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<title>Meadenesque</title><link>www.meadenesque.com/welcome.html</link><description>All the Meaden news you could ever want</description><dc:language>en</dc:language><dc:creator>themeadens@gmail.com</dc:creator><dc:rights>Copyright 2009 Sarah Meaden</dc:rights><dc:date>2010-03-31T09:34:01-07:00</dc:date><admin:generatorAgent rdf:resource="http://www.realmacsoftware.com/" />
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<lastBuildDate>Wed, 31 Mar 2010 09:43:59 -0700</lastBuildDate><item><title>Spring Breaking</title><dc:creator>themeadens@gmail.com</dc:creator><dc:subject>Our Blog</dc:subject><dc:date>2010-03-31T09:34:01-07:00</dc:date><link>www.meadenesque.com/blog/files/springbreak10.html#unique-entry-id-33</link><guid isPermaLink="true">www.meadenesque.com/blog/files/springbreak10.html#unique-entry-id-33</guid><content:encoded><![CDATA[Business could stagger it so they could be open while the money spending teens were out of school and take their week off at a different time.  But in a world of commerce that no longer is closed on Thanksgiving, I highly doubt that will ever happen.

...We spent a lot of time in the car driving around and a lot of time on our feet shopping in Poulsbo and Bainbridge Island.  I also spent a lot of time sniffing and sneezing as I came down with a cold the day before we left....  and picked up some yarn for all my friends that seem to be popping out babies right and left.  Since I kind of assume someone else in my family is going to take all the photos, I didn't use my camera much, but here are a few shots.]]></content:encoded></item><item><title></title><dc:creator>themeadens@gmail.com</dc:creator><dc:subject>Our Blog</dc:subject><dc:date>2010-03-05T10:05:41-08:00</dc:date><link>www.meadenesque.com/blog/files/fab7c6e0b9ef2fbfa93d1ba61942a3f4-32.html#unique-entry-id-32</link><guid isPermaLink="true">www.meadenesque.com/blog/files/fab7c6e0b9ef2fbfa93d1ba61942a3f4-32.html#unique-entry-id-32</guid><content:encoded><![CDATA[Just letting you know we're still here.  The view outside our window is drastically different from the photo (63 degrees and sunny!)  and things around here are picking up.  Not much we'd like to report on a very public blog yet, but please keep us in your prayers as stress has been popping up around here like the plague.  In the meantime, we're trying to keep things as even-keeled as possible, still working on our Financial Peace University steps, still loving our automatic ice cream maker, and still reading like it's going out of style.]]></content:encoded></item><item><title>Warmth</title><dc:creator>themeadens@gmail.com</dc:creator><dc:subject>Our Blog</dc:subject><dc:date>2010-02-23T10:56:49-08:00</dc:date><link>www.meadenesque.com/blog/files/cede7f823be63cafbe7dc7d312481066-31.html#unique-entry-id-31</link><guid isPermaLink="true">www.meadenesque.com/blog/files/cede7f823be63cafbe7dc7d312481066-31.html#unique-entry-id-31</guid><content:encoded><![CDATA[One of the tough things about being someone with a CHD is the coming of spring (and for that matter, the coming of autumn).  Without fail, at some point during March or April, the temperature takes a mighty hop from 30s and 40s every day to 50's or maybe even 60s.  And this year, while most of the country is dealing with multiple inches of snow, our neck of Washington State is waking up to clear skies, sunshine, and high temperatures.

...I'm not complaining at all about the sun and lack of wind (although that wind part will surely be coming soon), but this is a little early for me to be completely wiped for the coming week or two while my heart adjusts to the leap in temperature.

...I sleep 10 to 12 hours (which I am very blessed to be able to do) and when I do drag myself out from under the covers, I have very little energy....  And of course, the pacemaker being implanted under a pectoral muscle has brought me to the age of 80 - when the humidity changes, my muscle aches.]]></content:encoded></item><item><title>Back to Regularly Scheduled...</title><dc:creator>themeadens@gmail.com</dc:creator><dc:subject>Our Blog</dc:subject><dc:date>2010-02-17T10:38:20-08:00</dc:date><link>www.meadenesque.com/blog/files/ac07924531f482b34af90a5eff134338-30.html#unique-entry-id-30</link><guid isPermaLink="true">www.meadenesque.com/blog/files/ac07924531f482b34af90a5eff134338-30.html#unique-entry-id-30</guid><content:encoded><![CDATA[My brother asked his girlfriend of two years to marry him, which is about the most exciting thing I can talk about right now.  He asked on her birthday, up at Snoqualmie Falls, and being a part of our family - had a photographer lined up to take pictures....  Otherwise, you'll have to check our "Latest Photos" page over there to the right in the next few weeks as I try to get some out of him to put up here.  We are beyond excited for them (ok, especially me) because we love Jess so very much and are thrilled she gets to be a part of our family as well as her own.  They are planning to get married in July of 2011, so they have plenty of time to get finished with school and moved out of our house (in Drew's case).

