Year In Review Friday Five (Part 3): A day early...
1. What was your favorite film of this year? Garden State. I felt like I was watching someone's life, not actors.
2. What did you do on your birthday, and how old were you? Em organized a fabulous Ladies Night Out at Cuchi Cuchi and then decadent sundaes at Tosconini's. We wore little black dresses, Em made us all flower broaches, we had tapas and sangria, and I felt like a very loved, but not as sexed, member of Sex in the City. I turned 31.
3. How would you describe your personal fashion concept in 2004? Same as always, very simple. Not sloppy but not accessorized or complicated. Solid tops, solid bottoms, often jeans and a black shirt.
4. What kept you sane in 2004? A couple close friends...ice cream...and plenty of sleep.
5. What political issue stirred you the most? Gay marriage. I am embarrassed that we even need to discuss whether same sex couples should be able to marry. Next we will go back to debating whether we should have inter-racial marriage and if we should let our women vote.

Christmas Year-Round: It was recently announced (at least news to me) that "they" are building a Christmas Tree Shop right down the street from my house. They are supposed to also be maybe be putting an IKEA (!!!!) but that is still not for certain...and I don't know if it ever will.

Lennie Died: Jerry Orbach, from Law & Order died yesterday. I think I saw every L&A that has aired, and thought of Lennie as an almost-real person. So sad.

Surpressed Memory: Driving home from work yesterday I was gently hitting the brakes at a stop light, when I realized that I have a recurring dream that I am trying to hit the brakes to stop (and avoid hitting someone/thing) and I just can't press hard enough to make the car stop. I slow down, but still end up hitting whatever is in front of me. Of course I know where this comes from but it is odd that I now realize that I have been having this dream for many years, and just now remembered...when there was not much that prompted the memory. Perhaps its because I have been driving on some minor snow, which often makes me nervous. Anyhow, interesting how the mind works.

Year in Review II Friday Five on Thursday: (Since I won't be in the office tomorrow, thought I get a head start)
1. What was your biggest achievement of the year? Finishing the 20 mile Walk for Hunger
2. Whose behavior made you appalled and depressed? George W. Bush and his posse
3. Where did most of your money go? My house...mortgage, heat (in an uninsulated, 100 year old house) and fun things to put into my house
4. What was your favorite TV program? NYPD Blue. But I also missed basically no episodes of Survivor, CSI, CSI: Miami, Crossing Jordan, and Cold Case.
5. What kept you sane? Having friends and family that support me 100%, unconditionally, unfalteringly, and with laughter. Oh, and getting 9 hours of sleep almost every night.

My Big Conference: I am planning the first-ever Women's Leadership Conference for MIT. It will be happening on the weekend of April 30th. Since the web site for the event is startign to take shape, I thought I'd share it with you, my readers.

Kim Celebrates Christmas: Yesterday I participated, for the fifth time, in Christmas in the City, an annual extravaganza for Boston-area families who are homeless or otherwise disenfranchised. It is an absolutely exhausting day, filled with kids, laughter, complaints, SantaS, chicken nuggets, TOYS, face paint, and undercooked pizza. Each year I expend all of my energy, and then some, in helping these kids celebrate the holidays...many of whom would have little to no holiday otherwise. It is an amazing experience. Thanks to Emily for once again serving as our fearless Shelter Captain! I may even be a Shelter Captain next year. Who wants to join me???

Pay Up: Remember those MasterCard commercials about what we would give up if the Sox won the World Series? Apparently they heard up and it is time to pay up. Ooops! I can't post the movie on the blog (files won't work) but send me a note in the comment section and I email it to you. Very funny!

Friday Five Year in Review (Part One): Thanks to a list of questions I found about the year in review, I bring back the Friday Five for at least the next few weeks.
1. What did you do in 2004 that you'd never done before? Repelled and went on a zip line in a rainforest and went whitewater rafting.
2. What would you like to have in 2005 that you lacked in 2004? A serious relationship.
3. Did anyone close to you give birth? Yes, Chip and Abby had Rebecca!
4. Did anyone close to you die? No. But I went to two funerals, one for Paul's uncle and one for Jamie's Mom.
5. What countries did you visit? Mexico, Costa Rica, Israel. A very blessed year. Next year I will go to England and Germany at least.

