Vermont Getaway

I've returned from a brief Vermont getaway. I spent most of the time working, as did Ben, but it was still lovely to be away and to take relaxation breaks, etc. And, um, watch marathons of CSI episodes on Spike TV. I'm soooooooooooo glad I don't have television at home. I would never get any work done, knowing CSI is available practically 'round the clock on Spike.

Look! It snowed!



It's hard to tell, but it's actually snowing in the picture on the bottom. I love snow in Vermont. It's so pretty.

We went holiday shopping in Burlington but, sadly, the town has turned very commercial. It used to be all local shopkeeps and artisan stores and now it's all Gap and Bath and Body works. The few artsy places left are crazy expensive. :( Very sad. Still a fun place to walk around, though. We bought a few stocking stuffers and one very reasonably priced pottery gift. If it weren't for the Great Stock Market Dive of 2008, I would have bought this for Richelle Mead:



The Avenging Narwhal Play Set! With 3 Magical Tusks and 3 Adorable Animals to Impale!

I also saw a tote bag with a beautiful, amazing, made-me-make-a-noise-of-happiness-and-heart-pain-out-loud-in-the-store Rainier Maria Rilke quote on it. It didn't make me want to buy the tote bag, but it did make me want to post the quote here:

"I beg you...to have patience with everything unresolved in your heart and try to love the questions themselves as if they were locked rooms or books written in a very foreign language. Don't search for the answers, which could not be given to you now, because you would not be able to live them, and the point is, to live everything. Live the questions, now. Perhaps then, someday far in the future, you will gradually, without even noticing it, live your way to the answer."

I. love. that.

We also saw Quantum of Solace, the new James Bond movie (for anyone living in a bubble). It was really good, though we both liked Casino Royale better. The plot of this movie is extremely dependent on Casino Royale, which I didn't anticipate. I wish I'd re-watched CR first. [Actually, if anyone has seen QoS and understands the ending, can you email me? I have a question for you. I don't know whether I missed something or I just really need to watch CR again. Thanks.]

That's it for tonight. I'm off to get some more pages revised before it's back to the daily grind. Tomorrow evening I'll post this week's Product of the Week!