Cool Cucumber

I’ve been thinking about TV and me, thanks to Barb’s post called The TV Monster. I read it earlier this evening and was thinking about the best moments in my life; they’ve all been away from the TV, or at least engaging in other active things, mentally.

I wrote a poem in college about TV’s grasp on me; on many people, I think. I won’t subject my faithful and often complimentary readers to the amateur verse, but it was a favorite because it reflected a weakness in me.

See, I never grew up with a TV. Our mom wouldn’t let us watch anything unless it was a movie, and even then we had to haul the 13-inch set + VCR up from the laundry room. I have other friends who grew up TV-less, and we think that our brains are less able to tune out the TV when it’s on now. When we are in front of a TV, our mouths gape widely and sometimes we say things like, “What? What did you just say…?” TV entrances me, to put it bluntly.

So why do I have one today? Well, I live alone, and while I don’t really WANT to watch mindless television very often, I still tend to flick it on when there’s a quiet moment. Sigh. I don’t know why. I think it’s a bad habit, maybe?

So here’s the idea I have… the TV will not come on at my house, except for movies and pre-arranged TV programs. Even when I come home from school and I want nothing more than to lie down and just veg… I’ll do that without TV. I want to keep this vow until the end of 2005 to see how I feel. I know that I am happiest when I have to create… whether it’s art or music or thoughts. When I sit passively, my mind feels soothed for a small period of time… and then comes the regret, later. I want to realize the time lost to television, how precious time is, and that I can never reclaim it.

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A lot of things have happened this season, and as I find myself heading into winter, I am struck with the urge to create a soundtrack. Yes, a soundtrack for this period in my life, where I’m reflecting and thinking often, and listening to a LOT of music. I made my first soundtrack in ‘01, titled Sarah’s Summer CD, and, equally original, later made Sarah’s Summer CD 2004.

Well… this is a good one, folks. I did repeat some artists on the disc, and while I don’t really like doing that, I am in a phase where I really just love these singers/bands (esp. Ben Folds). The songs don’t all have lyrical significance; some are just songs I can’t get enough of right now!

Here it is:

On Your Porch- The Format
In Between Days- Ben Folds
White Shadows- Coldplay
You Speak My Language- Morphine
Laura- Scissor Sisters
The Hardest Part- Coldplay
Bruised- The Bens
Title and Registration- Death Cab for Cutie
Trouble- Ray LaMontagne
Give Judy My Notice- Ben Folds
Brand New Colony- The Postal Service
Mary- Scissor Sisters
Places- Blue Merle
Landed (Strings Version)- Ben Folds
Swallowed In The Sea- Coldplay
Leif Erikson- Interpol
Prison Food- Ben Folds
Angry Any More- Ani Difranco

What are the songs on your mental Fall 2005 Soundtrack?

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I have returned, happily, from my math conference in Denver. It was the National Council of Teachers of Mathematics, and a fantastic time. I learned a lot, walked a lot downtown, and had a lovely weekend.

My panic this weekend was that I didn’t have a computer or Internet access. Seriously, the Marriott hotel wanted to charge me $5 for a 15 minute stint on their computer. What a waste!

I saw a sight that I wanted to photograph and then blog, but unfortunately I didn’t have the camera with me. Instead, I’ll share it using words and a photo I found on Google:

Renee and I were walking down the 16th Street Mall after a delicious meal of spicy tuna and eel rolls (plus 2-for-1 wine). We walked past one of those carriages that sit and wait for customers on high traffic corners, and noticed a dog up on the carriage, next to his book-reading master. The dog was a Shepherd; sort of small for the breed but perhaps a mix. He was sitting next to her, so proudly and distinguished, that I almost thought he was the operator. His head was high, his nose was up, and he just seemed to be king of the carriage as he waited, motionless. I wanted so badly to take that photo!

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if a co-worker commented on your new haircut, saying, “Wow, you look SO much thinner.”?

What the…???? Was that a compliment? Uh… I think she meant it as one, that’s the sad thing.

It does make one a little self-conscious, though.

I’m going to not think about it now, since about 100 kids gave me props for my haircut today, and managed NOT to insult me in the process.

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Just minutes before making the cut.

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Any time I’ve made a drastic hair change, I’ve always hated the cut for at least a week. But this time- I really like it! I am glad that I finally took the plunge.

And wow- I just have to give Ulta Salon kudos here, for their awesome, free haircut. The stylist spent a good hour on me making sure it was just what I wanted, and they even sent the hair in to Locks of Love for me. I was so grateful for her help… and tipped generously as a result.

And in case you’re wondering, all you voters out there, I did choose B. Thank you for everyone who helped me make the cut!

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Why do you think I’m currently the number one link under “cucumber baking” on Google? Hmmm.

Ain’t technology great?

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Apparently it’s haircut season… everyone I know is getting one, and I finally have 10 inches to chop for Locks of Love! I also decided to copy Rob again, so my apologies in advance for stealing his great hair-voting idea.

The question of the hour is, which haircut does Sarah get? Remember, folks, it’s for the kids… so I don’t want to hear that you want me to keep it long! Here are your options:

A:

B:

C:

Vote early, vote often! I make the cut (ah-ha-ha-ha…) Sunday, so get your vote in now!

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I have a child in my class whom I’ll call Daniel. He’s a fun kid; smart, charming, and very likeable.

I got a big surprise when I received a message yesterday from his mother. Here’s what she said:

“Hi Sarah… We have somewhat of a mystery at our house… well, um, I guess we’ve solved it, but… (fumbling for words) I just wanted to let you know what was going on. I got a call from the school office today to tell me that a screw came out of Daniel’s glasses, and they replaced it. Um… but, Sarah, Daniel doesn’t wear glasses.”

What? ‘Yes he does,’ I think, ‘All year long, he’s worn sleek, thin, black glasses!’ He puts them on every day before reading class and wears them faithfully throughout the day. Why, just today during our measurement unit, he discovered that the width of his glasses is exactly one decimeter. What in the world….

As it turns out, our charming little Daniel fessed up to stealing his dad’s reading glasses from home and wearing them at school… for MONTHS now. His dad has been tearing up the house looking for his favorite glasses, while his son is masquerading as a glasses wearer at school!

I laughed for 5 solid minutes with this parent on the phone. She is a good friend of mine (and, strangely enough, also an EU grad) and I had to just chuckle at the grand heist that Daniel pulled off. Not bad, I thought, although VERY, very naughty.

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My brother Mark was in Old Navy with me a few weeks ago, and he was adamant about the idea that pet clothes are stupid. I know, and I can sympathize because I used to feel that way. But- that was before I found this tonight…

I am now one of those silly pet people who does brainless things just to make their pets look cute. (But he is so darned cute in his fleece hoodie!)

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