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February 28, 2006
Books I Read While Babysitting a Sick Child
A Monstrous Regiment of Women
by Laurie R. King
From Booklist: Mary Russell, introduced as the worthy successor to Dr. Watson in The Beekeeper's Apprentice , makes a triumphant return here. Russell has reached her majority, completed her studies at Oxford, come into her inheritance, and uncovered a passel of trouble in Margery Childe, a charismatic mystic with political aspirations in 1921 London. Childe has organized a temple to proselytize her mixture of feminism and what would be called, in a later decade, "liberation theology." Unfortunately, wealthy members of her inner circle keep dying, shortly after rewriting their wills in her favor. Russell launches the investigation of the temple while her employer, Sherlock Holmes and his brother, Mycroft, pursue drug smugglers in France. King expertly captures the details of the period, although some of her characters, attitudes, and actions seem anachronistic. Most of the well-loved figures from the Doyle canon make appearances, including Mrs. Hudson, Dr. Watson, and even Inspector Lastrade's son. Though purists will be offended by Holmes' behavior at the tale's conclusion, less-finicky fans will find the book thoroughly enjoyable.
My Review: I *heart* Mary Russell stories. ADA gave me this book, along with the others by Laurie R. King, and I read it like there was no tomorrow. It made me very, very angry that I didn't have access to the third book in the series. (A problem I hope to alleviate tomorrow.)
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A Grave Talent
by Laurie R. King
From Publishers Weekly: Although it gets off to an uncertain start, this first mystery boasts an appealing female detective and a few good shocks delivered close to the end. Three children's bodies are found near a reclusive community of eccentrics not too many miles from San Francisco. Young cop Casey Martinelli and her embittered, tyrannical partner Alonzo Hawkins think they've identified the perfect suspect in Vaun Adams, the community's resident artist, who once was convicted of murdering a child and who is secretive even by the standards of her weird neighbors. Adams is a strong, enigmatic creation: haunted, gothic and broadly dysfunctional, with a dark past that may contain the lurking killer. But the plot exhibits cracks--a tenuous piece of deduction conveniently dictates that the murder suspects can come only from the community--and King stumbles several times in developing her detectives' characters. She is coy about revealing the gender of Casey's lover (most readers will spot the "surprise" a mile off), and she lets Hawkins' initially gruff manner dissipate within a dozen pages. If King plans a series, she will need to flesh out her protagonists.
My Review: Well, I knew that Martinelli was gay from the start, so it wasn't much of a stunner. And while I agree that this book wasn't a huge page turner, it did make for some fine baby-sitting reading. The book jacket proclaims King as the NEW P.D. JAMES, to which I silently query "who?" Apparently, I am not much of a crime/detective reader.
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To Play the Fool
by Laurie R. King
From Library Journal: San Francisco detective Kate Martinelli strays from the stereotypical path of policewoman. As an openly lesbian and much-publicized heroine, Kate returns to her job facing a difficult case: street person Brother Erasmus, suspect in the murder of a homeless man, communicates entirely by way of literary quotations. The author presents her homeless characters with honesty and compassion, much in the way she describes the relationship between Kate and her lover or her police partner, Al. A fitting and well-done sequel to the award-winning A Grave Talent.
My Review: Again, I wasn't totally head-over-heels in love with this book, but it made for a fine afternoon of reading. Actually, it made me want a new Mary Russell book even more badly.
Posted by madchen at 11:30 PM | Comments (0)February 27, 2006
Yup, I've Got It
Stuffy nose? Check.
Sore throat? Check.
Swollen lymph nodes? Check.
Empty packaging where Nyquil once resided? Check.
Knee-deep collection of wadded-up Kleenex? Check.
Ah yes, it appears I have all the symptoms of a cold from hell. I rue the day (yesterday, I believe) where I said in exasperation, "I wish I would just get a full-blown cold, rather than just waffling around with the sniffles for another week." Oh how I rue it.
Of course, it's making any work on the Big Idea virtually impossible (although I did get in 4 hours of work today), since all I want to do is sleep and kill myself (in alternating 3 hour shifts). Looking at the clock right now, it appears I am in for another bout of considered ritual suicide so I'll bid you, dear reader, adieu from
Your snotty friend,
Ms. Write Again Soon
February 24, 2006
For D.C. Locals Only
Picture the intersection of K St. and Connecticut, NW. If you are coming west down K St. (in the local lane) and are at the corner of Connecticut (you know, where the road sort of curves and it's not quite a right turn, but not quite straight either...where the metro exits??) and the light is red, do you have to wait for the light to turn, or can you make a right turn on red?
I ask because it doesn't feel like a right turn to me...instead, it feels like that light is VERY specifically directed at the local lanes and should be respected regardless of whether or not there are pedestrians (or cross-intersection traffic) in the way.
And yet, the guy behind me tonight coming home from a happy hour sure didn't agree.
Posted by madchen at 11:10 PM | Comments (1)February 22, 2006
Photos from Europe
While I'm home babysitting a sick, and very petulant Ms. Janie, I took the opportunity to upload all my pictures from Europe. It turns out I took more than I thought--never mind the failing battery and lack of flash, not to mention my inability to recharge because of incompatible plugs. Click on the photo to view the rest of the album. And I promise, even though there are no photos to document it, I really was in Bratislava for the weekend. I have a Slovan hockey shirt to prove it!
And just in case you're wondering how I keep Janie in line while she's sick, here's a clue: I trap her in a laundry basket that allows just enough freedom to move around, but prevents her from flailing too much when I deny her the awesome priviledge of jumping on Grandma's bed.
February 21, 2006
The Excitement That Is My Morning
I was thinking yesterday about the personality quiz I took over the weekend. While it's hard for me to argue with the "99% Disagreeable" assessment, I do wonder if I am as adventurous (91%) as I'd like to believe.
For example, it turns out I do the SAME thing every morning:
Put on sweatshirt over pajamas, go to bathroom, check email, check blog statistics (so far in February, I've had 4 visits from Pakistan, but only 3 from France), get coffee, work on the Big Idea, take shower....Lather, rinse, repeat. Repeat. REPEAT.
All my adventures must happen in the afternoons and evenings. Seeing as this afternoon is looking a little sparse*, maybe I should deviate from my morning schedule and see what exciting things I can cook up**.
*Actually, this afternoon is a momentous one for the Big Idea. I will be approaching a potential client for a project. If they agree to sponsor one of the Big Idea events, it will be the FIRST time in 2006 that I've actually gotten paid for a job--and will set me up to pursue other sponsors as well! Fingers crossed, and llama-llamas sent my way, please.
**And now that I think about it, I *have* been wearing this sweatshirt every morning for the last 2 weeks, so perhaps a little laundry is in order.
Posted by madchen at 08:26 AM | Comments (0)February 19, 2006
Revelations on a Sunday Morning
Here are the results of my IPIP-NEO Personality Test. (I took the long version, which lasted about 15 minutes.) My comments are in bold italics.
