Fairly early in the new year I flew out to San Diego to see my friend Janis, and we toured quilt shops, restaurants and the Wild Animal park. Other trips included one to to Houston with my sweetie to go to listen to the Houston Symphony play Sibelius's 2nd under the direction of a Finnish Conductor. I also got to return to Seattle/Vancouver/Victoria. My sweetie went to Japan to visit his sister (who was there teaching English) and brought back lots of Moomin-related items for me.

I put all the finishing touches on my apartment. I got myself a few more nice pieces of furniture (a gift from my sweetie) and sanded, painted and installed some shelves on the wall in my living room to hold my collection of National Geographics, (given to me by my parents.) I'm still rather proud of the result.

It was also the beginnings of a genealogy itch for me when I found out that Finland's Military web site has a searchable database that lists all those who died in the Winter War of WWII. Sure enough, it listed my grandfather, complete with info I hadn't known until then: Rank, Unit, Unit code, place of birth, when and where he died. I compiled some info from my old baby book and had my mom go over some old photo albums to tell me who everyone was. (Discovered some grand-uncles I didn't know I had.) And I scanned in some old photos and print them out on dye-sublimation printer to make copies for framing in my apartment.

There was some sad news. I found out that one of my favorite authors in the world, Astrid Lindgren, creator of "Pippi Longstocking" died that January. She was 94. A friend of my sister, who appeared (along with my sister) in a show called Houston Medical, lost her battle with cancer.

I sold my dollhouse on eBay to a nice lady who collected and refurbishes those kits with her daughter. And I finally learned to knit! Though I didn't do much cross-stitch this part year, I did do some embroidery and learned how to tat. I also had several cooking successes, and learned a lot of new techniques.

Jeff and I completed the game Exile together in a couple of nights, hearkening back to when we first met and played Riven. I also told my parents that I was serious about Jeff. Later he met them for dinner for the first time. A date was set for the wedding.

There were feminist happenings. I saw the Vagina Monologues - and was glad I did. Nicely done, very energetic, poignant, exciting, sad, angry and hysterically funny at times. I also got to attend a lecture by the I also got to attend a lecture at UT by feminist legend Gloria Steinem.

I started my blog!

Oh, and the following was, without a doubt, THE most entertaining (and bizarre) email I got all year from some total stranger:

Date: Thu, 07 Mar 2002 01:09:21 -0500 From: xxxxxx Subject: You intrigue me

In responding to something by Zeeshan, I saw your website.

Rarely in a man, let alone in a woman, do I find the kind of energy and diversity...anomalousness...freedom of spirit and defiance of rules and established order as I do in you ( at least as is portrayed on teh web....I reserve judgment as to the actuality of your person and can only decide that should we meet and strongly interact one day)

I am Captain General Sadiq, Korsaan , descendant of Bosnians who migrated to AlMohad empire and fought for Islam in 1400's ( but you can use my western name- Mark)

I am an american rebel who seeks to establish and enhance the autonomy rights of all person abused and oppressed by ANY system, be it governmental, social or religious..just now graduating from Widener Law

I find the weakness of the Muslim people, the corruption of world governments, and the constant state of global hostility ALL converge at exacklt ONE point...and this is conformity.

Every time a people establish a law, or a sharia, or a custom..it INCLUDES the conforming members, and EXCLUDES the others.

For as long as there are " in groups" and outsiders, the world will be unstable.

As a human, the only thing I can do is force the world to look at me...angrily to be sure...and be as a pirate must....taking to me what I need, ignoring rules laws and customs as necessary, getting by accoring to Eastwood ethics, ie, " any which way I can"

The more I can succeed AS one of the outsiders, the more " thou shalt nots" I can manage to contravene and still stay alive and free, the more it may be someone will look up to me and think...if HE can do this, why cant I?"

For this cause I went into law..so as to be better protected from THEM...for being better able to resist, more educated, more skilled , more able to strike back...I find it causes them to leave me alone..and therein lies my problem and appeal to you.

I once had a like minded woman, my mate 18 years...lost to neurological disease. She sadly was infertile. US woman are for teh greatet part age bigots..they look at numbers, not teh man...and as a result I have many women, but no fertile mate to bear my son or daughter.

Perhaps when I earn money in law, I can travel to third and fourth world countreis, and utilize teh ocal desperation to secure a young fertile wife..but there is a deadly flaw in that plan

To take someone who has not had indoor plumbing, nor ever seen a computer keyboard and knows little or no english...and transform her into Red Sonai, Seven of Nine- Pirate Queen, my good right arm in battle against the infidels of secular humanism whom I hate ( and the feeling is mutual) who can teasingly dine with senators and other leaders and make inroads , twisting an arm here and luyring with 5" heels and black seamed stockings there, escaping into the mountains or the salt marshes when things get desperate and hiding is the only solution....THAT is no simple task...and unless she has those qualities I see in you inherent in her being, it is a hopeles task fraught with more dangers than those presented by my societal adversaries.

Of those few who are tough enough and strret smart, I found out too late loyalty becomes a prime issue..for such women, having come from adversty and learned of life the hard way are VERY unlikely to keep on the side of a mate when they can better serve their own needs..thus you have an ally one minute, and a police cooperator/informant the next, the better to secure a US visa!! Trust me - having won ONE great battle a decade ago arising out of that circusmatnce, I wont repeat that error..hence I wont fly off to Afganistan anytime soon seeking a fit fertile girl to take home. Nor Colombia!

I would be delighted tro know and meet you , but assuming that didnt happen, my more pressing issue to you is WHAT made you as you are ( I know, a very hard question..the aboriginal " WHO ( not what) are you"

For If I can ascertain how YOUR life formed, perhaps I would have a clue as to how to locate the type woman I seek. As Im sure you realize, its not as simple as putting up a personal ad..because the ad must REACH the right target audienece, and thats not easy to locate in itself. Thus I have put up ads, only to recognize they have been focused at empty space.

I do suspect the immense cultural differences...and the Finn in you, have made you what you are..and allow you to breeak the chains of social conformity as you do. You, like me, are the anomaly, and we like 4 leaf clovers are hard to find!

Whatever thought you have, whatever spare keys you possess, give to me...Ill try them out and see if any fit these locks

SQS

Sidra, bless her heart, wrote a brillant summary for this rather lengthy spiel:

Wow, a wife *recruiter*! This is great!

Please respond to my inquiry if you meet the following qualifications for the position "My Wife".

Job Description:

Act as good right arm in battle against infidels of secular humanism. Exchange witty, barbed repartee with senators and other leaders during diplomatic functions in the US and abroad. Conduct arm-twisting while wearing 5" heels and black seamed stockings. Transition from highest social mileiu to hidden mountain or salt marsh rebel bases on regular schedule. Multiple languages a plus. Frequent travel required.

Job Requirements:

1. Familiarity with computers and the Internet. Facility with programming languages not required.
2. Take the wing off a fly at 75 paces with an M16.
3. 2-3 years experience as a model -- runway or catalog.
4. Toastmaster membership or other public speaking experience.
5. Fertility.
6. Bachelor's or graduate degree, or equivalent work experience.

Marshland survival and marketing techniques a plus!

What a year!

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