azureladybug

National Zoo's Asia Trail Opens Oct. 17

2006-10-13T10:55:00.000-04:00

The National Zoo will open their new Asia Trails area on Tuesday, October 17, in Washington, DC, giving visitors a closer look at the Giant Panda, Red Panda, Sloth Bear (Asiatic Black Bear), Cloud Leopards and many other native Asian species. Look at the slideshow of animals living in the Asia Trails area of the National Zoo.

For more about the National Zoo's new Asia Trails, click here.

Red panda and me in Chengdu

2006-09-26T23:23:00.000-04:00

Pandas look cute and cuddly, especially in the pictures I've posted, but please remember that they are wild animals and they have built trusting relationships with their handlers. If there is a barrier between you and them, there is a reason for it.

Man bites panda

Sadly, because China has no rules regarding vaccinating their domesticated animals, a recent outbreak of rabies in China resulted in China clubbing 50,000 dogs to death. Only about 3% of pet dogs in China are vaccinated against the disease. It's sad and what we really need is to work together to make sure all pets are vaccinated against these preventable zoonotic diseases.

China clubs 50,000 dogs due to rabies outbreak

Fare thee well, Croc Hunter

2006-09-05T15:32:00.000-04:00

Steve Irwin, the Crocodile Hunter, died September 4 after he was hit in the chest by a stingray on Batt Reef in Australia. He was 44 years old.

Steve Irwin educated millions through his Discovery Channel show "The Crocodile Hunter" on the animals in the outback, in our own backyard, in countries we've never heard of, and the importance of wildlife conservation. He didn't hold a degree in biology, but he learned through experience and observation and educated the world with his knowledge. He continued to seek knowledge and learn about new creatures and habitats, even venturing into the ocean, a place where he was less confident in his abilities.

While millions mourn his passing, there are some who feel he got what was coming to him. A woman whose name I only know from watching Bridget Jones's Diary, Germaine Greer wrote a commentary in The Guardian on Irwin's death criticizing her fellow Aussie for his brash behavior and improper execution of conservationism; "There was not an animal he was not prepared to manhandle. Every creature he brandished at the camera was in distress. Every snake badgered by Irwin was at a huge disadvantage, with only a single possible reaction to its terrifying situation, which was to strike," she writes. While Irwin was never afraid to come face-to-face with a deadly snake or wrestle a crocodile, he did so in the name of education. True, probably some of it was out of sheer delight for an adrenaline rush to get close to a deadly animal, but if Ms. Greer ever ventured out of her free-loving, female circumcision lobbying boudoir to learn about science and the natural world the way Irwin did, she would understand that in those face-to-face situations, there is nothing but respect for the natural world, not a child-like abandon to taunt a creature. She further argues that Irwin has inspired youths "to become millionaire animal-loving zoo-owners in their turn" as if it were a detriment to society to inspire children to learn more about wildlife and science. If they make it that far, they'll learn what is required of natural scientists. Most biologists, zoologists, veterinarians, and zookeepers will never be millionaires, never even come close to it. They'll struggle to get funding and work thankless hours in the name of science and conservation. If a few of those youths make it that far and pursue discoveries that can be applied to real world problems, like why geckos stick to walls and ceilings and how better adhesives can be produced using this science (hydrogen bonds made with their padded feet--look it up), Steve Irwin's impact on this world would be monumental.

Greer cold-heartedly champions Irwin's unfortunate end: "The animal world has finally taken its revenge on Irwin." In the end, the natural world has it's revenge on all of us; we all die. Some of us die impacting millions while Greer will fade like her literary career and libido. And while I have done my part to pay attention to Greer the way I would pay attention to my three year old godson throwing a tantrum because he has to take a nap, I'll stop and get back to the person who I meant to write about.

Steve Irwin is one of the great heroes of our time. He championed the natural world, the urgency to conserve it, and the importance of science education. He put himself in harms way to teach others the importance of respect for nature. He opened up his life to the world for a greater good, a nobler cause, and a search for the truth that I aspire to achieve. He will be greatly missed. Crikey.

