The Gift of Time

so last night gavin, kyle and i went to see a screening of my friend franis' film, 'The Gift Of Time'. it was really an amazing film. i don't want to give too much away about it but we were all very moved by the story and its content and i think that everyone could really benefit from seeing it. it's a documentary style film that has elements that i think apply to every family and relationship. it's very much about the way that we act towards our families, the things that we do to one another, how we hurt each other and the fact that even under the worst conditions there is still hope for redemption, forgiveness and the renewal of love.

beyond that, it's a movie that i would recommend simply based on the fact that i enjoyed it so much.

everyone should check out the trailer for the film--

http://www.giftoftimemovie.com/

i'm a thieving bastard.

yes, that's right. i'm a thieving bastard. i couldn't come up with anything so i stole meeg's post (actually i commented back to him by filling out the same myspace questionnaire that he posted and now i've just copied and pasted that).

feel free to comment with your own answers....

1. What bill do you hate paying most? cell phone

2. Where was the last place you had a romantic dinner? Lilette

3. [Redacted] 3 was missing from survey when I found it.

4. If you could go back and change one thing what would it be? going to law school or i would have taken piano lessons when i was young

5. Name of your first grade teacher? no clue

6. What do you really want to be doing right now? counting my imaginary millions

7. What did you want to be when you were growing up? a writer

8. How many colleges did you attend? just one and the same for law

9. Why did you choose the shirt that you have on right now? i'm wearing a robe. choose it because it's 7:30am and i'm still half asleep. can't be arsed to put on real clothes.

10. What are your thoughts on gas prices? INSANE

11. If you could move anywhere and take someone with you where would it be? Scotland

I2. First thought when the alarm went off this morning? i don't want to go to work today

13. Last thought before going to sleep last night? i hope gavin makes it home ok (he got off at 2am)

14. Do you miss being a child? No, cus i think i kind of still am one.

15. Who is the last person you had an argument with? eileen

16. What errand/chore do you despise? Tidying up the apartment- i'm in agreement with meeg here.

17. If you didn't have to work, would you volunteer? Yes.

18. Get up early or sleep in? Sleep in

19. What is your favorite cartoon character? ooh, that's hard. maybe dr venture? maybe fry? hmmm, i'll get back to you.

20. Favorite thing to do at night with a woman? dance the night away

21. Have you found real love yet? yes

22. When did you first start feeling old? when the grey's really started coming in

23.What do you do for fun? depends on the day.

24. Your favorite lunch meat? tofu

25. What do you get every time you go into Costco? fruit, tea, coffee, milk

26. Beach or lake? lake

27. Do you think marriage is an outdated ritual? yeah, actually i kind of do.

28. Do you own property? no

29. Favorite Guilty pleasures? smoking

30. Favorite movie you wouldn't want anyone to find out about? Teen Witch- i'm totally with meeg on this one. we've actually watched it together!!!!

31. What's your drink? iced coffee

32. Cowboys or Indians? Indians

33. Cops or Robbers? Robbers

34. Who from high school would you like to run in to? hmmmm, beran

35. What radio station is your car radio tuned to right now? 89.9 (NPR)

36. Norm or Cliff? Cliff because of his layman's knowledge of obscure facts- i agree with meeg

37. Grey's or 'The Office? The Office, both (american and british)

38. Worst relationship mistake that you wish you could take back? staying with someone longer than i should have.

39. Do you like the person that sits directly across from you at work? i work by myself.

40. What famous person would you like to have dinner with? hmm, james mcavoy?

41. Indoors or Outdoors? depends on where i am.

42. Have you ever crashed your vehicle? ohhhhh yes. in spectacular fashion (three parked cars in a row. hit one, backed up, put it back into drive, hit the next, reversed again, drive again, hit the third, gave the fuck up).

43. Have you ever had to use a fire extinguisher for its intended purpose? Yes. but i can't remember when.

44. Last book you read? oh i don't even know- a thousand things...

45. Do you have a teddy bear? from when i was a kid, yeah.

46. Strangest place you have ever brushed your teeth? work maybe?

47. Somewhere in California you've never been and would like to go? Napa

48. Do you go to church? No

49. At this point in your life would you rather start a new career or a new relationship? new career.

50. How old are you? 31

to tat or not to tat aka is a fleur de lis a fleur de lis, even if it doesn't really look like one?

we all know that i am the original holder of the nola tat. got it in 2000 waaaaaay before it was popular. i have recently decided though that when i move to scotland in the spring of 09 that i would like to get a fleur de lis as well. i don't want just any ol' fleur de lis though. i want one that's super special and unique (and that's going to hurt like hell). so, i found this one that looks very little like a fleur de lis, but it obviously is one. i'd like you all to tell me what you think. should i get it (not in this color, but the same design) or should i go for a more traditional one?

