Tuesday, June 2, 2009
Sunday, May 31, 2009
Uncanny Birth Twins....(born on same day)
1. Charles Darwin and Abraham Lincoln (February 12, 1809)Two of the outstanding figures of the 19th century were both raised as Christians, though Darwin died an atheist and Lincoln was, by some accounts, an outspoken non-believer. Both had unimpressive school records, but taught themselves to rise to the peaks of their professions. Both embraced change and detested slavery. Darwin’s most important work, On the Origin of Species, was published in 1859 – one year before Lincoln was elected president. With these events, both would challenge the status quo – changing the world, and winning enemies for their efforts. (Darwin would be denounced; Lincoln would be assassinated.)
2. Jimmy Hoffa and James Pike (February 14, 1913)Hoffa was a powerful and contentious unionist, alleged to have ties with organized crime. Pike was the contentious Episcopal bishop of California, alleged to have extramarital affairs. Both were known as champions of the underprivileged. Hoffa bargained for low-paid workers and campaigned for prison reform; Pike supported the civil rights movement. Hoffa was finally convicted of fraud and jury tampering in 1967, serving four years in prison; Pike was tried for heresy for his radical ideas, which resulted in the formal censure of his views. But most spookily of all: They both disappeared mysteriously. (Pike’s body was found a few days later; Hoffa was never seen again.) Neither of their demises were ever solved.
3. Marlon Brando and Doris Day (April 3, 1924)The evil twin syndrome (though we’re not sure which was the evil one). At their peak in the 1950s, they were polar opposites. Brando played rebellious, tough guys who mumbled everything. Day played wholesome, virginal sweeties who sang beautifully. But they had a few things in common. Both of their careers were the result of a misspent youth (Brando took up acting after being thrown out of a military academy; Day was singing in clubs at 16.) Both had reputations for being “difficult.” Brando came to the movies as a famous actor, but proved he could sing (sort of) in Guys and Dolls. Day entered movies as a famous singer, but proved she could act in Storm Warning. Both became attached to important social causes (Brando to the plight of Native Americans; Day to animal rights).
4. President George W. Bush and Sylvester Stallone (July 6, 1946)
These two have more in common than you might realize. Their oratorical skills have been criticized, but at their peaks, both were immensely popular. Their secret: people love a war… provided they win. They each have a past that they would rather forget. In the early 1970s, Bush had a drinking problem and multiple arrests; Stallone (as a struggling actor) was debasing himself in a skin flick. Bush has a history of failed business ventures; Stallone has had his own corporate disasters, like Planet Hollywood, his ill-fated co-venture with two of Bush’s friends, Bruce Willis and Arnold Schwarzenegger. Stallone’s two most famous roles also seem perfect for Bush. Like Rocky, Bush was an underdog, who triumphed (in the 2000 presidential election) without actually outscoring his opponent (in the popular vote); and like Rambo, he has been keen to settle old military scores. Of course, neither Bush nor Stallone are as popular as they used to be, proving that celebrity is fickle business, however you achieve it.
5. Jeanne-Claude Denat de Guillebon and Christo Javacheff (June 13, 1935)Few birth twins have proven more compatible than these two artists, who have collaborated on many projects over the past 40 years, and have been happily married even longer. They are exponents of environmental installation art, famous for wrapping Berlin’s Reichstag and the Paris’s Pont Neuf Bridge in plastic, as well as such public artworks as Running Fence, a 24-mile-long curtain in California, and The Gates in New York City’s Central Park.
6. Princess Diana and Carl Lewis (July 1, 1961)They were among the biggest celebrities of the 1980s, winning overnight fame early in the decade – despite unlikely beginnings. As a child, years before becoming the world’s most photographed person, Diana was notoriously shy; Lewis, years before winning nine Olympic gold medals, was a “runt.” (Strangely, Diana showed more athletic prowess than Lewis at school, excelling in several sports.) Both became renowned for their charity work. After Princess Diana’s death in 1997, “King Carl” wrote a tribute to her: “She will be missed by the many that she touched. And our birthday will never be as bright.”
