(no subject)
Mar. 29th, 2005 10:51 am![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
stoney321HELLO, mein Freund und Freundin!
Wie geht es Ihnen? Okay, switching back to Texan: how y'all are? Thank you, thank you for not being so overly prolific... I skimmed through the majority of posts, looking for fic later today, if I've missed something please let me know! I got emails from![[livejournal.com profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/external/lj-userinfo.gif)
zyrya with a link to a good bad!fic, and the need to mock is strong in this one... But enough about you. ME!! Heh heh.
Having been sufficiently warned about the freezing cold of the Great White North, um, Michigan, I am packed, mulitlayered, and sweating my ass off. It was 76° when I left Texas. Had to sit in the airport for a few hours before take-off (slightly disappointed there were no cavity searches - I flossed and spritz everywhere) I settle in at my gate with a book. Promptly am bored and uncomfortable so I began to see my potential lie-mates on an uncharted isle where polar bears and concrete pods co-exist. Apparently there was a marchingb and fest in Dallas. 15 teenagers (probably 15-16 years old?) hanging out showing signs of living in a hotel for several days. Meaning, dorky white kids with strawberry blonde hair done up in cornrows. With puka shells. And angry sunburns (ouch - itchy!) on their scalps. WITH GUITARS. That they obviously just bought the day before because they are tuning them OVER AND OVER AGAIN and helping each other find G. And not the fun one.
So you know, I am a complete guitar snob. My dad is a virtuoso (as well as my sister) and they are FANATICAL about technique, sound, etc. So I'm basically in hell. And they have the "cool" mom with them as a chaperone. The mom with the short spikey hair that tries to talk their lingo, gestures wildly, talks "the talk" and will basically be a complete fucking nuisance once any of these kids actually gets some touch. And they are ALL AROUND ME, OMFG.
I pull out my trusty "I can get lost in this no matter what" book which happens to be Under The Banner of Heaven, by Jon Krakauer. Fantastic. Brilliant. And notorious amongst Mormons, as it serves as a type of expose`. GUESS WHAT THE BAND GEEKS ARE. Ha ha!! I see them chattering and stealing glances at me. So I hold my book higher and wait for them to tell me it's a pack of lies. But they don't want to actually DISCUSS anything, they just want to whisper and start (OMG, NO!!!) tuning their guitars again. *cries*
I spy a bar across the terminal. I go have a few margaritas. I am happy. I board, I get off, I find my friend, I am happy. I love her!! We are tearing up because we haven't seen each other in a year and a half. She's so pretty and nice and lovely and life is good. We stay up late in the night laughing over everything. Her husband decides to sleep in the living room and give us the bedroom. Chicky bow. No, no, we goof and poke fun and tease each other over past loser boyfriends (man, did SHE have bad taste. HA HA, Chrissy!!)
Fiday I get to see all of beautiful Ann Arbor. She lives right on the Huron River at the Arboretum so we go on a joggin trail (um, SHE runs, I walk.) and I see cardinals, Canadian geese, swans, and SNOW. SNOW!! okay, it's the crusty black, cigarette butt filled ice/snow, but I'm in Texas where we're sweating already. I take a cut through the North Campus of the University of Michigan and have fun people watching. Apparently I'm a freak for not wearing gloves and a scarf and black clothes while exercising. My baby blue sweats and white ball-cap make me stand out. Fuck it. I'm not used to the cold so I'm loving it.
For lunch we go Downtown and meetinlovewithnight (so sorry we were late!! I am the QUEEN of punctuality!) and she is a CHINA DOLL!! I wanted to put her on my shelf and dust her. Teeny tiny, chic in her awesome black jacket and cowl neck sweater, and even though they weren't the best shoes evah (I know, rain) awesome black boots. Just pulled together and lovely. Hair that BEGS to be played with. Sam, you have NO idea how hard it was to not reach over and start braiding. She and Chrissy hit it off, we talk of everything under the sun, and when my friend goes to the bathroom, I explain that my friend isn't in to Buffy because she hates SMG, and we laugh and say "but EVERYONE hates SMG. It's about all of the characters!!" Sam, after we walked you to the parking garage, we talked for two blocks about how sweet and cute you were!
