|
|
 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Altaira
Superuser
Dec 13 2024, 5:00pm
Post #1 of 50
(2104 views)
Shortcut
|
|
It's fa la la Fiesta time!
|
Can't Post
|
|
Greeting, everyone!
First, I'd be remiss if I didn't give a shout out to dernwyn for handling the Fiesta bar last week while I was in meetings. *bows*
Well, not too long to go until Christmas or whatever holiday you celebrate. All of our indoor decorations are up. All I have to do now is hang wreaths on the lanterns and front door and we'll be properly ready for the holidays. This weekend, aside from watching the usual sports, we'll also get properly into holiday movies! I'm also off this afternoon to complete buying goodies to assemble my annual client gift basket to be delivered on Thursday. At the same time I'll make up some goody bags for our neighbors on each side of us. Oh, and if accidentally I bring home a few duplicates for us they won't go to waste. 
What will you be up to this week? Any holiday prep? And how did this past week treat you? I see lots of yummy looking Christmas cookies in the dessert section of the buffet, and the bar is well-stocked with Bailey's, Frangelico, Irish whiskey, and other libations to add to coffee or hot chocolate, whichever you prefer! So, let us know how you're doing this fine fa la la Friday. 
*kicks juke box* I've been humming this classic all morning, so for something a little different, here's the Royal Choral Society's rendition of the Halleluja Chorus. Play us one of your own favorites too, and have a fabulous weekend!  
|
|
|
dernwyn
Forum Admin
/ Moderator
Dec 13 2024, 5:28pm
Post #2 of 50
(2057 views)
Shortcut
|
And I've been singing the alto part for so many decades, I just sing right along with it now...
It's always fun to tend bar for you, Altaira, and I still think it would have been a hoot if you'd been able to treat your client to a virtual drink!
I'll have a mug of coffee with a liberal dose of Bailey's, please, Altaira! We put up our wreaths right after Thanksgiving. We have a covered porch, and put a swag on the front door and a round wreath on the wall next to it - the latter is for a pair of wrens who for years now have spent the colder months nestled amongst the pine twigs. It will have to stay up until March!
You've been making your infamous goody baskets!  We have a come one-come all carol sing tomorrow mid-afternoon, I'm in charge of prepping the cocoa and cookies for afterwards - and then we have the town's Light Parade, so a half-hour before it the cocoa and cookies will be moved from the hall to the outside, to the front steps of the church. Fortunately I don't have to make all those cookies - we've got plenty of volunteer bakers!
Hm, how about this lively one for some Holiday cheer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CYpiWAoNVLg
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
"I desired dragons with a profound desire"
|
|
|
Annael
Elvenhome
Dec 13 2024, 5:36pm
Post #3 of 50
(2059 views)
Shortcut
|
I've had "Stop the Cavalry" running in my head. https://youtu.be/2HkJHApgKqw. It's so cheerful-sounding, but the lyrics will get you!
I had nothing much on this last week until I got an urgent request for a quick editing job from an outfit working with traumatized veterans. They had a clinical protocol for group therapy with ketamine that needed to be turned into plain English so that it could be translated readily into Ukrainian.I'd been recommended to them by one of the authors of the last book I edited, which was all about psychedelic-assisted psychotherapy (PAP). I had the time, so I took the job. Turned out to be more difficult than I'd anticipated and because I'd promised to turn it around in two days, I really had to buckle down! But I managed to clean it up & was happy with the final product. I wonder now if I'm going to be the go-to person for people doing PAP.
Today I've got nothing much on beyond a trip to Costco for a few supplies. This is the calm before the storm:
Saturday: annual caroling party/bonfire/potluck with the valley crowd
Sunday: drive to my hometown, bonfire/Christmas ship watching at the park with friends, stay with them and their two adorable Samoyeds
Monday: brunch with another friend, then my hostess & I are going to do Christmas stuff in downtown Seattle
Tuesday: take the ferry to Vashon Island to see the troll - I've found all the others, this is the last one. In the evening, move over to different friends' place, attend concert of Voces8.
Wednesday: breakfast with yet another friend, recheck with my dermatologist, then I'm going to Rhinestone Rosie's to sell some jewelry of Mom's plus a couple rhinestone brooches. I was collecting them for a while, but am 'downsizing" my collection. And then home to my kitty!
