Tara and I have been watching movies up the wazoo! What fun!
We've watched: Tomb Raider I; Tomb Raider II; Shortbus; Juno; Red Eye; and Jesus Camp.
TR I and II were entertaining - basically a low-grade version of Indiana Jones but with Ms. Jolie. Shortbus was...interesting. Juno was FANTASTIC. Red Eye was entertaining...and while I blog I'm watching Jesus Camp. I have two things to say about this: I'm extremely frightened and I'm moving to Canada.
Holy crap.
Sunday, December 30, 2007
Monday, December 17, 2007
I'm DONE!
The practicum that I've been working on since May is now done also, which means I am DONE DONE DONE DONE DONE DONE DONE DONE DONE DONE DONE DONE DONE DONE DONE DONE DONE DONE DONE DONE DONE DONE DONE DONE DONE DONE DONE DONE DONE DONE DONE DONE DONE DONE DONE DONE DONE DONE DONE DONE DONE DONE DONE DONE DONE DONE DONE DONE DONE DONE DONE DONE DONE DONE DONE DONE DONE DONE DONE DONE DONE DONE DONE DONE DONE DONE DONE DONE DONE DONE DONE DONE DONE DONE DONE DONE DONE DONE DONE DONE DONE DONE DONE DONE DONE DONE DONE DONE DONE DONE DONE DONE DONE DONE DONE DONE DONE DONE DONE DONE DONE DONE DONE DONE DONE DONE DONE DONE DONE DONE DONE DONE DONE DONE DONE DONE DONE DONE DONE DONE DONE DONE DONE DONE DONE DONE DONE DONE
...until January 30th when I will have only THIRTY class sessions to complete before being done with my Master's Degree. THIRTY. I can do thirty. That's only 150 episodes of JEOPARDY! 321 if you take the fast track!
(Gaylen - now I can call you back!)
...until January 30th when I will have only THIRTY class sessions to complete before being done with my Master's Degree. THIRTY. I can do thirty. That's only 150 episodes of JEOPARDY! 321 if you take the fast track!
(Gaylen - now I can call you back!)
Thursday, December 13, 2007
Dear Sweet Baby Jesus
Dear Sweet Baby Jesus,
Is there such a thing as praying too hard? Because I think we accidentally prayed us into a 13" snow storm that fell over seven hours, and we prayed my smokin' hott wife right into a Motel 6 in Hartford after FIVE HOURS in traffic. And by "in traffic" I mean parked on I91 in a complete bumper to bumper standstill that could only be resolved by turning around and driving the opposite way of actual, legal driving and going the other direction.
Right.
At least she's safe.
Love,
Your loyal servant
Is there such a thing as praying too hard? Because I think we accidentally prayed us into a 13" snow storm that fell over seven hours, and we prayed my smokin' hott wife right into a Motel 6 in Hartford after FIVE HOURS in traffic. And by "in traffic" I mean parked on I91 in a complete bumper to bumper standstill that could only be resolved by turning around and driving the opposite way of actual, legal driving and going the other direction.
Right.
At least she's safe.
Love,
Your loyal servant
Prayer
Last night, Tara and I said a prayer together. It went like this:
"Dear sweet baby Jesus. Thank you for our sons Walker, and Texas Ranger, and for my smoking hot wife*. Please make sure everyone gets home safely tomorrow. In addition, sweet baby Jesus, can you please cancel classes at UMass so that Val does not have to go to her last Leadership class? If you love anything, sweet baby Jesus, show us that you love us by making the snow storm something impressive."
Well, sweet baby Jesus came through and UMass is closing at noon! My semester is over and my work is handed in and I AM DONE until January 30. Holy shit. Where's the Tylenol*?
*Extra life points TODAY ONLY if you can name the movie sources of these two quotations.
"Dear sweet baby Jesus. Thank you for our sons Walker, and Texas Ranger, and for my smoking hot wife*. Please make sure everyone gets home safely tomorrow. In addition, sweet baby Jesus, can you please cancel classes at UMass so that Val does not have to go to her last Leadership class? If you love anything, sweet baby Jesus, show us that you love us by making the snow storm something impressive."
