While the Prime Geek and I have only been married for a tad bit longer then a year, we have been together pretty much nonstop for the better part of four and a half. Truth be told, we met – became good friends, noticed after six months that we were killing multiple cordless phones each night in our lengthy discussions (our emails were also suspected in a sudden onset of mild carpal tunnel syndrome), decided to try one “date” wherein we closed a restaurant down (they let us stay while they closed, at first thinking we were celebrating an anniversary... shock and awe – as well as a few “ahhhsss” and knowing winks when we admitted to it being a first date) spent the better part of the rest of the evening laying in my parents field desperately trying to not say anything “too soon, too fast, too much” - we failed in that – and three weeks later I moved to this cold city a full block away from his house. From that point on, we were together. Separated when he went to work and to bed... only apart in mailing addresses and shoe storage*.
Weird, I know. While our conversations range wildly... and I do mean wildly**, we've never really had the “getting to know you” speeches. He knew how I take my tea, when the time came I knew which side of the bed he slept on. We just, well, fit.
Things are never boring here at the nest. We challenge each other constantly, forcing each other to stretch in new ways to keep up with the other. To that end, we're attempting something new.
He and I have very similar gifts – with VERY different applications. What do I mean? He, annoyingly, can hear a language and begin to absorb it. He speaks Germen with a thick Germen accent – no formal training – and has picked up French, Spanish, and enough Arabic to get himself in trouble. Can't really read a lick of it though.
Me? While accents are an issue to me (Allow me to apologize in advance. If we should ever meet, I tend to absorb accents. A holdover from having moved hither and yon my whole life, but I tend to begin speaking in whatever accent I hear. Blame the fact I had a Boston accent as a child, have southern relatives, and a mother who force fed me PBS and British movies. I'm not mocking, I just can't help it.) I can't really speak anything other then English. Reading? Whole other story. As a kid I took Latin (which gives you a basis for all the romance languages, seriously. Take Latin and you can muddle your way through just about everything.) AND had a serious British mystery fetish. If you read Christie or Sayers, you know back in the 20's authors had the annoying tendency of dropping into French at the drop of the hat. I learned to read it mainly to figure out what the hades Hercule had gotten himself into! So in the end, I can read my way through five or six languages. Can't speak them... and my ear is nowhere near tuned enough to pick them up.
See? Similar, yet different. To that end, we're tackling a new challenge together. We've decided that anything in the Romance languages is a cheat. No matter what we would choose, one of us would be ahead. So after a wrangle in the bookstore, we finally settled on one with even a brand new alphabet. We're learning Russian. Do we plan to go to Russia? Not really, perhaps one day. Are we of Russian extraction? Nope. I doubt we'd be such fair weather babies if our ancestors stomped the Russian steppes. Want to read the great Russian authors in their original language? No. I've read War and Peace... I prefer Tolkien and Pratchett. We're just weird enough that something new like this gives us both a happy. Just keeping things fresh - without investing in those embarrassing relationship tapes. I know we're still new to this whole marriage “thang” but I figure as long as things as simple as learning together keep our attention... we're doing okay.
Where is this going? Hey, I'm just trying to build a little momentum before one of the first big announcements I have for Valentine's day!
*And even then it wasn't always clear who lived where. My place had the shower, so his ablutions tended to be at my place. HIS home had the big screen tv, so movie nights had us cuddled pretty tightly at his.
** He is the only one who has ever been able to not only keep up but at times out pace me in a conversation that ricochet from medieval languages, to sub atomic particles, to African tree frogs, without a pause for breath as three Seussian couplets make their way into being. He is also the only one who will get into endless word games while holding five conversation treks as once. I had no choice but to marry him!
Tuesday, February 12, 2008
Saturday, February 9, 2008
Tagged?
After posting for about six months I had thought I had successfully dodged a particular little oddity running around the internet. The sporadic outbreaks of meme's (essentially virtual games of tag) however, has finally caught up to my corner of the web and I've been tagged. Not really what I was planning to do this evening... but the Prime Geek and myself are currently sitting in the center of a vicious weather system that has him trying to sleep off a migraine in the corner while I just hope for the Excedrin to kick in.