...It's a swift and ball winder so I no longer need to wrap skeins around my knees and spend up to an hour winding them into balls of yarn.]]></content:encoded></item><item><title>Numbers 1 - Finally.</title><dc:creator>themeadens@gmail.com</dc:creator><dc:subject>Our Blog</dc:subject><dc:date>2010-02-16T11:56:53-08:00</dc:date><link>www.meadenesque.com/blog/files/e0017093ce708479564192d0d18acc76-29.html#unique-entry-id-29</link><guid isPermaLink="true">www.meadenesque.com/blog/files/e0017093ce708479564192d0d18acc76-29.html#unique-entry-id-29</guid><content:encoded><![CDATA[You&rsquo;d be forgiven if you thought the entire movie was a typical semi self-indulgent Tarantino flick about gleefully killing Nazis &ndash; because that&rsquo;s what the trailer promised, and that&rsquo;s what you could expect, given his last few films.

...For one thing, pretty much the entire movie is in French or German &ndash; it has so many subtitles that it might as well be a foreign film.

...I don&rsquo;t know how much I should go into it, but I don&rsquo;t think that it&rsquo;s too much of a spoiler to say that the film diverges from real history at some point, and it diverges so completely (and savagely) that it might cause some people to disconnect from the film.  I don&rsquo;t think that Tarantino is, at any point, condoning the savageness of the Basterds (or Soshanna), but his film does grant them the right to their actions.

...To be perfectly honest, we had these reviews done a few days ago, but life got a bit crazy in the past week so it's taken until now to get them posted for your perusal.

...To the point where I'm not sure the writers/directers, whoever had ANY idea what they were intending to make with this film other than money, which they failed at.]]></content:encoded></item><item><title>Numbers 2 - Repeats and Doubling Up</title><dc:creator>themeadens@gmail.com</dc:creator><dc:subject>Our Blog</dc:subject><dc:date>2010-02-06T13:30:30-08:00</dc:date><link>www.meadenesque.com/blog/files/1682ef85fabc9bb2b18d131ba8238dd0-28.html#unique-entry-id-28</link><guid isPermaLink="true">www.meadenesque.com/blog/files/1682ef85fabc9bb2b18d131ba8238dd0-28.html#unique-entry-id-28</guid><content:encoded><![CDATA[Look, I like Will Ferrell and Andy Samberg, but once in a while it&rsquo;s nice to watch a comedy that requires that you have a brain, one that actually has &ldquo;real&rdquo; (or real-ish) people being really funny.  This film is a refreshing change of pace - for every big and obvious laugh that the film goes for there are a dozen little moments that will absolutely destroy you when/if you notice them.  Yeah, humor is a subjective thing (something is either funny, or it&rsquo;s not), but this is a film that can absolutely stand up to some of the best comedy films from the past 20 years.

...When convicted serial killer and gentleman Lord Blackwood asks to see Holmes on the day of his execution, he intrigues him with prophecies of coming dark days and the prediction that Holmes will go insane because he cannot prevent what's about to happen.

...When they are both engaged at the same time and go to the most famous wedding planner, things seem perfect, but a clerical error causes their weddings to be scheduled for the same day.

...The acting was shallow, the plot was inane, and the ending was so trite and forced that you felt like Hollywood felt like they needed to make it a "happy" ending just so you wouldn't completely write this film off as a tragedy.]]></content:encoded></item><item><title>Numbers 3 - In which we agree&#x2c; despite our differences.</title><dc:creator>themeadens@gmail.com</dc:creator><dc:subject>Our Blog</dc:subject><dc:date>2010-02-01T15:17:10-08:00</dc:date><link>www.meadenesque.com/blog/files/top1009no3.html#unique-entry-id-27</link><guid isPermaLink="true">www.meadenesque.com/blog/files/top1009no3.html#unique-entry-id-27</guid><content:encoded><![CDATA[As the fight goes on, Abrams backs out the dialogue and sound effects, allowing Michael Giacchino&rsquo;s score to do the storytelling for us. And, as the battle comes to its heartbreaking end, we&rsquo;re left with a Star Trek universe that has been completely changed.

...Luckily, the rest of the cast is up to the challenge &ndash; current geek chic actress Zoe Saldana is fantastic as Uhura, Zachary Quinto is pretty much perfect as Spock, and Simon Pegg breathes fresh life into the film when Scotty is introduced to the crew.

...His Speed Racer score was one of the best soundtracks of 2008, and I&rsquo;d argue that this Star Trek soundtrack is one of the best of 2009 (though, it&rsquo;s often overlooked do to his equally fantastic score for &ldquo;Up&rdquo;.)

...Early on the timeline is fractured, but as these characters start to interact it quickly begins to feel like a cosmic jigsaw puzzle, with an additional thrill adding to the experience every time that Fate snaps another character into their rightful place....  There are some awful tragedies in the film, and as this group of people begin to rely on each other and trust each other it seems like it&rsquo;s destiny &ndash; that no matter what, these people were meant to be on the Enterprise, confronting the great unknown together.

...I'm going to take a total cop out on this one and say I liked this movie for the same reasons that Jason did...and for two others - I love Simon Pegg and Karl Urban, and it managed to make Star Trek cool again.]]></content:encoded></item><item><title>Numbers 4 - Lies&#x2c; Partyboys&#x2c; and Death</title><dc:creator>themeadens@gmail.com</dc:creator><dc:subject>Our Blog</dc:subject><dc:date>2010-01-28T12:10:11-08:00</dc:date><link>www.meadenesque.com/blog/files/top1009no4.html#unique-entry-id-26</link><guid isPermaLink="true">www.meadenesque.com/blog/files/top1009no4.html#unique-entry-id-26</guid><content:encoded><![CDATA[If you don't know the plot synopsis by now of this film, there's not really a chance I will convince you to go see it....  Now - they must piece together what transpired as well as they can and find Doug so they can get him home in time to be married.

