Patty, has that tooth been repaired?

And Grady, be sure to supply your snail-mail address at your new digs. I sent the clipping from the Addy Indy about Raj to you at One West Street but failed to include the apartment number so it was returned as undeliverable. You have certainly experienced a dose of upper crustiness of the ugly variety - not all successful and rich people are undesirables - a September-ful you will have stored in your bank for later reference. On to October and a different mix...........

And Cailin, I might put something in the old fashioned mail for you if you give me your address. Do tell Patty how to load pictures so we can keep track of her and hers that way.

Love to all,
GrAnn

My Ben & Jerry's Woo Hoo

I probably already told you this but it shows my unconditional love (or stupidity) for Ben and Jerry's.
One beautiful afternoon I was sitting on my deck, sun shining, no commitments, eating my own pint of Ben & Jerry's coffee ice cream. (pretty much heaven to me) Then I felt something crunch in my mouth. I took it out and looked at it and thought to myself, "huh, that looks like part of someone's tooth." And in the same thought, all I could think of was that it was a factory worker's tooth. I took another look at it and then shrugged my shoulders (oh well I've probably eaten worse than a factory worker's tooth in my life) and tossed it over the deck. It did not stop me from finishing the pint, the whole time thinking it was someone else's tooth! Needless to say, 15 minutes later I realized that it was actually part of my own tooth!

Can someone please please explain to me how to upload photos and links (Cailin?) ?

Love you all.
Patty

Goodbye Penthouse

Daddums is on his way down to New York to get me all moved in to my Brooklyn apartment. Feeling a bit sentimental for my One West St. apartment. Truman Capote's Breakfast At Tiffany's begins:

"I am always drawn back to places where I have lived, the houses and their neighborhoods. For instance, there is a brownstone in the East Seventies where, during the early years of the war, I had my first New York apartment...my spirits heightened whenever i felt in my pocket the key to this apartment; with all its gloom, it still was a place of my own, the first, and my books were there, and jars of pencils to sharpen, everything I needed, so I felt, to become the writer I wanted to be."

I am excited to be living in Brooklyn in a more youthful neighborhood where I might actually meet people outside the business sector, and to have a roommate who doesn't talk finance jargon and whip out fois gras while watching tv (I guess when you're grown up and have a wall st. job, chips and salsa no longer suffice. Fois Gras and airline mergers all round!) But I am also going to miss waking up and stepping out onto my balcony and seeing the statue of liberty. And my air conditioning. and my own bedroom. and cable tv with surround sound. and the little market with mango and strawberry salad. and the 5 train, which is so easy to navigate but does not venture into the outer Burroughs.

it is rainy and foggy here right now, appropriate weather, i think, for saying goodbyes.

Just want all to know the highlight of my day is reading this blog. Thanks for all the enjoyment and warm feeling I get every time I read your words. I love you all so much.
B.

You girls, C and G, are beyond belief!! I mean, you are so creative!! I am in awe (the over-seventy way to say, "awesome."
Love,
GrAnn

I have a new outlook. Hooray! This morning I got up and went for a run, and that always makes me feel better. I always feel like myself again when I am running, it is very self-identifying for me, and very grounding.

When I got back I turned on the television (no more cable after today! What am I going to do with myself?) and I watched Endless Summer II. I imagine you all know what it's about, but in case you don't, its a documentary about surfers who follow summer around the globe, trying to find the perfect wave. It's very much about freedom and youth and spontaneity, and very not about finding a job and having responsibility and putting on a suit and heading to Wall St. And I figured, I don't need a career right now. I do not need to be heading up the merger between two major airlines. i just need a job to provide enough money to pay the bills-- it does not need to be intellectually or socially or morally rewarding. These surfers, they just saved up money to travel around the world. and it wasn't making money itself that was so wonderful, it was what they did with the money.

so i have a dead-end job. every second that i am not at work i am still in NYC and who knows what is just around the corner?

The Post Office

I've been writing the beginning to "The Post Office." I'm taking a different turn with it...what do you think of this idea? It's a little darker. But, Eph, the man who sorts the mail is sort of mentally unstable. He's thought to be the slow one in town, the child in a man's body. One day Eph reads a letter from Sophie to Jaime (by accident) and becomes enthralled. He begins to follow the correspondence of the lovers, and in turn falls in love with Sophie too. But he's never met Sophie, so his love is more of an obsession with this ideal women, someone he's created in his head with the help of all the letters to "know" who she is. His obsession with her drives him mad, and he decides the only thing to do is kill Jaime, so he can have Sophie for his own. What Eph doesn't realize is that by killing Jaime, Sophie won't write any more letters, and so he's killed her too, because to him Sophie lives only through the letters she writes to Jaime. The grief and guilt he feels over killing his beautiful Sophie is so great that...

And I haven't figured out the ending yet. What do you think?

Me too, with a woo-hoo

Peter, I'll give you a woo-hoo, too. Does that obligate me in any way?

And Peter, I think you and your girls might consider forming a Writers' Collaborative. (Connor could be an associate member. For the time being he will be busy getting A's in Economics from a professor who talks so fast he {Connor} can't understand him {Sanjay's Dad.})

Homesick for Vermont? Let me mention the little chickadees in the cedars right here in the window over my desk. flitting about gobbling juniper berries.

You think you're homesick? How do you think I feel with you away?
GrAnn

woohoo!

(that was for Ben and Jerry's Coffee Heath Bar Crunch)

"From the existence of property and focus on property and exchange of property, we begin to see a society as naturally defined by it..."

Sounds smart, eh?
Actually Professor Robert Clark's words, not mine. I just finished my very first lecture here on 18th Century writing. We talked about John Locke's Second Treatise, and how it is an example of political theory we can read entirely as fiction. I'll let you know what that means when I figure it out myself.

I'm really glad to finally be back in school! It's been so long since I had a lecture of any kind, it was exciting to once again be learning something and taking notes and having homework. Plus, my professor kept referencing Jane Austen, so I know I'm going to love him. He is your stereotypical old Englishman--glasses, white fluffy hair, cardigan over a button down shirt, terrible jokes about literature that only he chuckles at. It should be a great class.
I only have one class today, one on Thursdays, and then three on Fridays. Which means for the most part I'll have 4 day weekends! Hopefully I'll be able to travel. Kelsey and I are making plans to meet in Dublin in October. If I leave on a Friday afternoon I don't have to be back until late Tuesday, which means plenty of time to make the trip worth it. I'll keep you filled in.

I became very homesick last night reading about the geese in the Champlain Valley. I haven't seen any geese here, unlike me they probably got the memo about how cold it is in September and skipped town early.

And I love the idea about the post office book! Maybe I'll steal that idea for my Creative Writing class. I've also joined the Creative Writing Society. So there will be plenty of chances for me to put that idea into action. Daddy, when I make millions off of it I'll split the profits with you 90/10 (and that's being generous).

Now we're cooking

Well all right, we finally hear from the Conn man with a great post!  Thanks so much Connsie Connie Connor!  Keep poking Alex.

And those of you haven't had a chance to check out Cailin's latest pickies from England there are a couple of great shots of her and her roommates on the way to the library.  Cails be sure and take time to enjoy yourself, you know it shouldn't be all work, work, work!

We're right in the middle of foliage at the inn and it seems to be one long endless bus tour of old folks who walk only slightly better than Aunt Janice.  Erin had to take them on a walking tour of Middlebury today and I think they got as far as St Stephen's Episcopal Church and decided that was just about enough thank you very much.

The colors up in Ripton are about as brilliant as they've ever been but the winds are starting to pick up and it probably won't be long before the trees are bare for the winter.  Being in the mountains is really fun but I realized yesterday afternoon how much I miss the flocks of geese that make their way down the Champlain Valley corridor this time of year.  There are always one or two idiots who just can't quite figure out that V formation thing.  I love how you can hear them coming well before you can see them.

