Cold

It’s a balmy day in the 70s which is weird after having had weather where I pulled out the winter jacket and put up the storm windows. So today finds me in a summer dress which is nice, except I pulled some summer shoes I hadn’t worn in ages only to remember on my way to the bus station why I haven’t worn them in ages – they’re giving me blisters, keep slipping off and the heels are much higher than I thought. I’m walking really funny on the Boston cobblestones.*

Add to that I’m attending an event downtown which means more walking. I’m tempted to skip.

Add to that the cold I’ve been fighting off for the last month is gaining ground and I have a sore throat and an unquenchable thirst. Flush it out, I say. So lots of fluids, only that means lots in = lots out so I’ve been running to the bathroom all day. I think it’s been 6 times(just at the office) now but I’ve lost count. All the walking back and forth is making my feet yell at me.

Add to that everybody and their brother have emerged from the woodwork and are demanding work from me. This is really challenging my new approach to life about keeping an even keel. Staying calm.

Add to that about 20 minutes ago I hit the mid-afternoon, ate a heavy lunch, wall that arrives mid-afternoon. The fighting the cold bit probably doesn’t help keep my energy levels high either. I thought I was going to crash at my desk and if I had been in the office alone, I might actually consider it.

Add to that I need to listen to something but all I have are talky programs and I need something less engaging. So I went to download some music podcasts and somehow I’m listening to 16th century choral music. It doesn’t aid the fight for staying awake.

So I’m taking a mini-break, recharging and even succumbed to cracking up a can of caffeinated soda that’s been kicking around the office this last month and has been driving me crazy it doesn’t have a home (do you like how I need to justify drinking soda to myself). All I want to do is crawl into bed and call it a day. Only 5 more hours to go. Thanks for empathizing and not pointing out I’ll be crashing from the caffeinated beverage a few hours short of the targeted time.

*Added later: I have to add that the shoes do a great job of showing off a wonderful manicure I got while in Richmond (it's a sister tradition that has emerged).  I've never had such a great manicure - I keep looking down at my pretty red toes and admiring the fine craftsmanship.  Now I get why people are particular about what technician they use.  I was bummed I couldn't show them off with all the cold weather we're having.  Tropical storm Richard (I think) to the rescue bringing in all the warm weather!

Celebrities, LinkedIn and 2010 Films

I made it to 200! This morning I got in to work and found my linkedin account had been busy while I was gone. I find I was up to 199. This weekend I was catching up with old friends. After a late night Saturday, we were sitting around the kitchen table sipping Rye (apparently it’s the new scotch) and sharing what we had on our iphones. We realized (those of us in LinkedIn – ok I think it was just Fred and I) that we weren’t Linked yet.

So after seeing my count this morning I shoot Fred an invitation to link. And then in good measure, a few other folks. Lunch time I check and I’m at 203. I can’t find out who was my 200th connection – bummer (#1). I just went to find the link to a previous blog (this one) about my next milestone of 200 only to find I had targeted 250 – bummer (#2). On the upside I discovered my bro posted a comment I had missed. Still, not too shabby – getting there and it’s been some great conversations with folks I had worked with in the past. I was able to connect someone in my local sustainability group with someone who was in my sustainability group at my last grad school (out of state). That was pretty cool.

That’s now. This weekend, I had a great visit and think I hit a new record of quantity of films I saw at the film festival. I love the idea of a film festival, but when you sit down and add up the cost it gets expensive. Here’s what I got to see (note the last three films I saw back to back to back on Saturday so that might have affected my take away):

1. Client 9: The Rise and Fall of Eliot Spitzer. This political documentary is about how the man who spoke up against Wall Street and the state government in Albany is brought down. I give it a middle of the road rating. I felt the film did a good job of setting the scene although I didn’t follow Spitzer as closely as my friends who are in NY. The film sets up where Spitzer got his intellectual approach from (sitting around the dinner table debating issues) but it left two very important questions unanswered.

