A Summary of Recent Googling . . .

So here are a few of today's stops on Miz Honora's Wild Research Ride:

Breast Lift: Errrr, well, this is an awkward start. But it was all about breasts on THE List this weekend - whose rack is worthy of note; bra sites; breast lifts; to underwire or not to underwire; and on and on and ON . . . with more than a few side trips onto whose do is more noteworthy in the championships of big hair. Guess who came out well on the latter? [grin] It was all very quippy and amusing for the most part.

Thus, the need to Google "breast lift" in order to discover what other folks were truly talking about . . . and, jeeeez, I don't get it. My logic is this: If your clothes are on, so's your bra - thus, no need for lift. It's with your clothes off that you want that perky performance from your teens . . . and with the scarring involved in mastopexy, I'd never want to take my clothes off in front of man or mirror again. Thanks - I'll stick with the girls as currently configured.

Davening which led to the etymology of Omein which led to the etymology of Amen: All of which begin with re-watching the latter half of Trembling before G-d, a truly fascinating exploration of the gay experience in the Orthodox Jewish community. I'd asked questions on THE List a couple of years ago to try and better understand certain aspects of Jewish prayer but had not really gotten much response. So today's rebroadcast on Sundance Channel provided a good opportunity to follow up further. Praying and Davening - I'm still not exactly sure if the terms are interchangeable. It's time to sit down with a rabbi or two.

Death of Mussolini: Fact-checking a remark made by Mishka on THE List in response to an article posted about Seymour Hirsh's thoughts about the U.S. possibly bombing Iran. In fact, I believe she is wrong about [squick alert] Mussolini genital's being cut off and stuffed in his mouth. Not that his death wasn't violent enough, mind you. However, given Mishka's family history of escaping Nazis and the focus of her post (which centered around moral responsibility to humankind, self-interest and becoming alert to upcoming national tragedy), it would have been off-topic and small to respond on that element. But I wanted to know for myself.

Marcia Davenport: Gawd, I just love this woman. She's been a quiet, small obsession for the better part of 25 years. Her mother was a famous opera singer (Alma Gluck), her step-father a famous violinist and conductor (Efrem Zimbalist), her younger half-brother a famous actor (yes, THAT Efrem Zimbalist, Jr.) and her half-niece also a famous actor (Stephanie Zimbalist). Oh, and her second husband was pretty famous, too (Russell Davenport, founder of Fortune magazine) and her editor was the great Maxwell Perkins. Ever since I stumbled upon her autobiography Too Strong for Fantasy (literally, an unexpected treasure - sitting in a box of hard-cover books in my mother's garage), I have adored and admired this woman's talent both (1) as an author and (2) as a fascinating link to amazing events and people. Y'know, some folks just live interesting lives . . . she truly did.

Harper's Ferry and John Brown: A little refresher to round out an episode of one of my favorite PBS shows of recent times, History Detectives (although the site load time is for crap). Just how did this woman's family end up with the family letters of John Brown? Great ride tracing it back . . . and anything that lands at an early suffragette, you know I'm there!

Okay, I'll stop here - there's still Seattle Driving Schools (research request from a friend), Gulf Islands (somewhat tongue-in-cheek suggestion from Mike that we all cut and run before Bush starts bombing runs on Iran as suggested by Seymour Hersh - but the real estate looks pricier than a hippie commune could go); Internet Movie Database for a wide range of things (from who took over for Richard Harris in Harry Potter 3 to Efrem Zimbalist's appearance in Wait Until Dark); Blogger.com for various friends blogs; and more.

[sigh] I know, scary, isn't it? My parents were alcoholics (mom just celebrated her 50th A.A. Birthday!) . . . I'm a Google-holic. Admitting it is the first step . . .

The Christmas Lights That Ate The Planet

Well, the site's navigation frankly sucks, but the content? Amazing(ly tacky) . . . and fabulous. The 2004 pics are up on UglyChristmasLights.com.

Southern Poverty Law Center's Map of Active U.S. Hate Groups in 2003

[sigh] Know thy enemies. Sure makes Vermont and South Dakota attractive.

