Family matters

Members of my family have been up to stuff.

First, my mom (who has no blog or live journal that I know of) had a quilt of her own making featured in a show last weekend. The quilt and its crafter are shown above.

Second, brother Ultimate Sean and spouse Shushanna cut a major rug, Middle-Eastern style, at Spring Caravan 2008. Check it out!

I need at least one mama and one papa

I've been neglecting my music exposure this last year, so now I have decided to get my groove back and expose myself to new sounds. I've been listening to WXPN for new sounds, but then it occurred to me that perhaps I should look back as well. For whatever reason, I thought of the Mamas and the Papas, and particularly of this great song Mama Cass sang in the film "Pufnstuf." This film, which I have not seen in years, is as I recall really trippy. Whoa. But I liked the song so much I am including the entire thing as today's favorite lyric. That's one of the benefits of being an adult, you know.

But I digress. Can anyone recommend a specific M&P album that seems a good place to start? Leave a comment, please.

New favorite lyric:

"When I was smaller, and people were taller
I realized that I was different
I had a power that set me apart
I learned to take it, to use it, to make it
It's not so bad to be different, to do your own thing
And do it with heart

Different is hard, different is lonely
Different is trouble, for you only
Different is heartache, different is pain
But I'd rather be different than be the same

At first I'd wonder, what hex I was under
What did I do to be so different?
Then I discovered some others like me
Wonder no longer, together we're stronger
It's not so bad to be different, be true to yourself
That's what you must be

Different is hard, different is lonely
Different is trouble for you only
Different is heartache, different is pain
But I'd rather be different than be the same"

Artist: Cass Elliot (author unknown)
Song: Different
Album: Soundtrack of "PufnStuf"

I'm just going to say it...

Although the deal has fallen through twice and came to the brink a third time, I may as well say it; Dan and I are buying a house. I suppose I shouldn't list here the exact address, but it's in Bella Vista, which is fancy-talk for that part of South Philadelphia just south of South. Just four blocks, actually, so we'll still be super-convenient to Center City without paying $500,000 for 750 square feet. We should move in mid-to-late July, and there will indeed be a housewarming shortly after, so everyone will have a chance to see it.

Despite my strong support of Barack Obama for president, I have to say that I felt a pang when Hillary Clinton bowed out of the race. I've always liked her as a candidate, even if I didn't always like the way she campaigned, and to tell the truth I harbored a secret fantasy of watching with glee the apoplexy on Redstate.com when President Hillary took office. Another year, perhaps.

I didn't forget

Happy birthday, Star. Wherever you are, I hope turning 35 is easier there than it is here.

New favorite lyric:

"And it seems to me that something good
Is coming if you think it could
And I don't know where and I don't know how
But I put my head into the clouds
It's beautiful
Life is"

Artist: Amy Correia (Amy Correia)
Song: Life is Beautiful
Album: Carnival Love

On the runway...

…and ready for takeoff! Yes, I Netflixed Season 3 of "Project Runway", and so far I am having a blast. The passive-aggressive criticism! The egos! The snide put-downs! And after all that, you get to look at clothes. The only thing that could make it better is if Netflix shipped chocolate to my door along with the DVD. When I got the DVD, the following conversation ensued:

Me: Look, I got Project Runway Season 3!

Dan: Why didn't you get Season 4?

Me: Well, we've already seen about a third of that season, and we know who won.

Dan: Then why didn't you get Season 1?

Me: Well…because…shut up!

The problem was educating him.

The Democratic primary is finally over, hurray, although not without a surfeit of drama, accusations of stealing the nomination, etc. This will probably get me in trouble, but something has struck me about these fanatical Hillary supporters who have pledged to vote McCain in the fall because they're mad that their gal lost. Aren't they living right up to the stereotype of the irrational woman who makes decisions not rationally but emotionally? That's not to say that all Clinton supporters, male and female, feel that way, nor that support for her candidacy was in itself irrational. However, acting as if the nomination was hers by right is irrational. The nomination goes to the guy/gal who gets the delegates, and that's Obama. Now it's time for liberals to come together and support the candidate more likely to advance our agenda, and that's not John McCain.

However, for those who feel as though a spite vote is worth another four years of Republican rule, keep this in mind. When John McCain invades Iran, or supports oil dependence, or nominates another Alito or Scalia to the Supreme Court, thank yourself, for you'll have played a part.

Best birthday wishes to Babyraven and VisMajor, who get one year better this month.

New favorite lyric:

"It's in the deep of your soul, it's on the tip of your tongue
It's in the feeling you get when you feel young
It's in the sound of the beat, it's in the base of your spine
It's in your gut reaction every time
They tell you what you should have
They tell you who you should be
It's in the TV and ads and in the magazines
I'm kicking it off like a bug in the breeze
'Cause is anyone out there inside me?"

Artist: Heather Nova (Heather Nova)
Song: Virus of the Mind
Album: South

Show #3

I have posted video evidence of my performance at the MS fundraiser. Enjoy!

By the way, the headliner, Sheila Kay, was quite good. Even Dan was cracked up, which isn't something that happens easily. Check her out.