Girlie Girls - I have a great idea for a story if anyone is interested.  The working title is Post Office Box.  It is the story of a mail clerk who spends his entire day stuffing mail into post office boxes and never gets to see his customers but knows them by the conversations he hears through the box openings and by the mail they receive.  You could go with the romantic angle where he figures out P.O. Box 345 has a thing for P.O. Box 678 and how he sets it up.  Or make it a spy thriller because he overhears a conversation he shouldn't have and saves the world just in time.  What do you think, million dollar idea or what?  First drafts are due on Monday.  Gradsie, see if Jimmy Fallon wants to play the lead.

Well, gotta go.  I've got dinner tonight.  Steaks on the grill.  Red potatoes.  And spinach of course.  Can I get a woo hoo for Ben & Jerry's Coffee Heath Bar Crunch?

Love you all.  Peace.  Peter

Flatmates

I finally met all my flatmates last night. I love them all! I'm the oldest out of all because they're all freshman, so I sort of feel like their big sister. They are Chaz (who has declared me his new best friend), Olivia (the only other international student), Chloe, Richard, Dom, Shelley, and Eunice (who I've only briefly met and seems very shy). We got all dressed up and went into the city last night. They let me ride in the front seat of the taxi, and let me tell you it's quite a thrill to be sitting on the left side of the car and not driving. An experience! Tonight we're all having dinner together and going to the International Student Society's icebreaker in the city (which is supposed to be the best party of the semester). I'm so glad that we all get along so well, already fast friends. Dancing last night was so much fun, we went to a place where all the music was American Rock 'n' Roll, and we were all singing Aerosmith and Bon Jovi and Brian Adams at the top of our lungs.

Here are some pictures of us last night. Eunice didn't come out with us so she's not here. The top is Olivia, Me, Richard, Chaz, Dom, Chloe and Shelley (I appear to be either smelling or laughing at something). The second is a picture of us dancing in some bubbles (which you can't really see). One place had a giant bubble machine on the roof and a light show, so pink and purple and blue bubbles were falling all over the street.

Grady, sorry you're not loving your job. But remember, in the words of our Guru (Eminem): "Look, if you had one shot, or one opportunity to sieze everything you ever wanted-One Moment-would you capture it or just let it slip?...Feet fail me not, this may be the only opportunity that I got. You can do anything you set your mind to, man."

This is your shot in the big city, make it your adventure. Love you.

I started a post a couple of minutes ago and tried to save it, but now can't find it. I hope it doesn't clog up the system. I wanted to speak some support for our Grady, stuck in that snobby NYC restaurant. Hi, Grady. You'll make the best of this, I know. GrAnn

Connor-- you will love Brave New World! One of my favorites, I really want to read it again actually. Although you should not have bought it, we have a copy at home. Glad to hear that soccer is going well. I have yet to have any real social encounters, and I'm feeling like I should probably involve myself in something soon.

I met my roommate Lexy! She is about a foot and a half shorter than me. But that is no reflection of how nice she is-- she seems really great. We have already discussed getting a kitten, which I think would be swell since I have no friends and think that a little fluffy kitten curling up next to me would just about cure the homesickness.

Work isn't going so well. Everyone is very uptight and strict and all the customers are rude and have a superiority complex and don't acknowledge the help, and everything is so stiff and robotic and scripted. Tonight I got yelled at because I said to a customer, "You can follow me," rather than "Right this way please," or "Sir, would you like to come this way?" which are our two scripted options. I mean, seriously? We also got yelled at today about being at least a foot and a half away from all customers at all times so that they don't feel like we are intruding. Yes, let me whip out my yardstick before I seat you. also I'm having a really difficult time because I am like the only one there who is not Indian, so they all speak to eachother in Hindi and I never know what's going on. And the boss is Indian and speaks very fast with a very thick accent, so even when he's speaking English I have no idea what he is saying. It is very stressful and there's a lot of scowling and eye rolling and general annoyance at my ineptitude.

Perhaps you saw in the news today that Southwest Airlines and AirTran just merged. Jimmy, my roommate, was one of the four guys who did all the number crunching for the whole merger, and I am kind of amazed because he is only 23 or 24 and he has this very important job and is doing something productive with his life, and being a hostess seems so unrewarding right now. I really miss school and the feeling of getting something accomplished and like my mind is being challenged. I'm feeling a bit direction-less at the moment.

I am very homesick right now and miss the mountains and you most of all.

It's Been A While...

So sorry I haven't posted in a while, I sort of forgot about this until Daddy reminded me, but I'm back at least. It took me some time to go through all the posts but it sounds like everyone is having quite the adventures. (Except for Marley, Lauren, and Bo, who, despite many invitations, still reject the Ross blog. Out of the will, all of them.)
Classes are going fine, except the homework load is really starting to increase. Right now I am supposed to be writing one of two essays due in the next couple days, but I haven't managed to get around to it yet. The Spanish test that everyone (read: Daddy and Grandma Ann) seems so interested in was fine, I got an 89. The only other grade I have gotten back in any class is my first economics homework, which all the other kids were freaking out about because they had never gotten such low scores (casual glances at surrounding papers showed lots in the 40-60 % range), but me and Patrick got A's. No biggie.
Intramural soccer has been great so far, there are two different leagues (mens and coed), both of which I am part of, so I've been doing lots of that. Although I must admit, I choose napping over playing every once in a while. Truly, my mother's son.
Alex is doing great, I've been keeping him away from the blind girl though, their first encounter wasn't the best. He has been reading the blog a lot, although it looks like he hasn't posted to it yet. I'll have to remind him tonight.
Grady- Exit Through the Gift Shop is an awesome movie. Sorry, film. Banksy is a very cool guy. Its also great to hear about your expanding knowledge of college football. You catch that Bama-Arkansas game yesterday? I bet Grandpa Jim did, anyway. I also did some book shopping recently, with the gift certificate I got from Ann Zehner for graduation. I got Brave New World, a suggestion from Gavin, and Infinite Jest. It is 981 pages and I'll probably never get around to reading it, but Rolling Stone said that David Foster Wallace is supposed to be the greatest writer of our generation so I decided to get it. Also, having a thousand page book in my room makes me look smarter.
Cailin- I hope England is wonderful. When I first saw those pictures you posted, I thought, "Uh oh, Cailin is already spending her first night in jail", but I'm relieved to see that it is just where you will be staying. Its nothing like the spacious luxury of Stewart Hall.
Everyone else, hope all is well, I'll check in again soon!
I think Alex will be on the blog soon!

back pedaling........

First I mistook Grady for Cailin. Then I interpreted her "uh, oh" and the gorgeous look about her, plus the question about where was someone to tell her not to, as a hint that she was about to head out into the city that never sleeps, on an adventure! Now I find out it was all about the haircut!

Standing corrected,
GrAnn

Yeah pictures!

So great to hear from my girly girls!  Kelsey that includes you by the way.  I'm not giving up.  Cailin or Grady if you are in touch with that girl kick a little butt!

Gradsie I like it.  Just don't cut any off and I'm fine.  Did you have fun last night at Caroline's?  We got to see Uncle Mikey and his band at 2 Brothers last night and I kept expecting you to walk around the corner.  They were very busy upstairs, we tried to get in without reservations and it was a 45 minute wait.  We went to Mister Ups instead and had an ok meal.

Cailin, more pictures please.  You know you are a wonderful writer with all kinds of stories to tell.  Those Brits are lucky to have you.

