I guess they're just trying to communicate with *all* their constituents.
Monday, April 30, 2007
Saturday, April 28, 2007
The Landlord
This is the best skit ever. I hope I can come up with something equally clever to do with our kid when she/he is in the mimicking stage. Because of this clip, the name Pearl might be added to the list. How cute is she?
Friday, April 27, 2007
Pregnancy facts: Did you know...
...by the end of your pregnancy, your blood volume will have increased by 30 to 50 percent.
...by the time you deliver your baby, your uterus will have expanded to about 1,000 times its original size.
...by the 16th week of your pregnancy, your lungs are inhaling and exhaling up to 30 percent to 40 percent more air than they did before.
...that when your uterus becomes too big to fit within your pelvis and your internal organs are shifted, your center of gravity changes.
...by the time your baby is born, the distance around your rib cage will have expanded by 2 to 3 inches.
...over the course of your pregnancy, your breasts will account for about 1 to 3 pounds of the weight you gain.
....your cervical opening will stretch from zero to 10 centimeters in diameter so you can push your baby out. <oh holy jesus.>
...by the time you deliver your baby, your uterus will have expanded to about 1,000 times its original size.
...by the 16th week of your pregnancy, your lungs are inhaling and exhaling up to 30 percent to 40 percent more air than they did before.
...that when your uterus becomes too big to fit within your pelvis and your internal organs are shifted, your center of gravity changes.
...by the time your baby is born, the distance around your rib cage will have expanded by 2 to 3 inches.
...over the course of your pregnancy, your breasts will account for about 1 to 3 pounds of the weight you gain.
....your cervical opening will stretch from zero to 10 centimeters in diameter so you can push your baby out. <oh holy jesus.>
Sunday, April 22, 2007
News: Holy crap, we're expecting!
There's a baby coming. The news sort of shocked us too, even though we knew we were trying. For some reason we were under the impression that it would take - at a minimum - six to nine months for us to get pregnant. That wasn't the case for us. So now, we have successfully completed our first trimester and are telling our family and friends the news. Following are answers to the most common questions posed to us by people learning the news:- Do you know the gender of the baby yet? No. We won't know for another three to five weeks, assuming the Resident Alien (R.A.*) is cooperative on the day of the ultrasound.
- Why did you wait to tell people? A surprising number of pregnancies end in miscarriage during the first 14 weeks. In order to avoid the possibility of having to make awkward and uncomfortable phone calls during what would surely be a difficult time, we made the decision to wait until the first trimester was over and the significant danger was reduced before telling folks.
- What about law school? Thankfully, I was able to obtain a deferment from the school. I will be able to start in Fall 2008.
- Is that why Darren got a new job? The baby was the impetus for Darren to get a new job now.
- Is that why you are looking to move? No. We are more than happy to stay in Sellwood. We're looking to move so I can be closer to school. An almost 2-hour commute to and from school every day would drastically reduce the amount of time available to spend with the baby and to study.
- Have you had any strange food cravings? Not really, although I've certainly craved certain foods. I went through a spinach phase, an orange phase, and have consumed an inordinate amount of chicken noodle soup.
- Aren't you scared this will change everything? Yes.
- Do you have morning sickness? I've had it three times but have felt nauseous a lot.
- When's the due date? 14 October. We're adding a Libra to the Aries - Sagittarius mix.
Tuesday, April 17, 2007
PLIK 2007
Last year I knew a gazillion pregnant ladies and this year is shaping up to be more of the same. So I'm opening up PLIK (Pregnant Ladies I Know) for 2007 and am happy to report that the two current members are my best friend's sisters Melissa (Mo) and Kassie, who I have known forever. Heck, I can remember when Mo was born. And now both girls are on their way to motherhood.
On Saturday, I attended the first of what I expect will be many baby showers this year. The food was tasty and plentiful, there were a number of available drinks - both of the alcoholic and non-alcoholic variety, and presents galore for mom- and baby-to-be. The diaper game, where chocolate candy bars are melted and then passed around for the group to identify was pretty nasty, particularly when folks dipped their fingers into the pile of melted goo for a taste - gross. But at least they didn't play that totally mean and awful "let's guess how big mom's belly is by measuring out yards and yards of string" game.
Tan, Laura, me, and Ann (Photo courtesy of Tan)
On Saturday, I attended the first of what I expect will be many baby showers this year. The food was tasty and plentiful, there were a number of available drinks - both of the alcoholic and non-alcoholic variety, and presents galore for mom- and baby-to-be. The diaper game, where chocolate candy bars are melted and then passed around for the group to identify was pretty nasty, particularly when folks dipped their fingers into the pile of melted goo for a taste - gross. But at least they didn't play that totally mean and awful "let's guess how big mom's belly is by measuring out yards and yards of string" game.
