Have you read any good books lately? I'd love to hear about them... please send me some good titles to pick-up.
David and I have been reading about a book a week lately. I'm loving it. It's so calming and relaxing. It's really improving my well-being. The best part is that we are reading books and then trading with each other and its giving us so many interesting things to talk about. You know more than the typical, "Did you hear about..." or "How was work today?" It's got us talking about things like parenting styles, post apocalyptic America, time travel, history, theology, philosophy, and much much more. Its fun to share that with each other. It's our own private book club, and I feel closer to David because of it.
In the past month, we've both finished, in no particular order: World Made By Hand, it's sequel, The Witch of Hebron, The Glass Castle, it's sequel Half Broke Horses, My Life in France, World Without End (which is the sort of sequel to Ken Follett's Pillar of the Earth, which David is currently reading- the mini-series is good too), and The Shack. I feel like I'm missing one? Hmmm....
They were all excellent. I am in love with all of them. Especially The World Made By hand and its sequel The Witch of Hebron. The author, James Kunstler has such a clear vision for the post-apocalyptic world his characters are living in that I didn't want either of the books to end, but I was satisfied with the ending of both books. It certainly makes one think...
The Glass Castle and Half Broke Horses were also books that neither David or I could put down. Jeanette Walls memoir of her life is so amazing that many times while reading the book, both David and I had to stop reading just to express our frustration. I told my sister-in-law Marlee about them and she read The Glass Castle in one evening. I bet she didn't get any sleep that night! But its SO worth it!
The only book of the above list I had even a slightly hard time reading was The Shack, because it starts out so incredibly dark, and then it gets preachy and a little too obvious for me. I think David felt the same way. No offense to the people who loved it, because there are many who did, but as I read, I kept saying to myself, "duh." As David said, maybe the reader just had to be someone who had experience something similar- a great loss or a life-altering/faith-questioning experience to really appreciate and understand the book on a deeper level. Or maybe my beliefs about God, and religion have changed so much that I look at the world differently these days? Or maybe I'm just not that deep! The topic of my faith in a higher power is definitely going to be saved for another blog post... but until then, back to books.
I've just started a book I picked up at the Borders Bookstore going out of business sale called A Visit From the Goon Squad. And my sister-in-law and mother-in-law both told me to read The Paris Wife about Ernest Hemingway's first wife Hadley. I might run out to Border's or to the library to see if they still have a copy today. Also, my friend Dayna was the person to recommend most of the other books to me and she's also recommend the book The Road. I haven't started it yet. I have to work myself up to it because I saw the movie last year, and I'm still having nightmares about it... but I oddly still want to read it.
I'd love good recommendations for other reads... so be sure to comment! Happy reading!
Wednesday, August 31, 2011
Tuesday, August 30, 2011
Salud, amor y dinero, y tiempo para gastarlos... or Spanish 101
One of my dreams with David is to live abroad in another country (or countries) for a time. We'd especially love to live in Spain where David's father's family is from. It would be great to be fluent in more than one language, and we'd both really love to be able to give that opportunity to our kids (when we have them) as well.
In an effort to make that happen, David is attempting to get his Spanish citizenship. There is a process going on in Spain right now called, La Ley de Memoria Historica, which allows children and grandchildren of Spanish citizens/former Spanish citizens to now gain Spanish citizenship without giving up their current citizenship (whatever that may be, in our case, American).
Since David's father was a Spanish citizen when David was born, David's name (and that of his older sister Marlee) are written down in the Spanish register called el Libro de Familia. There are still quite a few loops we have to jump through to make this happen, including going to San Francisco to the the Spanish Consulate there, but once we do our dream is that much closer to becoming a reality. I'm so excited!!!
In the mean time, David and I are brushing up on our Spanish lessons. I've pulled out an old college text book called Asi es that I saved for some reason, and I'm reading it through a little each day. It's not easy... when you don't use it, you lose it, and neither of us were very fluent to begin with. What little Spanish I did know does come back quickly though, and that's nice.
Starting in September, David and I are going to take a Spanish language class once a week (http://www.crlanguages.com/services/language-classes/) and really work hard at speaking Spanish with each other as well. Then in October or November (fitting it around the Boise State Football games) we take our trip to San Francisco to the Spanish Consulate to sort out all the paperwork. Then, we wait.
When I think back about my first few words of Spanish, I think of my father. My parents had a time-share in Mexico when I was a little kid (younger than 6 because that's when they sold the place), and my dad used to give us "Spanish lessons" only he didn't nor does he really speak Spanish. He taught me the "important things" to know. I learned peanut butter- crema de cacahuete, and butter- mantequilla, and water- agua, and a toast- salud, amor, y dinero, y tiempo para gastarlos- health, love, and money, and time to enjoy them.
