the peacoat papers

2008: list of bests

Year In Review's are so fun.  So satisfying.  You acknowledge all the best and worst parts of the year, trim away all of the fuzzy or boring moments that surround them, dust your hands off and tie a big shiny ribbon around that box and put it away. 

Viola!  January 1 is fresh full of promise.

But that's tomorrow.  So today we're going to look back. 

Best reads:  Fiction - Geek Love by Katherine Dunn, Non - Fiction - Personal History by Katharine Graham.  Both excellent, excellent.  But I have to mention that this category's pool wasn't as large as usual.  My mind felt so scattered this year that much of the time I reached for a magazine before I invested in a book.  I probably read half as many books as usual, and I noticed it.  This falls high on the list of Things To Change In 2009. 

Best music:  Well, there is always a ton of this. 
Favorite To Listen To Quietly While Working or Reading - The Weepies Hideaway and Robert Francis One by One 

Individual Songs That Stand Above The Crowd - 
Sentimental Heart by She & Him,
The Hat by Ingrid Michaelson,
Merry Happy by Kate Nash,
West Coast by Coconut Records,
Boys With Girlfriends by Meiko,
Human by The Killers.

Best TV:  Weeds, Desperate Housewives, The Real Housewives of New York and Atlanta. 
I have watched Weeds and DH since the beginning.  Weeds has stayed consistently smart and interesting while Desperate Housewives bounced back from some ho-hum seasons to new incredibly witty espisodes.  I am sort of a cross between uptight Bree and annoying Susan, but my bestfriendfromcollege Alyson is all Lynette.  I mean, it's eerie.

The Real Housewives just can't be explained.  You either watch it or you don't. 

Honorable Mention goes to Kath & Kim (so, so funny to me.  Are people watching this show?  You sort of have to suspend yourself for it) and Gossip Girl season 1 which I bought on DVD for the airplane and now I am hooked.  Can't wait to get completely caught up.  I get the hype.

the most wonderful time of the year

The Gorilla and I just returned to California after a fantastic Christmas week in Oklahoma.  We had some sort of festivity every day we were there, which means we got to see friends and family and laugh and eat and remember all the ways in which we are blessed. 

We had the most enjoyable holiday I can remember in a long time.  My family decided that we were only going to give gifts to the kids this year - we outlawed any gift giving to family members over 21.  A huge emotional and financial break that left us free to simply enjoy each other without any thoughts of "does it fit?!" or "does she hate it?" 

In fact, the only complaint I have about the whole week was that our jam-packed schedule didn't allow me to have the heart-to-heart conversations that I usually enjoy with friends I only see at the holidays.  But at least I got to see their faces and share a heartfelt hug. 

There was the shower for Genevieve and James in Oklahoma City on Tuesday.

And our annual Christmas Eve gathering in Madill, my very favorite part of the holiday.

Lots of good kid time.

 

And on Friday and Saturday I spent time with friends from my hometown that I have known practically my whole life. 

It was everything the holidays should be.  I've never been happier.  I hope 2009 is as full.

travel frazzle

The peacoat silence over the past five days has not been by choice. We are in the beautiful Carolinas, where my heart is elated at the circumstances unfolding here, but my technology habits are not being fed in any way. 

I have the sound of nature and the lapping of the lake in my ears every morning. Which is much better than the humming internet or the droning television, but I finally had to give in and find a McDonalds with free wifi. 

For starters, I left my coat in Savannah, where The Gorilla and I spent Thanksgiving with his family. The day we left Georgia and drove north was particularly warm, and I know just where that coat was hanging as we waved goodbye to the city of our nuptials and headed towards the colder weather. Coatless. 

That was on Saturday. We had a whirlwind of a weekend, just busy busy bees getting to know this sleepy little town and it’s people. But then this morning we overslept (my fault!) and it all went downhill from there. One of those days where nothing goes smoothly. Where you manage to get lost (even with GPS), and the cell phone battery goes dead during an important conversation, and then realize that you had so efficiently packed the charger in the other bag. The one not with you. 

