I have really low self-esteem! I SUCK! I hate me!
I hate that I have really low self-esteem! I hate that I hate me!
I hate that: 1) no one will ever hire me to sing in a paying chorus because I sight sing at a high-school level; 2) no one will ever hire me for musical theater because I can't dance; 3) no one will ever audition me for opera because I don't have a resume.
I hate that I can't find my TWO pitch forks, which are both A's, by the way. (I hate that I don't have perfect pitch). I have (HAD) two because I misplace things so easily. Such as my foot-long ruler that I use everyday to measure boxes and ribbon and string (origami stuff), I literally spend about 10 minutes per day looking for my ruler (in a 1-bedroom apartment). Today I found it in my toiletry bag in the bathroom. Yesterday under a pile of papers. Not to mention scissors and needles--it's a miracle that I haven't permanently lost any needles to date.
I hate that it's almost 2AM and I'm still up while I have to get up in the morning to go look at apartments! And go to a barbecue!
Saturday, July 29, 2006
Friday, July 28, 2006
How weird is this
Video Games Live
"Video Games Live™ is an immersive concert event featuring music from the most popular video games of all time. Top orchestras & choirs perform along with exclusive video footage and music arrangements, synchronized lighting, solo performers, electronic percussionists, live action and unique interactive segments to create an explosive entertainment experience!"
"Video Games Live™ is an immersive concert event featuring music from the most popular video games of all time. Top orchestras & choirs perform along with exclusive video footage and music arrangements, synchronized lighting, solo performers, electronic percussionists, live action and unique interactive segments to create an explosive entertainment experience!"
Wednesday, July 26, 2006
Apartments and voice lessons
I hate moving. There is an exciting aspect. Especially this time it will be at most 30 mins away, so there isn't the stress factor of all your stuff arriving in good order. Anyway, our lease ends on 9/30, and my husband says he 100% wants to move out of the dump we currently inhabit (while I am more like 50%, but 100% trumps any other percentage above 0%). My goal is a newish mid-rise building above the 3rd floor for under $1250/mo including parking spaces. Definitely not "vintage-style" (Amelie-esque) or courtyard-type. I've contacted the usual suspects in Evanston and there are no availabilities, although some might open up in August but not looking good. For over $1550 (incl. parking), there are availabilities, but those are not worth it, because they are nice but small and close to campus, which inflates the price. I've already looked at a place across the street, and it's not gonna work... due to a very dark brown carpet, very little light, a dumpster for a view, general oldness, a baby crying, and extremely rank smoke smell that I'm sure won't be there once the place gets cleaned up but still.
I'd want most to live in Glenview, where my husband works (and my voice lessons are!), but the only non-bad apartments there are these extremely nice ones that are really expensive. We are seriously considering Arlington Heights, which has nice new good-location ones for about $1100 (incl. parking). My only concern is the distance from downtown Chicago and downtown Evanston. Argh... I'm sure I can live with it.
And my voice lessons.... My teacher thinks I can really be something, and because I can't afford to go every week, she's gonna give me 2 free lessons to go 4 weeks in a row! YAY! But she is also making me buy a tape player--AFTER I got a digital recorder (that I can't return), b/c I didn't want to buy a newly manufactured relic, but she thinks the digital recorder doesn't sound real. Anyone have an old tape player? AND she wants me to get a keyboard (since I can't afford a piano, of course). I need a scholarship.
I'd want most to live in Glenview, where my husband works (and my voice lessons are!), but the only non-bad apartments there are these extremely nice ones that are really expensive. We are seriously considering Arlington Heights, which has nice new good-location ones for about $1100 (incl. parking). My only concern is the distance from downtown Chicago and downtown Evanston. Argh... I'm sure I can live with it.
And my voice lessons.... My teacher thinks I can really be something, and because I can't afford to go every week, she's gonna give me 2 free lessons to go 4 weeks in a row! YAY! But she is also making me buy a tape player--AFTER I got a digital recorder (that I can't return), b/c I didn't want to buy a newly manufactured relic, but she thinks the digital recorder doesn't sound real. Anyone have an old tape player? AND she wants me to get a keyboard (since I can't afford a piano, of course). I need a scholarship.
