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Jan

Question Friday: Game Ahoy Edition

Checkers OR chess? Monopoly OR Clue? Settlers of Cataan OR Risk? Rummy OR Canasta OR another old-school card game? Apples to Apples OR Cranium? Scattergories OR Balderdash OR Taboo? Bonus: Where do you fall on the love/hate divide of Trivial Pursuit? And what are some of your other favorites? Ticket to Ride Europe is my hands-down favorite lately. But Rosaline got a game we played on New Year’s that’s perfect for all your adorkable literary friends: It Was a Dark and Stormy Night. So much fun–and waaay easier than Book Lovers’ Trivial Pursuit!

Jan

Winter Blahs

Jessica

This is the time of year when I always get grumpy. Unless it snows, I’m pretty much over winter. It’s cold and dark and I don’t have another work holiday until Easter. Winter stretches on unyielding. I have to fight the urge to come home, flop on the couch with husband and cat, and hibernate my life away. So these are some things, large and small, that cheer me up: First and foremost, I booked a spa trip with my best friends. We’re going to St. Michaels, MD, for a long weekend in February. Our very reasonably-priced package includes a massage and a facial. Our hotel has an indoor pool and sauna, and the rooms feature hardwood floors and fireplaces and cuddly chairs for reading. If it’s anything like going to Berkeley Springs last year, we’ll spend time in coffee shops and wine bars and quirky little stores....

Jan

President Obama

Jessica

What an amazing Inauguration Day. Isn’t he beautiful? Like a poet and a preacher and a president, all in one. I think my favorite bit was this: "Our challenges may be new. The instruments with which we meet them may be new. But those values upon which our success depends — honest and hard work, courage and fair play, tolerance and curiosity, loyalty and patriotism — these things are old. These things are true. They have been the quiet force of progress throughout our history. What is demanded then is a return to these truths." Tolerance and curiosity. I like the inclusion of those two in particular. And then this part too: "To those leaders around the globe who seek to sow conflict or blame their society’s ills on the West, know that your people will judge you on what you can build, not what you destroy…To those who cling...

Jan

Absence Makes the Heart

Jessica

Steve’s home! He’s been away since Tuesday morning at the regional Kennedy Center American College Theatre Festival, workshopping his adaptation of Gilgamesh and a ten-minute play. I missed him, but this separation was much easier for me than the same one two years ago. Part of it’s that I’m a much happier woman now. More comfortable with silence, more content with my own company. There are stories percolating in my head, spilling from my fingers, and it makes it harder to be lonely. And part of it is living in the city. I’m surrounded by people as I walk and bus everywhere; it’s so easy to stop at the library or the coffee shop on the way home. And, oh, DC is a fabulous place to be this weekend. I was downtown yesterday as they practiced for the Inaugural Parade, and streets were closed, police directing traffic, tourists gawking, vendors...

Jan

Friday Five: Music Edition

Jessica

I’ve been listening to Pandora a lot at work, and my favorite music has undergone a metamorphosis from, like, emo bands and Cute Boys with Guitars to Dance Party at My Desk. I feel vaguely ashamed but these songs are ridiculously catchy. What do you think? Cute Boys with Guitars: Jack Johnson OR Jason Mraz? Pop Tarts: Lady Gaga OR Britney? Divas: Beyonce OR Rihanna? Brit Pop: Kate Nash OR Lily Allen? Gossip Girl Soundtrack Shout Out: The Ting Tings OR The Pierces? What have you been listening to lately? Link me up!

Question Friday: Game Ahoy Edition

Winter Blahs

President Obama

Absence Makes the Heart

Friday Five: Music Edition

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