Happy Thanksgiving

you've just got to look

Please, just take a moment.

http://noimpactman.typepad.com/blog/2008/11/weve-got-someth.html

playing together - with words

Drew and I have been watching an embarrassing amount of documentaries lately. We don't have cable, but do pay $5/month for a Netflix membership. We almost cancelled this too, getting lots of movies from the library but for $5/month not only do you get to rent one movie at a time - unlimited number of movies, you also get to use their 'watch now' feature. Since our TV is tucked away in our 'media room' - which is really a small office off the living room - we don't get too stuck on watching it much. However, lately we have been documentary nuts. For some reason we have been in a lust for knowledge and just aren't having the patience to finish books. So documentaries to the rescue.

Last night we watched an amazing documentary WordPlay. It is mostly about Will Shortz, the New York Times crossword puzzle editor, but also about the obsession with crosswords and the annual contest that takes place each year crowning a Crossword Champion.

We were as always, swept away by the romance of a New York City life and the perceived ability to be surrounded by intellectuals. You see, this is one of the downfalls of living in Phoenix. Now relax my friends, i know you are out there - there's too many darn people here for you not to be - but we haven't been able to find you. When we lived in Seattle, we only knew people of this ridiculous academic pseudo-intellectual persuasion. And say what you will about our elitism, we found comfort there.


The movie excited our passion for knowledge even more and had us wondering about our own path here. This conversation often ends in some sort of disagreement as we are having trouble getting together on the ideas for the future. Is this the right place to stay? Do we just need to try harder or is that thing about community true? Are we the ones who have become intellectually lazy? Too tired to engage that muscle, as soon as the movie was over we jumped up and grabbed one of the many NYT Crossword puzzle books we have laying around and started solving one - together.

i dont have anything to say.

isn't that grand.

keeping her close

sevilla is getting bigger everyday and so close to walking so i couldnt help but take advantage of this week. Thanks to Stephanie, I was reminded it is International Babywearing Week. She's been a carried baby since day one, but i think she'll get a few extra snuggles this week as I try to stunt her development. Okay kidding. she actually loves being carried. it always puts her at ease and i think it gives her a nice break from all the action shes up to these days. I think her dad loves it just as much, check out his perspective for a man's take.

though i have several (that's putting it lightly!) carriers and this blog is supposed to be about me not her, id love to win one of these from Nonny and Boo so enjoy the extra photos below. I always give them as baby gifts converting one family at a time it'd be great to convert another friend!.

not that big a deal

I worry a lot lately if im the best man for the job. she didnt get to vote for me after all. i worry that sevilla is getting all that she deserves and i often struggle with the right choices. are we playing the right games to help her develop. do i have the right toys. am i not spending enough time with her. am i not giving her enough time to herself. do we do enough/the right kind of teaching. does she have enough free play. then sometimes i just dont want to be a mom and go have a beer for a sec.

its easy to worry these days, about almost anything. sometimes it feels like a roller coaster ride that is hard to get off. so i really appreciated this Free Range comment. Whether or not you voted for him or believe he is the right choice, I like the perspective Lenore takes on this one. make every second count is great, as long as your not really counting.

sunset

he won. i didnt believe. i was one of those who supported him and voted for him but did not believe he would win. after the tears wore off i realized what a cynic i have become. i have become numb.

once upon a time i was hopeful.
i was excited.
i wanted to learn.

once upon a time i was interesting.
i was unique.
i was curious.

once upon a time i stood for something.
i was prideful.
i was active.

in one night i feel an inspired need to live again. to try. to learn to play the guitar. to learn to sew. to volunteer for something meaningful. to join that moms group i made fun of out of fear. to get back in shape. to honestly feel tired again, not exhausted of life. i hope the magic that happened yesterday inspires other numb-ites to get moving and improve our energy again aside from politics, economy, and basic living.

the sunset picture was taken the night we brought sevilla home. while a cheesy metaphor, i always appreciated it. these little bits of cheese have gotten awful moldy in my life lately and i realize i need them back. thank you, my country, for helping me to feel hopeful again.