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Extraversion
Extraversion is marked by pronounced engagement with the external world. Extraverts enjoy being with people, are full of energy, and often experience positive emotions. They tend to be enthusiastic, action-oriented, individuals who are likely to say "Yes!" or "Let's go!" to opportunities for excitement. In groups they like to talk, assert themselves, and draw attention to themselves.
Introverts lack the exuberance, energy, and activity levels of extraverts. They tend to be quiet, low-key, deliberate, and disengaged from the social world. Their lack of social involvement should not be interpreted as shyness or depression; the introvert simply needs less stimulation than an extravert and prefers to be alone. The independence and reserve of the introvert is sometimes mistaken as unfriendliness or arrogance. In reality, an introvert who scores high on the agreeableness dimension will not seek others out but will be quite pleasant when approached.
EXTRAVERSION...............94
..Friendliness.............78
..Gregariousness...........85
..Assertiveness............98
..Activity Level...........87
..Excitement-Seeking.......91
..Cheerfulness.............56
Your score on Extraversion is high, indicating you are sociable, outgoing, energetic, and lively. You prefer to be around people much of the time.
Extraversion Facets
* Friendliness. Friendly people genuinely like other people and openly demonstrate positive feelings toward others. They make friends quickly and it is easy for them to form close, intimate relationships. Low scorers on Friendliness are not necessarily cold and hostile, but they do not reach out to others and are perceived as distant and reserved. Your level of friendliness is high.
* Gregariousness. Gregarious people find the company of others pleasantly stimulating and rewarding. They enjoy the excitement of crowds. Low scorers tend to feel overwhelmed by, and therefore actively avoid, large crowds. They do not necessarily dislike being with people sometimes, but their need for privacy and time to themselves is much greater than for individuals who score high on this scale. Your level of gregariousness is high.
* Assertiveness. High scorers Assertiveness like to speak out, take charge, and direct the activities of others. They tend to be leaders in groups. Low scorers tend not to talk much and let others control the activities of groups. Your level of assertiveness is high.
* Activity Level. Active individuals lead fast-paced, busy lives. They move about quickly, energetically, and vigorously, and they are involved in many activities. People who score low on this scale follow a slower and more leisurely, relaxed pace. Your activity level is high. Of course, it's almost 11:30 a.m. and I'm still in my pajamas...
* Excitement-Seeking. High scorers on this scale are easily bored without high levels of stimulation. They love bright lights and hustle and bustle. They are likely to take risks and seek thrills. Low scorers are overwhelmed by noise and commotion and are adverse to thrill-seeking. Your level of excitement-seeking is high.
* Cheerfulness. This scale measures positive mood and feelings, not negative emotions (which are a part of the Neuroticism domain). Persons who score high on this scale typically experience a range of positive feelings, including happiness, enthusiasm, optimism, and joy. Low scorers are not as prone to such energetic, high spirits. Your level of positive emotions is average.
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Agreeableness
Agreeableness reflects individual differences in concern with cooperation and social harmony. Agreeable individuals value getting along with others. They are therefore considerate, friendly, generous, helpful, and willing to compromise their interests with others'. Agreeable people also have an optimistic view of human nature. They believe people are basically honest, decent, and trustworthy.
Disagreeable individuals place self-interest above getting along with others. They are generally unconcerned with others' well-being, and therefore are unlikely to extend themselves for other people. Sometimes their skepticism about others' motives causes them to be suspicious, unfriendly, and uncooperative.
Agreeableness is obviously advantageous for attaining and maintaining popularity. Agreeable people are better liked than disagreeable people. On the other hand, agreeableness is not useful in situations that require tough or absolute objective decisions. Disagreeable people can make excellent scientists, critics, or soldiers.
AGREEABLENESS..............1
..Trust....................7
..Morality.................5
..Altruism.................10
..Cooperation..............2
..Modesty..................1
..Sympathy.................6
Your score on Agreeableness is low, indicating less concern with others' needs Than with your own. People see you as tough, critical, and uncompromising. I think instead of "agreeableness, what they really mean is "bitchiness.
Agreeableness Facets
* Trust. A person with high trust assumes that most people are fair, honest, and have good intentions. Persons low in trust see others as selfish, devious, and potentially dangerous. Your level of trust is low.
* Morality. High scorers on this scale see no need for pretense or manipulation when dealing with others and are therefore candid, frank, and sincere. Low scorers believe that a certain amount of deception in social relationships is necessary. People find it relatively easy to relate to the straightforward high-scorers on this scale. They generally find it more difficult to relate to the unstraightforward low-scorers on this scale. It should be made clear that low scorers are not unprincipled or immoral; they are simply more guarded and less willing to openly reveal the whole truth. Your level of morality is low. It's just so much more efficacious to "be more guarded".
* Altruism. Altruistic people find helping other people genuinely rewarding. Consequently, they are generally willing to assist those who are in need. Altruistic people find that doing things for others is a form of self-fulfillment rather than self-sacrifice. Low scorers on this scale do not particularly like helping those in need. Requests for help feel like an imposition rather than an opportunity for self-fulfillment. Your level of altruism is low. Amen.
* Cooperation. Individuals who score high on this scale dislike confrontations. They are perfectly willing to compromise or to deny their own needs in order to get along with others. Those who score low on this scale are more likely to intimidate others to get their way. Your level of compliance is low.
* Modesty. High scorers on this scale do not like to claim that they are better than other people. In some cases this attitude may derive from low self-confidence or self-esteem. Nonetheless, some people with high self-esteem find immodesty unseemly. Those who are willing to describe themselves as superior tend to be seen as disagreeably arrogant by other people. Your level of modesty is low. Hmm, I do recall hearing some claims that I'm "disagreeably arrogant" from time to time.
* Sympathy. People who score high on this scale are tenderhearted and compassionate. They feel the pain of others vicariously and are easily moved to pity. Low scorers are not affected strongly by human suffering. They pride themselves on making objective judgments based on reason. They are more concerned with truth and impartial justice than with mercy. Your level of tender-mindedness is low.
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Conscientiousness
Conscientiousness concerns the way in which we control, regulate, and direct our impulses. Impulses are not inherently bad; occasionally time constraints require a snap decision, and acting on our first impulse can be an effective response. Also, in times of play rather than work, acting spontaneously and impulsively can be fun. Impulsive individuals can be seen by others as colorful, fun-to-be-with, and zany.
Nonetheless, acting on impulse can lead to trouble in a number of ways. Some impulses are antisocial. Uncontrolled antisocial acts not only harm other members of society, but also can result in retribution toward the perpetrator of such impulsive acts. Another problem with impulsive acts is that they often produce immediate rewards but undesirable, long-term consequences. Examples include excessive socializing that leads to being fired from one's job, hurling an insult that causes the breakup of an important relationship, or using pleasure-inducing drugs that eventually destroy one's health.
Impulsive behavior, even when not seriously destructive, diminishes a person's effectiveness in significant ways. Acting impulsively disallows contemplating alternative courses of action, some of which would have been wiser than the impulsive choice. Impulsivity also sidetracks people during projects that require organized sequences of steps or stages. Accomplishments of an impulsive person are therefore small, scattered, and inconsistent.
