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ontologyWoke this morning feeling strangely alive -- well, no, not as soon as I woke; mostly I was sleepy (and cosy, as there was a fluffy little calico making brrrriiir! noises and curling up on my legs), and fuzzy-headed, but lying in bed listening to Morning Edition and the bedroom all full of breeze (oh lazy Saturday mornings, how I love you!), I felt very -- attuned to things. Which is lovely. Let's hope it lasts, cos I've got a lot to do today, mostly of the errand variety. Want to pick up: book I put back for myself at work, paycheck(? I keep forgetting when it's been two weeks -- if it hasn't been, I'll arrange for it to be automatically deposited); scan the mall once more, rather hopelessly, for a fetching straw boater, and, perhaps less hopelessly, a pair of white or cream stockings; then to Walmart to investigate car adapters for laptop, actual not-earbud-headphones, ribbons; come home, pack, have chocolately goodness and curl up with a book. War for the Oaks, which is one of my very favourite books in this world, came the other day -- I finally broke down and bought it, and I meant to save it to read on holiday, but that resolve lasted all of fifteen minutes. (Ergo I will re-read it on holiday. Re-read again, that is; but I re-read books hundreds of times, when I like them. You find so many new things in books when you read them over again -- both things that you didn't notice were there the first time, and things that mean different things to you at different parts of your life.) And I got Mum to order Thomas Wharton's Salamander from PaperBackSwap for me, and that came a few days ago, and that's definitely a good holiday book -- this will be the second holiday I've read it on! -- because it involves a lot of concentration and immersion, being, as I mentioned, one of the very oddest books I have ever read, which is precisely why I love it so. There are a lot of echoes of it and its ideas in the Evangeline story -- Evangeline's father's job was probably subconsciously invented just so I could imagine about the same kinds of book ephemera that Thomas Wharton does. In a world with magic, how are books different? Especially ones that aren't meant to be straightfoward novels. (And, in a world with actual very present vampires, did Bram Stoker write Dracula? Did he write it, but differently? Hmm.)
Oy, brain, that is hardly what I set out to talk about! But speaking of holiday preparations, I ordered a parasol some days ago, as I have always wanted one, partly because they're lovely and distinctive, and partly because I loathe being tanned and burnt is worse, and as I shall be in the sun at Stanfest for days, I'd like to finally have a bit of portable shade. And it came today, and it is exquisite; I am so glad I picked this one! Note to all: for parasols, look on eBay. There are plenty of varying quality for auction, of course, but quite a lot of sellers with very nice and inexpensive ones, too. I chose the one I did because it is all real materials -- bamboo, wood, silk, no plastic in sight -- and is simple -- white silk, spray of painted flowers, pink spokes -- and pretty and has got a handle with a tassel. And it looks so sophisticated and quirky and I cannot wait to use it. I also keep opening it and spinning it, because I can. (Also nice that it is silk rather than paper, because I am clumsy and I am sure something terrible would happen.)
Anyway, let me see! Wonderful Cape Bretony things! First off, there's Stanfest, where I will see Sarah Harmer, Po' Girl, and a lot of other Canadian folk musicians wiith whom I am unfamiliar -- but discovery is my favourite thing about festivals. And you know how I love festivals -- dancing, community, music all day, pretty dresses, vendors, magic. But first we drive for two days. Er. Eep? But I am a bit mad and enjoy road tripping. (Though especially if siblings are quiet. Hoping to plug in laptop, watch films, sleep, read books, get deeply acquainted with some albums. Hence the purchase of headphones.) We pick up my aunt near Philly, and eventually turn up at Jonathan's family's house in Maine, stay the night -- it's the halfway point -- then continue on to Canada. After Stanfest, we've got a lovely house by a lake, and I believe it's a swimmable lake? (I hope so, as I have a lovely new vintagey polka-dotted bathing suit, the first suit I've had in five years, and the first I haven't hated the look of in some time.) And there will be relaxation and much reading and I WILL GET WRITING DONE. That is in capitals because I am sternly reminding myself of this, you see.
I have no idea as of yet what if any internet access I will have in Nova Scotia -- if our house will have any internet, if someone will have unprotected wireless nearby, if we'll stumble into a coffeehouse with free wireless. I would much prefer there to be easily accessable internet, for many obvious reasons -- not least because I suddenly realised NPR is American and therefore not on Canadian radio (most likely). With no NPR and no internet, how will I get the news? (I refuse to watch televised news anymore, as it is always sensationalised and makes me angry, and frequently goes on for hours about Britney Spears' latest exploit or talks about nothing but Michael Jackson for ten hours after his death was announced, bypassing actual important news, especially that which takes place in countries other than America -- and anyway we won't have television, either.) Also, how will I resarch things? :p
Looking forward -- oh, starwatching; I'm sure our house will be isolated enough that the stars will be clear. I feel as though I need a good star-communing at least every six months, to keep on balance. It makes me feel bigger and smaller and connected and loved and loving and amazed. Wandering about, taking pictures, exploring. Watching films with the family. Watching films all alone. The dramatic landscapes. I can pretend I'm in an L.M. Montgomery novel -- which would be magnificent! Jo of the Clifftops! Listening to music in new and interesting places. Gathering memories like wildflowers.
