At a loss for my own words...

Well, as the year draws to a close I search to find the hope of tomorrow. The belief that each morning that comes awakens to day far better than the one left behind. I am at loss today to find my own words - to put into feeling what is in my head - so I am going to just lay down some from a few far greater and far smarter than I. It has been a long day - one of reflection - it seems like the past two years has given me much more of those days than any other. and so it goes...

For last year's words belong to last year's language
And next year's words await another voice.
And to make an end is to make a beginning.
~T.S. Eliot, "Little Gidding"

A person’s character is what it is. It’s a little like a marriage – only without the option of divorce. You can work on it and try to make it better, but basically you have to take the bitter with the sweet.
— Henrik Hertzberg, 20th-century American editor and journalist

And ye, who have met with Adversity's blast,
And been bow'd to the earth by its fury;
To whom the Twelve Months, that have recently pass'd
Were as harsh as a prejudiced jury -
Still, fill to the Future! and join in our chime,
The regrets of remembrance to cozen,
And having obtained a New Trial of Time,
Shout in hopes of a kindlier dozen.
~Thomas Hood

We spend January 1 walking through our lives, room by room, drawing up a list of work to be done, cracks to be patched. Maybe this year, to balance the list, we ought to walk through the rooms of our lives... not looking for flaws, but for potential. ~Ellen Goodman

Christmas 2007 - Jackson, Minnesota

So everyone (or the three people who read this blog and are not here) Merry Christmas Eve! It has already been two over days here and Christmas is just upon us. Wow - the fun hasnt even started yet but I thought I would put down a few bullet points of the amazing Christmas we have already had (and everyone is watching VH1 right now so what else do I have to do)...

First off - theme music for Christmas 2007 - if I made a mixed tape with music from this Christmas it would be comprised of this -
Lily Allen - Nan Youre a Window Shopper & the Knocked Out Song
Kate Nash - Merry Happy & Foundations
Rolling Stones - Paint It Black
Cream - Sunshine of Your Love
Elton John - Rocket Man
Styx - Come Sail Away
Billy Joel - Piano Man
Kiss - anything from Kiss
Right now that is it - more to come I imagine...

Other sparkle words to describe Christmas so far -
Air Piano
Air Drumming to the Guitar Part (seriously I just am not musically inclined but i really do try)
Guitar Hero (which I still refuse to play - dont even get me started on it)
Singing in the Car
Wham!
Dancing with Grandma to Paint it Black & The Story of My Life
DJ Alison...enough said - she just rules
Taco Bake
Fondue - deep fried gummy worms, spam, and other fun stuff - what cant you deep fry is the real question people...
Shouting - "They have a Wii" in the electronic department at Walmart (yes I went to walmart but lets not talk about that)
The Wind (my goodness - I forgot how windy and cold Southwestern Minnesota is - *big sigh*)
BUT the BIG WINNER of Christmas 2007 will have to be the Wii...seriously it does bring families together...or at least competitive ones like the Opehim family

I hope everyone is having a most excellent Christmas so far and when you open presents tonight you get everything your heart desires this holiday season...although most of the time we cant wrap those things up now can we?...ali

Christmas time...

well it is christmas here at the opheim family's house and everyone has accumulated at Grandma and Grandpa's for a fun filled few days in Jackson. As I rode down in the car today listening to random fun songs on Kara's IPOD I thought of some of my favorite memories of Christmas and how varied they are. Here are just a few - add one if you can remember -

Driving to Jackson for Christmas with Dad and singing to George Thorogood-One bourbon, one whiskey, one beer (that has actually become a favorite christmas song to me now)

At my apartment above the St Clair Boiler - having Christmas - opening presents there with Kara and Josh and still trying to get her to watch White Christmas with me - we never made it through

Three years in a row - Jenny, my cousin, throwing up during the christmas program at the Opheims - possible culprit - the green pretzel salad - wow can we be any more Minnesotan

Uncle Mike Bettin passing out during present opening at the Bettin's

Christmas I spent working at the Premiere Video store in Rochester - eating chinese food that my sister brought to me from next door (actually one of my favorite memories - i loved that job)

