today's short list

short list of things i dislike:

1. having to tell my cfo that we are a significant amount (trust me on this) over the initial budgeted amount, due to the drastic and completely unexpected increase in attendance numbers (to the tune of 1100 people).

2. people who do not understand the following:
dead•line
function: noun
1 a : a date or time before which something must be done


short list of things i like:

1. good tickets at wmzqfest

it's true, and i'm not ashamed to say it. i love country music. i realize that you may not have figured that out from my recent playlists, but that is only because i am sensitive to the needs of my readers, and i know many of them need to not listen to country music.

after having had an awesome experience at last year's local country music festival (that's the first time lara and i saw jason aldean perform), it was a no brainer for this year. only, we have both been so overwhelmed at work that we didn't realize tickets had gone on sale some time ago. yikes!

luckily we scored some great tickets, and will be rockin out with mr. honky tonk badonkadonk himself (as well as gretchen wilson, and a whole slew of acts that haven't yet been announced). yee-haw, i look hot in a cowboy hat!

disclaimer: that jason aldean post comes from the time before i deleted my blog and recreated it, so it still has the 'old look' and it always will.

glory by association

i didn't go to george mason. but my high school graduation was held there. and i've attended several concerts there. and i went to a game this season--not too long ago, in fact. so i am claiming indirect glory for their unexpected success.

if you dispute my claim, please keep in mind that i now have to revamp an event i've been working on for an entire year to accommodate the interest and timing of saturday's game. by virtue of my sacrifice, i feel i've earned the right to this petition.

thanks in advance for your careful consideration.

more conversations on clothes (and in them)

(on phone)

me: hi. do you do alterations?
man: yes
me: so, if i needed to have a sleeve lined, you could do that?
man: one second please
man 2: hello?
me: hi. i need to have a sleeve lined. can you do that there?
man 2: a sleeve what?
me: a liner put in a sleeve
man 2: you want a liner in a sleeve?
me: yes, can you do that?
man 2: why do you want to do that?
me: because right now it's see through, and i need it to not be.
man 2: oh. okay. yes, we can do that.

needless to say, my confidence is shaky. and i think the company should pay for my dress, my alterations, and shoes, since i don't have a choice but to be at the shin dig.

the final countdown

to do list:

confirm shuttles for overflow hotels

select linens

contact dj jeremy and dj james re power requirements

confirm band setup

finalize beos

proof name badges

proof signage

finalize rooming list

confirm greek centerpieces

review 'american' menu

confirm cabaret band

finalize parking email and distribute to all hotel guests

get 2nd deposit check cut for hotel

solicit names of key staff for tips

decide on heat requirements for tent

identify reserved tables

follow up on frames

etc. etc. etc.

v for vendetta:
bobby jones: stroke of genius: (i really like golf movies, even though my golf experience is limited to mini)

v for van atta

yes, i saw it. i liked it. i know some of you will disagree, and that's ok. mostly i just couldn't resist the play on words. for years people have been pronouncing my name like an italian sports car; 'venetta', so i felt like i was owed some cheap humor.

but mostly what i want to ramble about today are my adventures in shopping. they started last night, when i ran out of foundation. i only wear makeup in the winter, because i get so pale it's fairly terrifying, so needless to say, running out of foundation at this critical juncture was tantamount to crises. so, i got to the store and immediately honed in on what i was looking for. but serendipitously, someone had put something in the wrong place, and it was right next to my product of choice. it peaked my curiosity. it was a 'smart shade' foundation.

i didn't really know what that meant, but the product labeling seemed to imply that it was smart enough to match your skin tone. there were only three choices. light, medium, and dark. i stood in the cosmetics aisle for nigh on fifteen minutes deciding whether or not to take the risk. eventually, my curiosity got the better of me.

when i got home, i opened the product to try it out. it was a white cream. 'oh heavens' i thought, 'what have i done?' but i proceeded to apply it anyway. then, the most magical thing happened. it was turning colors. and it was matching my skin tone perfectly. it was a makeup miracle.

after that blessed experience, i headed to the mall before meeting up with corey for 'vendetta'. on a whim, i stopped into the gap. i say 'on a whim' because I have been to every gap store within a 50 mile radius of dc, as well as several in new york, in search of their new 'curvy fit' (how wonderful is that?!) jeans. i already have a pair in the dark wash, but i wanted a pair in the light wash. look people, you go with what works.