...Of course, it's the kind of film that gets a lot of laughs from potty humor, but they also utilize every other type of humor as well....  At first, they'll seem just as hilarious as the film, but they quickly get very explicit and if included by the ratings board would have pushed this movie past the R rating it already has.

...There are only three dates left, and John is trying to unravel the mystery of how to stop them while Caleb has begun seeing strange people, hearing whispering, and having visions of mass destruction.

...The idea was there for a great apocalyptic film, but it was twisted so much to try and include nearly every stereotype in existence that the urgency was lost and replaced with a frustrating lack of focus on what exactly the main characters were trying to do.]]></content:encoded></item><item><title>Your Input?</title><dc:creator>themeadens@gmail.com</dc:creator><dc:subject>Our Blog</dc:subject><dc:date>2010-01-23T17:45:50-08:00</dc:date><link>www.meadenesque.com/blog/files/474c70306896bf9dc3116e12d198095c-25.html#unique-entry-id-25</link><guid isPermaLink="true">www.meadenesque.com/blog/files/474c70306896bf9dc3116e12d198095c-25.html#unique-entry-id-25</guid><content:encoded><![CDATA[So now that we're through the first halves of our "10's of '09" lists, what are your guesses for the top five?

...Movies Jason has seen: 9 A Christmas Carol Adventureland Avatar (#5) Chocolate Confessions of a Shopaholic Coraline (#7) District 9 Drag Me To Hell Fanboys G.I.  Joe Harry Potter and the Half Blood Prince (#6) I Love You, Man Inglourious Basterds Julie and Julia Knowing Land of the Lost Night at the Museum 2: Battle of the Smithsonian Outlander Ponyo (#8) Sherlock Holmes (#10) Star Trek Street Fighter: The Legend of Chun Li Taken Terminator Salvation The Brothers Bloom The Hangover The Hurt Locker (#9) The Perfect Getaway Transformers 2: Revenge of the Fallen Underworld: Rise of the Lycans Up Watchmen X-Men Origins: Wolverine Zombieland

...Bride Wars Underworld: Rise of the Lycans (#6 Bottom) Outlander (#6 Top) New in Town Taken (#9 Bottom) Coraline The Pink Panther 2 (#7 Bottom) Fanboys (#9 Top) Confessions of a Shopaholic Street Fighter: The Legend of Chun-Li Watchmen (#10bottoms) I Love You, Man Knowing 17 Again Ghosts of Girlfriends Past (#5 Bottom) X-men Origins: Wolverine Star Trek The Brothers Bloom (#7 Top) Terminator Salvation Night at the Museum: Battle of the Smithsonian Up The Hangover Land of the Lost My Life in Ruins (#10 Top) The Proposal Year One (#8 Bottom) Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen Harry Potter and the Half Blood Prince The Ugly Truth G.I.  Joe: The Rise of Cobra Julie & Julia Ponyo Zombieland (#5 Top) A Christmas Carol Fantastic Mr. Fox Sherlock Holmes Avatar What's Your Raashee?...  <script> var idcomments_acct = '2e251f7c6b164cf04427f54b393530d6'; var idcomments_post_id; var idcomments_post_url; </script> <span id="IDCommentsPostTitle" style="display:none"></span> <script type='text/javascript' src='http://www.intensedebate.com/js/genericCommentWrapperV2.js'></script>]]></content:encoded></item><item><title>Numbers 5 - Zoe Saldana and Emma Stone</title><dc:creator>themeadens@gmail.com</dc:creator><dc:subject>Our Blog</dc:subject><dc:date>2010-01-22T16:57:34-08:00</dc:date><link>www.meadenesque.com/blog/files/top1009no5.html#unique-entry-id-24</link><guid isPermaLink="true">www.meadenesque.com/blog/files/top1009no5.html#unique-entry-id-24</guid><content:encoded><![CDATA[With technology and visuals so unique it also helps that the story isn&rsquo;t something that you need a flowchart to keep track of, unlike some other sci fi films in recent years.

...Also, I think the end credits song is one of the worst songs ever to play at the end of a film in the history of the world, and I am slightly worried that it gave me ear cancer.

...While the zombies are frightening, we're past all the horror of the initial outbreaks and terror in the streets and have moved on to the survival and get your life readjusted to the undead being around phase....  This movie is much like the video game "Left 4 Dead" (4 survivors trying to stay alive) or even more like the cult classic Shaun of the Dead (a must-see) with a tongue-in-cheek attitude towards the walking dead, with girls kicking butt and taking names, and characters so real and new that I'm desperately hoping for a sequel (which has been requested by many of the cast members as well).

...His first crush, Jenny (Jennifer Garner), is also part of the wedding party and when Connor embarrasses everyone with his lewd behavior and disparaging comments toward the bride and groom she makes it clear that she now despises him.  While drunk and trying to hit on bridesmaids, Connor meets the ghost of his Uncle Wayne, who tells him that before the night is over, he will have to confront the ghost of every girl he's ever dated, led by the Ghost of Girlfriends past (Emma Stone).]]></content:encoded></item><item><title>Numbers 6 - Magic&#x2c; Vampires&#x2c; and more Aliens</title><dc:creator>themeadens@gmail.com</dc:creator><dc:subject>Our Blog</dc:subject><dc:date>2010-01-20T10:34:54-08:00</dc:date><link>www.meadenesque.com/blog/files/top1010no6.html#unique-entry-id-23</link><guid isPermaLink="true">www.meadenesque.com/blog/files/top1010no6.html#unique-entry-id-23</guid><content:encoded><![CDATA[I think they took a book that&rsquo;s pretty much exposition and set-up for the final entry in the series and made it into a fantastic film that stands on its own.

