Sunday, December 23, 2007
Friday, December 21, 2007
Old habits die hard...
Oh, and I am celebrating as today is my LAST day of Substitute Teaching--Hooray!!! I'll post more on the details later...
Oh #2, yesterday was Grayson's 2nd birthday. We had a party for him on Sunday at mom's house, and I took some pictures but Erica has confiscated my digital camera indefinitely (get your OWN camera, Trahan family!) so I don't really have any to post. I'll post a pic of him from just after he was born. It's hard to believe we started with such a fragile little creature now that we're in the throes of toddlerhood!
Saturday, December 01, 2007
92.67%
The experiment was interesting. I can't say that it's been my best work, but it forced me to be a little more aware of my thoughts and surroundings...which is a good thing, I guess?! My next experiment needs to go in the direction of exercising everyday! Ugh! That one might be a little more challenging!!
Thursday, November 29, 2007
I think my leg is gonna fall off!
Wednesday, November 28, 2007
But what I really want to know is...
So tonight I saw a commercial for Honda's new fuel cell vehicle (FCX Clarity) and my first thought was not, cool! near-zero emissions! but hmmmm...I wonder if that would eliminate trips to the gas station?! Selfish and insensitive, I know, but if I can't be selfish and insensitive on my own blog, where else can I be?! And of course I would be delighted that the car helped the environment while simultaneously helping me! I'm not oblivious to the plight of the planet! Anyway, I digress. In case you're curious about this vehicle of the future, you can check it out on the Honda site. I also found this article explaining how you might tank up this wonder vehicle: a "Home Energy Station unit, which sits outside your house and reforms natural gas to produce enough Hydrogen to power both the car and the home's energy needs at around 50% of the normal cost and with a 30% emissions reduction." Isn't that GREAT?! I mean, if I still have to tank up, I'd much rather do it at home...assuming that, by the time these vehicles are available for the mass market, I would, indeed, own my own home! Well, lots of things to dream about...
Tuesday, November 27, 2007
Ah-hah!
Earlier tonight I was looking for something in my kitchen and, when I found it, I said, "Ah-hah!" which is a very natural response...but now I've got this Backyardigans diddy running through my head. And it's not the whole song. Oh no! It's simply Pablo singing the, "Ah-hah!" part and it's driving me crazy!
Grayson knows many of the songs and he's been singing them lately. It's really funny because he'll just burst out singing something about Sherman and we know he's referring to Sherman the Worman (in Polka Party Palace) Or, if you tell him something that is actually a line in a song--like "Hold on tight!" he'll respond with a hearty "YAH!" ...it's a viking yell!? And it never fails that I keep singing the song he sings long after he's moved on to something else! Alright, I've gotta "go, go, go...I can't go fast if I go too slow..." Uggghhhh!! ;)
Monday, November 26, 2007
quantity vs. quality
Oh, and for those of you who are keeping up with my job drama, I am back to general subbing for now. (That's enough to suck the inspiration right out of anybody!) I am supposed to start a full-time at OCHS in January...that's been confirmed twice by the principal, but I am not trusting anything until I have contract in hand! So, remember to be kind to your sub!!
Sunday, November 25, 2007
Hallelujah!
Friday, November 23, 2007
Striken
Strike Chart
30 Rock: Ten episodes will be produced. Six episodes have aired, so there are four left.
Aliens in America: Seventeen episodes will be produced. Eight episodes have aired, so there are 9 left.
Back to You: Nine episodes will be produced. Seven episodes have aired, so there are two left.
The Big Bang Theory: Eight episodes were produced. Eight episodes have aired, so there are zero left.
Bionic Woman: Roughly nine episodes will be produced. Seven episodes have aired, so there are two left.
Bones: Twelve episodes will be produced. Eight episodes have aired, so there are four left.
Boston Legal: Fifteen episodes will be produced. Seven episodes have aired, so there are eight left.
Brothers & Sisters: Twelve episodes will be produced. Seven episodes have aired, so there are five left.
Carpoolers: Thirteen episodes will be produced. Six episodes have aired, so there are seven left.
Cavemen: Thirteen episodes will be produced. Six episodes have aired, so there are seven left.
Chuck: Thirteen episodes will be produced. Nine episodes have aired, so there are four left.
