Happy New Year

First of all, it's a blue moon tonight. The moon will not actually be blue, but there will be a second full moon in one calendar month. I think it will be about 8 years before this happens again. Here in southwestern BC the weather forecast is for rain, so we probably won't see it. Anyway, here's where to look for it in case the clouds part. It's also the closest full moon to the Winter Solstice so it can be called the long night moon in the Northern Hemisphere.

Tonight our family will celebrate in our own neighbourhood. Fiona will have a friend over for an evening of cooking and celebrating at home. Andrew, Alex and I will cross the street to our neighbours Karen's and Wayne's place to party with friends from the neighbourhood. This has been our tradition for several years. It is so beautiful to have friends on our own street with whom we can have so much fun, and share the lives of our growing up families. We'll eat some yummy food, have a few drinks and have a dreadful/wonderful white elephant gift exchange. I wonder what we'll come home with?

I've been thinking about New Year's resolutions. I haven't heard so much about them this year, which I think is healthy. Rather than focusing on January 1, I think it's healthier to make changes and improvements as they occur to us. Setting a universal date for change encourages procrastination, and sets us up for failure because I think this is a time of year when many people have low levels of energy and courage. I bet if we all made June 1 resolutions, a lot more of them would stick.

Anyway, I have made a few changes this year: one that has been unplanned but awesome has been to spend more time at home. I have enjoyed fewer nights out and more time with my family than I have for many years. This seems to fit as we are in transition with Alex and Fiona entering young adulthood and becoming less dependent on Andy and me for everyday stuff, but more so for communication, empathy and support in more subtle and sophisticated ways. Parenting is less schedule-able. I want to be here for the moments that occur spontaneously, and I'm aware that the closeness of all of us together in one house won't last that much longer.

I have also taken a big leap in healthy living. I am eating less and exercising more. I began this in May (see what I mean about resolution time?) when we decided to take an anniversary trip to Mexico in August. By August I felt great in my bathing suit, but I kept going. Now I'm down a couple of clothing sizes and hooked into a routine of whole food eating and frequent exercising that has improved my energy and all-over wellness. This book helped. My friend Linda at work also helped - encouraging me to get down to the gym at lunch, and helping me set a new weight training program. My bus pass also helped. I started busing to work almost every day, then walking home. When autumn came, Andrew helped. He bought me full rain gear for my early birthday present. So I'm walking home from work, rain or shine. It takes about an hour, and it's the best thing I've done for body, mind and spirit.

Speaking of spirit, I've had an awesome year in my faith community. I took the opportunity to lead the worship service a couple of times when our minister was on break. A few of us in the congregation do this. It was scary at first, but what an experience! I also participated in a faith formation group - about 8 people who met weekly to read scripture, pray, and discuss the place our faith and church have in today's world. It was transformative. We have also run the mat program again this fall at our church, and I've started taking care of preparing the elements for our monthly communion service. Worship and service are one. This is very much the case where I worship.

So now I'm thinking about 2010, and what might change or improve in the coming year. Of immediate interest to me is my neck and shoulders. I know that sounds pretty concrete after talking about family, community, spirit, holistic wellness. But maybe it's time for something specific. I'm going to keep going to regular massage appointments and try to actually do the stretching exercises in between. I want more relaxed shoulders. I want better balance between the muscles of my upper back and my chest. I want to feel more flexible, pliable and neutral at rest. At this moment, my shoulders resemble a kevlar vest winched up by invisible threads to my ears. I want them to warm and relax. I think I can do that. I won't wait until June. No excuses. Next massage appointment is Thursday morning.

Enjoy your New Year's Eve. Be easy with yourself about resolutions. Be generous with yourself about recognition of accomplishments you have made this year.

question - will we see the long night moon?

mompoet - happy new year!

sondheim search movie #1 - Gypsy

Last night when we got home from Christmas supper, we watched the 1962 movie version of Gypsy, starring Rosiland Russell and Natalie Wood. It was pretty good, although now I wish to see a recording of the stage version. 1960s movies had a certain something about them that makes you just want to peel off the cellophane wrapper and give everyone a poke!

Gypsy is the story of the ultimate stage mom and her two girls, trying to make it big in vaudeville. It's based on the memoir of Gypsy Rose Lee, the famous burlesque performer. The stage show was written for Ethel Merman, who played stage mother Rose.

Here's my favourite number from the movie. I suspect I will enjoy the Rose's Turn - the finale - more than this song if I get to see a live production or a recording of one. Rose's breakdown was lukewarm in the movie, and I imagine in the real thing it's more real and devastating. Anyway, it was a good start.