Baby Panda and Me in China

2006-08-30T00:06:00.000-04:00

Photo by Katherine Feng

Magnum's Law (KS) goes into effect July 1

2006-06-30T16:27:00.000-04:00

Kansas state legislature has passed a bill amending what was known as "Scruffy's Law," named after a Yorkshire terrier shot and then burned to death in Kansas back in 1997, making animal cruelty a felony instead of a misdemeanor. After Magnum, an 11 week old black labrador retriever mix, was found on August 1, 2005, in a recycling bin with chemical burns, cuts, a broken leg and wires wrapped around his neck and front legs (he died five days later from these injuries) citizens of Kansas city petitioned the state legislature to make animal cruelty a felony; the bill passed in February and goes into effect tomorrow. Persons who are found guilty of "intentionally and maliciously killing, injuring, maiming, torturing, burning or mutilating any animal" faces at least 30 days in jail and $500 to $5,000 in fines along with psychological evaluations and anger management towards animals. (details from The Wichita Eagle)

Magnum Force of Kansas is the organization that spearheaded this campaign to change the law. They are still looking for the people responsible for Magnum's injuries which led to his death and have raised $18,348 reward fund for information leading to the capture and prosecution of the people who committed this heinous crime.

Owners of exotic animals, who should know better than to treat them like domesticated pets, have a law in Kansas that also goes into effect tomorrow requiring those owners to keep their animals confined so they do not come into contact with people; it also makes it illegal to allow such animals to roam "at large." There's another law for October 1 that makes it illegal to own a dangerous animal without a USDA license and $250,000 liability insurance. Wouldn't it just be easier, and more logical, to let wild animals be wild? Remember kids, wild animals may look cool and furry and fuzzy and soft, but they are wild and unpredictable. They should be allowed to exist in the environments that allow them to prosper as such.

Therapy for my recently jilted girl-/guy-friends

2006-06-20T19:19:00.000-04:00

Though frowned upon by many, stabbing your ex can really give you some closure, although it's often the kind of closure that leaves you closed for thirty to life.

'The Ex' knife set is the perfect solution to all your morbid fantasies. The razor sharp precision cutting blades slice easily through all types of foods. This set makes a great gift for any occasion and it's also considerably cheaper than therapy.

'The Ex' stands 15.5 inches tall

Anonymous effigy design can represent anyone you please

Plastic casings house every knife to prevent blade exposure

Unique artistic holder made of ABS plastic

Innovative knife suspension system

Individual protective knife sleeves

Heavy gauge durable stainless steel blades and hollow handles

Razor sharp precision cutting blades

Set includes:

8-inch chef knife

8-inch bread knife

8-inch carver

5-inch utility knife

3.5-inch paring knife

Heavy duty ABS plastic figurine block

Buy it here while supplies last

Chocolates for Valentine's Day

2006-02-10T13:22:00.000-05:00

from CNNMoney.com

After a long hiatus, I return to remind you that it is not too late to buy your sweetie sweeties for Valentine's Day. It's just my personal preference, but pass on the $100 dozen roses (which on any other day will cost you $10 at any New York bodega) and have a lobster dinner. That's right, spend all $100 buying lots of lobster, cooking them up at home with clarified butter and maybe some smashed potatoes or cauliflower (for those kiddies on a diet) and treat you and your lovely lady or man to a jewel of the ocean. But don't skimp on the chocolates! As long as your sweetie likes sweeties and chocolates in particular, hit up one the the following chocolatiers/confectioners.

B.T. McElrath Chocolatier, Minneapolis, MN

Chocolat Moderne, New York, NY

Romanicos Chocolate, Miami, FL

Garrison Confections, Providence, RI

Tribeca Treats, New York, NY

Lillie Belle Farms, Jacksonville, OR

Christopher Elbow Artisanal Chocolates, Kansas City, KS

Jacques Torres Chocolate, New York, NY

Anna Shea Chocolates, Tarrytown, NY

Recchiuti Confections, San Francisco, CA

I'll also add L.A. Burdick in Rhode Island and their cute little chocolate mice.

Wrapping Up 2005

2005-12-31T22:05:00.000-05:00

San Francisco Trip to meet Yoda

Halloween Pumpkins

Thanksgiving: Kalua and Deep Fried Turkeys

and a hungry Margarita

My first visit to DC

Aurora: Looking Cute, Sleeping, Potty Training

Montreal Trip

Happy New Year 2006!