...The story is a little slow, but it builds so steadily that you don't really mind only getting a few glimpses of the Moorwen (dragon) in the first 40 minutes.  You shouldn't expect something on par with Avatar when it comes to visually striking or epic story, but this movie is a fun watch with just enough love story to keep the girls interested and enough action and blood/guts to satisfy the guys.

...We are brought back to the last time it was Viktor's turn to rule, back when werewolves were only men who had been turned to giant wolves and could not regain their human form.

...Sure, the story could have been downright awesome, and there's no doubt that there were talented actors engaged in the film, but they tried to be so intense that it felt campy....  And it's always tough to make a prequel interesting when you know precisely how it's going to end because too much information has been given away in the "present-day" films.]]></content:encoded></item><item><title>Numbers 7 - Aliens&#x2c; Diamonds&#x2c; and Cons</title><dc:creator>themeadens@gmail.com</dc:creator><dc:subject>Our Blog</dc:subject><dc:date>2010-01-15T10:39:39-08:00</dc:date><link>www.meadenesque.com/blog/files/topten10no7.html#unique-entry-id-22</link><guid isPermaLink="true">www.meadenesque.com/blog/files/topten10no7.html#unique-entry-id-22</guid><content:encoded><![CDATA[We all know the facts by now - District 9 was made for only $30 million, first time director, really unique ad campaign, photorealistic special effects, etc. And yes, it's all true....  A great (and intriguing) story, top notch acting, some great weapons and action sequences, and jaw dropping special effects are all strengths, but it's the overall passion and confidence of director Blompkamp that so resoundingly shines through....  This isn't one of those "Oh, good for a Sci Fi movie" or "It's good for a first time director" - this is a work that can (and will) stand next to the best of Spielberg, Lucas, James Cameron, and Ridley Scott.

...Weisz is adorable as Penelope, who may or may not know precisely what's going on and Bang Bang is one of the most hilarious characters I've ever encountered in a film experience, and without saying a single line.

...I was never a fan of the original Pink Panther movies, but the first one of the reboot series would not have made the bottom of a film list like this.  Stupid people test my patience, and an entire movie about a stupid person - which celebrates him making a mess of things (from burning down the same restaurant twice in a row to insulting the Pope) is something that I absolutely detested.]]></content:encoded></item><item><title>Numbers 8 - Foreign and Zed</title><dc:creator>themeadens@gmail.com</dc:creator><dc:subject>Our Blog</dc:subject><dc:date>2010-01-11T22:10:10-08:00</dc:date><link>www.meadenesque.com/blog/files/topten10no8.html#unique-entry-id-21</link><guid isPermaLink="true">www.meadenesque.com/blog/files/topten10no8.html#unique-entry-id-21</guid><content:encoded><![CDATA[Why It Made the List: It's pretty hard to describe the plot of Ponyo in a way that makes any sort of sense....  Yes, Pixar has been delving into some deep themes, but Miyazaki is able to create a beautifully magical moment out of one of the most destructive forces of nature.

...This film incorporates most of the elements of a good clean Western romantic comedy with all the elements I love from the Bollywood style without compromising it's nature....  This IS a long movie, coming in at over 2 hours with an intermission, but you get lots of humor, great Bollywood dance numbers, and a lovely storyline.

...But probably the final nail in this coffin was their obvious disrespect for Biblical stories and their blatant attempts to make things such as the fall of man, the Jewish faith, the first murder, and the depravity of humanity something to laugh at.  I guess some people could say I should just lighten up, but when an entire movie is centered around making a mockery of my faith, I just don't dig it.]]></content:encoded></item><item><title>Numbers 9 - Bombs&#x2c; Nerds &#x26; Senior Citizens with Guns</title><dc:creator>themeadens@gmail.com</dc:creator><dc:subject>Our Blog</dc:subject><dc:date>2010-01-07T18:52:27-08:00</dc:date><link>www.meadenesque.com/blog/files/9a510832c2c7986604f2bb3212e44afc-20.html#unique-entry-id-20</link><guid isPermaLink="true">www.meadenesque.com/blog/files/9a510832c2c7986604f2bb3212e44afc-20.html#unique-entry-id-20</guid><content:encoded><![CDATA[Sarah: I'm trying to keep up with this, but I get the feeling #7 may have to wait until Monday, since we are taking a rather spur-of-the-moment trip to my inlaws....  My little Apply lappy has display issues, so we don't like to take it places unless we're going to be gone more than three days, so we will not have our own comfortable desks and computers and environment to write reviews in. That, for me, is a good enough excuse to put it off.

...(Episode 1) When the most distant of the group, Bottler, discovers one of the gang has terminal cancer and will most likely die before the movie is released, he agrees to go along with the plan in order to make amends....  Starring Sam Huntington, Chris Marquette, Dan Fogler, Jay Baruchel, and Kristen Bell - this movie also has an incredible amount of cameos by sci fi fans and stars, including George Lucas, Seth Rogen, Carrie Fisher, Jason Mewes, Kevin Smith, Danny McBride, Billie Dee Williams, and William Shatner.

