Amazingly Amy's Amazingly Asian Adventures!!!

So, I've been talking about a trip to Malaysia (via one of 3 possible stop over spots, to be determined at a later date) to see and do wild and woolly and new things I've never done before.  But talking isn't doing.  No no.  It's just talking.


Well as of last night, it's official.  Matt and I will be flying out this July for roughly 3 weeks to climb a mountain in Borneo, scuba dive fantastic wildlife laden reefs, cuddle turtles and sharks, tan on fabulous beaches, stay at least one night in one of those huts over the water, and eat stuff I'm afraid to know what it actually is.  We are talking about visiting Hong Kong, Seoul or Singapore as well, as part of our travel there or back, or maybe pick 2 places and see one on the way in and the other on the way out.  Either way, I have to say, this is most certainly the most exciting thing in my life at the moment.


I just hope my parents are willing/able/excited to have a 5 yr old for nearly a month this summer.... 

Oh haaay....

I forgot about Monkey Banana for a while.  I would like to blame this on my newfound obsession with walking.  I've been powerwalking daily (except days that I can't, or have other stuff going on) in the neighbourhood of 8kms a day.  I plug my earphones into my iPod and then into my head and blast 30 Seconds To Mars and march march march.  It's one of my only healthy obsessions.


I've also broken out of my vicious writer's block, courtesy of my pal Damon Guyett.  He's inspirational ♥  I am falling behind on my crafty xmas/solstice gift creations, though.  I have stuff to make and no motivation to get them done... why do I do this to myself?


Glee is on tonight.... with Paltrow.  Why?  I miss the good ol' days of Will and Sue barking insults at one another and teen angst.  Now every episode is guest stars, theme weeks, and every episode is about an ISSUE.  Guys, this is not an issue based show.  It's a musical comedy.  Mostly comedy.  STOP BEING SRS CAT!

Crash, crash. Burn!

So, I have all 3 of 30 Seconds to Mars' albums... and I like them.  But I never really *listened* before.  Well my good friend *b* posted a video of this randomly strange girl transforming herself into Jared Leto using nothing but makeup, time and talent (vid here, if you're interested) and it prompted me to watch many YouTube videos of Mr. Leto which led me to the music videos for 30 Seconds to Mars.


I watched them all.  I was captivated.  I have relistened to their 3 albums.  This is War is by far the best album they've produced- soundwise, etc.  But the videos for the singles from A Beautiful Lie captivated me... they're visually stunning, theatrical, and totally fun to watch.  But the song A Beautiful Lie and the video for it just wowed me.  And I don't wow easily.  Okay, maybe that's a lie... but shut up.  But watch it... and then visit abeautifullie.org


Also, Jared Leto looks mighty freakin' fine for a man his age.

With all I have left....

Today my good friend Emmy posted a very moving and inspirational article at her blog, The Magick Tree.  To summarize, a talented but physically handicapped musician sat down to play his violin and shortly into the performance a string broke.  Because getting up and replacing the string and/or finding a new violin to play would be excruciating for the man, he simply urged the conductor to go on and he created the most memorable night possible for his audience as he reworked the piece to accomodate for the missing string.  Afterward, when he'd quieted the uproarious ovation from the audience he humbly said, 


"You know, sometimes it is the artist's task to find out how much music you can still make with what you have left."




Also today, my Uncle Lynden passed away.


He had been very ill in the last year, and... in fact, nearly died last October.  He endured surgery, post operative complications, additional illnesses and didn't come home from the hospital until Christmas Eve of last year.  It seemed like a true miracle.  Last night, in the peace of slumber, in his bed beside his beloved wife, Sandra, my uncle slipped into his next life.  He was only 67 years old.


I have spent the last two days in quiet reflection.  I have mourned my friend Roy, and I have mourned my Uncle Lyn.  I'm not one to pray, since I'm pretty darned sure there ain't nobody to listen... but I do spend time with Mother Nature when things get rough.  Tonight, seeking comfort, I walked the dog to The Flats... my sanctuary.  I stood among the silent stones and watched the setting sun.  I memorized the blue and pink surreal swirls of cloud on the evening sky.  I chased my puppy and laughed with her as we played.  Before I left The Flats, as is my custom, I searched for a stone to bring home.  Tonight two stones caught my eye.  I couldn't decide which one should come home with me... they both seemed right.  So, in honour of my uncle and my friend, I have two new stones to set upon my altar.


And when I feel most down, when I feel hurt and broken... I shall press on, and see what music I can still make with what I have left.


/|\

What is up...

with my kid and her thing for owls?  Hmm?   Today was the first day she could take a book home from the school library, and she chooses a paperback copy of the book, Owl Babies, which we have in a board book format.  She can recite the book start to finish.  Sigh.  My kid is strange.


She and FutureBride have been fighting a lot lately.  Maybe being in the same Kindergarten class isn't the best thing... they get no break from one another.


My friend *b* didn't get a puppy like she was planning/
hoping/dreading this weekend, and she's sad about it.  I love you, *b*... you did the right thing, hun.  [love10] <-- I know you don't know what that is, but it's the biggest love I can give you on the internets.


I've decided on making all gifts this year for Solstice/Yule/Christmas again... even though last year's knit-a-thon was a bit disastrous, this year I've gotten a bit more creative, and a head start!  I shant divulge what I'm making for whom, in case anybody sneaky reads my blog without "following" it and I let stuff slip.  But yeah... go crafty me.  


Also, there are flies copulating on my laptop.  How rude.  They didn't even ask.

Somebody stop me...

I started another novel today.

what the hell is wrong with me?

I've got this irrational fear of completing a project, methinks.

Today is the Equinox. All Hail Equo! Not really. But I did set up my altar anew for the new season, and meditated today and will perform my ritual this evening at 11:09, when the official equinox occurs.

In the mean time, I am listening to Lilith Fair 2010, and I'm diggin' it.

September!!

So, we're into the swing of things.

Zigz is in kingergarten.... Kindergarten A, to be exact. So far, she's pissed that it's every day, and says it's boring, but likes Mrs. Fleming and the fact that Miss FutureBride is in her class (yes, my 4 yr old is a proud member of the LGBT community).

Matt is back to work, and so far this semester is a massive clusterfuck. For serious.

I have set myself a wee schedule for this year. Here she be:

Monday-Wednesday: Novels... nothing but novels.

Thursday: Coffee with friends in the am, and housework in the pm.

Friday: Laundry and groceries.

Sounds horribly boring, I know. I know. SHUT UP!! I KNOW!

But the 3 days of writing is fun, and I love to write, and I have SOOO much that needs to get put down in text and then edited into what I've already got.

This is my first holiday week as an official OBOD member!! It's Alban Elfed, and that's a whole lot of harvesty goodness. Like, early Thanksgiving. ♥

Also, my hair isn't growing fast enough for my liking. It's not long enough to put up, but long enough to drive me batty, curling around my ears and neck. Plus, I think I want even more bangs... which... I know. I KNOW! Sheesh.

You people sure are pushy. ;)