Pobble Thoughts

Well, Hi Internet!

2012-01-23T16:10:00.000-08:00

I remember you!

Oh, so much time has passed. For a pictoral review of the last several months, go here: Pobble Travels.

Back? Hi. Pobble Thoughts isn't the only place I've been neglecting. I've been more or less offline everywhere. My professional website hasn't been updated in a year. My professional facebook (because I still don't have a personal one) is gathering dust. I haven't done an interview; I haven't done a critique. The only writing I've done is my monthly article out of Washington. Aside from that, I've checked email and...that's it. And it's been wonderful. Surprisingly so.

We've traveled. We've changed jobs. We've changed locations. The latest book made it to Barnes and Noble and iTunes. I didn't even know iTunes sold books! I've taken a break. I've ignored the news and politics. I've reconnected with my best friend (not that we ever disconnected, but still). I've seen our family loads and loads, in three different states and two different countries. I've been a good friend, a good partner, a good person. I've been breathing, and eating right and moving better and taking care of myself.

Having been reminded of how life can be, I'm hoping to keep it all in perspective. Politics are important. My family and friends are moreso. Maintaining a web presence for my work is important. Actually writing, doing my work, is moreso. I'm taking hot baths and lighting candles and snuggling with Lithus. Not giving those up, again. Can't believe I ever let them slip away. But what matters is that I got them back.

Those are Pobble Thoughts. That and a buck fifty will get you coffee.

Guilty As Charged

2011-11-13T12:04:00.000-08:00

A while ago, I did a post on the fact that Black women are beautiful, contrary to what the people at Psychology Today would have us believe. I meant well. However, I have recently been reminded that the discussion about Black women's beauty rarely, if ever, includes trans-women. Yep. I did it, too. So, here you go. The original post, as it should've been written, had I done it properly. In celebration of all Black women...

Have you seen the article in Psychology Today spewing the "scientific" and "objective" news that Black women are the least attractive people on the planet? Nope, not kidding. (Click on it; it gets bigger and readable)

Now, the first time I heard about this, I thought it was a joke. An unfunny joke but a joke nonetheless. Not because I don't think racism like this exists but because it was printed in Psychology Today, a reasonably respected magazine. Then I thought the people who had first told me about it simply misunderstood. Perhaps it was a study on the cultural attitudes that make white, mainstream America see Black women as less attractive. Still no.

This article "uses science" to actually "prove" Black women are the least attractive women around.

So...where's the outrage? Where's the disgust? Especially among the white women and feminists who would be screaming if such a thing were said about white women. When I first heard about it, it was easy to think it was a joke because it was being treated as one by the white women ~ white feminists ~ in the conversation. Another time I wish I was joking, but I'm not. But these are the same ilk of women who created the PUMA attitude when Barack Obama won the nomination for President.

You know that "sisterhood" women like to claim they have with each other? Where the hell is it when this kind of racist misogyny gets legitimized in such a public forum?

Because, yeah, these are some ugly people...

Those are angry, motivated, inspired Pobble Thoughts. That and a buck fifty will get you coffee.

Thank You...

2011-11-11T12:16:00.000-08:00

Capt. Wilbur M. Mix
MSgt David Brunstad
Sgt Brian Jolley
Maj. Richard M Deasy

And everyone else who serves. We are honored to know you.

Those are Pobble Thoughts. That and a buck fifty will get you coffee ~ which you should buy for a vet!

3...2...1...LAUNCH!

2011-11-07T10:06:00.000-08:00

It's live, people.

For now, you can only get it here. In a few weeks, though, it will be available at amazon and bn.com and a bunch of other places. You know I'll let you know. Feel free to boost, to pimp, to promote, or talk up. Whatever you call it, feel free to do it. Because it's a really good book and people should read it.

Of course, if they haven't read the first two, they should do that, too... :)

Those are a little overwhelmed Pobble Thoughts. That and a buck fifty will get you coffee (but $3.99 will get you a book!).

Samhain 2011

2011-11-02T13:38:00.000-07:00

First, going into the Winter holiday season, may I have a quick word? Thanks. There's something I need to get off my chest about Paganism: it is an actual and for real religion. It is not "spiritual, but not religious." It is not enlightened agnosticism. It is not merely a rejection of Christianity. It is more than an acknowledgement of the interconnectedness of the world and all parts of it.

All of those things are wonderful, and I am not putting them down. They are not, however, Paganism ~ or Wicca, or Druidism, or Shamanism, or any of the other Pagan paths. Paganism has a creed and tenets and beliefs you must follow in order to be Pagan. An' ye harm none, do what ye will is pretty damn tough to actually live out. "Harm" is a lot more open ended than just "don't be an ass." "None" means, well, none. The people you like; the people you don't like; people you don't even know; yourself. None is everybody. And there's nothing about intention in there, either. Did you notice? "But I didn't mean to..." isn't an acceptable excuse. There's little vague or undefined here. And that just scratches the surface.

I get that calling oneself Pagan (or Wiccan or a Druid or, or, or...) is sexy and interesting and a little edgy. And if you know me at all you know I am keen on sexy and interesting and a little edgy. Just please...learn about this religion before you claim to follow it. Otherwise, find another way to be sexy and interesting and a little edgy. I'll totally support that.

Meanwhile...

Lithus likes sherry

I prefer white wine

All Hallow's Eve ~ Welcome to our home!

Blessed Be, my friends.

Those are Pobble Thoughts. That and a buck fifty will get you coffee.

Screaming Liberal Post #4

2011-10-30T10:58:00.000-07:00

Say it with me: Are you fucking kidding me????

First, I will give you this:

And then, because you know Dr. Pepper is gonna start yanking that shit, I'll give you this:

Do I have to spell out all the ways this is offensive? To women, and yes, let's be honest, to men. The Facebook page? What the fuck are you thinking, Snapple Ad People?????

Look, there are differences between genders. Denying that isn't helpful. But to handle those differences in such a vilifying way is reprehensible and, especially in today's already divisive atmosphere, indefensible.

I get they're trying to make a joke. I just don't find it funny.

Those are Pobble Thoughts. That and a buck fifty will get you coffee.

20,000 Hours

2011-10-26T09:47:00.000-07:00

Somewhere along the line last month, quietly, unobtrusively, and without any fanfare, Lithus passed 20,000 hours total flight time. For those of us not actively involved in aviation, trust me, this is a rare feat at any point in a career. To do it with 15 years of flying time still ahead of him is unheard of crazy. And this morning, my dear, sweet Lithus looks over at me and says, "Oh...by the way..."

Hamming it up for the camera

Yeah, my baby's a stud.

Those are proud Pobble Thoughts. That and a buck fifty will get you coffee.

Disappointment and Other Angsty-ness

2011-10-24T10:29:00.000-07:00

Note ~ This is a poorly written journal entry, far more than it is a blog post. I need to be vague enough that writing well or eloquently is hampered, but, goddammit, it's my blog and I want to write about this, so I'm doing so. Even if it's vague and poorly written. That beats censored. Which brings us to...

Disappointment is a hard issue for me. I try very hard not to be disappointed in people. It strikes me as a particularly judgemental, and inevitably hypocritical, emotion. Also, I have had people disappointed in me before and, while sometimes, yes, deservedly so, often...not so much. Generally, my response to people being disappointed in me has been and fuck you, too. I don't live my life for other people; I try to make the best choices I can in the moment; and am, more often than not, pretty consistent. In other words, if you end up disappointed in me, that probably says more about you than about me. Not always. I am far from perfect. But generally? Yeah, I'll give it "generally."

Which is why when I find myself disappointed in people, I struggle with it. Who the hell am I to expect them to live their lives, make their choices, choose their path, based on what I think they should be doing? Especially when the choices they are making are the choices I have every reason, based on past experience, to expect them to make. And yet...there are times when I still find myself disappointed. In this instance, I've had certain people say certain things, lead me to believe ~ in other words have reason to expect ~ certain things and then...*poof* Maybe that's it. In these instances, these people have lead me to believe something would be different, and then it hasn't been different. It's been the same old song.

Would it be easier if these people acknowledged that what I had been told to expect wasn't going to happen? Perhaps, but not necessarily. At least then I wouldn't struggle with trust on top of struggling with disappointment. Maybe I need to simply accept that, with these people, they want to be different, they want to make these changes, even to the point of telling me they will ~ but they won't. Would it be easier for me to just learn and accept that? Perhaps. But I'd still be struggling with disappointment so...*shrug* I don't know. I don't have all the answers.

I know I dislike myself when I am disappointed in someone. Yet, I also know I want to care enough and trust enough to have expectations of people, and when we have expectations, we can be disappointed. It's a Catch-22, I guess.

Those are angsty Pobble Thoughts. That and a buck fifty will get you coffee.

Signal Boost

2011-10-19T13:25:00.000-07:00

A couple years ago, my friend, Lori, watched as her son deployed to Iraq.

At some point, he or his friends had Beanie Babies and ended up giving them to the kids surrounding the camp...or the convoy...or...something. I should know the details, but I don't. It didn't seem all that important at the time it was happening, honestly. Just a quick mention from Brian to his mom. His mom, being a superhero in disguise living here among us mere mortals, happened to put the word out that if anyone had any Beanies, they were wonderful ambassadors for the soldiers in Brian's unit and she'd send them over, for them to hand out. We did. She did. They did. Word got out...

This thing has exploded. Toys For Troops in now incorporated, for cripe's sake. Lori's mailing list has moved so far beyond Brian's unit. While, yes, they absolutely still send Beanies, now they also send care packages for the soldiers themselves, especially at the holidays (which, in case you hadn't noticed, we're approaching rapidly).

So, if you are looking for a creative and unusual way to support the troops this season, you are so in luck. It's time for the annual Toys For Troops Spaghetti Dinner Fund Raiser! The dinner is free. The raffle is the fundraising part.

The event itself takes place in Illinois. To my knowledge, none of my usual readers are anywhere close to Illinois (well, except for Lori, of course, but she already knows about this so...digressing...). Do Not Let This Deter You, People! Not all of the raffle items are local. Some of the ones I'm drooling over?

a nook ereader. Seriously, folks. A freaking NOOK.
$600 worth of Sephora cosmetics
Cabot cheese gift pack

And these aren't the only non-Illinois-y winnings; just the ones I want the most. You don't have to be present to win, even. For all the details, and to enter the raffle online, go here: Toys for Troops Fundraiser Also, you can find information about donating raffle items (still not too late); getting a soldier onto the mailing list; "adopting" a soldier off of the mailing list; and donating items for the care packages.

Know something else ~ Lori doesn't make a cent off of this. Everything that is donated goes directly to the cause. Purchasing, packaging, and postage. That's it. Hell, she doesn't even use donations to buy the spaghetti fixins (full disclosure, this year the spaghetti was donated, but that hasn't always been the case ~ and she still didn't reimburse herself for the costs).

I just realized, I'm going on and on about this, but you know what? I'm okay with that. I'm proud of my friend and what she'd done and doing. I'm proud of her son. I'm proud she calls me her friend, too. So, yeah, going on and on a little. Click on that link. See what you can do. If you've ever wanted fifty cents to be valued as if it was fifty grand, this is the place to go.

Those are Pobble Thoughts. These are my friends.

That and a buck fifty will get you spaghetti, a big hug, and a raffle ticket...and of course, coffee.

Twitterish Tweety

2011-10-12T09:26:00.000-07:00

My Boston apartment is for sale. My Worcester apartment is for rent. Both of these things are happening right now. Oh...such a masochist...

Those are Pobble Thoughts. That and a buck fifty will get you coffee.

Lessons from the Weekend

2011-10-10T14:00:00.000-07:00

* Just because you put vodka in your magarita mix doesn't mean anyone else in the world does. You were drinking tequila.
* It's very possible the woman you think doesn't like you because you slaughtered her language last time you met is actually just shy and afraid you don't like her because she slaughtered your language last time you met. Reach out again. There could be hugs.
* ZhuZhu pets are still cool, even though they've been out for a few years. Crayons are, and always will be, still cool.
* Certain levels of happiness cannot be faked. When you find those, hang on to them.
* A fabulous hat is never inappropriate.
* Grown up birthdays are great. Kids' birthdays are better.

* Leftover carne is delicious. Left over homemade salsa is also delicious. They have both had time to marinate. They are both spicier than they were when they were fresh. Next time, remember this before you take that first, big bite.
* Even Sandpoint, Idaho has standards.

At the Sandpoint mall.

In the window of the Paris Hair Designs and School of Poise

Those are wiser, lesson learned Pobble Thoughts. That and a buck fifty will get you coffee.

Little Happies

2011-10-07T21:20:00.000-07:00

There is a lot happening in the world these days. In my personal world, the US, the entire global community. It has been very easy to lose sight of some of the little things that bring happiness. Things like...

1. The Sing-Off is online. For those of you who don't know, The Sing-Off is an a cappella musical competition. Some of the most amazing groups I have heard, singing modern, current music, with nothing to back them up but each other. And, since we have almost no television here in Coolin ~ no, not even the Original Three from the olden days ~ having it available online is a lovely, lovely treat.