Lightning Strikes Twice: Last week I reported that I saw a cab drive several miles with a coffee cup on the roof of the car. Last night as I was driving home, I was next to another cab that not only had a coffee cup on the roof, but it was sitting precariously on the slanted part of the front roof...just hanging out. Are they installing sticky stuff on the bottom of Dunkin Donuts cups these days? Is this a new way to cool your coffee? How odd!

L'chaim! Secret Rabbi Revealed: After being sent on a scavenger hunt to find out the identify of my Secret Rabbi, I discovered it was none other than...ELENA, my trusty assistant! (I also got another fancy ring...this time its beaded) I found out she even called my Mom to see about sending some things to Cleveland for when I was home last weekend. She is unbelievable! And thankfully she is as awesome of an employee as she is a friend and Secret Rabbi.

Blessed by a Secret Rabbi- The Secret Rabbi of whom I spoke last week, has provided me with a silly, suspenseful, and playful Hanukkah this year. Gifts included: five white roses, Forbidden Fruit Apple Candy, Shalom: The Chosen Gum ("Oy, that's good gum...Would it kill you to buy two?"), a sparkley ring (wearing it for the last 2 days), a "Damn It" button for my computer keyboard (or car), a Smurfette figurine, and lots of gelt. I hope he/she revels them self to me at some point....

A preview of my pictures from Israel...me floating in the Dead Sea. 

The sweet, lovely, adorable, and amazing Rebecca. 

Fun New Site to Explore: Thanks to the Globe for telling me about this new site...well, new to Boston...we are the 5th city added.

Fun Visit to Cleveburg- I got home last night from a fast, but fun, weekend in Cleveland. I got to see Rebecca TWICE (pictures posted soon), saw Arin once alone for brunch and then rendez vous'ed again the next day to have brunch with her and Jon G., had dinner with mom, dad, Kev and Nismans, went to see Ocean's Twelve with Kathy, Tom and Emily (B+), and did a bit of shopping.

Going to See Rebecca (and others)- I am leaving for Cleveland tonght to go to see Rebecca, Chip and Abbey's baby. So excited! I will also of course see other frieeds and family, but this is my Rebecca Trip, scheduled since before she was born in September. Look for pictures when I return...in the meantime, check out these. (I think I am responsible for most of the hits to the page...)

Inspiring Words: This quote was included on a solicitation to the MIT community to raise money for a graduate fellowship in honor of outgoing President Chuck Vest. I found it to be quite impressive. “Ponder the unthinkable. Question the status quo. Live in the world as well as in your own nation. Dream of a better future, but contribute to the present. Share your talents. Commune with all people. Be steady friends and bold companions. Address the truly important issues of your times. Be honest in all that you do. Take your education, your talent, and your energy, and build a nation and a world community that consider knowledge a gift to be shared, a healthy planet a place to be cherished, and human dignity and opportunity fundamental conditions to be enjoyed by all people.”

Secret Rabbi Hits Again: I just went to my inter-office mailbox to find a HUGE bag of Hanukkah geldt (chocolate)! This time there was no note, but the handwriting was different than the note with the flowers from yesterday. The name above mine on the envelope (the only other name) was a professor at the business school. Someone is being very sly! I just went around to my entire office and gave them candy, so that I could spread the Hanukkah joy, and perhaps tell my Secret Rabbi how pleased I am. Very interesting...

Camp: Last night's trip to the theater to see Johnny Guitar was funny, tune-ful, and highly amusing. Em and I were giggling outloud throughout the show, not to mention singing a single line of the title song over and over again. Now we have to see the silly Joan Crawford movie that the musical is based on.

Giggle giggle: I came into my office this morning to find five beautiful white roses, with a note saying "Happy Hanukkah from your Secret Rabbi" I can most likely narrow it down to a few people at work, but I don't recognize the handwriting as being any of theirs. So if he or she is reading this...thanks...you made my day!

Going to the Theatre: Em and I go to the next play in our subscription to the SpeakEasy Stage Company tonight. It is described as, "Based on the 1954 cult classic film that starred Joan Crawford, Johnny Guitar: The Musical uses a mix of 50's rock, doo-wop and steamy Southwestern ballads to tell the story of a feud that erupts between a sultry saloonkeeper and a jealous tycoon over the control of a small western town." My review will be in tomorrow.

