"The Road"

My dear mother asked me the other night why I haven't updated my blog...truth is: my life is fairly uneventful. Yes, there is work, lunches here, dinners there, work, movies every so often, time with friends, walks outside, and more work. Yeah, thrilling! Right!? NOT!

Anyway, I thought with the request, I would share this:

The time is two years ago, give or take some months. I believe it was the lovely month of May. There is this wonderful event that I love to attend called the Mount Tabor Art Walk. It provides a wonderful opportunity to see art work in the artists studios/homes/work spaces. I think the year was 2008 (I forget because I have gone every year). I was walking along, minding my own business (for the most part anyway) and then I stopped minding my own business and became an "onlooker." I couldn't stop. I had to figure out what I was watching and what all the people around me were enamored with.

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There, right there on the street, was all sorts of equipment. The sidewalk and grass in several yards was covered in a gray fabric type tarp. Shortly, another onlooker informed me of what we were watching...a movie being filmed...wow! Who would have thought in a quite corner of SE Portland there would be a movie being filmed. Where were the cameras...oh, wait...there they are. Coming out the front door. Pretty soon I hear who is in the movie. Names I know. More wow. Shortly she walks out the door:

Yes, she was dressed JUST like this, hat and all. If you don't recognize her, she is Charlize Theron. A beautiful actress and she was a mere 20 yards from me. Just across the street. I could have yelled her name and she would have heard me. Not that I would have ever done that in a million years... :)
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Shortly, he walks out:

Viggo Mortensen, and again, he was dressed just like this. And, again, just 20 yards from me.

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They hung out on the porch of the house that they were using to film a scene in. I took a picture, a poor quality cell phone picture, which I can't even show now to prove I saw them as that phone has died. I called my brother. His many brushes with celebrities have been relayed to me, now I had to relay one to him.

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I soon find out from fellow onlookers that the movie is called "The Road" based off a book of the same title, written by Cormac McCarthy. I think I bought it the next day, and read it most immediately. I really enjoyed it. The movie was supposed to have been released in November of that year...it kept being delayed, held up in post-production...which brings us to today. Two years later, the movie was released. Finally!

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I, of course, had to see it since I'd seen the filming of part of it. I went this past weekend and must say I thoroughly enjoyed it. Enjoyed seeing the scenes that I know I was standing around as an onlooker for. Enjoyed seeing how those scenes played into the movie and how the book was transformed. I many times don't appreciate the movie of a book I've read, but wasn't disappointed this time. I recommend both book and movie, though be ready to cry and be slightly depressed...that sort of story.

(photos courtesy of IMDb.com)

Spring has sprung~

Here it is, the middle of January and I awoke to a beautiful sound this morning. Birds. Beautiful, singing, chirping birds right outside of my bedroom window. They stuck around until the rain started. Maybe they will make an encore appearance tomorrow morning?!

Spring has never been my favorite season, fall wins hands down. I must say that spring comes in at a close second though. I love the beginnings of spring. I used to cherish the different growing zones when I was in college. I was lucky enough to have sping here and then when I went home for the summer break I was treated to a second dose of spring! Loved it!

You wouldn't think that the middle of January would show the signs, but alas, here they are. Earlier in the week I saw a blossoming tree (unsure of what kind it was, beautiful anyway). This morning I was serenaded by birds and then on my walk over to check my mail today this is what I saw:
YES! The beginnings of spring flower growth! Daffodils, tulips, hyacinth--Welcome!

I can't hardly wait!

I was trying to recall the details to an event that occurred a while back. I referred to my blog and discovered this POST. In doing so, I also realized that I had neglected to share my excitement. I bought my plane ticket to D.C. while I was in WY for Christmas. Now it is REALLY going to happen. 11 weeks (roughly) until I wing away to see my younger (yet taller) brother and all the exciting venues that D.C. has to share with me!

The End of One Decade, the Beginning of Another

I often wonder how a certain month acquires its name. The only one I've ever looked into is January, and that was by happenstance. I was doing some "research" on New Year's for an article my mom was writing last year. I soon discovered where January gets its name from.