What about the dinosaurs?
This entry is about my thoughts on the book "The Language of God: A Scientist Presents Evidence for Belief" by Francis S. Collins
I am a very scientific and a very troubled person. Therefore, I was excited to read this book by one of the most prominent scientists in the world right now who is also a devoted Christian. He led the Genome Project and is the highest authority on all-things genetic, and things genetic are very cutting-edge, the newest of the new.
I was particularly excited to find out how it's possible that the world was created in seven days. See, everything I've read and seen and studied my whole life (except the Bible) tells me that the first few chapters of Genesis are NOT possible and that the world is more than a few billion years old. I guess it dates back to at least seventh grade, where at the end of our science exam on evolution, the question was posed: Do you believe in evolution or creation? I only answered in a very badly-phrased sentence: "Evolution, because what about the dinosaurs?" OK apparently our teacher wanted us to give a more detailed explanation of how we feel, so I didn't get many points on that question, but it shoulda said so. Over the years, I've cited the dinosaurs as a major question I have about Christianity. Many MANY people have looked at me like I'm really weird or questioned why that's my main concern when there can be so many others. But it is! I can't help it. Also I've always wondered why would God create humans and chimps to have such similar genes but be unrelated, what's the point of that? Genesis just doesn't sit in my brain the way it does to others. So I was excited that a scientist was gonna tell me how it's all possible.
Unfortunately, he says that everything I think is correct. Which technically isn't bad.
Genetic science proves (in his opinion, without a shadow of a doubt) that people and monkeys and dogs and cats and every other animal are descended from one ancestor and evolved to where we are over time, just as Darwin said. The reasoning is our genes are really similar, and there are even some "junk" genes that don't seem to serve any function that are similar... okay there is a really detailed scientific explanation so this is just a summary. He says evolution is not a theory but a fact, and the Big Bang is true. So he says there's no way the world was created in seven days, and he even uses scripture to argue that the word for "day" in Genesis could mean a period of time and not a 24-hr day, which would make more sense. Moreover, he argues that Genesis is written poetically and allegorically, as Psalms is, and God doesn't intend for us to take it literally. So obviously, he doesn't think Adam and Eve were the first people, that in the story of Adam and Eve, there could've been some kind of civilization, while the story centered on them two (one scriptural support is the existence of Cain's wife).
Now one time I came upon a show on the Christian channel where a guy was explaining how dinosaurs and people lives together in harmony, and he attempted to prove this by showing fossils of footprints and stuff that showed the dinosaurs to be a soft creature and non-predatory, etc., which made me say This is the lamest thing I've ever seen (but, who am I to say). Well, Collins (again) wholeheartedly agrees, using harsh words against the view of Young Earth Creationism, which comes up with all these bogus things like soft dinosaurs and missing links and inaccuracy of radioactive dating of rocks, that contradicts everything and all we know about science. He also criticized the widely-accepted Intelligent Design, as every living thing is evolved and God did not just plop new species on Earth. He also thinks Christians who believe these things are not truly trying to understand the world God created.
The absolute most dissapointing thing about this book (which I was kinda expecting, because I read a review that pointed this out) is that it doesn't "prove" God exists but rather "proves" God MAY exist, that it's possible, since the world is so complex and we don't know exactly how it all got started. Although he doesn't really have an argument for belief, he definitely argues that atheism is just plain stupid, considering no one can be sure that God DOESN'T exist, while agnosticism is better but those who do not try to figure out the truth are just lazy.
His whole explanation of his faith can be summed up in "Mere Christianity," most notably the Moral Law. OK, been there, read that.
I am a very scientific and a very troubled person. Therefore, I was excited to read this book by one of the most prominent scientists in the world right now who is also a devoted Christian. He led the Genome Project and is the highest authority on all-things genetic, and things genetic are very cutting-edge, the newest of the new.
