srah asked: Do you have any traditions in Germany along the lines of wearing "something old, something new, something borrowed and something blue"?
Fortunately I'm not really into the whole traditions thing. I say fortunately because I have read about them in the scary wedding brochure.
I've been to three weddings in my life, one when I was very little, so I don't really remember a lot other than being cute enough to be one of the girls to throw flowers. The second one was the wedding of my clarinet teacher and the third one was Tina and Torsten getting married last October.
And I am happy to say that on both weddings I actually remember traditions were only a sidenote to the whole celebration.
I am also happy to say that we will have none. I repeat: none. Because every tradition I know is crazy. I will give you two examples and then you might know why were you invited to my wedding and would persist on one of the following you would not be friend afterwards. Or maybe you would, but I wouldn't really enjoy what you did to me.
Kidnapping the Bride
Yeah. Right. Kidnapping the bride on the wedding. From what I read it's supposed to work like this: During the celebration a few of the couple's friends kidnap the bride and bring her to a nearby pub. Now the groom is supposed to find her and bring her home. The party may change their location a few times until the groom finds her. He is also supposed to pay all open bills at the pubs he comes in for on his search.
Now, honestly, what a sick game is that? It's my wedding, for god's sake, I don't want to be in a pub. I want to be at my friggin' wedding. Leave me alone. Leave me here! And what's with the paying for the others in the pubs. Are we filthy rich or what? We just spent money on a wedding, most probably on new shoes. On food and drinks. What a friend would steal me from my own wedding and call it a tradition? That's just crazy.
Something I Don't Even Have a Name For
I heard this when someone at my old job talked about a wedding she'd been to. Apparently it's also some kind of tradition to steal some of the bride and groom's possessions and have them do something to get it back. The guests can tell the couple some supposedly amusing things they should do to get their things back.
Guys, there's a word for that: thievery. It's actually a crime. I also don't know where you got the key from, because it wasn't from me. And I have to do what you want to get my things back. How is that supposed to be fun? Again: It's my wedding. Leave me alone. Leave my stuff alone. You can come here and bring me gifts and then you may be allowed to eat and drink until you're sick. But other than that, it's my wedding and I don't want any stupid traditions to spoil it.
Yeah. I'm not really into tradition because most that I know make no sense and are actually not really funny. I like the small traditions, but none of the ones everyone makes a fuss about, because most of the time I don't have a fun time.
Tuesday, March 29, 2005
Signs of Spring
It must be spring because the boyfriend and I suddenly started to clean the balcony and make it all nice for the coming times of warmth where the weekend paper can be read outside while the sun shines in our faces.
It actually felt so much like spring that I had to get out and spend 4,40 Euro on this.
It actually felt so much like spring that I had to get out and spend 4,40 Euro on this.
Sunday, March 27, 2005
Need Proof?
Just so you know that my head is indeed filled with slime and my brain has temporarily moved to make room for it, this making sure my head does not explode, here's my original attempt at this week's Unconscious Muttering.
Yeah. I told you, didn't I?
- I’m waiting - Bunnies
- Speak - Bunnies
- Roger... - Bunnies
- Knock knock - Bunnies
- Hybrid - Bunnies
- Can’t believe my eyes - Bunnies
- Hooked - Bunnies
- Pontificate - Bunnies
- Slime - Bunnies
- Unwelcome - Bunnies
Yeah. I told you, didn't I?
Unconscious Mutterings - With A Head Full Of Slime
- I’m waiting - for this stupid cold to go away
- Speak - Cough first
- Roger... - Rabbit
- Knock knock - Who's there?
- Hybrid - Water
- Can’t believe my eyes - This better be good.
- Hooked - Veronica Mars
- Pontificate - Pointy.
- Slime - Don't get me started.
- Unwelcome - This cold.
Again, you can take part and have a lot of fun... just click here.
I Think Even My Brain Made Room For It
I feel like my whole body is filled with slime and snot and other icky stuff.
And it's certainly no fun. I can't really sleep but I can't really stay away either. I make funny noises when I breathe.
In short I feel really sick. I think it's even gotten worse since yesterday.
Now, please excuse me while I cough up some more slime I don't really need or want.
And it's certainly no fun. I can't really sleep but I can't really stay away either. I make funny noises when I breathe.
In short I feel really sick. I think it's even gotten worse since yesterday.
Now, please excuse me while I cough up some more slime I don't really need or want.
Friday, March 25, 2005
Love and Marriage and How to Get There (Episode 13)
I really never wanted to make this blog about my wedding, it's just as it is coming closer, of course I think more about it, and since this blog is about me and my life, it's bound to come up a little more often these days. Bear with me.
I was just standing in the kitchen preparing a nice dessert for tomorrow evening and listening to 'The Final Frontier' from the Mad About You Soundtrack that suddenly tears came to my eyes, because at that moment it seemed I realized what was happening around me.
Don't get me wrong. I know what I am doing. I don't decide to get married all blue-eyed and naive and romantic. I think I pretty much am aware of how big this thing is and decided that this the time and this is the man. But there's somewhere else and I think I totally forgot about that...
For nearly 10 years now I have been a fan of Mad About You. I love this show. I would admit that the first four seasons were a lot better than the last three, but even in the later days the show was great and it made me laugh a lot and even cry. I still can't bear to wear the finale of the fourth season where they break up because it's so frickin' sad. And they made me cry with the damn montage at the end of the last episode because it was so sweet and seemed so real and... sigh.
Whatever that show was a lot about marriage in the way that it centered around the struggling of newlyweds in their everyday life. In a sitcomy way, but still. And I always wanted to live like that. I admit that I also might have been a little bit in love with Paul. Yep.
Now when I listened to that song, which has those wonderful lyrics which say exactly what the show is about. It's about not knowing anything about what's to come, but being brave because the person you love is at your side. It's about being afraid and confused, but then again happy and confident. And it also reminds me of the show and all its little moments that I love.
And this is what is happening in my life right now. In a way I have no idea what we're doing here right now. How could I? I have never done it before, so how am I supposed to know what we're getting into.
But we'll jump anyway. Because nothing can happen to us after all.
And that's about what I was thinking when I listened to the song. And that's why I was close to break out in tears. Happy tears.
I was just standing in the kitchen preparing a nice dessert for tomorrow evening and listening to 'The Final Frontier' from the Mad About You Soundtrack that suddenly tears came to my eyes, because at that moment it seemed I realized what was happening around me.
Don't get me wrong. I know what I am doing. I don't decide to get married all blue-eyed and naive and romantic. I think I pretty much am aware of how big this thing is and decided that this the time and this is the man. But there's somewhere else and I think I totally forgot about that...
For nearly 10 years now I have been a fan of Mad About You. I love this show. I would admit that the first four seasons were a lot better than the last three, but even in the later days the show was great and it made me laugh a lot and even cry. I still can't bear to wear the finale of the fourth season where they break up because it's so frickin' sad. And they made me cry with the damn montage at the end of the last episode because it was so sweet and seemed so real and... sigh.
Whatever that show was a lot about marriage in the way that it centered around the struggling of newlyweds in their everyday life. In a sitcomy way, but still. And I always wanted to live like that. I admit that I also might have been a little bit in love with Paul. Yep.
Now when I listened to that song, which has those wonderful lyrics which say exactly what the show is about. It's about not knowing anything about what's to come, but being brave because the person you love is at your side. It's about being afraid and confused, but then again happy and confident. And it also reminds me of the show and all its little moments that I love.
And this is what is happening in my life right now. In a way I have no idea what we're doing here right now. How could I? I have never done it before, so how am I supposed to know what we're getting into.
But we'll jump anyway. Because nothing can happen to us after all.
And that's about what I was thinking when I listened to the song. And that's why I was close to break out in tears. Happy tears.
(Not-So-Much) Thursday Fun: The Case is Open
Due to job change, sickness (twice) and other circumstances the cases have been closed for the lasst few weeks. Now they're open again. Since shelf #3 turned out to be shelf #2's twin brother and you had to wait so long I decided to make it a double feature today.
So, clap your hands for shelf #3 and shelf #4...
So, what do they offer?
Shelf #3 brings us more video tapes. We have lot of them. But most of them are better labeled, because I put my whole heart in it in the olden days when there were no DVDs. I think I can make out 'Jennifer Eight' and 'E-Mail For You' and 'Tot Ziens', some independent Dutch movie. Yes, I was independent gal once, before I realized that after all I like mainstream better. At least I can say that I know what I'm talking about.
Shelf #4 is one of the bottom shelves, meaning that we will have big books (mostly art books) and sheet music. This one is more big books and I don't think a single one of them is mine. So I don't really have a lot to say about them.
So, clap your hands for shelf #3 and shelf #4...
