Quoth the Raven

Should I Stay or Should I Go?

My husband was notified of a job opportunity in his field in Dublin. The offer sounds like a wonderful opportunity, a huge pay increase, it is in Dublin, Ireland......did I mention that it was in Dublin.

I love Ireland! I really only moved to the United States as it is closer to Ireland than Australia is. Hey, don't get me wrong. I do love living in the USA otherwise I would've moved on long ago. Then again we always had the dilemma of not being able to return to Australia with our pet ferrets, so maybe that is one reason for us being here. Four reasons, actually. The Australian government were changing the importation laws when we left Australia with one of our ferrets, Zonk, but like all governments they tend to take awhile to get anything done.

We are also really settled here in Seattle. We live in a great apartment in Capital Hill, have some really wonderful friends, my husband just received a substantial pay rise, I work for a wonderful Architect Firm who pay me well for the little I do. And I am just about to start a degree course at a college that is only 5 mins. from my home. So life is pretty good at the moment.

On the other hand, Dublin is a wonderful, vibrant city. I could find a job really easy, continue studying in Dublin, be closer to family and friends. I have relatives and friends in Ireland and England. I also have a couple of close Australian friends living in both Austria and France, we would basically be neighbours. I have always wanted to live in Ireland, and have always talked about giving birth to my child in Ireland. Ok so I am not thinking about having a baby just yet, but at least I will be in the right country just in case I get the urge??

But do I really want to contemplate a major mood right now? Nah, lets give it another 12 months and then we'll think about moving?

Who Let The Cat Out....

Today was my wonderful husbands birthday! This is the card that I gave him, which I could not resist. The card states 'Letting the cat out of the bag' and the insert continues with ' Rumor has it you're a year older'.

So what do you buy the man who has everything?? I really think that men are quite difficult to buy gifts for. Look at me for instance, I wish I had to buy myself a present as I am really easy to buy for - I want everything! You could buy me books as I have wishlists everywhere, from Barnes and Noble, Amazon.com and Powells.com (though Powells is my rare book wishlist and way out of most peoples budgets, even mine? It is still nice to dream!) Or even a gift card from Wessel & Lieberman would be ideal. 

I love the arts, so you could buy me a nice print, or even a nice frame. I love clothing. I love music, and though we have a huge music collection there is always one more cd that I should own, but don't. I have attempted some painting projects and although I am not very good, if I had more paints I could at least practice a lot more. I love anything from Tiffanys, of course....and the list just continues.

But my husband is really content to work, go to the gym and buy the odd item of designer clothing. Which is what I usually end up buying him. For our anniversary a couple of weeks ago I was totally clueless as to what to get him? I didn't want to get him clothing for an anniversary, so in the end I went with a Salvatore Ferragamo wallet to match the Salvatore Ferragamo credit card holder I bought him last year. I don't even want to think about next year?? I'll worry about that later, much later...like next year.

What A Funny Creature You Are?

I love Rats! I know this is not a Rat, it is a possum. While Australian possums are small, cute and cuddly, Americans possums remind me of large rats, extra large actually. And being that I love rats, I could not resist adding this large, rat-like possum to my blog.

I actually saw one in Capital Hill one night, and was so excited that I made my husband stop the car so I could have a closer look. Very adorable in a feral kind of way. I was so close to taking him home, but resisted the temptation. Maybe it was the slight fear I had of being mauled by a rabid possum that brought me to my senses.

Arghhhhhhhhhhh....

The 'Scream' may have been stolen from Norway Museum, but no one can silence the silent scream that is welling up within my soul......

Oh, faithful web followers, those who have been with me from the beginning, know that Edvard Munch's
Scream is one of my favorite art pieces. So today I am mourning the loss of this wonderful painting. While reading the BBC News online I was dismayed to find that thieves have stolen my painting, again!!

If you have read the article, you will notice that it is dated August 22, 2004. I am suffereing a delayed reaction to the trauma incurred on that dreadful day. I went into denial and just assumed that my painting would have been returned to the Museum, just as a baby longs to return to the arms of a nursing mother. I cannot let denial rule any longer........please, dear thief return my painting to its rightful place!

I feel a hollow, a void in my heart since you went away. My denial turned into mourning, but now anger is beginning to well up within me. How could you do this, you dirty rotten thief! To have the audacity to steal my painting, in broad daylight! How could you? Why would you take one so young, one so fragile, one so beautiful? To think that I may never see my painting again. To imagine one day standing in the Munch Museum, only to stare blankly at a vacant space......a space where my painting used to hang.