An Angel Mist should help me prepare . . .
Rosie often shows up on Antiques Roadshow
https://rhinestonerosie.com/
I am a dreamer of words, of written words.
-- Gaston Bachelard
* * * * * * * * * *
NARF and member of Deplorable Cultus since 1967
(This post was edited by Annael on Dec 13 2024, 5:39pm)
|
|
|
Meneldor
Doriath
Dec 13 2024, 5:51pm
Post #4 of 50
(2046 views)
Shortcut
|
church I used to go to hosts an annual sing-along Messiah every Christmas. They hire a chamber orchestra and a handful of professional singers for the solo parts; the chorus is whoever shows up. It's a 3 hour drive from where I live now, but totally worth it. I'll be going there next Friday evening, weather permitting of course.
They that go down to the sea in ships, that do business in great waters, these see the works of the Lord, and His wonders in the deep. -Psalm 107
|
|
|
Meneldor
Doriath
Dec 13 2024, 5:54pm
Post #5 of 50
(2053 views)
Shortcut
|
was a good dwarf and got his Christmas wish from Santa Galadriel.
They that go down to the sea in ships, that do business in great waters, these see the works of the Lord, and His wonders in the deep. -Psalm 107
|
|
|
Altaira
Superuser
Dec 13 2024, 5:55pm
Post #6 of 50
(2043 views)
Shortcut
|
That and the sing-along all sounds so fun (and the cookies).
Once when I was working in downtown Denver our company rented a venue on the 2nd floor on the street the Denver light parade passed by. We had amazing views plus drinkies and goodies too.
When do the birds move in or are they already there?
Have a fantastic and fun weekend!
|
|
|
Altaira
Superuser
Dec 13 2024, 6:03pm
Post #7 of 50
(2041 views)
Shortcut
|
My goodness! Calm before the storm doesn't begin to describe your weekend into next week! Your mouth is going to be cramping from smiling and laughing.
That sounds like a very interesting job and topic. At the distribution consulting firm I worked at, from the sheer luck of my assignments, I became an expert in the production and distribution of dairy products. I was known as the Dairy Queen. We'll have to think of a good nickname for you if you do become the go-to person for PAP.
I'd tell you to have an amazing weekend, but that's a given. More like, do get some R&R in between parties!
|
|
|
Altaira
Superuser
Dec 13 2024, 6:06pm
Post #8 of 50
(2042 views)
Shortcut
|
Another good one!
Hope you're doing well this fine Friday.
|
|
|
Annael
Elvenhome
Dec 13 2024, 6:06pm
Post #9 of 50
(2045 views)
Shortcut
|
|
A wreath for wreturning wrens!
[In reply to]
|
Can't Post
|
|
Wreally nice of you!
I am a dreamer of words, of written words.
-- Gaston Bachelard
* * * * * * * * * *
NARF and member of Deplorable Cultus since 1967
|
|
|
Altaira
Superuser
Dec 13 2024, 6:08pm
Post #10 of 50
(2039 views)
Shortcut
|
|
*groan* Now we know where that missing bottle of Bailey's went
[In reply to]
|
Can't Post
|
|
I suspect you've been sharing it with Meneldor.
|
|
|
dernwyn
Forum Admin
/ Moderator
Dec 13 2024, 6:13pm
Post #11 of 50
(2037 views)
Shortcut
|
Now that is a perfect Messiah sing-along!
I hope you're able to get there!
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
"I desired dragons with a profound desire"
|
|
|
Starling
Gondolin
Dec 13 2024, 6:18pm
Post #12 of 50
(2057 views)
Shortcut
|
|
Raising a glass to Tornsib Zarabia
[In reply to]
|
Can't Post
|
|
A while ago I posted about the lovely Zarabia who hasn't been seen around here for a few years now. Those who remember her will probably know she had brain cancer for many years. We had a lovely friendship through messenger, but as she became more unwell communication became difficult for her, and then dropped off altogether.
I felt sure she had died but didn't have anyone I could contact to find out, but today my facebook sleuthing finally paid off. After 13 years of bravely managing brain cancer, Zarabia died of Covid 19 on the 22nd of December 2020. Her name was Penny Lunkley. She loved Tolkien, travel and art, and she cared for her elderly father for many years even when her own health was failing. She was a kind and beautiful friend to me, and I miss our chats still.
