Rage Against the Machine

My dear friend J@ck13 introduced me to the tradition of the Birthday Hanukkah, an eight day celebration of the event of one's birth. These extended celebrations are not the result of a keen fondness for birthdays but rather the unintended outcome of scheduling conflicts, friends who do not play well with others, timing, and well, really an excuse to have more reading water.

And so it is that tonight marks the end of my very own (first) Birthday Hanukkah. As GBC Paige and I worked to prepare tonight's meal, I was introduced to the Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins. While the books were originally geared to a slightly younger audience than the two of us, the novels seem to be picking up steam with a more experienced generation. Here's a link to a review from the NYT if you (like me) missed out on the debut of this trilogy.

Followed by a Moon Shadow

I have had a few days this winter where I felt as if I was trapped in Groundhog Day. In the film, Bill Murray lives the worst day of his life over and over and over again. Despite the dreary synopsis, it is a hopeful comedy for any of you who haven't seen it (meaning those of you born in the 80s). Our protagonist Phil questions why he could not have re-lived the amazing day in the Virgin Islands rather than the cold Punxsutawney in which he now appears to be destined. (It is never the great ones which repeat.) The film is filled with nice one-liners and one of the better performances by Andie McDowell (especially compared to the other film where she quotes weather - "is it raining?").

And so when I have these days that run into weeks and I feel stuck in a place that "can't spell espresso or cappuccino," I think of the film and the concept of bettering oneself each day. Oh, and I always drink to world peace.

Eye of the Tiger

This last weekend marked the entry of the Year of the Tiger with a strong Metal element. What does this mean for all of us? There are a host of websites and books which give an indication of what the year may hold, but I am sticking with the prediction of GBC Kate's partner that "2010 is the year we get rich." (My question is still upper or lower case "R".)

I have spent some time today reading about my sign, the Ox, and smiled at some of the descriptive traits which hold a little more truth than I tend to admit. The outlook for the Ox according to one site is that two months will be good and the other ten not as favourable. I think I will be a tad more optimistic that this (rising up to the challenge of our rival). Regardless of what is ahead, it is always nice to think about beginning things anew.

I will leave you with an (alleged since About.com is not a primary source) Chinese proverb for your New Year's greeting: "When you want to test the depths of a stream, don't use both feet."

December Comes Full Circle

It's Friday and Fridays make me happy.

It's the weekend before bookclub, so finish reading. Also think about what fantastic thing you'll bring to our last meeting of the year. If after reflection, you are still at a loss, bring reading water.

It's two days before the Sunday Book Club signing at The Mad Platter where one of our very own members will be signing copies of "Church of the Assumption: 150 years". I am certain if you ask nicely, he will personalize your dedication.

It's the winter before the spring when Elliott Bay Book Company will be moving. I spent one of my best Seattle afternoons in this independent bookstore found, as many of them are for me, by accident on a meandering walk. One of their current recommended books is Born to Run: A Hidden Tribe, Superathletes, and the Greatest Race the World has Never Seen by Christopher McDougall. This book was also recommended to me by a stranger (who is now not a stranger) while I was waiting on a meal from our local Zackie's a few weeks ago. I do love our neighborhood.

I also love Fridays...

Legends of the Fall

Every GBC meeting is a lot of fun but there are those few, special nights which are highlighted in the annals (GBC Paige's calendar) and reach legendary status in the club. Tuesday was such a night. Our meeting joins DaVinci Code in East Nashville, the “13 by 11” night in our neighborhood, and downtown on the roof under the setting sun to name just a few. The tour of coming architectural changes, the delivery of very special news, the anticipation to discuss the book, and a fantastic late summer menu set the stage for over four hours of discussion, laughter, toasts, and (light) debate.

The venue: Septevius under a delightful rain. Our hosts also assembled a bag of books for exchange; thank you again for my next plane read.

The meal: Locally grown, luscious, red Bradley tomatoes were topped with a light tuna salad in an arrangement that was befitting the beautifully set table. Our host (pictured here) presents his pièce de résistance for dessert. [photo credit: GBC Kim]

The company: Most GBC members were present with the majority having read the book, and one diligent member (guess who) was prepared with reading questions.

The book: Little Brother by Cory Doctorow. (Advice: you can read the book faster and with more enjoyment than listening to the audio version.)

The discussion: Animated, lively, boisterous and at times, just one harmony humming with discussion of favorite characters, technology, security, Internet history, Halo, cameras, and court decisions. It was as if we each were players in our own GBC game and brought to the table our best “weapons” for dialogue.

GBC F.L. Right had the quote for the evening when he noted as we neared meeting’s end, “Sometimes we even discuss the book.”

Sunset 8:06 pm

I know many of you are now accustomed to the random thoughts which enter my head. Today, while cleaning the stovetop, I was thinking about the Farmer’s Almanac. While growing up, we always had a Farmer’s Almanac calendar, usually sponsored by one of the town’s funeral homes. We would typically have our first introduction to the calendar rolled up into a small cylinder bound by a rubber band. It would usually take several turns to roll the calendar counter to the original binding in order to get the paper to lie flat against the wall. The calendar was fairly simple with six pages printed front and back (green before its time). We could have the sunrise, sunset, fishing data, and various other recommendations on planting at our very fingertips. Most of the calendar was black and white print with holidays marked in red.

While searching for an image that I might include for reference, I found a Greeneville, TN company which has been producing calendars since 1896. It’s likely that my childhood calendar was made by AmerICan Calendars, and I am amused that I have only made this connection many years later, although I do distinctly remember the funeral home’s name.

In the event you like to be guided by the Almanac, today is a good day to can fruits and vegetables, to mow, and to do a few other things which are only appropriate if you have livestock.