I loved the mythology sections of my English classes in school, for some reason I don't recall this aspect of mythology and was glad to learn:

January was named for the Roman god of gates, doors, doorways, endings and beginnings--Janus. Janus was often depicted artisticly as a head with two faces. One looking back, the other looking forward. This seems to be the most perfect depiction of the first month of a year.

We, as people focus much on the ends and beginnings of things--days, months, relationships, life. Why not focus on the ending of one year and beginning of the next? The funny thing is, that just like establishing 'time', we have designated when something like a year ends and when the next begins. Whoever said that the ending and beginning of a year should occur (for us in the Northern hemisphere anyway) in a frigidly cold season...I digress. Whatever way it was determined, it is a grand time, cold temperatures aside.

This is a time to reflect on the past year, and look forward to the next year. A time to start anew, be refreshed. It is a time that many people make resolutions for things they want to do, or not do, in the next 12 months. I, on the other hand, don't generally make resolutions. Why disappoint myself? This year, I decided I would make resolutions. They are simple, attainable. And I am glad I decided to make them...I'd rather refer to them as goals than resolutions- so be it. :)

There are so many traditions held by people around the world. In the United States, we ring in the New Year with a ball, dropping, on the top of a building in a very populated city. Why? And thousands of people come to watch that ball drop, on the top of that building, in the cold. Why? No matter why...it is tradition...and here is some history that I was fascinated to learn:

Originally, in NYC, the New Year's Eve tradition was to "ring out the old, ring in the new" at Trinity Church. This tradition, by the way, still occurs. I think that would be an excellent way to welcome a new year. The "place to be" to bring in the new year changed from Trinity Church's ringing of the bells to Times Square in 1904. That was the year that Alfred Ochs (NY Times owner) lobbied to have Longacre Square renamed for the newspaper in honor of opening its new headquarters, which is what we now know as One Times Square. In order to celebrate, there was an inagural bash held on New Year's Eve. 200,000 people attended, and that was the start of a new tradition.

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In 1907, after a ban on fireworks in the city, Ochs commissioned immigrant metalworker, Jacob Star, to build a ball to drop. The original ball was made of iron, wood, and one-hundred 25-watt light bulbs. It was 5 feet in diameter and weighed 700 pounds. There have been 8 different balls dropped in Times Square since that original one. The most recent was new for last years (2008 into 2009) celebration and it weighs in at 11,875 pounds, is covered in 2,668 Waterford Crystals and powered by 32,256 Philips Luxeon Rebel LEDS. It is impressive. It is now on display year-round for the public to see. I will see it. Not on New Year's Eve though.

The first ball used in Times Square

The ball used now in Times Square

Besides the tradition of watching the ball drop, there are traditions of parties, songs-one in particular-Auld Lang Syne, fireworks, and of course staying up until midnight. When I was young my brother and I would spend the second half of Christmas break with my dad, thus, spending New Year's Eve with him. The question one New Year's Eve was: what to do to kill all the time before midnight? The solution: go to dinner and a movie. That became our tradition. We'd go to dinner and then to a movie, timing it so that we could get home to see the ball drop. It was a great tradition. One that I still keep, even though it isn't with them. I have cut dinner out of the equation, but a movie itself is great! One year we were still in the theater at midnight and you could here the whisperings of "Happy New Year" buzz through the theater.

New Year's Day brings traditions also, football, time with friends, taking down the Christmas tree (for me). Looking forward to a fresh year! So now, as I look back not only on the past year, but the past decade, I am amazed at all that has happened. As I look back, I can't help but look forward to see what the next year and next decade will bring. What about you? Any fun traditions? Resolutions made?

Happy 2010 to you!

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All above information came from these websites, interesting if you want to read more:
http://www.timessquarenyc.org/nye/nye_history.html
http://www.timessquarenyc.org/nye/nye_ball.html
http://www.novareinna.com/festive/janus.html

December Poem of the Month

It's Christmas Time
by Bob Lazzar-Atwood.

