Owen Floats at Windemere

Owen came to California for a good long visit. He enjoyed a nice time at the beach and the Monterey Aquarium. He spent quality time with his Grandpa Peter and MHP and Grandpa Joe (who helped him build, start and stoke a fire in the fireplace). Hopefully one of the highlights was a pair of trips to Auntie Egg's and Uncle Roy's house (Windemere) for a float/swim.

If That's What You're Into

More from Flight of the Conchords... KoKo is Bret's girlfriend. I just can not get enough of these guys.

Flight of the Conchords

The Rhyme-noceroses and Hippo-pop-otamus


Flight of the Conchords is a new'ish show on HBO about a couple of Kiwi musicians trying to make it in the Big Apple. Have a look at Mel's Vlog, the Conchords #1 Fan.

Fighter Pilot for a Day

Dr. Joe had a big birthday this year (we won't say which one to protect the elderly ego involved) and he was given an experience gift: Fighter Pilot for a Day. We took him down to the Monterey Airport (who knew?) on Thursday. They fit him in a flight suit and helmet, gave him and hour of "training" and let him shake the hand of his opponent before take off.

The whole experience lasted most of the afternoon including the post flight debriefing. He was in the plane for a hour, maybe a bit longer. Of the six dogfights, "Doc" showed his courage early by "killing" his opponent in the first two bouts before finding himself caught in the cross hairs. Overall, "Doc" had a great time and would recommend the experience to anyone.

I put together a slide show (3:47 min), you may have to download a plug-in to view it. I found success watching it in Internet Explorer - I had trouble with Firefox and I don't own a Mac. This is the first time I've used this software so I would be interested how the show worked (or didn't work for you). When you watch it, there are videos taken from inside the plane... watch the horizon...

Sophie Turns Eleven

You many have wondered why there was so much traffic and why so many businesses had shut down on July 15th. Now you know. Sophie had her 11th birthday and I can hardly believe it. Seems like just yesterday that Sophie entered my life as a little black bean who's eye had not yet open to look soulfully into her new mom's heart.

Sophie spent the day doing the things she loves to do, eating, swimming and visiting her favorite places. She took her parents to lunch and picked out a special toy at the Bow-Wow for later (a round toy you will all be surprised to read).

Miracle Mouse

I believe in miracles! Mouse movie.

Reno 911 on The Adam Carolla Show

Caveman Dance

Don't have drink in your hand when you watch this. It will come out your nose.

Help an Author Get Published

I have an old friend who has written her first novel! The publishing world is a tough nut to crack and I applaud her for attacking it from a different angle. Below read her email to me, then read chapter one and rate it a 10!

~~~
Many of you know that I've written a novel, and many of you have been very supportive of my ongoing efforts to get it published before I turn 90. Now I need your help! I’ve entered it into a contest that is sponsored by Borders and is sort of like American Idol. The first chapter of each entry is posted online for 14 days for voting by the public (scale of 1 to 10), and the entries that receive the highest scores go to the next round, where the second chapter is posted. I believe there are three rounds total, and the winner gets a publishing contract.

I know the chances of winning are tiny, but I figured this would be a great way to get my writing out there. And who knows? Maybe someone in cyberspace will like what they read, and maybe that will lead to something.

Anyhow, I would really appreciate it if you could take a few minutes to read the first chapter and score the book. And please leave comments so others will be encouraged to read the chapter as well! And if you could please send the link to your friends who might enjoy it, that would be great. All of you have so many funny, smart, connected friends, so maybe once my book gets into those networks it will take off like the “Di** in a box” video.

To vote you need to sign up for gather.com (free) here. Then you can click on this link to read the first chapter and vote.

By the way, the book is called PERFECT ON PAPER. PLEASE VOTE BY FEBRUARY 8. And please leave comments to get others to read it!!

Thanks so much for helping. Waverly and I sincerely appreciate it.

Maria :)
~~~

