For Me, He was Real

Before he was "famous" for Brokeback Mountain, I knew him as Coner, a young Irish man battling the Romans for the survival of his village in the short lived series Roar (1997). I was instantly smitten with him even though he was 10 years younger than me.

I was sitting at the computer yesterday while Jeff flipped on the evening news. I was typing away in my own little world when the words "dead" and "Heath Ledger" suddenly crashed into my radar. I jumped up from my chair and ran to the t.v. hoping it was someone else, that I had heard incorrectly. I had not. I was shocked ("shocked" seems to be the recurring choice of words around the internet).

I'm a fairly emotional person. I have been all my life. That being said, it's easy for me to form attachments to people I don't personally know. When I watch movies and television shows I form a strong attachment to my favorite characters. It's one of the reasons why I have such a hard time when my favorite shows get canceled without notice.

I have a strong attachment to Heath. I really didn't realize it until today as his death still continues to stagger me and bring me to tears. I know it's unrealistic. I didn't even know the man. I only know the parts of himself he gave to his roles and public appearances. I've never met him. But I've always considered him one of the good guys. And being ten years older than him, I definitely never expected that he would die first.

I know there are many tragedies going on in the world. Many men and women are dying every day. Good people who put their lives on the line for the greater good. Certainly my heart goes out to them but I've never spent time watching them on the tube or big screen. They've never made me laugh my ass off, cry my eyes red or swoon. I have an emotional investment in him. For me Heath Ledger was real. And I will truly miss him... I do already.

I hope the media will respect his family and give them the space they need to grieve. But who am I kidding.

Book Meme

What have you just read?
Under the Net by Iris Murdoch.

What are you reading now?
Why We Read What We Read.

Do you have any idea what you'll read when you're done with that?
So many choices. It's either going to be Town House by Tish Cohen or When Crickets Cry by Charles Martin.

What's the worst thing you were ever forced to read?
A Little Change of Face.

What's one book you always recommend to just about anyone?
Janet Evanovich's Stephanie Plum Series.

Admit it, sadly the librarians at your library know you on a first name basis, don't they?
Only because of the late charges!

Is there a book you absolutely love, but for some reason, people never think it sounds interesting, or maybe they read it and don't like it at all?
On Blondes by Joanna Pitman

Do you read books while you eat?
No.

While you bathe?
No.

While you watch movies or tv?
During commercials.

While you listen to music?
Only if it's classical otherwise I can't pay attention.

While you're on the computer?
A good e-book never hurt anyone.

When you were little did other children tease you about your reading habits?
I didn't read much when I was "little".

What's the last thing you stayed up half the night reading because it was so good you couldn't put it down?
Janet is the only thing I stay up for.

Have any books made you cry?
All the time. I'm sentimental.

The Bon Echo Face Plant

Yesterday Jeff and I went to Bon Echo Provincial Park which is about an hour and half drive from where we live. I had asked Jeff earlier in the week if he wanted to go this weekend. I had this incredible desire to see the "Mazinaw Rock. This 1.5-kilometre sheer rock face rises 100 metres above Mazinaw Lake, one of the deepest lakes in Ontario there." Bon Echo is very inspiring especially in the fall but I haven't been there in the winter (Jeff has, camping with students) and was feeling the need for natural inspiration.

It was a lovely drive alternating between puffy cloud cover and the sun peeking through. Not surprisingly the road into the park, just past the entrance was closed. Jeff parked in the Rangers parking lot and we walked into the park. It was a crisp -5 and we dressed in our scarves, mits and other required winter paraphernalia.

One of the obstacles was a gate blocking the road. We decided to climb over the small hump of snow to the right of the gate and walk around. Simple enough. Jeff went first, with me tagging behind, and stepped into a hole. He turned to let me know to be careful but it was already too late. He watched in aw as I sunk between two rocks to mid calf then did a slow motion face plant. His first comment? "I told you there was holes". My response? Hysterical laughter. Jeff threatened to go back to the van for the camera.