So, what do they offer?
Shelf #3 brings us more video tapes. We have lot of them. But most of them are better labeled, because I put my whole heart in it in the olden days when there were no DVDs. I think I can make out 'Jennifer Eight' and 'E-Mail For You' and 'Tot Ziens', some independent Dutch movie. Yes, I was independent gal once, before I realized that after all I like mainstream better. At least I can say that I know what I'm talking about.
Shelf #4 is one of the bottom shelves, meaning that we will have big books (mostly art books) and sheet music. This one is more big books and I don't think a single one of them is mine. So I don't really have a lot to say about them.
If I Knew You Were Coming...
I guess we all know how that song goes. Guess what? I baked a cake.
Again.
It's just that I love to bake cakes, while the problem is that neither the boyfriend nor I are very avid cake-eaters. We like cake, but we don't really pine for it. That's another thing where I'm becoming just like my mom. We both love to make things (preferably to eat) but that doesn't necessarily mean that we are particularly fond of them. We just like making them and enjoy being proud when they look nice.
So, anyway, we had someone over for dinner last night and I seized the opportunity and baked a cake.
Here it is:
Again.
It's just that I love to bake cakes, while the problem is that neither the boyfriend nor I are very avid cake-eaters. We like cake, but we don't really pine for it. That's another thing where I'm becoming just like my mom. We both love to make things (preferably to eat) but that doesn't necessarily mean that we are particularly fond of them. We just like making them and enjoy being proud when they look nice.
So, anyway, we had someone over for dinner last night and I seized the opportunity and baked a cake.
Here it is:
Thursday, March 24, 2005
Love and Marriage and How to Get There (Episode 12)
25 years ago...
That's one small wedding party. But as I know from the other pictures there were a lot more people at home. Most of them will be at my wedding, too. Funny, huh?
I already got brown boots. My mom bought them today and they look great and match my skirt, so why not. I am very careful not to wear a brown coat and a brown purse with it. I'm becoming just like my mom already and there's no need to push it.
Can I just say (once more) that my mom has just turned 19 on this picture. That means she's more than five years younger than I am. That just fascinates me a lot.
That's one small wedding party. But as I know from the other pictures there were a lot more people at home. Most of them will be at my wedding, too. Funny, huh?
I already got brown boots. My mom bought them today and they look great and match my skirt, so why not. I am very careful not to wear a brown coat and a brown purse with it. I'm becoming just like my mom already and there's no need to push it.
Can I just say (once more) that my mom has just turned 19 on this picture. That means she's more than five years younger than I am. That just fascinates me a lot.
Wednesday, March 23, 2005
Love and Marriage and How to Get There (Episode 11)
They know. They all know.
Yesterday I brought the invitations to the post office. Today they arrived. How is it that we said we would only make a small celebration with a few friends and family and we end up with over thirty people on our list?
Oh, yes, I remember. My family is just too big. And the biggest part of party guest is just members of my family. It's really not my fault, my mom has seven siblings and they never ever move away. And they got married and had kids.
Also, I told Andreas today via mail-conversation. I knew he was going to be or play shocked, so I tried to point him to the bright side. Cake and our dog. I just hope it worked.
Yesterday I brought the invitations to the post office. Today they arrived. How is it that we said we would only make a small celebration with a few friends and family and we end up with over thirty people on our list?
Oh, yes, I remember. My family is just too big. And the biggest part of party guest is just members of my family. It's really not my fault, my mom has seven siblings and they never ever move away. And they got married and had kids.
Also, I told Andreas today via mail-conversation. I knew he was going to be or play shocked, so I tried to point him to the bright side. Cake and our dog. I just hope it worked.
Unconscious Mutterings - Taciturn
- Stink - Socks
- Renewal - Renovation
- I remember... - Lots of things
- Loneliness - Hermit
- Ooooh - Cookies
- For real - Rouch
- Titanium - Metal
- Get down - Gilbert O'Sullivan
- Rupture - Earthquake
- Dramatic - Drama Queen
Again, you can take part and have a lot of fun... just click here.
Sick, Tired And A Little Bit Pissed
It seems I slept through half of the day. I only really got up until after 5 p.m.
Last night my temperature went up to 38° celsius, which isn't really worrisome but enough to call a little fever.
So I decided against being stupid and brave and for going to the doctor and calling in sick for the next two days. I won't risk being stuck with a stupid cold for the rest of my life just because I don't dare call in sick.
Had I known the jerks would let me wait in the waiting room for two straight fucking hours I might have decided to go to work instead. Bastards. And all that for a five minute inspection and the impressive conclusion that I have a cold. Yeah, I couldn't have figured that out all by my own, thank you very much.
And it may be the case that more than six people that came in after me got called out before because they had appointments and I did not, but honestly...? My throat hurts, my nose itches, I hardly slept at all last night and when I did I had strange unsettling dreams, I threw up yesterday and have hardly eaten anything since, so you know: I REALLY DON'T CARE.
At least I could read a lot of Fingersmith while I was waiting. See, I still manage to see a bright side. I'm not completely lost in ranting country.
I also made an appontment for an allergy testing in about a month. As I count oversharing as one my specialties, here's why. I have strange cough that comes and goes for about at least three years now. It feels like I have to throw up, but I don't and I know I don't. It just sounds very bad and the worse fits bring tears to my eyes. I can't pin it to a specific time of year or connect it to anything. I may not have it for weeks or even months and then it comes again, maybe a few times a day, maybe once a week or less. It's absolutely not predictable. But it's been there for more than three years, so I think it's time I have myself checked for allergies. So I will.
I'm good at oversharing, ain't I?
Last night my temperature went up to 38° celsius, which isn't really worrisome but enough to call a little fever.
So I decided against being stupid and brave and for going to the doctor and calling in sick for the next two days. I won't risk being stuck with a stupid cold for the rest of my life just because I don't dare call in sick.
Had I known the jerks would let me wait in the waiting room for two straight fucking hours I might have decided to go to work instead. Bastards. And all that for a five minute inspection and the impressive conclusion that I have a cold. Yeah, I couldn't have figured that out all by my own, thank you very much.
And it may be the case that more than six people that came in after me got called out before because they had appointments and I did not, but honestly...? My throat hurts, my nose itches, I hardly slept at all last night and when I did I had strange unsettling dreams, I threw up yesterday and have hardly eaten anything since, so you know: I REALLY DON'T CARE.
At least I could read a lot of Fingersmith while I was waiting. See, I still manage to see a bright side. I'm not completely lost in ranting country.
I also made an appontment for an allergy testing in about a month. As I count oversharing as one my specialties, here's why. I have strange cough that comes and goes for about at least three years now. It feels like I have to throw up, but I don't and I know I don't. It just sounds very bad and the worse fits bring tears to my eyes. I can't pin it to a specific time of year or connect it to anything. I may not have it for weeks or even months and then it comes again, maybe a few times a day, maybe once a week or less. It's absolutely not predictable. But it's been there for more than three years, so I think it's time I have myself checked for allergies. So I will.
I'm good at oversharing, ain't I?
Tuesday, March 22, 2005
In The Bed Out The Bed
That's what I'm doing today. I'm sleeping, then get up, read or even go for a walk and then I crawl again under the blanket and go back to sleep.
My mom is going to pick me up later, so I can help my father install burning software and see if she's got wedding rings that fit our fingers. If you're wondering where she got a large collection of wedding rings from, yeah, well, it's part of her job.
By the way, we just got the new address of the evil tenant who just took off without paying us anything. Obviously the electricity company found out and was willing to tell us. Good for us. Not so very good for him.
I just realize that it's nearly 3 p.m. and I haven't eaten anything the whole day. My tummy rebels and I guess I have to listen to it and search the kitchen for food. And then back to bed until my mom comes.
My mom is going to pick me up later, so I can help my father install burning software and see if she's got wedding rings that fit our fingers. If you're wondering where she got a large collection of wedding rings from, yeah, well, it's part of her job.
By the way, we just got the new address of the evil tenant who just took off without paying us anything. Obviously the electricity company found out and was willing to tell us. Good for us. Not so very good for him.
I just realize that it's nearly 3 p.m. and I haven't eaten anything the whole day. My tummy rebels and I guess I have to listen to it and search the kitchen for food. And then back to bed until my mom comes.
Sick and Tired
Sick, because being brave and going to work despite my cold two weeks ago just backfired and I've got a sore throat again.
Also, I kind of met last nights dinner again. Hi, meal, didn't you like the other way out?
Tired, because I never sleep well with a sore throat that hurts every time I swallow and I do that a couple of times a minute.
Oh, see, there's my bed... if you need me, that's where I'll be for the next two to four hours.