...While this movie is most definitely on the Star Wars side of the ultimate geek battle, it doesn't take itself seriously enough to not include a huge touch of the hat to Star Trek as well.

...I thought the premise was good, and it was pretty impressive that Neeson is in his 50's and still managed to pull off being a viable opponent for guys in their 20's - but the movie lacked creativity.]]></content:encoded></item><item><title>Numbers 10 - The Classics</title><dc:creator>themeadens@gmail.com</dc:creator><dc:subject>Our Blog</dc:subject><dc:date>2010-01-04T19:41:12-08:00</dc:date><link>www.meadenesque.com/blog/files/novelsandmythologytopten.html#unique-entry-id-19</link><guid isPermaLink="true">www.meadenesque.com/blog/files/novelsandmythologytopten.html#unique-entry-id-19</guid><content:encoded><![CDATA[That sounds like a lot of hyperbole right there, but it's not - Ritchie throws away (or minimizes) most of the stuff that has been overplayed and done to death....  Yeah, we get to see amazing deductions, fights with an oversized french henchman, a ship yard destroyed in spectacular fashion, a villain's supposed return from the dead, and more - yet the heart of the flick is the fantastic back and forth between Holmes and his best friend.

...This is most definitely a chick flick which is rated PG-13 for some sexual content (the original script was written by the head writer from "The Simpsons", I'd watch it with my parents but not with my kids) and good for a girls night option.

...Now, this generation has set aside their costumes in pursuit of a normal life, with the exception of Rorshach - a slightly insane man who can only see things in terms of black and white and is compelled to punish those who do evil.

...If I'm going to watch a movie with super heroes in it, I want it to be like X-men or Ironman - something with a bit more humor and a bit less grit....  Also, they changed the ending in the movie from what it is in the novel - and since the end was my favorite part, this was a big red angry mark in my mind.]]></content:encoded></item><item><title>The Pregame show&#x21;</title><dc:creator>themeadens@gmail.com</dc:creator><dc:subject>Our Blog</dc:subject><dc:date>2010-01-04T11:21:09-08:00</dc:date><link>www.meadenesque.com/blog/files/Pregameshow.html#unique-entry-id-18</link><guid isPermaLink="true">www.meadenesque.com/blog/files/Pregameshow.html#unique-entry-id-18</guid><content:encoded><![CDATA[For kicks and giggles, I'm going to tell you about my top ten and my bottom ten this year....  Here's a list (in order of release date): Bride Wars Underworld: Rise of the Lycans Outlander New in Town Taken Coraline The Pink Panther 2 Fanboys Confessions of a Shopaholic Street Fighter: The Legend of Chun-Li Watchmen I Love You, Man Knowing 17 Again Ghosts of Girlfriends Past X-men Origins: Wolverine Star Trek The Brothers Bloom Terminator Salvation Night at the Museum: Battle of the Smithsonian Up The Hangover Land of the Lost My Life in Ruins The Proposal Year One Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen Harry Potter and the Half Blood Prince The Ugly Truth G.I.  Joe: The Rise of Cobra Julie & Julia Ponyo Zombieland A Christmas Carol Fantastic Mr. Fox Sherlock Holmes Avatar

...We'll be posting our number 10's later today and will hopefully manage to get 10-8 posted this week.  Be sure to leave comments on your favorite movies of this year and if you happen to disagree with us, speak up!

Also - I have a ton of New Years' and Christmas pictures to post but I cannot for the life of me find our Simcard reader.]]></content:encoded></item><item><title>the year twenty oh nine (a quick review)</title><dc:creator>themeadens@gmail.com</dc:creator><dc:subject>Our Blog</dc:subject><dc:date>2009-12-31T15:34:14-08:00</dc:date><link>www.meadenesque.com/blog/files/twothousandfreakingnine.html#unique-entry-id-16</link><guid isPermaLink="true">www.meadenesque.com/blog/files/twothousandfreakingnine.html#unique-entry-id-16</guid><content:encoded><![CDATA[I am not going to get too far into why, exactly, the year sucked, because that would make for a incredibly depressing blog post.

...This is the first year since we've been married that we've managed to keep ourselves out of the hospital, so go us. (Our insurance is probably happy about this, too.)

...Dollhouse - If Firefly was a perfect show that was gunned down too soon, Dollhouse is an interesting looking space rock that keeps burning brighter and brighter as it plummets to earth.

...It's Not Me It's You - Lily Allen Splendor in the Grass - Pink Martini Church Music - David Crowder Band The Hazards of Love - The Decemberists Raditude - Weezer It's Blitz!

...There are a few more that I wanted to catch, but I think this is a pretty good list to draw from.

...Joe Harry Potter and the Half Blood Prince I Love You, Man Inglourious Basterds Julie and Julia Knowing Land of the Lost Night at the Museum 2: Battle of the Smithsonian Outlander Ponyo Sherlock Holmes Star Trek Street Fighter: The Legend of Chun Li Taken Terminator Salvation The Brothers Bloom The Hangover The Hurt Locker The Perfect Getaway Transformers 2: Revenge of the Fallen Underworld: Rise of the Lycans Up Watchmen X-Men Origins: Wolverine Zombieland]]></content:encoded></item><item><title>2009</title><dc:creator>themeadens@gmail.com</dc:creator><dc:subject>Our Blog</dc:subject><dc:date>2009-12-24T11:29:58-08:00</dc:date><link>www.meadenesque.com/blog/files/2009.html#unique-entry-id-15</link><guid isPermaLink="true">www.meadenesque.com/blog/files/2009.html#unique-entry-id-15</guid><content:encoded><![CDATA[You have the perfect amount of Christmas spirit, despite having gone to the mall an obscene number of times during peak shopping hours, or having heard "Winter Wonderland" enough times in enough variations to lose your mind.  Last year was one of those years for us. Despite everything, we managed to have a joyous Christmas until - Christmas Day - we all dissolved into squabble and hurt feelings.

