Kitten Scribbles

It's been a while since I followed a TV series as enthusiastically as Lost. Mostly I've been watching formula shows, Good Eats or House or what have you, where it doesn't really matter if you skip an evening. Lost, on the other hand, really rewards you for watching each episode.

For the season finale, we went to a party at K's coworker's place. K made Hawaiian chicken and hoisin pork kabobs for the occasion; others brought shrimp, macadamia nut brownies, and pina coladas. The season finale was as creepy and odd and teasing as one could possibly have wished for, and filled the two hours without a hitch.

It was a fun evening. Not only did K's coworker have HDTV (and omigod the difference; I could count every hair of Sawyer's scruff), but she also had two friendly cats and a medium-sized child, the latter of which protested vehemently at being told to go bathe in the middle of the episode. He ran to the shower at the beginning of a commercial break, and came back slightly damp and not much cleaner. His mother let it slide. Fortunately, he didn't miss too much.

Now that we're on the verge of this weekend, maybe I'll have time to write about last Saturday? All week I've been forcing myself to bed early (11PM) to wake up early (5:30AM) so that I can go to work early (7AM) and get out early (5PM) in order to get more daylight time in the evenings. I'm finally adjusting to it, after an entire week of feeling off-balance.

Last weekend was absolutely gorgeous, one of Maryland's few breathless perfect spring days. (Here we tend to skip over spring and dive right into a long hot summer.) Saturday morning: blue sky, bright sun, and breezy weather, not an ounce of humidity. K and I got up early and started the day by driving down to Alexandria.

( I-295S. Crate&Barrel outlet. )( Torpedo Factory. )( Richard III. )

The evening's entertainment was in Annapolis, so we swung up to Laurel and picked up paleotheist, then headed east.

( Annapolis. )( Vienna Teng. )( Chocolate oblivion. )

Spring weekends really are the best.

The Smithsonian Folklife Festival this year features Oman, the Forest Service, and Food Culture USA. The heat on Sunday was oppressive, but we spent most of our time in the shaded displays off to one side of the Mall.

( the Forest Service )

( Food Culture USA )

( Oman )

This coming weekend, the Stone Ridge Used Book Sale will be in Rockville. Go if you can; it's huge and wonderful. I like to go the first day for quality and the last day for quantity. Books at $10/bag: can't beat the price.

Amusement of the day: Words you should know when going in for A-level Biology.

Oh, and don't miss out on the Unitarian Jihad.

I am deeply grateful to N for holding his Lord of the Rings extended-edition marathon. Such a great experience - lovely big screen, with a wonderful surround sound system (though Nazgul screams that sound like they're coming from a spot directly behind one's left shoulder are kind of disorienting). I was amazed at how much the movies gained from being seen all strung together. The themes became a lot more cohesive, the words and actions better justified. And since I had already made my peace with my nitpick points, I was just able to sit back and enjoy.

Kudos also to N and K2 for getting the movies all played within a thirteen-hour period, even including pauses for dog walks, bathroom breaks and pizza. The efficiency was amazing.

( leftover babbling -- and oh, that lovely Rohirric violin theme )