Fifty Flutters

VonDutch

2010-08-09T09:55:00.001-07:00

It's been a while! Glad to have a small coincidence to report. I was watching Cars and working on designs for a client. Looking up fonts, "VonDutch" came up (a new font I've never seen), just before Ramone (the low-rider on Cars) lifted up his bumper and said, "VonDutch!"

Wonderland

2010-06-20T21:19:00.001-07:00

I just finished watching the new Alice in Wonderland with the family (and talking about how much I enjoy the White Queen as a character). I hopped over to my friend Melanie's blog to see that she is reading a book called The White Queen!

Roy

2010-06-20T21:01:00.000-07:00

I was listening to the end of "A Walk in the Woods." And while the author was speaking about the Poconos, I was reminded of the Office episode when Pam and Roy take a trip to the Poconos. I was replaying that episode in my head as I pulled in to the Post Office parking lot. As I got out of my car I looked over to see David Denman—the actor who plays Roy on the Office!! Sitting in his Saab. In the Burbank Post Office parking lot. His door was open, and he was sitting there reviewing his receipt. I contemplated saying something. Then realized that cluing him in on my weird incidence of coincidence might be a little TOO much. :)

Tiffany

2010-03-23T23:26:00.000-07:00

I was JUST typing a comment on Tiff's blog, when her photo came up on the TV (in the looping Apple TV "screen saver" of Wes's photographs).

Captain Jack Sparrow

2010-03-23T23:15:00.000-07:00

Finn's been really into the Pirates of the Caribbean movies (and he watches parts of Jurassic Park, too...so sue me). Anyhoo, the most recent episode of The Office came on the day after we started this whole new Pirates obsession. In the opening scene of "New Leads" Michael claims he saw Johnny Dep in his condo complex, and then does a Jack Sparrow impression. See it HERE.

First and Last

2010-01-04T18:42:00.000-08:00

On the first day of our trip:

On our way to Wes's parents house after arriving in Mesa, we happened to see Tiffany in the highway, RIGHT next to us! Wes said, "If I see a gold Passat wagon with a dented fender, it's either you or Tiffany!" It was Tiffany, alright! I hung my head out the window on the highway and waved, while my hair whipped my face. She followed us home and we had a great visit.

On the last day of our trip:

Tiffany brought a bunch of movies over to choose from on our last night in Mesa. We chose "The Knowing," but Wes wanted to watch "Push." We first turned on "The Knowing," and there was a preview for "Push." Wes said, "It's a sign that we need to watch "Push!" So we put "Push" on instead. And as soon as we put "Push" in, Wes said "Wouldn't it be funny if there was a trailer for "The Knowing?!" And 2 seconds later a trailer for "The Knowing" came on! It was awesome.

Eye Spy

2009-11-26T00:28:00.001-08:00

Watching a clip from The Brothers Bloom, one of them uses a monocular, or spy glass. Then Wes turned on the Star Trek movie right after that clip, and it is made by Spyglass Entertainment. This is the logo:
I also had CRAZY deja vu during Star Trek while ironing. I haven't had deja vu in way too long. Welcome back. Please come again soon!

New Moon

2009-11-24T01:20:00.000-08:00

I saw New Moon today! I loved it. We'll leave it at that. But those books, and now movies, always have a way of bringing out a coincidence or two. Today it was two. I've been reading the second book in Libba Bray's series, A Great and Terrible Beauty. And I just finished the second book, Rebel Angels. She talks about anagrams in the most recent book (letters in a name rearranged to spell another phrase or word). It's a central theme to the second book. And I was remembering when Wes and I did that with our names. I finally had to use my maiden name, Lyndsay Beauchamp, to get something coherent. "A Malady By Punches." Kinda cool! Like a book or poem title. And last night I was wondering where that little sticky note had disappeared to. I knew that I had saved it...

