No Strings Attached

In Remembrance of Jim Henson

18 years ago I was finishing up my MFA at the YSD. I had a job lined up at the Williamstown Theater festival which started shortly after I graduated. I was doing my last work study as stage crew for "Pygmalion" at the Rep. It was a Wednesday and we had a matinee for school kids. I can remember standing in the green room and hearing the news. I went up to the deck and had a good cry. Various people who knew how much Jim meant to me came up and checked on me.

During the memorial service they read a letter that Jim wrote before he died to be opened and read after his death. The line I will always remember was

Please watch out for each other. Love and forgive everybody. It's a good life. Enjoy it.

I walked out of that service feeling better about my self and the world. Jim may have passed but I knew that his legacy would live on into the ages. And since then I have been trying to be an ambassador for puppets and puppetry. I have tried to educate people about puppets and what they can do. I have taught adults and children. I have created a bunch of people who know how to operate a basic hand and rod puppet. I am trying to pass on my love of puppetry to another generation who won't know a time when Jim Henson was alive.

I have met a lot of people through my love of all things Henson. I have made some serious friends through my work in puppetry. Puppetry has been my touchstone for as long as I can remember and Jim Henson made it shine for me in ways I never thought about.

We still miss you Jim and we honor your memory with our work.

I am grateful that I have people I can talk to about Jim who get the same far away look in their eyes when talking about him and his work.

I would like to blow my nose

But right now that is a little hard to do because of the sutures. So I am gently sniffing and wiping a lot. The antibiotics seem to be doing their job at killing all the bacteria in my body. They do not discriminate taking out the good bacteria from the bad bacteria which has lead to some interesting GI issues which I will address after I am done with these antibiotics.

Caroline is having her "wellness" visit today. Anyone remember when it was called a check-up?

I am grateful I have such a happy little girl. You should hear her now. She is creating a story involving her unicorns and her horse Butterscotch.

RTBTCKI (My Face is almost Normal Edition)

Yeah a little late in the morning but I took a pain pill because it got rather painful last night after being painful but manageable during the day. And it knocked me out for bit longer than I was expecting so I am only now getting around to my cup of coffee.

I went to see Iron Man with Ariel yesterday. We had a window of opportunity and we took it. I agree with everyone else, it is worth your time to stay through the credits. The tag is so worth it if you are a Marvel Fan. It has the right number of in-jokes for the Marvel fan but was understandable enough for someone who hadn't a clue about Iron Man's history. Robert Downey was hitting on all cylinders in this one. I had forgotten what a great actor he can be when he wants to be. Jeff Bridges really doesn't get enough credit for his role in this film. He did such a good job with it and a lot of it turned on just a slight change of face that spoke volumes. They have already announced Iron Man 2.

I managed to put a small hole in my foot with something sharp that was on the floor. It seemed to be of a ceramic material but we couldn't figure out what it was. So I now have a bit of a limp since it is in the middle of my left heel.

Today I am going to assess what I need to do by the end of this month and the end of next month. There are a couple of things that need to be done in two weeks and then more that needs to be done in four weeks.

I have hip warmers right now. I am sitting on the couch and Millie is on one side pressing his back into my hip and Stalin is on the other doing the same. They are both having little kitty dreams of catching something I think. The muzzles are twitching as are the paws.

Robert Rauschenberg passed away on Monday night. If that name is not familiar to you, the short version is that he reshaped the American Art Scene in his time and did it several times in his life time. He is sited as an influence by many artists when they asked who influenced him. I didn't like everything he did but he sure as heck got me to thinking about art and what is art. He proved to me that no artist needs to just be one thing like a painter to be successful and he would be the first to tell you that everything he did was not perfect. I got the feeling that the process interested him more than the final product. The New York Times listed him as A painter, photographer, printmaker, choreographer, onstage performer, set designer and, in later years, even a composer To my mind people like Julie Taymore would not be doing what they do if it had not been for Mr. Rauschenberg.

I am grateful for Mr. Rauschenberg contributions to both Art and Theater.

