Thursday, November 20, 2008

NUMBER 22 - COMPLETED!

#22 - See a MET show - Completed
November 7, 2008
I saw the MET's production of "The Crucible" featuring my good friends Christina Schafer Martin and Greg Butell. Both of them were great! The MET's space is awesome. I love it. It was wonderful to see a professional production in this fairly new space. However, at the risk of pissing off a lot of theater folk, I am not a huge fan of the script. I find it preachy and utterly humorless. It beats you over the head with its point and tells you exactly how to feel. That being said, there were some really good things about this production - Christina, Greg, Allan Boardman, Marilyn Lynch and the set. The set is frickin' great. I look forward to seeing "Hedda Gabler" there in January, also featuring the lovely Christina.


Me and my buddy, D.K. after the show. D.K. went with me to the show and we had a fun dinner beforehand. He's good people.

Christina Schafer Martin, me, Greg Butell

Thursday, November 6, 2008

NUMBER 26 - COMPLETED!

#26 - Volunteer at the Polls or for an Election - COMPLETED
November 4, 2008

If you know me at all, you know that I am huge proponent of voting. I love voting, I think it is one of the greatest things we can do, and I believe everyone should vote. It is important. And I love, love, love election day. I find it incredibly exciting and I enjoy going to the polls. I also feel strongly that it is not that difficult to vote - if you can use an iPhone, a Wii, play guitar hero, surf the web, etc., you can get your ass out and vote.

So I signed up through the Lee's Summit Barack Obama office to work election day. I could only work in the morning. Joel went in to his work late so that he could take Abby to school at 9:00. I arrived at the office about 8:30. From about 9:00 until noon, I drove four people to the polls to vote. That may not sound like a lot, but it took a long time. I would go pick one up, take them to their voting place, wait with them, then drive them home. Then I'd go back to the office to get my next assignment.

It was amazingly rewarding. One of the ladies I drove, Jene (pronounced "genie") was 82, tiny, was on oxygen, and cussed a blue streak. I adored her. She needed my help walking, standing in line, and reading her ballot. She talked to everyone in line. She lived in a tiny studio with her Shi Tzu, Sophie, across from John Knox Village.

We had to stand in line about 40 minutes and even though she had her travel oxygen with her, she was full of energy and humor. We met Will Kraus, who was running for State Rep. When he asked for our vote, she asked him if he was Republican or Democrat. After he answered "Republican", she replied, "Get the hell away from me!" Did I mention that I adored her? (He won, by the way.)

I was awed by all of the elderly people I saw using walkers, scooters, canes; who had colostomy bags, IVs, oxygen, etc.; who couldn't drive or walk on their own yet they found a way to vote. They wanted their voices heard.

It was a wildly inspiring morning. I hope to do it again in future elections.

NUMBER 35 - COMPLETED!

#35 - Have My Astrology Chart Done
October 29, 2008

Randy Trainor, a friend of my friend, Kate Haugan, did my chart. It was very long and detailed (for which I'm grateful - he really explained it all) and at times, scarily accurate. Here are some of the highlights from the 49 pages:

  • Misc. - You are a fun-loving person who enjoys games. You are very curious and want to know the answer to every question that comes to mind. As you grow older, you will become interested in finding out how the universe works in the broadest terms. Your life has form and order, and you go about your affairs in a methodical fashion. You are a very sensitive person and very attached to familiar surroundings. (This is true - I don't even like to rearrange furniture.) Whatever you want, you want it then and there. You are very concerned about rules, and finds it important that everything works according to these rules, even if they are made by some other authority. (Huh, I'm not sure that sounds like me at all. :))

  • Health - In matters of health, the Sun, the ruler of vitality, placed here is not ideal, as the vital energies of the Sun have less power, causing you to feel an occasional lack of physical strength, a weakened constitution.

