Celebratory post to follow

This marks the last entry for 2008. Per Blog 365 rules I have blogged at least once every day for an entire year. Yeah. I don't think I'll be doing that again. Happy new year, Internet dwellers. I feel there are great things in store for 2009.

Valkyrie and roasted meat

Woohoo! Darr watched Henry for a bit this afternoon so I could go with his dad and cousins to catch Valkyrie. I'll admit to being a Tom Cruise fan in the past but his recent antics (i.e., couch jumping and pretending to be a doctor qualified to assess the treatment of others (Brooke Shields)) have hurt his likability factor. So I didn't go to the movie with high expectations but I left thinking it wasn't half bad. A telling of an unsuccessful attempt to oust Hitler from power from within.

While away from the house, Darr also managed to get the roast in the oven for the French dips au jus we offered to make for the family. It takes a lot of roasted meat to feed a baker's dozen worth of people. I am in awe of Darr's aunt who does large meals like this all the time. She's so awesome, she even had two pies ready to go in the oven for dessert. Pie is good, folks.

Our previously held belief that there are no naps in Canada appears to be wrong as Henry Finn did take a nap today. This nap, we now believe, completely screwed up his schedule because he would not quit this evening. The poor kid was exhausted when he finally hit the sack around 10p.m. There were visual signs of exhaustion around 8p.m. (To give you an idea of how long the wind down process took. Ugh.) Thankfully, Henry wasn't an upset kid wanting to stay up but rather an engaging and happy boy. He bounces off the people here like a pinball machine, carrying whatever toy he digs out from the toy box to whoever first crosses his path. A new favorite game of his includes throwing items over the gate and down the stairs. Also, it should be noted that he has overcome his initial fear of stepping on the white tiles in the kitchen and near the front door. It was his first idiosyncratic showing. Seriously, he'd throw the ball and it would roll onto the white tile. He'd walked right up to the edge and then point and say "Bah!" over and over and over. He would not cross over onto the white tile to retrieve the item himself. At least not until today. Henry 1, White tiles 0.

Kelowna

As previously noted, there are no naps in Canada. This is easier to handle, though, because there are oodles of relatives in the house to help with childcare. Henry was so ramped up by the end of the evening from chasing after his cousin's kid, Parker (he's nearly three), that we regressed to use of the swaddle to help him get to sleep. And it worked! Huck was initially miffed at us for the restraining nature of the swaddle but within five minutes he was slumbering, which allowed us to remove the swaddle and get back to the dining room where folks were gathered playing cards. 500. Darr and I have decided that we have to teach some of our friends how to play so we can hone our skills and come back and beat the pants off his cousins. (On a side note, I'm not a very good player but I did have one kick ass hand - eight trump cards that went as follows: Joker, Jack, Ace, Queen, Ten, Nine, Seven, Five and another Ace and Ten. Trust me, this was awesome.)

Slumber Lodge Hotel

At about three o'clock in the morning we stopped at a small town called Hope to catch some sleep and wait for the morning to attempt the pass. The name was apropos for the hotel. I certainly hoped we would survive the night there. If you've ever seen the movie Vacancy, you know what type of room we were in. It was clean and sparse but sort of had that eerie feeling. Plus, it was freezing when we got in so we had to quickly jump into bed and try to warm it up so Henry could keep on sleeping. On a side note, the drive-at-night-so-the-baby-can-sleep method worked better than expected. Henry woke up when we stopped for gas but went back to sleep without too much fuss. Downtown Canada is a winter wonderland right now. Really beautiful but not that fun to drive in. In a bold move, Darr and I left our laptops at home so we are unable to post any pictures and updates will be random, although I am determined, having come this far, to stay the course and finish the year with a blog post for every day. But before leaving Portland we did update our website with pics from our Christmas (and Halloween, that's how behind I am). You can see them by clicking here.

Heading out

We're about to try the drive-to-location-at-night-in-hopes-baby-will-sleep method of travel on our way to Kelowna, B.C. I will report back how effective this method is tomorrow, assuming we reach our destination before Henry's screams of protest from the backseat force us to drive into a bridge abutment.

Hats, take three

Click here and here to see the first and second batches o' hats.

Yea! I can still get in!

It's all about getting into heaven. In a recent Pew survey, nearly half the respondents "thought that atheists could go to heaven...and most thought that people with no religious faith also could go". This sparked a conversation between Darr and I on what it meant to be an atheist versus an agnostic. What say you, Internet?

For the rest of the piece click here. It's a quick and interesting read.