Also, I kind of met last nights dinner again. Hi, meal, didn't you like the other way out?
Tired, because I never sleep well with a sore throat that hurts every time I swallow and I do that a couple of times a minute.
Oh, see, there's my bed... if you need me, that's where I'll be for the next two to four hours.
Love and Marriage and How to Get There (Episode 10)
I'm tired.
I just wrote addresses on twenty envelopes and I realized again that the name of the street where we live is just too fucking long.
Why didn't somebody tell me that getting married actually involved real hard work?
Like licking the icky stuff on the envelopes... Bwah.
I just wrote addresses on twenty envelopes and I realized again that the name of the street where we live is just too fucking long.
Why didn't somebody tell me that getting married actually involved real hard work?
Like licking the icky stuff on the envelopes... Bwah.
Sunday, March 20, 2005
And The Flow Of Book Memes Never Ceases
Here's another one, brought to you (or me) by pearl...
You’re stuck inside Fahrenheit 451, which book do you want to be?
In that case, some book nobody knows of. I really wouldn't like to get burned.
Have you ever had a crush on a fictional character?
Not exactly, although I really loved Henry in 'The Time-Traveler's Wife'. And I cared a lot for most of the characters in Anne Tyler's Tin Can Tree.
The last book you bought is:
Jane Eyre by Charlotte Bronte
The last book you read:
Eragon by Christopher Paolini
What are you currently reading?
Currently reading: Guilty Pleasures by Laurell K. Hamilton
On my nightstand and next in line: Jane Eyre, Born Confused by Tanuja Desai Hidier and Fingersmith by Sarah Waters
Five books you would take to a deserted island:
Nine Short Stories by J.D. Salinger.
The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy by Douglas Adams. I hope there are volumes contaiing all five books out there. That would count as one book, wouldn't it?
Winnie the Pooh by A. A. Milne because it's the sweetest book ever.
Poems by W. H. Auden (I'm usually not a big poems fan, but I love those.)
The Neverending Story by Michael Ende, because for some reason I have read it about ten times already and that means that I really like it.
Who are you going to pass this stick to (3 persons) and why?
To Caitlin, because she loves books and I think she would be thrilled to do it (at least I hope so...).
To Rory, because she writes so beautifully that I would love to know what she reads.
And to Blondelibrarian, because after all, she's a librarian.
Note: I will try to update to tomorrow and add links to all the books, but right now I really need to go to bed.
You’re stuck inside Fahrenheit 451, which book do you want to be?
In that case, some book nobody knows of. I really wouldn't like to get burned.
Have you ever had a crush on a fictional character?
Not exactly, although I really loved Henry in 'The Time-Traveler's Wife'. And I cared a lot for most of the characters in Anne Tyler's Tin Can Tree.
The last book you bought is:
Jane Eyre by Charlotte Bronte
The last book you read:
Eragon by Christopher Paolini
What are you currently reading?
Currently reading: Guilty Pleasures by Laurell K. Hamilton
On my nightstand and next in line: Jane Eyre, Born Confused by Tanuja Desai Hidier and Fingersmith by Sarah Waters
Five books you would take to a deserted island:
Nine Short Stories by J.D. Salinger.
The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy by Douglas Adams. I hope there are volumes contaiing all five books out there. That would count as one book, wouldn't it?
Winnie the Pooh by A. A. Milne because it's the sweetest book ever.
Poems by W. H. Auden (I'm usually not a big poems fan, but I love those.)
The Neverending Story by Michael Ende, because for some reason I have read it about ten times already and that means that I really like it.
Who are you going to pass this stick to (3 persons) and why?
To Caitlin, because she loves books and I think she would be thrilled to do it (at least I hope so...).
To Rory, because she writes so beautifully that I would love to know what she reads.
And to Blondelibrarian, because after all, she's a librarian.
Note: I will try to update to tomorrow and add links to all the books, but right now I really need to go to bed.
Love and Marriage and How to Get There (Episode 9)
The Minimum Price for a Wedding
66 Euro
There was another 8 Euro that we paid for the copy of a document from somewhere else. So, add it up and you got it.
66 Euro
There was another 8 Euro that we paid for the copy of a document from somewhere else. So, add it up and you got it.
Yay For... Me, Actually
Because, let's be honest, without me it wouldn't be that way...
It's my parents 25th anniversary. So yay for them!
Get it...? I'll turn 25 this year, and they celebrate their 25th birthday. So, you don't really need to guess why I think that I have a little bit to do with it. I didn't really have brains yet, but still...
But whatever, again, yay for them. If I had their wedding picture I would show it here, but I don't.
It's totally sweet and kind of strange, actually. Mostly because my mom decided she would just wear all the different shades of brown that there are. In one outfit.
It's my parents 25th anniversary. So yay for them!
Get it...? I'll turn 25 this year, and they celebrate their 25th birthday. So, you don't really need to guess why I think that I have a little bit to do with it. I didn't really have brains yet, but still...
But whatever, again, yay for them. If I had their wedding picture I would show it here, but I don't.
It's totally sweet and kind of strange, actually. Mostly because my mom decided she would just wear all the different shades of brown that there are. In one outfit.
Late In The Evening (And It Turns Out I'm Ranting)
Once again I'm proud that I've managed once again to use a song title as a blog entry title and get away with it. Because it's really late in the evening.
We got back from Cologne about an hour ago (please note the time I posted this) where we spent and afternoon buying stuff we really don't need and an evening with my aunt and her girlfriend who made yummy things for us (canelloni and tiramisu... I'm just saying).
So, not much news here other than I'm tired and I'm pissed because the CD I bought won't play on my computer. Excuse me for using that king of language but reallly... Fuck copy controlled CDs! I don't have a CD player in my room, only my computer so get your crap together and make them work on my computer. I actually spent money on this CD, so I think I deserve to be able to listen to it. Jeez, guys. Do you still think that copy control will prevent any CD from being distributed on the internet in the long run? Because my experience tells me otherwise. So far I've been able to download every copy controlled CD I bought and COULDN'T PLAY ON MY COMPUTER. It doesn't help. At all. It only gets me pissed. And you really don't want that. Or maybe you don't care at all, but I like to think that you don't want me getting pissed.
So, since it's really late and my brain can't think of very interesting things to write I'll just tell you what we bought and then I will go to bed.
The boyfriend: a music stand, two books (one about Ebay and some novel that I don't remember the title of) and a DVD of a concert of Oscar Peterson.
Me: Jane Eyre (which I think I must read after reading The Eyre Affair, and besides it was just 2.30 Euro, so I couldn't really resist), Bye Bye Beauté by Coralie Clement which won't fucking play on my computer, and a skirt which will be a part of my wedding outfit and is just incredibly cute. Plus, I can always wear it at work or mostly anywhere else. I can display a lot of pragmatism if I want to.
And Pecorino cheese, which should go in the fridge right now. I totally forgot about that.
So, basically we spent a lot of money. But you have to treat yourself with something nice every now and then, don't you?
Every now and then naturally meaning every single day.
We got back from Cologne about an hour ago (please note the time I posted this) where we spent and afternoon buying stuff we really don't need and an evening with my aunt and her girlfriend who made yummy things for us (canelloni and tiramisu... I'm just saying).
So, not much news here other than I'm tired and I'm pissed because the CD I bought won't play on my computer. Excuse me for using that king of language but reallly... Fuck copy controlled CDs! I don't have a CD player in my room, only my computer so get your crap together and make them work on my computer. I actually spent money on this CD, so I think I deserve to be able to listen to it. Jeez, guys. Do you still think that copy control will prevent any CD from being distributed on the internet in the long run? Because my experience tells me otherwise. So far I've been able to download every copy controlled CD I bought and COULDN'T PLAY ON MY COMPUTER. It doesn't help. At all. It only gets me pissed. And you really don't want that. Or maybe you don't care at all, but I like to think that you don't want me getting pissed.
So, since it's really late and my brain can't think of very interesting things to write I'll just tell you what we bought and then I will go to bed.
The boyfriend: a music stand, two books (one about Ebay and some novel that I don't remember the title of) and a DVD of a concert of Oscar Peterson.
Me: Jane Eyre (which I think I must read after reading The Eyre Affair, and besides it was just 2.30 Euro, so I couldn't really resist), Bye Bye Beauté by Coralie Clement which won't fucking play on my computer, and a skirt which will be a part of my wedding outfit and is just incredibly cute. Plus, I can always wear it at work or mostly anywhere else. I can display a lot of pragmatism if I want to.
And Pecorino cheese, which should go in the fridge right now. I totally forgot about that.
So, basically we spent a lot of money. But you have to treat yourself with something nice every now and then, don't you?
Every now and then naturally meaning every single day.
