Twelve hours. It has been twelve hours since I finished viewing HP DH2 and most of that I slept.
I read two articles this morning... and the one which grabbed me was Ralph Fiennes interview in Newsweek. Lord Voldemort responds..and it won't past the link. Hmmm...
Who is more evil? Is it that those who followed are as they made a choice? Was Tom less as he had not been loved? But had he? Dumbledore brought him to Hogwarts where he could be loved and could have a home, as many others had. What makes the difference? How much is choice?
And yes, at that point, Tom made choices. Many if not all, were evil.
Lots to think about. Thank you Jo.
Saturday, July 16, 2011
Friday, July 8, 2011
Last Shuttle flight
I am in denial. I am a child of the space age. I remember watching on tv, live the launches of multiple Apollo missions and probably some earlier ones too. I remember getting up in the middle of the night (to my mind) in 1969 to watch Neil Armstrong walk on the moon. I remember them landing hours earlier... and that may have been the middle of the night... not the walk. We lived on the left coast side of the country at the time. Some of my earliest memories are of my father pulling us out of bed and out into the night air to watch the persieds and the Leonid meteor showers. I know I have spelled some of these wrong. I am listening as I write to the live countdown for Atlantis.
My heart aches. I know this seems strange... but we cheered and supported space research.
We were in college when the shuttle first launched and landed. In fact, my college linguistics professor Bill Little came in in the middle of our Linguistics final to tell us that YES, the first shuttle had landed safely on that May afternoon.
I as a parent pulled my small children out to watch the shuttle and the space station glide swiftly by above us in the night sky.... To see Mars as a large light, to look at the rings of Saturn,
See the comet in 1999-2000 in Finland.
To see the moon close and rising.
I saw Challenger's last landing...
my darling worked on the first shuttle imaging radar....
and here we watch Atlantis take off t minus 1 minute....
more later.....
My heart aches. I know this seems strange... but we cheered and supported space research.
We were in college when the shuttle first launched and landed. In fact, my college linguistics professor Bill Little came in in the middle of our Linguistics final to tell us that YES, the first shuttle had landed safely on that May afternoon.
I as a parent pulled my small children out to watch the shuttle and the space station glide swiftly by above us in the night sky.... To see Mars as a large light, to look at the rings of Saturn,
See the comet in 1999-2000 in Finland.
To see the moon close and rising.
I saw Challenger's last landing...
my darling worked on the first shuttle imaging radar....
and here we watch Atlantis take off t minus 1 minute....
more later.....
Pic Skate
Long ago, when we knew we were going to Greece, we checked into ice skating rinks. We had a budding young ice skater who loved above all else to skate. This of course, was after we bid on and got Greece. We found to our sadness, no ice rink, while the web said, yes of course! The rink had closed perhaps two years earlier.
As a result, we knew not what to do. However, our wonderful ice rink shop manager, Jimmy, put us onto the idea of Pic Skates. My mind is now murky as to the details as this was 5 years and two cities ago. He had the frames and he had boots and we wed the two.
Funny enough, one of the coaches at the rink, who she had watched giving lessons had created the Pic Skate. Nick Perna had created the skate as a way for ice skaters to practice off the ice.
My daughter also took a Delta level class from his wife, Michelle.
So we sallied forth to Greece in August of 2006 with Pic Skates in the suitcase. If they weren't in the suitcase, then they were in the airfreight!!
Well, finding smooth places to pic skate in Greece was difficult. First of all it was hot and dusty.
Then, of course, we were still on the young ones need to be in bed at a reasonable hour. We ate at the normal western times, as we didn't want to be in bed on a full stomach. Not only did we not understand how the Greeks ate, large meal at noon, we didn't have the opportunity with our work and school schedules to do such.
We found a local school with an asphalt and concrete yard which was open to go to on the weekend afternoons and a few evenings. Being alone on skates didn't make it much fun, however she worked a bit some moves and skated.
While in Greece I found a link to some Inline competition in Italy perhaps a year or so before. However, I could never find a person to email or ask questions about an inline community.
A friend in our community went with her to skate where we had found a nice smooth spot. It was the pad built for the 2004 Olympics for parking. I believe it was built for the press parking nice and flat for satellite link equipment and trucks. It sat right to the northwest of the new Olympic Stadium.
Little did we know that 5 years later, she would once again be on Pics even when she was skating on ice.
more soon....
As a result, we knew not what to do. However, our wonderful ice rink shop manager, Jimmy, put us onto the idea of Pic Skates. My mind is now murky as to the details as this was 5 years and two cities ago. He had the frames and he had boots and we wed the two.
Funny enough, one of the coaches at the rink, who she had watched giving lessons had created the Pic Skate. Nick Perna had created the skate as a way for ice skaters to practice off the ice.