Here's why we go to and stay in and pay attention during, school.  We had a tour group in the Inn from England a couple of days ago.  I mentioned to one of our waitresses how fun it was to have a group from Britain staying with us.  She looked at me and said, "Oh I thought they were from England."

Love you all.  Peace.  Peter

BANGS!!!

oh dear. new haircut. do I see highlights, too?? I thought you were broke (and don't try to say you did this yourself).

Grandma Ann, it's ok, I don't expect you to be able to tell us apart online, that's just not fair to anyone :).

Having a lovely time here, although we just got our syllabi and the classes look so difficult! I'm a little nervous, just because I haven't been in school for so long. But last night I met some people who did their MA here and they said that the Creative Writing program here is incredible, and that all of Norwich is like a city of writers and artists, so I can go to anyone for advice or inspiration, and that the professors will tear apart my work and make me feel like I'm a horrible writer, but all that critisism is actually a great thing because it means they think my work has potential! I only have to worry when I get papers and stories back without any marks at all.

I did some exploring of the city last night, it really is beautiful! All the buildings are so old. We walked by a GAP that was in the building where the first metal airplane was engineered. Even the GAP gets a gorgeous building with historic relevence.

Also, whoever told me that England was more mild than VT has never been to England. It's been freezing! and rain every day, in 15min intervals or pouring and then cold and grey.

Oh, my god............... that was Grady!

... sorry, Grady.... sorry, Cailin I hate when that happens. I bet you do, too. The question remains: and ................?

GrAnn

Glad you asked, Cailin............

and .......................?

Where were you to tell me not to?

Uh oh, I was feeling adventurous...

Lauren and Ken who?

Where in the world are Lauren and Ken?

For Mama

Here are some funny British sayings/things I've noticed, especially for you Ma.

1) Yield signs say "Give Way" instead of "Yield"
2) Things that are particularly delicious are called "scrummy." As in, "I had a scrummy cookie for dessert!"
3) On every package of cigarettes it is printed in huge letters across the box "SMOKING KILLS"
4)They say literally all the time, only it's pronounced "litrully." like "The post office is litrully on the street." or "you litrully just follow the path."
5)Eggs are not refrigerated, but kept on the shelf with the dry goods
6)If someone likes the idea of something they say they're "keen" on it. Ex. "I'm keen on meeting for dinner around 7."

I'll litrully send more as I notice them. I went grocery shopping and will probably make myself a scrummy dinner soon. I'm also quite keen on karaoke tonight, where I will not smoke any cigarettes because I've been properly warned that SMOKING KILLS.

New Kid

Hey all-
I have asked Alex Strothe (Connor's roommate) to join us so hopefully we will soon have another voice in the mix.  Do I hear two British accents? 

Also, re-invited Jake, Bo, Marley and Kelsey.  I know you're out there!

Love you all.  Peace.  Peter

Grandpa Jim's turn: "Who the hell is Orlando Bloom?" Incidentally, he knows who Jimmy Fallon is.

drowned rats never make any friends...

I'm having my first experience with English weather. All day today the weather has been a mix of a thick, misty, drizzle and heavy, eye-stinging downpour. Turns out that amidst all 100+ pounds of clothing I brought there was no raincoat, umbrella, or pair of rubber boots. What was I thinking? Also, no waterproof mascara, so I've been walking around with dripping, unruly hair and racoon eyes. Mama, I think we can forget about all those British men for awhile.

We had orientation events this morning. Turns out that no matter what country you're in, Orientation events are a giant waste of time and completely boring. Although listening to someone drone on in an English accent is much more exciting than listening to someone drone on in "American." The doctor seemed nice, but he said, "you lot will give this lot all of the diseases from your country, and visa versa. You all WILL get sick, but in England people don't die of fevers so just hunker down and wait it out." A girl was hacking and coughing next to me the whole time. Also, because I'm here for less than six months, I'm not eligible for free medical help. So if I come down with something I'm charging her.

I have registration at 3:00 (15:00, as they say here) where I'll meet my faculty and get my student card. Once I get that I can go get my stipend for food, and finally eat cheaply! I've been having to eat out right now. Yesterday I tried a "pasty," basically a little pot pie full of meat and potato and onion. Very British. Could have used salt.

Grandma and Mama, Jimmy Fallon is a HIGH-LARIOUS comedian. He has some TV show at night. Think of all the people we're now within 6 degrees of because of Grady!! everyone that he interviews! Grady may meet Orlando Bloom yet, although if you've all been following he recently married Miranda Kerr and she is pregnant.

And everyone should get on skype! I talked to Ellina and Kelsey last night, and it was great to hear their voices.

Jimmy is a pole dancer

I'm with Grandma Ann - Who is Jimmy Fallon? - And Peter- how come you're so in the know?
Grady - everything sounds great - just remember to come back home and get that degree - hob nobbing with celebs must be fun but come on back- your mama misses you. I talked to Caroline yesterday - she is happy to be having so many of her neices coming to her house for dinner this weekend. Give all my love -and by the way, she said she loves your story telling- I told her she must hear your cop story.
Cails - thanks for the address - you sent me info on skyping (sp) or whatever, find that a little intiminating - give me the old fashioned pen and paper - Miss you like crazy - can't wait to hear more - yoga sounds fun - I'm in agreement with Gradsie - stay away from pole dancing.
Connsie-Connor - What Spanish test? How come you aren't telling me about good things - And just to let you know, I waited for you at LT yesterday, Alex came up and gave me a big hug - says he plans on attending LT frequently.
Patty - Cailin said there is a new baby boy in your life. Not to get mushy, but I think what you're doing is amazing - you are setting a fine example to this next generation and also to me - I think it's time to give back as well. I'm so awed by your selflessness.

Love to all

don't let me hear about this pole dancing thing. if you need money i will send you some because, despite Jimmy, I still am employed.

Karisma, a Nepalese girl who is another host there and has been there for like three years, has taken me under her wing and is showing me all the ins and outs, including how i get food for myself, which is really quite easy-- if you go into the kitchen at 3:00 pm and 10 pm and get a dish out and stare at the cooks pleadingly they go down the line and spoon all this delicious indian food onto your plate. so i've been eating very well for the past couple of days.

i heard back from the editors of that website and they said they liked my submission but unfortunately they only published local philadelphia authors. I didn't want to be on their stupid old site anyway.

This is what i will be doing today...
http://middleburyskiing.org/blogs_nordic.php

i really hope this link works! if not, go to middleburyskiing.org

Happy Birthday Bruce! (Springsteen)

love you, (yes you Bruce, but all the rest of you too)
patty

Contacting me

My address here is:
Cailin Ross AMS
Larch
University Village
University of East Anglia Norwich NR47TJ

I also got a phone and soon will have an international SIM card which will allow me to call home for only 4 pence a minute!

I think I am going to join the Yoga club and possibly the Riding club. Another option is pole-dancing (really!) but I think I'll be in Philadelphia when they meet.

Grady - If Jimmy calls again, tell him your Grandmother never heard of him.

And Cailin - I guess you don't study in your room there.

And Peter - thank you for this blog thing!

And anyone else who's reading - you have to pay your dues, so let us hear from you. The rest of us don't have to be so entertaining as those girls and their father.

And Connor - how did the Spanish test really go?

Love to all, whether you post or not,
GrAnn

Jimmy!

actually, I took a take-out order for Jimmy Fallon last night. I answered the phone and he said "Hi, it's Jimmy, Jimmy Fallon." and I said, "Jimmy! what can I get you?" like we were old friends because I was so taken aback, and because his voice sounds on the phone exactly what it sounds like on TV. and my manager scowled at me because we always address everyone as sir, and I had to put him on hold so a girl who has been working there forever could pick up the phone and say, "Mr. Fallon Sir, how might I assist you this evening?" give me a break, the guy's a comedian, I doubt he cares.

also, smooth move of the night, the great and omnipotent and extremely scary Mrs. Walia called (she's the wife of the owner and she's got everyone under her thumb) and I tried to put her on hold but forgot to press the hold button. so I hung up on her. good for me. As far as I know though, I am still employed. I work a double today.

