charlie's playground

See where I grew up.

Rio

Also: Rio de Janeiro flickr pool.

Sigh. Makes me homesick.

The Boston Globe ran a list of the richest celebrity women. Eh, I'm not much of a celebrity gawker, but I checked out the list anyway.

A few I've kept an eye on were there: JK Rowling, who came all the way from being a welfare mom and the Olson twins who have spent practically their whole life (literally!) building an empire (despite hiccups in recent years).

One who I should have realized would be on the list was Oprah. Of course, I don't run the talk show circuit or live in the glare of US television, so I guess the can be excused. But, I did, recently, try to explain her power to a European.

So, did you know she's considered the richest woman in entertainment, and the only woman billionaire?

I read her Wikipedia entry and was quite amazed - very difficult childhood, a strong empahsis on education, clear and early show of talent, and a single-minded purpose, despite some really really messed up times along the way.

To me, while not so into biographies, I like reading a bit about the trajectories folks took. It's inspiring, teaches us a bit how to deal with our life, and gives us hope in so many ways.

I think Oprah, so sure, is one of those to inspire us.

Hey, don't chuckle at me saying this. Just draw that line from where she came and to where she is, then compare it to any of us or to Bill and Warren or Sergey and Larry - eh, it's just not as amazing (well, maybe Jobs tracks a similar, though whiter, trajectory).

Are there any other folks whom you use as inspiration?

The Boston Globe has an article on a drug to help chubby dogs slim down. Considering that some folks here have dogs, I thought it might be appropriate to point out (not that I am making a weight judgment on anyone's pooch).

My girl, Jippo, is just getting to 2 years old and she's fit and trim. She and I went for a 9km run today and she was still up for more.

More of Jippo

She's also a good eater, eating only when hungry (or does she wait until all the human food is put away before resigning herslef to her kibble?).

Here's the link to the article: For the pup who enjoys kibble a bit too much.

Christmas. My sixth in Finland.

Here they celebrate it on the 24th. We've always celebrated it on the 25th.

Presents show up miraculously, every year, in the middle of the night. The children wake up really early after a restless night of wondering what they will get (not to mention visions of sugarplums dancing in their heads).

Sabrina leaves out a plate of ginger cookies and milk for Nick, and some carrots for the reindeer.

This year, the kids made out well. It's interesting to see how the types of gifts slowly shift as they get older - less flash more substance.

Christmas for us is more pagan than Christian. It's about winter, the tree and trimmings, family, and, since we've moved to Finland, a deep understanding that the days are getting longer.

Between early November and Christmas, FInland can be dark and wet. After Christmas it always seems to turn on, the sky clears, the thermometer settles well below freezing, the air is crisp, the snow is dry, and January and February are wonderfully bright and fun.

Yes, it's a celebration of the winter solstice, the celebration of another year past, the time to remember family, the hope for growth and a coming spring.

I feel content. I feel pleased. I feel full of family love.

I feel that it is hard for us to express the totality of what this winter celebration means to us.

We Feel Fine.

What's your favorite holiday movie?

Gosh, drawing a blank here. The only one that is engraved in my head is 'It's a wonderful life'.

Classic Jimmy Stewart.

It's a Wonderful Life (60th Anniversary Edition)