Poems from 2003

Back in the old days, Jim and I used to email each other a lot more often. On November 17, 2003 Jim went on some work trip and took our only tube of toothpaste with him. Here is what I had to say about it (poetically and as archived in my hotmail folder entitled "specials"):

My Breath (To be read in bohemian style with bongo drums in the background and a soft sax if you feel in the mood)By Claire:)

I'm so glad that you took the toothpaste
And left me in the bathroom alone
with a toothbrush
baleful bristles pointing upward
towards my open mouth.

I'm so glad that my toothbrush is so worn
that even brushing with water
feels like not brushing at all
and when I floss
I can still taste the salt

You, who brush your teeth so diligently
In your Hilton hotel
In your boxer shorts and your falling off glasses

You, who lavish the feel of the foamy frothiness across your teeth
Left me alone with no toothpaste.
Left me alone with nothing but an empty sink.

FINI

Jim responded by writing a poem full of suggestions for how I could brush my teeth without toothpaste:

Oh how the guilt eats me
For leaving your toothbrush alone
Without it's companion,
it is so far from home

Maybe my love can improvise
By mixing some mint and cheese
Or maybe baking soda, with a pinch of dry bay leaves

Or maybe my love can wait
Until I return this night in haste
With a bag full of kisses,
and the missing Crest toothpaste

I'm pretty sure I went and bought some toothpaste.

Adventures at Angel Studios

Last week, through my volunteering, I got to go to Angel Studios and watch (and listen) while three guys laid some tracks. Over the past few months, we have been helping facilitate a rap and songwriting workshop which has given a few young people the chance to workshop, write and record music. The studio donated the time and technicians. VERY cool.

Conrad the Scoundral (aka Louie) strikes a pose for me. He was one of the guys who ran the workshops:


Zak composed the music and wrote his lyrics when he got to the studio. He was one of the really dedicated young people who came to all the workshops and got to us 5 hours of free studio time to record his music:


Zak with the mixing equipment:


The studio was really posh in an old, huge building. I think it might be the biggest name in studios in London (besides the blah blah Abbey Road Studios).

Louie:


JB, Zak and Louie at the end of the session. JB was the other workshop leader. He is a spoken word artist. All three guys have different styles and voices, so the final track they made was really interesting and GOOD, I think. I feel really lucky to have had this experience and I hope I can get Louie and JB to come to our school (one of my fundraising goals!)

Billy Jean in the country

I feel almost certain that I'm going to get in trouble for posting this video, but it was such a fun day and such a nice time in the clover field...we love our friends!

lazer eyes

R2D2's cat paid a visit to our wall recently.

Count Down

7 days until Kate and Andy get here!!
27 Days until our four year anniversary!!
28 days until Mindy, Jack, Olivia and Mendy get here!!
68 days (a little to early to start counting) until the end of the school year!!!!!!
77 days until I leave for my month in Sevilla!!!

There is a lot to look forward to!

In our garden

In our garden, there is Finchley:


On our very rickety and dangerous stairs there are flowers and herbs:

A walk in Snodland (yes, that's really what it's called)

Now that the weather is better, we are going to start taking more walks. Last weekend we were joined by our friends Dan and Aurelie (unfortunately, Meg was studying for exams, but she's coming on the next one!)

We started out in Snodland (founded by Mr. Snod). We were very amused by the name and also by the beautiful papermill, which we tried to feature in this group picture, but blocked with our heads:


Proud to be from Snodland:


Ok, no more making fun of Snodland, or I'm going to get hate mail from offended Snodlanders (snort!).

It's spring and things are growing. There was a Jim growing in this field:


Some of us were having a little trouble with the hills on this walks:



But not Aurelie:


We came across a skeleton in a phone booth:


And the bluebells were looking in full bloom!


Dan found some metal:


It's always good to get to the pub. Especially when the sun is shining and you can sit outside!



Dan brought Kinder Eggs. They are so fun!Jim got a Mexican hermit crab, which was appropriate for Cinco de Mayo:


After lunch we had a rest in park for about fifteen minutes, then we saw this gnome house:




THis was an interesting piece of equipment. Dad probably knows what it is:


Another rest in a clover field, where we listened to Michael Jackson's Billy Jean and made clover chains:



A lot of time was spent photographing this tank.


Good times! We have some video footage oft he day, but have to get permission from others involved before posting it. Dan can sing Billy Jean.