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Ramblings from a Southern liberal, Boomer, single parent, grandmother, reunited birthmother, cancer survivor, pop-culture observer, retired teacher

Most dramatic lymphoma posts are from June 2002 - February 2003 archives.

Email Joy Durham at joydurham@comcast.net

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The Waking

I wake to sleep, and take my waking slow.
I feel my fate in what I cannot fear.
I learn by going where I cannot go.

We think by feeling. What is there to know?
I hear my being dance from ear to ear.
I wake to sleep, and take my waking slow.

Of those so close beside me, which are you?
God bless the Ground! I shall walk softly there,
And learn by going where I have to go.

Light takes the Tree, but who can tell us how?
The lowly worm climbs up a winding stair;
I wake to sleep, and take my waking slow.

Great Nature has another thing to do
To you and me; so take the lively air,
And, lovely, learn by going where to go.

This shaking keeps me steady. I should know.
What falls away is always. And is near.
I wake to sleep, and take my waking slow.
I learn by going where I have to go.



--Theodore Roethke






Visitors:




Joy's Updates - Straight from the Horse's Mouth.
 
Saturday, July 31, 2004  
Quiz (late because of a week of in-service)

from the Pop Culture Edition of Trivial Pursuit ...

1. MOVIE - What is the proper order of The Lord of the Rings trilogy?
2. TV - What did CBS dub its late-night lineup of sexy adventure shows that included Silk Stalkings?
3. MUSIC - What Beverly Hills 90210 star released a rap album One Stop Carnival in 1996?
4. SPORTS & GAMES - What college football coach earned the nickname "Bear" when he wrestled one as a teen?
5. BUZZ - What does Judging Amy star Amy Brenneman's mother do for a living?
6. FAD - Who's the celebrity chef behind California Pizza Kitchen and Spago?

I have no clue about the first three (except #1) but do know the last three because (in this order) I'm from the South where football is a religion (I'm a football agnostic), like that show and watch talk shows where she's mentioned it, and never miss the Oscars.

from the "Know-It-All" Edition ...

7. PEOPLE & PLACES - What country has Khartoum as its capital?
8. ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT - Which Christopher Marlowe character sold his soul to the devil in exchange for knowledge?
9. HISTORY - What swashbuckler employed by the British government to stop piracy was executed when he himself turned pirate?
10. SCIENCE & NATURE - What country is home to the oldest, largest, and deepest lake in the world, which contains more than 20% of the world's fresh water?
11. SPORTS & LEISURE - What event was undertaken in 1925 for the first time by Ralph Samuelson on Lake Pepin, Minnesota?
12. WILD CARD - What cereal introduced a cartoon character named "Marky" who had to cope with his Uncle Ralphie's attempt to keep all the cereal to himself?

Only know 8 & 9 on this one. Should know #7 but can't quite recall it.

10:58:00 AM



Thursday, July 29, 2004  
Question

Have any of you seen Kill Bill? I keep hearing great reviews and wonder what you think about it? It didn't sound that good to me, so I wonder how it is. Let me know. OK? Thanks.

So no response means that not one of you who reads my blog has seen this movie either or just won't tell me. Right?

11:43:00 PM



Monday, July 26, 2004  
MAN FEAST

What a great year for me to look forward to - a major election and the Olympics!  Why you might ask?  Those of you who have known me a while, understand that I have a lech for Bob Costas and George Stephanopoulos.  They are both very intelligent, witty, entertaining, cute with great smiles and good hair.  And I'll get to see them both!



4:00:00 PM



Friday, July 23, 2004  
Whinging
 
I haven't mentioned this for a while but want to be sure you know how much I hate low-flow toilets.  Yes, HATE them!!!  They need to be abolished! 

Aha!! I've found someone who agrees with me and is introducing a bill!!

6:42:00 PM



 
Quiz Time
 
from the Pop Culture Edition of Trivial Pursuit ...

1. MOVIE -  What 1995 Hugh Grant film had a cumbersome 12-word title?
2. TV -  What character has appeared on these shows:  Homicide: Life on the Street, Law & Order, Law & Order: SVU, The X-Files, and The Beat?    
3. MUSIC -  What Frank Sinatra classic was performed by Sid Vicious on 1979's The Great Rock 'n Roll Swindle?
4. SPORTS & GAMES -  What two NFL franchises left Los Angeles in 1995?
5. BUZZ -  What's the name of actress Aylssa Milano's best selling exercise video?
6. FAD -  Under what name do kids purchase the species of brine shrimp called Artema Nyos?  (and how many of us ordered them?) 

from the "Know-It-All" Edition ...

