Shout Out

Got here safe and sound and having a great time.

Hope all is well.

Away!

Off to Ohio on the noon bus.

Will update when I can/feel like it!

Take care, all.

Ultrasound Pics

Sorry for the delay, but things have been crazy. Here are the promised pics - three images, each shown once with labels and once without. It was quite an experience - luckily, all is well. For more info, see here.

Heading for Ohio in the a.m.!

EEEEEEEEEE!!!!

Too excited to sleep - I have my ultrasound tomorrow... errr... today. Monday; at 1pm.

I know that this could turn out badly - it is the first look inside, and I am not unaware of all that could go wrong. But, mostly, I am just excited to see the little tadger move. Expect a picture as soon as I get back and hit the scanner.

EEEEEE!!!!!!!

Persieds

Coming Sunday night (and, to a lesser degree all week) to a sky near you!

Maggot Farming and Mushy Wheat

Was having breakfast and listening to CBC radio. Since I am also doing laundry, I have to periodically get up and leave my food.

My cereal, a very hearty bowl of Shredded Wheat, was not in good shape by the time I got back from transferring a load from the washer to the dryer. By the time I got back, the biscuits had completely collapsed with sogginess. Oh well, I thought, no sense to waste, so I started eating them anyway. I was listening to a very interesting piece with a woman (who, sadly, I did not get the name of) who has written a book on Victorian urban social history - very interesting stuff about paving policies and food technology, etc.

However, just as I was eating the slushiest part of my cereal, they started talking about maggot farming - a horror that I had never, ever considered before. And then they talked about the smell of maggots in abundance.

My stomach pretty much tried to make a break for it.

Now, does this qualify as morning sickness, finally, or are these conditions that would make anyone lose their breakfast? I'm not sure. But that was terrible.

Oh, CBC. You just couldn't talk about fresh bread and potted plants, could you? No. You had to be interesting, didn't you? Ugh.

Farewell Fritz

Fritz the cat headed back home today, and I am a little down about it. The place seems pretty empty without a feline friend.

Din-din, Fritzy?

Skirting TMI

Well, they say that digestive issues are common in pregnancy, largely due to hormone spikes, metabolism shifts and change in diet. And, man, they ain't kidding. Pregnant ladies, I have now found, either never poop or can't stop pooping. It is one of those little-publicized facts of pregnancy. Really, I think people should bring that up more around Mother's Day, because, man, do I owe my mum something nice, cause this is not fun.

So my current solution? I am starting the BRAT diet, with a few modifications.

The BRAT diet (standing for Bananas, Rice, Apple sauce and Toast) is geared towards stabilizing the digestive track and providing the essentials of life (to which I have added extra juice, water, Gatorade, active-culture yoghurt, cracked wheat crackers and plain tofu), without giving the body any more upsets than necessary. It involves a lot of dry, non-spicy foods, and is sort of like a vacation for the system. I was eating a lot of really tasty, intricate meals that were super rich in fiber and protein - healthy, but a bit much for the system to handle day in and day out, it seems. Now my body needs some rehab.

My plan is to follow this loosely (according to how I feel) throughout the weekend.

So far, so good - I started yesterday evening, and already I feel tons better today. Let's just hope this thing does its work before next Wednesday, when I am scheduled for a 13 hour bus ride to Ohio. That wouldn't be pleasant, otherwise, I guarantee it.

No, Cuba -- Bad, Cuba!

What the heck? Remember Cuba Gooding, Jr in As Good as it Gets (1997)? Remember his Oscar? What has happened to this guy? Man, even in as cringe-worthy a movie as Instinct (1999), he was good.

It is such a crime that he now finds himself, since Snow Dogs (2002) or so, in such craptastic fare as a terrible sequel to a terrible movie to begin with, Daddy Day Camp (2007). After the monumental embarrassment of the heinous Boat Trip (2002), you'd think he would have wised up. So very sad.

Can we start a petition or have an intervention or something? This guy needs to wake up and smell the talent, because he sure is wasting his.