Be at peace, Penny.
|
|
|
dernwyn
Forum Admin
/ Moderator
Dec 13 2024, 6:23pm
Post #13 of 50
(2036 views)
Shortcut
|
The day after Thanksgiving one of them kept "knocking" on our front bay window, clinging to the screen, we knew it was telling us to go get them their warm winter nest.
They've made an indentation behind the top of the wreath's bow and into the greens, and at night-time when they return from their foraging, you can see just the feathers on their backs.
What a view you had for that light parade! Have a great weekend, Altaira!
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
"I desired dragons with a profound desire"
|
|
|
dernwyn
Forum Admin
/ Moderator
Dec 13 2024, 6:28pm
Post #14 of 50
(2036 views)
Shortcut
|
In order to not face the wrath of wronged wrens!
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
"I desired dragons with a profound desire"
|
|
|
dernwyn
Forum Admin
/ Moderator
Dec 13 2024, 6:41pm
Post #15 of 50
(2034 views)
Shortcut
|
|
I don't recall hearing that song before
[In reply to]
|
Can't Post
|
|
but if it had been around when Tolkien was taking part in the Great War, I think he and his friends would have appreciated it.
What a rush job, how in the world did you ever manage to get something that sounds like it's quite clinical into simple English, well done!
You've got quite the week ahead, I hope the weather holds out for all these activities, especially on Tuesday (and best of luck finding the Troll). I could have used a place like Rhinestone Rosie's when my Mom passed on a decade ago - but I'd be tempted to buy!
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
"I desired dragons with a profound desire"
|
|
|
dernwyn
Forum Admin
/ Moderator
Dec 13 2024, 6:42pm
Post #16 of 50
(2036 views)
Shortcut
|
So all the other gifts were dwarfed in comparison!
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
"I desired dragons with a profound desire"
|
|
|
dernwyn
Forum Admin
/ Moderator
Dec 13 2024, 6:51pm
Post #17 of 50
(2037 views)
Shortcut
|
She had such a lovely avatar! Here's a link to her last post, in 2017: http://newboards.theonering.net/...rum.cgi?post=937545;
Thank you for letting us know of her sailing West, Starling. She was a brave, loving soul.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
"I desired dragons with a profound desire"
|
|
|
Ataahua
Forum Admin
/ Moderator
Dec 13 2024, 6:57pm
Post #18 of 50
(2033 views)
Shortcut
|
|
Only one more full work week to go before Christmas nears.
[In reply to]
|
Can't Post
|
|
*hangs on by fingernails*
Last night I skipped the all-staff Christmas function and went to the movies instead to see The War of the Rohirrim - a good choice, if I do say so myself. I'd give it a solid 7/10, although I smirked at the start when the narrator (Miranda Otto) said not to go looking for the story of Helm's daughter because it doesn't exist (as in, no-one wrote it down).
We've been doing puzzles at work for the last few months - popping a thousand-piece one on our floor's large, shared table so that people can take some time out for a mental break whenever. However for this latest one, some sadist has provided a Christmas-themed image with Santa and his many helpers in a room full of stacked, wrapped boxes. The image is so bitsy! I doubt we'll get it done before the Christmas break.
here's the Royal Choral Society's rendition of the Halleluja Chorus
Reminds me of a joke:
How many syllables are there in 'Gloria'?
CATHOLICS: EIGHTEEN!
(I sang it enough times in church back in the day that I don't even need to count them out to know it's right.)
Have a great weekend, everyone!
Celebrimbor: "Pretty rings..."
Dwarves: "Pretty rings..."
Men: "Pretty rings..."
Sauron: "Mine's better."
"Ah, how ironic, the addictive qualities of Sauron’s master weapon led to its own destruction. Which just goes to show, kids - if you want two small and noble souls to succeed on a mission of dire importance... send an evil-minded beggar with them too." - Gandalf's Diaries, final par, by Ufthak.
Fantasy novel - The Arcanist's Tattoo
My LOTR fan-fiction
|
|
|
Annael
Elvenhome
Dec 13 2024, 6:59pm
Post #19 of 50
(2032 views)
Shortcut
|
thank you for finding that out. One always wonders when TORNsibs disappear. I've left instructions with my executor how to get on TORN & let folks know when it's my turn. (Not morbid, realistic, I'm in my 8th decade!)