What amazes me most is how everything comes full circle in life, I learned those few words and I had that small taste of the Spanish language and culture as a very small child, which coming from the small town that I'm from was pretty amazing to have had. Now, as an adult, I've found myself married into a Spanish family, and excited to experience the culture and language that comes with it.
In an effort to make that happen, David is attempting to get his Spanish citizenship. There is a process going on in Spain right now called, La Ley de Memoria Historica, which allows children and grandchildren of Spanish citizens/former Spanish citizens to now gain Spanish citizenship without giving up their current citizenship (whatever that may be, in our case, American).
Since David's father was a Spanish citizen when David was born, David's name (and that of his older sister Marlee) are written down in the Spanish register called el Libro de Familia. There are still quite a few loops we have to jump through to make this happen, including going to San Francisco to the the Spanish Consulate there, but once we do our dream is that much closer to becoming a reality. I'm so excited!!!
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| David and his sister Marlee (Marta in Spanish) (Photo by Krakora Studios) |
Starting in September, David and I are going to take a Spanish language class once a week (http://www.crlanguages.com/services/language-classes/) and really work hard at speaking Spanish with each other as well. Then in October or November (fitting it around the Boise State Football games) we take our trip to San Francisco to the Spanish Consulate to sort out all the paperwork. Then, we wait.
When I think back about my first few words of Spanish, I think of my father. My parents had a time-share in Mexico when I was a little kid (younger than 6 because that's when they sold the place), and my dad used to give us "Spanish lessons" only he didn't nor does he really speak Spanish. He taught me the "important things" to know. I learned peanut butter- crema de cacahuete, and butter- mantequilla, and water- agua, and a toast- salud, amor, y dinero, y tiempo para gastarlos- health, love, and money, and time to enjoy them.
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| Me and my dad... my first Spanish teacher. (photo by Krakora Studios) |
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| The Lopez Family (photo by Krakora Studios) |
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| My Lopez men... my father-in-law Damaso, me, and my husband David (photo by Krakora Studios) |
Monday, August 29, 2011
A Shrew and a See You Later...
Last night David and I went back out the the Shakespeare Festival. This time we saw a wonderful performance of the Taming of the Shrew. I was modernized to the 1980's and took place in Los Angeles instead of Italy. It was really fun, and it had the best soundtrack- the staging was a delight.
I would say go see it, but tonight was closing night in Boise, and unless you live in and around Cleveland where they are taking the production next, you might not get the chance. BUT IF YOU DO, GO SEE IT!
Our wonderful friend Eduardo Placer was Hortencio in the play and as usual he lit up the stage. His character was a latin lover mixed with a dab of the musican Prince all rolled into one. Singing "Kiss" and "Purple Rain" and all! It was really funny.
I also really enjoyed the lead actress Sara Bruner, who I'm normally not a fan of her acting. She's usually very jerky and harsh, and she is the theater director's protege, so she gets all the juiciest roles even if they really aren't right for her (which makes me gag a little and say, "Kiss ass!" while wondering how vain you have to be to not be able to look at yourself clearly.) HOWEVER, I will be the first to give her praise when praise is due. She was perfectly cast in this role and was a delight to behold.
Actually, I enjoyed her in Cabaret as well this season as the hotel slut Frenchie. Although, she stunk up the house in Two Gentlemen of Verona. She was cast together with the lead actress in Cabaret, Jodi Dominick, as two singing minstrels who were taking the audience through the play. I liked the concept, but their voices don't complement each other and it was more than obvious they were given the parts to allow them both to peacock. She has a beautiful voice as does Jodi, but that doesn't mean they sound good together. Ms. Bruner also does this thing on stage that is so jerky- like a kick-ball-change kind of thing that done in the right place might be nice, but she's used it too much and it is way overdone. It drives me nuts every time I see it. But, to end my rant on a good note, she was delightful in Taming of the Shrew as was the play itself.
After the show we waited for Eduardo so we could say goodbye. Eddy left this morning at 5a.m. David and I were so sad to see him go. We chatted with him for a while, and then hugged and told him to stop taking off on us... Boise's cool factor dramatically decreases when he leaves town. Fortunately, he will be returning in November, and we can't wait to see him!
It's always tough to say good-bye, so I say, "See you later Eddy!" Its so much better!