Stop the Drilling!

There is some sort of machine outside my window that sounds exactly like a dentist's drill - as awful as it seems, trust me.

However, Amanda has immortalized both Murph and I now, so that's some good news. We can finally get the respect we deserve - as cartoon characters! (Oh, and btw, she is available for commissions and does all manners of styles, so drop a line if you are interested.)

And the happy couple - Murph the Writer, and Holly as Center of Attention. Just right...

Rise and Shine

Since the jackass cat has decided, in his infinite wisdom, that I needed to be up a half hour earlier than my alarm (which was intentionally set a half hour before I needed to get up, to give me time to snooze), here I am. I was trying to at least find something interesting in the news, but even the world doesn't really care about today, yet. So I got nothing.

So tired, I hurt. Good freaking morning, everybody.

Bone to Pick

Every day for the past five days or so, my clock radio has, even when set for different times, jarred me out of my blissful sleep to the dreadfully obnoxious strains of the whiny and terrible song "Working Class Hero" by Green Day. What the hell? Is this a conspiracy to give me a "musically"-induced brain tumor? I don't even know the whole song. I know only enough for the time it takes me to run from my bed, cursing, across the room to turn the bloody thing off.

Something must be done. True, it gets me up... but it is driving me mental.

There Would be Fireworks in Halifax Harbour

Natal Day weekend, as the August long weekend is known in Nova Scotia, comes with fireworks. One year, my mum came up to stay with me and we watched them from my balcony. That was great.

This year, I am celebrating in my own way. A bit of relaxation. And a chat in the rain with a small man wearing pink crocs...

So I guess that will be this year's image. Excellent.

Really, those are ugly shoes. Please stop.

Two Very Different Movies (and a Quick Third)

I saw two very different, yet equally engrossing movies recently. The first was the cult classic Harold and Maude (1971) and the second was Jesus Camp (2006).


Harold and Maude is the unlikely romance between a 20-year-old man/child, Harold, and the 79-year-old Holocaust survivor, Maude. Drawn by their peculiar habit of frequenting local funerals (he out of his obsession with death, her out of her desire to re-affirm life in the face of death), they become unlikely friends, though rather unwillingly on the part of Harold, who until he met Maude, was living a life of isolation amidst the wealth and privilege of his family. Maude, a free-spirit radical, a spirit of youth and freedom, manages to open Harold's eyes to the fact that life has a few advantages over death. Meandering and dulcet, this movie is hardly a thrill-ride, but it is enchanting in its own way, and quite wickedly funny in its moments. It is not hard to see how it has, from its humble beginnings as a box-office disaster, become recognized as one of the funniest American movies and has been selected for preservation by the National Film Registry of the Library of Congress. Directed by Hal Ashby and starring Bud Cort and the delightful Ruth Gordon, this is one not to be missed.

The second film, Jesus Camp, is far less enjoyable, but, nevertheless, is in its way also not to be missed. A documentary that hides its filmmakers and attempts to appear as "neutral," it is hard to imagine there wasn't an alarmist agenda behind the production of this film, because, truly, it is alarming. Briefly following the lives of Evangelical home-schooled children and the pastors and parents who raise them, it explores the process of the summer bible camp phenomenon. Having worked in a summer daily bible camp in my early Baptist phase (long story), I never really had a bad feeling about these things. Kids come, they colour a bit, they sing a few songs, they give their folks a break, and then they go home. Sure, it was Christian, but in the guitar strumming, general ethics sort of way. The titular Jesus Camp, however, is not like that.


Frankly, this movie terrified me. The sight of teary-faced 6 years olds screaming about the war on the liberals, the war on abortion, the war on non-believers in the government, etc... It sent chills down my spine. Comparing the fundamentalist beliefs of such camps with the more moderate (compassion over authoritarian) Christian radio commentator Mike Papantonio, one really gets the picture of the true divisions facing progress in the United States today - not just between the Christians and the non-Christians, but also for the Christians who are baffled by how such conservative and politically militant forces have hijacked the meaning of Jesus in America.