2. Low clouds over the lake and mountains. Honestly, this is a mixed kinda thing. Low clouds also have the potential of grounding Lithus and, if Lithus isn't flying, we aren't making money. But oh my friends...low clouds over the lake and mountains are so beautiful.

3. New clothes. I've spent a lot of time in the bush, both in Alaska and now here in Idaho. Living in the Alaskan bush doesn't lend itself, particularly, to city clothes. What I remembered recently was that I bopped around helibases and air strips for years in my ordinary, every day, citified clothes before we moved to Alaska. I wore dress pants and leopard print pumps, skirts and bangles, capris and high heeled wedges and never thought twice. They were my clothes and I wore them. We don't live in the Alaskan bush any longer. I have new clothes. I have cool, beautiful, citified clothes. I have high heels to go with them. Accessories, I wear them. Lithus looked at me the other day, smiled, and said "I know you." Yeah. It's good to be back.

4. Muffins. Actually, that should be muffin, singular. Earlier this week, I mentioned to Lithus that I was craving muffins but that I really didn't want to make an entire batch of them because I knew one would do. But there isn't exactly a bakery on every corner up here. A couple days later, Lithus had had to drive into town. He brought me home a muffin.

5. We decorated for Autumn this year. We are in one place, long enough, with enough disposable income to decorate. I have a cluster of gourds on my table and another on a wall shelf. There are candles. And of course, the lake itself out our window. It's not much; it's enough.

Little reasons to be happy. I'll take 'em.

Those are Pobble Thoughts. That and a buck fifty will get you coffee.

Banned Book Week

2011-09-28T11:40:00.000-07:00

Banned Book Week runs from September 24, 2011 to October 1, 2011 (I know; don't blame me, I don't set the dates or name the thing!). According to the American Library Association, these are the most banned or challenged books of the last decade:

1. Harry Potter (series), by J.K. Rowling
2. Alice series, by Phyllis Reynolds Naylor
3. The Chocolate War, by Robert Cormier
4. And Tango Makes Three, by Justin Richardson/Peter Parnell
5. Of Mice and Men, by John Steinbeck
6. I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings, by Maya Angelou
7. Scary Stories (series), by Alvin Schwartz
8. His Dark Materials (series), by Philip Pullman
9. ttyl; ttfn; l8r g8r (series), by Myracle, Lauren
10. The Perks of Being a Wallflower, by Stephen Chbosky
11. Fallen Angels, by Walter Dean Myers
12. It’s Perfectly Normal, by Robie Harris
13. Captain Underpants (series), by Dav Pilkey
14. The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn, by Mark Twain
15. The Bluest Eye, by Toni Morrison
16. Forever, by Judy Blume
17. The Color Purple, by Alice Walker
18. Go Ask Alice, by Anonymous
19. Catcher in the Rye, by J.D. Salinger
20. King and King, by Linda de Haan
21. To Kill A Mockingbird, by Harper Lee
22. Gossip Girl (series), by Cecily von Ziegesar
23. The Giver, by Lois Lowry
24. In the Night Kitchen, by Maurice Sendak
25. Killing Mr. Griffen, by Lois Duncan
26. Beloved, by Toni Morrison
27. My Brother Sam Is Dead, by James Lincoln Collier
28. Bridge To Terabithia, by Katherine Paterson
29. The Face on the Milk Carton, by Caroline B. Cooney
30. We All Fall Down, by Robert Cormier
31. What My Mother Doesn’t Know, by Sonya Sones
32. Bless Me, Ultima, by Rudolfo Anaya
33. Snow Falling on Cedars, by David Guterson
34. The Earth, My Butt, and Other Big, Round Things, by Carolyn Mackler
35. Angus, Thongs, and Full Frontal Snogging, by Louise Rennison
36. Brave New World, by Aldous Huxley
37. It’s So Amazing, by Robie Harris
38. Arming America, by Michael Bellasiles
39. Kaffir Boy, by Mark Mathabane
40. Life is Funny, by E.R. Frank
41. Whale Talk, by Chris Crutcher
42. The Fighting Ground, by Avi
43. Blubber, by Judy Blume
44. Athletic Shorts, by Chris Crutcher
45. Crazy Lady, by Jane Leslie Conly
46. Slaughterhouse-Five, by Kurt Vonnegut
47. The Adventures of Super Diaper Baby, by George Beard
48. Rainbow Boys, by Alex Sanchez
49. One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest, by Ken Kesey
50. The Kite Runner, by Khaled Hosseini
51. Daughters of Eve, by Lois Duncan
52. The Great Gilly Hopkins, by Katherine Paterson
53. You Hear Me?, by Betsy Franco
54. The Facts Speak for Themselves, by Brock Cole
55. Summer of My German Soldier, by Bette Green
56. When Dad Killed Mom, by Julius Lester
57. Blood and Chocolate, by Annette Curtis Klause
58. Fat Kid Rules the World, by K.L. Going
59. Olive’s Ocean, by Kevin Henkes
60. Speak, by Laurie Halse Anderson
61. Draw Me A Star, by Eric Carle
62. The Stupids (series), by Harry Allard
63. The Terrorist, by Caroline B. Cooney
64. Mick Harte Was Here, by Barbara Park
65. The Things They Carried, by Tim O’Brien
66. Roll of Thunder, Hear My Cry, by Mildred Taylor
67. A Time to Kill, by John Grisham
68. Always Running, by Luis Rodriguez
69. Fahrenheit 451, by Ray Bradbury
70. Harris and Me, by Gary Paulsen
71. Junie B. Jones (series), by Barbara Park
72. Song of Solomon, by Toni Morrison
73. What’s Happening to My Body Book, by Lynda Madaras
74. The Lovely Bones, by Alice Sebold
75. Anastasia (series), by Lois Lowry
76. A Prayer for Owen Meany, by John Irving
77. Crazy: A Novel, by Benjamin Lebert
78. The Joy of Gay Sex, by Dr. Charles Silverstein
79. The Upstairs Room, by Johanna Reiss
80. A Day No Pigs Would Die, by Robert Newton Peck
81. Black Boy, by Richard Wright
82. Deal With It!, by Esther Drill
83. Detour for Emmy, by Marilyn Reynolds
84. So Far From the Bamboo Grove, by Yoko Watkins
85. Staying Fat for Sarah Byrnes, by Chris Crutcher
86. Cut, by Patricia McCormick
87. Tiger Eyes, by Judy Blume
88. The Handmaid’s Tale, by Margaret Atwood
89. Friday Night Lights, by H.G. Bissenger
90. A Wrinkle in Time, by Madeline L’Engle
91. Julie of the Wolves, by Jean Craighead George
92. The Boy Who Lost His Face, by Louis Sachar
93. Bumps in the Night, by Harry Allard
94. Goosebumps (series), by R.L. Stine
95. Shade’s Children, by Garth Nix
96. Grendel, by John Gardner
97. The House of the Spirits, by Isabel Allende
98. I Saw Esau, by Iona Opte
99. Are You There, God? It’s Me, Margaret, by Judy Blume
100. America: A Novel, by E.R. Frank

Taking a trick from my friend, Denny's, hat, I've bolded the ones I've read. Which have you read? A list of the top 100 classic banned/challenged books of the last century can be found here. I've read a lot of these, as well, but not nearly enough. How about you?

Those are Pobble Thoughts. That and a buck fifty will get you coffee ~ and a little taste of civil disobedience and dissent.

Birthday Thoughts

2011-09-26T13:30:00.000-07:00

A couple days ago, I met a man who asked if I was 33, 34 years old. Since I am within days of my 42 birthday, I promptly fell in love with him.

Last winter, I officially asked Lithus for a new tattoo for my birthday. Given the fact that we are nowhere near a tattoo that doesn't involve homemade ink and a sewing needle, I think that will have to wait. Anyway...

Once I started looking at the Republican candidates for their party's presidential nominee, I changed my request to Canadian citizenship. Or at least the paperwork filled out that will take me one step closer, just in case.

Realistically, I've told him I'll be happy with a nicely scented salt scrub and new fuzzy pink slippers. Seriously, when can you ever go wrong getting me bath products and fuzzy pink slippers. Never, I say. Never!

Those are Pobble Thoughts. That and a buck fifty will get you coffee. Everything else here is gonna cost a little more.

It Is The BOSTON Pobble, After All

2011-09-21T11:30:00.000-07:00

Seven ways to tell I'm getting homesick...

7. I watch reruns of Cheers, Boston Public, and Being Human (but no, not Ally McBeal; I have some standards, even when homesick).
6. My ringtone gets changed over to the Dropkick Murphys
5. These apples are okay, but not nearly as good as the ones from the North Shore
4. This southern girl starts saying "cah" and "quahta."
3. The air I'm breathing seems way too clean to be healthy.
2. It's Autumn in New England.

And the number one way to know I'm getting homesick?

1. Four grand seems a perfectly reasonable rent on a one bedroom apartment, given its proximity to Copley Square...

Those are Pobble Thoughts. That and a buck fifty will get you coffee.

Nuances

2011-09-20T11:20:00.001-07:00

or DADT Is Repealed, Hooray for LGB...Oh...

As I mentioned in yesterday's post, as truly thrilling as the repeal of DADT is ~ and it is ~ there are nuances that many people aren't catching. First, for all the Vermont marriages taking place between servicepeople and their civilian partners, the military still doesn't recognize them as anything other than "very good friends" or "long time companion" because the Defense Of Marriage Act is still in effect. So, yes, the lesbian or gay service member can finally, finally, serve openly and TTG for it. But they and their spouses cannot yet live on post, in family housing; the civilian spouse still doesn't count as a military dependent; still won't be brought to a wounded soldier's side in the worse case scenario. And, yes, I personally believe this is different from not being allowed in a hospital emergency room. That's bad enough. But to not be able to be at the side of your soldier? The man or woman who is risking their life for a country that just today deigned to think they were worthy of doing so? It's a different horror and it needs to be respected as such.

Also, if you pay really close attention, the politicians are speaking about gays and lesbians serving openly. This is not a short cut because LGBT is too long or too weighted or too whatever. This is intentional. This is because gays, lesbians, and bisexuals can now serve openly in the military but a transgendered soldier will still be ousted, should they be outted. And I have nothing more coherent to say about that.

Celebrate. Jump up and down. Sing. Pray. Get drunk and have hot monkey sex. Whatever it is that you do to celebrate when something really monumental happens, do it. Today is worth it. But know that the Transgender American Veterans' Association (TAVA) has requested all who are celebrating also take a moment of silence to acknowledge not everyone got their rights today. Know that DOMA limits just how sweeping this is. Know that tomorrow, there is work to still be done.

Those are Pobble Thoughts. That and a buck fifty will get you coffee.

Dribs and Drabs

2011-09-19T13:09:00.000-07:00

Tomorrow marks the end of DADT! On the one hand, timely, past timely. On the other, so long as DOMA is still in effect, really only half the battle. This is one of the places where I think the debate in favor of same sex marriage not only should take place, but must take place.
I've discovered a love for old school calisthenics. Push ups, jumping jacks, planks, squats, shadow boxing...I love 'em all. Who would've guessed?
There is a new phone. Bless Lithus's heart, he so wants me to have a smart phone. Or at least a flip phone. Or a slidey phone. Or something. The thing is, though, I am hard of hearing. Pretty distinctly so. And the more a phone does besides just be a phone, the less phone-like qualities it has. So, yes, there is a new phone. It's another $15 Go Phone and I can hear quite well through it, thank you very much. Mind you, sending Nemeria a single line text this morning took five whole minutes because none of the extras are the same as I'm used to but hey ~ I can hear.
Check this out: Middle Child Press. They are a new epub house created to get women of color published. While it is a travesty that we still need such a house, we do, so let's support it!
I'm thinking about starting an ongoing segment over at Stilettos In The Outback entitled "Carnivale." Now, more than ever, Lithus and I have indeed run away with the carnival. There is a core group of people who work for this new company and we move from place to place. While it's not actually a caravan ~ or hasn't been yet ~ we all end up in the same place, share food or booze or look after the kids or each other. And maybe that's all that needs to be said about it; maybe it will become something. It's an amazing experience though, this carnivale I've joined, and worthy of noting.
An introduction, of sorts...If you look over at my links, there on the left, you'll see a few new names: Authentic Life, where Bill writes about life and writing and Boston and family and yes, trying to be authentic in an often inauthentic world (and did I mention Boston?); and Reporting Live, where Paria writes about love and pain and success and failure and keeping on and reaching goals ~ all with a poignant sense of self. Also, J Byrd, if you're still reading, I can't comment on your blog and I want to! Any thoughts on how to finagle that?
We bought a car. In Alaska, we were driving a cherry red firebird. It was completely and totally irresponsible and oh so fun. We knew, however, that we couldn't do that again. This time, we really needed a bush vehicle. We researched and set out looking for Durangos. We're now the proud owners of a 2002 Land Rover. At least it's not a sportscar, right?
In spite of the carnival, I'm back to watching television and movies set in northeast cities just to go dreamy eyed over the exterior shots. Apparently, it's been a long time since I've been home.
ETA: How Did I Not Know This???? Talbots has a petite plus size section. And their models are actually and for real plus sized. No shit. Because not all of us who are petite are size 2s. And some of us ~ I know, this is daring ~ still want quality clothing. Demanding, short, zaftig women that we are.

