Hello Spring

Hello Spring
Originally uploaded by Kodamakitty.

Today is a little on the chilly side, but the sun is out and Spring is well and truly here. I was a little concerned there, what with an inch of snow one day and 70 degree weather the next.

I finally brought my little fuji finepix Z1 in for servicing and got it back earlier this week. It's a great digital camera, even better now that the zoom is working properly. I am pretty sure it's taking better pics now that when I was just dealing with the zoom error. I would get an error the first time I turned on the camera and then it would go away.

I took this pretty photo in our front yard. There's a bunch of leaf debris that still needs to be cleared away, but with both of Geoffrey's grandparents in the hospital (Grandma) and nursing home (Grandpa), cleaning has only been something I do in manic spurts.

Today is not a manic day. In fact, I'm struggling to push my fingers along, so I'm off to grab a cup of coffee and contemplate my day.

Happy Spring, everyone!
^_^

Jonathan Coulton Soft Rock Infomercial

Ok, after the last two posts, I needed a bit of a laugh, and here is this gem of a soft rock mock infomercial. And for the record, yes, I am an Air Supply fan.

^_^ Liza

Farewell, Platypus Man

Richard Jeni
Originally uploaded by crissy0244.

I was saddened, though not necessarily shocked to hear that Richard Jeni had died of an apparent suicide on Saturday, March 10. He was apparently found by his girlfriend, fatally shot in the face.

The news is apparently such that you can still buy tickets for some of his scheduled shows and there's aren't a huge number of articles about his passing out there yet. Maybe there won't be a huge amount of media coverage, which will only fuel the speculation that Jeni was perhaps despondant about his lack of fame. I guess that would be a part of it, but I am guessing too that there were deeper and darker forces at work. At least some of the comments on the two postings I found (Elayne Boosler on The Huffington Post and Joel Keller on TVSquad.com) seemed to indicate that Jeni struggled with depression and possibly other serious health issues.

When I was growing up and we finally got cable (which would be sometime in high school, circa 1992), stand-up comedy was everywhere. Every other show on Comedy Central, all over the place on HBO, Comic Relief every year, and so on. Richard Jeni was easily one of my favorites. He was cute, intelligent, and so much fun to watch. I used to repeatedly watch a VHS recording I had of "Platypus Man," his first HBO Comedy Special (he had four altogether). He was that lovable geek before geeks were considred lovable. The male counterpart to being a bridesmaid but never the bride, Richard Jeni had a one season sitcom (also called, "Platypus Man") that never saw the success of "Home Improvement" or "Everybody Loves Raymond."

Of course, the show was probably doomed from the get go. The show aired in 1995 (when people were starting to OD on stand-up, or at least the networks were starting to pull back) and the show was on the brand-new and untested UPN. Richard was not playing himself, but a chef with a "cooking show for guys." It was probably not a true reflection of himself and didn't ring true with his fans. According to Aaron Greenhouse, who has a pretty impressive episode guide for the show, the last episode in 1995 was pre-empted a few times by "Legend" and "Star Trek: Voyager."

I, myself, am guilty of not being as rabid of a fan as I could have been. After "Platypus Man" (the HBO special), I didn't really pay too much attention to what was going on with Richard's career. I'd experience a little thrill when I saw him in a cameo or wonder why meteorologists watch the weather and not meteors. To this day, I still use the National Geographic theme whenever odd phenomena occur that really should be documented by an adventurous and winsome tv personality brandishing a microphone and leading a film crew - "So join us, won't you?"

Thanks for the laughs, Richard Jeni.
L.

Goodbye, Winter

Winter
Originally uploaded by Kodamakitty.

The snow is finally starting to thaw around here and the air seems fresh and promising. I am really beginning to appreciate the idea of spring cleaning. I want to throw open all of the windows and wipe down all of the dust and grime from the lazyness of last summer through the tedium of a cold gray winter.

I tend to think of Winter as a selfish season. It's a great reason to cocoon away from the rest of the world and to be introspective and sleepy. The cold is numbing and things move more slowly. Spring is still a little selfish in that I tend to focus on trying to get things in order - using the tax return to clean up the bills, using the better weather to clean up the house before it gets muggy and impossible, hoping that this time I'll be able to establish better habits to make life healthier and less stressful.

