It's A Wonderful Life

It has been a Backman family tradition (since I became a Backman) to watch my favorite film EVER on Thanksgiving weekend. Viewing "It's A Wonderful Life" has always been our official start to the holiday season. Most years, we would watch snuggled up on the sofa, mugs of hot chocolate for the boys in hand and a box of tissue close by for me. Once the film finishes, it's time to start decorating for Christmas. Of course, as the boys have gotten older, I've had a devil of a time convincing them to sit down with me. In fact, for the past several years I've had to maintain our "tradition" all by myself.

This year, with Justin away, Dylan was left holding the "time to indulge Mom" reins - and he came through with flying colors. We watched, without interruption, the entire film - there were no quick phone calls, no text messages, no unexpected visitors. And when it finished he said to me, "You know, Mom, that's really not a bad movie."

I think there may be a day when Dylan makes this one of his Backman family traditions. I may have started something...

Happy Thanksgiving, etc.

I haven't got much to say, and this cartoon is about as much effort as you'll get from me. Justin can't leave base and I have to work (yes, even today) so I can't even drive down to see him. So I'm pouting and he's trying to be a man about his first holiday away from home on his own.

Boo fucking hoo.

Happy Bear is My Hero

I don't just dislike clowns, I fucking hate them. They are evil incarnate, hiding behind a facade of happy face paint thinking the worst possible thoughts. I don't trust anyone (anything) that hides behind such a mask. I don't like mimes either, for the record, but they don't freak me out like a clown. Another Savage Chicken cartoon after my heart...



Edited to add: Okay, after further perusal of this cartoon, I believe my initial reaction may have been a bit overenthusiastic. I was looking at this as Happy Bear drinking the blood of clowns to save me from them - no blood = dead clowns. Now I think that Happy Bear is saying he is happy because the blood of clowns is infused with happiness. AARRGGHHH!!!!

The Story by Brandi Carlile

Brandi Carlile - New Music - More Music Videos

All of these lines across my face
Tell you the story of who I am
So many stories of where I've been
And how I got to where I am

But these stories don't mean anything
When you've got no one to tell them to
It's true... I was made for you

I climbed across the mountain tops
Swam all across the ocean blue
I crossed all the lines and I broke all the rules
But baby I broke them all for you

Oh because even when I was flat broke
You made me feel like a million bucks
You do and I was made for you

You see the smile that's on my mouth
It's hiding the words that don't come out
And all of my friends who think that I'm blessed
They don't know my head is a mess

No, they don't know who I really am
And they don't know what I've been through like you do
And I was made for you.

All of these lines across my face
Tell you the story of who I am
So many stories of where I've been
And how I got to where I am

Oh but these stories don't mean anything
When you've got no one to tell them to
It's true... I was made for you
Oh yeah it's true... That I was made for you

Creep

I found another interesting Black Cab Session. This is a cover of the Radiohead song "Creep" by Amanda Palmer from The Dresden Dolls. Very interesting girl, very interesting cover, very interesting ukulele (but aren't they all).

Halloween Porn

Early Morning Improv

Trading places, or role reversal, or me trying to be strong while he admits he's worried, or something much more clever and interesting that describes my part in this little play called life. I'm not so good in my new role.

Justin is leaving again. He's going back to San Diego, only for a few weeks, but still far, far away. And after that he's heading for more training at Ft. Sill - this time for 2 more months. I have been mourning for days in anticipation of his departure, albeit without his knowledge, or so I think.

I really believed I was doing well until he admitted to me that he's worried, a bit scared, even, about how long it will be until he is able to come home again. He's nervous enough that he stepped outside for a cigarette, to settle his nerves, no doubt. And so now I'm falling apart.

Trying to remind him how much he missed all his Marine buddies, I chirped on about how much he's looked forward to this additional training. I attempted to bolster his confidence by pointing out that in a few short weeks he'll be just hours from home. He just turned around and hugged me.

I find that I hope he has a second smoke so I have time to get myself together. I haven't rehearsed this role and I'm totally unprepared. Improv is not my strong suit. I'm a lousy actress without a knack for the mendacious.

And like that...he was gone.