45 Life Lessons

1. Life isn't fair, but it's still good.
2. When in doubt, just take the next small step.
3. Life is too short to waste time hating anyone.
4. Don't take yourself so seriously. No one else does.
5. Pay off your credit cards every month.
6. You don't have to win every argument. Agree to disagree
7. Cry with someone. It's more healing than crying alone.
8. Save for retirement starting with your first paycheck.
9. When it comes to chocolate, resistance is futile.
10. Make peace with your past so it won't screw up the present.
11. It's OK to let your children see you cry.
12. Don't compare your life to others'. You have no idea what their journey is all about.
13. If a relationship has to be a secret, you shouldn't be in it.
14. Life is too short for long pity parties. Get busy living, or get busy dying.
15. You can get through anything if you stay put in today.
16. A writer writes. If you want to be a writer, write.
17. It's never too late to have a happy childhood. But the second one is up to you, and no one else.
18. When it comes to going after what you love in life, don't take no for an answer.
19. Burn the candles, use the nice sheets, wear the fancy lingerie. Don't save it for a special occasion. Today is special.
20. Over prepare, then go with the flow.
21. Be eccentric now. Don't wait for old age to wear purple.
22. The most important sex organ is the brain.
23. No one is in charge of your happiness except you.
24. Frame every so-called disaster with these words: "In five years, will this matter?"
25. Always choose life.
26. Forgive everyone everything.
27. What other people think of you is none of your business.
28. Time heals almost everything. Give time time.
29. However good or bad a situation is, it will change.
30. Your job won't take care of you when you are sick. Your friends will. Stay in touch.
31. Believe in miracles.
32. Whatever doesn't kill you, really does make you stronger.
33. Growing old beats the alternative -- dying young.
34. Your children get only one childhood. Make it memorable.
35. Get outside every day. Miracles are waiting everywhere.
36. If we all threw our problems in a pile and saw everyone else's, we'd grab ours back.
37. Don't audit life. Show up and make the most of it now.
38. Get rid of anything that isn't useful, beautiful or joyful.
39. All that truly matters in the end is that you loved.
40. Envy is a waste of time. You already have all you need.
41. The best is yet to come.
42. No matter how you feel, get up, dress up and show up.
43. Take a deep breath. Relax, it calms the mind.
44. If you don't ask, you don't get.
45. Yield, don't stop.

Rumpus Update

Office Space Game

Pick up file folders while avoidingthe boss in this too-real video arcade game. Makes work look like play. Start game.

OK Go - Here It Goes Again

If you have not yet seen this video by OK GO, you really must. It is just delightful.

The Ceiling Has Been Painted

Who knew one could get so excited about paint? After oh, probably 50 years of a red ceiling in the family room (aka rumpus room) we have changed the color to oyster. The ceiling looks 3 feet higher than it was 2 days ago. We still are not certain that we have the right color up there - we might repaint it at 50% color so it appears lighter. I never felt like I had a weght on my head, but with the ceiling paited I feel like a weight has been lifted. The ammount of light that was absorbed by the old ceiling was incredible. Now when we are in the room at night, our two dim little lights light up the entire room no problem.

Photos from Boulder

Click on "See it Big" to see these pictures full size in your browser window. Just click the "Back" button to return.

Blogging Buddies

My blogging circle is ever widening.
Fred's blog: An outlet for his narcissistic tendencies.
Dirt Kids: A window into the harsh life in the Sierra foothils.
SCRC Blog: A "running club" for those who know the value of a good walk.
Boulder Marchi's: An insight into the Boulder, CO lifestyle. (coming soon!)

Rumpus Room Revival

Soon our Rumpus Room will get a much needed makeover. I've collected some before photos as you can see. I'll be adding photos to this Loop as we go through demo and reconstruction. You'll be reminded to look at the Loop from time to time.

FilmLoop has a new feature, "See it Big". If you click on the Loop above you will see all the photos BIG within your browser. Just click the back button to get back here. You no longer need to download the player to see the Loop, but you do need to download the player if you want to create a Loop.

The Mafia Wedding

We went to a wedding the past weekend. It was in Half Moon Bay - one of the most beautiful days I have ever experienced there. The ceremony joined together as one, two very Italian families, one from New Jersey the Abbondanalos, one in the concrete business in Half Moon Bay the Fontanas.

I had never met the bride or the groom. I know the bride's mother through my husband's work. So I was really an outsider looking in - or so I thought. Immediately upon arriving I get a BIG hug from the father of the bride. Apparently we are old friends and I didn't know it. Two kisses on the cheek and off I go to meet the rest of my new circle of best friends.

I could go on and on, but suffice to say I have never seen so much hugging, dancing and kissing between a group of very obviously heterosexual men. I thought it was all a lot of fun. The 90 year old grandfathers on both sides got up to sing and dance - when I say dance I mean like Zorba - and toast the happy couple. Those Italians know how and love to have a good time.

Gallery Looplet

World Cup Mania

Every four years I retreat into my cave with my remote control and my web sites and my printed schedules and brackets. Those who know me know not to try to reach me unless it is to discuss the poor showing of the Czech Republic or the unbelievable referee that nearly cost the United States the game of the Cup. I'm simply unable to talk intelligently about anything else. I don't even know if we are still at war with Iraq, though I think it is a safe assumption that we are.

Brazil is my team. I love the way they play. The have such a tremendous love and respect for the beauty of the sport. Ronaldino plays with pure joy and delight that is so infectious I catch myself smiling at the TV. I envy their attention to detail in their skill. I always wanted to dribble like Pele did in his movies.



I love the World Cup.