "if you can't say anything nice, PUT A FRICKIN SOCK IN IT!" After spending the last 2 weeks with someone who is (in my humble opinion) the dead opposite of the eternal optimist (what would that be? "temporary pessimist"?), I can see how one's negativity and constant half-empty attitude can weigh on those around us. Lesson learned. And I don't want this to be a pot-kettle thing, I'm saying it's something that *I* can use work on too. It's too easy to just break the silence with a complaint or a negative judgement of something. It's easier to say "OMG I HATE the idea of going back to work tomorrow" (which believe me, has been sitting on the tip of my tounge for days now) than it is to actually take on the mental task of searching for something optimistic or complimentary to say.... not necessarily about work or the end of the holidays or anything, but even something as arbitrary as "Damn! I sure do love me some cherry tomatoes!" would work, and it doesn't color everybody else's atmosphere BLACK.
I'm just realizing this is going back to my favourite Gandhi quote that I've blogged about before, dammit, it's so easy to slip: "Keep your thoughts positive because your thoughts become your words. Keep your words positive because your words become your behaviors. Keep your behaviors positive because your behaviors become your habits. Keep your habits positive because your habits become your values. Keep your values positive because your values become your destiny!"
Here are some alternatives I have encountered just in the last 24 hours where I could see that this would've come in handy (heard throughout the house - not just attributed to me or any other one person):
"I dont want to go to work tomorrow"
"I just feel so out of shape and lame"
"Don't you think she's ugly?"
"You'll never be able to pull that off"
"It'll probably all just go to shit anyway"
"I hate gardening"
OK I'm sure it all depends on context, and I realize that in the right situation/circumstances, any one of the above could've been a perfectly pleasant conversation starter or totally relevant and lovely. But I know the context(s) here, and trust me, it was all doom & gloom & moan & groan. And the main point: TOTALLY UNNECESSARY! Bringing no quality to the room, atmosphere, etc. Seriously, I mean what value?
Anyway, just an observation and room for improvement.
I just discussed the above (after I had written it, and before finishing) with Brandon and realize that it is not a solution to the root cause of general unhappiness - for that, you have to work on the deep stuff - but what my point is, is that it's a quantifyable "doable" way to combat general negativity. That by simply self-censoring 3 sentences a day (such as the above), you automatically subtract the general amount of negativity in the universe by 3. It's the first step on the path to Gandhi's mantra. And how is that a bad thing? It's a good thing, it's something do-able. Right, so I'm at least making an attempt.
Well except for me, The Mr. and The Joo and The Pups.
One thing I'm going to attempt this year (2010) is to put one of the classic "mom rules" into place, and I highly encourage everyone else out there to do the same. That old adage is: "if you can't say anything nice, PUT A FRICKIN SOCK IN IT!" After spending the last 2 weeks with someone who is (in my humble opinion) the dead opposite of the eternal optimist (what would that be? "temporary pessimist"?), I can see how one's negativity and constant half-empty attitude can weigh on those around us. Lesson learned. And I don't want this to be a pot-kettle thing, I'm saying it's something that *I* can use work on too. It's too easy to just break the silence with a complaint or a negative judgement of something. It's easier to say "OMG I HATE the idea of going back to work tomorrow" (which believe me, has been sitting on the tip of my tounge for days now) than it is to actually take on the mental task of searching for something optimistic or complimentary to say.... not necessarily about work or the end of the holidays or anything, but even something as arbitrary as "Damn! I sure do love me some cherry tomatoes!" would work, and it doesn't color everybody else's atmosphere BLACK.
I'm just realizing this is going back to my favourite Gandhi quote that I've blogged about before, dammit, it's so easy to slip: "Keep your thoughts positive because your thoughts become your words. Keep your words positive because your words become your behaviors. Keep your behaviors positive because your behaviors become your habits. Keep your habits positive because your habits become your values. Keep your values positive because your values become your destiny!"
Here are some alternatives I have encountered just in the last 24 hours where I could see that this would've come in handy (heard throughout the house - not just attributed to me or any other one person):
"I dont want to go to work tomorrow"
"I just feel so out of shape and lame"
"Don't you think she's ugly?"