Many people make their resolutions in January. I tend to make mine in the spring - it seems like a point where my intentions can match my actions. Spring is more about renewal and the change is more pronounced, more profound.

So here's to soon being able to put away the mufflers and boots and to new beginnings. Take a breath of fresh air and smile at the promise of spring.

^_^

Cold snap

IMG_0165.JPG
Originally uploaded by Kodamakitty.

Brrrrr! It's chilly in these here parts. It's supposed to stay in the very low single digits with blistering wind chill until at least Sunday. I know "blistering" and "wind chill" seem contradictory, but the wind here cuts and burns as much as if it were an open flame.

On the upside, it's at least sunny and the sky is blue. I took this photo on the driveway of our house. It's a bunch of Barberry bush berries. I didn't place it there, it just happened to fall that way.

I wish you unexpected beauty in mundane places and a warm place to sleep at night.

^_^

Zookie

Zookie
Originally uploaded by Kodamakitty.

Just a quick post on how much I love my dog. She's the sweetest cuddle bunny (when she's not chewing on something she shouldn't or mooing because no one is paying attention to her). I really do like Bailey, but he's much more Geoffrey's dog. She's a big 'ol friendly girl and I love her to pieces. I thought I was more of a cat person until Zookie found me.

I hope everyone has a friend or pet to share unconditional love with. I am multiply blessed!

^_^

Time Capsule: Distant Sun

Ahhhh - another one of those songs that I have been known to include on every mix tape or play with the "repeat" button on: 1993's "Distant Sun" by Crowded House. I do love "Don't Dream It's Over," but for some reason, this one sticks with me more. Here's the video:


In 1993 I was a second semester freshman working in the WSU Student Council office. I found pages from a jounal I was keeping around that time and it always surprises me how much I wish I knew then what I know now and how much more of my life was ahead of me. And yet, I still wouldn't change anything. I needed to be bored, rejected, desired, sleepy, angsty, happy, whatever, in order to be who I am today. If I had known then what I know now I would have either been an arrogant wench or a blase and jaded moper. I was still getting used to who I was and relishing not being the oldest one or the smartest one or even the oddest one.

I hope that wherever you were 14 years ago (yikes) that you are just as happy, if not more so, now.

^_^

Itsy bitsy teenie weenie...

Itsy bitsy teenie weenie...
Originally uploaded by Kodamakitty.

Happy New Year, one and all!

Christmas was a low-key but fairly decent affair. I can't remember the last time the holidays spanned a Monday to Monday, but it just doesn't feel like we get as many days off. I know, I know, many people have to work the week between Christmas and New Year, so I can quit my whining, but beyond the work hours, the holidays just seemed to sneak up out of the blue. More so than usual.

At any rate, the big surprise of the holiday was a beauteous second generation iPod shuffle from Geoffrey (you may remember over the summer when I said I wanted one, apparently he did too!). I was looking for accessories for this and couldn't really find a good case. The iPod has the clip for your jacket or belt, but that doesn't mean I always want to carry it around that way. I am surprised that someone hasn't come out with a keychain or carabiner type holder.

But thanks to this nifty little change purse (thank goodness for a mom who sells Avon/Mark), I have a home for my new toy.

I hope you had an enjoyable holiday, whoever and wherever you are.

^_^

PS - This is my 69th post - yeah, baby!

Favorite Paul McCartney Songs

My husband is a huge Beatles fan and doesn't have much use for Paul's solo work outside of "Wonderful Christmastime" and even that in small doses. I too, find myself not liking all of Sir McCartney's catalog, but there are a few absolute standouts that manage to make me happy every time. If you search in YouTube, you can find videos for all of these:

Here Today (1982)
No More Lonely Nights (1984)
Press (1986)
Put It There (1989)
This One (1989)

And this amazing clip from Give My Regards to Broadstreet
It's a medley of "Yesterday," "Here, There and Everywhere," and "Wanderlust."


