Spring is springing

The early daffodils have been poking up for at least the last week -- and this morning I spotted a yellow crocus on our front bank.

A couple of years ago I planted something like 80 crocus bulbs out there, envisioning an early spring carpet of color. Alas, the squirrels got most of them, and last year maybe a dozen were still left, but seeing that one yellow crocus this morning made it all worthwhile.

Sewing room hint: Organize fabric in resealable plastic bags

I took a "liberal leave" snow day yesterday (although it never got as bad as the weather guys threatened) and spent some time back in the sewing studio. I ran into a frustrating bit of construction on a fancy sleeve for a "House of Usher" costume and needed a break, so I tackled my assorted scraps.

When I bought the fabric for Lil's quilt, it arrived in a resealable plastic bag. When I was finished with the quilt and a matching neck pillow (which Russ and Lil keep promising to photograph for me -- hint, hint), I put the scraps back into the bag. I know that all the coordinating fabrics are together and there are scraps large enough to incorporate into another project. It seemed like it would also be a great way to organize the rest of my scraps, to keep them clean, visible, easy to store, etc.

I learned to do economical layouts from my grandmother and college clothing prof (both of whom sewed during the Depression years), so I usually end up with sizable scraps. There's often enough to trim another garment, make a pillow cover or other small item, etc., and lots of scraps have gone to our 9-year-old niece to make clothing for her stuffed animals. The scraps usually end up in a basket or bag with other scraps, and we have to paw through things to find something that we want.

Yesterday I found about half a box of one-gallon resealable plastic bags in the pantry, and they did the trick. Each one holds a suprising amount of fabric, and you can press on the bag when it's not quite sealed to squeeze air out, kind of like those vacuum storage bags that they advertise on television. They do take up a little less room that way.

You can also put extra trims, bindings, etc. into the bag with the matching fabric, and even the matching thread, if it's not one of your standard thread colors and you want to make space in your thread box.

The one-gallon size seems like it should work for used patterns, too -- the ones that have lots of pieces that won't go back into the envelope without ripping the envelope beyond usefulness.

I filled about 20 bags yesterday, and am loving what it's doing for the studio. I've got to pick up another box of bags when I go to the grocery store today. Onward and upward.

Happy sewing!

What are the odds?

I'm sitting at my desk shortly before lunchtime, when a guy walks into my office, introduces himself, says, "Does this look familiar?" and hands me a picture of a sailboat we owned several years ago. He acquired the boat about two years ago, spiffed it up (including putting 10 coats of varnish on the teak!) and renamed it for his young daughter. The owner before him never had the boat in the water, but lived on it in the boatyard for a couple of years. We're not sure who else had it in between.

Steve, the current owner, had found something still on the boat with my name on it. He was in our offices for a meeting, saw my name on the staff directory and came looking for me. It was great to see our old boat again, in such great shape, and being enjoyed by a nice family. Steve even invited us to go out with them sometime, and we'd enjoy that.

THEN -- I went to a Women in Film and Video meeting this evening. During the post-meeting networking, I started talking to a guy who had just been talking to Craig and had Craig's card in his hand. He noticed our address, did a double-take, and told me that his mother grew up in this block of our street (in the house next door to ours, it turns out; there are only three houses in this block) and his dad lived in the next block.

Now I'm waiting for the third thing. Stay tuned.

What century is this, anyhow?

As we get deeper into pre-production for "Fall of the House of Usher," we find ourselves immersed in costume books, decorative arts books, and period movies, trying to soak up the right feel for the early 19th century. Movie-wise, we keep landing on Jane Austen-inspired films.

A fun contemporary introduction to Jane and her novels is "The Jane Austen Book Club." When one of four friends suffers a tragic loss, the others decide to cheer her up by starting a group to read and discuss Jane Austen's novels. Since there are six novels, they need to recruit two more members, and the story takes off from there. It's a fun movie on its own merits, and even more fun if you're familiar with any of the novels. And if you're not, there are some nice extras on the DVD that will get you hooked.

Jane herself is the subject of "Becoming Jane," which speculates about events in her early life that helped shape her novels. Anne Hathaway, James McAvoy, Julie Walters, James Cromwell and Maggie Smith all deliver wonderfully authentic performances, and the period costumes and sets are quite lovely, too.

There have been a number of productions based on the novels themselves. The other night we re-watched "Emma," with Gwyneth Paltrow in the title role, Jeremy Northam as Mr. Knightley and Toni Collette as Harriet Smith.

"Pride and Prejudice" has been done many times, most recently in 2005 with Keira Knightly, Rosamund Pike, Brenda Blethyn and Donald Sutherland. The 1995 mini-series, featuring Colin Firth as Mr. Darcy, is currently running on PBS on Sunday evenings as part of a longer Jane Austen series.

Colin Firth was also cast as Mark Darcy, the 21st century equivalent of the original Mr. Darcy, in "Bridget Jones' Diary."