I was particularly excited to find out how it's possible that the world was created in seven days. See, everything I've read and seen and studied my whole life (except the Bible) tells me that the first few chapters of Genesis are NOT possible and that the world is more than a few billion years old. I guess it dates back to at least seventh grade, where at the end of our science exam on evolution, the question was posed: Do you believe in evolution or creation? I only answered in a very badly-phrased sentence: "Evolution, because what about the dinosaurs?" OK apparently our teacher wanted us to give a more detailed explanation of how we feel, so I didn't get many points on that question, but it shoulda said so. Over the years, I've cited the dinosaurs as a major question I have about Christianity. Many MANY people have looked at me like I'm really weird or questioned why that's my main concern when there can be so many others. But it is! I can't help it. Also I've always wondered why would God create humans and chimps to have such similar genes but be unrelated, what's the point of that? Genesis just doesn't sit in my brain the way it does to others. So I was excited that a scientist was gonna tell me how it's all possible.
Unfortunately, he says that everything I think is correct. Which technically isn't bad.
Genetic science proves (in his opinion, without a shadow of a doubt) that people and monkeys and dogs and cats and every other animal are descended from one ancestor and evolved to where we are over time, just as Darwin said. The reasoning is our genes are really similar, and there are even some "junk" genes that don't seem to serve any function that are similar... okay there is a really detailed scientific explanation so this is just a summary. He says evolution is not a theory but a fact, and the Big Bang is true. So he says there's no way the world was created in seven days, and he even uses scripture to argue that the word for "day" in Genesis could mean a period of time and not a 24-hr day, which would make more sense. Moreover, he argues that Genesis is written poetically and allegorically, as Psalms is, and God doesn't intend for us to take it literally. So obviously, he doesn't think Adam and Eve were the first people, that in the story of Adam and Eve, there could've been some kind of civilization, while the story centered on them two (one scriptural support is the existence of Cain's wife).
Now one time I came upon a show on the Christian channel where a guy was explaining how dinosaurs and people lives together in harmony, and he attempted to prove this by showing fossils of footprints and stuff that showed the dinosaurs to be a soft creature and non-predatory, etc., which made me say This is the lamest thing I've ever seen (but, who am I to say). Well, Collins (again) wholeheartedly agrees, using harsh words against the view of Young Earth Creationism, which comes up with all these bogus things like soft dinosaurs and missing links and inaccuracy of radioactive dating of rocks, that contradicts everything and all we know about science. He also criticized the widely-accepted Intelligent Design, as every living thing is evolved and God did not just plop new species on Earth. He also thinks Christians who believe these things are not truly trying to understand the world God created.
The absolute most dissapointing thing about this book (which I was kinda expecting, because I read a review that pointed this out) is that it doesn't "prove" God exists but rather "proves" God MAY exist, that it's possible, since the world is so complex and we don't know exactly how it all got started. Although he doesn't really have an argument for belief, he definitely argues that atheism is just plain stupid, considering no one can be sure that God DOESN'T exist, while agnosticism is better but those who do not try to figure out the truth are just lazy.
His whole explanation of his faith can be summed up in "Mere Christianity," most notably the Moral Law. OK, been there, read that.
Sunday, July 23, 2006
M. Night Shyamalan
Yesterday we saw Lady in the Water and Monster House.
*NO SPOILERS* Lady in the Water got really bad reviews. However, my deep love for M. Night Shyamalan's past movies (except Unbreakable) made me really sure I would still like this movie. And I'd been waiting for it to come out for a very long time. I kind of think M. Night is really mean because he always has to have some scenes that make me cry buckets, for example...
6th Sense: the conversation that Cole has with his mom in the car to tell her he sees dead people.
Signs: when Mel Gibson tells his kids individually what their mom said when they were born.
The Village: the scene where Lucius pulls Ivy from the porch into the basement, and the scene where Ivy is walking through the forest and there is a kinda narration by one of the characters: "She is more capable than most in this village. And she is led by love. The world moves for love. It kneels before it in awe."
And the music he uses is pretty similar, especially in the Village and Lady in the Water... it's so so good... so about Lady in the Water... the most cry-inducing scene is unexpected... the "Lady" is talking to another character (not to give anything away for ppl who are gonna see it), kinda telling him a story, and THAT music is playing, the one that is sad and uplifting...