"Wonderlust" is from one of my all time favorite albums, Tug of War (1982) I know it seems odd that an 8-year old would get into an entire album (well, with the exception of "Dress Me Up,") but I loved the whole thing - not just "Ebony and Ivory." I distinctly remember seeing the video for "Take it Away" and developing a HUGE crush on Paul right then and there.

(For a rather comprehensive and pull-no-punches commentary on all of Paul McCartney's post-Beatles work, try this: Wilson & Alroy's Record Reviews. Their tagline is, "We listen to the lousy records so you won't have to" - LOL)

We're making Christmas cookies this weekend, which has apparently kindled a nostalgic note in me, not that it takes much. I hope you're having a wonderful weekend - stay warm!

^_^

Crazy days

I hope everyone had a wonderful Thanksgiving weekend!

Our cup ran over in terms of food, folks and fun, but I think everything came together nicely. Wednesday afternoon I left work at noon to pick up Geoffrey and meet up with his sister and cousin at Noble Fish for lunch. Noble Fish is a store in Clawson, Michigan that is 75% asian mart, 25% sushi bar. There are teeny tiny tables in the back for dining in, mostly tables for two. We decided to order our sushi to go, but thankfully a table opened up once the order was ready - I have no idea where we would have been able to take everything except all the way back to our house. I love shopping at Noble Fish - I just wished we were heading back home so I could have picked up some green tea ice cream and sweet red bean topping.

Thursday continued the furious cleaning and sorting that was supposed to have been happening all month - but at least I didn't need to pull an all-nighter this year! Thursday was my and Geoffrey's fifth wedding anniversary. We made brunch and exchanged cards and gifts. Geoffrey was really sweet and decided to give me a traditional anniversary gift by giving something made of wood - in this case, a Scottish Love Spoon. I was very surprised and touched. He picked out one with a heart at each end. It's carved from a single piece of wood and it's just lovely. According to one website, this type of spoon is referred to as Love Grows - "Cast a spell on the ones you love - this spoon symbolizes how love can grow"

---

Photo from Scottwebstore.com

I can't even believe it's been five years since our wedding day and almost 14 years since we met in 1993. Like all couples, we still have our bad days and our good days, but I love each day and I love my Geoffrey with all my heart (all together now, "awwwwwwww....")

But there wasn't a whole lot of time for kisses and cuddles, since we still had a turkey to cook (which we didn't start thawing until the day before - oops!) And a few more loads of china to run (we used our wedding china for the first time since we got married!). Geoff's family came over around 4, and his cousin Marcie stayed over so we could take her to the airport the next day. Well, with her flight being at 6 (the poor thing had two other connecting flights to get home), we decided to pull an all-nighter. I shooed Geoff and Marcie down to the basement to catch up and watch "Wallace and Grommit" and I cleaned up the kitchen and made Turkey Carcass Soup (no joke, that's what the Betty Crocker Cookbook calls it). Very domestic, I must say. True to form, I fell asleep in the car on the way home.

Friday was a bit of a blur, and Saturday I had a dress rehearsal for Handel's Messiah at the Cathedral before racing home to prepare for a dinner party with our friends. It was also a chance to get caught up on birthday celebrations (mine, Sara's, Doug, Sonia, and Steve.) Unfortunately, Patti and Ann Marie (who is also a November birthday) were not able to make it, but Patti called from her mom's house and we were all able to day hello.

Dinner was a delcious pasta with Italian Sausage, tomato and basil with grated parmesan cheese. I love thowing things together and having them come out well. Sara made a hilarious and tasty cake roll, shaped like a log (at our request, to celebrate our fifth wedding anniversary - get it? Wood anniversary, log cake? HAHAHAHA). Bad jokes about giving wood were abundant. We'll all get together for New Year's, so that will be fun.

The concert on Sunday was standing room only, and it was quite a rush to know I actually sold 20 tickets! I almost never manage to sell tickets, either because it's on an odd Wednesday or because I don't send out notice until a week before the concert. The Cathedral looked lovely and Geoffrey took some really good shots:

Liza's 2006 Handel's Messiah Flickr Photoset

Monday was an honest to goodness do-nothing day, and now I am back to work. It wil probably be a few weeks before I can properly sit down and chronicle life in general, so I hope all is well with you and that you are staying warm and cozy.