Tan, Laura, me, and Ann (Photo courtesy of Tan)My reality pick
American Idol - I try not to listen to the screeching on American Idol, except when channel surfing and then both Darr and I have a tendency to dive for the mute button before our ears start to bleed, but even though I haven't watched an entire show all the way from start to finish since they completed the auditions, I have found the one who should win this year's competition. And it ain't Sanjaya, the boy hair wonder who sucks. My pick for this year's American Idol is Miss Jordin Sparks. This girl has an incredible voice, is super cute, and has plenty of poise and charisma for someone who is only 17. My favorite song pic for her so far - "I Who Have Nothing". Click here to listen to a small sample of it.
A giant ball of snot
An evil virus has invaded my head and set up camp in my sinuses and throat. A trip to New Seasons yielded an enormous box of tissues, a pint of Häagen-Dazs Mayan Chocolate, and some Badger Winter Wonder Balm, which I decided to purchase after one of the employees mentioned Vicks VapoRub has turpentine listed as an ingredient. I am betting I blow through the 180 2-ply tissues with lotion in the next 24 hours. Ugh. Being sick sucks.
Sunday, April 15, 2007
What the future holds
If I finally get around to changing my name, I'll hit the market already having an entire firm with my name on it. (Photo courtesy of Casie.)
Friday, April 13, 2007
Absorb those pants for a moment
And then read the article from the NY Times because it's really good. Some noteworthy quotes include the following:"Hillary was speaking for all of us, for a generation that felt we weren't being heard."
"Mrs. Clinton's struggles as the first woman in her Arkansas law firm, and then first lady of Arkansas resonate with her classmates, too, in their own battles as "first woman" in workplaces dominated by men, trying to navigate what now seem like quaint battles over whether a woman can take a business trip with a man, or whether a pregnant professor should get tenure."
"I hear these anti-Hillary attacks by men, especially right-wing men, and I feel like it's just as much an attack on me...It's an effect of intelligence that you come across as intense, that you have strong views. I've always felt that the way she is singled out and attacked is very indicative of how society reacts to smart women."
"Most of the Wellesley women have watched with sadness as the Hillary they knew changed from a passionate and outspoken figure to a more guarded and careful one as she put her husband's political career first."
"If you spend your adult life in the public eye...you necessarily have to create a kind of protection, a caution, that will lead to the perception that you're joyless or calculating..."
Don Imus fired for comment
I've had several discussions with people regarding the recent comments Don Imus made about the Rutgers Women's Basketball Team but I have yet to post anything because most of the time - perhaps the O.J. Simpson trial was an exception - when it comes to issues of race I feel it is my place to shut up. What the hell do I know about being African American or Chinese or Native American? I'm white. So I was extremely happy when I read Lo's blog today and found his insightful commentary. Click here to read it. Well done, Lo.
Turning 5 (approximately 45 in cat years)
Happy birthday, Ellie & Mabel!
The girls went in for their annual health exam on Thursday. True to form, Ellie was a sweetheart. A frightened sweetheart but a sweetheart nonetheless. And Mabel, well let's just say they decided to forego the anal temperature reading and they required a stick to shove the deworming pill down her throat past her foaming mouth and pointy fangs. Neither cat took one bite or one swipe at the vet or his assistant, although some hissing and attempts to flee the exam table did occur during the visit. All is good and healthy with the girls, although Ellie MacPherson has some plaque buildup that will require an additional trip in for dental work. Our vet appeared relieved that Ellie was the one he'd be seeing again.
Wednesday, April 11, 2007
More Google fun
1. Go to maps.google.com.
2. Click Get directions.
3. Type New York, New York in the first field and type Paris, France in the second field.
4. Click the Get Directions button.
5. The directions are listed on the left side of the screen. Review the the estimated mileage and time at the top of the directions.
6. Then scroll down and review step #23.
Someone at Google has a sense of humor. And apparently is very fit. I'm pretty sure even given 29 days, I wouldn't get across the Atlantic Ocean under my own steam.
2. Click Get directions.
3. Type New York, New York in the first field and type Paris, France in the second field.
4. Click the Get Directions button.
5. The directions are listed on the left side of the screen. Review the the estimated mileage and time at the top of the directions.