Next up: A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum

if only I could write a poem

this room is quiet
my heart is full
page blank, pen working
time is abundant

if only I had the words
the courage
the clarity of mind
appropriate cultural references
sharp metaphors
connection to mass consciousness
a hook
better handwriting
a good relationship with my muse
the right colour of toenail polish
a clear view of my navel

I would write a poem
before the sun rises
nail down this feeling
this place where I am today
the gist of which
would mean something
to someone who might read it
some time in the future
or even to me
when I read it again
some day

and that someone
(or maybe I)
would say
"If only I could write a poem like that today"


question: have you been writing?

mompoet - trying

our olympic experience - continued

A few months ago, I blogged about the ticket lottery. Our family requested tickets to a number of Olympic events. A random draw was held, and we ended up being allowed to purchase 2 tickets to a men's preliminary round ice hockey game. Alex and Andrew will go to see that one together.

Now that the Games are almost here, things are beginning to happen. Of course, we have received Olympic emails about once a week through the year, conveying updates about developments. We have been kept well-informed. We were curious to know if we'd be able to take in any additional Olympic events, and we jumped at the chance to see a figure skating practice session. The day the tickets went on sale, I logged onto the internet and was promptly bounced to the "virtual waiting" room. About 20 minutes later I was allowed to buy two tickets to see the practice session for women's ice dance. Fiona and I will go see that.

In the meantime, I noticed that there are tickets still available for a few events. Men's and women's preliminary ice hockey and some curling matches still have seats up for grabs. I opted for 4 tickets to a medal ceremony so our whole family can get to one event together. Besides the ceremony, the rock band Hedley will be playing, so it should be a fun time whatever happens. There are also tons of Paralympic tickets still available. If we have great time at the Olympics, we'll go get some of these and have some more fun.

Last week, we received an email saying our hockey tickets were being shipped, then Purolator visited while we were at work. Then on Saturday, we went to the Purolator store near our home. Lots of people were there, also picking up tickets, and the lineup extended out the door. But there were plenty of people working, and we had our ticket package in hand within about 10 minutes of arrival.

When we got home, we unpacked the tickets and were surprised to find they are in two different sections of Canada Hockey Place (otherwise known as GM Place). I looked for a seating diagram, and saw that the sections were adjacent, and the row number was the same, but the seat numbers were 10 and 108, which did not sound promising. I emailed the customer care people at 2010 ticketing, and within a couple of hours I had an email back from a man named Michael, who had checked and verified that the seats are together. He explained to me how I could view the actual seat locations using the website and our ticketing account. I checked, and sure enough, seat 108 is right beside seat 10, so Alex and Andy will watch together.

We didn't have a lot of money to spend on any of these events, so we're in the cheap seats for low profile activities. If we had a million dollars, we could go deluxe and buy speed skating and opening ceremony tickets using the ticket auction that is running right now at the 2010 ticketing website. I think we'll stick with what we've got. Fi will perform in the closing ceremonies, and we'll catch her on TV. Alex says some of the big events will be simulcast at the movie theatre where he works. If this is the case for closing ceremonies, I'll go to the movie theatre to see that on the big screen.

So that's our Olympic experience so far. Our general impression is that most people can go to the Olympics if they are fortunate enough to have moderate incomes, a credit card, and internet access, and if they don't mind missing the big events and opting just to be there to be part of the overall experience. It's nice that local teens and young adults will be part of the opening and closing ceremonies, and we know a lot of people who will be volunteering at the Games. So far so good.

I'm hoping that our worst worries about treatment of marginalized citizens, and the right to freedom of expression will not be realised. I'm hoping that by the end of February we'll be able to say that the Olympics were generally a good thing.

I'll keep you posted as our Olympic experience rolls out - the good, the bad and the unexpected.

question: are you going to the Games?

mompoet - watching and waiting

the great sondheim search (a holiday project)

Fiona and I have concocted a Christmas holiday project to see some Sondheim musicals on video. Of course we do our best to catch every live performance of Sondheim's work that is available to us, but in between these, videos and sound recording are a big help.

With iTunes stocking just about every commercial recording available to man, getting Stephen Sondheim into our ears is no problem. The Metro-Vancouver library system is helping us with the DVDs. Between the Burnaby and Vancouver libraries, we are set to borrow and view Gypsy, A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum, Passion (which we saw recently when it was produced by Applause Musicals in Concert), a Sondheim tribute concert and Porgy and Bess. The last of these is not a Sondheim musical. It is Stephen Sondheim's choice for the best musical of all time. I know this because Stephen Sondheim told us so - when he came to Vancouver in October for an on-stage conversation at the Vogue Theater (also presented by Applause Musicals).

