Loose Ends Tied Up In Knots: 12.2006

29.12.06

between Christmas and New Year's

I'm still in Portland and very much wishing I'd brought my computer. This dial-up business is not cutting it for me and I don't remember half of my passwords.

This trip has been full of awkward silences, hurt feelings and strained conversations between my dad and myself. My mom's absence is very strong; she was a buffer and this is the first I've been here since the funeral.

You will all be happy to know Susie and I managed to create a Christmas day feast without major kitchen conflict!

Also important: ten or so books have been welcomed into my library and I don't hit the big Powell's until tomorrow. This is why I bring an extra suitcase along.

18.12.06

and I'm off

Flying into Seattle tonight, in PDX on Wednesday or thereabouts. I'm leaving my computer at home and will be posting sporadically.

My camera is coming with, so expect new fotos soon. I've been neglecting it.

As usual, my Christmas gifts will be sent out late this year.

Have safe and happy holidays.

14.12.06

-

13.12.06

Nothing of Merit

"Aurora Leigh" (the last book on my 2006 reading list) is kicking my ass. I think I am on page 12. Of course, it does not help that I haven't been able to pick the book up until 10.30pm at night -- not a time conducive to reading free verse -- but there is no time! I'm pushing 45 hours at work this week and am exhausted.

Tomorrow is fun-fun time, because I'm driving to the Armadillo Christmas Bazaar. This is my type of craft fair: full bar, excellent food and live music. I hope to find some last Christmas gifts and steal some ideas.

10.12.06

Finally, a brownie pan I can love!

This is a marvelous invention. Yum yum yum. If anyone still needs a Christmas idea for me...

I upgraded to the new Blogger and will be tagging my posts from now on -- and attempting to go back and tag old posts.

6.12.06

Oooh

I've been pulling lots of time at work and cooking up a storm and thinking about Christmas presents. And now I'm trying to reign myself in from going all over Wordie.

What is this compulsion to list everything? Like I don't spend enough time online as it is.

PS: I have two different lists so far.

3.12.06

For the person who has everything

On my list of things I DON'T want for Christmas.

Not that it is a surprise, but:

What Kind of Reader Are You? Your Result: Obsessive-Compulsive Bookworm You're probably in the final stages of a Ph.D. or otherwise finding a way to make your living out of reading. You are one of the literati. Other people's grammatical mistakes make you insane.
Dedicated Reader
Book Snob
Literate Good Citizen
Non-Reader
Fad Reader
What Kind of Reader Are You? Create Your Own Quiz

2.12.06

Please keep arms inside the vehicle at all times

Reaching 2, originally uploaded by arahsae.

Here's Meera enjoying the warm October weather on the way to apple-picking. Shortly after or before I took this shot, she took these lovely images.

And no, she was not trying to leap out of the car to avoid sitting next to me. Honest.

We've been slammed at work this week. What with everyone getting sick and missing work AND someone quitting (!), I've been pulling a lot of extra hours. That's good, as I need the money, but it leaves me tired and with little energy. Luckily I've been mostly working in the back room on non-customer service tasks like glazing and unloading the kiln. It's kind of fun; I like working with my hands.

The Christmas machine is running at full steam and I'm just not feeling the season. I'm tired of the commercials (BUY BUY BUY!) and of the constant carol barrage on the radio (we are committed to the easy listening station at work). I've done very little Christmas shopping and just want to spend some quiet time on the coast up in Oregon. Visit used bookshops. Drink coffee. Go for walks in thick fog. That sort of thing.

And I just spilled Merlot on myself. Only my second glass, really.

REALLY.