To You and Yours

I'd like to take a moment to express my thanks for everyone in my life and wish the very best to you and your family on this Thanksgiving eve. Here's hoping that nothing burns, the power stays on, no one drinks too much, everyone arrives safely and on-time, and that no one decides to talk about Glenn Beck, Snookie, or Jesus Christ. Here's to a neutral, family friendly holiday!

What's the Use?

Housework. The bane of my existence. On the whole, I believe that I maintain our home at an acceptable level. I think this to be especially true when I consider the fact that I grew up in a home where my mom had a propensity for hoarding. Her weapon of choice was mail. She couldn't throw anything out, especially the notices from the late Ed McMahon who would announce potential winners for American Family Publishers.

Who knew? I've not ever watched a single episode of the strangely popular show, Hoarders but I know people who do love watching it because they say it motivates them to clean their house. I think it's different for people who have lived with a hoarder...I can't imagine the allure of watching it. So, in order to avoid that pitfall I looked up some potential causes for clutter and thought I might address my clutter while keeping these points in mind.

1. You have too much clutter.
2. You don't have an established daily cleaning routine.
3. You don't do your cleaning routine often enough.
4. You never do a big clutter purge. 
5. You have kids. 
6. Your kids don't help with the chores.
7. Your husband doesn't help clean the house.
8. You don't know how to clean.
9. Your cleaning standards are too high. 
10. You really don't have the time or ability to clean. 

Chauvinistic Ad of the Day

There's a compilation of print ads from not-so-long-ago that are being compiled and promoted based on the fact that they would not make it off the cutting room floor if presented today, thank God! Some of these are ridiculous. Today's ad is a vintage stereotype about a woman's driving. Tell that to Danika!

Not Your Mama's Vampire Story

As I read the first chapter I knew that it was going to be "one of those" books. I would not rip through it like a bag of Lays potato chips...no, this one would be savored because I knew that this book contained a well-honed story, rich in characters, and plot development...yummy!

So, if you are swearing off vampires because you've overdosed on Edward, hang on, there is still hope. In, The Historian by Elizabeth Kostava, we discover a young girl, who although annoyingly, much like Bella in the beginning, lives a loving but lonely existence with her father. It's then we realize that she is telling her story as she tells his. In this mysterious account you must be willing to exchange Jacob for Barney, which then makes me wonder what Stephanie Meyer's was reading before she wrote Twilight. It's interesting that there are some obvious general comparisons that can be made but that's where it ends, directly at the point in which one author creates a tale steeped in historical research while the other author shows off her research on Harlequin romance novels. I'm not naming names but...

Then I found myself thinking back through time about my memories of Dracula and realized that it bit me before I hit puberty. There was Seasame Street, Old westerns, Anne Rice's Interview with a Vampire, Twilight, and now...The Historian. Oh, by the way, the last video, while around 9 minutes is totally worth the fun it pokes at Twilight and I think Perry's song is perfection!

Beautiful Point of View

When I saw the preview for the movie, Beautiful Losers, my first thought was of my experience in teaching 2nd grade and how sad it was when you came across kids who already were telling you that they "weren't an artist" and would hesitate in trying. That is so sad and I know that I have those moments of insecurity - we all do, but to look at people who create because that's who they are is truly beautiful.

The next thought to cross my mind when watching this preview was that I think I knew a lot of these people growing up and as friends of my younger brothers. 

Then I latched onto some of the artwork shown and thought, "I love that message!" I would like to text it right now to a couple of people I know but I don't have a cell phone - damn it!

Oblivious President

This morning I read a story about Obama congratulating his party on their efforts during the mid-term elections with more than a little amazement at the audacity of his statement; “This was about the volunteer effort, not the election result,” said Democratic National Committee spokesman Brad Woodhouse. “The party made 86 million voter contacts, we had staff or volunteers in 435 congressional districts, we raised and spent more money than ever in a midterm, we had the largest midterm field effort ever, we ran or staffed virtually all the coordinated campaigns in all the key states.”

The problem with this positive spin is that it flies in the face of his self- admitted "shellacking" and totally ignores the fears and concerns of most Americans regarding the US economy. It also glosses over the issue of political abuses and arrogance that impacts the voters daily in policy making. When will Obama and other representatives of we, the people, come to realize that there are problems and they're part of those problems?