Great pickies Cails!  Keep 'em coming.  I've spoken with Kara and she says she's loving it but plans on returning to the States in December and that you should too.

Gradsie- excellent first day review!  Remember you're from Vermont and you'll do what you want.  When Jimmy Kimmel comes in, see if he thinks it's funny when you pull the chair out from behind just as he's sitting down. Hee hee.

Connor- Nice job on that Spanish test.  Be sure to check with Grandpa Jim if you need review help.  He thinks he speaks Spanish.

Love you all.  Peace.  Peter

Some Pictures

I hope you can see these! The top picture is my bathroom (I have a private toilet and shower). Taking a shower in there is sort of like having someone spit on your head while you try not to get any shampoo on the toilet paper. Not much space, not much water pressure.

The room is small too. Smaller than Grady's singles have been. I got a bedding package from Accomodations, so I have some sheets and a pillow, but tomorrow I am going to get a quilt.

Notice how Kara already looks at home??

Hello from Norwich!

Hello!

After many hours of traveling and wearing the same pair of leggings, I've arrived on campus at UEA. I've already met tons of great people, mostly girls, all exchange students (everyone else arrives on Friday). We're all going out to dinner tonight because none of us have bought food. We began meeting each other on the flight from Amsterdam to Norwich, everyone who looked like they had no idea what they were doing seemed to be headed in the same direction. No one had a clue about Customs, but it was really easy, they barely looked at the paperwork. Norwich airport seems to be smaller than Burlington, if you can believe it.

Everything here (or what I've seen of it) is just like the movies, little school children all dressed up in uniforms, walking home to their brick homes with the courtyards in the back and clotheslines. The names are all really charming too, like "White Rose Court" and "Fern Lane" and that sort of thing. Lots of small cars, driving on the opposite side of the road, and lots of people calling me "Love." The bus driver took one look at my bright pink and green paisley suitcase and said "Is this in case you fall in a snowbank, Love?" I'm not sure if he liked it or not.

I'm about to go find my room (a ten minute walk from campus!) and take a shower and a quick nap. I won't have regular internet access until Friday, so my posts may be limited. But I love you and miss you all, and I'll write soon with more updates!

All gone

Well I just got back to 542 Market Road for what will probably be my last blog from here.  I am moving to Ripton temporarily to stay with Erin until I can sort a more permanent spot of my own.

I had a great trip to Boston to get Cailin to Logan and off to Norwich via Detroit and Amsterdam.  Still can't figure out why an airlines goes west to get east.  After spending way too much time parking we found our Terminal A, did some refiguring of suitcase packing to come in under 50 pounds each and had a quick bite at Au Bon Pain.  Then it was a very sad goodbye complete with tears and great hugs and well wishes.  Bit of advice: make it quick and don't look back.  Pretty tough watching that fabulous head of red hair disappear through security.  Another bit of advice, to security: Cailin Ross couldn't cause hurt if she wanted to!  Like all the gifts I am so blessed to be able to call children she has a lot of good in her.  Good bye sweet things.  Enjoy your adventures and do come back.

And now my own adventure continues.  As Garrison says, stay in touch.

Love you all.  Peace.  Peter

Please don't turn my bedroom into a brain surgery room...

This is officially my last entry from 542 Market Road until December! I'm all packed (mostly) and have my ipod and camera fully charged and my to-do list ready to check over in the morning.

Daddy, Mama, and I had our traditional Pizza, Ben and Jerry's, and Andy Griffith night for my final night at home. Couldn't ask for a better send off!

Grady, congratulations on the job! If you meet Julia, tell her I love her and will babysit her kids anytime. Am also available for coffee after December 20th.

Goodbye to everyone! I'll be making frequent posts within the next few days ("Here I am at Logan airport!", "Here I am in Detroit! Auntie Anne's pretzel for dinner!", "Here I am in Amsterdam! so many clogs, so little time!").

In the spirit of my leaving, do watch this video (even if I'm not running away)... http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BFx755QeJME

love you.

Hey Fam! Didn't end up flying kites on Sunday, I went out to Long Island to Aunt Caroline's on Friday night and ended up staying the entire weekend. The whole family left on saturday morning to go to their Great Aunt's 90th birthday in the Catskills, but Peter stayed behind and we hung out all weekend... I watched a total of five college football games (it was me and Peter and four of his male friends, I was kind of outnumbered), but it was still fun to be around people. All of Peter's friends are really great, they had me laughing the entire time. And after I loosened up and made a fart joke they dubbed me officially "one of the guys." Good thing?

On Friday I met Hannah (Caroline's oldest daughter) in the city for coffee, and while we were there this woman came into Starbucks and asked us if we would like to be in the studio audience of Whatever With Alexis and Jennifer, a talk show on the hallmark channel hosted by Martha Stewart's daughter Alexis and her friend. I guess we looked like two girls who might enjoy dull smalltalk between two an uptight, highly medicated blonde and her over-compensating friend.

Turns out, we enjoyed it very much. Our big debut was today-- did anyone happen to be watching the hallmark channel this afternoon?

I got a job! I went to the staples copy center today and printed off 15 resumes and 15 cover letters and walked around the city distributing them. At about the fifth or sixth place I stopped, an Indian restaurant in the flatiron district (read, RICH and FAMOUS), they said that they were in fact looking for a hostess and was i available for an interview and how about coming back tonight for your first night of training? So I said yes, apprehensively, and showed up tonight and it was great and Norah Jones came in to dinner within my first hour there and I was told to expect Tyra Banks, Julia Roberts, Jimmy Fallon, Uma Thurman and Chelsea Clinton, among others. I will be working about 30 hours a week, and I go back for my second day of training tomorrow at 4:00. The name of the place is Tamarind, it's actually a big deal in the NYC restaurant scene-- The new york times talks about it a lot. Look it up online!

I am babysitting for Freyja and Katla this Friday evening, so I'm excited about that. They are the cutest kids.

I wrote a personal essay and submitted it to a website and if they publish it I will be getting paid. And also it would be exciting to be published. I should be hearing back within the next week or so.

Cailin, you are leaving for England soon! As in, tomorrow! I already miss you being in the states.

Mama, Hannah and I discovered this great wholesale jewelry store! I can't wait to go with you when you visit. All this jewelry that would sell for like 30 or fifty dollars at a boutique store for two or three dollars a piece! Oh my gosh, it is fantastic! Tonight at work I wore this necklace I got and had four compliments on it!

Love love love to the moon (and back again)

-Grady

Grady, I know from talking with Renee - she's back as of last night - that you would be flying kites from the roof of the Port Authority today. True? Now that should be a story to tell!

At the Champlain Valley Unitarian Universalist Society we have a wonderful woman serving us as Interim Minister for the two years we will spend searching for whomever will become our next settled minister. I can't help but mention this because it is so important to me. This morning was the second Sunday she has led our worship service. She has won hearts and minds in a remarkable way. We are now concerned about how to part with her when she moves on two years from now!