A Fox News Story

I should share this: "Historians Pretty Much Agree" That FDR Prolonged the Great Depression

Yeah, they said it. Sigh. What is up with these people? I love the "pretty much agree". You just know their lawyers make them say that so they won't be sued for being being patently dumbassian. We lied? Hoocoodanode!

Anyway, it pisses me off, but it's still a fun read.

Sorry to turn to a single source for opposing commentary here, but it's easiest to reference:

• Changes in money-wages and Amity Shlaes
• Bad anti-stimulus arguments
• Crazy conspiracy theorists
• Don’t know much about history

Read. Paul. Krugman.

(not exclusively mind you, but please do)

Pic: about.com

Merry Christmas!

When Henry's eating noticeably less than normal his pops and I have a tendency to panic. That's why the kid was eating pumpkin pie for breakfast this morning. It was the only thing he really showed an interest in. (Although in examining the various videos captured today I noticed Darr was able to sneak-feed Huck a piece of fried egg.) Tonight, we returned to an old favorite, steel-cut oats. Henry worked on feeding himself. And he seemed to really enjoy the freedom. Who knew you could have so much fun with a spoon, eh?


A Steel-Cut Oats Christmas from Christie Glynn on Vimeo.

South Park: Warming hearts since 1997

Stan: Yeah, and you know, I think I learned something today. It doesn't matter of you're Christian or Jewish or Atheist or Hindu. Christmas, still, is about one very important thing...

Cartman: Yeah, ham.

Stan: NO, NOT HAM, YOU FAT FUCK!

Cartman: Fuck you!

Stan: Christmas is about something much more important.

Kyle: What?

Stan: Presents.

Kyle: Ah.

Stan: Don't you see, Kyle?

Kyle: Yeah.

Stan: Presents.

Kyle: Hey man, if you're Jewish, you get presents for eight days!

Stan: Wow, really?! Count me in!

Cartman: Yeah, I'll be a Jew too!

Because one video just isn't enough

Toddling from Christie Glynn on Vimeo.

What's a bear say?

What's a bear say? from Christie Glynn on Vimeo.

Your local grocery stocking stuffers

I already have a few items for Darr's stocking but none for Henry's or my own* so this morning Monsieur Henry, Beauty the wonder dog, and I trekked up to the store. I estimate the snow and ice added an additional forty minutes to the chore. I had hoped to get over to the mall or some such place where various trinket-laden stores were plentiful but Sophie doesn't have snow tires or studs or chains and venturing forth didn't seem like a real good idea. There was no reason to fret. New Season's is a treasure trove of stocking-appropriate gifts. Behold the bounty...1. Burt's Bees Orange Essence Facial Cleanser for moi. Never tried it but Henry currently is a fan of their Baby Bee Bubble Bath and I appreciate their Honey Lip Balm.
2. Preserve toothbrushes for Darr and I - blue for him, red for me. Their website states this is the "toothbrush made from yogurt cups," which I think is pretty darn cool. Is your toothbrush made from recycled Stonyfield Farm yogurt cups? I didn't think so. They also have soft "virgin nylon bristles" - I wonder what they call those bristles after the first use? Deflowered? - and are BPA free.
3. Bambu's fork and spoon set for Henry. He's very interested in mimicking how his pops and I eat with utensils. He has a plethora of spoons from his pureed food days but only one fork. Now I won't have to hand wash his fork after every meal. I'll be able to wash 'em after every other meal.
4. Hershey's Miniatures to be divided equally between Darr and I except for the one bar we give to Huck. A very sweet collection with something for everyone. Mmmm...chocolate.

*Yes, I have to shop for my own stocking. It's okay. I've come to terms with it since Darr has been anti-Christmas pretty much since birth. He promises me this is not a character flaw.

And now another cool toddler moment brought to you by Monsieur Henry

Yesterday I was fiddling on the computer in the living room when Henry toddled over with a book in his hand. He's doing that a lot these days. Toddling. And it's very cute. And, also, it looks like whatever he's carrying is excruciatingly heavy for his tiny little toddler arms. And, in a moment of bad yet clever parenting I thwarted his attempts to distract me by telling Monsieur Henry to take the book to his dad. "Go on," I said as he turned to toddle away. When he was about halfway in between the living room, where I was, and the bedroom, where his pops was, he turned as if to ask if I was sure this is what I wanted. When I assured him it was, he toddled the rest of the way into the bedroom. Word on the street is that pops and Henry read the book five times while I sat in the living room doing nothing nearly as important as reading to my son.