Friday, March 18, 2005
Thursday, March 17, 2005
Touchy Literary Surprises
I have four books for my nightstand now. When I got home today I couldn't wait to open the package that arrived today. Even though I know what's inside I always think of my packages as presents and I love to open them and finally hold whatever is inside in my hands.
There's this stange thing about ordering books. Although you know what you get you never really know until you finally hold it. I'm talking about material here, fabric, touch.
The boyfriend and I both are bibliophiles. We love the feel and smell of books, especially new ones. The different touch of the covers, sometimes glossy, sometimes not, sometimes with some letters engraved, or some other little specialty.
I loved Wicked for the way the book was designed. The cut out hole in the front, with the glossy page behind it, the neatly designed map of Oz, the strange pictures prefacing each part.
Maybe that's part of why I like to own things, because I like the feeling of things, especially books, and however hard I try, I don't get that feeling from any books in the library. It's just so different. (Besides, the collection of english books is pityfully small at the local library, so I don't exactly feel drawn there anyway.)
So, the nice thing about getting books is that, though you know the title of the books you never know how they will really look like until you hold them in your hand. Concerning today's package I somehow expected to be 'Fingersmith' a lot smaller than it is and also thinner, whereas I thought that 'Guilty Pleasures' would be thicker. 'Born Confused' has a strange size, although it's significantly smaller than Fingersmith, it's a tiny little bit wider even. It also has more pages than I expected.
The nicest book to touch is definitely 'Fingersmith'. It's really smooth with glossy letters. 'Guilty Pleasures' has a glossy cover and rather cheap pages and the chapter headings of 'Born Confused' are written in an indian-like font.
There's not a lot of deeper meaning to this entry, I just thought I'd share my fascination with books with you along with the small observations I made, browsing aimlessly through my new books today.
And maybe some of you know what I'm talking about.
There's this stange thing about ordering books. Although you know what you get you never really know until you finally hold it. I'm talking about material here, fabric, touch.
The boyfriend and I both are bibliophiles. We love the feel and smell of books, especially new ones. The different touch of the covers, sometimes glossy, sometimes not, sometimes with some letters engraved, or some other little specialty.
I loved Wicked for the way the book was designed. The cut out hole in the front, with the glossy page behind it, the neatly designed map of Oz, the strange pictures prefacing each part.
Maybe that's part of why I like to own things, because I like the feeling of things, especially books, and however hard I try, I don't get that feeling from any books in the library. It's just so different. (Besides, the collection of english books is pityfully small at the local library, so I don't exactly feel drawn there anyway.)
So, the nice thing about getting books is that, though you know the title of the books you never know how they will really look like until you hold them in your hand. Concerning today's package I somehow expected to be 'Fingersmith' a lot smaller than it is and also thinner, whereas I thought that 'Guilty Pleasures' would be thicker. 'Born Confused' has a strange size, although it's significantly smaller than Fingersmith, it's a tiny little bit wider even. It also has more pages than I expected.
The nicest book to touch is definitely 'Fingersmith'. It's really smooth with glossy letters. 'Guilty Pleasures' has a glossy cover and rather cheap pages and the chapter headings of 'Born Confused' are written in an indian-like font.
There's not a lot of deeper meaning to this entry, I just thought I'd share my fascination with books with you along with the small observations I made, browsing aimlessly through my new books today.
And maybe some of you know what I'm talking about.
Tuesday, March 15, 2005
Yada Yada Yada - The Collected Blabber of Jamie
My ear is hot from talking on the phone for... I don't know... really long. First to a friend who called here and then to my cousin Lina to tell her they all are invited to our wedding. My aunt and uncle are on a trip in Syria or Jordania or whatever, so I won't be able to tell them the news for another two weeks.
My other aunt is in Australia, but hopefully she will be back for the wedding, since I wouldn't want to miss her.
Also, the shirts from glarkware arrived today, so right now I'm writing in my already beloved yellow Swedish Mafia shirt. I want more of them. Now.
Then I unknowingly sabotaged some system at work today, but it really wasn't my fault. I'm so very innocent. I just saw an error on one of the sites and asked if I should correct it and they only realized later that I was working on a thing involving a really large database and was blocking the system like a lot. So, not my fault. At all.
I so need the 'My boyfriend can totally beat up your boyfriend' shirt. And the 'Are we there yet?' because it's my favorite question if I want to drive someone crazy.
'Are we there yet?
...
My feet hurt.
...
I'm hungry.
...
Is it really far from here?
...
I'm thirsty. Really thirsty.
...
And my feet hurt.
...
I'm hungry and thirsty and my feet hurt.
...
I have to pee.
...
Are we there yet?'
If I try really hard I'm the personification of every parents' nightmare.
So, basically.... can you guess?
Yes. My life is a chaos right now. It's messy and chaotic and crammed with new stuff and I love it. Love it love it love it.
If only I weren't so tired.
My other aunt is in Australia, but hopefully she will be back for the wedding, since I wouldn't want to miss her.
Also, the shirts from glarkware arrived today, so right now I'm writing in my already beloved yellow Swedish Mafia shirt. I want more of them. Now.
Then I unknowingly sabotaged some system at work today, but it really wasn't my fault. I'm so very innocent. I just saw an error on one of the sites and asked if I should correct it and they only realized later that I was working on a thing involving a really large database and was blocking the system like a lot. So, not my fault. At all.
I so need the 'My boyfriend can totally beat up your boyfriend' shirt. And the 'Are we there yet?' because it's my favorite question if I want to drive someone crazy.
'Are we there yet?
...
My feet hurt.
...
I'm hungry.
...
Is it really far from here?
...
I'm thirsty. Really thirsty.
...
And my feet hurt.
...
I'm hungry and thirsty and my feet hurt.
...
I have to pee.
...
Are we there yet?'
If I try really hard I'm the personification of every parents' nightmare.
So, basically.... can you guess?
Yes. My life is a chaos right now. It's messy and chaotic and crammed with new stuff and I love it. Love it love it love it.
If only I weren't so tired.
Monday, March 14, 2005
Unconscious Mutterings - A Head Spinning
- Shape up - I'm trying. I'm TRYING!
- New Orleans - The Pelican Brief. And that other movie. And that book. And Mardi Gras. Me? Never been there.
- In the bedroom - A bed. Hopefully.
- All the time - Wondering.
- Philosophy - Usually bores me.
- Tyler - Anne.
- Disturbed - Leave me alone.
- French kiss - The movie and being in England.
- Solidify - Sheryl Crow.
- Furtive - The Fugitive. So what?
Again, you can take part and have a lot of fun... just click here.
I'm Pro-Booklist. Are You Too?
I somehow wondered whether deciding to stick to booklists and recommendations as much as I do is just a very lame excuse for not having to choose by myself.
I think maybe it is, but maybe it's a good thing.
It's a good thing because I realize that there are a whole lot of books out there that I would never read if I would just read the back cover. I would just put them back on the shelf and buy something else. Or maybe, even worse, I wouldn't even pull them out and read what's on the back cover. Because after all I do judge a book by its cover. How else could I do it? I have to judge it by something and when I'm in a bookshop all I do have is the cover and the blurb on the back cover. There's not much else to judge it by.
Sticking to booklists and asking for recommendations and vowing to read them all is a great way to discover books I might never have noticed browsing the shelves in a bookshop. Maybe there are a few books that I won't like as much, but think of all the great books I will read. Don't they totally make up for the few not-so-great ones?
Maybe, just maybe, in a perfectly twisted way, sticking rigidly to my booklist makes me a lot more open to new discoveries than if I would do it the usual browse-choose-and-buy way.
So, be prepared for a second round of "What Shall Jamie Read?" once I'm done with all the books of the first round. Because I've tasted blood and I'll be back for more.
I think maybe it is, but maybe it's a good thing.
It's a good thing because I realize that there are a whole lot of books out there that I would never read if I would just read the back cover. I would just put them back on the shelf and buy something else. Or maybe, even worse, I wouldn't even pull them out and read what's on the back cover. Because after all I do judge a book by its cover. How else could I do it? I have to judge it by something and when I'm in a bookshop all I do have is the cover and the blurb on the back cover. There's not much else to judge it by.
Sticking to booklists and asking for recommendations and vowing to read them all is a great way to discover books I might never have noticed browsing the shelves in a bookshop. Maybe there are a few books that I won't like as much, but think of all the great books I will read. Don't they totally make up for the few not-so-great ones?
Maybe, just maybe, in a perfectly twisted way, sticking rigidly to my booklist makes me a lot more open to new discoveries than if I would do it the usual browse-choose-and-buy way.
So, be prepared for a second round of "What Shall Jamie Read?" once I'm done with all the books of the first round. Because I've tasted blood and I'll be back for more.
