Footie

Happiness in a headline:

Ruthless Man Utd cruise into final

And so it is that the Best Team Ever is heading toward a possible back to back Champions League win. Yay!!

Honestly!

So, I've been away for a few days, meaning my poor overworked computer has had a break as much as I have. I came back ready to get to it once more, but the power cord - an essential component of modern technology - decided to stay on vacation. Since so much of my raison d'etre is wrapped up in these bits and bytes I had to replace it quickly or my lifeblood would seep away.

After attending to necessities this morning I visited the usual places you would visit were you in need of computer accessories. Let me tell you now: do not bother. The usual places (The Day After Tomorrow Store; Supreme Purchase; Metal Paper Fasteners) do not stock computer accessories, do not know anything about computer accessories, and can't be bothered to tell customers anything about computer accessories. What a to-do! The whole endeavor quite wrung me out. Besides which, it turns out power cords are very expensive! Sheesh!

I am longing for the good old days of manual typewriters. The worst that could happen with them was the keys getting tangled if you typed too quickly. You would have to change the ribbon from time to time, but back in the day the usual places to buy typewriter supplies probably actually stocked supplies, knew about their stock, and provided excellent customer service.

I was so not impressed with the experience that I drowned my sorrows in a midweek movie. I watched an Aussie, a Brit, and a Canadian uncover a dastardly plot by American war profiteers. All is right in my world once again.

Treasures

I love a road trip, don't you? I enjoy driving, and a road trip is the perfect combination between doing nothing and yet accomplishing something. I find it very meditative to drive for long distances, plus it's a perfect opportunity to wail along to loud music without disturbing the neighbours.
A week ago, I stocked up on good tunes (a forthcoming post will include my first attempt at album reviews. Stay tuned!), snacks (chocolate covered almonds) and yummy bevvies. I attempted to buy a toasted bagel with cream cheese from the world's most famous purveyor of legal addictive stimulants (get the quote?)because it was next door to both my bank and the gas station. However, as I pulled away I discovered that this bagel I asked for - to go - was indeed toasted, but the cream cheese was in packages on the side. How does one lather a bagel whilst tooling down the 401 I ask you? Thank goodness for those almonds - nature's perfect food.
Supplies in place, I hit the road. The sky was blue, the sun was shining, traffic stayed out of my way, and good friends were at the other end waiting for me. I don't have a large posse, but the friends I have -- the ones that have stuck over the years -- are my treasure. Martina and Serge, you always make me laugh and I feel special when I'm with you. Thank you. Lil and Shankar, you made work seem like play and reminded me that life is bigger than four walls. Thank you. Rose, you inspire me to seek the truth and never settle for less. Thank you.

CTKS

Do it to me, wind! Do it to me! (Number Four Nephew when we were playing with the sheets hanging out on the line. The wind blew one into my face, and Four wanted a turn, too.)

Number Two Nephew has on occasion wandered in his sleep. One night, as his mom and I were in the living room after his bedtime we heard bathroom sounds of doors opening and closing, and water flushing. Then there were footsteps in the hall in our direction. I noticed him, and asked him what was up. He mumbled something I didn't catch, and snuggled against me. Suspecting he might not be really awake, I asked him if he knew where he was; to which he answered "In my house". I asked if he knew where in his house he was, he said "In the middle" which was perfectly true.

The end! No more story! (Four's version of the grown-up "End of story!" meant to put an end to negotiations)

The benefits of cheese

I just watched a cheezie old movie. I must draw your attention to those adjectives, for it was both cheezie and old. It is, however, an old family favourite and seeing it again was completely satisfying.

The thing is, life is meant to be lived...well and truly lived. We are meant to be fully alive, not lukewarm and half asleep. So... do the things that you really enjoy doing; spend your time on the things that satisfy you. Of course there are things that must be done -- dishes and laundry, for instance. I don't particularly enjoy them, but they must be done, and so they should be done well. On the other hand, vacuuming does not need to be done...I simply live without carpet and sweep instead. The quality of my life is vastly improved by this philosophy.

