Planning for next Xmas

For $40 (plus $5 for shipping), you can have this personally inscribed 8x10 of Chaka and fam from Land of the Lost.

As much as I loved Krofft Superstars as a kid, I just don't think this is worth it. We may, however, need to invest in the dvds.

Step 5

5. Admitted to God, to ourselves, and to another human being the exact nature of our wrongs.

On Saturday I had brunch with my sister at Cafe Flora. I couldn't decide between the Gingerbread Pancakes and the Pear-Walnut Sandwich. The gingerbread was clearly in the lead in my mind, but fearing it to be a caloric monstrosity, I decided to place the decision in the hands of our waitress:

"So, what's better...the gingerbread pancakes or the pear sandwich?"

"Well, they're both good, but I'd go for the pear sandwich. It's amazing and the gingerbread is a bit on the heavy side for me."

"Ah, that's what I thought. I'll go with the sandwich."

The pear sandwich was good. It was all open-faced with nice mixed greens on the side, but here's the problem: I am still thinking about gingerbread pancakes. And today I looked online for the recipe. It made me realize that I have a serious problem with gingerbread. Every winter, I seem to be obsessed with it. This is the umpteenth winter I've poured over gingerbread recipes, like these "Gingerbread Straws" I am totally making soon, or simple gingerbread cake. I remember I once made gingerbread waffles with blueberry syrup. They require a 3-hour nap immediately following breakfast.

So, I admit, I am seasonally addicted to gingerbread. My other...er, okay, one of my other seasonal addictions, mangos, is at least a bit more healthy.

Sammy on Alki

I'm attempting to upload a video. Testing...testing...nope didn't work.

Okay, well I should really post something. How about neighborhood news:

- There's a jogger in our neighborhood who is probably 75 or 80. He jogs in jeans and a flannel shirt. He rocks. He'll probably live to be 140 like our next door neighbor.

- There's a Korean couple who walk the neighborhood every day. It looks like he's had a stroke, but that doesn't seem to slow them down much. They rock.

- Our next door pet, Roxy, has been a much happier camper. The little girl, who isn't so little anymore, seems to have basically moved in with her dad, so Roxy has company most of the time. This is a tremendous relief since we have much less time to bring her over to play, etc.

- I think our neighbors across the street split up. I only see her car about once a week now, and just for a brief time during the day.

- The last dog that we rescued has stayed tethered to his house lately.

- The house we like on the next block that was for sale is now up for rent.

- The daycare a few blocks away never returned my call. Good thing August is doing her 1 day/week elsewhere.

Baby machine gun

Liquidy rice cereal + new found ability to raspberry = big mess

Lant anyone?

I've given up something for Lent twice, and now that I think about it, sugar was the victim both times. Since I'm not Catholic, I started calling it Lant. And I'm aiming to lant again this year by renouncing refined sugar, as it's the right thing to do for me, an admitted sugar-lover.

I challenge you, dear reader, to join me. (I am confident in my challenge as I know 3 people who read this blog give up something for Lent each and every year. But I'm hoping that maybe one other person will join in...c'mon, it'll be fun! Or maybe just illuminating and slightly painful.)

(Um...could one of those three people remind me when Lent/Lant actually starts? Maybe late February or something? Thank you.)

Meet Stan

Stan is worth $4.8 billion.

A sock story

Maybe 10 years ago
I went to a banquet
An awards banquet, for journalism
with my then-boyfriend

He was nominated for an award
So was his mother
We sat at the same table
And ate chicken, I think

I don't remember who won
an award that night
But someone at our table
"won" a pair of soccer socks

Whoever won them
Didn't want them
And gave them to me
They are blue and say "diadora"

I still wear these socks
Since they're really warm
especially when it's cold
like today.

Bacon in song

I was playing with August this afternoon, standing her up on the bed while singing (to the tune of Edelweiss):

Bacon bacon
Crispy bacon
Every morning you greet me...

(This isn't actually true, but oh if it were.)