i had given up on finding it in my size, which, inexplicably always seemed to be missing. but last night, i thought 'what the heck. i'm here.' i boldly entered the gap, dead set on disappointment. i walked over to the shelf, preparing my 'dag gonit' facial expression, and what i saw shocked and amazed me. there they were. beautifully folded, and i swear they had my name written on them.

readjusting to my 'elated' facial expression, i happily marched them to the sales counter. i set them down, and the following conversation ensued:

sales lady: um, this is a size __ (no one needs to know this)
me: um, yes
sales lady: i'm sorry, but, do you wear a size __?
me: um, yes
sales lady: did you try them on? i think they are going to be much too big.
me: no, but i'm wearing the same pair right now.
sales lady: (checking me out with awe) i would have never thought you were a size __. you don't look like a size __. wow. i never would have guessed.
me: in my head, i've just given you everything i own.

okay, not really on that last one. but you get the idea.

today's adventures have been a bit more challenging. i have been on the hunt for shoes. not just any shoes, but high heels. and not just any high heels. high heels that i can comfortably run around in for 6-8 hours on saturday night on hard floors. ladies, you will know how difficult a task this is. and what makes it more difficult is that you don't really know if you have succeeded until it's too late to change your mind. i did find a pair i think will work, but i wish i could just get away with wearing tevas or birks on saturday night. somehow i don't think they will go with my cocktail dress.

last but not least, and just for fun, here is a pic of my bro awhile back. he dressed up as kurt cobain for a ward oscar night, and i think he pulls it off pretty well. i couldn't resist posting! (thanks, tamara)

vanity, thy name is stamp

i did something silly today, because i need to do silly things when i am feeling particularly not silly. so today my silly thing was ordering personalized stamps.

i wanted to incorporate my all-time favorite quote: "go confidently in the direction of your dreams. live the life you've imagined.' (thoreau) but it's a little text heavy. so i cut it down, and threw it on a traveling picture. it's not my favorite pic of me, and i really wanted one in amsterdam (instead of paris), but the eiffel tower seemed to compliment the quote better--as in, it is more recognizable.

i've been trying to write more handwritten notes since the beginning of the year, and find that fun special touches make it easier to stay motivated. hence my love of wax seals, and my new sillyness for personalized stamps.

insomnia

definition:

sleeping problems, called insomnia, can take several forms:

* difficulty falling asleep when you first go to bed at night
* waking up too early in the morning
* waking up frequently throughout the night

all types of insomnia can lead to daytime drowsiness, poor concentration, and the inability to feel refreshed and rested in the morning.

when i was 17, i had an epiphany. i was at a slumber party, and realized that while all of my friends were happily slumbering, i was wide awake. then i realized that this had happened at every slumber party, sleepover, or family trip i had ever participated in. i understood for the first time that laying in bed for two to three hours before falling asleep, was not normal. and it came as a shock.

now here i am, 12 years later, and not much has changed. i still lay awake for hours before achieving the blissful peace of sleep. but even when achieved, it is too quickly interrupted by the buzzing of the alarm clock, and it's time to pretend like i feel rested and well. the truth is, i don't. i very rarely do. i often bail out of things because i am simply too tired--which is particularly frustrating because i abhor flakiness in other people. of course, i don't feel like i can say 'i am too tired' and have anyone truly understand, so it usually ends up being 'i'm sorry to cancel, i'm just not feeling very well.' my 'excuses' have put a strain on many a friendship.

to add insult to injury, it seems that not only do i have difficulty falling asleep at night, but i actually hit a second wind. on any given day, i could go home from work and take a nap (quickly falling asleep), and be up all night. or i could forgo the nap in the hopes of going to bed at a normal time, only to be sadly reminded that that is simply not how it works for me. i can sleep anywhere in the middle of the day (a plane, the floor), but when it comes to bedtime, i am out of luck.

a friend suggested some time ago that i had probably done this to myself. my love of reading developed as a child, and i could often be found under the covers with flashlight and book in hand, during the wee hours of the morning. as i aged, that continued. it wasn't always a book, sometimes it was tv, or internet surfing, but it was usually something. this friend proposed that over the years, i had trained my brain to maintain alertness while in bed. that i had never given it the opportunity to 'rest', and therefore, it was incapable of doing so.