I am making hours of phone calls in support of the Peter Shumlin for Governor campaign. All you Vermont voters take note. If you think you will have trouble getting to the polls, let me know. I can apply for an absentee ballot for you. Come to think of it, Cailin - send me you mailing address in Norwich. I bet you can vote from there!

soft food- ugly clothes

Glad everyone is back writing. Grandma Ann - so sorry I missed last night's dinner. I could not tell how long I was going to have to work last night and then when happily Idid get out at a decent hour, Chrissy informed me that he was all alone again with Grandpa. So I stayed with him last night instead. I'm sure whatever you served Grandma Ann, and of course you always serve wonderful food, could not compare to my heavenly fare of smashed potatoes, pureed veggies, creamed meat and semi-soft ice cream.
Gray- love how you keep bouncing back - can't wait to hear more.
Connie - Connor - do you know I have a job at Middlebury College- and an office too?
Cailie - I plan on being around all weekend. Hope you will make time to say hi/goodbye to your mama. And save the clothes. What you and Grady think are ugly may be my new fall wardrobe!
Pete -Are you around on Sunday? Maybe we could coordinate trucks and movers from Chrissy, Paul,...
Love to all,
Mama

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cyVzjoj96vs

ok i guess i don't know how to post a video1
sorry.

I am so sorry I missed the party last night; it sounds like it was as fun as usual! 
The first night at the fair was pretty slow due mostly to the weather.  Probably the same storm that hit NYC.  I got out fairly early and hit Cornwall about 8:30 but figured everyone was long gone and Grandpa Jim was probably comfortably ensconced in front of the Red Sox.  As I was saturated I just went right home.  Sign me up though for the welcome home from England, New York City and first semester of college party!

Hopefully the sun will be out shortly and day 2 with the Donald will be a smooth sail. 

Love you all. Peace. Peter

Grady, you made my day! We just finished cleaning up after a dinner party that did not include either your mom or your dad but your sister and your brother and his very nice roommate and your Aunt Patty and Marley and Bo, plus you Grandpa Jim and me hosting - put together as a farewell party for Cailin. There were the usual stories and giggles.

It was great to check in with Connor as he starts at Middlebury. His roommate Alex is one of those you can't help but like him immediately types.

It just happened that Lauren called (she was stuck in Grand Central because her train was delayed by "debris on the tracks." She said there had been some rather terrific thunder and lightening in the city this afternoon. Where were you for that?

I'm intrigued, not unexpectedly, by the possibilities you turn up. It sounds as though the decision not to enroll at NYFA will turn out to be a good one. You will learn so much as these challenges present themselves.

Wouldn't you know that Renee would make unusual connections? I think we'll be seeing her here by the weekend.

Cailin read us your text about being at Tabby's and wishing you hadn't worn a sweatshirt! I can see you and hear you in that remark.

Here's hoping you can continue to find the time to blog as this urban, independent adventure progresses.

XXOO,
GrAnn

I actually got up before my hard-working roommate this morning (roommate in the singular, because Verdi is in France with his girlfriend...ahh, life is rough for the trust fund kids)... I have an interview today with a nannying agency so I wanted to get a start on the day. Granted, the interview is not until 12:40, but I have to find a kinko's somewhere where I can print off my resume and references and make a photo-copy of my driver's license and all that logistical mumbo-jumbo. So I'm sitting in an internet cafe perfecting all the documents, and of course, I had to take a moment out to contribute to the blog.

I had a day out with Renee and her friend Melanie yesterday. We went to a film at this indie theater in SOHO. This is the kind of thing that you have to call a film, and not a movie, because it was very artsy and not mainstream and you get the impression that only the artistic types who do not buy into society's conventions know where to find such films. So of course Renee knew where to go... It was fantastic! Everyone must see it, I'm sure it will become available at waterfront sometime... It was called Exit Through The Gift Shop, about the counter-cultural movement of graffiti and street art and this man who started following artists around with a video camera and how he became an artist himself. Really fascinating-- I want to see it again because I feel like there is so much I could pick up on the second time around.

Then Renee brought me to wholefoods where, in typical Renee fashion, she insisted on buying protein powder and juice for me, so that if it came down to paying the rent or eating, I would be able to make myself protein shakes. Not that I think I will be in this situation, but Renee is the resident expert on independent forays in the big city.

She also brought me to Strand Books, the world-famous used bookstore that boasts "18 miles of books," so I could get some books to read on the subway. I got a little Truman Capote anthology (featuring Breakfast at Tiffany's in honor of New York), and I have almost finished all the stories, I really love his style of writing. Interesting tidbit: a Truman Capote manuscript, unpublished, was recently found, and the heroine's name is Grady.

I also bought A Confederacy of Dunces and The Virgin Suicides, and I'll fill you in on how I'm loving those.

Oh, did I tell you I had to withdraw from classes? The workload was about 50-60 hours a week, leaving me no time to get a job, which is completely unrealistic for me. I was really disappointed at first, but Melanie assuaged my doubts: her husband is in the film industry and she said that NYFA is not really a real school, it's more of a place for rich kids and bored rich wives to go pretend they are artsy. She said I should definitely talk to her husband, because he would be more than happy to hire me for some jobs on set if I wanted to get behind the scenes. Also, she gave me the address of this cafe where all the NY screenwriters go to hang out, and said I should go hobnob and get advice...so maybe I will just teach myself to be a screenwriter.

I have been writing everyday. One of my professors compared writing to Ballet: a ballerina will never master first and third position if she just thinks about it and never actually practices them. In the same way, writers can't spend time thinking about what they want to write, they have to just sit down and write, even if it is just a big stream of thoughts...you never know what masterpiece might come out among the thoughts.

Love to the moon (and back),

Grady

It's early Thursday morning.  Not quite as early as is necessary to get to AM crew practice but early.  The temperature this morning was a pretty good indication that the motorcycle season is winding down. 

I am off to the Tunbridge World's Fair for the next four days leaving Middlebury as soon as I can get away from the Inn.  So bummed that I will miss Cailin's goodbye party at Grandma and Grandpa's but when the Donald speaks I jump.  King of the Quesadilla.  Love you all. Peace.  Peter

Morning practice

I went to morning practice with the crew team yesterday. I've been tyring to see as many people around as I can, to say goodbye before I go. I woke up at 4 and made myself a cup of tea and put on my warm warm clothes and headed out to Middlebury to meet the team. I guess I was a bit over-zealous because I arrived at Adirondack Circle 10 minutes before everyone else...whoops. But we had a nice ride over to Dunmore. The stars were beautiful, the lake was so still and all the stars and lights from the cabins were reflecting in it. Unfortunately there weren't enough seats for me to row, so I rode the launch with Noel and his dog. It was torture! I didn't remember how much I missed rowing until I was on the sidelines watching my team! "Hey!" I thought, "Get out of my seat, new girl! That's my spot. I'M engine room." But the team did look beautiful. The Fall is a good season to watch practice because the workouts are long and steady instead of sprints. I could watch rowing for hours, especially when it's dark and you can only really see the white boat moving through the water and hear the oars splicing the surface. I know I'll be so ready to get back with the team when December comes around.

I have started to get everything together (Mama, I even cleaned and vacuumed my room, I can see the floor now) and sorting through clothes. I have a "Decently attractive" and "Horrendously ugly" pile, which is helping me pack only the clothes I will certainly wear (the ski suits and footed pajamas and purple checkered blazers are staying home this year, assuming UEA has fewer costume parties than Midd, although both my sequin dresses are most definitely in the "Decently attractive" pile).

I'll see you all tomorrow night, when I'll fill you in on what other clothes are staying/going and exactly which stuffed animals are making it into my luggage.

Where has everybody gone?

Cailin, I picked up a copy of The Campus this morning (from the desk at Kenyon Arena where I went to walk because of the heavy dew outside) and read about the famous author with whom you "chatted" voiceless at the Middlebury Inn. The professor must have been Jay Parini? You were in exalted company, judging by The Campus article. You can look up Ian McEwan in London. Which makes me think - will we see you before you depart? Parting is such sweet sorrow, you know.

