Quote

 Self Pity

I never saw a wild thing

sorry for itself.

A small bird will drop frozen dead from a bough

without ever having felt sorry for itself.

- D. H. Lawrence

 Proof anything can inspire strong emotions: "My wife and I have a motto: If you don't love John Denver, then fuck you". - complete text of someone's post on YouTube.

Say what?

I've mentioned before how I quiz the kids about what artist is playing on the radio, in an effort to get them to pay attention and broaden their listening taste. Yesterday the radio was playing "Captain Jack". I asked YaYa who was singing. "Uh . . .Guns 'n Roses???" she said. Long silence. "That may be the only time in history," I said, "where Billy Joel was confused with Axel Rose"

Ma and Junie

 

The Mark of Zorro

 B4 work I sat down w/ the kids & watched Tyrone Power in "The Mark of Zorro", (these kids will appreciate movie history if it's the end of me). Since it features no talking dogs or singing teenagers, they wandered off 1 by 1. All, that is, except for LuLu, my doll. For her faithfulness she was treated to the greatest sword fight in movie history - Tyrone Power vs Basil Rathbone, a scene she even asked me to rewind.

 I downloaded a virus on my home computer. Working hard to fix it as we 'speak'.

What? I Thought You Could

 We just saw a makeup commercial where a woman transforms into a hot young version of herself. This disclaimer then appeared: "Dramatization. You can not grow younger." I kid you not

Doctor Who: A Christmas Carol

Last night I finally saw "Doctor Who: A Christmas Carol". Wonderful! It was a entertaining and well written twist on the Dicken's classic, and if I do say so the 'ghost of Christmas future' scene was clever and emotional. Steven Moffatt and Matt Smith are doing great things with this show.

FB - the week of Christmas 2010

Dec 21st

A sincere RIP to Barney Miller star Steve Landesburg. Dietrich was my favorite character on that great sitcom.

We just finished another horrendous day (two in a row baby!) by watching 'Easy A' w/ Emma Stone. It's a comedy about a high school girl who capitalizes on her (unfounded) reputation as a slut to gain popularity, then has to face the consequences of her actions when the line btwn reality and fiction starts to blur. It started off slow, but picked up steam. Very impressed by Stone.

Dec 23rd

‎'Bear', a 2010 movie directed by John Rebel, was just . . . yeah. I'm not sure who should be more embarrassed, the folks responsible for creating this drivel, or yours truly for thinking "well, crap, at least *they* managed to get something produced. What does that say about my own talent?"

Dec 24th

If a train is coming @ you, closing your eyes won't save you. But if u look right @ it, you at least have a chance to jump. - I don't remember the source

I finished Andrew Vacch's 'The Weight', which I quite liked six weeks ago when I was 50 pgs in. Then, through no fault of the book itself, I had to finish it in blocks of 20 or 30 pgs over a month long period. By the end I resented the hell out of the novel. Couldn't stand to even look at it. Anyhow, it's the last bk I'm reading in '10. I'm done read out for the year.

Joey McIntyre and his wife are expecting their 3rd child. Congrats!

Lisa and I are watching "It's a Wonderful Life" on NBC. It remains my favorite movie ever. No contest - there's not a scene that doesn't make me smile and/or cry. Just seeing it on the screen makes this awful Christmas week nearly tolerable.

Christmas Day

A record crowd of Christian pilgrims is celebrating Christmas in Bethlehem. The Pope has also offered prayers urging courage for Catholics in China. My prayer's are with them too; Christians must remain strong in the face of the adversity this world presents against them.

Today, while walking to buy some much needed booze, I found a brand new copy of the 600 pg Polish poem "Pan Tadeusz" by Adam Mickiewicz just laying in the snow. Huh. What are the chances that a) a book nut b) a Polack c) someone both familar with the poem and a fan of it would rescue it from the elements on Christmas Day?

Dec 26th

Happy Boxing Day. I spent Xmas PM making a dinner of ham, potatoes, green beans, and (1st x ever) homemade bread pudding. The latter was greeted with gag reflexes by the kids, but Lu & Smiley wound up liking it. Then, w/ our friend Chris over it was a nt of 'Survivor: Vanuatu', 'Kitchen Nightmares', & Anne Francis in an episode of 'Honey West'. Hope u all had a great & peaceful Christmas.

Until the recent discs from Netflix, we've only seen two episodes of any Survivor (the Richard Hatch finale and this yrs result show). Now, we're hooked. I can't believe how insanely competitive I get, rooting for this contestant or tribe o...ver the other.