Criminal Minds: Roughly twelve episodes will be produced. Ten episodes have aired, so there are roughly two left.
CSI: Eleven episodes will be produced. Eight episodes have aired, so there are three left.
CSI: NY: Fourteen episodes will be produced. Nine episodes have aired, so there are five left.
Desperate Housewives: Ten episodes will be produced. Seven episodes have aired, so there are three left.
Dirty Sexy Money: Eleven episodes will be produced. Eight episodes have aired, so there are three left.
ER: Thirteen episodes will be produced. Eight episodes have aired, so there are five left.
Friday Night Lights: Fifteen episodes will be produced. Seven episodes have aired, so there are eight left.
Gossip Girl: Thirteen episodes will be produced. Eight episodes have aired, so there are five left.
Greek: Eight new episodes will be produced. None have aired yet, so there are eight left.
Grey's Anatomy: Eleven episodes will be produced. Nine episodes have aired, so there are two left.
Heroes: Eleven episodes will be produced. Nine episodes have aired, so there are two left.
House: Twelve episodes will be produced. Eight episodes have aired, so there are four left.
Jericho: Seven episodes will be produced. None have aired yet, so there are seven episodes left.
Las Vegas: Nineteen episodes will be produced. Nine have aired, so there are 10 left.
Law & Order: SVU: Fourteen episodes will be produced. Eight episodes have aired, so there are six left.
Life is Wild: Twelve episodes will be produced. Seven episodes have aired, so there are five left.
Lost: Eight episodes will be produced. None have aired yet, so there are eight episodes left.
Medium: Nine episodes will be produced. None have aired yet, so there are nine episodes left.
Men in Trees: Nineteen episodes will be produced. Six episodes have aired, so there are 13 left.
My Name is Earl: Thirteen episodes will be produced (that includes two one-hour eps, which count double). Ten episodes have aired, so there are three left.
The New Adventures of Old Christine: Eight episodes have been produced. No episodes have aired, so there are eight left.
Numbers: Twelve episodes will be produced. Eight have aired, so there are four left.
The Office: Twelve half-hour episodes will be produced. Twelve half-hour episodes have aired, so there are zero half-hour episode left.
One Tree Hill: Twelve episodes will be produced. None have aired yet, so there are twelve episodes left.
Prison Break: Thirteen episodes will be produced. Eight episodes have aired, so there are five left. (On hiatus 'til Jan. 14)
Private Practice: Ten episodes will be produced. Eight episodes have aired, so there are two left.
Pushing Daisies: Nine episodes will be produced. Seven episodes have aired, so there are two left.
Reaper: Ten to 12 episodes will be produced. Eight episodes have aired, so there are two to four left.
Samantha Who?: Twelve episodes will be produced. Six episodes have aired, so there are six left.
Scrubs: Eleven episodes will be produced. Four episodes have aired, so there are seven left.
Shark: Eleven episodes will be produced. Nine episodes have aired, so there are two left.The
Shield: All 13 season-seven episodes will be completed. None have aired (the final season gets underway in '08), so there are 13 left.
Smallville: Fifteen episodes will be produced. Eight episodes have aired, so there are seven left.
Supernatural: Ten to 12 episodes will be produced. Seven episodes have aired, so there are three to five left.
Ugly Betty: Thirteen episodes will be produced. Nine episodes have aired, so there are four left.
Thursday, November 22, 2007
Just Say No To Turkey!
That's right dear reader! This year our family just said NO to turkey on Thanksgiving! How sick and twisted is that?! Instead, we had barbecue ribs and chicken, roasted corn grits (which I've recently become kinda obsessed with) and rice dressing along with the more traditional green bean casserole, sweet potato casserole and pumpkin pie. I must say that the meal was quite delightful! A wonderful time was had by all! Happy Thanksgiving, dear reader!! And if you're hitting all of those great Black Friday sales starting at 4am tomorrow, ...lemme know how that goes for ya! But wait until a little later to call because you won't catch me up and shopping at such a psychotic hour!
Wednesday, November 21, 2007
gotta love the small print!
Rates, fees, and terms may change: We reserve the right to change the account terms (including the APRs) at any time for any reason, in addition to APR increases that may occur for failure to comply with the terms of your account. . .The APRs for this offer are not guaranteed; APRs may change to higher APRs, fixed APRs may change to variable APRs, or variable APRs may change to fixed APRs.
