Frith O’Steen

”Shaun of the Dead” - pretty dang funny. A way too brief cameo by my main man Martin Freeman, but still good nonetheless…

In the space of 24 hours, I’ve now watched “Sideways”, “Before Sunset”, and “Garden State”. There were all indie-type films, completely character driven and quirky and introspective with good soundtracks and interesting scenery and each story definitely sucked me in. My very favorite would have to “Before Sunset”, especially because I loved “Before Sunrise”, which was such a “moment movie” for me (I was the same age as the characters, I was about to go backpacking through Europe, I was at that stage where deep discussions about life feel so Important with a capital I). Saw it again with Sean a few months ago, and I still loved it, partly because of the memories it brought back for me. Well, they made a sequel to it, asking what would happen if the characters met again 9 years later, and I can’t really describe it without giving anything away, but it was soooooooo well done. I really really recommend it. And “Sideways”. And “Garden State”.

But spread them out. Maybe watch an action film or a costume drama in between in each one. That much crunched together almost made me feel like I’d just finished an American lit class and discussion section and meeting with my study group and then my TA all in a row…lots of talk and introspection. Which is good, but needs some fresh air in between!

So, let me start off by saying - I know that Decker is only 17 months old (officially today! Happy 17 months, Decker!), so preschool is still a ways off. (Thank heavens - I’m sure it will be much harder on me than him when that day arrives). But - I also know that these days, and in this area, it can be stressful to figure out what places are available for your kids, let alone what ones you’d actually feel good about this attending. (Silly me, I thought it was just about fingerpainting and circle time…). So, since the local preschool/parenting resources info fair was being held at the community center just down the road from us, I decided to go a year early, so that I would know what to expect next year and not be so overwhelmed. At the last minute, I asked Sean if he would give up part of his Saturday morning and come with me - bless his heart, he agreed.

I figured it would be a little busy, but oh my gosh. The parking lot was like the Colliseum on a game day! We found a spot finally, wound our way inside, and were immediately encountered with a brigade of strollers and wall to wall parents and ankle biters. Yikes. Deep breath, take the plunge…First room - parenting resources, including La Leche League, Foster Parents, Wills/Estates…yikes, no thanks. Ok, next room - ohmygosh is this a preschool fair or a college fair? (Or, based on some of the folks volunteering at some of the tables, a military recruitment fair?). We were able to narrow it down a little bit - stay away from the ones that look too pricey, we probably won’t end up at a Spanish bilingual or Jewish themed school (not racist, but I speak German and neither of us are Jewish!), and what the heck is “prekindergarten”? I mostly tried to just quietly pick up fliers and move around quickly, but got tagged by a couple of folks at different tables. I liked the mellow attitude of the Lafayette co-op, but the Pleasant Hill one was scary! (Here’s an example:

                    Me: So, what’s the story with your waiting list? I had some folks tell me that I needed to get on one before I was even pregnant!

                    Lafayette: (chuckles). No, no. Pretty much the January before they turn 3, you would want to come talk to us and check us out. (Goes on to explain the pretty mellow time commitments of the co-op, very low key, nice lady).

                    Pleasant Hill: Ohmygosh well you had really ought to get him on a list right away we have an open house next Saturday it would really be in your best interest to attend and submit that application like tomorrow because we always have a very long waiting list and we’re very popular….(said without blinking or taking a breath).

Yeesh. So glad I went this year, so that next year I am prepped for the madness that is my fellow cohort of yuppie parents. On the plus side, Decker was really well behaved and got a yellow balloon that he kept bopping Sean in the face with (heh). Sean was a very good sport. We also ran into some old acquaintances there who are now the parents of 2! and it made us realize how fast the time goes by. I’m enjoying the calm before the preschool storm while I can!

Well, I’m in a sort of mourning today,  given the events in our nation’s capitol this morning. However, it’s at those sorts of times that makes one really appreciate a good book, particularly a book that makes you laugh out loud. My taste may never be defined as great literature, but I know that for me, a good book is one that a) keeps you up way too late into the night trying to find out what happens next, and b) makes you laugh out loud (when appropriate - or I guess inappropriate - I do have a sick sense of humor sometimes). Anyway - just finished Christopher Moore’s latest, “The Stupidest Angel”, in 2 days, and it was AWESOME. I laughed out loud multiple times, and once again this guy pens an original story that sucks you in. For any of you out there who are interested in a smart, funny, insightful writer - I recommend reading one of Christopher Moore’s books.

I am also very excited to start my next book, but the hard part is I don’t know which to pick up next! Do I go to another Christopher Moore? Do I dive into another one of my fave authors, Maeve Binchy? Do I pick up “The Rule of Four”, which is supposed to be a cross of Dan Brown, Umberto Eco, and Scott Fitzgerald? Or do I start with the temptingly large and intriguing “Jonathan Strange and Mr. Norrell”? Thanks by the way to everyone who helped feed my addiction this past holiday - your gifts are being savored at a rapid pace! (Like when you haven’t had a chocolate bar in forever, and then you eat it really fast but it was still really really good!).

Hey all!

Hope your holidays were good and your 2005 is off to a good start. Nothing hugely exciting to talk about as of late, but I do have to give a shout-out to the concept of ‘05 being the Renaissance of Games. In Utah, my folks and sisters and I played Up and Down the River and Euchre, two card games that are really fun and that I had forgotten how to play. (I believe Katil would argue that I STILL don’t know how to play, but I won a few times so maybe there’s something to be said for dumb luck). Anyway - shout-out also to Anna Gavan for having Girls’ Game Nights at her place - I’ve had a lot of fun and am looking forward to more. Yay Dominos! (the game, not the pizza).

Beyond games being considered entertainment, I also have two movie picks:

“Finding Neverland” - so good! Bring a lot of kleenex, but mostly because it’s a moving and touching story, not because it’s sad. I dunno - maybe it’s because it’s about a mom and her sons. Maybe it’s Johnny Depp’s ever-present eyeliner. But at the end, my dad was sitting there with three girls whose faces basically exploded as soon as the credits started rolling.

“Napoleon Dynamite” - “I love technology…”. First of all, many thanks to my cousins in Magna for turning us on to this cinematic classic. Heck Yes! Very funny and quirky, and even if you don’t end up caring for it, I really recommend at least viewing it once to give it a chance. My favorite in the movie is Pedro, but all the cast is great. Make yourself some tater tots and some steak, and enjoy the show.

I’ve got lots of reading to catch up on, so that’s fun to look forward to. Tully gave me a copy of one of my favorite books from when I was growing up, “The Witch Family” by Eleanor Estes (she also wrote “Half Magic”). It’s as good as I remember it, plus it has all the same illustrations. Did anyone else read this? It came out in 1960…maybe it explains a little as to why I love Harry Potter so much!

Hope you all thrive in ‘05! Peace Out, Peeps!