Monday, March 12, 2007
Ben's Birthday
We celebrated Ben's 30th birthday for several days. I decorated his cubicle at work and when he arrived at work on the morning of his birthday, I called him and he said, "Romy, someone bombed my cubicle!" I did not destroy his cubicle. I left candy all over one part of his desk as favors for his friends and co-workers. That's when he realized I had something to do with it, he recognized the candy that we also had at home. My decorating was actually quite pretty, and it was challenge getting into the very secure Verizon building. Our friend Shawn, who also works with Ben, let me in. Ben thought I was at a parent meeting for school with my friend, Kari. What a good trick?! That night, we went out to dinner at B.J.'s. The night before, I insisted that Ben open his present. 2 season passes to Magic Mountain, and one of them was for me! I figured since Ben doesn't want to grow up, I should get him something every boy would love. I also bought him a Paulaner six pack (not for boys under 21).
The following Saturday, we went to his mom's house to celebrate with the fam. My mom and sister came, but unfortunately after taking my camera (that is always in my bag) out of my bag to charge it, I forgot to replace it. So, therefore, there are no pictures of that party. We ordered Wood Ranch (their mashed sweet potatoes are to die for).
Ben's mom had chemo the previous Thursday so she was not feeling well. She hung out for quite a while before having to go upstairs to rest. We still celebrated Ben, which is fun to do. Then Danny brought down Ben's second gift from me, a new bicycle that Danny built for his big brother.
This last Friday, Ben and I went to buy a bike for me. $79.99 at Target! It's a sweet beach cruiser, but after riding it, I realized why it was such a good price. It's about twice as heavy as Ben's and even though I am out of shape, riding a bike should not be so difficult. After all, it was way easier riding my vintage (over 30 years old) Tour de France 10 speed, which has already been donated to someone else. I was breathing hard and even got light headed. Ben was peddling with ease, and I was working so hard and could not catch up with him when we rode them for the first time on Saturday. In addition, it was quite windy, and throughout my entire life, my head has been a wind tunnel (enough with the "dumb" jokes). Wind in my ears gives me migraines, so Ben and I had to switch sweatshirts because mine did not have a hood (hence my hood tied tightly to my head and me looking like a foolio). However, I did buy a basket for my bike that is a perfect fit for Bula the next time we go for a ride.
Here is Ben on his new bike:
And here's me. Like my outfit?
It's the little things.
Today I made the prettiest salad. It was delicious, too. In fact, I loved it so much that I took a photo during my lunch break. 
In addition, I have added photos to the blog entry titled, "Long time, no nothing." Enjoy!
Promised Poetry
A while back, I told you about an art class I took in Santa Barbara. Below are a couple of poems that I wrote there. Now, I am by no means a poet, but maybe the way in which I was inspired to write, may inspire you to do the same. Try it and post your poems here.
For the first exercise, we read a poem.
Recipe for Happiness by Lawrence Ferlinghetti :
One grand boulevard with trees
with one grand cafe in the sun
with strong black coffee in very small cups
one not necessarily very beautiful man
or woman who loves you.
One fine day.
Then we were asked to write our own recipe for happiness poems using photos we had collected over a period of a few months. Below you will find one of two that I wrote.
Bula and the Beach
Soft, sparkling sand
salty water glistening
like molten silver on deep blue velvet
and one very small dog
that owns this vast stretch of beach.
Later on, we read two poems. One was called Light, At Thirty-Two by Michael Blumenthal who wrote the line, "And now, I think I see it all in terms of light..." We also read Vision by May Thelgaard Watts which begins, "Today there have been these things I never saw before..." After reading the poems, we were asked to use one of the two lines in our poem, or both, or just use them for inspiration. We were also asked to look for a photo that depicts one of these lines or the sentiment. The photo I chose was taken at the tide pools at Leo Carillo (as seen in the movie Point Break) near Malibu on one sunny, windy day in winter of this year.
Here is my poem:Now I see things in terms of light
and still there are times
when I worry and have asked myself,
"How will we ever be able to buy a house?
Will this useless thyroid remember what it's supposed to do?
And is it Saturday yet?"
But today I remembered
the starfish
glowing in the sunlight
waiting for the tide to change.
Light can be a very inspiring topic for poetry or a photo scavenger hunt of your own. The photos below were taken at sunrise at my new place of residence.
Saturday, March 03, 2007
My New Year's Resolution: Read MORE!
So it has been my New Year's resolution to read more for pleasure. I read all the time for work and it can be a pleasure, but it still is work. I have been reading many wonderful books...
- My Uncle Oswald by Roald Dahl is a very adult book by the author of Charlie and the Glass Elevator. Upon his collection of the Sudanese blister beetle, Uncle Oswald with the assistance of Yasmin Howcomely and Professor Woresley creates a sperm bank with collections from the greatest geniuses in history. In the acquisition of the samples, surprises from historical figures and comedy ensue.
- Switch Bitch, also by Dahl, is collection of 4 short stories that are both dark and funny. "The Visitor," along with the other tales, is well written and transports you to another place.
- The Secret Diary of Adrian Mole Aged 13 3/4 by Sue Townsend is not your average children's book. Adrian Mole is the new Holden Caulfield: tragic, funny and endearing. Written as a diary, this book is an easy and entertaining read. And did I mention that their are at least 7 books in the series?! This book can be found in the young adult section, while all others can be found in the fiction section. And I just found Adrian Mole and the Weapons of Mass Destruction in the bargain bin at Barnes and Noble. Score!
- The Bluest Eye by Toni Morrison is a challenging read. This is a book I could only read a chapter at a time, not because it was intellectually difficult, but because it is heart wrenching. Pecola Breedlove is an agonizing character if there ever was one. Every day of her life, she is a victim. The entire time, I wondered, would I have hurt her, too? And how many Pecolas have crossed my path or will? And will I be able to make a difference, something so tiny, a small gesture of compassion that could possibly change a life forever? This book is not for the faint of heart, and I might just be one of those that should not have read this book, but slowly, afraid and wanting to at the same time, I did. Of the books listed, this one left the greatest impact. But there is no closure for this one, nothing to make you feel better.
- Now, I am reading The Color Purple, which I just had to have when I saw it at Costco. I love that movie more than anything. Every time I watch it, which is any time it is on, I think, "I can't believe that's the man-like Whoopi Goldberg of crappy movies (besides Ghost) that you'd just as soon forget." Celie is and will always be Whoopi's best role. When I saw the book in the stack, I knew it was about time I read it. Written in letter form in notes to God from Miss Celie and those written to her by her sister, Nettie, this book is also an easy read. Like many books made into movies, there is more to the book. In the film, many details are left to the imagination and are, therefore, unconfirmed, specifically with the relationship between Celie and Shug Avery. The book, so far, has painted a more complete picture. Apparently, it has now been made into a Broadway musical, which I should probably go see. Anyone interested in taking a trip to New York City to cry for Celie?
