Barb's Burblings

I'm restless. Very, very restless.

I'm restless. Very, very restless. Maybe it's because it's Saturday night and I haven't had any real contact with another person since Thursday. I'm at that stage where nothing seems interesting. Books? Boring. TV? Boring. Computer? Boring. I don't have the attention span to do the work I brought home. I already cleaned my room and the kitchen. I cleaned most of my bathroom (not the tub). I am getting out and doing something tonight. I'm off to see Die Another Day, but I don't need to leave for that for another half hour. Too bad it's dark out; I'd go and rake the backyard (did the front yard last night). I'd clean the tub, except that would mean changing, and I just don't feel like doing that. This restless feeling happened last weekend, too. I wish there was a good solution for it. Maybe I feel like just driving around, but I don't have time for that. Argh. I think what I really want is to have someone around so we can wander around moaning, "I'm boooored. What do you want to do?" and neither of us knowing, but the conversation continuing on random tangents. Ah-hoo. The sound one makes while dying of boredom. Actually, I could really go for going out and doing some Christmas shopping. Again, the movie won't allow that. It's good, though. I should wait until next weekend--after I get a paycheck.

I'll snap out of this. The movie (and hopefully Harry Potter after it) should help.

Current song in my head:
"Live and Let Die" by Paul McCartney & Wings

I’m so happy. My office

I’m so happy. My office is closing at 2 today. And the weekend should be good. It’ll be quiet, certainly, with all my housemates gone. Sure, I have a bunch of work I need to do. I need to proof some pages, review the AOTA Press standard operating procedure, inventory a manuscript, rake the leaves, clean my room (the dust bunnies are attacking, and I found two large insects last night). I’m also working the HOSC. But it’s four days away from work. It’s a lot of food. It’s watching bad television…and fun television. It’s seeing my family (well, not my parents or sister). And I can do work in my pajamas if I want to.

Happy Thanksgiving, everyone, and drive safe if you’re travelling. Particularly those of you in the Northeast.

Current song in my head:
“Rest in Peace” from the Buffy musical

How evil is it that

How evil is it that tomorrow, the busiest travel day of the year, it’s supposed to snow? I mean, true, it’s only supposed to snow in the morning (ending in the early afternoon). But still. That’s just evil. The area shuts down at the mere mention of snow. I shudder to think of the traffic. I’m already planning on taking the Metro to work (mostly to avoid the afternoon traffic). Now, you’d think this wouldn’t bother me too much; after all, I’m not going anywhere tomorrow. Thanksgiving day I’ll go up to Baltimore to spend time with family, but traffic won’t be too terrible. But no, I’m a nice person, and I’m taking someone to the airport. Tomorrow night. I’m voluntarily leaving my house tomorrow night to travel, God help me, the Beltway to get to Dulles. I’m planning on bringing provisions. And the networks ganged up on me by scheduling The Amazing Race, The West Wing, and the Paul McCartney special all at the same time. Evil.

Current song in my head:
“Knowing Me, Knowing You” by ABBA

I went to Best Buy

I went to Best Buy yesterday and as I made my way to the front of the store, a CD caught my attention. The CD is The Muppet Show: Music Mayhem & More - 25th Anniversary Collection. I love it. It’s the best thing ever. It has a bunch of songs from the show (include “Mahna Mahna”), but also has songs from the movies. I’m a very happy Barb. Even though “The Rainbow Connection” and the Finale from The Muppet Movie make me cry.

Current song in my head:
“The Rainbow Connection” by Kermit the Frog

"For a second, we

"For a second, we looked at each other. Then I screamed, 'Monkey! Monkey! Monkey!'"

My horoscope for today: “Circumstances

My horoscope for today:

“Circumstances of the day may result in some tricky situations for you, dear Scorpio. You may be caught between a rock and a hard place. The instinct to make war or make peace with any given issue is making you restless. On one hand you may want to smooth things out in a reasonable manner, but on the other there is a part of you that is anxious to declare all out nuclear warfare on the opposing forces.”

Yes, very.

I’m all about the deep, soothing breaths right now. Work? Stressful. At least I have a couple of lovely pictures of Jeremy Northam to keep me happy. He was dreamy in Martin and Lewis last night. Mmm. And it’s a short week. A very busy short week, but still.

Current song in my head:
“I’ll Follow the Sun” by the Beatles

I bought my new computer

I bought my new computer today. It won't arrive for a while, but it's on its way. I'll be sad to see this computer gone. We've been through a lot together. Namely, college. But I spent a lot of quality time with it in college. But, quite frankly, it's a piece of crap now. Crashes frequently. Runs slowly. And it's huge. I'm looking forward to my lovely new, small, fast computer. With tons of memory. And a CD burner. Mmm.