Later, she takes me to the barn where she works nights and on the weekends. 35 horses, and she is the main caregiver. Dude, if you know nothing about horses, know this: that is a back breaking job. And my friend is TEENY!! 80 pound hay bales, and as the stables are set up wonky, you have to carry them and not have the benefit of a tractor. 60 pound bags of grain, the mares and their babies need their stalls cleaned thoroughly, and as the snow is melting, the mud around the stables and in the pastures are of BIBLICAL proportion. I have on a pair of hip waders and many times I almost pitch forward (into the mud, scum queen!) as my boot wants to stay in the mud while my body moves forward. I'm talking mud up to my knees with each step. And she does this everyday but Monday. 16 below? Too bad. Four feet of fresh snow? Horses gotta eat. Dude. She's fierce. I patted lots of furry noses and whickered to the mares, still pregnant and miserable.
Instead of going out, we are bushed, so off to the vid store. As Ann Arbor is so culturally diverse, we have an AWESOME selection of movies. What do we pick? The Grudge I wanted to get The Audition which boasts it is the most horrific movie ever. Poop. But. *spoiler alert!!* (If you do not want to be spoiled, scroll past the space. For the rest of you, hit CTRL+A as I put this next bit in white)
Holy hell. The Grudge scared the bejeezus out of me, in that totally creeped out way. So beautiful to look at, creepy without being overt. Okay, there are a couple of scenes that are overt, like Yoko with her missing jaw - FUUUUUU! But the very beginning when Bill Pulman just slips over the balcony? And then when SMG is on the bus, and you are supposed to be safe in daylight and that fucking FACE in the reflection on the window?? The best/worst part is my friend Chrissy has long dark hair, so she left the room for a second and came in crawling - like Samara from The Ring - GAH!!!! - with her hair hanging down and her mouth opened in that silent scream... FUCKER!! I love her. I LOVE to be scared.
If you haven't seen The Grudge, please do. Pretty to look at, creepy, not like The Exorcist or anything (in your face fright), but very much along the lines of Ringu for atmosphere. LOVED. IT.
Here is a photo booth pic I found back from our college days. I'm the dork on the right. Man, was that 11 years ago? Funny, we still look the same, although I'm a little plumper than my college days...
More downtown over the weekend, lovely food, her funny and wonderful husband, and then to his folks' house for Easter/Sunday dinner. Our dining companions were: Dayen, from the West Indies, and his girlfriend, Anik from southern India, Sanjeev and his wife and daughter Pretthi and Ana, from Northern India, Reiku, Phillipines, and her boyfriend, Carlton from Altanta. Everyone was hilarious and open and smart and we talked about everything under the sun, and you couldn't get a better cross-section of the folks who live in Ann Arbor than that.
Long walks (apparently the weather was gorgeous - I liked the overcast 50s for a change of scene) and delicious food from Zingerman's deli. The U of M campus is fantastic, and if it wasn't for the 6 months of winter, I could see myself living in such a great town. But Laura must have her warmth... Yesh. Tears and hugs and I get my bags, then more tears and hugs, then I board the plane. Had two elderly Middle Eastern men sit next to me on the plane. They discussed business in their native language most of the time, but the one closest to me would absent-midedly reach out to tickle the hand of the baby in front of us peeking over her mom's shoulder.