What I have to say about this movie is the critics aren't wrong but it depends on what kind of person you are... Botton line is, you hafta be geeky to love M. Night's movies... and not be obsessed with hidden agendas... and only care about characters... and I don't need realism... most of my favorite movies are "unrealistic"... for me, everything in a movie is real during the time I am watching it, so it doesn't matter how weird the created world is, as long as the characters and emotions are real... but for those who are not like that, who are grounded in the real world, then I get that you might not like this movie for this reason...
On a side note... I LOVE THE VILLAGE. Another poorly reviewed film. Sorta SPOILER>> With this one, the created reality is not exactly fantastical, as in, it is possible that the events that occur in this movie could be real, once u get to the end. It got bad reviews because it's not creepy enough and the surprise ending isn't cool enough... but Ivy (Bryce Dallas Howard) and Lucius (Joaquin Phoenix) are so beyond brilliant... how about just watch the two scenes mentioned above--the one on the porch and the one with Ivy in the forest...
Monster House (computer animated story about kids and a haunted house) is "Ain't It Cool News' 10th Anniversary Film Event" as in, Harry Knowles's favorite film of the summer so far. As for me, I was surprised that I somewhat enjoyed it, since I'm not much for most animated films, due to the fact that they are targeting kids. One thing I don't like about Disney movies is the "funny" lines that are so rated G. Monster House (not Disney) doesn't have those lines and features real emotion in the characters, and it is pretty easy to see this not as animation if the characters' heads weren't disproportionately big.
*NO SPOILERS* Lady in the Water got really bad reviews. However, my deep love for M. Night Shyamalan's past movies (except Unbreakable) made me really sure I would still like this movie. And I'd been waiting for it to come out for a very long time. I kind of think M. Night is really mean because he always has to have some scenes that make me cry buckets, for example...
6th Sense: the conversation that Cole has with his mom in the car to tell her he sees dead people.
Signs: when Mel Gibson tells his kids individually what their mom said when they were born.
The Village: the scene where Lucius pulls Ivy from the porch into the basement, and the scene where Ivy is walking through the forest and there is a kinda narration by one of the characters: "She is more capable than most in this village. And she is led by love. The world moves for love. It kneels before it in awe."
And the music he uses is pretty similar, especially in the Village and Lady in the Water... it's so so good... so about Lady in the Water... the most cry-inducing scene is unexpected... the "Lady" is talking to another character (not to give anything away for ppl who are gonna see it), kinda telling him a story, and THAT music is playing, the one that is sad and uplifting...
What I have to say about this movie is the critics aren't wrong but it depends on what kind of person you are... Botton line is, you hafta be geeky to love M. Night's movies... and not be obsessed with hidden agendas... and only care about characters... and I don't need realism... most of my favorite movies are "unrealistic"... for me, everything in a movie is real during the time I am watching it, so it doesn't matter how weird the created world is, as long as the characters and emotions are real... but for those who are not like that, who are grounded in the real world, then I get that you might not like this movie for this reason...
On a side note... I LOVE THE VILLAGE. Another poorly reviewed film. Sorta SPOILER>> With this one, the created reality is not exactly fantastical, as in, it is possible that the events that occur in this movie could be real, once u get to the end. It got bad reviews because it's not creepy enough and the surprise ending isn't cool enough... but Ivy (Bryce Dallas Howard) and Lucius (Joaquin Phoenix) are so beyond brilliant... how about just watch the two scenes mentioned above--the one on the porch and the one with Ivy in the forest...
Monster House (computer animated story about kids and a haunted house) is "Ain't It Cool News' 10th Anniversary Film Event" as in, Harry Knowles's favorite film of the summer so far. As for me, I was surprised that I somewhat enjoyed it, since I'm not much for most animated films, due to the fact that they are targeting kids. One thing I don't like about Disney movies is the "funny" lines that are so rated G. Monster House (not Disney) doesn't have those lines and features real emotion in the characters, and it is pretty easy to see this not as animation if the characters' heads weren't disproportionately big.
