Jabberwocky

Make sure you always, always, always brush your teeth!!

There is a version of Alice in Wonderland with the character called the Jabberwocky. In the movie you dont ever SEE the Jabberwocky, but oh boy when I was a kid could I imagine it!!! Big, smelly, fire breathing and scaly. Perhaps he could time/space travel, since at any point in time he could show up with his heart pounding theme music.

In fact my mom used it as a effective mechanism to get my brother and I to brush our teeth. Like most kids you see, we liked to procrastinate on brushing our teeth, because then you just know what happens after that- dun dun duuuun: bedtime.

So we would dilly dally, and drag our feet, whine, say we were hungry, you get the drift. So at some point mom came up with the brilliant idea to tell us that if we didnt go brush our teeth this very minute, THE JABBERWOCKY IS GONNA GET YOU! While stomping her feet and banging a spatula (which was a intimidating tool in our house all on its own) against anything for noisy dramatic effect.

We would beat feet down the slender hallway shoving each other out if the way to the sink so the Jabberwocky would not get you (at least before it got your little brother first!) Then sometimes we would stand there out of adrenaline, and just stare into our wide eyed reflections in the mirror.

Most of the time we did not even brush our teeth. We learned to turn the water on for the precise amount of time so mom would not send the Jabberwocky after us again. As a young teenager I realized if there was an actual Jabberwocky, he would have KNOWN we didnt brush our teeth sometimes.......and had we been good kiddos and brushed our teeth regularly the Jabberwocky could have stayed in the looking glass!

It got to the point where the theme music from that part of the movie would ooze into my head, causing me to have difficulty winding down for actual bedtime. I attribute my bed time reading habit (or more than mild obsession as one of my friends calls it) to the Jabberwocky. So here is the utterly inane yet overly analyzed 1871 poem by Lewis Carroll, The Jabberwocky:

“

'Twas brillig, and the slithy toves Did gyre and gimble in the wabe; All mimsy were the borogoves, And the mome raths outgrabe. "Beware the Jabberwock, my son! The jaws that bite, the claws that catch! Beware the Jubjub bird, and shun The frumious Bandersnatch!" He took his vorpal sword in hand: Long time the manxome foe he sought— So rested he by the Tumtum tree, And stood awhile in thought. And as in uffish thought he stood, The Jabberwock, with eyes of flame, Came whiffling through the tulgey wood, And burbled as it came! One, two! One, two! and through and through The vorpal blade went snicker-snack! He left it dead, and with its head He went galumphing back. "And hast thou slain the Jabberwock? Come to my arms, my beamish boy! O frabjous day! Callooh! Callay!" He chortled in his joy. 'Twas brillig, and the slithy toves Did gyre and gimble in the wabe; All mimsy were the borogoves, And the mome raths outgrabe. I Think Im gonna run along and brush my teeth.......I hope you will consider doing the same, teeth health is more important than many realize! Goodnight!

”

queen of the corgi

The queen of England aint got nuthin on me! Okay, perhaps she is 6 up on me.....by that I mean she lives with seven of the little devils. I coexist with one. And I absolutely cherish my Corgi pup!

When most people think Corgi, they think: oh cute little dog with short legs, stumpy tail and gigantic ears!! Well, I think they dont realize just how much personality and attitude comes in the package of a medium sized dog with what looks like filed off legs. Their long little bodies sit so low to the ground you would think they would have trouble navigating, but seriously, he is just as nimble as any dog on holding his own while hiking. We decided not to crop his tail when he was born. Will give him more personality we told ourselves, now I ponder, would he have had any less personality had we chopped it off? Gah!!!

We have good days where my Corgi wants to please me and go everywhere I go, will sit patiently as I run my errands, wags his tail when I talk and complain to him at all the appropriate times, is cuddly when you most need it, and will eat ANYTHING you give him (a fantastic vacuum he is) We should have named him popcorn, since he will do anything just to get a seed. Once he sees you plop a bag into the microwave or hears the sizzling of the butter heating up he cozies right by and waits for the opportunic kernel to fall within his paws reach.

He sings along with me when I play the harmonica (however unharmonic we tend to be) he doesnt seem to mind if ever I am off key. He patiently awaits your arrival home via sitting on his perch next to the window overlooking the street. A good watch dog he is. He definatly knows how to use his high pitched bark to tell you only what he knows is true (Sigh)

And then there are the bad days. The days he goes running off down the street because he doesnt feel like going with you at the precise moment, the days he is vocal when you tell him to sit or stay and runs under the truck when you try to put him into it, the days (everyday) that he jumps up on every living being, the day he chews up the homely bamboo plant sitting so quietly next to the window minding its own business with the available sunlight, or when he runs into someones house just because the door is open. "What," Caeser says "isnt that an obvious invite?"