The Southern Poverty Law Center's well-produced map allows you to review the known hate groups in your neck of the woods. Not fun to contemplate, but important to know. BTW, Jesse's elementary school (oh, how many years ago was that?!) was one of two schools featured in the Law Center's book Starting Small.

[side note] Happy Medium's site was the first website I ever built . . . gawd, so many years ago - didn't hand code it (used [shhh] FrontPage [hangs head shamefacedly]). Go ahead and chuckle - there is much I would do, programatically and aesthetically, differently if I did it again. But we all started somewhere. And what does it say that they're still using it almost identically to its original architecture and design appearance? [wry grin]

Snow after all . . .

Well, my women writers group was supposed to meet at 1:00 today at Barnes & Noble in U-Village. While I can walk down there, I'm doubtful any of the others will make it . . .

In the meantime, we've got 2-3 inches here behind U-Village. The dog and I just came back in from an hour-long spontaneous Block Snow Party. Imagine about 8-10 kids under age 10, five dogs (a golden lab, 2 golden retrievers, a pug and my cockapoo), 8 adults (me with a leash in one hand and a cuppa coffee in the other) . . . all wandering up and down the block (a stretch of about five houses on each side) - everyone's yard gets some "hang time."

Five-year-old Madeline is busily rolling snowman balls in each of our yards (trying to stay ahead of the dogs who scuff up the pristine snow blankets on our lawns). She's using her Radio Flyer wagon to then haul the beach ball-sized snowballs back to her house.

The dogs are competing to see who can mark more territory, giving us the chance to teach all the kids an important life lesson: Don't eat yellow snow.

Two of the kids are only six months old - bundled in their little snowsuits and hanging from their mamas' front-facing baby carriers, they have slightly perplexed wide-eyed expressions. They seem to be thinking very hard, "Okay, I recognize the people . .. I recognize the dogs . . . but what's up with that background? Why is everything so white?"

Then the teens hit the streets . . . suffice to say, "Duck!" is the operative word from here on out. Jay across the street has assumed the mantle that Jesse's father abdicated upon moving back to CA, i.e., block target for the kids. Better him than me. I realize this makes two generations of elementary age kids I've gotten to watch in snow play mode. Jesse and the Flennikens who used to live across the street . . . now she's sixteen and the block baby boom of the past decade give me a chance to see a whole new crop.

I do give eight-year-old Natalie some strategic insights . . . "Okay, wait until Jay is really occupied with the teens by the white car. Then move to the front of my car, snag some snow from the hood and get him from behind while he's not looking." I then retire to the safety of my front porch to enjoy the show.

Jesse is the lone holdout among the kids . . . she's being all California Girl "no, it's too cold out there." But Genni and Emma have finally coaxed her out and now all the kids are settling into front porch conversations while the dogs romp.

I'm cold enough that I'm back inside having leftover meatloaf and mashed potatoes for breakfast (mmmmm -that'll stick to your ribs). Winter is when we typically don't see each other as much (except for delivering holidays treats to each other). Snow is a nice opportunity for a winter version of the summer "just hanging out in the front yard" social scene.

It's been a nice morning. :) Happy snow day, everyone.

Looks aren't everything . . .

Not happy with the President as currently configured? Build a better Bush . . .

Psuedo-Science for the New Millenium (animitronics and Biblical prophesy, all in one!)

My friend Beth asks: Did you know that Adam and Eve were chased from the garden of Eden by a T. Rex? You probably believe in evolution too . . . *snicker*

Her mirth is inspired by this Telegraph article . It tells of the new multi-million-dollar Museum of Creation (museum? amusement park?) under construction in Kentucky which will evidently open in Spring 2005. [sigh]

I suppose on the humorous side:

[snip] Mr Ham is particularly proud of a planned reconstruction of the interior of Noah's Ark. "You will hear the water lapping, feel the Ark rocking and perhaps even hear people outside screaming," he said. [/snip]

Thank gawd, because without the screaming, what's the point? "Cue infidels! . . . and you're writhing . . . you're writhing . . . you're screaming . . . that's it! Faaaaabulous!" After all, they had it coming to 'em.