Now, is it just me, or is the concept of 'fixed' a little hazy to these people?! So it's fixed until they arbitrarily decide to change it? . . .by definition, wouldn't that be variable--which means subject to change?! (fixed--to make set or rigid; to put into permanent form. variable--apt or liable to vary or change; changeable; capable of being varied or changed; alterable.)
Perhaps I'm just old fashioned, but if I found this idea in a paper I was grading, I would FILL UP the margins explaining to the writer why he/she could not call something fixed if that thing can be altered at any time. . .apparently the writers of the Chase Visa Platinum Card mail-outs see have a slightly more modern twist on the terms?!
Tuesday, November 20, 2007
Happy Birthday to ME! Happy Birthday to ME!! Happy Birthday dear ME-EE! Happy Birthday to ME!
Monday, November 19, 2007
oops!
Have you seen this? (would have been my title if I were not readily admitting my indiscretion)
I have gmail and it often has random little website advertisements at the top of the page. I usually ignore them, but one will catch my eye from time to time. The particular line that caught me today was: Ben Stein is EXPELLED. I've been a fan of Ben Stein since the days of Ferris Bueller, so my interest was piqued and I clicked the link. This is what I found:
Ben Stein is EXPELLED: No Intelligence Allowed
It's a documentary of sorts by Ben Stein on the ways that "Big Science" has ostracized those who might believe in Intelligent Design. Here is the site's overview of the film that I found on the site:
Who: Ben Stein, in the new film EXPELLED: No Intelligence Allowed
What: His heroic and, at times, shocking journey confronting the world’s top scientists, educators and philosophers, regarding the persecution of the many by an elite few.
When: In theatres near you, starting February 2008
Where: Ben travels the world on his quest, and learns an awe-inspiring truth…that bewilders him, then angers him…and then spurs him to action!
Why: Ben realizes that he has been “Expelled,” and that educators and scientists are being ridiculed, denied tenure and even fired – for the “crime” of merely believing that there might be evidence of “design” in nature, and that perhaps life is not just the result of accidental, random chance.
To which Ben Says: "Enough!" And then gets busy. NOBODY messes with Ben.
The site is funny (Ben Stein in a prep school uniform is kinda funny to me) and the premise seems interesting! I'm curious to see this...which, I guess, is why gmail has the little advertisement ticker over the top of my inbox! Clever people!!
Sunday, November 18, 2007
Still a place like no other!
Revellion--A French Dining Tradition
During the mid-1800s, New Orleans' Creole families celebrated the "Reveillon" (French for "awakening") twice during the holidays. The first Reveillon came after Midnight Mass on Christmas Eve, when families returned from St. Louis Cathedral to break a daylong fast with an elaborate meal. The meal consisted of egg dishes, sweetbreads, and Creole specialties such as daube glace. It often ended with a cake filled with fruit confection, dripping with wine or rum, and topped with whipped cream.
New Year's Eve brought another Reveillon, usually shared among several families. This more festive meal featured eggnog, fancy pastries, meringues, sugar sculptures, and crystallized fruits. By late afternoon, families would return home to a light supper followed by a night of singing and dancing, with wine and whiskey for the gentlemen and cordials and liqueurs for the ladies.
Today's Reveillon is celebrated nightly during the Christmas season in restaurants throughout the city. Menus combine ageless Creole cuisine with more contemporary New Orleans dishes, but the spirit of the past remains. In fact, three of our Reveillon restaurants–Commander's Palace, Galatoire's, and Tujague's–are more than 100 years old! So revel in nostalgia. Join us for the Reveillon–the authentic taste of Christmas New Orleans Style. (Taken directly from http://www.neworleansonline.com/neworleans/seasonal/christmas/reveillonmenus.html)
Papa Noel Hotel Rates
December 1-31, 2007 based on availability
Linger longer with lower rates created just for the holidays!
Hotels throughout the city welcome you to Christmas New Orleans Style with discounted Papa Noël room rates. These special rates make it easier for you to spend more time enjoying the great food, music and events of the season.