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| Photo courtesy of Idaho Shakespeare Festival |
Our wonderful friend Eduardo Placer was Hortencio in the play and as usual he lit up the stage. His character was a latin lover mixed with a dab of the musican Prince all rolled into one. Singing "Kiss" and "Purple Rain" and all! It was really funny.
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| Photo courtesy of Idaho Shakespeare Festival |
Actually, I enjoyed her in Cabaret as well this season as the hotel slut Frenchie. Although, she stunk up the house in Two Gentlemen of Verona. She was cast together with the lead actress in Cabaret, Jodi Dominick, as two singing minstrels who were taking the audience through the play. I liked the concept, but their voices don't complement each other and it was more than obvious they were given the parts to allow them both to peacock. She has a beautiful voice as does Jodi, but that doesn't mean they sound good together. Ms. Bruner also does this thing on stage that is so jerky- like a kick-ball-change kind of thing that done in the right place might be nice, but she's used it too much and it is way overdone. It drives me nuts every time I see it. But, to end my rant on a good note, she was delightful in Taming of the Shrew as was the play itself.
After the show we waited for Eduardo so we could say goodbye. Eddy left this morning at 5a.m. David and I were so sad to see him go. We chatted with him for a while, and then hugged and told him to stop taking off on us... Boise's cool factor dramatically decreases when he leaves town. Fortunately, he will be returning in November, and we can't wait to see him!
It's always tough to say good-bye, so I say, "See you later Eddy!" Its so much better!
Sunday, August 28, 2011
This just in....
My vegetable garden has been producing and a pretty even pace these days... that is until today. OMG! I went out last night and picked all the ripe tomatoes I could find... then I went out again today and this is what I found:
Thanks again Mom and Francie for all the planting you did last spring! I can hardly believe its been 4 months since you were here already!
Here is the link to the rest of the photos of the gardens Mom and Francie planted for us last spring. They really are beautiful! The link also includes some architectural drawings for an addition/remodel we plan for our house/property someday... not anytime soon, but its a master plan for the entire property... and it makes dreaming about it all so much more real! Which is, of course, the most fun part.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/52807023@N04/
Thanks again Mom and Francie for all the planting you did last spring! I can hardly believe its been 4 months since you were here already!
Here is the link to the rest of the photos of the gardens Mom and Francie planted for us last spring. They really are beautiful! The link also includes some architectural drawings for an addition/remodel we plan for our house/property someday... not anytime soon, but its a master plan for the entire property... and it makes dreaming about it all so much more real! Which is, of course, the most fun part.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/52807023@N04/
Saturday, August 27, 2011
The Fatty Acids
About three weeks ago I got a call from an old friend from my home town in Lodi, WI. Leslie Evert was a good friend of my mom's, she was my church mentor at the Lodi United Methodist Church when I was confirmed oh so many years ago, and she was the first person I ever babysat for (she hired me at age 11 to watch her son Josh who was 1). I would go over to her house and watch Josh while Leslie was home so she could get things done without having to worry about the baby. It was a good gig, and from what I remember, he was a really good baby.
Anyway, Leslie called me to tell me that Josh was going to be in Boise with his band, The Fatty Acids, for a gig. I of course agreed to go. It sounded like a fun little adventure. I hadn't seen Josh since he was this stocky 12-year-old squirt, but I figured, why not, I like good live music, and if its not good, I'll leave early. I text messaged Josh to find out the specifics of the show, and later that night I went in search of this bar I'd never heard of called The Shredder.
After driving around for almost 2 hours, and asking at multiple other bars where this elusive Shredder Bar might be, I gave up searching (Everyone seemed to have heard of it, but no one knew exactly where it was. Turns out, it moves around, so its more like a rave than an actual club). I felt terrible to miss the show, but I couldn't get ahold of Josh anymore, and I couldn't find the place. As I gave up, I sent Josh a text message and told him that if in the end, they needed anything they were welcome to come by the house and I went home and went to bed.
2:30 a.m. the door bell rang. I woke up immediately, knowing what it was... boy-band needing a place to stay, only to find Josh at the door. I barely recognized him- he was this tall, handsome, skinny man. The band's accommodations fell through, and just as suspected, they needed a place to crash for the night. I offered them (there were 6 of them) the floor and the couches and two lucky people got to sleep in the guest bed.
The next morning I got up around 8 a.m. and made the boys a breakfast of fresh biscuits while they got ready to get back on the road to their next gig in Spokane, WA. Before they left, they gave me a CD to say thank you for letting them stay. I made them all sign it... I just know they are going to be famous one day.