Then what happens is you get the phone call from the guy who has been sending very important emails to your husband all day but hasn’t heard an important response. Possibly because the husband – that cute Gorilla – is high in the air somewhere between the coasts, you say to him doing your best to keep it restrained. 

It’s been one of those days. And I’m shower-less. For reasons I will not get into. 

By the time I got the phone call from the delivery guy – in an entirely separate situation - saying the delivery will not only not arrive tomorrow, as planned, but instead will be TWO to FOUR weeks away, I could only laugh. He actually told me that he thought I was taking it pretty well. My answer surprised even myself. “Well, Adam,” (yes, “Adam,” I was feeling first-namey), “there are bigger things in life to get worked up over. A delayed delivery is not something I’m willing to cry over this minute.” 

Who am I with that?! I’m not sure if I’m mellowing in my old age (so very unlikely) or if it’s all just a case of travel frazzle. When you’re out of your own space, and your stuff is scattered between two rental cars and a hotel and your phone barely gets reception in this state, you can’t expect to keep it all together. You have to just take a big deep breath and an imaginary xanax. (Or a real xanax, if that’s what you’re into.) 

Plus, I’m so genuinely excited and on board with all that is happening here in the Carolinas (and that news will be revealed soon) that all these little things, even added up on a day like today, can’t keep me down. So that’s my pop-in explanation, brought to you by Mcdonald’s Mcflurries. 

We have another few days before I’m on the road again, this time to Tennessee for a special friend’s milestone birthday. Next week we’ll be back to regular peacoat programming. 

Hope your holiday season kicked off with a bang!

mountains and mormons

I have had the most interesting few days in Salt Lake City. 

First on my list:  See the Temple.  You can't go in of course - not being a card-carrying member and all - but it is still a beautiful structure with a story to tell.  My Mormon interest has been long and strong since my first interaction with them at a Burger King when I was a teenager.  I met some young men on their mission - skinny black ties was the giveaway - that helped me with some car problem.  The details have faded from me.  All I remember is telling my parents about the whole encounter and then having explained to me exactly why those guys were so nice.

Then The Gorilla gave me a copy of Under the Banner of Heaven, back when we were just friends.  So then we were both hooked.  Earlier this year, I read Carolyn Jessop's Escape and I have followed the arrest and trial of Warren Jeffs.  Plus, I watch Big Love.  See, I'm an expert. 

Now, before someone sends me some long explanatory email, I fully understand the difference between the Fundamentalist Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, and just your typical LDS.  Among those of the more ho-hum Mormons, I watch Glenn Beck (but only because he comes on after Nancy Grace) and my family has been discussing the relevance of Mitt Romney's religion for quite some time now.

All of that to say that I have been curious about Utah for a while.  So right out of the gate I took a tour of Temple Square.  Since it was pretty dead on a crisp Friday, I was the only one on the tour.  Which means I got to ask tons of questions pertaining to Joseph Smith and their exact beliefs about the Book of Mormon.  It was an informative hour and time well spent.  The actual Temple is beautiful.  It took them forty years to construct and the end result is impressive by anyone's standards. 

At the end of the tour, they sit you down to listen to this large statue of Jesus "speak."  Just as He began telling me how He was the Son of God, my cell phone went off.  Of course it did!  I reacted with a very audible, "Oh Lord!" only realizing some minutes later that was probably not the perfect response.  Or maybe it was exactly perfect, I'm not sure.

back in the city of angels

I'm back in California after a whirlwind week in Oklahoma that fed my spirit more than I could have ever imagined.  I spent time gazing at Miles, and took two of my nieces for long therapeutic talks over ice cream twice. 