This film also gives a look at more personal conflicts. A fascinating, if painful, vision; one which I would like to see a follow-up. One small blond boy, in particular, of no more than seven or so, is seen crying and praying with anguish over his sinful, cynical nature - him, I want to know more about. Jesus Camp also give a new understanding to why so many young Christians contemplate (or even attempt) suicide. The guilt and fear is too much for some children, and I desperately want to know how that little boy fared.

In order to take the taste out of my mouth, I forayed into the ridiculous next, with Hot Fuzz (2007). That one, on the other hand, while amusing, could be missed without much harm. However, it did distract for two hours. So that was appreciated. I leave it to you which one you'd prefer.

Laying Low

Smog and humidity advisories scuttled my campus library plans for the day. I decided to stay home and get some work and cleaning done around here. Oh well, I have to go in next Tuesday, so I will try to roll it all up in one, so save bus fare and heat exposure. Why is August suddenly hell? And the summer was rolling along with pretty good weather there, for a while!

Well, today John drops of the Royal Fritz, who I will be cat sitting for a week. Yes, I know - pregnant ladies shouldn't be cat sitting. However, how could I resist? So, it will be a rubber-gloves-and-dust-mask good time for me the next while. But some furry companionship will be much appreciated.

On another good note, student loan money and pay all came in without hassle, so I am now very well with my head above water. Time to get my synagogue membership fee in the mail before the High Holidays, I think.

Wow - it's weird to think that fall is just around the corner. Hard to believe when I am melting to death.

It's Getting Hot in Here

Yes, even my dark little basement apartment is getting hot. When will this humid streak end? They say it might storm this afternoon (fingers crossed). I do hope so - I just did the dishes, and I feel like passing out. Nothing better than standing over a sink of hot water in a heat wave! Boy howdy!

Anyway, so much to do before I can go to Ohio. Ever have so much to do, you don't know what to do next? That's me now. Some of it is major, but most of it are smaller (though no less important) fiddly errands. All I can do is keep plowing and crossing stuff off. I hope for the best - Murph and I are both really eager for a visit. It will be the first time we have seen each other in person since I realized I was pregnant. Most couples can celebrate with dinner the night of the test. I have to run a gauntlet of tasks and gather mystical boons before I can celebrate.

On a brighter note, one of those tasks is my ultrasound on the 13th! Expect a pic, even if it does look like nothing better than a coffee bean floating in static. It will still be exciting, for me at least.

Pray for cooler times.

5 Important Songs

I got this from 42K: "This is the meme. Write about 5 or 10 (or so) songs that had an impact on your life, and tag five people to carry on."

Well, firstly, I am not going to tag anyone, but feel free to do it. Secondly, this isn't as easy as it looks. What does he mean my "impact"? Anyhoo, I picked 5 songs of importance, songs that seem to flavour my life (in no real order).

1)"What a Good Boy" (The Barenaked Ladies). This song means something very special between my husband and I, involving memories, experiences and plans, and so forth. He'll understand why it's on here, but I think I will leave it at that.

2)"G-d Save Ireland" (T.D. Sullivan). This song, though a bit more militaristic than I usually like to be, does inspire me. Sure I don't plan on dying on the gallows or the battlefield any time soon, but this song does help me when I lack courage.

3)"Farewell to Nova Scotia" (Traditional). A sweet bit of home, which always gets me in a deep place.

4) "Rock You Like a Hurricane" (Scorpions). OK, so by far the silliest entry, but one with good cause. This is my "pump song." I mentally sing this before every presentation I have to give. It makes me smile, distracts me, and generally makes me feel better. Ludicrous, but effective.

5) "At This Moment" (Billy Vera and the Beaters). I have no idea why I have decided to add this, but this song was the one playing when I was kissed for the first time. Somehow, it seemed like a fitting thing to kick off my romantic career.