a random list.

Things that have made me go 'hmmm' this week:

• people who sing or talk on the phone whilst conducting 'business' in public restrooms
• many, many pieces of modern art
• I seem to have a skunk stripe forming along my part that will put Stacy London's to shame if I'm not careful. Not sure how I feel about this. Time to get a new hairstyle, touch up my roots (or at least part it on the other side?)
• the weather around the country of late
• why does gravity seem to be stronger in my closet? things fall at an astonishing rate in there
• and why is February the longest month? I know it's really the shortest but man it seems to drag on and on and on.  I'm glad to be done with it!
• people who come into the library, take every book off of the shelves, allow their children to step on them and then give you dirty looks when you suggest that they not step on them in case they should slip (or better, to protect the books!)
• the FDA adding sweeteners to milk
• why, when one is so exhausted, is it so hard to get a good night's sleep?
• wondering how to spend all my free time (ha!) and which show to get sucked into now that I've finished this one

Happy to say adios to February and welcome in March.  I'm not sorry to see it go. Even if it snows, somehow March feels warmer than February.  I don't know about you but I'm ready for a breath of fresh spring air. Here's hoping...

a good book.

Our first book club meeting was a wonderful success. We had some lively discussion about the characters and plot with people siding on both the 'like' and 'dislike' end of each.

I'm still not quite sure how I feel about all of it myself. There was some interesting progression among the two main characters, both rather weak females (though Dr. Swenson came across as domineering and strong I feel it was more of a front to hide her insecurities.) The ending was ambiguous enough that we argued a bit over whether Marina stays home in the north (with running water and mattresses) or finds herself drawn back to the wilds of the Amazon.

There was a discussion on cannibalism and how they decide who to eat. We all shuddered over the mysteries of giant snakes and the various creepy crawlies that dwell in the murky waters of the river. And we all equally bashed the love scene that seemed thrown in for the sake of a love scene.

It was a super slow start for me. I didn't get interested until Marina finally made it into the jungle and then things moved at a break neck speed until it reached the rather abrupt ending. It wasn't one of my favorites but it definitely made for an interesting discussion. Have you read it?  What are your thoughts?

Next month we're reading The Chosen by Chaim Potok. Care to read along?

a day spent wandering.

Yesterday I had the opportunity to go into the District and spend the whole (drizzly, cold) afternoon wandering aimlessly through several museums before meeting some friends for dinner. My first stop was the Corcoran Gallery where I drooled over Degas, Monet and Rafaelli. Their collection includes modern and contemporary art, photography and the decorative arts, but I tend to  prefer the European myself.

Next up was a visit to the Renwick Gallery whose collection focuses on the American crafts and arts. There I was amazed by Wendell Castle's Ghost Clock, (all carved from a single piece of wood and made to look like a clock draped in a cloth...fantastic!) and somewhat haunted by Karen LaMonte's Reclining Dress.

Then it was off to the Old Post Office and a quick tour of the clock tower (too bad the views were obscured a bit by all the clouds) before making it to the National Portrait Gallery.  They had a wonderful exhibit of Civil War art; some paintings of battlefields and bivouacs, some of Matthew Brady's photography but a few of my favorites were some scenic views whose subjects had nothing to do with the War itself but were painted in the era and had some strong underlying symbolism.

There were four of them; one depicting a double rainbow arched over a jungle chasm signifying the reuniting of the two halves of the country, another shows a volcano in the distance ready to burst as tensions in the country mounted to a boiling point, and another showed the aurora borealis--the northern lights a symbol of the North's cause.

My favorite though was a painting of great icebergs, painted off the coast of Newfloundland. It was first displayed at the outset of the war and was proclaimed as the most splendid work to come out of the country and a reminder of what the country (as a united whole) could create.  Having seen glaciers and bergs in person I was awestruck by his ability to capture their majesty, enormity and fragility all with a few brushstrokes. I was swallowed up in the grandness of the painting that stood nearly as tall as I and twice as long. I could almost feel the cold Arctic air on my face (or maybe that was just the air outside blowing in through the open door!)  I confess it made me a tad homesick. (Do you call it "homesick" if it's for a place you've only visited briefly?!)

(I've stolen the image from this website about the artist, Frederic Edwin Church. Normally I'd just send you there to look at it but I wanted you to be able to see it without scrolling through all of them to get there --but know that it doesn't even begin to do the actual work justice. And I encourage you to scroll and see the rest of his work when you've got a few minutes.)

It was a wonderful way to spend an afternoon and made me grateful to live in a city where I could so while away my time.  What is your favorite way to spend a free afternoon?

making headway on a goal.

In an effort to kick my writing into gear (yes, I'm trying one more time!) I signed up for a writing class through the local community education office. Meeting with 5 strangers and baring your soul is an interesting way to spend a Thursday night. I'd hoped to have a bit of instruction and guidance but it's turned out to be more of a 'group' than a 'class'.  We take turns sharing what we've written and offering up critiques and criticisms as well as a sprinkling of praise.