I was again reading my Jon Krakauer book (remember: my dad's family is old school Mormom: polygamists, came over with Brigham Young to settle Utah, so I KNOW the history) and eventually my neighbors ask me about my book. We get into a terrific discussion about Fundamentalism, and I explain that Joseph Smith would quote the Koran, and how it is an American version of Islam. Just terrific stuff. I see a man sitting across the aisle from us, looking like he's ready to jump in. I see the tell-tale markings of a Mormon (garments under his clothes, CTR ring) and am ready for HIM to tell me it's a pack of lies. He never does, but he shoots me a dirty look as we get off the plane. SOrry, dude. You should read more. My two companions are from Lebanon and are absolute gentlemen, carrying my luggage off the plane, shaking my hand and giving me a slight bow. Sometimes, I just love America. ALways something to keep your brain busy, you know?
Get that happy grin (you can't help it) coming down the gang-plank, see my car out front. Kids bouncing in the car happy to see mom, house is (semi) clean, life is back to normal. Trips are good.
*hums "Back to life/back to reality*
And I'd like to wish a happy birthday to my lovely friendbeadtific. I wish you porn and happiness. Hee!! *smooshes you for good measure*
Wie geht es Ihnen? Okay, switching back to Texan: how y'all are? Thank you, thank you for not being so overly prolific... I skimmed through the majority of posts, looking for fic later today, if I've missed something please let me know! I got emails from
zyrya with a link to a good bad!fic, and the need to mock is strong in this one... But enough about you. ME!! Heh heh.Having been sufficiently warned about the freezing cold of the Great White North, um, Michigan, I am packed, mulitlayered, and sweating my ass off. It was 76° when I left Texas. Had to sit in the airport for a few hours before take-off (slightly disappointed there were no cavity searches - I flossed and spritz everywhere) I settle in at my gate with a book. Promptly am bored and uncomfortable so I began to see my potential lie-mates on an uncharted isle where polar bears and concrete pods co-exist. Apparently there was a marchingb and fest in Dallas. 15 teenagers (probably 15-16 years old?) hanging out showing signs of living in a hotel for several days. Meaning, dorky white kids with strawberry blonde hair done up in cornrows. With puka shells. And angry sunburns (ouch - itchy!) on their scalps. WITH GUITARS. That they obviously just bought the day before because they are tuning them OVER AND OVER AGAIN and helping each other find G. And not the fun one.
So you know, I am a complete guitar snob. My dad is a virtuoso (as well as my sister) and they are FANATICAL about technique, sound, etc. So I'm basically in hell. And they have the "cool" mom with them as a chaperone. The mom with the short spikey hair that tries to talk their lingo, gestures wildly, talks "the talk" and will basically be a complete fucking nuisance once any of these kids actually gets some touch. And they are ALL AROUND ME, OMFG.
I pull out my trusty "I can get lost in this no matter what" book which happens to be Under The Banner of Heaven, by Jon Krakauer. Fantastic. Brilliant. And notorious amongst Mormons, as it serves as a type of expose`. GUESS WHAT THE BAND GEEKS ARE. Ha ha!! I see them chattering and stealing glances at me. So I hold my book higher and wait for them to tell me it's a pack of lies. But they don't want to actually DISCUSS anything, they just want to whisper and start (OMG, NO!!!) tuning their guitars again. *cries*
I spy a bar across the terminal. I go have a few margaritas. I am happy. I board, I get off, I find my friend, I am happy. I love her!! We are tearing up because we haven't seen each other in a year and a half. She's so pretty and nice and lovely and life is good. We stay up late in the night laughing over everything. Her husband decides to sleep in the living room and give us the bedroom. Chicky bow. No, no, we goof and poke fun and tease each other over past loser boyfriends (man, did SHE have bad taste. HA HA, Chrissy!!)
Fiday I get to see all of beautiful Ann Arbor. She lives right on the Huron River at the Arboretum so we go on a joggin trail (um, SHE runs, I walk.) and I see cardinals, Canadian geese, swans, and SNOW. SNOW!! okay, it's the crusty black, cigarette butt filled ice/snow, but I'm in Texas where we're sweating already. I take a cut through the North Campus of the University of Michigan and have fun people watching. Apparently I'm a freak for not wearing gloves and a scarf and black clothes while exercising. My baby blue sweats and white ball-cap make me stand out. Fuck it. I'm not used to the cold so I'm loving it.
