100 Things to do

OK. After hearing that yet another person Thisbe knows is mortally ill, Thisbe has decided it is time to start doing the things she has always wanted to do. So Thisbe has created a list (see sidebar), which will shortly consist of 100 things.

Beginning soon, Thisbe is going to attempt to do at least one of these things each week. It might take a week or a month or a year to complete them, but Thisbe will chronicle the effort. Also, Thisbe will accept suggestions to add to the list, but no promises as to whether they will make it on there. In addition, as soon as an item has been completed, a new item will be added to the list. So there will always be 100 things.

Life is short. Thisbe needs to dance on a bar.

Today's Project: Finishing a few things.

Today's Life Observation: There is nothing more fun than watching the WK in her pool.

Wow.

OK. I just finished reading Harry Potter and The Deathly Hallows. I admit it. I cried at the end. It was just such an overwhelming feeling to know that I was saying goodbye to all of the characters (regardless of whether they "survived").

I am sure that hardcore fans will have all sorts of nitpicky comments, and I have already seen several people criticizing the "epilogue", but overall, I thought it was a great book, and I will miss Harry and his friends.

Also, for those of you who finished reading the book, who I know IRL, there were two things that bugged me that I felt were unresolved. Email me. We'll talk.

In which I meet Darth Vader.

Yesterday was Thisbe's birthday. Thisbe is [number deleted] years old!

Happy Birthday to Thisbe!

Thisbe received many wonderful presents from her family (some of whom have asked not to be identified on this blog, but Thisbe must single out her sister, who got her an autographed copy of a book Thisbe LOVES) and some *fantastic* Chanel beauty products from Mrs. Weef [PINK!!!! SPARKLY!!!!! Woooooooooo!!!!].

Thisbe also got to go out to dinner with PBB, the Wee Kraken*, and her parents to one of her favorite restaurants, and then to the local playhouse (not a community theater, but a well known venue that is sponsored and run by several famous actors) to see a play.

And indeed, who was at the play as well? James Earl Jones! And Thisbe met him and shook his hand. [Note: Thisbe was something of a dork here, and kicks herself, but blames excessive champagne consumption at dinner for this].

It was neat.

*Who took a break from her present position of "if I asked for something, and I don't get it, I'll scream so that you can hear me better." Thank you, wee kraken.

Today's Project: Watch this space for an exciting knitting announcement!

Today's Life Observation: Napping is the best part of a lazy Sunday afternoon.

Me luuuuuuuurves the drinky.

Sangria is good. Chocolate is good. Wine is good.

All good. All at my house. YAY firm event! Yay babysitter!

Yay delicious tapas food that firm paid for! YAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAY!

:)

Today's Project: Drinking sangria. Mmmmmmmmmmmmm......sangria.

Today's Life observation: Mmmmmmmmmmmm......sangria.

Phase 14 mos: Take it out, put it away

I am currently sitting with a lapful of (clean) diapers which the wee kraken systematically removed from the storage space in the changing area, one by one, and toddled over to hand me. She was not content unless I held each one in *exactly the same way*, and once she had taken all of them out I thought she would stop.

Instead she is repeating this exercise with the pieces from her Melissa & Doug insect puzzle. So in addition to a lapful of diapers I also have a wooden bee, butterfly, ladybug, and fly.

And now a pink stuffed elephant.

I am not sure why I need to hold all of these things, but what makes it awesome is the babbling narrative that goes with each item.

WK: deeeddddddllleee. ladadaldadada. Dah. [Hands up item]
Thisbe: Um. Ok. I'll hold it.
WK: [Enormous smile] Nash! Heh. Da-hum. [toddles off to get another item].
Thisbe: I'll just hold this then.
WK: Deeeeeeeeeedle!!!!

Today's Project: Pointy border for project that is taking FOREVER.

Today's Life Observation: Conversations do not have to be in a recognizable language to be interesting.

Fat Women Can't Swim

Thisbe made the enormous mistake of looking for a bathing suit today.

It was, undoubtedly, one of the most hideous experiences Thisbe has had to date, and remember, Thisbe was in labor for 18 hours.

The upshot: (which is not news) if you are not a pre-teen semi-anorexic girl, you cannot find a flattering bathing suit, and g*d help you if you are bigger than a size 6 and under the age of 65. In that case you have the choice of looking like an idiot in pre-teen swimwear, or appearing to be wearing your grandmother's bathing suit. Thisbe needs a big drink.

Today's Project: Staying cool. It is approximately 1 billion degrees outside.

Today's LIfe Observation: The bathing suit industry actually hates women.

Happy Thoughts, People.

OK. It is very important that everyone reading this thinks happy thoughts today.

Thisbe's brother-in-law is having very serious surgery, and we need lots and lots of good wishes flowing his way.