7. PEOPLE & PLACES -   Which rock star played Andy Warhol in the 1996 biographical film Basquiat?  (I've actually seen this)
8. ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT -  Which type of flower, that grows in his back yard, did Monet paint over 300 times?
9. HISTORY -  Which ancient walled-in civilization defined "barbarians" as those who did not speak their language?
10. SCIENCE & NATURE -   What military use did the tinfoil lining from cigarette packs have during World War II?
11. SPORTS & LEISURE -  What sport witnessed a record score in 1975 of 1,001 points with only thirteen throws? 
12. WILD CARD -  What is a "French kiss" called in France?

6:19:00 PM



 
Not the Cat's Meow
 
Any of you seen Catwoman?  According to the reviews, it's really bad ... so bad it's not even campy enough for Mystery Science Theater.  Obviously Halle Berry looks fantastic in her outfit but has no plot or depth of character to work with.  She and Sharon Stone have been on every TV interview possible to promote it.  Here's the last paragraph of Roger Ebert's one-star review
The score by Klaus Badelt and Timothy Andrew Edwards is particularly annoying; it faithfully mirrors every action, with what occasionally sounds like a karaoke rhythm section. The director, whose name is Pitof, was probably issued with two names at birth and would be wise to use the other one on his next project.



2:30:00 PM



 
Miracle!
 
Yes, it's happening!  Something clicked and I'm getting my house in order.  At last!  Having a two-week vacation instead of the entire 8 weeks during the summer since I was working and making the big bucks we teachers are known for, has pressured me into a flurry of activity.  Of course, it all happened this week.  It began slowly and picked up momentum, unlike the way I generally do things now which is getting off to a slow start and going downhill after that.  I have had to rest often between bouts of cleaning and sorting but now have an oasis of sparkling cleanliness in the bathroom.  (doesn't sound like much but it's thorough)  Other rooms are victims of the ADD method of de-cluttering and cleaning.  Most people take a room at a time and finish it before moving on to the next.  Not me.  I've destroyed every room by having things out in stacks and piles.  Maybe this way it will all come together at once. 

Clothes have been sorted and are ready for their next destination.  Hair-care products that didn't work for me are ready to take to the battered women's shelter as well as clothing, books, shoes, etc.  Many of them escape with only the clothes they are wearing.  I'm taking books and magazines to the library for them to sell.  Cat food that mine wouldn't eat went to the humane shelter.  Some of it will go to Goodwill if I decide to attempt a yard sale.  I'd rather give things away than deal with that but might try it.  We'll see.

I have also managed to work on my finances and finally am getting that sorted out.  Being sick so long and going through it alone in terms of taking care of financial and home responsibilities has taken its toll.  I didn't go through it alone with support, concern, and love from friends and family and am eternally grateful for that.  Cancer cost me much more money than medical because of late payments, lapsed insurance and resulting higher payments, and other expenses we don't have when we are aware of what's going on.  Recovery from serious illness encompasses many areas of our lives for quite a long time.

So I'm on a roll at last!  It really just clicked in yesterday.  Before that I was plodding along in  a fog.  The bird of organization has at last landed on my head!  :-)   



1:21:00 PM



Saturday, July 17, 2004  
More Quizzes

from the Pop Culture Edition of Trivial Pursuit ...

1. MOVIE - How much money is Johnny the paperboy trying to collect in Better Off Dead?  (what is this movie?)
2. TV - Whose anti-gay comments led sponsors to pull out of her new talk show in 2000?   
3. MUSIC - What was the last name of Crowded House brothers Neil and Tim?  (where have I been?  never heard of this)
4. SPORTS & GAMES - What is the nickname for the body of water behind the right wall of San Francisco's Pac Bell Park?
5. BUZZ - Who did Donald Trump leave Ivana for?
6. FAD - What is the name of the 70's vehicle that had both pedals and a motor? 

from the "Know-It-All" Edition ...

7. People and Places - What painter/poet uses no capital letters in some of his poetry, nor in his name? 
8. Arts &amp; Entertainment - What English actor was the announcer and secondary host on Merv Griffin's talk show?
9. History - What country was once known as the Malagasy Republic?
10. Science &amp; Nature - What would be the sensation if you had tinnitus?  (Jill unfortunately knows this one way too well) 
11. Sports &amp; Leisure - What liquid does Dr. Depak Chopra's health spa use during massage? 
12. Wild Card -  What is the numerical designation for midnight in a twenty-four hour time system?


12:32:00 PM



Thursday, July 15, 2004  
Thanks!

Just want to thank those of you who signed Tom's petition to renew the ban on assault weapons and spread the word. By checking the map from the link, I know who you are. :-)

11:30:00 AM



 
Prison Animals

Trivia King MF wrote in his blog about which book he'd take with him to prison and made a good case for his choice. Then he asked why he would be in prison. Good question. I can't think of any crime he'd commit that would put him away like that, but it is something to wonder about - sort of like what animal you'd be. So ... what would get you in prison? Or if you prefer, what animal are you most like? I've been told I look like Tweetie Bird - or used to. Now I might remind me of an older cat who sleeps, eats, and looks out the window most of the time. As for prison, I'll have to think about that one. Probably for keeping the unmarked bag of money (squillions of dollars) that falls from the sky although I've already planned how to keep anyone from finding out about it by reading John Grisham novels.  The truth is that I actually have spent time thinking about this.   