Put your problems on probation
Run your troubles off the track,
Throw your worries out the window
Get the monkeys off your back.
Silence all your inner critics
With your conscience make amends,
And allow yourself some happiness
It's Christmas time again!

Call a truce with those who bother you
Let all the fighting cease,
Give your differences a breather
And declare a time of peace,
Don't let angry feelings taint
The precious time you have to spend,
And allow yourself some happiness
It's Christmas time again!

Like some cool refreshing water
Or a gentle summer breeze,
Like a fresh bouquet of flowers
Or the smell of autumn leaves,
It's a banquet for the spirit
Filled with family, food and friends,
So allow yourself some happiness
It's Christmas time again!

Christmas Lights

This season is full of traditions. One of the traditions I recall fondly from my childhood is when myself, my brother and my dad would go to downtown Denver to see the City and County building lit up. I figure that it has been at least 10 years since I have done that. Maybe not that long, but quite possibly that long. We'd always spend a lot of time downtown, not only looking at that building, but also walking over to the Capitol building and various other places. We'd spend what felt like hours walking around, bundled up of course.

This year, unfortunately without my brother, we ventured down to see the building. He was on a plane somewhere between Denver and DC. Wish you could have come Josh! Maybe next year!

When we walked over to the Capitol building as kids we always stood right at the Mile High spot. The location that was supposed to be exactly one mile above sea level. Imagine my dismay when we arrived this year and there were 3 locations that could be mile high...all marked of course!

This is the most recent marker.

Another marker...

And, then the original mile high designation, carved in stone!

Hometown Pictures

There have been a few people that have said that they can't picture my hometown. I tried to capture a few pictures of Casper while I was visiting.

One the snow stopped it was very pretty, partly because the wind wasn't blowing. Thank goodness! I think that is a first in a long time!

Reflections on my hometown

As you may have seen in my previous blog post, I am home in Wyoming for Christmas. I generally do head in this direction for Christmas, and each year I wonder why. It has nothing to do with anything other than the weather. Wow. I freeze whenever I am here. This is the only time of year that my most immediate family all gets together. We are spread across the country, literally. My brother is in the DC area, my uncle is in North Carolina and I am in Portland; while mom and dad are in Wyoming and Colorado, respectively. My grandmother, aunt and her family, and another aunt and uncle also reside in Casper.

The leaning tree in the park across the street from the house (I hijacked this photo from my brothers facebook page-thanks Josh!)

Weather aside, it is a good time spent with family. This year my brother and I both worked on Christmas Eve and flew into Denver as our schedules allowed. We celebrated Christmas on the 26th, which also happened to be Wayne's (my uncle through marriage to my Aunt Jonna) birthday. My Uncle Ron (from NC) arrived into Casper the 22nd and so we were able to spend a day and half-ish with him before he left. We also were able to see one of my dad's brother's and his wife and one of their granddaughters, my second cousin (who I might add is now 20 and I remember the day she was born). I sort of felt old for a moment, then realized I am getting old(er).

It has been nice to be in a place that had for so long been home. Casper is growing and expanding so much that it seems to be a different place each time I return. I wonder if it just started changing after I left, or if I just notice it now since I am gone for such a long time between visits?!

Me and Aunt Jonna (my mom's sister)

Dad and Wayne

Grandma

Hannah and Rebekah (cousins)

Uncle Ron (mom's brother), Mom, Josh (my brother)

Hope you all had a greast Christmas!

PS There is talk of us going to a snow-less place for Christmas next year....maybe!

White Wyoming Christmas

Opposite of Mr. Crosby's dream of a white Christmas, I HAVE ONE! And, truthfully, I am dreaming of a green Christmas. If it hadn't been for the incredibly difficult drive from Denver to Casper, I may be more inclined to appreciate the snow of my hometown today.

I spent Christmas Day flying from from PDX to DIA and then as a passenger in a car that went very slowly from Denver to home. Thank goodness I wasn't the one driving. I was enough of a nervous Nelly just being a passenger. Because of winging/driving on Christmas Day my family decided to wait until the 26th to celebrate. My most immediate family however, opened gifts last night, on Christmas day (night). It was a great time, mellow, which was nice.

