Leap Day

photo Skip Dickstein/Albany Times Union

In high school Amy and I discovered The Pirate Movie. This was the first time I understood the phenomenon of exploitation when a person claims to be only a quarter of their actual age, by counting their leap-year birthday anniversaries only. If you havent seen this 1982 classic (I use the term classic loosely) based on Gilbert and Sullivans 1879 Pirate of Penzance with Kristy McNichol (and how did we not know she was gay back then) and Christopher Atkins (definitely not gay) its well worth your comedic quota (and you too can appreciate this phenomenon)

So, Christopher Atkins plays a character Frederic . Frederic the pirate apprentice discovers that he is bound to serve the pirates until his 21st birthday rather than until his 21st year.

So here's to Frederic today (and to my cute husband who gave me a Leap Day card this morning)

By the way, according to Wikipedia: For legal purposes, legal birthdays depend on how local laws count time intervals.

In with the new....

Just a few highlights:

-I can pick times on the microwave (no more pushing popcorn)
-can boil water in 1 min vs 4 in old microwave
-can boil water in 2 min vs 15 on old stove
-oven preheats in 5 min vs 30
-oven heats on other functions besides broil

Brooke is 2

I used my Neat scanner for the first time today.

I purchased it when Kim was in the last couple days of pregnancy with Brooke.

Sunday night fireside chat

Electronics included

Thanks in advance for using Thank you

If Thank You is more formal, and more grateful than Thanks - then what is Thx in texting?

Is this like using Xmas instead of Christmas? (A major pet peeve of mine btw since you are Xing out Christ)

It just may be a new passion for me. I would suggest for something important, say Thank You.

and Thank You for loving me!

My date with CEM

CEM:  I think they have been here for a while
Mom:   I agree (thinking because of messy table)
CEM:    I mean there are #2 and we are 78. Btw that girls name couldn't have been Adam
Mom:   What?
CEM:   The receipt. That was a girl not a boy behind the register. And what is the difference between 81 and 78
Mom:   Not sure, what's the difference between receipt number and receipt copy
CEM:     Do they really need to track that much stuff?

Back seat drivers

Dell named top 25 Best Workplaces for Women in Arizona

The March issue of az magazine (published today) name Dell as one of Top 25 Best Workplace for Women!

Copies are available at select AJ's Fine Foods, Safeway stores and Barnes & Noble.

Some of the reasons we all love Dell.....

• Employee Growth Opportunities

• Company Benefits

• Diversity

• Flexibility

What I didn't buy today

2007 Meet 2012

Early 2007 and January 2012
February 2012

I love 2012 !!!

Top Five Pics sent to me week ending 2/24

REM: Hulk meets Rennaussaince
Lex: Birthday Dress
Karie: Sharing Nicoles Shoes
Kim: New Hangout
Amy: Lucky BMI

Grocery Payment

I cant tell you the last time I used a check at a retail location. (Really the only checks that get written are for the piano teacher, tutor, kid transport etc.).

So yesterday I needed to go grocery shopping (I also cant tell you the last time I went to the grocery store). REM and I get ready to go and I realize I left my wallet in the car that Tarzan drove to the office. No problem, I have an emergency credit card in my car for these situations (except for when it is lost and cant be found). Checkbook it is. Now the ID problem. What problem? Tarzan has a color copy of my license in the car with my gym card (lord knows why 24 Hour fitness requires ID, but my previoius annoiyance slipped quickly when I realized it would save my life today).

While we are checking out I start to write the name "Sprouts" on the check. The cashier tells me, oh you dont have to do that any more we just run it through our system. (Wow it has been a long time). I then coyly said, "Really, when was the last time someone gave you a check." His response?

"A couple times a day, usually it old couples shopping together".

Glad I was with REM.

Owie

Fench scrape. Ouch

Marie Colvin

I did not know Marie Colvin when she was alive.

But the story of her death and what she accomplished while she was living has really moved me.

Today I was listening to NPR (I love Talk Radio. I only get to listen when I am driving alone). There was a womens voice quivering as she was reporting the death of "her friend and collegue Marie Colvin". The quiver coming through the radio waves darkly reminded me of when I was listening to NPR when the reporter described the second tower falling on 9/11. His voice, his tone, his odd intake of air as he continued talking has haunted me for years. Her voice will do the same.

In the broadcasting world Marie Colvin was well known. She was beautiful, independent, smart, articulate and took dangerous assignments to further our knowledge of the world. This dangerous assingnment was Syria. Today she and photographer Remi Ochlik were killed in Syrian government shelling in Homs.

NPR played Marie's last on air commentary less than 24 hours ago. She was describing the shrapnel in a babys chest after his home was hit by government attacks and how the make shift clinic (really an apartment with IV fluid bags hanging from metal hangers) doctors couldnt save the infant. Her voice was strong and infused with passion.

They interviewed her BFF, also a journalist, who had lunch with her in Berlin 2 weeks ago and who had talked to her via Skype less than 1.5 before she died. Marie told her friend that this was the most dangerous place she had even been and that she wanted Westerners to understand the gravity of what was happening by the hands of the Syria government. Her friend wimpered but didnt cry. This was rough to hear.