I get a big kick out of cruisin in my truck with my pal in the back, nose in the wind, content look on his foxy little face. When we pull over to get out of the vehicle people watch as I walk around to release the tail gate and the little monster launches himself at me (he always expects me to catch him- even if my hands happen to be full) and I set him lightly on the ground and he scampers off on his mini legs. People laugh.

Caeser doesnt seem to mind when he makes people laugh, I think he likes it. This breed of dogs LOVE LOVE LOVE people. I have never seen dogs who enjoy interacting with people so much. In fact I believe Caeser may know more people in this town than I do! Or my dad for that matter. Caeser hangs with my fabulous dog loving friends and my dads friend circle. And I think he knows all on an individual basis, I wonder if he has trouble remembering names?

Caeser, Bandit and Lucy are 2 years old this month (April 19th) Happy birthday puppies!!!

Deerly Encounters of the Creature Kind

Do you ever get that feeling that something is watching you? The little hairs on the back of your neck stand on end giving you that unusual sensation that something is not quite right.

Today I had that feeling, not a lot, just a little. I got out of my truck and looked around at the snowy landscape. Nothing out of the ordinary that I could see. Hmmmm. I walk down the hill.

As I walk back up the hill, once again my intuition is telling me something is off, and this time I could hear some sounds. As I scanned the area I saw a form pop out of the bushes just ahead to the left of me.

It was a gorgeous doe deer! I stopped in my tracks, as she was about 15 feet in front of me and we just stood there. Staring at one another. I began speaking to her, softly at first. I then told her I was going to be walking toward her and that she should probably hop off into the bushes any time now. Except I think my talking to her was a little too non threatening. She continued to stand there and gaze at me, not looking worried one bit.

I got to about 4 feet from her before my mind started to say that she should really be dashing off into the woods now. The next thought to float through my brain was, I have an apple in the passenger seat of my truck, I am close enough to extend my hand and feed her if only I had my apple. And for those of you who know me well, I hoard my snacks to no end, but I would have gladly shared my apple with this doe.

Which would most likely explain why she was so fearless of me, perhaps someone in the neighborhood is feeding her.......hmmmmm.

Finally I get too close for her comfort and she bounds off up the hill side and into the shade of the snow laden trees. I finish my work and jump back to my truck. Only then asking myself, darn, why didnt I use the camera on my phone to snap a photo of her!!! Well even if I had thought about it, it would have taken me a precious second or two to find the camera application(since it is a fairly new phone and all grrr.....)

If only I had time in the day to post all that happens to me throughout a regular working day. And this apple sure is yummy!

Tax Evasion, er I mean Invasion....

I figured I should do something productive with the free time I had tonight as it does not seem to come around too often, in complete unhindered form anyhow. I seriously thought about blogging more about(oh no now why in the world would I ever do that) my so called life, but when I looked at my bag sitting there minding its own business I decided to delve into it to find a piece of gum. However I proceeded to uncover my uncompleted pieces of tax pile. Sigh.

I began mine about 2 weeks ago....I put them off to the side and have been in a perpetual grumpy mood ever since I started them. I didnt realize it but there they were, those W2's, and flimsy bank interest slips, flying retirement account, numerous forms, formulous numbers, (almost as confusing as the actual taxation process) unremembered account information from last year, economic stimulus drama(because I didnt get one and they are the only ones who can and wont tell me why)......all hovering in the back creases of my mind. Waiting, just waiting to be picked up and completed before the dreaded due date of April 15th.

And I am now pleased to say after multiple snack breaks, eye rubbings, grumbling, catching myself singing along loudly with the music, dog harassing procrastination, I finished mine tonight!! Huge sigh of relief, and give myself a pat on the back until next year.

Have you done your taxes yet?

Mathmatical equation for dating

Sorry if this seems harsh but if you are under the age of 20 or over the age of 38 you need not apply.

Lately I must be sending out subliminal frequencies to older men. Is this because I am looking for a mature, successful, smart man? The only ones in Sitka who are picking up on these brain waves (and I dont think I am intentionally sending them out, but then again perhaps I am unknowingly doing so...) are darn near my fathers age.

Im NOT sorry for not wanting to give my own dad a heart attack!!!

So here is this so called equation: Take your age, divide it in half and add seven. That is the youngest for your age range that you are able to date. Try it. I'll wait.

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It goes the other way as well. If someone older is trying to date you- first you must ask their age, (dont worry they will wait, and if they will not give it to you thats reason enough to not want to date them! Really what are they hiding?) divide their age in half and add seven. If the number is higher than your age you are too young for them to be thinking about you in a romantic nature!!!

Im not sure where this "rule" is derived from but first heard it years ago out of my brothers mouth, you never know when younger brothers will pick up crucial information to which you may benefit from if you never listen! All I had to do was remember the rule! I have to say recently Ive used it myself. And Ive used it on my dad. So you silly little girls need to go find someone in your own age range. (Sorry dad you know me loves you!!! :)

Do some math, its good exercise for your brain!

