Wed Mar 22 - Occasionally I've mentioned that I am *excessively* thankful for having a great family, and a great upbringing. There are no stories of abuse and abandonment in my past, there's no great trauma, just normal childhood angst and things but nothing that out-of-the-ordinary. In fact, it might be accurate that it was out-of-the-ordinary to have had as good of a childhood as we had. Sure, there was a divorce and a move while in the middle of high school, but *phfshbt* that's really not all that big of a deal in hindsight.

But every now and then I have to giggle that I have a funny family with some weird habits and traditions. Good weird, but funny weird. My sister and I used to joke with my Mom, walking around her house pointing out what we'd like her to leave us in the will. And since only the carved end-tables from the Philippines interested me, I used to tease my sister than she can have everything else. Then Mom had to go and redecorate and give away lots of furniture to all the kids, and I have the end-tables already.

So Jan and I were chatting on the phone (when I was quizzing her on what she might like for her birthday) and the topic of show tunes and albums came up. She didn't have a copy of Pippin yet, and I was surprised she was even interested in it since it was *my* favorite album as a kid (and I overplayed it so much that she couldn't stand it anymore).

Off the cuff she said, "You do know that you have to sing 'Corner of the Sky' at my funeral, right?" I had no such idea! And I find it funny that we still joke about what to do when each of us passes away.

Well, all that to say that I ordered a copy of Pippin for myself when I ordered her birthday gifts, and it arrived yesterday in the mail. So this afternoon I copied it over to my iPod and then I started listening to it. I'll never forget Jan's comment now when I listen to that song.... which is pretty funny since the album and that song have different childhood memories already woven into my head.

I really have a weird family, and I'm pretty darn happy with that.

And on a side note, now that I think about it, my love for all things medieval and historical probably goes right back to my love of Pippin (roughly set in the time of Charlemagne... so that's SCA-period, right?). *wink*

Sweetness alert, on a final postscript: If I ever find myself in love and contemplating a wedding ever again, I still have romantic daydreams of singing some of the songs from Pippin with my belovéd.
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Besides Pippin, I also ordered copies of the soundtracks from Chess and from Fiddler on the Roof. Now, once upon a time I had picked up a copy of Chess (broadway version) and found out I didn't like it nearly as much as the UK Cast version. So I knew enough to get the UK version this time. However, I did *not* realize that I ordered the movie soundtrack version of Fiddler, and I grew up listening to the Broadway version. So, although I'm enjoying listening to the music mostly, a major part of me is twitching because it's not the way *I* remember the music. So, I'm almost embarassed that I had to order the Broadway version probably only four songs into the CD, because it's "just not the way I remember it" and sometimes music is more about the memory than the music itself. Oh, I'm glad I own both, but I can't wait for my "real" version to get here next week.

I can't really explain it, but I still tear up a bit listening to some of the music from Fiddler. I know that in general I can cry easily, but there's that wonderful choked up kind of crying that only comes from books and music that's still so very special. [I even had to wipe away a tear over dinner last night just from a passage in a book I've read a half-a-dozen times.] *sheepish grin*
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Last night I was in the studio for band, and I'm really quite excited that we're going to play for Dayle's birthday party in April. I hope she likes the songs we choose, and if there's anything special she wants, she'll pipe up now. [hint hint]

And afterwards I went over to the coffee shop where my friends usually gather after fencing practice every two weeks, but it turned out they were at Alan's place. [And fortunately Marcos answers his cell, since neither Ben nor Saul did.] So I got to hang out with them all for a bit before heading home.

Now tonight I need to do some website work and balance my checkbook again (especially after spending money online today! eep!), then do it all over again tomorrow. G'night darlings.

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Today's Blessing That I'm Thankful For: I could be silly and be thankful for musicians, musical scores, and Amazon.com, but most notably I think today I'm thankful for Alan and Jeff. Being part of your household means so much to me, and the shiny joy of it still hasn't worn off.
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Weight Loss This Week:
Wed 3/22 - 15.0 lbs lost total (up +1.0 from yesterday) No explanation. I know I ate well yesterday, and in fact was *really* hungry by the time I went to bed, so I imagine it'll work out in the math again later.