BTW - LOVED the abrupt about face that got the snooty but incredibly delictable Ami booted from Vanuatu. Great TV.See More

"Read not to contradict and confute, nor to believe and take for granted, but to weigh and consider" - Francis Bacon Sr (quote on a leather book weight Lisa got me for Christmas)

Dec 27th

Quote

 You're born an original. Don't die a copy." - John Mason

Play Practice

 Love it, and btw, Junie was singing the song in the car, she loves the play - Grandma Jeanne

 Lisa took Grace (or Grac.E as she now writes her name) to Justice to use up a gc from her aunt katie (thanks!). She found a lot of bargains, even buying something for LuLu. Nice mother/daughter time.

Monsters

I watched 'Monsters' tonight. Despite its moronic choice of title, it was grand. The story involves 2 people trying to cross the "Infected Zone" & reach the US - the Zone being an area of Mexico that has been overrun with ET's who arrived when a space probe broke up on entry. Yeah, yeah, I know - but it's GOOD, even moving at times. IIRC it won several film awards in the UK, and I think it was well deserved.

A quick word from your host

It's been awhile since I've posted here, and while no excuses are required, I'll mention that part of it was due to a lack of internet service. I could access Facebook on my phone, but venturing here? Nuh-uh.

Anyhow, today is the 16th anniversary of the day I met Lisa. Happy Anniversary babe.

A few random thoughts:

The Sentry (grocery) store on 51st and Oklahoma is shutting its doors after what's probably a fifty year run. I remember it largely for the bulk bags of dog food stacked by the windows; as a kid I would lounge on them while my Mom was in the checkout line. I also stopped there on my way back from a tour of Pius. Both memories are irrelevant, but when else am I going to mention them?

By the standards of its day I'm sure it was large, but in today's world it's not leaps and bounds larger than the produce section of its competitors. As a co-worker said, they can't compete with Aldi on the price of canned goods, nor with Pick 'n Save for produce, but their bakery and deli always did well. Failing to expand and stress those areas hastened their demise.

* * *

Yesterday, while the rest of the family was at dance class, LuLu and I watched the movie Secretariat. It was quite good, and well deserving of a rental.

Lisa and I have also just completed watching Season 8 of Project Runway. The winner, Gretchen Jones, is a good designer, but we both felt Mondo Guerra should have taken the gold.

* * *

"BabydollAngelCakesHoneyBunchesofOats" = my term of endearment for the girls. It comes out naturally, and as one word, all in a rush.

* * *

I'm annoyed by how the girls, especially YaYa, are stressing the last syllable of every word. "want" becomes "wanttttt". Have them say 'uh' and it comes out as eight syllables and takes half a minute to complete.

* * *

"No offense, " = another verbal tic of the girls. They use this phrase to inevitably launch into an offensive tirade about your faults.

* * * *
"Me a Robot. Me a Robot" - a phrase Ginger uses as she walks around with her arms out like a TV sleepwalker, a bucket or box on top of her head.

Happy Anniversary

16 years ago today I met Lisa for the first time. 2/22/95 will always rank as one of the pivotal days of my life, and she remains the best thing to ever happen to me. Happy Anniversary.

TJ

This evening's soundtrack: Edith Piaf, George Harrison, Amy Winehouse, Fleetwood Mac, Rihanna, David Bowie, Black Sabbath . . .

News

"I find it ironic that the same day that thousands of people skipped work to rail against our “undemocratic” leader [Walker] fewer than a quarter of the registered voters in Madison bothered to vote in an actual election." - Phil Hands of the Wisconsin State Journal

"Republicans. . . are holding possible bargaining chips in their efforts to end the stalemate. . . one of those chips may be a bill to require voters to show ID at the polls . . the ID bill could come another day if Democrats don't return. Without Democrats present, the Republicans have enough members to be able to hold votes on non-financial bills but not on a fiscal bill such as a budget"

Coincidentally . . .

YaYa: That's the third time today you've called me a liar!

Me: Coincidentally, that's the third time today you've lied.

 

Ugh, I keep posting and then deleting because i dont want the drama. I need to just stay off facebook. I don't pick friends by politics, nor do I intend to lose friends that way either, so what's the point? It's just hard, passion runs deep. - Lisa

You Again

 After a nice dinner w/ the kids Lis & I sat down to watch "You Again". Despite some nice buzz here on FB I thought the script was paint-by-numbers, w/out an original thought to be found. BUT it did pick up steam in the last third, so not all was lost.