It is raining in New York. I bought an umbrella this morning from some guy on the street ("Very low price for pretty girl, umbrellas, very good quality"), and it just broke after a violent struggle to get it closed, right outside the windows of a very busy cafe.

Now I am sitting at a cafe using the internet, because the internet is not working in my apartment.

This morning I went to church at St. Patrick's Cathedral, which is huge and beautiful and kind of weird because the whole time mass is being said there are all these tourists coming in and taking pictures and stuff.

I finally met Jimmy, the other roommate and he is very nice but I think he thinks i'm boring, because he came home the other night and I was sitting on the couch with no make-up and messy hair all curled up in my comforter watching the wedding channel on tv and he said, "wow, exciting friday night," and some of his friends came over and they went out on the town and I stayed at home.

I went running with Aunt Lauren yesterday in Central Park-- it was a great run, we went on the bridle path, which is dirt and central park is SO BIG, there were times when I almost thought I could be on a trail run at home...almost. Then we met Zen (remember Lauren's roommate pre-Ken? We stayed with her when Cailin and I went on our NYC trip for our tenth birthday). We went to Lincoln Center where Fashion Week is happening right now and tried to spot celebrities. We saw Josh Groban, but that was it. But there were a ton of models around in gorgeous clothes getting their pictures taken and looking particularly emaciated.

Today I am going to Tabby's apartment for dinner again...she is having a little pizza party.

And then tomorrow I will be going to register for classes! Registration is between 10:00 and 2:00, and orientation starts at 3:00. I've been gathering all kinds of little tidbits that I want to put in a screenplay, so I'm sooo excited to actually make it happen.

Sorry Connor for the long posts. Stop having an attitude. Call the woman from whose loins you sprung.

Cailin: no man has yet told me he loves me, ten dollars or otherwise. But Zen did tell me that if I find anyone in the city I should run it by her first because she's "dated every loser in the tri-state area."

Grandpa Jim: how 'bout them red sox?

Beth - don't spend a lot of time looking for the buried book. It probably wouldn't be difficult to locate another source.

Good decisions, Grady and Connor, in my opinion. Cailin, you'll probably have some important decisions to report in another 10 days or so. For now, just keep that little boy with the loose change loving you.

But Connor, no fair trying to limit Grady's blog space. Every detail counts, Grady. (My opinion, again.)

Blogging IS the greatest - with you guys at least. And you should know that Gr Jim reads the posts, too. Beats sitting at the end of the dining room table reading lips.

GrAnn

I just love this blogging . I have learned more things about my family in the last week than I have all year. And my three kids, your voice comes through clearly in your writing, so it really is like sitting around Gr.A & Gr. J's table. Cails, I love your last posting. I think it is a real compliment when a child or anyone for that matter, can put a price on their affection for someone!
Grady - I talked to you last night about you quitting your job- I do think it was the right thing to do. If Lauren and Tabby are advising you to beware of early morning subway rides- I think that should be enough. I told you you have great discernment. Keep those antennae working.
Connsie-Connor , know it's not cool to acknowledge your mother - but please pick up your phone and say hi once in a blue moon.
Grandma Ann -I think I have the book at home- since I am in 2 places, I sometimes forget where everything is. I will be weeding more things out this weekend so will make a point to search for the book.

I Love You Ten Dollars...

Hello Family!!!

Patty--I love Workout Wednesday. I only have one more Wednesday left (!!!) but I'll be there for the workout. As long as we're not rollerskiiing, I bet that darn Nick can already rollerski loops around me.

Connor--Way to let down the brotherhood.

Marley, Lauren, Bo? They're probably all on their own blog, laughing at us.

Grandma, The "Dragon Tattoo" series is my favorite!! #2 is everybit as good as the first. Maybe I'll pick up #3 for the flight over.


I will also be the first to report that Grady quit her job tonight...she'll give the details, but I thought I better put all worrying to an end.

As far as me, no need to worry about my wellbeing at work. The little boy I was babysitting tonight looked at me and said, "Mama Mouse?" and I said "Yes, Baby Mouse?" (we were playing in his mouse house, of course) and he said "I love you ten dollars."

So that's it. Goodnight family, I love you all ten dollars. Eleven on a good day.

Connor!  I think you and Bo should clear the dishes.  I'm sorry to hear about rugby but I do think it was the right decision.  Your mother has enough to worry about.  She does not need visions of 10 large angry men running at her little boy with the intent of ripping his head off!

Gradsie keep 'em coming.  Love you all.  Peace.  Peter

Only thing I have to report is that I've already quit rugby. I really missed soccer so I'm going to be playing intramural soccer instead.
Also, Grady needs to shorten her posts.

Lauren, this is your mother calling. Your brother asked me to wake you up.

Grady, have you heard the expression, "Burning the candle at both ends? And, you know there are only 24 hours in a day. Do you get my drift? You have to reserve at least 8 hours of the 24 for regenerating. And 15 minutes for the daily blog post! That leaves 15 hours and 45 minutes - right?

Beth, how can I get that book from you? Is it as compelling as the first one?

Also Grady, did you see the feature article about Raj in the Addy Indy?

For now,
GrAnn

Peter-
Funny you should mention Mark McGinley- I saw him on the streets of Middlebury yesterday. Did not get to talk to him- just honked.
Grandma Ann - I read that book - also have read the second one. I have a copy when you need it.
Gradsie - Not lovin' the 4:00am thing. If you keep doing scary things my prayers are just going to have to get longer- so you know what that means - your mama will never get to sleep at night which translates into being cranky in the morning , which means I won't be at my best at work, which means........ so in other words watch out, take care and don't tell me all the details of your NYC life!!! It was so much easier when mama could sit you on the couch and tell you three to not move and be safe while I went quickly up to Pratt's store!! I always knew where to find you. Now of course, you know mama is partially kidding. I couldn't be happier for you. NYC was just what you needed.

Now we're rolling

Hey, hey Patty's here!!  Welcome! We're getting there.  I just e-mailed Jake yesterday so hopefully he will tune in and pipe up.  Kelsey, still waiting.  Do you really want to be a follower the rest of your life?  Bo I know you're out there.  And Marley just because you are not in Ecuador doesn't mean we don't want to hear all about it.  Lauren.  Wake up.  Right now.  Someone wake Lauren up.  Love you all.  Peace.  Peter

Last Minute Man

12 days until I leave, and I still haven't filled out my visa forms! In typical fashion, I'm scrambling to get everything in order. I never seem to know how to answer some of these questions on the form, and I seem to be missing a few documents, and I have no idea how to explain that I'm not actually paying for anything because I go to Middlebury College who is paying for me to go to UEA...GAHHHHHHHHHHHHH. Very stressful. I did get a passport picture taken today ("It looks like you're smelling something...was that what you were going for...sniffing out crime?") so that's one more thing to check off my list. Daddy, we're going to be sitting down tonight so you can explain all this technical mumbo jumbo to me.

Going to get a haircut at 12:30 from Traci. Girl can work the shears.

Mama, Amy Cooper ZUMBAS! You don't know who this is, but when I met her for the first time she was wearing leopard print pants, 6in stilletos, and had her lips lined. She's in her forties. I say, go for it!

News from 1155 Cider Mill...

