13 Thursday: 2008 Rhymes With Great
1. We hadn’t recovered from our rowdy community Thanksgiving game of Celebrity, in which I spelled Carl Yastrzemski’s name wrong and didn’t know who Doris Lessing, was, so for Christmas we played Taboo. How Carl Yastrzemski fits into my life is HERE.
2. Why does food always taste better when eaten over the stove directly out of the pan?
3. I got invited to a New Years Eve party in part because the host knew I could be counted on to get some dancing started.
4. "Is it casual or glitter?" I asked him.
5. Ingredients for a good story, or things that make my job as storyteller easier: 1. have a webpage or a brochure where I can get some background. 2. Invite me to immerse myself in a related activity. 3. Give me a few fresh quotes. ... Mix well and pour.
6. How a poem is like cake: Don’t use a mix or stale ingredients … Don’t look in the oven too much when it’s cooking … or eat too much at one sitting … Don’t over-sweeten or over-stir … A baker and a poet are both concerned with flavor … It’s all about consistency and knowing when it’s done.
7. Norman Mailer who died this year said, “When you write a book you try to create a spell. You either succeed or you don’t.”
8. Bevery Sills, who also died this year, said, “When I look back over my life I would rather say ‘I shouldn’t have done that’ than ‘I should have done that.”’
9. The closest chance there is that I could vote Republican HERE.
10. I didn’t end up going to the party. I spend the better part of New Year’s Eve and New Year’s Day avoiding starting a story I had signed up to write. By the afternoon of New Year’s Day, I finally got started. It’s about a thirteen year old homeschooled girl who composes her own electronica music and has produced two CDs. Coming soon ...
11. Dressing in front of the woodstove, which I had to do this morning because it was so cold, is like taking a shower where you have to keep turning to get the warm heat on you, section by section. I’d much rather take a bath, like I’d rather it was summer.
12. My crazy window smashing cardinal came back, waking me up too early with its futile attempts scaring away its own reflection. Right now I have a 20 inch plastic owl in one window and a 20 inch Folk Art Santa in the other. So far it’s working.
13. “A new year is like a birthday. It takes me awhile to get used to the number and to embrace it.” I said that.
Thursday headquarters is here. My other 13's are here. View more 13 Thursday’s here. This is my 114th TT.
Comments
#8 is a wonderful thought. some kinds of regret are much better than others.
happy TT
Posted by: armywife | January 3, 2008 8:54 AM
A great 13 to start 2008! I too think #8 is a great thought and #9's video scares the bejeezus out of me. What's happening here is not unlike what happened in 1930s Germany.
Posted by: June | January 3, 2008 9:04 AM
But they pretty much shut out Ron Paul and Dennis K from the primary. Imagine them as a team! They both really tell it like it is.
I'm glad you both zeroed in on Sills' quote. I like it because it's subtly twisted and made me think.
Posted by: colleen | January 3, 2008 9:08 AM
i love eating the food, right from the stove. but, then i'm not hungry, when everyone else is eating!
loved your tt!
happy 2008!
Posted by: melissa | January 3, 2008 9:09 AM
Great list! I agree with #13 (your quote)...one, because it's a new year and having to write 2008 instead of 2007 AND second, because I have a birthday in March!
Posted by: Kat's Krackerbox | January 3, 2008 9:26 AM
Bevery Sills, who also died this year, said, “When I look back over my life I would rather say ‘I shouldn’t have done that’ than ‘I should have done that.”’
Wow, I never thought of it that way, but I have to say I heartily agree.
Posted by: Ampersand | January 3, 2008 9:33 AM
I love number 4! great response!
Posted by: Deana | January 3, 2008 11:05 AM
I like number six, especially "knowing when it's done."
Posted by: momhuebert | January 3, 2008 11:23 AM
Food tastes better over the stove because it is at its freshest state then? Loved that one. Great list all in all.
Posted by: Penelope Anne | January 3, 2008 12:34 PM
LMAO @ #12...maybe he hit his head one time too many! Too much testosterone, that one!
I also loved #4 :-)
Posted by: Janet | January 3, 2008 1:22 PM
Huh. My friends and I play a version of "Celebrity" but we call it "Salad Bowl" cause we write the names on slips of paper and toss them into a bowl. We split into two teams, The Big Fat Whores and The Ball & Chains :-)
Posted by: Janet | January 3, 2008 1:33 PM
We had three teams of seven and did put the slips of paper into....something. It got very loud! I think it works better with a little less people playing.
Posted by: colleen | January 3, 2008 2:37 PM
Great 13! BTW, your package arrived at my house today...I was so excited to get it...and am looking forward to reading the books. A friend was over and I read her the President Bush poem! She loved it!!!
Posted by: Sara | January 3, 2008 6:01 PM
i also read Dream For Bush to some freinds this morning. We had an impromptu performace poetry sharing before the retreat staff all dispered. Dennis Somera a word player from OAKland was first in verse. Followed by Sean Potts. Both of them will also read at an Erotic open mic venue hosted by One Taste in San Francisco tonight. try the link below.
if that link worked there was a link to seeing a live podcast of the performance tonight. I may read a few colleen sensual sonnets if i find em here or at silverandgold. also google Dennis Somera. He is very good.
I loved the image of santa facing of with the cardinal.
Posted by: joeyk | January 3, 2008 6:53 PM
I love the Norman Mailer quote. That is terrific.
Posted by: CountryDew | January 3, 2008 7:06 PM
You won't likely find erotic poetry here or at silver and gold, joey k. Email me if you want and I'll send you a few poems that you might not blush too much reading. You shouldn't travel with out Muses Like Moonlight!
Glad you got the books, Sara!
Posted by: colleen | January 3, 2008 7:21 PM
Casual or glitter? Hmmm....
Posted by: YummY! | January 3, 2008 10:42 PM
#9 isn't close enough for me.
Posted by: nicholas | January 4, 2008 12:37 AM
A new year is like a birthday....I love that!
Posted by: Lazy Daisy | January 4, 2008 7:11 AM
Fun list about your holiday activities. I enjoy reading your stories about "games" with your kids among other things. It’s odd, but hings DO taste better out of the pans they're cooked in.
Hugs and blessings,
Posted by: storyteller | January 4, 2008 9:01 AM
I'm with you on the cold- still too cold today & I too, just wish summer would come back!
Posted by: Becky68 | January 4, 2008 11:30 AM
And this from two New England Yankees!
Posted by: colleen | January 4, 2008 11:36 AM
me aussi on #9 and 13
Posted by: sandy kessler | January 4, 2008 11:39 AM
Great 13 as usual:
6 - good advice
8 - more good advice
11 - me too
13 - still getting used to it
Have a great day!
Posted by: susan | January 4, 2008 11:48 AM
Yep.........great as usual!!
Posted by: Sherry | January 4, 2008 3:04 PM
I esp. love the Beverly Sills quote. Did you know that if you mix up the letters in her name, you can spell Silvery Bells? :)
I've posted oodles of cheery flower photos from the Rose Parade if you need a Spring Pick-me-up.
~S :)
Posted by: Shephard | January 4, 2008 7:22 PM
As always Colleen...A fascinating and full TT....!
I really really like Ron Paul....and I cannot stand Chris Wallace...UGH! And I asore Keith Olbermann...!
I don't know how you stand the cold, my dear....I don't think I could take that anymore, at all! Your desctiption of standing in front of the stove made me cold, just reading it!
Posted by: OldOldLady Of The Hills | January 5, 2008 4:22 AM
Enjoy the poem right from the oven when it's hot!
Posted by: Ruth | January 5, 2008 11:40 AM