A final must-see is "Bride and Prejudice," a delightful Anglo-Indian adaptation of the novel, complete with Bollywood musical numbers. As strange as it may sound, the story is a perfect fit. Many popular Indian movies feature stories about marrying for love vs. the traditional arranged marriage. And the musical numbers are just plain fun. There are some great extras on this DVD, too.

When we watched "The Jane Austen Book Club," I realized that I've only read four of the six novels ("Pride and Prejudice," "Sense and Sensibility," "Persuasion," "Emma," "Mansfield Park," and "Northanger Abbey." Guess what I'll be reading this summer.

Now, it's off to the sewing room, full of inspiration.

Three-Day Weekend -- Hooray!

It's Presidents' Day, AKA George Washington's Pretend Birthday (so named by my college roomie who was born on GW's REAL birthday), and we're having a brief but tantalizing taste of spring today in Baltimore, with the temp expected to top 60. It's aready 55 at 10 a.m., so I'm betting we get there.

And this evening, according to SpaceWeather, the shuttle Atlantis and International Space Station, which uncoupled this morning, will fly over in tandem.

Spaceweather also looks like a good source for info on the defunct spy satellite that the Navy is preparing to shoot down later this week.

"Freedom Dance" keeps on winning

This just in: "Freedom Dance," which already won a CINE Golden Eagle award for Independent Short Documentary, has also won the Special Jury award in that category and is eligible for a CINE Masters Series award. The latter will be announced at the CINE awards banquet on April 24 in DC.

AND -- "Freedom Dance" will be shown at the White Sands Film Festival in Alamogordo, New Mexico, in March. The festival runs from March 16-22, but we don't have a date or time for the screening.

Congratulations to Craig Herron, Steven Fischer, and the whole "Freedom Dance" team.

Attention Navy football fans...

I've noticed that quite a few of you are finding me because you're googling key words related to Navy football.

We have season tickets and expect to attend all the games this year. And I expect I'll be blogging all season long, and maybe add a different perspective.

Feel free to bookmark this site and add comments.

Go Navy!

Last Night's Movie: "Across the Universe"

You've probably seen the trailer -- vibrant colors, Beatles songs. To say that "Across the Universe" is a trip back in time doesn't begin to do justice to this beautifully crafted film directed by Julie Taymor. Those of us who were around back in 1967-69 can relate to the traumas of sending young men off to Vietnam, student protests, and psychedelia. It all takes place against a soundtrack of Beatles songs rearranged and performed in ways that make the music -- and the events -- seem brand new again.

Bono and Joe Cocker make cameo appearances, and there's a Gospel performance of "Let It Be" that will give you goosebumps. Dana Fuchs (Sadie) wails like Janis Joplin, Martin Luther McCoy (JoJo) plays a mean guitar reminiscent at times of Jimi Hendrix and Jim Sturgess (Jude) sings "All You Need is Love" the way you wish Iwan Macgregor could have done it in "Moulin Rouge."

There are some Bollywood/"Moulin Rouge" kinds of moments in this film. Baz Luhrman has a passion for music and dance and did a lot of theater. Julie Taymor also has a passion for music, and has worked with the Metropolitan Opera as a director and costume designer.

If you're paying attention, you'll note that one of the main characters is Jude. And yes, there is a Lucy, played by Evan Rachel Wood. Watch the movie and see what Julie Taymor did with that.

The DVD we rented from Red Box didn't have many extras, but Craig thinks there's a 2-DVD set with lots more. We'll probably add this one to our collection.

More on Navy's new football class

The Examiner did some digging and came up with a list of the new Navy recruits. And Kevin Eckel, a fullback from Haverford, PA, is on the list, although I think he's coming in through the Prep School.

There are five kids from Maryland in the group, two from Hawaii and several from Virginia, Pennsylvania and California.

The Navy Football Schedule Is Out

Aug. 30 -- Towson -- Annapolis, Md.

Sept. 6 -- at Ball State -- Muncie, Ind.

Sept. 13 -- at Duke -- Durham, N.C.

Sept. 20 -- Rutgers -- Annapolis, Md.

Sept. 27 -- at Wake Forest -- Winston Salem, N.C.

Oct. 4 -- at Air Force -- Colorado Springs, Colo.

Oct. 18 -- Pittsburgh (HC) -- Annapolis, Md.

Oct. 25 -- SMU -- Annapolis, Md.

Nov. 1 -- Temple -- Annapolis, Md.

Nov. 15 -- vs. Notre Dame -- Baltimore, Md.

Nov. 22 -- at Northern Illinois -- DeKalb, Ill.

Dec. 6 -- vs. Army -- Philadelphia, Pa.

Home and "neutral" games are in bold.

Looks like it's gonna be a fun season.

BEAT ARMY!

Getting ready for some football!

