With a family like this, why would I want to escape?

Today was our second snow day from school this week and this year. U and ND had a brilliant idea.

There's an app we like to play together called Can You Escape? The goal of the game is to escape each room by finding tools and codes around a room to solve and to help you open a door out.

Imagine my surprise when I came downstairs to the dining room and heard the music from the game playing, a mostly bare room, and a few objects strategically placed around. 

A jump drive was inside the glass case.

 But I couldn't open the case without the code:

I found the code by looking through the place cards ND long ago made for us for the table, and finding a new one that had the colors in the right color.

So I could retrieve the jump drive. Then I could use it in the digital frame

which game me another code.

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Where The Hell Is Matt? revisited

I first saw it in 2006... the cute little Where The Hell Is Matt? video that made me want to travel the world and (made me proud that he was from the Pacific Northwest).

Now there's the 2012 version.  This video so profoundly moves me. Added to the beauty of seeing the world and the fun of dancing is the synchronocity of large groups of strangers and the realization of just where these people are. The clip from Syria with women whose faces had to be censored out of the video as they dance in secret, of places like New Orleans and Port-Au-Prince that have suffered from natural disasters, and places whose like Belgrade and Iraq whose names I associate with war instead of music.

So inspiring. And fun.

Thanks, Matt.

Mister Rogers Remix

On a scale of 1-10 on really cool and make me feel good, I give this video an 11.

Lost!

Alright... it's been two weeks already since the season finale of Lost! I've been wanting to blog but haven't had time. Within that period I've gone through such anger and resentment but now am okay again... sort of.

Here's the deal...

Lost! started as a wonderful show. To me it was primarily about John Locke and an incredible setting that was terrifying and fascinating. The characters on the island struggled with their pasts and many were searching for teshuvah. Locke alone had faith in the island and was devoted to it. It was his destiny. If we had faith too, it was supposed to pay off in the end...

Over the years we were brought into many characters' lives and were taken through many parts of history. We watched characters face redemption like Charlie who knew he had to die, but who chose a noble death. (I hated losing him.) We saw the smoke monster face Ekko head on and, if you backed up and looked inside the smoke, saw images of all he'd done wrong. 

It was weird the way people's lives converged. Many of the characters had brushed against other of the characters in the "real world." It was strange that Ekko's brother's plane crashed on the island, that Locke's evil father was also the real Sawyer whose conning had led to James/Sawyer's parents' death.

Then there were peripheral things we didn't understand... the Others (who originally didn't leave footprints, by the way), the Dharma Initiative, a giant 4-toed statue, a guy with a beard who was the villain for awhile and who eventually must have just quit the show, a polar bear, a porthole to a dessert...

As time went on, villains changed, probably because the writers just couldn't make up their mind what they were doing. (They finally realized a great thing with Ben but never could quite decide what to do with him.) Then we met Jacob and didn't know what to make of him. Was he G-d? Did he run all of this? Was he the one who was helping people find their redemption? Why was he invisible at first, then coming into the outside world? And poor Ben who was so filled with faith that he would murder any and all, but never got close to Jacob except, finally to kill him. (My favorite line on the whole show was when Ben delivered a eulogy to Locke. "He was filled with faith, more than I ever had. I'm very sorry I murdered him."

Up until now I was still watching with pure blind faith that despite a lot of bad writing, bad acting, my annoyance that none of the writers could possibly be mothers (what ridiculous turns they took with Claire and Sun!) and more questions than could ever be answered, that at least there would be meaning in how the island operates. What it is. What it's for. I was hoping for some way that this metaphor could enlighten me in my real life and actually connect to my own faith. For crying out loud, I once was able to compare Ben to Moshe when talking with another Lost fan!

But when it turned out that Jacob and the black smoke were opposed to one another, I no longer could make sense of how they worked together as Island Entities. And then in the second to last episode to learn that they knew as little as we did about the damn place should have alerted me to how wrong it would all go.

The final episode was not about the island at all, but about the "sideways world" that only existed in the last season... a world in which everyone who has died before on the show can be see again in a kind of purgatory before accepting their own deaths and moving on. I think I'll call it Cameo world. I have always been disappointed by when characters die but then really come back. (Tasha Yar from ST:TNG and Gandalf in the Fellowship of the Ring are just two examples.) But then to bring them all back smiling, hugging, kissing and we're supposed to be satisfied by this!!!!????? One explanation is that this is Hugo's island, but come on... really?

