From our friends at dictionary.com...
Past participle of smite: to deal a blow with or as if with the hand or a hand-held weapon; to inflict a heavy blow on, with or as if with the hand, a tool, or a weapon; to drive or strike (a weapon, for example) forcefully onto or into something else; to attack, damage, or destroy by or as if by blows; to afflict; to afflict retributively; chasten or chastise; to affect sharply with great feeling: He was smitten by deep remorse.
"The population was smitten by the plague."
OR...
adj 1: (used in combination) affected by something overwhelming; "conscience-smitten"; "awe-struck" [syn: stricken, struck] 2: marked by foolish or unreasoning fondness; "she was crazy about him"; "gaga over the rock group's new album"; "he was infatuated with her" [syn: crazy, dotty, gaga, enamored, infatuated, in love, soft on(p), taken with(p)]
Yup. That about sums it up.
Wednesday, August 31, 2005
Thursday, August 25, 2005
Boys, Boys, Boys
Okay, since I've been getting requests for updates, here's where we are on the dating front.
Cute Biochemist Curing AIDS: Gave him the boot last week. We had four (FOUR!) missed connections where he was all vague about plans and said he would call "closer to the time when we would meet up" and didn't. Whatever. I put up with that bullshit much, much longer than I ordinarily would have, because he would always have a good reason, or would call right when I was about to write him off, doing just enough in the nick of time to keep me interested. Feh. He's still really hung up on his ex. He mentioned her so often than I can tell you which version of QuarkXPress (a specialized, kind of uncommon graphic design program) she left installed on his computer. Bye! Bye now! Thanks for playing! BUH-bye!
Konservative Kisser: Yes, he of the Melting Up Against the Car session back in July. Is back. Or was. He emailed five weeks after the Personal Hazmat Situation to ask if I wanted to make out again. I'm embarrassed to say that I was simultaneously really offended AND rather interested, thank you very much. (Yes, that breaking glass/rolling parchmont/licking stamp sound IS my women's studies degree flinging itself off the wall and mailing itself back to Syracuse University; why do you ask?) We had the strangest conversation I've ever had in my life about our, uh, intentions. And then he got cold feet, and life reminded me of the people and things that are most important to me, so we agreed to give ourselves "time to think" and I haven't heard from him since. Which is good and right. And saves me money on postage more profitably spent supporting NARAL. Next!
Law School Student with Childhood Exposure to Crackpot Father: Is apparently not back in the city yet and emails sparodically. He sent an oddly worded email about my thinking "he must simply be a terribly unreliable person!" Which reminded me of the guy who was having the slow blossing love affair with his flute, for some reason. Not great, and probably not going anywhere.
Jacques the Cop: Actually, I need advice about letting this guy down really, really gently. In theory, he seems great. He's not like anyone I've ever gone out with before. He's Haitian, speaks French Creole fluently, an NYPD officer in his last year of law school, owns his own home. Our email exchanges were lovely. Then he started talking about our eHarmony commercial and how great it would be "a year or two down the road." (This is the one you've all been waiting for.) That made me make the same face Ariel the Little Disney Mermaid makes when Prince Eric suggests her name might be Mildred right before the Sebastian the Crab conducts the Everglades animals in "Kiss the Girl." (If you actually got that reference, I apologize if you just peed yourself.) So I emailed him to ask why he thought we would end up being eHarmony Commercial Worthy, and his answer was so nice that we met for dinner at Appleby's. I'll just tell you that, in person, the chemistry WAS. NOT. THERE. for me. He's nice, kind of a big teddy bear. I could see myself being his friend, if I were friends with people who make the argument against gay marriage by saying it opens up the legal process for polygamy and man/boy love. Which I'm not. So I was polite and listened proactively and was home before 11 p.m. And he's very smitten. I don't want to go out again, but I don't want to tell him that by just "closing the match" on eHarmony. Help? Please?