...In between play practice and work and Doxa, we found 30 minutes here and there (mostly late at night, in a state of pure exhaustion) to go out and buy a Christmas tree, then a few days later string it with lights, and then a few more days after that - hang some ornaments on it.  We decorated the rest of the house earlier in the month, mostly so it would be done in time for Jason's family as they came into town - not out of any overflow of Christmas joy.

...It took ages for my side of the family to decide when to celebrate Christmas with us - since we're with Jason's side of the family on Christmas Day this year.

...For all of this noise, we can remember Christmas is not about us, nor our children, nor our families and friends, nor the government or the economy.]]></content:encoded></item><item><title>The Play&#x27;s the Thing</title><dc:creator>themeadens@gmail.com</dc:creator><dc:subject>Our Blog</dc:subject><dc:date>2009-12-20T01:50:52-08:00</dc:date><link>www.meadenesque.com/blog/files/playsthething.html#unique-entry-id-14</link><guid isPermaLink="true">www.meadenesque.com/blog/files/playsthething.html#unique-entry-id-14</guid><content:encoded><![CDATA[Our church's annual Christmas Alive was last week, and for 7 straight days we were at the church for rehearsals or performances or...something having to do with the play....  And since I know next to nothing about doing my own hair, unless it has to do with a ponytail holder and some flax seed gel, I got to spend a good amount of time with my stylist sister, Kate, while she did my hair in victory rolls and the like.

...It's been great to see them so often, especially as we'll get to see them again in three or four days as we travel (weather permitting) to the west side of the state for Christmas.

If you came to the play, thank you so much for supporting us and we hope you enjoyed it, even though it may have seemed like odd subject matter for a Christmas play (the bombing of Pearl Harbor).  If you missed it, we'll be sure and let you know if anything else like this comes up again that we're involved in. As for now, we're recovering from that and a Very Doxa Christmas - our Doxa Christmas Carol sing-a-long - which was tonight.

...We hope to post a few more times before Christmas itself, but don't be surprised if we're a bit MIA until next week - being out of town.]]></content:encoded></item><item><title>Even though it&#x27;s a week late...</title><dc:creator>themeadens@gmail.com</dc:creator><dc:subject>Our Blog</dc:subject><dc:date>2009-12-02T19:40:15-08:00</dc:date><link>www.meadenesque.com/blog/files/perfect-molasses-cookies.html#unique-entry-id-13</link><guid isPermaLink="true">www.meadenesque.com/blog/files/perfect-molasses-cookies.html#unique-entry-id-13</guid><content:encoded><![CDATA[Setting up some lights and knick-knacks, setting aside tree decorations for a week or two in the future, and planning which outdoor lights will go where on Saturday when we set things up in the front yard....  So here's a recipe to get your holidays started right - the molasses cookie recipe everyone loves and credits to me - which they shouldn't, considering I got it from my friend, Sarah, who got it from The Best Recipe cookbook (correct me if I'm wrong, Sarah)....  Ingredients: - 2 1/4 c AP flour - 1/2 tsp salt - 1 tsp ground ginger - 1/4 tsp ground allspice - 1/2 c brown sugar - 1 large egg - 1/3 cup unsulphured molasses - 2 tsp baking soda - 1 1/2 tsp ground cinnamon - 3/4 tsp ground cloves - 12 Tb butter (yup, 12) softened - 1/2 cup plus 1/3 cup c granulated sugar, separated - 1 tsp vanilla extract

...Either by hand or with an electric mixer, cream butter, brown sugar, and 1/2 cup granulated sugar until light & fluffy, about 3 minutes with a mixer at medium speed.

...Roll balls of dough in the sugar and place on ungreased cookie sheets, spacing them 1 1/2 to 2 inches apart.

Bake, reversing position of cookie sheets (top to bottom and front to back) halfway through baking time, until outer edges are set and centers are soft and puffy, 11 to 13 minutes.]]></content:encoded></item><item><title>Giving Thanks</title><dc:creator>themeadens@gmail.com</dc:creator><dc:subject>Our Blog</dc:subject><dc:date>2009-11-30T05:01:40-08:00</dc:date><link>www.meadenesque.com/blog/files/Giving%20Thanks.html#unique-entry-id-12</link><guid isPermaLink="true">www.meadenesque.com/blog/files/Giving%20Thanks.html#unique-entry-id-12</guid><content:encoded><![CDATA[There were several rather hilarious events - not sure which was funnier - someone spraying cider all over the table during Thanksgiving dinner from laughter, someone impersonating a sumo wrestler while playing Hoopla, or someone trying to imitate Aretha Franklin without using any words.