Apparently, they show was switched from being at the Shredder to being at the Red Room. If I'd only known... I drove past the Red Room twice that night... which I'm not going to lie, was a little annoying to find out. But they're 23 year-old boys who are more interested in the music and girls their age than making sure an old married babysitter shows up to see them play- and rightly so. However, they are sweet guys, and they've got a great sound, and "the look" to make it big... now they just need to learn how to sell themselves properly.
Before they left I gave them PR 101 (I'm a know-it-all, what can I say... but in my defense, it is what I do for a living!) If any band can make it, their's can. I just told them to make sure they contact anyone they or their families ever possibly knew in every town they go in without being bashful about it (there was no reason Josh shouldn't have called me himself) and make sure all those people and their friends show up to the band's gigs. And there was really no reason I should have been driving around for two hours looking for them that night.
I'm not sure they took my advice, as I told them to text me when they were headed into Seattle and Portland and LA and I would send people to their shows, but I never heard from them.
I wish them only the best. I think they are great and I want to help them become a success so...
Make sure you check them out http://thefattyacidsmusic.com/!
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| Me and Josh Evert at the Lodi Fair (I still have that t-shirt) |
After driving around for almost 2 hours, and asking at multiple other bars where this elusive Shredder Bar might be, I gave up searching (Everyone seemed to have heard of it, but no one knew exactly where it was. Turns out, it moves around, so its more like a rave than an actual club). I felt terrible to miss the show, but I couldn't get ahold of Josh anymore, and I couldn't find the place. As I gave up, I sent Josh a text message and told him that if in the end, they needed anything they were welcome to come by the house and I went home and went to bed.
2:30 a.m. the door bell rang. I woke up immediately, knowing what it was... boy-band needing a place to stay, only to find Josh at the door. I barely recognized him- he was this tall, handsome, skinny man. The band's accommodations fell through, and just as suspected, they needed a place to crash for the night. I offered them (there were 6 of them) the floor and the couches and two lucky people got to sleep in the guest bed.
The next morning I got up around 8 a.m. and made the boys a breakfast of fresh biscuits while they got ready to get back on the road to their next gig in Spokane, WA. Before they left, they gave me a CD to say thank you for letting them stay. I made them all sign it... I just know they are going to be famous one day.
Apparently, they show was switched from being at the Shredder to being at the Red Room. If I'd only known... I drove past the Red Room twice that night... which I'm not going to lie, was a little annoying to find out. But they're 23 year-old boys who are more interested in the music and girls their age than making sure an old married babysitter shows up to see them play- and rightly so. However, they are sweet guys, and they've got a great sound, and "the look" to make it big... now they just need to learn how to sell themselves properly.
Before they left I gave them PR 101 (I'm a know-it-all, what can I say... but in my defense, it is what I do for a living!) If any band can make it, their's can. I just told them to make sure they contact anyone they or their families ever possibly knew in every town they go in without being bashful about it (there was no reason Josh shouldn't have called me himself) and make sure all those people and their friends show up to the band's gigs. And there was really no reason I should have been driving around for two hours looking for them that night.
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| Me and Josh Evert... not the most glorious picture of either of us... but it was early on a Saturday morning after very little sleep |
I wish them only the best. I think they are great and I want to help them become a success so...
Make sure you check them out http://thefattyacidsmusic.com/!
Monday, August 22, 2011
MacBook Woe
I am a Mac computer snob. Have been since I bought my MacBook Pro in 2007. I simply love the way it works, its so intuitive. Since I made the purchase in February 2007, I've had a few minor problems, but nothing serious... that is until last week. It started freezing, and some of the programs quit working. Very frustrating. Especially in this world of instant deadlines.
I immediately took it into the MacLife Store to get it fixed. They told me it was a hard drive problem, and I would need to spend $200+ to get it fixed. I begrudgingly forked over my money and had the darn thing repaired. Later that day I got it home, all excited to play with the freshly running engine, and about a half hour into it, it FROZE again. Serious bummer. I was pretty upset. I immediately took it back into MacLife.
David picked it up for me at the end of the day Thursday and it started humming for me. Yay! It works! I got right to work on my projects/deadlines for work. Unfortunately it wasn't very long lived. It worked fine for about 12 hours (most of which it was not in use) and then it froze again. This time I was more than pretty upset. I had a deadline for work, and a computer that kept bugging out on me. I called the guy and nicely explained that I needed it to actually work after I paid them to fix it. The guy said to bring it back into the shop, so I did, and its still there.