We'll keep you posted.

Today's Project: Just getting through the day.

Today's Life Observation: Tell the people you love that you love them. Please.

Pet peeves

1. To the customers at Stop n' Shop. DO NOT PARK in the "Customer with Infant" parking if you are not a customer with an infant. There is a reason for that parking. A shrieking, writhing, angry little reason, that really cannot take the extra walk from the car or waiting to get a cart which must be brought to the car. I've been there, and I too have been tempted, but please. If you don't have the kid, don't take the space

2. To the other parents at my gym. A 7 year old does not want to hang out in babysitting with giant Legos while you work out on the elliptical machine for 2 hours. And that 7 year old will behave badly, causing the poor babysitting lady to go crazy, which is no good for anyone. If school is over, and camp hasn't started yet, perhaps you need to get your exercise by taking your child for a nature walk. Or chasing him/her around the house/mall. Whatever. Just stop messing with my babysitters at the gym.

3. To the parents of the kids on my street. Letting your kids scream as loudly as they can, all in a group, so loudly that the neighbor lady thinks that one of them has been run down by an errant teenager, is not OK. Please teach your children that screaming? Is not a game.

4. To my garbage man. Taking our garbage does not require being loud. Some mornings (this morning) you are not loud, and I appreciate that. Some mornings (last week) you feel the need to make every single item in the garbage hit the truck individually, and also to comment loudly upon it. On those mornings, you kill the precious few moments I have to sleep before the wee kraken awakens, and usually you wake her up too. I beg you. If it is before 7am, please keep it down.

Today's project: Completion of several things! Pictures coming soon.

Today's Life Observation: Fridays were made for drinking.

PS. It appears that Thisbe's flirtation with the film industry is over, as she did not receive a call to be in Indiana Jones 4. Rats.

And yet, Harrison was nowhere to be seen....

That's right folks. Thisbe and the Wee Kraken went to an open casting call to be an extra in: Indiana Jones 4.

This is the closest that Thisbe has gotten to a movie set since Twelve Monkeys shot on UPenn's campus.*

While we both anticipated a long wait (news articles regarding this event from the previous day indicated that some people had been in line for upwards of 3 hours), we set out early and arrived at 11 am.

It was sort of anti-climatic. There was really no line.** The whole process took about 40 minutes. Weirdly, they wanted to know if Thisbe had cheerleading experience (no) and her glove size (????).

Unfortunately, the Wee Kraken was ineligible to apply to be an extra, as she is under 18. However, the casting director agreed that she was super-cute, and took her picture too.

We'll know (theoretically) in a couple of weeks, but even if this is not Thisbe's springboard to fame, it was still kind of a fun thing to do.

*Sadly, Brad Pitt was not there. Just a bunch of elephants. Cute, but not Brad Pitt cute.

**There was actually a short-ish line of people, and naughty Thisbe spent the majority of the short wait trying to decide if she was cuter than various other people in line. Answer: Thisbe was cuter than about 1/2 of those people, but not so much cuter than several college co-eds who were clearly going with the "play to my looks" (aka dress a little slutty) strategy. Thisbe was comforted by the fact that extras do not all have to be college co-eds, and the Wee Kraken was way cuter than all of us.

Today's Project: Mishmash of things to finish

Today's Life Observation: Never, ever, leave the house without a full tupperware of Cheerios.

Hire me, da*nit!!!!!!

So. It is time for Thisbe to return to the rat race.

Today Thisbe had a job interview. PBB has a more positive outlook on the report, but Thisbe (who was there) does not think it went particularly well.

Specifically, Thisbe just did not seem to have the right answers, or any answers to the incredibly pointed questions that were posed. There were a lot of hypothetical "SO, Ms. Thisbe. If you experienced Situation A (a situation with which Thisbe has limited experience), how would you proceed", and then Thisbe giving an answer, and then the interviewers pointing out something that Thisbe now thinks she should have known which would have been the key to the correct (?) answer.

All in all, Thisbe feels like a moron.

And really, if there are any people seeking someone for employment, Thisbe is an excellent, hard-working employee who is very passionate about the non-profit work that she loves.

So give Thisbe a chance.

Today's Project: Vest. etc.

Today's Life Observation: You never realize how stupid you are until someone else points it out.

Pirates!

OOOOOOOOOH!

Thisbe just loves some pirates.** And Thisbe saw the 8pm showing of Pirates of The Caribbean 3 last night. For those of you who are planning on seeing it this weekend, Thisbe will not give away any of the movie info except to say: Orlando Bloom? WAY hotter than he was in previous movies. Much more dark and brooding. Yum.

Also, someone gets to be a Pirate King. Thisbe is extremely jealous. Thisbe has *always* wanted to be the Pirate King. This Pirate King did not sing the great G & S song though, so, Thisbe is slightly less jealous. Just slightly.