"You'll never be able to pull that off"
"It'll probably all just go to shit anyway"
"I hate gardening"
OK I'm sure it all depends on context, and I realize that in the right situation/circumstances, any one of the above could've been a perfectly pleasant conversation starter or totally relevant and lovely. But I know the context(s) here, and trust me, it was all doom & gloom & moan & groan. And the main point: TOTALLY UNNECESSARY! Bringing no quality to the room, atmosphere, etc. Seriously, I mean what value?
Anyway, just an observation and room for improvement.
I just discussed the above (after I had written it, and before finishing) with Brandon and realize that it is not a solution to the root cause of general unhappiness - for that, you have to work on the deep stuff - but what my point is, is that it's a quantifyable "doable" way to combat general negativity. That by simply self-censoring 3 sentences a day (such as the above), you automatically subtract the general amount of negativity in the universe by 3. It's the first step on the path to Gandhi's mantra. And how is that a bad thing? It's a good thing, it's something do-able. Right, so I'm at least making an attempt.
Labels: 2010
Oh 2010, there you are!
0 Comments Published by Oh Wayward One on 01 January 2010 at 1/01/2010 12:22:00 pm.
I can't believe I haven't been writing in here for over a week - my goal for the xmas holidays was to spend a crap load of time online catching up with stuff like blogs and gchat and skype and email and what the hell.... it's almost over!
Anyway, it's been a pretty successful break, notwithstanding the fact that I sit here typing this with some sort of blood infection (at least it's not Malaria, which we were worried could be the culprit due to the fact I'd been stomping around in the jungle in Zambia where the little bastard mosquitos live) and on a few different kinds of meds and off any kind of alcohol for the next week or so :(
Christmas eve with the swedes was a big day of lotsa fun, it started out with a last minute phone call from our friends and fellow hashers P&E, who invited us over for a quick drink before we hit the nordic festivities, which worked out great since they were just around the corner from our swedish friends who were hosting the big hoo ha. I chose this moment to announce to rude-antisocial-houseguest/stand-in sibling "we are not 'dragging' you to these things so if you want to go, you're welcome but if you're going to refuse to talk to people and make it clear that our friends are not cool enough for you, then please dont feel obligated to come". I think that got the message accross because it was somewhat smooth sailing after. Swedish friends No.2 (the hosts) had their sons over from the homeland for the festivities who are round about A's age, anyway, so that helped a bit and he forced some small talk to ensure compliance with the newly laid-down law. Good.
P&E gave the Joolz her first present (I had refused to do presents for her this year since she doesn't need anything and doesn't understand anyway) but it turns out these little stacky-blocky things are a big hit in babyland so she's sorted. Anyway, we had our drink there and moved on to the scandinavian xmas eve dinner. Everyone was in a good mood, The Kid's stand-in-Swedish-grandfather took her for her first swim, we all ate big time, there was singing, etc, and we called it a night. Really fun. Even more fun was coming home and getting rescued from the kitchen preperation for the next day by the opportunity to phone Brandon and have a much-needed catch-up for over an hour (finally with good enough reception that we could actually HEAR each other). Now see THAT is the kinda stuff I wanted out of this break!! Honestly I really have this fascination, now that my course is over and I'm not at work, to lounge around and talk on the phone all day! It just sucks that my phone connection blows, and that no one is ever around when I can call them!!
Xmas day was bittersweet. The Mr. pulled one of these last-minute-grab-anything christmas shopping acts and I wound up with a bunch of bits & pieces including an ill-fitting shirt that makes me look as if I'm some sort of safari company employee, and a game of Rummikub. Riiiight. Let's not go there. Xmas isn't about presents but needless to say it still speaks volumes when someone says something like "oh I would really love the Tom Petty biography or Season 3 of 30 Rock on DVD", months in advance, and the xmas tree turns up things like "small garden trowel" and "grocery store impulse aisle paperback of CSI: The TV Show". WHATEVER!
It was good, however, because my giant turkey dinner which I stayed up til 1am preparing (blessed by the help of The Mr., so at least that's some redemption) the night before, turned out fantastic, and Swedish friends No.1 who were over to spend the day with us had the time of their lives (being totally unfamiliar with an English style xmas). We all swam and ate and drank and made merry, and the kiddos (they have 2 littlies) had a ball too. Only problem being I'd had a sore throat for a day or 2 prior, and was still feeling it.
