More Halloween Photos

At the end of the parade, they tried to do a group picture. Maddy is uncertain about that beige thing behind. As was I.


Concern sets in deeper. Tigger cries.



Maddy decides escape is the best route, leaving Carebear, Tigger, and Fairy Princess to fend form themselves.

 

Munchkins on Parade

Maddy's daycare had a Halloween parade today. She was very excited. More so than Superman, as you can see. 

Happy Halloween

 

"Mawage. Mawage is wot bwings us togeder tooday. Mawage, that bwessed awangment, that dweam wifin a dweam... "

The issue of gay marriage really irritates me.

And I know what I am about to say will probably cause my G to disown me.

I follow this issue relatively closely because I am told by anti gay marriage people that gay marriage is a "threat to the institution of marriage." As I am married, this is obviously an issue that would concern me, right?

Furthermore, Virginia (what I consider my "home" state though I am now in Maryland) is currently considering passing further legislation against gay marriage. The state of Virginia already defines a marriage as a union between a man and a woman, so this further legislation seems rather unnecessary.

So I have listened to their arguments about how gay marriage is a threat. Here's the four main arguments I have heard:

1) Gay marriage would weaken "real" marriages.
2) The Bible says its wrong.
3) Gay marriage would pave the way for people to marry anything they want-animal, inanimate object, etc...
4) The purpose of marriage is to have children. Gay marriage does not allow for procreation, therefore should not be allowed.

Here are my thoughts:
1) People of the same sex and in other countries have been marrying for quite some time now. To my knowledge, Michael is still my husband and I still love him. So that rules that argument out-the marriage of two people of the same sex appears to have had no effect on my own marriage.
2) Part A: There is a separation of church and state-therefore, the Bible should not determine our nation's laws. Part B: Not everyone in America adheres to the Bible. Parts of the Bible advocate slavery too.
3) I will not address point three as it is silly.
4) This is the point that really gets me. I heard on NPR yesterday or this morning someone from the Cultural Commission on Marriage (I am getting this wrong and I don't care-if they have enough time in their lives to waste energy on this non-issue instead of worrying about important things like feeding the poor, war, etc, then I do not care to waste the energy to look up their organization's actual name.) arguing that same sex marriage does not allow for the "ancient tradition" of procreation. Two arguments against this: One, by accepting that statement, you are also implying that people who choose not to or are not able to have kids should not be allowed to be married. Marriage for procreation purposes only is a primitive notion that was necessary when the human race faced a problem of a decreasing population. This is not currently a concern of ours. Two, there are many gay couples who are willing to adopt children who have been rejected by their heterosexual parents. Why is it ok to choose to sire a child but not rear it, but not the other way around? Surely, more work and love are poured into a child's upbringing (or should be at least) than into a child's creation. I commend any two people, regardless of their sex, for making the decision to bring a child into their lives.

So that's my little outburst. I welcome any counterarguments.

Beginning of the End

It's not every day that someone thrusts potatoes in your face and says "Eat this!"

Unless, of course, you lived in Ireland during the Famine.

I attended an exhibit today where they showcased a TON of fruits and vegetables. If heaven exists, I would imagine it would look a lot like what I saw today-a convention center full of juice, veggies and other yummy things. Beautiful stuff and it was great to see products "coming soon to a grocery store near you."

I didn't sample much, being that I was full from lunch and because of my "status" at the convention, but I walked past one table where they had prepackaged potatoes and some guy eagerly thrust some at me. I took it politely and then secretly wondered if I could politely hand it off to some of the homeless people I have seen on the streets.

I was discussing this with someone when I learned that this particular exhibition donates the unused food to a local food bank. It's the best thing I've heard since I've been in San Diego.

Tonight is my last night and, while I am not looking forward to the flight (nor the weather-I have been enjoying the 75 degree, sunny October days), I am looking forward to going home. My coworker took me out tonight after work and, being that I have not owned a watch in 3 years, I had no idea that we had chatted for 3 hours until she told me it was 9PM. Too late to call Mike and Maddy and wish them a good night. I am a terrible person.

Luckily for them, my punishment is being administered by the City of San Diego which has decided to DRILL A BIG HOLE IN THE STREET OUTSIDE MY HOTEL ROOM. It is loud. I do not like it.

