PhoeNyx Rises

Feast or Famine

2009-08-07T14:59:00.001-07:00

Jeez! I've ignored my blogs for what, nearly 6 months? And Blogger goes and changes things. I can mobile blog? THAT's cool! But, this is just my OWN blog and maybe I should really update the family blog so people can know what the whole family is up to.

Today is my 42nd birthday. It sounds....not so great, but in looking in the mirror this morning, I was not completely disappointed. Yeah, I've packed on a couple more pounds than I like, and I can work on that at any time....I really can. But, overall....not too bad! It probably helps that I just got my hair cut and colored the other day. For the rest, eh....I'm just choosing to remain somewhat comfortable right now. Summer in SoCal is just NOT the time to kick into gear a new exercise regimen! In another month, during the very cool mornings or very cool evenings, I'll kick my own rear into gear.

I think I'm fully recovered from the CHN Family Expo. It was an exhausting blast! After being down all day with a massive sinus headache that, thankfully, didn't erupt into something more, I am enjoying a calm and beautiful day! It's about 80 degrees out with a gorgeous breeze! Not too hot in the house (so no A/C need be on) and thinking about how ancient I might feel when Huey Lewis is singing "I Want A New Drug" tonight at the Ventura County Fair! We are going with our dearest friends and NO KIDS!!!!!

Okay, more later. I figure this is good for another 6 months, right? ;)

February is "V" month.....

2009-03-10T12:10:00.000-07:00

I launched myself into the deep end of the acting pool and took along my favorite "va-jay-jay"......

Our church (yes, we DO go to one....) planned to present a production of the Vagina Monologues, written by Eve Ensler (the step-mother of actor Dylan McDermott of "The Practice") during February. The church is Unitarian Universalist and claims (rightly) to be a "liberal, religious community". So, even though we live in a fairly conservative community (even for California!) there are pockets of rebel forces. ;) I am a proud, lifetime member.

They (CVUUF) booked a date, found a director and assistant director and had an audition call. I happened upon the announcement of the auditions just in time to sign up.

I auditioned (an experience in and of itself), and was cast. Wow!!!!

Which one did I get??? Um.....yeah......if you have seen the production, and you know me well, you will know which monologue I did.....even if you don't know me well....you might still be able to guess which monologue I did. Can you guess??

Rumor is.....I was cast nearly as soon as I applied to audition. The Director is also the minister of our church and she knew which monologue she wanted me to do.

Being "Reader's Theatre", it was a production where I would not be required to memorize lines (I mean, I could if I wanted). It also meant I would not have other actors to dialog with and to get cues from. Watching the kids learn and embrace acting made me want to try it out. I have seen several productions of the V-Monologues within the past few years, and the shows made a huge impact on my view of women and women's issues.

I've always been a rebel and a feminist, so it was time to put them both together and go on a rant.

It was fun! The ensemble was made of up fairly equally of those I already knew and thsoe I didn't. Little did I know that some of those I didn't know would become very dear to me in a very short time.

The week of the performances I developed some sort of affliction in my throat. Post nasal drip caused lots of dryness. I drank hot tea and ate raw honey at every turn. I read my monologue so much, I PRACTICALLY knew it by heart. Since it's a rant, I didn't think it would be realistic to keep my script onstage with me. I also moved a lot, and used my hands for emphasis.

We had two days of dress rehearsals jsut before the following two nights of performances. I literally choked on both dress rehearsals. I was terrified that I would NOT be able to do it or that I would lose my voice. You can't be angry and whisper.....

This wasn't a case of stage fright. However, when I started to cough during rehearsals, I would lose my place in my rant and then screw it all up. I felt like such an ass on Wednesday and Thursday night. What in my right mind made me think I could actually ACT? The first performance was Friday and I was terrified.

At the last second, I decided to keep hold of my script.....my "wubbie"....my security blanket....if nothing else, I could throw my script on the floor and stomp off stage if I blew it again....

Well the stars were properly aligned, the girls were in the circle with me.....whatever ju-ju was pulling for me....it worked. I nailed it and felt like I sailed right up through the thick layer of ice that kept me in my shell. The best part of the process was the love and support I received from the cast.

