Wednesday, July 31, 2013
Tuesday, July 30, 2013
The Highwayman is Everywhere
When I was a child, I found a book with "The Highwayman" in it at my grandmother's house (Alfred Noyes, 1906).
Not this guy.
I remember reading it then and even now have the same experience when I do: the first part is just magical, the romance palpable. The ending, on the other hand, is devastating. The foreshadowing is so obvious, even as a child I knew what would happen and dreaded it, but I couldn't stop reading, hoping that somehow it would end differently, heartbroken when again it ended tragically.
Loreena McKennitt performing her beautiful musical version of the poem.
Even as a child I was seduced by this Highwayman, with his lace and velvet and promises. I didn't know what a Highwayman was, obviously, but despite this (because of it?) I fell in love with him. Who wouldn't? And the maiden "Bess, the landlord’s daughter,/ Plaiting a dark red love-knot into her long black hair." A woman lucky (and beautiful) enough to be loved by him.
They're Everywhere! I had never seen the video of one of my favorite Fleetwood Mac songs, so I never realized it was based on the poem!
Noyes later said "I think the success of the poem... was because it was not an artificial composition, but was written at an age when I was genuinely excited by that kind of romantic story." He wrote it before he knew that life couldn't actually be that romantic, I guess. But in doing so he captured the feeling so successfully that we are all able to escape back to that mindset when we read the poem.
A different sort of Highwaymen, with a different sort of romantic vision of Highwaymannery, but impressive enough in their own right to be included.
I wouldn't be myself without pointing out, however, that I always got pretty jealous that the Highwayman got to have his exciting adventures in lace and velvet while Bess had to shoot herself in the breast while tied to a bedpost. Doesn't seem entirely fair.
Guess in the afterlife she's still waiting around in her bedroom all day. (Image from this place.)
Oh well.
xoxo,
Charity :-)
I remember reading it then and even now have the same experience when I do: the first part is just magical, the romance palpable. The ending, on the other hand, is devastating. The foreshadowing is so obvious, even as a child I knew what would happen and dreaded it, but I couldn't stop reading, hoping that somehow it would end differently, heartbroken when again it ended tragically.
Even as a child I was seduced by this Highwayman, with his lace and velvet and promises. I didn't know what a Highwayman was, obviously, but despite this (because of it?) I fell in love with him. Who wouldn't? And the maiden "Bess, the landlord’s daughter,/ Plaiting a dark red love-knot into her long black hair." A woman lucky (and beautiful) enough to be loved by him.
Noyes later said "I think the success of the poem... was because it was not an artificial composition, but was written at an age when I was genuinely excited by that kind of romantic story." He wrote it before he knew that life couldn't actually be that romantic, I guess. But in doing so he captured the feeling so successfully that we are all able to escape back to that mindset when we read the poem.
A different sort of Highwaymen, with a different sort of romantic vision of Highwaymannery, but impressive enough in their own right to be included.
I wouldn't be myself without pointing out, however, that I always got pretty jealous that the Highwayman got to have his exciting adventures in lace and velvet while Bess had to shoot herself in the breast while tied to a bedpost. Doesn't seem entirely fair.
Oh well.
xoxo,
Charity :-)
Sunday, July 28, 2013
But Seriously, Though
Today I volunteer at the Conservatory of Flowers, one of my favorite places in San Francisco. I shall spend all afternoon telling tourists how to find the butterflies and urging them not to miss the aquatic plants. The fact that I'm not paid, interestingly, makes me not mind dealing with the tourists. I find that aspect of volunteering fascinating and refreshing. It's like, knowing that I don't have to be there makes it feel like a gift I'm giving the organization, and the people, too. And there are so many wonderful people there that I always leave feeling about 10 pounds lighter and 6 months younger. Although that could also be all the extra oxygen I'm getting from standing in front of a wall of plants. LOVELY!
Another fun thing about Conservatory day is that Collin walks with me and we get a hot dog in the park. These days are always good for reminding me of how lucky I am to live in the best city on earth. Sorry if you're not here, but it really is.
A few weeks ago, there were some Morris Dancers just doing their thing(s). It was super. I thought, maybe that would be a fun way to meet people. Why not, right? At least it's a good excuse to be there "with bells on" (that's probably where the saying came from, actually)! I could learn more about my heritage, make friends, and get some exercise. Why not?
It's nice to know I have options.
One problem is that relying on public transportation causes everything to take twice as long, and driving directly home from something at 10 pm is a way different experience than taking a one-hour public transportation adventure involving trains, buses, and walks down dark streets with SF crazies in the middle of the night. Seriously. Not awesome.
What it feels like:
What it is actually like:
But, yeah. It's an option.
xoxo,
Charity :-)
Another fun thing about Conservatory day is that Collin walks with me and we get a hot dog in the park. These days are always good for reminding me of how lucky I am to live in the best city on earth. Sorry if you're not here, but it really is.