Calories for a Month: Once again I was invited to an all our gourge-fest for MIT event planners. On the menu of today's lunch (hosted by The Hotel@MIT) was:
Open bar including hard liquor (I had one of the 4 red wines they were offering)
Cheese, grapes and cracker display (I passed)
Swordfish with a kidney bean sauce (interesting...)
Green beans and carrots in a garlic saute
Mashed potatoes
Pumpkin ravioli in a creamy ginger sauce (the best thing there!!!)
Carved whole turkey
Sausage and mushroom stuffing (No thanks)
Raw veggies with 2 dips
Squash bisque (not my fave)
A variety of rolls
A champagne toast
A desert buffet with about 30 different desserts (like cakes and pies...not just cookies)

My tummy is now a witch's brew...with all the food, the wine, the champage, the dessert....thank goodness my assistant had Tums!

Festival of Lights Diddy: In honor of tonight being the first night of Chanukah, I bring you a special song by Adam Sandler. Hit it, Adam!

Two Is More Than One: Two great things happened on this day in history, and only one bad. My mom and Shelby were born today, and Pearl Harbor was bombed. I think we all came out ahead. (My apologies to those of you who were more profoundly affected by the later.) Happy birthday Ma and Shleb!

Free Ride to Work: Driving into work today, I saw a cup of Starbucks coffee getting a free ride to work. Clearly the person inside the cab, or the person who had recently gotten out of the cab, left their cup of coffee on the roof of the taxi. I drove almost the entire way to work watching the cup just sit there...never falling off...never sliding...just enjoying the scenery.

My New Hometown Spanked My Old Hometown: The Patriots *killed* the Browns yesterday. But I suppose I should give them leniency, since they were in the first week of a new QB and new coach...and they *were* playing the infallible Pats.

Ms. Handywoman: I am so proud of myself (easily done admittedly). I took the old, ugly fan/light fixture in my kitchen and transformed it into a new looking, beautiful fixture over the weekend. I bought new light fixtures, primed the blades of the fan, spray painted the whole fixture, and it looks brand new! (Note to self, use a mask next time you spray paint...my nose hairs turned white, which makes me worry what my lungs looked like) Anyhow, I am quite pleased with myself.

Another Tragedy for GLB People in the Church: A woman is CONVICTED of being a lesbian minister.

Who Would've Known: Federally funded abstinence education programs that are used in 25 states contain false and misleading information about contraception, abortion and sexually transmitted diseases, said Rep. Henry Waxman...In another instance, the Why kNOw curriculum asserts "twenty-four chromosomes from the mother and twenty-four chromosomes from the father join to create this new individual," the report said. The correct number is 23 each. Some curriculums also rely on what Waxman called damaging stereotypes about boys and girls, including that girls care less about achievement and their futures. The Why kNOw curriculum teaches: "Women gauge their happiness and judge their success by their relationships. Men's happiness and success hinge on their accomplishments."

Somerville and Israel: Ironically, I first heard of this story when I was in Israel. My aunt was reading the Jerusalem Journal and told me that "some city in MA called Summerville" was trying to divest from Israel. She had no idea that this is where I live. Apparently it is a small group of people in Somerville who are trying to push this forward, and the outcry AGAINST it is what is really what is newsworthy.

New Blog: My cousin Adam has created a blog, whose link you will now find in the toolbar to the right. He is a stand-up comic in NYC (among other things) and his witty (and random) musing are definitely worth a view.

She's Got Sauce: Emily and I almost went to the new restaurant Sauce in Davis Square on Tuesday night, but ended up at Amelia's Trotteria, where I had never been but LOVED. After reading this review, we definitely will have to go some time, perhaps with a larger group to share the tapas.

Hilary Must Be Thrilled: Apparently NBC and CBS are refusing to air an ad from the United Church of Christ because the spot, intended to make the point that the Protestant denomination is welcoming, briefly shows two men who are holding hands being turned away from an unnamed church. The UCC's policy of open and affirming congregations is part of what brought Hilary to their ministry (I think). (Not to mention that Shelby's dad is a UCC minister too.) If only the religious world had more ministers like Hilary and Randy.

I'm Back: So, since I wrote last, I have been to Seattle, Los Angeles, San Diego, and Israel. Sorry for the lack of postings...I am sure there are at least 4 people who noticed my absence. Anyhow, back to the regularly scheduled program.