An impromptu survey with my 2.5 year old

1. What is your favorite color? Red
2. What is your favorite food? Popsicles
3. What is your favorite movie? Cars
4. What is your favorite animal? Elephant
5. Who is your best friend? Owl (?)
6. What is your favorite activity? Art
7. What is your favorite drink? Vanilla Milk
8. Are you a cat or dog person? "Uh....doooogggg!"
9. What's your favorite season? "McQueen says winter!"
10. Who is your favorite character from Cars? El Chu (that's from Planes) & McQueen

Here is a painting by my son (I added the black border, obviously):

Tomorrow is the last day of NaBloPoMo

I have to say, I will not miss the pressure of feeling like I have to come up with something to write every day! (Ha, ha!) However, it really has been fun and good for me. Since I stopped working full-time, I don't write nearly as much as I should. It has been helpful to start practicing again. Now, if I could get back to reading anything besides the internet and magazines!

Seriously, reading after having a child is difficult. The stress and lack of sleep make it hard to concentrate on anything for long periods of time. Christ, even reading a multiple page article can take hours or even days!

Speaking of Christ, I started reading Zealot by Reza Aslan. So far, it is really fascinating, but, again, only about two chapters in and the reading is slow going. In the meantime, I keep seeing books I really want to read, like McRobbie's Princesses Behaving Badly, but I'll probably start and not be able to finish those either, so why spend the money, right now? I look forward to getting through at least one book, hopefully the Aslan one, by the middle of next year!

It's crazy to think that next year is only about a month away. The older I get, the faster time flies by. I sincerely hope to one day regain that part of my brain that is currently missing and seems to have been removed, when my child was pulled from my body.

 TheOatmeal.com

PS - Happy Thanksgiving!

To all of my readers here in the US, Happy Thanksgiving! To all of my fellow Jews (well, I'm a half-Jew, but still...), Happy Chanukah! Hope your day was filled with the warmth of time spent with friends and family. I, personally, ate and drank too much. Is it possible to gain 25lbs in one day? I hope not!

The Liebster Award

I was surprised yesterday in my comments section by Nora from NoraDemi.com. Apparently, she has nominated me for something called a "Leibster award." Thanks so much, Nora! That's very cool of you!

One thing I love about blogging is getting to meet cool new creative people. I met one of my best friends from Iceland through an old blog! I think this will be a fun way to continue to discover new writers.

In order to take part, I have to answer Nora's questions and create some of my own.



1) If you could live anywhere in the world, where would it be?
I've thought about this a lot. There was a time in my life, where I felt restless and wanted to be anywhere but here. I traveled a ton and discovered a lot of new places that could have been "the one." However, when it comes down to the details, they have really been just great places to visit. While my default answer would be anywhere in Scandinavia or France, honestly, the more realistic place for me would be the San Francisco Bay Area.

2) What is one think you miss about being a kid?
Not having to worry about paying bills and feeling like anything was possible. 

3) Who is your favorite actor or actress?
Alexander Skarsgård

4) What is the best piece of advice you’ve received?
Don't let anyone into your head who doesn't pay rent.

5) Are there any foods you’ve never had but would like to?
That's a tough one. I've had all kinds of weird foods from rotted shark to whale. I think maybe real Kobe Beef from Japan. I've had the American equivalent, but I hear the real thing is mind-blowing.

6.) What is one possession or object that make you happy?
I take it we are talking material things here. I try not to gain happiness from material things, as they really have no value, unless it is sentimental. I would maybe say old photographs of family... Although, I'd be lying if I didn't say I love my iPhone. As a stay-at-home mom, it is kind of my window to the world.

7.) Do you believe in soul mates?
Not really. As someone who worked many years with scientists who studied the mind, the brain, and human behavior, I am not sure what I think of the idea of the soul. I think that people have chemistry or they don't. The rest takes work. No one person is ideal for anyone - everybody has flaws. Some people are just better for us than others.

8.) What countries have you traveled to?
I haven't traveled to as many countries as I would like to. World travel is so incredibly expensive. So far, I've been to Canada, Mexico, the United Kingdom, and Iceland.

9.) What are you scared of?
Death, spiders, snakes, heights, being trapped in small spaces.