The Va-jay-jays of the cast: Robin, Penny, Christina, Laura McL..., Pamela, Bea, Carol, Tricia, Darcey, S. Krystal, Laura McG...Mary Ellen, Bett....I can never thank enough.

I was angry and it was a GOOD thing........

And I learned I love Georgia O'Keefe paintings, too.

)O(
~~PhoeNyx

Still Kicking.....you know,....Whatever, Whomever

2009-01-26T15:50:00.000-08:00

Can't believe it's 2009. New Year, New Prez...New things to Bitch about.

Actually, I don't have anything to bitch about.

I'll be part of an ensemble cast for the Vagina Monologues on February 20 and 21. That was a totally cool "on a whim" thing. I heard my church was doing a production, signed on for an audition and got cast!

I've also recently discovered "Twilight".....yeah, I can hear all the hissing.....Shut up! It's a great story! I've already seen the movie four times and can't wait for it to be released on video.

I went away with my "chosen sisters" for a great weekend. Just girls! Lots of alcohol....not that many tears, surprisingly enough.

Okay, that's enough for now so you know we haven't fallen off the face of the Earth.

I'm REALLY going to work harder to do some decent, regular updating.....

Ciao!

)O(

Quilting On

2008-04-08T11:24:00.000-07:00

Is it alright to plagiarize from my own blog? Well, I did. The family blog had this post already, so if you read it there.....my apologies.....

Here is my finished quilt top for BabyGirl. She picked out all the fabrics herself. Christmas themed as they are, there is an interesting significance to it which I will share once the entire quilt is completed.

~~Mama )O(

More Updates

2008-03-25T12:00:00.000-07:00

So, here I am, recovering from a sinus infection paired with conjunctivitis and trying to figure out how to get my finished quilt photo uploaded and my begging friend hits me up for another update.

I'M WORKING ON IT!

LOL! Patience is NOT one of her virtues....then again, it's not one of mine either.

So, here it is: TA-DA!!!

I think I need a better camera to get some better photos. I'll keep trying.

Now, I'm going to go pass out.......so I can rest up for my next project.

~~)O(

Quilting Update

2008-03-11T11:53:00.001-07:00

This is where I am with the quilt. If it doesn't make sense, it means I'm working on the quilting part. There's a lot to do.

I finally got my sewing machine to cooperate (hint: I figured out what the directions neglected to mention) and we are going along nicely. It's nearly there. But not yet. I've been.....ah....a little distracted with the Legal Firestorm in California. (See yesterday's post). But a friend of mine insisted on having a quilting update. :D I don't blame her, I guess. I would like to escape all this controversy, too.

~~Mama

Legal Firestorm in California

2008-03-10T23:49:00.000-07:00

In case anyone was wondering where we had gotten ourselves to, have you read the newspapers lately? The debate is hot and heavy here in the Land of the Fruits & the Nuts.

The Los Angeles Time broke a story last Tuesday that it is now illegal to homeschool in California. Well, duh.....we knew that. So, we created a private school and filed the appropriate legal affidavit according to the California Education Codes.
Well, NOW, a couple of judges in the Second District now say that "parents do not have a Constituational Right to educate their children". Excuse me??? Who died and made you The Almighty?? Oh, right.....the roaches.

Can you say "Orwellian"? I was never required to read "1984" in my high school English class (or any other since then), and I have not yet gotten to that on my "Literature to Read" book list, but I know what the term means and that book is going to the top of the list.

Ah, Mr. Orwell, I hope you are enjoying this great laughable 21st Century Society.

What does this all mean?

It means that pretty soon we might be hearing about women being broodmares and once those babies are born, someone is going to whisk them away to a credentialed teacher to teach them all they need to know--how to walk, how to talk, how to eat.....because only "the state can be responsible for educating good and responsible patriotic citizens" or some load of crap such as that.

Homeschooling is not for whimps. It takes courage and patience. Those that start out with neither either find some or give up! Giving up on your children totally sucks.