Waste and Opulence

First off-

"Dear Mom,

I walked through the streets of San Diego at midnight tonight. I did not get mugged, raped, or murdered. I am sorry to disappoint you. Perhaps you will get to jump for joy screaming 'I was right, I was right' another time."

bttw-one of my coworkers just got a message that one of her best friends in VA, who has a 6 month old baby, had their house broken into tonight by a knifewelding dude. Risk is everywhere.

In fact, as I type, I am certain BillMurray is attacking some part of Michael's anatomy.

Now-

I spent two hours walking around San Diego today and have determind is full of nothing but restaurants, seamen, and homeless people. This point is brought home especially in the morning, around 7am, when there is no one else on the street except for people who look like they are living out of the grocery bags they carry around. A mere twelve hours later, the streets are filled with trendy, (and untrendy-let me tell you about this chick I saw with a skirt the width of my thumb) young people, plopping down $20 per dish on a meal and $7-$14 per wine/beer/cocktail. The disparity between the two is truly disheartening.

Tonight's meal was at a Persian restaurant. The hummus was spectacular (I thought the avocado hummus would basically be guacamole with chickpeas but it tasted more like indian mint chutney) but the rest of the food was just ok. But they served so much of it! I ate only 1/5 of my meal and was stuffed. Everyone at my table felt bad about the food going to waste, especially since we had seen so many homeless people in the city. My boss even bagged up the rest of her food in the hopes that we would see someone on the street that could use it.

But then comes the issue-how insulting is it to say "Here's my leftovers-eat and enjoy!"?

I feel like I can't justify my existence if I participate in this charade but, because this is a part of my job I'm not sure what to do.

All I know is it makes me kinda sick.

And I'm ultra excited because I get to sleep in tomorrow.

Game Face

We have to be at work by 7 am in the morning. I don't mind getting up early, but I do mind walking several blocks to the convention center, in the dark, carrying expensive computer equipment. I asked the doorman prior to leaving my hotel how safe it was to walk around town. He said it was OK, but like any city you have to put on a certain "face." So I did my best to work up a combination "It's-early-and-I'm-tired-so-I-don't-have-time-to-look-at-you-but-I-could-take-you-on-if-I-had-to" face (yeah right). Halfway to the convention center, a man was hosing off the entrance to some scummy looking hotel (hosing? really? why? ick. sorry I asked), looked me up and down, and said "Good morning to you, sweetie" as I walked past. I did what I normally do when strange people talk to me, which is to turn bright red.

Gotta improve my "city face." It's not good when my defense mechanism consists of turning into a tomato with hair.

I was told by my coworker that there would be plenty of breakfast options in the convention center. She was right. I have my choice of Starbucks in A wing or Starbucks in B wing.

San Diego is comprised of nothing but restaurants and Navy guys. Every time I see a guy in one of those beige uniforms, especially with the naval ships in the background, I think of my dad and growing up on Navy bases. It's kinda comforting. Whodathunk the military would do that for me?

Tonight we ate at an Indian restaurant called Masala or Monsoon. I can't remember. I had something called a Chai-tini. Should be right up my alley-Chai tea, Kahlua, and Frangelico. It was ok. Not great. We had garlic naan (my indian place in Ashburn, Banjara, is waaay better, samosas with mint chutney(Masala/Monsoon's is the best I've had-was quit spicy) and some curried bananas.

Yep, you read that right. Curried bananas-bananas stuffed with spices and cooked in a cream sauce. I took a chance on it since it was the most unfamiliar thing on the menu. It shouldn't have worked, but it was quite lovely.

I tried to call Michael tonight but he had his phone off. Probably watching Battlestar. Everyone has their priorites. As usual. I realized walking to dinner that tonight was Friday (yes, it took me all day to realize what day it was) and that Battlestar was coming on and I was going to miss it. Drat! I know Michael is going to gloat.

Well, once again, its getting late and I have to get up early tomorrow.

Blogging from San Diego...

I feel like crap.

The clock in my hotel room reads 945PM, but the clock on my computer tells the truth-it is 1245AM EST. II have been up since 6am, I almost missed my flight, and I'm exhausted.