7. Albert Finney and Glenda Jackson (May 9, 1936)Royal Academy of Dramatic Arts graduates? Check. Made their film debuts in early-1960s British “kitchen sink” dramas? Check. Became major stars in raunchy, Oscar-winning adaptations of classic British novels? Check. Turned down several film roles throughout their careers to focus on the theatre? Che-e-eck. Hey, these twins could almost be the same person! In fact, have you ever wondered why you’ve never seen them in the same film together?
8. Meryl Streep and Lindsay Wagner (June 22, 1949)The super-woman of American stage and screen… and the star of The Bionic Woman on TV! How could that possibly be mere coincidence?
9. Meredith Baxter and Michael Gross (June 22, 1947)
Though these actors are best-known for playing a happily married couple in the classic 1980s sitcom Family Ties, they were actually (birth) twins. They’re not the only twins who have worked together in television and the movies, of course. Oliver Stone directed Tommy Lee Jones twice, while Quincy Jones wrote music for The Italian Job (1969), starring his birth twin Michael Caine.
10. Andre Agassi and Uma Thurman (April 29, 1970)One moment – like 1994 – you’re riding high and everyone thinks you’re sexy. A few years later, you’re a has-been, ranked 141st in the world (or making appalling movies like Batman and Robin), but at least you’re married to a former teen star like Brooke Shields (or Ethan Hawke). A few years later – like 2003 – you have broken up with your ex-teen-star spouse, but at least you’re back in form. You’re number one in the rankings (or high in the box office), decimating (or slicing to bits) your opponents in court (or in the Kill Bill movies). Oh, and everyone still thinks you’re sexy.
From mentalfloss.com
2. Jimmy Hoffa and James Pike (February 14, 1913)Hoffa was a powerful and contentious unionist, alleged to have ties with organized crime. Pike was the contentious Episcopal bishop of California, alleged to have extramarital affairs. Both were known as champions of the underprivileged. Hoffa bargained for low-paid workers and campaigned for prison reform; Pike supported the civil rights movement. Hoffa was finally convicted of fraud and jury tampering in 1967, serving four years in prison; Pike was tried for heresy for his radical ideas, which resulted in the formal censure of his views. But most spookily of all: They both disappeared mysteriously. (Pike’s body was found a few days later; Hoffa was never seen again.) Neither of their demises were ever solved.
3. Marlon Brando and Doris Day (April 3, 1924)The evil twin syndrome (though we’re not sure which was the evil one). At their peak in the 1950s, they were polar opposites. Brando played rebellious, tough guys who mumbled everything. Day played wholesome, virginal sweeties who sang beautifully. But they had a few things in common. Both of their careers were the result of a misspent youth (Brando took up acting after being thrown out of a military academy; Day was singing in clubs at 16.) Both had reputations for being “difficult.” Brando came to the movies as a famous actor, but proved he could sing (sort of) in Guys and Dolls. Day entered movies as a famous singer, but proved she could act in Storm Warning. Both became attached to important social causes (Brando to the plight of Native Americans; Day to animal rights).
4. President George W. Bush and Sylvester Stallone (July 6, 1946)
These two have more in common than you might realize. Their oratorical skills have been criticized, but at their peaks, both were immensely popular. Their secret: people love a war… provided they win. They each have a past that they would rather forget. In the early 1970s, Bush had a drinking problem and multiple arrests; Stallone (as a struggling actor) was debasing himself in a skin flick. Bush has a history of failed business ventures; Stallone has had his own corporate disasters, like Planet Hollywood, his ill-fated co-venture with two of Bush’s friends, Bruce Willis and Arnold Schwarzenegger. Stallone’s two most famous roles also seem perfect for Bush. Like Rocky, Bush was an underdog, who triumphed (in the 2000 presidential election) without actually outscoring his opponent (in the popular vote); and like Rambo, he has been keen to settle old military scores. Of course, neither Bush nor Stallone are as popular as they used to be, proving that celebrity is fickle business, however you achieve it.