If I ever wanted Angelina Jolie like Lips

I know exactly how my face would look. Because of the swelling, I look like I have serious full pouty lips. I have come to the conclusion that they look pretty stupid on me. I might take a picture today to record this but then I may not since I want to forget this whole thing.

My regular dentist finished the root canal and the whole fill rather than a partial fill so that is done. That took a little over an hour. He shot me up with Novocain and sent me off to the oral surgeon. So I was still a bit numb when I went to sleep. It felt like I blinked my eyes and it was done. Except for a couple of odd dreams while I was under. (I think I have the beginning of a short story.) The whole procedure from sitting down in the chair to leaving the office was about half an hour.

I went home and slept for a bit. I woke up rather painfully but my husband had gotten me my antibiotics and pain pills while I was asleep. I didn't feel like myself at all. Peter, brilliant man that he is, figured out that I hadn't had anything to eat since 8pm the previous evening nor had I anything to drink. So he made me a plate of soft scrambled eggs with cheese which I wolfed down very carefully. I felt much better after that.

I did go bowling. My balance was off so my first two games were not my best but my partners picked me up and we won those two games. My third game was much better and then went into the realms of great. My score allowed us to win the third game and secure at least second place. Next week is the battle for first. The top team does not have a lock on it. I think I am going to be practicing this week a little more than usual. This is nice because we were one from the bottom last year and now we are one from the top. And I know part of it is that I am bowling better than I was last season.

This morning I woke up and my lips were swollen but the pain is not too bad so I am treated it with an over the counter not the extreme painkiller. So an icepack seem to help with the swelling and I am drinking very cooled coffee. I plan to take it easy today. I'm thinking mac and cheese for dinner or something else soft.

Thank you to everyone for your kind wished and thoughts. I do appreciate them.

I am grateful that yesterday went well with only one real glitch that got sorted out pretty fast.

Double Dental Surgery Today

I know it is not going to be as bad as it is in my head.

I know that.

I have had this dentist poking around in my mouth for 10 years now and he has always been good about pain management and making sure that I am ready for the procedure. I think part of it is the sounds and smells. I can hear the drill drilling into my tooth. I can feel the vibration in my skull. I can smell the bone being ground down.

And after he is done, I go to the oral surgeon and have him take care of the other part of the problem. Which I am hoping is going to be simple and quick. I am also hoping that in light of my earlier root canal, my insurance will allow him to put me under so I don't know anything until it is done. Which is the hope I am holding onto that is making this day bearable.

I know I can't go around with this nagging pain in my head. It is just not healthy. And have a constant infection can't be good either.

So I suck it up and go into to get the problem fixed.

With any luck I look better come out of this than Neil did after his slammed his face into a pipe.

So think good thoughts for me around noon which is the root canal and 2ish which is the Apigo.

I am grateful for a good dentist. They can be hard to find.

Mother's Day 2008

Happy Mother's Day to all the Mothers and Mother-types who read this. I hope you have a very nice day.

This morning I got a new handheld video gaming system from the kids. Earlier this week I got my mulching mower which I love. It moves so smoothly. This afternoon we are going out for a late lunch/early dinner at a local restaurant that we all like. I will at least call my Mommy if not do a video chat with her and my dad.

Tomorrow is the rest of the root canal and then the oral surgery so good thoughts about noon Eastern Time tomorrow would be nice. I can't say that I am looking forward to that but I am looking forward to my jaw not hurting.

But that is tomorrow. Today I get to think about being a Mom. When I was a kid I wanted to be a Mom but then in my 20s I didn't want it and by my mid 30s I figured it wasn't to be. But the fates have a funny way of doing things sometimes. Now in my 40s I am mommy to Caroline and step-mommy to Shana, Gwen!, and Ariel.

Parenting is the toughest job you'll ever love. I don't care what the military says. It is not easy or convenient to be a parent. But, for me, it is so worth it. This morning I got hugs and cuddles from Caroline who whispered in my ear, "I love you Mommy." I get to watch her grow and develop. I try to steer her in the right direction (pens go on paper not anywhere else). And I try to show her by example of how to behave in this world.