A Boots Story

When we woke up this morning and saw the snow on the ground my parents figured after breakfast we'd have to go outside to play in the cold, white, fluffy stuff that sort of stings my face. And they said I would need something to go on my feetsies to keep 'em warm but I don't have anything like that so they rummaged under the tree and gave me a present. I remember presents from my birthday so I knew what to do.Inside were my very own pair of boots. These boots are dark green and brown with a faux fur lining that guarantees warm toes.Of course I had to try them on.Then it was time for Project Bundle Baby. It's what you have to do for babies before they go into the cold, white, fluffy stuff that sort of stings your face.We had a good time, standing in the snow.Even Beauty the wonder dog had fun. She didn't really want to come back inside. She likes the snow.

What Does Baby Say?: An alternative reading brought to you by my husband

Overheard while Darr was reading What Does Baby Say? to Henry this evening:

Darr: Baby opens mommy's pocketbook. What does baby say?

Darr: Baby says, "There won't be any money left to pay for college if you keep spending it!"*

Darr: Mommy drives the car. What does baby say?

Darr: Baby says, "Can daddy drive?"**

*In the book baby really says, "Keys!" Baby is not at all concerned that mommy's current spending habits will keep baby from receiving tuition assistance from his parents in the future.
** In the book baby really says, "Bye-bye!" Baby actually prefers his mommy's driving to his daddy's and would only ask for his dad to take the wheel if mommy was 1. drunk, b. not in the car while the car was moving, or 3) asleep at the wheel.

Top Ten Quotes of 2008

The Top 10 quotes of 2008, as compiled by the editor of the Yale Book of Quotations:

1. "I can see Russia from my house!" — Comedian Tina Fey, while impersonating Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin on the TV comedy show "Saturday Night Live," broadcast Sept. 13.

2. "All of them, any of them that have been in front of me over all these years." — Palin, responding to a request by CBS anchor Katie Couric to name the newspapers or magazines she reads, broadcast Oct. 1.

3. "We have sort of become a nation of whiners." — former Sen. Phil Gramm, an economic adviser to Republican presidential candidate Sen. John McCain, quoted in The Washington Times, July 10.

4. "It's not based on any particular data point, we just wanted to choose a really large number." — a Treasury Department spokeswoman explaining how the $700 billion number was chosen for the initial bailout, quoted on Forbes.com Sept. 23.

5. "The fundamentals of America's economy are strong." — McCain, in an interview with Bloomberg TV, April 17.

6. "Decisions by the Secretary pursuant to the authority of this Act are non-reviewable and committed to agency discretion, and may not be reviewed by any court of law or any administrative agency." — the Treasury Department's proposed Emergency Economic Stabilization Act, September 2008.

7. "Maybe 100." — McCain, discussing in a town hall meeting in Derry, New Hampshire, how many years U.S. troops could remain in Iraq, Jan. 3.

8. "I'll see you at the debates, b------." — Paris Hilton in a video responding to a McCain television campaign ad, August 2008.

9. "Barack, he's talking down to black people. ... I want to cut his ... off." — Rev. Jesse Jackson, overheard over a live microphone before a Fox News interview, July 6.

10. (tie) "Cash for trash." — Paul Krugman discussing the financial bailout, New York Times, Sept. 22.

10. (tie) "There are no atheists in foxholes and there are no libertarians in financial crises." — Krugman, in an interview with Bill Maher on HBO's "Real Time," broadcast Sept. 19.

10. (tie) "Anyone who says we're in a recession, or heading into one — especially the worst one since the Great Depression — is making up his own private definition of "`recession.'" — commentator Donald Luskin, the day before Lehman Brothers filed for bankruptcy, The Washington Post, Sept. 14.

Hat tip: Paul Krugman who linked to the list from his blog at the NY Times.

An Endoscopy Story

This morning I woke up way early but it was okay because I had to be at the hospital for an upper endoscopy, also known as an esophagogastroduodenoscopy. After I was admitted, I was stripped to the bone, 'cept for my festive socks and diaper, and given a large shirt to put on. I think whoever made it measured the fabric wrong because I felt a breeze and my mum said my backside was visible for all to see.
Before the doctor showed up, I was given a drug the nurse likened to baby valium. I gotta be honest, it made me feel a little bit loopy, folks. I had to sit down.Then my parents walked with me to another room where I was sedated. I don't remember much of what came next but the doc did have some cool shots that he took of my esophagus, stomach, and small intestine. That must be one wicked small camera.The procedure lasted about 40 minutes and then I slept for a tad before the sedative wore off. When that happened I was sure glad to see my parents. But it felt weird still. I was a little woozy.
Finally, we got to ride the OHSU tram down the mountain. You can see a lot of cars from that high. So my parents didn't miss 'em, I made sure to point them out when I could.