5. Jeanne-Claude Denat de Guillebon and Christo Javacheff (June 13, 1935)Few birth twins have proven more compatible than these two artists, who have collaborated on many projects over the past 40 years, and have been happily married even longer. They are exponents of environmental installation art, famous for wrapping Berlin’s Reichstag and the Paris’s Pont Neuf Bridge in plastic, as well as such public artworks as Running Fence, a 24-mile-long curtain in California, and The Gates in New York City’s Central Park.
6. Princess Diana and Carl Lewis (July 1, 1961)They were among the biggest celebrities of the 1980s, winning overnight fame early in the decade – despite unlikely beginnings. As a child, years before becoming the world’s most photographed person, Diana was notoriously shy; Lewis, years before winning nine Olympic gold medals, was a “runt.” (Strangely, Diana showed more athletic prowess than Lewis at school, excelling in several sports.) Both became renowned for their charity work. After Princess Diana’s death in 1997, “King Carl” wrote a tribute to her: “She will be missed by the many that she touched. And our birthday will never be as bright.”
7. Albert Finney and Glenda Jackson (May 9, 1936)Royal Academy of Dramatic Arts graduates? Check. Made their film debuts in early-1960s British “kitchen sink” dramas? Check. Became major stars in raunchy, Oscar-winning adaptations of classic British novels? Check. Turned down several film roles throughout their careers to focus on the theatre? Che-e-eck. Hey, these twins could almost be the same person! In fact, have you ever wondered why you’ve never seen them in the same film together?
8. Meryl Streep and Lindsay Wagner (June 22, 1949)The super-woman of American stage and screen… and the star of The Bionic Woman on TV! How could that possibly be mere coincidence?
9. Meredith Baxter and Michael Gross (June 22, 1947)
Though these actors are best-known for playing a happily married couple in the classic 1980s sitcom Family Ties, they were actually (birth) twins. They’re not the only twins who have worked together in television and the movies, of course. Oliver Stone directed Tommy Lee Jones twice, while Quincy Jones wrote music for The Italian Job (1969), starring his birth twin Michael Caine.
10. Andre Agassi and Uma Thurman (April 29, 1970)One moment – like 1994 – you’re riding high and everyone thinks you’re sexy. A few years later, you’re a has-been, ranked 141st in the world (or making appalling movies like Batman and Robin), but at least you’re married to a former teen star like Brooke Shields (or Ethan Hawke). A few years later – like 2003 – you have broken up with your ex-teen-star spouse, but at least you’re back in form. You’re number one in the rankings (or high in the box office), decimating (or slicing to bits) your opponents in court (or in the Kill Bill movies). Oh, and everyone still thinks you’re sexy.
From mentalfloss.com
goodnight, juliette
Juliette de Bairacli Levy went home
She past away at the 28. of May 2009 peaceful without pains.
We don't organize an official announced funeral, we plan to bring the ash back to Kythera. Luz, Gunter and Adaya
send love letters to: wisewoman@herbshealing.com
GrandMother....goodnight
the boy did sit for hours at a time...by lokie
The boy did sit hours at a time
Back and forth their lives did but flow
Making sense as they would go
Speaking to an American dime
The boy did sit hours at a time
Leaving the world so very far behind
Contemplating that within a troubled mind
Placing each word as though its a crime
The boy did sit hours at a time
Hoping life would hurry and end
Wanting some kind of a friend
Needing something in which i call mine
The boy did sit for hours at a time
Fears of living through this day
Knowing that death isn't far away
Drowning in sorrows till the end of time
The boy did sit hours at a time
Eyes of such colours telling a sad tale
Justifying that which is about to set sail
Yelling in pain as blood leaves this line
The boy did sit hours at a time
Xylophone playing its unearthly song
Visions blurred back tears for ever so long
Underneath this soft skin ever so fine
The boy did sit for hours at a time
As another life slips through these fingers, i sigh
If only tomorrow i would, could, should die
Grieve not for i did choose my time
The boy did sit for hours at a time
Only that now this body shall be burnt
Quiescent lay this soul by the sea has been earnt
Rest in Piece that isn't a crime
****************************************************
(now, read it from here up....)
a close faraway friend wrote this in 2004 when he was young :)
i enjoy it. sad as it is, i really enjoy it.