6. Then scroll down and review step #23.
Someone at Google has a sense of humor. And apparently is very fit. I'm pretty sure even given 29 days, I wouldn't get across the Atlantic Ocean under my own steam.
Tuesday, April 10, 2007
If only it was July 21...
Darr and I would be sitting under a tree at the park with Beauty the wonder dog and a picnic basket filled with fresh fruit, cheese, crackers, and imported proscuitto. And we'd be enjoying a nice tasty beverage whilst we settled in to start reading the final Harry Potter book. I'm so looking forward to summer.
Monday, April 09, 2007
Woohoo!
Hello all. Well, I finally did it and went and got myself a new job. No more travel, yeah! I'll miss my team at Fujitsu, but...I'm proud to announce I'll be joining Tripwire as a Senior Software Engineer (Core group) to help them make a very cool product even cooler. My last (business) trip to San Jose is next week and the following Monday (23rd) I start my new adventure.
Of course it's a little scary to start at a new place, but the group over there is very much great. They did this crazy-gonzo interview process where the entire department -- I didn't count but it was close t0 20 people -- came into a big room to fire questions at me. Yikes! Flee! Flee! Apparently I did OK tho'.
The offices are downtown, so I can ride my bike if I like. I think I might just do that. Very Portland.
Yeah!
Saturday, April 07, 2007
Recipe Corner: Cream of Potato & Leek Soup with Bacon
We tried this recipe a few years ago and it has become one of my favorites. How could it not be? Potatoes and bacon and leeks, oh my!
Ingredients:
3 medium-size leeks (approx. 1 1/2 lbs)
4 ounces bacon, chopped
1 1/2 lbs medium-size thin-skinned or russet potatoes, scrubbed
1 1/2 quarts fat-free, reduced-sodium chicken broth
2 cups milk (2%)
1 cup diced carrots
8 ounces green beans, cut into 2-inch lengths
salt
Directions:
Trim and discard the green tops from the leeks, leaving the white and light green parts for the soup. (Using the green part of the leek will turn the soup a disconcertingly green color.) Split the remaining leeks lengthwise and rinse well. Cut leeks into 2-inch matchstick pieces and set aside.
Preheat a 4 or 5 quart pan over medium-high heat. When the rim of the pan is hot to the touch, add the bacon and cook, stirring occasionally until crisp (3-5 minutes). Remove the bacon from the pan and set aside. Discard the bacon drippings. (Although, really, a little bacon grease never hurt anybody so feel free to leave a little for extra bacon flavor goodness.) Add 2/3 of the leeks to the pan and cook, stirring often, until soft (about 5 minutes).
Peel and dice the potatoes. Add 2/3 of the potatoes to the leeks. You can lessen the browning of the remaining potatoes by placing the diced pieces into a bowl of cold water. You will have to drain any potatoes placed in water before adding them to the soup. Stir in the broth and the milk. Increase the heat to high and bring the soup to a near boil. (If the heat is too high and the soup boils too aggressively, you might see milk solids appear. These can't hurt you but they do look unappealing.) Reduce heat, cover, and simmer until the potatoes mash easily (about 10 minutes).
Either transfer the vegetables to a food processor or a blender - if using a blender to process the vegetables, add a small amount of broth - or use an immersion blender and process the soup until the contents are coarsely puréed. Return the veggies to the soup pan. Return the soup to a boil, then reduce heat and simmer.
Add carrots and remaining potatoes to the soup (if needed, drain the potatoes first). Bring to a simmer, cover and cook for 4 minutes. Add beans, cover and cook for 4 minutes. Add remaining leeks and bacon to the pan. Continue to cook until the potatoes and carrots are soft and the green beans are tender-crisp to bite but still bright green (2 to 3 more minutes). Ladle soup into bowls and season to taste with salt.
Serves 8
Ingredients:
3 medium-size leeks (approx. 1 1/2 lbs)
4 ounces bacon, chopped
1 1/2 lbs medium-size thin-skinned or russet potatoes, scrubbed
1 1/2 quarts fat-free, reduced-sodium chicken broth
2 cups milk (2%)
1 cup diced carrots
8 ounces green beans, cut into 2-inch lengths
salt
Directions:
Trim and discard the green tops from the leeks, leaving the white and light green parts for the soup. (Using the green part of the leek will turn the soup a disconcertingly green color.) Split the remaining leeks lengthwise and rinse well. Cut leeks into 2-inch matchstick pieces and set aside.