A few weeks ago, there were some Morris Dancers just doing their thing(s). It was super. I thought, maybe that would be a fun way to meet people. Why not, right? At least it's a good excuse to be there "with bells on" (that's probably where the saying came from, actually)! I could learn more about my heritage, make friends, and get some exercise. Why not?
What it feels like:
What it is actually like:
xoxo,
Charity :-)
White Dude Jammin' Part Two
More Pianotivation!
(My mom once told me that another name they considered for me was Murphy. I like to think it was because of this dude.)
Charity :-)
Charity :-)
Friday, July 26, 2013
Got to Keep the Yang Up!
Hi Blog,
I just wanted to say hi.
Last night I played the piano for a few minutes. It was fun but kind of annoying. I got a book of standards which I thought would be perfect, but it is not that great after all. Oh well, I gave it an effort.
I'm going to rephrase my goal "Start playing piano more" as "I will be that white guy in the Soul II Soul Keep On Movin' video," which I think might motivate me more effectively.
As for my other goals, I've been trying to do yoga more but so far when I do yoga at home it's more like stretching. I know that has value, but I wish I could do yoga at home and then feel like, "Yeah, I DID that yoga," you know? So I'll just keep working on it.
I gained some weight back, probably because of my dinners Wednesday (veggie burger and fries) and Thursday (veggie nachos), but that's ok. It's a process.
Yesterday I had an awesome acupuncture treatment. I think today I'm going to run down to Clement Street and pick up some Chinese herbs. My Spleen Qi and Kidney Yang need some help. Maybe I'll pick up some Yak Loin?
(Oh Eddie Murphy, you're so much better than all of us.) Charity :-)
I just wanted to say hi.
Last night I played the piano for a few minutes. It was fun but kind of annoying. I got a book of standards which I thought would be perfect, but it is not that great after all. Oh well, I gave it an effort.
I'm going to rephrase my goal "Start playing piano more" as "I will be that white guy in the Soul II Soul Keep On Movin' video," which I think might motivate me more effectively.
As for my other goals, I've been trying to do yoga more but so far when I do yoga at home it's more like stretching. I know that has value, but I wish I could do yoga at home and then feel like, "Yeah, I DID that yoga," you know? So I'll just keep working on it.
I gained some weight back, probably because of my dinners Wednesday (veggie burger and fries) and Thursday (veggie nachos), but that's ok. It's a process.
Yesterday I had an awesome acupuncture treatment. I think today I'm going to run down to Clement Street and pick up some Chinese herbs. My Spleen Qi and Kidney Yang need some help. Maybe I'll pick up some Yak Loin?
(Oh Eddie Murphy, you're so much better than all of us.) Charity :-)
Tuesday, July 23, 2013
Two Years is a Long Time...
Well, ok then.
You know, I've had this nagging feeling in the back of my ... back ... urging me to write again. I keep thinking I'll do it some more. Actually I've started a few blogs only to leave them languishing, worrying about what I should put in them, whether I should have one general one, specific ones tailored to different goals in my life, ones for travel, ones I will keep private and ones I will share, and finally it has just gotten to the point where I can't care anymore. I just need to write. So here I go.
I looked back and realized it's been two years since I blogged regularly.
Well to be honest, a lot has happened; and at the same time, nothing much has happened. I got back together with Collin, I moved to San Francisco, I got married to Collin, I lost my job (as anticipated), I was unemployed for several months, I got a job in a grocery store and worked there for a year and a half, I got promoted, I got demoted, I quit my job and got another job, and I got another job. In the meantime I've grown accustomed to life in San Francisco and am sad to say that I can't see ever moving back to the East Coast (especially and most sadly to NC, with the naughtiness being conducted currently by the NC General Assembly and its cronies). I've had an extremely stressful first year of marriage and come out on the other side, possibly (and bafflingly) even more in love with Collin than I was before.
Most sadly though, I've really been struggling with being socially isolated. I knew this was possible (likely) for me, due to my personality quirks (yes, let's call them personality quirks). However, I didn't realize how strongly it would hit me. I don't really have anyone to talk to anymore, except Collin. I love Collin and love talking to him but I know that it's not great to rely on one person for all my social needs. As an introvert, I don't really have many such needs, which made it easy to let those relationships slide. However, I realize now that it was not the best course of action.
So where does that leave me now? I have a few goals, and I'm excited to pursue them:
1) Get a job that is inspiring, satisfying, fulfilling, and challenging.
2) Lose fifteen pounds.
3) Get to the point where I'm doing yoga every day.
4) Cut down on video game playing to less than ten hours a week.
5) Write regularly: 2-3 times a week or more.
6) Make some new friends.
7) Start playing the piano again and learn to play the guitar (two-in-one big value special).
8) Have a cleaner apartment.
9) Have a baby. (Big one, lots of work to do before then, but why not dream big?)