Fast forward to today. I walk into the theater to see New Moon. There is a song playing in the lobby: Cape Cod Kwassa Kwassa by Vampire Weekend. My sister-in-law has made me mix CDs that correlate to each book in the Twilight Saga. And for Eclipse, she put that song on the CD (there's an explanation as to why that isn't important). I just thought it was really interesting that I heard that song in line buying popcorn on my way to see Twilight.

Back to the anagram. When I got back home, I wanted to look up a reference in New Moon and Eclipse. As I opened the cover of New Moon, there was the sticky note with "A Malady By Punches" written in my handwriting.

And there you have it.

This Year's Theme: The Hedge Maze

2009-11-14T23:12:00.000-08:00

Last year it was The Peacock. It was the recurring coincidence all year. This year it seems to be the Hedge Maze. It started with Calder Game, continued with the book Criss Cross, and then today at Descanso Gardens, there was a little mini hedge maze for the kids. There was one other hedge maze encounter, but I can't quite remember. I'll have to come back for a post edit when I put my finger on it.

Alouette

2009-11-12T22:07:00.000-08:00

Today I was singing "Alouette" to Maya. She usually cries when I sing the tune. (See HERE.) But today I thought I would try it with the "Alouette" lyrics. She loved it. :) And then Finn and I were watching Sesame Street tonight, and all the animals started singing "Alouette!"

Whistler

2009-11-05T10:10:00.000-08:00

Last night I was watching John Meyer performing in "Where the Light Is." He was whistling. He was GOOD. I tried it. No luck. But while John was whistling, and I was attempting a decent whistle, the dinosaur in Finn's dino game on my iPod started whistling! Such a funny little moment of 3 whistlers.

Calder Game

2009-10-30T23:04:00.000-07:00

(click photo to read more about the book)

Whenever I am lacking coincidence in my life, I turn to the series of books by Blue Balliet. Then I start seeing connections. It helps me to feel the universe at work around me. This time it was Calder Game. And since usually I am so all-consumed by everything that is Finn and Maya, I hardly ever have a quiet moment to contemplate anything other than diaper cream and my grocery list.

Last week I got the idea in my mind to create a new mobile for Maya, since she's tiring of the little Ikea fishes. And as soon as I opened the new book in Blue Balliet's series, I immediately noticed that the entire book revolves around the artist Alexander Calder and his famous mobiles (pardon the pun). The book opens with this quote by Calder: "I make what I see. It's only the problem of seeing it." One thing that hit home was the line, "When do you stop being from 'away' and start being from 'here'?" I think that is an interesting question, and one that I have been pondering since my move to California. No answers to that yet. The univers, busy at work, hasn't quite revealed it.

Then last Sunday after reading a chapter in Calder Game, I put in the movie, The Queen (with Helen Mirren). The first thing to come on the screen was the Pathé logo (the French film company associated with the film). The logo (chicken, text, and exclaimation) was suspended and revolving—a mobile! I couldn't believe it.

TV Time

2009-10-25T11:18:00.001-07:00

Watching The Office and 30 Rock this week, they BOTH mentioned volunteering at the local animal shelter and having to put the animals down. :(

Penmanship

2009-10-19T23:00:00.000-07:00

I watched Pride and Prejudice yesterday, and thought that I would love to write more letters. Then today I received a well-penned letter from Tiffany.

Cordon Bleu

2009-09-24T23:39:00.001-07:00

I went to see Julie and Julia. And of course Julia Child studied at the French culinary school, Cordon Bleu. The very next night I was watching Delicatessen with Wes, and the main female character uses code words to send information to an underground regime. And it was all "foodie lingo" including, "Attention Cordon Bleu!"