Preheat a 4 or 5 quart pan over medium-high heat. When the rim of the pan is hot to the touch, add the bacon and cook, stirring occasionally until crisp (3-5 minutes). Remove the bacon from the pan and set aside. Discard the bacon drippings. (Although, really, a little bacon grease never hurt anybody so feel free to leave a little for extra bacon flavor goodness.) Add 2/3 of the leeks to the pan and cook, stirring often, until soft (about 5 minutes).
Peel and dice the potatoes. Add 2/3 of the potatoes to the leeks. You can lessen the browning of the remaining potatoes by placing the diced pieces into a bowl of cold water. You will have to drain any potatoes placed in water before adding them to the soup. Stir in the broth and the milk. Increase the heat to high and bring the soup to a near boil. (If the heat is too high and the soup boils too aggressively, you might see milk solids appear. These can't hurt you but they do look unappealing.) Reduce heat, cover, and simmer until the potatoes mash easily (about 10 minutes).
Either transfer the vegetables to a food processor or a blender - if using a blender to process the vegetables, add a small amount of broth - or use an immersion blender and process the soup until the contents are coarsely puréed. Return the veggies to the soup pan. Return the soup to a boil, then reduce heat and simmer.
Add carrots and remaining potatoes to the soup (if needed, drain the potatoes first). Bring to a simmer, cover and cook for 4 minutes. Add beans, cover and cook for 4 minutes. Add remaining leeks and bacon to the pan. Continue to cook until the potatoes and carrots are soft and the green beans are tender-crisp to bite but still bright green (2 to 3 more minutes). Ladle soup into bowls and season to taste with salt.
Serves 8
Thursday, April 05, 2007
Mnemonic device
Darr and I were watching House the other night and learned a tool worthy of sharing with all non-House watching folks. There is a mnemonic device to help you remember stroke symptoms - "FAST".
"F" stands for "face" - uneven smile, facial droop or numbness, and vision disturbance
"A" stands for "arm & leg" - weakness, numbness, difficulty walking
"S" stands for "speech" - slurred, inappropriate words, mute
"T" stands for "time" - time is critical, CALL 9-1-1
Commit this to memory. Time saved is brain saved.
"F" stands for "face" - uneven smile, facial droop or numbness, and vision disturbance
"A" stands for "arm & leg" - weakness, numbness, difficulty walking
"S" stands for "speech" - slurred, inappropriate words, mute
"T" stands for "time" - time is critical, CALL 9-1-1
Commit this to memory. Time saved is brain saved.
Tuesday, April 03, 2007
Monday, April 02, 2007
Banner and general stuff
Can you believe it is already April? I can't. Taxes are due in less than two weeks, the first quarter of the year is over, and the threat of the coming Christmas shopping season is causing some of us, not necessarily me - sorry, Darr - to cinch up our wallets and become miser-like in our spending habits. With all of the hubbub it is a tad easier, perhaps, to excuse the late arrival of this month's banner. For the three of you who regularly read our blog, you have my sincerest apologies.
Things happening this month? House hunting. After a call to the Admissions office that confirmed the typical schedule of a first-year law student - Monday through Friday, anywhere from 7am to the last class that starts at 3:30pm - we didn't have to think about the daily commute from Portland to Salem long before considering the option of buying a place that would lessen the amount of time on the road. Thanks to our friend, Sara, we learned that Wilsonville has a very reasonably priced monthly bus pass with a stop about a block away from campus. This means, since I have grown accustomed to reading in moving vehicles, that I could potentially gain study time when riding to and from school. Nice. We shall keep you posted. The house we are currently reviewing in Lake Oswego, or rather an unincorporated piece of land just outside city limits, is not, um, great. But the land on which it sits is quite abundant. And after perusing Dwell, Sunset, and Portland Monthly for the better part of the afternoon we have come up with several interesting ideas in which the little home could be upgraded.
Things happening this month? House hunting. After a call to the Admissions office that confirmed the typical schedule of a first-year law student - Monday through Friday, anywhere from 7am to the last class that starts at 3:30pm - we didn't have to think about the daily commute from Portland to Salem long before considering the option of buying a place that would lessen the amount of time on the road. Thanks to our friend, Sara, we learned that Wilsonville has a very reasonably priced monthly bus pass with a stop about a block away from campus. This means, since I have grown accustomed to reading in moving vehicles, that I could potentially gain study time when riding to and from school. Nice. We shall keep you posted. The house we are currently reviewing in Lake Oswego, or rather an unincorporated piece of land just outside city limits, is not, um, great. But the land on which it sits is quite abundant. And after perusing Dwell, Sunset, and Portland Monthly for the better part of the afternoon we have come up with several interesting ideas in which the little home could be upgraded.
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