(**DISCLAIMER: As with any dating with a strong adult theme, some exceptions allowed with strong parental/child guidance and or acceptance by friends/family of an individual in the dating field is highly recommended** )

(*****By the way there is no age limit to having a no frills omelet any ol day!!*****)

My Norwegian Dream Coming true

And no, by that I dont mean I met a handsome hunk of a man who is Norwegian by birth who is eagerly making my wildest dreams come true (although a girl can hope *grins*) If that were the case I would have labeled this entry "My Norwegian Hunk Dream Coming True" and you would no doubt hear all about it in detail.

But......I have had a particular notion in my head for some time and recently decided its time to help things happen. I have decided I am going to Norway. This coming June or September(date still to be determined) with my dad in tow we are headed off to the land of the Vikings!

Why Norway you ask? The cold weather I have been working in should be giving me a directional nudge somewhere warm, like the Bahamas, Hawaii, Figi, anywhere in South America if my internal map needs some broadening.

North, where the weather in September is just as rainy, cloudy, cold and gray as Sitka? But maybe June will be the better bet. With its immense beauty which draws my attention to it any time I see a magazine article or a picture on the internet or hear the language spoken. My heritage must play a role in why everything Norwegian seems to be so attractive to me.

Which by the way my favorite all time book that I highly recommend to everyone (even more so if you consider yourself a traveler) Is called "Berserk" written by a man named David Mercy, (you should pick up a copy of your very own because I keep lending MINE out and seem to have lots of trouble in getting it back) but they made a documentary of this trek and it is pretty great. The Sitka Library has a copy of this movie and I also recommend it (Or at least to get yourself on the waiting list) The captain of the boat is Norwegian and the film has lots of Norwegian influence is why this so happened to pop into my head....

I am about 25% of Norwegian decent. We have relatives in Norway, but some serious research will need to be done in order to meet them. As you leave the bigger cities and get into the more rural farm areas, communication seems to be not as easy. Internet is available but most people prefer a more simplistic way of living.

I am sure I will be talking, writing, singing, dancing and over communicating about Norway Norway Norway as my anticipation grows. So please bear with me in the upcoming 5-8 months. Who knows maybe I will find a Norwegian hunk to bring back to Sitka with me. Now we are talking!

Banff film fest 2009

Its been another year and time for the Banff films to leave their thumbprints on Sitkans once more.

The films that are awe inspiring, packed with creativity and so full of energy as they leave us all with a sense of grace as they fly out of the filmmakers minds and onto the screen before us in such fantastic form.

This will be my fourth year of volunteering in Banff film fest Sitka. And if you couldnt tell I am thouroughly excited about the films we have lined up for the evening!

The radio announcer sounded like he was having a difficult time pronouncing Banff today, if I were there I would have told him "Its okay, it took me about 2 years to pronounce it correctly." I just kept repeating: banff, banff, banff, banff. And then somehow I found myself there in October of 2007. But that is completely another blog event to come.

Maybe soon you too will find youself there! So do not stall on getting your tickets if you havent already and I will see you at the show!!

conversations that fortune cookies must hear

This may be a fluke but the last couple times Ive been in the Chinese restaurant here my fortune cookie has been freaking me out!!!

Seriously, have you ever gotten 3 fortunes in a row of eating at the same place? And then a 4th one out of sequence but still basically reiterating the same message of the previous encounters. Is it fate? Is it someone standing in the kitchen laughing their butt off at the quizzical expression plastered to your face? Is it a conspiracy? Or do fortune cookies really know things they are not telling us right up front.

Instead they have to hide all these ulterior meanings in crispy little white banner like sayings that you can alter depending on the tone of your mood, if you are feeling serious you can read your fortune with "at work" behind it, or if you are rather feeling a little frisky you can add "in bed" behind the saying (really now admit it we have ALL done this)

Or how about the hypothesis about eating your cookie and saving your fortune if you want it to come true. If it is true and you leave your fortune behind and do not consume the cookie will you have no luck in your favor?

If that is so then my brother and I had no fortunes when we were small. In fact when the older chinese restaurant used to operate in the little cubby hole where this place now resides Im sure they found lots of fortunes when they moved out...... we used to think it was too much fun while the owner (and our mom) was not paying attention to stick our fortunes into the backrests of the overlapping vinyl red cushions that served as the seats. We still ate our cookies though, so maybe luck didnt abandon us entirely.

I'll bet you are wondering what exactly those fortunes read? Well I can tell you because I carry them with me in my wallet. So I can look at them everyday to remind me that things like this do happen. And they can be eerily correct in a very round about way.

#1 you will soon vacation in a place of cool climate
#2 make time for a relaxing vacation
#3 need some adventure and enjoyment? take a vacation

Im not kidding! And last (but not least)

#4 traveling at this time would be a good investment of time & money

Seriously if you doubt me just ask to see my fortunes in my wallet its all spelled out for me! Oh by the way......Im going to Norway in September! Skal!!! (Cheers!)