Are You Kidding?

Yesterday morning I was appalled to hear on the radio (NPR) someone comparing the Driscoll Middle School team's trick play to that of child abuse. Really? I was impressed by the video when I originally saw it, so much so, I posted it on the teen blog that I maintain. I referred to it as thinking outside of the box. There are times and places that you have to make new rules without breaking the rules and for this guy to suggest that the coaches were being unfair by having the kids use a play that "they" created and not the kids, is a joke. Who does he (the guy from NPR) think makes up or decides to use plays in any sport that kids or adults participate in...too much PC and it's getting old, fast. It was brilliant and it's one of those plays that can be used only rarely because it is so brilliant in it's simplicity.

Then, if you've not seen the play yet, check it out!

Which Kid Were You?

Everyone on their deathbed will at least remember the first name of the kid who could (fill in the blank). From the coolest to the most disgusting memory, they are impressed upon our gray matter nonetheless (I love that word!). My list would start immediately with Aaron who had the most disgusting pair of Converse tennis shoes. They were an old black pair of Chuck Taylors and on the bus you could not only smell them from the front to the back, he would also proudly show you how the sole was literally rotting off the canvas. I believe duct tape was employed at some point to keep them on his feet.

Then there was the kid who constantly had his finger up his nose, the kid who had double jointed thumbs, elbows, or knees, the one that could flip his eyelids, the one who wore jeans that were way too tight - everywhere, or the girl who hid in the bushes and then later the coat closet ALL DAY long because she didn't like the perm her mom gave her. Then there was Chet who ran through the school with a huge bag of weed in the front of his pants yelling all the way that he had his pot in his pants. It was almost a John Hughes moment - so 80's. So, which kid were you?

 

Oh my goodness! 

 

I almost forgot to mention the kids who could cross their eyes, roll their eyes back into their head, on purpose, the genetically engineered freaks who could fold their tongues, and then for the pièce de résistance, the boy who could burp his ABC's.

 

Team Coco

Well, it's been a week since Conan's debut and it's looking good with Andy at his side, the Basic Cable Band sounding great, and the Masturbating Bear in his back pocket. It's one of those underdog stories where everyone's rooting for the little guy and in this case Leno is Goliath. So, while not officially a member of Team Coco, I am certainly a member in spirit and I will continue to TiVo that little show on whatever channel TBS can be found. Why wouldn't I love it? It is now officially #131 on the Stuff White People Like!

So go Team Coco, go! Just for fun, one of Conan's great promos for the show that I hope crushes every other talk show out there! I think that exclamation marks and TiVo are both now or destined to be on the Stuff White People Like list, if not already...

It's an Aunt Thing

Recently my youngest son celebrated his 13th birthday during which time he received a card from his aunt and her family wishing him a happy birthday. The card was a close-up photo of a tongue covered in sprinkles.

With Nathan's birthday card from his aunt laying on the table, it wasn't until one of the kids at his birthday party made the comment, "Ewww, who gave you that card?!?" Nathan promptly said, "My aunt." The kid's response was, "Oh, that makes sense!"

It does? Why? Is there something genetically hard-wired in aunts that causes them to be weird? This made me ponder the question, "Are all aunts weird?" I have noticed that my nieces and nephews all kind of watch me with what appears to be something close to apprehension, trepidation, or expectation out of the corner of their eye, like I might break out in some random rant, song, or dance that would embarrass not only them but the entire free world.

Hey, maybe I'm on to something because just the other day at work one of the pages at the library laughed at something I said, of course, and then followed it up with, "You know, you remind me of my aunt!" Really? So, I thought that I would do a quick survey on YouTube and find out how many weird aunts have been documented on film. When I used the key words, 'weird aunts' to search, I got about 1600 results. I've included two of those videos to commemorate weird aunts everywhere - these vid's are for you!!

Thank You Mr. Franklin!

It is with fond thoughts that I think of Benjamin Franklin this time each year as I bury my head deeper under my comforter. Why are the dogs wanting out already? Oh, it's really 8 AM *smile*. Why is Tim getting up this early on the weekend? Oh, it's already 8 o'clock *laugh*. Do I have to get up yet? No, it's only 7 AM!! *BIG smile :D* This guy really knew what he was doing...thank you Mr. Franklin!