A hallmark of intelligence, what potentially separates human beings from earlier life forms, is the ability to think about future consequences before acting on an impulse. Intelligent activity involves contemplation of long-range goals, organizing and planning routes to these goals, and persisting toward one's goals in the face of short-lived impulses to the contrary. The idea that intelligence involves impulse control is nicely captured by the term prudence, an alternative label for the Conscientiousness domain. Prudent means both wise and cautious. Persons who score high on the Conscientiousness scale are, in fact, perceived by others as intelligent.
The benefits of high conscientiousness are obvious. Conscientious individuals avoid trouble and achieve high levels of success through purposeful planning and persistence. They are also positively regarded by others as intelligent and reliable. On the negative side, they can be compulsive perfectionists and workaholics. Furthermore, extremely conscientious individuals might be regarded as stuffy and boring. Unconscientious people may be criticized for their unreliability, lack of ambition, and failure to stay within the lines, but they will experience many short-lived pleasures and they will never be called stuffy.
CONSCIENTIOUSNESS..........85
..Self-Efficacy............89
..Orderliness..............84
..Dutifulness..............66
..Achievement-Striving.....92
..Self-Discipline..........89
..Cautiousness.............29
Your score on Conscientiousness is high. This means you set clear goals and pursue them with determination. People regard you as reliable and hard-working.
Conscientiousness Facets
* Self-Efficacy. Self-Efficacy describes confidence in one's ability to accomplish things. High scorers believe they have the intelligence (common sense), drive, and self-control necessary for achieving success. Low scorers do not feel effective, and may have a sense that they are not in control of their lives. Your level of self-efficacy is high.
* Orderliness. Persons with high scores on orderliness are well-organized. They like to live according to routines and schedules. They keep lists and make plans. Low scorers tend to be disorganized and scattered. Your level of orderliness is high.
* Dutifulness. This scale reflects the strength of a person's sense of duty and obligation. Those who score high on this scale have a strong sense of moral obligation. Low scorers find contracts, rules, and regulations overly confining. They are likely to be seen as unreliable or even irresponsible. Your level of dutifulness is average.
* Achievement-Striving. Individuals who score high on this scale strive hard to achieve excellence. Their drive to be recognized as successful keeps them on track toward their lofty goals. They often have a strong sense of direction in life, but extremely high scores may be too single-minded and obsessed with their work. Low scorers are content to get by with a minimal amount of work, and might be seen by others as lazy. Your level of achievement striving is high.
* Self-Discipline. Self-discipline-what many people call will-power-refers to the ability to persist at difficult or unpleasant tasks until they are completed. People who possess high self-discipline are able to overcome reluctance to begin tasks and stay on track despite distractions. Those with low self-discipline procrastinate and show poor follow-through, often failing to complete tasks-even tasks they want very much to complete. Your level of self-discipline is high.
* Cautiousness. Cautiousness describes the disposition to think through possibilities before acting. High scorers on the Cautiousness scale take their time when making decisions. Low scorers often say or do first thing that comes to mind without deliberating alternatives and the probable consequences of those alternatives. Your level of cautiousness is low.
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Neuroticism
Freud originally used the term neurosis to describe a condition marked by mental distress, emotional suffering, and an inability to cope effectively with the normal demands of life. He suggested that everyone shows some signs of neurosis, but that we differ in our degree of suffering and our specific symptoms of distress. Today neuroticism refers to the tendency to experience negative feelings. Those who score high on Neuroticism may experience primarily one specific negative feeling such as anxiety, anger, or depression, but are likely to experience several of these emotions. People high in neuroticism are emotionally reactive. They respond emotionally to events that would not affect most people, and their reactions tend to be more intense than normal. They are more likely to interpret ordinary situations as threatening, and minor frustrations as hopelessly difficult. Their negative emotional reactions tend to persist for unusually long periods of time, which means they are often in a bad mood. These problems in emotional regulation can diminish a neurotic's ability to think clearly, make decisions, and cope effectively with stress.
At the other end of the scale, individuals who score low in neuroticism are less easily upset and are less emotionally reactive. They tend to be calm, emotionally stable, and free from persistent negative feelings. Freedom from negative feelings does not mean that low scorers experience a lot of positive feelings; frequency of positive emotions is a component of the Extraversion domain.
NEUROTICISM................14
..Anxiety..................21
..Anger....................58
..Depression...............14
..Self-Consciousness.......0
..Immoderation.............59
..Vulnerability............8
Your score on Neuroticism is low, indicating that you are exceptionally calm, composed and unflappable. You do not react with intense emotions, even to situations that most people would describe as stressful. Unless it's with anger or immoderation, you mean.
Neuroticism Facets
* Anxiety. The "fight-or-flight" system of the brain of anxious individuals is too easily and too often engaged. Therefore, people who are high in anxiety often feel like something dangerous is about to happen. They may be afraid of specific situations or be just generally fearful. They feel tense, jittery, and nervous. Persons low in Anxiety are generally calm and fearless. Your level of anxiety is low.
* Anger. Persons who score high in Anger feel enraged when things do not go their way. They are sensitive about being treated fairly and feel resentful and bitter when they feel they are being cheated. Yes, yes, yes!!!This scale measures the tendency to feel angry; whether or not the person expresses annoyance and hostility depends on the individual's level on Agreeableness. Low scorers do not get angry often or easily. Your level of anger is average.
* Depression. This scale measures the tendency to feel sad, dejected, and discouraged. High scorers lack energy and have difficult initiating activities. Low scorers tend to be free from these depressive feelings. Your level of depression is low.
* Self-Consciousness. Self-conscious individuals are sensitive about what others think of them. Their concern about rejection and ridicule cause them to feel shy and uncomfortable abound others. They are easily embarrassed and often feel ashamed. Their fears that others will criticize or make fun of them are exaggerated and unrealistic, but their awkwardness and discomfort may make these fears a self-fulfilling prophecy. Low scorers, in contrast, do not suffer from the mistaken impression that everyone is watching and judging them. They do not feel nervous in social situations. Your level of self-consciousness is low.
* Immoderation. Immoderate individuals feel strong cravings and urges that they have have difficulty resisting. They tend to be oriented toward short-term pleasures and rewards rather than long- term consequences. Low scorers do not experience strong, irresistible cravings and consequently do not find themselves tempted to overindulge. Your level of immoderation is average.
* Vulnerability. High scorers on Vulnerability experience panic, confusion, and helplessness when under pressure or stress. Low scorers feel more poised, confident, and clear-thinking when stressed. Your level of vulnerability is low.
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Openness to Experience
Openness to Experience describes a dimension of cognitive style that distinguishes imaginative, creative people from down-to-earth, conventional people. Open people are intellectually curious, appreciative of art, and sensitive to beauty. They tend to be, compared to closed people, more aware of their feelings. They tend to think and act in individualistic and nonconforming ways. Intellectuals typically score high on Openness to Experience; consequently, this factor has also been called Culture or Intellect. Nonetheless, Intellect is probably best regarded as one aspect of openness to experience. Scores on Openness to Experience are only modestly related to years of education and scores on standard intelligent tests.