Back and forth their lives did but flow
Making sense as they would go
Speaking to an American dime
The boy did sit hours at a time
Leaving the world so very far behind
Contemplating that within a troubled mind
Placing each word as though its a crime
The boy did sit hours at a time
Hoping life would hurry and end
Wanting some kind of a friend
Needing something in which i call mine
The boy did sit for hours at a time
Fears of living through this day
Knowing that death isn't far away
Drowning in sorrows till the end of time
The boy did sit hours at a time
Eyes of such colours telling a sad tale
Justifying that which is about to set sail
Yelling in pain as blood leaves this line
The boy did sit hours at a time
Xylophone playing its unearthly song
Visions blurred back tears for ever so long
Underneath this soft skin ever so fine
The boy did sit for hours at a time
As another life slips through these fingers, i sigh
If only tomorrow i would, could, should die
Grieve not for i did choose my time
The boy did sit for hours at a time
Only that now this body shall be burnt
Quiescent lay this soul by the sea has been earnt
Rest in Piece that isn't a crime
****************************************************
(now, read it from here up....)
a close faraway friend wrote this in 2004 when he was young :)
i enjoy it. sad as it is, i really enjoy it.
Wednesday, May 27, 2009
goodnight, aunt doris....
this is a note to my three cousins....
the pastor asked at the funeral this morning if anyone had anything to share...and i WANTED To pretty bad (no one did) but i cannot speak at funerals. i am lucky to make it to them at all at this point....
here is what i woulda said...
sorry i didnt have the guts to say so earlier...but i have a cute little story about your mom (i think...)
on my 18th birthday i went up to grissom's and bought a dollar scratch ticket. your mom sold it to me and said (totally joking)..."now, don't tell anyone i sold you that because we aren't supposed to sell to our family in case they win big money..." (you know better than almost anyone that twinkle in her eye...)....well i up and won $50 bucks!!! haha! and your mom from that very day foreward EVERY TIME i ever saw her again said "now, steffi! if i knew you were gonna win ALL THAT MONEY i NEVER would've sold you that ticket" (as though she woulda lost her decades long job...)with just the cutest little grin and giggle. and she ALWAYS asked me if i had any of the money left too hahahaha
my BIG lotto win, first one i ever bought! :)
i also remember when your parents had that canary bird and your dad kept trying to get it to cuss and your mom would get sooooo exasperated :)
she is also one of the three people on earth i never minded calling me steffi....;)
she was a great woman and a sweet aunt and i hope you are able to find comfort in your family and friends and all of us who loved her and love you...
love
steffi
the pastor asked at the funeral this morning if anyone had anything to share...and i WANTED To pretty bad (no one did) but i cannot speak at funerals. i am lucky to make it to them at all at this point....
here is what i woulda said...
sorry i didnt have the guts to say so earlier...but i have a cute little story about your mom (i think...)
on my 18th birthday i went up to grissom's and bought a dollar scratch ticket. your mom sold it to me and said (totally joking)..."now, don't tell anyone i sold you that because we aren't supposed to sell to our family in case they win big money..." (you know better than almost anyone that twinkle in her eye...)....well i up and won $50 bucks!!! haha! and your mom from that very day foreward EVERY TIME i ever saw her again said "now, steffi! if i knew you were gonna win ALL THAT MONEY i NEVER would've sold you that ticket" (as though she woulda lost her decades long job...)with just the cutest little grin and giggle. and she ALWAYS asked me if i had any of the money left too hahahaha
my BIG lotto win, first one i ever bought! :)
i also remember when your parents had that canary bird and your dad kept trying to get it to cuss and your mom would get sooooo exasperated :)
she is also one of the three people on earth i never minded calling me steffi....;)
she was a great woman and a sweet aunt and i hope you are able to find comfort in your family and friends and all of us who loved her and love you...
love
steffi
Monday, May 25, 2009
moonstone memory day (actuality)
the first annual moonstone memory day has come and gone and it was beautiful...