But more seriously, when I read something like this:

[snip] Followers of creationism have been pushing for their theories to be reintegrated into American schoolroom teaching ever since the celebrated 1925 "Scopes MonkeyTrial", when US courts upheld the right of a teacher to use textbooks that included evolutionary theory. In 1987, the US Supreme Court reinforced that position by banning the teaching of creationism in public schools on the grounds of laws that separate state and Church. Since then, however, many schools – particularly in America's religious Deep South – have got around the ban by teaching the theory of "intelligent design", which claims that evolutionary ideas alone still leave large gaps in understanding. [/snip]

. . . I find myself wishing "my side" would stand up and . . . I don't know - adopt the tactics of some of these horrible "God Hates Fags" creeps and ring the damn place with protesters on Opening Day. And could we find ourselves a nice obsessive-compulsive liberal (or scientist - whatever) who's willing to stand outside the museum every day with signs that read "Psuedo-science For Dummies" and "In the Beginning . . . there was Evolution - Don't Be Fooled!"

I know [deep breath] - there's a good argument that it would just give fundamentalists the publicity they want. But I just hate to see something like this go up without challenge. Oy- the numbers of kids for whom "the musuem" [sarcastic finger quotes] will define their scientific reality. [shakes head]

Maybe the collective liberal and/or scientific "we" could buy the hill across the road from "the museum" and erect huge billboards challenging their creationism crap? [mumbling] I'd contribute . . .

Holiday Gatherings - full of warmth and laughter

Dec. 14 - Systems Dept. party at Marco's Supper Club - Marco's shut the place down for our annual lunch (far more outsiders wandering in, looking for a table - guess business is up at Marco's - good for them) . We had mussels, spring rolls and (staff fave) fried sage leaves as appetizers. Then a range of choices for main course - I went with corn & cheese stuffed poblanos. And a range of desserts (tiramisu, chocolate cake, flan, etc.) - we just had 'em bring one of each and everyone passed 'em around the table. We also did our annual White Elephant exchange - being the "Ethel Merman voice" of the group, I acted as fearless leader to keep the exchange moving along. Many of the annual horrors (the dancing flowers; the scary lamp) along with new crap . . . er, choices. I ended up with an Alex Rodriguez doll that brought many boos and hisses - gave it to one of my staff to give her son. Problem solved - much laughter and silliness by all.

Dec. 17 - Firm party - Benaroya Hall and after-party at Kell's Pub - My day actually started much earlier with the firm's Choir - 9:00 am, to be precise. It's a firm tradition to carol on each floor as Santa and his elves (three newer attorneys enduring a type of hazing ritual) pass out pins to commemorate this year's charitable giving project. We started on the 49th floor and worked our way down (about 4 songs per floor) to 36 . . . then across the street to the group in the Galland Building. Finally finished around 11:30 am - by the last three floor, we'd told the choral director "no quiet-type songs, e.g., Silent Night" - our voices were already too far gone. But for only a single run-through (well, at least on my part - people keep scheduling meetings right over choir rehearsal), the harmonies sounded damn fine. Thank gawd I decided to sing tenor for the day - if I'd gone with alto, my voice woulda given out even sooner.

The main party at Benaroya beginning at noon with great catering, two bars and the firm's House Band playing Christmas tunes in a rocking sort of way. Never really got to eat as I spent so much time introducing newer employees to longtime firm folks (it's a dauntingly large group of folks when you're new, and everyone knows me - they spend their first day with my training staff). Still managed a few dances, including the annual spin with the Exec Director - gives people a chance to mock both of us (grin). The new lawyers did their annual "oooooh, I have to humiliate myself in front of you?" hazing ritual - not the most memorable firm skit ever, but certainly not the most embarrassing. Party wrapped up around 3:00 pm with a final glass of wine back in the lobby.