The name game

2009-09-17T14:03:00.001-07:00

Yesterday Wes sent me a text (what's the official past tense for text, anyway?) with a name option for our future, potential son. We then didn't talk all day (busy schedules). So last night as I was feeding Wes a late dinner (since he's in class until 7 or later these days), I was pondering the name silently in my head. And as if Wes was carrying on my internal conversation he said, "You know, we could go with the name __________ if you really want to...." I had to stop for a second and ask if I had said anything out loud. Nope. We like to share the same brain waves. :)

Howdy, Neighbor

2009-09-14T22:55:00.000-07:00

I was visited by 4 neighbors today! I NEVER have neighbors come by. It was funny that all 4 decided to come by on the same day.

Poste Haste

2009-09-10T17:47:00.001-07:00

I am waiting for a package from Boden. I am desperate for it. There are seal-colored patent-leather peep-toe wedges in it! So I was really being dramatic and pouting on the couch about how I want my package RIGHT NOW, and I threw my head back on the couch and looked sideways out the window. The second I did, a UPS truck whirred past my window! Alas, it was not for me. That would have made this post even better, but I guess Boden's just not meant to be today. But the little coincidental taunt was. :)

Eight Days a Week

2009-09-08T08:43:00.000-07:00

I was just reading someone's Facebook status saying that The Beatles are the best band ever. And Wes walked in singing "Eight Days a Week" at the same time.

State of Play

2009-09-04T20:24:00.000-07:00

Yesterday I spontaneously started humming Peter and the Wolf as I was loading the kids into the car. I even had a feeling I would have a coincdence related specifically to Peter and the Wolf at some point. I half expected to turn on the radio and find it playing on the classical station. The coincidence came, but not until later. Last night Wes and I were watching State of Play. In one scene Russell Crowe's character visits a congressman at an event. It's a formal, family affair. And there was live entertainment for the children. Guess which play was being performed in the background? Peter and the Wolf, with the tune I was humming earlier in the day playing in the background.

A "creative" moment

2009-09-02T22:39:00.000-07:00

I started reading the Old Testament a couple of nights ago because I was wanting to re-read Exodus (after watching the cartoon, The Prince of Egypt, with Finn). I figured I might as well just start at the beginning. I have been pondering the creation verses, especially since in the LDS Temple there is a more in-depth account of the creation. But anyhoo, tonight Tiffany called me to tell me about her interesting post on her blog about the Sistine Chapel. And, well, it's just too long to recount everything here. But the link to her post is here:
http://rattlethecages.blogspot.com/2009/09/secrets-of-sistine.html

And I find it rather coincidental that she happened to post about this at the same time I've been thinking about this very thing! And her post is really intersting and thought-provoking.

5:53

2009-08-24T19:55:00.001-07:00

Wes got home and looked at the clock right at 5:53.

$.53

2009-08-17T23:28:00.000-07:00

Wes's favorite number is 53. For lots of reasons I won't go in to. I'll leave that for HIS blog. Tonight at the book store I bought Keel's Simple Diary. I am awful at keeping a written journal. This one is a wonderful easy "snippet" kind of a thing. So I snatched up a cheery green one from Taschen. I walked to the counter thinking, "but I just started the coincidence blog...am I really going to find time for another journal-type outlet?" I paid. My change was $.53.

Jenny Babch goes coincidental

2009-08-17T23:25:00.000-07:00

About a day after I actually posted the link to this blog in my sidebar, Jenny Babich e-mailed me. She said, "Only you would appreciate this," and proceeded to tell me an involved, multi-layered, and overlapping coincidence. It was great. I asked her if she sent that because she noticed my new coincidence blog. Nope! She just sent it out of the blue. She has never sent me anything like that mefore. It's not a normal transaction of ours. And she didn't even KNOW that I had decided to re-devote myself to my coincidences and the recordings thereof. :)

And to add to the post below...

2009-08-12T16:56:00.000-07:00

As I was reading Emily Chamberlain's blog, she sent me a text asking if she could stop by right then. As in like 3 minutes. And that is not a regular occurrence.

The "Coincidental Chamberlain Chronicles" begin...