Things that don't make sense

So my brother-in-law's sister is getting married next month. She invited me to the wedding (no, I'm not going; I can't really make it to Memphis in mid-December). I find out where she's registered, and decide hey, I'll just buy something online and have it shipped to her. So I go to the Mikasa site, find something, and head to checkout. Problem. It can't ship it to Jen because the zip code is invalid. The zip code that Jen herself entered. Argh. So now I have to go there myself and face my fears of breaking all the easily breakable things. Argh.

Current song in my head:
"My Sweet Lord" by George Harrison

I’m in a good place.

I’m in a good place. Work is quiet. In the literal sense (well, except the matchbox twenty album I’m listening to). I’m being productive—and it’s mindless work. Perfect for a gray Thursday. Plus, it’s my short day. I get to leave at 4 instead of 5. Yay! It’s already 12:30. Did I mention the quiet and productiveness? It’s very nice. But I’m having a major sweets craving. Mmm, candy. Or really, any food that isn’t good for me. Mexican? Thai? Chinese? Chocolate? Yes please. Must resist and eat healthy lunch. Must not go to Austin Grill. Good thing Leslie’s gone; otherwise I would’ve dragged her.

Only a week until Thanksgiving!

Current song in my head:
“Disease” by matchbox twenty

It was all very lovely

It was all very lovely and quiet this morning. I was productive. I felt about a thousand times better than I did yesterday (hint: sleeping the afternoon away is very good for those who feel they may be getting sick). It was quiet. I went to lunch. It’s lovely outside. I meandered around Barnes & Noble. Then I came back. It was not quiet. It was not peaceful. People pestered me. I got a headache. I still have 2½ hours left to go today. And it’s only Wednesday. Argh.

Good things: I’m going to buy my new computer on Friday. I’m also going to buy new shoes on Friday for hiking in Scotland. The Amazing Race and The West Wing are on tonight, and they’re not on at the same time. A month from today I’ll be done with work for a couple of weeks. Michael Vartan. The $25 gift certificate I got from amazon.com yesterday. Evil Singing Spike on last night’s Buffy.

Still. I’m feeling very bleh and cranky today. Perhaps I need to go back to surfing Michael Vartan sites and getting giggly.

Current song in my head:
“Taxi” by Harry Chapin

Lincoln's Gettysburg Address November 19,

Lincoln's Gettysburg Address
November 19, 1863

Four score and seven years ago, our fathers brought forth upon this continent a new nation: conceived in liberty, and dedicated to the proposition that all men are created equal.

Now we are engaged in a great civil war. . .testing whether that nation, or any nation so conceived and so dedicated. . . can long endure. We are met on a great battlefield of that war.

We have come to dedicate a portion of that field as a final resting place for those who here gave their lives that that nation might live. It is altogether fitting and proper that we should do this.

But, in a larger sense, we cannot dedicate. . .we cannot consecrate. . . we cannot hallow this ground. The brave men, living and dead, who struggled here have consecrated it, far above our poor power to add or detract. The world will little note, nor long remember, what we say here, but it can never forget what they did here.

It is for us the living, rather, to be dedicated here to the unfinished work which they who fought here have thus far so nobly advanced. It is rather for us to be here dedicated to the great task remaining before us. . .that from these honored dead we take increased devotion to that cause for which they gave the last full measure of devotion. . . that we here highly resolve that these dead shall not have died in vain. . . that this nation, under God, shall have a new birth of freedom. . . and that government of the people. . .by the people. . .for the people. . . shall not perish from the earth.

I had an absolutely lovely

I had an absolutely lovely day yesterday. It involved staying in my pajamas and not leaving the house (other than getting the newspaper from the end of the driveway). Plus, it rained all weekend, which meant no guilt about spending both days inside, reading. I’m practically caught up with my magazines! They’re no longer threatening to capsize my nightstand.

In other news, we got some budget figures for recent projects. And apparently a book that we put out over the summer cost $1 to produce. Happily I was the project manager. Nice to know that it came in so far under budget.

In bad news, my nose started running today. It was coupled with a raw throat. I was really tired at lunch, but have since perked up. I cannot understand my body. It flirts with getting actually sick, but stops short. I hate that. Stupid body. I think it realized I was seriously considering going to the gym today and went into rebellion.