She is not the perfect child by any stretch. She has a stubborn streak a mile long. She will avoid things by pretending not to hear what she is being told. But she does do as she is told eventually and she does behave in public.

She is an artist. I know this because she told me that she was an artist and I am a puppeteer. She hasn't quite twigged onto the fact that more than one person can be something. I also love watching her drawing progress. I am not trying to steer her but let her artistic vision develop naturally. She has gone from blobs that need some translation to figures that you know what they are when you first see them. She is now working on landscapes. It is so fun to watch her development.

She is very athletic. She has a lot of energy and loved to run and play to burn it off. She is good with the soccer ball and not bad with a bat. She wants me to play Basketball with her and she is getting closer to being able to get it in the hoop (we have it lowered at the moment).

She is a sponge that absorbs the world around her. Nothing gets past her which makes for some interesting conversations since she'll bring up stuff we talked about a couple of days ago like it was the previous sentence. Can't fault her on that, I did and sometimes still do that so she comes by it honestly.

So I have my first Mother's Day card that she made for me. I'll put it with other treasures she has given me over the years, along with the memories that she provides for me each and every day.

I am grateful I am Caroline's Mommy.

New Who Review for "Planet of the Ood"

But first a short review for "Speed Racer", Wow! If you liked the cartoon, you are going to love the movie. I will say that this film gets the closest for making live action look like the cartoon it was based on including the cuts and wipes. I could animate what they did and have a Speed Racer cartoon. The only thing it was missing was the narrator.

Now onto the Ood with the usual spoilers behind the cuts and in the comments

Overall I think this is one of the better outings this year for the Doctor. Still loving Donna more and more each week.

I didn't recognize Tim McInnerny at all. Peter picked up that Lord Percy Percy was the head of Ood Operations.

It was nice to see the Ood again and learn more about them. I enjoyed them in the first episode I saw them in and was glad to hear they were back.

Next week Sontarians.....ha.

I am grateful that the Ood are now more 3 dimensional than their previous appearance.

Coolest Mother's Day Gift Ever!

As in I got the coolest Mother's Day gift or at least it is really cool to me. I have wanted a good mulching mower for a while now. This is the kind of mower that takes the grass and mulches it as the mower passes over it and I received one yesterday for Mother's Day (which is this Sunday). I had a great time mowing the lawn and it cuts so beautifully. Today it is raining so I am glad I got the lawn done yesterday.

Yeah, I know I am a little strange. I can remember my father informing a sales clerk that the cordless DeWalt he was buying was a gift for his daughter. I still have that drill and use it all the time for all kinds of things. Those are solid drills. I love power tools and power gadgets for my lawn and garden. Heck, I love all gadgets. I have always been a gadget head.

Dental surgery is scheduled for Monday. I go in for the rest of the root canal in the morning and then get the Apigo in the afternoon. I'll probably look like I went 10 rounds with a prize fighter or a good Muay Thai artist.

Still mulling over my class with Wendy. It was a lot of information that now I need to sit down and figure out what I can use. Honestly, I can use all of it but now I need to figure out what I am going to try first on my own. But first I have to get a gallon of white latex house paint along with some stretch fabric to experiment with.

Sarah Jane, Doctor Who and BSG are all on tonight. So a good night for TV watching. I'm not betting that they get the ballgame in tonight.

Off to see Speed Racer now. I also need to see Iron Man this weekend sometime.

I am grateful for oral surgeons who assume you are smart and don't sugar coat it for you.

First in the New Line of Puppets and Dolls

I present to you the first in a new line for me.

Meet Jack the Gawblin first of the Gawblins.

More later but First a Photo

This is Toby Froud. He was the baby in the movie Labyrinth. He has taken after both his parents and is quite an artist in his own right.

The puppet is Milo which Toby built.

I am grateful I got to jam with Toby on puppets.