Those are Pobble Thoughts. That and a buck fifty will get you coffee.

Screaming Liberal Post #3A

2011-09-12T10:26:00.000-07:00

Because I missed post #2 by accident and laziness.

I want to clarify something. I am not anti-Republican. I am not anti-conservative. When speaking with Lithus, I frequently refer to "conservative but sane" meaning I am infinitely okay with disagreeing with someone's politics so long as they are not insane. Want an example?

This person is not crazy:

I may disagree with him on many instances (and I do), however, his facts actually are facts; he is educated in reality. If he ever gets into the White House, I won't feel as if I have to leave the country.

This person is crazy:

I have informed Lithus that I do not love him because of his Canadian citizenship however, should she get into the White House, his citizenship will definitely be an asset he brings to the table.

See? Not crazy; crazy. Disagreements, no problem; disagreements, and big problem. You and I can disagree. You can be conservative; I'm embracing my screaming liberalness. Just don't be crazy. Don't be uneducated. Think and learn and listen before you speak ~ or run for office ~ or vote.

Those are Pobble Thoughts. That and a buck fifty will get you coffee.

September 11th, Every Year

2011-09-11T11:28:00.000-07:00

Every year on September 11th, I call the Grill Master. If you were to ask either of us, I'm not sure we could tell you why it is important for us to check in with each other this day; we only both know it is. In 2001, we weren't together; we didn't talk; we didn't catch up. The Divine M (his wife and my best friend, for those of you who are new-er here) and I spent many hours on the phone that day, but he and I didn't. And yet....

One year, on the anniversary, I was there, quite by accident. He and I spent the day quietly together. "In prayer and reflection" isn't a phrase that will ever be used for us, but it was as close to that as we will ever get. We didn't talk much but we didn't leave the room without the other often or for long, either. The shoulder clap and the eye contact-nod was common throughout the day. It was vintage Pobble-Grill Master and it felt right. It felt right enough that the next couple years, I was there on the anniversary intentionally. Somewhere during those years, it became important for us to check in when I couldn't be there.

This year was no different. It went like this:

Him: Hello, Boston.
Me: Hello, Grill Master. How the hell are you?
Him: As good as I can be. How you doing?
Me: 'Bout the same.
Him: Yeah. Where are you now? Idaho? Iowa?
Me: We're in Idaho. What the fuck am I doing in Idaho?
Him: Calling me, 'cause it's September 11th. That's what you're doing in Idaho.
Me: *sighs* Yeah. You know I love you, right?
Him: Ditto.
Me: I know.
Him: Yeah.
Me: Yeah.
Him (sadder): Yeah.
Me (sadder): Yeah.
Both: *sigh*
Me: You take care.
Him: Go, have as good a day as you can.
Me: You, too. And if I don't talk to you before, I'll talk to you in a year.
Him (laughing): Yeah!
Me: (laughing): Talk to you later.
Him: Later.

That was it. That was enough. We both said everything we needed to say and heard everything we didn't need to speak.

And that's why I love him and why I acknowledge this day with him, wherever I am.

Those are Pobble Thoughts. That and a buck fifty will get you coffee.

One of Those Moments

2011-09-08T16:39:00.000-07:00

When Lithus is at work these days, he leaves his phone here at the hotel. He has absolutely no cell service where he is on the mountain and so the phone is just one more thing to keep track of while he's out. I spend the days ignoring it beeping and blooping and ringing. Today, however, I was deep in edits when it rang, scaring the crap out of me. Honestly, it was habit that got me up and looking at caller i.d. Where I saw Lithus's project manager was calling. The project manager who has access to Lithus. Or at least has access to Lithus's radio. Who has no reason to be calling Lithus's phone. No reason but one...

I'm quite proud to say I didn't panic.

And in fairness to Project Manager, he realized immediately what he did. It went like this:

Boston Pobble: Hello?
Project Manager: Oh...damn. I think I called the wrong Lithus. Is this Lithus the Pilot's phone?
BP: Yeah, it is PM.
PM: He's okay. I hit the wrong Lithus on my phone. He's fine.
BP: *nervous laughter* No worries. It happens.
PM: Looks like he's gonna be a out on the fire late tonight, too.
BP: Okay. Again, no worries.

Here's what I love, though ~ Project Manager has been around long enough that, as soon as he had confirmed his mistake, he knew what the first words out of his mouth had to be. And just like that, my heart's beating again.

Those are Pobble Thoughts. That and a buck fifty will get you coffee.

Screaming Liberal Post #3

2011-09-07T16:41:00.000-07:00

2009 wasn't the greatest year for me, in case you weren't aware. Lithus and I spent a lot of time under a rock, just trying to get by. By 2010, I was paying attention again but honestly, didn't think to go backwards and catch up. I looked up at what was happening currently and kept going. All of which is to say, this has just now come to my attention.

The Daily Show
Get More: Daily Show Full Episodes,Political Humor & Satire Blog,The Daily Show on Facebook

Now, I have done some research but haven't found anything more about this, which leads me to believe it just is what it is ~ and that none of these men lost their jobs over this issue. Which begs the question Dear God Why The Fuck NOT?????

If anyone knows of real, long lasting fall-out from this, please, let me know in the comments or via email. We've got another election coming up, people. Make sure you know who you're voting for.

Those are Pobble Thoughts. That and a buck fifty will get you coffee.

Overreaction?

2011-08-26T10:33:00.000-07:00

A few days ago, I posted that I had killed two spiders all by myself and before four in the morning (note to Bill ~ no, neither involved the urban legend, thank the Goddess, and that's all that's gonna be said about that!). There have been two more confirmed kills since then. I have, however, also taken to slamming the heels of heavy shoes down onto previously unseen stains on the carpet.

Ah well. Better safe than sorry.

Those are Pobble Thoughts. That and a buck fifty will get you coffee.

Screaming Liberal Post #1

2011-08-24T12:15:00.000-07:00

Since I am embracing my title of Screaming Liberal (while acknowledging, with respect, that it may not be quite as apropos down in the lower-48 where there are actual, you know, screaming liberals), I present to you the organization Turn Right USA. Not as a joke. Not with any kind of irony or eye rolling. They are serious. They are virulent and malicious. They are not joking.
Part of me doesn't even want to give them credit or dignify them with this much of an acknowledgment. More, though, I think it's important that we know these people are out here, these people have power, these people are having an impact. Knowledge is power. We have to stop this. I promise you, if you are reading this blog, there is a very good chance these people hate you. If you are reading this blog, there is a 100% chance they hate someone you care about.

If I just link the video, it will be removed due to copyright issues. Instead, here is the link to their page. From there, you need to (although I admit, you don't want to) click on the "our video" link in order to see the political attack ad they have created. It is not safe for work, for children, or for human consumption.

Those are screaming liberal Pobble Thoughts. That and a buck fifty will get you coffee.

Are You Kidding Me?

2011-08-23T10:19:00.000-07:00

Let's be honest ~ as a culture, Americans hate the French. You may not; I may not. As a culture, Americans do. We've never, to my eyes, had a warm and fuzzy relationship with them but after they backed down from going into Iraq almost a decade ago, the attitude went from "not warm and fuzzy" to "as a culture, we hate the French." Remember "freedom fries" or "cheese eating surrender monkeys?" And don't try to tell me that was oh so long ago and we've moved on. It's not that we've moved on; it's that the hatred of the French has moved into the cultural consciousness to the point that we don't have to talk about it any longer. I know of at least one diner that still has "American Fries" on its menu. See?

And the diner was opened in the last 18 months, so you can't even tell me it's expensive to reprint menus once the supidity has worn off. It's a new menu, not a tattoo.

So...okay. Why am I talking about this? Because it seems the one thing Americans hate more than the French are black women. The accuser in the DSK rape case has been denied ... everything.

I've been keeping quiet about this because, even as her "character issues" came out, even as the media started talking about questions being raised, even as they released him from house arrest, the case was still moving forward. As of today, she has been denied everything.

Did she lie on her immigration forms? Sure. People smarter and more connected than I have said this is a fact. I will accept it as such. Did she react inappropriately immediately after the attack? This is up for debate, still, because what, exactly is "appropriate" in such situation. However, for the sake of arguement...fine. She didn't help her case in the moments immediately after the attack (*eye roll*).

So fucking what.

She is unreliable. She is a liar. She is a bad witness. She is imperfect.

So fucking what.

Her description of the attack has never wavered. DNA and physical evidence at the hotel point to the fact that something happened. The United States court system has said they don't care. None of this matters. She doesn't matter.

He is wealthy, internationally important, and white. She is...not. She should still matter. She does still matter. Taking him to trial would've been a travesty of justice? Perhaps it would've been. It wouldn't have been nearly the travesty of justice that not taking him to trial is.

Those are Pobble Thoughts. That and a buck fifty will get you coffee.

Ps/ETA ~ Yes, I do believe this would be different if she was white. She would still be being raked over the coals. She would still be being called names. The court system would still be victim blaming. That comes with gender and misogyny. I also believe the case would've gone to court. The fact that it isn't, I lay directly at the feet of racism. Just to be clear.

A Day Worth Noting

2011-08-22T11:27:00.000-07:00

I killed two ~ TWO ~ spiders, all by myself. One before four in the morning. Yeah, I'm a stud.

Those are Pobble Thoughts. That and a buck fifty will get you coffee.

National Aviation Day

2011-08-19T12:17:00.000-07:00

Honored over here.

And a special shout out to GSH, too. ;)

Those are Pobble Thoughts ~ and Pobble Travels. That and a buck fifty will get you coffee, tea, or me...or something like that.

Dribs and Drabs

2011-08-18T11:11:00.000-07:00

If you can't take being asked hard questions and not being allowed to set your own agenda when you are on a freaking talk show about being asked hard questions, you really shouldn't go into politics. Stop dishing it out if you can't take it.

*****

What is the allure of Kathy Lee Gifford? What am I missing? I find her to be ~ and have since her days with Regis ~ condescending, judgmental, and rude. Yet people love her. What don't I get?

*****

Have spent the last week working with the designer for my next book cover. Oh so very excited! Nothing more to say about it yet but you know I'll keep you posted.

*****

Our property manager in NOLA adores Lithus. I'm just as friendly as I know how to be; I get one line responses. He emails her and gets a tome, complete with emoticons. Oh so amused.

*****

When Lithus took this job, it was a contract gig with work through March and then we'd see. Based on the last two weeks of work, the project manager has signed contracts for another year worth of work. Ah, the smell of money...

*****

I could start a new blog just doing hotel reviews. I'm not because I'm already juggling two blogs and you know, my job writing. But I could. My first one would be that if you take a Travel Lodge, rename it, paint it black and red, add interesting outdoor lighting, and flatscreen televisions...it's still a Travel Lodge. A particularly unusual Travel Lodge, admittedly, but still a Travel Lodge nonetheless.

*****

Along those lines, think twice about staying at a hotel where along with toothbrushes and toothpaste and a comb, they offer complimentary ear plugs.

*****

Boxing, hula hoop and jumping rope combine for a kick ass workout.

*****

"Brain Eating Amoeba" are three of the scariest words ever.

*****

Those are Pobble Thoughts. That and a buck fifty will get you coffee.

Occupational Hazard

2011-08-12T12:17:00.000-07:00

Part of living on the road is getting to stay in hotels. Some hotels are noteworthy for their denizens and flophouse-y-ness. Some are noteworthy for their utter and complete mediocrity and un-noteworthiness. Some, though...Some are like the Hotel Davenport.

Lithus and I spent last Friday night there. We needed to get out of the bush, needed some elegance and sophistication; needed to remember that a world that includes chamber music, room service, and valet is indeed still our world.

It was everything we needed, wanted, and hoped it would be. The room was spacious. There was actual and for real art on the walls. The bed was hand-carved. The bathroom was marble. Even the toilet paper was lux.

Check out the bed:

What you can't tell from this picture is the fact that, at 5'2", I had to step on the bed rail in order to get onto this thing with any kind of grace. It's massively tall. (See the art on the wall? Actual paint.)

Another part of life on the road is just how often you forget where you are. You'd be surprised how many times Lithus and I look at each other and ask "Where are we again?" The only question we ask more often is "What day is it today?" ~ but that's for another post.