While I've definitely found ways to improve my writing based on their feedback of my own work I think I've learned the most by listening to what others have written and listening to the ways that they offer feedback rather than from the feedback itself. Some people are natural writers. And some people have a gift for knowing what will and won't work in a written piece and knowing which questions to ask to help the writer improve.  I find I'm still a little stuck in the 'it's good' 'I really liked it' mode of critiquing. I can usually tell you if it works or not but not necessarily why it does or doesn't. As I've paid attention to the way others listen and respond I find it trickling into my own responses but amazingly, into my writing as well.  Re-reading a piece I try to read it with their eyes and ears, what will they notice, how can I fix it? And now even in my reading of books in general I've learned to watch for the same cues and responses.

It's amazing what a new reader and a worthwhile critique can produce. (And I've added 20 pages of new text...hooray!) It's a slow process but it's nice to be able to see some actual progress finally and feel as if I'm making some headway. Let's hope I can keep it up once the class ends!

a good book.

Dodger
Author: Terry Pratchett
Pages: 360
Age Range: 13 up
Published: 2012
Genre: Historical Fiction/YA
Cover Score:****
Overall Score:****
Rating: PG-13 (violence, sexual innuendo)




Dodger is an orphan in Victorian London, making his way in the world as a tosher, searching the sewers for lost coins, rings etc. One stormy night he’s crawling out of a hole in the ground when he encounters a group of thugs beating a young girl.  He comes to her rescue and unwittingly finds himself entangled in an international incident with Charles Dickens stepping in to lend a hand.  At first Dodger plays Baker Street Irregular to Dickens' Sherlock Holmes but Dodger quickly moves into his own (it is his story after all) and uses his street smarts to his every advantage.

In the process of trying to uncover the truth of the girl's identity (and protect her from further harm) he also crosses paths with Sweeney Todd, Benjamin Disraeli, Angela Burdett-Coutts and even HRH Queen Victoria herself (among others).

Sprinkled liberally with cockney and colloquialisms as well as some helpful (and humorous) footnotes this is a delightful read particularly for those who can appreciate all of the historical references and meta moments. This is a coming of age/self-discovery story teeming with Pratchett's trademark humor and bringing a well-loved age of history to life.

Just a small sampling of some of my favorite passages:


Dodger had heard that god watches everything, although he thought that around the rookeries, He tended to close His eyes. -pg 268

"Well, dear Mrs. Mayhew, I can promise you that there will not be any hanky-panky, because I do not know what panky is and I've never had a hanky. Only a handkerchief." -pg 93

Dodger had never read a book, but if he had ever done so, he would have read the cook just like it--and it was amazing how much you could glean from a look, or a snort, or even a fart if it was dropped into the conversation at just the right place.  -pg 21

If you have any interest in Victorian London or Charles Dickens and his writing you're sure to appreciate this creative and wholly original homage to both. And as a bonus, it was one of this year's Printz honor winners.

all things Downton.

I've been holding off on this post until after the final episode aired in the US as to avoid letting any spoilers leak. And let me tell you how hard that's been!

So, if you've not seen it yet please skip to the videos etc. If you have seen it, well then...what the what?!?!?! I mean, I know the guy who plays Matthew hadn't signed on for another season but really, did they have to kill him? So gruesomely? And right after they'd had a tiny smidge of happiness? Couldn't they have sent him off to India or somewhere to do business and had him go missing or something less drastic? Yikes! And poor, poor Edith. Let's hope next season brings her a bit of joy, huh?

And some random fandom...

If you haven't seen this photo circulating yet, of the cast in the NY city subway, it's a great one.
Our Mr. Thomas is kind of a hottie when he's not being a creeper! Wow!

And I'd heard that Lady Cora's alter ego fronted a band but who knew Ladies Mary and Sibyl also had some pipes? And that they (at least jokingly) want to start a band together? Check out some sample singing here.

And oh, the spoofs and parodies! Here's a site that has compiled some of the best of the best.

If you don't know what I'm talking about then you are seriously missing out on some great television (ie a period soap!) Classic. Go watch it, you know you want to. And when you're done come back and we'll chat all about it.

And one final comment, when I grow up I want to be the Dowager Countess. She gets all the best lines!

PS--The Mumford and Sons concert was absolutely amazing!! One of the best I've ever seen. If you get a chance to see them strut their stuff live and in person, take it, take it, take it!! You won't regret it. And if you do (regret it, I mean) well, then we can no longer be friends.

a silly holiday.

When I was little I loved Valentine's Day. The expectation of a zillion cards (and candy) all crammed into a blinged-out shoe box was enough to send any child into fits of ecstasy. (We won't talk about how much I 'loved' that experience as a teacher!)

As you grow older and your Valentines are handed out as a matter of choice rather than as a matter of classroom equality and fairness it starts to lose a bit of its shine. And unless you are in some sort of relationship it becomes known more familiarly and fondly by the acronym S.A.D (Singles Awareness Day.)

In an effort to stave off the grumpy feelings I tend to harbor on this chocolate infused day of celebration (though who can complain about chocolate?!) I figured I'd share some tunes.  First up, an appropriately titled "Be Mine" by Alabama Shakes.

And, saving the best for last, I'll give you an opportunity to be a bit jealous. Tonight I've actually got a date. With Mr. Marcus Mumford and his musical 'sons'. Like I said, be jealous!

And may your Valentine's Day, with whomever and however you choose to celebrate, be filled with awesomeness! I know mine will be ;)