^_^

November 11 already????

Ok, that's just a little messed up - I mean, it was just my friggin' birthday! But it's true - I've been home from Indy for three weeks or so and Geoff's been to Edmonton and back (for pics of Geoff's adventure in the Great White North, go here).

It's been so crazy that I've I'm still way behind in my e-mail message replies - just ask anyone who sent me an e-mail requiring more than just a sentence or two. Honors students get to register three business days before everyone else, but there were a whole bunch of technical difficulties and students who hadn't had the chance to see me and all sorts of crazy fun that meant very little downtime for me once I got back from Indianapolis. Between November 1 and November 7, I responded to over 350 e-mails and my lead peer advisor, Craig, cranked out another 100 or so.

Still, I guess it's better to be busy than not, and the upcoming Thanksgiving holiday should be fun. Geoffrey and I will be celebrating our 5th anniversary on the 23rd, so it will be turkey and pie for our celebratory feast. We have plans to get together with friends that weekend and I am singing with the Detroit Archdiocesan Chorus for Handel's Messiah on the 26th. If you live in the Metro Detroit Area and want to hear an amazing work in a fantastic space (the Cathedral of the Most Blessed Sacrament in Detroit), this is a performance I highly recommend.

Other than that, the house is overflowing with pet hair and unsorted paper receipts, I am trying to keep at least two brain cells firing at one point in time, and I have new pictures posted on my flickr site http://www.flickr.com/photos/kodamakitty

On one of the photos, I mention really loving the newest version of iPhoto (v. 6.0.5). I must admit, I am a total amateur but I love what I see in my photos and iPhoto helps me bring out that vision. The amount of tweaking you can do to a photo in edit mode is astounding, yet simple. It *almost* makes me want to go through all of my other pics and redo them...um, maybe not.

Ok, I am off to bed.
^_^

"Good morning, and in case I don't see ya, good afternoon, good evening, and good night!"
-The Truman Show

Thank you for the lovely day

Just a little thank you to everyone who wished me a happy birthday, or who held down the fort while I was out of the office, and especially to my family and my sweet husband Geoffrey.


For more photos, click the cake!


^_^

OMG! Now I have a photo on John Hodgman's blog!

And he thought it was fun. Gawsh. Wow - I wonder how much time is on my 15-minutes-of-fame-meter. You can view Hodgman's post from Thursday, October 19 here.

And of course, I've already squealed excitedly about my meeting both Mssrs Coulton and Hodgman (once more, with feeling - wheeeeeeee!). I've added a new photo, and here it is:

If you click on the photo, it will take you to my flickr page - snazzy!

I can't even tell you how pleased/chuffed/geeked I am. Geoff and I went up to Toronto last weekend to celebrate my birthday a few days early and wound up at Shopsy's for dinner right before "Gotta Skate 6.0" As we were waiting for the bill, it looked like I could create a nice tableau with the beverage napkin. I actually took two shots - one with the H and one without, and I didn't even bother keeping the non-Hobo picture.

I am currently typing this from my hotel room in Indianapolis, which has been not too bad (they have a really awesome Borders), but I have not had the opportunity to spot Hobo-sign anywhere. They do have a questionnable slogan that I will grab a photo of tomorrow before I leave, "Indianapolis, Amazingly Always New." Wha????

I'll post pictures to my flickr account soon. In the meantime, I need to pack and get to bed.

^_^

I'm linked from Jonathan Coulton's Blog!

Wheeeeeee!

I almost can't think how to write this up, since I am at this point up way past my bedtime. I did indeed complete my "Geeky Pilgrimmage" described previously with an even geekier addition - I received an e-mail from the Barenaked Ladies HQ that the band would be performing and signing CDs at 12:30 on October 4. The Areas of My Expertise reading and book signing was at the same store on the same day!

I will now take this opportunity to say that my husband was an absolute peach about encouraging me to go, even though it would have been great fun for both of us (darn work and other adult responsibilities!).