What about you?

12:03:00 AM



Monday, July 12, 2004  
Red Face

Well, I'm embarrassed. I heard from Blogger about my large print, and they said it might be my browser and to check the font size. This wasn't anything I knew about, so I called Earl to ask him about it. He gave instructions, so I changed it from large to medium which is just right. I feel silly but have learned something.

Earl told me about this restaurant some of them liked. When they went back there to eat, there was a sign on the door that said, "Closed because of backstabbing friends and landlord." Must be quite a story behind this.

8:26:00 PM



 
Petition

Here is a link to a personal blog page if you'd like to sign a petition to renew the ban on assault weapons. You'll see a map on there that will show how many of us signed. I don't know if it will do any good but hope it will and want to do all I can to support this. The petition is from the father of a student killed at Columbine. Thanks to those of you who do this. I also have a link to it under the guest flag.

Tom's Petition


10:19:00 AM



Friday, July 09, 2004  
PC Oddities

Now and then the print on certain places will get really large and then eventually go back to normal. It's happening now. The print on my blog is very large again and on the list from Google search. Google now owns Blogger - a connection not there before! I don't know if I do something or if gremlins take over, but it will just happen and then go away. Very odd. Does this happen to any of you?

10:12:00 AM



 
More Quizzes

from the Pop Culture Edition of Trivial Pursuit ...

1. MOVIE - Who played Arnold Schwarzenegger's partner, Gib, in True Lies?
2. TV - What character from another TV show crossed over as an old army buddy of Hello, Larry's Larry?
3. MUSIC - What heavy metal band's backstage exploits were chronicled in the autobiography The Dirt?
4. SPORTS & GAMES - What Super Bowl XXI quarterback was the first person to say, "I'm going to Disney World" in a commercial?
5. BUZZ - What environmentally friendly device has actor Ed Begley, Jr. long been a proponent of?
6. FAD - What kids' craft involves putting plastic drawings in an oven to reduce their size? (Brian and I used to do this)

As promised, this from the "Know-It-All" Edition ...

7. People and Places - What landlocked European nation, that is smaller than Washington, D.C., has Vaduz as its capital?
8. Arts & Entertainment - What ghost first appeared to Ebenezer Scrooge in Dickens's A Christmas Carol?
9. History - What instrument is traditionally blown during Rosh Hashana?
10. Science & Nature - What medical procedure, first performed in 1977, uses a catheter to unclog arteries?
11. Sports & Leisure - How are women's parallel bars different from men's in gymnastic competition?
12. Wild Card - What does a bullwhacker drive?

I know more of these from the second group than the first - 7 in all. I'm no Michael! I could have been funny on some of them though. Well, to me it would have been humorous.

9:45:00 AM



Friday, July 02, 2004  
Yet Another Quiz

from the Pop Culture Edition of Trivial Pursuit ... get ready!

1. MOVIE - Who played super creepy Frank Booth in Blue Velvet?
2. MOVIE - What was the first animated film nominated for a Best Picture Oscar?
3. TV - What Seattle radio station does Frasier Crane do his show from?
4. TV - For one week in 1986, what word did Dan Rather use as his sign-off from the CBS Evening News? (was there some reason for this?)
5. MUSIC - What 1984 Cars album was named for a fictitious metropolis?
6. MUSIC - What boy band was Ricky Martin once a member of?
7. SPORTS & GAMES - What is the nickname of Fenway Park's left-field wall?
8. S&G - What Major League baseball team adopted the disco hit "We Are Family" as its theme song in the late '70s? (did they also dance?)
9. BUZZ - What word is tattooed just above Tommy Lee's bellybutton? (could you see the tattoo in that video or would anyone notice?)
10. BUZZ - What Law & Order star is the daughter of bombshell Jayne Mansfield?
11. FAD - What Rolling Stones music critic was portrayed by Philip Seymour Hoffman in Almost Famous?
12. FAD - What puts the "bubble" in trendy Taiwanese bubble tea? (this is really odd but one of you will probably know this)

6:03:00 PM



Thursday, July 01, 2004  
Interview

Since most of us probably won't appear on Inside the Actor's Studio and be interviewed by James Lipton with his famous questions from Bernard Pivot, I'm going to post them here for you to answer. Now we can pretend we're among those who have answered these questions. (or not ... I know how you people are) :-)

1. What is your favorite word?
2. What is your least favorite word?
3. What turns you on?
4. What turns you off?
5. What sound do you love?
6. What sound do you hate?
7. What profession other than yours would you like to attempt?
8. What profession would you not like to participate in?
9. What is your favorite curse word?
10. If heaven exists, what would you like to hear God say when you arrive at the Pearly Gates?

8:24:00 PM



 
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