On the Grid

Saw TRON: Legacy last weekend. You know, it occured to me last night as I was waiting to fall back asleep, that our current society has been influenced by the original TRON. After all, how many times do we talk about being "on the grid" or "off the grid"? That came from TRON. Interesting, huh? Also saw Chronicals of Narnia (again, for movie reviews, see sidebar). I really liked them both. Here's hoping when TRON:Legacy comes out on DVD, the original will too.

Preparations for Christmas have been consuming me lately, but I think I'm almost done. Still need to do my Christmas Cards and letters--I've been considering just sending cards this year. I just can't think of what to say for my Christmas letter.

Friday Night I went with my friend and her kids to see the Symphony of Lights in Columbia. They have all these figures set up with lights throughout the Merriweather Post Pavillion. The kids were so thrilled to see all the lights, especially the 2-year-old. Christmas is so much better with children!

Saturday night I went to the Helicon Concert in Towson (north of Baltiomore). Three guys, one on Hammered Dulcimer or fiddle (Ken Kolodner), one on guitar, piano, citar or other stringed instruments (Robin Bullock), and one on flute, small bag pipes, or other 'toot'ed instruments (Chris Norman) playing seasonal music--not just Christmas, but also for Winter Solstice and even some Hannekah. Ken's son Brad played with them this year on a couple of their songs, playing a banjo and another instrument I didn't catch the name of. It's always a good concert, and puts me in the Christmas spirit. My friend K promised to put it on her calendar for next year (Dec 17, 2011).

Last night was amazing. We had a Lunar Eclipse. It is also the Winter Solstice today. This convergence of events hasn't happened for centuries--since Galileo was alive. My friend M assures me that it will happen again this century (2094). Not sure I plan on being around for that, though. Here's a picture or two from my iPhone (didn't turn out very well, but consider the source)

This last one I tried to zoom in, so it's really on it's side. I suppose that, even though the moon was red, it was still eclipsed so the pictures wouldn't be all that great to begin with. Not a lot of light. Except for the street light behind me. Why did they have to fix it so soon! It was out for a few days, I could have waited a little longer for it to be fixed!

I did go out in my backyard for a while where my house blocks the street light, but my Kitty wouldn't come out with me--not because it was cold (she went out in the front of the house with me) but because she'd have to pass through Ani's territory. I tried to get her, but she didn't want me to do that either. Oh well. Silly Kitty. While there, I picked some rosemary for the dinner I'm making today (crock-pot). I wonder if it's significant to pick rosemary under the light of an eclipsed full moon? Probably not.

They're calling for snow on Saturday. Yes, Christmas Day. It should be beautiful, but I'm not sure I'd be willing to travel down to my friend's house in NoVA if it does. Too many crazies on the road, even on a holiday.

So far I've watched Holiday Inn and White Christmas, on AMC. I also caught most of "The Major and the Minor" with Ginger Rogers. Very fun. A little weird having a 30-year-old pretend to be 12 (she only had half-fare for the train), but as the narrator said, audiences were more generous back then (it was made in the 30's, pre-war). Hey, C, there's another movie for you!

Geotagging and snow

How cool is it that our phones can tell everyone where we were when we took a picture with it? Well, after the article I just read, not so cool. Turns out that between facebook or other social networking sites, pictures we take with our phones, and even just using our phones, people can figure out exactly where we are, what our patterns are, and essentially stalk us without us even knowing. Finding out where we live and when we're not home. So that's a little creepy. Here's the link: http://nyti.ms/917hRh Kinda glad I have that home security system now.

I was informed of this from our security people at work, a presentation sent out to tell people not to give away so much information! So I'm doing my civic duty and telling all my friends.

Ironically, I got an email the other day about how kids would go outside and play all day long back in the 'good old days'. Well, these may not be the 'bad new days', but there's so much more out there we need to be aware of. Not afraid of, mind you, just aware of. I think it's ok for my phone to know where I am when I'm trying to get somewhere else, but maybe not so much when I use the facebook app...

In other news, it's snowing. And apparently the schools have started closing. Hmmm, to night would be a good night to go shopping, no one will be in the stores... but there will be no milk, toilet paper, or bread. Good thing I stocked up on Monday then, huh? I forsee toasted cheese sandwiches and soup in my future...

Ah, Christmastime!

Parties and shows and movies and so much yummy things to eat! But that's not what Christmas is all about. Lest we forget, it's about the wondrous Gift given almost 2000 years ago by Heavenly Father to us and then from Christ to us as he gave himself a ransom for our sins (ok, I am actually borrowing phrases from hymns, so sue me).

I was reminded of this last Sunday night as I went to the Christmas Devotional at the stake center. I normally just stay home and miss it, but this year I'd leant three of my nativities to the annual display, and needed to pick them up, so I went to the broadcast (something my church does every year the first Sunday in December). I sat and knit (I have to knit, my presents aren't finished yet!) and listened and was reminded of what's truly important.

I had a nice Thanksgiving at my friend Kellie's house. We were joined by another family, so the table was full, and the food was very yummy. Kellie and I then went to visit another friend, afterwards returning to watch an episode of LOST. Always a good time.

The next day I braved the stores, but not until about 9:00am, and hit a nice lull--the lines were actually fairly short, and the stores weren't crowded. I got all the fabric I should need for the next year for baby blankets, and even did some other shopping. Then home to put things away and cuddle with my kitty.

Kitty's been very nice lately (ok, not this morning, but that was my fault). I think she's trying to show me that she's the 'good' cat. Ani, on the other hand, is still hiding behind the futon in the basement. I bought him a nice fluffy pad that should help him keep warm, but it also has the effect that I can't see him when he's on it. In a day or two I'm going to switch it with the one I bought Kitty--identical pads (actually, two in one box), so maybe they can start getting used to one another's smell. Ani still seems quite timid, but does seem like he's adjusted to his new situation. I just need Ani and Kitty to not fight--even if they ignore each other, that would be ok too.

Went to see HP7 pt1 that weekend as well--I really liked it. My main frustration with the whole movie series is that they left out a couple of key things in the previous 2-3 movies that would have made the beginning of this movie make a lot more sense. I'm still mad they didn't include Dobby in Goblet of Fire, but oh well. I suppose I shall have to just deal with it. He's back in this movie, finally. they still skip over too many things, expecting people to have read the book, I imagine, but that's ok.

The last week has been rather tame as I have been busy at work trying to finish up a document. It's done now, thankfully. Got lots to do still at home to finish getting ready for Christmas. And I have no idea what to put in my annual Christmas letter!

Merry Christmas to all, and to all a good night!