For lunch we go Downtown and meet
inlovewithnight (so sorry we were late!! I am the QUEEN of punctuality!) and she is a CHINA DOLL!! I wanted to put her on my shelf and dust her. Teeny tiny, chic in her awesome black jacket and cowl neck sweater, and even though they weren't the best shoes evah (I know, rain) awesome black boots. Just pulled together and lovely. Hair that BEGS to be played with. Sam, you have NO idea how hard it was to not reach over and start braiding. She and Chrissy hit it off, we talk of everything under the sun, and when my friend goes to the bathroom, I explain that my friend isn't in to Buffy because she hates SMG, and we laugh and say "but EVERYONE hates SMG. It's about all of the characters!!" Sam, after we walked you to the parking garage, we talked for two blocks about how sweet and cute you were!Later, she takes me to the barn where she works nights and on the weekends. 35 horses, and she is the main caregiver. Dude, if you know nothing about horses, know this: that is a back breaking job. And my friend is TEENY!! 80 pound hay bales, and as the stables are set up wonky, you have to carry them and not have the benefit of a tractor. 60 pound bags of grain, the mares and their babies need their stalls cleaned thoroughly, and as the snow is melting, the mud around the stables and in the pastures are of BIBLICAL proportion. I have on a pair of hip waders and many times I almost pitch forward (into the mud, scum queen!) as my boot wants to stay in the mud while my body moves forward. I'm talking mud up to my knees with each step. And she does this everyday but Monday. 16 below? Too bad. Four feet of fresh snow? Horses gotta eat. Dude. She's fierce. I patted lots of furry noses and whickered to the mares, still pregnant and miserable.
Instead of going out, we are bushed, so off to the vid store. As Ann Arbor is so culturally diverse, we have an AWESOME selection of movies. What do we pick? The Grudge I wanted to get The Audition which boasts it is the most horrific movie ever. Poop. But. *spoiler alert!!* (If you do not want to be spoiled, scroll past the space. For the rest of you, hit CTRL+A as I put this next bit in white)
Holy hell. The Grudge scared the bejeezus out of me, in that totally creeped out way. So beautiful to look at, creepy without being overt. Okay, there are a couple of scenes that are overt, like Yoko with her missing jaw - FUUUUUU! But the very beginning when Bill Pulman just slips over the balcony? And then when SMG is on the bus, and you are supposed to be safe in daylight and that fucking FACE in the reflection on the window?? The best/worst part is my friend Chrissy has long dark hair, so she left the room for a second and came in crawling - like Samara from The Ring - GAH!!!! - with her hair hanging down and her mouth opened in that silent scream... FUCKER!! I love her. I LOVE to be scared.
If you haven't seen The Grudge, please do. Pretty to look at, creepy, not like The Exorcist or anything (in your face fright), but very much along the lines of Ringu for atmosphere. LOVED. IT.
Here is a photo booth pic I found back from our college days. I'm the dork on the right. Man, was that 11 years ago? Funny, we still look the same, although I'm a little plumper than my college days...
More downtown over the weekend, lovely food, her funny and wonderful husband, and then to his folks' house for Easter/Sunday dinner. Our dining companions were: Dayen, from the West Indies, and his girlfriend, Anik from southern India, Sanjeev and his wife and daughter Pretthi and Ana, from Northern India, Reiku, Phillipines, and her boyfriend, Carlton from Altanta. Everyone was hilarious and open and smart and we talked about everything under the sun, and you couldn't get a better cross-section of the folks who live in Ann Arbor than that.
Long walks (apparently the weather was gorgeous - I liked the overcast 50s for a change of scene) and delicious food from Zingerman's deli. The U of M campus is fantastic, and if it wasn't for the 6 months of winter, I could see myself living in such a great town. But Laura must have her warmth... Yesh. Tears and hugs and I get my bags, then more tears and hugs, then I board the plane. Had two elderly Middle Eastern men sit next to me on the plane. They discussed business in their native language most of the time, but the one closest to me would absent-midedly reach out to tickle the hand of the baby in front of us peeking over her mom's shoulder.
