Dr. Horrible

Maybe you've already discovered this, but if not it is definitely worth a download. I just watched all three acts and definitely think Joss Whedon has a great idea. With a little more character development and a few more quirky supporting actors, it could be a new Little Shop of Horrors, not to say that it isn't great as a online phenom. Enjoy! (By the way the Joss Whedon link goes to his recent interview on Fresh Air.)

Just, Margaret

Waiting

I've been reading Rumi.  Some of you out their may already know that if you pay attention to what's "in my carryon." [smile] My parents gave me the book along with some candy hearts for Valentine's Day.  And the night that it arrived (which was actually several days after Valentine's Day) I just so excited to flip it open to a random page and just began reading.  Everything I had heard of Rumi up to this point was kinda shrouded in mystery.  The people I knew who really enjoyed reading his words, often said I should read him, but never really why.  I'm coming toward an understanding of what they meant.  I always find it remarkable when I connect with an author's words, especially words that were written thousands of years before.  There is something that feels so personally relevant in every passage I've read out of the book so far.  I find myself continually feeling like the words written on the page are ones that I have always intuitively felt, but never able to express.  A real union of souls... 

In the midst of reading Rumi on Sunday during some Sabbath time, I began to think about the coming of Lent.  (Let me illuminate the whole picture:  I was also listening to some music through my faithful Macbook- a mix tape with a little of this and that.  Anyway Matthew Sweet's song I've Been Waiting came on and I thought of Lent.)  And without beginning to sound so preachy (I can't deny that it is in the genes, but I can choose not to indulge [smile])... I thought about how Lent is about waiting, anticipation of something, i.e. Easter, to come.  Its also associated with a time of self-denial, but thats really the part of Lent I can never quite master.  I don't mean being committed to giving up sweets or some TV show, ect.  I mean that I can't master the feeling of self-denial, which I usually think of as being quite negative. 

I've had a lot of experience with waiting.  There are some things in my life that I feel like I've been waiting for for 25 years.  And I guess I could, after all this time, fall easily into doubt... believing that because it (falling in love or figuring out what I'd like to do with the rest of my life or finally finding a place to live for longer than just a few years at a time) hasn't happened yet it never will.   I just can't wait, even in Lent, without looking toward what is to come, Easter, with hope.  Some may consider this optimism to be naive, but I feel blessed to be able to look at life this way.  Hoping and trusting God to guide me through all these experiences is very exciting and it helps me to live more fully into the present.  That brings me back to Rumi, who I feel must have also felt this way waiting for those moments of epiphany, fulfillment of hope, for little Easters.  He writes, "The Most Alive Moment":

The most living moment comes when 

those who love each other meet each

other's eyes and in what flows

between them then.  To see your face

in a crowd of others, or alone on a

frightening street I weep for that.

Our tears improve the earth.  The

time you scolded me, your gratitude, 

your laughing, always your qualities 

increase the soul.  Seeing you is a 

wine that does not muddle or numb, 

We sit inside the cypress shadow

where amazement and clear thought

twine their slow growth into us.    

Just waiting, Margaret

Mardi Gras!!!

After four hours of watching yeast rise, shaping it, then watching it rise again, I finished making a king cake from scratch.  Although the whole process may sound a little daunting, it was actually a lot of fun and easier than it appears.  I think I might make it a Mardi Gras tradition.  It would be a fine tribute to my love of Louisiana.  I couldn't have managed it without the help of Josephine who helped me with the first phase of making the dough.  Now I'm so ready to eat it not all by myself of course.  [smile]

Just, Margaret 

Add oil.

Check this link out.  Scroll down and you'll see that my paper on Hurricane Katrina landscapes was accepted by the Association of Social Anthropologist Conference to be held at the University of Bristol in April.  Be excited.  I am and to be honest a little freaked out.  I've presented papers before, but never at a professional conference with international participants.  But I'll leave freaking out for a little later and just be all smiles today.  

On that note: I want to express a quick thank you to my friends in Louisiana.  You were totally my inspiration... you a people of vibrant resilience and life.  I just hope that this paper can help continue to bring awareness of the devastation that still exists in some regions of Louisiana and Mississippi now almost 4 years later.  Thank you and Happy Mardi Gras!

Just, Margaret

*By the way the title of this post may seem a little strange, but "add oil" is a phrase used in Hong Kong to say "keep up the good work" and my friend Josephine has gotten into the habit of reminding me to keep going when the pressure of our studies gets to be a bit overwhelming.  Don't worry I make sure to say it back to her too.  [smile] 

Spring!

With the weather we are having it is hard to believe that just 15 days ago there was snow on the ground.  The sun today was just so awesome.  As I was walking to the library (yes even on the most beautiful day I had to go to the library... don't worry I found a really sunny corner to sit [smile]), I wished I could transport some friends from the States to Bristol today.  It would be the perfect day to give a tour of all the places I've discovered since moving here.  A bit of explanation for the photo above:  This is the patch of grass right outside my window.  I've observed several people stop a moment to look at the blossoming of wildflowers that have popped up over the last week.  Isn't it beautiful?  The small white flowers are snowdrops and I have no idea what the purple/blue flowers are.  I feel so blessed to such a beautiful personal window-scape.  

Just, Margaret

1:6.5 billion or 1:2500

The subject of this post is slightly out of date I guess, but as I just listened to the This American Life Valentine's Day episode it fits what I was thinking about today on my walk to campus this morning.  Anyway the show was all about "finding love" in some capacity "somewhere out there", including a story about children finding friendship in the midst of a really difficult situation, a love story across language barriers, and a really funny selection from one of Mike Birbiglia's comedy acts.  My favorite bit was the very first story about a bunch of Harvard mathematicians who work out the formula for the possibility of finding girlfriends.  I, a romantic at heart, felt such a serge of contradiction while listening to their highly rational process and seeing the reason in their approach.  And my heart went out to the poor woman who with all her added qualifications for her possible mate was reduced to 1:0.  It made me think of this article I read in some newspaper supplement here that advised the reader to write out all the qualities she might expect in a mate and all the qualities that really would turn her off.  Then it said look at each list and set out with the goal in mind of finding someone that will most likely possess at least one of the annoying bits and lack at least one of the crucial bits.  It does seem like a pretty realistic plan and would probably open up the woman's possibilities who was mentioned in the piece.  Maybe she could then at least hope for 1:50.  [smile]  This American Life is always thought-provoking and this episode was great.  If you missed listening to the show, make sure to follow the above link or download it from iTunes. 

On another note, the English spring seems to be emerging over the last few days.  Warmer weather, sun, and lots of flowers beginning to appear through the earth so recently covered in snow.  It almost feels like I'm in Georgia.

Just, Margaret

King Cake Query

I'm looking for a good and fairly easy recipe for Mardi Gras King Cake. I'd really like to try making one for my international housemates and share another part of my US Southern culture with them.  Too bad I didn't bring any of my Mardi Gras Beads with me.  Any suggestions for the cake would be very welcome. 

Just, Margaret