No, She's Still Singing... (Because I HAD To Say It)
There was this non-discussion about Edie Brickell on srah's site. It's really a non-discussion, so I wonder why I feel the need to comment on it so urgently, but I do and that's that.
So, let me get that straight:
1) Edie Brickell is great.
I think I could just stop writing right now and leave it at that, because what more do you need to know. Yet, I will go on.
2) She is still singing. Proof is here.
3) The rich hippe was Paul Simon actually, who, by all means is not a rich hippe. Rich, maybe. Or most probably. I don't really know if they are still together, but then again I don't really care.
4) Did I mention that Edie Brickell is great?
Oh, I guess I did...
So, let me get that straight:
1) Edie Brickell is great.
I think I could just stop writing right now and leave it at that, because what more do you need to know. Yet, I will go on.
2) She is still singing. Proof is here.
3) The rich hippe was Paul Simon actually, who, by all means is not a rich hippe. Rich, maybe. Or most probably. I don't really know if they are still together, but then again I don't really care.
4) Did I mention that Edie Brickell is great?
Oh, I guess I did...
Sunday, March 13, 2005
My Fifteen Minutes
Guess what? I'm being interviewed by Rory. Actually I begged her to ask me questions, but whatever. This is my fifteen minutes of fame, no matter how I got them.
1. When was the last time you did something for the first time? (I got that question from a TV ad!)
Well, actually on Friday when we settled everything for the marriage. I surely haven't done that before. I was also surprised how easy it is. It takes a rough fifteen minutes to be done with it, then you pay your fee and then you wait until the big day.
2. Where would you like to go today?
Usually I'm split between New York City and France. Today it would be more New York City, because I'd prefer to be in France in the summer when I can go swim in a river and stroll around beautiful cities and villages in a summer dress.
3. If God gave you his color palette, what color would you paint the sky?
At the risk of being boring, I'd probably stick with blue. A light (but somehow yet strong) blue preferably.
But while we're at it, I would like to point out that I am one of those people who prefer sunrise to sunset. I love the atmosphere of sunrise, also the colors the sky has when the sunrises. A mixture of all colors available all bleeding together. Maybe it's also because you get to see so many sunsets but not so many sunrises (at least I feel that it is that way) and seeing a sunrise is often connected to nights spent awake and other special moments.
4. Tell me about your hair without using any colors or description of its length.
Wow, what kind of question is that?
Well, my hair can be pretty rebellious at times. It doesn't look so bad, it just doesn't do what I want. As a kid I had so much hair that it wouldn't all fit into regular slides, but somehow I lost some hair growing up and now it fits (fortunately). When it's short it's a little bit curly, when it's long it's really straight.
Then there are those very rare but precious moments when without any help from myself it just looks great. I can't control it, so I don't try hard and I get rewarded by those few times when I can leave home and look great without doing a thing about it.
Thank you, hair.
5. How tall are you?
Just the right size, which means about 1,70 m, which according to a site I just found is 5'6" or something around that. For a girl I'm just the right size, meaning that I can reach most top shelves and don't need to ask for help. That's just fine with me.
Now I think it's my time to ask you. So whoever has been pining for his fifteen minutes, just tell me and I will wreck my brain to find five appropriate question for you and just you.
1. When was the last time you did something for the first time? (I got that question from a TV ad!)
Well, actually on Friday when we settled everything for the marriage. I surely haven't done that before. I was also surprised how easy it is. It takes a rough fifteen minutes to be done with it, then you pay your fee and then you wait until the big day.
2. Where would you like to go today?
Usually I'm split between New York City and France. Today it would be more New York City, because I'd prefer to be in France in the summer when I can go swim in a river and stroll around beautiful cities and villages in a summer dress.
3. If God gave you his color palette, what color would you paint the sky?
At the risk of being boring, I'd probably stick with blue. A light (but somehow yet strong) blue preferably.
But while we're at it, I would like to point out that I am one of those people who prefer sunrise to sunset. I love the atmosphere of sunrise, also the colors the sky has when the sunrises. A mixture of all colors available all bleeding together. Maybe it's also because you get to see so many sunsets but not so many sunrises (at least I feel that it is that way) and seeing a sunrise is often connected to nights spent awake and other special moments.
4. Tell me about your hair without using any colors or description of its length.
Wow, what kind of question is that?
Well, my hair can be pretty rebellious at times. It doesn't look so bad, it just doesn't do what I want. As a kid I had so much hair that it wouldn't all fit into regular slides, but somehow I lost some hair growing up and now it fits (fortunately). When it's short it's a little bit curly, when it's long it's really straight.
Then there are those very rare but precious moments when without any help from myself it just looks great. I can't control it, so I don't try hard and I get rewarded by those few times when I can leave home and look great without doing a thing about it.
Thank you, hair.
5. How tall are you?
Just the right size, which means about 1,70 m, which according to a site I just found is 5'6" or something around that. For a girl I'm just the right size, meaning that I can reach most top shelves and don't need to ask for help. That's just fine with me.
Now I think it's my time to ask you. So whoever has been pining for his fifteen minutes, just tell me and I will wreck my brain to find five appropriate question for you and just you.
The Others: Through Her Eyes
As, once again, I spent the Sunday doing very important stuff like (for instance) catching up on Joan of Arcadia, I have only little time left to do the weekly introduction of my favorite blogs.
So, let me introduce you all to PixelTigris:
For some reason I'm not so much into photoblogs. They're nice, no question, but most of them don't make me feel the need to come back every day to check for updates. PixelTigris's photoblog does.
Her pictures are just amazing. She has her way of capturing things and moments, that you don't easily. I think I completely fell for her blog when she did the 'He has mine with him' series in January (just scroll down the site, the pictures are pretty much at the bottom of the page).
Since she said it best after all, here's a quote from her 'About Me': I don’t want to be another girl with a photography phase (see above), taking hasty, clumsy pictures. I want to capture those special feelings and moods, those small nuances that are around us, yet often invisible.
Take your time and take a look. It's definitely worth it.
So, let me introduce you all to PixelTigris:
For some reason I'm not so much into photoblogs. They're nice, no question, but most of them don't make me feel the need to come back every day to check for updates. PixelTigris's photoblog does.
Her pictures are just amazing. She has her way of capturing things and moments, that you don't easily. I think I completely fell for her blog when she did the 'He has mine with him' series in January (just scroll down the site, the pictures are pretty much at the bottom of the page).
Since she said it best after all, here's a quote from her 'About Me': I don’t want to be another girl with a photography phase (see above), taking hasty, clumsy pictures. I want to capture those special feelings and moods, those small nuances that are around us, yet often invisible.
Take your time and take a look. It's definitely worth it.
Pictures: Tasty And Scary. Really Scary.
First of all, the picture you have all waited for. The second cake I baked this year and doesn't it look really tasty?
Look and pine:
And that's an advertisement I found in the brochure about getting married we got from the registry's office. It's about the scariest picture I have ever seen. Are there actually people who want their wedding to be like that? And what drugs did they give to the girls? Because it must be really good stuff. Nobody ever smiles like that. At least not when sober.
Look and pine:
And that's an advertisement I found in the brochure about getting married we got from the registry's office. It's about the scariest picture I have ever seen. Are there actually people who want their wedding to be like that? And what drugs did they give to the girls? Because it must be really good stuff. Nobody ever smiles like that. At least not when sober.
Okay, I'll Just Move Over To The Kids Table...
When we were having my beautiful cake yesterday everyone was having coffee, only I stuck to my water. We didn't have any fresh milk, so I didn't have much of a choice.
It feels strange, however, that at the age of 24 I still prefer a glass of cold fresh milk (or hot cocoa or whatever) to a cup of coffee. Fact is, I just won't drink regular coffee, not even if I had no other option. I just don't like it. It's bitter and it drains water from your body and it's just not good.
I will drink some nice Latte Macchiatto, though, if there's one around and I like several other drinks from Starbuck's or the like, but regular coffee is so not for me that it's not even on the list for 'things that I will drink or eat if there's nothing else at all'. Like Brussels sprouts.
So I will just stick to my glass of milk, even if it makes me feel like a six-year-old surrounded by grown-ups.
At least I live healthy.
It feels strange, however, that at the age of 24 I still prefer a glass of cold fresh milk (or hot cocoa or whatever) to a cup of coffee. Fact is, I just won't drink regular coffee, not even if I had no other option. I just don't like it. It's bitter and it drains water from your body and it's just not good.
I will drink some nice Latte Macchiatto, though, if there's one around and I like several other drinks from Starbuck's or the like, but regular coffee is so not for me that it's not even on the list for 'things that I will drink or eat if there's nothing else at all'. Like Brussels sprouts.
