Ordinary Extraordinary

2006, a retrospective

My favorite 40 questions about the past year...

Resolved

In the year 2007 I resolve to: Dance randomly at work. Get your resolution here.

It's good to have goals, don't you think?

Good News / Bad News

I think it's time for another installment of Good News / Bad News, don't you all?

Good News: I may a solid lead on the identity of Creepy Guy.
Bad News: That does indeed mean that there was another incident today and that I spent a little bit more quality time with members of my local Sheriff's Department.

Good News: Every single sheriff that I've dealt with (seven or eight by now) has been exceedingly helpful, knowledgeable, and thorough. I have nothing but good things to say about my Sheriff's Department and I am REALLY glad that they're only five blocks up the hill from my house.
Bad News: Since Creepy Guy hasn't actually committed a crime (yet), there's little that the Sheriffs can do other than take detailed reports and search my property every time he shows up.

Good News: The neighbors across from me and behind me are both former military (a Marine and a Ranger, respectively) and have given me their phone numbers so that they can chase down Creepy Guy next time.
Bad News: For me to take them up on their generous offers, there will have to be a "next time."

All things considered, the good news far outweighs the bad news in this situation and for that I am exceedingly grateful.

Is it 2007 yet?

Sleeping With Knives, Again

Apparently it was too much to hope that the prowler was an isolated incident. That would just be too easy!

This is me we're talking about, after all.

And really, what I needed upon returning home from a late-night screening and Q&A for Pan's Labyrinth was to become aware of some creepy freak skulking around outside my house. Again.

I'd just sat down to write up a post about the evening when Taylor woke up from a sound sleep to stare intently into the darkness outside one of the southern windows. Her hackles went up and then I heard it too: shuffling and footsteps on the dead leaves outside.

Goddamnit.

Having slightly more presence of mind this time than last, I headed to my bedroom to retrieve my camping knife (since I'm storing it within arm's reach of my bed these days) and flashlight. What I should have done next was pick up the phone and call 911, but suddenly I was very, very angry.

This is my house, motherfucker, and YOU ARE NOT WELCOME.

So instead of picking up the phone, I pocketed my keys, crept outside, and ran around the corner of my house screaming obscenities in my father's voice.

The prowler hit my neighbor's windchime in surprise (I didn't see the impact as I hadn't rounded the corner yet, but I heard the strike and it was chiming & swaying drunkenly with nary a breeze to be felt) and took off running through the shadows of my neighbor's lawn.

Then I called the police, and spoke to one of the six (6!) officers who was dispatched to my house last time. I gave him a full report and was rightfully yet gently scolded for running out of my house to confront the unknown Creepy Guy. He sent a few officers to my house, including Hot Cop from last time (I really should start dressing to be prowled; PJs aren't exactly my best look), who did a sweep of the area, drove around a bit in the direction that Creepy Guy ran, and told me they'd keep my house in the patrol rotation for the rest of the evening. I thanked them profusely and told them that I sincerely hoped I wouldn't have to call them again.

And so, here I am: safe, pissed the fuck off, and very annoyed that I still didn't get a good enough look at this person to give anything but the vaguest of physical descriptions.

Here's hoping that I scared the everloving shit out of Creepy Guy and that he thinks twice about ever coming near my home again.

Overheard

This afternoon, on the restaurant patio next to my ATM:

Guy #1: You know that old cliche about lipstick on the collar?
Guy #2 Yeah
Guy #1 Well that's why it ended.
Guy #2 Wait, you went home with lipstick on your collar?
Guy #1 No, uh, she did.
Guy #2: Oh.

Amen

via Quirkee's interview with PostSecret's Frank Warren.

Holy Night

Oh holy night! The stars are brightly shining,

It is the night of the dear Savior's birth.

Long lay the world in sin and error pining,

Till He appear'd and the soul felt its worth.

A thrill of hope, the weary world rejoices,

For yonder breaks a new and glorious morn.

Fall on your knees! Oh, hear the angel voices!
Oh night divine, Oh night when Christ was born
Oh night, Oh night divine, Oh night Divine.

-"Oh Holy Night (English Translation)," Adolphe Adam

The swell of this carol never fails to send chills up my spine and tears to my eyes, no matter how many times I hear it.

Merry Christmas to those of you who celebrate, happy long weekend to those of you who don't!

Edward Scissorhands

Sam Archer as Edward Scissorhands

Last night, I was lucky enough to score a ticket to see Edward Scissorhands at the Ahmanson Theater. It's good to have friends on tour! Choreographed by Matthew Bourne (best known in the US for his all-male interpretation of Swan Lake), Edward Scissorhands isn't the movie brought to stage but rather a wonderful re-imagining of Burton's gentle hero. The children and teenagers in the crowd are always a good indication of a show's success; it was wonderful to hear so many gasps, silences, and squeals of glee as the story unfolded.

I confess, even I wanted to squeal when the topiaries came to life and danced around Edward's garden.

There are many "Oooh" moments, but dance aficionados will watch Edward & Kim's final Pas de Deux with rapt attention - just the mechanics of choreographing it are stunning.

After spending so much of my life in the theater it's often difficult for me to lose myself in shows, but I was perfectly at ease in Bourne's world. Edward Scissorhands seemed to me the perfect combination of fantastical entertainment and heart-achingly poignant story telling.

Crossing Things Off

With a little less than a year left to complete my 101 in 1001 list, I'm steadily crossing things off: One more major thing (Complete the AIDS Marathon Training Program) and a few more minor ones as of today.

I'm doing very well in some sections, but if I don't get started on the "stuff" list I'm going to have to take one heck of a birthday shopping trip this year!

The things that I have removed from the list in the last six months reflect the ways in which my life has changed since November 29, 2004. Hopefully, the things I've added today will compliment the new direction in which I've been heading. 

Contemplation

God speaks to each of us as he makes us,
then walks with us silently out of the night.
There are words we dimly hear:
You, sent out beyond your recall,
go to the limits of your longing.
Embody me.
Flare up like a flame
and make big shadows I can move in.
Let everything happen to you: beauty and terror.
Just keep going. No feeling is final.
Don't let yourself lose me.
Nearby is the country they call life.
You will know it by its seriousness.
Give me your hand.

-Ranier Maria Rilke (1875 - 1926)