Writing vs. House

Finally, I feel like writing again. Really writing. Why? Because I'm supposed to spend the next month super-cleaning my house, painting, and preparing. It's psychological. I'm an expert at avoidance.

I thought it was a super secret, but dh imformed me last night that it was only to be a surprise to others in town. So...his older son (from 1st marriage) is an actor/screenwriter. He attended Harvard/Amer. Rep. Theatre where he gained life long friends, some of whom have become successful in TV and movies.

He, along with a bunch of those folks, a director, editor, cameraman, etc. are coming to our hometown to film something. Not sure what--knowing them, could be an indy film or a Comedy Central show. They previously made an Indy film called "You Are Here." Dh's son is on the far left, his friend Ayjay, from Office Space, is 3rd from the left. I'm not sure who all is working on this new project.

But, they want to live in our house while they're here! Help!

We're to be relocated (at their expense) to a hotel, so they can all live and work under the same roof. They'll be filming around town during the day, so I can come in and run the business (and surf my favorite boards and blogs :)). But, there will be a busload of strangers in my home for up to 2 weeks. Opening my cupboards and drawers. Looking in my closets. Using my laundry room. I have 1/2 painted walls (see my priorities) that need to be finished. The cleaning itself could take weeks.

So, I want to write--ALL THE TIME NOW! LOL.

For those of you who struggle with motivation to write, here's my advice: invite 10 or 20 strangers to come to your home. Easy.

What motivates you?

Still No Words of Brilliance, So . . .

Your Superhero Profile

Your Superhero Name is The Psychic Carrot Your Superpower is Dance Dance Revolution Your Weakness is Dust Your Weapon is Your Golden Shield Your Mode of Transportation is Bubble

What's" your Superhero Name?

What's Your Worldview?

I plan to blog about writing, but need to put more thought into what I want to say. In the meantime, here's a quiz for you. I think it nailed my worldview. :)

You scored as Cultural Creative. Cultural Creatives are probably the newest group to enter this realm. You are a modern thinker who tends to shy away from organized religion but still feels as if there is something greater than ourselves. You are very spiritual, even if you are not religious. Life has a meaning outside of the rational. Cultural Creative 100% Romanticist 69% Existentialist 56% Idealist 56% Postmodernist 50% Fundamentalist 38% Modernist 38% Materialist 25% What is Your World View? (updated) created with QuizFarm.com

February 14th

Since it's a Tuesday and we have two young kids, Mr. and Mrs. Ellen won't be doing anything very exciting for the big Hearts and Flowers Day.

There was mention of a casino/hotel overnight trip sometime soon. And, there might be a card or two exchanged. Dh is not a romantic--he makes up for it in other ways though, so he's forgiven.

Since I am a romantic, I'll leave you with this--by my favorite poet:

I have been astonished that men could die martyrs for their religion -
I have shudder'd at it.
I shudder no more.
I could be martyr'd for my religion
Love is my religion
And I could die for that.
I could die for you.

~ by John Keats ~

Heroes

Not another post about basketball! *groan* (It isn't, really).

Well, sure, our team, Gonzaga, is ranked #5 nationally (#1 in the WCC). Adam Morrison might be voted college player of the year, and the team has a shot at winning the whole shebang.

But it's the "The Smiling Center" J.P. Batista, who's captured our hearts today. He really does smile a lot--in a way that makes you think he's genuinely at peace and happy from within.

Before you read on, this is not a preachy post--it's about heroes. As far as I'm concerned, it's how a person lives their life that makes them worthy, not their religious beliefs--or lack there of. Anyway . . .

Before leaving for church yesterday, my daughter informed me that she doesn't want to go because some of her friends mocked Catholics, saying they aren't Christians (how, er, Christian of them). After I got done chortling, I explained that Catholics were the original Christian religion--in fact, they kept the church going and growing for over a millenium before Luther was even born.

Note: In case anyone's curious, the definition of a Christian is "one who professes to believe in the teachings of Jesus Christ." Although there are some differences in approach, doctrine, etc. Catholics ARE Christians too. (If I sound annoyed, it's because this has come up more than once recently).

My daughter still looked unsure, so I told her in a serious tone, "Hey, some of my best friends are Protestants." :) She's familiar with my humor--and me--so she knows I'm joking. I try not pigeonhole or judge others. I told her it's a decision she'll make for herself when she's older. But for now, "Just be a kind person" and "We'll just go RC today since I'm familiar with when to kneel and cross myself--okay?" See child fear eternal damnation and try not to laugh.

How does this all connect to basketball? After communion, daughter asked if we can go--it was a long mass because there were baptisms (always make me cry). So we skipped out as the final song was sung and crossed paths with J.P. Batista on the sidewalk. Perhaps he ducked out of the service early to avoid the adoring basketball fans, of which there are many here.