That being said... might as well burn through one blog post by answering the meme.
Let's see.
1) The rules for this meme are:
2) Link to the person that tagged you.
3) Post the rules on your blog.
4) Share six non-important things/habits/quirks about yourself.
5) Tag six random people at the end of your post by linking to their blogs.
6) Let each random person know they have been tagged by leaving a comment on their website.
So – the lady who started this whole weirdness for me is Chile over at http://chilechews.blogspot.com/ . Do yourself a favor and check this lady out. I only found her a few weeks ago, and really am loving what I'm reading. The Prime Geek and myself aren't about to become vegetarians*... but the way she presents her material is both entertaining and intriguing. Her site has definitely become part of my morning reading ritual over my morning mug of tea.
The rules are posted... guess its time for the six non-important things (so much easier to think of it all she had asked for was 6 improbable things, but I'll work with the rules this time.) about this nerd.
1- I'm mildly colorblind. Not the dangerous at stop lights red/green kind, but I have a heck of a time differentiating between two shades. No big deal, but a pain in the butt when I am trying to match my socks. (This is one of the reason why I almost always wear mismatched socks.
2 - I hate the texture of onions. Love the taste... hate the mouth feel. I almost always have to grate onions to cook with them to compensate for this.
3 – I have based the adoption of every pet I have had on one feature. Ears.
4 – I've dislocated my shoulders so many times I can pop them in and out with little or no effort.
5 – After seven read-thru's, I still think Moby Dick is just a good adventure story about a whale.
6 – I don't care about the hype... I honestly can't tell the difference between cheap “jug-o-wine” and the supposedly good stuff.
That was far harder then I would ever have guessed.
Now... who to pick on?
First, wander on over to http://redshirtknitting.com/ , Erica has a great site I check often.
Another on that gets checked daily is http://cheaplikeme.wordpress.com/
I might get blasted by her ire... but hey, Proff... you're it - http://crankyprof.blogspot.com/
Just found her a few weeks ago and love her stuff so : http://cleanerplateclub.wordpress.com/
http://www.tigersandstrawberries.com/ is worth to just drool over her recipes and finally -
http://limenviolet.blogspot.com/ . Technically a podcast, but as they kept me sane this week while knitting. Check them out!
Okay... 6 things, 6 people bothered. Off for more migraine meds.
* Short explanation for why no argument will sway me. My body is weird, it starts shutting down without meat based protein. Ive had rude questions regarding my families marital relations with cats. Just doesn't work, so not gonna happen.
That being said... might as well burn through one blog post by answering the meme.
Let's see.
1) The rules for this meme are:
2) Link to the person that tagged you.
3) Post the rules on your blog.
4) Share six non-important things/habits/quirks about yourself.
5) Tag six random people at the end of your post by linking to their blogs.
6) Let each random person know they have been tagged by leaving a comment on their website.
So – the lady who started this whole weirdness for me is Chile over at http://chilechews.blogspot.com/ . Do yourself a favor and check this lady out. I only found her a few weeks ago, and really am loving what I'm reading. The Prime Geek and myself aren't about to become vegetarians*... but the way she presents her material is both entertaining and intriguing. Her site has definitely become part of my morning reading ritual over my morning mug of tea.
The rules are posted... guess its time for the six non-important things (so much easier to think of it all she had asked for was 6 improbable things, but I'll work with the rules this time.) about this nerd.
1- I'm mildly colorblind. Not the dangerous at stop lights red/green kind, but I have a heck of a time differentiating between two shades. No big deal, but a pain in the butt when I am trying to match my socks. (This is one of the reason why I almost always wear mismatched socks.
2 - I hate the texture of onions. Love the taste... hate the mouth feel. I almost always have to grate onions to cook with them to compensate for this.
3 – I have based the adoption of every pet I have had on one feature. Ears.
4 – I've dislocated my shoulders so many times I can pop them in and out with little or no effort.