Current song in my head:
“Everything You Want” by Vertical Horizon

Am now depressed that though

Am now depressed that though Hogmanay and the Haggis tour will kick ass, will not be able to see Michael Ball in Chitty Chitty Bang Bang though will be on same island. *sniff*

I forgot to mention this

I forgot to mention this before, but I'm listening to Les Mis, so it popped into my head. And I wanted to share a bit from when we saw it last week. The end of "A Little Fall of Rain". They've sung the last lines (except for Marius's "...grow"). Eponine is about to die...and she totally goes for the kiss. Now I've seen that before--Eponine will lean up and give Marius a peck. This was no peck. She totally went for it--and it was totally realistic. It was all, "I'm about to die so dammit, I'm gonna do this" major kissage. Excellent.

That is all.

Yay redesign! I’m excited about

Yay redesign! I’m excited about having links over there on the left. I still can’t make all the archives show up, but I’m not going to worry about it.

Harry Potter last night was really fun. The kids in the theater were annoying, but managed to stay silent for most of the movie. I liked this one more than the first one. Kenneth Branagh was fantastic. It’s amusing to see the three kids growing up; puberty has hit for them. The effects were quite good. The last scene of the movie…sucked. I want to find the screenwriter and smack him around for it. Rupert Grint (Ron) overacted a bit—his facial expressions in the Howler scene in particular were overdone. But other than that, I really enjoyed it. Emma Watson (Hermione) had much better hair in this one. And Christian Coulson (Tom Riddle)? Hot (and going to be in Hornblower and the Hotspur!). Though not as hot at Sean Biggerstaff (Oliver Wood).Oh! And when you go see it, stay through the credits. They're really long, but there's something at the end of the credits. Trust me.

Amusing quote from Daniel Radcliffe (Harry): “I play the Harry Potter computer game, but I keep getting killed by Lord Voldemort.” I find it endlessly amusing.

Current song in my head:
"Master of the House" from Les Miserables

I’ve decided that I want

I’ve decided that I want to go to Charleston, South Carolina for my next vacation. Well, not my next vacation, which will actually be going to Scotland for Hogmanay. Or maybe Ohio for Christmas, but that’s not really a vacation. Anyway. I need to figure out when to go. In the spring? Well, I want to go to Dallas to visit Becca in the spring. In June I’m going to Portland to spend time with the family. Summer? Riiight. Not spending any time in the South during July or August. So…next fall? That just seems so far away. I’m picturing an extended weekend, like a Thursday to Tuesday deal. Drive down. I keep hearing Charleston is very nice and charming. And it looks so pretty.

Anyway, Harry Potter tonight! Woo!

Current song in my head:
“Dancing Queen” by ABBA

November is the worst month

November is the worst month ever. Ever. I can't stress this enough. A few years go by, you think everything's okay and hey, maybe November doesn't suck so much. But trust me, it does.

Hugs and love to everyone.

Which Founding Father Are

Which Founding Father Are You?

That's kind of upsetting. I guess I have delusions of becoming a monarch. I can deal with that. I can't really see myself as an Adams, Jefferson, or Washington, anyway. Maybe Paine.

Second time taking it:

Which Founding Father Are You?

Guess I am a Washington. At least that means I have a 16-sided barn. Woo!

It’s all gray and dreary

It’s all gray and dreary out, which seems to suit my mood. Not that I’m depressed or sad or anything. I’m just sort of plodding along, doing work. Wishing I were home. Hoping my car repairs don’t cost too much. Vaguely contemplating the future. Wishing people at work would be just a bit quieter. Wishing my cube had a door. Wondering about a list of my own like Becca’s. Contemplating the Cough That Won’t Die. Staring out the window at the rain. Thinking that maybe I’ve moved on from my need to live in the past. Hoping the present and the future justify moving on from the past.

Current song in my head:
“Out of Reach” by Gabrielle

Here's a link to Spike's

Here's a link to Spike's page, where you will find a link to pictures from the New York trip last Friday. Whee! And many thanks to Spike for posting them.

This is a great review

This is a great review of the Buffy episode "Selfless" (the one about Anya). It does more than review the episode; it does a good job of delving into the characters.

I’m currently listening to the

I’m currently listening to the Bridget Jones’s Diary soundtrack (which I got cheap at the Princeton Record Exchange) and now I just want to go home and watch that movie. Curl up in warm jammies, eat something warm and nummy. I guess that’ll have to wait until tonight, though. But with the crappy weather, it’s very much a stay-in-pajamas day. Maybe I’ll even give in and get some Chinese for dinner. The Chinese I’ve been resisting for a week. Even though I have like 4 days worth of leftovers sitting in my refrigerator.