On Wednesday I got nostalgic driving around my college town, and then had lunch with friends I have known since the fifth grade, Trish and Lea Ann.  We don't get to see each other often, and noted that since our last meal together we have become wives and homeowners, and all changed jobs.  We spent an hour talking about the complexities of marriage as we see it in these early years, and I left The Mont with a lot to think about.

I sped up to Oklahoma City to see my dear friend Taryn and her precious baby girl.  The hours flew by as we caught up with each other, dissected remodeling options, and pondered the things that are important in life: friendships, career choices, and of course, blogging. 

I was so engrossed that I lost track of time and ended up very late for dinner with friends who have known me inside and out since before I could drive a car: Megan, Jaime, and Andy.  Our meals together will hopefully not be so few and far between now that Megan is back in the Sooner State.    

Often I return to Oklahoma when I'm feeling homesick for my family, or when I need to remember where I came from, in order to remember who I am.  On this trip, my only motive was to meet Miles, but it became so much more than that.  It snuck up on me, and pinched my shoulder. 

I am lucky enough to see my family multiple times a year, but spending good, quality time with old friends is a luxury.  Most visits are full of holiday chaos or rushing from here to there with a hundred things on the "to do" list.  This time, quite unexpectedly, I was able to share and listen without any other burdens.  And it was wonderful. 

I've never intended for this blog to be of the what-I-did-today variety, but sometimes it becomes that because these are the things that are speaking to me now.  I hope you don't mind.  

x games

We spent most of the weekend at the X Games, which is always fun. These athletes - and that's what they are, without question - are impressive no matter how you spin it. It's always fun to see The Gorilla completely in his territory. Not so much the actual X games, but just around the skateboard and BMX world. I know it was his first love, and he still gets as excited as if he were one of those fourteen year old boys. Friday we went to the Street Skate , BMX Big Air, and Step Up. Saturday we headed down to to the Home Depot Center to see Super Park and BMX vert. While I sat and watched, Gorilla and his friends lapsed into some other language. I generally have no idea what they're talking about. I just like it when they go high.

And sometimes when I think a trick looks super hard, apparently it's no thang. But then a BMX-er twists his handle bars just so, and there's a gasp from the crowd.

So I still have a lot to learn, but I fully grasp how one day, when there are little Peacoats and Gorillas running around, I'll be one of those moms at the X Games with a visor and a backpack.

savannah in july

We spent the weekend in Savannah, Georgia, the spot of our holy nuptials last September and the home of my in-laws. I love Savannah and every time I visit, I feel inspired and invigorated.

The city is full of style and eccentricities. I could wander around all day in the historic downtown and feel perfectly peaceful. Supposedly, Savannah is the most haunted city in America, and the droopy trees heavy with Spanish moss do give it that feel. Sort of the like the whole town is draped in a Miss Havisham web.

My favorite place to eat in Savannah is The Olde Pink House, although this time we tried a new spot, The Saltwater Grille, which had a beautiful view and excellent food. (I had the parmesan-encrusted Grouper with blue crab on top, can you imagine anything yummier?)

My favorite places to shop are @Home, Bleu Belle, and The Paris Market. All of these are along Broughton Street downtown. I would love to find places a little more off-the-beaten-path, but I’m never there long enough to do that kind of exploring.

Friday we took a boat out to see the dolphins swimming in the Intracoastal Waterway. Savannah in July is Humid, but on the water it wasn’t too bad. The dolphins came right up to the boat, and jumped and played gracefully in our wake. It was the perfect way to spend a summer afternoon.

happy birthday...america?

Spending July 4th in Mexico was not a political statement. Rather, we were celebrating a friend’s milestone birthday and the trip had been planned for some time.

Having only experienced Mexico in Spring Break terms, I had no idea what to expect on this (technically) adult trip in a rented villa. Turns out this version of Mexico is better. WAY better. The villa was beautiful, right on the beach, and there was a staff to attend to our every need. What luxury! I never realized that half the pain of vacation is dealing with food. What to eat, where to eat, how to pay, etc. It can all get very complicated not to mention expensive. At the villa, our meals were prepared for us, were delicious, and could be enjoyed equally straight from the pool or in a little dress and lip gloss.