Now, the problem here is that for the last week I've had no idea what day it is, ever, and nor do I care so I can't really give a day by day run down of what's happened but let's just say "in general" it's been like this: lots of drinking with The Mr. & A., lots of movies watched, a game of (blank stare) Rummikub played, runs run, meals skipped, loads of reading, and sleeping. All good elements of a do-nothing holiday.
So the day after Boxing Day, A's friends D&T came up from Jozi and we had a nice dinner of leftovers with them (I really like them - and they're very social and polite) and then inducted them into the dogsitting and housewatching and garden watering that they would be doing for us for the next 3 days that we would be off camping. A really late night with those guys, which was really fun (i have honestly never drank so much wine as has been consumed in the last 2 weeks before) although it culminated with The Kid having a horrible night full of screaming and waking everybody up because she had some sort of fever and Lord knows what else - good timing, Kid, right before camping. But the next day she seemed to be ok and we headed out to the bush for a few days up in the Southern T-block, to break in the new camping trailer. They let us bring Billy too, which was great.
Camping was a success with the new trailer - it's great to have the giant fold-out table, and to have the smaller roof tent as well as all that space in the truck now. Anyhoo we were on the banks of the L. River and had crocs and hippos and snakes and all sorts of game around us. Our spot was under a ginormous grove of shade trees where it was thankfully 10 degrees cooler than out in the sun. So again, lots of drinking and reading and laying around and poking fun at A and his new girlfriend back in SA whom he's been away from for several days now and made for good teasing fodder. On the 3rd day we looked in The Joo's mouth to find 4 gigantic swollen bumps in her gums that are clearly big fat teeth raring to burst through and lo and behold I think we found the answer to that horrible night before we left. Poor thing. But I don't think she really cares that much, she was enjoying being dirty and sitting by the fire and playing with Billy. Sleeping in the truck was even a success once we learned the key was making a bed for her in the back-back, not on the middle seat.
Voila. But I was still not feeling 100%, tired all the time, continued sore throat, and slowly deteriorating. Feeling generally bleh.
On the drive home yesterday (NYE), it all came crumbling down and I started hallucinating, feeling like someone was squeezing my head, and just generally dizzy as shit. However, I was not going to accept this, because we had a big NYE Hash event to go to, I had potluck dishes to make for it, and we were coming home to D&T the houseguests who I had to be social with. So I figured I would wait til today to have The Mr. take me to the hospital to get tested for the Big M. Until I broke a sweat walking up stairs and then the whole room started melting into some spinning psychedelia. Gave up, went to the sickyhouse, and got jabbed a couple times. Waited for the results while the early hours of NYE were passing us by, and just before all the drunk driving & fireworks victims started arriving, they told me I was clear for Malaria but had the whole infected blood thing and turned me loose.
So we went home and graciously (much to the pain and suffering of The Mr who was SOOoooo looking forward to the full moon hash) told the 3 guys that they were welcome to leave us and go off and party hearty wherever they pleased etc., but they insisted on staying and just having a wee house party at our place and making the traditional Dutch oil balls with the Mr. while I laid like a limp rag on the couch out on the veranda and tried my best to participate in the conversation. But I ended up drifting in and out of sleep all night and despite my efforts felt really guilty about being a lump of nuttin on the new years eve. Nevertheless at midnight everyone was good and liquored up and from our veranda you could see the whole city below and it turned out to be a brilliant view of the fireworks (which we didnt even know, bc we've never been here on NYE) which made the whole staying-at-home thing worth it. Well, except for me as I didnt even get a glass of bubbles. :(
So on to this year - I can't really be bothered making new years resolutions because I'm kinda draggin', but I've heard The Mr. say it several times over: the year of positivity, the year of happy, the year of casting negative vibes out the door. So with that I must pick up my ill and melancholy self, a little bit annoyed at some of the last days of 2009 and thoroughly annoyed with the last 3-4 months of 2009, and dust it off and do the C'mon Get Happy dance.
