If I may be so bold Your Highness, what is the meaning of that ribbon that you hold?

We're alive. But what kind of life is it... All right, all right, it's not that bad, although the last week has resembled a minefield. Lee's been writing final papers, preparing presentations, and studying for exams. Don't approach without a stick. I'm in the midst of two recruitment processes and the stress of it is making me lose my mind and my hair. Approach at your own risk, preferably with a bribe of a bottle of wine.

Żyjemy. Ale jakie to życie... No dobra, aż tak źle nie jest, choć ostatni tydzień przypominał pole minowe. Lee pisze zaliczeniowe prace, przygotowuje prezentacje i zakuwa na egzaminy. Bez kija nie podchodź. Ja jestem w trakcie dwóch procesów rekrutacyjnych i ze stresu tracę rozum i włosy. Podchodź na własną odpowiedzialność, najlepiej z łapówką w postaci butelki wina.

I did not mean to neglect the blog. To paint the picture let me just tell you that the last time we cooked dinner was 6 days ago, the kitchen is ruled by 'want a mug - wash a mug' law, and Jerzy and Wiesław probably had time to transform twice and die of starvation and we did not notice.

Nie zamierzałam zaniedbać bloga, dla nakreślenia sytuacji powiem tylko, że ostatni raz obiad gotowaliśmy 6 dni temu, w kuchni rządzi prawo 'chcesz kubek - umyj kubek', a Jerzy i Wiesław pewnie niezauważenie przeszli dwie przemiany i umarli z głodu.

1.-6. It took me a while to get over the fact that the Art of Africa exhibit does not feature Ethiopian art (seriously, what?!?), but I enjoyed the visit anyways. Here are some of my favorite objects in the permanent collection (Africa and Asia) at the Museum of Fine Arts. 

7. Oh, modern art. I absolutely love some of it but, for the most part, I think the emperor is wearing his new clothes.

8&9. A much talked about temporary exhibit Hippie Chic: clothes from the era, from designers such as Betsey Johnson, Ossie Clark, or Yves Saint Laurent, plus a vintage jukebox playing all the good stuff. Polyester heaven.

10&11&12. Oh, my. This was one of the most powerful exhibits I have ever seen. 'She Who Tells The Story' features works of women photographers from Iran and the Arab World. To see some of the pictures, go here (and don't forget to click full screen!).

13. Ready for a half-day in the park. I am still working my way through On the Road. It is truly one of the worst books ever. Drab writing and an ego swelled like a blister.

14. Dissemblance of a giant crane in the middle of a normally very busy street. It was extremely windy and everybody seemed really nervous. 

15. Visits to our neighborhood Russian store leave me misty-eyed. 80's party!

16. Church of Christ, Scientist. Not too far from it, there is an office of their healer. If I get a wart, I will go see if he can heal me with prayer. Hopefully satisfaction guaranteed or my money back!

17. Yup, buddy. I feel the same way when I think of sick kids who were refused medical treatment.

18. Bizarro! Styrofoam boulders mounted on trees.

19. Why do things for adults have the aesthetic of children's toys made in China? Why so ugly?

20. I spent a day in Portland wishing I had more than one stomach.

21. I dusted off my eBay store. I am contemplating opening an Etsy one. We still have too much stuff.

22. Boston harbor. Jellyfish, businessmen on their lunch break, and three drunks talking to sea birds.

23. A pretty girl with a six-pack was dethroned when this pretty boy with injera came around.

24. I found this hardworking ghost in the bedroom.

25. 'Daddy always said I was a princess so when I grew up, I moved into a castle.'

26. There are so many synagogues around where we live. I love it. Watching families walk to and from services on Saturday must be among my favorites things about living in Brookline.

27. I meant to post this one on Halloween. How creepy is this building!

28. Cat taco. Pretty tasty, although I found a hair in mine!

29. I love how liberal Boston is. This flag is displayed at a community medical center.

30. We've been invading playgrounds. Can you grow out of swinging? I don't think so.

31. Gym access card on my key ring. If you're wondering, I'm still going strong!

32. A trip through 3 bridges, I blogged about it here.

33. This dentist. Now that's what you call intensive care!

34. Another day trip to Portland, Maine. I love these old message displays. I could have one at home. It would say the silliest things.

35. This Taj Mahal bird cage! I have no need for it but the heart refuses to listen to the brain. I want it!

36. These portraits remind me of some really bad tattoos, such as these.

37. Time and Temperature Building. I like to imagine the cast of Mad Man busy measuring time and temperature in every single office, on every single floor.

38. These emergency boxes are all over Portland. This is silly, but they always put this song in my head. '911, what's you emergency?'

39. I think I have watched too many movies in which horrible things happen in public garages, because I do find them unsettling.