Innocence

I happened to stumble across this website and fell in love with this photo. The baby appears so calm, so at ease with life; living in a world full of possibilities and without a care in the world........

For more images from this photographer see Lloyd Erlick

Funny No.2 (long overdue!)

When I heard this story from a friend I was in tears with laughter. Now all you wonderful folk in the world of blog may not have the same sense of humour as myself, but here goes.........

My friend's husband, John*, decided to venture out to the local Safeway for some desperately needed supplies. My friend, Janet* was in the kitchen when John* arrived home. Well it wasn't until the following morning that John* asked Janet* if she had seen the melon that he had bought from Safeway last night. 'What melon? There was no melon. I don't recall ever seeing a melon. Maybe there was a melon? Is it in the fridge"..........this conversation confirmed, yet again, that Seinfeld - the series, is closer to reality than reality television ever could be! (ok and I must admit that I made up the dialogue).

So the melon is missing! Maybe the melon has been abducted? You can never be too careful nowadays? Maybe the melon ran off to join the circus......'see the incredible melon survive after being shot from a canonball!"

Well Janet* received the phone call at 10.37am. Thank God, the melon has been found. John* had just returned home after running some errands. What does he see as he is driving into his drive-way? Nothing......but he did notice a melon sitting in the neighbors drive-way.

So it was not an abduction after all.....John* went to safeway, came home with the groceries, dropped the melon as he was exiting the car. Though how anyone can drop a full size melon and not notice it, is beyond me?? The melon rolled down the road as John* strolled into the house.

Well the story may not sound so funny to you, but I could not keep a straight face....the melon has since gone on to model stardom. Stay tuned for the pictures from the photo shoot, appropriately titled 'Melon Art'.

* All names have been changed to protect the innocent, and spare embarrasement for those un-named who may come across my web-world.

I had a dream...

I dreamed a little dream the other night........... I was walking through a market in a far away place. The place was fairly empty, actually, no one else was around except my better half, Joel. We were frantic, it was Thanksgiving and we needed a chicken, yes I know the tradition is turkey, but we are Australians and don't even celebrate thanksgiving, so I will cook whatever I want - thank you! There had been a mad rush on chickens so there were only a couple left in the freezer compartment. Ok, so it wasn't too third world or they would not have an actual freezer. Hey, I have been to Mongolia, belive me I know what a Mongolian 'supermarket' looks like. Very scarey!

So I look into the freezer and there are the chickens that are left...but they did not look like your average QFC frozen chickens. They were chickens that looked just like your every day, run of the mill, or coop, chickens. Full feather dress and elongated for an even better effect. Think of ducks hanging in one of those oriental cafes. So I am desperate, we need a chicken...but as I look back in the freezer, guess who is looking back at me?...you got it the first time, Mr Chicken. Did I fail to mention that the eyes were still intact, well now he was looking at me, I was looking at him. 'How could I even contemplate eating this poor, defenseless creature?". I am sure that he was thinking the exact same thing..."hey, don't think your gonna be knawing of my sweet chicken legs - sweetheart!"....So that is where part one of the dream ends. (I must add that I included the chicken's supposed response, he did not really talk in the dream).

So now I am walking down the road, it was actually a path. I am about 7 years old and I am holding someones hand. We stop to read a commemorative plague that we have come upon while walking on the path. I am feeling really devastated and am concerned as to why my parents do not realise the inner turmoil that I am experiencing. I am also thinking that no one notices my feelings as I am always the happy child. At this point I, the 7 yr old, look up to the person who's hand I am holding, and it is me! Me, the adult. So now me, the adult, bends down and hugs me, the 7 yr old and says "Everything is going to be ok now Faith."

Well it is not exactly a nightmare, apart from the chicken looking back at me - that was seriously disturbing!! But strangely enough, the latter part is more disturbing to me. Well maybe disturbing is the wrong word to describe the emotions that this dream instills in me. Even now as I am writing this I feel a little teary, but I don't know why a dream such as this could bring about so much emotion.

I would love to hear from all you dream interpreters out there who have any comments. I have read some books and assume it has something to do with healing the inner child. Whereas the chicken dream may have something to do with my guilty conscience about eating chickens, which is the main staple in my diet.