Oh, and those California citizens who have their children in public school, they have to stop helping them with the mounds of homework that come home each night because these "credentialed teachers" are more skilled at "classroom management" (that's a fancy new catchphrase for "my class contains a bunch of hoodlums!") and aren't keeping up with the INSANE standards in order to qualify for federal monies. We, in California need that federal money because the state education budget keeps getting cut! So, I hope the schools have invested the scarce monies into 24-hour Homework Hotlines. Because unless you hold a "parenting credential", those kids are toast.

Pop Quiz--who founded this country? Men of honor who were tutored at home and the became self-educated. That is one goal of homeschoolers; not to beat the love of learning out of the children with meaningless tests that confirm nothing except that tax money is being seriously wasted. That's another thing, I have not once asked if I get a tax refund for homeschooling my kids. My tax money STILL goes to the local area public schools, just as my tax money continues to fund welfare programs I hope to never use. Do I get a refund for that if I never use them?

Our STAR Judges seem to have forgotten that fact. I suppose that the fact that homeschooling is outlawed in Germany seemed "appealing". Do they know why? Well, Hilter followed that flawed logica. Is he really the best example in the illustrious history of the world? These judges have conveniently forgotten that if we ignore history, we are destined to repeat it. I am going to be rethinking my desire to someday obtain my law degree if it means that I will then be a "certified idiot". Perhaps Judge Croskey is simply going mushy in the brain.

Having all the homeschooled kids in California showing up at the school districts AT ONCE (because that 166,000 number is way too low) is NOT going to make money magically appear in the state coffers. I realize we are close to St. Patrick's Day, but they must be breaking out barrels full of green beer EARLY in that court chamber!

It's all horsepuckey. I'm sick of my personal freedoms being erased day by day. You don't control when and if I get to have kids and you certainly don't control how I go about raising them. Education is part of raising. All of the "home educated" children I have encountered are the most wonderful people on the planet. It's impossible to tell us not to teach them. What a couple of morons.

I hope their benches get terminated with their asses firmly stuck in them.

So, please think of us and do what you do; pray, invoke Freya or Buddha, send us chocolate chip cookies or some more green beer (all of California's Private Reserve has been be confiscated by the Appellate Court in Los Angeles) and while you are at it, call a Congressman in Washington and remind him or her about the founding fathers of this country. We do like a good revolt every few hundred years or so!

~~Mama

Discovering Quilting

2008-02-10T07:31:00.000-08:00

Nobody will probably believe this; I've become interested in quilting.

Yes! It's true. I offered to help a friend at our homeschool park day do some sewing on a 40 year old quilt that she had inherited and was working on finishing by hand.

Well, sewing I can do.

So far, I've made my quilt top and pieced together the back. Here is what it looks like as of this evening. Pretty wild, huh?

My class that will teach me how to finish it is in another week. So far, it's totally fun.

~~)O(

My Karma REALLY wants to run over this Dude's Dogma

2008-02-06T15:27:00.000-08:00

I am posting this link to a moving story.

If more people were just NICE instead of selfish and nasty, the world would be a much better place.

~~PhoeNyx

(spittin' Fire today)

NaNo Update...

2007-12-16T15:35:00.000-08:00

Okay.....so I didn't finish.

But I did learn a lot about my style of writing. I still like to write, I just HATED the story I started. I tried to go in cold and I realized that ain't-a-gonna work. Next year (yes, I plan to do this again next year), I think I'll do some plot and character outlining beforehand.

Then, we'll see.

Once I left a few weeks go by...I realized that I AM a writer at heart.

I just have to find my muse...and some time....and my ideal writing "space".

Thanks for all the support and love.

~~ PhoeNyx ^ )O(

What is the Character of Integrity?

2007-11-21T22:13:00.000-08:00

I have just finished watching this video of a Utah Highway Patrol Officer who tasers a man for refusing to sign a speeding ticket. My first reaction, a resounding "W.T.F.?????"

Now, normally, I don't bother with this type of stuff as it has been posted on YouTube. There is enough trash on YouTube to choke the galaxy. However, I have become increasingly alarmed lately at the eradication of the rights of private citizens. How can a police officer GET AWAY with this? I understand that the Utah Highway Patrol is JUST NOW getting around to investigating and ONLY because the video just showed up on YouTube. Doesn't anyone REVIEW the tapes in the officers vehicles?