(minus the part where bella bloodied her head all up and we called 911....she is fine. she was fine before they got here, albeit bloddy and with a huge bump on her head)
we had a lovely lunch (seen here...corn on the cob, watermelon, chips, pickles, cake, and a big ol stick uh buttuh....i know, nutritious, right?)
we had our first little fire of the year and made smores in the evening. then, after the babies were put to bed, jonathan, bastian, and i congregated on the porch and wrote our memories on index cards, which i will affix to our new MOONSTONE MEMORY BOOK for this year's entry.... brilliant, eh?
and here they are (in no particular order....and sorry if some of it is redundant, we are three people with the same experiences haha)
*Momma's dream came true and she has a library for her family. The love of reading is one of the most important things she can teach.
*We have done REALLY well at recycling, being VERY environmentally aware and giving to charity.
*We are all now absolutely in love with all things harry potter and have shared the world of hogwarts as a family. Very magical ;) (and we went to the symphony)
*We played Boggle in a thunderstorm
*Hurricane Ike hit our family in Galveston and then came and knocked our HUGE tree branch down- but we were all safe. Miracle.
*I made tulips, and they worked!
*Bastian and i had a really funny laugh about Huck Finn
*Bastian and i went to see Barack Obama speak in Dayton. When he was elected, we stayed up late and met jonny in the street ringing our bell.
* We answered a call from the Y and changed Momma's lifestyle. WE enjoy going to the Y together too.
*We play dungeons and dragons together as a family now. Even Momma. Thank you, Jonny.
*Had a wonderful getaway with jonathan in yellow springs.
*We spent a lot of time on the internet. Connecting with friends and family, learning about the world, making creative endeavors, and having pets.
*Jonathan stayed at the same job for a whole year and provided for us greatly. We are proud of him and grateful for all he does for us.
*We had a great winter solstice/yule. Our trees were lovely and we were able to give gifts to everyone. It was nice to send a box to our crummett and bivens family in texas. And we all got lovely gifts and enjoyed being together.
*River says "Dada's Harry Potter, Momma's Ermione, Bashie Weasy, Fred is harry potter, and sisty's draco malfboy"
*Jonathan is being as artistic as much as he can.
*Jonathan has kept a 15 cent goldfish alive since january in a small glass bowl. I call him fishy, fred calls him "harry potter"
*We all had an good honest go at being vegetarians, eating healthy and buying natural or organic products.
*Jonny got employee of the month and got to go out to eat with his supervisor and the owner of his work.
*Jonathan's mom, niki, and grandma mae and papa jake came to visit and we had good times.
*WE have paid our bills as on time as humanly possible, paid off the car, and have bought lots of groceries every week.
*Jonathan has kept a steady job for nearly 14 months now and has walked to work 99% of the time in snow, heat, rain, and even a huge storm.
*A dog came to our house, we kept it for the night, called the owner, and they gave us a reward.
*We got a fence put up, planted lots of flowers and tress, recycle like crazy, and have turned one and a half compost heaps. We have smores over campfires, try and buy wooden toys for the kids, drink lots of water, and eat soy so that maybe some animals will live.
*River learned to go potty right after he turned 3. He's getting to be a big boy.
*Steffani is learning to sew and is having a good hobby making dresses and pajamas.
*Bashie joined boy scouts, steffani learned to play dungeons and dragons and like it, fred eats more than he used to and talks in complete sentences, bella is a beautiful girl and is growing up very fast.
*Our family has read and seen almost all the harry potter books and films. Fred likes to "ride broom" and "catchasnitch"
*We welcomed grandma camille to our home for bella's first birthday. IT was a lovely visit and we are glad she came.
*It was a lovely year of watching the seasons pass in our new Home and our new state. We made it throught the winter, and the soggy spring, and the confetti fall...