Another characteristic of the open cognitive style is a facility for thinking in symbols and abstractions far removed from concrete experience. Depending on the individual's specific intellectual abilities, this symbolic cognition may take the form of mathematical, logical, or geometric thinking, artistic and metaphorical use of language, music composition or performance, or one of the many visual or performing arts. People with low scores on openness to experience tend to have narrow, common interests. They prefer the plain, straightforward, and obvious over the complex, ambiguous, and subtle. They may regard the arts and sciences with suspicion, regarding these endeavors as abstruse or of no practical use. Closed people prefer familiarity over novelty; they are conservative and resistant to change.
Openness is often presented as healthier or more mature by psychologists, who are often themselves open to experience. However, open and closed styles of thinking are useful in different environments. The intellectual style of the open person may serve a professor well, but research has shown that closed thinking is related to superior job performance in police work, sales, and a number of service occupations.
OPENNESS TO EXPERIENCE.....49
..Imagination..............13
..Artistic Interests.......41
..Emotionality.............5
..Adventurousness..........91
..Intellect................79
..Liberalism...............67
Your score on Openness to Experience is average, indicating you enjoy tradition but are willing to try new things. Your thinking is neither simple nor complex. To others you appear to be a well-educated person but not an intellectual.
Openness Facets
* Imagination. To imaginative individuals, the real world is often too plain and ordinary. High scorers on this scale use fantasy as a way of creating a richer, more interesting world. Low scorers are on this scale are more oriented to facts than fantasy. Your level of imagination is low.
* Artistic Interests. High scorers on this scale love beauty, both in art and in nature. They become easily involved and absorbed in artistic and natural events. They are not necessarily artistically trained nor talented, although many will be. The defining features of this scale are interest in, and appreciation of natural and artificial beauty. Low scorers lack aesthetic sensitivity and interest in the arts. Your level of artistic interests is average.
* Emotionality. Persons high on Emotionality have good access to and awareness of their own feelings. Low scorers are less aware of their feelings and tend not to express their emotions openly. Your level of emotionality is low.
* Adventurousness. High scorers on adventurousness are eager to try new activities, travel to foreign lands, and experience different things. They find familiarity and routine boring, and will take a new route home just because it is different. Low scorers tend to feel uncomfortable with change and prefer familiar routines. Your level of adventurousness is high.
* Intellect. Intellect and artistic interests are the two most important, central aspects of openness to experience. High scorers on Intellect love to play with ideas. They are open-minded to new and unusual ideas, and like to debate intellectual issues. They enjoy riddles, puzzles, and brain teasers. Low scorers on Intellect prefer dealing with either people or things rather than ideas. They regard intellectual exercises as a waste of time. Intellect should not be equated with intelligence. Intellect is an intellectual style, not an intellectual ability, although high scorers on Intellect score slightly higher than low-Intellect individuals on standardized intelligence tests. Your level of intellect is high.
* Liberalism. Psychological liberalism refers to a readiness to challenge authority, convention, and traditional values. In its most extreme form, psychological liberalism can even represent outright hostility toward rules, sympathy for law-breakers, and love of ambiguity, chaos, and disorder. Psychological conservatives prefer the security and stability brought by conformity to tradition. Psychological liberalism and conservatism are not identical to political affiliation, but certainly incline individuals toward certain political parties. Your level of liberalism is average.
So there it is...overall, I have to say that they hit the nail on the head. And now I'm a little more motivated to take a shower, seeing at I have a "high activity level" to live up to!
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But before I go, one more self-assessment quiz (and possibly the most important one):
| Your Celebrity Style Twin is Jessica Simpson |
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February 18, 2006
I Just Now Remembered
A further conversation in the car...
Driving along in relative peace and quiet. Suddenly, the car is filled with a horrid smell.
"Ewww, what is that smell?"
"I don't know, I think we drove past something that smelled bad."
"It smells like chicken."
"No it doesn't."
"Well, chicken that has been left on the road...[lengthy pause] for a REALLY LONG TIME."
Posted by madchen at 09:09 PM | Comments (0)February 17, 2006
In the Car
"Aunt Jen, how old are you?"
"How old do you think?"
Considerable pause for reflection...
"Seventy-one?"
[In shocked outrage.] "WHAT?"
[More tentatively.] "Seventy-two?"
A few minutes go by...total silence ensues as we drift off to our own imaginations.
[Out of the blue.] "Aunt Jen, you need to get a HOLD of yourself."
Posted by madchen at 05:11 PM | Comments (0)February 16, 2006
Travel Stats
I've slowly brought the whirling dervish of "random after-travel things to do" to heel, and life seems to more closely resemble normal this morning. As I take the first steps into "no more traveling" land, I thought I would take a minute to reflect back on the last month, through my favorite writing tool: the list.
Total money spent: $2,324.17 ($83/day)
Cities visited: 7 (Budapest, Bratislava, Milan, Riva S. Vitale, Lucerne, Basel, Berlin)
Moneny spent on transportation: $1,104.29 ($39/day)
Flights taken: 6
Trains taken: 5
Subways/trams taken: Too many to count
Money spent on lodging: $394 ($14/day)
Nights in a hostel: 12
Nights with friends: 13
Money spent on food, liquor, entertainment, and shopping: $825.88 ($29/day)
Best Purchase: Fuzzy boots in Lucerne
Caffe lattes drunk: Too many to count
Pounds gained: 6
Best city: Berlin
Worst hangover: Berlin
Next trip: After I make $2,324.17 from the Big Idea
Posted by madchen at 08:53 AM | Comments (2)February 13, 2006
Books I Read on Holiday
Lying Awake
by Mark Salzman
Publishers Weekly: Mysticism meets modern medicine in this intriguing r?cit of a nun's dark night of the soul. It's 1997, and Sister John of the Cross, a Carmelite nun in a monastery just outside Los Angeles, seeks treatment for epilepsy, although the remedy threatens to diminish her formidable spiritual powers. The Carmelites place heavy emphasis on prayer, and over the years this discipline has helped Sister John to develop miraculous visionary gifts. When severe headaches precipitate a collapse that requires medical intervention, Sister John finds the process starkly juxtaposed against her centuries-old traditions: she discovers it's almost impossible to discuss infused contemplation with a neurologist. Is her continual prayer "hyperreligiosity"?; her choice to remain celibate "hyposexuality"?; her will to control her body "anorexia"? Although she accepts a CT scan and its diagnosis, Sister John determines that faith offers a more substantial, meaningful reality. Written with simple elegance, alternating narrative and prayer, the tale is engaging yet maintains a curious emotional elusiveness. A drama centering on the realm of mysticism is bound to be difficult to describe and, like Ron Hansen's Mariette in Ecstasy, this story doesn't aim to render the nun's spiritual life and psyche in accessible terms for lay readers. What Salzman conveys with perfect clarity is that momentary, extraordinary mental state in which physical pain becomes pure, lucid grace poised between corporeal reality and eternity, a state that Sister John desires to prolong for a lifetime.
My Review: I loved this book, although I had to force myself to read it more slowly than normal in order to capture the rythym of the prose. A lovely look into the inner life of someone struggling with what a meaningful life entails.