My daughter also took a Delta level class from his wife, Michelle.
So we sallied forth to Greece in August of 2006 with Pic Skates in the suitcase. If they weren't in the suitcase, then they were in the airfreight!!
Well, finding smooth places to pic skate in Greece was difficult. First of all it was hot and dusty.
Then, of course, we were still on the young ones need to be in bed at a reasonable hour. We ate at the normal western times, as we didn't want to be in bed on a full stomach. Not only did we not understand how the Greeks ate, large meal at noon, we didn't have the opportunity with our work and school schedules to do such.
We found a local school with an asphalt and concrete yard which was open to go to on the weekend afternoons and a few evenings. Being alone on skates didn't make it much fun, however she worked a bit some moves and skated.
While in Greece I found a link to some Inline competition in Italy perhaps a year or so before. However, I could never find a person to email or ask questions about an inline community.
A friend in our community went with her to skate where we had found a nice smooth spot. It was the pad built for the 2004 Olympics for parking. I believe it was built for the press parking nice and flat for satellite link equipment and trucks. It sat right to the northwest of the new Olympic Stadium.
Little did we know that 5 years later, she would once again be on Pics even when she was skating on ice.
more soon....
Monday, April 25, 2011
Everything Old is new Again
I can't believe I let this go. I need to write. I doubt anyone reads it, so what does it matter?
Writing is a form of creation, where ideas become fleshed in type, morphed into form and laid to dry. Then they either fly or crumble into dust. Ideas, dreams, fears, hopes all started in the mind's eye.
Yesterday my baby turned 21. Easter birthday that happened only twice in 250 years!
She graced my bell choir's performance at church and wrapped her graceful soul into my heart once again. She has grown in grace and humility in ways I can not fathom.
We celebrated early with a lunch party on the 23rd. Our family, her friend and her boyfriend and his parents. Seriousness of it was wonderful, but also cute. Her little sister, who towers over her, helped me to prepare. I am thankful for two wonderful daughters.
Writing is a form of creation, where ideas become fleshed in type, morphed into form and laid to dry. Then they either fly or crumble into dust. Ideas, dreams, fears, hopes all started in the mind's eye.
Yesterday my baby turned 21. Easter birthday that happened only twice in 250 years!
She graced my bell choir's performance at church and wrapped her graceful soul into my heart once again. She has grown in grace and humility in ways I can not fathom.
We celebrated early with a lunch party on the 23rd. Our family, her friend and her boyfriend and his parents. Seriousness of it was wonderful, but also cute. Her little sister, who towers over her, helped me to prepare. I am thankful for two wonderful daughters.
Sunday, September 13, 2009
VMA Taylor Swift
My 15 year old sat to watch the beginnings of the VMA awards. I watched in wonder as Madonna produced on of the most moving tributes to Michael Jackson I have yet seen. I remember sitting on the rooftop in Athens listening to Madonna sing. And I remember being in London during the time Michael was setting up his impending concert. I can't believe where the world has gotten to in the past year...
Then we watched Taylor win in a large highly competitive field. We were impressed, but then immediately aghast at the behavior of Kanye West. Oh my, how ungracious and embarrassing. Poor Beyance sitting through that! Taylor, congratulations for a wonderful win and know that the rest of the world and the people there were being supportive of you!
How unsportsmanlike. What has happened to graciousness and respect for others?
9:45 ran back down and caught Taylor Swift's LIVE performance on the NY Subway...
what an amazing performance! What a fun, happy, uplifting performance. Taylor, you ROCK!!
Then we watched Taylor win in a large highly competitive field. We were impressed, but then immediately aghast at the behavior of Kanye West. Oh my, how ungracious and embarrassing. Poor Beyance sitting through that! Taylor, congratulations for a wonderful win and know that the rest of the world and the people there were being supportive of you!
How unsportsmanlike. What has happened to graciousness and respect for others?
9:45 ran back down and caught Taylor Swift's LIVE performance on the NY Subway...
what an amazing performance! What a fun, happy, uplifting performance. Taylor, you ROCK!!
Saturday, July 11, 2009
reflection: Final months
Much of my spring I spent in a new parttime job. I thought it would be more, but mostly it took up my Feb and March. Then joy of joys I got to go to see Crufts. I wrote a post and saved it... and it DISAPPEARED!!! Not jolly good fun!
Then came April with her temper.
May the eldest returned from University and we were together one again. So many changes, so many things to do.
June rushed through. Youngest with exams and end of school. While on the school bus one morning, she came undone when she saw one of the children from her bus loaded with suitcase into the car for the airport! Reality dawns, the mythic dream is beginning to come to an end.