So I will just stick to my glass of milk, even if it makes me feel like a six-year-old surrounded by grown-ups.
At least I live healthy.
What Shall Jamie Read? - Another Update
Done with the Brookmyre. (Thanks again, srah!)
Now, where the friggin' hell are my new books? Amazon, hurry up, godammit.
Now, where the friggin' hell are my new books? Amazon, hurry up, godammit.
Saturday, March 12, 2005
Did You Ever Have One?
You know what's one of the weirdest things ever?
Déjà -vu's.
Really, how strange are they? Every time I have one I wonder about it. It just feels weird to think that you have experienced that exact same moment before when it doesn't seem possible that you did.
But, you know what's even weirder?
A déjà -vu of a déjà -vu.
Did you ever have one? Because I did just about two minutes ago and it wasn't the first one. It's really strange up to the point where it somewhat scares me. Very weird stuff.
However, it seems like now that I actually have a life to blog about I don't have the time to blog about it. But I try.
And, on another side note, YES, I'm really proud that I know where the accents (please pronounce in a french way) go in a word like déjà -vu. Even if it takes me five times longer to type it.
Also, I baked another cake. Pictures will follow soon.
Déjà -vu's.
Really, how strange are they? Every time I have one I wonder about it. It just feels weird to think that you have experienced that exact same moment before when it doesn't seem possible that you did.
But, you know what's even weirder?
A déjà -vu of a déjà -vu.
Did you ever have one? Because I did just about two minutes ago and it wasn't the first one. It's really strange up to the point where it somewhat scares me. Very weird stuff.
However, it seems like now that I actually have a life to blog about I don't have the time to blog about it. But I try.
And, on another side note, YES, I'm really proud that I know where the accents (please pronounce in a french way) go in a word like déjà -vu. Even if it takes me five times longer to type it.
Also, I baked another cake. Pictures will follow soon.
Friday, March 11, 2005
No Wonder I'm Screwed Up
My mom called me today just in time to hear the big news. This is about how the conversation went at that moment:
Me: "Well, we actually do have news."
Her: "What? You got a dog?"
Me: "No." (Though I wish we had.)
Her: "Are you pregnant?"
Me (laughing): "No!"
Then she ran out of ideas. Apparently the only news to expects from me is to bring another living thing into our family. Either a dog or a child.
When I told her we were at the registry's office that morning she started to laugh.
She surely is one of the greatest people in the world.
Me: "Well, we actually do have news."
Her: "What? You got a dog?"
Me: "No." (Though I wish we had.)
Her: "Are you pregnant?"
Me (laughing): "No!"
Then she ran out of ideas. Apparently the only news to expects from me is to bring another living thing into our family. Either a dog or a child.
When I told her we were at the registry's office that morning she started to laugh.
She surely is one of the greatest people in the world.
Letter For Whoever Sits In That Comfortable Chair
Dear Amazon,
Would you please, please, pleeeeeease send my books?
Because I'm afraid I'll have Christopher Brookmyre's 'Quite Ugly One Morning' finished tonight. And the bookshop here never sells what I want.
So please?
Forever yours,
Jamie.
PS: You know that I spent way too much money at your shop already, so I figure I can consider my self as a very-special-customer indeed.
Would you please, please, pleeeeeease send my books?
Because I'm afraid I'll have Christopher Brookmyre's 'Quite Ugly One Morning' finished tonight. And the bookshop here never sells what I want.
So please?
Forever yours,
Jamie.
PS: You know that I spent way too much money at your shop already, so I figure I can consider my self as a very-special-customer indeed.
Wednesday, March 09, 2005
I Heart My Visa
My credit card is a reliable source of constant pleasure. I just used it to buy this and this at Glarkware.
The first one is for me, just because I love what it says. Whoever came up with it, I'm really impressed. The second one is for Torsten who's birthday is in about three weeks. Now, I'm not kidding here: his nickname is Mozart and he is a fan of Heavy Metal, Hard Rock, whatever that kind of music I hardly ever listen to is called. I can never ever tell the difference. So this is like a shirt specially designed for him (apart from the fact that it's not). I can't wait to give it to him.
Once again: I just love my credit card.
I just don't love the bill I get at the end of the month. Can't I have the fun without the paying for it?
The first one is for me, just because I love what it says. Whoever came up with it, I'm really impressed. The second one is for Torsten who's birthday is in about three weeks. Now, I'm not kidding here: his nickname is Mozart and he is a fan of Heavy Metal, Hard Rock, whatever that kind of music I hardly ever listen to is called. I can never ever tell the difference. So this is like a shirt specially designed for him (apart from the fact that it's not). I can't wait to give it to him.
Once again: I just love my credit card.
I just don't love the bill I get at the end of the month. Can't I have the fun without the paying for it?
Love and Marriage and How to Get There (Episode 8)
Apparently you can settle your wedding date via phone. Who would've thought? Getting married is a lot easier than I had suspected.
April 11th at 11 am it is.
What better date could there be?
By the way, it's my parents 25th anniversay in about two weeks or so. Shame on me, I don't know my parent's wedding date. But I sure as hell know mine.
So, who wants my address to send gifts? I will send back cake. Only I don't know if that's a very good idea. The cake I mean.
April 11th at 11 am it is.
What better date could there be?
By the way, it's my parents 25th anniversay in about two weeks or so. Shame on me, I don't know my parent's wedding date. But I sure as hell know mine.
So, who wants my address to send gifts? I will send back cake. Only I don't know if that's a very good idea. The cake I mean.
Tuesday, March 08, 2005
I Am THAT Screwed Up!
Are you drinking enough? Are you aware that you should dring at least 2 to 3 litres of water (or anything that doesn't drain water from your body like coffee or coke) a day?
Because if you don't I might just remind you of your neglect everytime I notice it. Ask Andreas or my mom, because I surely have bugged them.
Another even weirder thing is that sometimes I leave the grocery shop with three to five bottles of beverages of various kinds. Not all of them are healthy, but they're beverages whatsoever. I seem to think that I could actually die of thirst if I don't take care. Like all the shops could suddenly run out of all beverages. The gas station, too. And they will turn off the water in our apartment. I definitely need to have all these bottles in my fridge or I'm gonna regret it.
Because if you don't I might just remind you of your neglect everytime I notice it. Ask Andreas or my mom, because I surely have bugged them.
Another even weirder thing is that sometimes I leave the grocery shop with three to five bottles of beverages of various kinds. Not all of them are healthy, but they're beverages whatsoever. I seem to think that I could actually die of thirst if I don't take care. Like all the shops could suddenly run out of all beverages. The gas station, too. And they will turn off the water in our apartment. I definitely need to have all these bottles in my fridge or I'm gonna regret it.
A Very Very Very Long Day
I just got back home about an hour ago. Two manager-whatever-guys from Colorado are here for a few days so the whole staff was invited to dinner and it was actually really good.
But it nevertheless took long, so I didn't have a lot of time for anything else today.
The whole new job thing is wearing me out a little bit, but I hope it's just all the new things, some confusion and a lot of learning and it will get better in time. I might not have to work less, but I'm sure I will get used to it.
A girl can hope, can't she?
But it nevertheless took long, so I didn't have a lot of time for anything else today.
The whole new job thing is wearing me out a little bit, but I hope it's just all the new things, some confusion and a lot of learning and it will get better in time. I might not have to work less, but I'm sure I will get used to it.
A girl can hope, can't she?
Monday, March 07, 2005
Another Heart
Dear Potato Heart,
I saw you at the shop, a little heart among all these common potatoes. I paid for you and took you home.
Then I peeled you and chopped you to pieces.
Then I cooked and ate you.
But I still took a picture of you. Because after all you were special.
I saw you at the shop, a little heart among all these common potatoes. I paid for you and took you home.
Then I peeled you and chopped you to pieces.
Then I cooked and ate you.
But I still took a picture of you. Because after all you were special.
Love and Marriage and How to Get There (Episode 7)
I asked my new boss tonight if I can have a day off on April, 11th. He said yes. So we're ready to set the date for good.
And then we just may tell other people about it. I wonder how the reactions will be.
I wonder if the way we're dealing with getting married is strange. We don't plan a party, we surely won't invite a lot of people. We don't even know if there are going to be rings... although I'm pretty sure I want one.
Are we unromantic? Hurried?
Basically I just think that although we're not planning to celebrate that day like a lot of people would think appropriate, it is important to us. I have my mind settled on that date for very emotional reasons and I don't think I can wait another year. It's neither romantic nor rational.
But, I think it's a statement which is important to both of us. It's us saying: 'This is the person I want to spend my life with.' I don't need a big audience to do it, nor a big party. And though that may seem strange to some people, it doesn't seem so strange to me.