This was the view from the front seat of my Dad's car on Interstate 25 between Denver and Casper. This was the "good" part of the drive, before seeing a jack-knifed semi and roll over that we saw the aftermath of.

Waking up today I saw that the snow had continued to fall through the night and was still coming down.

Above: This was the buried grill in my Mom's backyard.

Below: My hand next to the snow built up on the retaining wall surrounding the backyard.

Some snow on the table:

Yes, you are seeing it correctly. Almost 14 inches. Plus, it was really cold...single digits.

I shoveled. I can't remember the last time I shoveled. Heaven forbid, I should forget. I will spare you those pictures as I was most definitely still in my pajamas, bundled up of course. You could only tell by looking at my pajama pants, which fit the occassion- light blue with snow flakes on them! :)

Above: view looking south on the street.

Below: The view out the front window of the house.

I am finishing this post on the 27th and this was the same view out of the same picture window as the picture above.
MERRY CHRISTMAS from Wyoming!

CREDO AT CHRISTMAS

written by Daniel Roselle


At Christmas time I believe the things that children do.

I believe with English children that holly placed in windows will protect our homes from evil.

I believe with Swiss children that the touch of edelweiss will charm a person with love.

I believe with Italian children that La Befana is not an ugly doll but a good fairy who will gladden the heart of all.

I believe with Greek children that coins concealed in freshly baked loaves of bread will bring good luck to anyone who finds them.

I believe with German children that the sight of a Christmas tree will lessen hostility among adults.

I believe with French children that lentils soaked and planted in a bowl will rekindle life in people who have lost hope.

I believe with Dutch children that the horse Sleipner will fly through the sky and fill the earth with joy.

I believe with Swedish children that Jultomte will come and deliver gifts to the poor as well as to the rich.

I believe with Finnish children that parties held on St.Stephen's Day will erase sorrow.

I believe with Danish children that the music of a band playing from a church tower will strengthen humankind.

I believe with Bulgarian children that sparks from a Christmas log will create warmth in human souls.

I believe with American children that the sending of Christmas cards will build friendships.

I believe with all children that there will be peace on earth.

My Birthday in Picture Review

My day began here...

...it was REALLY hard to get out of my nice warm bed.

Alas, I did and I went to spend my day here...

...it no longer looks exactly like this, but this is my place of work.

When I checked my email first thing this morning one of them said I should spend some time here...

...maybe for my birthday next year?!...probably not, but a girl can dream.

While at work:

1) Megan and I won the door decorating contest, and re-presented our door presentation; "The Seventeen Days of an ElderPlace Christmas"- very humorous.

: 2) I opened a few of these... {along with a few cards}


Thanks to gift givers- you will of course get individualized thank-you's in the near future!

: 3) I got lots of these... {was also sung to}

Thanks to the hug givers and the song singers!

I somehow even accomplished getting some work related things done! :)

Then I left this place...

And went to this place...

To see this movie... (which, I thought was super-cute!)
...with these lovely ladies! {Catherine (a volunteer from work, visiting from Paris, France...and yes, someday I will visit her...maybe for my birthday next year?!- probably not, but a girl can dream), me and Liesl} Then I talked on this, a lot...

I also checked messages received on it throughout the day! Thanks to all who called/voicemailed/texted! Your thoughts were greatly appreciated!

Then I ate these for dinner...yummmmm.....

I felt justified in eating french fries for dinner because I ate a salad and an apple for lunch, though I didn't really need to eat fries after eating the dessert from last night!

Now, I am updating my blog, as I am getting ready to get back in this....

...if she lets me in my spot...and I hope I dream of going here...maybe for my 30th birthday?!

Hey, a girl can most definitely dream!

Thanks to all who celebrated my birthday with me in any way, shape, or form! It was a great one!

(credits to the pictures that weren't taken by me will be posted soon...)