AMA and DVD

I know, I know, it's been a while again since I posted last. Between the snow and cold temps, I have sunk into a terrible winter blahs. One kind of neat thing did happen recently. I received my Charter LIfe Membership in the AMA (American Motorcyclist Association). I can't believe that I'm coming up on 25 years as a member. Where has the time gone?

So what is going on? Work and watching the snow melt ever so slowly. But I had gotten some great new DVDs to watch during the winter time blues.

My daughter, Nicki and her family got me the complete Black Adder Collection, an English comedy with Rowan Atkinson staring as Edmund, Black Adder in different generations. Sometimes he's a complete fool, other times he the bright one but surrounded by less then intelligent cast of characters. The shows are a delight and I never tire of them.

Another British program that I enjoyed in the past was Robin of Sherwood which was shown on Showtime many years ago. After more years then I want to think about, it has finally been brought out in DVD formatted for the USA. I'm just hoping that they bring out the other two seasons of this wonderful show. Thanks to this show, I became a fan of the Irish singing group Clannard who did all the music for the show. There is also a new Robin of Sherwood series coming soon, hopefully to be seen on BBCAmerica. It will really have to be special to top this series.

Today I received my copy of Long Way Round. Ironically, another British program. Movie stars Ewan McGregor and Charlie Boorman decide to leave London on their BMW motorcycles and right around the world. I had never heard of this program until I read about it on my Venturers.Org online motorcycle club/message board. I believe it was shown on the Bravo channel. After learning about it, I had to have it along with the book written by Ewan and Charlie about their experiences during the trip.

Now I'm just waiting for the DVD I just heard about of a PBS concert of John Prine from the 1970's. I have ordered it and will receive it when it's released in March of this year. I can't wait! I suppose pretty soon I'll be complaining that the weather is too nice to be inside watching this great collection of DVDs.

A Double Edged Sword

Blogs are wondrous things. You can pour your heart out in the words of your blog. You can spread your soul out for anyone or everyone to see. You can say things that might be better left unsaid if the wrong person reads what you have to say. You could hurt someones feelings even if a comment isn't directed to them, but they perceive it as directed at them. You can share you joys and sorrows, your highs and lows, your triumphs and failures, your fears and courage.

A few years ago I wrote my annual Christmas letter sharing the news that I was divorcing my husband of over 30 years. For some, it was the first hint that this was happening and I received many phone calls of support. For other people it was just an update on what they already knew what was happening. Only one former friend attacked me for what I wrote but after my initial reaction of sadness, I remembered that the therapist I had been seeing had told me it was a good idea to write that letter and I took comfort in the idea that I had done the right thing. Besides the former friend hadn't been much of a friend for a number of years and I had been distancing myself from her anyway.

I guess those who know me best know what an open person I am. My life is an open book. I've never been afraid to share with people what I've learned in my life including what I've learned about myself even if it isn't flattering. Some of my family has told me that what they like about me most is my honestly and openness that they know when I say something it will be blunt, to the point and maybe even brutally honest. In fact, some would say that in that aspect, I'm turning into my mother!

So at this point in my life, I find myself in an interesting position. I have some things going on that I can't talk about, especially in a blog that is open to the world to see. I have become involved with a wonderful man but I'm not at liberty to talk about him until he gets some things taken care of in his life. These were things that were started before I met him but still have an impact on our relationship. I'm learning that I have more patience then I ever would have given myself credit for. Another thing that I'm dealing with will involve my lawyer as more proceedings are started but no details can be shared here at this time.

Like I said, Blogs are wondrous things. You can share what you want or what you feel is safe. Hopefully it won't be long before I'll be sharing more.

Happy Groundhog Day!

I know it's silly, but Groundhog Day is one of my favorite days of the year. I have traveled through Punxentawney, PA on several occassions just to say that I've been there. Sometimes I stop and take pictures. Here are just a few.

Groundhog .org - the Official Site of the Punxsutawney Groundhog Club
Dunkirk Dave's Groundhog Haven!

Ridge Lea Larry takes a break, but he'll be back next yearFor 15 years, Ridge Lea Larry, the Department of Geology's groundhog, symbol of winter's mid-point and all-around mascot dressed in custom-made threads and top hat, has lightened the dreary winter blues by predicting whether or not there will be six more weeks of winter.
But on Groundhog Day this year, the stuffed woodchuck did not see his shadow-or anything else. Depending on whom you asked, Ridge Lea Larry was either "under the weather" or on sabbatical. But it's only a temporary setback: Larry will be back on Groundhog Day, Y2K.