And then we just may tell other people about it. I wonder how the reactions will be.
I wonder if the way we're dealing with getting married is strange. We don't plan a party, we surely won't invite a lot of people. We don't even know if there are going to be rings... although I'm pretty sure I want one.
Are we unromantic? Hurried?
Basically I just think that although we're not planning to celebrate that day like a lot of people would think appropriate, it is important to us. I have my mind settled on that date for very emotional reasons and I don't think I can wait another year. It's neither romantic nor rational.
But, I think it's a statement which is important to both of us. It's us saying: 'This is the person I want to spend my life with.' I don't need a big audience to do it, nor a big party. And though that may seem strange to some people, it doesn't seem so strange to me.
Sunday, March 06, 2005
4,172 Reading Lists
Since I have a hard time choosing a new book to read anyway, I have somehow turned to reading lists of different sorts to help me make my choices.
The first and most important one is the list of recommendations I got from blog readers. Of the 12 books recommended I have already read five and am just reading the sixth. So far I haven't been disappointed with a single one recommended.
Then there are the 2004 Puddly Awards, another list with the fifty books readers voted their favorite book in 2004. Since there is another fifity books the staff of Powell's considered their favorite books, we altogether have another 100 books that I can (and will) read. Fortunately there are some books in both lists and even more fortunately I have already read quite a few, so I guess it comes down to, what?, about 80 books to read this year.
Then, of course, there's the 100 Best Novels of the 20th Century bookmark I got when I was in New York nearly six years ago and still carry around and carefully mark the little boxes whenever I have read a book that's on it. I also have the Nonfiction bookmark, but I don't know if I will ever dare to even try to complete that one. The Varieties of Religious Experience by Williams James? Yeah, right.
And last but not least I have the complete kommentiertes Vorlesungsverzeichnis (basically a list with all the seminars held with short descriptions) of the English Department of Cologne University which offers me another nice reading list, both for lingustic books and novels.
That said, I have a lot to do this year. And I don't even have to choose any books myself. I just have to choose which book from which list I am going to read next. And that's surely hard enough for someone like me.
The first and most important one is the list of recommendations I got from blog readers. Of the 12 books recommended I have already read five and am just reading the sixth. So far I haven't been disappointed with a single one recommended.
Then there are the 2004 Puddly Awards, another list with the fifty books readers voted their favorite book in 2004. Since there is another fifity books the staff of Powell's considered their favorite books, we altogether have another 100 books that I can (and will) read. Fortunately there are some books in both lists and even more fortunately I have already read quite a few, so I guess it comes down to, what?, about 80 books to read this year.
Then, of course, there's the 100 Best Novels of the 20th Century bookmark I got when I was in New York nearly six years ago and still carry around and carefully mark the little boxes whenever I have read a book that's on it. I also have the Nonfiction bookmark, but I don't know if I will ever dare to even try to complete that one. The Varieties of Religious Experience by Williams James? Yeah, right.
And last but not least I have the complete kommentiertes Vorlesungsverzeichnis (basically a list with all the seminars held with short descriptions) of the English Department of Cologne University which offers me another nice reading list, both for lingustic books and novels.
That said, I have a lot to do this year. And I don't even have to choose any books myself. I just have to choose which book from which list I am going to read next. And that's surely hard enough for someone like me.
About Anime Weather
Because Caitlin asked, I will tell her (and you).
Anime weather is a term Andreas and I use frequently to describe that special kind of weather that reminds us of Japanese (what else) anime TV shows. Now I have only watched one anime series complete, but you don't need to be an expert in animes to recognize anime weather.
There has to be wind, that's for sure and it's best when there's something (beside your hair) the wind can move in lovely patterns.
Something else is either: preferably pink petals, snowflakes or autumn-colored red and yellow leaves.
The most important thing is that the wind is so soft and yet strong enough to make whatever is falling down fly slowly through the air in circles and loops instead of just plain falling down to earth.
So, in that particular case a few days ago, the snow was merely falling down. It was dancing in front of my window. Rising up and down over and over again before finally and after a long journey settling down on the ground. It's one of the most beautiful and peaceful things, anime weather.
Anime weather is a term Andreas and I use frequently to describe that special kind of weather that reminds us of Japanese (what else) anime TV shows. Now I have only watched one anime series complete, but you don't need to be an expert in animes to recognize anime weather.
There has to be wind, that's for sure and it's best when there's something (beside your hair) the wind can move in lovely patterns.
Something else is either: preferably pink petals, snowflakes or autumn-colored red and yellow leaves.
The most important thing is that the wind is so soft and yet strong enough to make whatever is falling down fly slowly through the air in circles and loops instead of just plain falling down to earth.
So, in that particular case a few days ago, the snow was merely falling down. It was dancing in front of my window. Rising up and down over and over again before finally and after a long journey settling down on the ground. It's one of the most beautiful and peaceful things, anime weather.
Recurring Themes
Lately I have really vivid dreams. I don't know if it's the stress or the excitement or my sickness, I'm just having really vivid dreams. And not all of them are nice.
Still I won't bother to write them all down, especially since they are so fucked-up, strange and weird that it's nearly impossible to retell them. Most of all I remember waking up and being thankful that it was just a dream.
But this I will tell:
Two nights ago I dreamed something about me wanting to get home by train. I was somewhere south of Cologne and the train didn't go to where I live, so I knew I had to change trains at Cologne.
I got off and the whole station was a crowded crazy maze. There were stairs to the platforms all around. I tried to find out where my train was leaving and once I knew I hurried to where I thought the platform was, but I couldn't find it. I also remember running up some stairs only to find that they ended in a wall.
I got so frustrated and desperate because I wanted to get home and I was stuck at this crazy station and couldn't see a way to get home.
All in all there are three recurring themes in my dreams. Three themes that my dreams come back to every now and then and I always wake up relieved that I was just dreaming.
The first theme is not being able to get home or as a slight variation being very far away from home and wanting to get there real fast. Sometimes I'm just stuck at some place and I can't get away. One time I was in France with my family, but the boyfriend was still home and I knew I couldn't stay another day and wanted to leave immediately. But the prospect of such a long trip was upsetting enough.
The second theme is the boyfriend walking away. I've had several of these dreams and I all hate them equally. I don't recall any details, but it's always the boyfriend walking away from me, not reacting to me shouting or crying and leaving me alone whereever I am in that dream.
The third theme is people not taking me seriously. It's always someone (or several people) I really care about like my mother or the boyfriend or my aunts. I try to tell them something or talk to them, but they just won't listen to me. Or they do listen to me but don't give a shit about what I want. Those dreams usually end with me breaking down crying and sobbing and then sometimes I get a little attention.
Now, what does that say about me?
Still I won't bother to write them all down, especially since they are so fucked-up, strange and weird that it's nearly impossible to retell them. Most of all I remember waking up and being thankful that it was just a dream.
But this I will tell:
Two nights ago I dreamed something about me wanting to get home by train. I was somewhere south of Cologne and the train didn't go to where I live, so I knew I had to change trains at Cologne.
I got off and the whole station was a crowded crazy maze. There were stairs to the platforms all around. I tried to find out where my train was leaving and once I knew I hurried to where I thought the platform was, but I couldn't find it. I also remember running up some stairs only to find that they ended in a wall.
I got so frustrated and desperate because I wanted to get home and I was stuck at this crazy station and couldn't see a way to get home.
All in all there are three recurring themes in my dreams. Three themes that my dreams come back to every now and then and I always wake up relieved that I was just dreaming.
The first theme is not being able to get home or as a slight variation being very far away from home and wanting to get there real fast. Sometimes I'm just stuck at some place and I can't get away. One time I was in France with my family, but the boyfriend was still home and I knew I couldn't stay another day and wanted to leave immediately. But the prospect of such a long trip was upsetting enough.
The second theme is the boyfriend walking away. I've had several of these dreams and I all hate them equally. I don't recall any details, but it's always the boyfriend walking away from me, not reacting to me shouting or crying and leaving me alone whereever I am in that dream.
The third theme is people not taking me seriously. It's always someone (or several people) I really care about like my mother or the boyfriend or my aunts. I try to tell them something or talk to them, but they just won't listen to me. Or they do listen to me but don't give a shit about what I want. Those dreams usually end with me breaking down crying and sobbing and then sometimes I get a little attention.
Now, what does that say about me?
Unconscious Mutterings - Keep It Simple
- Usher - Should I care?
- Cherish - Be nice.
- Mistreat - Not so nice.
- Forum - That really ugly building downtown.
- Systematic - That's so me.
- Warning - Red.
- Wash - Laundry.
- I wish - Often unfulfilled.
- Candles - Everywhere around. Well, tealights actually.
