(Apologies to those who do not watch American Idol.)
She is gone!
I refer, of course, to Kristy Lee Cook, that annoying pseudo-singer who stayed much too long on American Idol. Cheater Girl - girl who sang the same song twice in auditions. Sang it once, sang something else and did not get sent through immediately, so she went back to the first song "because it worked for me." That should have been a clue - if you can only sing one song well, then you aren't that talented.
But we're rid of her now. Yessss. I would be equally happy, at this point, to say goodbye to Brooke (boring) and David Archuleta (annoying kid who looks like he's 14, and every week has that gosh-shucks-golly look on his face). I like David Cook and Jason, but that's just me.
I laugh when I read some comments about who goes and who stays. Bottom line, it is a popularity contest. It is called American Idol, not America's Best Singer. It is all about personality, looks, sex appeal, and charisma. How they handle the stage is part of the deal. Doesn't matter if you can sing if you can't perform.
And apparently, it's all about how you appeal to little girls, those between 11 and 15. They're doing the voting.
I also squeezed in part of the debate last night, but it's getting old. Those two have been in 25 debates - there is not that much left to say.
Much to do today - later!
Thursday, April 17, 2008
Wednesday, April 16, 2008
Changes
Heard a news story yesterday that says Katie Couric is leaving CBS - the Wall Street Journal report may, in fact, be true.
Network execs are not happy that she has "performed" better, citing her $15 million annual salary.
But really, what did they expect? For her to perform miracles?
I'm not a big fan of Couric; after her years on morning television, I did not think she had the gravitas to do the evening news. On Today and in other interview programs, I heard her ask some of the stupidest questions ever. CBS hoped she would pull over a younger demographic, but the fact is, evening news has changed over the years. Today I heard a report about these broadcasts - they are down 20-30 million viewers over the last two decades. But let's face it - we live in a different world than we did in 1980 or 1990. By the time you get home at 6.30, you already know the name of Eliot Spitzer's "friend"; you've heard about the plane crash or the stock market. Thanks to the Internet, no one has to wait for anything.
I think it was a lot to place on one person's shoulders. She'll get the blame - and at $15 million a year, she deserves some - but you can blame the changing times on one person.
*****
Believe it or not, I do not like to complain. I do it here - it's my blog - but in person, I don't care for it. I avoid confrontation - it's not worth it to me. But as I sat at Sylvia's soccer game, I was seething.
It's a rec league, meaning all kids should play the same amount. (If this were a competitive league, this would all be different.) But the other night, the play was decidedly uneven. Not just my child - there were a couple of other girls who barely played.
The coach is a high school student. At the beginning of the season, several parents complained that she was not taking it seriously enough - she was on the sidelines giving the girls piggy-back rides. Monday night, the game was against a team her friend coaches - a good-natured rivalry, but a rivalry, none the less.
During most of the game, I sat quietly. But toward the end, I was annoyed. So, egged on by Kerin (she is a baaaad influence on me), I finally decided to say something. (Kerin has had her own issues with the team this year, but rightly so - thus she was thrilled to send me over to say something.)
Which I did. The coach immediately apologized - in a glib way - which led me to believe she knew exactly what she was doing. She became very defensive, saying that with four subs it's hard to get all the girls in to play (not true); she said it's tough to keep track of who has played. Let me tell you, I've been watching kids' soccer since 1996. It is not tough to know who has played; it is not tough to keep track. And it's your job - learn how to do it, and do it right.
I sound mean, but if I don't advocate for my children, then who will? Maybe she'll think twice before letting a few kids monopolize the field next time.
As for me, I'm worn out for the entire week after that. Sigh.
Network execs are not happy that she has "performed" better, citing her $15 million annual salary.
But really, what did they expect? For her to perform miracles?
I'm not a big fan of Couric; after her years on morning television, I did not think she had the gravitas to do the evening news. On Today and in other interview programs, I heard her ask some of the stupidest questions ever. CBS hoped she would pull over a younger demographic, but the fact is, evening news has changed over the years. Today I heard a report about these broadcasts - they are down 20-30 million viewers over the last two decades. But let's face it - we live in a different world than we did in 1980 or 1990. By the time you get home at 6.30, you already know the name of Eliot Spitzer's "friend"; you've heard about the plane crash or the stock market. Thanks to the Internet, no one has to wait for anything.
I think it was a lot to place on one person's shoulders. She'll get the blame - and at $15 million a year, she deserves some - but you can blame the changing times on one person.
*****
Believe it or not, I do not like to complain. I do it here - it's my blog - but in person, I don't care for it. I avoid confrontation - it's not worth it to me. But as I sat at Sylvia's soccer game, I was seething.
It's a rec league, meaning all kids should play the same amount. (If this were a competitive league, this would all be different.) But the other night, the play was decidedly uneven. Not just my child - there were a couple of other girls who barely played.
The coach is a high school student. At the beginning of the season, several parents complained that she was not taking it seriously enough - she was on the sidelines giving the girls piggy-back rides. Monday night, the game was against a team her friend coaches - a good-natured rivalry, but a rivalry, none the less.
During most of the game, I sat quietly. But toward the end, I was annoyed. So, egged on by Kerin (she is a baaaad influence on me), I finally decided to say something. (Kerin has had her own issues with the team this year, but rightly so - thus she was thrilled to send me over to say something.)
Which I did. The coach immediately apologized - in a glib way - which led me to believe she knew exactly what she was doing. She became very defensive, saying that with four subs it's hard to get all the girls in to play (not true); she said it's tough to keep track of who has played. Let me tell you, I've been watching kids' soccer since 1996. It is not tough to know who has played; it is not tough to keep track. And it's your job - learn how to do it, and do it right.
I sound mean, but if I don't advocate for my children, then who will? Maybe she'll think twice before letting a few kids monopolize the field next time.
As for me, I'm worn out for the entire week after that. Sigh.
Tuesday, April 15, 2008
Break time!
I am in a cleaning frenzy ... today I tackled my bedroom closet. I got rid of six or eight pairs of shoes. They are shoes that never deserve to see the light of day ever again, yet, for some unexplained reason, I am sad to see a couple of them go. They were, at one time, very chic.
Mostly, ridding my closet of the offending boxes made room for the shoes I've purchased over the last couple of weeks. What is it with women that makes us think we need in the neighhorhood of ... well, I'm not going to get into actual numbers, but I'm sure some of you (Tammy) know what I'm talking about.
And it's silly, really, how many pair I wear day to day. But should I need shoes to go with any black outfit - dressy, casual, summer, winter - I am ready. Trust me.
*****
I have also worked in Sylvia's room today. I decided to bit the bullet and get rid of all the clothes she does not like (even if I do) and all the stuff of her sisters' that I'm thinking she might grow into. It's gone - filling the hallway, at this moment. I have to go through the other girls' rooms before the trip to Goodwill or freecycle.
*****
Took Sylvia shopping over the weekend. We passed some store in the mall, a men's store. She asked what it was, glanced in, and said, "I think the clothes there are a bit more sophisticated than Abercrombie."
What a kid ....
*****
American Idol tonight. GET RID OF KRISTY LEE. Please. We were sad to see Michael Johns go - he's not great, but he's better than the chick from Idaho. Be gone!
Johns sang "Dream On" by Aerosmith for the week of "inspirational" songs. Odd choice. It came on in the car the other day, and I asked Gary if the song inspired him. Yea, he said. To take a bong hit.
And on that note ... Sylvia's closet awaits ...
Mostly, ridding my closet of the offending boxes made room for the shoes I've purchased over the last couple of weeks. What is it with women that makes us think we need in the neighhorhood of ... well, I'm not going to get into actual numbers, but I'm sure some of you (Tammy) know what I'm talking about.
And it's silly, really, how many pair I wear day to day. But should I need shoes to go with any black outfit - dressy, casual, summer, winter - I am ready. Trust me.
*****
I have also worked in Sylvia's room today. I decided to bit the bullet and get rid of all the clothes she does not like (even if I do) and all the stuff of her sisters' that I'm thinking she might grow into. It's gone - filling the hallway, at this moment. I have to go through the other girls' rooms before the trip to Goodwill or freecycle.
*****
Took Sylvia shopping over the weekend. We passed some store in the mall, a men's store. She asked what it was, glanced in, and said, "I think the clothes there are a bit more sophisticated than Abercrombie."
What a kid ....
*****
American Idol tonight. GET RID OF KRISTY LEE. Please. We were sad to see Michael Johns go - he's not great, but he's better than the chick from Idaho. Be gone!
Johns sang "Dream On" by Aerosmith for the week of "inspirational" songs. Odd choice. It came on in the car the other day, and I asked Gary if the song inspired him. Yea, he said. To take a bong hit.
And on that note ... Sylvia's closet awaits ...
Sunday, April 13, 2008
This, that, and the other
Sylvia won her soccer game yesterday. Yay!
It was of critical importance that her team win. Because the parents on the other team were .... I'll be nice. They were less than pleasant.
Apparently, they did not like where our team's parents had set up our lawn chairs. So, the first words out of their mouths were that we needed to move, because "this is the way they always did things."
Small stuff, I know. It set the mood for the game.
But our girls won. It all evens out in the end, huh?
*****
My friend Tammy e-mailed me - she was speaking at the retirement of our high school Home Ec teacher and wondered if I had any funny anecdotes.
(Does Home Ec even exist anymore? Alison had FACS - Family and Consumer Science. No idea what other schools call it.)
My first thought was, "None that is appropriate." Then I thought harder and remembered:
- Naming the sewing machines in 8th grade (Bernice the Bernina, LaWanda)
- Marcy Bothwell finishing a dress on dress-up day, and Mrs. Pearl telling her she would get an A if she wore if for the rest of the day. She wore it - I assume she got the A.
- Reading a found copy of The Hite Report (we were totally intrigued).
- Robert Burk pulled out one of those latch-hook rugs when we had a unit where we had to be working on something. Anything. He said his older brother had worked on it, and he was pretty sure both of his younger brothers would work on it as well. It had Snoopy and Woodstock on a light blue background. Wonder if anyone every finished it.
- Making aprons - all the guys bought camouflage fabric.
- Discussing contraception - the look on Skip McCaulley's face ...
- The same Skip McCaulley asking a guest speaker with a small baby - with plenty of hmms and pauses - about whether or not you could have intercourse during pregnancy. A totally legitimate question, and he had trouble getting it out. Her response was yes, "but you can't be bouncing off the ceiling or anything." You can imagine the class's reaction.
- A discussion on why people get married. Several people gave reasons: Finances, want to have children, society expects it, etc. Then Gina Naylor says, with a defiant tone in her voice, "They just might happen to be in love." Cue lots of laughter.
I forgot to mention Coach Mullins supervising our class one day when Mrs. Pearl was gone. He passed the time by breaking into the kitchen's stash of frozen french fries (stored in the Home Ec room's freezers) and eating fries all morning. That was a worthwhile day, for sure.
Wonder if any of that made it into the retirement talk.
*****
Attended a retirement dinner with Gary Friday night, for one of his colleagues. Whom I had met but did not really know. The dinner was casual, at a golf course. The food was marginal (buffet with chicken, corn on the cob, potato salad, cookies for dessert). The 35 engineers in the room could not get the power point up and running. People in his office clearly do not moonlight by attending Toastmasters.
My neighbor (he works with Gary) could not get a sitter and didn't go. Didn't miss much.
*****
Yesterday Sylvia and I got to do a little shopping together - the other girls made better plans, so she and I got to spend the afternoon together.
For me, it was about the shoe sale at Macy's. I got three fantastic pair for less than $100, in pink, black (very dressy - event coming soon), and coppery-colored sandals.
For Sylvia, it was about new spring clothes. I asked her where she wanted to shop, and she chose Old Navy. (I would never have gotten off so cheaply with the other girls - we would have had to hit someplace much more high-end.)
Sylvia and I had a wonderful time. She was very patient while I tried on shoes (though she loves trying on all the high heels) and was totally delightful. I loved watching her try on clothes.
Such a nice day. She's a great kid.
*****
And last night, Gary and I got to go out to dinner and to the movies - this is what happens when your kids are old enough to make their own plans every weekend. We went to the Cajun place for dinner (coconut shrimp and sweet potato fries, seafood crepes and jambalaya - mmmm).
Then we drove down to River Oaks to see Snow Angels. I love River Oaks - it is our "art house" theater, and they always, always have the movies I want to see - generally as soon as they come out. It's in a charming little Art Deco-esque shopping mall (part of which was recently demolished, much to the chagrin - no, outrage - of historic preservationists - sigh), an actual movie theatre that has been refashioned into three small cinemas (the balcony is now its own screening area) and a little bar area. We love to go there.
The movie was good - heavy emotional fodder, very reminiscent of films like The Ice Storm. Good performances. We are still anxious to see Under the Same Moon and The Counterfeiters; with our kids' schedules, we likely will.
Rocky Horror was the midnight movie. As we were walking out the crowd was gathering, and I was disappointed to see average looking folks. But once outside the door, the characters were there in full force. Thank goodness - they (meaning my daughter) may call me old and frumpy-ish, but back in my day, no one, and I mean no one, worth his or her salt would have appeared at Rocky Horror in anything less than some sort of get-up. Maybe we weren't all Mageneta, but we dressed up - I, at least, made an effort to look trendy and avant garde.
Take that! youth of today.
It was of critical importance that her team win. Because the parents on the other team were .... I'll be nice. They were less than pleasant.
Apparently, they did not like where our team's parents had set up our lawn chairs. So, the first words out of their mouths were that we needed to move, because "this is the way they always did things."
Small stuff, I know. It set the mood for the game.
But our girls won. It all evens out in the end, huh?
*****
My friend Tammy e-mailed me - she was speaking at the retirement of our high school Home Ec teacher and wondered if I had any funny anecdotes.
(Does Home Ec even exist anymore? Alison had FACS - Family and Consumer Science. No idea what other schools call it.)
My first thought was, "None that is appropriate." Then I thought harder and remembered:
- Naming the sewing machines in 8th grade (Bernice the Bernina, LaWanda)
- Marcy Bothwell finishing a dress on dress-up day, and Mrs. Pearl telling her she would get an A if she wore if for the rest of the day. She wore it - I assume she got the A.
- Reading a found copy of The Hite Report (we were totally intrigued).
- Robert Burk pulled out one of those latch-hook rugs when we had a unit where we had to be working on something. Anything. He said his older brother had worked on it, and he was pretty sure both of his younger brothers would work on it as well. It had Snoopy and Woodstock on a light blue background. Wonder if anyone every finished it.
- Making aprons - all the guys bought camouflage fabric.
- Discussing contraception - the look on Skip McCaulley's face ...
- The same Skip McCaulley asking a guest speaker with a small baby - with plenty of hmms and pauses - about whether or not you could have intercourse during pregnancy. A totally legitimate question, and he had trouble getting it out. Her response was yes, "but you can't be bouncing off the ceiling or anything." You can imagine the class's reaction.
- A discussion on why people get married. Several people gave reasons: Finances, want to have children, society expects it, etc. Then Gina Naylor says, with a defiant tone in her voice, "They just might happen to be in love." Cue lots of laughter.
I forgot to mention Coach Mullins supervising our class one day when Mrs. Pearl was gone. He passed the time by breaking into the kitchen's stash of frozen french fries (stored in the Home Ec room's freezers) and eating fries all morning. That was a worthwhile day, for sure.
Wonder if any of that made it into the retirement talk.
*****
Attended a retirement dinner with Gary Friday night, for one of his colleagues. Whom I had met but did not really know. The dinner was casual, at a golf course. The food was marginal (buffet with chicken, corn on the cob, potato salad, cookies for dessert). The 35 engineers in the room could not get the power point up and running. People in his office clearly do not moonlight by attending Toastmasters.
My neighbor (he works with Gary) could not get a sitter and didn't go. Didn't miss much.
*****
Yesterday Sylvia and I got to do a little shopping together - the other girls made better plans, so she and I got to spend the afternoon together.
For me, it was about the shoe sale at Macy's. I got three fantastic pair for less than $100, in pink, black (very dressy - event coming soon), and coppery-colored sandals.
For Sylvia, it was about new spring clothes. I asked her where she wanted to shop, and she chose Old Navy. (I would never have gotten off so cheaply with the other girls - we would have had to hit someplace much more high-end.)
Sylvia and I had a wonderful time. She was very patient while I tried on shoes (though she loves trying on all the high heels) and was totally delightful. I loved watching her try on clothes.
Such a nice day. She's a great kid.
*****
And last night, Gary and I got to go out to dinner and to the movies - this is what happens when your kids are old enough to make their own plans every weekend. We went to the Cajun place for dinner (coconut shrimp and sweet potato fries, seafood crepes and jambalaya - mmmm).
Then we drove down to River Oaks to see Snow Angels. I love River Oaks - it is our "art house" theater, and they always, always have the movies I want to see - generally as soon as they come out. It's in a charming little Art Deco-esque shopping mall (part of which was recently demolished, much to the chagrin - no, outrage - of historic preservationists - sigh), an actual movie theatre that has been refashioned into three small cinemas (the balcony is now its own screening area) and a little bar area. We love to go there.
The movie was good - heavy emotional fodder, very reminiscent of films like The Ice Storm. Good performances. We are still anxious to see Under the Same Moon and The Counterfeiters; with our kids' schedules, we likely will.
Rocky Horror was the midnight movie. As we were walking out the crowd was gathering, and I was disappointed to see average looking folks. But once outside the door, the characters were there in full force. Thank goodness - they (meaning my daughter) may call me old and frumpy-ish, but back in my day, no one, and I mean no one, worth his or her salt would have appeared at Rocky Horror in anything less than some sort of get-up. Maybe we weren't all Mageneta, but we dressed up - I, at least, made an effort to look trendy and avant garde.
Take that! youth of today.
Wednesday, April 09, 2008
So much to say ....