that made perfect sense to me. so, i went out and bought a nice comfy chair for my room. for nearly a year, i would not allow myself to read, watch tv, or internet surf in my bed. it was the chair, or nothing. it didn't help. not one tiny little bit. so i went back to doing those things in my bed. i understand that 1 year may not erase 20+ years of behavior, but do i have to sit in that chair for 20 more years to make it go away?

another friend suggested that my insomnia may be the result of my love affair with diet coke. this also made complete sense to me. so, for a respectable amount of time, i seriously cut down my intake, and would not allow myself the pleasure after 6:00pm. didn't make an ounce of difference. so i went back to my diet coke.

at one point i remembered that i have been able to fall asleep quickly, when visiting grandma's lakehouse, or while on a beach vacation. so i bought one of those 'nature sounds' cds in an attempt to lull myself to sleep with the peaceful background music of water. again, no luck.

i've tried over the counter sleeping pills from time to time with varying results. mostly they do nothing, and i can almost hear my brain saying (in mocking tones) 'you thought you could outsmart me? i am your brain afterall.'

it's true that i could have gone to a doctor a long time ago, but the idea of being dependent on a pill terrifies me. i think though, it may have finally come to that. maybe there is something i have missed that can only be discovered through professional help. i'm tired of being tired.

oh billy, you're my hero

has anyone seen stage beauty?

i am reminded again about the nature of expectation v. perspective. high expectations increase your odds of being disappointed. low expectations increase your odds of being pleasantly surprised. recently, i've seen a bunch of crappy movies i expected to be good. tonight i saw an excellent one i expected to be mediocre (at best).

i have a few random flicks in my blockbuster queue, because let's face it, i've seen the majority of 'mainstream' movies. i don't remember stage beauty ever being in theaters, but i have been a claire danes fan since back in the my so called life days, so i figured, what the heck.

the movie takes place in england, in a time where women are forbidden on stage, and addresses the whims of power, role reversal, self-discovery, and of course, mad love. the on-screen chemistry is intense, the period well represented (well enough anyway) and truth be told, i am still looking for a flaw.

clearly, opinions expressed on any topic are based on our own experiences, and i find it likely that my amazement and awe of this movie comes in part from my low expectations, and in part from my history and interest in the theater.

whatever the reasons for my high praise, billy crudup and claire danes have rescued me from the bad movie blues.

stage beuaty: ('nuff said)

friday night lights: (i almost forgot what a weirdo billy bob thornton is)

tickle me

recently steph and erin have been showering us with a variety of fun and entertaining quizzes, so i thought i would share my favorite 'quiz' site, and some of the results i've gotten...



You're an Amorous Adventurer

Carefree and fun, you are easily excited when it comes to new experiences — and that includes relationships. It's not that you see boyfriends as frivolous pursuits, but you enjoy the art of the chase, and you work to make sure that long-term relationships maintain that sense of adventure and surprise.

You may not be the type of girlfriend who spends every waking hour with her man, but that doesn't mean you're not thinking about him. You're just an independent woman, and it's important for you to feel challenged and creative in most things you do. That's what makes any relationship an adventure.

***

Your signature city is Seattle

Sleepless in Seattle? We don't think so. You may be laidback but that doesn't mean you're lacking in energy. Someone as adventurous and active as you is the perfect pairing with a city that's filled with fresh air, beautiful waterfront, snow-capped mountains, and plenty to do.

Whether you're hiking, skiing, or biking, you lead the way to new heights and lots of fun. And what better place to reach new heights of fun than in your signature city? How about from the top of the Space Needle or Mt. Rainier? You can quench your need for speed in the Great Outdoors, check out a jazz club or a museum, and wash it all down with a fresh cup of java at one of the city's countless cafés — all in one day. Now that's something we can all toast to!

***

Your match is Brad Pitt!