I was again reading my Jon Krakauer book (remember: my dad's family is old school Mormom: polygamists, came over with Brigham Young to settle Utah, so I KNOW the history) and eventually my neighbors ask me about my book. We get into a terrific discussion about Fundamentalism, and I explain that Joseph Smith would quote the Koran, and how it is an American version of Islam. Just terrific stuff. I see a man sitting across the aisle from us, looking like he's ready to jump in. I see the tell-tale markings of a Mormon (garments under his clothes, CTR ring) and am ready for HIM to tell me it's a pack of lies. He never does, but he shoots me a dirty look as we get off the plane. SOrry, dude. You should read more. My two companions are from Lebanon and are absolute gentlemen, carrying my luggage off the plane, shaking my hand and giving me a slight bow. Sometimes, I just love America. ALways something to keep your brain busy, you know?
Get that happy grin (you can't help it) coming down the gang-plank, see my car out front. Kids bouncing in the car happy to see mom, house is (semi) clean, life is back to normal. Trips are good.
*hums "Back to life/back to reality*
And I'd like to wish a happy birthday to my lovely friend
beadtific. I wish you porn and happiness. Hee!! *smooshes you for good measure*
![[identity profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/openid.png){kind=small}
no subject
Date: 2005-03-29 08:54 am (UTC)Totally forgot you were on a trip.
Looking forward to reading this all later.
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Date: 2005-03-29 08:55 am (UTC)Oh, crap! Now I'll miss out on St. Bernards with Kegs. Dammit!
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Date: 2005-03-29 09:13 am (UTC)::hugs you:; Glad you're back! And, yea birthday! I'm old yet still rather hawt! Especially with the right foundation garments!
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Date: 2005-03-29 09:20 am (UTC)I loved Jon Krakauer "Into the Wild" and "Into Thin Air." Are the Mormons ever going to let him climb again in Utah or Colorado?
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Date: 2005-03-29 09:37 am (UTC)As to Krakauer, I LOVE heem. One thing about that book that is lovely is its tone. Never is he spiteful, does he ridicule, does he snigger. He grew up in Oregon (I think?) among LDS, and as he is a big climber of the West, has hung with many a Mormon. He's very respectful of those that just want to worship and raise families. He delves into the Fundamentalist element (read: polygamist) and into the "nah nah nah, I can't hear you" aspect of the faith. They cut themselves off from the world, and most (believe me, I grew up Mormon in a DEVOUT family) don't know their own history. It's all sugar coated, which is typical of an organization with a martyr at its head.
It is a FANTASTIC book, and if you are at all interested, the "No Man Knows My History" by Fawn Brodie is the absolute best biography of Joseph SMith, period. Even the LDS church concedes that is is the most indepth, although grudgingly.
no subject
Date: 2005-03-29 09:40 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2005-03-29 09:43 am (UTC)China doll, huh? ::blush:: Why, thank you. When next we meet (you come to Boulder, I go to Dallas, we wind up in Ann Arbor, whatever), you can totally play with my hair. :)
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Date: 2005-03-29 09:51 am (UTC)I do want to read both those books. I love Krakauer and I would like to learn more about the Mormon church, in just a researchy way, not to turn. I've pretty much fallen away from all organized religion.
I think it's interesting that Muhammad and Smith both had similar experiences.
Did Smith's wife play a similar role to Muhammad's?
no subject
Date: 2005-03-29 10:18 am (UTC)Emma Smith was the first convert, as well, just as Muhammed's wife was. SMith had come across the Qur'an, a great religious upheaval was happening in upstate NY in the early 1800s, and the time was ripe. You should really pick up the book. He explains how the whole Elizabeth Smart kidnapping was possible (as soon as I heard where she was from, I knew it was a polygamist).