10.) What is your favorite meal of the day?
Dinner

11.) Are you a dog person or cat person?
Both

12.) Do you believe in luck?
Yes, and karma.



Here are the bloggers I nominate*:

1.) Living on Dreams & Stardust

2.) Random Musings

3.) Musings of Lanna Lee Maheux

4.) Ramblings of an EdMan


*There are many more I would love to nominate, but they do not meet the requirements. Therefore, I can only do 4 for now. I realize this breaks the rules, but it is the best I can do. I used to read a ton of small blogs, but, unfortunately, I don't get much time, since I constantly have to keep my eye on the wee one.


Ok, nominees, here are your questions:

1.) What movie deserves a sequel?
2.) If you had to lose a body part, which one would you choose?
3.) What is one thing you always wanted as a kid, but never got?
4.) What was the plot of the last dream you had?
5.) What is the worst job you ever had?
6.) What is the weirdest thing you've ever seen or experienced? 
7.) Where is the worst place you've ever visited? 
8.) What is the worst thing you've ever eaten?
9.) What is the best feeling in the world?
10.) What is your spirit animal?
11.) Would you rather never eat again (and not die) or never have sex again?

Walking With The Wounded

So, it is really not a secret that I have the hots for Alexander Skarsgård. Do you blame me? I mean, come on, the guy is amazing! Looks, talent, a great sense of humor, and a kind heart - he is currently racing with Team Noom in Antarctica, raising money for charity. In the friggin' South Pole! For someone like me who hates the cold, that sounds pretty hellish.

Walking With The Wounded is a United Kingdom-based charity, whose mission is "to fund the re-training and re-education of our servicemen and women, both veterans and those leaving The Armed Forces." If you read the biographies of the men and women participating in their fund-raising challenges, you will see that they are doing this despite physical and mental disability from service. They are doing all of this to support their fellow brothers and sisters in arms. Pretty awe-inspiring!

Did I mention that Prince Harry is also taking part? That leads me to this amazing video from Youtube. Not only does Alex look stunning in it, but Prince Harry seems to forget there are cameras everywhere, which is pretty hysterical. I should probably also mention that Dominic West is racing with Team Commonwealth. I never really watched The Wire (I know, I know), so I am not really familiar with his work.

I think it is fantastic that all three men are bringing such great exposure to the cause. We need more celebrity stories like this! Imagine if the media gave as much attention to Team Noom as they did to the speculation about Alex dating Taylor Swift (just because they were working together)!

They will all be walking alongside the ex-service members on each team, as part of the team. No special treatment! You can read more about the race and donate by clicking here.

Television-themed paperdolls!

Parks and Recreation - Ron Swanson

 Artist: Kyle Hilton

True Blood - Lafayette Reynolds

Artist: Andy Swist

 Arrested Development - Gob Oscar Bluth

Artist: Kyle Hilton

 Breaking Bad - Walter White

Artist: Kyle Hilton 

Mad Men - Joan Holloway

  Artist: Dyna Moe

Downton Abbey - Dowager Countess

 Artist: Kyle Hilton

Girls - Hanna Horvath

Artist: Kyle Hilton

Tim & Eric Awesome Show: Tim Heideker

Artist: Kyle Hilton

Dr. Who

Click for each image to enlarge and have fun printing!!!

Tell your life story in ten lines

I was born in the late 70s on "the other side of the River". My mother was a secretary and my father worked in project management. I have one younger brother and was raised in a lower middle-class suburb of Boston, which is now a wealthy community. My parents divorced when I was four years old; both parents later remarried. An honor roll student, I graduated high school a year early and went to a state school, later transferring to a world-renowned communications school and beginning an internship in commercial radio. I ended up working in commercial radio and higher education for over a decade, when I also met my husband, who was a friend of a friend. I traveled to Canada, Mexico, Iceland, and England, as well as to many states across the US. I've always dreamed of seeing more of the world. Two years ago, after many years of trying, we finally welcomed a wonderful little boy into our home and purchased our first house in the suburbs. I now spend my days raising this wonderful little boy and volunteering as a mentor at the hospital where he was born.