5 – After seven read-thru's, I still think Moby Dick is just a good adventure story about a whale.
6 – I don't care about the hype... I honestly can't tell the difference between cheap “jug-o-wine” and the supposedly good stuff.
That was far harder then I would ever have guessed.
Now... who to pick on?
First, wander on over to http://redshirtknitting.com/ , Erica has a great site I check often.
Another on that gets checked daily is http://cheaplikeme.wordpress.com/
I might get blasted by her ire... but hey, Proff... you're it - http://crankyprof.blogspot.com/
Just found her a few weeks ago and love her stuff so : http://cleanerplateclub.wordpress.com/
http://www.tigersandstrawberries.com/ is worth to just drool over her recipes and finally -
http://limenviolet.blogspot.com/ . Technically a podcast, but as they kept me sane this week while knitting. Check them out!
Okay... 6 things, 6 people bothered. Off for more migraine meds.
* Short explanation for why no argument will sway me. My body is weird, it starts shutting down without meat based protein. Ive had rude questions regarding my families marital relations with cats. Just doesn't work, so not gonna happen.
Friday, February 8, 2008
End of the Pink Monster
The Prime Geek is off with a friend doing his home heating duties (in other words, the poor lad is chopping/stacking/loading/unloading a metric butt ton of wood tonight) so I have the nest all to myself for the evening.
Did I spend it soaking in a bubble bath?
Perhaps watching a couple of chick flicks with a delivered pizza and a bottle of girly beer?
Manicure? Pedicure? A good book?
Nope. The bath comes later, I'm more likely to watch an action flick then Steel Magnolias, no pizza (although the beer sounds tasty right about now... I may look into that for tomorrow), my nails are so far gone its not worth trying to salvage them, and frankly... I haven't sat and read for over a week. (Will be rectified with the bath later on.)
However.
The pink monster is now finished. Well. Knitted. 17+ hours of relentless knitting - including a terrible bout of unraveling and reknitting after Trouble #2 & #3 grabbed it during a catfight, but we won't go into that now because I have to eat something before I can start drinking tequila.
Tomorrow, the blocking, seaming, and finishing... and I can resume my nerdly life (yes... green updates at last on the 'morrow.)
While I can't feel my wrists, I've been stuck in one place for three days, and I have begun to loathe pink to an unnatural length - I learned how to make a sweater, listened to some amazing podcasts (if you knit, get thee to Lime & Violet's place at http://limenviolet.blogspot.com/ posthaste!), AND begun a new project the Prime Geek and myself are settling into. Gotta keep the marriage interesting, now don't we?
Later. Gonna go find A) food B) alchohol and C) a VERY hot tub of water.
Have a good night.
Did I spend it soaking in a bubble bath?
Perhaps watching a couple of chick flicks with a delivered pizza and a bottle of girly beer?
Manicure? Pedicure? A good book?
Nope. The bath comes later, I'm more likely to watch an action flick then Steel Magnolias, no pizza (although the beer sounds tasty right about now... I may look into that for tomorrow), my nails are so far gone its not worth trying to salvage them, and frankly... I haven't sat and read for over a week. (Will be rectified with the bath later on.)
However.
The pink monster is now finished. Well. Knitted. 17+ hours of relentless knitting - including a terrible bout of unraveling and reknitting after Trouble #2 & #3 grabbed it during a catfight, but we won't go into that now because I have to eat something before I can start drinking tequila.
Tomorrow, the blocking, seaming, and finishing... and I can resume my nerdly life (yes... green updates at last on the 'morrow.)
While I can't feel my wrists, I've been stuck in one place for three days, and I have begun to loathe pink to an unnatural length - I learned how to make a sweater, listened to some amazing podcasts (if you knit, get thee to Lime & Violet's place at http://limenviolet.blogspot.com/ posthaste!), AND begun a new project the Prime Geek and myself are settling into. Gotta keep the marriage interesting, now don't we?
Later. Gonna go find A) food B) alchohol and C) a VERY hot tub of water.
Have a good night.
Thursday, February 7, 2008
What's the Nerd Up To?
