thinking about family

Over the weekend, I read Neil Gaiman's blog entry on the death of his dog Cabal. I wept. What really got me about Neil's blog entry is that he wasn't able to be there when Cabal passed. And that made me think about my family, and how far away from them I am. New York City is 2,485 or 2,894 miles away from Eugene, Oregon, depending on which website you look at. Regardless of which answer is correct, that's quite a distance. I see my family once or twice a year, depending on money and weddings and babies and etc. And that blog entry made me wish I were closer to my family. It made me wish I could see them more often. It made me homesick for my family. And not just my family by blood, but my family by choice. I miss them all a lot, and most of the year I get by on phone calls and the occasional email. I'm not saying that I'm considering moving back west or anything . . . I don't really know what I'm trying to say. Maybe that someday I'd like to live closer to my family again. Something to think about.

it's hurting that's the hardest part

My sister J and her partner-in-crime were here for a long weekend, and just left yesterday afternoon. We had a really great visit: we wandered the Highline and Central Park, ate a lot of good food, hit a couple flea markets. We went to Strand, of course. It was good. Last night, after they left, I went to the Amanda Palmer concert at Webster Hall. It was amazing. She's such a good, engaging performer. The new album is great. I stayed up too late when I got home, of course, but it was worth it to go out last night.
The rest of this week is going to be BUSY between work and freelance and Doug's birthday coming up and etc. Wish me luck. I'll aim for a longer blog entry on Friday, but we'll see what happens.
Blessed Be.

i can't seem to stop it

My nose, that is. It's running like crazy! I came down with a cold the day after coming home from the holidays, and so far it's centered almost entirely in my nose. I bought some Benadryl this afternoon in the hopes that it'll help me sleep.
Well. The holidays were nice. Saw my family a fair amount, spent a little time with my partner-in-crime's family, and got some good time with my godchildren and a couple good friends. I never see everyone in one trip, but I've learned to accept that. I can, and have, drive myself crazy trying to see all of my friends in ten days or so, but have mostly learned better than that. So it was good. Mostly relaxing. My niece and nephew are huge and beautiful and will be entirely different peopel again by the time my next visit rolls around. That's the downside of living so far away from my family, I suppose.
But. Two books to add to the list for 2010. 68) Ascendant by Diana Peterfreund. This is the sequel to Rampant, and I just loved this one too. Astrid is in a tight situation on multiple levels and you can't help feeling for her. While sequels often suffer from second-book syndrome, this one just takes the series to the next level, intertwining relationship woes with morality issues and some serious health disasters as well. I can't wait to see what's next!
And, 69) The Habitation of the Blessed by Catherynne M. Valente. I fall in love with Cat's writing in all of her books, and this one is no exception. This takes the story of Prester John and tells it with innocent, awkward beauty. You can tell as a reader that Cat takes great care in the choice and position of each and every word. Sometimes her prose is so intimate, it feels like reading a love letter or watching a baby sleep or something. I know that sounds a little sentimental, but I defy you to feel otherwise upon reading this book. It's so, so good. Run to the closest bookstore and buy all of her books right now!
Anyway. Illness takes its toll, and there's a book and a cup of tea calling my name. Happy 2011 to all of you!