This page details the offerings of the wide variety of participating hotels, bed & breakfasts and guesthouses. From historic homes along Esplanade Avenue to the courtyard classics of the French Quarter, from full-service, modern downtown hotels to luxurious inns in the heart of the Garden District—you choose the corner of New Orleans you want to experience this December.
Thanks to Papa Noël, your New Orleans holiday vacation will be more affordable than ever! (Taken directly from http://www.neworleansonline.com/neworleans/seasonal/christmas/papanoel.html)
Saturday, November 17, 2007
redecorating...
Friday, November 16, 2007
Yeah, go ahead and laugh!
Thursday, November 15, 2007
Reflections on what never was
The call lead to a job interview which, after a couple of nail-biting days, lead to a tentative job offer and an opportunity to do some contract work for the organization. The contract work--something I have had no experience with before then--gradually turned from a simple, straight-forward lesson update sort of situation to an overwhelming, disorganized mess. I was in way over my head while still teaching full-time and tutoring 3 hours a day! After being shuffled around between editors, I landed with my third and final editor and pressure was mounting.
I trudged through as best I could while also dealing with all of the end-of-the-school-year hoo-rah. Once summer started, I felt that I would have the time to devote to this time-devouring contract work. I worked 10-12 hours a day in an effort to catch-up because I was not working at the pace they wanted. Some reorganization started happening in the office and, as I heard more and more, I began to have an impending feeling of doom.
Eventually, the call came--they decided to go with someone who had more experience and had been working with them on a contract basis for a while. I can't say that I was surprised. I think I knew it was coming. Suffering from a strong case of wounded pride, I struggled with understanding what had happened. What was this all about? Why did God bring this amazing opportunity before me and wave it under my nose only to snatch it back? It just seemed so mean.
I would never call this an unanswered prayer--oh, no! This was a clear and definite, "NO!" But I still couldn't understand why. Mom always said that my favorite question as a child was, "Why?" and almost 30 years later, that doesn't seem to have changed much! Once the pain and tears subsided, I realized that I was actually relieve that it had not worked out. I was so overwhelmed and, had I been hired, I don't know that I would have enjoyed life in that particular field!
I may never know how that small piece of fabric will be woven into the tapestry of my life, but I do recognized so many reasons that I'm glad it didn't happen. Most specifically, I am glad that I have been here through Erica's recent medical situation and near my family in the wake of Brandon's death. Had the job become a reality and I had really moved, I would have felt so isolated and alone as I watched from afar. I am not saying that I would never move away from home, but I can see God's hand in keeping me here for this time and these events.
I will probably go on asking why, but I continue to do so with the understanding that my life is in God's hands and He ordains my path. Some people prefer to think that we determine our own paths, but I see no comfort in that way of thinking. I would never want to think that I might be stumbling around blindly trying to find my own way to oblivion. I am comforted by the fact that I have a relationship with a personal God who created me and has a plan for my life. I live a life of faith and hope. I may doubt at times and question often, but I continue to follow by faith.
Wednesday, November 14, 2007
FYI
Tuesday, November 13, 2007
Help! Help!
Monday, November 12, 2007
If 24 were filmed in 1994...
http://www.collegehumor.com/video:1788161
Sunday, November 11, 2007
So, is the whole world going on strike?!
Theatres turn away thousands as Broadway stagehands strike
The entertainment world has surely gone amuck! What's next?! The Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade balloon holders?!?! When will it end?! Where is the justice, people?!?! ...ok, I really don't know what I'm talking about. I'm just glad I didn't have Broadway tix! Those suckers are expensive! I wish someone would form a picket line in support for cheaper tickets! Now, that's a picket line I could get behind!
Saturday, November 10, 2007
The Mysteries of TVland
- In TVland, people always drive with their windows down. I only ever roll my window down to engage in some drive-thru transaction, but people in TVland always ride with their windows down all of the time...and their hair never gets messed up...and they're usually not listening to the radio, either.
- No one ever goes to the bathroom (unless it progresses the storyline, that is.)
- It would be really cool (and convenient) to have background music--it lets you know when you should be concerned, it enhances the romance and drama of significant moments, it sets the mood...background music would be SO neat in real life!
- If my car ever becomes a crime scene, I could only hope that it would be as clean as the crime scene cars in TVland! Seriously, they would never find significant fibers or scene-stealing clues in MY car...but they would find lots of random junk and a dashboard in serious need of some detail work!