What's the fricking island!!!???

I see now that the writers were just in it for the money, for the easy emotions that they knew they could stir in us from having characters lose each other and find each other again. All the intrigue were just tools to keep us watching.

I feel cheated and resentful. Who do they think we are?

I will never commit to a TV show like this again.

At least I'm not alone. This video makes me feel just a little bit better:

See more funny videos and funny pictures at CollegeHumor.

Holy Cow! I mean...

Wow!

Art

Sometimes I wonder how it's possible that as new technologies are invented and time passes, really exciting and fresh creativity can still be found. After all, how many new ways can you say anything? Hasn't everything beautiful already been created whether with new tools or old?

This is so sweet to watch. How much can you learn about this person just from the setting, the props, the body language, the song?

Dumbledore Is Gay

I'm glad J.K. Rowling is thinking progressively and willing to think outside the box for her characters' sexuality, but this revelation doesn't bring me any new insights into Potter and I'm afraid Grindelwald (a figure from Dumbledore's past) never really made an impression on me. I hope Rowling realizes that the series is OVER and that it's time to move on. Frankly, I hope the public realizes it too.

Woah, strongly stated opinion there... I'm not going to go any further with this lest I disappoint someone with my impatience towards Harry Potter.

In other news, this is really something. I've never seen U. laugh so hard about a news article. Make sure you scroll down to view the slideshow.

Grateful Survivor

My mom was just published on Aish.

Shanah Tovah!

May you be blessed with a sweet New Year -- with love, health, safety, success and clarity of vision. When despite your best efforts things don't go as it seems they should, may you have the insight to understand it and become stronger, happier, more at ease and with greater trust in G-d.

Tekiah!

Live

Pronounce that "live" to rhyme with "jive" as in:

My new website is now live.

That's the website for Rivendell, my meditation hangout place.

Comments? On the site? On the name?

And oh yeah, what a week this has been getting ready for school to start. The only real reason I'm staying up late right now writing about Rivendell is that I'm too exhausted to work but still wound up and needing to wind down.

More On gDiapers

And I thought I was the only one who was so ENTHUSIASTIC about gDiapers. Check out this gDiaper community.

Little Fish Big River

As if I had time...

someone sent me the link to the Little Fish Big River site in honor of the new year. It's a place you go to internationally log in and share acts of kindness you've done or received. I think the idea is that those same acts can inspire other people to do the same thing, then cross-references so you can see where that kindness is being repeated throughout the world.

It took me a couple of days on-and-off while giving kindness to my little one, but I finally managed to create a page on there. It might be fun. I'd love to see some of you on there too.

Our Daughter Is SO OLD!

I couldn't fit this on the page so easily, so I'm going to try posting it as a link here:




Note added on January 21, 2007: I should point out that this is not exactly the way we count her age, but it's close enough. If you ever want to just see what's happening now in approximate age-ness, continue to visit this entry.

I Will Survive

The title to this post has a double-meaning, but I'll link them.

This Sunday is my third remission anniversary. I've recently become friends with a wonderful couple here. The woman in particular is in my top 5 list of people in NJ that I connect to. It so happens that her husband survived a very similar kind of cancer to me a number of years ago (at least 5... I can't remember for sure how many). His remission anniversary was yesterday, so Saturday night we're having a double "birthday" party. Yesterday I ordered the Phish Food ice cream cake. I'm so excited about this.

The first year I celebrated was extremely serious as I invited a few trusted friends to whom I told my whole story from beginning to end.

The second year, my friend Emarcy came out to celebrate, but weird things were happening in my life.

This year is just going to be a happy party as I await the next stage in my wonderful life.

So on to the second point... I happen to really really love the song "I Will Survive." It just feels so damn good. I just found this of it that I rather enjoy. (Speaking of cake...)

Lulav shake

This is kind of fun.

More feelings

Had a difficult Shabbat. Raging feelings of loneliness. It's not unlike me to feel this way in the world as I always tend to overthink my friendships with people and feel afraid to reach out, but the pregnancy doesn't help both in terms of hormones and fear of isolation.