Well, sweet baby Jesus came through and UMass is closing at noon! My semester is over and my work is handed in and I AM DONE until January 30. Holy shit. Where's the Tylenol*?
*Extra life points TODAY ONLY if you can name the movie sources of these two quotations.
Friday, December 07, 2007
Invitation
Dear Guest,
I'm having a pity party for myself. Would you like to come?
The appetizers will be divine, and the main course? Well, you'll just have to wait!
Love,
She who is ALMOST DONE WITH THE SEMESTER OH MY GOD
PS. If I have to read another article about spirituality and student development I'm going to stab myself in the face. At least twice.
I'm having a pity party for myself. Would you like to come?
The appetizers will be divine, and the main course? Well, you'll just have to wait!
Love,
She who is ALMOST DONE WITH THE SEMESTER OH MY GOD
PS. If I have to read another article about spirituality and student development I'm going to stab myself in the face. At least twice.
Tuesday, November 27, 2007
Monday, November 26, 2007
The to-do list countdown begins...
Several months ago I started tick marks to count down the number of Leadership classes I had left before the end of the semester. I only made it three classes in for the countdown because it was depressing to see the double-digit taunt me at every glance. Thirteen classes doesn't sound like a lot, but 13 classes at 2.5 hours a piece? Filled with boring blahlectureblah, half of which is the professor saying, "I don't lecture in my classes." Well, that's one thousand nine hundred and fifty minutes of my life I'll never get back. And if you like round numbers, that's nearly TWO THOUSAND minutes. Come on! That's 33 episodes of America's Next Top Model or Project Runway I could be watching but can't. 47 episodes if I watch them through TiVo. Don't even get me started on JEOPARDY!, which Tara and I have down to a TiVo science at 14 minutes. 14 MINUTES. This is serious business. We are TiVo experts.
(That's 142.8 episodes of JEOPARDY!. How much smarter would I be after 142.8 episodes of JEOPARDY! than after the equivalent time spent in Leadership? Exactly.)
But I digress.
Since I turned my back on that list in early October and things since that have been absolutely insane, I'm now down to three Research classes and three Leadership classes until I'm DONE. Done like done-but-I-have-two-papers-and-a-presentation kind of done, but I can handle that. And it really should be a no-caps DONE, because I'm only done for now until next semester when I have to prepare an oral defense like I'm a doctoral candidate except that oh! I'M NOT.
Anyway, my TO DO list now has 21 items on it, and since none of those items say, "Update Blog," it is only when I'm procrastinating that I will actually update. Hang in there, loyal fans. All three of you.
(That's 142.8 episodes of JEOPARDY!. How much smarter would I be after 142.8 episodes of JEOPARDY! than after the equivalent time spent in Leadership? Exactly.)
But I digress.
Since I turned my back on that list in early October and things since that have been absolutely insane, I'm now down to three Research classes and three Leadership classes until I'm DONE. Done like done-but-I-have-two-papers-and-a-presentation kind of done, but I can handle that. And it really should be a no-caps DONE, because I'm only done for now until next semester when I have to prepare an oral defense like I'm a doctoral candidate except that oh! I'M NOT.
Anyway, my TO DO list now has 21 items on it, and since none of those items say, "Update Blog," it is only when I'm procrastinating that I will actually update. Hang in there, loyal fans. All three of you.
Tuesday, November 20, 2007
It happened, and I am all a-twitter
I am home this week from work to get a ton of schoolwork done before Thanksgiving break. It's a lot of work and nearly killing me, especially with my recent medical diagnosis of SENIORITIS.
But this morning I woke up, went downstairs to the laptop that has temporarily replaced my wife, and opened the front door to get milk out of the milk box. That alone makes me feel good, like I live in the country that's familiar to me from spending so much time with my grandmother as a kid in rural WNY. We never had milk delivered there, but it just gets me in that soft place of my heart that still holds all of the love and comfort provided by my grandmother for me when I was kid.
Anyway, I fling open the door and the Tibetan prayer bell attached to the doorknob chimes, as if to whisper, "There's something special out there..." and there it is - the winter's first snowfall! It is my favorite day of the year every year.
Happy Thanksgiving!