Writing prompt courtesy of Languageisavirus.com

 
I feel like a lot of details have been left out, but I was only given 10 lines. I can see now, why autobiographies are so long! Just because something is omitted, does not mean it isn't important. I spent many years studying music and seeing/meeting a lot of bands. I also have had many wonderful people in my life and many incredible adventures. I guess you'll just have to use your imagination!

I am an ENFJ

I really have no clue as to what this means or why it is relevant, but in trying to overcome my writer's block, I decided to try a test which was a combination of Meyers Briggs and Jung. After searching Google, I am told that an ENFJ is Extraverted iNtuitive Feeling Judging (Extraverted Feeling with Introverted Intuition). According to Personalitypage.com, this makes me a giver, which makes sense. If you feel the need, you can read more about it from PP here. It's actually kind of accurate.

Famous ENFJ's include:

Dr. Martin Luther King 

 

Sassy Joe Biden

Neil Degrasse Tyson

Oprah

 Kate Winslet

I've read other places that this somehow also makes me a narcissist with histrionic personality disorder. Greeeeaaaaattt... Is Bono not a giver? Because, Bono is supposedly an ENFJ! Oprah gives away cars and crap to her audience! Waaaaahhhh! Me me me!!!

According to PersonalityMax.com, ENFJs are:

• Idealistic

•   Sociable

• Warm

• Gregarious

• Introspective

• Expressive

• Altruistic

• Complex

• People-oriented

• Caring

• Charismatic

• Assertive

• Positive

• Supportive

• Encouraging

• Organized

• Abstract

• Enthusiastic

• Loyal

• Leader

• Empathetic

• Selfless

• Affectionate

• Passionate

• Nurturing

Does that sound like a megalomaniac to you? Ok, maybe I should let that part go...

The same website said that these careers would be good for me:

• Teacher

• Professor

• Social Worker

• Career Counselor

• Counselor

• Therapist

• Psychologist

• Psychiatrist

• Church Worker

• Trainer

• Human Resources

• Librarian

• Writer

• Nurse

• Diplomat

• Consultant

• Artist

• Editor

• Administrator

• Actor/Actress

• Events Coordinator

• Facilitator

• Homemaker

• Musician

• Designer

• Engineer

• Occupational Therapist

• Politician

• Project Manager

• Sales Agent

• Senior Manager

It's funny, because I've done many of these jobs. Not Church Worker, obviously, because I am not the slightest bit religious. Not a nurse, because I generally dislike people and their bodily fluids and germs - wait, that whole disliking people thing is the opposite of an ENFJ, isn't it?

According to the laws of these online test wizards, my ideal match is INFP (Idealist) or ISFP (Artist). I do love me some artist! I wonder if this is like Chinese astrology or regular astrology. I am a goat and a Cancer. Being a Cancer means I am supposed to be a homebody, which I am not. It also means a Sagittarius is bad match for me; although, I've been with one for 12 years.  As a goat, I like to eat tin cans and climb mountains.

I guess it's fun to read these things, but do we really need tests to tell us, and others, who we really are? I like to think we each have a different mold we are made from. I know we are all animals and animals have predictable behavior patterns, but we all have different genetics and different life experiences.

In a way, I guess it helped me a little with my writer's block! ENFJ's make good writers, the test says so! THE TEST KNOWS ALL! I hate Bono. Thank you and good night.

Writer's block

Everything Pixar does is amazing

I have no nostalgia for the 80s

I was a child in the 80s. Many of my friends became teens during this time or even went off to college. They all seem to have really enjoyed the time. Despite being young, I do remember a large part of the era and it was not my favorite. If I had to pick a favorite era, it was the 90s. The 80s were just...awkward. The hair, the clothing, the excess...awkward, awkward, awkward.

Crimped hair, shoulder pads, giant bangs, neon spandex? Awkward!

Just look:

It's like the 70s had an ugly hangover!

Oh, Cindy...that dress fabric should have stayed on the couch!

Don't even get me started with the lipstick...

This shit was normal. For real!

Just pull your hair back into a scrunchy and slap

on some jelly bracelets. Don't forget to kill the
ozone with some Aquanet!!

People wanted to decorate their houses like this!

Seriously, imagine the tackiest dental office you have ever been given a root canal in while this was playing:

That pretty much sums up being in a house in the 1980s.

