Life Updates of a Larger Magnitude

I would be a bad friend if I didn't gush about how wonderful my birthday was, and so I will.It started with a little extra sleep (the snooze button was my gift to myself) and just got better from there. Right before lunch a gorgeous bouquet of flowers arrived direct from London. Ok, probably not from London, but from Julie in London via the local florist. They have made every day since a better day (They're amazing. I would post a pic, but I can't figure out how to get it off my phone onto my computer). I thought that would be the highlight, but... My plans for the evening consisted of a fiddle lesson followed by dinner at the apartment and maybe the gym. Good thing my plans got hijacked. Surprise #1: Shakes and Matt met me in Fenway after my lesson and we braved the cold to go to Narc and Joy's (adorable) apartment. Surprise #2: Marc and Emily are there with presents! And Naomi arrives shortly therafter with presents and CUPCAKES! After a few glasses of delic...

I feel joyful and blessed, and at 26 the world's at my fingertips, not quite in my hands. (still) To all my dazzling friends, my darling Matt Shea, and my devoted family, thank you. (It's like I just won a Grammy. But really it's just my birthday)

In a little spin off of my blog below (which you probably haven't even had time to read yet), I found out through Joy that the MA Dept of Public Safety now wants to put climbing walls (in rock gyms) under the category "Amusement Devices" so that they can subject them to regulation. ( Read article ) In response, I typed up and sent the following letter out to the addressee, as well as 2 newspapers. Take THAT! ______________________________________________ Kevin M. Burke Massachusetts Department of Public Safety 1 Ashburton Place, Room 1310 Boston, MA 02108 To Whom It May Concern: Dearest Department of Public Safety, oh glorious office, valiantly protecting the health and well-being of our dear Massachusetts citizens. Please, stop. I am writing with regards to the proposed regulations on climbing walls. I just can’t take it anymore. Stop spending taxpayer money and time on regulating every damn thing. Climbing walls at rock gyms are not an “Amusement Device”. They’re...

26 years into my life and finally I become aware of the world around me. I guess it's been happening gradually, but I'm starting to wonder why I never cared before? That's probably neither here nor there, but... I'm reading a book that touches on the fall of Rome, and (like so many other Americans) I can't help but see the parallels. We are a flawed monolith, trying to build ever higher while ignoring the cracks at the bottom. And the people who do notice the cracks at the bottom have no possible way of communicating them to the people polishing up the top. Our great Roman Army, once the pride of the nation, has now fallen under a shadow of apathy and complacency. We have been too long a nation of peace and now we think that we are entitled to it. The rest of the world, not having the privelege of wealth or protection, has no qualms about victory through military might, or furthering their objectives through brute force if diplomacy doesn't work. I'm ...

(that means I just get to ramble.) There's a couple of big things on my mind - weddings, breakups, babies (none of which pertain to me at the moment) but instead have just left me contemplative. if you are left with one (gaping) hole in the the middle of you that you don't really care to fill (wallowing being sometimes infinitely better than the potential disappoint of realizing you can't fill it) -- (or even worse, realizing that the hole is bigger than you initially imagined, and far beyond your capacity to fix), yes, if you are in this situation, what is the best course of action? is there any tactful, even graceful way to get through it? should you and does it matter? (now i know you little busybodies are diligently racking your brains for the cause of said hole, but let me put you at ease, this is merely a currently unrelated but previously experienced event, brought to the fore by the world around me) or still... if you are to break that tender object so firmly p...

First - I've added a link (on the left) for My Pictures. The most recent addition is pics from Dec 2006 including: Elaine visiting Boston, our trip to NYC, and Christmas. Now then... I've successfully (well, that's a matter of debate) completed 2 fidil lessons, and I am happier than a pig in... well, you know. After a week of trying to master "Camp Town Ladies" I got stage fright when I had to play for Eilis (my teacher) and it came out quite crappy. Nevertheless, we plunged headlong into 2 easy Irish lullabies until our ears started to bleed. Ahh yes, sweet wonderful scratchy playing. Like a glorious little symphony of discord. Last night I reinvigorated my connection with Mr. Guitar Hero. We quickly dispensed with formalities and got down to the business of getting down. I've almost got 5 stars on all the Medium songs. Go ME! 2 nights ago I dragged my sick body (and Matt as well) to see "The Importance of Being Earnest" at the Loeb Drama Center. ...

This is what my life path says about me... "You have the kind of will power that is often mistaken for sheer stubbornness. You don't think of yourself as dogged, but your honest beliefs and that ever direct speech makes you come across as completely unremitting... " HA! it's WILL POWER! (*phew*, just when I thought maybe it was me and not you guys, I get this little reaffirmation. MWAHAHAHAHA!) "You are a wonderful manager with a great sense of how to get the job done..." (I already knew that) "You are an excellent organizer and planner because of your innate ability to view things in a very common sense and practical way..." (knew that too. :)) "Loyal and devoted, you make the best of your marriage, and you are always the good provider... " (Matt wins!) Of course, it also says that I am patient and meticulous. I'm not so sure about that... (I got this from the Birthday Calculator - thanks Shakes)

Well, we all know the holidays are comprised of running around after presents or small children, and of course overfilling your schedule, so I'm sure you all haven't even noticed my lack of blog. :) Let's do a good little summary, but first: CONGRATS TO BETH ANNE AND DAVE on welcoming in New Year baby Julie Alice Lesshaft at 3:58 a.m. on January 1st. Isn't she beautiful? (and Beth Anne, too!) Now, on to the rest...Matt and I flew back to PA on Fri, Dec 22nd. You would expect a ton of lines and waiting and pain, but no. We flew out of Manchester, NH, and it was the most painless experience ever. Oh, except for Elaine and I getting into a shouting match on the cell phone when she tried to pick us up in Philly. "Beka, there is NO TERMINAL F! I'M AT THE AIRPORT EXIT!" "Yes, there IS a Terminal F! I'm standing at it! I know it!" Ahhh, good times. My parents adopted 2 seminarians for a few weeks while the school was closed, and between them and the...