Piranha 3D

I had a great day post-work. Capped it off by watching 'Piranha 3D' with Lisa - believe it or not, her Redbox choice, not mine. It was campy, gory, featured a lot of boobs and an awful soundtrack. I thought it was swell.

Don't Trust Junie with your Beverage

That's supposed to be a clear bottle of water. What you're looking at is the typical, persistent backwash of Junie.

That's why no one let's her take a sip!!!! And furthermore even, I, mom of "nothing grosses me out" will no longer be letting her take sips...I've been drinking brown soda too long, who knows how much of this shit I've ingested, YUCK!!!! - Lisa

Eleven Minutes

After work tonight we sat down & watched "Eleven Minutes" a documentary about the creation of Jay McCaroll's 2007 fashion line. Fascinating to watch, and Jay is certainly a character. Interesting fact: he turned down the prize $ from his win on Project Runway, citing the fact that the contract gave 10% of his earnings, in perpetuity, to the PR production company.

Other than Molly, is anyone on here going to Madison to support Gov. Walker? Someone asked me to go, but I have to work this morning - insert lame joke about how only teachers can skip work w/out penalty. Anyhow, if you are heading to that mess, stay safe. It could get ugly, esp since unions are bringing in folks from out of state to swell their numbers. (that's a fact out of the JS front page article, not opinion).

Fail

 tried and failed to secure Taylor Swift tix for YaYa . The only ones i could get were out of my price range, and efforts to borrow the xtra $ were for naught. So I failed my 1st born again. Wonderful.

The Best Quote about Writing. Ever.

 I can't understand why a person will take a year to write a novel when he can easily buy one for a few dollars. - the late great Fred Allen

True Grit by Charles Portis

 I've finished Charles Portis' novel 'True Grit'. It's a very short book, written as a monologue by the teenage heroine a half century after the events. I love the voice Portis gave the character; think Huck Finn with a bad temper and a cranky disposition. Well worth a read.

ISO

YaYa's junior troop is doing a service project and needs to collect a few things. If you'd like to help her troop out they need: men's socks, men's underwear, wash cloths, travel size soap, shampoo, prayer cards/coins, tooth brushes/paste. Our goal is to make 50 small care packages for a shelter, so it's a great cause. No donation too small - Lisa

I'm Done

Done with the political bullshit. Both sides. I'll say no more. I now only care about important things like what's on bravo or which drag queen has to lip-sync for their lives. I also hate you all. - Lisa

update: My sealed lips lasted 18 hours, almost a record for me. It's so hard, as you know. Passion runs deep

Teacher "Flu"

 Woke up to discover MPS is closed with the teacher 'flu'. Not that I'm cynical or anything, but I do note that with the scheduled day off on Monday MPS teachers have now guaranteed themselves a 4 day weekend with which to spend their average salary of $46K (for working 9 months a yr w/ wknds and holidays off). But it's not about $ people, it's about their rights!

MY kids have school today. So glad we chose this school. Catholic schools, consider them! - Lisa

People who get on my nerves: Those who always have to have the last word ...also people who say "no" with no guilt, but then won't take your no for an answer. UGH. - LIsa

A Stupid Quote

 Stay away from the crack . . .unless you can manage it socially - Charlie Sheen

Smiley does a Petition!!!

Smiley volunteered to do a petition @ the school Mass this morning, & all props to the teacher for letting him do it despite his speech problems. We've got him all gussied up & are planning to attend in force, & he's practiced all week. "For all soldiers we pray to the Lord". Sadly, he's so worried about it he had several nightmares last night, meaning sound sleep was in short supply here.

Quote

 "Life shrinks or expands in proportion to one's courage." -Anais Nin

On Lara Logan

Lara Logan [The CBS reporter who was gang raped and beaten by a mob of Egyptian 'democracy' protesters] should sue the crap out of cbs.....why have security and camera men at all if they aren't going to do their jobs?! She was basically a bunny amongst wolves. - Lisa

A Nook Complaint

Big fan of the Nook, as you know, and I favor the reading experience and battery life of the b&w over the Color, but I gotta tell ya - the inability to read in dim light is wearing on me. As soon as twilight arrives your reading is done, long before a booklight would be needed for a traditional page. Not liking the idea that a Color might be the weapon of choice when funds allow.