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The Penelopiad: The Myth of Penelope and Odysseus
by Margaret Atwood
"Homer’s Odyssey is not the only version of the story. Mythic material was originally oral, and also local -- a myth would be told one way in one place and quite differently in another. I have drawn on material other than the Odyssey, especially for the details of Penelope’s parentage, her early life and marriage, and the scandalous rumors circulating about her. I’ve chosen to give the telling of the story to Penelope and to the twelve hanged maids. The maids form a chanting and singing Chorus, which focuses on two questions that must pose themselves after any close reading of the Odyssey: What led to the hanging of the maids, and what was Penelope really up to? The story as told in the Odyssey doesn’t hold water: there are too many inconsistencies. I’ve always been haunted by the hanged maids and, in The Penelopiad, so is Penelope herself." -- from Margaret Atwood’s Foreword to The Penelopiad
My Review: I love all things Margaret Atwood, and this was no exception. I remember vividly reading the Odyssey in 9th grade, where one of our assingments was to write a new adventure chapter. This book reminded me of that explorations, and it was a delight to see the myth portrayed from a woman's perspective.
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Four Blondes
by Candace Bushnell
Publishers Weekly: The author whose name is synonymous with her novel Sex and the City weighs in again with four loosely linked tales that form a sexually charged and withering analysis of how New York's and London's women work feverishly at their relationships, meanwhile trying desperately to make their names.
My Review: Blah. This was on the shelf during a jet-lagged night, so my expectations were low. Even so, I was disappointed.
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The Big Over Easy
by Jasper Fforde
Bookmarks Magazine: Hearing characters debate the implications of "illegal straw-into-gold dens" is attractive to a certain type of reader. Puns and silliness can certainly provide laugh-out-loud fun, especially when cleverly handled. But critics found this new series debut from literary jokester Jasper Fforde (The Eyre Affair, **** Summer 2002, is from Fforde’s first series, Thursday Next) a tad shallow and wearisome. Fforde doesn’t skewer nursery rhymes exclusively; he also spoofs mystery fiction protocol, including anagrams, secret twins, and butlers who did it. This is actually his most ingenious turn in an otherwise overlong send-up.
My Review: While I thoroughly enjoyed this book (and will read follow-ups if Fforde chooses to make this a series), I have to admit that I like his Thursday Next series more entertaining. Oh, for another Thursday Next book.
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The Beekeeper's Apprentice
by Laurie King
Publishers Weekly: Sherlock Holmes takes on a young, female apprentice in this delightful and well-wrought addition to the master detective's casework. In the early years of WW I, 15-year-old American Mary Russell encounters Holmes, retired in Sussex Downs where Conan Doyle left him raising bees. Mary, an orphan rebelling against her guardian aunt's strictures, impresses the sleuth with her intelligence and acumen. Holmes initiates her into the mysteries of detection, allowing her to participate in a few cases when she comes home from her studies at Oxford. The collaboration is ignited by the kidnapping in Wales of Jessica Simpson, daughter of an American senator. The sleuthing duo find signs of the hand of a master criminal, and after Russell rescues the child, attempts are made on their lives (and on Watson's), with evidence piling up that the master criminal is out to get Holmes and all he holds dear. King ( A Grave Talent ) has created a fitting partner for the Great Detective: a quirky, intelligent woman who can hold her own with a man renowned for his contempt for other people's thought processes.
My Review: I have happily discovered a replacement for my much-beloved Amelia Peabody mysteries. This first book in the Mary Russell series is so totally likeable that I am sure to be avoiding serious work to pick up the next edition soon.
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The History of Love: A Novel
by Nicole Krauss
Publishers Weekly: The last words of this haunting novel resonate like a pealing bell. "He fell in love. It was his life." This is the unofficial obituary of octogenarian Leo Gursky, a character whose mordant wit, gallows humor and searching heart create an unforgettable portrait. Born in Poland and a WWII refugee in New York, Leo has become invisible to the world. When he leaves his tiny apartment, he deliberately draws attention to himself to be sure he exists. What's really missing in his life is the woman he has always loved, the son who doesn't know that Leo is his father, and his lost novel, called The History of Love, which, unbeknownst to Leo, was published years ago in Chile under a different man's name. Another family in New York has also been truncated by loss. Teenager Alma Singer, who was named after the heroine of The History of Love, is trying to ease the loneliness of her widowed mother, Charlotte. When a stranger asks Charlotte to translate The History of Love from Spanish for an exorbitant sum, the mysteries deepen. Krauss (Man Walks into a Room) ties these and other plot strands together with surprising twists and turns, chronicling the survival of the human spirit against all odds. Writing with tenderness about eccentric characters, she uses earthy humor to mask pain and to question the universe. Her distinctive voice is both plangent and wry, and her imagination encompasses many worlds.
My Review: I loved this audiobook, which was read by several narrators depending on the voice of the novel. A week after I finished it, I happened across a hard copy of the book, which I realized had a rather unusual layout. I can't decide if I would have preferred the paper or the audio copy--but I have a feeling I'll revisit this book in the future.
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Wild Oats
by ??
I got this book from a girl in the Bratislava hostel. It was chick lit at its finest--a near-30 girl goes home to her small town outside of London and deals with family, friends, and the long-lost-love she lost a dozen years earlier. An easy read that I passed on to Mandy when I made it to Milan.
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As a Driven Leaf
by Milton Steinberg
Publishers Weekly: Guidall gives a spirited, almost theatrical, reading of this minor classic of American Jewish literature, a historical novel about ancient sage-turned-apostate Elisha ben Abuyah in the late first century C.E. At the heart of the tale are questions about faith and the loss of faith and the repression and rebellion of the Jews of Palestine. Elisha is a leading scholar in Palestine, elected to the Sanhedrin, the highest Jewish court in the land. But two tragedies awaken doubt about God in Elisha's mind, and doubt eats away at his faith. Declared a heretic and excommunicated from the Jewish community, he journeys to Antioch in nearby Syria to begin a quest through Greek and Roman culture for some fundamental irrefutable truth. The pace of the narrative picks up as Elisha directly encounters the full force of the ancient Romans' all-consuming culture. Ultimately, Elisha is forced by the power of Rome to choose between loyalty to his people, who are rebelling against the emperor's domination, and loyalty to his own quest for truth. Guidall, a veteran actor and recorder of audiobooks, reads with an appropriately weighted force. And he convincingly creates voices for a score of charactersAincluding the protagonist Elisha; his haughty, social-climbing wife, Deborah; the gentle sage and Elisha's mentor, Rabbi Joshua; and Rufus Tinneius, the tyrannical Roman governor of Palestine.
My Review: This audiobook was even more fascinating coming on the heels of The History of Love--both dealing with the complexities of the Jewish faith. I had never heard of this fable before, so I didn't know what to expect. It was a strange philosophical, religious, and Hollywood-ish combination, but it worked.