I read a report today that Katie Couric will leave CBS much earlier than when her contract expires in 2011. While neither she nor CBS would flatly refute the claims in the Wall Street Journal, both downplayed the report.
I would not be terribly surprised if it were true. The ratings are not good. And, to be honest, she bugs me. I was never a big fan of hers on the Today Show, and I am not a big fan now. I watch CBS because I've been watching it my whole life. But you have to remember that Walter Cronkite was the anchor when I was growing up. Now, 25 years later, not sure what my excuse is.
And Kathie Lee Gifford is back on TV, on Today. Good grief - as if anyone wants her back on the air. Tom Shales of the Washington Post said she is a bit tough to stomach: "Maybe it's her assumption that her life is every bit as important to us as it is to her. But that would be categorically impossible."
I have a bunch of stuff I could - and will - share. But right now I want to go and curl up with my book. I spent 90 minutes on the phone this evening with one of my favorite friends; I spent Monday afternoon on the phone with another dear friend. Met a friend for lunch today. I need to do something productive ...
I would not be terribly surprised if it were true. The ratings are not good. And, to be honest, she bugs me. I was never a big fan of hers on the Today Show, and I am not a big fan now. I watch CBS because I've been watching it my whole life. But you have to remember that Walter Cronkite was the anchor when I was growing up. Now, 25 years later, not sure what my excuse is.
And Kathie Lee Gifford is back on TV, on Today. Good grief - as if anyone wants her back on the air. Tom Shales of the Washington Post said she is a bit tough to stomach: "Maybe it's her assumption that her life is every bit as important to us as it is to her. But that would be categorically impossible."
I have a bunch of stuff I could - and will - share. But right now I want to go and curl up with my book. I spent 90 minutes on the phone this evening with one of my favorite friends; I spent Monday afternoon on the phone with another dear friend. Met a friend for lunch today. I need to do something productive ...
Tuesday, April 08, 2008
Grouchy
I am in a bad mood today. Not sure why - just am.
Gary threw out a plant that Sylvia had brought home from school. She is crushed. To be fair, she should have put it somewhere where it would not confused with trash. But that husband of mine equates effort with results - the means justify the ends. I know he thinks he is helping when he tidies up ... but he isn't. And today, I'm really not about A for effort.
I remembered to take middle child to her flute lesson; I remembered that the eldest had to babysit at 6.15. But I forgot that the youngest had Brownies at 6.30. Poor Sylvia.
I hate that. I hate forgetting. I am constantly forgetting orthodontist appointments, to mail bills, birthdays.
I can remember what I wore last Tuesday; I can remember what I wore on the first day of school every day for 16 years. I can remember who sang what in which order tonight on American Idol. But I cannot remember to take my child to the orthodontist.
That's my day.
But speaking of American Idol ... they were all b-o-r-i-n-g tonight. Paula was about to fall out of that dress - it made me uncomfortable just to look at her. And I had a hard time getting into the "inspirational" song choices. It's not that kind of day for me.
Please, please, please, vote off Kristy Lee. Along with, oh, EVERYTHING, she is really bugging me.
I hope it's just a blip - I actually had a very productive day today, getting lots of stuff done.
I think I need to go to sleep. After Stephen Colbert - then I'll feel better.
Gary threw out a plant that Sylvia had brought home from school. She is crushed. To be fair, she should have put it somewhere where it would not confused with trash. But that husband of mine equates effort with results - the means justify the ends. I know he thinks he is helping when he tidies up ... but he isn't. And today, I'm really not about A for effort.
I remembered to take middle child to her flute lesson; I remembered that the eldest had to babysit at 6.15. But I forgot that the youngest had Brownies at 6.30. Poor Sylvia.
I hate that. I hate forgetting. I am constantly forgetting orthodontist appointments, to mail bills, birthdays.
I can remember what I wore last Tuesday; I can remember what I wore on the first day of school every day for 16 years. I can remember who sang what in which order tonight on American Idol. But I cannot remember to take my child to the orthodontist.
That's my day.
But speaking of American Idol ... they were all b-o-r-i-n-g tonight. Paula was about to fall out of that dress - it made me uncomfortable just to look at her. And I had a hard time getting into the "inspirational" song choices. It's not that kind of day for me.
Please, please, please, vote off Kristy Lee. Along with, oh, EVERYTHING, she is really bugging me.
I hope it's just a blip - I actually had a very productive day today, getting lots of stuff done.
I think I need to go to sleep. After Stephen Colbert - then I'll feel better.
Monday, April 07, 2008
Happy Birthday!
As I did not manage to make it to the mailbox, I need to acknowledge a couple of birthdays:
Happy 12th Birthday to Emily, my one and only niece. She celebrated over the weekend by getting an electric guitar. We have a little something for her, which will be mailed tomorrow (it's always nice to spread the birthday cheer out over a few days ....)
And also celebrating are dear, dear friends Helen and Richie. Richie turns 14 tomorrow; as Helen celebrates today, we can assume that she is one day older than Rich. Or something like that.
I have mentioned Helen here before. But, as all good things, she is worth mentioning again. We have been friends since the day 14 years ago that I moved in three houses down from her. It was a chilly January day, and she welcomed me and my two daughters into her home to meet her and her two children. Alison and Claire became the best of friends; Maddie and Rich continue to acknowledge one another's presence (though they did play together when they were small, sharing a babysitter for quite some time).
Since then, we've added Scotlyn and Sylvia to our respective broods, and they, too, became best friends. I've also added three subsequent addresses. Yet she is still there for me.
I miss living just doors away from her; I miss having her to talk to and hang out with. Go to dinner with; discuss the important moments in life with. We still do plenty of chatting over the phone - how lucky we are share AT&T as a mobile carrier. We agree on almost - almmost - everything, which is almost scary - I know I can count on her to share my distaste for Celine Dion, Brooke Shields, Kirstie Alley and Kathie Lee Gifford. Yet she would be the first person I would ask to see Elton John in concert. When I have an issue with moody teenagers, she is the first person I call - she has either been there or knows she will be soon. She knows that it is perfectly reasonable to expect your 16-year-old to pay for the gas in the car and complain about how life is not fair.
It is because of her and her sense of humor that I have survived parenthood - of this I am sure. Plus it's fun to throw the husbands into the mix - if you take her husband out to dinner, he can be incredibly entertaining.
I consider myself lucky to have a lot of good friends in my life - and as I mentioned yesterday, I am hearing from them in a host of e-mails this week. It makes me feel very loved. Helen is right at the top of that list - I am lucky to know her.
I look forward to meeting her for lunch one of these days - soon!
Happy 12th Birthday to Emily, my one and only niece. She celebrated over the weekend by getting an electric guitar. We have a little something for her, which will be mailed tomorrow (it's always nice to spread the birthday cheer out over a few days ....)
And also celebrating are dear, dear friends Helen and Richie. Richie turns 14 tomorrow; as Helen celebrates today, we can assume that she is one day older than Rich. Or something like that.
I have mentioned Helen here before. But, as all good things, she is worth mentioning again. We have been friends since the day 14 years ago that I moved in three houses down from her. It was a chilly January day, and she welcomed me and my two daughters into her home to meet her and her two children. Alison and Claire became the best of friends; Maddie and Rich continue to acknowledge one another's presence (though they did play together when they were small, sharing a babysitter for quite some time).
Since then, we've added Scotlyn and Sylvia to our respective broods, and they, too, became best friends. I've also added three subsequent addresses. Yet she is still there for me.
I miss living just doors away from her; I miss having her to talk to and hang out with. Go to dinner with; discuss the important moments in life with. We still do plenty of chatting over the phone - how lucky we are share AT&T as a mobile carrier. We agree on almost - almmost - everything, which is almost scary - I know I can count on her to share my distaste for Celine Dion, Brooke Shields, Kirstie Alley and Kathie Lee Gifford. Yet she would be the first person I would ask to see Elton John in concert. When I have an issue with moody teenagers, she is the first person I call - she has either been there or knows she will be soon. She knows that it is perfectly reasonable to expect your 16-year-old to pay for the gas in the car and complain about how life is not fair.
It is because of her and her sense of humor that I have survived parenthood - of this I am sure. Plus it's fun to throw the husbands into the mix - if you take her husband out to dinner, he can be incredibly entertaining.
I consider myself lucky to have a lot of good friends in my life - and as I mentioned yesterday, I am hearing from them in a host of e-mails this week. It makes me feel very loved. Helen is right at the top of that list - I am lucky to know her.
I look forward to meeting her for lunch one of these days - soon!
Yet another reason the suburbs drive me nuts
So. We have a yahoo group in our neighborhood. People post questions, comments, suggestions, many of which are useful.
Then there are the comments that help no one. People who bitch about every little thing. There is also one smart-ass guy who posts sardonic comments that do not move the discussion forward. Ever.
Today was one of my, um, favorite types of comments - the type that either verge on elitism or paranoia - maybe both. Today's was someone freaked out by seeing an unfamiliar car. The resident went so far as to follow these people (three teenage girls) and ask exactly what their business is. They told her it is not illegal for them to park on a public street. The resident said that as far as she is concerned, it is.
Excuse me?
This is one of my issues with living here, this holier-than-thou attitude that surrounds us. People here really are convinced that they are just a little bit better, a little more deserving than the proletariat. Because we can afford to live in this "special" subdivision, we should not have to rub shoulders with those we deem inferior. We don't want "those" sorts of people going to our schools, living in any proximity to us, cavorting with our children.
And we certainly don't want them driving down our streets. (Even though, last I checked, there are no laws against that.)
The resident who freaked out did not recognize the car nor the girls. Plus, she pointed out, they had that "goth" look - meaning, naturally, they must be bad. Had they been dressed in Abercrombie, would she have reacted in this way?
Some days, I really question why we live here.
Then there are the comments that help no one. People who bitch about every little thing. There is also one smart-ass guy who posts sardonic comments that do not move the discussion forward. Ever.
Today was one of my, um, favorite types of comments - the type that either verge on elitism or paranoia - maybe both. Today's was someone freaked out by seeing an unfamiliar car. The resident went so far as to follow these people (three teenage girls) and ask exactly what their business is. They told her it is not illegal for them to park on a public street. The resident said that as far as she is concerned, it is.
Excuse me?
This is one of my issues with living here, this holier-than-thou attitude that surrounds us. People here really are convinced that they are just a little bit better, a little more deserving than the proletariat. Because we can afford to live in this "special" subdivision, we should not have to rub shoulders with those we deem inferior. We don't want "those" sorts of people going to our schools, living in any proximity to us, cavorting with our children.
And we certainly don't want them driving down our streets. (Even though, last I checked, there are no laws against that.)
The resident who freaked out did not recognize the car nor the girls. Plus, she pointed out, they had that "goth" look - meaning, naturally, they must be bad. Had they been dressed in Abercrombie, would she have reacted in this way?
Some days, I really question why we live here.
Sunday, April 06, 2008
Let the sunshine in
We had a cold front move in this weekend - "cold front" were the words used on the weather, I kid you not. Which means it is down in the 50s at night, 70s during the day. As the humidity has ended, I am a happy woman. No more frizzy hair; no more air conditioning. Yet I can continue to wear sandals.
All is good in the world.
And I do mean that, about all being right with the world. I got the house straightened up over the weekend; I've had a flurry of e-mails from some good friends in the last few days. We baked pizza last night, which I love to do.
Life is good.
This week: The agenda is full. I have a hair appointment (of critical importance); I have lunch with a friend/former colleague - this I am really looking forward to. Friday night is a work-related social event for my husband, but I'll be tagging along. There are various and sundry other little things going on, all of which will keep me busy. No time to be idle. Phone calls and appointments to attend to, e-mails to answer (I'm a little lazy at the moment, but working on catching up).
I sat outside and worked on the patio this afternoon. It was lovely. There are times when working at home is a drag; I am really just not motivated enough some days to be productive. But today I rather enjoyed sitting in the sunshine. I know, work on a Sunday. But this is the price I pay for goofing off yesterday.
We watched All About Eve last night, celebrating Bette Davis' 100th birthday. What a great film - that Anne Bancroft is sooo awful. I love it.
Details to attend to for my in-laws 50th wedding anniversary - I am the designated planner, as my husband is a) too busy and b) not to be trusted with such details. I'm assisting my sister-in-law - it's better this way. Trust me.
But really, it's OK. Life is good.
All is good in the world.
And I do mean that, about all being right with the world. I got the house straightened up over the weekend; I've had a flurry of e-mails from some good friends in the last few days. We baked pizza last night, which I love to do.
Life is good.
This week: The agenda is full. I have a hair appointment (of critical importance); I have lunch with a friend/former colleague - this I am really looking forward to. Friday night is a work-related social event for my husband, but I'll be tagging along. There are various and sundry other little things going on, all of which will keep me busy. No time to be idle. Phone calls and appointments to attend to, e-mails to answer (I'm a little lazy at the moment, but working on catching up).
I sat outside and worked on the patio this afternoon. It was lovely. There are times when working at home is a drag; I am really just not motivated enough some days to be productive. But today I rather enjoyed sitting in the sunshine. I know, work on a Sunday. But this is the price I pay for goofing off yesterday.
We watched All About Eve last night, celebrating Bette Davis' 100th birthday. What a great film - that Anne Bancroft is sooo awful. I love it.
Details to attend to for my in-laws 50th wedding anniversary - I am the designated planner, as my husband is a) too busy and b) not to be trusted with such details. I'm assisting my sister-in-law - it's better this way. Trust me.
But really, it's OK. Life is good.
Thursday, April 03, 2008
Summer already?
We turned the air conditioning on Tuesday. April 1. I cannot believe it. But when it's over 80 F and humid, you do what you have to do.
This weather. I like that I can wear sandals. I don't like the aforementioned humidity.
I also don't like the unflattering fashions that are out in full force - I was horrified by what I saw at the supermarket today. I know it's warm, but come on - some clothing is in order.
Big weekend - no particular plans. Alison will be gone, and tomorrow I will attend Maddie's band competition. After that, who knows? Some organizing, some tidying up, some sorting through closets.
Wheee - I do know how to have a good time.
This weather. I like that I can wear sandals. I don't like the aforementioned humidity.
I also don't like the unflattering fashions that are out in full force - I was horrified by what I saw at the supermarket today. I know it's warm, but come on - some clothing is in order.
Big weekend - no particular plans. Alison will be gone, and tomorrow I will attend Maddie's band competition. After that, who knows? Some organizing, some tidying up, some sorting through closets.
Wheee - I do know how to have a good time.
Tuesday, April 01, 2008
Branding
This morning, I thought I might be seeing things. I went to get Sylvia her breakfast, and the milk had a decidedly green cast to it. Thought it might be the light, the reflection inside the refrigerator. But no, the milk was green.
She drank water with her breakfast.
And Alison and Maddie had a good laugh when they got home. They didn't even mind when I said they would be drinking the rest of that gallon of milk.
I needed to get out of the house today. Specifically, I wanted to check out the new outlet mall. It just opened this weekend, so I figured I needed to go see what all the fuss is about.
The suburbanites must be in heaven. It's a big outdoor mall, filled with the latest and greatest in brand-name fashion. And if there's anything people around here are fond of, it is name-brand anything. We drive our named cars to our named subdivisions, wearing our designer jeans and shoes, entering our houses filled with the latest from a series of particular catalogues and boutiques. If it comes from Pottery Barn, it must be better than the identical item from Target.
We are big fans of the conspicuous consumption.
The outlet mall is nice, I have to admit. It's outdoors, which is a plus, though it's not quite as lovely and trendy as similar malls I've seen (Tucson has a particularly lovely one), and as it's an outlet mall, it does not have shops like an Apple store or Williams Sonoma. The "designers" are mid-level, stores like Cole Haan and Michael Kors, Gymboree and BCBG. But I enjoyed looking in the windows, checking things out.
I had heard stories of the crowds in the Coach store over the weekend. I didn't go in, but I glanced in the window - the store was packed, huge lines. Not sure just what sorts of discounts and prices were going on in there, but I'm not sure it matters. The Coach bag is emblematic of class, a badge of honor for the bourgeoisie. People here would stand in line for hours at the thought of scoring a deal on this label.
It is, after all, all about the labels. You're no one if you aren't wearing/driving/carrying a brand that identifies you.
As if I'm above the afore-mentioned hysteria - I've had my head turned a time or two (did I not spend time scouring Loehmann's in NYC?). Today I settled for a stop in the Ann Taylor outlet (I know, I know - I was there just yesterday), where I found amazing deals. And if you spent more than $300, you got a huge discount.
Or so I was told.
Now that Sylvia and her friend are done working on their salt dough landforms in the kitchen, I need to go supervise the clean-up. Must get ready for Idol - Dolly Parton tonight. Ick - I have to listen to nine (count 'em, 9) Dolly Parton songs, which feels like a torture ... but maybe we'll get rid of Cheater Girl. Fingers crossed ...
She drank water with her breakfast.
And Alison and Maddie had a good laugh when they got home. They didn't even mind when I said they would be drinking the rest of that gallon of milk.
I needed to get out of the house today. Specifically, I wanted to check out the new outlet mall. It just opened this weekend, so I figured I needed to go see what all the fuss is about.
The suburbanites must be in heaven. It's a big outdoor mall, filled with the latest and greatest in brand-name fashion. And if there's anything people around here are fond of, it is name-brand anything. We drive our named cars to our named subdivisions, wearing our designer jeans and shoes, entering our houses filled with the latest from a series of particular catalogues and boutiques. If it comes from Pottery Barn, it must be better than the identical item from Target.
We are big fans of the conspicuous consumption.
The outlet mall is nice, I have to admit. It's outdoors, which is a plus, though it's not quite as lovely and trendy as similar malls I've seen (Tucson has a particularly lovely one), and as it's an outlet mall, it does not have shops like an Apple store or Williams Sonoma. The "designers" are mid-level, stores like Cole Haan and Michael Kors, Gymboree and BCBG. But I enjoyed looking in the windows, checking things out.