Friday, July 21, 2006
dunno
So I'm taking voice lessons now. I guess they are not tax deductible. My teacher seems really good, but then again I've only had 2 teachers in the past to compare to. Also I read somewhere it's really important to have a well-connected teacher who can get you jobs. And I really don't know how connected mine is. The thing is, she knows I am interested in paid choruses, and she thinks that's lame, as she thinks I can do opera. I know I should discuss this with her, but seriously, Who's gonna hire me when I have no resume? I haven't been in a stage production since 3rd grade.
I already went into my voice lessons professing zero knowledge and sophistication: I don't have a repertoire, I don't listen to classical singers and don't know who they are, I don't have a music degree, I didn't even know what kind of soprano I was, I suck at sight singing... my dream job was just to sing in a paying chorus. There are two here I think that are full-time and unionized, but the competition is murder. But if I can do opera, no one would opt for chorus instead. However, being an opera singer sounds like a nightmare to me. Auditions all the time, lots of travel, need connections, need to be famous to get jobs, lots of anxiety.
I already went into my voice lessons professing zero knowledge and sophistication: I don't have a repertoire, I don't listen to classical singers and don't know who they are, I don't have a music degree, I didn't even know what kind of soprano I was, I suck at sight singing... my dream job was just to sing in a paying chorus. There are two here I think that are full-time and unionized, but the competition is murder. But if I can do opera, no one would opt for chorus instead. However, being an opera singer sounds like a nightmare to me. Auditions all the time, lots of travel, need connections, need to be famous to get jobs, lots of anxiety.
Monday, July 17, 2006
They're not that bad.
Saw some movies lately...
Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man's Chest -- why do the critics dislike this movie so much? OK when I'm watching it, I keep thinking, This scene must've been expensive, so I agree that the script should've been more focused on the characters and less on the special effects and action, fine but it's not that big a deal, the film still entertained me the whole time and I was happy to be sitting there... it's not THAT BAD... I mean, it's still good, despite the script problems. And my favorite part is the 3-way sword fight ah ha ha... the first five minutes of it rocked!
The Family Stone -- I heart Rachel McAdams big time, ever since the Notebook, then Mean Girls (!!!), and even Red Eye, she is awesome! And she's awesome in this too. Even though she plays the mean girl again, I just feel so bad for her character... especially if you watch the deleted scenes. I'm probably the only person on the planet who sympathizes with her character, actually. Boo hiss.
Syriana -- I really liked this movie. The dialog is insanity, it's like they don't want anyone to get what the heck's going on. Seriously, I concentrated really hard, and I had no clue what they were talking about. Until the very end, then you go "oh, that's what the whole movie's about," and everything makes sense. It was nice to look at, the scenes were shot nicely, etc.
Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man's Chest -- why do the critics dislike this movie so much? OK when I'm watching it, I keep thinking, This scene must've been expensive, so I agree that the script should've been more focused on the characters and less on the special effects and action, fine but it's not that big a deal, the film still entertained me the whole time and I was happy to be sitting there... it's not THAT BAD... I mean, it's still good, despite the script problems. And my favorite part is the 3-way sword fight ah ha ha... the first five minutes of it rocked!
The Family Stone -- I heart Rachel McAdams big time, ever since the Notebook, then Mean Girls (!!!), and even Red Eye, she is awesome! And she's awesome in this too. Even though she plays the mean girl again, I just feel so bad for her character... especially if you watch the deleted scenes. I'm probably the only person on the planet who sympathizes with her character, actually. Boo hiss.
Syriana -- I really liked this movie. The dialog is insanity, it's like they don't want anyone to get what the heck's going on. Seriously, I concentrated really hard, and I had no clue what they were talking about. Until the very end, then you go "oh, that's what the whole movie's about," and everything makes sense. It was nice to look at, the scenes were shot nicely, etc.
Friday, July 14, 2006
Conan and the People's Court
For those who don't know, "Celebrity Survey" is a segment on Conan O'Brien in which they throw out a survey question and make up answers for 3 celebrities. The first two answers are always serious, then the third one is funny. On last night's Celebrity Survey:
Q: When all else fails, I...