- The plethora of beautiful people always amazes me. I realize that TVland does not represent reality, in part, because the whole idea of TV is to escape reality, but seriously, there are no ugly people...and if they are ugly, it's bizarro ugliness that is intended to set the character off as an odd-ball or quirky. (i.e., I have NEVER been on a plane with as many beautiful people as those that populate the cast of LOST!)
- And, while fat leading men can be found--usually with stick-insects for wives--you rarely, if ever, see fat women in leading roles unless they are the mother-figure of the show.
- No one ever runs out of anything--like bread or toothpaste or clean underwear--unless it progresses the storyline and you never see anyone going grocery shopping or doing laundry.
- No one pays bills.
- Broke people still manage to have amazing apartments and great furniture.
- Children are only rolled out when it advances the storyline...and then the rest of the time they seem to only be in the living areas of the house when it's time for meals or bed.
- No one in TVland seems to have a living room lay-out designed around the location of the TV--ironically, most TVland homes don't seem to have TV's in their living rooms at all!
Alright, I could go on-and-on, but I'm sure you get the gist. And I know that having these things would take away that which makes TVland special and fun...but it's just stuff I've noticed in my wide range of TV viewing! Anyone have their own observations...other than the fact that I watch and/or think about TV too much?!
Friday, November 09, 2007
Happy Birthday Mom!
Thursday, November 08, 2007
Someday...
I've wanted a Mini for a while now (go ahead and laugh Phillip!) ...it may just happen one of these days. But i don't think it will be blue...not sure what color I want, but I do want a convertible. This much I know!
Wednesday, November 07, 2007
A thought to ponder...
Tuesday, November 06, 2007
Wise words from Currier Bell
I don't typically read novels with a highlighter unless I'm preparing to teach them, but the wisdom of this particular passage really struck me, so I thought I'd post it here:
Laws and principles are not for the times when there is no temptation: they are for such moments as this, when body and soul rise in mutiny against their rigour; stringent are they; inviolate they shall be. If at my individual convenience I might break them, what would be their worth?
Isn't that a good quote?! I'm a fan of good quotes and I'm always excited when I discover one on my own. The book was (surprisingly) really good and not hard to read at all. I highly recommend it!
...and in case you're wondering, Currier Bell was Charlotte Bronte's pen name.
...and in case you're keeping track, I am trying to use the word heretofore in as many posts as I can, just for fun!
Monday, November 05, 2007
strike = STROKE
Perhaps you have discovered by this point that the Writer's Guild has gone on strike over contract disputes with regard to DVD and Internet sales of the TV shows that they write for...I don't quite understand the fine details of this matter, but, based on what I'm hearing, I am beginning to understand how this will effect ME and I'm not so happy!!! Dear reader, you must understand: I am a single woman of limited financial means and no children or small animals to keep me occupied. I must have SOMETHING to fill up my evenings and keep my mind off of my impending spinsterhood!
If you're looking for a little info on this most unfortunate turn of events, check out this short interview and article. I will cut-and-paste a portion of the article that causes the most pain:
Are shows like 24 and Lost in Jeopardy? USA Today runs down the many other ways the one-day-old strike has already impacted the TV season, including the cancellation of NBC’s planned Heroes spin-off, a possible postponement of the new season of 24 and a potentially shortened (to eight episodes!) season of Lost.
Oh my!! What will we do?! This is just too much! The cost is too high!! Give these writers what they want oh present-day money barons of the network conglomerates!! Can't you see what you're doing to us common folk! I might be forced out of my home--bored with re-runs and suffocated by obnoxious reality TV--and forced to interact with actual human beings for evenings on end! This is something I cannot comprehend! Please, for the love of all that is good and pure in this sad little world of ours, don't let this drag on for months as some are predicting! Give us our first-runs back!!! Thank you for your prompt attention in this matter.
PS...I'm with the writers on this one. I realize that this could cause me much pain if it continues, but I do think it's only right that they are fairly compensated for their work in all areas of revenue. That's my two cents, anyway!
Sunday, November 04, 2007
Christmas (music) comes early...