Okay - so i am going to include this one - it is one of the more embarrasing stories of myself... I am somewhat of a snoop and well I wanted a cd player and i opened up my present under the tree before christmas came - well I tried to wrap it back up but i suck at wrapping and mom figured it out. So needless to say they unwrapped it - took out the cd player - and wrapped up rocks - so when I opened it and got rocks - lets just say my face was priceless - yes i am a sad individual

well - maybe I will add more as I go this holiday weekend - although I am on dialup here so - i may not have the will to deal with that... so if i dont write anything else I just want to wish you all a very merry christmas and a happy new year - I hope each and everyone of you get everything you desire this christmas time and are ready to welcome what will be one of the best years of our lives - love you all (especially if you vote for me in the contest - then i love you more)....ali

Happy Birthday...

Happy birthday Dad - from Kara and Ali - we miss you very very much!

disappointment....

Anyone who knows me - knows enough that certain things can make my blood boil and work me up into a bit of a fit. Well tonight is a prime example of that and instead of ranting to Jon I decided to put my feelings down here.

As many of you know - I am somewhat of a science fiction fan. End of the world scenarios fasinate and interest me to no end. Tell me that there is an apocalyptic style movie, book or tv show - and I am there. I love discussing possible ramifications of zombie attacks and creating escape plans in my mind. I lie awake some nights thinking of how I would organize my bunker to maximize resources during an end of the world scenario or how I would setup a society from the ground up after the disaster. Yes, I am just that weird.

So now you can imagine my excitement when I heard they were going to be making I Am Legend into a movie. Now please dont think that I am naive enough to think that a movie staring Will Smith wouldnt be an action blockbuster. I was under no illusion that this film would touch on the philosophical nuances of Richard Matheson's fabulous piece of fiction. I was, although, under the illusion that it was based on the book - which, much to my surprise, was far from it.

Besides sharing the title and the main character's name there was nothing resembling the masterful work that I Am Legend is on paper. Gone was everything that made the book a work of art. To me it was like remaking The Dirty Dozen and calling it Little Women.

That being said I decided to be open minded and wait and see - even after Jon turned to me and asked me if I wanted to leave about 20 minutes into the film. I never thought that it would be a word for word adaptation of the book or even an idea for idea adaptation but I figured it would all turn out the same in the end.

So... I sat through the entire film waiting for the last haunting scene from the end of the book which had filled me with such poignancy when I read it. The final scene had wrapped up so much of what Matheson was trying to say about life and what constitutes it that I waited and I waited but it never came. I must say the ending made me quite upset - so much so I was out of my seat before the credits and walking out the door in a huff. Now I am not going to ruin it for everyone out there who has not seen the movie and wishes to (even after reading my scathing review) but I will say that hollywood always has a way of wrapping it up so nicely.

So this is what I wanted to tell you. Please dont join the other mindless masses (seriously dudes it made 75 million this weekend) and go see this train wreck of a movie - instead read the book - you can borrow mine - my goodness if you want come over - i will read it to you.

As I have been writing this I have started to settle down a little. As I left the theater, I told Jon I was going to write a letter to the film studio telling them they should be ashamed for using a name of such a great book which the movie had nothing to do with but that feeling has subsided - and tomorrow I will probably just say, if anyone would ask me, dont see the film - not worth the money - you can borrow my book - much better.

Sadness... the end of my best season to date

I am sad tonight... As I sit here listening Johnny Cash and looking back on a season with ups and downs - I wonder what went wrong. I could blame it on LT's lack luster season, but as Josh said, who just took me out of the running of the title - it would be unheard of for such a repeat of last year. I could blame it on injuries, match ups, and other very reasonable arguments. But I need to put the blame squarely where it belongs... I got by on nothing but luck and the pity of friend's advice.

I must admit I know very little about fantasy football - I know some players names (really, only the ones on my team or the ones with funny names) - I know the teams and basics (obviously i understand the fundamentals of football) but I put no where near the time and energy some people do in the league. I merely check my lineups on Sunday morning or Thursday afternoon and read a few updates and make my decision.

I must admit I am proud of Josh... the effort and time he - along with many others in the league show should be rewarded - I know it will be a great match up with him and Jed next week (secretly hoping Jed wins though - only because we share a deep love of Monopoly, SciFi and especially Buffy - GO JED! - sorry brother-in-law).