They interviewed her mom. Also strong and articulate. Her mom said that Marie had always been this way. At 13 she picketed, she was involved in the Vietnam displays, at 16 went to Brazil for her Senior year to learn International Policy. She was beautiful and loved shoes.

I googled her picture (yes I was driving :( ). A patch? Apparently this 56 year old women lost her eye in 2001 while on assignment when a bomb hit her in Sri Lanka. no wonder she was described as a force of nature.

Her colleagues respected her, her friends admired her and her family loved her.

I wish I would have known her.

Daffy says "no", Donald says "I thought you were my friend"

The month of January I decided to experiment with being a Vegetarian again.

The month of February I decided to eat meat in moderation.

For Fat Tuesday (pre-Celebration of Ash Wednesday, post celebration of Valentines Day) we went to Cork for dinner and decided to try duck meat.

So it turns out I am allergic to duck meat.

After researching Dr Internet last night: apparently alot of people are allergic to duck - they just dont know because they havent tried it.

I now know. I had 23 of the 31 symptoms. I wont be eating duck again (even in moderation) but next time I could take this handy test to get tested

Happy Ash Wednesday

For the best holiday holiday of the year: From the archives here are some of my favorite "recovered" photos from the wedding. I get emotional when I see that look of joy in your eye that was captured, I love that genuine look into my eyes as I start to tear up. The most amazing photos that reminds me two of the 17 million reasons you are my soul mate.

Forever and always! Happy Ash Wednesday!

Its 5 O'Clock Somewhere

Spending most of my time virtually in Eastern time zone these days

Happy Birthday Brooke!

Love you girl!!

Definitely a club

I'm of the laser club

Got milk?

This takes scouting to a whole new level

Shopping without Kim

But she is still on the right

Given the choice.....

I have disclosed before that when I am not around Tarzan watches sports or science fiction (I maybe even teased him about it). I have never stopped to pay attention to what it is that I watch when the tivo is empty or I am just channel surfing.

In the attempt to have a relaxing weekend, after a pedicure and a great lunch at Green. My loving husband tolerated, still hung out with me, and watched the following today after the regular scheduled programing (ie tivo'ed stuff):

Project Runway Allstars
The Best Chocolatier in America
24 Hour Catwalk
Diners, Drive in and Dives
The Fashion Police
The Devil Wears Prada

Given the choice I pick food and fashion.

It's 9 o'clock

Too much red dye. Too much sugar. Cold medicine and tator tots.

Do you know where your kids are.

Top 5 pics sent to me week ending 2/17

Food. Newspapers. And one cute nephew.

Thanks Diane, Amy, Kim, Lex and Joe

Consolidating Tips, Words, Jokes of the Day

The only "of the day" I subscribe to currently is urbandictionary. After full review (you can thank me for consolidating) I think I will keep it that way.

Quote of the Day

Quote of the Day: The more liberty you give away the more you will have.Robert Green Ingersoll

Love Quote of the Day: I think we have all experienced passion that is not in any sense reasonable.Stephen Fry

Art Quote of the Day: Simplicity and repose are the qualities that measure the true value of any work of art.Frank Lloyd Wright

Nature Quote of the Day: Sunlight is painting.Nathaniel Hawthorne

Funny Quote of the Day: I don't make jokes. I just watch the government and report the facts.Will Rogers

Urbandictionary Word of the Day

credit card roulette

A game of chance to decide which person pays for a restaurant meal. Every party contributes a credit/debit card into a hat and the waiter/waitress removes one card at time. The last card removed pays the entire bill.

We played credit card roulette at breakfast and DJ's card was the last one picked. He had to pick up the 200 dollar tab and since he is unemployed the California taxpayers provided the meal.

Meditation Tip of the Day

Each person comes into this world with a specific destiny-he has something to fulfill, some message has to be delivered, some work has to be completed. You are not here accidentally -you are here meaningfully. There is a purpose behind you. The whole intends to do something through you.Osho

Food Tip of the Day

Revamp Your Plate
In an effort to eliminate the days of plates piled high with meat, potatoes and gravy, and little fruits or vegetables, USDA's MyPlate recommends that half your plate be filled with fruits and vegetables. Worried you can't adjust to this? Follow these simple tips for a healthier nutrition plan:
-Enjoy the foods you love, but eat in moderation.
-Avoid oversized portions.
-Make sure half your plate is fruits and vegetables; a quarter of your plate grains, preferably whole grains; and the last quarter of your plate is filled with lean protein.
-Switch to fat-free or low-fat milk.
-Drink water instead of sugary drinks.
-Compare the sodium in foods like soups, bread and frozen meals, and choose foods with lower numbers.

Joke of the Day

Q: What did the traffic light say to the car?A: Don't look I'm changing!

I love Valentines

Overall a great day in So Cal

Over exposed

Some pics, while not perfect bring me great joy, this is one of them.

Happy Valentines Day All!!!!!

(REM, better call 911)

Happy Birthday Arizona!

Click here for 100 fun AZ facts

#90 is my favorite

Arizona is the only state in the nation that elects a Mine Inspector.