agony of defeat

Oh my. That was a rough one. As the game wore on and PK's became inevitable, the pit in my stomach began to churn. Destiny wasn't on our side as the girls took the pitch this time. It was on their side and thinking about the entire game, perhaps it was on their side from the very beginning.

But, what a World Cup final. One for the ages. One to learn from for all those little girls around the world. What an opportunity to watch two excellent teams duke it out over 90 minutes, then 2 minutes, then 30 minutes. The teams gave all they had and then found a little bit more to give.

Congrats to Japan. Their nation has suffered in ways we can't even begin to imagine. I hope this win, on a sports field in Germany, helps lift some spirits and shines a ray of hope on them.

And for the USA players, who battled back time and again. Hold those heads high and know that while the final score didn't favor us, you have inspired a nation with your grit and determination. London and the Olympics will be here soon and another shot at the glory of winning it all.

USA. USA. USA.

anita blake and edward are at it again

Just picked up Laurell K. Hamilton's latest Anita Blake novel, "Hit List." Best part of this book thus far is the fact that Edward is in it. I've always been so very intrigued by this character and his relationship with Anita.  I've stuck with Hamilton even though many reviewers and readers have become disenchanted with the plot choices/devices she's used in her stories. I'm anxious to see how this addition to the Anita storyline unfolds.

mom, i need a new hogwarts cape

The middle daughter is quite devoted to all things HP, so going to the midnight showing of the new and last movie is a must. Also a must is going to the movie dressed up as a character.

In second grade she went to school dressed as Hermione for Halloween.  Catholic schools do Halloween justice and that year the amount of Harry's and Hermione's was astounding. In some ways, what is even more astounding  is this year those same kids are juniors in high school and are still as enthralled with that world as they were when they were 'babies.'

Needless to say, her second grade, home-made cape was a bit too short. We spent Saturday morning buying fabric and constructing  a new one for her to wear Thursday night-Friday morning. She has her total ensemble ready, including a genuine wand from Harry Potter world in Florida.

An end of an era in many ways is about to begin. The final movie rolls out in just a few days. Hard to believe that the story will be finished. I understand the need for it to end and be wrapped up. Sometimes there isn't more to tell.

But, if Rowling decided to write more about this amazing world she created, I think I would be in line to get the new installment along with a whole lot of other people!

the sheer joy of it

We watched an incredible soccer match yesterday between the US National Women's team and the Brazilian team. Wow. It was one for ages.

Today starts the high school soccer season. It doesn't seem possible that the oldest is going to be a senior. Wasn't it just yesterday I drove a very nervous, rising Freshman to that field to try out? This season I will have two upperclassman on the team. Unreal.

High school season is always a bit tense. Lots of politics, lots of girl-drama, but there are moments when the game is played for the sheer joy of it.  I've seen moments like those televised yesterday. Sheer joy at scoring a goal. I've seen the older one stop a penalty kick to win the game against the big crosstown rival and the unbridled excitement of a team clearing a bench.

The sheer joy of soccer. Those moments are winding down for us. For some reason it is hitting me hard this morning, the very few number of soccer seasons we have left to watch our girls take the pitch, cleats on, pretty-wrap in their hair and a determined look in their eyes.

fuzzy

I woke this morning with a lovely headache. Ick. So, this will be short and sweet. The meeting yesterday went fine and afterwards I received a phone call from the store manager that two folks have stepped forward to manage the store for the next term. Yeah! This was AFTER my comments and BEFORE the email even went out. Funny how that all worked out for us.

We donated a good chunk of money to the Library, learned about some new things going on and I was back at work by 2:00.  Yeah!

Quiet evening at home, watched some TV, read a book and went to bed early.  Today should be a quick one at work as I will have a lot to do. Then I have lunch plans set for tomorrow with a friend from Friends. Looking forward to that. Later I will head to a meeting about a new museum planned for our historic Town Square. That will be interesting as well.

So, happy weekend approaching. Enjoy your Thursday!

in which I might need to be held back

Oh my. Over the weekend I received an email soliciting a comment and possible input on the bookstore manager's job description by the current assistant store manager. The managers are finishing their two year term and new folks are needed to take over this job. I provided a couple of sentences I thought needed to be in the document and returned it to the author. One highlighted the income the store generates and the other pointed out that the income is a direct result of the dedication and commitment of the store volunteers. I also told her she needed to include that training will be provided.

A revised one was returned with one of my suggestions, the training offered to the new folks, was incorporated. Fine. Then the store manager emailed the author agreeing that my suggestions, both of them, should be used.

Then a second email was received asking for input, again. I emailed back to just go ahead and please use what I had already sent.

So, at this point I've been asked twice for my input by the assistant store manager. The actual manager has agreed with me and liked my suggestions.

Then I get an email saying, "No, I don't want to use it. It doesn't sound like me. But, is there anything else you want to include, but if not, I will send it out as is."

What? Huh? Am I missing something here?

You've asked me TWICE for my input and then tell me NO? Of course it doesn't sound like you....because it sounds like ME. The one you asked for input from....remember?

Oh. My. Lord.

Yep, I was ready to launch like a missile yesterday afternoon. Guess it is still bothering me a bit this morning.

I've already decided that I will wield the power of the gavel and insert my comments into my spoken remarks during the meeting today. And I may just send out my own email...as the President I can do that.

Okay, off soapbox. Rant over. Venting finished.

On to Wednesday.

college visits, vampire slayers and more

The girls and hubby headed east on Thursday afternoon towards the University. They had a tour scheduled for 8:30 on Friday morning. Everything went off as planned and they had a lovely visit to campus. That bastion of high education stays on the short list. Up next is a trip west, out of state, to another SEC school where Red and not Orange is the color of choice. I'm expecting a bit of a different vibe at the next visit as that school is situated in a more defined campus setting instead of a downtown setting.  We will also be heading southeast to visit another Red themed university as we discovered all out of state tuition is waived with the ACT score the oldest has achieved. Options. Choices. Decisions.

I think our heads are all spinning a bit, but that is a good thing. Good problems to have.

I did quite a bit of reading over my 4 day weekend. I finished the Faythe Sanders book. Good urban fantasy, nothing fabulous, but a solid story. Then I moved on to a new author for me, Lucy Weston. Lucy is allegedly the Lucy of Dracula/Bram Stoker fame. Apparently vampires are now writing novels.....hehehe.  So, Lucy has been on the run from the other vampires in England and stumbled across some journals. Said journals were kept at Windsor and only 'unearthed' several years back when the castle was on fire. Lucy got her hands on them and learned Elizabeth I not only wrote them, but revealed she is a hereditary vampire slayer.

Yup.  What a fun premise!  Throw in a thousand year old king of the vampires named Mordred, the ghost of Anne Boleyn, a mentoring spirit named Morgaine, along with the familiar faces of Tudor England and you have quite the rollicking story.

Pure fluffy, mindless, reading pleasure. Take some Arthurian legend, some Tudor bits and bobs and of course vampires, mix it all together and put it in a book. Very fun indeed.

Now I'm reading the first novel in a mystery series set in Arthurian England. This is not the England of shiny, gleaming Camelot, but more of a gritty, 'realistic' vision of who Arthur could have been and what life during that time would have been like. Our sleuth was one of Arthur's warriors, until he lost an arm. Now Malgwyn is a scribe of sorts, when he isn't solving mysteries for Arthur, who in this first book, is merely a war chief. So far I'm enjoying this story, a lot.  I like the characterizations of these very familiar legends.

Okay, off to begin a shortened, but busy work week.