The long list

At DSD's vehement request, I've decided to write a short - it may turn out to be longer - post. I could waffle on about the random ideas and issues that cling to my brain like stubborn moths or I could do my usual point-form update. Since I have several drafts - they've been around for quite a while now - focused on those matters, I suppose I'll stick to the reliable lists of recent events and doings.

1. I've been visiting my grandpa almost every day. He's getting stronger, but he still can't walk. I realize that he's been in the hospital for about a month now, which wouldn't be so bad if he hadn't been bedridden all this time. He'll probably spend another two weeks in a rehab clinic to help him walk again. The good thing is that we got him a place in a clinic quite near our home, back to the first hospital to which he was admitted - Changi General Hospital.

2. Treks to the office are a daily occurrence now , even though I'm just a freelance editor. I asked the boss for use of a spare desk and now I get to sit next to Ms. Dimsumdolly and gossip through MSN messenger because the office is so quiet that even whispering would be an intrusion upon the aural space of our colleagues.

3. I have completed the 800-page tome of Jonathan Strange and Mr. Norrell and I can safely say that it is the most enjoyable read I've had all year. It was so entertaining - it appealed to both my inner fantasy fan and literary fusspot - and consuming - in a splendid way - that I didn't feel the two weeks spent on one book a waste at all. In fact, I want to read it again. One of the benefits of reading such a long book is that when you start over, the beginning seems such a long time ago. Favorite lines and images feel familiar but aren't as sharp so it's very pleasant to revisit them. I also have a new literary crush (I'm the sort of person who occasionally forms unhealthy attachments to well-drawn characters in films and books) - John Childermass. It doesn't matter that he's servant to one of the two great magicians in 19th century England. It doesn't matter that he has greasy hair. He's smart - a magician in secret - very knowing, equally cunning, looks very "at home on a windswept moor," and possesses a dark streak of independence. I get the odd impression that he would be very good-looking if he were to wash his hair and don a less patchy coat.

4. I've been agonizing over the kitchen design. But at the time of writing, I think I have it about right at last.

5. Tango shoes arrived. Sweetly scarlet. Sadly too small. I must have fudged my foot measurements. Will send back to store.

6. The recent movie LK and I watched was "Corpse Bride." And may I say how thrilled I was by the macabre images - dangling and detaching human bones; blue, dead things; grey, ominous buildings, thin and sharp silhouettes of trees and cadavers. How comically gothic everything looked, very Edward-Gorey-esque. And how pretty the piano music from Victor, the shy bumbling groom and Emily, the sexy and quite-dead-but-oh-so-lively bride. But I wanted very much for Victoria, the living bride, to get her man. I wish the film were longer, I wish the piano cues were longer. I very much like puppetry now though I suppose I'll have to settle for the action figures from McFarlane.

7. I miss tango.

8. I am going to China for a week in mid-October.

9. I am taking my mom to see Michael Buble this coming Monday.

10. I've been meeting several of my colleagues from my previous job. Two arranged over the past two weeks, and one a surprise on my morning train ride today. I was very, very happy to see them again.

11. There was a wedding, and two friends flew in from Ann Arbor to attend. Peiming and I took them eating and shopping. I hope we haven't scared them away.

12. I miss my husband, who is shackled to the army for Reservice at the moment, and will be for the next three weeks. We may be taking a long, long journey soon.

Posted by Monoceros at October 6, 2005 11:29 AM