**But not enough to watch the UNBELIEVABLY STUPID reality show where people pretend to be pirates to win money.

Today's Project: Vest to hopefully wear to a wedding this weekend

Today's Life Observation: Arrrrrrrrr!

Happy Birthday Wee Kraken!!!!

One year ago today, was the best day of my life.*

And here she is.

*Tied, of course, with my wedding day


Today's Project: Completion of party favors for a very special first birthday party

Today's Life Observation: The Thisbe family is so lucky to have such a wonderful girl.

Not that I'm an expert

But a note to the parents across the street:

Thisbe has some concern regarding your offspring. We will call him Young Sk8er Boi. We will call him this because for the last week*, for approximately 23 hours a day, Young Sk8er Boi (who we think is about 10 years old) has been outside in your driveway, apparently fused to his skateboard, and alternately skating over his skateboard ramp**, and dragging it all over the driveway.

This raises concerns for 3 reasons.

First, Thisbe has noted that Young Sk8er Boi has absolutely no protective gear: no helmet, no knee or elbow pads, nada. So if he were to take a tumble, we imagine that his injuries would be unpleasant.

Then again, bringing us to concern #2: we have *never* seen you outside watching Young Sk8er Boi, so we imagine you would not notice.

Finally, the incessant noise of both the skating and the dragging of the skateboard ramp is driving the Thisbe family CRAZY, particularly since it starts (true story) at 7:30 am. Every day. Including weekends. We here at the Thisbe family like to sleep in on the weekends. We are training the wee kraken to do so, and the pre-dawn skateboard warm-up is not helping matters. We are concerned we may have to disable the ramp while Young Sk8er Boi is sleeping (we think he sleeps, we can't be sure).

Soooooooo......how about you lighten up with the skateboarding? No. Seriously. Because otherwise Thisbe will be forced to serenade you with The Mikado at 2am, and we don't think you will like that.

*It was spring break, so he did not have school. But he is out there every waking minute when he is not at school as well.

**We think the ramp may have been a Christmas or birthday present, as it was not around in the last few years we have lived here.

Today's Project: A mishmash.

Today's Life Observation: Lovely weather? Lovely mood.

Thisbe is moving to Canada

See this?

This is the unfortunate turn of events Thisbe predicted upon the election of our "fearless" leader.

And I am extraordinarily sorry to say that it is happening.

Today's Project: Whatever

Today's Life Observation: O Canada! Our home and native land!

And the hits just keep on coming...

So. Yesterday Thisbe notices that the house is a little cold. Indeed, the poor wee kraken had tiny cold hands, so Thisbe immediately goes over to the thermostat to turn up the heat and....wait a minute. The heat is up to 72, but the temperature reads 65, and there is no heat coming out of the vents. Not good. No heat. Fortunately Thisbe's house has 2 gas fireplaces which kept the Thisbe family warm last night, since the service man couldn't come until today.

In other news, Thisbe *finally* gets to sleep after checking the wee kraken to make sure she was not frozen, and is suddenly awoken by a high pitched whining noise (not made by the wee kraken).

PBB, half-asleep, also notes the irritating noise. Thisbe walks all over the house to locate the source of the noise and ultimately determines that the noise is coming from a large green fluffy frog puppet owned by the wee kraken. Normally the puppet croaks as you open and close its mouth to the tunes of "London Bridge", "Old MacDonald" and "Frere Jacques". However, at 1:30 am, it decided to die, and make the horrible noise to herald its ascent to the choir invisible.

To stop the frog, Thisbe had to locate a screwdriver, unscrew the back of the battery pack and take out a battery. At 1:30 am. This toy is lucky to not be in many pieces, as it would have been a lot easier to whack it with a hammer at that point.

Argh.

Today's Project: You know. You know what I'm working on.

Today's Life Observation: Fireplace. Good.

Loop? What Loop?

I tell you. Thisbe is so out of the loop, she cannot even see the loop.

Thisbe is not even sure there is a loop. Stupid loop.

Reese Witherspoon is dating Jake Gyllenhaal? WHAT? How did I miss this? Seriously. Pre-kraken, I would have not only known about this at least a week ago, I would have known when they started dating, when/if they have been spotted together, and which magazine will be first to have pics.**

Oh, indeed I am lame, my friends. Shame on Thisbe. Letting her popular culture intel go so far astray.

Pathetic.

**Don't judge me for being all "superficial" you supposedly pretentious academic types. Thisbe knows that you are secretly reading US Weekly and watching The Soup. THAT'S RIGHT! I SEE YOU OVER THERE!

Today's Project: The end is in sight for MBP #1. Thank GOODNESS.

Today's Life Observation: Rain sucks. Also, isn't it supposed to be spring? Am I out of the loop on that one too????