What...an....idiot.

I am more and more distressed by the lack of manners in all people.

~~)O(~~

One Week In....

2007-11-08T15:43:00.000-08:00

I've been working on my novel for one week. This is my first attempt at writing anything more structured than a journal entry and certainly none of my journal entries were EVER designed with any other human being reading them in mind.

So far.......eh......I have discovered I have TONS of great ideas and TONS of great traits to give my characters. Yet, I don't have one solid lead of a coherent direction. Just a lot of .... stuff.

But, that is okay. My goal is to keep writing. Describing the sounds of legos bouncing off of the carpet or the argument for the 100th time today about whose turn it is on Webkinz......then the silent obedience of compliance when they realize I'm about to give them WORKSHEETS so that I can write something adult-like. I suppose this month is going to consist of many documents that look like run-on sentences or attempts at descriptive prose.

Mostly I think I'll end up with a whole bunch of journal entries.

BUT.....I have embarked at stretching myself into the realm of .....writer......(I say with with short breath). AND I have a great picture on my Author Profile. (Photo Courtesy of Laura KnowNothing.....All Rights Reserved)

NaNoWriMo

2007-10-23T11:18:00.001-07:00

.....stands for "National Novel Writing Month". My friend, Tammy, has been expounding about how fun this contest is. She's finally wore me down. Plus, she promised to be my writing buddy.

You can see more about it here: http://www.nanowrimo.org/

I've fiddled around with poetry and even had one published in a collection through the National Library of Poetry. Of course, now that just about everything can be found online, book collections can loose their appeal to some. Though, not to me! I've been rediscovering the love of books and all that they contain. But, a novel????

Sheesh.....I'm not reaching WAY out of my comfort zone or anything.

It'll be fun, a creative challenge and who knows? Maybe I'll really love it and it will be published. Maybe my mom will read it....maybe not....I doubt it will be a romance, but anything goes and as quoted by Jack Black in the movie The Holiday, "when the Santa Ana's blow, all bets are off!"

~~PhoeNyx

p.s. Speaking of betting, if you are thinking about going to Vegas and placing a bet against the Red Sox, you might think again. They are HOT and not to be denied another World Championship.
GO BOSTON!!!!

Where did all the MEN go???

2007-05-24T20:17:00.001-07:00

It's an "X-Files" episode....

Yeah, Yeah, Yeah.......so I started my own blog and then what happens? I don't do ANY blogging for awhile.....

So, what HAVE I been doing? My usual; playing with the kids, discovering their wonderful personalities, homeschooling. Doing the Legal Eagle thing for CHN. Staying in trouble, 'cause how boring is it to be OUT of trouble?; Thinking about my life and where it's been and where it is going and enjoying my exceptional husband.

I have talked to so many people lately that have husbands who aren't really husbands. Or maybe they aren't really MEN. They tell their wives that the children are the wife's "job" and in the case of homeschooling, that's their job, too.

One lady I talked to recently told me that her husband and son (he's 6) FIGHT when the husband comes home!! So, she has to referee.... I told her that she has TWO children.

Thank the gods mine is not like that. He has his faults and he's human (again....thanking the gods). But he never treats me inferiorly. Not that I would even allow it for a second, nor would I treat him like that, either. I don't really understand existing in a marriage like that. Why would you bother?

I can say fun things like "it's been my existence in his world that his made him like that. But that wouldn't be true. We didn't meet (formally) until we were both in our mid-(ish) 20's. He had a life before me. Many, many other influences before discovering he couldn't live without me.

His mother is wonderful. I think that has had the most affect. I hope I am comfort to my son when he is grown and begins a family of his own.

Seriously, WHERE are all the MEN?

~~PhoeNyx~~ )O(

My New Blog

2007-04-10T17:23:00.000-07:00

I decided that it was time for me to have my own blog. I'm linking to it from our family blog. But this one is just for me. I can spout my political or religious or ... stupid some may think ... opinions. But they are mine.