Well, well, well. Here we come to another week. I must admit, the thought of posting to my blog leaves me feeling rather drained. But then, so does the thought of… moving… or working out… or anything that requires more than a minimal amount of energy. For some reason, lately sleep has NOT been my friend. It could be the result of several years of simply terrible sleep patterns, but I really prefer not to delve too much into that theory.
I woke up this morning, and my first thought was, “What do I have to do today? What? Nothing? Really?” Enter: Big Smile and Happy Plans. This week has been busier than normal, or maybe I just accomplished more than normal. Monday: Rachel’s house. Tuesday: Early-ish Morning coffee, piano stuff, shopping interlude, book stuff, friends and frozen yoghurt. Wednesday: All day long party. Issaquah, Snoqualmie Falls, Closet-fixing, movies, driving and loud music. Thursday: Getting Things Done. Dinner with people. Excellent. Today was simply a day of “whatever I wants” after getting the important stuff done. Rather nice and leisurely. Now I’m settled with a lovely VENTI!!!!!!! (thank you starbucks for acknowledging my existence and birthday) caramel macchiato, and think it should round out the evening quite nicely, especially when followed by an hour or so of piano. The immaculate vanilla candle scented room waiting for me adds yet another aspect of cheerfulness. (Another thing we won’t explore is my previous stupidity with said  jar candle. Suffice it to say it burned all night… we won’t say where, lest it expose me to unnecessary ridicule.)  And, since I’m feeling cheerful on this cloudy day, I have to put up a poem that I once had memorized but has since escaped me. Thank goodness for google. (and Longfellow)
---------------------------------------------
The Rainy Day
by Henry Wadsworth Longfellow (1807 – 1882)

The day is cold, and dark, and dreary;
It rains, and the wind is never weary;
The vine still clings to the mouldering wall,
But at every gust the dead leaves fall,
And the day is dark and dreary.
My life is cold, and dark, and dreary;
It rains, and the wind is never weary;
My thoughts still cling to the mouldering Past,
But the hopes of youth fall thick in the blast,
And the days are dark and dreary.
Be still, sad heart! and cease repining;
Behind the clouds is the sun still shining;
Thy fate is the common fate of all,
Into each life some rain must fall,
Some days must be dark and dreary.

Before I continue, (or rather, start) let me point out that the cheery ideas of hiking (in my last post) were indeed fulfilled... Later that day, I went up into federation forest with Julie Love. Absolutely stunning scenery. I love how close it is to home! But of course, as soon as I pulled out my camera, the three words flashing at me nearly made me cry... "No Memory Card."  Yeah. Of all the "disgustipating" things. Next time, I will not be found so ill-prepared.

Anyway, yesterday found mom, papa, and I in Leavenworth. (the bavarian-esque village, not the barbarian-esque prison) I have to admit that the scenery on the way there was the highlight. While the actual town was cute and nice, it didn't do much for me. But that's not to say that I wouldn't LOVE to go back. :-)  One of my favorite shops was obviously Chocolat.... But of course, since it was in the back of another store, we had to get through a salesman (whose wares were ridiculously overpriced, by the way) who kept telling us the translations to german words that we didn't really need to know. Gesthaus means hotel? What? NO WAY! Epiphany! Oh wait. Already knew that. Wunderbar means marvellous? Wow. This is just the highlight of my education. But it was worth it to get to the chocolate shop. The man behind the counter was perfect for the role. Snow white hair, sweater vest, tie, and... English accent. Yes. I felt like I was back in the Chelsea tea shop in Oxford. And of course I'm a fan of any man who tries to sell chocolate by giving whole truffles to people. "Oh, I see by your starbucks that you like coffee. Perhaps you would like to try this mocha java truffle?"  Why, yes, I'd love to!

But, chocolate and leavenworth aside, I have finally got a plan for tonight. After finishing all the things I have to do, I'm going to sit down and watch El Dorado. I've been wanting to for about a week. Now there's a classic John Wayne. Any movie that has John Wayne, Robert Mitchum, and James Caan has GOT to be amazing. At least I think so. But I'm slightly biased-- we've been watching that movie for years. My first memories of it include my dad covering my eyes when Alan Traherne (a.k.a. Mississippi)  makes his entrance by knifing a man, as well as getting my eyes covered when Thornton kisses Maudie. Yes indeed.  Although personally, I've always been of the persuasion that Charlene Holt (Maudie) only got a part in it because she was in some way related to The Duke. A niece, perhaps? Her acting is definitely the low-point of the movie.  However, she DID make it into an episode of Perry Mason, so there must be some ability there.
Actually, there are some fantastic quotes in that movie as well. The one I hear most often (and heard just the other day from papa) is "Can I ask you something?  Why do you wear your hair like a wild mustang that needs a curry comb and a brush?"  (Can I help it that my hair is a bit out of control after I take it down?)
As it turns out, the movie is based on a poem by Poe, which James Caan quotes in the movie. Yes, several members of our family have it memorized. That's what happens when you watch a movie a million times.

Gaily bedight,

A gallant knight,

In sunshine and in shadow,

Had journeyed long,

Singing a song,

In search of Eldorado.

And, as his strength 

Failed him at length, 

He met a pilgrim shadow;

"Shadow," said he,

"Where can it be,

This land of Eldorado?"

"Over the mountains

 Of the moon,

 Down the valley of the shadow,
Ride, boldly ride,"
The shade replied,--
"In search of Eldorado!"

A piece or two of poetry...

After my last post, which was so wordy, I felt like I should put up something a bit more lighthearted. So, in an attempt to maintain a balance, here we go....

I was going through some things, and I found these poems, and realized that I really liked them.  If you don't like it, tell me... Next time i'll put up something different.

First, from Cowper...

"Contemplate, when the sun declines,
Thy death, with deep reflection,
And when again he rising shines,
Thy day of resurrection!"

And, not from Cowper, the slightly less well-written...

This time of night I think of you,
As sun melts into moon--
I'm wond'ring if you're safe tonight,
And if I'll see you soon.

I watch the sunset wash away,
I hear the music fade,
And as the colors turn to black,
I dearly wish you'd stayed.

It's midnight now, and yet I wait,
Just longing for your face,
And wishing I could speed up time,
Until your sweet embrace.

It's such a cliched song, I know,
Of longing, love, and pain,
And yet, despite it's over-use,
The meaning still remains.

Although I know you won't show up,
Or come for me tonight,
I nonetheless cry out for you--
And weep 'til morning's light. 


And a cheerful one...

A Russian who danced the gavotte
On the deck of an Englishman's yacht
Lost his balance and drowned
And was buried on ground
In what's known as a Communist Plot.

And finally....

Two brothers named Wong couldn't quite
Pull off their first aeroplane flight
When their rig crashed and burned
They finally learned
Two Wongs never could make a Wright.