I seem to be very hyper today. :-)
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Date: 2005-03-29 10:19 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2005-03-29 10:20 am (UTC)I AM TOTALLY GOING TO PLAY WITH YOUR HAIR!! :-)
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Date: 2005-03-29 10:32 am (UTC)What a load of bunk.
There is a Rothko Chapel here in Houston, and I like to go there and read sometimes. They have Mormon Bibles, Christian Bibles, Catholic Bibles, Hindu works, The Qur'an, et cetera, along with many other religious works.
It's open to the public. I like to just sit there and read because it's quiet, but I figure some people probably take me for a very devout person. Actually, I'm just reading for fascination's sake.
Muhammed, Mohammad's wife really fascinates me. I can't reconcile her with the 10th class position women in have in Islam today.
Sooooo, Smith was exposed to Islam. That's very interesting. Well, they all leech off each other anyway.
no subject
Date: 2005-03-29 10:33 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2005-03-29 11:34 am (UTC)I love that you read an infamous book around a bunch of Mormons *g* Hee! I kinda wished that plane guy had jumped in, although it may have ruined what sounded like a wonderful conversation with your seat mates.
My highschool history teacher had a firend who lived in Lebanon, so she went to visit her there once. While she was there she went to see that temple where they filmed Indianna Jones and the Last Crusade, which is in Jordan, I think. And that's completely off topic, but it's a cool story and I wanted to get one in after yours. Hee! *g*
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Date: 2005-03-29 11:39 am (UTC)So a question about Mormons: you seem to have run into a bunch of them both coming and going. Is this because there happen to be a fairly large percentage of Mormons in Texas (since that's the point of origin/destination of your flights)? Or if I learned to recognize the signs of a Mormon would I find that there are more Mormons surrounding me than I ever knew?
<-- according to religious people, it's where I'm headed *g*
Date: 2005-03-29 11:40 am (UTC)Special hell!! With a short bus and lift, to boot!
Date: 2005-03-29 12:27 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2005-03-29 12:27 pm (UTC)Re: Special hell!! With a short bus and lift, to boot!
Date: 2005-03-29 12:29 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2005-03-29 12:31 pm (UTC)A part of me is sad to have a deep discussion with a devout Mormon, because it's earth-shattering to learn that you have been swept into a fabrication. For them, it is holy and sacred, and because I don't believe it, oh, well. If they would learn their own history, learn what they AREN'T being told, and still chose to follow it (like my dad) I have a lot more respect for them, because they are in it for the benefits of the organization, and not because it is The One True Church on Earth. Because that's a bunch of hooey.
And how fucking scary is the Grudge? So simple, and so resonant...
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Date: 2005-03-29 12:37 pm (UTC)And the Grudge...man. Even with a degree of distance from the movie (I kept yelling, "RUN Buffy!" at the screen and Kirsty would lean over and say, "Her name's Karen." *g*) I stil found it terrifying. There's an entire thread of isolation and alienation running through the move that makes it scarier somehow. Like even though people are there to help, they probably won't a) care or b) get there in time. It makes
BuffyKaren seem really alone in her situation.no subject
Date: 2005-03-29 12:37 pm (UTC)You know, it was surprising to see Mormons on both legs. Not a lot in either place, to be honest. A complete fluke. I went to a HS with 2000 students, and I was one of three Mormons. There's a slogan they are taught, "choose the right," and you wear rings to remind you: cTr in a sheild. That's a big tip-off. Also, carrying a Book of Mormon is a tip-off. :-) Devout Mormons wear special (they would say sacred) undergarments to remind them of their vows to God to be chaste, called simply "garments." Undershirts with short sleeves and long underpants, to the knees. They are generally silky, and good Mormon girls looking for a worthy mate always check for the "eternal smile" at a man's neck indicating garments underneath. Meaning: they have a scooped neck that can be determined under a T-shirt, etc. Combine those, toss in lingo like "Gentile" to describe those as non-Mormons, "Oh my heck!" because they don't swear, and "I admonish you" sprinkled about.
