She's posting again? Where does she take the time?
Baka saves the day! She made me a mountain of cookies while she was here. I provided the amazing mixer and she did her magic... (If you click on the photo you can see a few more baking projects.)
Every year I have less time for Christmas preparations. This year I didn't even attempt to make plans for crafts. I figured if I didn't have anything planned I wouldn't know what exactly I didn't end up having time for. I play little mind games like that a lot. That means I'm crazy.
At the same time I think I am getting better at accepting that and appreciating what I do have. So, if Veronika and I only end up making one kind of cookie or all the crafts I manage is putting a few stars on a wreath I am ok with that. I just make sure I enjoy those moments to the fullest. As far as that is within my power. This year has also brought death to my life and with all its sorrow also some perspective. I haven't changed (unfortunately, I could use permanent change in some areas) but I was given some powerful direction if you will and I'm hoping to make this last as long as possible.
Anyway, I wish I had more time always, but I am joyful regardless. I may have lost in personal pursuits but I have gained incredibly in companionship. You should see how Ivan's eyes light up when you sing "Santa Claus is coming to town" to him and hear the earnestness in his tiny voice when he tries to sing along. Veronika's dedication to recreating parts of the nutcracker is mesmerizing... Both their excitement about every thing Christmassy is so infectious. I haven't had this much fun expecting Christmas since I was a kid myself.
Posted at 01:36 PM on December 20, 2008 | Comments (2)Randomness continues
Why does everyone have to have a Christmas party or concert or whatever? I have a feeling that this is just the beginning, that once the kids are bigger, my advent will be cluttered with all kinds of stupid events that I must attend and prepare for. Why is that? Why can't I have a personal advent? And the thing is, everyone is annoyed by it. "All this work! Christmastime is crazy!" Yet we all keep organizing and attending. Nobody wants to volunteer their time, but let's just squeeze in one more thing!
I feel like I have to really fight this engulfing busyness. I am not willing to give my precious time to yet another Holidayish festivity, even though I understand the need or the wish or the good intention. It's distracting and exhausting. All I'd like is some laid-back time at home with my family, which I never seem to have despite the fact that I'm at home with my family all the time. Maybe it's my own fault. Should've bought my Christmas presents in March, baked the cookies in August and lit all four candles on December 1st. Get it all out of the way.
It doesn't make sense to wait until I have time to write something substantial
So, sloppy randomness:
I have a new favorite artist. Her name is Adele and she is 19 and has exactly one album out (called... "19"). I'm not sure what genre it is. Probably pop, but more in the singer/songwriter category, maybe alternative pop? Does that exist? I don't know. Anyway, she wrote most of her songs on the album, almost all of which are so sing-able and melodic and simple. I am in awe. But the best part is her voice...! She has perfect pitch at all times, which is so rare these days. Then she also has a great range, but her voice can change from bell-like clear to husky and a little deep and raw... it's the kind of voice I've always wanted to have (there is nothing husky or deep about my singing). The first time I heard it I thought she was black (She isn't though. Quite white and from London), which is ironic because there seem to be so many white singers (think Christina Aguilera) who strain their voices into these crazy sounds in a completely futile attempt to immitate Whitney Houston and here is this girl who is not trying hard at all (another thing that makes listening to her so enjoyable) yet produces a vocal sound occasionally reminiscent of Motown. Occasionally. Because the album is nothing like Motown. Half the songs are only her with a guitar or piano and you hardly even notice it because she is just that good all by herself.
Anyway, one of my favorite songs on the album is #1 (Daydreamer) which opens up the album with a very happy combination of melody and lyrics, delightfully to sing along to (essential for me when listening in the car). Another one is #9 (Make You Feel My Love), which is actually a Bob Dylan cover. When you go to her site: http://www.adele.tv/ it will play in the background. # 8 (Light as Rain) is another great song, somewhat different than all the rest, with a very catchy rhythm and upbeat pace (depressing lyrics, yet it works) and #6 (Melt My Heart to Stone) with incredibly wordy lyrics, although not one is too much. The first line alone perfectly sums up dread:
"Right under my feet there's air made of bricks..."
On December 6th this year there was a John Mayer concert (acoustic!) in LA and the opening act was... Adele! It's like they were thinking of me. Except they forgot I don't live in LA exactly...