Forgetting where you are isn't all that bad, so long as one of us can remember in short order. And luckily, I have never peed anywhere inappropriate, as I have heard tell of other people who live on the road. However, sometimes, you happen to be in, I don't know, let's say Spokane. And you happen to be getting a little *ahem* amorous. This is not the best time to forget where you are. Because when you jump up out of bed for a quick second, you will forget that you haven't just gotten into bed but have had to ascend into bed and you will fall out. You will also catch yourself with your calf. There will be laughter and unsexy snorting. And the next morning, you will get into the (marble, extra-large) shower and notice this:

A week out, it will still look like this:

But you know what? Forgetting where we are is part of the life I love and the Hotel Davenport is oh so worth it (did you see the bed???????).

Should you ever be in Spokane, Washington, even for just a night, stay at the Davenport. Request a Davenport Deluxe King. Just remember where you are. ;)

Those are Pobble Thoughts. That and a buck fifty will get you coffee.

The Gopher

2011-08-10T13:09:00.000-07:00

The most recent big event here in Coolin, Idaho has been concern over if the horrible children who were staying at the hotel for the past few days had killed the resident gopher with a stick.

Lithus and I watched the kids ride by on their bikes last night and I pointed them out to him.

Me: Those are the kids who might've killed the gopher.
Lithus: With the stick?
Me: Yes.
Lithus: We hate them.
Me: Yes.
Lithus: Of course, if one of them fell off their bike and got hurt or something, we wouldn't just stand here, looking at them.
Me: Of course not. We'd point and laugh.

As of this afternoon, the gopher has been spotted. All is well here in Coolin, Idaho.

Those are Pobble Thoughts. That and a buck fifty will get you coffee.

Theory v. Practice

2011-08-09T14:18:00.000-07:00

Since leaving Vancouver and living on the road over two years ago now, I spend an outrageous amount of time alone or only with Lithus. Note, this is not in any way, shape, or form a complaint. We often remark upon how insane it is that we spend so much time just the two of us and continue to be quite content with that. However! There is not a lot of outside, mental stimulation.

Several days ago, I read an article about how to keep one's mind sharp and one's brain working at max capacity. It suggested different things, including crossword puzzles, suduko, and learning another language. Crosswords and suduko: Check. Learning another language: not check, exactly, but definitely something Lithus and I are working on.

Another suggestion was to perform simple activities with one's non-dominant hand. Eating, brushing teeth, signing your name. That's a good one. I can do that.

Or not...

In theory, it's an excellent idea. In practice, I can no longer get dressed before either eating or brushing my teeth without having to change shirts after both activities. *sigh* Maybe I'll start filling in my crossword puzzles with my left hand. At least it will save on the laundry bill.

Those are Pobble Thoughts. That and a buck fifty will get you coffee.

What's Wild

2011-08-08T15:25:00.000-07:00

You know what's wild?

That I carry a knife. And not just any knife. A big ol' freaking K-Bar.

That I met one of my best friends working at a porn store and that just seeing pictures of him can make me tear up ~ eventhough it's been almost two years since I've seen him in person.

That I have been in Anchorage, AK; Portland, OR; Salem, OR; Carson City, NV; Sacramento, CA; Tuscon, AZ; Alamagordo, NM; New Orleans, LA; Denver, CO; Coolin, ID; and Spokane, WA just in the last two months.

That I have never even been in the same room with two of my closest friends.

That I have outfitted an entire apartment via the internet, without once stepping into a store or talking to a real person.

That we have ordered a sofa funky enough that the employees at a place called Funky Sofa are excited about it and want to put pictures of it on their website and blog.

That, while not impossible, you still have to look really, really hard to find me online.

That one of my most valued friendships happens to be with my mother's first boyfriend.

That I still don't have Nemeria's mailing address memorized.

These are the things that have been rattling around the last couple of days and I thought I'd share.

Those are Pobble Thoughts. That and a buck fifty will get you coffee.

Courtesy of Dr. B

2011-08-07T11:09:00.000-07:00

Slowly giving up the idea that I am anything but a screaming liberal, regardless of what my screaming liberal friends think...

Those are Pobble Thoughts. That and a buck fifty will get you coffee.

Breathing Again

2011-07-29T07:50:00.000-07:00

Still not ready to make any grand pronouncements or promises. However, things are much, much better for the moment. We even get to stay in our wonderful, beautiful NOLA apartment. Which is worth a whole hell of a lot.

So back to our regularly scheduled blogging. :)

Those are Pobble Thoughts. That and a buck fifty will get you coffee.

This Cannot Possibly Be Happening...Again...

2011-07-22T15:06:00.000-07:00

Taking some time off. Probably leaving New Orleans. Lithus and I are alive, healthy, and together. More...eventually. You know me; I always come back. Until then, though...

Take care of you.

Those are Pobble Thoughts. That and a buck fifty will keep on getting you coffee.

Cooler Than You

2011-07-18T11:35:00.000-07:00

That should be New Orleans' official motto: Cooler Than You. Because even when it's hot, even when it's humid, even when it's monsoon season and it is pouring rain, New Orleans is cooler than you/me/we can ever hope to be.

That balcony up there? Yeah...that's our home. We live there. Go ahead; let the hating begin. :)

Those are Pobble Thoughts. That and a buck fifty will get you coffee.

Fear and Bravery

2011-07-08T11:20:00.000-07:00

It is no secret to anyone who knows me, or who has read this blog for a minute, that I am incredibly, incredibly brave and that I am brave because I am afraid of everything. It's only people who have just met me or who refuse to get to know me that believe the bravery is the core person and not an active, every single day choice. Honestly, I don't have much interest in keeping that second category around very long, because I happen to think being brave is far more interesting than being fearless, but that's just me.

Being the quivering mass of contradictions that I am, I have two differing experiences around this, just from this week. Surely this doesn't surprise you.

On the one hand, earlier this week, I mentioned to Lithus the fact that I am not as brave as I once was simply because I am not as scared as I once was. Leaving the house ~ not scary any more. Going exploring on my own ~ not scary any more. Making the phone calls and arrangements that need to be made ~ not scary any more. I regularly leave the hotel room without a book or crossword puzzle or anything else to distract me and go do whatever needs to be done, be it lunch or shopping. There have even been a couple of times this week that I started to get nervous about something and actually thought Wait, this doesn't bother you anymore; you don't have to be nervous, remember? and that was that. It's a beautiful, wonderful, exciting feeling.

On the other hand...Oh Dear God, the other hand. Last night, I had a thought that could become something interesting. So I emailed my friend Lori, who tends to know stuff about things, and asked if she knew anything about this idea. This morning, she wrote back saying that she knew nothing about it but here were three people she knew who very well might know something about it and I should write them and ask. Oh holy shit. Wait, what? Oh dear God.

But you know what? I'm incredibly brave. So, with a pep talk from Lori and a hard swallow, I did it. I sent those three emails. And as scary as it was, it wasn't as scary as it would've been once. Maybe, just maybe, even when I still need to be brave, I don't need to be quite as brave. I guess we'll see.

Those are Pobble Thoughts. That and a buck fifty will get you coffee.

These Thoughts on Those Thoughts

2011-07-05T09:00:00.000-07:00

I've had an interesting thing happen just today ~ I looked at the blogs of two people I know personally but didn't know they blogged. Only they aren't just chatty, here's what's up in my life, pithy observation and witty insight blogs. These two blogs present themselves as...if not experts, definitely respectable sources of solid information.

So, I'm reading these two blogs and I'm thinking this is good information when it hits me: neither of these women actually and for real live like this. They want to live like this. They strive to live like this. But I know both of them IRL and truth is they don't live like this. They simply know the words and what we're all supposed to say and they happen to put the words together in a really compelling, convincing way. But bottom line is they are giving advice ~ and presenting it as a relatively easy thing to do ~ when I know for a fact that, at best, they struggle with it; at worst, by their own admission, away from public eyes, they fail.

I remember once I listened to Friend A (not-so) mockingly scold Friend B for Friend B's parenting choices. Only Friend A made the exact same choices with her own kids for the exact same reasons. Because we know what we're supposed to say and what we're supposed to do. And it's oh so damn easy to tell other people how easy it is to do. Yet somehow, our excuses are actually real reasons when everyone else's are, well, excuses.

There's a story about Ghandi and, while I don't know for certain it's true, I like to think it is. One day a woman came to him and explained she had been trying to get her son to stop eating sugar and he wouldn't listen to her. Please, please would Ghandi tell her son to stop eating sugar. Surely, her son would listen to Ghandi. Although she had brought her son with her, Ghandi told her to bring her son back in a month. So she did. A month later, she returned and brought her son up to Ghandi who looked at the boy and told him not to eat sugar, then sent him on his way. (I like to envision a pat on the head and a smile at this point, but that's just me.) A little confused and irritated that she'd had to make the trek twice, the mother asked Ghandi why he hadn't been willing to say those few words to her son a month ago. To which Ghandi replied "A month ago, I hadn't stopped eating sugar."

The truth is no one has The Truth. No one lives it perfectly every single day. Most of us are winging it, just trying to do the best we can in any given moment. And you know what? I'm okay with that.

Those are Pobble Thoughts. That and a buck fifty will get you coffee.

Happy 4th

2011-07-04T15:33:00.000-07:00

If you celebrate it, Happy 4th of July!

If you don't, Happy Steve McQueen, James Garner, and David McCallum Eye Candy Day!

And remember ~ don't set shit on fire.

Those are Pobble Thoughts. That and a buck fifty will get you coffee.

Ed. Note ~ I have no idea what the comments at the beginning and end are; please disregard. Thank you.

A Reminder

2011-07-02T10:59:00.000-07:00

I've said it once already this season but with the 4th of July upon us ~ and the fireworks and sparklers that tend to show up with the occasion ~ I think it bears repeating:

Don't set shit on fire.

Your friendly neighborhood firefighters thank you. As do I.

Those are Pobble Thoughts. That and a buck fifty will get you coffee ~ and keep you from being evacuated later.

Since I Missed It...

2011-07-01T17:13:00.000-07:00

...You did, too, right? ;)

And especially for Kimber...

Those are Pobble Thoughts. That and a buck fifty will get you coffee.

Not Here, Not Now

2011-07-01T16:36:00.000-07:00

That is where and when I am. Or I'm not. Or something. You can't tell the players without a program folks. And while I'm not going to put everything that has happened in the last month out here, if you want the details, let me know; I'll fill you in as concisely as possible. Just know it's still a long story. But those are the best kind, don't you think? Yeah, me too.

Since last Monday, it's gone like this:
Monday, Sacramento, CA (lovely town)
Be told we'll have plenty of time to settle in.
Tuesday morning, be told Lithus is heading to AZ for 24-36 hours
Tuesday evening, be told Lithus is going to Sierra Vista, NM for 12 days instead. Make arrangements to fly to Tucson (via Las Vegas) and drive to Sierra Vista on Wednesday.
Tuesday night, be told Lithus isn't going to Sierra Vista, but is going to Safford, NM. We can still fly to Tucson and drive.
Wednesday, go to airport, check bags, head to security. Receive email telling Lithus he might be going to Alamogordo, NM and to stand-by.
Stand by...stand by...stand by...
Receive word we are to still fly to Tucson, meet up with chief pilot, and...something will happen from there.
Fly to Las Vegas. Receive word that Lithus is indeed going to drive to Alamogordo, just not sure when. Or where chief pilot is.
Fly to Tucson. Receive word Lithus is to spend night in Tucson, drive to Alamogordo Thursday. All without chief pilot. Who drops out of this story at this point.
Spend night in Tucson. Eat the most perfect scallop dinner ever prepared. Ever.
Thursday, drive to Alamogordo, New Mexico.

*whew* Now we're up to date.

Those are happy, back on the road again, Pobble Thoughts. That and a buck fifty will get you coffee (but admission to see The Thing is only a dollar!).

Pride 2011!

2011-06-30T13:34:00.000-07:00

It's Pride month and we here at Pobble Thoughts celebrate it. So, for the whole month of June, this will be the top post. Scroll down for more. And Happy Pride!

Those are Pobble Thoughts. That and a buck fifty will get you coffee.

It's Happening Again

2011-06-20T01:52:00.000-07:00

Aaaaand...They're off! Sacramento, here we come. Details soon. For now though ~

Those are Pobble Thoughts (with a little help from some friends). That and a buck fifty will get you coffee.

Filler

2011-06-16T14:40:00.000-07:00

There is so much to write. So freaking much. There is no time to write it. Instead, I bring you a visual interlude until we can return to our regularly scheduled programming. Enjoy.

My "type" has been well documented here at Pobble Thoughts. There's the perennial favorites, along with other ruggedly handsome gentlemen. There's my still-missed Tim Russert (*sniff*). And even more recently a (slightly NSFW) big ol' thank you to a friend.

Still, as gorgeous as these people are ~ and oh, are they gorgeous ~ I think it may be time to start a new batch. Not that Brian, Morgan, and Chow are going away. Never. Just...expanding the list a bit. :)

First, sliding into the 4th place position ~ and probably making his first appearance in the "Perennials" section ~ Tim DeKay. Ooooo...I just love me some Tim DeKay.