Matt Lauer says: Go to commercial.
Joy Behar says: Improvise.
Ben Affleck says: Start filming "All Else 2."
------------------------
OK there is a "Judge" show that I actually like... well more than the others, I guess. And it's "The People's Court." For those who don't know, these judges try small-claims cases in about 15 minutes per case on TV. At the end of each case on "The People's Court," a guy interviews the defendants and plaintiffs in the hallway for about 15 seconds each on how they feel about the verdict and whatnot. On today's show, after a case, interviewing a (not very sophisticated type of) guy after a trial:
Interviewer: I notice the musical note tattoo on your ear. What's that about?
Guy: It's a musical note tattoo.
Interviewer: Yeah, does it signify anything?
Guy: Uh... I play music.
Interviewer: What do you play?
Guy: What do I play?
Interviewer: Yeah what instruments to you play?
Guy: I play the jukebox... and the radio.
HAHAHAHAHA.
Q: When all else fails, I...
Matt Lauer says: Go to commercial.
Joy Behar says: Improvise.
Ben Affleck says: Start filming "All Else 2."
------------------------
OK there is a "Judge" show that I actually like... well more than the others, I guess. And it's "The People's Court." For those who don't know, these judges try small-claims cases in about 15 minutes per case on TV. At the end of each case on "The People's Court," a guy interviews the defendants and plaintiffs in the hallway for about 15 seconds each on how they feel about the verdict and whatnot. On today's show, after a case, interviewing a (not very sophisticated type of) guy after a trial:
Interviewer: I notice the musical note tattoo on your ear. What's that about?
Guy: It's a musical note tattoo.
Interviewer: Yeah, does it signify anything?
Guy: Uh... I play music.
Interviewer: What do you play?
Guy: What do I play?
Interviewer: Yeah what instruments to you play?
Guy: I play the jukebox... and the radio.
HAHAHAHAHA.
Wednesday, July 12, 2006
What a downer
I finished re-reading the God of Small Things. I recommend anyone who's read it once to read it again. Once you know the plot, the beginning is much easier (less impossible) to understand. But it's even more of a downer the second time....
This passage I like:
"It was he who had introduced them to Raudra Bhima--crazed, bloodthirsty Bhima in search of death and vengeance. He is searching for the beast that lives in him, Comrade Pillai had told them--frioghtened, wide-eyed children--when the ordinarily good-natured Bhima began to bay and snarl.
Which beast in particular, Comrade Pillai didn't say. Searching for the Man who lives in him was perhaps what he really meant, because certainly no beast has essayed the boundless, infinitely inventive art of human hatred. No beast can match its range and power."
This passage I like:
"It was he who had introduced them to Raudra Bhima--crazed, bloodthirsty Bhima in search of death and vengeance. He is searching for the beast that lives in him, Comrade Pillai had told them--frioghtened, wide-eyed children--when the ordinarily good-natured Bhima began to bay and snarl.
Which beast in particular, Comrade Pillai didn't say. Searching for the Man who lives in him was perhaps what he really meant, because certainly no beast has essayed the boundless, infinitely inventive art of human hatred. No beast can match its range and power."
Monday, July 10, 2006
ravinia
Last night went to Ravinia to watch Verdi's Requiem performed by the Chicago Symphony Orchestra and Chorus, tonight performed Beethoven's 9th Symphony with Northwestern's Summer Orchestra and Chorus. There was one guy with binoculars hahaha. I left Jacksonville right before we were gonna do Verdi's Requiem, arrr why?
I've realized that most people in the chorus are annoying or weird. Oh well. High school choir rocked. Even though everyone was annoying or weird.
Today I found the skirt on clearance at macys.com (refer to previous entry)! HERE. I got it.
I've realized that most people in the chorus are annoying or weird. Oh well. High school choir rocked. Even though everyone was annoying or weird.
Today I found the skirt on clearance at macys.com (refer to previous entry)! HERE. I got it.
Friday, July 07, 2006
What I did
Went to Sacramento from July 1 - 5, it was cooool. There were various mini family reunions, a really nice kitten, fireworks at home (I've never had that before, another fear overcome), perfect weather (not the stupid San Francisco type), corks, sweet smells....
