Plastic Box

Bruised

I'm currently nursing several LARGE and purple bruises on my legs from having to push my buddy's MiniCooper out of our "Overlook Hotel" driveway this past Saturday at 3am. This was post- 7 hrs of Rock Band and post- much alcohol, so I can't determine how much to blame the ice or the party for my inability to stand on a slippery surface and push a 2-ton car up a hill.

Nevertheless, the party was a smash and I'll post some pics here soon. I even took some of the bruises (sicko!) but I have to say, they look much grosser now, three days later.

Getting ready this week to spend three days in my hometown, visting with my parents, snuggling with Marti's new kitten, and co-planning Julie's second annual Sexy Party Birthday Bash. Three bars in one night, complete with driver, themed decorations and party favors, and Marti's homemade strawberry cupcakes. Now I just have to find something to wear that covers my bruises. ;)

Here are some pics from her Sexy Party last year. Will post some new ones on Sunday, following a long drive home up I-71 and a necessary stop at Grandpa's Cheesebarn for some peanut butter fudge. Mmm.... ya know, life can be pretty great.

           

Trip

It's going to be a week where I'm more "in my shell" than not. I can tell this from several factors, not the least of which is my repeat shuffle of "Gimme Shelter" by the Stones and the three versions of "All Along the Watchtower" that I have on my iPod. Nothing else sounds as good right now...except maybe "Freebird," and isn't that just a bit unsettling.

Aye, the snowpocalypse, it must always return

Took some photos of the adventures in snow today. This year, at least, it waited until January. So only three more months of white...right? Four? Dear god where's the wine.

View the album HERE.

"Comrades, this man has a nice smile, but he's got iron teeth.” - Andrei A. Gromyko

Twenty-three comrades down today. And I sit pretty in my office, knowing that I am safe, my co-editor is safe...but so many others are making calls and deleting files and calling elementary schools to change their daytime numbers.

It's been a HARD. TWO. DAYS.

of layoffs.

Watching people that I have helped and supported and lived off of...leave the firm forever.

If I was still in publishing I would be going through the same thing, but no matter what my industry, being a workaholic in times like these has its benefits. I was then and I am now. So I like to think that I would be safe within either.

I call it "flexibility" but you can call it what you want. Today I call it "having a job" and tomorrow I will call it "why my neck is sore"...but it's still a paycheck and it's still monetary awards, and it's still not really worrying when they start listing names.

So I have to say goodbye today to a lot of people that I credit to my success. To my well-being and my career. It's Hard with a capital H, but since every aspect of my life right now is about change, I can't see this...professionally...as standing out. It's all Hard and it's all Confusing.

But I wish everyone, even me, the best, whatever that means. Because don't we all? Fuck... if I could wish more I would.

Curious Case

I'll have to jot a few notes about New Year's Eve soon, but until then, here are the pics from my night in Columbus with some of my best girlfriends and my baby brother. Welcome, 2009! I've been waiting for you.

But first, I want to write a bit about The Curious Case of Benjamin Button. The movie doesn't stick to Fitzgerald's original storyline, but the director doesn't necessarily make claims to do so, and honestly, the variations really do work for the movie and the times we find ourselves in (i.e., not The Jazz Age, when the original short story was penned). It's less hostile toward Benjamin, less aggressive, and although we don't see him go through nearly as many trials to "belong" as we see in the story, there's plenty of conflict and pain...but also plenty of love and discovery. 

This is definitely one worth seeing in the theater, and one whose themes will stick with you after you leave. The end monologue and montage of Benjamin as he grows younger through his 20s is my favorite part of the movie:

"What I think is, it’s never too late...or, in my case, too early, to be whoever you want to be. There’s no time limit, start anytime you want...change or stay the same, there aren’t any rules. We can make the best or worst of it...I hope you make the best. I hope you see things that startle you, feel things you never felt before. I hope you meet people who have a different point of view. I hope you challenge yourself. I hope you stumble and pick yourself up. I hope you live the life you wanted to...and if you haven’t, I hope you have the courage to start all over again.

Along the way you bump into people who make a dent in your life. Some people get struck by lightning. Some are born to sit by a river. Some have an ear for music. Some are artists. Some swim the English Channel. Some know buttons. Some know Shakespeare. Some are mothers...and some people can dance."