(Though just now what I'd like to gather is food.)
Oy, brain, that is hardly what I set out to talk about! But speaking of holiday preparations, I ordered a parasol some days ago, as I have always wanted one, partly because they're lovely and distinctive, and partly because I loathe being tanned and burnt is worse, and as I shall be in the sun at Stanfest for days, I'd like to finally have a bit of portable shade. And it came today, and it is exquisite; I am so glad I picked this one! Note to all: for parasols, look on eBay. There are plenty of varying quality for auction, of course, but quite a lot of sellers with very nice and inexpensive ones, too. I chose the one I did because it is all real materials -- bamboo, wood, silk, no plastic in sight -- and is simple -- white silk, spray of painted flowers, pink spokes -- and pretty and has got a handle with a tassel. And it looks so sophisticated and quirky and I cannot wait to use it. I also keep opening it and spinning it, because I can. (Also nice that it is silk rather than paper, because I am clumsy and I am sure something terrible would happen.)
Anyway, let me see! Wonderful Cape Bretony things! First off, there's Stanfest, where I will see Sarah Harmer, Po' Girl, and a lot of other Canadian folk musicians wiith whom I am unfamiliar -- but discovery is my favourite thing about festivals. And you know how I love festivals -- dancing, community, music all day, pretty dresses, vendors, magic. But first we drive for two days. Er. Eep? But I am a bit mad and enjoy road tripping. (Though especially if siblings are quiet. Hoping to plug in laptop, watch films, sleep, read books, get deeply acquainted with some albums. Hence the purchase of headphones.) We pick up my aunt near Philly, and eventually turn up at Jonathan's family's house in Maine, stay the night -- it's the halfway point -- then continue on to Canada. After Stanfest, we've got a lovely house by a lake, and I believe it's a swimmable lake? (I hope so, as I have a lovely new vintagey polka-dotted bathing suit, the first suit I've had in five years, and the first I haven't hated the look of in some time.) And there will be relaxation and much reading and I WILL GET WRITING DONE. That is in capitals because I am sternly reminding myself of this, you see.
I have no idea as of yet what if any internet access I will have in Nova Scotia -- if our house will have any internet, if someone will have unprotected wireless nearby, if we'll stumble into a coffeehouse with free wireless. I would much prefer there to be easily accessable internet, for many obvious reasons -- not least because I suddenly realised NPR is American and therefore not on Canadian radio (most likely). With no NPR and no internet, how will I get the news? (I refuse to watch televised news anymore, as it is always sensationalised and makes me angry, and frequently goes on for hours about Britney Spears' latest exploit or talks about nothing but Michael Jackson for ten hours after his death was announced, bypassing actual important news, especially that which takes place in countries other than America -- and anyway we won't have television, either.) Also, how will I resarch things? :p
Looking forward -- oh, starwatching; I'm sure our house will be isolated enough that the stars will be clear. I feel as though I need a good star-communing at least every six months, to keep on balance. It makes me feel bigger and smaller and connected and loved and loving and amazed. Wandering about, taking pictures, exploring. Watching films with the family. Watching films all alone. The dramatic landscapes. I can pretend I'm in an L.M. Montgomery novel -- which would be magnificent! Jo of the Clifftops! Listening to music in new and interesting places. Gathering memories like wildflowers.
(Though just now what I'd like to gather is food.)
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Date: 2009-06-27 09:00 pm (UTC)Salamander = ♥, & also War for the Oaks! I can't wait till enough time has elapsed and I get to read and rediscover it again.
You would make an excellent LM Montgomery novel, for the record. You have so much magic in you. ♥
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Date: 2009-06-27 11:31 pm (UTC)I haven't read War for the Oaks since last summer! ♥ Also, I seem to accidentally read Salamander every summer -- this would be the third one, I think. And on holidays, too. How odd.
♥!
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Date: 2009-06-27 09:20 pm (UTC)I LOVE YOU.
I can't stand sensationalized news either. And hello, America, Michael Jackson was a child molester and a creep. Why are we all so sad?
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Date: 2009-06-27 11:36 pm (UTC)I LOVE YOU TOO. :D ♥
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Date: 2009-06-28 10:08 am (UTC)Oh, and please please please write Jo of the Clifftops, a la Montgomery. Please.
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Date: 2009-06-29 03:55 am (UTC)I'm afraid that Jo of the Clifftops would mostly concern me falling off them. Or my bicycle taking control of itself and flinging me off them. D:
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Date: 2009-06-29 04:24 am (UTC)(Jo of the Clifftops! ♥)