Finally, I will just close by saying that I'm not at all excited about a different boy that my friend Julia (hi Bebe; viva Las Vegas) christened my "Casual New Friend." I am not at all blown away by our first date. I am not at all touched that he likes Bella. I do not find the fact that he's an inner-city high school teacher who loves his job at all endearing. I'm not at all happy that he wants me to meet his friends, or that he calls when he says he will, or that he loves landscape photography as a hobby and is really a damn. good. shooter. I definitely didn't want to jump the random man in front of me in the check-out line tonight simply because he was wearing the same aftershave that my Casual New Friend uses. I am impervious to the fact that he's the type of dork who wears white socks with black shoes.
My heart is made of stone. I wear "my suit of armor even when I'm eating my Lucky Charms" these days. If my ability to be hopeful could be captured in a iconic image, my hopefulness would be a dry, shriveled peach pit. Nope. I'm not interested in my Casual New Friend at all.
Cute Biochemist Curing AIDS: Gave him the boot last week. We had four (FOUR!) missed connections where he was all vague about plans and said he would call "closer to the time when we would meet up" and didn't. Whatever. I put up with that bullshit much, much longer than I ordinarily would have, because he would always have a good reason, or would call right when I was about to write him off, doing just enough in the nick of time to keep me interested. Feh. He's still really hung up on his ex. He mentioned her so often than I can tell you which version of QuarkXPress (a specialized, kind of uncommon graphic design program) she left installed on his computer. Bye! Bye now! Thanks for playing! BUH-bye!
Konservative Kisser: Yes, he of the Melting Up Against the Car session back in July. Is back. Or was. He emailed five weeks after the Personal Hazmat Situation to ask if I wanted to make out again. I'm embarrassed to say that I was simultaneously really offended AND rather interested, thank you very much. (Yes, that breaking glass/rolling parchmont/licking stamp sound IS my women's studies degree flinging itself off the wall and mailing itself back to Syracuse University; why do you ask?) We had the strangest conversation I've ever had in my life about our, uh, intentions. And then he got cold feet, and life reminded me of the people and things that are most important to me, so we agreed to give ourselves "time to think" and I haven't heard from him since. Which is good and right. And saves me money on postage more profitably spent supporting NARAL. Next!
Law School Student with Childhood Exposure to Crackpot Father: Is apparently not back in the city yet and emails sparodically. He sent an oddly worded email about my thinking "he must simply be a terribly unreliable person!" Which reminded me of the guy who was having the slow blossing love affair with his flute, for some reason. Not great, and probably not going anywhere.
Jacques the Cop: Actually, I need advice about letting this guy down really, really gently. In theory, he seems great. He's not like anyone I've ever gone out with before. He's Haitian, speaks French Creole fluently, an NYPD officer in his last year of law school, owns his own home. Our email exchanges were lovely. Then he started talking about our eHarmony commercial and how great it would be "a year or two down the road." (This is the one you've all been waiting for.) That made me make the same face Ariel the Little Disney Mermaid makes when Prince Eric suggests her name might be Mildred right before the Sebastian the Crab conducts the Everglades animals in "Kiss the Girl." (If you actually got that reference, I apologize if you just peed yourself.) So I emailed him to ask why he thought we would end up being eHarmony Commercial Worthy, and his answer was so nice that we met for dinner at Appleby's. I'll just tell you that, in person, the chemistry WAS. NOT. THERE. for me. He's nice, kind of a big teddy bear. I could see myself being his friend, if I were friends with people who make the argument against gay marriage by saying it opens up the legal process for polygamy and man/boy love. Which I'm not. So I was polite and listened proactively and was home before 11 p.m. And he's very smitten. I don't want to go out again, but I don't want to tell him that by just "closing the match" on eHarmony. Help? Please?
Finally, I will just close by saying that I'm not at all excited about a different boy that my friend Julia (hi Bebe; viva Las Vegas) christened my "Casual New Friend." I am not at all blown away by our first date. I am not at all touched that he likes Bella. I do not find the fact that he's an inner-city high school teacher who loves his job at all endearing. I'm not at all happy that he wants me to meet his friends, or that he calls when he says he will, or that he loves landscape photography as a hobby and is really a damn. good. shooter. I definitely didn't want to jump the random man in front of me in the check-out line tonight simply because he was wearing the same aftershave that my Casual New Friend uses. I am impervious to the fact that he's the type of dork who wears white socks with black shoes.