But this morning I woke up, went downstairs to the laptop that has temporarily replaced my wife, and opened the front door to get milk out of the milk box. That alone makes me feel good, like I live in the country that's familiar to me from spending so much time with my grandmother as a kid in rural WNY. We never had milk delivered there, but it just gets me in that soft place of my heart that still holds all of the love and comfort provided by my grandmother for me when I was kid.
Anyway, I fling open the door and the Tibetan prayer bell attached to the doorknob chimes, as if to whisper, "There's something special out there..." and there it is - the winter's first snowfall! It is my favorite day of the year every year.
Happy Thanksgiving!
Monday, November 19, 2007
Go With Your Love To The Fields; Practice Resurrection.
I've been kind of obsessed with Wendell Berry lately; I've been reading over and contemplating this piece, especially. Enjoy.
MANIFESTO: THE MAD FARMER LIBERATION FRONT
-Wendell Berry
Love the quick profit, the annual raise,
vacation with pay. Want more
of everything ready-made. Be afraid
to know your neighbors and to die.
And you will have a window in your head.
Not even your future will be a mystery
any more. Your mind will be punched in a card
and shut away in a little drawer.
When they want you to buy something
they will call you. When they want you
to die for profit they will let you know.
So, friends, every day do something
that won't compute. Love the Lord.
Love the world. Work for nothing.
Take all that you have and be poor.
Love someone who does not deserve it.
Denounce the government and embrace
the flag. Hope to live in that free
republic for which it stands.
Give your approval to all you cannot
understand. Praise ignorance, for what man
has not encountered he has not destroyed.
Ask the questions that have no answers.
Invest in the millenium. Plant sequoias.
Say that your main crop is the forest
that you did not plant,
that you will not live to harvest.
Say that the leaves are harvested
when they have rotted into the mold.
Call that profit. Prophesy such returns.
Put your faith in the two inches of humus
that will build under the trees
every thousand years.
Listen to carrion - put your ear
close, and hear the faint chattering
of the songs that are to come.
Expect the end of the world. Laugh.
Laughter is immeasurable. Be joyful
though you have considered all the facts.
So long as women do not go cheap
for power, please women more than men.
Ask yourself: Will this satisfy
a woman satisfied to bear a child?
Will this disturb the sleep
of a woman near to giving birth?
Go with your love to the fields.
Lie down in the shade. Rest your head
in her lap. Swear allegiance
to what is nighest your thoughts.
As soon as the generals and the politicos
can predict the motions of your mind,
lose it. Leave it as a sign
to mark the false trail, the way
you didn't go. Be like the fox
who makes more tracks than necessary,
some in the wrong direction.
Practice resurrection.
Wednesday, October 31, 2007
Tuesday, October 23, 2007
Image: AGF
Welcome, little one. You are such a blessing.
Aiden Gustav Favorite
October 22, 2007
9 lbs., 3 oz.
22 inches
PERFECT in every way.
Aiden Gustav FavoriteOctober 22, 2007
9 lbs., 3 oz.
22 inches
PERFECT in every way.
Tuesday, October 16, 2007
For Gaylen
Dear Gaylen,
Because I know you're a faithful reader, this is for you.
It was WONDERFUL to talk to you tonight. It's been too long, and your call came at a perfect time. Although I've been busy, I have been thinking about you a lot and was glad to catch up with you.
I'm glad you got to meet some superheroes tonight.
I love you, dear. Give that pup a kiss from Aunt Val.
Love,
V
Because I know you're a faithful reader, this is for you.
It was WONDERFUL to talk to you tonight. It's been too long, and your call came at a perfect time. Although I've been busy, I have been thinking about you a lot and was glad to catch up with you.
I'm glad you got to meet some superheroes tonight.
I love you, dear. Give that pup a kiss from Aunt Val.
Love,
V
Thursday, October 11, 2007
Top on the To DO List
- Avert stress-induced panic and anxiety attack and subsequent shut-down
Status: Only partially achieved. Will let you know if I (1) survive or (2) choke myself with the short cord attached to my keyboard.
Monday, October 08, 2007
All by myself. Don't want to be...
...all by myself...anymooooooooore!