Don't get me wrong, not all of the music was bad! I mean, they had New Wave! There were some pretty good tv shows and movies, too. Just living it sucked.

At least, I nailed it!

Ok, this trip down memory lane is giving me an anxiety attack. Back to watching Wall Street and cringing...

To be thankful for what you have is a gift

Cancer is an enemy. If a human being killed or disfigured as many people as Cancer has, they would be locked away. We would be doing more to get this killer off of the streets. We would make them pay for what they have done to these people - wives, mothers, fathers, husbands, children - and their families.

Visualizing.org

My grandfather died of pancreatic cancer in his 60s. My grandmother died of lung cancer, two decades later. My step-sister-in-law and my best friend's mother are dealing with breast cancer. Another set of close friends are battling with skin cancer and thyroid cancer. My own mother had skin cancer removed and is doing well. My step-father had his prostate removed due to cancer. The diagnoses never seem to end. I've had high school classmates lose parts of their body and their lives to cancer. A close friend recently lost her 6 year old niece, who battled a rare form of pediatric brain cancer since she was a year old. It seems like no one is untouched and we, unfortunately, are no closer to a cure.

However, there are people out there who have beaten the odds. One such woman, is Heather Von St. James of Roseville, Minnesota. When Heather was 36, mere months after she had given birth to her daughter, she was diagnosed with Pleural Mesothelioma and given a little over a year to live. As if being a first time mother wasn't difficult enough, the joy of this wonderful milestone in life was clouded over with a death sentence. As a mother, myself, who also gave birth to my first child late in life, I can't even imagine facing something like this. Somehow, Heather and her husband found the strength to fight and that fight brought them to Boston's own Brigham and Women's Hospital and Mesothelioma expert, Dr. David Sugarbaker.

Mesothelioma is cancer affecting the membrane lining of the lungs and abdomen. It is a very aggressive and brutal form of cancer. Heather ended up losing a lung, a rib, and half a diaphragm, but, today, is alive and well. Her daughter, Lily, is seven years old and thriving. Dr. Sugarbaker didn't just give Heather the gift of a second chance at life, he gave her daughter back her mother, her husband back his wife, a family back their daughter.

It is easy to get caught up in the little things every day. Someone cuts you off in traffic, your boss was in a bad mood, you had a fight over money with your spouse... It is hard to remember that this life is finite. That we have many people in it with us who share our ups and downs, who make us whole. There are people out there whose problems are far worse than our own.

When I learned of Heather, all she asked of me was to share her story to give others hope and to post something that I am thankful for. It takes a lot of courage and a big heart to be so positive and giving after going through so much.

I am thankful for my health, for my family and my friends. I am thankful for the chances and opportunities I have been given in this life. While I have had my share of downs in life, I, too, have found the strength to move forward and keep living, and have been rewarded with a beautiful family of my own, a wonderful place to live, and an amazing support network. My son is the light of my life and I am grateful every minute of every day that he is a happy and healthy child. It is hard to think that one day all of this will be gone. It does make it easier to know that, no matter what, I will always be my son's mother. Hopefully, one day, he will have children of his own and know that joy.

This Thanksgiving, when you think about what you are thankful for, please take time to think of those who may not see tomorrow. When it comes time this season to give to charity, please consider donating to a reputable organization who is helping in the fight against cancer. You do not need to be directly touched by Cancer to have it effect you. Giving even a few extra dollars can help change the world. There are some wonderful organizations out there. Among them:

• St. Jude's Research Hospital
• Dana Farber Cancer Institute
• American Cancer Society

Additionally, here is a really comprehensive list of wonderful charities who work to help end all types of Cancer - both pediatric and adult.

If you would like to read more about Heather's story, you can find it here.

I've been running around all day and am dead tired

My brain is currently functioning on empty.

Hump Day: Another music post

I'm running low on time and words, today. The other day, while driving through the city, Nada Surf came on and I had to turn it up with the windows rolled down. It was still warm at that point and the combination was blissful. Having been a teen in the early 90s, I have a soft-spot for alternative music. I even worked for the now-defunct Boston radio station, WFNX, for a number of years, when alternative music was at its peak.

The Nada Surf song I'm about to post, is actually not 90s music, but since that is when most of these bands were popular, 90s is the theme! So, please enjoy!