I had chance discussion with Elva (our previous party organizer having left the firm to move to another state) who was wondering where she could get some mix CDs for the after-party. I offered to let her look at the playlists I put together for Kate's wedding reception and suddenly found myself in the role of firm D.J. Thus, I spent most of the previous evening (Thurs. night) uploading a gig or so of CD tunes (and purchasing a few via iTunes). Although Elva loved the playlists, I wasn't so sure the Sinatra, Judy Garland and Fred Astaire would go over big with a holiday after-party crowd (although I remain quite proud of the Prince-to-Four Tops-to-Astaire transition on the original playlist). (grin) So I uploaded, deleted and remixed - eventually coming up with four playlists for her (each CD about 18 songs - what will comfortably burn to a single CD). So there was music a'plenty.

A new venue this year - instead of Noc Noc Club again, Elva made the executive decision to try a new place. So Kell's Irish Pub in Pike Place Market (down Post Alley) it was - their back room is large, has its own bar area (so they could focus on our folks) and is walking distance from the building. The owner was hesitant to let us play our own CDs (quote "I don't want any rap in here" unquote, said with an Irish accent). Elva convinced him to just start Disc 1 . . . and at the end, he hunted her down, complaining that he needed the next one and wanting to know if he could keep a copy of 'em. (preening) Why, yes - I do appreciate the affirmation. And the legal messengers now greet me in the hall with a shoutout, "Hey, D.J. H!" (grin) I cut out early-ish (around 7:30) in utter exhaustion and with drink starting to catch up (that's what happens when you don't eat enough throughout the day - next year, regardless of the caroling commitment, I'm eating breakfast - if I don't sing as well on a full stomach, well, too bad). Thus, I had to bow out of meeting friends at 9:00 pm at Highway 99 Blues Club to celebrate Crystal's birthday - sorry, it was just too much full-day partying for this gal!

Dec. 23 - Parade of Boats - Jesse and I attended a party at our friends Hosie and V's house on Lake Union. Their home has a wide balcony that overlooks the lake, providing a wonderful venue to watch the annual Parade of Boats. It is truly something to see 70 or more boats stream onto Lake Union through the Montlake Cut, all brightly lit up with Christmas lights. You can hear the choir from the large Argosy Tour Boat, their voices floating across the water to those of us on land. It was beautiful and peaceful and full of good friends, food and laughter. See post below (Holiday Baking) for food Jesse and I brought - highlights from others included Deviled Eggs, my friend Ann's gingerbread, and tons of other cookies and baked goods.

December 24 - annual "Christmas Eve for Jews and Orphans" at Debi and Mike's. Debi, Ann and I cooked blissfully together for three hours (no small feat for three control freaks) - prime rib, two kinds of roast vegetables, rice pilaf, and more. Apple pie, pumpkin pie, chocolate mousse tart (vegan - made with silken tofu) and more . . . . Then the dozen or so guests settled in to watch Porky's and Napolean Dynamite - quite irreverent and warm and lovely.

Christmas Day was Jesse and I at home with the annual "Wandering To and From the Neighbors" - we had delivered the loaves of cranberry-orange bread we bake each year over the previous couple of days, so those who still had some left were able to enjoy that for Christmas Breakfast. Jesse and I had planned a frittata, but got lazy. So plain scrambled eggs with onions and corn (her favorite) along with Yukon Gold potatoes. Yummm . . .

We opened gifts with her dad Albert on speaker phone from California and the "Blue Yule" and "Women sing Holiday Tunes" CDs on in the background - it was good family time. We then had Grandma on speaker phone to discuss said gifts and hear about Christmas Eve in CA at George and LeeAnn's. I'm glad to hear everyone liked the gifts we sent. Then Jesse was off to visit neighbors and hear what everyone else got.

We watched more movies and made a huge Christmas feast (far more than two can eat, but that's okay - we "ate from the pot" for the next 3-4 from the leftovers).

More posts to follow about my week off leading up to New Year's, plus summary and reviews of all the movies watched this holiday season. Hope everyone had many loving friends and family with whom to share their holidays.