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Skinny Dip
by Carl Hiaasen
Publishers Weekly: Hiaasen's signature mix of hilariously over-the-top villains, lovable innocents and righteous indignation at what mankind has done to his beloved Florida wilderness is all present in riotous abundance in his latest. It begins with attractive heiress Joey Perrone being tossed overboard from a cruise ship by her larcenous husband, Chaz—not for her money, which she has had the good sense to keep well away from him, but because he fears she is onto his crooked dealings with a ruthless tycoon who is poisoning the Everglades. But instead of drowning as she's supposed to, Joey stays afloat until she is rescued by moody ex-cop Mick Stranahan, a loner who has also struck out in the marriage department. Then the two together, with the unwitting aid of a suspicious cop who can't pin the attempted murder on Chaz, hatch a sadistic plot to scare that "maggot" out of what little wit he has. Even Tool, a hulking brute sent by the tycoon to keep an eye on Chaz, eventually turns against him, and much of the fun is in watching the deplorable Chaz flounder further and further in the murk, both literally and figuratively (Chaz's job, as the world's unlikeliest marine biologist, involves falsifying water pollution levels for the tycoon). Hiaasen's books are so enjoyable it's always a sad moment when they end. In this case, however, sadness is mixed with puzzlement because the book seems to end in mid-scene, with Chaz in trouble again—but is it terminal? We thought at first there were some pages missing, but Knopf says that was the ending Hiaasen intended. Odd.
My Review: It's like alter-chick lit. I think I would have enjoyed it more in paperback (I listened to the audiobook) while lying on a beach somewhere. Even so, I'd consider reading the author's other work the next time I'm in the Caribbean.
Posted by madchen at 12:21 PM | Comments (2)50 Things to Do Before I Die
Over the past few years, I have tried to create a list of 50 Things To Do Before I Die, with the intent of spurring on new adventures, both meaningful and exciting. It was always hard to come up with a full list of 50; in fact, I usually hovered around a dozen.
I realized a few weeks ago that I'd accomplished most of that previous dozen--including skydiving, LASIK eye surgery, and living abroad. Currently being in a big transition phase with other aspects of my life, I thought it was high time to make a new list. And so, dear reader, I give you:
50 Things To Do Before I Die
1. See Victoria Falls
2. Read 1,000 books
3. Go skinny-dipping in the ocean (September 8, 2006)
4. Fly a plane (June 9, 2006)
5. Go on an African safari
6. See the pyramids
7. Write a novel
8. Sleep under the stars
9. Go to Burning Man
10. Kiss a girl (April 11, 2006)
11. Learn a language fluently
12. Run a 5-k
13. Live without a car for a year
14. Be a vegan for 6 months
15. Cut my eco-footprint down to 1
16. Start a charity
17. Have a secretary/assistant
18. Build a house
19. Go cross-country skiing
20. Go scuba diving
21. Get a Ph.D.
22. Have a dog (May 10, 2008)
23. Make ice cream by hand (May 6, 2006)
24. Grow a vegetable garden
25. Climb Macchu Pichu
26. Hold a public office
27. Learn to play guitar
28. Own a piano
29. Race a sailboat
30. Bake a souffle (March 8, 2006)
31. Visit a vinyard (March 2008)
32. Win an award (January 2008)
33. Learn to dance the shag
34. Speak at a graduation
35. Participate in a medical experiment
36. Act in a play
37. Meet the President
38. Get a solar panel
39. Register a patent
40. Work in an election
41. Publish an op-ed
42. Buy a Modigliani
43. Have a library room
44. Make a sculpture
45. Draw a self-portrait
46. Sing with a band
47. Throw a fancy party
48. Keep a blog for 5 years
49. See a baby being born
50. Complete all 50 things before I die
I've created a separate category called 50 Things (on the right hand side of the page), where I'll be tracking my progress. First on the agenda: make a souffle. That shouldn't be too hard, right?
Posted by madchen at 12:04 PM | Comments (9)Hip in Berlin
After an excruciating 8 hour train ride, I met up with Roya in Berlin on Thursday night. We were staying in the very fashionable Prenzlauer Berg district, an up and coming section of East Berlin that houses the very hip and artistic Aurora Hostel, definitely one of the nicest hostels I've ever stayed at (except for the very unfortunate lack of hot water in the late morning hours).
Our extended weekend was jam-packed with activities, which could be generalized as "The Weekend in Which Roya and Jen Looked for Jazz, Failed Miserably, and Yet Managed to Have a Great Time". These adventures included:
Friday
On Friday we did our major sightseeing, (after a quick but yummy lunch at Malzcafe), with a visit to Checkpoint Charlie and its associated musuem. We also strolled by Brandenburg Gate, and looked at one of the spots where the Berlin Wall once stood.
We heard that Berlin was a great place to hear jazz, so we used the Tip Berlin Magazine to track down multiple places to hear some live music. Friday night, after a decadent meal at Olivia, we set off to explore.
First we hit the Firebar, which turned out to be WAY too young for us, in addition to playing 30-second bits of remixed music that certainly did not qualify as jazz, unless Britney Spears has suddenly changed genres. Saddened, but thoroughly enjoying my caipirinha, we moved on to the Yorckschlösschen, where we JUST missed the end of the set (but didn't have to pay the cover charge, so it worked out ok). Instead, we got another round of drinks and sat down to plan our next move--made easier when we got acquainted with the jazz pianist who accompanied us to the next place on our list, Tango Vivo Salsa Viva. In what was beginning to be a trend, it was closed. Undeterred, our new friend took us to a local hangout, HotelBar where we found our groove and danced until 4 a.m.
Saturday
After a period of recovery, we embarked on another adventure Satruday afternoon. We started with a long walk around East Berlin, stopping at the local open air market and an English secondhand bookstore (as well as at least 2 coffees--every few steps we felt the need to come in from the cold). Nevertheless, by evening we were game to try another round of "find the live jazz". We began with Scotch and Sofa, a forgettable place where we were told that "the music man sleeps long" as the reason the advertised music hadn't started an hour and a half after we got there. We moved on to Red Rooster, which also showed no signs of live music. We decided to call it quits, and headed back to the hostel, making a quick stop at Sharazad, a shisha place next door. In bed by 2 a.m., we were determined to make the most of Sunday jazz opportunities.
Sunday
Apparently, Sunday brunch with live jazz is a common event in Berlin and we had three places to choose from. We opted for Harlem, wandering about starving until we located its locked doors. Apparently, they had cancelled their Sunday brunched, but failed to inform the Tip Berlin Magazine. Fortunately, Roya and I were saved from cannabalism by finding a charming cafe (whose name I can't remember) down a few blocks, where we indulged in a scrumptious repast.
The goal of the day was to see a movie, and we successfully bought tickets (two hours early!) to see Memoirs of a Geisha. After sipping away the intervening hours with yet another latte, we found ourselves sitting in the theatre with 10 minutes to spare when suddenly it occurred to us to ask if the movie was in English (with German subtitles). No luck--the move was dubbed. The movie theatre people were very nice, gave us a full refund, and sent us off to Potsdamer Platz where the movies retain their original language.
Little did we know that Berlin was in the violent throes of the 56th Annual Berlin Film Festival--taking place in the very same Potzdamer Platz we arrived at a mere 30 minutes later in search of a Hollywood epic. We opted instead for an independent film from Singapore called 4:30. I even managed to ask the director a question, in my mind the most important question of the film.
