Have Another Woo-Woo

A while back I mentioned my friend T (also J's soccer coach) who takes bartending to a high art. His favorite drink for us is the Woo-Woo. It's a standard call, so let me give you the recipe: Mix equal parts vodka, peach schnapps, and cranberry juice. Chill a batch in the fridge for at least a couple of hours. Serve either in cocktail glasses over ice or in chilled shot glasses.

I'm doing this because a few days ago (according to my sitemeter), someone went looking for information on woo-woo's and linked to this blog. Recalling the search, I was interested to find that "woo-woo" can mean a couple of different things besides the drink. This link has a list of ways to avoid being a web woo-woo, a very bad thing.

Another reason for this post is that all my mom and teacher friends, internet or otherwise, are in maximum overdrive with the start of school. Honestly, it is stressful! For sure in my mind, the single best thing about having J attend St. C's is that alcohol is served at nearly every function (to the adults only, of course).

Back To It

Mystery House

One of the city's great attractions is the Winchester Mystery House. I've never been mostly because I'm plain scared (despite rational knowledge of the good family behind it). There is a new musical out about the house, its legends and oddities, which is something I hope to see in celebration of the Rep's 25th year.

The Boy Wizard

J has been under the spell of Harry Potter the entire summer. She's now on the fourth book.

Bowling For Soup

We went bowling a few hours ago. I broke 100 on both our games, but only because we had the bumpers up. Since I forgot my camera, I consider this image to be the best substitute for one of my own. How I loved watching the Flintstones growing up. . . I wonder if Fred and Barney were my inspiration for joining the Elks?

Just for fun, if you click on this post's title, you'll get to the band Bowling For Soup's website so you too can download the video for "1985," the song of my generation. I find it humorous (and kind of pathetic really) how many kids under 10 can sing it from memory.

Sally Foster Time

It's time for the annual sale. Let me know if you need any giftwrap, nuts, candles, etc. You can either email me directly or leave a comment below (perhaps with your email) and I'll get you the info so your purchase can be properly credited. Yes, I'm serious, as fundraising is not at all to be taken lightly. Thanks in advance for your support!

Brasileno?

If you're coming from the Freakonomics blog, here ya go. I love this stuff. Sorry I can't be serving it for real.

Five-time winner of LA COPA MUNDIAL. Everybody loves the samba style!

Sweet Inspiration

My friend G had the moms' group over the other night for wine, hors d'oeuvres, and dessert primarily in honor of E's visit from Virginia, secondarily to celebrate the start of school, and thirdly (and most importantly), to show-off her newly rebuilt house. The food was great (as usual), but seeing the house was the real treat -- eight years in the design and over a year and a half of construction, all worth it.

The house was done Craftsman-style, a la Frank Lloyd Wright, with windows and details similar to the picture here. Everything in it was carefully thought-out and executed. There was a peaceful, woodsy smell permeating the place due to its all-natural materials. My favorite part was the tile work in both the first-floor bathroom and the mudroom: a greenish slate with smaller tiles cut like fallen leaves scattered throughout. G paid a sitter so she could work with the tile-layers to fit each piece. The second best part was the outdoor fireplace on the backyard patio. G had logs burning so we could toast marshmellows for s'mores.

The family's hard work and patience have paid off because the house is truly a work of art.

For My Stepmom

. . . or anyone interested in knitting: Suss Cousins, "the knittress to the stars," has a too-hip shop on Wilshire in LA. Her knit kits have yarn, needles, and cute and easy-to-follow patterns especially for beginners. Try them! :-)

Last Dance

The disco ball was out last weekend for a family get-together at the H's. We've been doing end-of-summer fun stuff for a while now. Tried to visit the local amusement park one last time today but it was closed, and so were the waterslides, 'cause school starts for pretty much everyone this week. What an incredible summer we've had! I hope I'll be able to keep up with the blogging. Things get hectic for me in the next few weeks and probably won't calm down again until October.

Brother Roger

There are Taize services held at a church close by so I was sad to hear of the death of the movement's founder, Brother Roger. I usually go with friends from my parish during Advent each year.

Clearing Coastal Fog

It was cold and overcast the other day at the beach so we stayed only a short while.

The day did get a little brighter in the afternoon. We went to the ice cream store before heading home.

Business As Usual

This potentially is all about Mr. Big. Come hither, dude!