My heart is made of stone. I wear "my suit of armor even when I'm eating my Lucky Charms" these days. If my ability to be hopeful could be captured in a iconic image, my hopefulness would be a dry, shriveled peach pit. Nope. I'm not interested in my Casual New Friend at all.
Monday, August 22, 2005
We return now to the regular blogging agenda.
First, an addition to the list of Dating Scenarios that Alarm Me: Start talking about how "smashing our eHarmony commercial will be" before you even meet me. Whoa. Scared of *that."
Second, an update about my pets.... Well, sort of. The f*cking Rogue Skunk has spawned. There are little baby skunks running all around my neighborhood. Bella really likes baby animals, which is how we found Fred and George. (Aw, George... Hope you're the most pampered cat in Miami right now.) So yeah, my dog likes kittens and the tiniest puppies at the dog park. This has "Impending Doom" written all over it. Last night, we were out on a walk when a baby skunk skuttled out from behind some trash cans. This is a no brainer. Run away! Run Away!
And then, I kid you not, another baby skunk appeared on the sidewalk about 200 feet in front of us. One behind us, one ahead. So Bella is pulling on the leash in both directions, all: "The Cuteness! Lookit! Look at the Cuteness! The baby fuzzy thingies that look like cats! I love cats! Baby cats! Fred is a cat! Fred is my friend! Fred was a baby! Can we take the home and keep them? Puh-LEASE?!?!"
Oh, HELL, no. No. No baking soda, no peroxide, no tomato juice. Just no. So I did what they teach you in self-defense. When faced with two potential attackers on the sidewalk, walk in the middle of the road. Yes. In traffic. Wave your arms around and be very noticable so you don't get squashed. So we didn't get sprayed.
Yet.
Second, an update about my pets.... Well, sort of. The f*cking Rogue Skunk has spawned. There are little baby skunks running all around my neighborhood. Bella really likes baby animals, which is how we found Fred and George. (Aw, George... Hope you're the most pampered cat in Miami right now.) So yeah, my dog likes kittens and the tiniest puppies at the dog park. This has "Impending Doom" written all over it. Last night, we were out on a walk when a baby skunk skuttled out from behind some trash cans. This is a no brainer. Run away! Run Away!
And then, I kid you not, another baby skunk appeared on the sidewalk about 200 feet in front of us. One behind us, one ahead. So Bella is pulling on the leash in both directions, all: "The Cuteness! Lookit! Look at the Cuteness! The baby fuzzy thingies that look like cats! I love cats! Baby cats! Fred is a cat! Fred is my friend! Fred was a baby! Can we take the home and keep them? Puh-LEASE?!?!"
Oh, HELL, no. No. No baking soda, no peroxide, no tomato juice. Just no. So I did what they teach you in self-defense. When faced with two potential attackers on the sidewalk, walk in the middle of the road. Yes. In traffic. Wave your arms around and be very noticable so you don't get squashed. So we didn't get sprayed.
Yet.
Saturday, August 20, 2005
This is (what is) happening.
Brad is still in the ICU, but his condition is stable. The fight continues, but for now, the expectation is that he will return to his life as he was living it, perhaps with additional assistance, before this particular medical crisis.
Clearly, we're at a new stage in this battle.
He has taught me so much- how to toss pennies out of a second story window into the neighbor's pool (when I was 8); how to fit a rosewood marimba into his van (roll it up the wheelchair ramp); how to be attractive to the male species at a football game (correctly identify and refer to the "line of scrimmage" on a fourth down); how to get the most out of my 401k (when I was 24)- but the greatest lesson of all is to never underestimate the power of sheer will. Long-distance coin-flicking skills aside, that alone may be his greatest lesson and his legacy.
And right now, I remain humble in the presence of a living legend.
Peace.
Clearly, we're at a new stage in this battle.
He has taught me so much- how to toss pennies out of a second story window into the neighbor's pool (when I was 8); how to fit a rosewood marimba into his van (roll it up the wheelchair ramp); how to be attractive to the male species at a football game (correctly identify and refer to the "line of scrimmage" on a fourth down); how to get the most out of my 401k (when I was 24)- but the greatest lesson of all is to never underestimate the power of sheer will. Long-distance coin-flicking skills aside, that alone may be his greatest lesson and his legacy.