Recharging.

Thisbe has spent a great deal of time with the Thisbe family in the last two weeks. Thisbe LOVES her family, but they are WAY high energy, and frankly? Thisbe is exhausted.**

Amid a whirlwind of shopping and driving and traveling (oh my!), Thisbe is hoping for a slightly quieter next couple of weeks, hopefully with less drama (see previous post re: various illnesses).

Also, more frequent posts (and phone calls, to those of you Thisbe knows IRL).

**Notably, the wee kraken is also exhausted, so it is not just Thisbe. The wee kraken slept for 2 hours this afternoon!

Today's Project: A final push on the MBP #1. That kid will be in college if I don't get cracking.

Today's Life Observation: The couch is LOVE.

Where to begin?

So.

On the good news front, the Passport Authority (aka the Wizard of Oz), deigned to allow the Thisbe family to take the Wee Kraken to Canada for her very first Passover. As it turns out, the Wee Kraken is quite a lovely traveler, and also, really enjoyed the Passover festivities. She was quite enthusiastic about the hordes of adoring relatives, particularly her boy cousins, who thought she was extremely cool. She looooooooved them. She was also very fond of her plush Passover Seder plate (a gift from Thisbe's aunt and uncle), complete with plush Seder objects (look wee kraken! Plush lettuce! To symbolize herbs! Or, a stylish tiny hat!); and, her Four Questions Finger puppets (A gift from Thisbe's other aunt and uncle. Thisbe's favorite is the reclining chair. Hilarious, I tell you).

On the not-so-good news front, as most of you readers know Thisbe IRL, you know that the last 6 weeks have unfortunately, been unpleasant, which is why there have been so few posts (Thisbe feels quite guilty about being a Debbie Downer to all her loved ones).

To sum up: in the last 6 weeks, three separate family members of Thisbe & PBB's families have been diagnosed with life-threatening illnesses. This is causing major havoc in the Thisbe household, and if you have any spare happy thoughts, we could use them. We here at the Thisbe household also apologize for being generally flaky and not getting back to our loved ones as promptly as we would normally like. We are working on it. Also, Thisbe will try to keep the depressing posts to a minimum.

Today's Project: Finishing up MBP #1 and working on a special birthday gift for the Wee Kraken.

Today's Life Observation: You never know how much you will miss bread until it is Passover....again. (Or, I suppose, if you go on the low-carb diet).

Karma. She is a B*TCH

So, the ticket line continues to frustrate me practically to the point of homicidal rage.

Indeed, I received EIGHT separate email and phone messages regarding one ticket order, and it was a miracle that this ticket holder did not receive tickets for the February 29th performance, located in our Baghdad theater, if you get my drift.

However, all of my negative ticket karma has come back to bite me, as I am now on hold with [scary music] the U.S. Passport office. PBB & I are taking the wee kraken to Canada for her first Passover, and we checked all of the online regulations, and applied well in advance of our trip, but our trip is fast approaching, and (surprise, surprise, surprise).....no wee kraken passport.**

So I am frantically attempting to figure out how the heck we are going to get to Canada, and/or get her a passport, and cursing the stupid government for messing with us about this, since it is a new regulation that went into effect a mere 6 weeks ago, after we applied for her passport. Grrrrrrrrrrrrrr......

**Applying for a passport for an infant is kind of hilarious. You have to fill out the form as if she is a quasi-adult being, and fill out boxes that say things like "Occupation". What do you put for that? Drooling? Playing with a blue plastic ring? Peek-a-boo? Also, when they took the picture, it was hysterical. Her tiny little head and complete confusion. If we ever actually get the passport, it will be pretty funny.

Today's Project: All knitting has been abandoned in favor of the stupid tickets and passport issues.

Today's Life Observation: Just hug the people you love and tell them that you love them.

Welcome to December

Nooooooo....wait a sec.....that's *right*! It is actually March 16!

Apparently, Mother Nature came out of her drug-induced haze or drinking binge, or whatever it was that made it so that we had NO snow in December, and 70 degree weather in January, and realized that she better get cracking if we were going to have a good old fashioned storm before spring is officially here.

So now, we are getting 6 ish inches of snow and ice. Lucky, lucky, us.

And also, lucky, lucky Thisbe, who has been at rehearsal every freaking night until 11 this week, and then had to drive home for 40 minutes, only to have the opening night of our show cancelled.*

Charming.

On the plus side? In the words of the well-known children's author Barbara Boynton "It's PAJAMA time".

*As you can imagine, in addition to the general bummer that is the cancellation of opening night, being the ticket person when a full audience is calling to ask about their tickets for tonight? FUN.

Today's Project: MBP #1 needs to be finished, but Thisbe just does not have the energy.

Today's Life Observation: Snow is a lot less fun in March.