And a hug for your loss. And another for whatever reason.
I am a dreamer of words, of written words.
-- Gaston Bachelard
* * * * * * * * * *
NARF and member of Deplorable Cultus since 1967
|
|
|
Ataahua
Forum Admin
/ Moderator
Dec 13 2024, 7:00pm
Post #20 of 50
(2027 views)
Shortcut
|
Look, if you don't ask, you don't get.
Celebrimbor: "Pretty rings..."
Dwarves: "Pretty rings..."
Men: "Pretty rings..."
Sauron: "Mine's better."
"Ah, how ironic, the addictive qualities of Sauron’s master weapon led to its own destruction. Which just goes to show, kids - if you want two small and noble souls to succeed on a mission of dire importance... send an evil-minded beggar with them too." - Gandalf's Diaries, final par, by Ufthak.
Fantasy novel - The Arcanist's Tattoo
My LOTR fan-fiction
|
|
|
Ataahua
Forum Admin
/ Moderator
Dec 13 2024, 7:02pm
Post #21 of 50
(2031 views)
Shortcut
|
Thank you so much for keeping up with your search until you had an answer, even if the answer is so sad. **Hugs** for you, my friend.
Celebrimbor: "Pretty rings..."
Dwarves: "Pretty rings..."
Men: "Pretty rings..."
Sauron: "Mine's better."
"Ah, how ironic, the addictive qualities of Sauron’s master weapon led to its own destruction. Which just goes to show, kids - if you want two small and noble souls to succeed on a mission of dire importance... send an evil-minded beggar with them too." - Gandalf's Diaries, final par, by Ufthak.
Fantasy novel - The Arcanist's Tattoo
My LOTR fan-fiction
|
|
|
Annael
Elvenhome
Dec 13 2024, 7:13pm
Post #22 of 50
(2022 views)
Shortcut
|
I can't count how many times I've sung the Messiah. I got to be the alto soloist on "He Shall Feed His Flock" twice and then managed to snag "O Thou That Tellest Good Tidings to Zion" once, which was a lot of work! Did it with a flash mob in downtown Seattle once, that was a hoot. Like dernwyn, if the Hallelujah chorus is playing -- or "For Unto Us a Child is Given," I automatically sing the alto part, can't help it. I have two copies of the score, the Schirmer and the Novello.
I am a dreamer of words, of written words.
-- Gaston Bachelard
* * * * * * * * * *
NARF and member of Deplorable Cultus since 1967
|
|
|
Meneldor
Doriath
Dec 13 2024, 7:19pm
Post #23 of 50
(2025 views)
Shortcut
|
Is anyone else watching the latest Star Wars series on D+? I wasn't expecting much, but it's turning out to be the most fun SW has been in years, maybe decades. I'd call it a mix of Goonies, Treasure Island, and Peter Pan in a galaxy far far away. The kid actors are really good, and the pirates are everything you'd want SW pirates to be.
They that go down to the sea in ships, that do business in great waters, these see the works of the Lord, and His wonders in the deep. -Psalm 107
|
|
|
Annael
Elvenhome
Dec 13 2024, 7:22pm
Post #24 of 50
(2019 views)
Shortcut
|
|
Oh, I like the idea of a jigsaw puzzle at work!
[In reply to]
|
Can't Post
|
|
I usually have one going all the time in the winter. My friends & I swap.
People have started leaving them on tables on our ferries. I was working on one once, on a half-hour trip, and a man walked by and said "you can't possibly get that done in time." I didn't reply as he just kept going, but a ways along he passed another table with a half-done puzzle on it and the penny dropped; he said "OH!" and looked back at me rather sheepishly.
I am a dreamer of words, of written words.
-- Gaston Bachelard
* * * * * * * * * *
NARF and member of Deplorable Cultus since 1967
|
|
|
dernwyn
Forum Admin
/ Moderator
Dec 13 2024, 7:43pm
Post #25 of 50
(2014 views)
Shortcut
|
But they can be addictive, when you start finding all the pieces to one section...
Oh, no, now you've got me humming that carol! Earworm!
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
"I desired dragons with a profound desire"
|
|
|
|
|
1