First, here is this knight fighting against the Wall Street barons. We know where he got his talent for fighting the fight, but I still want to know why was he fighting. Where did he get is drive to make things right – the morality part. From what I can tell, his father would fall in the general category of CEO business men that he was fighting against. Second, the ultimate question. Why did he cheat? Why an escort service? Was it an outlet? Just why.

2. Made in Dagenham. This film is about the equal pay strike that the women went on in the Dagenham Ford plant in England (think Norman Rae in England). Its directed by the same guy who did Calendar Girls. So I wasn’t expecting too much – pretty much along the lines of some working class English down on their luck struggling to overcome adversity that isn’t too heavy. And this film delivered that while catching me up on this part of women’s history. It’s a good Saturday afternoon film. It was very tidy and Hollywoodish. But good performances all around. And makes me appreciate my current paycheck and living in the 21st century even though I don’t think we’ve got equality in pay yet, we’re a lot closer than we were.

3. Black Swan. This is the Natalie Portman film about Swan Lake. I hadn’t heard anything about it and got pulled in. Talking about it afterwards, I do agree it’s a very malecentric take and it was somewhat confusing about what is real. But it sucked me into the story and reinforced why I like Natalie Portman. She did a great job. I only wish her black swan part lasted on the screen longer as it would only reinforce her ability to span such a large spectrum of acting. I did have an annoying woman sitting behind me who had come to the wrong film by accident and complained about how bad the film was a few times throughout. As she was remarking “people are clapping?! The film was horrible” I was tempted to turn around and make some snarky comment that it was more geared towards the type of intellectuals who know how to read a frickin’ film program schedule.

4. Fair Game. This political film is about how the husband of a CIA agent who spoke up against the white house is brought down. Ok, not quite, but it is eerily of the same genre as the first film I saw, Client 9. It was good for what it was – a Hollywood version of a political event in the news a few years back. I found Sean Penn really annoying but apparently this character is annoying. Lots of items glossed over – this is a Hollywood film, not a getting-to-the-bottom of things documentary. We all agreed we like how they transitioned the end – from Naomi Watts to the real Valerie Plame.

Interestingly enough, the female leads of the last three films are all tagged for Oscar nominations. Overall, fun time, glad I stumbled upon these films before I heard too much about them. I wouldn’t necessarily recommend any of them as an “OMG you must see this film”, but I wouldn’t say you’re wasting your money if you see the film. Writing this up, I do still feel a little exhausted from the inevitable outrage that simmers about the injustice in business and politics.

And I’ve saved the best for last (partly because I almost forgot to report it). This year, I finally saw a celebrity! I never see celebrities. The biggest one to date is Ken Burns which I’ve posted about before and if I’m realistic, I think only 2% of Americans know who he is (that’s optimistic, I’m revising it to 0.5%). This time, it’s not a 100%, but think I’ve jumped into double digits – it was Scott Cohen. Long pause, yeah, I don’t think I’d recognize his name either. But you know who he is. We either fell in love with him as Max Medina in Gilmore Girls (her teacher that her mother dates) or as a love interest in Kissing Jessica Stein. Here’s how it went down: Saturday morning I’m chasing Emilia’s two kids on the downtown streets of Chatham with her waiting for the early movie to finish so we can grab someone’s pass. The kids are riled up (I might have had something to do with that) and I’m just thinking “thank god we’re playing man to man versus zone defense here”. I’ve got Dunc who is a two year old who loves to run. He’s a runner. You turn your head a moment and he’s gone. So on the sidewalk, I’m running after him, trying to corral him away from any potential danger. We’re running up and down a fairly wide sidewalk. I’m scooping him up periodically. Or getting him to look in store windows. Not too many people on the street (as the movies are have not let out), but I keep passing this one person who is attractive and somewhat familiar looking. It was one of those catching each other’s eyes when you pass each other, which made me think I might know him. I couldn’t quite place him. Maybe someone I know from another chapter in my life – I almost said something, but with the runner, no chance. Fast forward 30 minutes, the movie has let out, we’ve picked up the ticket, head home, drop off the kids, and Emilia and I are heading back for the Made in Dagenham film. We cut through an ally and emerge onto Main Street. I almost run into the handsome fellow from earlier again. This time I’m thinking maybe I know him because he’s an actor. Of course, Emilia knows who it is, they even chatted. While we wait in line for the doors to open, I was tempted to go over and say “hi” and snag a photo. But I didn’t, mainly because the only reason why I would want a photo is so I can post it here, which doesn’t seem like a valid enough reason to invade on a strangers privacy. So no photo. But good sighting!