Whaddup. Tara is in Colorado this week at work, which sucks for me but is awesome for her. She's never been there and is working hard but also taking lots of pictures and enjoying most of what the Rockies have to offer (except for the right wing nutjobness, that so far has been spared). Being home without her sucks, but I am being super productive with homework and baseball watching, though losing the front on 1) housekeeping, 2) erasing the TiVo, and 3) having patience with the cats who miss her. Oh God. We're so lonely. Us cats. We're starving and lonely and going to DIE with out Momma Tara. DIE. D. I. E. Not annoying at 9 pm. At 5 am, however? ANNOYING.
Classes are going well but are LOTS of work. Nine classes left of each course this semester and then I'm in my final semester. Despite finals lurking closely around the corner, I'm excited just to get through October. Tara is gone basically the whole month except when we're in CA together. Work is slowly killing me, and since news of the recent departure came down we're anticipating training someone soon. Then there's school.
Speaking of which -- back to learning SPSS.
:)
Whaddup. Tara is in Colorado this week at work, which sucks for me but is awesome for her. She's never been there and is working hard but also taking lots of pictures and enjoying most of what the Rockies have to offer (except for the right wing nutjobness, that so far has been spared). Being home without her sucks, but I am being super productive with homework and baseball watching, though losing the front on 1) housekeeping, 2) erasing the TiVo, and 3) having patience with the cats who miss her. Oh God. We're so lonely. Us cats. We're starving and lonely and going to DIE with out Momma Tara. DIE. D. I. E. Not annoying at 9 pm. At 5 am, however? ANNOYING.
Classes are going well but are LOTS of work. Nine classes left of each course this semester and then I'm in my final semester. Despite finals lurking closely around the corner, I'm excited just to get through October. Tara is gone basically the whole month except when we're in CA together. Work is slowly killing me, and since news of the recent departure came down we're anticipating training someone soon. Then there's school.
Speaking of which -- back to learning SPSS.
:)
Friday, September 28, 2007
Monday, September 10, 2007
Hello, world
What's there to say except yes, I know I haven't posted to my blog since April.
Since April, little Griffin who was born in March is now 19 lbs and huge and cute and wonderful.
I finished up the semester just fine, and got As in two classes and an A- in another. Normally I wouldn't ever be caught dead saying "Luckily I got an A-..." in anything, but I got an A- in Law, which is the same class I took with Tara, and she got an A-, too. And the only other class we ever took together was Management, and we both an A- in that class, too. And as long as we both get the same grades in the same classes, everything is right with the world. We have an equal partnership here, people. Wife, yes. But PARTNERS. Equality is important, even in academic realms. :)
Tara graduated in May and continued job-hunting through June. Here's Tara looking S.M.A.R.T.
After Tara's graduation, we celebrated the end of a tough year by treating ourselves to a trip to Bermuda. No, this photograph has not been doctored in any way. Yes, I'm serious. It was that beautiful.
We spent most the rest of the summer visiting with friends and family, seeing my parents' new house in Rochester, meeting my college friend Marion's son Oliver:
having dinner with my Masters cohort, and celebrating other things like Lisa's graduation and Lisa and Tanya's impending arrival:
They've asked Tara and I to be godparents and we are JUST THRILLED.
In August we lost my Uncle Doug, and though it was a sad occasion, it was also an opportunity to reunite with different fractions of the Hooper family. During our visit to WNY for the memorial service, Griffin made his first trip to Letchworth State Park, continuing on the family tradition. Tara and I were also able to visit with my gram. It was precious time with her - time that I don't normally get. We also visited her home one last time and took pictures of the country road that leads to her home, the same country road that, despite her constant fog, she told me the most pristine story of us long ago, me as a little girl, and of her favorite place on that same road, strolling with me, and holding my tiny hand.
It has been a summer of completion, and of new beginnings.
Since April, little Griffin who was born in March is now 19 lbs and huge and cute and wonderful.
I finished up the semester just fine, and got As in two classes and an A- in another. Normally I wouldn't ever be caught dead saying "Luckily I got an A-..." in anything, but I got an A- in Law, which is the same class I took with Tara, and she got an A-, too. And the only other class we ever took together was Management, and we both an A- in that class, too. And as long as we both get the same grades in the same classes, everything is right with the world. We have an equal partnership here, people. Wife, yes. But PARTNERS. Equality is important, even in academic realms. :)
Tara graduated in May and continued job-hunting through June. Here's Tara looking S.M.A.R.T.