*We had lovely visits with grandma mae and papa jake. Papa sure fixed us a good fence and fixed our house all up. It is great to spend time with grandma mae. She is special.
*Pirates returned on the news
*Blue hippo is adopted.
*Jonny gets employee of the month
*Bashie has a garden.
*Own our car
*Lincoln turns 200
*Finished lemony snicket saga
*Saw a bunny
*Guitar Hero
*WE go to the YMCA
*Fire crackers on july 4
*Momma stop smoking
*Momma sews
*My gameboy advance
*Fred go potty
*Swine flu
*Cousin niki, dirk, kelsey, bailey, and teague came for cousin chad's wedding. We threw a neat surprise birthday party for niki. Niki is now one of momma's best friends.
*WE paid off the lumina. NO MORE YKS (loan lender for car)
*We decorated our house on 4th of july. It was our statement about our dislike of the way bush ran the country unconstitutionally. It was fun and courageous.
*We worked together and transformed the two front rooms into lovely, cozy family spaces. We got new carpet and also made the bathroom beautiful. Lovely Home from a YUCKY house....
(there are sooooooooooo many more memories....this was a lovely activity....(that last lovely was facetious...i had meant the rest of them))
NEVER give up....never ever ever ever ever give up
i have been trying and meaning and attempting to make bella play dresses for weeks, if not a month. failed attempt after failed attempt after botched pattern after mess after bobbin thread tears, i have now made four dresses in the past 24 hours...they are amazingly flawed. that has taught me a lot about myself...i don't mind flaws, as long as i am getting it "done"....that is a FAR cry from being a perfectionist, i think.... (i mean, they are pretty friggin flawed....but they exist) it was the fourth one before i had half a clue what i was doing....
to make the first one,i took apart a dress that bella already had with a seam ripper. then took the parts of the dress, then traced them on brown paper and cut them out and tried to make a dress out of an old sundress i had...just to use the material for practice. the back didn't work, so i used the bodice of the old sundress to make a panel for the back. it can actually be worn either frontways or backwards...yay.
the second, i REALLY had the "gathering thing" down, and then tried to sew the gathering INSIDE and it didnt come out so great...all i will have to do is create a sash with ties sometime when i feel like sitting back down and sewing, and this dress, the yellow/brown flowers, will be the least flawed of all...
(nice job, dad, photobombing your one year old...great!)
the third one is my favorite so far though (i love the yellow/brown flowered material best though)...it is greenish and yellowish flowers. it looks VERY good on....
the last one is a batik and is actually the first material i bought when i started buying material to make her "play dresses"....it is ok...not pretty, just exotic...
i have material left of each to make matching bloomers/diaper covers....i am just too tired now (was up till after 1 with that first masterpiece there)....
more to come, i'm sure....
to make the first one,i took apart a dress that bella already had with a seam ripper. then took the parts of the dress, then traced them on brown paper and cut them out and tried to make a dress out of an old sundress i had...just to use the material for practice. the back didn't work, so i used the bodice of the old sundress to make a panel for the back. it can actually be worn either frontways or backwards...yay.
the second, i REALLY had the "gathering thing" down, and then tried to sew the gathering INSIDE and it didnt come out so great...all i will have to do is create a sash with ties sometime when i feel like sitting back down and sewing, and this dress, the yellow/brown flowers, will be the least flawed of all...
(nice job, dad, photobombing your one year old...great!)
the third one is my favorite so far though (i love the yellow/brown flowered material best though)...it is greenish and yellowish flowers. it looks VERY good on....
the last one is a batik and is actually the first material i bought when i started buying material to make her "play dresses"....it is ok...not pretty, just exotic...
i have material left of each to make matching bloomers/diaper covers....i am just too tired now (was up till after 1 with that first masterpiece there)....
more to come, i'm sure....
Friday, May 22, 2009
miggory
speaking of me....and crowns....just saw the tale of despereaux with bastian....i can dig this character...that makes me sad, i mean, she's pretty spot on....oh well... very good family movie...
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