- Metallic - Silver.
Again, you can take part and have a lot of fun... just click here.
Saturday, March 05, 2005
If I Had More To Tell I Would
The one thing about recovering at home is that there's not a lot happening and therefore no interesting things to write about.
Unless you're interested in stories about cleaning our apartment that is. Although I planned to spend most of the day in bed or on the couch I still went grocery shopping with the boyfriend and helped to clean the apartment.
But I also took a hot bath and spent a lot of time under blankets reading or watching TV. I want to finally finish Vanity Fair this weekend, but I'm not quite sure if that's going to happen. I still have about 150 pages to go.
The cold was joined by some occasional stomach pains that makes me seek refuge on the couch whenever it gets worse. Since my hospital stay in September 2003 I have grown a little bit sensitive about all kinds of stomach pains blaming it all on my friggin' intestine, wondering every now and then if I should have it checked out. But most of all, it just hurts.
And now, my friends, as you may or may not have guessed, I'm retreating once more to the couch. It's really cozy and comfortable. Plus, the boyfriend is there.
With his friend, the bass.
Unless you're interested in stories about cleaning our apartment that is. Although I planned to spend most of the day in bed or on the couch I still went grocery shopping with the boyfriend and helped to clean the apartment.
But I also took a hot bath and spent a lot of time under blankets reading or watching TV. I want to finally finish Vanity Fair this weekend, but I'm not quite sure if that's going to happen. I still have about 150 pages to go.
The cold was joined by some occasional stomach pains that makes me seek refuge on the couch whenever it gets worse. Since my hospital stay in September 2003 I have grown a little bit sensitive about all kinds of stomach pains blaming it all on my friggin' intestine, wondering every now and then if I should have it checked out. But most of all, it just hurts.
And now, my friends, as you may or may not have guessed, I'm retreating once more to the couch. It's really cozy and comfortable. Plus, the boyfriend is there.
With his friend, the bass.
Friday, March 04, 2005
And Slowly It Is (No, I'm Not Whiny)
No post again yesterday. I fell asleep on the couch around 10:30 pm and barely managed to drag myself into bed later. My throat hurts like hell and I have a teeny-weeny bit of high temperature, but it's more like a little more than I usually have, so it's not even close to be called feverish. I'm just carrying around a mean cold is what it is.
Anyway I was a brave girl and wouldn't let myself even think of calling in sick, so I have to cure the cold on the weekend, along with learning French, finishing Vanity Fair and playing around with Flash and ActionScript, since the latter is what I did at work for the last two days building a new intro for their website. Yes, I'm creativity gal right now and it drives me nuts. I like it more when I'm programming gal, but I guess I can't always have what I want.
On a more, let's say - profane matter, I'm catching up on Six Feet Under right now. Also, I'm not that far behind anymore concerning Smallville and Charmed. That's basically all I have accomplished at home. I wasn't strong enough to even clean up the piles of paper and stuff crowding my desk. The new job and that mean cold made me a tired feeble woman.
And let me get that straight: I'm not whining. Nor am I complaining.
I'm just stating the facts.
I guess next week will be better. I just really need the weekend now to recover and do all these housework tasks I have so consequently neglected this week.
God, my bed looks great. I want to go there. Now.
By the way, thanks for all your understanding comments. One of the worst things is that I really want to write blog entries. I had so much in mind to write about, but once more reality stood in my way.
And just so you know... this is me whining: I so need money. I want CDs of Benjamin Biolay so badly it hurts. And there's this whole list of books I want to read. I need money. I have earned money. Why isn't it on my bank account? I really need these CDs. It's practically a matter of life and death.
That was me whining. Did you like it. Nah, didn't think so either.
Anyway I was a brave girl and wouldn't let myself even think of calling in sick, so I have to cure the cold on the weekend, along with learning French, finishing Vanity Fair and playing around with Flash and ActionScript, since the latter is what I did at work for the last two days building a new intro for their website. Yes, I'm creativity gal right now and it drives me nuts. I like it more when I'm programming gal, but I guess I can't always have what I want.
On a more, let's say - profane matter, I'm catching up on Six Feet Under right now. Also, I'm not that far behind anymore concerning Smallville and Charmed. That's basically all I have accomplished at home. I wasn't strong enough to even clean up the piles of paper and stuff crowding my desk. The new job and that mean cold made me a tired feeble woman.
And let me get that straight: I'm not whining. Nor am I complaining.
I'm just stating the facts.
I guess next week will be better. I just really need the weekend now to recover and do all these housework tasks I have so consequently neglected this week.
God, my bed looks great. I want to go there. Now.
By the way, thanks for all your understanding comments. One of the worst things is that I really want to write blog entries. I had so much in mind to write about, but once more reality stood in my way.
And just so you know... this is me whining: I so need money. I want CDs of Benjamin Biolay so badly it hurts. And there's this whole list of books I want to read. I need money. I have earned money. Why isn't it on my bank account? I really need these CDs. It's practically a matter of life and death.
That was me whining. Did you like it. Nah, didn't think so either.
Wednesday, March 02, 2005
Recovering, But Slowly
Last night I dreamt that I was ill. My mom took my temperate and it was 41.3° Celsius. But I kept saying that I would go to work nevertheless because I couldn't possibly call in sick on my second day.
Yes, my fears of doing something stupid and being fired are haunting my dreams. It's not really that bad, in the sense that I have a reason to be afraid of being fired, it's more that I have never been in such a situation before. Such a situation meaning having a real job with real work and responsibility and people actually expecting you do well.
Then again today everything was fine and even better. I did NOT set the alarm off when I left yesterday and I got real work to do with actual responsibilities for what I do including talking to someone in Switzerland about what's to be done and, on a little side note, getting French emails forwarded to translate. It's so fucking great.
I actually do think that I caught a cold or something because I woke up with a sore throat and that's always an indicator that I have a cold. I hope it won't get so bad, so I can still go to work.
Wow, did I just say that?
Yes, my fears of doing something stupid and being fired are haunting my dreams. It's not really that bad, in the sense that I have a reason to be afraid of being fired, it's more that I have never been in such a situation before. Such a situation meaning having a real job with real work and responsibility and people actually expecting you do well.
Then again today everything was fine and even better. I did NOT set the alarm off when I left yesterday and I got real work to do with actual responsibilities for what I do including talking to someone in Switzerland about what's to be done and, on a little side note, getting French emails forwarded to translate. It's so fucking great.
I actually do think that I caught a cold or something because I woke up with a sore throat and that's always an indicator that I have a cold. I hope it won't get so bad, so I can still go to work.
Wow, did I just say that?
Unconscious Mutterings - Done In 60 Seconds
- You’ve got a friend - Carole King
- Immigration - More like emigration
- Waitress - Tori Amos and what I did once
- Snickers - I prefer Twix and Bounty
- Recognize - Realize
- Concept - Needs to be grasped and often isn't
- Birthday - Some months
- Told you so - Evil mothers
- Unlikely - A lot of things, unfortunately
- Extension - Company calls
Again, you can take part and have a lot of fun... just click here.
Tuesday, March 01, 2005
Am I Still Complete? Wait, I HAVE To Check.
I really didn't write yesterday. That could be because I remember coming home and falling into bed. Actually, I remember coming home, falling on the couch, watching the last three episodes of Wonderfalls and then falling into bed. Whatever. Somehow it didn't include sitting at my computer and letting creativity flow.
If I hadn't been so damn tired and still am, I would feel a lot more sorry. But I happen to just have changed my workplace, so I figured it might be excusable.
So, today is the same. Which means that I won't write much. Just know that I went there , was welcomed and learned a strange programming language named MUMPS. Yes, like the illness. If I didn't accidentally set off the alarm when I left (don't ask) and therefore am fired tomorrow I actually think I might like it there. I mean, I work at a company that doesn't still use NT 4.0 as their OS. How can I NOT be happy?
Also, here the things that I had to neglect while being stressed on the one side and trying hard to relax on the other:
If I hadn't been so damn tired and still am, I would feel a lot more sorry. But I happen to just have changed my workplace, so I figured it might be excusable.
So, today is the same. Which means that I won't write much. Just know that I went there , was welcomed and learned a strange programming language named MUMPS. Yes, like the illness. If I didn't accidentally set off the alarm when I left (don't ask) and therefore am fired tomorrow I actually think I might like it there. I mean, I work at a company that doesn't still use NT 4.0 as their OS. How can I NOT be happy?
Also, here the things that I had to neglect while being stressed on the one side and trying hard to relax on the other:
- My weekly introduction of another blog I like
- The Unconscious Mutterings
- Several other things I wanted to write about
- That cool meme thing I saw on the Blondelibrarian's blog
- Commenting on YOUR blog
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