Happy Anniversary to Me

On August the 5th we celebrated our wedding anniversary, having thus far enjoyed 9 years of marital bliss! The challenge, after living in Seattle for 4 years, is where do we dine for our special occasion. I have been fortunate enough to have visited the Fairmont Hotel's Georgian Room, for both lunch and afternoon tea. Both, of which I highly recommend. Previous years we have dined at the King Fish Cafe, which I thoroughly enjoyed. I have read mixed reviews but I found the food to be great and the staff friendly. We have also gone to the Pink Door which is fantastic. A truly unique dining experience! We dined on italian fare while watching trapeze artists perform overhead. I do recommend limiting alcohol consumption, as having to take on those stairs leading up to the alley was certainly a challenge for me. Hey, I only had one martini, though it was quite strong and I am not usually a martini drinker. Oh, and the couple of glasses of wine?

Last year we decided to go to the Waterfront Seafood Grill. Yet another wonderful place to dine. I cannot emphasize how impressed I was with the excellent service. The food was to die for, as was the prices. But my philosphy is 'you get what you paid for' and we did get all that we paid for, and more. Did I mention that the views are also wonderful, overlooking Elliott Bay.

So you see the dilemma that we were facing? Where do we go from here? I decided to choose the Georgian Room for the gorgeous interior, the ambience, and my previous experiences. I must applaud myself on an absolutely wonderful choice. From the moment that we were escorted from our vehicle, we entered another world. A world where customer service is exactly that. The staff are exceptional, the menu delighful and the company; just gorgeous. And I must add, my philosphy has been discarded thanks to the Georgian Room. We ended up spending $180! I cannot believe that such a fine dining experience could be so reasonable. We both enjoyed a 3 course meal, pre-dinner cocktails, and a decent bottle of wine! A glorious evening was had by all.

Funny No.1

You may not think that this short tale was as funny as I did, and still do. But here goes........(oh, mommy dearest, please don't read this entry as you will be thoroughly offended!)

So, my friend's father needed to go into hospital and get some tests done. Oh, I know this isn't funny, but please be patient - I haven't finished the story yet! So he is walking through the ward and out of one of the rooms rolls an elderly lady, who, after hearing this story, may have been entering the early stages of dementia.

So while the dear old lady is being rolled by, she stops. Of course, my friend's dad assumes that the lovely elderly woman has probably stopped to say hello.......wrong! She looks up at dad, ever so sweetly and says " Gee, your one ugly son of a bitch"!

What the hell!!

Well, I knew you would find out one day, I am a huge fan of Pamela Anderson. I know she can, at times, come across quite whore-ish? She hit the heights of stardom by posing as a Playboy centrefold, for Gods sake. Thats what a centrefold does? What did you expect??

So it is not like I own posters, magazines, etc. and I rarely think about her nowadays, but if I know she is going to be on television - I will make sure I have set the Tivo for dear Pammy. Maybe it is because she is this blonde bombshell? I don't even like the fact that she keeps inflating those things she calls breasts. How friggin huge does she want them?

I know a few years ago I became quite obsessed with her, maybe it was just that fabulous body she has? I know she inspired me to greatness, in the area of physical perfection. Or, maybe it was she helped to strengthen the eating disorder that I had. What the hell, I looked great. There was a cost. And the stress that I lived with everyday trying to maintain a certain image certainly wasn't worth the sacrifices I made. Not that I am happy with my current physique, which is why you don't see any photos of me. I know I will find that balance, one day?

So why am I bringing Pamela up right this minute. Well my husband comes home and turns the Tivo on, he proceeds to tell me that he saw Pamela this morning on one of those boring 'Good Morning' shows and decided to tape her for me. What a guy!.......What? You think he really taped her for his own enjoyment? Nah, not his type?

So I manage to see 2 mins of my idol and then who shows up? You guessed it. That stupid man that some people choose to call Mr. President. God, who wants to see his ugly face. I cannot believe they interrupt Pamela so the nation can hear the dribble that comes out of that man's mouth? Yes, so I admit that Pamela is no genius, maybe you could even call her nothing more than eye-candy.At least she has that much going for her. But you know what? She has always been a very open, and honest person, which is more than I can say for Bush. And she cares about animals, like moi.....which is why she is a spokesperson for Peta.
PAMELA FOR PRESIDENT (Only kidding, really, I am)