After Tara's graduation, we celebrated the end of a tough year by treating ourselves to a trip to Bermuda. No, this photograph has not been doctored in any way. Yes, I'm serious. It was that beautiful.
We spent most the rest of the summer visiting with friends and family, seeing my parents' new house in Rochester, meeting my college friend Marion's son Oliver:
having dinner with my Masters cohort, and celebrating other things like Lisa's graduation and Lisa and Tanya's impending arrival:
They've asked Tara and I to be godparents and we are JUST THRILLED.
In August we lost my Uncle Doug, and though it was a sad occasion, it was also an opportunity to reunite with different fractions of the Hooper family. During our visit to WNY for the memorial service, Griffin made his first trip to Letchworth State Park, continuing on the family tradition. Tara and I were also able to visit with my gram. It was precious time with her - time that I don't normally get. We also visited her home one last time and took pictures of the country road that leads to her home, the same country road that, despite her constant fog, she told me the most pristine story of us long ago, me as a little girl, and of her favorite place on that same road, strolling with me, and holding my tiny hand.
It has been a summer of completion, and of new beginnings.
Thursday, April 19, 2007
my dear
Dear Blog,
How I'd love to have time to write in you. But seeing that I have written in you in nearly three months and no one cares, I think I'll wait until the semester is over.
Bullet points that summarize life right now:
- new nephew (Griffin) born on march 14. labor commenced at 2 am and i drove and drove and drove nearly falling asleep on the way then missed the birth by 30 minutes. right.
- covering my supervisor's two week medical leave while work continues to pummel me.
- i'm taking three classes. yes, three classes if full time. yes, i'm insane. literally.
- once i'm done with this semester i'll be more than halfway done. i will have five classes left, one of which i'm taking care of this summer. that leaves two semesters of two classes each. that sounds like a breeze from where i sit right now, and i can already feel the senioritis settling into my bones.
- i need a nap.
- i miss my friends.
- i miss movies.
Love,
me
How I'd love to have time to write in you. But seeing that I have written in you in nearly three months and no one cares, I think I'll wait until the semester is over.
Bullet points that summarize life right now:
- new nephew (Griffin) born on march 14. labor commenced at 2 am and i drove and drove and drove nearly falling asleep on the way then missed the birth by 30 minutes. right.
- covering my supervisor's two week medical leave while work continues to pummel me.
- i'm taking three classes. yes, three classes if full time. yes, i'm insane. literally.
- once i'm done with this semester i'll be more than halfway done. i will have five classes left, one of which i'm taking care of this summer. that leaves two semesters of two classes each. that sounds like a breeze from where i sit right now, and i can already feel the senioritis settling into my bones.
- i need a nap.
- i miss my friends.
- i miss movies.
Love,
me
Tuesday, February 06, 2007
Monday, January 29, 2007
And so it begins...
We nearly achieved our movie-per-day goal, and now it's January 30th and the inevitable has happened.
Welcome, Spring semester 2007. The good news is that this is Tara's last semester. The bad news is that all of Septemeber 2007 through May 2008 I'm on my fucking own.
wooo hooo.
Welcome, Spring semester 2007. The good news is that this is Tara's last semester. The bad news is that all of Septemeber 2007 through May 2008 I'm on my fucking own.
wooo hooo.
Thursday, January 18, 2007
Movie 17
Walk The Line - ****stars
Both lead roles were SUPERBLY performed. I love Johnny Cash, so it was extra easy to watch.
We only need to double up one more day and we'll be right on target for our little project. We win.
I also started reading Branded Nation today. Oh, and I'm almost done with the church newsletter. Quite productive, I've been.
Both lead roles were SUPERBLY performed. I love Johnny Cash, so it was extra easy to watch.
We only need to double up one more day and we'll be right on target for our little project. We win.
I also started reading Branded Nation today. Oh, and I'm almost done with the church newsletter. Quite productive, I've been.
Movie 16
Today we watched Star Wars: The Empire Strikes Back.