Oatmeal or Gemini?

2005-11-11T15:05:00.000-05:00

When it comes to choosing between your morning delight of oatmeal or your elderly mother's cancer-ridden dog, some people would choose the oatmeal. That's what a troubled bike messenger did when he claims his mother was trying to feed her dog, Gemini, his oatmeal. Enraged, he slapped him mom around with a vacuum cleaner and proceeded to grab the sleeping dog (how she could feed a sleeping dog, beats me, but maybe the bike messenger knows something I don't) and toss the ill pooch out a fifth floor window to his death. He's being held on assault and animal cruelty charges.

It's amazing what people will do for their pets; a mother will send her son to prison for the death of her dog. If her son had ever hit her, she probably would not have said a thing about it, but her dog is another story. Once on Animal Cops on Animal Planet, the ASPCA cops were called by a Queens veterinarian when a woman brought her cat in after finding the animal dead in her apartment with her fiancé. Apparently, while said boyfriend was playing with the cat, the cat scratched him and he went berserk and punched the cat several times. The cat suffered severe brain contusions and bleeding. It died. The cops questioned the owner who was not at home when it happened but said her fiancé admitted to hitting the cat. The cops said they'd have to arrest him and she told them to go ahead and broke off her engagement. Yes, all for her cat. Granted his actions were a window into his soul: how you treat the innocent and weaker is a testament to your quality as a human being.

It is fascinating to me what we as individuals will allow ourselves to suffer (physical harm, humiliation), but wouldn't stand for an animal. I wonder if there are psychologists out there studying what chemicals are released in the brain that we associate with the "tipping point" at which we stop putting up with an undesirable situation or enter into one. For example, a woman came into KittyKind asking if she could surrender her 4 year old American Short Hair to us because she could not find a home for her and was moving to Colorado within 2 weeks. I asked her why and she said it was because her fiancé was deathly allergic to her cat and she got her mom to take her other cat, but not this one. It was a very sad, though not uncommon story. Unfortunately, we have a list of cats in foster homes waiting to be adopted out so she'd have to find a foster home for the cat first. She looked annoyed that she had to wait for a foster person to get back to her, so I directed her to other no-kill shelters/adoption centers she might be able to take her cat to. It was a decision she made when she first met her now fiancé--if it works out with the bloke, what will become of my cat? And now, she's got to face the consequences of that decision. I feel worse for her cat than I do for her. It's like that Farrah Fawcett movie "Small Sacrifices" where she kills her kids because the man she's dating doesn't want to children--not as horribly drastic, but an immoral choice.

Lucky for Aurora, a line of people are awaiting my departure from this Earth (or country) so they can lay claim to her. We Capricorn babies are just that lucky that everyone loves to be around us.

John Mayer sings the Blues

2005-10-07T10:55:00.000-04:00

The John Mayer Trio descended on the Beacon Theatre yester-evening with blues music all around. I had a full day of anticipatory jitters as I often do on my way to his concerts. Cyndi resigned herself to wearing work clothes so I told her not to worry, I'd dress like a bum. However, when she scored a drinks date with a new boy, she was trying to determine what to wear to the concert that would be appropriate to meet a guy for drinks in afterwards--it prompted a trip to Strawberry. I looked like I was chaperoning my 16 year old cousin to a rock concert. We had a couple hot dogs and some beverages before John, sporting a long shaggy haired look, and his band took to the stage with "Everyday I Have the Blues." Some great highlights include "Good Love Is On The Way," "Vultures," "Covered In Rain," "Come When I Call," "Gravity," and for his encore: "Daughters" and "Try." Roy Harper also joined the band on a couple songs with his trumpet--verrry nice. His band endeavor is going well and the two guys in the row in front of us were screaming louder than the teenagers standing in the aisles. Looks like John's attempt to draw more males to his music and not just lover-starved romantic ladies is working.

Aside from the music, yesterday was a very strange day. I'm not sure if it was born strange or if at some point during the day, weirdness set in. I blame it on the weather and the wet and stormy weekend that was impending that gathered all the charged particles in the air and affected people's moods and decisions yesterday. I have been a true believer that all things in life, good and bad, happen for a reason... usually a good reason by which I mean, things happen to help you learn and achieve greater things, to better yourself, and to be a happier person. Even the most daunting events that plunge you into the Blues are meant to reveal some fundamental truth. And the Blues, sometimes they good, sometimes they bad, but everyone enjoys the Blues once in a while. If you didn't, you wouldn't be able to tell when you were happy. And knowing those happy moments, knowing when you are happy and allowing yourself to relish those moments, what could feel more satisfying and safe?