  • Love & Sex - For your most successful sexual development, a love affair should have a definite framework. Thus you are better off with one steady partner than trying to play the field. Your strength in personal affairs is your ability to build a well-knit, solid relationship that endures and continues to thrive year after year. Friendship with a lover is very important to you, and without it the most passionate night will seem somehow empty. For this reason, it would not be wise to seek a partner who is the outgoing, constantly-in-motion life of the party, even though you may be attracted to such a person. In love matters, you are emotional and gentle though you have a tendency to flatter and to criticize carelessly, without regard for the other person's feelings. As a parent, you would be a disciplinarian, but merciful and loving.

  • Ideals - Sagittarius is associated with idealism, and it is very likely to want to reform things. The fire sign is more concerned with principles and general patterns than it is about details of putting the idea into practice. (This reminds me of when I played Joann - who was right!) You think for yourself, and you stand up for what you believe. You are strongly attached to your own point of view, and if challenged, you will fight very hard for your opinions. You are much more likely to fight for an ideal than for yourself. On one hand, you can be quite self-righteous and narrowly fanatical about your beliefs, but you can also be courageous in defending the rights of those who are downtrodden.

  • Personal Relationships - In those areas in which you lack self-confidence, you have a serious problem. Your sensitivity makes it difficult for you to take criticism or harsh words from anyone, especially those whom you love. When you feel hurt, you withdraw into yourself and avoid others. You seem self-contained, and you find difficulty in letting go enough to accept another human being. Ruled by your ambitious and practical nature, you approach others with caution, often suspicion. Indicates a reserved and cautious nature inclined to be cold and austere. You are somewhat uncomfortable with your feelings. They almost seem out of place inside you, a source of difficulty instead of pleasure. You don't show your loving feelings very readily, but you need love as much as anyone else. You must learn to be very careful how you deal with others, especially people in positions of authority. You tend to get involved in personality conflicts in which you have to prove your strength or suffer defeat. These conflicts often arise without your understanding how they came about. Others often misunderstand your actions, which puts them on their guard. The square from the Moon to Uranus shows that you are often emotionally erratic and impulsive. If someone crosses you, you reply abruptly, and may even be bad-tempered with those you love most. You must exercise greater self-discipline in order to control your outbursts, many of which are unnecessary and unjustified. (Shut up Shelly, Dave, and Bob.) Your manner of speech is penetrating, and sometimes you express yourself so harshly that you seem almost insensitive. This can arouse bitterness in others. You enjoy challenging other people's beliefs, forcing them to look at their ideas in a new way. This can be very constructive, although it may not be the best way to win friends.

  • Work - Employers with this position of the Sun can be demanding and authoritarian toward their employees. Generally indifferent to money, you prefer to devote your efforts to enterprises that are characterized by such clichés as "relevant" and "meaningful". What you do is far more important than what you are paid for doing it. A final psychological trait is a secret desire to become known professionally. You are good at organizing yourself and others, so you can direct activities if necessary.

Saturday, October 18, 2008

NUMBER 25 - COMPLETED!

#25 - Visit the New Part of the Nelson
October 12, 2008



Joel and I visited the new part of the Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art on our six-year anniversary. We had our first date at the Nelson eight years ago so this was a great way to spend our anniversary.

While it is architecturally beautiful inside, I must say that I am one of those people that thinks the outside of it looks odd. It doesn't seem to "fit" with the older portion. Also, I prefer what is inside in the older part much more than the galleries in the new part.

It should be noted that when it comes to art, I am like George Costanza:

"I don't get art. I always have to have it explained to me, then I need someone to explain the explanation."

That's me. I know if I like or do not like something, but I don't know why. And I don't know why I am "supposed" to like or appreciate certain pieces. In general, I do not care for modern art. It is just not my cup of tea. I prefer the classics. The one exception is photography. I love photos. My father-in-law takes beautiful photos and I love looking at them. My largest piece of artwork in my home is a photograph of a young woman dancing under a bridge.