QUESTION: WHAT DOES THE MAN SAY TO THE BOY WHEN THEY ARE SITTING ON THE STEPS?
Answer: When the person you love dies, where do they go?
It made so many things clear, while still leaving the film ambiguous enough to allow the audience to create its own meaning and interpretation. Of course, the director immediately regretted telling the answer, and vowed that it would be the only time he did so. I felt quite smug! Anyway, I liked it, and highly recommend it, even if it was a little sad and depressing.
From the movies, Roya was insistent on trying to conquer our jazz demons one more time, so we headed off to Unique Music Lounge--arriving after nearly an hour to find that it is closed on Sunday nights. Our last shot was the A-Trane, a place the jazz piano player from Friday had recommended for its improv jam sessions on Friday night. All we knew was that it was at the same subway stop as the Unique Music Lounge, so we ended up asking half a dozen people before getting proper directions. Of course, when we got there (surprised, dear reader?), we found that--although there was indeed live music coming from inside the club--the set had only 10 minutes left. We shelled out the 3 Euros to get in, only to discover that the band, called Interplay, really was shilling a brand of "funk bossa jazz" that was, ahem, not to my liking. Thankfully it was over quite quickly, and although it ended our search for live jazz in Berlin on a low note, Roya and I managed to have an interesting conversation about American foreign policy (well, it left her pretty depressed, but I thought it was interesting).
Our dawdling over bad jazz meant that we had missed the last subway train (by 2 hours) and ended up taking a taxi home, with only 3 hours to sleep until we packed our things and headed our separate ways.
Monday
There were no real adventures today (except for the trials and tribulations of trying to pay the bill when the hostel reception wasn't open on time and I was late in getting to the airport, only to have the flight delayed), and I'm now sitting back in Budapest, where I started this grand adventure. The late-night activities have left me sleepy, so I'm off to take a nap before enjoying a nice hot shower. And before I know it, I'll be back on the plane to D.C., with dreams of my next trip dancing in my head.
I've missed you all, dear readers, and I'm looking forward to blogging from the comfort of my own room in just a few short hours!
Posted by madchen at 09:45 AM | Comments (0)I *heart* Basel, but not as much as Berlin
I'm back in Budapest, as least for the night. Tomorrow I'll hop back on a plane, take a quick stopover in Munich, and then be back in D.C. by dinnertime. Whew...I'm tired out from all that travel. And possibly from the late night partying I've been doing in Berlin.
Upon leaving Lucerne (henceforth referred to as a Total Waste of Time), I took the train to Basel. Next to Graz, Basel is the city in Europe I would most like to live in. Even in bleakest February the place is humming with activity. The Old Town area is spectacular and if all the cars disappeared you might actually believe for a second that you were back in the 16th century.
There are gads of cafes and boutiques, and a surprising number of vegetarian and organic food and healthcare shops. The tram runs hither and yon, and people laugh on the streetcorners and kiss goodbye.
Highlights of the 2 days include:
-- The absence of nausea on the train from Basel to Lucerne, unlike the VERY unfortunate ride from Riva to Lucerne. Oh the agony.
-- Accidentally knocking (ok, pounding) on the door to a church residence, thinking it was the hostel. Only upon realizing the little sign indicating that "George Christ" lived there did I furtively grab my suitcase and slink off.
-- The Kunstmuseum, one of the best smaller collections (at least in comparison to the Smithsonian--my primary art reference) I've ever seen. Each (or almost each) painting or sculpture is a gem. I'm especially fond of the second floor with the 20th century artists. As the website says, "In the field of 20th-century art, the accent is on Cubism (Picasso, Braque, Léger), German Expressionism, Abstract Expressionism and American art since 1950." The rooms crammed with works by Picasso, Klee, Rothko, Modigliani, and others moved me in a way I am rarely moved by art. At one point, there was a moment when I thought that a full figure statue by Rodin was going to come alive--I was a little freaked out thinking that the man's body was trapped, condemned to wear that same searching expresssion in perpetuity.
-- The "body wash" that turned out to be "body oil", leaving me with a not-so-clean feeling until I could locate and purchase another $10 travel-size bottle of soap. (Actually, the whole showering experience, along with the overall prices in Switzerland were more of a "lowlight".)
-- The realization (after lugging my suitcase up and down and up and down and up and then up some more flights of stairs) that I packed poorly. Next time, I will strive to bring fewer sweaters, fewer pairs of socks, another pair of shoes, and more personal care products.
-- The Bird's Eye Jazz Club, a local hangout that I visited with two girls from the hostel. The club itself is quite small, and we were able to move to one of the front tables for the second set of music, courtesy of the Andy Scherrer Trio.
In short, I had a great time, and wished I had skipped Lucerne altogether to spend another couple of days in Basel. As Carmen points out in a previous comment, the city has a Carnival festival that is a must-see. Unfortunately, the tickets for the pre-Carnival musical/folk/circus extravaganza were sold out for the night I was there, or I would have extracted the ATM card from the bowels of my bag and paid the exhorbitant price with a smile.
Nonetheless, I have to admit that my time in Basel was nothing compared to my time in Berlin...
February 07, 2006
Alive in Basel
I have filled about a hundred pages with thoughts on traveling (I take back my earlier pretentious thoughts on traveling, and instead proclaim that I love traveling because I get to leave behind all the baggage and judgments that come with being Ms. Write Again Soon at home...more on that later), genius ideas for the Big Idea, and a new and improved list of 50 things to do before I die.
All of which will be transcribed and posted later. Because, I swear, its easier for me to find hot man love than it is to hook my computer up to an internet line.
So for now, know that I'm alive and kicking, and very, very sad about the high cost of living here. Just call me,
Poor thing in Basel.
Posted by madchen at 02:33 PM | Comments (2)February 04, 2006
Why I Love Travel
I was struck by the recent entries by Mr. Bad Apologies and Ms. NYC Rouge about their hometown love for D.C. and NYC, respectively. I thought they captured the essence of how each city is different, and each has a way of fulfilling needs in a unique way.
I wanted to write something similar, but realized that I don't have an abiding passion for the near-city suburbs where I live. I tell people I'm "from the D.C. area", and only when pressed do I specify the actual location. Not that it's unpleasant or somehow distasteful to live in Bethesda. In fact, it's close to the metro (giving me quick access to the "real" D.C.) and has a plethora of restaurants that cater to every palate. It's just a hop, skip, and jump away from the beltway and I-270, making it convenient to Virginia, as well as farther-out suburbs that would be an abhorrent thought from the center of the city.
And yet...
It's not home. Not that I can readily identify a place called "home". The house in Maryland where I spent the majority of my K-12 education was nice, but I don't feel nostagic for the uber-suburbia life it presented. College in Oregon was a blip on the radar--living in a dorm room, sharing an apartment, and having my own studio apartment, all in the space of 2.5 years, did not exactly cement the place in my memory--not to mention the summers in Japan (which, although splendid in an easy-access-to-boys way, was not "home" either). From there, I spent a year in San Diego, where living with my parents and working a meaningless job weren't exactly the way I planned to start of my glamorous 20s, thus driving me to Blacksburg, Virginia for graduate school.