I had heard stories of the crowds in the Coach store over the weekend. I didn't go in, but I glanced in the window - the store was packed, huge lines. Not sure just what sorts of discounts and prices were going on in there, but I'm not sure it matters. The Coach bag is emblematic of class, a badge of honor for the bourgeoisie. People here would stand in line for hours at the thought of scoring a deal on this label.
It is, after all, all about the labels. You're no one if you aren't wearing/driving/carrying a brand that identifies you.
As if I'm above the afore-mentioned hysteria - I've had my head turned a time or two (did I not spend time scouring Loehmann's in NYC?). Today I settled for a stop in the Ann Taylor outlet (I know, I know - I was there just yesterday), where I found amazing deals. And if you spent more than $300, you got a huge discount.
Or so I was told.
Now that Sylvia and her friend are done working on their salt dough landforms in the kitchen, I need to go supervise the clean-up. Must get ready for Idol - Dolly Parton tonight. Ick - I have to listen to nine (count 'em, 9) Dolly Parton songs, which feels like a torture ... but maybe we'll get rid of Cheater Girl. Fingers crossed ...
Monday, March 31, 2008
I must be better
Must be. Because today I made it to Ann Taylor.
I still feel light-headed, lacking energy, not quite myself. But tomorrow I will look fantastic.
*****
I ended my girls' punishment and turned text messaging back on. I'm nice that way.
I'll probably have to mean again soon enough.
*****
It is sooo muggy here - my hair is a frizzy mess. Yuck.
*****
I am going to take a nap.
I still feel light-headed, lacking energy, not quite myself. But tomorrow I will look fantastic.
*****
I ended my girls' punishment and turned text messaging back on. I'm nice that way.
I'll probably have to mean again soon enough.
*****
It is sooo muggy here - my hair is a frizzy mess. Yuck.
*****
I am going to take a nap.
Sunday, March 30, 2008
Recovery
I feel as if I have had mono. Or as if I'm pregnant.
Neither one is true, mercifully. I'm just getting over what is the worst illness I've had in some time. My friend (she is a nurse) says it sounds as if it were the real flu - aches, fever, headache (the headache was the worst). I'm just glad it's going away - though it would be nice my energy and appetite would return.
I've done very little this weekend - cleaned up the family room, so that the view from my repose on the sofa would be somewhat more attractive. (The clutter on the table - my clutter - was sort of getting to me.) Watched move TV than I care to admit. Talked on the phone. Read e-mail. Bleah - exciting. But it's about all I can muster.
I'm heading back to lie down some more, or finish some laundry - which I can do simultaneously.
Here's hoping next week looks up.
Neither one is true, mercifully. I'm just getting over what is the worst illness I've had in some time. My friend (she is a nurse) says it sounds as if it were the real flu - aches, fever, headache (the headache was the worst). I'm just glad it's going away - though it would be nice my energy and appetite would return.
I've done very little this weekend - cleaned up the family room, so that the view from my repose on the sofa would be somewhat more attractive. (The clutter on the table - my clutter - was sort of getting to me.) Watched move TV than I care to admit. Talked on the phone. Read e-mail. Bleah - exciting. But it's about all I can muster.
I'm heading back to lie down some more, or finish some laundry - which I can do simultaneously.
Here's hoping next week looks up.
Thursday, March 27, 2008
Death's Door
I have been sick since Monday - I don't even remember the last time I felt this bad. I have every symptom under the sun - runny nose, congestion, fever, aches/chills, you name it. I have barely been out of bed. And today, my middle daughter stayed home with me. She lay down in bed with me this morning, and I did not need a thermometer to tell me her fever was over 100.
So, basically, I've lost a whole week. I am only today feeling slightly better - no longer do I feel as if a sharp dagger is piercing my skull.
Had an interesting e-mail regarding a former colleague this week .... I feel totally validated, completely vindicated. That sounds like a strange reaction, but if you knew all the details, you would understand.
Must feel better tomorrow ...
So, basically, I've lost a whole week. I am only today feeling slightly better - no longer do I feel as if a sharp dagger is piercing my skull.
Had an interesting e-mail regarding a former colleague this week .... I feel totally validated, completely vindicated. That sounds like a strange reaction, but if you knew all the details, you would understand.
Must feel better tomorrow ...
Saturday, March 22, 2008
Home again
Nothing like pulling up in your own driveway. It's fun to go away, but always nice to return.
Even when coming home means there is work waiting ... but that's how it is, you know?
The beach was nice. I love the smell of the ocean, of the sand, the salt water, the breeze. Unfortunately for us, there was a little too much breeze - it was probably 75 degrees, but the wind made it feel a lot chillier. I kept my windbreaker on the entire time. But Gary and the girls flew a kite, built a sandcastle, and in general, had a great day. As did I - I just didn't get a tan.
I did enjoy my book. And we all enjoyed our dinner at the little seafood place up the beach, where some of us enjoyed margaritas on the patio; others of us just enjoyed the shrimp.
Now we're back, home to the doggy who missed us. I am glad to hang my clothes in the closet, to eat here at home, and to be able to sit on the bedspread.
It's all about the little things that make you happy ...
Even when coming home means there is work waiting ... but that's how it is, you know?
The beach was nice. I love the smell of the ocean, of the sand, the salt water, the breeze. Unfortunately for us, there was a little too much breeze - it was probably 75 degrees, but the wind made it feel a lot chillier. I kept my windbreaker on the entire time. But Gary and the girls flew a kite, built a sandcastle, and in general, had a great day. As did I - I just didn't get a tan.
I did enjoy my book. And we all enjoyed our dinner at the little seafood place up the beach, where some of us enjoyed margaritas on the patio; others of us just enjoyed the shrimp.
Now we're back, home to the doggy who missed us. I am glad to hang my clothes in the closet, to eat here at home, and to be able to sit on the bedspread.
It's all about the little things that make you happy ...
Thursday, March 20, 2008
A case of wow
I let my husband choose our hotel in Corpus Christi. It is heavy on the retro-motel-karma.
To be fair, I did notice this earlier; I did comment. The other hotels he was finding were not right on the beach. This one is, and it is AAA recommended.
It is also a dump. (Well, by my standards. Which, I have to say, have gotten higher.) He thinks the location is great. Which it is. But I am afraid to touch anything. The walls are an unpleasant shade of green; the picture frames are painted to match. I told the girls not to touch the bedspreads. The bathroom is creeping me out.
Of course, I exaggerate. But next time, I am choosing the hotel.
*****
I called Idol so wrong - I was just sure Cheater Girl/Kristy Lee was going. She was in the bottom three, then bottom two. We cannot stand here. Yet there she is, Top 10.
But I'm kind of glad Amanda is gone. Yuck.
Beach tomorrow - yay!
To be fair, I did notice this earlier; I did comment. The other hotels he was finding were not right on the beach. This one is, and it is AAA recommended.
It is also a dump. (Well, by my standards. Which, I have to say, have gotten higher.) He thinks the location is great. Which it is. But I am afraid to touch anything. The walls are an unpleasant shade of green; the picture frames are painted to match. I told the girls not to touch the bedspreads. The bathroom is creeping me out.
Of course, I exaggerate. But next time, I am choosing the hotel.
*****
I called Idol so wrong - I was just sure Cheater Girl/Kristy Lee was going. She was in the bottom three, then bottom two. We cannot stand here. Yet there she is, Top 10.
But I'm kind of glad Amanda is gone. Yuck.
Beach tomorrow - yay!
Wednesday, March 19, 2008
Breathtaking
The wind blows hard in west Texas.
It shrieks and it wails, pounding in full gale force power. It blew so hard Monday night that I barely slept. We have an outside room on the second story, and I heard the glass in our 75-year-old windows shaking the entire night; I half expected to feel the walls of the hotel quaking. It was during one of my many waking moments that I realized why the ear plugs were included in our hospitality basket.
It turned out to be a fluke - the gusting winds were a one-night storm. But they made for a chilly, rainy Tuesday. We drove to Big Bend anyway, figuring that a little cold and rain wouldn't ruin the views.
Truer words were never spoken. The park was - is - magnificent; the views are phenomenal. We drove through, stopping here and there to check out canyons and vistas. It's a not a National Park that gets a lot of press - not like Yellowstone or the Grand Canyon or Bryce Canyon. But it is really stunning. Our favorite spot was at Canyon Santa Elena, where you are actually at the Rio Grande. We hiked back into the canyon, where the sheer rock walls climb up a steep 500 feet from the river.
We ate lunch at the lodge up in the mountains, the three glass walls exposing us to a breathtaking view of the mountain pass, including the snow. The girls, who had been somewhat lukewarm on this trip, all agreed that the views were breathtaking. Much of the day was spent just driving, enjoying the park, feeling close to nature.
This is why we need to protect the environment, to make sure places like these national parks are preserved for future generations.
Today we drove to Fort Davis. On the way we visited a small ranch where you can collect souvenir rocks. I had a book with me - I'm not too into collecting buckets full of rocks. Lunch was at the drugstore in Fort Davis (the town), which was fun, as the girls got to order actual fountain-made vanilla cokes and cherry Dr. Peppers. Then we headed over to take a trail ride - once again, I pulled out my book - it's my vacation, too, and I'd rather read a book than ride a horse. Checked out the Davis Observatory, then went to the actual Fort Davis, which, apparently, is the best preserved of the old cavalry forts in west Texas. It was home to the first all-black regiment (Buffalo soldiers, they were called). So we crammed the requisite history lesson into our girls' vacation ...
We've arrived at the most important part of our day: the hour when we commandeer the television lounge at the Gage so we can catch American Idol results. We want to see Kristy Lee Cook go (cheater girl), but we'll see what happens. We love David Cook (Emo), Jason Castro (Dreads), and Syesha. I like Chikezie, don't mind Michael Johns and Brooke (Two-Shoes). I'm lukewarm on Carly (Tattoo) and David Archuleta (Kid); Ramiele has become boring. Cannot stand Amanda (Nurse Wretched). Wonder if we'll be disappointed.
I had a little accident in my suitcase - as Sylvia put it, it looked as if something "blew up." Luckily, no casualties. I have this sort of stuff happen on occasion when I fly - and you'd think I would know by know how to prevent these calamities - but driving? Such a pain. As I said, no real loss.
Tomorrow we spend a little more time here in Big Bend Country before hitting the beach in Corpus - the beach! I cannot wait.
It shrieks and it wails, pounding in full gale force power. It blew so hard Monday night that I barely slept. We have an outside room on the second story, and I heard the glass in our 75-year-old windows shaking the entire night; I half expected to feel the walls of the hotel quaking. It was during one of my many waking moments that I realized why the ear plugs were included in our hospitality basket.
It turned out to be a fluke - the gusting winds were a one-night storm. But they made for a chilly, rainy Tuesday. We drove to Big Bend anyway, figuring that a little cold and rain wouldn't ruin the views.
Truer words were never spoken. The park was - is - magnificent; the views are phenomenal. We drove through, stopping here and there to check out canyons and vistas. It's a not a National Park that gets a lot of press - not like Yellowstone or the Grand Canyon or Bryce Canyon. But it is really stunning. Our favorite spot was at Canyon Santa Elena, where you are actually at the Rio Grande. We hiked back into the canyon, where the sheer rock walls climb up a steep 500 feet from the river.
We ate lunch at the lodge up in the mountains, the three glass walls exposing us to a breathtaking view of the mountain pass, including the snow. The girls, who had been somewhat lukewarm on this trip, all agreed that the views were breathtaking. Much of the day was spent just driving, enjoying the park, feeling close to nature.
This is why we need to protect the environment, to make sure places like these national parks are preserved for future generations.
Today we drove to Fort Davis. On the way we visited a small ranch where you can collect souvenir rocks. I had a book with me - I'm not too into collecting buckets full of rocks. Lunch was at the drugstore in Fort Davis (the town), which was fun, as the girls got to order actual fountain-made vanilla cokes and cherry Dr. Peppers. Then we headed over to take a trail ride - once again, I pulled out my book - it's my vacation, too, and I'd rather read a book than ride a horse. Checked out the Davis Observatory, then went to the actual Fort Davis, which, apparently, is the best preserved of the old cavalry forts in west Texas. It was home to the first all-black regiment (Buffalo soldiers, they were called). So we crammed the requisite history lesson into our girls' vacation ...
We've arrived at the most important part of our day: the hour when we commandeer the television lounge at the Gage so we can catch American Idol results. We want to see Kristy Lee Cook go (cheater girl), but we'll see what happens. We love David Cook (Emo), Jason Castro (Dreads), and Syesha. I like Chikezie, don't mind Michael Johns and Brooke (Two-Shoes). I'm lukewarm on Carly (Tattoo) and David Archuleta (Kid); Ramiele has become boring. Cannot stand Amanda (Nurse Wretched). Wonder if we'll be disappointed.
I had a little accident in my suitcase - as Sylvia put it, it looked as if something "blew up." Luckily, no casualties. I have this sort of stuff happen on occasion when I fly - and you'd think I would know by know how to prevent these calamities - but driving? Such a pain. As I said, no real loss.
Tomorrow we spend a little more time here in Big Bend Country before hitting the beach in Corpus - the beach! I cannot wait.
Monday, March 17, 2008
What a difference a day makes
We are all settled in West Texas, feeling very cowboy.
Sea World was ... well, it was OK. The kids wanted to go; Gary wanted to go. So we went. It was sort of overcast and high 60s - cool enough that Gary and Sylvia changed out of shorts - so I was sort of dreading it. But it never rained and warmed up a fair amount, so the weather was actually great. But the park itself? It was an amusement park - overpriced food and drinks, rides and roller coasters, vast areas of blacktop, and amusement park-quality shows. The girls wanted to see the Shamu show. Let me say first of all that whales are amazing creatures - they are truly fascinating. But the show was a bit much, titled "Believe," with this sappy story of how one of the trainers dreamed her whole life of working with dolphins and, thanks to the power of positive thinking, here she is. This is all told to the tune of a soundtrack that was a combination of John Williams and Celine Dion.
Ick.
They also wanted to see the Beluga show, which was marginally - and I do mean marginally - better. Once again, the whales do no disappoint. But they were combined with diving, music, and costumes that were clearly choreographed by a European, all to the tune of some European techno-pop score. (If you wonder what I'm describing, tune in the next time the Olympic opening ceremonies are in Europe, and you'll see what I mean.) On a brighter note, I now know what mid-level divers do with their skills ....
Keep in mind that I am not against big-time entertainment - I love the Opera, the circus, and the Broadway (LOVE the Broadway). But these shows were a bit much - waaay over-produced.
Can you tell that amusement parks don't really do it for me? Ever since a disastrous trip to Six Flags (well, disastrous might be a stong word) and a four-day stay at Disneyworld (about three days too many), I've not been that into them - give me a day at a museum anytime.
This morning started rough. Last night's hotel was nice, but it had one small elevator, which was always crowded. The breakfast room had very few tables, all of which were full this morning. We finally asked a guy who was sitting alone at a table for four if he minded if we joined him - I think he kind of did, but too bad, as the place was packed. They were constantly out of everything, and the staff was a little slow to respond. And to top it off, my cup bent as I tried to put a lid on it, so I spilled hot tea all down my leg, all over my clean jeans, all over my Juicy Couture shirt with the necessary green frog.
But things could only get better.
We spent most of the day in the car, heading to West Texas. We arrived around 4 p.m. in Marathon, after a day spent driving through countryside that looks exactly like you think West Texas should - think Giant, No Country for Old Men, Bonnie & Clyde. Marathon is a stretch of about two blocks on one street, but it is home to The Gage Hotel, which is wonderful - it was built in the 1920s but fully restored just a few years ago. The entire decor is very cowboy-chic, with saddles placed strategically around, animal skulls on the wall. I am loving it ... though the girls were skeptical. (I can even handle the fact that we have no private bath; I'm a sucker for a historic location.) But they're loving it now.
Tomorrow we head to Big Band National Park - the photos we've seen are lovely, so we are looking forward to it.
Sea World was ... well, it was OK. The kids wanted to go; Gary wanted to go. So we went. It was sort of overcast and high 60s - cool enough that Gary and Sylvia changed out of shorts - so I was sort of dreading it. But it never rained and warmed up a fair amount, so the weather was actually great. But the park itself? It was an amusement park - overpriced food and drinks, rides and roller coasters, vast areas of blacktop, and amusement park-quality shows. The girls wanted to see the Shamu show. Let me say first of all that whales are amazing creatures - they are truly fascinating. But the show was a bit much, titled "Believe," with this sappy story of how one of the trainers dreamed her whole life of working with dolphins and, thanks to the power of positive thinking, here she is. This is all told to the tune of a soundtrack that was a combination of John Williams and Celine Dion.
Ick.
They also wanted to see the Beluga show, which was marginally - and I do mean marginally - better. Once again, the whales do no disappoint. But they were combined with diving, music, and costumes that were clearly choreographed by a European, all to the tune of some European techno-pop score. (If you wonder what I'm describing, tune in the next time the Olympic opening ceremonies are in Europe, and you'll see what I mean.) On a brighter note, I now know what mid-level divers do with their skills ....
Keep in mind that I am not against big-time entertainment - I love the Opera, the circus, and the Broadway (LOVE the Broadway). But these shows were a bit much - waaay over-produced.
Can you tell that amusement parks don't really do it for me? Ever since a disastrous trip to Six Flags (well, disastrous might be a stong word) and a four-day stay at Disneyworld (about three days too many), I've not been that into them - give me a day at a museum anytime.
