Haunted

I’ve offered to take a daughter to see Phantom of the Opera--the movie. You’d think I’d have had enough. Saw the stage version in October at the Hippodrome, and have now seen the movie twice. Once, because I personally had to, and Jeff, who went only because he didn’t want me to go alone, conceded to liking it. Twice, because...well...I personally had to, and dragging daughters #1 and #2 with me under the guise of cultural significance served as suitable cover. Daughter #3 is now feeling left out since she’d gone skiing with friends, and missed the outing. But I find myself quite willing to do it again.
I can only speculate that the fact that my first Phantom experience occurred at a time when I desperately needed the catharsis of a vicarious tragic romance is what has fused my psyche into some kind of perma-bond with the story and its accompanying Webber score. Sooner or later I expect the addiction to wear off. The “highlights” cd was laughably inadequate, so I’ve listened to the full soundtrack cd so many times it’s not worth counting. My family does think I’m a little wack, and I can conveniently dismiss my infatuation with Gerard Butler by noting that I’m too old for him. Gabe read the book in school last year, and has filled in details of the back story which both the play and screen version leapt over--but I can’t convince him, yet, that he needs to see the show.
I bet he’ll watch the dvd with me...that’ll be out before you know it!

Two Tabs

This might become the primary site of my web-nonsense. It might. If it can accept the fact that it must always be one of two open tabs. Case in point: I am five words into this entry. Olivia needs to know the names of all our congressfolk, senatefolk, district #'s, etc. I google up the Maryland General Assembly web page. Ok. I am 10 words into this entry. She needs the House majority/minority leaders and majority/minority whips. I google. I am 15 words into this entry. Jeff needs a local supplier for the obscure Scandinavian Grundfos pump which has died in the basement, leaving us without 2nd floor heat. Googled. 20 words. Becca wants to sign up for March SATs. Taking them in January only is assuredly not enough. Googlegoogle, CollegeBoard...blablabla. 30 words. Gabe demonstrates some Kung Fu form, reminding me that I need to email the primary JingYing studio guru and encourage him to keep being encouraging despite the fact that Master Po might have had minimal patience for boys who become distracted and pick paint off the gym wall between tasks. 35 words. The bobbin on the Bernina has become uppity, foiling Rachel's efforts to complete an Xmas present for her bf. Ok, ok...a browser tab won't fix that one, but I can. Now it doesn't matter how many words I'm up to. If my brain had a power light it would be snoring like my iBook in sleep mode. Goodnight.