Anyway, I had a great weekend (except my car problems—stupid transmission). I got to see Les Mis again (number eight!), and it was easily the wackiest version I’ve ever seen. They also cut out a number of lines/sections. I mean, most people wouldn’t notice, but most people also don’t know the show backwards and forwards. Anyway, it was good, and I even have a new boyfriend—he played Combeferre, had lovely floppy hair, and wore glasses. Mmm.

The weekend happily did not involve any death, though I was treated with much suspicion upon arrival at Denise and Spike’s place. But it was followed by good food and good fun, including a lovely day in Princeton. Yesterday I slept in and bummed around the house (which I haven’t been able to do nearly enough lately) and raked the front yard. Good times.

Okay. Work now.

Current song in my head:
“Killin’ Kind” by Shelby Lynne

I realized that I now

I realized that I now instinctively want to end all emails with “Thanks!” as that’s how I end many of my emails for work. Scary.

Les Mis is coming to DC later this month, and there have been a number of radio commercials for it. The one I keep hearing has “One Day More” playing in the background, and the commercial starts with the line “My place is here; I fight with you,” which is a Marius line. I got exceedingly happy when I first heard it, as the commercial uses the Complete Symphonic Recording, so it’s Michael Ball’s lovely voice. See, he’s on the radio in the US! Um, right. It makes me happy.

I’m excessively tired this morning for no apparent reason. Maybe I’m fighting something off? Maybe I actually have something. I’ve had this annoying cough for months now; I remember dealing with it in late July, and I’ve had it ever since. Hmm, that’s probably a bad thing. But I really don’t want to go to the doctor.

Current song in my head:
“Return to Sender” by Elvis

Go read Spike's latest entry.

Go read Spike's latest entry. Go. Shoo.

According to emode, I am...

According to emode, I am...

Sweet 'n' Sexy

You're not overt about your sexuality, but you're not purposely hiding it either — two traits that naturally draw people to you. You possess an understated zest for life, and a way of approaching the day with a can-do attitude that draws people to you. As a teenager, were you maybe a little on the quiet side? Even if you weren't, it's clear that underneath your occasionally understated statements, you have an undeniable sweetness that attracts people who see that special something burning from within.

Is it the way you carry yourself? That quiet sparkle in your eye? Those who know you intimately can't wait to uncover your sweetness. What's hiding behind that innocent smile? A little devil perhaps? A tattoo in a seductive spot saved only for your lover? Possibly, but you're so good, you'll never tell. Or will you?

Yay! Scorpio Daily Horoscope

Yay!

Scorpio Daily Horoscope

Today’s Friday Five. Which seems

Today’s Friday Five. Which seems very appropriate today. Hugs to all.

1. Were you raised in a particular religious faith?
Yes, mostly Presbyterian, but we went to a Congregational Church when I lived in CT (no Presbyterian churches nearby).

2. Do you still practice that faith? Why or why not?
I do. Why? It’s comforting. I don’t go to church as much as I’d like to, but I also think that religion isn’t something you necessary have to “do” with others. Anyway, I can’t think that there isn’t a God—it doesn’t make logical sense to me. But more than that, I like feeling that there’s someone watching over me.

3. What do you think happens after death?
Erm. Good question. Well, I do believe that there are ghosts—and I think if someone becomes a ghost, it’s probably because of the way that person died. Or maybe they chose to be ghosts, which would be cool. Ideally, I’d think that life after death (and if I didn’t think there is some sort of life after death, I’d be really depressed) is what you want it to be. I’m not sure about the Really Bad People, though—I don’t know about hell. I don’t want to believe in it, but part of me does want there to be one, just so there’s some sort of ultimate justice. If that makes sense. But while I do believe in Jesus, I don’t think people are sent to hell for practicing a different religion. That’d be stupid.

4. What is your favorite religious ritual (participating in or just observing)?
Well, I really like Vacation Bible School. It’s fun! But for an actual ritual, I’ve always liked the lighting of the Advent Wreath at Christmas. My absolute favorite religious experience is going to the midnight Christmas Eve service and singing “Silent Night” by candlelight. It always gets me.

5. Do you believe people are basically good?
That depends on how you define good. I think most people are good. We all do bad things, some worse than others, but most aren’t horrific. There’s a lot of bad stuff in the world—snipers, people ramming planes into buildings, people taking a theater full of people hostage, abusers, murderers, etc. But the number of people who don’t do anything really bad is far greater than that of people who do the really bad stuff. And again, I’d get pretty depressed if I didn’t think people are basically good. And I’m a pretty happy, optimistic person. In general.