50 bits of wisdom

Ray found this list -- "50 things I've learned in 50 years, a partial list in no particular order" by Eric Zorn, Chicago Tribune -- and passed it along to me. I like it...lots of good reminders, including:

10. Empathy is the greatest virtue. From it, all virtues flow. Without it, all virtues are an act.

12. Keeping perspective is the greatest key to happiness. From a distance, even a bumpy road looks smooth.

14. It’s not “political correctness” that dictates that we try not to insult others’ beliefs and identities. It’s common decency.

21. Fear of failure is a ticket to mediocrity. If you’re not failing from time to time, you’re not pushing yourself. And if you’re not pushing yourself, you’re coasting.

22. Anyone who judges you by the kind of car you drive or shoes you wear isn’t someone worth impressing.

24. If you’re in a conversation and you’re not asking questions, then it’s not a conversation, it’s a monologue.

31. Physical attraction is nice, but shared values and a shared sense of humor are the real keys to lasting love.

41. Almost no one stretches, flosses or gives compliments often enough.

49. Whatever your passion, pursue it as though your days were numbered. Because they are.

Malkovich. Malkovich? Malkovich!

Sometimes when I look at August I see a micro version of myself. After the double-take, my brain does that weird hiccup thing similar to déjà vu. It's a little like being in my own variation of "Being John Malkovich."

Top 100 Books

I just finished The Golden Compass, and wanted to read something different before getting into the rest of the trilogy. I bought Reading Lolita in Tehran a month or two ago and started it on Sunday. It reminded me (as the title should have when I picked it up) that I have never read Lolita, or anything by Nabakov. Actually, I don't think I've read anything by any of the notable Russian novelists.

It's been a few years since I looked at the top 100 books list. I've always intended to slowly read through the list, but while I've been in school it's been hard to justify (or concentrate on) fiction. Since I'm not in school this year, I should try to get more of these read.

I noticed the list has changed a little bit, and includes more pop titles than I remember. I can check off thirty-five out of 100, which ain't great, but I guess it could be worse.

So, I'm shelving the Reading Lolita book for now, and I picked up two classics today that I'm ashamed to admit I've never read: the Brontes' Wuthering Heights and Jane Eyre. After that, it's all Russians, baby.

5 months old

You’re five months old
And we're beginning to see
Traces of your personality

You hate to nap
But bedtime’s great
(This we really appreciate)

You like to laugh
if you're not too tired
And tickling is fun
Before you expire

You’re gentle with Sammy
Though T-ko doesn’t rate
This is probably good since
Baby thumping she’d hate

You like to “talk”
Some monologues even
What are you saying?
Do you babble with reason?

“Her hair is so dark!”*
And it’s getting long
Except for the baldspots
Soon to be gone?

August, oh August
You are a funny bub
You need a bath badly
Get thee to the tub!

_________________

* Is this a surprise? Look at her dad.

Bon Appetit

Verisimilitude

We're finally home to stay after two road trips in the last 8 days. Fun, but exhausting, especially for a baby who apparently really likes her own bed. But then again, who doesn't. Anyway, I really have a hankerin' to write something, but not much is coming to mind except bloglettes.

1. Found new favorite food product: UK import Tyrrells salt & vinegar potato chips, found at CostPlus World Market. Damn..."eating more chips" is not one of my resolutions for 2008. Not that I believe in resolutions per se.

2. I've been thinking lately: if junk mail, excessive packaging, and those damn extra phone books they plunk on everyone's doorstep -- Seriously, it's a sin that so many of these are printed and go immediately into the recycling bin! Who needs a "Yellow Pages" and a "Yellow Book" and a "Lemon Pages" and a "Super Yellow" and a "Big Book"! -- did not exist, think of the environmental impact!

3. Resolution for 2008: use less exclamation points.

4. Plan for 2008: Find daycare for August for 1 day/week. Go in to school 1 day/week. Go to gym 3-4 times week. Take August to Aqua Tots on Fridays. Eat more vegetables. Read more journal articles. Do a 1-mile swim and/or swim/bike-a-thon and/or sprint triathlon. Paint the house. Finish painting the frickin' living room. Read a few classics. Draw more. Work on lowering my average times for 100-, 200- and 800-yd swims during workouts.

5. I always say, "I wish I liked sushi/seafood/getting up at 5 am." What things do you want to like, but just plain don't?