This is what I had yesterday morning :
This, well, this is what I have tonight :
This, well, this is what I have tonight :
One more day of frantic knitting and the Mason-Dixon baby kimono (a baby gift for the Prime Geek's boss) will be finished. At the moment? I am truly begining to loathe pink. On the up side? Who knew I could knit a baby sweater in three days. Granted... the dishes are stacking up, we had to go out for dinner, and I couldn't tell you if I am wearing clean jeans or not.
(I did mail out a letter to my congressman and senator regarding the bags, thanks to a handy website full of address - http://www.usa.gov/Contact/Elected.shtml. Your turn!)
Tomorrow I finally get to start letting several cats out of the bag regarding some big news for the Prime Geek and myself.....
And I plan to spend much of the day figuring out what the PG is gonna owe me for dropping me into this pink hell. Don't know what yet, but its gonna be big.*
* On the up side? Its a warm sweater for a cute little girl. All things being equal, not a bad three days work. Just don't tell the PG that... I am trying to guilt him into buying me a spinning wheel.
Tuesday, February 5, 2008
The Nerd Party
As it happens to be Super Tuesday, I figure I'll risk my nerdly neck and venture out into the wilds of political speaking and toss an idea into the ring that I think we all can agree on together. Dangerous? You bet, these political wrangles can get ugly – FAST. But I figure if I can manage a holiday dinner with my parents (retired Marine* NRA father and dedicated homemaker mother**... with that pedigree I bet me outing them as staunch Republicans will come as little shock to my readers) and the Prime Geeks parents (Democrat to the bone, teacher's union, and things haven't been the same since Kennedy was killed) without bloodshed, I think I can wind my way through this tango without too much terror.
After a few sleepless nights (I might also confess to a few glasses of sangria – applied medically, of course) I feel I have hit upon the perfect act to unify our nation. Republicans holding hands with Democrats, Treehuggers with Gunnuts, Grannies and Bikers, Cheerleaders and Chess players....
The idea came to me the way many kernels of insight come to me – the Prime Geek, bored out of his nut while a program compiles tends to surf the web (strictly to multi task, of course) a wee bit obsessively. This means I will sometimes receive dozens of emails over the course of a 24 hour period, with topics ranging from the environmental... to the newest posting on icanhascheezburger.com. On one hand these emails remind me that my husband thinks of me often over the course of the day, on the other – well, sometimes it would be easier if he would just roll over and tell me instead of IM'ing me from the other side of the bed. These are the burdens a mixed marriage holds. When Nerds and Geeks join their lives together, compromises must be found... if only for the sake of the Mp3 collection.
Anyway... it all started with an email containing the following link : http://www.nytimes.com/2008/02/02/world/europe/02bags.html?hp=&pagewanted=all .
We've walked this path before, journaling my attempts to corral the ever present plastic grocery bag from my home... but this seems to take the whole effort to a truly logical conclusion. Want a plastic bag to carry your goods home in? Okay, fine. That's allowed... but you're going to have to pay for it. Not a huge amount (Ireland's tax of $0.33 seems reasonable. Less then a can of soda on the way out of the store, the price means if you really really just have to have the plastic it is still a doable cost for most.), no shouting, no tsking, no guilt inducing fingers being shaken at you. Simply pay the nice cashier as you would for any other item being purchased at the store and move on about your day. Not want to pay an extra tax on your box of Capt'n Crunch and 6-pack of Coke? No worries, just grab a bag on your way out of the house or keep one in the car for last minute sugar rushes.
A green option – one that the environmentally vocal Democrats should love. Ireland reduced their use of the planet damaging by 94% in a single year... think how our nations parks and streets would look in just a year with that kind of reduction in trash littering the sidewalks. We accept a tax on other items not so great for us – soda, cigarettes, and beer topping the list – why not on something everyone agrees is harmful?