This morning started rough. Last night's hotel was nice, but it had one small elevator, which was always crowded. The breakfast room had very few tables, all of which were full this morning. We finally asked a guy who was sitting alone at a table for four if he minded if we joined him - I think he kind of did, but too bad, as the place was packed. They were constantly out of everything, and the staff was a little slow to respond. And to top it off, my cup bent as I tried to put a lid on it, so I spilled hot tea all down my leg, all over my clean jeans, all over my Juicy Couture shirt with the necessary green frog.
But things could only get better.
We spent most of the day in the car, heading to West Texas. We arrived around 4 p.m. in Marathon, after a day spent driving through countryside that looks exactly like you think West Texas should - think Giant, No Country for Old Men, Bonnie & Clyde. Marathon is a stretch of about two blocks on one street, but it is home to The Gage Hotel, which is wonderful - it was built in the 1920s but fully restored just a few years ago. The entire decor is very cowboy-chic, with saddles placed strategically around, animal skulls on the wall. I am loving it ... though the girls were skeptical. (I can even handle the fact that we have no private bath; I'm a sucker for a historic location.) But they're loving it now.
Tomorrow we head to Big Band National Park - the photos we've seen are lovely, so we are looking forward to it.
Sunday, March 16, 2008
On the road
Spring break. Day one.
We hit the road, later than one of us would have liked. Perhaps next time one of us should print the Seaworld tickets the night before. Or gather CDs. Or be more specific about what time he wants to leave. So we are all on the same page about getting to Seaworld plenty early.
Sigh. Will five hours not be enough punishment - entertainment at Seaworld?
Save me.
We hit the road, later than one of us would have liked. Perhaps next time one of us should print the Seaworld tickets the night before. Or gather CDs. Or be more specific about what time he wants to leave. So we are all on the same page about getting to Seaworld plenty early.
Sigh. Will five hours not be enough punishment - entertainment at Seaworld?
Save me.
Saturday, March 15, 2008
Three dresses x three girls = Frustration
On my list of things to do today was dress shopping.
Not for me. For the girls.
This summer, my in-laws will celebrate their 50th anniversary with a party. So the girls need something to wear. And let's face it, we're not the dressiest people. (Well, I am, but we're talking about my girls.) We live in Texas, where "dressy" means khakis and golf shirt for men, capris with heels for women. Panty hose are declassé - thank goodness - and my girls are seriously lacking in anything other than school clothes. Which, most of the time, doesn't matter - even for church, jeans are considered acceptable.
But not for this event. And I figured since it was the week before Easter, we would get something that would pull double duty.
And we would not be shopping at Hollister, Abercrombie, or American Eagle.
Alison was more than willing. She actually does own several dresses and skirts and is happy to wear them (on the days when she isn't wearing jeans, T-shirt, and Chuck Taylors). But as this little soirée will be to honor her grandparents, and will be in mid-Missouri (actually, eastern Missouri, but mid-Missouri just sounds more provincial), then I have veto power over what is acceptable. Nothing over the top or garish, I told her.
What do you mean? Alison asked. Trust me, I said; I'll know it when I see it.
No, she said. What do those words mean?!!
Garish: obtrusively bright and showy; lurid
I needn't have worried. When we entered the mall and headed toward the juniors, Alison gravitated immediately toward dresses that were entirely appropriate. And very cute - she found several right away. We put two on hold, then headed up to the girls' section, where Sylvia, too, had good luck.
Poor Maddie. She's the tough one. She is 13, thin as a rail, but tall. She is too small for most of the juniors, but too short for a size 12, too small for a 14. And most of the dresses in 12-14 really are too juvenile for her - they make her look like a little girl.
We hit every store in the mall. And I do mean every store. At one store, we found the perfect dress. But they had only one left, and the zipper tab was broken in half - we could not get the zipper to lie down, lock in place, and stay up. And as the dress was strapless, this was of major concern
On we foraged ... every dress she saw had some issue. Wrong color. Wrong style. Little jewels. Bow at waist. Bow on neck. Too many pleats on skirt.
(I know, I know - trust me, I was forcing myself to remain calm.)
Thank goodness for Dillard's. Thank goodness for small junior sizes. We - she - found the perfect dress. As did Sylvia - she opted out of the Macy's dress and chose instead a classy little Jessica McClintock number - ! - which was darling, but wow, pricey.
But I was too weak to argue. What's the difference - she can have an expensive dress. No, it will never be handed down. No, no other daughter of ours will ever wear it. But she loves it. And shouldn't every girl get the dress of her dreams on occasion?
All in all, success, including shoes for Maddie and Sylvia. Maddie would like a shrug to go with hers (which I think I can handle), and Alison needs shoes.
And I even managed to find a dress and two pair of sandals. Not for the anniversary party, just because ... because I dragged three girls around the mall for three hours. That is deserving of a reward. Trust me.
But they do look cute. And they're happy. And that alone is worth the time, and money, spent.
Not for me. For the girls.
This summer, my in-laws will celebrate their 50th anniversary with a party. So the girls need something to wear. And let's face it, we're not the dressiest people. (Well, I am, but we're talking about my girls.) We live in Texas, where "dressy" means khakis and golf shirt for men, capris with heels for women. Panty hose are declassé - thank goodness - and my girls are seriously lacking in anything other than school clothes. Which, most of the time, doesn't matter - even for church, jeans are considered acceptable.
But not for this event. And I figured since it was the week before Easter, we would get something that would pull double duty.
And we would not be shopping at Hollister, Abercrombie, or American Eagle.
Alison was more than willing. She actually does own several dresses and skirts and is happy to wear them (on the days when she isn't wearing jeans, T-shirt, and Chuck Taylors). But as this little soirée will be to honor her grandparents, and will be in mid-Missouri (actually, eastern Missouri, but mid-Missouri just sounds more provincial), then I have veto power over what is acceptable. Nothing over the top or garish, I told her.
What do you mean? Alison asked. Trust me, I said; I'll know it when I see it.
No, she said. What do those words mean?!!
Garish: obtrusively bright and showy; lurid
I needn't have worried. When we entered the mall and headed toward the juniors, Alison gravitated immediately toward dresses that were entirely appropriate. And very cute - she found several right away. We put two on hold, then headed up to the girls' section, where Sylvia, too, had good luck.
Poor Maddie. She's the tough one. She is 13, thin as a rail, but tall. She is too small for most of the juniors, but too short for a size 12, too small for a 14. And most of the dresses in 12-14 really are too juvenile for her - they make her look like a little girl.
We hit every store in the mall. And I do mean every store. At one store, we found the perfect dress. But they had only one left, and the zipper tab was broken in half - we could not get the zipper to lie down, lock in place, and stay up. And as the dress was strapless, this was of major concern
On we foraged ... every dress she saw had some issue. Wrong color. Wrong style. Little jewels. Bow at waist. Bow on neck. Too many pleats on skirt.
(I know, I know - trust me, I was forcing myself to remain calm.)
Thank goodness for Dillard's. Thank goodness for small junior sizes. We - she - found the perfect dress. As did Sylvia - she opted out of the Macy's dress and chose instead a classy little Jessica McClintock number - ! - which was darling, but wow, pricey.
But I was too weak to argue. What's the difference - she can have an expensive dress. No, it will never be handed down. No, no other daughter of ours will ever wear it. But she loves it. And shouldn't every girl get the dress of her dreams on occasion?
All in all, success, including shoes for Maddie and Sylvia. Maddie would like a shrug to go with hers (which I think I can handle), and Alison needs shoes.
And I even managed to find a dress and two pair of sandals. Not for the anniversary party, just because ... because I dragged three girls around the mall for three hours. That is deserving of a reward. Trust me.
But they do look cute. And they're happy. And that alone is worth the time, and money, spent.
Laundry. Corruption. Hookers. Egads.
I have a week's worth of stuff to get done in one day - we're leaving on vacation tomorrow, so I'm at the point of no return. And most of last week, I did nothing. Not a thing. Other than lie on the couch, something I do not have time for.
But it's done. And now it is get busy time.
Which begs the obvious question: What am I doing here on the computer? But I do have legitimate business here, so I'm truly not just flaking off.
Well, not completely, anyway. The clothes are in the washer, I've been to the post office, and I've recruited the kids to help, which they can when under pressure. It will all get done ... in due time. I have til tomorrow morning - I'm good.
*****
Poor Alison - she had her friends had a sudden inspiration. Wouldn't it be great, they thought, to invent a car that had both automatic transmission AND could convert to standard? Wouldn't that be fun?
Her dad broke it to her: Check out the car in our driveway - it is such a car.
Drat. I'm guessing she'll have another moment such as this - she's young. But props to her for such a great idea, anyway!
*****
Enough with the Eliot Spitzer jokes. They've become old.
Plus - and I'm really going out on a limb here, but it has to be said - what he did? Not that big a deal.
I know, I know - he cavorted with a prostitute - or call girl, and I suspect there a is a difference (to the the tune of $4000). But honestly, I don't know that hiring a hooker should be considered an impeachable offense.
It really is just about sex. Lots and lots of men - and women - have done stupid things for sex. Just check down the ranks of our nation's leaders - I don't have to tell you the names. It doesn't necessarily show great judgment or restraint, but when you're dealing with powerful people, they didn't get there - and they don't get things done - by exercising caution with their every move.
And frankly, hiring a hooker is very different than having an affair (there's no hope of a relationship, which, to me, is a bigger betrayal). It is also very different than using illegal means to subvert the political process, or using subterfuge to mislead the United Nations, and the American people, into an unjust war.
Should government officials be above this? Maybe. But time and time again, they've shown that they are not. I'm willing to get incensed about illegal activity that damages the country, its people, or the political process. But I cannot get indignant over a few sessions with a call girl.
I've read a lot this week about whether prostitution is a victimless crime, and I have not made up my mind. Some argue that it gives women some power over their lives; others argue that the women who choose this field were victims of abuse. I do know this: Making it illegal has not made it go away. And won't. Much like the war on drugs, it seems a little pointless to keep going after people for acts that are, frankly, natural.
And I can't believe that Laura Schlesinger is blaming the wife, saying that these men are searching for something they aren't getting at home. It's just not true - this is about power, plain and simple.
Spitzer went after a lot of legitimate corruption during his time as attorney general. He took on cases involving securities fraud, Internet fraud; he sued the chairman of the NYSE for not fully disclosing his deferred compensation, and he exposed much of the current mortgage crisis. He did a lot of good, and he is going down in flames for what? Illicit sex? With a hooker?
Bill Clinton used a subordinate, which amounts to sexual harassment; Jim McGreevy gave a job to his paramour, a job for which the man was unqualified. This is not the same thing as hiring a hooker. While Spitzer is guilty of bad judgment, I don't honestly think he should have had to resign. Foolishness is not corruption.
*****
The laundry calls ...
But it's done. And now it is get busy time.
Which begs the obvious question: What am I doing here on the computer? But I do have legitimate business here, so I'm truly not just flaking off.
Well, not completely, anyway. The clothes are in the washer, I've been to the post office, and I've recruited the kids to help, which they can when under pressure. It will all get done ... in due time. I have til tomorrow morning - I'm good.
*****
Poor Alison - she had her friends had a sudden inspiration. Wouldn't it be great, they thought, to invent a car that had both automatic transmission AND could convert to standard? Wouldn't that be fun?
Her dad broke it to her: Check out the car in our driveway - it is such a car.
Drat. I'm guessing she'll have another moment such as this - she's young. But props to her for such a great idea, anyway!
*****
Enough with the Eliot Spitzer jokes. They've become old.
Plus - and I'm really going out on a limb here, but it has to be said - what he did? Not that big a deal.
I know, I know - he cavorted with a prostitute - or call girl, and I suspect there a is a difference (to the the tune of $4000). But honestly, I don't know that hiring a hooker should be considered an impeachable offense.
It really is just about sex. Lots and lots of men - and women - have done stupid things for sex. Just check down the ranks of our nation's leaders - I don't have to tell you the names. It doesn't necessarily show great judgment or restraint, but when you're dealing with powerful people, they didn't get there - and they don't get things done - by exercising caution with their every move.
And frankly, hiring a hooker is very different than having an affair (there's no hope of a relationship, which, to me, is a bigger betrayal). It is also very different than using illegal means to subvert the political process, or using subterfuge to mislead the United Nations, and the American people, into an unjust war.
Should government officials be above this? Maybe. But time and time again, they've shown that they are not. I'm willing to get incensed about illegal activity that damages the country, its people, or the political process. But I cannot get indignant over a few sessions with a call girl.
I've read a lot this week about whether prostitution is a victimless crime, and I have not made up my mind. Some argue that it gives women some power over their lives; others argue that the women who choose this field were victims of abuse. I do know this: Making it illegal has not made it go away. And won't. Much like the war on drugs, it seems a little pointless to keep going after people for acts that are, frankly, natural.
And I can't believe that Laura Schlesinger is blaming the wife, saying that these men are searching for something they aren't getting at home. It's just not true - this is about power, plain and simple.
Spitzer went after a lot of legitimate corruption during his time as attorney general. He took on cases involving securities fraud, Internet fraud; he sued the chairman of the NYSE for not fully disclosing his deferred compensation, and he exposed much of the current mortgage crisis. He did a lot of good, and he is going down in flames for what? Illicit sex? With a hooker?
Bill Clinton used a subordinate, which amounts to sexual harassment; Jim McGreevy gave a job to his paramour, a job for which the man was unqualified. This is not the same thing as hiring a hooker. While Spitzer is guilty of bad judgment, I don't honestly think he should have had to resign. Foolishness is not corruption.
*****
The laundry calls ...
Thursday, March 13, 2008
Rodeo!
We've lived here in Houston for - sigh - two years. And in those two years, I had yet to make it to he Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo (or whatever it's official name is). Gary and the girls have been, but the year they went - a week after we had moved in - I was up to my eyeballs in boxes. So I let them go while I tidied out house. No regrets, but I did want to go.
Unfortunately, it always happens right around spring break. And we tend to be out of town. So, this year we sucked it up and went on a weeknight. Also unfortunately, when we made these plans I had no idea I would feel like hell. But I took one for the team, drugged up, and figured I may as well feel miserable at the rodeo - how can that be different than misery on my couch?
It was fun, in a different sort of way. While I am an urban woman at heart, my roots lie in small-town Nebraska. Not that I remember living there - and truth be told, I actually lived in Lincoln, which is not a small town - but I always a felt a strong connection to the small town from which my parents hail. So rodeos and the like are not new to me.
Plus, I saw Brokeback Mountain - how you could not romanticize the rodeo just a little bit after seeing that movie?
But I digress. Last night we were treated to calf roping, barrel racing, bucking broncos, steer riding, and the calf scramble. And it was ... well, entertaining, if not tons o' fun. I enjoyed people watching - the 250-pound woman in front of me, who needs to be told that pulling her thin hair back into a lank ponytail does nothing for her (though the pink bluetooth piece in her ear was a lovely accessory - and you'd hat to miss an important call). Equally fascinating was the Orthodox family, all duded up, but wearing their yarmulkes. Some people get way into rodeo attire; others (like me) just show up.
We also like the cowboy names: Bud. Spud. Cameron. Colton. Dusty. Lefty. I kid you not.
It was all so Urban Cowboy - what more can I say? Add the Mickey Gilley soundrack, and you could have just seen Bud and Sissy, right there with you.
We even scored two free tickets - could have had three more had we communicated better, but no biggie - we were prepared to pay for five.
And the highlight of the evening: the music. We chose which night to attend based on the musical offerings, and we chose John Fogerty. We knew we could not stay for the entire show, it being a weeknight and all, but we watch 10 songs or so, and we heard several of his big ones: Who Will Stop the Rain, Down on the Corner, Born on the Bayou, Have You Ever Seen the Rain, Centerfield, Midnight Special, and even a couple more that I've forgotten. He did save all the best for last.
(But I did think wow, back in the 80s when he refused to play any CCR stuff, his shows must have been a d-u-d.)
We passed on deep-fried oreos, but we had some fun. Now I feel that I have nearly done Houston - as long as I get to the Funeral Home Museum, then I will feel that I have gotten everything out of Houston that one should.
That and the beer can house. OK, and Port Arthur, birthplace of Janis Joplin. They're on the agenda, believe me. I hate to miss out on cultural opportunities when they are oh, so close ...
Unfortunately, it always happens right around spring break. And we tend to be out of town. So, this year we sucked it up and went on a weeknight. Also unfortunately, when we made these plans I had no idea I would feel like hell. But I took one for the team, drugged up, and figured I may as well feel miserable at the rodeo - how can that be different than misery on my couch?
It was fun, in a different sort of way. While I am an urban woman at heart, my roots lie in small-town Nebraska. Not that I remember living there - and truth be told, I actually lived in Lincoln, which is not a small town - but I always a felt a strong connection to the small town from which my parents hail. So rodeos and the like are not new to me.
Plus, I saw Brokeback Mountain - how you could not romanticize the rodeo just a little bit after seeing that movie?
But I digress. Last night we were treated to calf roping, barrel racing, bucking broncos, steer riding, and the calf scramble. And it was ... well, entertaining, if not tons o' fun. I enjoyed people watching - the 250-pound woman in front of me, who needs to be told that pulling her thin hair back into a lank ponytail does nothing for her (though the pink bluetooth piece in her ear was a lovely accessory - and you'd hat to miss an important call). Equally fascinating was the Orthodox family, all duded up, but wearing their yarmulkes. Some people get way into rodeo attire; others (like me) just show up.
We also like the cowboy names: Bud. Spud. Cameron. Colton. Dusty. Lefty. I kid you not.
It was all so Urban Cowboy - what more can I say? Add the Mickey Gilley soundrack, and you could have just seen Bud and Sissy, right there with you.
We even scored two free tickets - could have had three more had we communicated better, but no biggie - we were prepared to pay for five.