Yet another step on the journey to completing the Show Tara Star Wars journey.
Yet another step on the journey to completing the Show Tara Star Wars journey.
Wednesday, January 17, 2007
Movies we have on board
Star Wars: The Empire Strikes Back
Star Wars: Return of the Jedi
Memoirs of a Geisha
King Kong
Walk the Line
Munich
Amelie
Ice Harvest
All of this free time is AMAZING and ending in less than two weeks. :(
Star Wars: Return of the Jedi
Memoirs of a Geisha
King Kong
Walk the Line
Munich
Amelie
Ice Harvest
All of this free time is AMAZING and ending in less than two weeks. :(
Movie 15
24 - *****five stars
Technically, this should count as a movie, because it was four hours worth of 24, and you can buy it for $10 at Target as though it's a film.
And it's January 17 and I have 16 movies to go. And it's football season, so we lost last Sunday and this upcoming Sunday to playoffs. Totally worth it though for the AWESOME game this past Sunday.
Technically, this should count as a movie, because it was four hours worth of 24, and you can buy it for $10 at Target as though it's a film.
And it's January 17 and I have 16 movies to go. And it's football season, so we lost last Sunday and this upcoming Sunday to playoffs. Totally worth it though for the AWESOME game this past Sunday.
Movie 14
Born Into Brothels - *****FIVE STARS.
Devastating. Stunning. Amazing. Overwhelming. Beautiful. Hopeful and hopeless all at once.
Heartbreaking.
Devastating. Stunning. Amazing. Overwhelming. Beautiful. Hopeful and hopeless all at once.
Heartbreaking.
Movie 13
Star Wars: A New Hope (Episode IV)
It has been my greatest shame for seven years that Tara has never seen the Star Wars trilogy. By February 1st that will change, and we are 1/3 of the way there!
Four stars, for all of it's bad goodness!
It has been my greatest shame for seven years that Tara has never seen the Star Wars trilogy. By February 1st that will change, and we are 1/3 of the way there!
Four stars, for all of it's bad goodness!
Wednesday, January 10, 2007
"Movie" 3
Firefly (Pilot episode)
Hey, if Tara and I are going to get through this 31 movies in January thing, starting and watching a full season of Firefly is going to have to count. Especially when there are four hours of 24 next week. Four. Hours. F.O.U.R. I can't wait!
Hey, if Tara and I are going to get through this 31 movies in January thing, starting and watching a full season of Firefly is going to have to count. Especially when there are four hours of 24 next week. Four. Hours. F.O.U.R. I can't wait!
Movie 2
The Devil Wears Prada - **1/2 stars
Funny, but I fell asleep for 60% of it in the middle. Anne Hathaway is enviable, and Meryl Streep is always good. I'd watch the blooper reel again.
Funny, but I fell asleep for 60% of it in the middle. Anne Hathaway is enviable, and Meryl Streep is always good. I'd watch the blooper reel again.
Movie 1
Goldfinger - ***three stars
The usual cheesiness one can expect from James Bond, with good action and a nice tank scene involving a tank. Could have used more cool toys, but wins bonus points for the femme fatale being named Xenia Onatop.
The usual cheesiness one can expect from James Bond, with good action and a nice tank scene involving a tank. Could have used more cool toys, but wins bonus points for the femme fatale being named Xenia Onatop.
Wednesday, January 03, 2007
I'm out from under it
Aside from obsessively checking for my grades on Umass' website, I am DONE. For three blissful weeks there is NOTHING but work and home and sleep and FREE TIME. FREE TIME?! What the heck is that?
Christmas with the Hoopers was AWESOME and Vermont/New Year's with the Lindroses was also great.
Now Tara and I are working on a different plan called: One Movie per Night in January. So far we are failing miserably because it's January 3rd and we haven't watched anything yet, but dagnabbit we're going to start tonight, and I am pledging to write about everything we see.
Christmas with the Hoopers was AWESOME and Vermont/New Year's with the Lindroses was also great.
Now Tara and I are working on a different plan called: One Movie per Night in January. So far we are failing miserably because it's January 3rd and we haven't watched anything yet, but dagnabbit we're going to start tonight, and I am pledging to write about everything we see.
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