StupidCupid’s Neighborhood

James Cameron’s AVATAR is in theaters today. What about this movie interests you the most?
Sponsored by AVATAR. In theaters December 18. Buy tickets now.

Special effects of course :)

I think we're going to see it tomorrow afternoon to try to avoid the crowds.

Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban (Book 3)

J.K. Rowling

Read because: I'm listening to all the HP books on CD

Borrowed from: the Sacramento Library

Rating: 8 out of 10

Synopsis: Harry is back and in fine form in the third installment of his adventures at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. His summer with the hideous Dursley family is cut short when, during a fit of quite understandable rage, he turns his Aunt Marge into an enormous balloon and then runs away. Soon, it becomes quite apparent that someone is trying to kill him; even after Harry is ensconed in the safety of fall term at Hogwarts, the attacks continue. Myriad subplots involving a new teacher with a secret, Hermione's strangely heavy class schedule, and enmity between Ron's old rat, Scabbers, and Hermione's new cat, Crookshanks, all mesh to create a stunning climax. The pace is nonstop, with thrilling games of Quidditch, terrifying Omens of Death, some skillful time travel, and lots of slimy Slytherins sneaking about causing trouble.

My review: I really like book 3 of the series. Things get really dark, with omens of death for Harry, a mass murderer on the loose, and some really close calls for the three wizards. I also love the introduction of Sirius Black (played by Gary Oldman in my head), who is one of my favorite characters in the entire series. He's extra crazy in this book, and it's really fun to watch Rowling develop his character, not to mention the characters of other adults in the book -- Snape, James Potter, Pettigrew, and Lupin. I also really like Lupin in this book, and how he gives support to Harry when most others write him off. And once again, Jim Dale is the best audio book reader out there. (Finished 11/23/09) 

Sex God: Exploring the Endless Connections between Sexuality and Spirituality

Rob Bell

Recommended by: a bunch of people. Plus I'd read other books by Bell.

Purchased from: A Borders going-out-of-business sale, at 80% off. Woot.

Rating: 9 out of 10

Synopsis: "Is sex a picture of heaven?" Bell wonders. It's all about God and sex and heaven, he says: "...they're connected. And they can't be separated. Where the one is you will always find the other." It's the story of God becoming human, of humans mirroring God and love made manifest in the chaos of our humanity. Sex God is about relationships revealed in a way that elevates the human condition and offers hope to those whose relationships are wounded. In Bell's spare, somewhat oblique style, he addresses lust, respect, denial, risk, acceptance and more. He does a fine job using the Bible and real life to show that our physical relationships are really about spiritual relationships. This book joyfully ties, and then tightens, the knot between God and humankind.

My Review: I feel like I should have read this a long time ago. I've had it for a while and I read it in less than twenty-four hours. It was a wonderful picture of what God has set out marriage and sex to be. Bell really delves into how the spiritual and the physical come together and how our relationships here are a picture of God's relationship with us. It's fascinating, really. Bell's style takes a little getting used to -- it's sparse and really uses the white space on a page. This book, though, was probably the least-difficult to handle visually (compared to his other books). I wish I had it with me so I could quote from it a bit. Anyway, I highly recommend this book, especially to high schoolers and people who work with them. I could have used some of this information back in my youth-leading days.  

A Christmas present Brett ordered for me came in the mail yesterday...he couldn't wait for me to open it and since it drives me crazy to see presents under the tree and I ask for a million hints I wasn't opposed to opening it.  (how's that for a run on sentence?)

It was a clarinet!!!  Oh and I was excited!! The first words out of my mouth were "I think I still have my old sheet music!!!" So I jump up and dig them out and sat on the couch for a good 2 hours playing.  I have to admit, I had to google some of the fingerings but it all totally came back to me.  I'd play a song and yell to Brett in the other room "Do you know what song that was?!" 

I did tell him that I don't know how much I'll play it so he can't ask me why I don't have it out everyday.  He was like "well, as long as you're happy tonight with it that's worth the money to me" awwwww

I really am spoiled...I'll totally admit it.

Last night I had a nightmare about The Canadian. He showed up and started pestering me, begging me to come back and that he loved me all along. I just kept pushing him away and saying, "Get away from me! It's too late."

I know exactly why I dreamt of him too. Because of this. And maybe because around this time last year The Canadian and I were planning our New Year's escape.

I was talking to my stylist about why He stands out from all the other guys I've dated/had a fling with. The most important - He wants to be with me. That's it. In the past I've always been attracted to the guys who, yes, like me but for one reason or another can't be with me. Let's list it out, shall we?

With our upcoming cross-country adventure looming, the Beloved and I decided to celebrate our own Christmas a little early this weekend.  On Saturday, we stayed in our jammies, opened our stockings and exchanged gifts.  Penny got her first stocking and was excited to find a couple of new toys and a few treats.

Stocking Stuffers

We said no tv or computer and we stayed in, lit the fireplace, listened to Christmas music and read.  The weather cooperated for such a day by providing a much too rare all-day rain.  Pretty much a perfect day.

Sleeping and Reading

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The Christmas feast this year was a Bobby Flay recipe that we’d decided on – a veritable mouthful: Pan Seared Duck with Red Chile Pear Sauce, Bourbon-Brown Sugar-Asian Pear Relish and Potato-Blue Cheese Cakes.  We had it with an excellent Novy Family Syrah.

PSDwRCPSBBSAPR&PBCC

This week is busy with a lot of prep and packing.  I did stop by AAA today while I was out and scored this important travel aide:

Traveling With Your Pet, 10th Edition: The AAA Petbook

AAA

We hit the road in THREE DAYS!

Look at all the different types of Wizard of Oz fabric they have!! 

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Good news:  Brett finally ordered a Nook for me!!!

Bad news:  I won't get it until February! 

I guess I can consider it a Valentines Day present instead of a Christmas present.

We had talked about not doing presents for each other this year and just combining our money to get a new super awesome king bed but then he told me last night that he ordered something that was $150 on Amazon last night.  So I was like "uh, so I guess we're not doing the bed thing?" and he goes "yeah, we are" and I was like "with the money that comes out of our ass?" and he smiles and says "we'll figure it out".  WTF  He's not a credit card kind of guy so I have no idea what he's talking about.  I just want to know that I'm getting a new super awesome king bed so I can start looking for bedding :)

We went to this Victorian Christmas thingy in Guthrie, OK on Saturday night.  It was pretty boring.  The best part of the night was that I saw an incredible Wizard of Oz quilt.  OMG I wanted it so freaking bad.  This fabric store had probably about 20 different kinds of Wizard of Oz fabric.  I really really wish I knew how to sew.  I might just go back and buy like 1/2 yard of each of the different types so that I'll have it because you never know when I figure out something to do with it.

Yah for this being my last full week of work before Christmas vacation!