OK I'm not a blogger either...but here goes.
We are all settling back into the school/work routine...sort of. I am happy to say even after 24 years, I still get that excited feeling for the first day of school (work) and seeing everyone!
Marley is going to be babysitting at the Wilkerson's 2 days a week so I am sure we will have lots of Zach stories! (Nick just got his first pair of roller skis!) She will be going with me to play with the kids at Elm St. for Monday house meetings and Wednesday will be a workout day for her (Cailin if you want to join in before you go). And then there is the college search thing... Bo is playing soccer. (that's all I got for Bo, but that is kind of like it is sitting at Gr. and Gr.'s dinner table!)
We look for Connor all the time too! I think he is not crossing rt. 125 on purpose! Marley and I looked for him in the fitness center yesterday, but no luck. I will find you Connor I have my sources!
We have Brianna usually one night during the week which is quite entertaining. She saw one of the cats go through the little hole they made in the screen door and then tried to put her head through too. (didn't work) So now I have to check the deck after she goes to see what made it through the hole in the screen-golf balls, granola bars and other assorted small items.
Romeo and family moved to Nebraska :( But I did go up to see Ismina and Allen in St. Albans last weekend and we went to the fair. They are doing great! Allen is talking a lot! Ismina checks up on you girls on facebook so say hi if you get the chance.

Don't worry, Hookah is not a drug...

cool and breezy this morning in NYC... just got back from breakfast with Raj. Typical of him to want an 8:30 am breakfast..actually it was originally 7:30 ("business man's breakfast, darling") but he texted me in the middle of the night to change it to 8:30 because he was "having trouble sleeping." Oh, ok, fine that you were having trouble sleeping, never mind the fact that I had to work until 3:30 am, you were perfectly fine to schedule it at 7:30 aware that I would only get 2 hours of sleep, but as soon as you're afraid you won't get your beauty rest you change the time. Also, the diner where we met was right around the corner from him whereas I had to take a subway and then walk ten blocks...seeing as I've only been in the city a week and he knows his way around, wouldn't it make sense for us to meet somewhere relatively easy to get to, and not on some obscure street that only runs the length of gramercy park and then changes names at the edge of the park without so much as a warning?

oh, and the first place we went, the coffee wasn't strong enough for him so we had to leave and find someplace else. He kept complaining how tired he was and that he needed strong caffeine in order to "man the battle stations."

But in an odd way, it was really good to see him again and we worked out a writing thing and he did pay for breakfast and say "you're a struggling student, if you ever need anything you know where to come."

speaking of money: MY JOB! So when I went for the interview I was on the first floor, where there is a bar, and I thought that that was it. It turns out, that bar is just where people wait to get tables-- upstairs is this huge room with table after table after table (there are 100 tables in the whole restaurant) and it looks like you just walked into Morrocco..the decor is really exotic and fun and after midnight when they stop serving food its just a hookah bar and bottle esrvice, so the whole place is really smoky and spicy and exotic and there are belly dancers and fire breathers standing on top of the bar and they clear out all the tables and chairs at midnight and it just becomes a dance floor and there is a dj there every night and its just a really really cool place. It's really informal too, they just want us to look like we're having fun, so the whole time you aren't waiting on people you're on the dance floor dancing with customers. You know how I love to dance!

The only thing I'm kind of worried about is that last night it was packed, and the manager said wednesdays are like the slowest night of the week, and that last night was about 1/3 of the people they cram in any other night. So I'm worried that it will be super hectic and stressful...and also I'm on like probationary hire (everyone is), and it only becomes official at the end of our training, so I might be getting all excited about this only to be told that it isn't working out or something... But I'm not going to stress about that, I'm just going to go to work like I already have the job.

also all the staff gets there at 5:00 and we have this big family meal together where the cooks make all their incredible dishes and we eat for an hour before we go to the floor... so if nothing else I'm getting free meals out of this, which one should never turn down.

Mama, Zumba sounds great, I've been hearing so much about it, it's really popular in Montreal and a lot of Kelsey's friends do it.

Grandma, I LOVE The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo! I have yet to read the second one in the series...hmm, maybe I'll pick it up for the subway.

Also, I still have not met one of the roommates. And the other one I have not seen since tuesday. So I really have nothing interesting to report there.

Bought toilet paper and garbage bags for the first time yesterday. I guess I really am on my own.

Dinner at Tabby's apartment tonight! Until then, a nap is an order.

Love you, xox

Good morning campers!!

Welcome to Beth / Mama!  Of course you are a blogger!  You just didn't know it. 

Hope your first night at work went well Gradsie, can't wait to hear stories.  Cailin, Connor and I didn't have the bright lights of NYC but we enjoyed chicken parm and a couple of Barney's last night for dinner.  You know the one where Opie and his friend publish their own newspaper and get in trouble because they print gossip about the adults in town?  Oh what a great lesson we all learned.

You all should check out this You Tube that Mark McGinley sent my way.  An incredible harp player.  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0SNhAKyXtC8 .  Enjoy.  Love you all.  Peace.  Peter

Connor, I look for you as I drive through campus on every trip the way I used to look for Cailin and Grady. Please cross the street in front of me some time.

9-4 counting ballots is not very exciting but with a good crew it went rather interestingly today. No change in the count in Addison County. Now we have to get the rest of the state recounted so that we can get on with the general election.

This is a great idea, Peter! I love the tidbits of info. I have to admit to being aghast at the hours you have signed up to waitress, Grady. And about the roommates???????

I'm reading "The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo." Can't put it down.
GrAnn

Little of This, Little of That

Well welcome to Connor!  And Patty?  Yea! 
Grady as you have read has a job.  It is at a Moroccan restaurant / pub called Le Souk.  I think it was her dark Mediterranean complexion which she got from me which landed her the job.  You can check out her restaurant at http://www.lesoukny.com/le_souk/home.html .  If you go on weekends they have belly dancers.  Grady, anything I need to know?  According to Elias my Lebanese sous chef, he has been and it is a great spot.  Keep us posted.

Connor is coming out to Market Road for dinner tonight with Cailin and me.  Chicken Parmegiana.  Can't wait.  Love you all.  Peace.  Peter

Can't believe I'm a blogger

Wow, so here I am doing something I never thought I'd do. Is it even called blogging and am I a blogger? As my family knows, I only use the computer to get by at work and of course, to order from Sephora now and again!!
So glad all my chickadees are doing so well. On my end, I have nothing exciting to write. I am plodding along at work - am actually quite busy these days as I have inherited many jobs to do due to the lack of staff.
Just had a coffee break with Chrissy. Poor Dad is doing poorly. We feel so helpless because we cannot ease his burden. He is so confused and feeble.
Went to the doctors today. Good News- my blood pressure is great. Bad news -I am 10 pounds heavier than last year! YIKES!!! I guess all those double creamees in the dining hall this summer have decided to take affect. Still have not found the magic exercise program that will keep me motivated. Am thinking of trying ZUMBA!! Ah, yes, mama takes a stab at another gimmick. But at least this one doesn't come with equipment. Should be able to do this in a small amount of space. Just need some latino music. Cailin or Connor, I am expecting you to help me download some songs.

Employment

I got a job! So excited, I start tonight at 7:00. It is a restaurant/club in SOHO and the shifts are from 7 pm- 4am, which might be a little interesting...but at least it will work around my class schedule.

I will write after my first shift (later tonight)

Well here is my first post, although it is almost lunch time, so it will be brief.
After much dropping/adding/worrying/meandering all over campus, I finally have shaped my schedule to my liking:
-Ancient Rome on Stage and Screen (the freshman seminar I got stuck in and cannot switch out of)
-Macroeconomics (with the ridiculously fast-talking, hard-to-understand Prof. Wunnava, or as I will call him the whole semester, Sanjay's dad)
-Spanish 105 (yes, four years of high school Spanish and I placed into Spanish 1. But, it is accelerated Span1!)
-European history

In other news, Alex and I are getting along wonderfully, except for our starkly different tastes in music. Cailin and Grady, you would probably enjoy more. We have an 80s dance on friday night, and he has declared that we will be listening to nothing except 80s music until that point. (Currently listening to "You're So Vain").

I started rugby yesterday, it seems like it will be fun, although we haven't gotten into anything very serious yet.