I've been studying chemistry lately and one of the first things you learn about is allotropes. Allotropes are different molecular configurations of a pure element. Elements are all, on the nanoscale, the same. Carbon is carbon at the atomic level. The atomic number is 6 (representing 6 protons) and it's atomic mass is 12amu. But on the molecular level, there are several different allotropes of carbon and the two most contrasting allotropes are diamond and graphite. Diamond is one of the hardest minerals known to man while graphite, plain old pencil lead, is one of the softest. Diamond is usually transparent while graphite is opaque. Diamonds cost an arm and a leg while graphite can cost you 99¢ for a box of 12 pencils. At some point, carbon bonds take either the shape and formation of diamond or graphite. Even before people knew they were both carbon, diamond was assessed a higher value than graphite and if we were to break them both down to their atomic level, they'd both be of no greater or lesser value than the other. It is the way they were created that made them special in their own ways and valuable in their own ways.

Where am I going with this science lesson? Back to the events that happen in our lives. In one person's life, he or she will have the same basic experiences: relationships, education, births, deaths, hunger, so on and so forth. While on the basic level, they are all the same, some events of the same type have greater value than others. Friendships, acquaintances, enemies, siblings, loves: they are all types of relationships, but the way you create them, the events that happen to shape those relationships determine the value of those relationships. Best friends, former friends, sometime friends, fairweather friends: all friends, but some more special than others and those relationships can change over time through the affect of other events. They will always be relationships at the basic level, but the value of those relationships can change. It is through this very organic process that we each develop our values. What we may have once valued like a perfect diamond, may be worth as much as a diamond with slight inclusions and poor color... or maybe it's just a box of pencils. It is an ever changing process that we as people choose to either enhance or breakdown. And sometimes, it is by comparing one to the other than we see how valuable what we have is or how we deserve better than what we have. Life is like a random sampling of carbon molecular formations: some diamonds, some graphite, all valuable in their own way and some more valuable than others at different points in our lives. It's just a matter of situation. You can sell a diamond for millions, but it won't help you write your chemistry exam.

An homage to Timberlake and Knight

2005-10-07T00:37:00.000-04:00

Congratulations to Liane and Jon on their new bundle of joy, Justin Jonathan (who will surely be nicknamed J.J.). He was born over the weekend of September 24th and had his bris this past weekend in L.A. Here's a photo of the little tyke. I'm not sure if this is a before or after shot as it looks like he slept through the entire event. Mazel tov!

Face off and on

2005-09-19T13:17:00.000-04:00

Doctors are pioneering the first face transplant at the Cleveland Clinic with 7 women and 5 men who have suffered debilitating disfigurement. Dr. Maria Siemionow is spearheading this endeavor with the assistance of several doctors she enlisted to study the faces of the patients in preparation for the procedures.

Back in 1997, John Travolta and Nicholas Cage starred in John Woo's Face/Off about an FBI agent (Travolta) whose face is transplanted with that of a "maniacal terrorist" and his archnemesis (Cage) who claimed the life of his young son. A cool movie although Cage and Travolta are conspicuously different in body shape and size so I don't know how they thought they could get away with it. Maybe a brain transplant would've better explained that; that's a whole other entry and operation though.

chocolat

2005-09-19T10:33:00.000-04:00

Boule: because I love chocolate.

Vonnegut makes a return

2005-09-16T13:41:00.000-04:00

Kurt Vonnegut is one of my favorite fiction writers of all time, Cat's Cradle being my favorite novel and Welcome To The Monkey House, my favorite collection of short stories. I am ill-read of his non-fiction except for essay which I thoroughly enjoyed (God Bless You, Dr. Kevorkian), so I'm very interested in reading moe. He's published a collection of short non-fiction on topics from Bush to the environment entitled A Man Without a Country. CNN.com published a short piece on the popularity of the recently released collection in which Vonnegut is quoted as saying "My father, like Hemingway, was a gun nut and was very unhappy late in life. But he was proud of not committing suicide. And I'll do the same, so as not to set a bad example for my children."

