Okay. So, once again it’s technically Saturday at this point, but at least that means I’m covered for NaBloPoMo for Saturday. (I will be away from my computer for a day or so, so it’s best to get this in when I can.) In light of my reality check the other day I thought that this week’s version of “Five Things” would focus on health. Specifically…
Five Healthy Things I’ve Done In the Last Day:
1. I went to bed early. – All I can imagine is that my body needs to get used to going to bed early. I had trouble falling asleep. Ah well. Could that be why I woke up to the theme from “Earth Girls are Easy” playing in my head? 2. Drank water and juice. – I drank a bottle and a half of water and a yummy juice smoothie. 3. Took a walk. – I even managed to find a route that was the same length as my break. 4. I relaxed. – Okay, I relaxed by going to the cinema with friends. That counts, yes? 5. Took my vitamins. – I’m told that Folic Acid is important.
I can hear you now saying, “Yeah. That’s what most of us do in the morning.” And I agree, but this morning it was more than the usual groggy slapping of the snooze bar and rolling out of bed. That was part of it, of course. I remember dreaming about singing a duet with Hugh Jackman. Not on stage or anything, mind. Just to prove to someone else that we both knew the whole song. (I wish I could remember what song it was.) Then my alarm went off, I hit the snooze bar, and “What if this storm ends?” by Snow Patrol immediately started playing in my head. I groaned, reached over to shut of the alarm properly, and wished I could sleep longer. For like…twelve more hours.
Then it struck me. There is an actual possibility that I could get pregnant sometime in the next three months. A thought I haven’t dared to spend time dwelling on for a couple of years now for fear of bringing on the depression. I don’t even go near the aisle with informational books on the topic at work.
I could get pregnant. And here I am staying up late, getting up early, drinking coffee to get going in the morning, eating bad food, not exercising enough… Wow. Hello self-destructive cycle. Can’t have what I want most? Stop taking care of myself. Where’s the logic in that? And now, with the actual possibility looming on the horizon…well, obviously I need to make a few changes. You know, like going to bed early, winding down a bit, then sleeping for eight hours in a row. Or maybe taking my vitamins and eating right. Perhaps making sure to at least exercise a wee bit?
I reserve the right to have one glass of alcohol in the next couple of weeks as a sort of farewell gesture, but beyond that I need to make a change. I even checked out a book from my personal forbidden section today. I can’t let myself hope too much yet, but I’d best get ready…just in case.
Wednesday morning I made it over to the Doctor’s office. I actually parked in the parking garage this time. By which I mean…I found it! Woo hoo! Normally I spend a bunch of time circling the lot across the street. Anyway, I found the lady I needed to talk to, signed forms, got some information, and picked up something for Koshvader.
Also? I couldn’t find either of my medical cards. I have two of the blessed things, and nothing! I did find Koshvader’s, though. I’ll have to go looking for something else in order to find one of mine, I suppose.
Once upon a time, when I was a youngling, I encountered a writer by the name of Alexander Key. (Not the writer himself, mind you, just his books. Though…come to think of it, I did write him a fan letter once. I imagine that was before he passed on.)
Anyway, I adored his books and I read everything I could get my hands on. The Case of the Vanishing Boy, The Magic Meadow, The Golden Enemy, The Forgotten Door, Escape to Witch Mountain, Return from Witch Mountain, etc. I loved them all. Books were my friends, and really, Mr. Key’s books spoke to me in a way that few others did. Perhaps it was the element of hope and understanding of differences that he deftly wove into his stories. People who didn’t fit in eventually found a place that they belonged and others like themselves. His books seemed to say that there were good people out there that would help you get where you needed to go. All very comforting when you were a strange as I was as a child. My particular favorites were the Witch Mountain books. Just imagine my delight when I discovered that they had been made into films!
Escape to Witch Mountain (1975) Opening Segment:
I adored the 1975 version of [tag]Escape to Witch Mountain[/tag] for all that it wasn’t quite the same as the book. In the book, for example, Tia couldn’t talk like everyone else. Only Tony could hear her. Stuff like that. I must have seen that film over a hundred times. (Just ask my sister, she’ll tell you.) I was obsessed.
The film version of its sequel, Return From Witch Mountain, is one of the closest adaptations that I’ve seen. They did an excellent job bringing it to the big screen. It was great to see the events I’d imagined unfolding in front of me. Hmmm…I wonder if this spawned my lifelong interest in Book Adapatations. You can check out the trailer for this film below. (Mind you, the trailer narration is a wee bit on the…hokey side. I warn you now.)
Return From Witch Mountain Trailer:
Beyond Witch Mountain (no YouTube, sorry) was all Disney. It was one of those Wonderful World of Disney TV movies. It wasn’t bad. The person they got to play Deranian (the baddie from book one, and apparently for this tv film as well) looked a lot closer to the description from the first book. They had different actors for Tia and Tony, which surprised me, as I recall. I wish I could find it on DVD. All I have is an old copy on VHS. Anyway, it way okay. It detailed the story of the two kids returning to find another missing member of their people. They enlist the help of their old friend Mr. O’Day and off they go.
And then came the Purple Monstrosity. In 1995, Disney came out with a version of Escape to Witch Mountain that looked like a very loose adaption of the previous film written by people who didn’t even know that a book existed. (You can watch it here if you’re feeling brave.) Suffice to say…I absolutely loathed it. They had taken this book that I loved and made a mockery of it. Just thinking about it makes me shiver. Quite the immediate and visceral reaction, wouldn’t you say?