I'm off to Proctor with Alex to meet Patrick and whoever else (i.e. hopefully pick up some ladies).

I'll post again soon!

Just applied for four restaurant jobs. Hopefully I'll be hearing back soon. cross your fingers.

In exactly 2 weeks...

...I'll be flying to Norwich! I met one of UEA's graduates today, Ian McEwan (yes, THE Ian McEwan, author of critically acclaimed novels such as Atonement and Saturday and Solar) at a book signing at the Middlebury Inn. I was the only one there, and was quite nervous and I was sweating and I think I may have dripped a bit on the book he was signing for me because it was a thousand degrees in the Inn and after I sat down with him and another man (a professor?) and chatted. Actually, they chatted and I sat really awkwardly smiling until I said "I have to be going. It was a pleasure to meet you," reminding them both that I had been sitting there the whole time. So, much to my dismay I did not build any great connections with a famous author, and he did not ask me to email him any of my work.

Today I went to Burlington with Dani to get the last of the things I need for England. A computer and a camera, and a wonderful pair of black ballet flats. So I should be ready for whatever the semester throws my way.

Installing antivirus spyware now...I hate technology.

Meanwhile back at the ranch...

Gradsie!  Great to hear from you.  Welcome.  Don't get too enamored of that city!  Do have fun though and continue to explore.  Kelsey are you out there?  Here is a link to a guy's blog who was a pastry chef in American and is now living in France.  He's got all kinds of hidden treasures that Paris has to offer.  http://www.davidlebovitz.com/ 

Here on Market Road we are starting the final digging out, sorting, packing and throwing away of the past 25 plus years.  We are up to 18 bags of trash with the basement and 2nd floor eaves to go.  It is hard to concentrate on the trees and not be overwhelmed by the rather daunting forest but we are making progress. 

Well the dryer buzzer just went off.  I have all the fun.  Love you all. Peace.  Peter.

Adventures on the N train...and Roommates (?)

On my first day here i picked up a guide on what the "real new yorker" should eat, see and do in NYC. Perusing it this morning I read that, among other things, a real New Yorker never eats dinner before 8:30 at night (another important tidbit-- supposedly a real new yorker takes his or her bagel with "shmear", and never cream cheese. I might have to make my way up to that one).

So there I was in my apartment at 8:30 about to retire for the evening, not really wanting to venture out on my own after a long day of meandering. Then I realized that all the other people out there in this city I now call home were just digging in to dinner with full evenings ahead of them, and in the spirit of the "concrete jungle where dreams are made" (someone from my generation, please pick up on that hip-hop reference) I decided to live a little.

So I looked up movie times.

Of course, after earlier showcasing my navigational expertise (I quote: "perhaps I really DO know what I am doing"), I took the wrong train, and ended up on Coney Island with three showgirls with tremendous headdresses.

At this point I had missed my 9:30 movie, and I had just figured out how to get back to manhattan and to my apartment, when I decided not to be defeated...

"This is the city that never sleeps for heaven's sake. I came out tonight to see a movie, and by God, I'm going to see one."

So I continued to ride uptown to Grand Central Station, because I knew that all trains connect at Grand Central and therefore I would be able to get back to the line on which I was originally supposed to be. At grand central I transferred to the 1 train, then got off at Lincoln Center and walked a block to the nearest movie theater. I got there at 10:48 and there was a movie playing at 10:50, so I made it just in time!

The movie was The Other Guys and it was pretty hilarious (Daddy will concur). It was also fun because the whole thing took place in New York and there were all these scenes where I was like, "Hey, I know where that is," and also a scene that was filmed one block from my apartment that I walk by every day... which sort of makes me famous by default.

But there was this kid who sat down right in back of me about half way through the show and started kicking the back of my chair and then leaned over and said how beautiful I was...typical that the only guy who recognizes my beauty is the resident crazy. But I took care of him with the dirtiest look I could muster and he left me alone.

On my way back to my apartment I saw the biggest cockroach I've ever seen! About 3 inches long, scuttling along the sidewalk. I took great satisfaction out of squishing the sucker...oy, the city is making me hard already...

So now I'm back in my apartment and I think the roommates might be home because there is a spoon on the coffee table and the tv remotes are scattered-- and this is odd because I took great care to line the remotes up very neatly so when my roommates got home they would not have any inkling about how I trashed the apartment in their absence.

I will tell you if it's them or not tomorrow morning.

Until then, goodnight, I love you, I hope you enjoyed this very long-winded account of my post-8:30 adventure.

xox

I hope I am doing this correctly. I love the possibilities here. I know I have to do my part and not just revel in the postings of the rest of you - so let me tell you that I will be taking part in the recount of the Democratic primary results this week and next. I'm looking forward to doing that although it will be full days - 9am - 4 pm with time out for lunch. I do hope that Peter Shumlin will sustain the lead. I think he could accomplish some major reforms for VT - single payer health care first and foremost. We'll see.

Cailin and Grady - I have so loved your entries! I hope you can keep it up when your lives shift into high gear. I hope Connor and Kelsey and Patty/Marley/Bo join the exchange.

Hello From One West Street

Hello family that I love-- how goes VT/Paris? Today I took the subway uptown just to explore the city a bit, because I really have nothing to do for the moment. So I got off at 59th street and walked all around 5th avenue and saw all these lovely townhouses and really pricey stores that I didn't even bother going into. Then, on the way back to my apartment, I was asked for directions twice! So I must look like I know what I'm doing... Most importantly, I was able to tell them which train to take and which station to get off at, so maybe I actually DO not what I'm doing (sort of).

Right now I'm sitting in my living room watching Never Been Kissed on lifetime. WOoHoO! No plans for later, I might go to the movies (on my own). I should probably find some friends soon.

more later, XOX

Grandma Ann here

This is your Grandmother. Tell me stories.

Home, Home On The Range

Got to go to the rodeo last night!  It was the last one of the season.  We only made it to intermission, the wind was a whippin'!  Cailin, Momma, Mikey, Dani Totten and I drove down to the Pond Hill Ranch for all the spills, the thrills and the chills of championship rodeo action.  Up early this morning to cook breakfast for a group of cyclists from Quebec, eh and then I'm hoping to get out to Ashley's camp for one last summer hurrah.

Saturday AM

Good morning all!
Welcome to Cailin.  Kelsey we miss you terribly.  Hope all is well over in Paris!  Sorry about your camera.  Grady, Connor time to step up and fill us in on what's happening in NYC and Stewart Hall.  You know, things like "I had lunch with Uma Thurman" and what courses you're taking.

Marley, Bo, Patty...?

Any and all stories.  Just like you were sitting at Grandma and Grandpa's dining room table.
Love you all.  Peace.  Peter

Ding-Dong

Hello Family and Friends! Here comes the great update!

Chinese for dinner, Moosetracks for dessert, Mad Men season 2 for entertainment. Yes, I'm still in Bridport. But I'm living vicariously through Connor (hello new roommate, I loved the fedora!), Grady (just because you're wearing heels doesn't mean you're a city gal) and Kelsey (Tim, Joe, Bobby, Riley...isn't James your cousin?) until I leave in 18 short days!

Until then,
Cailin "my screen name is a joke" Ross

First Attempt

In an effort to stay in touch with family which is quickly dispersing to all ends of the earth I have decided to set up this here blog so we can all post stories and keep everyone up to date on whereabouts and what's-happenings and why-fors and who's-its.  Bear with me as this is all new.  Hopefully the blog learning curve isn't too steep!

Please remember that stuff posted here is meant for anyone to see.  If you need privacy please maintain your e-mailing and facebooking.  I just thought it would be fun to keep each of us in touch with all of us.  I'm going to finish now and attempt to get this to a screen near you.  Love you all.  Peace.  Peter