January 19, 2004 - 7:04 p.m.

Weekend of Random Stuff

I have been a total slacker about updating lately, but so have the authors of nearly every other diary I read, so I really don't feel too bad. :)

So, what did I do with my four day weekend? Not a whole lot. :) Or at least nothing very exciting.

Friday was extremely cold, so I spent most of the day in my room, which eventually achieved equilibrium at around 69 degrees after the morning's heat wave. Before that, though, the heat pouring from the vent in the ceiling right above my dresser managed to melt some of my deodorant all over the dresser! I have the strangest problems in my life... I did leave the house long enough to go to the gym, run a couple of errands, and have a yummy dinner at Bertuccis. One of the themes of my weekend was eating out too much, but I managed to order things that weren't too unhealthy. The evening was spent watching Windtalkers on DVD (not a bad movie, but steer clear if you dislike gore!), and having a nice long talk with my honey - who I will get to see in less than two weeks. :)

Saturday, I contemplated going cross-country skiing or snowshoeing, but decided against it. Even though the weather has been frigid lately, we really don't have all that much snow on the ground. Such outdoor winter sports lose a fair bit of their charm when there aren't glittering white snowscapes to enchant the eye. I opted for some shopping followed by outdoor ice skating instead. I went to the mall, hoping to find some snowpants for such winter outdoor pursuits, and instead spent a bunch of money on less practical clothing. Actually, everything I bought was on sale and something I had at least a token need for, except for the cashmere sweater. But how could I pass up a cashmere turtleneck for $50? And really, doesn't every woman need a cashmere sweater or four?

I did eventually manage to find some snowpants, and still made it back in time to go skating before dark. After skating, I went out to dinner again - this time at John Harvard's, yum - and then went to the movies to see Monster. It was a good, though disturbing movie. Charlize Theron did a fabulous job. At first, I had a hard time getting into the movie because the characters are in most ways very unsympathetic. I have trouble enjoying a film without any people I can relate to. As the movie went on, though, I just became more intrigued by the story and more in awe of Theron's acting ability. It's inconceivable to me how such a graceful, gorgeous woman could so convincingly become an awkward, grubby, mostly unattractive one. The only reminder of the real Charlize Theron came when she would smile, and that that glimpse of her beauty was a touch distracting, but only served to impress me more. Christina Ricci did a great job, too, but I absolutely hated her character. She was so whiny, oblivious, and dependent. Ick, but I guess how much I disliked her is a testament to Ricci's portrayal.

Sunday, after once again lounging around all morning, I did some yoga before heading to Barnes and Noble to spend some more money (the other common thread of the weekend). I had just finished Edith Wharton's The House of Mirth, so I needed new reading material, and I wanted to get a travel guide for my trip to San Diego. I ended up getting the National Geographic Travelers guide to San Diego, The Poisonwood Bible, The Partly Cloudy Patriot by Sarah Vowell, who I love from her contributions to This American Life on NPR, and Signals From The Child. The latter has me very intrigued, as it is a book about how to identify and interpret the common themes and elements in children's art. I've always been fascinated by both the commonality and originality of the way kids draw, and have often wondered whether drawings can really provide insight into the child. Therapists have long used artwork to identify signs of abuse or depression in kids, but, like much in the field of psychology, the process is more art than science. We'll see if this book changes that at all or more akin to reading tea leaves. I'll let you know, and perhaps demonstrate whatever knowledge I gain on specimens from my charges. :)

Then I had to take off for NCV rehearsal. I think we are actually pretty ready for our concert next Sunday. I have a solo, in which I get to start a song all by myself, so I am pretty nervous about that. Otherwise I am just psyched that we are singing really neat pieces, and that we have managed to pull together even the very tough ones. One of the pieces we are doing is a four movement piece written by my composer friend Mike. The text of each of the four sections (of which we are only singing two due to time constraints) is a haiku about a cat. The haiku all came from another friend's website - he has a haiku page where we all create haiku and the results are available for the world to read. So, Mike took four of these haiku, each about a different cat, and set them to music. Weird, but totally cool. One of the sections features a haiku I wrote about the family's cat, Spike (#59 on page 7 if you feel like reading it). Sadly, it's not one of the sections we're performing in the concert, but I think it's pretty cool that I inadvertently became a lyricist. :) The other amusing part of rehearsal, which happened to be going on while the Patriots were working their way toward the AFC Championship and another trip to the Super Bowl, was my fellow alto being sporadically startled by her cell phone vibrating as her friend sent her text messages updating her (and the rest of us) on the status of the game. Curiously, the phone never seemed to go off while we were singing - uncanny really.

Last night and the early part of today were spent poring over the San Diego travel guide, which is making me increasingly excited about my trip next month. San Diego has so much to see and do, I have a feeling my five days are going to fly by. After reading about the California sunshine for a while, I headed out into the New England cold. First I dragged myself to the gym, which I admit I was not psyched about, but felt great anyway, then headed to a matinee of Calendar Girls. It was an absolutely adorable movie, which I highly recommend for many laughs and much warming of the heart. It was a bit odd to be one of only about 5-10 people in the theater under the age of 60. :)

And now, I am writing this and watching the first casting special of American Idol 3. Yes, I am caving to my old addiction. Already it appears that the people who are auditioning this year learned nothing from the humiliation suffered by so many last year as their no rhythm, tone deaf, forgotten words performances were broadcast on national TV. Once again I am left at a loss as to how many of these people could think they have the voice to audition for a show like AI... The power of the human mind to become delusional is vast!

So, that's the lengthy description of my long, but unexciting weekend. I am sure you will all be sleeping well tonight, now that I have thoroughly bored you. :)

today's project: learning about San Diego

musing about: which of my new books to read first

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flutter back - fly ahead