And right now, I remain humble in the presence of a living legend.
Peace.
Wednesday, August 17, 2005
Rehoboth- last week
"There are places I'll remember/
All my life though some have changed/
Some forever not for better/
Some have gone and some remain./
All these places have their moments/
With lovers and friends I still can recall/
Some are dead and some are living/
In my life I’ve loved them all/
But of all these friends and lovers/
There is no one compares with you./'
-In My Life, the Beatles.
All my life though some have changed/
Some forever not for better/
Some have gone and some remain./
All these places have their moments/
With lovers and friends I still can recall/
Some are dead and some are living/
In my life I’ve loved them all/
But of all these friends and lovers/
There is no one compares with you./'
-In My Life, the Beatles.
Rehoboth- 1991
If you read my mom's writing on the bottom, this photo was taken exactly 14 years ago tomorrow on the boardwalk in Rehoboth Beach, Delaware. I handed over $1 for four wiffle balls and won a huge, ugly monkey on the first try at the Goblet Toss at Funland. Brad, Amanda and I decided to pose with it in one of those Insta-Foto Polaroid booths.
Brad and Amanda
This photo was taken before a school play. I am the one on the far left, grinning like an idiot at the two people I have looked up to the most in my whole life.
I was so damn proud that night that I thought my head would just explode (in the nicest, tag-along little sister way possible.)
I apologize for subjecting you to the memory of my fin-de-80s perm, but do check out Mr. Lehm@n's diagram of 2-point perspective on the board beside me.
I was so damn proud that night that I thought my head would just explode (in the nicest, tag-along little sister way possible.)
I apologize for subjecting you to the memory of my fin-de-80s perm, but do check out Mr. Lehm@n's diagram of 2-point perspective on the board beside me.
Friday, August 05, 2005
Surgery Update
This is just to let you know that Alissa came through the surgery with flying colors. She got to keep all the body parts she wanted to keep and everything. They don't have to admit her, so I imagine Todd and I will be taking her home in a few hours. Thanks for all your good thoughts and support.
Oh, and if you're in the mood to keep the good surgery mojo going- please send good thoughts to Caroline (Amanda's college roommate who got new lungs three years ago) and her husband Ryan. Apparently, the meds that one takes when one has the condition that requires a lung transplant have the unfortunate side effect of kicking the shit of your kidneys, and Ryan- sweet man that he is- happens to be a match. Pretty handy, marrying someone who can give you internal organs, no? :) Their surgery takes longer, so we're still waiting to hear.
Naturally, Nanny and her convent of cloistered nuns are on it. ;)
And Alissa is doing great!
Oh, and if you're in the mood to keep the good surgery mojo going- please send good thoughts to Caroline (Amanda's college roommate who got new lungs three years ago) and her husband Ryan. Apparently, the meds that one takes when one has the condition that requires a lung transplant have the unfortunate side effect of kicking the shit of your kidneys, and Ryan- sweet man that he is- happens to be a match. Pretty handy, marrying someone who can give you internal organs, no? :) Their surgery takes longer, so we're still waiting to hear.
Naturally, Nanny and her convent of cloistered nuns are on it. ;)
And Alissa is doing great!
Monday, August 01, 2005
More Mom Wisdom
I posted a bunch of quotes over on Shannon's blog yesterday that my mom had on our fridge for years.
But here's one from an embroidered decoration hung in her bathroom! (It's not a bathroom thing, that's just where it happens to be.)
And so I quote: "If nothing ever changed, there'd be no butterflies." (Author Unknown)
This butterfly photo is brought to you courtesy of the hours I spent waiting around a charity event at a country club today. There's nothing more important than rich people congratulating other rich people for being rich, don't you know?
Now, I really must dash, but let's do lunch, dahling!
But here's one from an embroidered decoration hung in her bathroom! (It's not a bathroom thing, that's just where it happens to be.)
And so I quote: "If nothing ever changed, there'd be no butterflies." (Author Unknown)
This butterfly photo is brought to you courtesy of the hours I spent waiting around a charity event at a country club today. There's nothing more important than rich people congratulating other rich people for being rich, don't you know?
Now, I really must dash, but let's do lunch, dahling!
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