And the highlight of the evening: the music. We chose which night to attend based on the musical offerings, and we chose John Fogerty. We knew we could not stay for the entire show, it being a weeknight and all, but we watch 10 songs or so, and we heard several of his big ones: Who Will Stop the Rain, Down on the Corner, Born on the Bayou, Have You Ever Seen the Rain, Centerfield, Midnight Special, and even a couple more that I've forgotten. He did save all the best for last.
(But I did think wow, back in the 80s when he refused to play any CCR stuff, his shows must have been a d-u-d.)
We passed on deep-fried oreos, but we had some fun. Now I feel that I have nearly done Houston - as long as I get to the Funeral Home Museum, then I will feel that I have gotten everything out of Houston that one should.
That and the beer can house. OK, and Port Arthur, birthplace of Janis Joplin. They're on the agenda, believe me. I hate to miss out on cultural opportunities when they are oh, so close ...
Monday, March 10, 2008
Memories of a lovely weekend
I love a good weekend.
Right now, I am especially reveling in having had a good weekend, because I feel wretched.
It was a weekend where, yet again, Gary returned from a business trip. So, Friday night we did our favorite Friday night thing - went to Shogun for sushi and the Friday-night jazz and '70s cover band (I always like a little Steely Dan with my mercury-laden tuna). And a cosmo (martini for Gary).
But even better - we had Sylvia with us. It's often just us, but we got to take Sylvia with us - Alison was babysitting and Maddie was at a party. So we got to enjoy some time with our youngest duaghter.
Saturday I got Gary to go to Best Buy with me to look at washers and dryers. I have a desire for a new washing machine. Partly because I loved my front-loader when we lived in Europe; partly because my 17-year-old washer has a tendency to leak. Partly because I love to have new things.
We didn't buy. But we did see some options. Including one washer and dryer, a lovely little stainless steel ensemble, that, together, runs about $5000.
Somehow, that seems like a lot of money for washing machine. Even though that includes the dryer. I'll be looking to spend slightly less when the time comes.
Saturday night, I planned a movie night with the entire family. My movie of choice was Miss Pettigrew Lives For a Day. Alison then got a call to babysit; Sylvia got invited to her friend's house (much as she does every weekend - either Isabelle sleeps here or Sylvia is there). But we still had Maddie; she invited a friend, so the four of us went to dinner (Cajun - one of my favorites) and the to the movies (Miss Pettigrew for us, some other movie for the tween set).
I loved Miss Pettigrew. Not the greatest movie I've ever seen, but I loved it. And I loved it for these reasons (though not necessarily in this order): Amy Adams. Frances McDormand. London. 1930s. Cole Porter and George Gershwin tunes. Fashions of the '30s. Art Deco. Snappy dialogue. And a devastatingly handsome actor whom I could not place for the entire movie - Lee Pace, he of Pushing Daisies. He was drop-dead gorgeous in this film.
Oh - and a happy ending. Which was just what I needed.
Now flashing forward to the present: Gary is gone (again - apparently he came home to drop off his dirty clothes and re-pack his suitcase - but he comes home tonight), and I had a little medical procedure done yesterday. I feel better today, though I am in some discomfort. But the pain pills made me sick - to be fair, they have that warning on them, but I thought it might be better than the pain yesterday. Now I'm not so sure - they made me really sick. But my girls - my wonderful, fantastic girls - took excellent care of me, making me soup, getting me just what I needed to stay as comfortable as possible.
So today I am taking it easy. And reveling in the memories of what was, as well as plans for what will be - vacation, next week. I hope I am feeling better - I really had no idea of what kind of recovery I was in for. Hoping for speedy healing ... and a speedy return to the other parent of my children. That would help, too.
Right now, I am especially reveling in having had a good weekend, because I feel wretched.
It was a weekend where, yet again, Gary returned from a business trip. So, Friday night we did our favorite Friday night thing - went to Shogun for sushi and the Friday-night jazz and '70s cover band (I always like a little Steely Dan with my mercury-laden tuna). And a cosmo (martini for Gary).
But even better - we had Sylvia with us. It's often just us, but we got to take Sylvia with us - Alison was babysitting and Maddie was at a party. So we got to enjoy some time with our youngest duaghter.
Saturday I got Gary to go to Best Buy with me to look at washers and dryers. I have a desire for a new washing machine. Partly because I loved my front-loader when we lived in Europe; partly because my 17-year-old washer has a tendency to leak. Partly because I love to have new things.
We didn't buy. But we did see some options. Including one washer and dryer, a lovely little stainless steel ensemble, that, together, runs about $5000.
Somehow, that seems like a lot of money for washing machine. Even though that includes the dryer. I'll be looking to spend slightly less when the time comes.
Saturday night, I planned a movie night with the entire family. My movie of choice was Miss Pettigrew Lives For a Day. Alison then got a call to babysit; Sylvia got invited to her friend's house (much as she does every weekend - either Isabelle sleeps here or Sylvia is there). But we still had Maddie; she invited a friend, so the four of us went to dinner (Cajun - one of my favorites) and the to the movies (Miss Pettigrew for us, some other movie for the tween set).
I loved Miss Pettigrew. Not the greatest movie I've ever seen, but I loved it. And I loved it for these reasons (though not necessarily in this order): Amy Adams. Frances McDormand. London. 1930s. Cole Porter and George Gershwin tunes. Fashions of the '30s. Art Deco. Snappy dialogue. And a devastatingly handsome actor whom I could not place for the entire movie - Lee Pace, he of Pushing Daisies. He was drop-dead gorgeous in this film.
Oh - and a happy ending. Which was just what I needed.
Now flashing forward to the present: Gary is gone (again - apparently he came home to drop off his dirty clothes and re-pack his suitcase - but he comes home tonight), and I had a little medical procedure done yesterday. I feel better today, though I am in some discomfort. But the pain pills made me sick - to be fair, they have that warning on them, but I thought it might be better than the pain yesterday. Now I'm not so sure - they made me really sick. But my girls - my wonderful, fantastic girls - took excellent care of me, making me soup, getting me just what I needed to stay as comfortable as possible.
So today I am taking it easy. And reveling in the memories of what was, as well as plans for what will be - vacation, next week. I hope I am feeling better - I really had no idea of what kind of recovery I was in for. Hoping for speedy healing ... and a speedy return to the other parent of my children. That would help, too.
Thursday, March 06, 2008
A Day In the Life
It's March in Texas. Last weekend, the weather was perfect. I wore sandals, leading me to think it was time to head over and get the first pedicure of the season - it will soon be time for sandals every day.
Good thing I didn't rush - the weather has turned chilly. All week it has been cool-ish (this is Texas). And tomorrow it will be very cold. It is rainy and windy now, but it will get down in the 30s tonight, and there is talk of snow in Oklahoma and northern Texas - maybe even as far south as College Station. It's probably the same cold front that has swept through the midwest.
Texans are wimps about the weather, but 30 is actually cold.
Today I had Maddie home with me, not feeling well. She's doing better now, but much of the day she spent on the couch, watching the Food Network. She took notes, coming up with great ideas for me on what we should try. I made a run to the supermarket, and she called me to share some ideas she was getting. Just in case I wanted to pick up a few items.
Which all reminds me of how lucky I am to have the girls I have. I'm sure if I had had sons I would feel just the same. But as it is, I have three daughters. And I love that they share my love of watching House Hunters, of checking out the Food Network, of Broadway musicals and shopping. A son might have shared these things, too, but more than likely, he would have enjoyed sports and jokes that deal with bodily functions. So I'm reveling in the joy of the children I have.
Yesterday was TAKS day, our day of state-mandated testing. Don't even get me started .... their teachers give them a talk about getting enough sleep, eating a healthy breakfast, all that good stuff. So, being the good parent I am (or strive to be), I was up at 6, cooking eggs for breakfast, just as my daughter requested. If this is what it takes to make her feel secure about testing, then I can get up and scramble some eggs.
(Another daughter woke up and said, almost apologetically, I don't want a special breakfast - so she had what she usually has - no problem.)
The rain is falling outside. We have nowhere to go. It's a good night to be snug inside, safe and warm, with my girls.
Good thing I didn't rush - the weather has turned chilly. All week it has been cool-ish (this is Texas). And tomorrow it will be very cold. It is rainy and windy now, but it will get down in the 30s tonight, and there is talk of snow in Oklahoma and northern Texas - maybe even as far south as College Station. It's probably the same cold front that has swept through the midwest.
Texans are wimps about the weather, but 30 is actually cold.
Today I had Maddie home with me, not feeling well. She's doing better now, but much of the day she spent on the couch, watching the Food Network. She took notes, coming up with great ideas for me on what we should try. I made a run to the supermarket, and she called me to share some ideas she was getting. Just in case I wanted to pick up a few items.
Which all reminds me of how lucky I am to have the girls I have. I'm sure if I had had sons I would feel just the same. But as it is, I have three daughters. And I love that they share my love of watching House Hunters, of checking out the Food Network, of Broadway musicals and shopping. A son might have shared these things, too, but more than likely, he would have enjoyed sports and jokes that deal with bodily functions. So I'm reveling in the joy of the children I have.
Yesterday was TAKS day, our day of state-mandated testing. Don't even get me started .... their teachers give them a talk about getting enough sleep, eating a healthy breakfast, all that good stuff. So, being the good parent I am (or strive to be), I was up at 6, cooking eggs for breakfast, just as my daughter requested. If this is what it takes to make her feel secure about testing, then I can get up and scramble some eggs.
(Another daughter woke up and said, almost apologetically, I don't want a special breakfast - so she had what she usually has - no problem.)
The rain is falling outside. We have nowhere to go. It's a good night to be snug inside, safe and warm, with my girls.
Oh yes, it's '80s Night
I always look back on music from the 1980s with great fondness. I actually thought that music I listened to in high school and college had some redeeming qualities.
Then I tuned into American Idol on '80s night. And learned I was wrong.
I listened to two hours of mostly crap music. I knew there would be some, but wow, I had no idea just how craptastic it would be. I had to listen to:
• Don't You Forget About Me - Simple Minds
As sung by Aussie guy
• Tainted Love - Soft Cell
As sung by the very gay boy
• Unknown Don Henley son
As sung by the Kid
• Hello - Lionel Richie
A sung by Emo guy
• Wake Me Up Before You Go-Go - Wham
As sung by Luke
• Hallelujah by Leonard Cohen/Jeff Buckley
As sung by Dreads
• Unknown Whitney Houston song
As sung by Chikezie
• Unknown song
As sung by Stripper boy
I didn't mind the Simple Minds, Soft Cell, or Leonard Cohen. During the first strains of that Lionel Richie song, I was struggling, wondering what it was. Then I realized - good god - that it was by Lionel Richie, and I wanted to run screaming from the room - this was the best you could come up with? But when I listened, I gave him some credit - he kind of did a cool take on it. Or as cool as you can get with, well, Lionel Richie.
Then the girls sang. And I have to say, the song selection was no better. We were treated to not one, but two Whitney Houston songs, Journey, Phil Collins, and Pat Benatar.
I am losing faith in my coming-of-age music.
I heard a commentary on NPR one day, and it described how you set the soundtrack of your life based on the music you listen to, the music you love, between the ages of 14 and 21. After that, you are less likely to be open to new music. For me, this puts my soundtrack-setting years right smack in the 1980s. A decade where, apparently, all the tunes that made the charts were non-imaginative, techno-pop-dance numbers with sappy lyrics.
Which left me wondering, what would I have sung? Had I had to choose? I started trying to remember what my favorites were, what albums (transferred to cassette) did I play? I immediately settled on The Bangles first LP, All Over the Place, with the song Going Down to Liverpool. Then it was Sweet, Sweet Baby Mine by Lone Justice, fronted by Maria McKee. Great songs.
And it all came coming back - all the music I loved about the '80s. From new-waveish bands like The Human League, Kajagoogoo, Flock of Seagulls, Talk Talk, to better alternative fare like The Smiths, Game Theory, Aztec Camera, the Replacements, They Might Be Giants, Tears for Fears, Depeche Mode, the Cure. Singers like Suzanne Vega and Kate Bush. Big-name acts like Elvis Costello and The Police (who started in the 70s, but they carried over). XTC, INXS, Bruce Springsteen, and U2. MTV-only bands like Roman Holiday.
I take it back. The 1980s did have great music. Those American Idol kids just aren't aware of what it was - after all, some of them weren't even born. There was a lot of throwaway crap, but there was a fair amount that was good. Or good at the time. And that's all that matters.
I'll leave you with a most entertaining, not to mention disturbing, video from the heyday of MTV videos:
Then I tuned into American Idol on '80s night. And learned I was wrong.
I listened to two hours of mostly crap music. I knew there would be some, but wow, I had no idea just how craptastic it would be. I had to listen to:
• Don't You Forget About Me - Simple Minds
As sung by Aussie guy
• Tainted Love - Soft Cell
As sung by the very gay boy
• Unknown Don Henley son
As sung by the Kid
• Hello - Lionel Richie
A sung by Emo guy
• Wake Me Up Before You Go-Go - Wham
As sung by Luke
• Hallelujah by Leonard Cohen/Jeff Buckley
As sung by Dreads
• Unknown Whitney Houston song
As sung by Chikezie
• Unknown song
As sung by Stripper boy
I didn't mind the Simple Minds, Soft Cell, or Leonard Cohen. During the first strains of that Lionel Richie song, I was struggling, wondering what it was. Then I realized - good god - that it was by Lionel Richie, and I wanted to run screaming from the room - this was the best you could come up with? But when I listened, I gave him some credit - he kind of did a cool take on it. Or as cool as you can get with, well, Lionel Richie.
Then the girls sang. And I have to say, the song selection was no better. We were treated to not one, but two Whitney Houston songs, Journey, Phil Collins, and Pat Benatar.
I am losing faith in my coming-of-age music.
I heard a commentary on NPR one day, and it described how you set the soundtrack of your life based on the music you listen to, the music you love, between the ages of 14 and 21. After that, you are less likely to be open to new music. For me, this puts my soundtrack-setting years right smack in the 1980s. A decade where, apparently, all the tunes that made the charts were non-imaginative, techno-pop-dance numbers with sappy lyrics.
Which left me wondering, what would I have sung? Had I had to choose? I started trying to remember what my favorites were, what albums (transferred to cassette) did I play? I immediately settled on The Bangles first LP, All Over the Place, with the song Going Down to Liverpool. Then it was Sweet, Sweet Baby Mine by Lone Justice, fronted by Maria McKee. Great songs.
And it all came coming back - all the music I loved about the '80s. From new-waveish bands like The Human League, Kajagoogoo, Flock of Seagulls, Talk Talk, to better alternative fare like The Smiths, Game Theory, Aztec Camera, the Replacements, They Might Be Giants, Tears for Fears, Depeche Mode, the Cure. Singers like Suzanne Vega and Kate Bush. Big-name acts like Elvis Costello and The Police (who started in the 70s, but they carried over). XTC, INXS, Bruce Springsteen, and U2. MTV-only bands like Roman Holiday.
I take it back. The 1980s did have great music. Those American Idol kids just aren't aware of what it was - after all, some of them weren't even born. There was a lot of throwaway crap, but there was a fair amount that was good. Or good at the time. And that's all that matters.
I'll leave you with a most entertaining, not to mention disturbing, video from the heyday of MTV videos:
Tuesday, March 04, 2008
Time, stress, cash, and new wheels
Check it out.
This is what has been making me - us - crazy for the last couple of weeks.
But it's pretty.
It all started on February 15, the day after Valentine's Day. It was Gary's first Friday off on the new 9/80 schedule. I blame his vanity - if he had not insisted on getting his hair cut at that particular time, he would never have encountered the residual boulder of concrete, a remnant of road construction near us. The car in front of him straddled it - with no shoulder and oncoming traffic, he was forced to do the same.
But our poor little VW Jetta could not handle it - the oil pan was taken out, and to make a long story short, this incident spelled disaster for the Jetta. We called the insurance agent, and the highly qualified receptionist informed us that it would have to be covered under comprehensive, something we do not carry on a 9-year-old car. Sigh.
We knew we'd be buying a new car eventually. But we had a plan. The plan was to buy a car when we were ready to hand the Jetta to the 16-year-old. We had considered it for this year, but decided we'd wait a bit - no need to spend the money right away.
All of these plans changed in a flash. As did all our spare time - not to mention our spare cash. Every minute we could spare was spent looking at cars. This is Gary's car (I get to drive the fancy minivan), so I let him call the shots. He looked at Audis and Toyotas, Volvos and Fords, Mercedes C Class. And kept returning to the Audi. The combination of German engineering and price drew him back - German engineering is available in the Mercedes, but it was tough to justify spending the money - our first house cost only slightly more than what we would spend on a car. We grappled with this issue when we bought our van two years ago - it truly did cost barely less than that first house. Wow.
So we finally made the call. We looked at one Audi on Friday and had decided to get it. Returned Saturday, and they refused to negotiate on price - at all. So we walked. And one of the upsides of living in Houston is the preponderance of car dealers - we visited a different Audi dealership and found the car we wanted at a better price.
Gary conveniently left town, leaving me to handle the final negotiations. Gulp - I am not good at these things. But I did it, and we are the proud owners of a brand new Audi A4. It is beautiful ... and it's mine! As he is not here and couldn't sign anything, it's all in my name. But if he's really good I'll let him drive it. Maybe.
Oh - and it gets better. We called the insurance agent back, and we can file a claim. The Jetta will be repaired, so Alison gets her car after all.
Sweet. Life is sweet.
Sweet.
This is what has been making me - us - crazy for the last couple of weeks.
But it's pretty.
It all started on February 15, the day after Valentine's Day. It was Gary's first Friday off on the new 9/80 schedule. I blame his vanity - if he had not insisted on getting his hair cut at that particular time, he would never have encountered the residual boulder of concrete, a remnant of road construction near us. The car in front of him straddled it - with no shoulder and oncoming traffic, he was forced to do the same.