Every single day of the five days we were there, we talked about the different activities we should do. There was horseback riding on the beach, jet ski rentals, parasailing. All of these options were mere steps away. So what did we do? Nothing. Not a single thing. The day would roll by slow and easy and by the time the group was gathering for dinner, we would realize we had ticked nothing off the “to do” list.

We spent almost every day lounging by the pool or the ocean, sipping margaritas, reading or chatting. Nothing too deep. Just lazy and easy. On our actual Independence Day, we threw our own little dance party, and I laughed long and loud and so hard I couldn’t breathe.

It was an unexpected true vacation from everything. It was a big white peace flag that marked the center of this very chaotic summer. Happy Birthday, Shanna!

birthday cards

My birthday was last week, and my husband threw a great dinner at Café Stella, a cozy little restaurant in Silverlake. Every year I view my birthday with an uneven mixture of anticipation of the unexpected and deep dread. Not the dread of being another year older – not yet. But the fear of being forgotten by those I most want to notice my special day. There is no pop-psychology to this fear. Every year from the age 7 to 17 I was away at summer camp on my birthday. And while the camp always did their best to make it special, I have harbored a sense of abandonment and homesickness every june 19th that I can remember.

But this night surpassed many other birthdays in my life. Not because anything spectacular happened, though my husband did go above and beyond spoiling me rotten, but maybe because now I am a grown-up. This year I finally felt like a grown-up, contemplating the life changes I am making, and able to truly appreciate a simple dinner with good friends, good wine, and good conversation ranging from biographies to the guilt of the West Memphis Three.

Every good birthday produces an array of birthday cards. I am horrible at birthday cards. I never give them, and never have. And when I make cards, they’re not something I even think about. I guess I figure that there is already such a wide choice for birthday cards, and when I have something I want to say via card, “happy birthday” isn’t in the top 100.

But I do love handmade cards of all kinds, and I received a real jewel this year from a couple of my dinner companions. It was a homage to me and my favorite chain restaurant: chilis. My love for chilis is a whole ‘nother post entirely. It made me laugh and of course I’m keeping it in my red box of handwritten love. Inside the card was a gift certificate to chilis. So I’m already thinking of my next dinner of good conversation with friends, this time over queso.

weddings aren't for wussies

I never thought that I would attend a wedding with as much adventure as lindsay & seamus’ big, wet celebration. But just 1 year and 1 week later, I think I have a wedding story that tops it.

This weekend The Gorilla’s old friend D. married his longtime girlfriend T. in Big Sur, California. Big Sur is a gorgeous little stretch of California’s central coast, about 6 hours north of Los Angeles. Because it was also my birthday, we made a whole weekend out of it, leaving on Thursday and staying at a spa that night, then continuing up the coast for the wedding festivities.

Northern California gets really chilly at night, even in the summer, so the bride had advised guests to bring a sweater even though the ceremony was scheduled for 3pm. But when we got to Big Sur on Friday, it was unseasonably warm. As in, hot to the point it was uncomfortable, even through the night. On Saturday afternoon while I was getting dressed and ready for the wedding, and The Gorilla was napping, we heard a huge rumble. And then a second one. It was obvious that it was thundering, but when I walked out onto the porch of our cabin (yes, cabin. This was a rustic trip), there was no rain and the sky was clear. I reminded The Gorilla that rain on your wedding day is supposed to be good luck. About an hour later as guests were gathered and waiting for the shuttles to take us to the ceremony spot, everyone was talking about the thunder. It was at that point I remembered that I had forgotten to grab the recommended sweater. Everyone around me rolled their eyes, because it was so hot. The Gorilla said that if it turned out I got chilly, he would give me his suit jacket.