Burlesque Against Breast Cancer

2005-09-12T10:15:00.000-04:00

My friend, Cori, is holding a big fundraiser for breast cancer funding for the Damon Runyon Cancer Research Foundation called Burlesque Against Breast Cancer in honor of her mother who passed away from the disease three months ago. Her mother, Maribeth, was nicknamed Miss Hollywood and was beloved by her friends family. Detail follow: join us as we celebrate the wonderful life of Maribeth and help a great cause. Also, there are fantastic raffle prizes, so what are you waiting for?

The Miss Hollywood Follies Presents:
Burlesque Against Breast Cancer
Performances by: The World Famous Bob, Miss Dirty Martini, Nasty Canasta, Little Brooklyn, Jo Boobs, Molly Crabapple, Insectavora
Wednesday, September 21, 2005
8pm
The Slipper Room
167 Orchard Street
General Admission: $25/person
VIP Seating: $150/couple
Buy Tickets Now!

4 Year Anniversary

2005-09-11T16:48:00.000-04:00

In remembrance of those we lost in the attacks on the World Trade Center, the Pentagon, and in Pennsylvania, and blessings to their families and loved ones; for the firefighters and police officers who did more than their jobs and sacrificed for the good of the many. My thanks can only be demonstrated by contributing to the greater good and peace of this world using the talents I have so that your sacrifices will not be in vain.

God bless you all.

Hurricane Katrina

2005-09-02T12:30:00.000-04:00

A friend of mine from New Orleans once told me that if a category 5 hurricane were to sweep over New Orleans, it would wipe it off the map. Earlier this week, Hurricane Katrina made his bleak statement a reality. Thousands of people have been left displaced and are doing whatever is necessary to survive in this dire situation. It's taking longer than expected to get supplies, food, medicines, and manpower to New Orleans which has turned into a city of looting and violence; where desperation and a shotgun can get you a ride out of the city, assuming you aren't stopped by a crowd of people walking to find shelter and care.

In addition, the flooding poses a serious health risk for survivors. Hepatitis-A, E. coli, leptospirosis are just a few viral infections that could affect the survivors of Katrina. The high humidity and heat, the lack of food and clean water, and respirtory illnesses that could infect the refugees in the Astrodome are the most prevalent dangers.

The Gulf Coast companion and farm animals have been seriously affected as well. Dogs and cats are being rescued and transported to the Houston SPCA to be adopted out, and others will hopefully be reunited with their owners. There are a few pet-friendly shelters that have welcomed both owners and pets. Livestock has been lost to the hurricane resulting in not only animal loss, but loss to the economy and food source for a majority of America. Chicken feed and manure have been washed into the flood waters adding to the public health risk in the area.

It's estimated that the hurricane will be the most costly to affect the United States: over $100 billion when all is said and done. This includes the rising cost of oil to power those jacked cars, the loss in tourism for the Gulf Coast area, the closed oil refineries, the loss in business, especially if those businesses relocate to other areas: the economic impact is enormous. But certainly, the most serious loss is that of lives. I'm 1,500 miles away from New Orleans, but the call to help is enormous. Take a moment and donate to those legitimate organizations working to save lives: both people's and animals's.

Dust Devils on Mars

2005-08-26T14:19:00.000-04:00

NASA released this enhanced animation of dust devils sweeping across the Martian landscape captured by the Mars rover Spirit in July. It is absolutely incredible! I used to imagine a dead lifeless empty landscape as a child until I read the Martian Chronicles and imagined stereotypical alienesque figures wandering around. Then, when NASA went full throttle with their expedition, it's been like Christmas for me with all these incredible images. I'm always interested in foreign destinations and cultures and pictures are the only way I can usually get my taste of them. God bless those physicists and engineers and pioneers at NASA.