It was nice

I had a good time. It was like going to a convention that you have had fun at before to have more fun with the people that you liked. I had met all but three of the participants before which was nice.

Wendy and Toby (who is now 22 almost 23)kicked it up to the next level. I am learning all kinds of cool things that I can use in both my dolls and puppets.

Well off to catch a train for day two.

Remember you can still ask me a question.

I am grateful that Wendy is teaching this class.

Off to the City Today

I think I have everything I need for the class today. I hope.

I haven't done this here in a while.

So Ask me a question (with the usual rules that apply to this)

I am grateful for chances to expand my artistic skills.

Radio Silence for a bit

I may make an entry next week or I may not. It is one of those weeks that has a lot going on. Monday I have to gather materials for the doll making class that Wendy Froud is teaching. This is the advanced class so I have to bring in a mostly finished product to work with. Tuesday and Wednesday is the class itself. Thursday I go see the Oral Surgeon about what needs to be done to correct the problem in my gums.

Caroline is on the mend. The fever finally broke yesterday. It was a virus that just needed to get out of her system. Thank you all for your good wishes, thoughts, prayers and energy. I do appreciate it.

Peter is getting back to this time zone. He caught up on e-mail and the like yesterday. He has an edit due soon that he is going to finish today. Tomorrow he'll get back to writing.

I am grateful for opportunities to learn.

New Who Review for "The Fires of Pompeii"

But first a Public Service Announcement

And the winner in the Why Caroline is Sick is...

So I am giving her Tylenol and Motrin alternating every two hours until the fever breaks. Which is has not really done yet. But her energy is better so I take that as a positive. Now if I could get her to eat something substantial.

Now back to the review. Of course there will be spoilers below the cut and in the comments.

Short version, not the best episode but better than most. The acting is solid. I am still not sure the name of the villain of the piece even though the Sibiline (sp?) were chanting it. It was a nice twist on a classic ancient monster and the science of the hot springs was something that was done at the time of the Romans.

How many more moral decisions is the Doctor going to have to make? I swear this is shaping up to be the theme this year.

Donna has officially become my favorite companion for all of New Who (Sorry Jack) and is rapidly going up the charts in all of Doctor Who.

And I understand why the cut was made but considering the number and volume of commercials, they could have cut three of the loch ness promos and shown the last scene that was shown in England. Which is why I watch both versions. More about that behind the cut.

Next week the Ood are back.

I am grateful to the mysterious folks who make sure I see the whole episode rather than having to wait for the DVDs to come out to see them uncut.

She's got a fever of 103

Caroline has been running a slightly elevated temperature off and on pretty much all week. I had put it down to what seemed like her allergies. It wasn't really enough to worry about until yesterday afternoon. She sat down next to me and put her head in my lap. I could feel the heat radiating off of her before I touched her. I took her temperature and it read 103.7. After some Children's Tylenol it started to go down but has kept hovering above 100.

I gave her another dose 5 hours later along with a children's decongestant since her temperature was climbing again. She took her medicines like a good little girl and went to bed after having some water.

2:45 I am awoken by the bedroom door opening. Caroline came toddling in and asked if she could stay with me because she had bad dreams. She crawled up in the bed and again I could feel the heat off her skin again. We went downstairs and I took her temperature. We were back up to 103.2. So more fever reducer and she wanted water so I got her a glass of water that she drank down. We went back to bed where she had me tell her stories until she fell asleep. I touched her cheek and it was much cooler.

She woke up a few more times because of the cough but then went back to sleep. She declared herself awake at 6:45 and I asked her to close her eyes since I wasn't ready to open mine. We both woke up about 8:00.

She is now on the couch. Her temperature was 101 which is much better than 103 in my book. She asked to be covered in my Buffalo blanket and for some more water. I am letting her play her Dora Video Game for a while. She hasn't asked for breakfast so I know her appetite is off still. I am waiting for the Doctor's office to open so I can make an appointment for them to see her. My bet is virus. Peter's is ear infection.

I am grateful that Caroline is so good about taking medicine even the stuff she doesn't care for the taste of.