Mrs. Dalloway and The Kite Runner

My latest read was Mrs. Dalloway-- read it for the first time! Loved it. I'm glad it wasn't ruined for me by an awful high school English class' study questions and quizzes and regurgitated essays!

"...this figure, made of sky and branches as it is, had risen from the troubled sea... as a shape might but sucked up out of the waves to shower down from her magnificent hands compassion, comprehension, absolution."

"After that, how unbelievable death was! -- that it must end; and no one in the whole world would know how she had loved it all."



Saw The Kite Runner with Liz on Monday. It was good but... the book is just so much more emotional and thought provoking. The movie misses the mark on pulling out the full extent of emotion tied in with the story of the boys, Afghanistan's history and plight, the terror and horrors of the Taliban. I remember being so much more moved by it all from reading the book. Nonetheless, this story is important so making it more accessible for the public through film is not a bad thing. I just think a library card serves much better than a movie ticket for this one.

MLK Weekend

Largely uneventful save about 8 episodes of Entourage Season 3 and a new found addiction to The Tudors.

The Packers/NYG game last night was CRAZY! Great game to watch... and a hard one to root for since NYG is my east-coast adopted team but I would have loved to see a Packers/Pats Superbowl. We watched at Muffin/Sweeting's (Meetings or Deetings... Why haven't we thought of Dweetings yet? That's more fun). Best part of their house (aside from the inhabitants of course) is definitely the fireplace. After all too much coercion, we finally convinced Sweeting to let us but the pizza boxes in the fire despite his reservations that we would "dirty the flu." Seriously? Seriously. I have no idea why this was a highlight of my Sunday, but it was.

Three day weekends are the best things ever... tonight will be David and my 3rd Annual MLK Day Georgia Browns visit. Can't think of a better way to celebrate the man than by eating soul food. Really, what could be a better tribute? Ok I can think of a few things, but none taste as good as Georgia Browns.

James Taylor Tuesday

My boss and a lot of my office left for their international trip... leaving me alone in the front office! Boring.

Made oh-so-much-better with James Taylor. I semi-stole Muffin's "One Man Band" cd that just came out. It's awesome. The Frozen Man and Traveling Star... top notch.

"I know what it means to freeze to death
To lose a little life with every breath
To say goodbye to life on earth
To come around again
Lord have mercy on the frozen man"

"Watch my back and light my way
My traveling star, my traveling star
Watch over all of those born St. Christopher's Day
Old road dog, young runaway
They hunger for home but they cannot stay
They wait by the door
They stand and they stare
They're already out of there"

Nails and Colts

Last weekend was one of those good ol' DC weekends... busy, but low key. Caught up with Kate Anfuso on Friday night over a cup of tea and then stopped by Curran's birthday debacle at Cafe Japone. Had to say farewell to Brian Courteville at The Diner-- he's off to his post in Mexico as a FSO! Boooooo. Vamos a echarte de menos Brian!

Saturday I went to the Apple Store with D and Patrick... seriously that place must be always busy. It was nuts! Good thing D made an appointment for Patrick to get a replacement for his dummy iphone. That night I went to Ty and Mignon's to watch the Pats game and play some board games. Mignon had prizes and I won a mini-tiara. Perfect for me haha.

Sunday... nails with Caroline. How girly! More fabulous though was the big screen hdtv in the nail salon where I managed to catch the Colts game. LOVE IT! Bummed they lost though. My new vision for the superbowl (no matter how unlikely) is a Pats/Packers matchup and Brett Farve emerging in a victorious blaze of glory over Tom Brady. How monumental would that be!? Ugh. I'd love it. Looking forward to Brennan and Paul hosting their (my) superbowl party!

DINO and Diets

I went to DINO in Cleveland Park last night for dinner with two family friends. Fun to catch up with them! We had some laughs and I now have an ally to float some travel ideas to my parents for family vacations :)

Speaking of dinner, I'm doing okay on the diet front. About a week into it and feeling pretty good. I'm trying a cleanse for the first couple of weeks- just a ton of non-processed foods... veggies, protein, water. Pretty boring, but okay if you plan ahead. I'm paying dues so that in my next life I can have the metabolism of a small child.

One funny and kind of gross thing to mention... so I'm taking supplements and as a caution/note on one of them it said "May cause unexpected bowel movements at night or in the morning." Um. WHAT? Like... couldn't they have added an adjective or something to explain exactly what they mean by "unexpected?" Unexpected like... hello! There it is! Or unexpected like... I will have some warning?? Just for the record, so far I've been okay.

New

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.
-TS Eliot-

I appreciate getting a new start every January 1st, but when the clock struck midnight welcoming in 2008, I couldn't help but be a little sad to say goodbye to 2007.

I began 2007 in a hotel room in Atlanta followed by a few days of Passion- always good to start a year off with a spiritual focus. I got to speak to Dr. John Piper in front of a few thousand others! Intimidating, but very exciting to have that opportunity.


I started a new job shortly after that-- and aside from being lucky to have a job as a Republican in this city at that point, I got luckier in finding friends like Erin... Shane... Kathryn. And coworkers like J-Lough, Anfuso, Jackie, Dee Dee. And bosses like Anne, Ben, and the boss.



One of the most memorable and special parts of 2007 was making the trek to Chicago in February and meeting up with Jono and Julie for a night downtown. We waited a good two or three hours for a deep dish pizza and then literally froze walking back up Michigan Ave to our hotel. The next day we drove to Sterling to surprise Dad and be there for his induction into the Sterling High School Hall of Fame. Just a really special time for our family to be together without kids and spouses (although we love them!) and connect with Mom and Dad's roots and our extended family in Sterling who we see so infrequently.


Meeting the President with Mom and Dad!


Shamrock Fest, St. Patrick's Day, and Cinco de Mayo at our house... good times with good friends. Except when Shane decides to push people through glass panes.


Patrick coming into my life thanks to David!! I was so nervous to meet him hahaha. Then after a few balcony chats, I knew we were kindred spirits. Couldn't resist this picture :)


New Orleans! My first real trip for no other purpose than just needing and wanting to go somewhere for me. Hand Grenades with some hilarious locals, jazz at that one bar on Bourbon where I just tapped my foot and smiled, the classic rock bar across the street from the jazz place with the great electric guitarist, and of course... Martin Sexton.


A new addition to the Shaffer family! Kyle David born in May (bad aunt for not remembering the exact date!!! May 18?)


Memorial Day weekend at Muffin's on Long Island. Overnight drives and Naps and books and that really good sandwich made by what's his face at the General Store. Whisky wind and bonfires.


St. John! Snorkeling, beaches, and discovering the Rhonda special: Peanut butter sandwiches and a beer. Guitar playing under the stars every night.


Saying goodbye to Michael James Haffner, which makes me tear up as I write this. I'm still confused and upset. You are so missed.

Monticello for my birthday!


Being so excited to be a part of and celebrate Brian and Joanne Parker's wedding in October!


Going to California for Mom's 60th and presenting her with a memory book I thought turned out so great :)



Hispanic Heritage Awards with Wayne... Halloween at Muffin and Sweeting's... Metro Cooking and Entertaining Show for Liz's Birthday... Thanksgiving at home... Army Navy... Christmas... Ringing in the New Year at Muffin's with good food and wine and great friends.

New Year's Resolutions for 2008:
1. Diet. Kathy Napoli Style.
2. Continue to learn the guitar
3. Take the LSAT
4. Become spiritually financial

Happy New Years! May 2008 overflow with family, friends, faith, and love.