Movies: Wedding Crashers with Owen Wilson, Vince Vaughn, Rachel McAdams, Christopher Walken, Jane Seymour, Isla Fisher; The Aristocrats, The 40-Year-Old Virgin with Steve Carell, Paul Rudd, Catherine Keener, Elizabeth Banks
Reading: Harry Potter and the Half Blood Prince by J.K. Rowling
iTunes: Mr. A-Z by Jason Mraz, In Between Dreams by Jack Johnson, X&Y by Coldplay, Kawaipunahele by Keali'i Reichel, Volare! - The Very Best of the Gipsy Kings
Concerts: 8/25 - Sathima Bea Benjamin at Sweet Rhythm located at 88 Seventh Avenue South (Thank you Nik and Seton!)

New Jersey State Fair

2005-08-09T00:11:00.000-04:00

This weekend, I went with a pack of my mates to Augusta, NJ, for the New Jersey State Fair. It's a cornucopia of crazed people and delectable delights like deep fried Oreos and lime fizz. What can you see at the fair: mechanical bulls, beer tents, chainsaw sculpture demonstrations, bulls and cows and other farm animals, the largest swine in the county (no Wilbur), demolition derbies, army tanks, John Deere mowers, slutty eight-year-olds, Queen of the Fair, and a drunken guy yelling at the carnie because he spent $35 playing darts and couldn't win a prize for his crying blonde daughter (who just wept "stop it!" while he went on his rampage) making death threats and swearing like a sailor. Ah, the sweet sounds of the country. Below, some pictures of our adventure. (click on any to enlarge)

Our next adventure into rural America: women's mud wrestling.

The last thing I inadvertently modeled for

2005-08-05T08:20:00.000-04:00

Dead Cats Hear No Screams
House smell a little sour? Hear strange mewling in the walls? Maybe you, too, can be a crazy cat lady

From Today's New York Times

2005-07-29T13:33:00.000-04:00

80 Years Ago, They Inherited the Wind
By SAM ROBERTS

William Jennings Bryan died 80 years ago today as he napped in a Tennessee hotel room, just before he was finally to deliver his closing argument in the Scopes case. The trial had actually ended a few days before, after the judge abruptly cut short the testimony, but Bryan, after subjecting himself to a withering interrogation by Clarence Darrow, the nation's leading defense lawyer, was intent on getting the last word.

Last week, the Smithsonian Institution archives announced that Marcel C. LaFollette, a historian, had found more than 60 unpublished photographs taken during the trial, which, as H. L. Mencken wrote, transformed Dayton, Tenn., from an "obscure and happy" town into a "universal joke."

The photos provide what Ellen Alers, an assistant archivist, called a "unique, informal, much more human view that personalizes the case." A sample is online at www.siarchives.si.edu.

John T. Scopes, a 24-year-old high school biology teacher, was the chosen vehicle to challenge the state law that outlawed "any theory that denies the story of the Divine creation of man as taught in the Bible."

After deliberating for eight minutes, the jury found him guilty. He was fined $100. A year later, the State Supreme Court overturned the verdict on a technicality. Scopes, who became a geologist, wrote in 1965 that as a result of the trial, "restrictive legislation on academic freedom is forever a thing of the past." (He died in 1970.) Tennessee repealed the law in 1967, but debate over teaching evolution persists.

Darrow's argument that Bryan disregarded scientific evidence was immortalized in this exchange:

"I do not think about things I don't think about," Bryan said.

"Do you think about the things you do think about?" Darrow asked.

"Well," Bryan replied, "sometimes."

The Libby Ross Foundation

2005-07-12T14:11:00.000-04:00

A couple years ago I did a shoot for The Libby Ross Foundation, an organization started by Libby's gorgeous daughter, Lori, to fundraise monies for research and education of breast cancer. I would've thought they'd replace our group photo on their website by now, but we're all still up there. While heart disease is still the number one killer amongst women, breast cancer is the second leading cause of cancer deaths (just behind lunng cancer) and the cancer that worries women most. Women's cancers include not only breast cancer (which can affect men as well), but ovarian, uterine, and cervical cancers. Other health concerns for women include osteoporosis, depression, and autoimmune diseases such as multiple sclerosis which affects twice as many women as men.

The Libby Ross Foundation holds fundraising events throughout the year including their annual Gala--their largest fundraising event each year. Take part and show your support for this organization--okay, and go check out our group photo on the website!