So if you wonder how the nerd family is geeking out this Christmas, well, now you know.

question: do you have a particular/peculiar interest that your are currently pursuing?

mompoet - geekily goo-gah and happy all the time

ps - If anyone has a lead on a video-recording of Follies, I will travel to the end of the earth to borrow it

solstice nesting

I have been yearning for an evening at home. On Monday, both kids stayed home, and so did Andy and I. We had a nice supper and went to sleep early. Well, at least Andy and I did.

In the morning, it was still dark. I turned on the Christmas tree lights and wrote this.

as solstice night approaches
I dress our tables in clean, pressed cloths
prepare of feast of red, green and gold
light fresh candles
pour wine

after the meal, we retire at nine
to dream our dreams
a feast of hopes, fears, desires
on this, the longest night

question: how did you observe solstice?

mompoet - nesty nesty

haiku

don't eat the carrot
don't eat it, leave the carrot
it's the snowman's nose

carol ship punch

Here's how Myrna served us up the carol ships last week, on a night when they weren't even running up the inlet, and in her new home, minus the view. They were spectacular.

question: did you see the boats in the night with lights?

mompoet - enjoying the season

the story

the shorecrest video

the shorewood video

sometimes a dream is a prose poem writing itself in your heart

This time, my own children grown, I care for a neighbour's small ones (2 girls and a baby boy). We are at a sea cove where they clamber across rocks in the sun and wind. I am on guard against scrapes and falls. Late afternoon, we pack up to walk home. I carry the boy, now sleepy from a missed nap. Middle child rushes ahead down the lane, out of sight. An anguished cry! Is she hurt? I jostle forward, drowsing boy stuck to my hip with sweat and sand, heavy bag flapping. I find her crumpled on the lawn, crushed by sorrow. Beside her: the fresh cut stump of a familiar tree stands where once there was shade and leafy green. Her strangled sobs remind me that she has no vocabulary for this loss. She cannot tell me what this means. Without words, I know that the tree's body held the spirit of someone she loved. She is bereft.

more than anything

I want to take your heavy pack
the one whose straps don't adjust
the way they used to
the one that's filled with rocks
I want to set it by the road
say to you come - walk with lightness
someone else will pick it up

more than life itself
I want to face your forest
push back branches
that claw your legs and face
stare brambles in the belly
shout a command
bid the tall dark dark
to part
admit light
that you may find your way again

better than my own true love
I want to stop the dogs
nipping at your heels
teach them manners
offer milk and bread
in exchange for blood
convince them to be your companions
convince you too

simply
I want to move
whatever needs moving
bring you back to you
I want to be the bestower
of peace and wellness
more than anything
I want this
to give to you

bumpit

For my forty-eighth birthday, my fashion-conscious daughter gave me a set of bumpits. These are little plastic arches with teeth. You back-comb your hair, attach the bumpit and smooth hair over it, to produce the attractive (?) bump that so many young women are installing on the top/back of their heads these days.

I think it makes me look like a hillbilly or Sara Palin, but that's just me.

Fiona and niece Maya installed bumpits for the photo session, but theirs are not as prominent. The package had 3 sizes, so they let the birthday girl wear the big bumpit.

Maybe Priscilla Presley?

I think these devices solve all of the world's problems by making everyone who wears them look equally odd. Also, if you are worried about intimidating people with your intelligence, just stick one of these things in your hair. Very reassuring.

question: have you worn the bumpit?

mompoet - bump bump bump

invitation

come to our house this week
we are hanging red glass balls
on horizontal protuberances

come to our house this week
we are increasing kilowatt expenditure
exponentially

come to our house this week
drink tea from a mug
emblazoned with the face of a dutch saint

come to our house this week
the original recipe for these tarts
includes suet

come to our house this week
we have used all of the extension cords and batteries
and need you to light our lives

come to our house this week
in the midst of preparing for the feast
we are reminded of hunger

come to our house this week
while we contradict darkness with merriment
sit quietly beside us

come to our house this week
we have not forgotten the meaning
and the greatest of these is love


question: are you ready?

mompoet - wondering if we ever are

not as predicted

sometimes, snow doesn't happen
fat flakes don't fall
boots do not crunch (they splash)
no hush descends
life does not stop for one crystal moment
of frozen beauty
instead, everyone goes to the grocery store
or soccer practice
piano lessons are back on
gloves and shovel wait
for another night

question: did it snow at your house?