Don't think I'm leaving the Republicans out of the happy dance we can all waltz to with this idea. Think of it – all those flimsy bags being made by the million in foreign countries. There would be an overnight explosion in American craftspersons desperately trying to fill a bag-induced void. Heck, we're already working on it -search ebay, etsy, or any of a dozen other craft sale sites and you'll find thousands of versions of the new style of grocery bag. The first republican who grabs onto this idea and presents it in their campaign is going to FORCE inter-party cooperation. No democrat can argue its a needed idea, no republican can come up with a reason to resist.
Let's make our leaders play nicely in their chosen sandboxes. Forward the link (and hey, this site as well) to your friends and let's see if we can make a difference in this politically fraught year.
If you carry a purse, remember your car keys, or make sure to grab your id badge before heading off to work, then grabbing a bag before you head out for a day of shopping should be easy.
Tomorrow I'll post some addresses to forward your requests for a bag tax to... and include a few nifty ways to cut down on our use as well. Til then, remember – no politics at the dinner table. It just causes indigestion and tossed mashed potatoes.
Viva la' Nerdly Revolution!
*My father requires I explain – there are only two kinds of people in the world. Marines and those that wish they were. There apparently is no such thing as a retired Marine... there are only Marines currently serving, and those on standby.+
** Mom prefers the term “Domestic Goddess” and has begun to insist my father refer to her as such when he is introducing her to his friends.+
+ And people wonder why I turned out just slightly odd. Frankly, its amazing I can even SEE normal on a good day.
After a few sleepless nights (I might also confess to a few glasses of sangria – applied medically, of course) I feel I have hit upon the perfect act to unify our nation. Republicans holding hands with Democrats, Treehuggers with Gunnuts, Grannies and Bikers, Cheerleaders and Chess players....
The idea came to me the way many kernels of insight come to me – the Prime Geek, bored out of his nut while a program compiles tends to surf the web (strictly to multi task, of course) a wee bit obsessively. This means I will sometimes receive dozens of emails over the course of a 24 hour period, with topics ranging from the environmental... to the newest posting on icanhascheezburger.com. On one hand these emails remind me that my husband thinks of me often over the course of the day, on the other – well, sometimes it would be easier if he would just roll over and tell me instead of IM'ing me from the other side of the bed. These are the burdens a mixed marriage holds. When Nerds and Geeks join their lives together, compromises must be found... if only for the sake of the Mp3 collection.
Anyway... it all started with an email containing the following link : http://www.nytimes.com/2008/02/02/world/europe/02bags.html?hp=&pagewanted=all .
We've walked this path before, journaling my attempts to corral the ever present plastic grocery bag from my home... but this seems to take the whole effort to a truly logical conclusion. Want a plastic bag to carry your goods home in? Okay, fine. That's allowed... but you're going to have to pay for it. Not a huge amount (Ireland's tax of $0.33 seems reasonable. Less then a can of soda on the way out of the store, the price means if you really really just have to have the plastic it is still a doable cost for most.), no shouting, no tsking, no guilt inducing fingers being shaken at you. Simply pay the nice cashier as you would for any other item being purchased at the store and move on about your day. Not want to pay an extra tax on your box of Capt'n Crunch and 6-pack of Coke? No worries, just grab a bag on your way out of the house or keep one in the car for last minute sugar rushes.
A green option – one that the environmentally vocal Democrats should love. Ireland reduced their use of the planet damaging by 94% in a single year... think how our nations parks and streets would look in just a year with that kind of reduction in trash littering the sidewalks. We accept a tax on other items not so great for us – soda, cigarettes, and beer topping the list – why not on something everyone agrees is harmful?
Don't think I'm leaving the Republicans out of the happy dance we can all waltz to with this idea. Think of it – all those flimsy bags being made by the million in foreign countries. There would be an overnight explosion in American craftspersons desperately trying to fill a bag-induced void. Heck, we're already working on it -search ebay, etsy, or any of a dozen other craft sale sites and you'll find thousands of versions of the new style of grocery bag. The first republican who grabs onto this idea and presents it in their campaign is going to FORCE inter-party cooperation. No democrat can argue its a needed idea, no republican can come up with a reason to resist.
Let's make our leaders play nicely in their chosen sandboxes. Forward the link (and hey, this site as well) to your friends and let's see if we can make a difference in this politically fraught year.