Moving into the empty love-his-intelligence-newscaster slot (*sniff*), Anderson Cooper:

Moving into the empty obscure-I've-never-thought-of-him-that-way-newscaster position (*sniff*), Brian Williams (see, it takes two people to come close to filling the hole Tim Russert left):

And from then on out, in no particular order...

Chiwetel Ejiofor:

Daniel Ratcliff (hey, he's legal now):

Jean Reno:

John Cho:

Karl Urban (yeah, the new Star Trek was a gooood movie):

Lawrence Fishburne:

And did I mention Tim DeKay?

Those are lovely, lovely Pobble Thoughts. That and a buck fifty will get you coffee and candy.

Road Trippin'

2011-06-05T08:21:00.000-07:00

Pictures from Fairbanks have been taken, just not loaded up yet. But first, we gotta go to Manley Hot Springs, which isn't nearly as interesting as it sounds because the hot springs resort is actually closed. It is, however, on fire. So we're going.

According to google, it's 156 miles and takes five hours. Only approximately 1/8 of the way is paved. The rest is gravel. And we're driving it in a rented, gold Chevy Impala. Yep, moving through the bush in a pimp mobile.

This is the part I love.

Those are Pobble Thoughts. That and a buck fifty will get you coffee.

Another Take On It, Though...

2011-06-02T01:53:00.000-07:00

You know I love Pride. I celebrate it. I try very hard to live it. The LGBTQ community is my community. Happily and, well, with pride. But...for every one of us who celebrates Pride, there is at least one who doesn’t. Who takes no pride in being part of our community. Gay men, lesbians, queers, transgendered people, bisexual men and women – people who should be able to take pride, who should feel a part of the LGBTQ community. After all, that’s what the word community means. Yet they feel no pride, so why celebrate Pride?

It would be easy to say they need to get over themselves; to lay it at their feet. It would be easy and, goodness knows, it would be more convenient. If it is their fault, their problem, then we don’t have to look at how we might have contributed to these feelings. After all, no one is responsible for our feelings but ourselves; no one can make you feel inadequate without your permission. Blah, blah, blah. We know all the catch phrases. Honestly, I’m even a fan of these phrases. I believe them to be true.

I also believe the overuse of these catch phrases is a cop-out. We use them to be able to insult people, to be cruel, to be dismissive, all while being able to blame the very person we have just tried to hurt if they actually get hurt by the fact that we have just tried to hurt them. How is that even logical?

But, what does this have to do with Pride or even with us? Because there is a hierarchy within our community. We like to pretend there isn’t. We like to pretend that, as an oppressed group, we come together in unity. We like to pretend we are a united front against those with straight privilege. Sadly, if you talk to more than a handful of bisexual people, you will discover this isn’t the case. If you talk to gays and lesbians of color, you will discover racism is as rampant among us as it is within the straight community. If you get to know transgendered people – do you even know a transgendered person? – you will hear stories of his or her “community” being as judgmental as the cis-world.

You don’t want this to be true. I don’t want this to be true. But as adults, we know that wanting something to be different doesn’t automatically make it so. We have to work to change it. I think Pride would be a good time to start or continue that work. Recognize where you have privilege, because most of us carry it somewhere. Watch your humor and your jokes. If someone doesn’t think you’re funny, let that be about you, not about them. Admit that yes, even as the focus of bigotry, we can still be bigoted. Don’t use politically correct words just because you know them; really think about why they are important and change the way you think, not just the way you speak.

If we can start here, with Pride, with ourselves, maybe we can open the community to pride. It’s worth a shot.

Those are Pobble Thoughts. That and a buck fifty will get you coffee.

Tulpa, Or Anne&Me...AGAIN!

2011-06-01T13:43:00.000-07:00

An amazing show, created by amazing women. If you're anywhere near New York City, see this show. Let me live vicariously through you.

Those are Pobble Thoughts. That and a buck fifty will get you coffee.

Summer PSA

2011-05-30T21:12:00.000-07:00

Memorial Day weekend has brought the emotional beginning of summer and the seasonal PSA here at Pobble Thoughts. Summer is great ~ beaches, frosty drinks, picnics, barbeques...yeah, that last one. Folks, have your bbqs. Toast your marshmellows and eat your s'mores. Just please, don't set shit on fire.
This isn't hard. Not lighting shit on fire is remarkably easy, in fact. So easy anyone can do it. Put it on the top of your summer list: Don't Set Shit On Fire. Ta-Dah.

Second on the list? Should you set some shit on fire ~ or someone else should set shit on fire ~ and the people who are in charge of things like this tell you to evacuate, get the fuck out.

The Summer To Do List
1. Don't set shit on fire.
2. Get the fuck out.
3. Enjoy the beach.

Not hard. Very easy. Feel free to pass this along. The firefighters, the smokejumpers, the helicopter pilots, and yes, the people who love them, thank you.

Those are Pobble Thoughts. That and a buck fifty will get you coffee.

Responsibility

2011-05-21T20:51:00.000-07:00

Finishing off the margarita mix in the refrigerator before leaving town for three months is a highly responsible thing to do. Otherwise, I would've had to have thrown it out. Highly irresponsible. And wasteful.

I'm a giver.

Those are Pobble Thoughts. That and a buck fifty will get you coffee.

Diplomacy

2011-05-20T11:08:00.000-07:00

My favorite definition of diplomacy is the ability to tell someone to go to hell and have them look forward to the trip. George Takei is my favorite diplomat.

Dear God but I love this man. (And please note how drop dead gorgeous Nichelle Nichols is at his wedding. Just saying...)

Those are Pobble Thoughts. That and a buck fifty will get you coffee.

Because It's Not Really 2011

2011-05-18T16:25:00.000-07:00

Have you seen the article in Psychology Today spewing the "scientific" and "objective" news that Black women are the least attractive people on the planet? Nope, not kidding. (Click on it; it gets bigger and readable)
Now, the first time I heard about this, I thought it was a joke. An unfunny joke but a joke nonetheless. Not because I don't think racism like this exists but because it was printed in Psychology Today, a reasonably respected magazine. Then I thought the people who had first told me about it simply misunderstood. Perhaps it was a study on the cultural attitudes that make white, mainstream America see Black women as less attractive. Still no.

This article "uses science" to actually "prove" Black women are the least attractive women around.

So...where's the outrage? Where's the disgust? Especially among the white women and feminists who would be screaming if such a thing were said about white women. When I first heard about it, it was easy to think it was a joke because it was being treated as one by the white women ~ white feminists ~ in the conversation. Another time I wish I was joking, but I'm not. But these are the same ilk of women who created the PUMA attitude when Barack Obama won the nomination for President.

You know that "sisterhood" women like to claim they have with each other? Where the hell is it when this kind of racist misogyny gets legitimized in such a public forum?

Because, yeah, these are some ugly people...

Those are angry, motivated, inspired Pobble Thoughts. That and a buck fifty will get you coffee.

An Ode

2011-05-18T12:07:00.000-07:00

Damn you, eight a.m. appointment, the bane of my existence.
In bed too early, I toss and turn.
Fumbling at the clock at only one.
Again at three, afraid the alarm is unset.
At five, the voice in my ear is worth the wakefulness
But not the loud silence at six.
Or six-ten.
Or -twenty.
Or -thirty, when I give up, tired and yawning and oh so grumpy for coffee.
But now?
Oh, my teeth are so clean.

Those are a Pobble Ode. That and a buck fifty will get you coffee.

When You Just Don't Get It

2011-05-17T18:42:00.000-07:00

Holy shit, are you serious??? According to the Indiana Supreme Court, people should not resist if the police enter their home illegally.

A man I have met recently has announced that everyone up here in Alaska should be wearing helmets when they ride their motorcycles - and has also announced that he has Libertarian views. So...you want to tell other people what to do but don't want to be told what to do.

The majority of self-described Tea Partiers do not want Medicare and Medicaid cuts. But they are enamored with Paul Ryan, whose plan includes them.

People are arguing that cuts to the budget are vital or else we will leave our children and grandchildren and great-grandchildren with huge debt to repay. But we are cutting education budgets - leaving them with a far greater debt than just a financial one.

Done. Done and done.

Those are Pobble Thoughts. That and a buck fifty will get you coffee.

Mini Post

2011-05-16T12:43:00.000-07:00

The men in the Viagra commercials are lovely to look at. Definitely a successful ad campaign.

Signal Boost, Bigger and Better

2011-05-11T10:09:00.000-07:00

Last November, I boosted the signal on a staged reading of a new show, Tulpa, or Anne&Me. Now, I get to boost the signal on actual performances. Yep, they went big-time and the show is being performed at

Planet Connections Theatre Festivity
Robert Moss Theatre (440 Studios) at 440 Lafayette Street, 4th Floor, Manhattan.
June 2 at 6pm, June 3 at 4pm, June 16 at 8pm, and June 19 at 8:15pm.

For $18 per ticket. Eighteen bucks!

Check it out at IndieGoGo.

If you're in New York, you should go. If you're not in New York, feel free to talk this up and tell people who might be in New York that they should go. And I will sit over here and be envious.

Those are Pobble Thoughts. That and a buck fifty will get you coffee ~ but $18 will get you theatre tickets!

Nicotine

2011-05-09T14:23:00.000-07:00

When I was 23, I quit smoking after seven years. When I was 30, I realized my marriage was in trouble, looked at a friend and said "All I want is a drink and a cigarette." Over the last 11 years, I've tried off and on to quit, but it never really stuck. Then two Augusts ago, I went back on the patch again ~ and was told by my dear, wonderful Dr. B. to not worry about the timing of it all, to stay on the patch as long as I needed to. So I did.
Until this week.

As of last Friday, I am nicotine free for the first time in eleven years. Lithus is, as well, which makes it even better.

It's very very cool.

Those are Pobble Thoughts. That and a buck fifty will get you coffee.

Hollowstone

2011-05-06T12:53:00.000-07:00

Check it out.

Yeah... :)

Random Act of Romance

2011-05-06T01:10:00.000-07:00

Lithus is in Kodiak this week, flying construction lifts. They ~ whoever "they" are ~ are building research and observation cabins for people who want to study or just watch the bears. They have set up a camera onsite that can be accessed via internet for ... people involved with the construction? ... the project bosses? ... someone. Since I couldn't go with him, Lithus got permission to give me the access code for the camera.
Tonight, I logged on about seven o'clock, just in case his day was winding down. Sure enough, there they all were, tying down the helicopter, closing down their day. So I watched, knowing my sweetie, even when he was blurry and pixilated. And as I watched, he finished his work, walked up the stairs to the deck, looked up toward the camera ~ and blew me a kiss.

417 miles away. Not knowing if I was watching or not. He blew me a kiss.

Is it any wonder I write romance novels?

Those are Pobble Thoughts. That and a buck fifty will get you coffee.

A Reminder

2011-04-27T15:18:00.000-07:00

The President of the United States of America was forced today to prove himself. After years of submitting the actual, legal document that the state of Hawaii provides, he had to provide yet another. Many white people consider it silly, or an annoyance, or may even be able to point to "them" and call out "their" racism. It is so much more than silly or an annoyance. It is not just about "them" there, on that other side. It's about all of us, if we want to admit it or not.

Those are far more eloquent and appropriate thoughts than Pobble Thoughts. And after all this time,this and a buck fifty will still just get you a cup of coffee.

The Good, The Bad, and The Ugly

2011-04-25T15:51:00.000-07:00

Just not in that order...
The Bad: After six months of being on the hook, my editor has turned down my book. Yep, the third in my trilogy will not be published by my previous publishing house. *sigh* So many reasons this is heartbreaking. Reason the first ~ duh. Reason the second ~ it was obvious by the reasons she gave that she only gave it a cursory read. That doesn't mean that all of her critiques were invalid; some were very valid. Most of them though, frankly, didn't apply to the book I had written. Reason the third ~ several of her complaints were the exact things my previous editor had loved. Ah well. And reason the fourth ~ you kept me on the hook for six months just to give my book a cursory glance and turn me down??? Are you fucking serious???? Yeah, pretty pissed.

The Good: I don't have a brain tumor. Seriously. It's been an interesting few weeks. The nutshell version: back at the beginning of the month, I was hit with a migraine like no migraine I have ever had in my life. Then less than a week later, there was another one. And there was an MRI on my brain and my neck. Wanna see? You know you do.

Pobble Brain, no tumors. How Freaking Cool????

So what's going on? It's The Ugly...

That's my neck. And that's a bulging disc. Officially, this is a small disc protrusion with degenerative changes and minimal canal stenosis. Which means it's a bulging disc with some spaces closing up. Yes, it's bumping up against my brain stem (hello, migraines) but it's not as bad as it could be because there is still a lot white around the brain stem. The white is the fluid that helps protect the brain stem. So, as ugly as it is, it could be a lot uglier. Still...dude...