mompoet - much ado about nothing

dirty rotten scoundrels

I loved the 1988 movie that starred Michael Caine and Steve Martin. In 2004, it was made into a musical, and now it's at the Vancouver Playhouse - their annual Christmas confection. This is a vulgar, silly, hilarious musical comedy. I gasped, groaned and laughed all the way through. Besides being quick, tight, lavish and very funny, it features a number of newcomers to the professional stage, demonstrating the quality of young Canadian musical theatre performers these days (see Tyson Coady and Kazumi Evans). If you can get a ticket, you should see this.

question: have you ever been hoodwinked by a man with a fake accent?

mompoet - still chortling

hope in the shadows

I bought a calendar on Saturday. It's the Hope in the Shadows Calendar. This is the first year that I heard about it, but it's a project that has been going on for several years. Residents of the downtown east side participate in a photography contest. The winning photos are used to create the calendar. It's sold by vendors from the area, who earn $10 from every $20 calendar sold.

The images in this year's calendar look like a neighbourhood to me. There are people, streetscapes, friends and family. I will enjoy having this with me for 2010.

question: have you seen hope in the shadows?

mompoet - happy to know about this

distribution list

dear valued company member(s)
please consider the following options for delivery of office supplies
a) Monday, Wednesday, Friday
b) Monday, Tuesday, Thursday
c) Tuesday, Thursday, Friday
respond by 3pm Tuesday for option a)
by 4pm Wednesday for option b) and
ASAP for option c)

Reply to all
dear all
my personal first choice is a), although b) or c)
would be just fine too
thanks for asking
smileycon wink

Reply to all
dear all
are you crazy?
anything other than option c)
will destroy us
and all civilized life
growlycon fang symbol

Reply to all
dear all
um
I'm not sure

Reply to all
dear all
I have no preference

dear valued company member(s)
DO NOT REPLY TO ALL
ALL DO NOT NEED TO RECEIVE REPLIES
just reply to me
sincerely
sender

Reply to all
dear all
c) sounds good
btw - who do we email to book a massage appointment?

Reply to all
have the hockey tickets been drawn?
if not, I choose option b)
the game is on Friday
and I don't want to miss it
waiting for a stationery delivery

dear last two respondents (and all)
DO NOT REPLY TO ALL
ONLY REPLY TO ME
NOBODY ELSE REPLY TO ALL

Reply to all
what is this all about?
I lost the original email
can somebody fill me in?

Reply to all
it's about office supply deliver dates
scroll down luddite

Reply to all
SHUT UP YOU GUYS!
YOU'RE NOT SUPPOSED TO REPLY TO ALL!

dear valued company members
due to overwhelming response to our survey
we have selected the following dates for office supply delivery:
d)Saturday, and Thursday at 10pm
please send no further responses
this survey is closed
thank you for your participation
really

Reply to all
I'm not sure which I like best
can you send more info? maybe a link?
is there video?

Reply to all
SHUT UP! STOP REPLYING TO ALL!
WE DON'T WANT TO READ YOUR REPLIES!

Reply to all
Hey you yelling guy
stop telling everyone to shut up
if you don't want to read the message, just delete it
be polite

dear valued company member
due to technical upgrades
the company email system will
be
.....

good news catch up

Two bits of work-related good news came a couple of weeks back. I have just been to busy to share them here:

1. Another Year at the Rec Centre
For two years, I have been working at a temporary assignment, due to a job shuffle at work. The arrangement has been extended for another year, so I'll spend 2010 continuing to work in seniors' services at the rec centre. I am very pleased about this. I have spent two years learning a lot about a new job and growing to love it. It will be good to continue for another year. I love my regular job, and will be happy to return to it. I'm just glad to get a little longer at this one.

2. BC Seniors' Games
Last week we found out the Burnaby will host the 2012 BC Seniors' Games. I worked this summer on a small committee to prepare the bid. In the process I learned about riding stables, curling rinks and the logistics of putting on a banquet for 4,000 people. Cities from all around the province competed to get the games, and we won. So in August 2012, 4 thousand or more athletes, 55 years and older will converge on Burnaby to ride bikes, play badminton, compete at whist and perform 1 act plays. It feels great to know that our hard work paid off, and our city's amazing facilities and wonderful volunteer resources will be highlighted at this event.

question: what's your good news these days?

mompoet - year end YES!