So, it shouldn’t surprise anyone that I am very cautious when it comes to Race to Witch Mountain which is due in theaters in March 2009. I’ve been following its process ever since I heard about it. I questioned the casting (The Rock? That kid from The Seeker? He’s already been in one travesty of a book that I loved…) I agonized about the story. And now…the trailer is out. Behold!
I have to say, in all honesty, that if I can just forget about the existence of the original book for the space of the film…well…it looks like fun. I tried to suspend my disbelief for The Seeker, for Christopher Eccleston’s sake if nothing else, but it didn’t work. That film adaptation just wasn’t that good on its own two feet. I have seen how bad adaptions can be, but I have cautious hope about this film. They may have managed to take it far enough away from the source for me to enjoy the film as a separate entity. I don’t know. Rest assured, I’ll let you know what I think of it.
Oh! And just for fun. Have you heard of the Blair Witch Mountain Project? You can see it here. It’s sort of a spoof of Blair Witch and the Witch Mountain movies, featuring the original Tia and Tony.
Escape to Witch Mountain is one of those books that sticks with you. I think that it’s time I read it again.
(Yes, [tag]Alexander Key[/tag] is still my favorite author. I have a quest to collect all of his books. Some day I will manage it.)
Today we had the fire alarm go off at work again. One moment I was sitting there surfing Twitter for my Friday post on the work blog, and the next we have the lights and the warning bells. Last time I forgot a few things.
This time, I was ready. I grabbed my bag, my purse, my cell phone…and Sasha. Yes, as before I couldn’t let my favorite puppet burn. I mean, really. She’s such a cute little black and white puppet cat. I’m sure she enjoyed the change of scenery, hanging out in my bag next to the miso soup mix.
Now, you’d think that I would experience computer withdrawal being away from my computer like that. Not so! I just pulled out my cell phone and texted a note to Twitter about the Fire Alarm. Okay, I’m not actually that addicted to the computer…much, but I quite enjoy the text to Twitter feature. Especially in situations like that.
So, we waited. They checked out the building then let us back in. (Great response time from the Fire Department this time, by the way.) It turns out that it was a faulty alarm. Apparently dust can get in there and cause this. Oy. I’m glad that it wasn’t a real fire. Bleh.
Tomorrow morning I’m off to the hospital to sign my form, pick up paperwork, and talk to the nurse. All before work. One more thing to check off of my list.
…And come to think of it…I’m not sure when I work tomorrow. I was told 11-8, but that can’t be right. Normally I work 10:15-6:15. I guess that would make it 12:15-8:15? I hope so. I’d better give them a call when I get up.
Come January Koshvader and I will have been trying to have kids for five years. Five years. Egad.
Today, I went to my OB/GYN appointment and actually remembered to bring a notebook. Why a notebook? Well, you see, going to the doctor’s office stresses me out. Going to the OB/GYN turns my brain to mush. You can give me a list of things to do, even hand me a list, and when I leave I won’t be able to figure it all out. Today I had a notebook and a pen with me.
Today I’m back on track. I have two blood tests I need to redo. My sweetie has two items on his docket. We sign a release form…and next month it begins. Yep. That’s right. Four steps and a release stand between me and official attempt number one. The system exciting drugs are ordered. I just need to go pick them up. That and the ovulation kit. May I just say…finally! I only get three attempts this way before they send me off the the infertility clinic in Santa Clara. Here’s hoping.
Yeah, I’m freaked out about the stuff I have to do, but much more I’m happy to finally be at this point. Wish me luck!
more animals Sounds like something my cats would plan…
I’m making Christmas gifts this year. I’ve come over all crafty. Buttons, sea glass, and various baking ingredients will be magically transformed into gifts.
Are you making gifts this year? If so, what are you making? I could use some more ideas.
Also? I might be attempting to make fudge for the first time. That should prove…interesting. Don’t worry, I’ll be taking pictures of everything. I might even have my laptop back soon, you know, so I can post said pictures. I’ve finished one gift so far. Sadly, that isn’t one of the four I need for this weekend. On the bright side, if I find a craft that I like enough perhaps I’ll get an Etsy account. *hopeful smile*
At least I got a few other things done today. Koshvader’s b-day gift? Sorted. Craft supplies? Located. The tapestry that has been languishing on the top of my bookcase for 2.5 years? Up! (thanks, Koshvader!) Laundry? All the clean stuff is put away.
Sadly, I didn’t get as far as cooking today. Well, back to it. I’m dealing with the last two boxes in the corner of my room. Anyone know how to drill holes in small pieces of glass?
Well, it’s a bit late in the day, but it’s still Friday at this point. For today’s [tag]Five Things on Friday[/tag] I’m thinking about Comfort Foods. You know. You have a bad day or it’s cold and wet outside and all you can think about is getting home and eating your favorite comforting meal. What are your comfort foods? (If you want to post your own Five Comfort Foods on your blog, please comment and let me know so that I can stop by and see what you have to say.) Oh! And I have Koshvader’s answers, too, this week. I love it when he joins in.
Five Comfort Foods: (Me) 1. Mundane – So…now you know why I chose to make it the other day. 2. Miso Soup – Not just any miso soup, mind. True comfort comes from good miso soup. 3. Tea & Crumpets – Tea alone being the ultimate comfort drink, of course. Add crumpets and you have a small meal of comfort. 4. Grilled Cheese Sandwiches & Tomato Soup – This is a pretty popular comfort combination. I will state here though, that the cheese must not be American Cheese. Bleh. 5. Poached Egg on Toast – Just typing that makes me want some. I blame my Nana. She used to make it for me when I visited. (Koshvader) 1. Chocolate Mousse 2. Tom Kha Gai 3. Hot & Sour Soup 4. Prime Rib 5. Chocolate Cream Pie