However, in many ways, this has been good timing. I didn't get the book contract the day before my appointment with the orthopedic surgeon. As I wrote a dear friend of mine that night:

I'm still hurting. I'm still PISSED. I still don't want to deal with it with just about anyone but you.
AND having the doctor's appointment rescheduled for tomorrow is a case of the Universe giving you what you need. Because you know what?
I didn't get a contract for a book. I still don't have a brain tumor.
I didn't get a contract for a book. I do have a bulging disc from my c-spine pressing on my brain stem.
I didn't get a contract for a book. I have insurance and a referral to a really good doctor since I have a bulging disc from my c-spine pressing on my brain stem.
It's all a good reminder that no, I didn't get a contract for a book. But all that happened was I didn't get a contract for a book.

Told you - The Good, The Bad, and The Ugly.

Those are Pobble Thoughts. That and a buck fifty will get you coffee.

The Value of Things

2011-04-18T18:00:00.000-07:00

Over the weekend, Lithus made a throw-away line about how we should pare down our belongings because we are beginning to accumulate stuff. It was a throw-away and I know this for several reasons. First, he said it while clearing out the empty boxes that had gotten stacked along the closet. Second, we hardly have any stuff. We can't even invite three people over for dinner because we don't have enough table service for more than four ~ and only enough seating for three and only then if two of them are good friends. Mostly, I'm okay with this.

People who know me talk approvingly about my lack of materialism. Comment on how nice it is that I am willing to live simply in order to spend money on adventures and experiences. Note that anything I do have in my home and I am willing to accumulate is stuff I really, really love. And that last one is true. A long time ago, I decided I would only own things that I really, really loved, that increased happiness. The rest...the rest is only partly true.

I used to care about things. A great deal. Within a year, that was change was kind of forced on me. During my divorce, I wasn't allowed into the basement of the house I had shared with my ex-husband to go through the boxes he and I had stored there in happier times, knowing eventually we'd get around to unpacking them. During that same time, when I was trying desperately to take each and every breath without losing my mind, my childhood home was emptied and sold. While I would've been allowed to come down and go through it ~ welcomed, even ~ it wasn't...made easy...for me to do so. In some ways, I forced others to make decisions for me; in some ways, others forced decisions on me. I really can see both sides of it. The end result is the same.

My books. My college diploma. Pictures. Daddy's pencil sharpener. The whipped cream bowl. The demitasse cups. Two different dining room sets. The Victorian cookbook. My fountain pens. ... You get the idea. I have no idea what happened to so many things. I had to let them go.

Now...now I own the things I want. They are in storage in Worcester and Washington. I haven't seen them in years, literally. But they are mine. No one can take them away from me. And if I don't surround myself with stuff, it's not because I don't value things; it's because I do. I value the things I have left, the things I own, and they aren't simply replaceable because our apartment is a little emptier than it might be.

Those are Pobble Thoughts. That and a buck fifty will get you coffee.

For Denny (a little NSFW)

2011-04-12T22:22:00.000-07:00

Sometimes, you gotta say thanks, the only way you can.

Those are Pobble Thoughts. That and a buck fifty will get you coffee ~ and my love.

An Opinion on Not Having An Opinion

2011-04-12T11:35:00.000-07:00

When I was growing up, I was part of a very liberal family living in a very conservative town. The conservative contigent was already well established and deeply entrenched by the time we got there. My family managed to find like-minded people and discovered a liberal culture that was growing. Everyone had an opinion about something. Often loudly.
Then I moved to Boston for college. By the time I graduated, my mother was convinced conservative aliens had sucked my brains while I was in the northeast. Yep, for years and years, I was the conservative one in my family, which should tell you how liberal a bunch we were. Not surprisingly, however, conservative aliens did not suck my brains. Something did happen though. I went somewhere where it was okay to say "I don't know." In fact, it was encouraged. Now, while many might think this was because I went to college at all, I transferred to my school in Boston. I'd already done two and a half years in college. I wasn't some innocent, bright-eyed eighteen year old who'd never seen the world.

But in Boston, we were taught that if you only knew one side of an argument, you did not, in spite of what your gut or your emotions wanted to say, have enough information to form an opinion. It was novel. Mind you, I'd heard both sides debate issues before. You couldn't miss it growing up the way I did, remember? But I'd heard very little objective fact about the other side's side.

People were so busy yelling at each other; pulling out the weakest, most ludicrous sound bites of the other's stance in order to eviscerate it; standing by their own propaganda for the sake of standing by it...there wasn't a lot of room for listening. There were a few people ~ my dad, a couple professors at that first school, a friend's father, another friend's mother, AppsRUs ~ who listened and encouraged actual knowledge prior to making a decison but that's not the culture of my youth.

It's not the culture of my adulthood, either, it seems. People are going a little crazy with the propaganda these days...again...still...something. We hear it on msnbc or fox news, depending to which side of the aisle we lean and we believe it. We don't need to listen to the facts of the other side; we don't have to research what it actually means. We've heard our side's counter argument and that's enough.

Only, it's not. It's not enough to knee jerk against Planned Parenthood or Medicare cuts. Land minds and school lunches are both nuanced subjects, in spite of what is easy to believe. And we may come to the exact same opinion when it's all over. That is okay. At least we got there legitimately, not just because one side or the other was louder.

Until we get there, though, I really wish we could step back and acknowledge when we just don't know.

Those are Pobble Thoughts. That and a buck fifty will get you coffee.

Ah...Spring?

2011-04-05T12:19:00.000-07:00

I've been composing a post about Spring and the fact that it's here, finally. But, in vintage Pobble fashion, I've been composing it in the shower, while driving, just before sleep...everywhere but in front of my computer. Still, it has to be Spring because last weekend, we went out to Big Lake where friends are building a house and helped them get all the construction stuff off the lake before it thawed and everything sank to the bottom. And if there is concern about the lake thawing ~ the lake that people drive on because it is so solid ~ then it is Spring. Yay!

Lithus brought me tulips.

The apartment parking lot is no longer a sheet of ice. The snow hasn't just melted; it's disappeared completely and almost instantly.

Then I woke up to this today.

Can you see the snow? It had fallen for about twenty minutes at that point. Yeah. Twenty minutes.

Ah...Spring. At least my tulips are beautiful.

Those are Pobble Thoughts. That and a buck fifty will get you coffee.

Shameless Plug

2011-03-21T13:03:00.000-07:00

I've been waiting to hear from my editor to see if they are going to buy my third book. The deadline was back in October. Nothing. Several follow up phone calls, emails, rescheduling and...still nothing. I'm trying to be patient; this isn't unheard of in print publishing.

And honestly, I think I get why the decision may be particularly hard. On the one hand, it's a really good book. Probably the best of the three. On the other hand...the first two books aren't selling very well. Sales for the first one falling off may have been anticipated. But sales for the second have never been good. Mind you, I know why. Because of the situation I was in when the second one came out, I wasn't able to market it well at the time. Sales have always shown that. *sigh* Industry standard is that it would be very difficult to market it in mainstream venues at this late date. So, I'm marketing it here. And over at Facebook. And twitter. And anywhere else I can think of.

So go ahead, click here or here or, yes, even here. Buy books! Leave comments! You know you want to... :)

And thanks. It's time to do whatever necessary.

Those are Pobble Thoughts. That and a buck fifty will get you coffee ~ and about $10.00 will get you two really great books.

Anticipation

2011-03-20T12:56:00.000-07:00

This morning, I was sitting at the airport with Lithus and I saw someone reading the Sunday paper. Specifically, the Sunday comics. The sight made me smile. Admittedly, I don't think I've had a newspaper subscription in well over ten years, but the realization that the colored Sunday comics still exist made me very happy. I remember waiting for them and the joy that came with stretching out on the floor with the Sunday comics (I always saved Peanuts for last).

Without sounding like someone's grandmother, I do wonder if Timber's generation, let alone the generations after, have anything they anticipate. Sunday comics, Saturday morning cartoons, Christmas and other television specials. You didn't have to get too old before realizing that the countdown to those things and that warm burn of anticipation was just as good (if not better) than the explosion of the event itself. Even the disappointment that came when you missed something just taught you that much more how valuable the event was.

Right now, I think we are in a place where there doesn't have to be much anticipation. Want to watch How The Grinch Stole Christmas in June? No problem. Rent it or download it or plug in your dvd or blueray. Missed it on television? Trust me, no problem; it'll be on a dozen more times this season. Saturday morning cartoons are on all the time. Sunday comics can be found online any day.

Again, this isn't to be grumpy or curmudgeonly. This isn't a treatise on how much better life was when I was a youngin'. This really just is asking the question: I wonder if there's anything left to anticipate when everything we could want is available all the time. I hope there is. I hope I'm missing something. I hope Timber knows that warm burn and not just the explosion. And if this is the burp in the moment where there isn't anything, not really, then I hope Timber's generation is smart enough to change things up again. Because anticipation is worthwhile, too.

Those are Pobble Thoughts. That and a buck fifty will get you coffee.

69? Really? Cool.

2011-03-14T05:45:00.000-07:00

Contrary to reasonable expectation, this post is not about sex. It's about colleges and college rankings. The US News and World Report has come out with its college and university ranking. With My Heart looking at schools, I decided to check the list.

My alma mater, Northeastern University, is ranked 69th. Now, I always knew that, for my program, it fluctuated back and forth between number one and number two in the county (with Sam Houston State University in Huntsville, Texas, if you're interested). And I knew it was a solid school for a handful of other programs, as well. But nationally ranked...? I have to say, I'm surprised.

Sixty-ninth is just below WPI. It's tied with UConn and Virginia Tech. It's above American University, for crying out loud.

Honestly, I have stopped talking about having a degree in criminal justice because, thanks to DeVry and ITT Tech, a CJ degree has the respectability of a draw the pirate and you could be a real artist. But I am proud to say I have a pre-law degree with a concentration in international human rights law. Guess I'll start adding from Northeastern University to that.

Those are Pobble Thoughts. That and a buck fifty will get you coffee.

Missing Politics

2011-03-12T13:59:00.000-08:00

Over the last several weeks, I've had friends comment on the fact that Pobble Thoughts has been notably a-political. Admittedly, this has never been a political blog, but they popped up every now and again, especially when there have been events of note. And there have definitely been events of note recently.

I have been keeping track. I have been reading, researching, learning. I have been as aware as I've ever been. I've even been composing in my head. Posts on

* events in the Middle East
* the union protests in this country
* the similarities between events in the Middle East and the union protests in this country
* the use of the word deserve
* the closing of schools and the laying off of teachers
* the rape and subsequent victim blaming of an 11 year old girl
* and so many, many other topics...

But I'm also still very, very angry. Not a healthy, motivating anger, either. That I would embrace. No, I'm angry in an unhealthy, affect my relationships, make me a nasty person and change my personality angry. Not to mention incoherently angry, which doesn't please me at all. I like being coherent, erudite even. These days, I'm just a spewer, blathering out shit that only makes sense while it's still in my brain but falls apart once it comes out of my mouth, making my stance on something seem trite, superficial, and unclear. Writing about events and issues that increase that anger, especially when others are doing it better, more eloquently, coherently, and with far less flailing and gnashing of teeth, than I can...well, that I will leave aside. It's one thing to rant and rave to my friends, take a deep breath, and move on. It's another to put it here, where it will live forever, this incoherent angry blathering.

Those are Pobble Thoughts. That and a buck fifty will get you coffee.

International Women's Day

2011-03-08T10:28:00.000-08:00

You know someone's gonna start whining because there's no International's Men's Day. *sigh*

Those are Pobble Thoughts ~ with some help from Judi Dench and Daniel Craig. That and a buck fifty will get you coffee.

Fur Rondy Mini Post

2011-03-06T14:50:00.000-08:00

This is me:

With a cat...

Running Reindeer...

And a very cold Lithus.

Want to know more? Go here. :)

Those are Pobble Thoughts. That and a buck fifty will get you coffee.

Birthday Wishes

2011-03-02T12:52:00.000-08:00

If you've run from Oobleck or heard a who,
If you've become friends with Thing 1 or Thing 2;
If you know the beauty of truffula trees,
If you know the alphabet stops not with zees;
If you've ever headed to Solla Sollew,
If you've run the circus, or even the zoo;
If you know exactly how lucky you are,
If your belly laughs at the need of a star;
If you ever saw it on Mulberry Street,
If green eggs and ham is your favorite treat;
If you've ever befriended a big-hearted moose,
Give thanks for your childhood ~ and Dr. Seuss.

Those are thankful Pobble Thoughts. That and a buck fifty will get you coffee.

222

2011-02-22T02:21:00.000-08:00

When my dad first died, I marked a lot of time. I wasn't suicidal or anything. Even then, I knew there were too many adventures to have to even think like that. Plus, it would be the greatest insult to his memory and his parenting. But I did mark a lot of time, living for the time I would die and get to see him again.

Even once the grief changed and I stopped marking time, started actually living for living again, I often said that, given a relatively sound mind and body, I wouldn't want to live past my mid-to-late 80s because I didn't want to go without seeing my dad any longer than that.