We can hear your heart fluttering from here. Yes, it's true — Hollywood golden boy Brad Pitt is your celebrity dream date. This outrageously handsome, disarmingly sexy Missouri-raised cutie may be taken, but that doesn't mean you can't daydream about a passionate affair. After all, your preference for sensitive, romantically boyish guys means Mr. Sexiest Man Alive (according to People in 1995 and 2000, that is) is right up your alley. We can just tell that his athletic build and clean-cut charm are matched only by his desire to keep you satisfied (look what he did for Geena Davis in Thelma and Louise!). Sure, he dressed up as a giant chicken to make money when he first moved to L.A., but that smidge of goofiness intrigues you, doesn't it? We can just picture a perfect date between the two of you. Imagine a night at the drive-in: one milkshake, two straws. Need we say more?

***

Your celebrity smile style is Innocent Like Drew

While we'd never believe she's Never Been Kissed, Drew is sweet and innocent smile is what makes so many women want to be her, and so many men want to be with her. Like Drew, you have a sparkling personality that can light up a room (or a movie set) the moment you walk into it. Accompanied by an easy-going manner, your charming nature tells people that you are trustworthy and ready for a good time.

You love to laugh about anything — jokes, pranks, yourself — and you prefer to maintain a childlike sense of wonder and amusement about the world. Even when things don't go your way, your positive attitude always helps you find the bright side of things. Keep on smiling!

***

You're Hot 'n' Sexy

When you enter a room, all eyes gravitate toward you. Like a moth to a flame, people can't help but notice you. Maybe it's how you casually move through a crowd or that glow you give off when you flash that smile. You're hot and it shows. Could it be the haircut that says it all about you, the jeans that fit just right, or the casual way you saunter across a room looking confident from all angles?

You have an air about you that commands respect from men and women alike. You possess such outward strength that these people ache to be around you. When you speak, people hang on your every word. You are so full of charisma and cachet that, whether in a business or social setting, you can gauge the mood in the room and offer the right compliment or provocative statement for any scene. Do you have a secret intuition about how people work? Just maybe. And that's one of the sexiest things about you.

***

Your true color is Green!

You're green, the color of growth and vigor. Good-hearted and giving, you have a knack for finding and bringing out the best in people. Green is the most down-to-earth color in the spectrum — reliable and trustworthy. People know they can count on you to be around in times of need, since your concern for people is genuine and sincere. You take pride in being a good friend. For you, success is measured in terms of personal achievement and growth, not by status or position. Rare as emeralds, greens are wonderful, natural people. It truly is your color!

***

Your dream event is the DAYTONA 500!

It's the longest, fastest course on the NASCAR circuit. Of course the DAYTONA 500 is your dream event. There's only one place where you can live out your adrenaline-charged, drag-racing fantasies—where precision machines take hairy turns at more than 200 mph, where the difference between first and fifth place is decided by how quickly your pit crew can change a bald tire.

The DAYTONA 500 is the race that started it all, that accelerated the rise in popularity that makes NASCAR America's No. 1 spectator sport. So don't sit back and wait for the televised event. Pack your bags and get ready for the smell of burned rubber, fried bologna sandwiches, and motor oil. Join the thousands of diehard grandstand fans who already know that auto racing can give you a better rush than bungee jumping and skydiving combined.

Your future has DAYTONA written all over it. It's time for palm trees, beaches, and warm nights in the middle of February. Come on, everybody's doing it. Even Aerosmith entered a car in last year's race. Just put your pedal to the metal and get movin.' You don't want to be late when the checkered flag drops.

***

You're an Irish Setter!

No bones about it, you're a devil-may-care Irish Setter. Fun-loving and light-hearted, life is an adventure for you — an attitude your nearest and dearest find refreshing and inspiring. Witty, with a nose for fun, you can turn any social gathering into an unforgettable event, which is why you're always at the top of the guest list. Your varied interests — anything and everything from sky-diving to club hopping — make you extremely well-rounded. Just make sure you don't get distracted and lose sight of your responsibilities. As long as you stay balanced, you're a lucky dog who will always be a kid at heart — woof!

***

Your inner rock star is Faith Hill!

Hey, gal, your inner rock star is all Faith Hill. You are country, as sweet and sultry as summertime honeysuckle. You can warm hearts with your charming stage style, but you're calm and friendly with your success because you're grounded in the important things in life—family, friends, good living. Your balance has let you to build all the talent that's at your disposal, and that comes from your superstar commitment. You've been blessed with natural talents, grace, and glamour—not to mention spunk—that just flow out of you like honey. Thank your inner Faith Hill. She's making things happen for you!