Good things to look forward to this year:
Cape in Feb.
Aus at Easter
World Cup Football 2010 South Africa
USA in July (?) - which, I've decided, with ample planning and effort CAN be as good as Xmas 2008!
Finishing my thesis and becoming Master Master
Being mindful
Being at peak fitness and finding a road race to train for
Being part of the Hash, a group of folks I have grown enamoured with & look forward to seeing each week
Seeing friends, seeing friends, seeing friends!!
Making time to talk to friends either online or on the phone
Harvesting the biggest buttload of home grown veggies out of my own garden, all year
Xmas 2010 in NL, which, with ample planning and effort CAN be *almost* as good as Xmas 2008!
Anyway, it's been a pretty successful break, notwithstanding the fact that I sit here typing this with some sort of blood infection (at least it's not Malaria, which we were worried could be the culprit due to the fact I'd been stomping around in the jungle in Zambia where the little bastard mosquitos live) and on a few different kinds of meds and off any kind of alcohol for the next week or so :(
Christmas eve with the swedes was a big day of lotsa fun, it started out with a last minute phone call from our friends and fellow hashers P&E, who invited us over for a quick drink before we hit the nordic festivities, which worked out great since they were just around the corner from our swedish friends who were hosting the big hoo ha. I chose this moment to announce to rude-antisocial-houseguest/stand-in sibling "we are not 'dragging' you to these things so if you want to go, you're welcome but if you're going to refuse to talk to people and make it clear that our friends are not cool enough for you, then please dont feel obligated to come". I think that got the message accross because it was somewhat smooth sailing after. Swedish friends No.2 (the hosts) had their sons over from the homeland for the festivities who are round about A's age, anyway, so that helped a bit and he forced some small talk to ensure compliance with the newly laid-down law. Good.
P&E gave the Joolz her first present (I had refused to do presents for her this year since she doesn't need anything and doesn't understand anyway) but it turns out these little stacky-blocky things are a big hit in babyland so she's sorted. Anyway, we had our drink there and moved on to the scandinavian xmas eve dinner. Everyone was in a good mood, The Kid's stand-in-Swedish-grandfather took her for her first swim, we all ate big time, there was singing, etc, and we called it a night. Really fun. Even more fun was coming home and getting rescued from the kitchen preperation for the next day by the opportunity to phone Brandon and have a much-needed catch-up for over an hour (finally with good enough reception that we could actually HEAR each other). Now see THAT is the kinda stuff I wanted out of this break!! Honestly I really have this fascination, now that my course is over and I'm not at work, to lounge around and talk on the phone all day! It just sucks that my phone connection blows, and that no one is ever around when I can call them!!
Xmas day was bittersweet. The Mr. pulled one of these last-minute-grab-anything christmas shopping acts and I wound up with a bunch of bits & pieces including an ill-fitting shirt that makes me look as if I'm some sort of safari company employee, and a game of Rummikub. Riiiight. Let's not go there. Xmas isn't about presents but needless to say it still speaks volumes when someone says something like "oh I would really love the Tom Petty biography or Season 3 of 30 Rock on DVD", months in advance, and the xmas tree turns up things like "small garden trowel" and "grocery store impulse aisle paperback of CSI: The TV Show". WHATEVER!
It was good, however, because my giant turkey dinner which I stayed up til 1am preparing (blessed by the help of The Mr., so at least that's some redemption) the night before, turned out fantastic, and Swedish friends No.1 who were over to spend the day with us had the time of their lives (being totally unfamiliar with an English style xmas). We all swam and ate and drank and made merry, and the kiddos (they have 2 littlies) had a ball too. Only problem being I'd had a sore throat for a day or 2 prior, and was still feeling it.
Now, the problem here is that for the last week I've had no idea what day it is, ever, and nor do I care so I can't really give a day by day run down of what's happened but let's just say "in general" it's been like this: lots of drinking with The Mr. & A., lots of movies watched, a game of (blank stare) Rummikub played, runs run, meals skipped, loads of reading, and sleeping. All good elements of a do-nothing holiday.