Some other factors:

My schedule is wonky right now. I work very hard from 9-1 each day running a backyard camp for about 9 2-year olds, and then come home to nap and find myself with an empty afternoon and no car. (U. thankfully has a new job 3 days a week upstate which leaves me a little stranded.) Yes, I could bus, but it has been quite muggy and there are not that many places worth going to unless I know I can see someone. I'm finding it more and more difficult just to walk places, heat or no heat. Also, I have a lot of things at home I keep telling myself I want to do, but it's hard to just be home alone. I don't think I'll ever be good at it.

Was stood up by a friend this week. I'm sure it was for a good reason, but I haven't heard what yet.

Have not been sure who to call to invite to do things with. Trying to be braver about this. At least I have a few more things scheduled this week including my first real learning session with a new Torah partner, a writer's group at the library, and hopefully a prenatal yoga class.

Sometimes I feel like the only way people can relate to me in shul is that I take care of their children. And I realized that of the 4 of us at shul that I know are teachers, I'm the only one who works with kids from the shul itself. I suppose it's better than not being noticed, but I take on a different role as the children's teacher than as another shul member. Both plusses and minuses to this, I suppose. On one hand, I think the parents are grateful for the work I do. On the other, I can't help but think they all know teaching doesn't pay too well, and I'm not sure if that in any way lessens the respect I receive. (The opposite question of course is whether or not I respect them enough for NOT working with children.)

In any case, I allowed the lonely feelings to go through, and U. was a good listener. He certainly is an antidote for loneliness, but I need women friends too, and in person, not just online. In any case, I'm feeling better at least for now. After Shabbat U. showed me this new Where The Hell Is Matt? video roaming the web that just seems gloriously cheerful to me.

We Drink Tea

Awhile ago the world went crazy with the Lazy Sunday Narnia Rap that I mentioned in December. Tonight I was just in the mood to watch it, but Google brought me to Wikipedia which further illuminates a number of the references in the rap and has links to "responses" to Lazy Sunday. By far my favorite is We Drink Tea. Please please please be prepared for some good-humored (or good-humoured) profanity and don't let your kids watch it with you or catch yourself singing the chorus afterwards in front of them.

Addition on May 14th around noon: One more thought about these videos... I always seem to have so much work on Sundays and the days creep by with not much interesting, maybe a quick walk at the Nature Center or a trip to the library or whatever. I tend to think others do way cooler stuff. But as I watch these videos, I see we kind of all are just having a lazy day, work or no work.

Snakes On A Plane

If you haven't already heard about it, Snakes On A Plane is just what it sounds like, a movie about snakes on a plane that has not even been released yet. However, there's this thing now where tons of people are creating trailers for it including dialogue that the writers of the real movie are actually incorporating now into the movie itself. (Yes, that's how bad it probably is, that it needs that new dialogue.) There is also a contest for the best Snakes On A Plane song that will then be played during the closing credits. I have no interest whatsoever in watching the movie, but this is one of the funniest trailers I've ever seen.

White Dragon

I'm having way too much fun with this. Had a fun chat at the library about this site with Harry, the librarian who wears crystals.

A long time ago Harry said hi to me and remembered my name. When I asked him how he knew, he said it was because it's Tolkienish.

When I said, "I won't remember yours," he said. "Yes you will. Like Harry Potter."

I don't even need my library card when he's there.

What Color Dragon Are You?

You're a white dragon.

Traits:Kind, conservative and caring, you honsestly believe that there is good in everything, even though there might not be. You are full of hope and you are a fun person. Keep it up, because the world needs more people like you!

Power:You control light. A light emits from your eyes, which makes you a magnificent sight to see.

Location:You'd be found at the top of a mountain, where you can see for hundreds of miles and appriciate the view.

Thanks for taking my quiz!

[me]
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Phoenix

What Mythical Species Are You?

You're a pheonix. You are nobel, loyal and brave, and unlike the dragon, you aren't prone to anger. You have a curiously long life, you are strong and can carry very heavy loads. Your tears can cure the most serious of illnesses and you'd do anything for those you care about.

Thanks for taking my quiz!

[me]
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