***

You're fit to commit because you know what you want

You don't need us to tell you that you're on the right track. A cool and confident person, you know what you want; now it's just a matter of finding it. Even more important, you know that love is about much more than what kind of clothes they wear or car they drive. And you're ready to make it work.

You've gotten to a place where you are happy with your life, and you're ready to share it with someone special. So whether you've found them or are still looking, know that this time, you'll get what you want.

***

proof: (they seem to have forgotten to write an ending)

the hours: (i couldn't even finish this. i was afraid i would go jump off a bridge)

good girl: (i seem to have inadvertently ended up on a gyllenhall tangent)

punch drunk love: (a bit strange with quirky humor)

triumph of love: (mira sorvino makes me want to throw up)


please help! i need to see a good movie!

creature of the light and night

i have a new boyfriend. his name is bradley, and he is 5. but he'll be six next month. today was the first time i've met bradley. he normally comes to nvtrp on wednesday nights, so our relationship may be over before it's truly begun. however, that doesn’t minimize the fact that i adore him.

i'm not sure exactly what his disability is, but he doesn't have the physical strength to hold his own weight, and his mental acuity is behind that of normal developmental stages. that cannot negate the sweetness of his smile or laugh, however, and we took an instant liking to each other. he says he'll remember me for a hundred years, but i would be happy with a week.

that made the morning fly by, even though my last rider was one of the more difficult. at his first lesson, this boy was crying, screaming, pinching, and biting. it was amazing to see the progress he has made in just a short two weeks. no crying, no screaming, no biting, and only one or two pinches. believe me, the improvement was marked. so even though his lesson required a lot more energy than the other two, it was still extremely rewarding to see the impact that the program is having on him.

the other thing i really enjoy about being involved with this group, is that much like gardening (when i used to garden), it is the only thing currently in my life that simply does not allow the world in. i don’t care what i look like, or what is going on outside of that riding ring. nothing exists but me, the horses, the children, and the instructors. and anytime i can shut the world out, i consider it a miracle.

but, for whatever reason, shutting the world out seems to take a lot of energy. today in particular. so i came home, showered, took a nap, and accomplished only a couple of my 'to dos' before heading to fairfax to bowl.


seeing as how this is my first real foray into sociability in sometime, and i was going with a massive headache, i was a tad bit apprehensive. but as usual, stephanie managed to bring together a bunch of fun people, and a good time was had, particularly by me, who had the high score for the evening. not that that has anything to do with it of course;)












more pics here.

short attention span theater

i got bored with my site again. this one may not last long, but i needed a change to reflect my sincere hopes that summer is not too far away.

***

in other news, last night we said farewell to another co-worker. an institution at the institution. cina has been here for i don't even know how long, and has been the spine of the department, allowing us all to get our jobs done with more efficiency and fewer politics--the value of which cannot be overstated.

***

it seems that in every job i have been in, at at least one period during my tenure, there has been a mass exodus of sorts. you never know who is going to kick it off, but once it begins, employees fall like dominos. i can't help but wonder if this is sheer coincidence, or if seeing someone else leave encourages our own restlessness and desire for something new. i know that i have certainly been feeling like i need a change lately, but when i really analyze it, it doesn't make any sense.

***

i'm in the final preparatory stages of the spring gala planning, which is the type of event event planners love to plan. expected attendance is 3000+. we'll have three djs (one top 40, one latin/salsa, one hip-hop/r&b) and two live bands. the theme is 'around the world', so each ballroom will have different decor and menu items (e.g. the asian market, the mexican cantina, the greek garden, etc.).

basically, it is the most creative i get to be all year. and i'm starting to panic. i always do this when i get to the homestretch. i start thinking i haven't worked hard enough--that i don't have enough overtime hours, and it is all going to blow up in my face. it never does, and my panic no longer garners sympathy around here. when i tell someone i'm starting to get nervous, the response is always the same 'you always do this, and it's always perfect. stop worrying.'

but they pay me to worry. they pay me for the things that enter my little pea brain at 2:45am in my pseudo-sleep. the things that probably no one will notice, but if they weren't taken care of, everyone would. so for two more weeks, i worry, i plan, and i stop feeling restless.