Movies: March of the Penguins directed by Luc Jacquet - how the crew managed to survive shooting during the Antarctic winter, I will never know but I hold them in great esteem; go see it for the baby penguins
Reading: The Once and Future King by T.H White

All-American Events

2005-07-05T19:09:00.000-04:00

Calvin turned two this June and we celebrated with a trip to Central Park Zoo and a picnic on the Great Lawn. Calvin is crazy about matchbox cars--I can see him becoming enthralled with NASCAR racing--and got some cool little items for his obsession. He also got two copies of "Everybody Poops" I guess in case the message wasn't clear reading it the first time, he could read it again... in a different printing of the book. To feed his recent love for spinning, I got him a Sit and Spin (thanks for the idea, Mark) and can't wait to hear how much his parents can't stand the music they have to hear repeatedly from that contraption. Instead of chocolate cake, we got red velvet from Buttercup Bake Shop and he proceeded to drive pinwheels into and out of his cake. The godparents got together and helped Calvin cut the cake. Jess, Raman, me and little Cal drove a plastic knife into the bloody looking tower of goodness.

This weekend, we celebrated another birth--Independence Day for the USA. I did some very American things like hitting balls at the batting cages in New Haven with Esther and Doug and barbecuing as well. Out in rural North Stonington, CT, I got to see the most stupendous display of fireworks along with more barbecuing and sunning. A woman down the street from said events was in a horse buggy pulled by humongous Shires. Upon getting back into the city, I had to volunteer with the cats, but got out in time to walk up along Third Avenue to 29th Street and catch the Macy's Fireworks on the East River between some not-so-tall buildings. Thank you Chinese people for inventing such a fun, loud, and colorful item that the white man eventually used to make weapons. It was a lovely weekend.

Speaking of American past-times, camping is a big one though I read a recent CNN.com article about how camping like the good old days has gone the way of the dinosaur in many cases and "roughing it" is a subjective term. Early in June, I headed out with my fellow rough guides to Fahnestock Park with no electricity and peed in the woods and cooked over an open fire. Okay, I guess having a propane stove isn't exactly roughing it, but we did a pretty good job setting up tents and even walked along part of the Appalachian Trail. At the mid-point of our hike, we had lunch and took some lovely photos. Shenan and I enjoy the shade while Calvin in the background looks over the edge of the trail. We saw a bunch of millipedes along the way and took a couple rowboats out onto the lake there. I also officially had S'mores while camping. The first time I had it, I was watching Starship Troopers with Jano and Betsey in 553 Mayfield on the Stanford campus. Not quite the same.

A week after camping, I gathered a group of lovely and stelegant folks to join me at the Belmont Stakes in seats this time which I somehow got for half price. We came in delightful hats for the occasion. Shenan's matched her outfit perfectly and she only bought the hat that morning. And me with my hat obsession, took out my new hat with a brand new ribbon to contrast my yellow sequined dress.

Chocolixir

2005-06-28T17:38:00.000-04:00

Godiva Chocolatiers have come up with a summer product to try and rival Stabuck's claim over Frappuccinos and other summer frozen drinks: Chocolixir. In three tasty flavors (Dark Chocolate, Milk Chocolate Caramel, Raspberry White Chocolate), it's meant to give the chocoholics a chilly cocoa fix for the summer. Jen and I had a chocolate break from work Tuesday to give the frosty beverage a go. We initially spent 5 minutes trying to find the Chocolixir Van giving out free samples on Park Avenue. The closest we came was Jen spotting a parked white truck and running towards it with me strolling behind and catching up to the corner. "Jen," I said, squinting to make out the letters off the side of the angled truck,"that's a FedEx Truck." We walked to Godiva on Lex and 50th and had to cough up $5 each for a cup. It was mighty delicious though they have some issues minor issues. I got all excited thinking there was an enormous spherical piece of chocolate at the bottom. After closer inspection, I realized it was an unchopped piece of ice. Think about fixing the chopper on the blender, Godiva.

Reading: Dark Water by Koji Suzuki
On DVD: Spanglish with Adam Sandler, Paz Vega, Téa Leoni, Cloris Leachman and National Treasure with Nicholas Cage, Sean Bean, Diane Kruger, Justin Bartha, Harvey Keitel, Jon Voight

for annoying Randy

2005-06-28T00:03:00.000-04:00

I got a mani-pedi today... like it's my job.