But our poor little VW Jetta could not handle it - the oil pan was taken out, and to make a long story short, this incident spelled disaster for the Jetta. We called the insurance agent, and the highly qualified receptionist informed us that it would have to be covered under comprehensive, something we do not carry on a 9-year-old car. Sigh.
We knew we'd be buying a new car eventually. But we had a plan. The plan was to buy a car when we were ready to hand the Jetta to the 16-year-old. We had considered it for this year, but decided we'd wait a bit - no need to spend the money right away.
All of these plans changed in a flash. As did all our spare time - not to mention our spare cash. Every minute we could spare was spent looking at cars. This is Gary's car (I get to drive the fancy minivan), so I let him call the shots. He looked at Audis and Toyotas, Volvos and Fords, Mercedes C Class. And kept returning to the Audi. The combination of German engineering and price drew him back - German engineering is available in the Mercedes, but it was tough to justify spending the money - our first house cost only slightly more than what we would spend on a car. We grappled with this issue when we bought our van two years ago - it truly did cost barely less than that first house. Wow.
So we finally made the call. We looked at one Audi on Friday and had decided to get it. Returned Saturday, and they refused to negotiate on price - at all. So we walked. And one of the upsides of living in Houston is the preponderance of car dealers - we visited a different Audi dealership and found the car we wanted at a better price.
Gary conveniently left town, leaving me to handle the final negotiations. Gulp - I am not good at these things. But I did it, and we are the proud owners of a brand new Audi A4. It is beautiful ... and it's mine! As he is not here and couldn't sign anything, it's all in my name. But if he's really good I'll let him drive it. Maybe.
Oh - and it gets better. We called the insurance agent back, and we can file a claim. The Jetta will be repaired, so Alison gets her car after all.
Sweet. Life is sweet.
Sweet.
My slow day
Today, I did exactly as I pleased.
I did not tidy up (beyond the bare minimum - even though I needed to). I did not take the car in. Nor did I grocery shop.
Instead, I did as I pleased.
Today was the first day for what feels like a while that I've had any time to myself. Due to any number of issues/challenges/problems around here, I've been busy with other matters. So today, I scheduled some down time.
I threw in a trip to Target - just because I felt like it. I as all set to have some fun, but there wasn't really any to be had. So I picked up shampoo for my husband and batteries for the Nintendo.
I even treated the girls to a shopping trip this weekend and came out empty-handed. The girls all found a little something, but I'm waiting ... not sure what for, but I didn't do any buying. Not even from the sale racks.
I voted early, so I have not been to the polls today. But I will go later tonight and participate in the Texas Two-Step, the convoluted process whereby we vote and caucus. Don't ask me how it all works - this process defies explanation. I know only that I am to turn up - something my many e-mails and phone calls each are reminding me. I tell you what, one donation to a candidate and they think you're theirs for life ... and I'm beginning to think they're only calling me because they want my vote ... it's all a little disillusioning - !
Gary is gone this week, so I am on my own, dealing with the many hassles that are our life. It is so crazy around here that he sent me a lengthy e-mail from the airport, detailing a bunch of details with which we have to contend - stuff we had discussed, but he included some after-thoughts so I could take care of all this nonsense while he's gone.
Sigh.
Spring break happens soon. Which means vacation. Which means time away. I am so ready.
I did not tidy up (beyond the bare minimum - even though I needed to). I did not take the car in. Nor did I grocery shop.
Instead, I did as I pleased.
Today was the first day for what feels like a while that I've had any time to myself. Due to any number of issues/challenges/problems around here, I've been busy with other matters. So today, I scheduled some down time.
I threw in a trip to Target - just because I felt like it. I as all set to have some fun, but there wasn't really any to be had. So I picked up shampoo for my husband and batteries for the Nintendo.
I even treated the girls to a shopping trip this weekend and came out empty-handed. The girls all found a little something, but I'm waiting ... not sure what for, but I didn't do any buying. Not even from the sale racks.
I voted early, so I have not been to the polls today. But I will go later tonight and participate in the Texas Two-Step, the convoluted process whereby we vote and caucus. Don't ask me how it all works - this process defies explanation. I know only that I am to turn up - something my many e-mails and phone calls each are reminding me. I tell you what, one donation to a candidate and they think you're theirs for life ... and I'm beginning to think they're only calling me because they want my vote ... it's all a little disillusioning - !
Gary is gone this week, so I am on my own, dealing with the many hassles that are our life. It is so crazy around here that he sent me a lengthy e-mail from the airport, detailing a bunch of details with which we have to contend - stuff we had discussed, but he included some after-thoughts so I could take care of all this nonsense while he's gone.
Sigh.
Spring break happens soon. Which means vacation. Which means time away. I am so ready.
Friday, February 29, 2008
Friday. At last.
There are few things more jolting than being woken up in the night with a sick child. Equally disturbing are middle of the night phone calls.
Yesterday our phone rang just shy of 5 a.m. Gary answered (it's on his side of the bed), and I could hear the voice - our daughter. It took me about half a second to figure out that she was sick. And she was calling to alert us.
To be fair, she was in a lot of distress with a very painful upset stomach. But this a new one for me - and one my parents never had to deal with. 21st-century parenting, indeed.
*****
One month, I actually posted a blog entry every day. Looking back, I have no idea how. Some days, I have just way too much going on to sit at the computer and ruminate on the ups and downs of life. Other days, I have the time, but there's no way I am sharing thoughts either that mundane or that harrowing. It's best to keep some things to myself.
This week has been a combination of the two. But it's Friday, so I am welcoming a respite, however brief, from some of life's stresses.
*****
We watched American Idol last night, pausing the program half-way through so I could read to Sylvia, then skip the commercials. So we were down to the final two men when the show switched off - I had set the DVR to record "Lost," also in HD, and the machine can only handle one HD input. All I could do was laugh, but the girls were not quite as amused. Not a big deal - eventually you'll find out who got booted off.
(I looked and found out right away - it was Robbie. But I would have booted Luke - just my opinion.)
*****
We have come up with nicknames for our favorite - or not - AI contestants. There's Dreads (Jason Castro), Kid (David Archuleta), Cheater Girl (Kristy Lee Cook). Makes it fun. And boy did Kid earn his name - he cried like a baby when they got rid of Alexandrea. Grow up folks - you know this was part of the gig when you signed on! It made us laugh ... is it really so bad to watch AI with a bit of schadenfreude?
*****
So we're chatting last night after dinner when Gary announces, enthusiastically, Great news! We all turn and listen and he stuns us with this announcement: He got an e-mail from his airline, and he's been upgraded to First Class for his business trip this week.
This was his great news? Hmmm. My expectations for this sort of bulletin have been drastically lowered, that's all I know.
*****
It is a lovely last day of February/first day of March here in the Lone Star State. I am celebrating by wearing sandals. Which meant I had to paint my toenails - have not been for a pedicure yet. So I chose a color that won't show how dreadfully uncoordinated I am at toenail-painting. I know, how hard can it be? Terribly, once you're relied on the manicurist to do it for so long.
*****
Let the weekend begin.
Yesterday our phone rang just shy of 5 a.m. Gary answered (it's on his side of the bed), and I could hear the voice - our daughter. It took me about half a second to figure out that she was sick. And she was calling to alert us.
To be fair, she was in a lot of distress with a very painful upset stomach. But this a new one for me - and one my parents never had to deal with. 21st-century parenting, indeed.
*****
One month, I actually posted a blog entry every day. Looking back, I have no idea how. Some days, I have just way too much going on to sit at the computer and ruminate on the ups and downs of life. Other days, I have the time, but there's no way I am sharing thoughts either that mundane or that harrowing. It's best to keep some things to myself.
This week has been a combination of the two. But it's Friday, so I am welcoming a respite, however brief, from some of life's stresses.
*****
We watched American Idol last night, pausing the program half-way through so I could read to Sylvia, then skip the commercials. So we were down to the final two men when the show switched off - I had set the DVR to record "Lost," also in HD, and the machine can only handle one HD input. All I could do was laugh, but the girls were not quite as amused. Not a big deal - eventually you'll find out who got booted off.
(I looked and found out right away - it was Robbie. But I would have booted Luke - just my opinion.)
*****
We have come up with nicknames for our favorite - or not - AI contestants. There's Dreads (Jason Castro), Kid (David Archuleta), Cheater Girl (Kristy Lee Cook). Makes it fun. And boy did Kid earn his name - he cried like a baby when they got rid of Alexandrea. Grow up folks - you know this was part of the gig when you signed on! It made us laugh ... is it really so bad to watch AI with a bit of schadenfreude?
*****
So we're chatting last night after dinner when Gary announces, enthusiastically, Great news! We all turn and listen and he stuns us with this announcement: He got an e-mail from his airline, and he's been upgraded to First Class for his business trip this week.
This was his great news? Hmmm. My expectations for this sort of bulletin have been drastically lowered, that's all I know.
*****
It is a lovely last day of February/first day of March here in the Lone Star State. I am celebrating by wearing sandals. Which meant I had to paint my toenails - have not been for a pedicure yet. So I chose a color that won't show how dreadfully uncoordinated I am at toenail-painting. I know, how hard can it be? Terribly, once you're relied on the manicurist to do it for so long.
*****
Let the weekend begin.
Wednesday, February 27, 2008
The excitement builds
It's busy around here. I say that every week; every week it is true.
I never even blogged about going to see Obama - that is how my days are. It was akin to attending a rock concert - that level of excitement. The warm-up band was playing music by Kool and the Gang, Aretha Franklin, Gloria Gaynor, Earth, Wind & Fire. It struck me that should he be elected, it will be a much funkier White House.
He came out late - naturally - and they kept schlepping out volunteers to get us fired up! Ready to go! It felt like a high school pep rally. And I wasn't going to waste my "Fired Up! Ready to go!" on campaign volunteers. Especially as it was approaching 8.45 p.m., and I had kids who needed to either hear a candidate or go to bed.
He made it around 8.45. And he does not disappoint. Obama is very charismatic, an excellent speaker. Peter Sagel on Wait, Wait Don't Tell Me said that his rallies have been likened to religious revivals ... except that at revivals, Jesus himself does not actually make an appearance (!)
His speech was great - like a proper politician, he promised everyone, everything. The energy was very contagious, and it was tough not to be swept up in the frenzy. Even though we left early - by 9.15 the girls were exhausted, and we figured it was better to beat a bit of the crowd (the Toyota Center holds 19,000 people - good call).
I'm not sure I'm totally on board with Obama. I like him - what's not to like? - but I'm not completely swayed. I do think he has not been vetted, and I agree that the media are throwing him some softballs. A lot remains to be seen - he cannot keep up the dazzle factor forever.
Though let's face it: John McCain is too old. He would be 71 when elected, and being president ages those in office. He spent five years as a POW; life has not been easy for him. While I respect a lot of what he has done (though a little less over the last two years as he has been shamelessly pandering for president), he is just too old.
And I'm not even sure where I stand - I am very torn. But I think it's a good dilemma.
The point of this post is to show just how people are feeling about this election. Early voting totals here in Texas are staggering. As of yesterday, these are the numbers for Harris County (the biggest county in Texas):
Democrats: 95,940
Republicans: 29,330
Totals for 2004 and 2006 don't even come close.
People are energized. Let's hope the momentum lasts through November.
I never even blogged about going to see Obama - that is how my days are. It was akin to attending a rock concert - that level of excitement. The warm-up band was playing music by Kool and the Gang, Aretha Franklin, Gloria Gaynor, Earth, Wind & Fire. It struck me that should he be elected, it will be a much funkier White House.
He came out late - naturally - and they kept schlepping out volunteers to get us fired up! Ready to go! It felt like a high school pep rally. And I wasn't going to waste my "Fired Up! Ready to go!" on campaign volunteers. Especially as it was approaching 8.45 p.m., and I had kids who needed to either hear a candidate or go to bed.
He made it around 8.45. And he does not disappoint. Obama is very charismatic, an excellent speaker. Peter Sagel on Wait, Wait Don't Tell Me said that his rallies have been likened to religious revivals ... except that at revivals, Jesus himself does not actually make an appearance (!)
His speech was great - like a proper politician, he promised everyone, everything. The energy was very contagious, and it was tough not to be swept up in the frenzy. Even though we left early - by 9.15 the girls were exhausted, and we figured it was better to beat a bit of the crowd (the Toyota Center holds 19,000 people - good call).
I'm not sure I'm totally on board with Obama. I like him - what's not to like? - but I'm not completely swayed. I do think he has not been vetted, and I agree that the media are throwing him some softballs. A lot remains to be seen - he cannot keep up the dazzle factor forever.
Though let's face it: John McCain is too old. He would be 71 when elected, and being president ages those in office. He spent five years as a POW; life has not been easy for him. While I respect a lot of what he has done (though a little less over the last two years as he has been shamelessly pandering for president), he is just too old.
And I'm not even sure where I stand - I am very torn. But I think it's a good dilemma.
The point of this post is to show just how people are feeling about this election. Early voting totals here in Texas are staggering. As of yesterday, these are the numbers for Harris County (the biggest county in Texas):
Democrats: 95,940
Republicans: 29,330
Totals for 2004 and 2006 don't even come close.
People are energized. Let's hope the momentum lasts through November.
Sunday, February 24, 2008
Texas is Hill-Country!
Guess where we went last night?
We went to the IBEW Local Union 716 to see her - Madame President! Hillary was in town.
It's our second outing this week - we saw Obama Tuesday night (and I haven't even had a chance to blog about it - suffice it to say, it was very cool).
This is the first time the primary in Texas has mattered since 1976. So Obama and Clinton are both working hard to win votes. We have seen an ad blitz, and they are all over the state. Bill and Chelsea were here last week; Michelle Obama will be here tomorrow night.
And frankly, I am loving it. I like seeing the commercials, getting the attention. I like the visits. I am enjoying being wooed.
So last night, we let Camp Hillary woo us. Though it was sort of last-minute and disorganized - first e-mail said at some hotel; an hour or two later, new e-mail - CORRECTION! CHANGE OF LOCATION! There was some bickering/disorganization in the party, among local organizers.
We ended up at the union hall, which is not very big. We went early, after the Obama gathering; he filled the 19,000-seat Toyota Center, with people waiting three to four hours to get in. We weren't taking any chances.
And we even remembered the camera.
We waited in line for a l-o-n-g time, more than two hours. But there is a lot of energy at these things. And since you're among your people, it's fun to visit with the others in line. I figured out pretty quickly that the Latinas are definitely for Hillary. And, as our newest friends assured us, she has the Gay and Lesbian vote (well ... at least two gay and two lesbian votes - !)
They gave out signs - yay! I snagged one!
Finally, they opened the doors - more than an hour late, but that's pretty typical for these events. I was relieved to just get in - the place was not that big, and the line was huge. At least 1,000 people did not make it inside. It was SRO by the time we got in, but I didn't mind - we weren't very far from the front.
She's here! She's here! Finally, at 9.40 p.m., she made her appearance. We were very close - can you see her? (Look just under the blue sign, lower RH corner - yep, that's her face.)
She is a great speaker - it was very exciting. She's a bit blurry here, but you get the idea.
And, as if it weren't exciting enough to see Hillary, look who she brought - it's Chelsea! She must be exhausted. But she looked lovely.
Hillary even hung around and signed some autographs. If I'd thought about it, I would have grabbed my copy of It Takes a Village. But it never occurred to me that we would be that close. I tried to get my sign up there, but I just wasn't able to get close enough. That's Mr. Secret Agent Man looking stern behind her.
We didn't get to shake Hillary's hand, but look! We got to chat with Chelsea! She was extremely gracious, and actually did chat with people. I thanked her for her hard work to put a woman in the White House, told her I wanted my daughters to see a woman president. "Me, too," she answered. And posed for a photo. Signed an autograph, too.
(The freaky stalker guy in the background? My husband.)
Fun, fun time. My feet were killing me - I wore nice shoes to see her, and we stood for more than four hours, so I was beat. But it was worth it. We watched outside as we were leaving - we could see the cars lined up - but finally decided to just leave. But as we pulled out of the lot, the police cars stopped us, and we got a great view of the motorcade - her windows were not tinted, and with that red jacket we could see her. Very exciting.
We chilled at Joe's Crab Shack afterwards - it was nearly 11 and it was the only place we could think of that might be open. So we ate shrimp and chilled, basking in the glow of meeting the next president.
There really is an electricity in the air this primary season. I'm feeling lucky to be part of it.
We went to the IBEW Local Union 716 to see her - Madame President! Hillary was in town.
It's our second outing this week - we saw Obama Tuesday night (and I haven't even had a chance to blog about it - suffice it to say, it was very cool).
This is the first time the primary in Texas has mattered since 1976. So Obama and Clinton are both working hard to win votes. We have seen an ad blitz, and they are all over the state. Bill and Chelsea were here last week; Michelle Obama will be here tomorrow night.
And frankly, I am loving it. I like seeing the commercials, getting the attention. I like the visits. I am enjoying being wooed.
So last night, we let Camp Hillary woo us. Though it was sort of last-minute and disorganized - first e-mail said at some hotel; an hour or two later, new e-mail - CORRECTION! CHANGE OF LOCATION! There was some bickering/disorganization in the party, among local organizers.
We ended up at the union hall, which is not very big. We went early, after the Obama gathering; he filled the 19,000-seat Toyota Center, with people waiting three to four hours to get in. We weren't taking any chances.
And we even remembered the camera.
We waited in line for a l-o-n-g time, more than two hours. But there is a lot of energy at these things. And since you're among your people, it's fun to visit with the others in line. I figured out pretty quickly that the Latinas are definitely for Hillary. And, as our newest friends assured us, she has the Gay and Lesbian vote (well ... at least two gay and two lesbian votes - !)
They gave out signs - yay! I snagged one!