***

after april 1, i have to start giving thought and energy to the mid-singles again. the one disadvantage of having a church calling that in many ways mirrors your job, is that the burnout seems to happen a heck of a lot faster. maybe this gala will stem a new wave of energy and brilliance. here's hoping anyway!

***

i have been having weird dreams about my dog, ever since i saw eight below. well, really they are nightmares involving fights with other animals, missing appendages, that sort of thing. last night i dreamed i was visiting my ex-boyfriend and his wife (and it wasn't an amicable breakup) in utah, and i brought cyra. she was outside playing in the backyard with his dog, found a niche under the fence and disappeared forever. this is all very disconcerting, since i rarely remember my dreams, and when i do i have about a 50/50 track record of them actually happening in some form or another. yikes!

***

for those of you interested in how the wedding plans are proceeding, still no groom potentials. however, according to tickle.com, i still have nothing to worry about:

the wedding date predictor

tara, you're a total opening very soon!

congratulations, and make sure to put tickle on the guest list! start making your plans now. we have calculated your responses according to our scientific formula and harmonized the results to the venutian lunar calendar. if you are not already attached, keep in mind that all men who cross your path may be grooms in disguise.

you will be married by: saturday, august 2, 2008

social factors

on the social front, you are pretty serious marriage material. as you read this, forces beyond your control are aligning to put you on the altar with mr. right. it's you, girl. your number is up, and someone out there is just dying to pop you the question. there's no need to book a flight to vegas, but you might want to start thinking about your wedding gown.

emotional factors

emotionally, you seem to be very ready for marriage. you have got what it takes to run the distance, and all signs are "go." in our opinion, mr. right clearly senses your readiness, and is just gathering the courage to pop the question. maybe you should give a few subtle hints, such as mentioning how much you love diamonds, or asking whether you look good in bridal white.

sexual factors

you have very few sexually motivated reasons for avoiding marriage. of course, the carefree single life can pose a strong attraction, but you probably prefer the thought of devoting yourself to one person. it's true that there are a lot of unsolved mysteries out there, but once you've found the right person, it's time to close shop. congratulations on having the strength and security to know what's right for you.

***

if you ever wanted to know how to say, 'your place or mine?' in latin, here it is: apudne te vel me?

***

that's all for today's short attention span theater. thank you for coming. we hope you enjoyed the show.

a trunk full of...me

when i was cleaning out my car before the drive to new york, i couldn't help but consider whether or not the items found in my trunk would provide an accurate portrayal of me.

said items include:

(1) beach chair
(1) boogie board
(1) blanket
(1) yoga mat
(2) books
(1) emergency roadside kit, including jumper cables, flares, flasher, etc.
(1) dress
(1) event kit, including surge protector, sharpies, scissors, exacto, etc.
(1) pair flip flops
(2) book of mormons
(1) racquetball racquet
(1) bin sunglasses
(2) purses

so does my trunk define me adequately? well, it comes pretty close.

i love the beach and don't get there often enough.

you never know when you are going to be stuck in your car in the middle of a snowstorm, so a blanket is never a bad idea.

with my new found love of yoga, i can never be sure when i might want to drop in on a class.

i'm often early for meetings and appointments and end up killing time. part of the reason i am working on so many books at once.

as many times as i have left my lights on, it would be plain stupid to drive around without jumper cables.

i bought a dress in preparation for my upcoming spring gala, but it will require some modification. i may end up returning it.

an event kit is a must for any event planner, and it's just easier to keep it in my car.

flip flops always come in handy after a long day at work in heels, or for on the fly pedicures.

just in case i bump into someone on the street who wants more info about being mormon, the b of m is the perfect solution.

racquetball is the only sport i truly love to play.

i have sensitive eyes and need sunglasses even in cloudy conditions. the quantity and variety stems from sheer vanity.

a girl always needs a stash of purses. i have them stashed in all sorts of places.

if i were going to add anything to the trunk to round out the portrait, i think the only other things i would include are a cd changer (except i really only use my ipod in my car) and a photo album (except most of my photo albums are digital). other than that, i think my trunk represents the various sides of me quite well!

bella luna

the lunar eclipse seems to be wreakin' a bit of havoc. the quiet existence (otherwise known as the 'hole') i have created for myself in the last couple of months seems to have fallen in on me in the span of twenty four hours.