What was supposed to be a 2 year program, I managed to squeeze into a single 12-month period, including a 3 month stint in the D.C.-region satellite facility. I moved into an apartment with Ms. Wish to See, where we happily lived for 2 years before I decided to get into the property game.
My condo (how I so quickly managed to fill a 3-bedroom, 2-bath place still boggles my mind) was an oasis, a time when I finally felt like I was a "real" adult--but living in Silver Spring never felt like my real "home". So after 18 months, when I was desperate to leave my job, I jumped at the chance to go to Sweden for a year.
Selling my condo and spending the year in Sweden was both the best decision and one I will always question. The opportunity to travel around Europe, think about BIG issues, and meet my fellow classmates was an invaluable experience. On the other hand, the academic program itself, the loss of income, the sale of my home, and my lack of direction upon returning to the United States was disappointing and potentially disastrous.
And once again, here I am with itchy feet, wanting to get out of my rut (can 6 months in one place really be a rut?) and travel. It's not like I have the income, or need, to make this 4-week trip to Europe. In fact, it would probably be a MUCH smarter move to stay put in my little room and diligently work on the Big Idea.
But something drives me to get out and see what I can see. I look around and wonder why everyone isn't hankering to hop on a plane at the first opportunity. Instead, I see plenty of friends who are content to plan a wedding, work their jobs, and play with their dogs. Am I missing something? Is there contentment in the little things that I'm just not getting?
Maybe by traveling I'm searching for something that's missing in my life. Or maybe I'm just clued in to something that most Americans are missing. Meeting fellow travelers (none of whom are from the United States, at least on this trip), has made me realize just how isolated we are in terms of worldviews--even those of us who label ourselves "liberal". While I considered myself fairly up to date with world politics (I suppose I'm predisposed, given my political science and international relations background), I'm constantly amazed to see the hidden viewpoints so eloquently revealed by citizen travelers. It's something missing in the newspaper articles that I think America very much needs right now.
So for now, I'm happy to be homeless--or at least recognizing that my place in the world is a temporary one, and that there's a trip just around the corner.
Posted by madchen at 08:51 AM | Comments (5)Off to Lucerne
After a lovely few days in Riva S. Vitale, I'm leaving tomorrow for a couple days in Lucerne. From there, I'll either go to Basel or Zurich (or perhaps an as-yet-unknown third option)--with the goal of being in Berlin on the 9th.
My time here has been refreshing, and our afternoon in Lugano yesterday provided a bit of nice shopping. I got a new watch and a pair of fuzzy shoes, which I'm wearing this very moment and can attest to their warmth.
No telling when the next opportunity to blog will be, so stay tuned!!
Posted by madchen at 07:51 AM | Comments (0)February 03, 2006
Milan! (I mean, Riva!)
I'm sitting in Riva, Switzerland--a tiny town just across the lake from Lugano. The town is tiny and perfect, reminding me of a smaller Karlskrona. Mandy and Greg's apartment is charming, with eclectic art on the walls and television that surprises the viewer with Italian, French, German, English, and the occasional Portuguese. The view from the main living room window (next to which my little bed is set up) is gorgeous, looking out to the steep, snow-capped mountains and over one side of the lake. The air is clear and invigorating (if a little brisk), and the people are cheerful and welcoming to strangers. I could see how living here could be very addictive, and I'm a little sad that there's really no place like it in America.
Mandy and I arrived last night on the train from Milan, where we spent two days. While we did indeed see the Duomo (which I am assured is the most important cultural sight in the city), we spent the majority of our time shopping and eating. Oh the gelato. I'm proud to report that no major shopping sprees occurred--because it was very tempting--although I did get a lovely leather bag, which can double as either a large purse or a computer bag. And, as is becoming our international-travel-routine, we both got haircuts from a gay stylist in a random, tiny salon. Mandy's hair is glorious, and mine is short. While she prances around with swinging locks, I'm not quite sure what to make of mine yet. I think it will be fine, as long as I can walk the narrow line between chic bob and mullet. The layers always get me.
Rather than chronologically list the events in Milan (shopping here, shopping there, gelato, more shopping), here are the highlights of the trip:
-- The Arno Hotel, which was chosen for its "inexpensive" accommodations. While the bathrooms weren't as clean as I'd prefer, Patrick the owner/operator was a delight and we were in a great location. The most arresting feature of the room was the persian cats prominently pictured on our bedspreads. I swear, their eyes seemed to follow us around the room, and in more of a menacing way than a cute way.
-- The gelato. Never having been to Italy (somehow I always pick the less "obvious" travel choices), I had only heard about the wonders of gelato. Now that I've experienced the delight myself, I might consider living in the grossly polluted and dirty city of Milan, just to have continuous access.
-- The blister on my pinky toe, which developed during the first day in Milan. It grew to the point where every step was agony.
-- The blister on top of the blister on my pinky toe, which developed during the second day in Milan, culminating in a point where I wasn't sure I could manage to haul myself off the train at our final stop in Riva.
-- The Osteria del Lazzaretto, the restaurant next door to the hotel. It served traditional (and fantastic) Italian fare, but was run by a family of Asians. Kind of weird, but the prices were great and the pizza and pasta was yummy.
And now, I'm in Switzerland, fourth stop on my whirlwind European adventure. This sleepy little town will provide me with some much-needed down time--even when I'm not bouncing around seeing museums and churches, the constant travel is exhausting. I found Milan to be especially tiring, because my brain was overloaded with visual stimuli. Everywhere I looked--from the storefronts to my bedspread--I felt assaulted with too much information. Having a day or two to recoup will be a lovely change, and hopefully will make my final burst of travel in Berlin next week a rousing success. Mandy and I are still debating how exactly to spend the week. We'll do a day trip to Lugano, and perhaps even a couple-day trip up to Lucern. Since I have to be in Berlin on the 9th, I'm thinking that I might end the week with a day or two in Zurich, because I have a feeling that trains/flights will be easy to manage from there.
The only potential challenge with Riva is its sporadic access to internet. While I'm not totally tied to email, I do need to keep up with things from the Big Idea angle, as well as make sure that my plans to meet up with Roya are still in place. Mandy has promised to take me over to the student building, where internet access should work (however slowly and intermittantly), so with a bit of luck, I should be able to get everything done in a semi-prompt manner. As a result, my blog postings will probably be delayed (if not held until I get back). Such is life in a small town, I guess!
Posted by madchen at 06:05 AM | Comments (1)February 02, 2006
Bloggers (Silent) Poetry Reading
Invited by local DC blogger Grace's Poppies to post a favorite poem on Groundhog's Day, here is my contribution:
SOMEWHERE A SEED
by Michael Fried
Somewhere a seed falls to the ground
That will become a tree
That will some day be felled
From which thin shafts will be extracted
To be made into arrows
To be fitted with warheads
One of which, some day when you least expect it,
While a winter sun is shining
On a river of ice
And you feel farthest from self-pity,
Will pierce your shit-filled heart.
And I wonder why I'm alone...
Posted by madchen at 08:26 AM | Comments (0)
