happy
new year!a happy new year to all my loyal readers! and also to you not so loyal, and anybody else just stopping by...
the boys and I watched Toy Story 2 tonight, after pizza at Pizza Hut (thank you, Grandma and Grandpa!). then we've been doing the usual video games/computer stuff. they convinced me to let them stay up for the turning of the year, so it should be fun.
I've made a couple of resolutions for myself, so we'll see what this year holds. the past year sucked pretty much, so hopefully, all I've got to go is up! though I found out today that the divorce papers are in the mail, we'll see what happens. perhaps, rather than waiting for the ball to come to me, I need to be more aggressive, and go to the ball. sorry for the basketball metaphor, but E & L had a basketball day today, so I'm thinking about that. I say basketball day, rather than game, since it was billed as a "Jamboree", and was really just a long (3 1/2 hours) play-time. they didn't actually play any actual games, except for some three-on-three, in which Emer's team came in second. but I got to see Keith and Elissa, and that was great. they'll stop here before they head back to Iowa tomorrow. looking forward to that.
ok, here's to a new year. L'chaim! Opa! Cheers! Auld L'ang Syne, and all that...
another
day?well, for the boys and me, it was Christmas morning. we were all up around 6:30 (sleeping in, for me!), and after I turned on some Christmas lights, and stuck in the new Counterpoint Sings Noel cd, we opened their presents. I had gotten them three board games: Star Wars Monopoly, a chess/checkers/backgammon set, and a Jenga knockoff. Lincoln and I played a game of checkers, and we'll play monopoly this afternoon sometime. after Pop-Tarts and coffee (for me), I went out to get the van washed, and to pick up some last minute groceries. whee. unfortunately, the car wash was closed, so the van is still a mess. maybe next week.
then it was on to video games, and watching Old Faithful erupt: (click the pic for a larger view)
pretty cool. we've seen it go a couple of times, now. someday, maybe in person. last week, we spent time learning where Yellowstone was! I need a geography tune-up...
needless to say, I'm not used to the holidays yet, and I will be glad to be with my family in Iowa this week. it will be good to see them. I hope that your days are filled with love and family.
peace on earth.
what I am
not what I am not...I was quite depressed on my return trip from NY; alone, after a couple of days of constant validation, and stuck in a car returning to what? being alone. I was excited to see the boys, and anxious to get there to be with them, but, I knew that that, too, was temporary. that Sunday would come, and the boys would need to be taken... home. but it was a great day with them, and sometime during the day, the thought began to build in my mind of what I am. what I can do. what I have done in my life. and that though I have regrets, and guilt, that I could not see my needs for what they were, and that I couldn't force myself to be someone else, I'm ok.
I don't know, this isn't long enough for a ramble, and I'm supposed to be writing fascinating stories of the weekend, and I'm actually feeling less good after writing this, but nah, I'm ok. I kind of frittered the evening away, but that's ok, right? I've been busy, and deserve a bit of time. there's always things that need to be done, but.
oh well, I think I'm going to go to bed. I'll write stories, and tell you about all the cool sites I visited this evening, and some music that I really like, next time.
back in
Barre...well, I'm home. and it looks like the way to get comments here is to leave! hi, Alison! welcome. you've got me curious as to how you found me. I have a couple of on-line friends up in your neck of the world. stick around!
anyway, I'll write more tomorrow, and post some pictures that I took, but I'll give a quick run-down. it was great! really an amazing experience, and such a pleasure and privilege to be part of. wow. Mary is really incredible. what a spirit. (she also said really nice things about me...) it is always (I'm running out of superlatives. my poor vocabulary is showing off...) incredible to sing there. what a glorious space. even with mics it was good. (and the micing was better than last time. I could feel the hall much more this time.)
anyway, this is supposed to be short, but I'll add that there was at least one celebrity in the house (besides me, and PP & M...). I met John Kerry, and Theresa Heinz Kerry. they came backstage during intermission to see Peter, and Eric and I about flipped out. no pressure. I could see them clearly while I was singing, so I thought "what the hell? I'm singing to John Kerry!" gave it a whole different spin.
it was all so cool. though I did manage (again) to get stuck in the stairwell... I'll tell that story another time...
look for some pictures tomorrow night, hopefully I can get them up by then.
time to do dishes. I made chicken and fries for the boys, so I'd better clean up.
see you tomorrow.
WHERE Rog Is....
I thought Rogblog fans might be interested in knowing that Rog is in NYC this weekend to sing again at Carnegie Hall, privileged to take a solo/duet part in the much-anticipated return of Peter, Paul & Mary -- their first appearance together since Mary's leukemia was diagnosed and treated. The Holiday Concert -- also featuring the New York Choral Society, under the direction of Conductor Emeritus Robert DeCormier -- is tomorrow night. And Rog's mother and one of his sisters (not, alas, me!) are on their way to the Big Apple, too, to attend the concert, enjoy some big city shopping and Christmas sights, and -- oh yeah -- see Rog!