After a few moments. He helped me get to my feet and we continued around the gate onto the main road into the park. We probably walked twenty feet before we had to stop. I almost peed my pants laughing as I continued to relive my face plant. Jeff of course had to impersonate my graceful maneuver which made it all the more funny. We finally regained control of ourselves and continued walking on the snowmobile packed roadway. The snowfall alternated as we walked between minute flurries and coin sized flakes. There are lots of pretty streams to stop and watch and listen too along the way. The park was incredibly quiet and peaceful. I could have lied down and gone to sleep. Unfortunately, we didn't make it to the rock. It really is a big park and trekking through snow even if it's slightly packed isn't exactly easy going. After an hour the snow was getting heavier so we decided to turn back.

Of course it's always harder on the way back and the laughter endorphins I had at the start had worn off. Around every corner seemed to be a steep hill I didn't remember coming down previously. But we made it back to the van with minimal whining and no repeat face plants. Here's a picture of us outside the van. It was actually snowing harder than it looks. And no, my nose isn't that pointed it's a snowflake whizzing past the camera's lens.


Half way home we were starving and stopped at a Flying J (love the Flying J), a truck stop restaurant for a hearty meal and a very hot mocha java to warm up our then chilled bones.

Today, I'm suffer the effects of my fall (or maybe the hike) with stiff limbs and back and a bruise on my calf but the laughter alone was worth it.

***
Topic Links
* Bon Echo Provincial Park

Squidoo Lens Update

Been riding the doo...

Curvy Chicks
* Crystal Renn
* Hanne Blank
* Joy Nash
* Jennifer Hudson
* Mia Tyler
* Nigella Lawson
* Sara Ramirez
* Velvet d'Amour
* Curvy Chics

Plus Size Related
* Plus Size Bras
* Plus Size Party Dresses
* Plus Size Swimwear
* Plus Size Halloween Costumes
* The Full Body Project

Writing Related
* Author Interviews
* The Write Prompts
* Latino Writers
* Iris Murdoch
* M. E. Wood

Movie Related
* An American Werewolf in London
* An Officer and a Gentleman
* Equilibrium
* Muriel's Wedding
* Stepmom

Miscellaneous
* Pamela Anderson
* Is Your Name Maureen

Want to make your own lens? It's easier than you think.

Beautiful by...

Obviously, I'm not up on the music scene. I now know that Christina Aguilera has made this song quite popular. I can't decide which version to download. Hers or the one by the Bratz which songs a bit closer to the little girl from ER. Decisions, decisions.

Words can't bring me down...

Did you see ER last night? It was a great episode. Pratt is turning into quite the adult. Abby is back from rehab (just need Luka back). There was this adorable little black girl who had some kind of retinal impairment that blocked her focal vision. Anyway, Abby asked her what she wanted to be when she grew up and I think she said an Astronaut or a singer. Then Abby asked her to sing something and it was fabulous on so many levels (they also closed the episode with the girl singing more of the song). It's my new favorite song. I searched for the lyrics and found them and am off to find it at iTunes:

Here's a clip from NBC. It takes a moment or two to get to the girl having her exam and it's quite short:

Beautiful
Written by Linda Perry

Don't look at me

Everyday is so wonderful
Then suddenly
It's hard to breathe
Now and then I get insecure
From all the pain
I'm so ashamed

I am beautiful
No matter what they say
Words can't bring me down
I am beautiful
In every single way
Yes words can't bring me down
Ohh no
So don't you bring me down today

To all your friends you're delirious
You're so consumed
In all your doom, ooh
Trying hard to fill the emptiness
The pieces gone
Left the puzzle undone
Ain't that the way it is

'Cause you are beautiful
No matter what they say
Words can't bring you down
Ohh no
'Cause you are beautiful
In every single way
Yes words can't bring you down
Ohh no
So don't you bring me down today

No matter what we do
(No matter what we do)
No matter what we say
(No matter what we say)
We're the song inside the tune
(Yeah, oh yeah)
Full of beautiful mistakes

And everywhere we go
(And everywhere we go)
The sun will always shine
(The sun will always, always, shine)
And tomorrow we might awake
On the other side

'Cause we are beautiful
No matter what they say
Yes words won't bring us down
Ohh no
We are beautiful
In every single way
Yes words can't bring us down
Ohh no
So don't you bring me down today

Ooh, ohh
Don't you bring me down today
Don't you bring me down, ooh
Today

Happy New Year!