Coconets

A college friend K in Manila sent me info about a Philippine geotextile business that not only stimulates the local economy but is environmentally sound as well. The "coconets" project has been nominated for an award sponsored by Newsweek and the BBC. Here is the link to check it out. My friend asks that you watch the documentary and possibly vote for the project (one of 12 finalists) on the website before the October deadline. The show airs on the BBC World Cable Channel on September 24th. You can also learn more about it in the August 29th issue of Newsweek.

'Tis the Season

Go get 'um, Tiger. We need a volunteer to be Team Mom. Anyone, anyone?

In case there is any concern, this is a purely recreational soccer league, emphasizing sportsmanship and fun. I, however, am secretly quite pleased that one teammate's grandfather was a Chicago Bear.

Random Act Of Kindness

An anonymous fellow student and his (her?) family donated a baby grand piano to J's teacher, who was badly in need of a new instrument. What a generous gift to us all. Thank you.

Dog Days Of August

No, we didn't visit Mt. Rushmore. This is just a replica we saw during our day at the local amusement park last week. Being the sole chaperone can be a tough job, so I kept myself engaged by taking pictures.

Can you see the guy hanging by the bungee cord on far left? Nutty, though I am not one to talk. Here is the dumbest tourist thing I've done and lived not to regret.

A little up the way, business was slow for the caricature lady, so she offered to draw us just for the fun of it with no strings attached.


Those henna tatoos are still in fashion and so are the "call-me-wacky" hats. Someone on the right here succumbed to both temptations. ;-)

Personal note: I spent way too many days of my childhood at the park and even worked here in my late teens. . . like many of my friends, past and present. One even went on to be the General Manager through his late twenties (as a stepping-stone to greater things). Here is the very spot where one of my current best friends did her gig -- she was the one guessing your weight, age, or whatever:

And here is the kids' final ride:

It was a good day. Wandering the park is still one of the best ways to spend an August afternoon.

Protest

More than one hundred fifty people are out peacefully assembled in front of the nearby school with candles and signs supporting Cindy Sheehan.

Cold-Weather Gear

In a fit of creative euphoria, I made these:

My old flip flops -- as before, on the top right of this link -- are now jazzed up with Peacock and Mango Fun Fur. And the Mini-Me's have been embellished with Peacock with Bright Blue. This was actually easily done, both in one night. I found the pattern and materials at Michael's.

The wearing of the flip flops made headlines this summer when some did to meet the President. The Manolo also had much to say on the topic. Mindful of the etiquette and common sense, however, I'm still a big flip flop fan. This site has some cute and durable styles with a little history of the Havaianas brand at the bottom.

Speculating On DVF

Now I don't have anywhere to wear this, but if I did, would I?

Are DVF wrap dresses simply classic or just way over?

Someone out there, please write something clever on fashion. The Manolo has been traveling and I'm having superfantastic withdrawal.

Block Party

We've got a good mix of people on our street, mostly families, but there are singles, elderly, and couples, too. About half the households were out last night for the annual block party with plenty of food and drink to go around. One neighbor brought fresh oysters from Tomales Bay and barbequed them up with garlic and white wine. YUM! The kids rode their bikes and scooters and jumped in the jumpy house, with the little girls wearing their Disney princess dresses and carrying their dolls as they did. The weather was perfect -- not too hot -- and some stayed out 'til about midnight, or so I hear.

The Movie Meme

My literary cousin, Veronica Montes, has once again *tagged* me with a *meme.* I checked so I know this time that a meme is "a unit of cultural information, such as a cultural practice or idea, that is transmitted verbally or by repeated action from one mind to another. . . from Greek mimema, something imitated." The last was on books and this one's on movies. Here goes. . .

Total Number of Films I Own On DVD And Video: About 50, definitely less than 75. We rent.

The Last Film I Bought: Honestly, I just paid $42.50 for a copy of my daughter's dance recital video. And the one previous to that was The Lizzie McGuire Movie.

Five Films Which I Watch a Lot / Mean a Lot to Me (not necessarily in this order):

1) Star Wars. Among the two triologies, my favorites scenes are in Return Of the Jedi when Luke decides not to fight his [our?] father (Darth Vader), successfully turning him away from the Dark Side [yes, i'm keeping that capitalized on purpose], and when Anakin and Obi-Wan duel in Revenge Of the Sith. Must I stop?

2) Breaking Away. Something about the bike guy who yearns for more out of life has inspired me since my early teens.