...Which, for those of you who aren't from the Northwest United States, is a Bavarian-themed town in the mountains of Washington State.  We've been there several times before, but never actually around the holidays, so it was fun to actually feel some of the holiday spirit they try and sell you all year round....  Sarah's dad got the chance to catch up with some of his artist cronies, and we got to see Santa and some very talented musicians in leiderhosen (spelling on that?).

We also took copious amounts of pictures, so look forward to seeing a ton of those this next month as we plunge headlong into the gift-giving season.  We're still working on getting the bugs worked out of the comments section, so if you decide to grace us with your thoughts, please click on the post title to make sure you're on the individual post's page before commenting.]]></content:encoded></item><item><title>Dramatic Entrance</title><dc:creator>themeadens@gmail.com</dc:creator><dc:subject>Our Blog</dc:subject><dc:date>2009-11-23T11:18:51-08:00</dc:date><link>www.meadenesque.com/blog/files/dramaticentrance.html#unique-entry-id-11</link><guid isPermaLink="true">www.meadenesque.com/blog/files/dramaticentrance.html#unique-entry-id-11</guid><content:encoded><![CDATA[In fact, according to my photographer father, ours was one of the few areas in the state with any substantial color at all - not something which usually happens.

...We had an enormous windstorm through the entire basin while the rest of the state got snow (except Seattle, I don't think they believe in it)....  I'm not sure how gusting, exactly, but gusting enough to rip apart a large majority of the fences surrounding our housing development and completely take them away.

...Our lonely little tree had some of those gorgeous glowing oranges and yellows that look so good in real life and don't translate too well to film unless you're a pro (I'm not).

...In other random bits, J says the comments are working, so feel free to let us know you've been here and what we could improve to make your blog reading experience better....  And - I've learned a bit from all the food blogs on copyright of recipe issues and such, so look forward to that molasses cookie recipe to get you going on Wednesday just in time for Thanksgiving and Black Friday.]]></content:encoded></item><item><title>Tasty</title><dc:creator>themeadens@gmail.com</dc:creator><dc:subject>Our Blog</dc:subject><dc:date>2009-11-18T19:43:08-08:00</dc:date><link>www.meadenesque.com/blog/files/tasty.html#unique-entry-id-9</link><guid isPermaLink="true">www.meadenesque.com/blog/files/tasty.html#unique-entry-id-9</guid><content:encoded><![CDATA[The wine can be omitted, but know that the type of wine you use (and if it isn't there) adds a lot to the flavor.

...Thinly slice 2 large shallots and stir in. Smash one clove of garlic and toss it in. Run another clove of garlic through a garlic press and add that.

...(Pantheon is 81% Nebbiolo, 17% Cab Sauvignon, and 2% Dolcetto if you'd like to try and find something comparable - good luck) Bring this mix to a simmer and simmer for 15 minutes, stirring occasionally and smashing the larger bits of tomato.

...At this point, I try to have my pasta all cooked - then I drain it and simply add it to the pan with the sauce, stirring to coat.

...This is by FAR not as sweet a sauce as one you get from a jar, considering the only sugar in it comes from the tomatoes and the wine....  I have tried adding meat, but the savory balance is thrown off a bit if you try to add meatballs or ground beef to the mixture.]]></content:encoded></item><item><title>Looking Forward</title><dc:creator>themeadens@gmail.com</dc:creator><dc:subject>Our Blog</dc:subject><dc:date>2009-11-16T22:08:08-08:00</dc:date><link>www.meadenesque.com/blog/files/lookingforward.html#unique-entry-id-8</link><guid isPermaLink="true">www.meadenesque.com/blog/files/lookingforward.html#unique-entry-id-8</guid><content:encoded><![CDATA[I've honestly been trying to post more often...and to include interesting pictures with my posts.  Not much new around here, other than play rehearsals, and Doxa rehearsals, and job interviews, and medical tests, and you know- the usual.  I'm going to try and have Jason take some photos of a play rehearsal and tell you a bit more about that next week.  But our memory card has taken a nose dive in cooperation, only holding 5 images at a time, so don't be testy if you're forced to wait a little longer on that.

...I've been spending a lot of time in the kitchen, cleaning out cupboards and getting rid of the two (or three and four!...  I've been doing more baking, probably because it feels like an autumnal thing to do, and I hope to share my homemade marinara sauce recipe with you by the end of the week.]]></content:encoded></item><item><title>Stillness</title><dc:creator>themeadens@gmail.com</dc:creator><dc:subject>Our Blog</dc:subject><dc:date>2009-11-12T11:59:01-08:00</dc:date><link>www.meadenesque.com/blog/files/stillness.html#unique-entry-id-7</link><guid isPermaLink="true">www.meadenesque.com/blog/files/stillness.html#unique-entry-id-7</guid><content:encoded><![CDATA[<script> var idcomments_acct = '2e251f7c6b164cf04427f54b393530d6'; var idcomments_post_id; var idcomments_post_url; </script> <span id="IDCommentsPostTitle" style="display:none"></span> <script type='text/javascript' src='http://www.intensedebate.com/js/genericCommentWrapperV2.js'></script>]]></content:encoded></item><item><title>Intervention</title><dc:creator>themeadens@gmail.com</dc:creator><dc:subject>Our Blog</dc:subject><dc:date>2009-11-12T11:41:41-08:00</dc:date><link>www.meadenesque.com/blog/files/intervention.html#unique-entry-id-6</link><guid isPermaLink="true">www.meadenesque.com/blog/files/intervention.html#unique-entry-id-6</guid><content:encoded><![CDATA[Those ruby harbingers of the seasonal drinks - the Gingerbread Latte, the Eggnog drinks, and most frightening of them all, the big final evil bosses if you will - the Peppermint Mocha and the White Chocolate Peppermint Mocha.

