Random Ramblings of a Sinusitis Sufferer (and Knitter)

Here are the random ramblings of a student presenting with major Sinusitus symptoms and who cannot sleep because she just downed an Excedrin (which has caffeine):

• The Troll Family that resides inside my head and that occasionally have violent Mama and Papa Troll arguments (i.e. Migraines) have decided to give birth to at least four lovely baby trolls.  Mama Troll has decided that the Maxillary and Frontal Sinus Cavities make perfect wombs for her Baby Trolls and those trolls are growing at a lovely and painful rate.  Sinus irrigation, psuedophedrine, advil, and excedrine,  have not induced the birthing of these monstrous little baby trolls.  Stat!  Must consider seeing a doctor!  Must also consider watching less of Grey's Anatomy--way too addictive and distracting for a grad student who should be studying every waking moment and also causes said student to start somewhat talking as if she is a doctor. (BTW--I am in mid-season of season 2 and yet to see any knitting.  When does the knitting occur?  When do I get to put up a button that says "I knit with Greys"?)  In summarization--in the end, or rather, right now--bloody hell, just make this pain go away!


• You MUST SEE Children of Men.  I am going to put myself on the line and say that this is probably the best movie I've seen during the years of 2006 and 2007 (thus far).  Only Little Miss Sunshine comes close.  However, it could also be said that they are of a similar rating as they are definitely of different genres--one a Dystopic Tale and the other a Tale of Hilariously Dysfunctional Family.  Children of Men had moments of the oddness  similar to anime movie creator's Miyazaki's magic (Director of My Neighbor Totoro, Spirited Away, Princess Monoke, and Howl's Moving Castle)--simple moments such as a deer running through an empty schoolhouse, among many others.  Mind you, I am not a big fan of anime, but Miyazaki is literally a magical-world-maker and his movies generally run thematically along pro-environmentalism, pro-feminist characters, political awareness, and are anti-war.  Children of Men was directed by Alfonso Cuaron who also did Y Tu Mama Tambien and Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban.  No matter what you thought of those two movies, you must see Children of Men as it is near perfect.

• About a week and a half ago, I finished The Sparrow by Maria Doria Russell.  Wow!  Did not expect myself to become so engrossed in a book about Jesuit priests visiting a planet inhabited by two odd, completely sentient species.  Deals with some major philosophical issues like the existence of god--i.e how to justify a belief in a god if s/he allows for such cruelty in the universe; yet, at the same time how to not justify a belief in a god because otherwise one must--or rather a faithful Jesuit Priest--must take/make a painful reverse Kierkegaardien Leap of Faith,  Anyways, I am eagerly awaiting the arrival of the requested transfer through my local library system of the second book, Children of God.  Nevertheless, I am also aware that there is a good possibility that the sequel will most likely disappoint.  I am so hoping not, as I really loved The Sparrow.

• In a similar vein, disappointing news: school has started and I have lost that "loving feeling" for devouring fiction.  I am going to have to shelve--till summer break (or maybe, if I am lucky, spring break)--all the lovely recommendations you wonderful readers have suggested.  Bah humbug!

• John, the love-dove, and I spent the evening last night watching the first two episodes of mini-series Tinker, Tailor, Sailor, Soldier (1979 BBC Production based on a Le Carre novel) and drinking a very indulgent  2002 Sauternes wine (Medaille D'Or Paris 2004 made by Chateau Haut-Bergeron) which we luckily got for an almost-reasonable price at Costco.  The wine was absolutely de-lish and the mini-series looks as if it has great potential.  However, it moves at a slow pace and you are simply thrown pretty much blindly into the middle of a spy house scandal wherein you must piece together the essential information as to what the hell is going on.

• And today, I will finally meet a local bloglandia friend, Elaine of Kim-Chi Crafts for a trip to her LYS,  Article Pract, and most likely coffee, knitting, and getting to know each other outside of the virtual world of the internet.  I am hoping to convince her to go and get Ethiopian/Eritrean food as there are multiple restaurants in the Berkeley/Oakland area serving such food.  And, by gods, I am a fool for Ethiopian food, but most people I know (such as the love-dove John) are repulsed by it.  They say the bread--injera-- reminds them too much of human skin.  As if!

Comments

[melanie]

The Sparrow is an amazing book, isn't it? I thought of pioneers coming across aboriginal peoples, with horrible results because they couldn't understand each other, coming from utterly different assumptions of beauty, kindness, hospitality. (Granted, most pioneers didn't have such good intentions in those situations!) Now I think of how the West is viewing Islam, assuming that Muslims in general are not like Westerners, and therefore do not have the same values: family, security, etc. Tragic.

"Children of Man" was stunning. What can one say? At least the horror was (for a time) broken up by Michael Caine's twinkling performance. The movie should be required for anyone who doubts that what we do today can hurt us - not only in the long run.

[Carrie K]

I have to see Children of Men, partly becaus of the story, but mostly because of Clive Owen.

My brother misses the Ethiopian/Eritrean food horribly. His last visit out, every one we stopped at was closed. Bad timing.

[Debby]

Let me just say you have my complete sympathies on the sinus issue. Mine have gotten pretty miserable in the last few years. I can manage most times with ibuprofen, my hot steam humidifier, or a hot shower, but once in a while the migraine-like headache takes over, and I hate being stopped in my tracks from the pain. Argh! I hope you feel better soon. Also wanted to let you know I did a post tonight and mentioned the charity KAL. I'll put up a button too if/when you have one. Keep us posted on how things are going!

[Kate]

the knitting occurs when meredith takes a vow of celibacy and tries to replace men with knitting - it's one key episode where they make a sweater in a day!!!! izzy knits a sweater for denny then wears it a lot. i love izzy. the knitting will happen :)