Subway Sighting!

Just saw a blind woman walking along the platform. She was walking straight with her stick guiding her right along the yellow caution strip at the edge. It was still close enough to make me nervous though.

Riding Shotgun Party

This weekend was crazy. Saturday I caught up with chores. I got four loads of laundry done which was liberating. I lounged and knitted and went through mail and watched my Roku. I was completely rested and recharged. Saturday night I have a pleasant dinner with Dawn and Bill – the first time I’ve caught up with them since they got married. Wonderful autumn butternut squash soup and fresh bread. I had thought Chris’s album release party was at 8 pm. Why you ask? Perhaps it was the invitation that I was sent, call me silly. Anyways, the group of us heading over together don’t actually get there until after 10 pm. Turns out Riding Shotgun doesn’t go on until 11 pm (and actually later).

I felt like such an old foggie. Luckily several others in my party did too. The venue was a pleasant surprise – faux layered oriental carpets on the floor, dark wooden ornate carvings all over the place, walls covered with padded tapestry, roaring fire in the fireplace, plenty of comfy seating bundles of chairs and couches. Great character and not too crowded. I ended up catching up with a lot of folks I hadn’t seen for awhile. I was pacing myself, but by 3 am when the music stopped I found myself over the limit to drive. Luckily there were some sober folks in my group so we piled into my car and drove back to Andrea’s where I drank a lot of water and after a little while traded inebriation for doziness. So I crashed at her place. Sunday I found myself crawling into my own bed at 7 am, exhausted and trying to recharge the battery for another thing I had Sunday night. Great time but the body isn’t what it used to be, especially with a cold coming on!

Now in completely different news, I had a theory why Winston’s not doing so well recently. He used to take Enulose but recently the pharmacy has been filling the prescription with Lactulose. I thought there might be a correlation. I called around and found a Walgreens that said they could fill Enulose. So last night I’m a little frustrated when I pick up the script only to find it’s Lactulose. The pharmacist was very helpful though, explaining it’s exactly the same, just different manufacturer. He also suggested I sign up for Prescription Savings Club. I was dubious at first, but the fee is paid for right off with the first subscription. I couldn’t figure out how they could save me this much – where’s the catch? I was reading the Terms and Conditions a bit more closely this morning and figured it out. You can only participate if you have no prescription drug coverage (i.e. private insurance, Medicare, Medicaid, etc.). That’s when I realized he had enrolled Winston in this program! It made me chuckle. I’m interested to see what mail he starts getting – that’s where I think they get you. Also I have to mention here, I’m very thankful for my insurance coverage. The lady in front of me had one script that rang up for $450! She said that was less than in the past. Those are some expensive pills!

Richmond Visit

I’m back! Got in last night and after lugging my 100 pound suitcase (not really but it felt like it) home on public transportation during the height of rush hour with flip flops on in cold New England weather I thought I’d crash on the sofa of my own sweet home. But I had a second surge of energy so after unpacking and putting everything away I started making a dent on my ironing. Plus I had a ton of snuggles with my boys. We were one cozy family last night. Note to self, I have to close the storm windows – it’s gotten cold here!