:-)
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Date: 2005-03-29 12:42 pm (UTC)It makes my family sad that I am not (nor will EVER be) a Mormon. I'm proud of a lot of my family's history: my ancestors walked 1600 miles in the late winter, burying their kids and wives on the side of the road to get to Utah to be "free." But my great-grandfather was a polygamist, and polygamy is absolutely abhorent to me because I KNOW the damage it does. It's a filthy fucking business. There is a HUGE polygamist colony a couple hundred miles or so away from where you are, did you know? Bountiful, BC? It's a "re-education" camp for wayward girls who fight their fate. Nice.
no subject
Date: 2005-03-29 12:45 pm (UTC)*gets fix*
*sighs in exctasy*
You're back!!! Dude, there was infinite missage from me and Sue. I flailed and everything. I really wanna see the Grudge, tried twice when it was in the theatres and it was sold out both times, but now I really wanna see it, 'cause I'm hard to scare. To date only The Ring has given me that deep scare... and I think it had more to do with my horse fear than anything else.
SNOW! You got to see snow! I can't believe it's already hot where you are, we're still flopping around between 40 degrees and 65 degrees with insane wind.
*hums "Back to life/back to reality*
*loves*
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Date: 2005-03-29 12:53 pm (UTC)There's also a church on Scientology right near where I go to get costume stuff for my girls. They tried to recruit me once. That was pretty terrifying. I guess it's easy to put re-education camps in BC...there's A LOT of empty space up north, it's pretty easy to get to now that the Coquihalla Highway has been upgraded, and freedom of religion is so important to the Canadian government that they're willing to allow Sharia in civil matters, so a little Mormon re-education is no skin off their noses...and can you tell this is a bit of a sore point for me? :p
no subject
Date: 2005-03-29 12:55 pm (UTC)Hah! Love your narrative for stories like this. and so happy you got to meet My Lovely Assistant. (she is coming here in June, I am clearing a place on my china doll shelf!)
I guess I ought to read the Krakauer book. I'm sure it's good just. . .issues, you know?
Lots of silliness (http://www.livejournal.com/users/karabair/215986.html), postcards (http://www.livejournal.com/tools/memories.bml?user=karabair&keyword=postcards&filter=all), and a new Wes&Gunn fic (http://www.livejournal.com/users/karabair/216088.html) in my journal since you left. And be sure to check out Sue's smutathon, ay ay aye!
Did you get your package?
no subject
Date: 2005-03-29 12:58 pm (UTC)Man, The Ring made my SKIN want to walk off my body, and I love horses and that scene freaked me. Ring2 blows. Don't bother unless its on HBO and you're ironing or something. But The Grudge? Right up there with creep factor from Ringu.
SNOW. (not pretty new snow, just old, crusty, grey snow, but SNOW!)
Man wind like a bitch today and 70.
Ai. Te guapa, mi amiga. Te amo.
no subject
Date: 2005-03-29 01:03 pm (UTC)I saw you posted something that's hilarious... I'm getting to it! In five... four... three....
Oh, and as to Krakauer, it's very respectful of the typical Mormon of today. He isn't out to slam those folks (like your parents, or mine) He's going after the Utah fanatic (that I doubt you've had any connection with, but the type of person that I am oh, so familiar with.) You'll be interested to hear his comments on how Elizabeth Smart was so easily led away and kept submissive, even though she was less than 3 miles from her house. Man, I've hiked those hills so many times, I've lost count. I know her HOUSE. I know the fundamentalist that live around there.
It may shatter any golden image you may have of Joe Smith, if you aren't aware of his lifestyle before the "Golden Plates," but one of my BF from college is married to Joseph Smith, the g-g-g-grandson of THE JS, and lemme tell you: that family knows all about it, but stays quiet.