i have always had an interest in an astrology. i don't believe everything i read, but i have a feeling that somehow there is truth in some of it. and if not, it makes for great entertainment. so this morning, when i mentioned a recent pleasant but unexpected development to a co-worker, her response was 'it must be the lunar eclipse. it's making everything wonky.'

tonight's eclipse was a full penumbral, which is apparently very rare (occuring only five times this century, with the next one occurring in 2053). in this kind of eclipse, the earth stands exactly between the sun and the moon as the moon crosses through earth's outer perimeter shadow, or penumbra. it isn't a total lunar eclipse, which occurs when the moon runs through the shadow core and turns a rusty brown. in a penumbral eclipse, the color change is supposedly more subtle.

given my predisposition to be interested in things like moons and tides and horoscopes, i did a little reading. i'm a virgo, and as it happens, this particular eclipse is occurring in the house of virgo, which, in theory, means is affects me more strongly. as a completely unrelated oddity, this eclipse began at 21:21, the number that has consistently imposed it's own set of strange occurences in my life.

based on the way things have been going and are looking, i found the following info/speculation particularly interesting:

eclipses are extremely powerful full and new moons, and represent a key tool the universe uses to create dramatic, rapid change. generally, we get four eclipses a year, and they always come in pairs, two weeks apart, every five- and-a-half months.

until now all the eclipses have been in aries-libra or taurus-scorpio, but those families of eclipses are over. (more accurately, this month, the last eclipse in the aries-libra family, a solar eclipse in aries, will occur with the march 29 eclipse.)

starting this month, all future eclipses (falling every five-and-a-half months) will be in virgo and pisces until they are finished on february 21, 2008. at that time a total of eight eclipses in that family of signs will have occurred, all at very different mathematical degrees. each eclipse will touch a different virgo birthday. the march 14 eclipse will be a full moon lunar eclipse, and lunar eclipses bring an ending. the march 29 eclipse will be a solar eclipse, marking a fresh start. lunar eclipses are far more emotional experiences for they are full moons, while a solar eclipse is more rational and objective.

all eclipses seem to bring curve balls and unexpected events, and that's why we almost always sit up and take notice of events that come by.

- you might say that it's been coming a long time. relationship matters that blow into your life near the full moon lunar eclipse march 14 could rock your world, so brace for news you don't expect. this lunar eclipse will be in virgo, so you may feel like you are in the center of the storm.

- with eclipses, follow along and do the right thing. there are non-negotiable events that have to be taken seriously. you can get the right help and feel great again later, but getting there starts with getting help from a doctor or dentist.

- the universe sends us eclipses to be sure we are aware of certain circumstances or activities. it will be important to jump on what comes to light.

- with mercury retrograde, chances of a misunderstanding with your partner will increase, so make sure you get and send the right message. still, in this case, mercury retrograde will more likely act in a different way, to force you to go back to an earlier issue that was never resolved. you will either fix it by applying a completely different and quite innovative solution or give up on the relationship and leave the alliance altogether.

eclipse or no eclipse, things are getting very interesting.

live from new york

(this episode has been pre-recorded)

wow, a whole three days without a post. you didn't think it was possible, did you? apparently it is. and cutting myself off from most everything and everyone did wonders for me.

oral surgery on wednesday was pretty painful. when the doctor prescribed pain killers, he said 'just in case'. just in case! the second the novacaine started wearing off, i was on my way to the pharmacy. and once there i had to wait an hour. apparently crying does not get your prescription filled any faster.

the rest of wednesday and thursday were pretty miserable, but i had planned to leave for ny to see deb on friday afternoon, and i wasn't going to be stopped. fortunately, by friday the pain had lessened enough so that i could drive without the painkillers.

after running a couple of errands i left at about 1pm, knowing i was playing with fire by arriving in the city around rush hour. but i thought it couldn't be that bad. famous last thoughts. the three miles from the nj turnpike exit to the far side of the lincoln tunnel took me an hour and a half. no lie. they had seven or eight lanes merging into one. and worse than that, in my lane were a bunch of pa drivers (who are by far the worst). they forgot they were now in ny, and were actually giving people the arm out the window 'please let me merge' signs. lol. the one thing i've learned from driving in new york is that you have to think 'i am getting in that lane. if you are going to try and stop me, you are going to have to hit me,' or you'll never get anywhere. apparently pennsylvania drivers still have yet to learn that.

