Good grief people

It's Monday night once again, but we aren't updating this blog until a few more of you guess on the last post. It was the coolest one we've ever done, and you should think a bit harder and put some guesses up. Even if you are too embarrassed to leave your name and let us know you're reading, just call yourself something funny and let us know what you think. Because seriously, those pictures and the reasonings behind them are super cool.

Art we like that you wouldn't think we would like

Dear readers, today we have another exciting contest for you. This one might prove to be a bit difficult even to those of you who know us quite well (actually, especially for you, come to think of it).

In this contest, each of us Shingle Paradise residents has picked a favorite piece of artwork that no one would think we like. For each piece, there is a specific reason why we shouldn't like it (for example, if Sara only likes paintings portraying animals, hers might be a portrait. Conversely, if Mia generally detests Cubism, hers would be the one and only Cubist piece that she likes). In your comments, please say which piece you think each girl has chosen, as well as why you think she wouldn't like it.

Now, dear readers, feast your eyes (actually, in my opinion, only one is a "feast"):

Number One

Virgin and Child with Saint Anne, Leonardo Da Vinci

Number Two
Apparition of Face and a Fruit Dish on a Beach, Salvador Dali

Number Three
Apollo and Daphne, Gian Lorenzo Bernini

Number Four
American Gothic, Grant Wood

Like all good cowboys

Lefty goes to Ohio

(Just listen to it.)

And a quick clarification to Sara's post:

Matrilocal is a very different concept than matriarchal.

We're talking a matrilocal society with patriarchal rule.

Awesome concept, isn't it?

Makes for good dinnertime conversation anyway. Like when Sara tells Jess, "There isn't any butter in these mashed potatoes, thanks to a tip I got from Kara," and Jess goes, "What'd you do to them?" to which Sara explains how she used nonfat plain yogurt (mmm) in them instead. Jess then laments, "What am I going to do without Kara for these kitchen secrets," to which I reply, "You'll never have to find out, thanks to our wonderful commune in Ohio!"

Our Future as Communists

Among other things, Native American anthropology class has proven to be useful in exploring the concepts behind matrilocal societies. Kara and I have also learned more about cannibalism than we care to know, but that is far beyond the level of disgust permitted on this blog.


The matrilocal Huron Indians lived in longhouses which housed several families. When a woman married, her husband came to live with her and her extended family (including her mother, who was often not friendly...but that's another topic altogether.)

Interesting, you may say. But how does this pertain to me? It might not pertain to you. However, if you intend on visiting me in the future, say three to five and a half years from now, it might be useful since I intend to dwell in such a society (minus the unfriendly mother-in-law...in fact, devoid of any mothers-in-law at all.) Therefore understanding the structure of the commune that is to be the future home of Kara, Jessica and myself could be beneficial.


Basically, we would like to purchase a rather largish plot of land in the hills of southern Ohio with at least three farmhouses on it. (We found the idea of a longhouse to be a bit outdated.) This commune would also encompass some of the concepts of a homeschool co-op; however the level of involvement would be much more intense. Our children will receive a thorough education in art, English & literature and even mathematics.

Wait, you are saying. How did children enter the equation? Obviously, husbands must predate the children notion. This is where we return to the matrilocal idea. You have probably got the idea--southern Ohio is where we're living, and husband types are going to move to us rather than vice versa. If husbands are not immediately forthcoming, it is perfectly allowable to have a spinster turning her living room into an art studio and teaching the youngsters the craft of painting, or some such thing. It is also permissable to have an "Uncle Nathan" about the place to make sure children are not too well-behaved.

This arrangement is wonderful in every respect. Firstly, we shall all have the mutual support of each other in the raising of prodigies. Secondly, we shall never have to part ways which would produce so many tears I don't even want to think about it. Thirdly, and perhaps most importantly, we will effectively dodge the sticky situation of whether to move to some far-off land future husbands hail from (or wish they hailed from.) I foresee nothing but a rosy future in a happy commune surrounded by cornfields.

The telephone rings...

And I pick it up and say, "Hello this is Shingle Paradise."

A male voice on the other end hurridly says, "OhI'msorryImusthavethewrongnumber."

"No problem," I answer, as he hangs up.

Incidents like this make me wonder how many people actually understand Shingle Paradise is the name of our house and the collective name for four beautiful girls, rather than the name for a roofing retail outlet.

Perhaps the phone will ring again and we will know for sure. Or perhaps the guy is traumatized. Or perhaps he did indeed have the wrong number.

Books

So at around 8:45 this morning I walked into the kitchen in my pajamas after finishing my theater history readings for a quiz a couple hours later. Sara was sitting at the table eating breakfast, and I told her,

"I had an idea for updating our blog today."

Sara looked up and replied, "I did too. We could put up one of the books we're reading."

In moderate amazement, I answered, "No way. That's what I was coming in to tell you."

Sara shook her head and said something about how we think too much alike, and I said something about how we had way too much to do that we wouldn't be able to come up with anything requiring more thought or effort than telling everybody exactly why we are too busy to come up with anything more original or challenging. Hope you all get these 100% right.

PS If this doesn't make any sense, I'm putting more effort into listening to a recording of a dude reading "The Fall of the House of Usher" so I can get many things done at once.

Book Number One

Book Number Two

Book Number Three

Book Number Four