Say it three times real fast

Esophagogastroduodenoscopy
Esophagogastroduodenoscopy
Esophagogastroduodenoscopy

Also known as an upper endoscopy, Henry's doctors will be using an instrument of thin flexible tubing with a light source on the end to look at his esophagus, stomach, and small intestine. If needed, they will take tissue samples or, if found, they will remove small growths. Henry will get a sedative, most likely via an IV in his hand. The procedure lasts an hour with an additional one to two hours for recovery.

Month Fourteen

Dear Henry,

This month's letter is a tad early because Christmas is only nine days away and there is ice on the roads and presents to wrap and ribbons to tie and groceries to buy and dinners to plan and festive things to do before Santa arrives and this letter, while more important than any of that other stuff, was likely to be overlooked because there are only so many spots in my memory reserved for remembering and those spots are rapidly filling up with all of the other merry holiday must-dos. I have to be honest, Hen, lately your sleeping habits suck. Horrific would be another apt adjective. What gives? Our nightly routine is similar to all of the routines of friends with babies we know and yet you resist as if surrendering to slumber would be your last act as a toddler. I'd tell you resistance is futile but until you're older and introduced to Star Trek I'm afraid it won't do any good. I wouldn't necessarily say that getting to sleep is your problem, although sometimes this, too, is a struggle, rather it's the staying asleep that you seem to have issues with. I promise you that your pops and I are not out in the living room throwing the party of the year with the cats and Beauty the wonder dog. If you were to come out to join us, you'd see we're both parked on the couch working on our laptops or catching up on our TiVo viewing. Okay, maybe we're drinking beers, too, but the consumption of alcohol alone does not a party make (unless you're in high school, in which case you should call if you ever need a lift). As a last resort we're thinking of trying bribery. It's risky given its illegal nature but how does $10 for every night you go to sleep on time with an additional $5 for staying asleep until morning sound? It's an easy way to get college paid for, kiddo.Gone are the days when you would crawl around this place from dawn until dusk. Now you choose walking. And choose is the operative word. When you turn away from the coffee table or couch or other such item and make the decision to move to another location, we can see you decide to travel there by way of your feet. I'd be lying if I said you were graceful, you aren't. Think drunk chicken to envision how you look when meandering around the condo. But you commit and that is what is important. For now just know that even if you stumble and fall we'll be there to pick you up, brush you off, and get you back on track.Lately you are all about the kisses. You love kisses. You are particularly fond of leaning over and giving kisses to the cats when they are within reach. The kisses are preceded with a "mmmnah" sound as you curl your upper lip in and roll your lower lip out. It is an endearing gesture. I think you are truly on your way to winning over the cats. Now that you have started doling out kisses, they do seem to be coming to visit you more often. I hope this step forward in your relationship with the pets isn't derailed when you learn how to hug. Storytime is a favorite of yours so we've instituted nightly reading. Every couple of nights we select a new book and then we all pile onto the bed and read it aloud, usually several times. Last night while enjoying a rousing rendition of The Pigeon Wants a Puppy by Mo Willems, we got to the part - spoiler alert! - where the dog appears and the bird is frightened and you started crying because you were scared. We calmed you down and within seconds the reading resumed. When we arrived at the same page and I screamed the pigeon's response to the appearance of the dog, pops startled you unexpectedly. You did not appreciate this gesture. It required no less than six more readings before you could get through the story without becoming upset when we hit the aforementioned pages. In fact, by the last reading we noticed you rather enjoyed looking over the scary part again and again and again. This trait is one you share with your mum so look me up when you want to go and see a scary movie in the future. I'll even spring for the popcorn.You continue to amaze us every day, Henry. Even with the sleep deprivation and the increasing number of gray hairs on our heads and the anxiety we experience trying to get you to eat, we wouldn't have it any other way. We love you, bug.

Love,
Mom

It's about frickin' time!

After months of waiting and waiting and still more waiting Henry has finally used a sign that is useful: more. It's a finger point to the palm and he only breaks it out after you ask the question, "Do you want more?" Words we're currently working on include "change" and "sleepy".

