Random Ramblings

Honey has the camera this week just in case Austin, Texas, provides an opportunity for some good pictures.  (Can we say "More inspirational greeting cards!"? I knew we could! :-)  It is, perhaps, a good thing that the camera is gone because it means that I can't get too sidetracked by finding new projects to do when I should be working.  It does, however, mean that I can't post my own photos as I blog.

I thought about forgoing blogging for the week, but then a better idea surfaced.  Why not just talk about a few things I like?  Maybe find some matching pictures?  Yeah.  That's a good idea.

The feeling of nostalgia struck me again this evening when I was putting a few things away.  I saw a picture of me and Honey from ten years ago -- our engagement picture.  Has it really been that long?  Sometimes it's hard to imagine a whole decade has passed (or just about -- June will be the official engagementversary).  For the first six years or so we did not spent a single night apart.  Then a marketing position called, complete with travel, and we got used to spending time apart.  We also got a dog.

Lotus made the house seem less empty, something our herd of cats didn't quite do (even though I love them with all my heart).

I miss my Honey when we're apart.  We often joke that we're Nick & Nora Charles.

I do believe that this gin-swilling, crime-fighting duo was actually me and Honey in a previous (albeit imaginary) past life.  Confession: If we ever attended a costume party, we'd be Nick & Nora. (Yes, Carrie, I know this is no surprise to you! :-)  Since we don't tend to circulate in areas where costume parties are the norm, I am content to just dream.  And decorate our theater room in Nick & Nora prints. (<-- That's confession #2.)

We watch The Thin Man (and the other films in this 1930s and 40s detective series) several times a year.  That's pretty incredible for a couple who doesn't really watch films at all!  We just love this story and the way the couple interacts.  It doesn't matter how many times I've seen The Thin Man, watching it again...and again...and again...makes me happy.  That is why when I first met my two youngest furry babies, I knew what their names would be: Nick & Nora.

What better name for two adorable black and white kitties, right?  (I have other furry babies, too, but let's focus on this story today.)  And now every time I see them I am reminded of the film that Honey and I adore, something that makes us happy.  (Yes, I'm aware that's a bit obsessive.)

There is one other film that brings nearly the same enjoyment: the 1956 classic The Court Jester.

It took years for me to convince Honey to watch it.  Perhaps that was because I compared it to The Princess Bride and said that in my mind the two movies were quite similar because they were cheesy and poked fun at other films and were very funny and fun to watch.  Honey did not originally like The Princess Bride (that has changed now, but it was a long battle!) and so the idea of an old musical that could be similar was not initially appealing.

That resistance seems so long ago now.  Honey loves this movie and sometimes suggests it to me because I love it, too.  In fact, it's a film that my whole family loves.  That is one of the reasons why when a number of the siblings decided to get similar or matching tattoos, we decided on the Purple Pimpernel.  (Watch the movie!)

I do love tattoos, although I only have a few (including tattooed eyeliner -- best tattoo ever!).  My latest was a lotus flower:

We chose it for its symbolism, but it is also special to me because it reminds me of the best dog in the whole world.

Can't have too many pictures of adorable babies, right?

Now I am considering my next tattoo.  I keep thinking that I can't just have something for my dog and nothing for my cats.  So I am thinking that I should perhaps get a tiny paw print on my chest, over my heart.  We shall see.  But I feel it's time for a little more ink.  Maybe that's the way I'll celebrate when I'm finally done with this dissertation.