Finally, they opened the doors - more than an hour late, but that's pretty typical for these events. I was relieved to just get in - the place was not that big, and the line was huge. At least 1,000 people did not make it inside. It was SRO by the time we got in, but I didn't mind - we weren't very far from the front.
She's here! She's here! Finally, at 9.40 p.m., she made her appearance. We were very close - can you see her? (Look just under the blue sign, lower RH corner - yep, that's her face.)
She is a great speaker - it was very exciting. She's a bit blurry here, but you get the idea.
And, as if it weren't exciting enough to see Hillary, look who she brought - it's Chelsea! She must be exhausted. But she looked lovely.
Hillary even hung around and signed some autographs. If I'd thought about it, I would have grabbed my copy of It Takes a Village. But it never occurred to me that we would be that close. I tried to get my sign up there, but I just wasn't able to get close enough. That's Mr. Secret Agent Man looking stern behind her.
We didn't get to shake Hillary's hand, but look! We got to chat with Chelsea! She was extremely gracious, and actually did chat with people. I thanked her for her hard work to put a woman in the White House, told her I wanted my daughters to see a woman president. "Me, too," she answered. And posed for a photo. Signed an autograph, too.
(The freaky stalker guy in the background? My husband.)
Fun, fun time. My feet were killing me - I wore nice shoes to see her, and we stood for more than four hours, so I was beat. But it was worth it. We watched outside as we were leaving - we could see the cars lined up - but finally decided to just leave. But as we pulled out of the lot, the police cars stopped us, and we got a great view of the motorcade - her windows were not tinted, and with that red jacket we could see her. Very exciting.
We chilled at Joe's Crab Shack afterwards - it was nearly 11 and it was the only place we could think of that might be open. So we ate shrimp and chilled, basking in the glow of meeting the next president.
There really is an electricity in the air this primary season. I'm feeling lucky to be part of it.
Friday, February 22, 2008
It's Not Easy Being Green
What a corny title - what can I say? I have no excuse.
I have always considered myself environmentally aware. But this year I am making a real effort to Go Green. After working on getting curbside recycling in the subdivision, I started thinking about what else we could do to save the planet. Carbon emissions are increasing; the glaciers are shrinking.
And we live in a 4,000 sf house. With a swimming pool we run all year long. Not to mention the fact that we live in suburban hell, thus I am required to drive everywhere - we are not in a pedestrian-friendly environment.
But we can still make an effort. So, in light of the state of the planet, these are among our lifestyle changes:
• Plastic bags: I have not gotten plastic bags at the grocery store for months. Living in Germany, you learn to take your own bags. They are not automatically provided - you have to bring your own or buy them - a practice IKEA has adopted here. So I have a collection of canvas bags. They are starting to look somewhat worse for the wear, and I have found the new bags available at Target, Randall's and HEB to be far superior - they are made of some sort of post-consumer product, they are big, and very sturdy. I am a convert. But you have to educate baggers here - they look at me as if I am some sort of subversive when I hand them my pile of bags. They want to put the plastic bags inside my bags (um, sort of defeats the purpose). Or I really inspire the looks when - even more radical - I do not take a bag at all when I have purchased one small item. But it's worth it - I have not brought a bag into this house for at least three months. Score: 10/10
• Recycling: We are dutifully collecting our recycling and hauling it 16.82 miles each way to the Westpark Recycling Center. Bad news: Long drive, so we are burning fossil fuels to get there. Good news: We don't go very often. And they accept tin cans, plastic, aluminum, glass, and batteries. And you don't have to sort. And, since aluminum is infinitely recyclable, I'm going to give us extra credit for this one, despite the burning of gasoline. Score: 7/10
• Light bulbs: I was adamantly against the fluorescent bulbs - that light is so unflattering. But I am giving in, as I can see the long-term benefits. I can suffer through some strange lighting tints if it means my children will see snow-topped mountains. And we haven't yet replaced them all (though Gary found some great bulbs for the recessed lighting in the kitchen, and it really isn't bad - very bright). Score: 7/10
• Reduce/Reuse/Recycle: I collect everything I can - junk mail, catalogs, scrap paper, all plastics. We wash full loads of laundry (OK, not a real challenge when you have a family of five). I buy as little packaging as possible. I even wash out ziploc bags - how's that for commitment? The means, sometimes, do justify the ends. 9/10
• Carpooling: Gary carpools to work. Yes, it saves gas. Also saves time - they can use the HOV lane and be home in 30 minutes, rather than idling on the road for more than an hour. 10/10
• Meat: The best thing you can do for the environment? Stop eating meat. The raising of meat, particularly beef, uses up an incredible amount of resources, from the feeding and rearing of cattle to the transport. Not to mention the scandal in the meat-packing industry last week - that alone is enough to turn your stomach. So I've made an effort to cut way back on the red meat. We purchase very little, though I did buy some sausage this week. But I learned that ground turkey works very well for recipes that call for ground beef - well enough that no one around here even noticed. Score: 5/10
• Freecycle: I am a member of our local freecycle group. Anything you don't want, are hesitant to throw away, or need hauled off, you can just post to freecycle. Trust me, someone will come and get it. If you throw it all in a box, mention the two good things, and insist that someone take all, you'll get a dozen responses. I can't guarantee that none of it gets thrown away, but most of it gets re-used. And I don't have to do the hauling. 10/10.
If you add in the number of times I run around turning off lights, radios, and ceiling fans in empty rooms, we are making our own little dent. Don't look for me to appear in hemp shoes or buy all my clothes at the re-sale shop. But it's the least I can do - we'll just consider it a gift to my grandchildren.
I have always considered myself environmentally aware. But this year I am making a real effort to Go Green. After working on getting curbside recycling in the subdivision, I started thinking about what else we could do to save the planet. Carbon emissions are increasing; the glaciers are shrinking.
And we live in a 4,000 sf house. With a swimming pool we run all year long. Not to mention the fact that we live in suburban hell, thus I am required to drive everywhere - we are not in a pedestrian-friendly environment.
But we can still make an effort. So, in light of the state of the planet, these are among our lifestyle changes:
• Plastic bags: I have not gotten plastic bags at the grocery store for months. Living in Germany, you learn to take your own bags. They are not automatically provided - you have to bring your own or buy them - a practice IKEA has adopted here. So I have a collection of canvas bags. They are starting to look somewhat worse for the wear, and I have found the new bags available at Target, Randall's and HEB to be far superior - they are made of some sort of post-consumer product, they are big, and very sturdy. I am a convert. But you have to educate baggers here - they look at me as if I am some sort of subversive when I hand them my pile of bags. They want to put the plastic bags inside my bags (um, sort of defeats the purpose). Or I really inspire the looks when - even more radical - I do not take a bag at all when I have purchased one small item. But it's worth it - I have not brought a bag into this house for at least three months. Score: 10/10
• Recycling: We are dutifully collecting our recycling and hauling it 16.82 miles each way to the Westpark Recycling Center. Bad news: Long drive, so we are burning fossil fuels to get there. Good news: We don't go very often. And they accept tin cans, plastic, aluminum, glass, and batteries. And you don't have to sort. And, since aluminum is infinitely recyclable, I'm going to give us extra credit for this one, despite the burning of gasoline. Score: 7/10
• Light bulbs: I was adamantly against the fluorescent bulbs - that light is so unflattering. But I am giving in, as I can see the long-term benefits. I can suffer through some strange lighting tints if it means my children will see snow-topped mountains. And we haven't yet replaced them all (though Gary found some great bulbs for the recessed lighting in the kitchen, and it really isn't bad - very bright). Score: 7/10
• Reduce/Reuse/Recycle: I collect everything I can - junk mail, catalogs, scrap paper, all plastics. We wash full loads of laundry (OK, not a real challenge when you have a family of five). I buy as little packaging as possible. I even wash out ziploc bags - how's that for commitment? The means, sometimes, do justify the ends. 9/10
• Carpooling: Gary carpools to work. Yes, it saves gas. Also saves time - they can use the HOV lane and be home in 30 minutes, rather than idling on the road for more than an hour. 10/10
• Meat: The best thing you can do for the environment? Stop eating meat. The raising of meat, particularly beef, uses up an incredible amount of resources, from the feeding and rearing of cattle to the transport. Not to mention the scandal in the meat-packing industry last week - that alone is enough to turn your stomach. So I've made an effort to cut way back on the red meat. We purchase very little, though I did buy some sausage this week. But I learned that ground turkey works very well for recipes that call for ground beef - well enough that no one around here even noticed. Score: 5/10
• Freecycle: I am a member of our local freecycle group. Anything you don't want, are hesitant to throw away, or need hauled off, you can just post to freecycle. Trust me, someone will come and get it. If you throw it all in a box, mention the two good things, and insist that someone take all, you'll get a dozen responses. I can't guarantee that none of it gets thrown away, but most of it gets re-used. And I don't have to do the hauling. 10/10.
If you add in the number of times I run around turning off lights, radios, and ceiling fans in empty rooms, we are making our own little dent. Don't look for me to appear in hemp shoes or buy all my clothes at the re-sale shop. But it's the least I can do - we'll just consider it a gift to my grandchildren.
Thursday, February 21, 2008
Here and Now
The Easter candy is out. Full force. The aisles of the supermarket were full of pastel-colored bags, full of pastel-colored, foil-wrapped goodies.
(And who wants Hershey kisses with coconut? Yuck.)
I passed them all by. First of all, I am not eating that kind of stuff right now - I am viewing it all as toxins. And secondly, but probably more importantly, I am not ready. It's only February - Easter is not here yet.
Thich Nhat Hanh encourages living in the present moment, an acceptance of the here and the now. This is something I'm working on, striving for. Rather than constantly anticipating what should happen or what awaits - Christmas, vacation, promotion - he believes in appreciating the peace and beauty that are available now.
There are critics - some argue that these teachings do not encourage working against injustice. And, for me, I find that it can be too easy to get caught in only the present, ignoring any plans or preparation that is needed for the future.
None the less, I am trying to be more mindful of the present, concerning myself less with worrying about what the future holds.
Helps keep my mind off the drama around here - of which there is plenty. Life with three kids - this is how it is. Time to just take a deep breath, concentrate on inner peace, and let the beauty of the moment wash over me.
Deep breath. There is much in this moment for which I am grateful.
“Life can be found only in the present moment. The past is gone, the future is not yet here, and if we do not go back to ourselves in the present moment, we cannot be in touch with life.” — Thich Nhat Hanh
(And who wants Hershey kisses with coconut? Yuck.)
I passed them all by. First of all, I am not eating that kind of stuff right now - I am viewing it all as toxins. And secondly, but probably more importantly, I am not ready. It's only February - Easter is not here yet.
Thich Nhat Hanh encourages living in the present moment, an acceptance of the here and the now. This is something I'm working on, striving for. Rather than constantly anticipating what should happen or what awaits - Christmas, vacation, promotion - he believes in appreciating the peace and beauty that are available now.
There are critics - some argue that these teachings do not encourage working against injustice. And, for me, I find that it can be too easy to get caught in only the present, ignoring any plans or preparation that is needed for the future.
None the less, I am trying to be more mindful of the present, concerning myself less with worrying about what the future holds.
Helps keep my mind off the drama around here - of which there is plenty. Life with three kids - this is how it is. Time to just take a deep breath, concentrate on inner peace, and let the beauty of the moment wash over me.
Deep breath. There is much in this moment for which I am grateful.
“Life can be found only in the present moment. The past is gone, the future is not yet here, and if we do not go back to ourselves in the present moment, we cannot be in touch with life.” — Thich Nhat Hanh
Wednesday, February 13, 2008
In other mundane news ...
So. This morning I decided to add a splash of interest to the sweater and slacks I was wearing. I chose a scarf as an accessory.
God. I am officially old. I guess a brooch might have been worse. But come to think of it, I have one that might have looked good with the outfit.
Yesterday I saw a woman walking down my street, her head covered with a nylon head scarf. Remember those? My mother used to wear them. Though what I really remember her using it for was when she had her hair in rollers mid-day, when my parents were going out that evening. These are the pre-curling iron days, and I guess you had to know at noon how you wanted your hair to turn out at 7.
For the record, I do not wear those. Nor do I wear plastic rain bonnets. Though maybe they are a good idea, after all.
*****
Apparently, the American Idol contestants were only given a handful of song options for Hollywood week. They could sing "Sway," "Everything I Do" (dreadful, dreadful song by Bryan Adams, for whom I lost all respect), "When I Need You" (I have bad memories of hearing this on the radio ALL the time - and where is Leo Sayer, anyway?), or "Love The One You're With." All the contestants seemed to perform these same songs. And with the exception of "Sway," I didn't really care to hear any of them.
The show has been over for more than an hour, and I am still having unpleasant flashbacks.
*****
Please let tomorrow be a headache free day. Pleeeaase.
*****
I live among people who like to complain - that much has been established. But really - this morning - and it is February - people out at the bus stop were bundled up, whining about the cold, planning their day so that they could avoid the weather. It was in the high 30s; it got up into the high 50s or low 60s today. These are clearly not hearty folks; a day in Minnesota would about kill them.
*****
A Beagle won the Westminster dog show. First time ever.
It wasn't our dog. She was not even in the running. Just felt the need to clarify, in case you were wondering. Zoe is not the award-winning type. She did win a blue ribbon at the 4-H show. Once. And even after she snapped at the judge. But it was a fluke.
New Colbert Report tonight. It's been a long dry spell - I can hardly wait!
God. I am officially old. I guess a brooch might have been worse. But come to think of it, I have one that might have looked good with the outfit.
Yesterday I saw a woman walking down my street, her head covered with a nylon head scarf. Remember those? My mother used to wear them. Though what I really remember her using it for was when she had her hair in rollers mid-day, when my parents were going out that evening. These are the pre-curling iron days, and I guess you had to know at noon how you wanted your hair to turn out at 7.
For the record, I do not wear those. Nor do I wear plastic rain bonnets. Though maybe they are a good idea, after all.
*****
Apparently, the American Idol contestants were only given a handful of song options for Hollywood week. They could sing "Sway," "Everything I Do" (dreadful, dreadful song by Bryan Adams, for whom I lost all respect), "When I Need You" (I have bad memories of hearing this on the radio ALL the time - and where is Leo Sayer, anyway?), or "Love The One You're With." All the contestants seemed to perform these same songs. And with the exception of "Sway," I didn't really care to hear any of them.
The show has been over for more than an hour, and I am still having unpleasant flashbacks.
*****
Please let tomorrow be a headache free day. Pleeeaase.
*****
I live among people who like to complain - that much has been established. But really - this morning - and it is February - people out at the bus stop were bundled up, whining about the cold, planning their day so that they could avoid the weather. It was in the high 30s; it got up into the high 50s or low 60s today. These are clearly not hearty folks; a day in Minnesota would about kill them.
*****
A Beagle won the Westminster dog show. First time ever.
It wasn't our dog. She was not even in the running. Just felt the need to clarify, in case you were wondering. Zoe is not the award-winning type. She did win a blue ribbon at the 4-H show. Once. And even after she snapped at the judge. But it was a fluke.
New Colbert Report tonight. It's been a long dry spell - I can hardly wait!
Tuesday, February 12, 2008
1.57 a.m. and all is not well
I am not at my best at 2 a.m.
But when I hear the words, "Mommy, I threw up," I do my best.
The first thought that springs into my barely awake mind: I hope she's OK.
Second thought: Wow - it is the middle of the night. And I am too tired to think straight.
Third thought: Oh, please please please, tell you made it to the bathroom.
She did. Thank goodness. Which meant all I had to do was get her settled back in bad. She brushed her teeth, I got a pan to put next to the bed. Just in case.
I returned to bed. Where I lay awake for what felt like hours. I know it was until at least 3 - I glanced at the clock. I composed e-mails in my head, made mental notes of things I need to do. But I didn't ever sleep well.
So this morning was slow. I let her sleep, but she decided at 9 that she felt better and wanted to go to school - she was disappointed that she no longer has perfect attendance. Me? I'd love an extra day off. She was my excuse to hang out, watch movies all day.
My own mother never, ever let on that she was tired or frustrated or even slightly weary when I would wake her up in the middle of the night. She would change the sheets without a word of complaint. I try to live up to this example.
Today, she's all better. She is skipping soccer practice - under the circumstances, this was my recommendation. But she can go to Brownies.
I'm just glad it's nothing serious. And I'm hoping for a better night's sleep tonight.
But when I hear the words, "Mommy, I threw up," I do my best.
The first thought that springs into my barely awake mind: I hope she's OK.
Second thought: Wow - it is the middle of the night. And I am too tired to think straight.
Third thought: Oh, please please please, tell you made it to the bathroom.
She did. Thank goodness. Which meant all I had to do was get her settled back in bad. She brushed her teeth, I got a pan to put next to the bed. Just in case.
I returned to bed. Where I lay awake for what felt like hours. I know it was until at least 3 - I glanced at the clock. I composed e-mails in my head, made mental notes of things I need to do. But I didn't ever sleep well.
So this morning was slow. I let her sleep, but she decided at 9 that she felt better and wanted to go to school - she was disappointed that she no longer has perfect attendance. Me? I'd love an extra day off. She was my excuse to hang out, watch movies all day.
My own mother never, ever let on that she was tired or frustrated or even slightly weary when I would wake her up in the middle of the night. She would change the sheets without a word of complaint. I try to live up to this example.
Today, she's all better. She is skipping soccer practice - under the circumstances, this was my recommendation. But she can go to Brownies.
I'm just glad it's nothing serious. And I'm hoping for a better night's sleep tonight.
Monday, February 11, 2008
Catch up. Get ready.
I grocery shopped today.
This is noteworthy because I really hate shopping for groceries. I like buying clothes, gifts, books, music, shoes, furniture. I love a trip to the hardware store, and I quite enjoy a run to Target. But groceries? The worst.
Yet, oddly enough, I like to eat. However, I enjoy eating more when someone else does the cooking.