please, comment comment comment! i really am asking for opinions here!!!

and just for you curious kids out there here's the original... (and those are my fingers above and below the tat, thank you!)

and here's a pic of meeg getting his fleur de lis just so that all of you who haven't seen it can (and cus i know we're all aching to see him without a shirt on...)

anecdote that is NOT for the faint of heart- i'm talking to you men here...graphic women's stuff coming...

ok, so i've never been one to be spot on (no pun intended) when it comes to my, erm, cycle. i'm usually a little late. always have been. whatevs. i used to write it down (cus that's the smart thing to do). for the last 6 months or so i haven't been though. so, today i'm just chillin' and i feel, well, blood (ladies know what i'm talking about- you can feel it start). i'm thinking to myself, 'my last one was maybe two weeks ago, this is waaaaay early'. i go check and lo and behold, a good amount. so, i start to panic. i call my dad (who is an MD and i can talk to him about these things), and he says, 'go get a pregnancy test, but don't worry. it's probably just hormonal spotting, blah, blah'.

here's where the funny part of the story comes in. i rush to cvs (sans bra) and call my husband who is at work. he seems confident that it was longer than two weeks ago and that at most i am a few days early. i am not so sure. yes, it's bizarre that he would remember these things better than i.

so, i'm in cvs and i think, 'if my last period was longer ago and i'm just early then i need tampons. if it wasn't...well, i need a pregnancy test like my dad said'. so, i grab both and go up to the counter. i'm a little panicked so i also ask for a pack of cigarettes. i look up at the 60+ year old man ringing me up and say, "i know this has to be one of the weirdest combinations of purchases ever. please don't judge me. i AM married, you know"

a) why did i have to justify buying a pregnancy test by saying i was married?

b) why did i feel so guilty buying cigarettes and a pregnancy test? (ok, i know the answer to that)

c) the guy gave me the weirdest look that pretty much said, "say whatever you like, babe. judgment has already been cast- you harlot!!"

i still don't know what's up- i just got back and have to wait to be able to take the test but i'm sure (touch wood) that i'll be ok. just thought that some of you would find it amusing that i'm asking cvs cashiers not to judge my am i/am i not/i am stressed and therefore going to damage a potential child for life purchases.

meeg thought it was funny, anyway.

my homage to those who have left nola (either due to katrina or for various other reasons)

my lovely liz came in the other day and we had coffee. she lived here until a few months ago and then she moved to austin >sob<. she is now going to stay with the parents in the carolinas. here is my liz (and me on my way to meet liz for coffee). i miss you liz.

me

liz

this is my carrie and her dave (although i lay claim to him as well as we talk on gmail everyday). they left me to move to dallas (ewwww) not long before the storm. carrie is my oldest and dearest friend. i miss her everyday. i don't miss dave as much because i talk to him so often but he's still a super cool cat.

carrie and dave

allyson has also left. she finished vet school and is now a doctor in new york. i miss her dearly. here she is at mardi gras 2007 in my cowboy hat (which i think looks better on me--hehe).

allyson in my hat at mardi gras

this is meeg and kalanit. meeg evacuated during katrina and never returned (except for vacay time-- and for my wedding, at which this photo was taken). kalanit has recently gotten married and has moved to florida with her husband, zach. i miss you everyday, meeg. and i'll miss you, too kiki.

meeg and kiks at my wedding

and now frankie has just moved to get married in dallas. his soon to be wife lives there so he's relocated. i'll miss you, babe. keep on beboing me-- if you think you can handle it!!

frankie and me at z'otz

erika left me a long time ago. she now lives in honduras with her husband. she is one of my best friends in the world (and i haven't even met her baby yet!!). she might be coming into town in september and i can't wait!! i miss her so much!

erika and her husband cesar (and that's samuel in her belly)

this is me and aditi. aditi left me quite a while ago as well. i recently saw her at her daughter's birthday party. it was so good to see her and i miss her so much.

me kissing aditi (with her sister anagha in the background)

so, those are my friends who have left me (there are a few more) but many of these are my best, best friends (i'm looking at you carrie, meeg, aditi, kiki, liz, erika, allyson, dave, and frankie).

thankfully i still have many of my best friends here in nola (looking at you stephanie, suzie, erin, patrick, jelena, dave, andrew, dillon, heather, lori, john, katy, matt, kim, robin, shannah, and sarah)

and of course i still have my family-- my dad, my brothers (robin and andrew-- scott moved to dc the bastard), and my gavin.

here or not here, friend or family, you are all my best friends and i love you. stay cool.