My LuLu in Shades (and some of her work!)

 

Quote

 Enough is as good as a feast

I Spit on Your Grave

 After the Grammy's we (well, Lisa) baked cupcakes for the kids' Valentines Day treats, then settled down to watch 'I Spit on Your Grave'. It's a remake of a '70's film where a woman is gang-raped and left for dead, only to return & kill off her attackers in Saw-esque scenarios. Ten years ago, I'd have labeled the movie and *all* of its characters 'retarded'. Now, dutifully PC, I don't know how to describe it.

"The Ice Bowl: The Cold Truth About Football's Most Unforgettable Game" by Ed Gruver.

While waiting for the kids at dance class I finished "The Ice Bowl: The Cold Truth About Football's Most Unforgettable Game" by Ed Gruver. Stylish writing, great detail, tons of research; just a great read. Be forewarned tho' - the ebook version is awash in typos that don't appear in the print edition.

Happy Valentines Day!

 Only have 60 or so cupcakes to frost.... Happy Valentines Yo!

-  Lisa

Grammy NIght

 Great day at work, lousy night at home. Anyhwho, now we're watching the Grammy's. For the first time ever there has yet to be a nominee or performer whose album I haven't heard, start to finish, at least once. I feel all knowledgeable and schtuff.

Esperanza Spalding wins best new artist . . . [sx: crickets chirp]. She wouldn't have been my FOURTH choice out of the nominees. What a waste of airtime.

Yo, Babs: if you are presenting a Grammy, best not to stammer over the winner's album title. Kinda gives the impression you don't know them or their work (which you don't).

Martha Stewart takes the ordinary and makes it beautiful. Katie Brown takes the beautiful and makes it hideous. Sometimes I think she plays it for the camp factor. That has to be it, right?

A Rough Night

Horrible nightmares all night, one rolling right into the next. Not a good night.

Quote

"He was a stupid man, he knew nothing at all of the world, and like all men who knew nothing of the world, he was suspicious and jealous" - The Duke of Wellington, on the jailor of Napoleon, Hudson Lowe

 

Never Say Never

Just back from work, in time to see Lisa and LuLu off to the movies for a special Mom/daughter day.

Soon I'll be off to see the Bieber flick w/ my 7 year old LuLu...she's soooo excited. Hard not to have some of that joy rub off - Lisa

Lu's reaction to the Bieber movie? "It's freakin' AWESOME!!!". She and Lisa were happy to get primo seats w/out any hassles, in lg part because they caught the last matinee. On the way out they said teenage girls in PJ's and "Bieber warpaint" were lined up around the corner hoping for good seats for the 1st evening show.

A Good Time with 3 kids while Lu is at the movies with Mom

Having a good time with the kids while Lu is at the movies with Lisa.

YaYa took photographs of drops of food coloring she suspended in water, Smiley and I made paper boats and Junie is running around half naked endlessly repeating "Ohmygoodnessohmygoodness".

And Dean Martin's album "Dino" is playing. Dean Martin's voice is like buttah, infinitely easier on the ears than Sinatra. It never fails to make me smile.

Smiley Learns the Truth about the Tooth Fairy

Smiley just asked if the tooth fairy was real. I asked him if he wanted the truth, & he repeated the ?, as he's prone to do w/ his speech problems.

"I understood you, I want to know if u want the truth."

When he said he did I told him it wasn't real, and that I was the tooth fairy.

"Or Mom," he said, very serious. He thought for a second longer. "Mom is. Fairies are girls. "

The Cypress House by MIchael Koryta

 'tho it meant going to work on shy of 4hrs sleep, I stayed up to finish 'The Cypress House' by Michael Koryta. It's a supernatural story set in the gloomy swamps of Depression-era Florida. Very well written & satisfying. Count me as a fan.

Yeah NO.

NEVER ask for what should be offered - a quote from Winter's Bone, and one that rings true. We used it just this week to teach LuLu a lesson about pride. She was hurt that she's never asked over to a friend's house, while other (wealthier?) kids are, and wanted to call and ask the parents for an invitation. Hell to the No.

Middle Men

I just turned off "Middle Men" w/ 45 min left on the DVD. How do you take a film about porn, strippers, drugs & the mob and make it boring? For starters, bury it under so much narration you think you're listening to an audio book. This ain't Goodfellas, buddy, & you're no Scorsese. Show us the story, don't recite it. Yawn.