So the day after Boxing Day, A's friends D&T came up from Jozi and we had a nice dinner of leftovers with them (I really like them - and they're very social and polite) and then inducted them into the dogsitting and housewatching and garden watering that they would be doing for us for the next 3 days that we would be off camping. A really late night with those guys, which was really fun (i have honestly never drank so much wine as has been consumed in the last 2 weeks before) although it culminated with The Kid having a horrible night full of screaming and waking everybody up because she had some sort of fever and Lord knows what else - good timing, Kid, right before camping. But the next day she seemed to be ok and we headed out to the bush for a few days up in the Southern T-block, to break in the new camping trailer. They let us bring Billy too, which was great.
Camping was a success with the new trailer - it's great to have the giant fold-out table, and to have the smaller roof tent as well as all that space in the truck now. Anyhoo we were on the banks of the L. River and had crocs and hippos and snakes and all sorts of game around us. Our spot was under a ginormous grove of shade trees where it was thankfully 10 degrees cooler than out in the sun. So again, lots of drinking and reading and laying around and poking fun at A and his new girlfriend back in SA whom he's been away from for several days now and made for good teasing fodder. On the 3rd day we looked in The Joo's mouth to find 4 gigantic swollen bumps in her gums that are clearly big fat teeth raring to burst through and lo and behold I think we found the answer to that horrible night before we left. Poor thing. But I don't think she really cares that much, she was enjoying being dirty and sitting by the fire and playing with Billy. Sleeping in the truck was even a success once we learned the key was making a bed for her in the back-back, not on the middle seat.
Voila. But I was still not feeling 100%, tired all the time, continued sore throat, and slowly deteriorating. Feeling generally bleh.
On the drive home yesterday (NYE), it all came crumbling down and I started hallucinating, feeling like someone was squeezing my head, and just generally dizzy as shit. However, I was not going to accept this, because we had a big NYE Hash event to go to, I had potluck dishes to make for it, and we were coming home to D&T the houseguests who I had to be social with. So I figured I would wait til today to have The Mr. take me to the hospital to get tested for the Big M. Until I broke a sweat walking up stairs and then the whole room started melting into some spinning psychedelia. Gave up, went to the sickyhouse, and got jabbed a couple times. Waited for the results while the early hours of NYE were passing us by, and just before all the drunk driving & fireworks victims started arriving, they told me I was clear for Malaria but had the whole infected blood thing and turned me loose.
So we went home and graciously (much to the pain and suffering of The Mr who was SOOoooo looking forward to the full moon hash) told the 3 guys that they were welcome to leave us and go off and party hearty wherever they pleased etc., but they insisted on staying and just having a wee house party at our place and making the traditional Dutch oil balls with the Mr. while I laid like a limp rag on the couch out on the veranda and tried my best to participate in the conversation. But I ended up drifting in and out of sleep all night and despite my efforts felt really guilty about being a lump of nuttin on the new years eve. Nevertheless at midnight everyone was good and liquored up and from our veranda you could see the whole city below and it turned out to be a brilliant view of the fireworks (which we didnt even know, bc we've never been here on NYE) which made the whole staying-at-home thing worth it. Well, except for me as I didnt even get a glass of bubbles. :(
So on to this year - I can't really be bothered making new years resolutions because I'm kinda draggin', but I've heard The Mr. say it several times over: the year of positivity, the year of happy, the year of casting negative vibes out the door. So with that I must pick up my ill and melancholy self, a little bit annoyed at some of the last days of 2009 and thoroughly annoyed with the last 3-4 months of 2009, and dust it off and do the C'mon Get Happy dance.
Good things to look forward to this year:
Cape in Feb.
Aus at Easter
World Cup Football 2010 South Africa
USA in July (?) - which, I've decided, with ample planning and effort CAN be as good as Xmas 2008!
Finishing my thesis and becoming Master Master
Being mindful
Being at peak fitness and finding a road race to train for
Being part of the Hash, a group of folks I have grown enamoured with & look forward to seeing each week
Seeing friends, seeing friends, seeing friends!!
Making time to talk to friends either online or on the phone
Harvesting the biggest buttload of home grown veggies out of my own garden, all year
Xmas 2010 in NL, which, with ample planning and effort CAN be *almost* as good as Xmas 2008!