So I left the house four hours earlier than expected, forgot the flash card for my camera, thanked God that there was a Ritz Camera on State street, and took some really great shots of both BNL and my true purpose for taking the day off, Jonathan Coulton and John Hodgman.



You can view the whole set on my flickr page: http://flickr.com/photos/kodamakitty/

To make the whole thing even more amazing, I sent the link to Jonathan Coulton and he included it on his site: http://www.jonathancoulton.com/

Pretty darn spiffy, I must say!

^_^

You Tube Time Capsule

Wow - here's a gem I hadn't thought of in awhile What Does It Take from Honeymoon Suite. This was the song that played during the end credits of One Crazy Summer. I went through quite a bit to get the cassette copy for mix tapes when I was in high school. And since I didn't grow up with cable at home, I never did see the video (you would think that CBC Channel 9's video show would have shown it - Honeymoon Suite is a Canadian group). So, here it is - bad hair and all, plus a crystal clear acrylic baby grand piano - LOVE IT!

^_^

Geeky Pilgrimmage

Ok, so a while back I mentioned my jumping on the Jonathan Coulton bandwagon (jonathancoulton.com), mainly as a side outlet from my obsession with John Hodgman (Hodgmania, to borrow a phrase). Never mind that I have yet to read any of "The Areas of My Expertise" and have not technically given any monetary support of Mr. Coulton's Thing-a-Week (sorry, I'll get on that eventually), I have, however, read quite a few of Hodgman's magazine articles on the net and think he's just nifty. Anyone who has Sarah Vowell (whom I have not read either, but mean to) describe their artistic adventures as "Mondo Pithy Entertainments," has to have some sort of merit. Well, that and it makes me giggle while not feeling like my brain is turning to mush (not that there's anything wrong with that every now and then). Being solidly in the midwest and not inclined to roam eastward, it is unlikely that I will ever be a part of the Hodgman literary salon. I feel like an outsider cyber-spying on a great dinner party, with the foggy restaurant glass replaced by several hundred miles and the internet.

So, upon hearing that Hodgman and Coulton would be touring to support the paperback edition of AoME, I have been planning what I can only call a geeky pilgrimmage to finally buy the book, take a few photos and hopefully, get a signature. I am thinking of printing off an actual e-mail exchange I had with Mr. Hodgman where I was called, "an admirable researcher." We'll have to see. I have a few weeks to think about it. I suppose I could also take a photo of the Hobo sunray somewhere on campus and bring a print of that for signing.

After practicing fandom at a few Star Wars conventions, I think I am ready. And, due to an odd quirk of scheduling, I am taking a Thursday off from work and going to Ann Arbor solo. Now, before you fling any mud at my wonderful husband for not taking the day off to make this trek with me, may I remind you all that I am an adult, with a cel phone. The trip will only require one hour of driving each way (if that, really) and I will be surrounded by numerous coffee shops. Believe me, I feel very fortunate to have such a great and indulgent partner who is willing to tolerate my odd, goofy literarly "crushes," He has Darth Vader and Gojira (that's Godzilla, to you Gaikokujin), I have BNL, some figure skaters, the Algonquin Table authors, and Hodgmania. Not that there isn't some overlap, there more certainly is!

Speaking of which, I am off to feed my Utada (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Utada) addiction, which was fueled by G's Final Fantasy/Kingdom Hearts connection. Later!

^_^

Blogthing-a-rama

So, as I said earlier, I lost of few of my blogthings when I switched templates. Lo, and behold, one of my MySpace friends from high school had two of them on his (thanks, Erik!)

Funny thing about this one - I think I scored higher last time!

You Are 27 Years Old

Under 12: You are a kid at heart. You still have an optimistic life view - and you look at the world with awe. 13-19: You are a teenager at heart. You question authority and are still trying to find your place in this world. 20-29: You are a twentysomething at heart. You feel excited about what's to come... love, work, and new experiences. 30-39: You are a thirtysomething at heart. You've had a taste of success and true love, but you want more! 40+: You are a mature adult. You've been through most of the ups and downs of life already. Now you get to sit back and relax.