He smiled that big lovely smile, and after exchanging "Hi"s, I (smiling too and acting like an A-One dork) said, "It's a beautiful day." J.P. agreed. It was great to see daughter's eyes turn the size of dinner-plates (she's plays bball herself and is a huge fan of J.P.'s--as am I). She beamed all the way home.

Folks who know him well (more than one nerdy exchange) say that he's a genuinely great guy. And he's an excellant role model for the kids--as evidenced when daughter informed me that she can't wait to go back to church. :)

A sports hero trumped peers. (yes, it could've been the church service that lured her back, but let's face it--she's 10). I hope she continues to look to positive role models when she hits her teen years and her friends ask her to jump off a cliff or something. Sadly, I avoided sports in HS--and yes, jumped off a cliff or two. If only I'd had a hero like J.P. to look up to. Thanks guy. :)

Medal Ceremony

We went to Round Table Pizza the night before last for daughter's medal ceremony. Her 5th grade basketball team won the championship!!! Yay!

So, we're sitting around in the backroom while the coach (one of the girls' dad) talks a bit about each player before giving them their certificate and medal.

Daughter's turn. Coach says that while she has a ways to go, she's the most improved player. That's nice. Then, he talks about how she often rode with them to the Wed. night practices (they had practice 2 nights a week and a game on Saturdays. On Wed., dh was unavailable and I have AG plotting night--so she rode with her friend and coach dad). Anyway--

Coach: You learn a lot about kids when you turn down the radio and listen in on their private conversations.

Me: Uh . . . huh?

Coach: Yea, I overheard a lot about her family.

Me: Uh . . . huh?

Coach: I learned that her older brother is an actor.

Me: Okay. That's okay.

Coach: I learned about . . . certain dreams.

Me: Uh . . . huh?

Coach: Yea, I really learned a few things about her family.

Me: Is there a bathroom around here where I can go hurl? (while the crowd of parents are laughing uproariously at my expense.)

Coach: And, you really know the kid feels comfortable around you when she asks your permission to fart.

Me: That's my girl.

Coach: I, of course, told her "NO."

It's not that we have major secrets in our family. But, it seems to me that exposure should be reciprocal. If you know that I forgot to do laundry last night so my socks don't match today, then I get to know that you eat cereal without milk.

Don't your agree? Embarrasing daily habits should be sacred or shared by all. NO PICKING ON FART GIRL'S FAMILY! LOL!!! :)

Anyway, the championship game was awesome. They won 7 to 5 (Rox made a basket--woohoo!)

For My Sci-Fi-Fanatic Friends

You scored as Galactica (from Battlestar: Galactica). You are leery of your surroundings, and with good reason. Anyone could be a cylon. But you have close friends and you know they would never hurt you. Now if only the damn XO would stop drinking. Coming on December 1, 2005: Your Ultimate Sci-Fi Profile: which sci-fi crew would you best fit in? The Sequel Galactica (from Battlestar: Galactica) 88% Moya (from Farscape) 81% SG-1 (from Stargate) 81% Millennium Falcon (from Star Wars) 75% Serenity (from Firefly) 69% Nebuchadnezzar (from The Matrix) 63% Enterprise D (from Star Trek) 63% Bebop (from Cowboy Bebop) 56% Which sci-fi crew would you best fit in? v1.0 created with QuizFarm.com

American Idol (No Moans Allowed)

Okay, maybe a few moans. Look, I'm a dork. I know it. I've accepted it.

I'm sitting here thinking, "What to blog? What to blog?"
Well, days have been humdrum lately with this nasty cold that I can't
seem to shake. I could blog about the very bizarre Nyquil-induced dreams, but I'd be embarrased to relay most of them--in fact, I've begun to question my sanity.

But, we watched the Idol the last 2 nights. It's our family "outing" so to speak. Dh and I and two impressionable kids hear the theme music start and we're there! On the couch, silence until commercials. When it's down to the final 12, we vote, vote, vote! That's when it gets really good.

Yep, all four of us have our favorites each season. Boy always cries when his "horse" doesn't cross the finish line. He's so sensitive, and he invariably roots for the underdog (which means they aren't as talented, in this case) . Dh comments on the performance, then eerily, Simon makes almost the identical comment (with his own nasty punctuation on it). Dh was a music man before he was a computer geek, so I suppose it makes sense. Daughter and I usually like the same people.

No favorites yet this season, as they're still culling the hordes. But, I did shed a tear for the little cowboy teen from Wyoming who'd never been away from his ranch and had only ever sung to his turkey. Boy, was he cute--and had a pretty good voice too. Apparently, folks all over are offering to pay for voice lessons for him, since he is going to Hollywood. With a little training, he might make the final cut.

My question is this: Why do most of these people who audition think they can sing? The answer might be found at Honey's Wacky Wednesday post here.

This might be a comment-free post, because I know that most of you a) don't watch the Idol or b) won't admit that you watch the Idol. :) Who knows, maybe you'll convert. Muwhahahaha!