Last night, Lithus and I got to talking about vampires (don't ask). It dawned on me that, while I would miss my dad deeply, if I were with Lithus, I would be want to be immortal. It's a silly, unrealistic thing to even consider. And it made me smile anyway.

Guess I married the right guy two years ago.

Those are Pobble Thoughts. That and a buck fifty will get you coffee.

Take 2

2011-02-15T12:47:00.000-08:00

I'm a bit of a procrastinator. At the time I published yesterday's post, I still hadn't gotten Lithus a Valentine's Day card yet. Yeah...He, however, had presented me with flowers. And a poem. Yep. A poem. *Pobble dissolves into a puddle* Written by him, from his heart.

At the grocery store yesterday afternoon, there were several of us, looking at the cards. We got to chatting, the way strangers do, and bemoaning the fact that we had put off getting cards for our significant others until the last minute. Putting back yet another really bad card, I muttered "I got a poem." The woman next to me asked "Really?" "Yeah," I nodded. "How is one of these supposed to compete with a poem????" She shook her head. "You really can't." We laughed. I'm please to say I managed to do all right anyway. But let it be a lesson to you ~ you really can't compete with a poem.

My Flowers

Game hen, asparagus and couscous

And yes, we ate in front of the television last night but here's why...

Casablanca in the background :)

And last, but never least, my dear Lithus.

This isn't even how he was dressed for last night. This was just for going out the other day, rocking the Sean Jean on a random Friday to run errands. But he's gorgeous and I wanted to share. :)

Those are romantic, mushy, here's looking at you kid, Pobble Thoughts. That and a buck fifty will get you coffee.

Valentine's Day

2011-02-14T16:45:00.000-08:00

Yes, yes, yes, I know. It's a commercialized, artificial holiday, created by Hallmark and other evil corporations.

So what?

See, I don't care. I love it. Always have.

Now that I'm with Lithus? Good grief, I'm positively mushy. We each have things that make the day important. For me, it's flowers. No roses, thank you very much, but flowers. For him, it's a romantic dinner. Today, he showed up with an amazing bouquet, wild and messy and gorgeous. Tonight, I'm preparing Cornish game hen, with couscous and asparagus. And, of course, chocolate. :)

So to all of you, if you love Valentine's Day, or loathe it. If you celebrate it with a partner, or friends... Happy Valentine's Day. May your day be filled with chocolate and romance.

Those are mushy, romantic Pobble Thoughts. That and a buck fifty will get you yummy chocolates.

Weekend Ramblings

2011-02-06T19:07:00.000-08:00

I have been busy and flat out since mid last week. I have nothing to show for it and nothing to point to and say "that's what I was doing" but today is the first day I've stopped. I'm okay with this.

Freaked out a little bit today. Never cross the streams. One of the followers of Pauline tweeted about a site and a specific post that an IRL friend has talked about frequently. And it's not a viral video, but a somewhat obscure site and post. Seriously, people, don't cross the streams.

Lithus is flying a gig for NASA over the next couple days. It's "rocket collection." Please note, it's not "missle collection." They were very clear about this. Rocket.

He will be based out of Fairbanks. The good news is that Fairbanks has warmed up to 11 degrees during the day, so the temperature won't be crazy cold for him.

Two new pairs of jeans, my cool boots from the previous post, and new lipsticks. I'm not sure if it speaks well about my character how happy these little things continue to make me ~ or if it means I'm a little pathetic. Regardless, I continue to be deliriously happy.

Hm...what should've been the first in this list, perhaps...we are, once again, as of today, grandparents. As my step-daughter put it "tell Pobble she's officially a grandmother; I know she'll love that." At least it's already been established that I don't hold babies.

Looking at pictures from my Heart's visit, we held a lot of food. Mind you, it was really big food and worthy of holding. Just check out the pizza (and the two amazing men I got to spend my week with, of course).

Still, we held a lot of food. I'll see if I can get him to send me pictures he took on his camera for a more event-based, less food-holding-based post.

Was flipping back and forth between the Super Bowl and the Puppy Bowl ~ until the puppies all decided they were tired of entertaining the non-football people and just lay down. Plus, there were no dachhunds. What is the point of showing adoptable puppies if there are no dacschunds?

Egypt...Yeah. Others have said it better and more eloquently so I'll leave it at: Egypt. *sigh*

Those are Pobble Thoughts. That and a buck fifty will get you coffee.

I Tried...

2011-02-01T19:19:00.000-08:00

I tried to adapt to living in Alaska. I wore flat boots. I wore appropriate clothing. I was waterproof and sturdy...and hated every damn minute of it.

Today, I'm wearing this coat:

And these boots:

Good Lord, but I'm happy.

Those are Pobble Thoughts. That and a buck fifty will get you coffee.

The Birthday Trip

2011-01-31T11:57:00.000-08:00

A few months before My Heart turned six, I found a trip to New York City to see The Lion King on Broadway. We could afford it and Crow said I could take him and the birthday trip was born. Over the years, we've done Disney twice, NYC twice, Boston twice, Everett, Vancouver, and now Anchorage. Twice I simply couldn't afford anything. Once Crow booked something else for him the same week he was supposed to come to me. And once there was a Wii instead of a trip, at his request. Otherwise, my Heart's birthday trip is pretty much a given.

Because he is older, this year was a little different. We hung out. We played a lot of cribbage and watched even more netflix. My Heart had schoolwork to do every single day. We hit coffeeshops, went for walks, and did exciting things like laundry and grocery shopping. It's easier to do ordinary life things now that he's older. I didn't have to schedule the hell out of the week, ensuring that every single moment was interesting. He's old enough now to read a book, noodle on his computer, whatever. But there wasn't a lot of boredom, because we talked and laughed and kept ourselves entertained.

Because he is older, this year was...bittersweet. He's eighteen now. The birthday trip is no longer a given, after this year. Next year, he heads for college and a life that has its own schedule and new priorities. As I told him at the airport yesterday morning, hanging out with your aunt and uncle, no matter how beloved they are, probably won't be as important ~ and honestly, shouldn't be.

But as I waited for him to walk through security, I couldn't help but remember the way I had once had to brace myself for the impact of his little body running full speed to me once he saw me. Playing games in airports; trying new foods; getting to have sugar for breakfast and dessert for lunch; big band music; tea at the Ritz; invisible aliens; pictures of pigeons; seeing cities for the first time; planes, trains and automobiles... Eighteen years of memories and birthday trips and Aunt Mame time.

It's hard to see him grow up, let him go, know that this was probably the last birthday trip of its kind. The good news, though, is that, as Lithus put it on the way home from taking my Heart to the airport to go home, we have quite an unusual relationship. It may have been the last birthday trip of its kind. It's far from the last trip. We will have other adventures together. More importantly, though, he'll have adventures on his own and with his own friends and the family he creates. And I'll take credit for teaching him the world is for having adventures in. Because really...what amazing adventures await him...

Those are Pobble Thoughts. That and a buck fifty will get you coffee.

To Be Sung

2011-01-22T14:45:00.000-08:00

My Heart, my Heart, my Heart
Is here in town.
My Heart, my Heart, my Heart
Is here in town.
My Heart, my Heart, my Heart
Is here in toooooooowwwwwwwwwnnnnnnn....

My Heart is here in town!
Yay!

And I am a very happy aunt.

Those are Pobble Thoughts. That and a buck fifty will get you coffee.

The Morning Dilemma

2011-01-19T09:34:00.000-08:00

I'm getting too hot.
I just can't stay cold.
May be a sniffle;
Or I may be old.

What is the reason?
What could be the cause?
Perhaps it's a bug,
Or just menopause.

Too young for hot flashes?
I wish it was true.
The question becomes,
"Would I rather the flu?"

Hot bath or a cold pack;
It's quite a dilemma.
For now, pass the ice,
And put me on simmer.

With apologies to all the real poets out there in the world.

Those are Pobble Thoughts. That and a buck fifty will get you coffee.

A Sadness

2011-01-13T19:34:00.000-08:00

From the age of nine through high school, I walked in and out of three homes in my hometown as easily and as readily as I walked in and out of my own home. Truth be told, I think I could show up at all three of those houses tomorrow, ring the bell, walk in without waiting, and be welcomed. That's just how it was.

The Dad Person in one of those houses has died. I'm not sure I've seen him since my own father's funeral. I don't think I have. It doesn't matter.

Tonight, I am nine again, and having one of my first sleepovers in his t.v. room with his youngest daughter and another girl whose house I would eventually make another home. I am thirteen and have just gotten hurt in the theatre and his hugs are big enough to make me feel better and calm me down. I am fifteen and heading off to Philadelphia and he is at my going away party. And on and on and on...until I am twenty-seven and my father is dead and this other Dad Person is in our kitchen.

I am the youngest of the four daughters the two families have so, perhaps, it is the time that these phone calls and emails will start coming. But I don't want them to. And I don't want him to have been the first. It is, though, and he was.

Which makes me sad.

Those are Pobble Thoughts.

Twitter-ish Tweety

2011-01-11T16:24:00.000-08:00

Oooo...there were blisters under the bandages. I wanted to take a picture but Lithus said no. Actually, Lithus didn't say anything. Just looked at me with that look. So no pictures. Ah well. All's better now, although Lithus says they felt like burns when the doctor first removed them. And no infection or anything. But still...oooooo. And ick.

Finally got in contact with my editor and my pub house. Her hoping to get the October deadline book read by the end of November was far too optimistic. She's now hoping to get it read in February. This is how it works. My first piece of advice to aspiring authors is finish the book. My second piece is have a ton of patience. Because you know what? It's not a no. She might not have said yes, but she hasn't said no. And I'll take that.

Pain meds continue to look really fun.

Those are Pobble Thoughts. That and a buck fifty will get you coffee.

Twittery Tweet-ish

2011-01-07T12:54:00.000-08:00

Have added muscle relaxants to the pain meds. He's resting better now ~ although perhaps he's just stoned out of his mind.

Sleep deprevation is an interesting phenomenon.

His pain meds include laudanum. Yep, laudanum. Apparently, they still make it. And yes, it still works. Especially when in combination with a muscle relaxant.

Of everything he's on, the one thing I'm concerned he'll become addicted to is the ice pack.

AFK

2011-01-05T00:22:00.000-08:00

Away From Keyboard

See this studly man flexing his new tattoo for the camera? Yeah, he's not actually flexing. He's humoring me. And that's not actually a new tattoo. Check it out.

It's the word "yes." In sharpie pen.

As in, "Yes, doctor, this is the shoulder you are supposed to be cutting into and operating on." What I find interesting is that the handwriting is not mine, nor is it Lithus's. It's the doctor's. At the pre-op appointment, he marks the joint himself.

Back when Lithus was in Spain, he slipped stepping off the helicopter. A twist here, a missing handle there and, ta-dah, here we are! Rotator cuff surgery. All will be well, of course. However, after having been posting every single day for over a month, I realized I very well might just...not be here. *Poof* Plus, it's a fun chance to show off my dear Lithus. :)

Those are Pobble Thoughts. That and a buck fifty will get you coffee ~ but not after midnight or before 11:00 a.m.

Wrap Up

2011-01-03T12:50:00.000-08:00

What an amazing holiday season it's been this year. Given that it started with Lithus out of town for Thanksgiving, I admit I'm surprised and pleased. I wouldn't have expected it to be so wonderful. While I am sorry to see them end, I am also looking forward to seeing what 2011 brings.

Because 2010 was certainly an interesting experience. We started in Connecticut, under the Lovely Cats's stairs. Then came a hot minute thinking we had a job in New Orleans, before Nevada and Crow's house ~ and my heart's bedroom, God love him. Then *boom* we're in Alaska, still living out of boxes, still living on the road, but in such a very different way.

So bring on 2011. There's an adventure around the next corner; let's go find it together, shall we?

Those are Pobble Thoughts. That and a buck fifty will get you coffee.

Almost Over

2011-01-02T11:06:00.000-08:00

Even I cannot make the holidays go on much longer, as much as I would like to. Today and tomorrow and then we'll be back to our regularly scheduled postings. For now, though, the music continues.

Those are Pobble Thoughts. That and a buck fifty will get you coffee.

Happy Birthday, Muppet

2011-01-01T00:01:00.000-08:00

These are my best friends:

.

The Divine M and my Muppet.

He and I have been friends since he was 21. We are an odd pair and we will both admit it. After all, I do this for a living:

He does this for a living:

But we work in our own weird way. Today is his 30th birthday.

Happy Birthday.

Those are Pobble Thoughts. That and a buck fifty will get you coffee with so much sugar in it you kinda gag a little bit ~ but dude, you're awake!

Gifts, Not Resolutions

2010-12-31T00:03:00.000-08:00

I have mentioned in the past that I write for a little, independent newspaper out of Bellingham, Washington. While I very rarely cross the streams, I liked January's article a lot so, here it is...