Nada Surf - Always Love (The Weight is a Gift, 2005)

Tripping Daisy - I Got A Girl (I Am an Elastic Firecracker, 2005)

Wire Train - Stone Me (No Soul, No Strain, 1992)

Frank Black - Los Angeles (Frank Black, 1993)

Guided By Voices - Motor Away (Alien Lanes, 1995)

Salt - Bluster (Ausculate, 1996)

The Sugarcubes - Hit (Stick Around For Joy, 1991)

 

Papas Fritas - Hey, Hey You Say (Helioself, 1997)

Sloan - Underwhelmed (Smeared, 1992)

The Marie Claire "What's On" Questionaire

WHAT'S ON YOUR...

Perennial To-Do List: Clean the bathroom, create that website I've been thinking about for over a year, research preschools.

Mind: How to get more sleep.

Bucket List: Travel to France, Norway, Sweden, Italy, and French Polynesia. Take more photography classes. Upgrade my home. Move to San Francisco.

Kitchen Counter: A Keurig, microwave, and toaster oven. A lucky bambo and a statue of Ganesha.

Regrets List: Not saying goodbye to my grandfather, the last time I saw him.

Last Credit Card Statement: I rarely use my credit card, but holiday portraits and parking.

Shit List: Selfish people, Boston drivers, the health insurance industry, extreme right-wing gun-nuts.

Playlist: Empire of the Sun, Nada Surf, Cold War Kids, Cut Copy, Washed Out, Miike Snow, Band of Horses, Beirut, The Naked and Famous, Big Star, Bombay Bicycle Club, Does It Offend You Yeah

Qualities-in-a-Friend List: Honesty, loyalty, and a great sense of humor

Favorite-Gadget List:  My iPhone, Keureg, DVR

Bed: A pillow top mattress, several pillows, and two winter blankets (I can't stand the cold).

Go-To Menu: Thai, Chinese, Indian, and Pizza Delivery. I won't say where, because I don't want to give too much away about where I live.

Workout Regimen: I used to love Yoga and cycling, but haven't been able to find the time or money to do the former; the latter is just hard when you live on a hill with a toddler. I was running 1-2 times a week before the weather got cold, but now mostly go for really long walks with the stroller (3-7 miles). Also, carrying a 30+ lb kid everywhere, along with all of his stuff, is a great workout in and of itself!

List of Charities You Support: MSPCA, BARCC, St. Jude Children's Foundation, March of Dimes, Dana Farber Cancer Institute, Gulf Restoration Network

Liquor Shelf: Craft Beer, Red Wine, Prosecco

Must-See-TV List: True Blood, Homeland, Mad Men, Boardwalk Empire, American Horror Story

Nightstand: Ativan, my iPhone charger, water, moisturizer

Quote-to-Live-by List: "Hope for the best and expect the worst" - Old Irish Proverb

"The devil is not wise because he is the devil, the devil is wise, because he is old" - Old Chilean Proverb

"All shall be well, and all shall be well and all manner of thing shall be well.”
― Julian of Norwich

"I became insane, with long intervals of horrible sanity."
- Edgar Allan Poe

The owl in my front yard

Tonight, I was lounging on the couch watching television, when a small crowd started to gather in front of my house. My address happens to be the only one on the block with a big tree in the front yard. Loud hoots could be heard as far as a few blocks away. The culprit: a giant owl.

I tried with both my DSLR and my iPhone to get a good picture, but we live at the top of a very high hill with very few street lights. Here's the best I could do:

My best guess is that he is a barn owl. Those bad boys are pretty big, native to the area, and tend to look like this:

Photo by:  Luke Seitz, Flickr

According to my neighbors, the same owl came to visit this time last year, but further down the street. As soon as more of the neighborhood showed up to gawk, the big guy took off. It's too bad, too. I had spent half the time trying to get my toddler to come out to see him. Of course, as soon as the owl takes off, he comes running asking to see it. Kids... **smh**

The word is that a coyote was in another neighbor's front yard the other day. Maybe I can try to get him on film too. Just, you know, from afar. I'm glad my cat stays indoors...