As this season wraps up - I am looking forward to next season's draft (mostly just the good snacks part - come on people its me) and thinking about a possible new name for my team. I may not have won this year, I may never win a season and I may never be really good at the game - but I love it.

The competition, the fun bantering between teams, the excitement of a great week or disappointment of a bad one, the draft - when people make the crazy picks (dad - the first year picking so many vikings players), and most especially the priceless arguments over unfair trades (come on people just ask Jon and Josh about that one a season or two ago - they get all worked up in no time - i love it).

All those and more are reasons I hope we will do it for years to come... and I will leave you with this promise - next year Josh - no matter what - you will not be the one to take me out as you seem to be the one who does it every year... I vow to beat you next year - even if it means taking the time and actually doing the research to make the good picks - Revenge of the Tator Mitts - NOT ANYMORE - it will be revenge on the Jones (or not so many Jones)...

Grand Cafe New Years Eve Dinner

Just wanted to give a little plug to Jon's restaurant for New Year's Eve Dinner. Jon just finished writing this amazing menu and I just wanted to share it with all - if you want to go make your reservations now - and if you haven't had a chance to try Jon's food you are missing out on the best in the twin cities - quite possibly the world... maybe i exaggerate but people who have experienced a meal by radle would probably agree with me - the man has talent... So here is the menu -

Tasting Menu
Meat & Fish

Amuse Bouche -
Actually this is still to be decided
Suggested Wine -
Charles de Frere Cuvee Jean Louis Brut

Fois Gras Angolotti
Braised Celery and Apples
Toasted Almond Cream
Suggested Wine -
Pierre Gaillard Roussanne-Viognier

Seared Diver Scallops
Caramelized Cauliflower
Warm Spiced Carrot Salad
Roasted Lobster Sauce
Suggested Wine -
Louis Bouilot Rose Cremant de Bourgogne

Black Truffle Custard
Parmesan Consomme
Wilted Watercress
Suggested Wine - Marchese Di Barolo Barbera Ruvei

Pan Roasted Filet of Beef
Potato & Cepe Pave
Mustard Braised Kale
Rosemary-Fig Gastrique
Suggested Wine -
Chateau de Lescours St. Emilion

Chocolate-Hazelnut Pots de Creme
Suggested Wine -
Quady Elyssium Black Muscat
OR
Macaroon - Lemon Napolean
Satsuma Orange
Suggested WIne -
Chateau Hallet Sauternes

Prix Fixe - $65 per person
with suggested wine pairing - $110 per person

There is also an entire vegetarian menu but seriously I have typed enough and I know like one vegetarian so just call me or email me and I will send you the vegetarian menu (which is just as awesome).

Also - I totally want to go and enjoy this fabulous menu so if anyone is down let me know - cause I do many things on my own a lot but I think enjoying New Years Dinner at a restaurant by myself is just kind of sad...

side bar - thanks for the votes people - keep them coming - keep them coming... seriously who voted for kara over me? - seriously i understand twisted sister and elizabeth bennet and even josh but really people...

Merry Christmas Kara....

I don't have a lot to give this year in terms of money. I don't have a lot to give in terms of beautiful gift wrapped papers and bows, with elegant name cards on them.

I wish I could give you the world but, alas, I am just a poor girl with nothing to give but herself - so that is what you get. My present to you, big sister, this Christmas is myself - at least my time and energy.

A few months ago I said sure - why not - to this little blog thing - and since then I have posted once or twice - while you - although you have another blog - have taken the time to post multiple times. I haven't always been great at following through with things but for Christmas my gift to you will be follow through.

and as a side bar - for all those who know me really well - it isnt going to be like the magazine subscriptions

I dedicate to working on this blog - at least checking in daily to change my daily quote and post something at least 3 times a week. Merry Christmas Big Sister - I Love You very much...

ps - to everyone else - the poll will end at midnight on Christmas Eve - if I win Kara has agreed to pay for a trip to Las Vegas for me and a friend - so come on people - VOTE for the coolest - and I am sure I dont have to remind you - but that is ME...

- oh yeah - merry christmas to you all too... i hope you enjoy my musings