This last week I was in Richmond visiting my nephew Mateo. And his mother and father too of course, but they become secondary these days – you know the drill. I made the mistake of thinking I could juggle staying on top of work while helping look after a 9 month old. He’s learned to crawl and is just about to walk on his own and insists on checking every square inch out. So I was exhausted after the first day. But great seeing everyone. No good pictures with me and Mateo, but I did remember to take some of him this time. We had fun times going to the park and playing and meeting other kids.

So, as Fred pointed out, I did mix up my dates, again. This weekend I actually have a friends album release party at the House of Blues. The place is an institution and I have yet to make it there, so two birds, one stone and everything. Also think there is something else too, but I’ve startled to muddle the dates in my head. Actually, as I write this, I think I might have three things on Saturday night. At least one will have to be dropped. The good news is I might have time to swing by the Trader Joe’s that has wine and pick up some bottles for my trip over to NY for the film festival the following weekend. Can’t wait!

It’s good to be home and I have to say there’s something to planning a trip where you return Thursday evening. You have one day you pop into work to catch up on things and then you have the weekend to relax and get back into regular life. I did manage to get a project onto the needles for this trip. It’s a Scandinavian cardigan, Drops 116-1. I can’t seem to find a picture I can save, so you’ll have to check out the link here. This one is a bit of risk as I’m trying to use up old yarn in the stash that is out of stock and I don’t have enough for one full sweater. I’m hoping it works out. It may be ¾ sleeves, we’ll see. Time will tell.

New Dog, Film Festival

This weekend I enjoyed the brisk autumn turn of the weather. Saturday I met up with a friend from my old work, Marie. We’re taking an upholstery class together in a few months and so met up at a fabric store to peruse for our next projects. Our morning jaunt turns into a whole day journey. Good food at High Rise, a stroll around Fresh Pond discussing life and challenges and approaches, checking out my local fabric store and a bunch of stuff around my town (including my wonderful library and two stores I keep wanting to pop into but are always closed in the evenings), another fabric store, Calico Corners who is sending me some free samples (fell in love with a Ralph Lauren plaid that was $154/yd – ouch) before we hit the road around 5 pm for Connecticut! Road trip! This is the cute little reason why:

[I gave up - blogger doesn't seem to like uploading my pictures.  Second time I had to give up.  Any ideas?  It seems to be a new interface, but it's still pretty forward.  It just sits and pretends to load the picture.  Hopefully later I can share the picture - he's a cute lab with a a little retriever, mainly white - you'll have to use your imagination for now.]

Champ! Marie is adopting a dog and we were heading to CT where the foster family lives. Champ had only been there a week and is actually from Kentucky. Apparently, the folks in the northeast are pretty good about fixing their pets but the south is horrible about it and there are tons of kill centers down there. Champ was rescued and brought north to be adopted. He was a real sweetheart when we picked him up. Poor thing, you could tell he’s been in fights and a bit confused about what’s going on, where home is. But give it a few good solid months and I’m sure it will all be a thing of the past. He was a bit nervous as we were heading back, but once we hit the highway, he settled down in the middle of his dog bed and curled up. This picture is after an exhausting run yesterday. Good thing I already have pets and a small place otherwise I would have been tempted to grab him.

So that was last weekend, next weekend I’m heading over to Chatham for another year of the Film Columbia film festival. I think this is my third or fourth year now. A nice little tradition. I was trying to figure out what year I started going and realize some of my favorite movies I discovered on Netflix (i.e. Lars and the Real Girl, the Host) had been previewed here. There’s nothing like autumn in the Berkshires, enjoying movies with my old college buddy like old times. We used to go see movies all the time during our college years – making our way over to the independent film theater two towns over. Unfortunately the film line-up is not weekend friendly so I’m taking off a couple days. There’s always featured a film Saturday night, Saturday Sneak Peak. Last year it was Young Victoria (I think), year before it was Atonement, before that I forget. I’m curious what it will be this year.