That said, I'm really not a bad cook. I love having people over, love baking, and enjoy using all the accoutrements required for cooking, serving, and entertaining. It's the fixing-dinner-every-evening thing that I hate. And the weekly shopping. It's one of those tasks that is just never done.
But I did it. So now I'm off the hook - for a week, anyway. Or, if Gary goes out of town, even longer ...
*****
Fun weekend. So to speak - we're not usually that exciting. Went to a party Thursday night, met the local candidate for Congress, chatted with friends. Sylvia's teacher showed up, which was a nice surprise - we love her. She and I, we're like best friends now - we're tight.
Then Friday, we found ourselves alone - this is happening more and more often lately. Alison had a school dance (she looked beautiful - she does have a knack for choosing great formals) and Maddie babysat, while Sylvia went to a friend's. So we went out to dinner at our local sushi joint, then down to River Oaks to see The Savages. I liked it - it wasn't great, but it was good. And I liked both Laura Linney and Phillip Seymour Hoffman.
Then Saturday night - after a fun-filled day of soccer and garage organizing - we took Sylvia and Maddie out for Cajun food (Alison was babysitting) then came home, Wii'd, and watched La Vie en Rose. The first several minutes were confusing, to say the least. Then it dawned on me: Language selection - we do not really need to watch the entire film en Francais. Good thing - I actually thought my French was pretty good (good enough, anyway, to pass the foreign language requirement in grad school, though that was reading - but I had to read Simone de Beauvoir, which I would not categorize as easy). And it certainly seemed that way while I was learning German, when every word came out in French, but watching this, I caught about every 53rd word. Which does not make for a coherent story. But I could not seem to get the subtitles to work. Switched back to the movie, and while I could figure out the major themes ("Take her!" "No, I won't!" "Come back!" "Titine, please!") some of the subtleties were lost on me. When Alison got home I had her try, and sadly, she is just as technologically inept as we are. Then suddenly the lightbulb went on: There is a button on the remote that turns on the subtitles. We were in business.
For the record: Not a great movie. It was OK - especially visually - but not great. It sort of jumped around and you had to look closely at her hairstyle to guess what year it was. And I was concerned til the very end about a very significant part of her life that had been eliminated. Then, suddenly, there it was at the end - an intentional plot device. I was shocked that they had overlooked it ... but of course, they had not. But wow - that Marion Cotillard was amazing. She gave a fantastic performance, and she even looked like Piaf. If you're a Piaf fan (and I confess, I find her mesmerizing), then you'll like this. If you don't like or, or don't care, I'd recommend a pass - you won't be impressed.
*****
I freecycled a bunch of stuff. Old clothes, kids' stuff. Do not EVER tell my husband this, but I have way too many clothes. And shoes. My closet is too full (and I have a huge closet). But I feel better now that I've weeded some of it out.
*****
I lay awake last night, woke up frequently, worried about how I was going to manage being three places at the same time. And each time I had to remind myself: That is for Tuesday evening - tonight is just Monday! I hate those evenings when I toss and turn, my mind too full to sleep. Now that I've lost sleep a day too early, let's hope that tonight is easier. Everyone will get where they need to be, one way or another.
*****
The writers' strike is nearly over - yay! I am in solidarity with the writers (naturally). Peter is not - he is management, he reminds me. Keep remembering that when you're watching re-runs there, Peter. Even American Experience is a re-run tonight. Thank goodness for Law & Order repeats - even if I've seen them, they always feel new. And Alison was kind enough to pick up a book for me: Mates, Dates and Inflatable Bras. Nothing like British teenage lit to turn me on. I can crank up the deservedly Grammy-winning Amy Winehouse (loving her!) and take it easy.
Oh yes. Life is good.
This is noteworthy because I really hate shopping for groceries. I like buying clothes, gifts, books, music, shoes, furniture. I love a trip to the hardware store, and I quite enjoy a run to Target. But groceries? The worst.
Yet, oddly enough, I like to eat. However, I enjoy eating more when someone else does the cooking.
That said, I'm really not a bad cook. I love having people over, love baking, and enjoy using all the accoutrements required for cooking, serving, and entertaining. It's the fixing-dinner-every-evening thing that I hate. And the weekly shopping. It's one of those tasks that is just never done.
But I did it. So now I'm off the hook - for a week, anyway. Or, if Gary goes out of town, even longer ...
*****
Fun weekend. So to speak - we're not usually that exciting. Went to a party Thursday night, met the local candidate for Congress, chatted with friends. Sylvia's teacher showed up, which was a nice surprise - we love her. She and I, we're like best friends now - we're tight.
Then Friday, we found ourselves alone - this is happening more and more often lately. Alison had a school dance (she looked beautiful - she does have a knack for choosing great formals) and Maddie babysat, while Sylvia went to a friend's. So we went out to dinner at our local sushi joint, then down to River Oaks to see The Savages. I liked it - it wasn't great, but it was good. And I liked both Laura Linney and Phillip Seymour Hoffman.
Then Saturday night - after a fun-filled day of soccer and garage organizing - we took Sylvia and Maddie out for Cajun food (Alison was babysitting) then came home, Wii'd, and watched La Vie en Rose. The first several minutes were confusing, to say the least. Then it dawned on me: Language selection - we do not really need to watch the entire film en Francais. Good thing - I actually thought my French was pretty good (good enough, anyway, to pass the foreign language requirement in grad school, though that was reading - but I had to read Simone de Beauvoir, which I would not categorize as easy). And it certainly seemed that way while I was learning German, when every word came out in French, but watching this, I caught about every 53rd word. Which does not make for a coherent story. But I could not seem to get the subtitles to work. Switched back to the movie, and while I could figure out the major themes ("Take her!" "No, I won't!" "Come back!" "Titine, please!") some of the subtleties were lost on me. When Alison got home I had her try, and sadly, she is just as technologically inept as we are. Then suddenly the lightbulb went on: There is a button on the remote that turns on the subtitles. We were in business.
For the record: Not a great movie. It was OK - especially visually - but not great. It sort of jumped around and you had to look closely at her hairstyle to guess what year it was. And I was concerned til the very end about a very significant part of her life that had been eliminated. Then, suddenly, there it was at the end - an intentional plot device. I was shocked that they had overlooked it ... but of course, they had not. But wow - that Marion Cotillard was amazing. She gave a fantastic performance, and she even looked like Piaf. If you're a Piaf fan (and I confess, I find her mesmerizing), then you'll like this. If you don't like or, or don't care, I'd recommend a pass - you won't be impressed.
*****
I freecycled a bunch of stuff. Old clothes, kids' stuff. Do not EVER tell my husband this, but I have way too many clothes. And shoes. My closet is too full (and I have a huge closet). But I feel better now that I've weeded some of it out.
*****
I lay awake last night, woke up frequently, worried about how I was going to manage being three places at the same time. And each time I had to remind myself: That is for Tuesday evening - tonight is just Monday! I hate those evenings when I toss and turn, my mind too full to sleep. Now that I've lost sleep a day too early, let's hope that tonight is easier. Everyone will get where they need to be, one way or another.
*****
The writers' strike is nearly over - yay! I am in solidarity with the writers (naturally). Peter is not - he is management, he reminds me. Keep remembering that when you're watching re-runs there, Peter. Even American Experience is a re-run tonight. Thank goodness for Law & Order repeats - even if I've seen them, they always feel new. And Alison was kind enough to pick up a book for me: Mates, Dates and Inflatable Bras. Nothing like British teenage lit to turn me on. I can crank up the deservedly Grammy-winning Amy Winehouse (loving her!) and take it easy.
Oh yes. Life is good.
Thursday, February 07, 2008
The Best - and Worst - of the Blog
When I was kid, I remember complaining that I was bored. My dad looked at me, somewhat incredulously, and told me he was never bored. In fact, he said, he could use an extra hour every day.
I was stunned - I honestly could not fathom what I do with an entire hour more each and every day.
Fast-forward. I want my extra hour. Or extra day. Whatever I can get, I'll take.
But to be honest, that's not the only thing that keeps me away from blogging. Lack of desire, some days, does it. Other days, I prefer to be just a consumer of blogs. And still other days, I run across blog entries that are so self-serving, so self-righteous, that I think I cannot possibly, for one more minute, contribute to the blogging world.
Today, apparently, I am, once again, feeling self-important. Because here it is, not even 8 a.m., and I'm at the computer. And to be honest, I have no topic in mind.
I could write about Houstonfest this weekend (high school German competition) - had a post all prepared in my head about how academics deserve more recognition, about how when I was in high school we were not permitted to participate in math relays held at the university campus that my school was part of, though we would never, ever have missed a track meet, a basketball tournament. But it hardly seemed getting too worked up about.
(For the record, Alison did very well, placing fifth in extemporaneous speaking and first in poetry. The school placed fourth. She was only eligible in a handful of categories, as she is considered an "advantaged" speaker, even though she really only met one of five or six criteria. She's going to state in both events, and she could not be more excited. Though she did not request my help as a chaperon ... which is OK. You can't watch any of the actual competition, so it's just as well that I stay home. Hanging out in hallways supervising kids is not my No. 1 way to spend a Saturday, and I did my duty over the weekend.)
I could pontificate on Super Tuesday, on upcoming primaries. Texas will really count - yay! A debate has been scheduled here for the Democrats, and the GOP is working on one, too - I anticipate visits from everyone in the days leading up to March 4 (I've heard the talk of a big Obama rally, but nothing definite for anyone else ... that will change). But my views are only mine. And while I know others agree with me, it can sound boring to ramble on and on about my political views. They're mine, and I value them highly. But others are not obligated to listen to what I have to say..
And people like to, for whatever reason, feel that they are somehow above the fray, saying that the candidates who are running for president do not inspire them, the media coverage is too intrusive, the campaign too long.
People said the same thing in 1960, that neither candidate did anything for them. I wonder who this dream candidate is, the one who would solve all our problems and inspire people to become part of the political process, all without negative ads and with just the right blend of charisma and talent. We end up with mere humans running. None of them is perfect, but I will give credit to anyone who tries to make a difference - Mike Gravel, Tom Villsack, and Duncan Hunter included.
And frankly, this year, the candidates have as much experience as any other year - we have former governors and senators among them. Just what is you people want, anyway?
And these comments are surprisingly upbeat from a cynic like me, let me tell you. Plus, I take offense at the media coverage jabs - I still consider myself part of the media, and I can tell you, most newspapers and TV stations offer exactly what the public wants. Look at the ratings. Personally, I love political coverage - I love to sit and watch election returns, listen to the speculation, the possible scenarios. In 2004, I loved that interactive map from the LA Times that showed what would happen depending on who won which state - I loved to change the states from red to blue, seeing how many states would be needed if my candidate did win Florida, or Ohio, or New Mexico. Fun stuff - on election night I was all set up on the sofa, laptop at my side, ready to play along with the live coverage.
But that's just me. And I never claimed to be normal. (Though I'm guessing Pete would understand.)
I could share the outrageous saga of the Harris County DA. I could write about what my girls are up to. I could blog about lots of little things I find entertaining, or amusing, or annoying.
Not in the mood. But by tomorrow I can share about another party, if you're interested. Or something new will have me inspired.
So, essentially, I have invested the last several minutes writing about nothing. Talk about self-absorbed ... blogging at its best.
I was stunned - I honestly could not fathom what I do with an entire hour more each and every day.
Fast-forward. I want my extra hour. Or extra day. Whatever I can get, I'll take.
But to be honest, that's not the only thing that keeps me away from blogging. Lack of desire, some days, does it. Other days, I prefer to be just a consumer of blogs. And still other days, I run across blog entries that are so self-serving, so self-righteous, that I think I cannot possibly, for one more minute, contribute to the blogging world.
Today, apparently, I am, once again, feeling self-important. Because here it is, not even 8 a.m., and I'm at the computer. And to be honest, I have no topic in mind.
I could write about Houstonfest this weekend (high school German competition) - had a post all prepared in my head about how academics deserve more recognition, about how when I was in high school we were not permitted to participate in math relays held at the university campus that my school was part of, though we would never, ever have missed a track meet, a basketball tournament. But it hardly seemed getting too worked up about.
(For the record, Alison did very well, placing fifth in extemporaneous speaking and first in poetry. The school placed fourth. She was only eligible in a handful of categories, as she is considered an "advantaged" speaker, even though she really only met one of five or six criteria. She's going to state in both events, and she could not be more excited. Though she did not request my help as a chaperon ... which is OK. You can't watch any of the actual competition, so it's just as well that I stay home. Hanging out in hallways supervising kids is not my No. 1 way to spend a Saturday, and I did my duty over the weekend.)
I could pontificate on Super Tuesday, on upcoming primaries. Texas will really count - yay! A debate has been scheduled here for the Democrats, and the GOP is working on one, too - I anticipate visits from everyone in the days leading up to March 4 (I've heard the talk of a big Obama rally, but nothing definite for anyone else ... that will change). But my views are only mine. And while I know others agree with me, it can sound boring to ramble on and on about my political views. They're mine, and I value them highly. But others are not obligated to listen to what I have to say..
And people like to, for whatever reason, feel that they are somehow above the fray, saying that the candidates who are running for president do not inspire them, the media coverage is too intrusive, the campaign too long.
People said the same thing in 1960, that neither candidate did anything for them. I wonder who this dream candidate is, the one who would solve all our problems and inspire people to become part of the political process, all without negative ads and with just the right blend of charisma and talent. We end up with mere humans running. None of them is perfect, but I will give credit to anyone who tries to make a difference - Mike Gravel, Tom Villsack, and Duncan Hunter included.
And frankly, this year, the candidates have as much experience as any other year - we have former governors and senators among them. Just what is you people want, anyway?
And these comments are surprisingly upbeat from a cynic like me, let me tell you. Plus, I take offense at the media coverage jabs - I still consider myself part of the media, and I can tell you, most newspapers and TV stations offer exactly what the public wants. Look at the ratings. Personally, I love political coverage - I love to sit and watch election returns, listen to the speculation, the possible scenarios. In 2004, I loved that interactive map from the LA Times that showed what would happen depending on who won which state - I loved to change the states from red to blue, seeing how many states would be needed if my candidate did win Florida, or Ohio, or New Mexico. Fun stuff - on election night I was all set up on the sofa, laptop at my side, ready to play along with the live coverage.
But that's just me. And I never claimed to be normal. (Though I'm guessing Pete would understand.)
I could share the outrageous saga of the Harris County DA. I could write about what my girls are up to. I could blog about lots of little things I find entertaining, or amusing, or annoying.
Not in the mood. But by tomorrow I can share about another party, if you're interested. Or something new will have me inspired.
So, essentially, I have invested the last several minutes writing about nothing. Talk about self-absorbed ... blogging at its best.
Tuesday, February 05, 2008
Super Tuesday, Super Busy
I am swamped. As in, so busy I can't see straight.
But tomorrow, it will be over.
I did find time to attend a Super Tuesday party. Very fun. Very, very fun. Lots of cool people. Along with good pizza. And wine.
Now, back to the grindstone. But I'll have CNN on in the background. California results may have to wait until morning. I'm leaving the house early to attend breakfast at the middle school. Celebrating my child's academic accomplishments.
Maybe in the afternoon I can crash. Before I head out to soccer practice. Life with three kids ... I brought this on myself ... must remember that ... this is all of my own doing ...
But tomorrow, it will be over.
I did find time to attend a Super Tuesday party. Very fun. Very, very fun. Lots of cool people. Along with good pizza. And wine.
Now, back to the grindstone. But I'll have CNN on in the background. California results may have to wait until morning. I'm leaving the house early to attend breakfast at the middle school. Celebrating my child's academic accomplishments.
Maybe in the afternoon I can crash. Before I head out to soccer practice. Life with three kids ... I brought this on myself ... must remember that ... this is all of my own doing ...
Friday, February 01, 2008
Nothing quite as fun as a debate
I tuned in to watch the big debate last night - the first Democratic debate with only the two front-runners, Barack Obama and Hillary Clinton.
It was fantastic! First of all, they got along famously - not a word of bickering between the two. It was quite the harmonious get-together. Sure, they disagreed, but they were so accommodating, it was just a civilized discussion, with each of them conceding points to the other ("Of course, you said that weeks ago..." "Naturally, it is a difficult decision ...").
And there were lots of good answers, on everything from health care to taxes to immigration.
But mostly it was fun because Pete and I texted back and forth during the entire event, noting worthy comments, picking out the celebrities in the audience, and discussion on other tangential subjects (Barack Obama's look, which led to Michelle Obama, which led to the hair flip - Pete likes, I hate - which led to Gloria Vanderbilt's common hair style, which led to Anderson Cooper and speculation on whether or not AC is single, whom he might be seeing, and what Pete's source is for that information).
But we were totally tuned in to the debate - trust me.
I have to say, it's the most I have enjoyed a debate this year - and I have watched several this year. When do the GOP candidates meet again? Peter, it's a date!
It was fantastic! First of all, they got along famously - not a word of bickering between the two. It was quite the harmonious get-together. Sure, they disagreed, but they were so accommodating, it was just a civilized discussion, with each of them conceding points to the other ("Of course, you said that weeks ago..." "Naturally, it is a difficult decision ...").
And there were lots of good answers, on everything from health care to taxes to immigration.
But mostly it was fun because Pete and I texted back and forth during the entire event, noting worthy comments, picking out the celebrities in the audience, and discussion on other tangential subjects (Barack Obama's look, which led to Michelle Obama, which led to the hair flip - Pete likes, I hate - which led to Gloria Vanderbilt's common hair style, which led to Anderson Cooper and speculation on whether or not AC is single, whom he might be seeing, and what Pete's source is for that information).
But we were totally tuned in to the debate - trust me.
I have to say, it's the most I have enjoyed a debate this year - and I have watched several this year. When do the GOP candidates meet again? Peter, it's a date!
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