fall
How My Mind Processes Data and Some Movement Down Chicago Way
Friday, August 22nd, 2008 | Family, Seasonal, Thoughts | 2 Comments
On a side note, I am a little disappointed no one else commented on the last entry about cutting and self-injury. Some of you messaged me, some of you said nothing, but Justin was the only person to actually comment. His comment was thoughtful and heartfelt. I just hoped for more from you guys.
Crossing the street the other day, I noticed a main walking in the opposite direction. I glanced at him briefly and had the impression that his T-Shirt said “Bush” on it.
My Thought: Someone’s wearing a t-shirt that says Bush on it? Like the president? This has to be interesting.
My 2nd glance revealed the figure of person beneath the word with a fist raised triumphantly into the air and a sort of star behind it.
My Thought: Okay, that’s even weirder! Someone is wearing a shirt that says Bush on it that’s not derogatory, but instead is positive!? What’s going on here!?
You guessed it, I had to look at this poor fellow’s t-shirt a 3rd time to get the full gist of what was actually happening on his t-shirt! And then it all made sense. The shirt said “Rush” on it - not Bush (you can see the t-shirt here. I was a little off). The world was back to normal.
Justin and Ness in Chicago - January 2005*
So Wonderful Chicago
In other news, Val! had an interview in Chicago today for a freelance editing job. Not long after the interview, they called to offer her the gig. Wooohooo!!!! The job guarantees one month of solid editing work on a weekly series about gangs. I don’t know more than that, but I know it will allow her to be in Chicago which in itself is fabulous. It also allows her to be there when that glorious Midwestern city is welcoming Autumn in all it’s golden glory. Ahh… Lucky ducky.
And if everything goes as we hope, they’ll have more work for her after the first month. I’m not going to get into what she is getting paid for her hourly rate, but I will say it’s double what I make if I were to be paid hourly. That’s more than you can shake a stick at! Granted, it’s only guaranteed for one month, but who knows! Congratulations Val!!! Take that Windy City by storm!… and don’t be surprised when I come visit you for days at a time. ;)
*It would make more sense to use a photo of Val! and I from Chicago here, but upon checking Flickr and Picasa, I can’t seem to find one. :(
Top Ten Ways to Tell Fall is Coming
Wednesday, August 6th, 2008 | Seasonal | 3 Comments
My summer violin classes are about over!- Everyone knows Autumn means harvest time for vineyards and wineries and I was just reading about a winery that is opening in Manhattan in the fall.
- JetBlue is having their annual Fall Fare Sale (ends tomorrow though!)
- Fall clothing collections are already being displayed in stores and on websites (BananaRepublic.com anyone?)
- You can already begin planning what you’ll do for Halloween this year as innumerable parties and parades have been scheduled already! What’s better? Halloween is on a Friday this year! Get crackin’ on your Halloween planning.
- It’s already getting dark earlier. Have you noticed?
- Football teams are in their Fall training camps (c’mon, people, don’t ya know this?… Didn’t go to high school in Texas, then, didja?)
- The long, golden shafts of sunlight are beginning to appear in the afternoons, ushering in the beautiful, magical feeling of Fall.
- It’s getting down to the 40s in the Catskills at night and some leaves are already changing! Feel free to read more about the seasons in the Catskills.
- Everything in Texas is good and dead from the looong, hot summer.
Happy Thanksgiving Everyone - From a Couple of Displaced Texans in New York!
Friday, November 23rd, 2007 | Uncategorized | 3 Comments
Justin and I made our first official, traditional Thanksgiving dinner! Check out our photos:
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| Thanksgivi |
Two Big Deals
Monday, October 29th, 2007 | Uncategorized | No Comments
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| Salem with Val! - October 2007 |
First, let me take you on a tour of witches and a town with a dark past… of bubbling cauldrons, of early America, of the power of persuasion, and fanatical religious fear and murder. Let me take you to Salem, Massachusetts as Val! and I explore the dark past and delightful shops that open in a carnival atmosphere every October. View our photo album here!
Second, you’ll soon be traveling with me, via blog and photos (and possibly video) to South Africa. I am going to post more about this later. Departure date: November 26, 2007.
Halloween Pumpkin Carving
Sunday, October 28th, 2007 | Uncategorized | 1 Comment
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| Random October 2007 |
After packing for the big move ‘07, Justin, Thao, and I settled in for some good old fashioned pumpkin carving! We got some AWESOME photos of the pumpkins, us, and the babies! You HAVE to see these!
Chicago
Saturday, October 27th, 2007 | Uncategorized | 2 Comments
This post was too long in the coming. Sorry it has been a while since we’ve had a substantial update. So many changes seem to happen all at once. I am sure we’ll get back into the swing of things soon.
This is from Saturday, Sept. 29th, 2007:
But can I say how much I love Chicago? Chicago on the tip of Autumn. Is there any thing more special in the world? There is a crispness in the morning air - a distinct chill. Instead of pulling on a jacket over my short-sleeve sweater, I sit in the back of a cab bound for O’Hare - a pony tail, windows rolled down, cold air encircling my arms, my neck.
Nurseries are selling gourds, decorated with golden wheat standing straight, tied against fence posts. A farmer’s market was set up outside my hotel window this morning, spanning a large parking lot with the white tops of their booths. The darkness of 6 AM pressing down upon their final preparations. They were prepared to sell the good of a true Midwest harvest. There is a certain magic to a Midwest fall that I’ve only know of for 4 years now. I want to transplant myself in the middle of it. I want to follow the season across the globe and live eternally in its magic - departing when the first true crystalline winter frost settles over the earth. I want to stretch the golden moments of the season into a lifetime of bright oranges, glorious yellows, and fiery reds. I want to bask eternally in the warm indoors in the evenings, let the logs that burn and smolder in fireplaces heat the room at night - find my comfort in the cinnamon smell of the season.
There is no season I love more.
My mind unfurls into long expanses of imagination. I pull that Autumn world of deep blue and purple twilights, skies dotted with stars, lamplight from windows pouring onto the lawn strewn with browning, dying leaves - I pull this world around myself like an impossibly soft cashmere throw.
Nothing more fantastic than this city’s nighttime grid.
My mental wanderings of the morning - of my make-believe life in Chicago, temporarily subsided to my passion for the season. On the way to O’Hare this morning while passing neighborhoods, a park, and businesses, I built a fantasy life for myself. I watched as the orange sun broke above the treetops and made the whole world glow…
My morning walks would stretch only a mile or so. They’d be a nice, casual pace. Darby would walk along side me enjoying the leisurely pace. When I returned home, it would be to a house full of orange morning light and warmth. Justin would be just waking up - laying in bed with the babies (Ruby and Eve). I’d unleash Darby who’d be excited to be at home and see Justin just getting out of bed. He’d want to nuzzle up to him and get an acknowledging pat. Justin and I would go about making breakfast. Definitely orange juice to match the glorious glow of the morning. Maybe I’d bake scones or muffins. We’d relax into our cozy den, looking out into our yard filled with dew. We’d catch up on dreams from the previous night’s rest, or dreams on a larger scale.
I hope (I feel) that Chicago is in my future.
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