It wouldn't be such a bummer, but I actually do have work to finish and all of it on my computer. What would the world do without computers? I'm really not sure we could function. The last guy I spoke with told me the repair could be upwards of $400 if it is what he thinks it is. CHOKE! Combined with the $200+ I just dropped, it might be more sensible for me to just buy a new computer! I'm a little freaked and anxious right now. I love my Mac. I love that I can work on my personal Mac computer at my job. But $600+ on repairs for a 4.5 year old computer seems a bit excessive and not a very smart investment.
What to do? What to do?
Thoughts?
David picked it up for me at the end of the day Thursday and it started humming for me. Yay! It works! I got right to work on my projects/deadlines for work. Unfortunately it wasn't very long lived. It worked fine for about 12 hours (most of which it was not in use) and then it froze again. This time I was more than pretty upset. I had a deadline for work, and a computer that kept bugging out on me. I called the guy and nicely explained that I needed it to actually work after I paid them to fix it. The guy said to bring it back into the shop, so I did, and its still there.
It wouldn't be such a bummer, but I actually do have work to finish and all of it on my computer. What would the world do without computers? I'm really not sure we could function. The last guy I spoke with told me the repair could be upwards of $400 if it is what he thinks it is. CHOKE! Combined with the $200+ I just dropped, it might be more sensible for me to just buy a new computer! I'm a little freaked and anxious right now. I love my Mac. I love that I can work on my personal Mac computer at my job. But $600+ on repairs for a 4.5 year old computer seems a bit excessive and not a very smart investment.
What to do? What to do?
Thoughts?
Tuesday, August 16, 2011
Warren Buffet and a little rant...
I love this. I'm not sure where it originated from- I got it in an email from my father, but I completely agree with it:
Midwestern tycoon (and Democrat) Warren Buffet, pictured here adorably eating a Dairy Queen parfait, presented his quick and easy solution to America's debt problem today on CNBC:
"I could end the deficit in five minutes. You just pass a law that says that anytime there is a deficit of more than three percent of GDP, all sitting members of Congress are ineligible for re-election."
My question is, with all the overspending and corruption going on in Washington right now, why aren't more people demanding these kind of checks and balances of their elected officials? Wisconsin and Indiana Governors are reducing the bargaining rights of the unions, which I agree with, but are they also reducing their own pensions? I assume not, and that is complete hypocrisy... and needs to change. Pensions are outdated and wasteful spending based on time in the job rather than quality of work. Teach people to save their own money using matching 401Ks and other such investments, add some bonuses in for work well done, and maybe we wouldn't be in such a fiscal mess.
Why do our elected officials get a lifetime pension (paid for by the private sector)? Maybe if these guys had to be a little bit more careful with their own retirements they'd be more careful with our tax dollars. I'd like to take Warren Buffet's idea a step further and ask why aren't there term limits on our Congressional officers? And in Idaho, our State officers? They should be nationwide. Holding political office should be a service to your country rather than a lifetime career. Maybe if they knew they only had a limited time to get things done, they'd roll up their sleeves and make things happen... putting their public's best interests ahead of their need to get re-elected? Just a thought.
George Washington, and the other "founding fathers" are probably rolling over in their graves right now... anyway...
Thanks for indulging me in my rant!
Midwestern tycoon (and Democrat) Warren Buffet, pictured here adorably eating a Dairy Queen parfait, presented his quick and easy solution to America's debt problem today on CNBC:
"I could end the deficit in five minutes. You just pass a law that says that anytime there is a deficit of more than three percent of GDP, all sitting members of Congress are ineligible for re-election."
My question is, with all the overspending and corruption going on in Washington right now, why aren't more people demanding these kind of checks and balances of their elected officials? Wisconsin and Indiana Governors are reducing the bargaining rights of the unions, which I agree with, but are they also reducing their own pensions? I assume not, and that is complete hypocrisy... and needs to change. Pensions are outdated and wasteful spending based on time in the job rather than quality of work. Teach people to save their own money using matching 401Ks and other such investments, add some bonuses in for work well done, and maybe we wouldn't be in such a fiscal mess.
Why do our elected officials get a lifetime pension (paid for by the private sector)? Maybe if these guys had to be a little bit more careful with their own retirements they'd be more careful with our tax dollars. I'd like to take Warren Buffet's idea a step further and ask why aren't there term limits on our Congressional officers? And in Idaho, our State officers? They should be nationwide. Holding political office should be a service to your country rather than a lifetime career. Maybe if they knew they only had a limited time to get things done, they'd roll up their sleeves and make things happen... putting their public's best interests ahead of their need to get re-elected? Just a thought.
George Washington, and the other "founding fathers" are probably rolling over in their graves right now... anyway...
Thanks for indulging me in my rant!
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