I really don't have anything to say; I just wanted my blog to not have 9-11 pictures on it as the first entry. 

So here's a picture of my kids:

We loved going to that stream all summer.  School just started, among other stuff during the week, so we haven't gone in quite a while.  But it's so quiet and peaceful there. A wonderful distraction from TV and freeways and household chores and work.  That's how I relax, is just "getting away."  I know some people relax by getting together with groups of people, which seems funny to me because that really saps my energies.  But Ben and I are inherently introverted, despite being very involved in groups and communities.  We sometimes forget just how antisocial we are until we spend an entire evening in groups, and when we get home it'll take a whole day to recharge. 

I asked Ben to take a personality profile thing a few years back after I did it (Myers-Briggs test?), and the funny thing we found out is that we are both INTJ (Introverted iNtuitive Thinking Judging).  And it really does fit us perfectly.  I just want things to make sense, and I have trouble stopping until something makes sense to *me*.  I've been able to step back from issues lately, and accept that it makes sense to someone else but seems dumb as rocks to me.  And that's been a big step for me.

INTJ (Introverted iNtuitive Thinking Judging) is one of the sixteen personality types from the Myers-Briggs Type Indicator (MBTI), and the Keirsey Temperament Sorter.

Referring to Keirsey, INTJs belong to the temperament of the rationals and are called Masterminds. The INTJ may also be referred to as "the scientist."

“

INTJs apply (often ruthlessly) the criterion "Does it work?" to everything from their own research efforts to the prevailing social norms. This in turn produces an unusual independence of mind, freeing the INTJ from the constraints of authority, convention, or sentiment for its own sake... INTJs are known as the "Systems Builders" of the types, perhaps in part because they possess the unusual trait combination of imagination and reliability. Whatever system an INTJ happens to be working on is for them the equivalent of a moral cause to an INFJ; both perfectionism and disregard for authority may come into play... Personal relationships, particularly romantic ones, can be the INTJ's Achilles heel... This happens in part because many INTJs do not readily grasp the social rituals... Perhaps the most fundamental problem, however, is that INTJs really want people to make sense. - Marina Margaret Heiss, University of Virginia"

And:

"According to Myers-Briggs, INTJs are very analytical individuals. Like INTPs, they are more comfortable working alone than with other people, and are not usually as sociable as others, although they are prepared to take the lead if nobody else is up to the task, or they see a major weakness in the current leadership. They tend to be very pragmatic and logical individuals, often with an individualistic bent and a low tolerance for spin or rampant emotionalism. They are also commonly not succeptible to catchphrase and commonly do not recognize authority based on tradition, rank or title."

This is pretty much us in a nutshell.  I tend to see a lot of these as weaknesses of mine...though I couldn't tell you exactly why I think that.  Okay, I could but I'm still groggy and my coffee cup is half full (or empty!?) and cold.  And I'm trying to telepathically tell Ben to get me some more.  (with my mind bullets!  ...thank you Mr.Black). 

"Analyzing and formulating complex theories are among their greatest strengths. INTJs tend to be well-suited for occupations within academia, research, management, engineering and law. Differentiating the INTJ personality type from the related INTP type is their confidence. They tend to be acutely aware of their knowledge and abilities. Thus, they develop a strong confidence in their ability and talents, making them "natural leaders." It is this confidence that makes this personality type extremely rare. According to David Keirsey"

This makes me happy to read, because without the status of a corporate employee, or a lawyer, or even being actually employed right now...it's difficult to convince myself that I have any authority in society right now.  I can have a wonderful conversation on nuclear physics with someone, and by the end of the conversation they'll ask, "so what do you do?"  I'm a stay at home mom!  So, there goes the light from their eyes, as well as my credibility.  Oh well.  But I am killer as a leader of a MOPS group right now.  It has had a few years of stagnation, but I'm bringing it back and the ladies involved are really excited.  And this makes me extremely happy.  So maybe I don't get a corner office in building 17 somewhere; you make your achievements where you are and who you're with.  To hell with convention.

Anyway, I have to get more coffee.  Ben isn't getting the message.

I know not a lot of people are talking about this this year.  I think there was so much backlash last year of, "it's been 5 years already," that the media let it go.  But it was such a defining day in America, I couldn't imagine not remembering it on the anniversary.

It was my brother who called me in the morning and told me to turn my television on.  I remember just sitting on the couch and watching in horror as the smoke filled the entire city.  The stock market actually closed, and that is what I told Ben when I woke him up.  Ben is an avid stock market junkie, and he understands that it would take hell to close the markets.  We both watched as the second plane hit the second tower, and watched both the buildings collapse.  It was an awful day, and I hate remembering it. 

What ensued in America afterwards was crisp divisions in political arenas.  I watched America divide itself even more afterwards, and I don't see any healing for the future. But who knows.  I used to be very enthusiastic about politics because I encourage change; I think change is great and new ideas either help or are the catalyst for something different.  We have been in a slumber for 8 years since we have had the same president for that long, and no fresh air has been blown through politics.  This has left the nation stagnant, irritated and somewhat complacent.  Political scandals are "same ol', same ol'."  It wasn't just the buildings that fell, but more the patriotic morale.

So, we'll say a prayer today for the victims of the tragedy in New York; not only the families, but the nation who suffered from the event as well.  And maybe we'll see hope in the future. 

Jeremiah 29:11 "For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future."

I'll just say: Hamlet 2

For those who don't remember high school: everyone dies in Hamlet.  It's a tragedy.

I don't even know what to say. 



"Alas, poor Yorick! Because when it comes to Hollywood, nothing is sacred. Variety reports that Eric Eisner (son of Hollywood heavyweight Michael Eisner) has struck a deal to produce Hamlet 2 under his shingle, L+E Productions. The film stars Steve Coogan (aka Alan Partridge) and Catherine Keener. The teen comedy (yes, it's a teen comedy) will focus on a struggling drama teacher who decides to write the ultimate in sequels, Hamlet 2, to save his drama department. Andy Fleming co-wrote the film with Team America: World Police scribe Pam Brady, and is also set to direct. Fleming also directed the Nancy Drew update with Emma Roberts earlier this year, and was responsible for 1996's The Craft, so he has plenty of experience when it comes to teen flicks.

This wouldn't be the first time that Shakespeare has been appropriated for "mall rats" -- and some attempts have been more successful than others. If you've seen Coogan in Tristram Shandy: A Cock and Bull Story, you know how funny he can make literary adaptations, so you never know, the film might actually have a chance. Coogan has been receiving some bad press from some unlikely places lately, which could damage his chances of breaking out in the U.S. He might be a household name in England, but most North Americans probably couldn't pick him out of a lineup. Next up for Coogan is the comedy biopic of England's first ski jumper, Eddie "The Eagle" Edwards, and then it's on to the Challenger disaster drama Safety Glass for Pop-up Video writer Jonathan Glatzer. Hamlet 2 is set to begin shooting on Sept. 17 in New Mexico."