The Golden Days of MTV

MTV was a very different television station than it is today. Long before teenagers were getting pregnant, grown men were punching each other in the dick for laughs, and strangers were scamming each other on the internet, there were music videos and cutting edge programming. Hard to believe, right?

A friend today brought up Bill and Ted's Excellent Adventure, which had me thinking about The Idiot Box with Alex Winter and The State - two of the shows I miss the most! It also had me realizing that I have gotten pretty old (B&T is almost 25 years old, for reference)!

While The State recently came out on DVD (recently, being 4 years ago - where the hell has the time gone?!!), The Idiot Box Still hasn't. Luckily, we have Youtube!!!

Click here for 6 full episodes!

I have a rambling confession to make...

I am a native New Englander who hates winter.

 
Ever since I was a little kid, I've despised the cold. One of my earliest memories is being stuck in snow up to my shoulders, when I was a toddler, and having to have my dad pull me out. I never enjoyed the sledding, skiing, igloo building that other kids did. I didn't care that it signaled Christmas or Hanukkah. The dark and cold are miserable - period.

Snow is pretty, but I like it better when it melts right away. Shoveling is the devil's curse. And driving on black ice and snow? Forget about it. A fall on ice can be painful for days, let alone hours!

Did I mention I hate the cold? Forget sweaters, screw coats and gloves and snow boots. Screw the wet everywhere. Damn it all to hell; bah humbug!

Mrs. Brown's Classroom

The last few days have been unseasonably warm and magical. I love being able to go for a long walk or run in the sunshine. I love spending the days walking along a pond or by the ocean. I like being able to take my son to the park, if I so choose. I like being warm. I like iced drinks; especially iced drinks while eating outdoors in the sunshine. I like being able to breathe without a butt-load of mucus everywhere. I like not having to worry about dying in my car, because I spun out and hit an SUV.

The only good things about winter are all of the holidays and dark at bedtime. Despite familial and financial stress, people seem to be better to each other and a little more cheery around the holidays. Also, the death of all bugs - that's a big plus! No yard work and less shaving is also nice. I could also do without the 90-100 degree humidity of the summer, but regardless, it's better than freezing to death.

I tried many years back to move to the west coast,  but, alas, life got in the way. People tell me that if I moved to a warmer climate, I would miss the change of seasons - that things would be boring. I doubt that. It's not like I couldn't travel to snow. The best part about traveling to snow is being able to leave, when it gets to be too much!

There is a wonder to, say, swimming in the warm waters of the Blue Lagoon in Iceland, while the snow falls lightly around you; or walking across a well-frozen lake. Maybe I've just experienced one too many treacherous commutes in the slippery dark. I also hate being confined to the indoors for months at a time.

Give me palm trees and coconut drinks any day! You can have the fire place and hot cocoa...wait, that sounds pleasant...ugh, whatever...boo to winter!

Andy Rooney out
**drops mic**

One Random Question

Grab the book nearest to you. What is on page 18, line 4?

 "Such a view fits well with the Monk's profession; it embodies the

 monastic imperative to flee this miserable world and seek God in  

 the security of the cloister." - The Riverside Chaucer

 

Img: xkcd.com 

6 Adorable Dogs Available for Adoption in the Boston-area

If you've ever adopted a dog, you know how rewarding it is. You save a life and gain a best friend! If you live in the Boston-area, please consider one of these adorable pups!

MSPCA Boston

Gertie - Pit Bull Mix (8 weeks)

MSPCA Boston

Tiger - Lab & Australian Cattle Dog Mix (young)

The Sato Project, Boston

Guru - Tibetan Terrier Mix (2 years)

Warm Fuzzy's Cat Rescue, Boston

Faith - Welsh Corgi / Chihuahua mix (3 months)

Last Hope Canine Rescue, Boston

 Austin - Chow Chow Mix (9 weeks)

Northeast Animal Shelter, Salem

Goldie - Catahould Mix (2 months)

Not in the Boston-area or want to see more? Check out Petfinder.org!

Humpday: 10 Photos of Alexander Skarsgård

You can't deny the man is beautiful. He's a great actor, too. Enjoy.

 

 

On a related note - if you are a fan of satire and often wonder why paparazzi take pics of stars mid-bite, you might enjoy this Tumblr: Alexander Skarsgård Eating Things