A good friend of mine, Paul, also takes great photos. He gave me one as a gift. It sits in my office because I like to look at it when I need to be "calmed." I'm not even sure what the photo is of - it looks like an electical box and some piping, but I'm not sure. It is black and white and has great texture to it. And, when I just glance at it, it looks like there is a smiley face in it. I adore it.

We walked through every portion of the new part of the Nelson. I did really like Central Savings by Richard Estes. Of course, this is a photorealistic painting, so it is not surprising that I was drawn to it. But again, in general, I was not a fan of most of the stuff. I am not someone who is moved by Jackson Pollack. I may sound ignorant, but I just don't get the paint-splatter thing.

At the risk of suffering the wrath of art-lovers, I have to say I hate, hate, hate Mark Rothko's Untitled No. 11. It makes me insane! It used to hang on the third floor of the Nelson. It is a large black rectangle. That's it. I cannot stand it and it just pisses me off that it probably costs more than my house. I took my photo with it (I love that my camera has a "museum" setting and that I can use it!) and you can tell what I think just by looking at my face. Shelly doesn't call me "Poker-Face Tina" for nothing.


My favorite gallery was the photography section. I loved the daguerreotypes. I found them fascinating, especially Captain Harry Love and the California Rangers 1853. Go look at it and read the story.

I also really liked Untitled (Snowy Valley) by Gregory Crewdson. The girl in it looking into the house where her grandmother is sitting . . . it's just beautiful. I did not care for Fox Games. It annoyed me. I wasn't sure what the point of the red foxes were, even after reading the placard.

My favorite part of our visit was when, while looking at the photo, Waiting for Survivors of the Andrea Doria Sinking, my hubby turned to me and said, "It eased into the water like an old man into a nice warm bath." I adore him.

Monday, September 22, 2008

The Official 40 Before Forty List

I am turning 40 in about 14 months. I'm kind of dreading it, but I also know that there is absolutely nothing that I can do about it. So I've decided that I want to do some stuff before it hits. (I got this idea by combining Valerie Martin's "30 List" with Cass' list from "Wonder of the World".)

This, in no particular order, is the official list of 40 things I'd like to do before I turn forty (which I do on December 10, 2009).

1. Attend a lecture - COMPLETED
2. Camp overnight with Joel and Abby - COMPLETED
3. Take a dance lesson
4. Drink a scotch sitting at a bar - COMPLETED
5. Get a facial
6. Get a headboard
7. Get a robe
8. Get a second tattoo
9. Go fishing
10. Go to New York
11. Take an improv class
12. Take a karate class
13. Learn to knit
14. Learn to play one song on the piano
15. Lose 15 pounds
16. Make homemade strawberry preserves - COMPLETED
17. Make out a will
18. Read the Bible - IN PROGRESS
19. Reconnect with an old friend - COMPLETED
20. Ride on a motorcycle - COMPLETED
21. See a KCAT show - COMPLETED
22. See a MET Show - COMPLETED
23. Sing a karoke song in front of a group of people and not care if I suck
24. Skinny dip
25. Visit the new Nelson - COMPLETED
26. Volunteer at the polls or for an election - COMPLETED
27. Whiten teeth
28. Take a yoga class - COMPLETED
29. Visit the Toy and Miniature Musuem - COMPLETED
30. Change a tire
31. Perform on stage with Trish Berrong
32. Attend the roller derby - COMPLETED
33. Have a roller skating party with friends
34. See a local band - COMPLETED
35. Have my astrology chart done - COMPLETED
36. Visit a fruit farm (apple, blueberry, etc.) and pick my own fruit (and eat/use it!)
37. Ride a bike all the way around Raintree Lake
38. Surprise Terri Babbitt
39. Volunteer for Habitat for Humanity or a neighborhood clean-up
40. Something private between me and Joel (this item will not be blogged about) - COMPLETED