Saturday, November 03, 2007
Day 3: pics from Josh and Ashley's wedding
I wasn't a shutterbug during the ceremony, so I'm afraid those are all of the pics from the ceremony. The rest are really just us entertaining ourselves at the reception. I've tried to limit those to spare the innocent (which would be you, my dear readers!)
Grayson being his jolly self at the reception.
Erica in rare (?) form...with Damon looking on in the background and probably wondering what he's gotten himself into! ha!
Warren teaching Grayson how to play with fire.
More playing with fire while Aunt Frieda looks on.
The happy couple! Aren't they cute?!
It was a really fun trip, and I'd like to thank Josh and Ashley for getting married so that we could visit again so soon--that's twice in less than a year, I'd like to point out!
We enjoyed visiting with other people who aren't pictured here like Phillip, Jenny, Mikey, and Aunt Debbie...but I really didn't take very many pictures (and I'm not sure what's ok to post on their end), so I didn't get a very good representation of the fam. Sorry guys! Maybe next visit!
Friday, November 02, 2007
Day 2 and already out of ideas!
http://dispatchesfromtheisland.blogspot.com/
It's Jorge Garcia (Hurley)'s blog. He doesn't give away any plot spoilers (by way of contractual obligations, I assume) but it's fun to see what the other side blogs about! Enjoy!
Thursday, November 01, 2007
abandon...sweet and otherwise
A cheery pirate, he is!
Arrrrgggghhhhh!
Damon got in on the act!
Damon and Grayson playing around.
An impromptu Shakespearean performance, mayhaps?
Hey, Pirates like to look good!
Monday, September 03, 2007
in my humble opinion...
Ok, I have no problem with the idea that the Jolie-Pitts are genuine, open-hearted people who want to create a loving environment for international orphans and the like, but they aren't running an orphanage, they're adopting these kids--taking on the responsibility of raising them to become mature, reasonably normal adults. I guess my burning question is how do they give each of these children the nurturing and attention that they need from both their mother and their father? Yes, children often grow up in much less desirable environments, but ole' Brad and Angie are choosing to live and raise these children as a couple--a Hollywood couple, at that. Yes, rich people have been letting other people raise their children for hundreds of years, but those are generally the children that they choose to bring into the world. The J-P's are choosing to create this environment and then hiring other people to make it all happen. I am having trouble seeing their benevolence as anything other than the newest collecting trend among the rich and eccentric.
The report goes on to say, "Brad Pitt says that with four children, 'sleep is non-existent' and some days fatherhood is a roller coaster ride." How in the world do they expect anyone to believe that, if one of the children cries out in the night, Brad is the one who jumps up to calm the tears?! When do you ever see ole' Angie trying to wrestle all four kids into the family mini-van so that she can get Maddox to school on time?! OH, and where in the world is Maddox in school? They're in a different state every other week...and Angie's off in Iraq!
"It's the most fun I have ever had and also the biggest pain in the ass I have ever experienced," [Brad] told reporters at the Venice Film Festival on Sunday. "(But) I love it and I can't recommend it any more highly." Well sure, Brad...I'm sure everyone would love to be a father when they want to...and then hand them off to the nannies when it's time to go play cards with Clooney and the boys! bleh...
[Please note: this is only MY humble, uneducated opinion based on info I'm getting from People.com and Entertainment Tonight! I have not thoroughly researched the effects of stacking up kids like cordwood and hiring a hoard of people to care for them so that you can jet-set off to Venice and Hollywood for glamorous film-festival after glamorous film festival. I'm sure the kids are fine...and living in much better digs than I ever will!]
Monday, August 20, 2007
Summer 2007 in a post
who doesn't love a wedding cake?!
Lynette and Janie...and don't we all wonder what THEY were talking about?!
Patty and Aggie--the twinkies!
Oh, yeah!!
We're goin' to see David and we're SOOOOO excited!!!
Bathtime fun
We're clean and we're LOVIN' it!
David and Katie are chillin' in the penguin house.
David, Erica, Grayson, and Mom
Grayson and Kyle jammin' out
...coming soon, pics from Josh and Ashley's wedding!
Thursday, July 26, 2007
Wednesday, July 18, 2007
growing up!
The kid likes to clean...he takes after his aunt! What can I say?! ha!
(I think this is my favorite of the bunch!)