The big story in college football this week was Signing Day, when high school seniors sign letters of commitment to play for the college of their choice to guarantee their scholarships. Since the service academies don't give scholarships, the commitment process is a little bit different, but carries even more import, since it comes with a 5-year commmitment to serve after graduation and commissioning.

Navy has lined up some talented recruits, one of them being Chris Hill, Jr., from Lansing, Kansas. The Kansas City Star did a really nice piece on Chris and two other young men who will enter West Point and the Air Force Academy.

Chris is a running back whose dad is in the Army, but he was impressed with Reggie Campbell and Zerbin Singleton and chose Navy. His dad will be able to retire soon, and hopes to move the family to the DC area to be close to Annapolis.

Bill Wagner reports in The Capital that this year's recruits include 28 direct entries (who will enter USNA as plebes in July) and 32 high school seniors who will spend the next year at the Naval Academy Prep School. Among the incoming plebes, there are four outstanding quarterbacks and three slot backs.

Heard on XM Radio this morning (2/7/2008)

On this date in 1966, the #2 song on the charts was the Beach Boys recording of "Barbara Ann."

The original 1961 version by the Regents only made it to #13 on the pop chart, but I still prefer their upbeat tempo and wailing sax to the more informal, laid back version by the Beach Boys.

It's still a great song. Hats off to all us Barbara Anns!

Update: Show Off Your Short Film Festival

If you're going to be in the LA area on the weekend of Feb. 15-17, check out the Show Off Your Short Film Festival at the Raleigh Studios, 5300 Melrose Avenue in Hollywood. "Freedom Dance" will screen on Saturday afternoon (the 16th) on a program that runs from 3-6 p.m.

Craig won't be there, but we think co-producer Steven Fischer will be.

Final Score: Giants 17 - Patriots 14

Although part of me hoped the Patriots could finish their perfect season, there's something extra special about seeing Eli Manning come into his own and win the Super Bowl the year after his big brother did. A couple of times it even looked like he was channeling John Unitas, something Peyton does regularly.

The Giants defense did an amazing job of shutting down the Patriots offense, and the Giants offense came through when it mattered -- and they deserved the win!

Politics and Snow

This year Maryland joins a number of other states holding presidential primary elections on Super Tuesday. The idea was to make Maryland's primary more meaningful, but the powers-that-be might not have stopped to consider local weather patterns.

February is historically the snowiest month in Baltimore. Five of the ten worst snow storms in these parts have occurred during the "Super Tuesday" window.

This year we should be fine, though, with temps predicted to be above normal.

Then again, Phil predicted another six weeks of winter. Hmmm . . .

Last Night's Movie: "The Wedding Banquet"

We found "The Wedding Banquet" on Comcast On Demand, and when we saw that it was directed by Ang Lee, we decided to give it a try.

The story is quirky, funny, not entirely predictable and sometimes heart-wrenching, but it's a very human story that comes straight from the heart and delivers a nicely resolved, satisfying ending. It's about a marriage of convenience, with some interesting twists and turns, but you'll have to check it out for yourself to learn more.

Update: Fall of the House of Usher Costume Fitting

The first of Madeleine's Regency-period dresses was ready for a final fitting, so yesterday actress Sara Cole stopped by and tried it on. It fit -- and she's stunning. Now it's on to the next dress.

By the way, our pug Marshall helped. Last weekend as I was working at the sewing machine, Marshall got under the sewing table, stepped on the foot pedal, and actually put a few stitches into the dress (fortunately in the right place) before I managed to move him.

A pug named Fortune once belonged to Josephine Bonaparte, and bit Napoleon. Maybe Marshall has a thing for white Empire/Regency dresses.

Kyle Eckel: From Annapolis to the Super Bowl

Look for former Navy standout Kyle Eckel in a Patriot's uniform at today's Super Bowl, probably on special teams. Eckel scored a couple of TDs this year as a running back, but he's made some key tackles on special teams.

There's always a mention of his separation from the Navy for "undisclosed reasons." My best guess is that his cohort was up for promotion from Ensign to Lt.(j.g.), his fitness reports weren't up to snuff, and he was allowed/encouraged to return to civilian life. It happens. If I'm where God wants me to be, so is he.

BTW -- There's another running back Eckel entering the Naval Academy Prep School this year. Stay tuned...

Siarad Cymraeg?

If you've ever wanted to learn Welsh, or are interested in Wales and its culture, or like to learn languages, Cymdeithas Madog's Cwrs Cymraeg might be just what you're looking for. Cwrs Cymraeg is a week-long intensive Welsh course for absolute beginners through advanced speakers, taught by native Welsh-speakers now living in Wales and North America.

It's not all drudge. Classroom sessions are conversation-oriented and recreational activities, such including movies, singing and folk dancing, reinforce the language-learning.

This year's course is will be held on the campus of Simpson College in Indianola, Iowa, from July 13-20. Registration is already open. Check it out!