Happy New Year, Poppets! Have you recuperated yet? Are you ready to start fresh in 2011? Because that’s what new years are for, right? Fresh starts, resolutions, changing who we are, all that. Only…I don’t believe that. As I have written here before, I am all for making personal changes; I am not a fan of the pressure to make said changes based on the turn of the calendar.

When I worked in human services - a long time ago, in another life – we would often get people who had made it through the holidays, made it through New Year’s, but would show up in our offices sometime between mid-January and mid-April, horribly depressed because once again they had failed to lose weight, quit smoking, save money, whatever their resolution had been. They had used this time to try to stop being self-destructive even though there is no reason to think it will work any better now than it does on a random Tuesday in March. But they beat themselves up as if they had failed at something simple.

I was talking to Lithus about this the other day, explaining why I don’t like New Year’s resolutions, when he said something that struck me. He said that there are people who hold out for this particular turn of the calendar with the hopes of not just making a change, but the hopes of forgiving themselves for the past year’s (even years’) sins. They use whatever resolution they make as a manifestation of that forgiveness. But the forgiveness isn’t really there, so the resolution doesn’t stick. When the resolution doesn’t stick, it just proves we don’t deserve to be forgiven. And if we aren’t forgiven, then why do we deserve to stop being self-destructive? It’s a cycle.

It kind of rocked me back on my heels. I’ll be honest; I had never thought of it that way.

So this year, I have a suggestion. Let’s make forgiving ourselves our New Year’s resolution. One year for Lent, a friend of mine gave up self-loathing. For my thirty-fifth birthday, my gift to myself was to embrace my curves and be comfortable in my own skin. Years later, my friend still has the self-confidence she gained that Spring and to this day I rock my plus-size fashion with the sexiest of them. In other words, we can do this forgiveness thing and have it stick.

First, don’t resolve to change any specific, outward thing. Habits, patterns, actions, addictions can all wait for a bit. Second, forgive yourself for not having changed those habits, patterns, actions or addictions yet. You aren’t a failure. Whatever it is, we aren’t bad people. Not at our core. The forgiveness really can be the action this year.

Because here’s what happens - once we’ve forgiven ourselves, we can start to see ourselves as people worth being healthy. Physically. Emotionally. Worthy of not self destructing. When we feel worthwhile, any change we make is more likely to stick, even on a random Tuesday in March. Especially on a random Tuesday in March.

Okay, yeah, this got a little touchy-feely. But you want the truth? I believe every word of it. I believe self-forgiveness is one of the greatest resolutions we can make. I believe we are more likely to make the changes we need to make when we like our core selves first. So, if you have to make a resolution in 2011, try this one.

Those are Pobble Thoughts. That and a buck fifty will get you coffee.

Good King Wenceslas

2010-12-30T11:22:00.000-08:00

This isn't just one of my favorite carols, it's one of my all time favorite songs. For me, it's part of Scrooge's promise to keep Christmas in his heart throughout the year.

Sorry so short. I'm rushed today and wanted to get this up.

Those are Pobble Thoughts. That and a buck fifty will get you coffee.

Important PSA

2010-12-29T00:08:00.000-08:00

Every year, I get a pap smear and, since turning 40, a mammogram. My biological grandmother, the original Pauline, died of breast cancer before I ever even met her. Hell, my mother was only 16, so it's something we take seriously in my family. This year, I was at a new clinic so had to fill out all the paperwork from scratch. They always ask for family history, so I called my mom and asked how old Polly was when she was diagnosed. We did the math; I wrote down the answer; we hung up.

She was 41.

I am 41.

I am woman enough to admit; it threw me. All will be well. There is absolutely no reason to think otherwise; this was simply another yearly exam. And it was a good reminder.

Women, get your annual exams. Men, remind the women you love to get their annual exams. It's too easy to catch early. There's no reason not to see your doctor once a year. Stick around to celebrate many more holiday seasons.

Those are Pobble Thoughts ~ and Pauline's. That and a buck fifty will get you a hell of a lot more than coffee.

Unforgettable

2010-12-28T13:09:00.000-08:00

Lithus and I were snuggling on the couch last night and I realized ~ this has been one of the the best holiday seasons ever. Not just of my adult life. Not just since Daddy died. But, truly, ever. With that kind of statement, one would think I could explain why. Would think I could point to certain events or happenings that made it so special. I can't. It just has been.

There's been a lot of peace this year. There's been a little extra money, which yes, is helpful, as much as I'd like to say it doesn't matter. There's been the right amount of busy-ness and socializing. There's been the right amount of time just the two of us and of time to myself. It's been...wonderful.

Those are Pobble Thoughts. That and a buck fifty will get you coffee.

Still the Holidays

2010-12-27T11:56:00.000-08:00

Mostly, our living room has been neatened, but the flotsam and jetsam of the day is still scattered around in the unexpected scrap of wrapping paper or the wayward walnut that rolled under the ottoman. Lithus is back to work. I woke this morning with a plot in my head. This week, I have a doctor's appointment and a haircut. All very ordinary things.

And yet the house is still decorated. My afternoon coffee will still have a splash of eggnog rather than cream. This week I've promised myself a pecan pie and Lithus more butter tarts. We have a dinner and an event to attend for New Year's Eve...

Delightfully, the holidays don't just stop because Christmas Day passes. Which works for me.

Those are Pobble Thoughts. That and a buck fifty will get you coffee.

Boxing Day

2010-12-26T15:26:00.000-08:00

First, let me say that yes, I did get my hard fat pillow. Many smooches to Lithus.

Casa de Pobble looked like this in 2010:

It tasted like lamb, green beans, sweet potatoes and butter tarts. Sounded like carols, laughter, George C. Scott, a Dollhouse marathon and more carols.

And today...today is a good day, too. Which is a...nice...thing to be able to say.

Those are Pobble Thoughts. That and a buck fifty will get you coffee.

Merry Christmas

2010-12-25T00:02:00.000-08:00

When I was planning this post, I knew the music had to be right, today of all days. I've even bemoaned to my mother my inability to find what I wanted. Because, while I've chosen these songs carefully all season, today's was particularly important. It had a standard to live up to.

See, for the first 27 years of my life, Christmas morning would start with my father getting up first, putting on coffee, turning on the tree, lighting a fire in the fireplace and doing whatever other stuff needed to be done (I'm realizing as I write this, I don't completely know ~ to my knowledge, in 27 years no one ever once performed this routine with him. Not Once.) and then, when everything that needed to be done was done, he would turn on the music. Every year, it was the same music: A Festival of Carols In Brass by the Philadelphia Brass Ensemble.

The music would fill the house, literally trumpeting that Christmas morning had arrived. When we were little, it was permission to come into the main part of the house. When we were older, it was the alarm clock that woke us, urging us out of bed, into the day.

Crow and I would have our stuffed animals with us, because we couldn't leave them alone on Christmas morning (to this day, Bear comes to Christmas with me). My mother wore her beautiful red and black quilted apron-dress thing. It was the only day of the year I ever remember her wearing it and yet I remember her wearing it every single Christmas day. And my dad would be in the living room, usually off to the side, where he could watch but be out of the way, with his coffee, sleepy smile and bright eyes. And Christmas would begin ~ all to the sounds of the same record.

The music changed throughout the day ~ and throughout the years, even. As time went on, Crow brought in new age and popular artists. I (re)introduced Bing and Frankie and Nat into the mix. But the wake up, it's Christmas! call was always the same, always just right, always the Philadelphia Brass.

So today's music had to be just right. And it is.

Merry Christmas to all who happen by here today. You are loved. Blessed be.

Why, Oh Why?

2010-12-24T09:08:00.000-08:00

Five hours of sleep and I'm awake and WIRED. Why? Because it's Christmas Eve, people! Tomorrow is Christmas! It's practically here!

Those are Pobble Thoughts. That and a buck fifty will get you coffee.

Slowing Down

2010-12-23T09:39:00.000-08:00

And then you get to the point in the season where you realize...it's done. Everything you needed to do has been done. Everything you needed to buy has been bought. It's done. And you can relax and enjoy the next few days.

Lithus is off until the 27th now. We're actually considering a movie this afternoon just because. It's lovely.

Those are Pobble Thoughts. That and a buck fifty will get you coffee.

Lame, My Ass

2010-12-22T12:36:00.000-08:00

Usually this time of year, it's all music, all the time, especially when I'm busy the way I'm busy this week. Love the holiday busy and it deserves an appropriate soundtrack. :) The last few days, though, the soundtrack to my busy-ness has been msnbc or c-span. I'm glued to the Congress because I'm not the only one who's been busy as hell.

DADT
START
9/11
Food Safety

Holy shit. These folks could've gone back to D.C., packed their offices and gone home. They didn't. Special props to the Republican senators, including Alaska's Lisa Murkowski, who reached across the aisle and voted against party lines to pass DADT.

Now I gotta get back to my turkey dinner because we are still in holiday busy-ness, as well as political busy-ness.

Those are Pobble Thoughts. That and a buck fifty will get you coffee.

Holiday Busy-ness

2010-12-22T00:01:00.000-08:00

Yesterday, by 7:30 a.m., I had already frosted two dozen cupcakes, had another dozen in the oven, and a small cake poured and ready to go in the oven. Yep, it's the holidays.

It's going to be a week of eating. Our Yule feast last night was beef stew, crusty bread and that aforementioned small cake. Tonight, a friend is coming over for a full turkey dinner. Tomorrow, we have dessert and cocktails at Boss and Mrs. Boss's house. Christmas is lamb. Sure, I'll workout and I'll Wii but this week is pretty much a fuck it and enjoy week.

We were able to watch the lunar eclipse from our living room window ~ at least until the clouds moved in. But the clouds didn't move in until after it was fully eclipsed so I got to see it. With my sweetie.

Packages were mailed Monday and are expected to arrive by Friday. Lithus's gifts are wrapped and under/next to/around/beside the tree. I am banned from the living room closet until further notice or Saturday, whichever comes first.

*whew*

Happy, happy, happy...

Those are Pobble Thoughts. That and a buck fifty will get you coffee.

Merry Meet

2010-12-21T00:01:00.000-08:00

It's Yule. I had several posts in my head. One was about the holiday and what Yule represents for Pagans. One dealt with what Paganism/Wicca is becoming versus what it is. The final one addressed issues with Christians and Christianity in the US these days. You won't be reading any of those. At least not today.

Today, we beat back the darkness. Tonight, there is magic in the air. The rest can wait until tomorrow.

Blessed Be!

Not So Unintentional Paganism

2010-12-20T00:03:00.000-08:00

Every day I've posted music here, I've also posted music over at Pauline's site. It's been fun and an easy way to keep up over there without having to work too hard during the holidays. But tomorrow has had me a little stumped. Tomorrow is Yule, the Winter Solstice. Here, where I am happily out, I will be posting Pagan music (no, I'm not telling what; you'll have to come back and see). But I'm not completely out IRL and Pauline is certainly not out. Hell, Pauline isn't anything. She's not religious; she's not political. She's just a novelist. Period. And yet...I couldn't bring myself to post something overly Christian tomorrow. Lucky for me, Crow sent me an email after the post entitled Unintentional Paganism. In fact, the title of this post was the subject line of her email.

Here's what she said:
(A mutual friend of ours) sent me this link as his Christmas card. I knew I had to show you, but when I saw the title of your blog post, I had to check to make sure we weren't seeing the exact same thing!! This is so incredibly gorgeous, so rich in Pagan imagery, just a luscious video... I know you'll get it!

And you know what? I do. She is absolutely right and I totally get it. So tomorrow, I will post this over at Pauline's place. Wink, wink, nudge, nudge, say no more, say no more.

Those are sly Pobble Thoughts. That and a buck fifty will get you coffee.

So This Is What They Mean

2010-12-19T00:08:00.000-08:00

When I was really young (less than five), my family lived in Fredonia, New York, right on the coast of Lake Erie. According to a family story, my Uncle John (using his real name because, seriously, Uncle John? It's so common, it's practically a moniker) who has never lived outside of Texas was watching a weather report one winter and hearing about the massive snowfall that had hit upstate New York and said to my aunt that we had adapted to and learned to live in a way that my uncles and aunts could never even imagine.

Now that I'm living in Alaska, I've been feeling a little like that. First, we had to learn to sleep with the sun up, because it never went down. Then, we were scraping the car by mid-September. The first snow came before Halloween. The other night, we had 60 mile an hour winds. Those weren't the gusts. Those were the winds. The gusts were higher than that. The core temperature was 2F. The wind chill took it deep into negative numbers. And it is only December.

Lithus heads to Prudhoe Bay/Deadhorse today. Where the core temperature (e.g. not the wind chill) is -20F. Where the winds at the oil platforms are 112 mph. Again, not the gusts. Gusts will be higher, gusty-er. And suddenly, I'll take Anchorage and it's 2 degrees with 60 mph winds. Heat wave...We're having a heat wave...

So, brace yourself for a groaner, but it had to be done. Plus, it's a beautiful, beautiful carol.

Those are Pobble Thoughts. That and a buck fifty will get you coffee.