2009-08-11T16:57:00.000-07:00

It was a week before the move to Burbank. I opened my e-mail to find this e-mail with the subject "Fellow Burbank Dweller:"

Hi there! My name is Emily Chamberlain and I just read on one of your blogs while blog surfing that your are moving to Burbank while your husband attends AFI for Cinematography. My husband is a Cinematographer (graduated from AFI in 2002) and we live in Burbank with 3 kids. The house in your photos seriously looks like it could be around the corner from us, so I thought I'd just check to see if you need any information about Burbank, AFI, or LA in general.

Also, I feel like I found your blog through LDS links so if you happen to be a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, you could be in my ward. If not, I can always tell you about the best parks, doctors, or shops in town.

Anyway, I hope this email doesn't come off weird. There were just so many similarities I had to send a little note. Let me know if I can help in anyway.

Emily Chamberlain
Mom of Sophie-12, Owen-7 and Penny 15 mos

Here is where is gets even more interesting:
• Emily happened to find Banners By Lyndsay the same day I was contemplating taking the Burbank disclaimer off of the site's main page. But I thought I should leave it up a little longer, "just in case."
• Wes had already spoken briefly to her husband, Doug, about AFI before applying. So he knew exactly who he was.
• We just so happened to be in Burbank First Ward with them.
• When Doug was helping us move in he was talking with my parents. We found out that he grew up in San Antonio and knew the Dyer sisters! (My dad is from San Antonio, we lived there for 4 years, and the Dyers are some of our oldest and best family friends.)
• They JUST sold their VW Passat station wagon to get a new minivan.
• Penny and Maya's b-days are 1 day apart.
• Not to mention they share an extremely similar aesthetic and affinity for modernist decor...

Start it off right

2009-08-09T12:44:00.000-07:00

I have always noticed coincidence. But one of the most memorable and significant coincidences for me was when Wes and I were first dating. We were serious enough to know that we were getting married (but I knew that after Date Number One). And we were meeting up at Eddie and Kimmy's condo. Maggie was probably only 3 at the time. It was that magical, intense time in a relationship when it's still new, but you know you are in THE relationship. It only happens once. We were really into Promise Ring's latest (and sadly, last) album, Wood Water. It was "our" album at the time. I still am transported back to Rochester in the Spring, and acts of loving gestures, and fuzzy feelings in my stomach when I listen to it. We had been traveling that day around Mesa, AZ, visiting and meeting Wes's family (you know, the introduction of, well, me). We hadn't necessarily been listening to music, or singing, or anything like that. But as we walked into the condo and waited in the doorway for Kimmy and Maggie, we both sang, out of nowhere, at the exact same time, "I'll be taking your number home, yeah!" It's a line from "Stop Playing Guitar Now," a song from the Wood Water album. It wasn't stuck in my head. It wasn't even my favorite song, or most important on the album. Just a catchy tune. But nonetheless, we both quoted it at the exact same moment. We stared and beamed at each other in astonishment. Eddie wasn't phased—he was maybe even a little annoyed by our sappy "moment." But it was very significant to me! It still makes my heart flutter.

*****
In fact I just had a coincidence as was working on this post! Weird. Promise Ring has since disbanded. Their lead singer in involved in a new band, Maritime. Wonderful music! One of their songs is called The Guns of Navarone. I sing along, although I never know what that line means. In looking for a free playlist program to post "Stop Playing Guitar Now" in this post, I came across a website that says they offer playlists for Blogger. And the image of a sample playlist is on the homepage. A photo of what I saw is below. I don't know this band, the Skatalites, but apparently the lead singer of Promise Ring and Maritime does...

Now, to hear the 2 songs, click below. I couldn't find a full-length version of Stop Playing Guitar Now. Promise Ring hasn't approved it for sharing off of the site I visited. But you can click the link below the playlist to hear the whole song. Or better yet, buy it on iTunes! The whole Wood Water album is great.

Incidence Of Coincidence Playlist