3) Sound of Music. Sing with me, everybody! I was so close to Salzburg once and still regret not making it over. Could also go with West Side Story like my prima -- never can get enough of these classics.

4) Like Water For Chocolate. I could see this over and over -- love the story, music, cinematography, everything.

5) Room With a View. For incurable romantics like myself, what can I say?

(Three) People I'm Passing the Baton to: I'll try M, C, and Scarlett. Of the these, she (the latter) is most likely to play along. And watch it, Ver, 'cause I'm thinking of starting a meme of my own to send around. It'll be a *shoe meme* and you're first on my list!

No More Cherries

. . . yet another sign that summer is fading. There were orchards right down the road from where I grew up so we always had an easy supply of delicious, fresh fruit the whole summer. Cherries were and still are my favorite.

Now the orchards are all gone -- the last was sold a couple of years ago. Enormous, fancy homes of the newest construction now stand in place of trees. Epitaph For a Peach by Mas Masumoto is a book that comes to mind.

It Starts Earlier*

. . . for both moms and teachers. I've been busy getting ready for school.
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*8/11 @ 12:56pm - I just changed the image 'cause the one I pulled off the web had some sort of copyright mark embedded in it and because this one is better. Here now is a picture of my collection of teaching mementos, started by my own second grade teacher upon her retirement (after my first year of teaching, she sent me a box full of presents from her former students), and augmented by my own students over the years. :-)

Return Of the Tooth Fairy

Everybody's back from their vacations without me. J was with her dad's family in Canada and my mom and stepdad were in Ashland. J called last Saturday excited to tell me about her newly lost tooth. I asked whether she planned to put it under her pillow that night or wait until she got home on Sunday. Her reply: "I DON'T WANT CANADIAN MONEY!"

J woke up to a Kennedy half-dollar and a Sacagawea under her pillow this morning. I'm happy she's home.

More Data, Please

How I got to be good friends with a bunch of economists, I'll never understand. A friend (not S) sent along this article on Prof. Caroline Hoxby, one of the few (only?) black women tenured at Harvard, an economist who studies education policy. What synergy for me, right? You'd think so, but unfortunately, our views don't necessarily agree. Here is the link to her scholarly papers. The aforementioned article discusses her simmering feud with another professor.

Incidentally, the economist friend above was recently in an academic kerfuffle of her own when the university committee overseeing her tenure voted to deny it. Not a big deal unless you know that this was after her own faculty had granted it and that the last time a committee had vetoed such an offer was 16 years ago. Seems there were some concerns over her maternity leave. But, thankfully, her dean's appeal worked and C will now be tenured. Hurrah!

Who da thunk economists could produce such great drama? And, congratulations, C! You're my heroine. And my hero.

Simple Joys Of Maidenhood

So the testosterone from poker the other night doesn't overwhelm my blog, here are some *tips* that have been sent around by my mom's high school friends and forwarded to me.
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To: Maryknoll Maidens
From: Pinky
Subject: Some OTHER - - BOUNCE uses...

This is good stuff---
The US Postal service sent out a message to all letter carriers to put a sheet of Bounce in their uniform pockets to keep yellow jackets away. The yellow jackets just veer around you. And all this time you've just been putting Bounce in the dryer! It will chase ants away when you lay a sheet near them. It also repels mice. Spread them around foundation areas, or in trailers or cars that are sitting, It keeps mice from entering your vehicle. It takes the odor out of books and photo albums that don't get opened too often. It repels mosquitoes. Tie a sheet of Bounce through a belt loop when outdoors during mosquito season. It eliminates static electricity from your TV (or computer) screen. Since Bounce is designed to help eliminate static cling, wipe your TV screen with a used sheet of Bounce to keep dust from resettling. Dissolve soap scum from shower doors. Clean with a sheet of Bounce. Freshen the air in your home. Place an individual sheet of Bounce in a drawer or hang in the closet. Put a sheet of Bounce in your vacuum cleaner. To prevent thread from tangling, run a threaded needle through a sheet of Bounce before beginning to sew. To prevent musty suitcases, place an individual sheet of Bounce inside empty luggage before storing. Bounce under the front seat. Clean baked-on foods from a cooking pan. Put a sheet in the pan, fill with water, let sit overnight, and sponge clean. The antistatic agent apparently weakens the bond between the food. Eliminate odors in wastebaskets. Place a sheet of Bounce at the bottom of the wastebasket. Collect cat hair. Rubbing the area with a sheet of Bounce will magnetically attract all the loose hairs. Eliminate static electricity from Venetian blinds. Wipe the blinds with a sheet of Bounce to prevent dust from resettling. Wipe up sawdust from drilling or sand papering. A used sheet of Bounce will collect sawdust like a tack cloth. Eliminate odors in dirty laundry. Place an individual sheet of bounce at the bottom of the laundry bag or hamper. Deodorize shoes or sneakers. Place a sheet of Bounce in your shoes or sneakers overnight. Golfers put a Bounce sheet in their back pocket to keep the bees away. Put a Bounce sheet in your sleeping bag and tent before folding and storing them. Keeps them smelling fresh. And now that you know, print and keep on file or Bounce (pass) it around. *:-)*
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Wow! If you can think of any other uses, or if you find any of these to be true or untrue, please note that here. I will do the same.

