Derring-do

A Minor Change

2009-01-01T23:40:00.000-08:00

I've been wanting a new look, and it was too complicated to figure out how to make the changes I wanted on this current blog, so I've started a new one. You can find it here. Come visit!

A Name's A Name

2008-12-16T17:26:00.000-08:00

That's what this father says. I don't think I can agree in this instance. Why, why, and HOW could you saddle your kid with a name like that? (Check out his other kids' names.)

Here are some more:

Talullah Does The Hula
Moxie Crimefighter
Rocket
Pilot Inspekter
Tabooger

There are many many more, but those are just some examples. Why? Why would you do that to your child? Do you hate him in advance? I don't get it.

2008-12-16T09:04:00.000-08:00

The Irony Is Thick

2008-12-15T23:15:00.000-08:00

T-H-I-S is a terrible, horrible happening. More and more there are stories of kidnappings in Mexico and sadly, it's made me never want to visit again. It's a terrible thing that's going on there. But isn't there something just so ironic about this particular case? (Not to be irreverent or diminish the awfulness of it.)

A Long and Rambling, Boring Diatribe Regarding That Offensive Subject of Global Warming

2008-12-15T18:56:00.000-08:00

I will likely regret bringing this up, and I'm disappointed in advance that it will be considered a "political" post because it's anything but that. This subject isn't important enough to raise anyone's ire, to make someone's head explode, etc. But this is merely, simply, an honest curiosity I have. I'm increasingly fascinated by a common thread of thought regarding global warming. Right now it's unusually cold in many places, it's snowing in strange and crazy places---New Orleans, Houston, etc.---and it's just COLD, right? So over and over I hear or read the comment, "Where's the global warming??" Often this is accompanied by a healthy dose of snickering. Which, like I said, I find fascinating. Also, in my initial ignorance, I didn't realize the bodies of thought are neatly split down political lines: Left believes; Right mocks. Those seem to be the two main players. I imagine there are plenty who trickle in somewhere in between on either side.

Here are some of the intriguing parts to me:

1) I don't remember anyone ever saying that global warming means we're all going to be dying of heat. As I understand it--correct me if I'm wrong--global warming refers to climate change. It increases extreme weather events: hot, cold, rain, snow, tornado, hurricane, etc. Global warming is about climate sensitivity and weather changes, etc.; not: "no one's ever going to need a coat again."

2) Why are some people so violently opposed to the idea of global warming? It's like a personal offense against them, as though the entire world is saying in a loud and ominous, booming voice: "It's YOUR fault that this is happening. YOU ALONE are responsible." Why does this evoke such a visceral reaction?

3) Why is it so hard to imagine that years and years of pollution could have had an adverse effect on our environment? Why is it so crazy to imagine that we as humans and inhabitants of this earth could possibly have contributed to a less-than-stellar environment? Is it so unreasonable to think, "Wow, hey, it looks like there's a possibility that some damage has been done to good ole Mother Earth and some of it can possibly be attributed to (*gasp*) humans, so hey---let's all pitch in a little and alter our routines slightly and see if we can maybe undo some of this, or at least not continue to make it worse"?? Is that really so far-out there? Is it really so Al Gore? Can't it just be we're-all-in-this-together?

4) And if there's absolutely no such thing, is it really so bad to try to be more environmentally-friendly anyway? I know that there are dollar signs involved, and that's what makes a lot of people mad. Especially if you don't believe there IS such a thing as global warming, it seems like throwing money away. But I guess I can't figure out how it's such a far-out idea that maybe pollution is bad and maybe we should try to breathe cleaner air. Just as one example.

So I'm a bit confused. I'm always somewhat taken aback by the complete derision I sometimes hear regarding global warming---and I understand now, I understand that it's mostly political. I guess I get it. But seriously. Isn't it a tiny bit like maybe burying our heads in the sand? Maybe? I mean, what if (a wee wee tiny possibility, I know), what if it's...........

true?

And Yet Another.....

2008-12-11T09:33:00.000-08:00

I'm just a sucker for these kinds of stories.

Awww

2008-12-09T09:21:00.000-08:00

I just found this picture in my computer. I'd forgotten how cute my little boys used to be. They're handsome now (if I say so myself), getting all grown up....but they were so sweet! :) I wouldn't be their mother, would I?

I Dare You...

2008-12-09T09:20:00.000-08:00

...to watch T-H-I-S and not shed a teeny tiny tear.

Braxton Hick

2008-12-04T22:47:00.000-08:00

So a couple is racing down the breakdown lane on a highway in Massachusetts. Have they robbed a bank? Can't be bothered to wait in the stop-and-go traffic? Trying to get all their Christmas shopping done? Not quite. The woman is watermelon pregnant and having contractions three minutes apart...desperate, yeah? I mean, who wants to deliver a baby in the car on the highway in a traffic jam? Not me, thanks. I was there, and it's not a fun place to be (on the way, barely making it to the hospital).