If one had the choice, like really had the choice, of where in the world to live, how is one ever to choose between, say, the seashore of Monterey teeming with sea life, and the rolling hills and ancient nature of Napa Valley. If one had the choice, how can one not choose such places to spend one's days, to breathe the air that we are meant to breathe. "Master of beauty, craftsman of the snowflake, inimitable contriver, endower of Earth so gorgeous & different from the boring Moon, thank you for such as it is my gift." A quote I love, by John Berryman.
Here are some pictures. I only took a few while we were in Napa, which is why I had to preface this with the reunions and fireworks etc etc, which are not documented in the following photos. OK here's one of my cousin's daughters (technically my mom's cousin). They are SPECIAL, for real, they were adopted from China as one-year-olds and they are so cool. They just played with their new stuffed animals at the restaurant and giggled at their own indecipherable conversations for a few hours. The older one is the biggest tomboy (soccer, Power Rangers) while the younger one is the biggest girly girl (dance, fashion, Barbie movies), it's uncanny.
If one had the choice, like really had the choice, of where in the world to live, how is one ever to choose between, say, the seashore of Monterey teeming with sea life, and the rolling hills and ancient nature of Napa Valley. If one had the choice, how can one not choose such places to spend one's days, to breathe the air that we are meant to breathe. "Master of beauty, craftsman of the snowflake, inimitable contriver, endower of Earth so gorgeous & different from the boring Moon, thank you for such as it is my gift." A quote I love, by John Berryman.
Here are some pictures. I only took a few while we were in Napa, which is why I had to preface this with the reunions and fireworks etc etc, which are not documented in the following photos. OK here's one of my cousin's daughters (technically my mom's cousin). They are SPECIAL, for real, they were adopted from China as one-year-olds and they are so cool. They just played with their new stuffed animals at the restaurant and giggled at their own indecipherable conversations for a few hours. The older one is the biggest tomboy (soccer, Power Rangers) while the younger one is the biggest girly girl (dance, fashion, Barbie movies), it's uncanny.
Next one is of my dad on the putting green outside the condo in Napa:
And... me with a skirt that I loved but couldn't justify buying, because, um, how many skirts is too many skirts? The number I have, possibly.
Saturday, July 01, 2006
The only sports team I care about
EVANSTON, Ill. - Northwestern University football coach Randy Walker died of an apparent heart attack Thursday night. He was 52.
Walker died after feeling chest pains around 10 p.m. at his suburban Chicago home, said Mike Wolf, the school's assistant athletic director for media services.
"He will go down as a person who added a great deal to football," Northwestern president Henry Bienen said at a news conference Friday.
Walker was the first Northwestern coach to lead the school to three bowl games. The Wildcats lost to UCLA 50-38 in the Sun Bowl last December.
"He was a tough, demanding coach," athletic director Mark Murphy said.
In October 2004, Walker checked himself into a hospital after experiencing chest pains. He was diagnosed with myocarditis, an inflammation of the heart muscle; the condition is not a common ailment, and is usually caused by a virus.
Walker was out of the hospital in two days, and said he was taking a new approach to his diet and work schedule.
"I've really taken my doctor's orders to heart, because frankly, I want to see my grandkids someday," he said at the time.
Two months ago, Northwestern gave Walker a four-year extension through the 2011 season. He joined the school in 1999 after nine years at Miami of Ohio.
Walker's Wildcats posted 37 wins, going 7-5 last season. He led the team to three bowl games since 2000.
Northwestern shared the Big Ten title in 2000 and went to the Alamo Bowl. The Wildcats also went to the 2003 Motor City Bowl.
Walker was the first Wildcats coach to guide the team to four seasons with at least six wins since C.M. Hollister in 1899-1902.
Big Ten commissioner Jim Delany said Walker will be sorely missed.
"Not only was Randy a great friend to the conference, but to his players, his staff and fans," Delany said in a statement. "Randy accomplished a great deal at every institution he worked for, but most importantly he personified the values of intercollegiate athletics — he was positive, resilient and honest."