And now on to your fics!!! *hugs you with gratitude for my gifts*
no subject
Date: 2005-03-29 04:39 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2005-03-29 05:54 pm (UTC)That is all.
no subject
Date: 2005-03-29 06:54 pm (UTC)Oh, thank god! I thought it was just me. It's taken me this long to realize that my Buffy issues aren't really Buffy issues at all... they're all SMG issues. Why? Why can't I like her?!
no subject
Date: 2005-03-29 07:17 pm (UTC)There will be phone calls and morning emails again.
I mees my Sue...
no subject
Date: 2005-03-29 07:19 pm (UTC)Cool weather (high 40s to low 50s) was novel to me, whereas they were used to -16 for months and were just afriad to come out of their wrappings... I loved it. It's so much easier to exercise when it's cool and you don't sweat like a fiend.
Um... That is all. *g*
<-- just cuz
Date: 2005-03-29 07:21 pm (UTC)That being said, neither of us were bothered by her in The Grudge. My friend Chrissy summed it up by saying: "Well, she hardly talked at all." Yes. That's IT!
no subject
Date: 2005-03-30 07:49 pm (UTC)Anyway, missed you! ::smooooch::
no subject
Date: 2005-03-30 09:04 pm (UTC)As to Krakauer and your VENOM. (sheesh. ;-)) I have a few close friends, all professional climbers, who work with him on Outside Magazine and all think he is upstanding and truthful. In fact, one of them, Dave, was in Everest that year, but only stayed at Base Camp and ventured to Camp 1 and 2. I trust them. Check out this link, and keep in mind that we are talking about a Russian who has(had) a lot riding on his reputation as a guide.
That being said, I've read just about everything on the Mormon church (what with it being my history, and my family helping establish it in Utah in the 1800s) and he is fair and acurate. He poses some interesting thoughts on how Elizabeth Smart could have been taken and controlled, and the parallels with the violence of the LDS church's beginnings with the violence that happens within its members now. Fascinating stuff, and jarring when I see names of people I know personally, and know exactly what he is talking about.
And is that a new BB icon? Sweeet.
no subject
Date: 2005-03-30 09:12 pm (UTC)Glad to see your name pop up! Are you tired? Are you exhausted? DId you ave a blast and spam your LJ with pics for me to see? Will check it out... Ch-ch-check it out.
As to Krakauer, nawsir. I have very close friends who have worked with him at Outside Magazine for several years and he's upstanding and a good guy. Dave, one of my friends, who is also a professional climber and was at Base camp in '96, trusts and respects him, and that's enough for me.
Also, Boukreev is a firery Russian (was, he died in an avalanche a few years back) had a LOT riding on his reputation coming through unscathed, so anything that showed him to not be on top of everything and willing to die for his clients would have set him on the offense, IMO. Check out this article for his rebuttal to the original article (not the book that came out a year later) and what JK had to say.
As to his book on the Mormon church, I think I'm pretty qualified to say he's smack on, and is completely respectful of those in the religion who just want to go to church and raise a family. it's about the violence from the beginning of the church, how it breeds violence, and how those in the faith can have a direct audience with god - and how it affects the wackos like the kidnappers of Elizabeth Smart. Dude, I am reading names of folks I know. He's right on. Fascinating stuff.
And is that a new BB icon? Sweet.
<check dis, yo!
Date: 2005-03-30 09:54 pm (UTC)Yes, yes. I've read the rebuttal before. Have you read Boukreev's The Climb? I kinda take them both with a good grain of salt. Although, I guess the LIES, BLOODY LIES doesn't really get that message across. Heheh. Also, not doubting the validity of what he said in Under the Banner of Heaven. Not at all. Did he mention some stewardess beeyatch who works for Northwest Airlines being a bad racist seed? He should have. Hey....why are you playing me a song on the world's smallest violin? ;)
Yes, it's my sweet new BB icon. They're so silly.