Just got back from dinner with a client. Still reeling from the fact that today I was paid sit and read a fairly interesting book (The Prestige), work on my ESL paper, and have two glasses of wine and one beer (Stella!) with a client.

I don't think I like San Diego. Seattle was completely charming, very clean, with coffee on every corner (what's not to like about that?). Philadelphia was charming in a ghetto sorta way. Las Vegas is pure kitsch in a good way. In San Diego, everyone looks at you like you are a target.

Or maybe its just because my mother reminded me of how many times she was robbed when they lived here. Paranoia is genetic.

But at least in San Diego I don't have to worry about BillMurray nippinig at my toes. They are safe in San Diego.

My hotel is very nice-to the point I think I was accidentally booked here. Looking at the hotel literature, I see that Mel Gibson, Whitney Houston, and Ike Turner, among others, have stayed in this hotel. Great. I am on par with a racist, a drug addict, and a wife beater. I bet Michael is anxious for me to get home now.

At least the hotel gave me some complimentary truffles and lemonade. Even the box the truffles came in is made out of chocolate and is quite yummy. MMMMM.....CHOCOLATE LID....

Despite chocolate boxes, I miss Michael and the baby and want to be home snug in my bed with Mike curled up beside me. San Diego seems alien to me and it seems like I have to be here forever.

But I do have to be at work by 7am tomorrow so I guess I should get to bed.

Thank you, Sweet Jesus...

http://fun.from.hell.pl/2003-11-24/bubblewrap.swf

Matricide

Apparently the phrase "hardy mums" is not equivalent to "Jamee-proof."

Miscellany (again)

School is in full swing, as is work. Hard to keep up with it all.

I feel sorry for my professor. I yawn constantly in her class. I'm sure she thinks I think she is boring (I don't.) It's just when its Monday and you are tired and class is the first instance where you can just sit and listen for 2 1/2 hours, you realize you are tired and start yawning.

Plus my neighbor's dog, hereby dubbed "Woofie" (have no clue what his real name is) has been barking starting around 530, 545 in the morning. I hear my property value plummet with every bark.

Michael is currently downstairs watching "Lost." I can't even stand that show any more. Give me "Battlestar Galactica."

So today was kinda crappy day. Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays always kinda suck because I can't sit in my PJs while I work and drink unlimited cups of coffee (I know-wah!). But today at work was especially bad because my gummy bear privileges were revoked. At work, they buy big sacks of candy from Costco, including my favorites-peppermint patties and gummy bears. Today, I was told by consensus that I do not shut the gummy bear bag well enough, which not only make the bears go stale but also allows the smell of gummy bears to waft through the office causing other people to invade the candy drawer. I was told no more.



Maddy's new favorite toy is trash.

I am filming Maddy for my linguistics class. Every time I do, billmurray comes up and chews on me, causing me to screech while filming. The project is due Monday. Erg.

Happy October!

Today is the first day of my favorite month of the year. And I have had plenty of time to enjoy it since Maddy woke us up at 5am. At least the extra time allowed for Halloween decorating and attending Oktoberfest.

Maddy does impersonations. Didn't realize it? Tonight we filled the bathtub with water in preparation for the bath. Plopped her in the tub where she, with smiling face and chubby cheeks, did her impersonation of one of those cherubs-urinating-in-water fountains. Pretty good impersonation too.

BillMurray is insane. I always thought that I would like a cat who likes to be petted and spend time around humans. Unfortunately, I got what I want. BillMurray has this incredible fascination with me, especially at the most inconvenient times possible-when I am eating (he tries to take my food), while I am sleeping (he trys to suffocate me) and when I am walking (he tries to remove my toes). I get revenge by letting the baby play with him. She thinks his legs, like the rest of her toys, are detachable. At this point, I am kinda curious to see if they are too.

Speaking of BillMurray, one of his favorite toys is Maddy's plug. He bats it around for a while then picks it up in his mouth and trots away. I would have gotten a picture, but it was way too early in the morning. I hope Maddy doesn't try to take it from him-last time she took someone's plug, they bit her (at daycare).

Only 5 more days until the season premiere of Battlestar Galactica. Mike, Kelly, Kevin, and I finally caught up on Saturday night. Has anyone else considered the significance that Gaius Baltar shares initials with George Bush?