If you carry a purse, remember your car keys, or make sure to grab your id badge before heading off to work, then grabbing a bag before you head out for a day of shopping should be easy.
Tomorrow I'll post some addresses to forward your requests for a bag tax to... and include a few nifty ways to cut down on our use as well. Til then, remember – no politics at the dinner table. It just causes indigestion and tossed mashed potatoes.
Viva la' Nerdly Revolution!
*My father requires I explain – there are only two kinds of people in the world. Marines and those that wish they were. There apparently is no such thing as a retired Marine... there are only Marines currently serving, and those on standby.+
** Mom prefers the term “Domestic Goddess” and has begun to insist my father refer to her as such when he is introducing her to his friends.+
+ And people wonder why I turned out just slightly odd. Frankly, its amazing I can even SEE normal on a good day.
Cut Off!
Wanna know if you might be a teeny tiny bit addicted to trawling the internet?
Don't choose to stay offline (easy enough when its my call to work on more importent things) but, instead, simply wake up and wander computer-wards with hot tea in hand ready to check the news and mail and discover -GASP, HORROR!
No signal. Then spend the rest of your day relentlessly checking and rechecking to see if the problem is fixed.
The Prime Geek spanked it firmly when he got home... and now I'm trying to get caught up on my work.
Check back this evening.... I should have gotten past the withdrawel shakes by then!
Don't choose to stay offline (easy enough when its my call to work on more importent things) but, instead, simply wake up and wander computer-wards with hot tea in hand ready to check the news and mail and discover -GASP, HORROR!
No signal. Then spend the rest of your day relentlessly checking and rechecking to see if the problem is fixed.
The Prime Geek spanked it firmly when he got home... and now I'm trying to get caught up on my work.
Check back this evening.... I should have gotten past the withdrawel shakes by then!
Saturday, February 2, 2008
Shorty
I'm in a bit of a twitter at the moment... several grand events are drawing to a head, and drat it all if I'm not allowed to spill the beans until later on in the coming week!
A few wee hints and them I'm off to soak in a hot bath and indulge in a quick maniacal giggle or two as I contemplate upcoming events.
1) The mad experiment in discerning how far one can go in the realm of self-sufficiency is about to begin... arrivals of great import are in the near offing. Granted, these items have the Prime Geek shaking his head over my supreme slide into nerdiness.
2) We seem to be in need of passports. Rather pressing need in fact... as well as a conclusion that has me facing the terrifying prospect of requiring a bikini. (As well as the body to wear one!)
Any more and I'll burst out with all the news at once (There's a reason family members get their Christmas presents staged out over the whole year... I can't keep goodies quiet, I always have to share it at once.)
'Scuse me, I'm off to go whisper it into the cats ears in the hope it will ease the desire to bounce!
No. I'm not. We're not. Not for at least another year or two. Honestly... would I be contemplating both a bikini and a bassinet at the same time? Now way... not until the hollywood types give up their sources of stunt bodies to take the brunt of the stretch marks!
A few wee hints and them I'm off to soak in a hot bath and indulge in a quick maniacal giggle or two as I contemplate upcoming events.
1) The mad experiment in discerning how far one can go in the realm of self-sufficiency is about to begin... arrivals of great import are in the near offing. Granted, these items have the Prime Geek shaking his head over my supreme slide into nerdiness.
2) We seem to be in need of passports. Rather pressing need in fact... as well as a conclusion that has me facing the terrifying prospect of requiring a bikini. (As well as the body to wear one!)
Any more and I'll burst out with all the news at once (There's a reason family members get their Christmas presents staged out over the whole year... I can't keep goodies quiet, I always have to share it at once.)
'Scuse me, I'm off to go whisper it into the cats ears in the hope it will ease the desire to bounce!
No. I'm not. We're not. Not for at least another year or two. Honestly... would I be contemplating both a bikini and a bassinet at the same time? Now way... not until the hollywood types give up their sources of stunt bodies to take the brunt of the stretch marks!
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