Boys' Night Out

After having dinner with my family, I got together with *the guys* for some poker at the Elks. Only one other of our group, E, was there when I arrived. An old guy named F approached us, so the three of us got started. Apparently back in the day, F had been a big poker player, but was entirely inexperienced with no-limit Hold'em. He freaked us out by putting down huge bets right up front. But basically, within 20 minutes, his chips were gone and I had most of them. Too bad these were just practice hands.

Then M and G arrived and we started for real. These guys are so intense about their poker, I could hardly think around them. Here is M's blog so you have a flavor of what I'm talking about. T arrived a little later and lightened things up by having no good cards all night (at least when I was there). Proud to say I was not the first one out, but was the first to leave, about 11:30, when I went "all-in" on a fairly weak hand. The rest were planning to stay at least another three hours, or until their money ran out.

Thanks, brothers, for the fun last night!

Regarding Mr. Big

I didn't see him in NYC and haven't heard from him since before then -- half-expecting to see his wedding announcement in the NYT sometime soon.

State Of the Blog

Some of my friends have asked me why I am doing this, so I will answer that here in discussing the state of my blog.

To start, I blog because it seems natural. I've kept diaries on and off since my first Hello Kitty one at age eight. Then there were those 20+ years in school. . . I was a history major in college and on the paper, though as an art director not a writer thereby happily subverting much of the office politics and hierarchy. In law school, I was an articles editor for the law journal and had my student note published. So you see, I have a background (albeit a fairly amateur one) in publishing and journalism.

And some friends say I just plain talk too much. . .

Though I love having readers and comments, this is essentially a private blog. You might have noticed how I avoid posting names, personal pictures, and other identifying details. I figure the blanks are easily filled in because I know just about everyone who reads this. I avoid topics about my work because I prefer to leave it behind when I come home. And my posts are sure to become more infrequent once school begins again because I just won't have the time.

I do not care to participate in the blogosphere in any influential way, so I do not publicize my blog except by commenting on other blogs. The few, more public blogs where I do are listed on the right side. The only truly popular blog where I regularly comment is Steve's. I started my Blogger account so I could keep him company as a fan. Some readers from there have clicked over here, but no one seems to have become a regular.

This site being on the open web, every once in a while I do get some hits from Google or Technorati search requests. Apparently I've been consulted for info on Wellesley, clams, Freakonomics (I think it was Steve's mother only because there was a picture in the post), and Marisol. . . pretty tame stuff, unlike one of my more intellectual friends who, on his blog, posted the link to one of his literary publications on Melville mentioning cannibalism and homosexuality. He got hits from an interesting bunch for a short spell but in the end was fine! I also get whirled through the Blogger directory about once a week -- a bunch of people punch to my site using the "Next Blog" button on the top right. When this happens, there are at least twenty extra hits all in an hour, one after the other. Of these, again, no one seems to have stayed.

So overwhelmingly, my readership consists of my friends and family. I average about 20-25 hits a day and monitor who's been coming and going, so it's safe to comment. One friend has remarked to me in person that she often would like to, but is worried that she doesn't have anything clever to add. Don't worry about that. We can delete your comment later if you really hate it. And you don't need to write anything long or brilliant unless the urge strikes you. And it's likely you won't be offending. This is just for fun, to keep us networked, thinking (but not necessarily accountable), and entertained.

Overall, my blogging has been immensely enjoyable for me, and probably therapeutic as well. I'd do it regardless of whether anyone actually read this, but thanks much to those who do.