Art Works

I am seriously thinking of setting up an artsier web blog with the stuff I do.
The only thing is, between lawyering and all this nonsense, I have no time for nonsense. When the fact is, nonsensing is really the fun part. Why do I always need to be busying myself with the serious parts of life when I should be taking chances, enjoying life, doing crazy things, being irresponsible but free? SERIOUSLY.

Getting Colder

It's almost like a trick the weather is playing on us here in the Midwest.
One day is dead hot and the next day, I swear, it jumps to way freezing.
This is not exactly "fair" because my body (or most anybody's) isn't yet geared up for this harsh change.
Anyway, this weekend I drive down to Kennett, -- 6 hours away and still the middle of nowhere. I miss Chicago and am looking forward to getting the work done here and going back home to my apartment, and sorry to say -- some sophistication. This REALLY is cow town, USA.

Getting Closer and Closer

I cannot believe that we've shelved our wedding plans more than a year ago, and how the journey back to where we are now. It's really strange, and definitely gives me goosebumps. But if there is one thing I've learned in life, it is that you never know how Life will turn, and that in Love, there are no rules. The best relationships today can take a plunge for the worse tomorrow, and the worse of times can actually spin to something totally different in one swoosh. It's just really strange. So anyway, C and I are back and I think now the relationship is much steadier -- especially in that ONE area which really brought about the problem in the first place -- WHERE in the world are we settling down. This side of the pond? or that?
It's going to be heartbreaking for me to leave the US snd try a new life in UK. Don't get me wrong, the UK is a wonderful country. I love so many things about it. The history, art, culture, the way of life, the beautiful gardens, the stoic dignity of their people and the cool, artistic ways. I love them. I love C so much more now that I have been to the UK three times. But the only thing is, I will have to adjust again to an entirely new lifestyle. Very different from what I am used to. And worse is that the British sometimes can think you weird, but not say anything... just look at you with disdain. I also don't know that I will be able to get a good job while there, and if I cannot keep busy, I may become sad or depressed. And worse, there will be no friends or family around for a support system. I will only have C, and he will suddenly have to deal with me as a "heavy object" -- which I do not want to happen.
However, that said, I cannot imagine my life without this man. And I know whether we move to one side of the pond or the other, one of us is going to have to make a major adjustment. Personally though, I think it is going to be easier for Brits to adjust to American life, than Americans to adjust to British life. It is always less stressful to move from restricted to free, than the other way around.
I am off to bed now. I miss C very much tonight and I am already rambling. This is not good. Blogs shouldn't be like this.

Second Wind (and Elizabeth First)

I am determined to catch a second wind for this blog. Let's see if it can be done with the schedule I keep and the plans C and I are to put underway. If I knew more about page designing I definitely would want to be able to play around with the design of this. But I am not there yet, although I have a book from which to begin to understand the process.

But anyway.

On to another topic, -- I am excited to find that Cate Blanchett is playing Elizabeth I again in film, "Elizabeth The Golden Age". I understand that this is going to be done by the same Director of "Elizabeth I". Geoffrey Rush reprises his role as Sir Francis Walsingham, spymaster to Elizabeth I and one of the founders of modern Intelligence. In Elizabeth I, Rush wore the role so well -- or was it the other way around? To me, he was the heart of the heart of the movie. For it was he who propped the Virgin Queen when her heart softened, who cordoned off the pretenders (and even the true), and who was her extra pair of eyes, ears and brains. He was the ruthless extension of that ruling side of the Queen. He was mysterious, intriguing, and shadowy. That I like. And he was focused and loyal. That I love.

I absolutely adore Elizabeth I. She is one of my historic idols -- how she as a young woman, was able to make so much of herself and to inspire and unite her people. And most of all, to love them and put them foremost in her agenda and in her life. Now THAT is a woman.

If you come across this page, you might want to view the website for the movie at http://www.elizabeththegoldenage.com/.

From the Freezer to the Frying Pan

Manila-bound in a couple of days, after 4.5 years! My laundry list of to-do's (in random order):

1. Eye check
2. Teeth check (I feel like a race horse)
3. A good ol' shiatsu (ooooooooooh!)
4. Hair cut at Eve's
5. Bank
6. Visit grave of EBC, mentor at old law firm
7. Tagaytay
8. Time with mom shopping
9. Time with mom eating, eating and more eating (plus cooking!)
10. Time with mom chillin'
11. Eating, eating and more eating
12. Trip to P&F law firm re potential work; and an appointment with a government agency involving a case.

2007 has been crazy and hectic. I've travelled around so much and been in Chicago about 10 days total so far,... it's been just one huge paperchase after the other. This week has been worse as I juggle work (including midnight overseas calls), plus personal errands for the coming trip. When I come home, I do more work, and plop on the bed when I can do no more. I barely have time to catch my breath. I don't feel good about myself that when C calls I am usually catching the bus, at the courier's, in the middle of another call, about to run out to the next place .... there's always something, and we seem to end up "blitz-talking", just firing away quickly on how our respective days have been. But, that's life, and I will make it up to him (soon, honey!). For now, I've pretty much crossed-off every thing I need to bring with me. Packing begins tomorrow. I always travel light... it's the best way, if not the only one, for a clumsy, skinny woman like me.

The jump from Chicago-freeze to Manila-hot is going to be major (read: drastic). There is also the humidity to contend with. But I so look forward to this trip, and will keep you posted in the days to come. Now, where's my camera....

(Photo: View of backyard. Vancouver, CA. January 2007)