Quick trips in May to Meteora and June to Olympia, then July to Mykonos (to see Delos- ha fooled you!) made the ending both sweet and savory. With it comes the regrets that we did not travel more, see more do more. However, we were not tourists in this strange land, we lived it.
High schoolers and schedules determine other things. I actually heard of one parent who never made it to an island! (I am so sorry! I would have hauled you with us!)
Speaking as only a part, those who we shared this adventure with, thank you! You made the journey wonderful and the experience unique. I actually would love to know you found this.. as I haven't purposely made it easy to find.
To Greece, thank you for the experience, may the MYTHOS live on in you, and may you journey to a new level of comradery with the rest of the world you helped to create.
Then came April with her temper.
May the eldest returned from University and we were together one again. So many changes, so many things to do.
June rushed through. Youngest with exams and end of school. While on the school bus one morning, she came undone when she saw one of the children from her bus loaded with suitcase into the car for the airport! Reality dawns, the mythic dream is beginning to come to an end.
Quick trips in May to Meteora and June to Olympia, then July to Mykonos (to see Delos- ha fooled you!) made the ending both sweet and savory. With it comes the regrets that we did not travel more, see more do more. However, we were not tourists in this strange land, we lived it.
High schoolers and schedules determine other things. I actually heard of one parent who never made it to an island! (I am so sorry! I would have hauled you with us!)
Speaking as only a part, those who we shared this adventure with, thank you! You made the journey wonderful and the experience unique. I actually would love to know you found this.. as I haven't purposely made it easy to find.
To Greece, thank you for the experience, may the MYTHOS live on in you, and may you journey to a new level of comradery with the rest of the world you helped to create.
Farewell, Thanks for all the fishes!
Will this be like a dream? I can't imagine. We are 27 hours from our house inspection (like in rental) and then not even 44 hours later on a plane (dogs too) to Germany and on to the states.
I meant to blog more. I meant to see more. I meant to do more. THese past weeks have focused on getting us out of here.
We were overweight. I find it hilarious. We weeded out and sent some stuff off to college with the daughter. Hello? THAT much overweight? I can't wait to weigh it on the other side.
I think the problem is they packed too heavy. I was so busy trying to keep things moving that I couldn't supervise as I should have. I asked to not have so much paper. THey kept wrapping with lots of paper. I can't wait to take pictures as I unwrap the boxes and weigh the paper.
I do know the book boxes (1.5 cubic foot) were a pound more than the American boxes. Okay so multiply the box numbers by a pound more... ooofff that hurts. Oh, but no, there is more!
That is just the little boxes... I didn't get to see the weight difference on the BIG boxes!
Oh and the airfreight??? It is in narrow double wall cartons not triple. Supposedly they fit in one of those metal airplane containers. Cool. SO that is interesting and fun. For transatlantic I assume this is good.
The dogs are ready... they have been vetted, shotted, wormed, tick prevented and are READY to go with bells on their toes. THey know something is up!
Well, after one day of whole hog packing suitcases and cleaning we are taking the morning to go see the BRAND NEW ACROPOLIS MUSEUM!!! I AM SO EXCITED!!!
Then down to find earrings to match my byzantine cross. And of course to stop at the FAMOUS THANASIS on PLaka to get suvlaki pita...to go.
I meant to blog more. I meant to see more. I meant to do more. THese past weeks have focused on getting us out of here.
We were overweight. I find it hilarious. We weeded out and sent some stuff off to college with the daughter. Hello? THAT much overweight? I can't wait to weigh it on the other side.
I think the problem is they packed too heavy. I was so busy trying to keep things moving that I couldn't supervise as I should have. I asked to not have so much paper. THey kept wrapping with lots of paper. I can't wait to take pictures as I unwrap the boxes and weigh the paper.
I do know the book boxes (1.5 cubic foot) were a pound more than the American boxes. Okay so multiply the box numbers by a pound more... ooofff that hurts. Oh, but no, there is more!
That is just the little boxes... I didn't get to see the weight difference on the BIG boxes!
Oh and the airfreight??? It is in narrow double wall cartons not triple. Supposedly they fit in one of those metal airplane containers. Cool. SO that is interesting and fun. For transatlantic I assume this is good.
The dogs are ready... they have been vetted, shotted, wormed, tick prevented and are READY to go with bells on their toes. THey know something is up!
Well, after one day of whole hog packing suitcases and cleaning we are taking the morning to go see the BRAND NEW ACROPOLIS MUSEUM!!! I AM SO EXCITED!!!
Then down to find earrings to match my byzantine cross. And of course to stop at the FAMOUS THANASIS on PLaka to get suvlaki pita...to go.
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