MMMMMMM...Shakespear

So - it started with a review in the AZ Rep...not really known as the ultimate cultural reference, but once in awhile, you can dig up a winner if you look closely enough in the A&E section. ANYWAY...this play called MacHomer was a presentation of "that Scottish Play" (I learned this weekend never to refer to MacBeth by its name because its bad luck!?) in the voices from the Simpsons. I mean WHAT A HOOT! Anyway..as soon as I read it I KNEW Jeff had to see it. I bet you don't know this, but Jeff is an English Literature major and my nearest Shakespear expert..he is also a goofy Simpson's Fan.

I, not knowing one whit about Shakespear and only being a moderate fan of the Simpsons thought it would be a little less entertaining to me..but as it turns out - it was hilarious! Its also a one man show...I mean, you have GOT to see this for yourself. The actor, Rick Miller - is a creative genuis, the way that he uses the stage and changes the "sets". Its an energetic, hilarious, 1 hour and 15 minutes. Also - it was worth the drive to Mesa, which I believe is the most staggering endorsement that I can personally give. Jeff and I went there early figuring on a casual dinner at a little cafe that was surely near the new Mesa Arts "complex". Well...ANYWAY they built this really beautiful arts center - but, the culinary community apparently doesn't believe that anyone goes there...because our dining choices were Jack in the Box and Subway. SO...if you head to the Mesa Arts Center - eat first...because let me tell you..the dining choices inside of the center are..hmm sort of along the lines of Homer's ideal dinner...well we opted for a pretzel with cheese for a pre-show nosh..since we had over an 1 1/2 hours to kill before the show.
Anyway - to say that the highlight of the evening was the show shouldn't be interpreted as an underhanded slam of the show - it really was one of a kind - fun, and I would go see it again...I might even be inclined to go see "that Scottish play" should the occasion ever arise..because frankly, Homer as MacBeth will definately NEVER leave me and watching some classical actor screech through MacBeth while I remember the scene through Homer's eyes, might be almost as rich!

Winter Park '06 Pictures

Once again, Duchess Piper stole the show AND our hearts.












T and the boys..Jeff (L) and Brooks (Bro in Law)
We relax by the fireplace with a Corona















(Mama) Mia and Piper Bundle Up for a Walk
















Mom (aka Nana) and Piper Chat About
Apres Ski Fashions.

New Avatar Feb 06

Hey - it totally looks like me NEW hair cut, which I have for the most part gotten good responses on...its still growing on Jeff (he doesn't like bangs), my boss said it was had shades of Uma Thurman (YAH! WITHOUT THE BODY!!), I think its just an updated version of something I have had more than 5 times in my life: a bob.
I bet NONE of you know this - but I think the style of the '20's is the coolest. I always felt as though I had another life during that time and not just because of the styles (but that's another blog). I guess it kind of looks like Catherine Zeta Jones in Chicago..I haven't really done a bob with so much emphasis on the bangs, but, since I always channel the style of the '20's I feel very cool and timeless while feeling hip.

YAHOO does a yucky job with the backgrounds...so I just stopped trying to find a back ground that reflects AZ's weather and just picked this one. Its cold here (relatively speaking) and I AM wearing a cozy jacket everyday..so here I am. The "new" me.

Ski Winter Park

That's the website address for Winter Park, CO - where we (Mom, Mia, Brooks, Piper, Jeff and I) have all just returned from a most adventersome trip - and SKI WINTER PARK we did...despite a windchill on Saturday of -40. You read that right...I too had to do a double take when I read that. Blessedly, in tradition of famously perfect Colorado skiing, day 2 was a perfect 25 degrees and sunny. Ahh...yes. And yet, I with two pairs of long underwear on was taking NO chances.
Winter Park may forever live in my mind as the place I fell in love with skiing again. I haven't gone in 5 years...part of that is time and part of that was money, but another part of it was the fact that everytime I went, it was in AZ - which is mediocre at BEST. Winter Park reminded me that long, wide runs with an over abundance of snow still exist.
Mia and Brooks are largely responsible for this rediscovery, and I am so grateful. Jeff and I have never been skiing together, and even though he spent the entire trip saying that we should "ride" (snowboard) next time...I know it won't be the last time we hit the slopes together..even if he DOES cross over to the "dark side" and" ride" next time we do it together. I explained that I never will if only for the reason that I am NOT a natural athlete and the only reason I can ski at all is because I started when I was 3.
It was an awesome trip...baby Piper was a total joy - and such a good girl, smiling and squeeling with joy..she is apparently a morning person. Finally, she and Aunt T got to spend some time together. It was awesome. Everytime I see Mia and Brooks I wish I saw them more. And one of the highlights was Mom's continued ability to get into stretch pants and look GREAT coming down the hill. All in all: the weekend was too short, but pure perfection...OK - ALMOST. It would have been better with NO DAYS at -40 degrees (wind chill). But I will forgive Winter Park her weather indiscretions.

Good Night, Dear Friend

Betty Friedan passed away yesterday - at the age of 85 - on her birthday. Friedan is the author of the Feminine Mystique and largely credited with the modern day feminist movement.

Betty suggested that the idea that staying at home for a woman wasn't necessarily as fullfilling as the '50's made it out to be. She encouraged women to seek out thier identities outside of their families. Pretty radical stuff for her day. Plenty of people thought the entire world would collapse if her theories came to life. She made such an impact on our society that her ideas are pretty much the norm today. Women who stay home today do so because it IS what they want to do...not because they have no other social or cultural choices.

Betty made the life that most of my female friends live possible. Betty encouraged all of us to pursue our dreams...no matter what they are - CEO or CEMOM!

Of course, that wasn't her only contribution to the feminist movement, but it was one of the more radical for its time.

Good night, Betty. Thanks for living your dreams, and unlocking the feminist movement for all of us who came after you.