To be fair, I've also completed a few goals that I want to brag about:
1) I've quit smoking. (This was kind of a freebie because I never really started again but I'm feeling generous so I'm including it.)
2) I got a real job, and then another real job on top of that one, and am doing pretty well in both (although feeling rather annoyed by both and itching for more).
3) I've lost 5-10 pounds, depending on the day.
4) I've quit drinking.
5) I've started doing yoga again.
6) I've started volunteering.
7) I've started getting acupuncture regularly.
8) I've survived the first year of marriage and come out happier than before.
9) I've started this blog. :-)
Right now I feel optimistic, enthusiastic, excited, and confident (mostly). Actually, that might just be the coffee. I should probably cut down on coffee but I'm trying not to be unreasonable (goals must be SMART, after all)!
I look forward to this new chapter of my life. There are so many things I want to write about; I'm very relieved to have the opportunity again. I might not write regularly, and I might not write frequently, but I'm going to try to just relax about it, and let this be a space where I can write when I need to, or when I want to. I don't need another thing to feel bad about so I'm going to try to just have this as a resource for myself. At the same time, I'm getting older, and my memory is getting less than sparkly, so I'm happy to have this as a place to record my memories for later (I'm definitely feeling the Memoir Bug).
Feel free to contact me and tell me how much you love me or want to talk. I need it. Otherwise, I'll just continue to talk here.
xoxo,
Charity
You know, I've had this nagging feeling in the back of my ... back ... urging me to write again. I keep thinking I'll do it some more. Actually I've started a few blogs only to leave them languishing, worrying about what I should put in them, whether I should have one general one, specific ones tailored to different goals in my life, ones for travel, ones I will keep private and ones I will share, and finally it has just gotten to the point where I can't care anymore. I just need to write. So here I go.
I looked back and realized it's been two years since I blogged regularly.
Well to be honest, a lot has happened; and at the same time, nothing much has happened. I got back together with Collin, I moved to San Francisco, I got married to Collin, I lost my job (as anticipated), I was unemployed for several months, I got a job in a grocery store and worked there for a year and a half, I got promoted, I got demoted, I quit my job and got another job, and I got another job. In the meantime I've grown accustomed to life in San Francisco and am sad to say that I can't see ever moving back to the East Coast (especially and most sadly to NC, with the naughtiness being conducted currently by the NC General Assembly and its cronies). I've had an extremely stressful first year of marriage and come out on the other side, possibly (and bafflingly) even more in love with Collin than I was before.
Most sadly though, I've really been struggling with being socially isolated. I knew this was possible (likely) for me, due to my personality quirks (yes, let's call them personality quirks). However, I didn't realize how strongly it would hit me. I don't really have anyone to talk to anymore, except Collin. I love Collin and love talking to him but I know that it's not great to rely on one person for all my social needs. As an introvert, I don't really have many such needs, which made it easy to let those relationships slide. However, I realize now that it was not the best course of action.
So where does that leave me now? I have a few goals, and I'm excited to pursue them:
1) Get a job that is inspiring, satisfying, fulfilling, and challenging.
2) Lose fifteen pounds.
3) Get to the point where I'm doing yoga every day.
4) Cut down on video game playing to less than ten hours a week.
5) Write regularly: 2-3 times a week or more.
6) Make some new friends.
7) Start playing the piano again and learn to play the guitar (two-in-one big value special).
8) Have a cleaner apartment.
9) Have a baby. (Big one, lots of work to do before then, but why not dream big?)
To be fair, I've also completed a few goals that I want to brag about:
1) I've quit smoking. (This was kind of a freebie because I never really started again but I'm feeling generous so I'm including it.)
2) I got a real job, and then another real job on top of that one, and am doing pretty well in both (although feeling rather annoyed by both and itching for more).
3) I've lost 5-10 pounds, depending on the day.
4) I've quit drinking.
5) I've started doing yoga again.
6) I've started volunteering.
7) I've started getting acupuncture regularly.
8) I've survived the first year of marriage and come out happier than before.
9) I've started this blog. :-)
Right now I feel optimistic, enthusiastic, excited, and confident (mostly). Actually, that might just be the coffee. I should probably cut down on coffee but I'm trying not to be unreasonable (goals must be SMART, after all)!
I look forward to this new chapter of my life. There are so many things I want to write about; I'm very relieved to have the opportunity again. I might not write regularly, and I might not write frequently, but I'm going to try to just relax about it, and let this be a space where I can write when I need to, or when I want to. I don't need another thing to feel bad about so I'm going to try to just have this as a resource for myself. At the same time, I'm getting older, and my memory is getting less than sparkly, so I'm happy to have this as a place to record my memories for later (I'm definitely feeling the Memoir Bug).
Feel free to contact me and tell me how much you love me or want to talk. I need it. Otherwise, I'll just continue to talk here.
xoxo,
Charity
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