eventually i made it to deb's and was simply exhausted. i beat her home, but not by much, and we chilled out for while. originally we had intended to go to a birthday dinner of her friend renee (who i have been looking forward to meeting). but the location and timing just didn't work for me. i needed to recuperate before venturing out again.

as an alternative, we ended up going for sushi (though i had teriyaki) with andrea, hillary, lisa, chris, chris' brother, and matt. i wish i hadn't felt so out of it, but it was fun to finally put some faces to names, and of course, spending time with matt is always a pleasure;) if tamara had been there, it would have been the icing on the cake!

after dinner, matt, deb, and i headed to blockbuster, while the rest of the group went back to deb's. it's a scary thing being dubbed 'movie picker' for a group, it's so much pressure! finally we came to a consensus and grabbed 'elizabethtown'. a quick ice cream stop and we were headed home.

with the exception of lisa, who went to bed a few minutes in, the group enjoyed the movie. it was a fairly perfect evening for me. curling up in the recliner with the most amazing pineapple coconut ice cream i've ever had, and watching one of my favorite movies. now that is a vacation.

the perfection continued on saturday. we slept in, had a quick bite, and headed out to enjoy the beautiful weather by shopping, what else. it was one of those magical shopping days. you know, the days when you take stuff into a dressing room without the faintest hope it will fit. then it does. and it looks amazing. it was one of those days. multiple stores, multiple items. i got to the point i just stopped trying on things because i knew they would fit, and that i would love them, and that i would spend more money. we hit all the usual haunts, enjoyed paninis at a side street cafe, and covered a lot of territory.

we hurried home to throw our flip flops on and get to the nail place before they closed. it was divine to be completely pampered after spending the day working so hard, and it's probably the best manicure i've ever had.

then it was time for dinner (which we grabbed at whole foods) and getting ready for the regional stake singles dance, which, this time around was latin.

i've been in a real anti-boy mode the last couple of months. not that i'm 'down with boys' or anything, just no one has really struck my fancy, and i've been focusing more on improving me. it was a wonderful thing to get ready for a dance knowing that while i wanted to look good for me, i didn't care what anyone else thought. truly. i probably care too much what people think on a normal regular basis, so it was completely refreshing.

the dance was a little bit of a disappointment. the turnout was lower than expected, and they had been doing dance classes every week prior in preparation, so most of the dancers were people that had attended the classes, and they were pretty exclusive in their pairings.

however, the only hope/expectation i had of the evening was to see mihaela, which i did. after the dance, she, deb, and i headed to a nearby diner so that we could get caught up, which all in all made for another perfect evening, topped off by tea and cookies at deb's with detailed analysis of the evening. like i said. perfect.

sunday involved sleeping in again, and then getting ready for church. i realized that every time i go to new york, i expect to be intimidated by 'beautiful fabulous people'..you know, the ones living 'the life'. and every time i go, i come away thinking, that could have been langley, or colonial, or any other singles ward. just a bunch of single mormons, some of whom are more beautiful and more fabulous than others. speaking of which, i will say this... sometimes, when you go to church in new york, you take the sacrament with this guy:

aaron eckhart

to be fair, i wasn't watching whether or not he took the sacrament, but i was watching. hubba. hubba.

aside from that entertainment, the highlight at church was finally getting to meet deb's friend renee, who i instantly liked. i was regretting the choice to bail on friday's dinner a little bit, but i'm sure there will be an opportunity to get to know her better in the future. i was also happy to meet renee's brother who had flown in from ut that morning to visit, and who, despite his youth, still had me at a loss for words.

hey, just cause i'm not in a boy phase doesn't mean i can't appreciate a beautiful one when he is sitting next to me in church. geesh. i'm not dead!

after church, i grabbed a bite, finished packing, and headed out. it was a long drive. i was tired, and relieved to finally make it home to find my dog not only alive, but with all four legs (i had had a nightmare about this).

all in all it was an awesome weekend. low-key and relaxed. i got to hang out with deb on her turf again, which is always fun, and to meet some new people, buy some new things, and just generally enjoy a no-obligation weekend.

for the rest of the pics, click here