What Age Do You Act?

I am pretty sure this one is different too, but I still like the description!

Your Hidden Talent

Your natural talent is interpersonal relations and dealing with people. You communicate well and are able to bring disparate groups together. Your calming presence helps everything go more smoothly. People crave your praise and complements.

What's Your Hidden Talent?

And now a few more new ones

You Are A Fun Friend

You're the one who keeps your group laughing And you've always got an idea for something fun to do The party's not complete without you And you wouldn't miss it for the world

What Kind of Friend Are You?

Your IQ Is 120

Your Logical Intelligence is Below Average Your Verbal Intelligence is Genius Your Mathematical Intelligence is Genius Your General Knowledge is Above Average

A Quick and Dirty IQ Test

You Scored 70% Correct

You are a solid child of the 80s You'd never confuse Tiffany from Debbie And while you may not know Prince's first #1 hit You know every word to Little Red Corvette

How Much Do You Know About 80s Music?

If I could do it all over again...

...I probably wouldn't!

Last night, my friend Patti (whom I have known since kindergarten - that's 27 years at this point) came over and we watched our graduation video from high school and a home movie from our sophomore summer before junior year. Let me tell you, it is very useful to watch footage of yourself, if nothing else but to breathe a sigh of relief that it is not good to stay the same always. I was really gawky, bossy, and not all that funny. Which was exactly as I perceived myself at the time, but didn't think I could change. Hmmmm...that doesn't make a lot of sense, but I'll try to explain it after I've had some coffee and breakfast. But, here is a short list of things that I am glad have changed:

1) Plus sizes for women are now everywhere, as opposed to being muu muus ordered through the mail (or XXL men's shirts)
2) There are much better choices in eyewear - even the "cool" kids at graduation were wearing some of the most hideous eyeglasses!
3) Atlantic Star was only a one-hit wonder with "I Miss You"
4) Men's boxer shorts are no longer worn over bicycle shorts - it looks like a baboon butt in the back and a camel toe in the front
5) No more sprial perm, surf the wave bangs, worn over one shoulder long hair (shudder)
6) I expanded my friendship base and can now stay in better touch with everyone through e-mail and myspace
7) Digital cameras - though this is both good and bad
8) I don't have to drag a guy to the dance floor to dance with me (thanks, honey!)
9) I think I'm a little more subtle now (lol - maybe)
10) My husband thinks the gawky geeky me is cute, though I am sure he's glad we didn't try to date in high school.

^_^

More Blogthings!

I recently chose a new template, so many of my favorite blogthings are no longer on this page - so I get to re-take them

^_^

Your Seduction Style: Sweet Talker

Your seduction technique can be summed up with "charm" You know that if you have the chance to talk to someone... Well, you won't be talking for long! ;-) You're great at telling potential lovers what they want to hear. Partially, because you're a great reflective listener and good at complementing. The other part of your formula? Focusing your conversation completely on the other person. Your "sweet talking" ways have taken you far in romance - and in life. You can finess your way through any difficult situation, with a smile on your face. Speeding tickets, job interviews... bring it on! You truly live a *charmed life*

What Kind of Seducer Are You?

You Are Strawberry Pocky

Your attitude: fresh and sweet Comforting, yet quirky ... quietly hyper You always see both sides to everything

What Flavor Pocky Are You?

Ooooooh...pretty

So I'm packing up to go home yesterday afternoon and Geoffrey calls and says, "the new iPods are out and the shuffle is HAWT!" Ok, maybe he didn't say it exactly like that, but when I saw it, that was certainly what I was thinking:

http://www.apple.com/ipodshuffle/

It's so new, I can't find anything more about it other than what's on Apple's website (which I am sure will not be the case for long). It can play approximately 250 songs for around 12 hours and it only costs $79 dollars. My fingers twitch around my credit cards just thinking about it. It's ridiculously tiny.

Thank goodness my birthday's coming up, I can justify the splurge (in addition to going back to Toronto in October to see BNL and Kurt Browning). But goodness, it's just beautiful.

^_^