...However, when it comes to the Peppermint Mocha, pretty much the only time we're guaranteed to drive by a Starbucks is if we already have a drink in our hands.

I'm not sure what it is about these drinks - whether it's the peppermint syrup, the peppermint tinged whipped cream, the red sprinkles, or heaven forbid - the chocolate....  I don't even like Starbucks mochas normally - I can't handle the acidity of their coffee paired with the acidity of the Hershey's syrup.

...We went to the local Cash N'Carry and picked up an industrial sized container of Ghirardelli's white chocolate syrup and peppermint coffee syrup.  J is a Meaden, which means coffee practically runs in his veins, and between the two of us, we can make a carafe of coffee better than Starbucks and we figured this means we can save approximately $250-$300 in the upcoming seven or so weeks of the holiday season on coffee.]]></content:encoded></item><item><title>We&#x27;ve become &#x22;those people&#x22;</title><dc:creator>themeadens@gmail.com</dc:creator><dc:subject>Our Blog</dc:subject><dc:date>2009-11-04T09:29:57-08:00</dc:date><link>www.meadenesque.com/blog/files/thosepeople.html#unique-entry-id-5</link><guid isPermaLink="true">www.meadenesque.com/blog/files/thosepeople.html#unique-entry-id-5</guid><content:encoded><![CDATA[It had definitely seen better days, and this is now it's fourth or fifth home in the form of free gifting.  But it still had some comfortable years left in it, so off it went to a place where kids can be rough on the furniture without fear of ruining it.  However, this left our other couch in danger of being massacred by our cats, who we still have not managed to completely train not to scratch the furniture.

...And now that there was this lovely brown couch just sitting in the living room waiting to be violated by cat claws, the time-table moved up considerably.  So we went and picked out a new, rather large, cat "skyscraper" as Jason calls it, and hauled it home - barely fitting in the back seat of our car.

The cats have taken to it instantly, and we have had nary a furniture scratch since we brought it home.]]></content:encoded></item><item><title>Halloweekend</title><dc:creator>themeadens@gmail.com</dc:creator><dc:subject>Our Blog</dc:subject><dc:date>2009-11-02T10:38:58-08:00</dc:date><link>www.meadenesque.com/blog/files/halloweekend.html#unique-entry-id-4</link><guid isPermaLink="true">www.meadenesque.com/blog/files/halloweekend.html#unique-entry-id-4</guid><content:encoded><![CDATA[Personally, I think the combination of Halloween weekend and the end of Daylight Savings Time is a perfectly lovely combination....  We had a few friends over for pizza, Rock Band, and the annual viewing of "Nightmare Before Christmas."  Also, we broke last year's record for number of Trick-or-Treaters....  Living in a mainly retiree filled housing development and on a cul-de-sac to boot somewhat limits the number of little costumed people we get at the door.  This year, we only bought candy because one of J's coworkers told us she was bringing her daughter by....  And to tuck into J's work lunches for the next week or two.]]></content:encoded></item><item><title>Monthly Post</title><dc:creator>themeadens@gmail.com</dc:creator><dc:subject>Our Blog</dc:subject><dc:date>2009-10-15T16:20:12-07:00</dc:date><link>www.meadenesque.com/blog/files/octpost.html#unique-entry-id-2</link><guid isPermaLink="true">www.meadenesque.com/blog/files/octpost.html#unique-entry-id-2</guid><content:encoded><![CDATA[Sarah's family is trying their very hardest to make Thanksgiving as complicated as possible by renting a vacation home instead of staying in the ol' hometown for the holiday.

...Andrew has been out sick the past few days and in light of our health issues, has kindly relocated to his parents' house for some care from Mom and Dad instead of his sister.

...No hating on Steve Green, but this is going to be a lot more upbeat and we'd love to see you there.

...Performances are going to be near the beginning of December, and if you'd like to go, let us know and we can get you some tickets.  I know - we don't want to think about the holidays yet but if Costco has Christmas stuff, we feel we're free to fill you in on our holiday antics.

...Also, Sarah stopped using shampoo, which is startling and pretty cool, and not really as money saving as you'd think it would be.]]></content:encoded></item><item><title>We&#x27;re back from falling off the planet...</title><dc:creator>themeadens@gmail.com</dc:creator><dc:subject>Our Blog</dc:subject><dc:date>2009-09-17T10:27:29-07:00</dc:date><link>www.meadenesque.com/blog/files/theplanet.html#unique-entry-id-1</link><guid isPermaLink="true">www.meadenesque.com/blog/files/theplanet.html#unique-entry-id-1</guid><content:encoded><![CDATA[...and we have souvenirs!

...But a lot has happened the past, oh, however many months.  Not the least of which was me getting sick of iweb slogging down my computer to the point where I wondered if I was running Windows and had a terrible moment of fear.

But seriously, we've picked up a new program which I (as the main blogger) will enjoy using much more than iweb, and also allows us to utilize RSS feeds and comments....  Hopefully both of us here at Meadenesque will be able to slip back into the flow of regular blogging for your boring enjoyment.  For now, make a mental note to keep checking back every once in a while and we'll hopefully see you around!]]></content:encoded></item></channel>
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