One of the things I really enjoy doing is watching movies. The movies need not be highbrow and deeply meaningful, but I find all good movies, even if a little bit silly, always have something to say. For instance the movie I just saw was about a New York City cantor, a jewish son from a long line of cantors. He had a wonderful musical gift, and was expected to take his place in the family tradition of singing in Shul. However, he wanted to be a singer/songwriter, and in persuing his dream, he alienated his wife and father. Both thought it was a waste of talent to 'sing about nothing' and that he should instead use his talent in service to God. I totally agree that our talents are meant to be put to use in ways that give glory, rather than allow them to waste away, or inflict harm. However, would Jess really have given glory to God if he could only sing halfheartedly in the synagogue? He wanted to share his gift with people...the need to do so burned in him.

His story is what led to my little rantlet in paragraph two above. Find the thing that makes you fully who you are, and do that thing really well. Fortunately for me a thing I do really well is cull wisdom from inanity and share it benevolently with all who care to listen.

HUA

The military, while burdened with ungainly levels of bureaucracy (in triplicate)in some areas, is in other areas, succinct and efficient. One of those ways is in communication within its structure. The system is bemusing to the uninitiated: acronyms and shortforms for long names and phrases (such as the familiar AWOL for Absent Without Leave, and the not so familiar D/W for dependant wife), and cryptic codes for the normally short and sweet (such as Zulu for Zed. Instead of helping someone spell my name with 'Tea, Eee, Ess, Ess, I would say Tango, Echo, Solo, Solo...which actually is a lot of fun. I'll have to try that next time I have a chance. A dear friend and I used to quiz each other on the military alphabet -- but only when our very busy and very important jobs allowed) (But I digress).

Some of these military terms are satisfyingly perfect for the situation. You may have heard 'SNAFU'? Situation Normal All Fu...dged Up. There are times when that is precisely what has occurred: a previously under control situation has gone pear-shaped (an expression, which, frankly, I don't understand). You could go into a lengthy explanation of just how bad things are, but just saying "It was a bit of a snafu" sums it up very well.

Another expression I am fond of (it makes me giggle) is HUA. I believe it stands for "Heard. Understood. Acknowledged." As someone who relates with young children, I find this to be a useful word, and I mean to adopt it. Particularly now as Four is constantly repeating himself with the same questions...something One, Two and Three often do as well. (When's supper? Where's Opa? Can I?) With Number Four Nephew still learning speech, I don't always know what the desired response is, but he needs some feedback. Hua gives it all: I heard you, I feel your pain, you are important to me, I'm now getting on with it. The kids could be taught to give the response too, meaning: I heard you, I understand what you're asking of me, I will now clean my room without having to be asked again.

Four and Five have been delivered back home and are luxuriating in the presence of their tanned and relaxed parents, and I am giving an emphatic inner HUA. I received my mission, I knew what I had to do, and I successfully carried it out. Hua expresses my feelings perfectly: phew -- with a touch of thank the Good Lord.

Ironical

It is a little ironical that I have been meaning to write about motherhood and what moms and mothering means to me, a single woman of certain years, and childless. A friend suggested I submit some writing to a contest, the subject of which being moms and motherhood. I've been mulling over lately, whether it is being a mother to someone that makes a woman womanly. How much of being a mom is there in femininity? Can I have those qualities fulfilled if I am not a mom?

This week I am playing at being mom. I am (with the very able assistance of my own experienced mom) looking after Number Four and Number Five. I find myself with shockingly little time for sloth or idleness eh Phipps...or for writing about motherhood. (Did you catch that quote?) So, while I am elbow deep in diapers, runny noses and inspiration for things to write about, I am not likely to get much of it down on paper, or tapped into a keyboard.

As I wade, elbow deep in these fundamentals of life, I offer prayer upon prayer for all you moms who do this for real. God bless you! God bless you! God bless you!