So they see a cop up ahead--hooray! oh what a relief---but wait! He doesn't escort them with lights and sirens blazing. No no. Instead he makes them WAIT while he finishes writing another ticket and then Writes. Them. A. Ticket. Insult to injury: he makes her "prove" she's pregnant. Wants to see her belly because, you know, so many people try that "I'm pregnant" story when they're speeding.

Am I way off base in finding this a bit ridiculous?

HAPPY THANKSGIVING!!!

2008-11-27T01:52:00.000-08:00

Good food and lots of it. Family and lots of it.....
Have a great turkey day!!!

We Wish You A Merry Christmas

2008-11-18T09:00:00.000-08:00

What is this insistence on playing Christmas music so early?? Now it starts before Halloween. The problem (among many) with this is that by the time Christmas comes, I'm so tired of carols that I can't enjoy them at Christmas!! Cease and desist. December 1st---that's the earliest I should ever hear anything about Christmas.

Maybe Santa?

2008-11-08T20:10:00.001-08:00

I'm really intrigued by these (new) mini laptops. Does anyone have one? Do you love it? Hate it? Are they decent for basics----checking email, playing scrabble, stuff like that? Let me know.

In-da-bid-a-bid-able

2008-11-02T22:25:00.001-08:00

ONLY in America

2008-11-02T10:02:00.000-08:00

TRICK-OR-TREAT!!!!

2008-10-31T07:47:00.000-07:00

HAPPY HALLOWEEN!!

1 3

2008-10-28T00:01:00.000-07:00

How is it possible that my sweet, sensitive little boy is now a teenager?? When did that happen? It was 13 years ago that he came into the world---on time, in a hurry, and not in the mood to wait around. I was at home when my water broke, and I called my parents to come be with our five year old. The contractions were coming pretty quickly and strongly (ask my mom; I almost broke her hand during one of them!) and suddenly I just knew there was no more waiting around---even though the nurse at the hospital said, "oh, just walk around, drink lots of water." Uh, no. Bad idea. We took off for the hospital (2 in the morning) with my Dad following in the car behind us (I'm trying to remember why he was following in his car?) We ran every red light and pulled up into the emergency room entrance. Thankfully my Dad moved our car---if my husband had, he would've missed the whole show. I could tell that this baby was coming any minute and I couldn't even get out of the car. The ER guys came with a stretcher, picked me up on it, checked me out in the triage room and said "I think we can make it upstairs." Down we flew through the halls, me hanging on for dear life, still in my "uniform" (a jean dress that my husband had come to truly despise by this point). We got into a room and they hoisted me onto a bed, still dressed in my clothes. About three minutes later, here he was---a sweet, funny baby who now has become a handsome, kind, smart....teenager (he enjoys reminding me about that part!). Happy Birthday!!

I Can't Wait

2008-10-27T20:54:00.000-07:00

Dido has a new album out soon. Yay!

If I Were A Rich Man

2008-10-24T14:53:00.001-07:00

...this is the puppy I'd get! So cute:

(wee-chon)

But it's rather hard to justify spending $750+ for a (sweet, sweet) puppy. I know people do it, and I would if I could (I think), but......I guess not. Waaah. :)

The Dog Days Of Summer

2008-10-23T14:30:00.000-07:00

....are over. But speaking of dogs, I'm wondering----quite tentatively, mind you!----what kind of dog best meets these requirements: low maintenance (short-haired), non-hyper, kid-friendly, small, CUTE. Anybody have any ideas or suggestions??

Pause

2008-10-21T14:16:00.000-07:00

I am stuck on:

and I can't seem to get unstuck!! Help!!

These Newfangled Inventions

2008-10-20T22:35:00.000-07:00

Mom passed this along. It does have sound---you have to turn the volume up. Quite funny:

Cable PSA For Old People - Funny bloopers are a click away

Goofballs

2008-10-10T16:32:00.001-07:00

What A Relief

2008-10-07T10:42:00.000-07:00

Many thanks to unca for pointing out a light at the end of the bailout tunnel (see video below). Maybe this explains how AIG executives were able to head to a California resort for some relaxation after that stressful bailout week while the rest of the nation panicked and eyed its grim financial future. Just watch. Maybe you, too, can help:

See more funny videos at Funny or Die

(P.S. What's with the doll?)

Mars?

2008-10-06T18:19:00.000-07:00

On what planet can a guy defend making over $480 MILLION since 2000 while everyone else has been sliding down into the toilet?? He's sad, though, that the company failed. In fact, it's a pain that will stay with him the rest of his life. While he wanders around his mansion in Connecticut and ponders the state of things from his lounge chair in Florida, he'll feel sick about it all. Just sick.

A Strong Case For Lasik

2008-10-03T10:09:00.000-07:00

Watch till the very end!