Mr. Sunshine

Matthew Perry's new show, "Mr. Sunshine", has taken some heat here on FB but I enjoyed it & found it funny. [Plus my opinion is worth ten of anyone elses, so pbbbt.] Good to see the girlfriend from 'Joey' bed down yet another Friends alum on TV; I eagerly await her future co-starring role with Jen Aniston.

A Knock Knock Joke

Junie: Knock knock

Me: who's there?

Junie: Uh, doctor who

Me: Doctor who who?

Junie: doctor who, uh, soda!

Disaster!

Egads! The long awaited DVD of Project Runway Season 8 arrived via Netflix and won't play! We've been forced to jump ahead 5 episodes & start w/ disc 2. Pfui.

Lu's report

 Lu had to list 3 Presidents as options for a report, & her teacher then chose 1 on a 1st come/1st served basis so there'd be no repetition among the students. Lu listed Obama, Polk & Adams. She got *Obama* which presumably means no one else in the class had him listed high; quite a diff from what MPS, no? She solicited my help to start it. I quipped "Barrack Obama, our 44th President, was born in Kenya . . . "

lol. I thought the book was awfully presumptuous as well, said he was the president till 2013....how do they know that for sure? I would be creeped out if someone put that, like they jinxed me and tomorrow someone's gonna assassinate me. - Lisa

Paranormal Activity 2

Tonight we watched 'Paranormal Activity 2', a movie that takes place before/during the events of the original. It wasn't bad, if u can stomach a movie where a child may be in danger & can tolerate watching security footage of an empty room where (mostly) nothing happens. A decent waste of 90 minutes & worth a cheap rental.

The Groupon Ads

As soon as I saw the Groupon Super Bowl ads I knew some ninnies would throw a fit. They were witty, edgy and just plain funny. Get a sense of humor people, or @ least leave ur gripes out of the media.

https://www.npr.org/sections/thetwo-way/2011/02/07/133560977/groupons-tibet-super-bowl-ad-harmless-fun-or-offensive

Brrr

 Damn, it is well and truly bitterbit*h cold out there.

Bad choice, AOL

 AOL has purchased The Huffington Post and given it complete control over all AOL editorial content. Ugh, yet another reason to seperate from AOL.

The Virginity Hit

We (me, Lisa, Chris) crammed in a viewing of "The Virginity Hit', a mockumentary following a young guy looking to lose his virginity. Much to my surprise it was LOL - the inflatable tranny doll scene had us all but peeing our pants in laughter. it turns out that it was produced by Will Ferrell. Rent it if you have a sense of humor.

Just FYI :)

 I don't know if y'all heard, but the Packers won the Super Bowl. Just thought you'd like to know.

An Alleged Robbery

 A cop just knocked on my door and asked if I witnessed an alleged strong arm robbery directly across the street. A guy says he was robbed * & * bit by the crook's dog. We were in our living room, w/ the bay window uncovered, & saw/heard diddly. Not saying it's a drunk fairytale, but . . . Neat to have to give my name/middle initial/DOB/phone to a cop again. Strange what I miss from Job Prior.

Super Bowl Champions!!!!!

Whoo-hoo!!! Thank you Packer D! Super Bowl Champions Baby!

Nowhere Man

Back from work & not happy. Moving on . . 'Nowhere Boy' a biopic of John Lennon's formative years, is a good film. I will note that I was annoyed that the lead actor is 100x better looking than Lennon, and that Paul is portrayed by what appears to be a ten yr old waif. Still, very enjoyable. (creepy incestous Mommy relationship aside)

Scary Smiley!

Smiley's Caillou

My Gals

Love Ranch and The American

We watched 'The American' a few days back, and despite a good trailer & George Clooney in the lead role, it was el-boringo. Criminy, *I* wanted to kill the dull bugger myself by the 3rd act. 

'Love Ranch' a Helen Mirren/Joe Pesci film about a legal brothel in the '70's, was pretty good but ended like a bad TV movie, narration and all.

Snow Woes

Hey you asshat city plow drivers - thanks for burying the entrance to the alley under three feet of snow for the *8th* time. The only reason I'd ever own a dog would be so I could have it take a dump on your lawn.

Just dug out the alley entrance again. The side street to our north is damn impassable, but this yahoo insists on making pass after pass on the driveable street to our south.

While we were out in the alley LuLu konked me on the side of the head with a steel snow shovel. Full force, on a ridiculously comic backswing. Ouch.