Storm 2008

Nothing says good parenting like keeping your baby outside in the snow for hours during the blustery day. To be fair, though, we did split the time with a nice warm break at Marsee Baking where Henry got to enjoy his very own cookie at his very own table before we trekked back home.

Too much good stuff for your ears

We only get basic cable so it's been years since I've paid to see a bona fide music video. Thank Zeus for YouTube, eh? Here's what I'm currently listening to:

Vanessa Mae has got to be the sexiest violin player alive.

Hauntingly beautiful. The first time I heard this it was playing in a trailer for Ken Burns' The War.




Skip to 3:21 to hear the most ass-kicking drum solo that has ever been played by humankind.


Damn, these drummers can bleeping play! Skip to 1:01 to hear Bonham's solo.


Mad World by Gary Jules


Jagged Little Pill came out shortly after Darr and I started dating. We once drove over to Montana for the weekend and listened to her cd for much of the drive. When Head Over Feet came on, I remember thinking, Oh my God, I really like him. (Stroll down memory lane brought to you by All the Cheese You Need.) Her new album is just as good as the rest. Well, at least those she came out with since leaving downtown Canada.

What's hanging on your tree's branches?

A fairly recent addition, this cat and fish ornament was a gift from Darr's stepmom a few years ago. The little fish moves along the wire underneath.
Who wouldn't love a little mouse hanging from a Christmas wreath, I ask ye. What can I say? I went through a phase where I loved mice. I have many mouse ornaments but this is one of my favorites.
My mom made this for me in 1982. Each of us kids got a personalized ornament (I have three siblings) and when we moved out, we got to take our ornament with us. I love the stitching and the fact that it is poofy.
When my mom and dad were first married they didn't have a lot of money so my mom handmade gingerbread men out of felt to hang on the Christmas tree. I have a couple in different colors that now hang from my tree.
Ah, the boot ornament. My brother made this boot for me all by himself. Well, with the help of our next door neighbor, who was like an honorary grandma to us when we were growing up. Sequins and beads and pins pushed into the foam form of a boot. Classic ornament goodness.
My mom used to host these Tupperware-like parties by Christmas Around the World. Us kids would get to help spend some of the earnings on ornaments for ourselves. This was one of my first purchases and I still love it because it is so damn cute.
This Santa comes from my great-grandma and is easily the oldest ornament hanging on the tree.
My sister-in-law introduced me to Lenox ornaments last year when we went shopping during the holidays. I fell for this one with Lucy and Snoopy. To state the obvious, Snoopy is kissing her and she is sticking her tongue out in disgust. Nothing says Christmas like sloppy dog kisses.
The best part of my Sebastian the crab ornament is that I got him in a Happy Meal at McDonalds.

A rascally yea-forsooth knave

But yesternight: when all athwart there came
A post from Wales loaden with heavy news;

Such beastly shameless transformation,
By those Welshwomen done as may not be
Without much shame retold or spoken of. 

Come, brother John; full bravely hast thou flesh'd
Thy maiden sword.

Colour her working with such deadly wounds; 
Nor could the noble Mortimer
Receive so many, and all willingly:
Then let not him be slander'd with revolt.

I understand thy kisses and thou mine,
And that's a feeling disputation:
But I will never be a truant, love,

I cannot blame him: was not he proclaim'd
By Richard that dead is the next of blood?

Come, come, you paraquito, answer me
Directly unto this question that I ask:
Sirrah, Falstaff and the rest of the thieves are at
the door: shall we be merry? But,
To play with mammets and to tilt with lips:
We must have bloody noses and crack'd crowns?

This is the deadly spite that angers me;
My wife can speak no English, I no Welsh.

O, I am ignorance itself in this!

Cool feature I just noticed on iTunes

You can now buy an album for less the cost of any individual songs you may have purchased from that album. For example, I've already purchased two songs from John Mayer's Continuum. If I wanted to buy the rest of the album, I could do so for around $7. Sweet.

Who (allegedly) said it? Tony Soprano vs. Rod Blagojevich

1. "Unless I get something real good...shit, I'll just send myself, you know what I'm saying."
   
   
2. "What the fuck am I, a toxic person or something?"
   
   
3. "Log off, that "cookies" shit makes me nervous!"
   
   
4. "They're not willing to give me anything except appreciation. Fuck them."
   
   
5. "You got no fuckin' idea what it's like to be number one. Every decision you make affects every facet of every other fucking thing."
   
   
6. "I've got this thing and it’s fucking golden, and I'm just not giving it up for fuckin' nothing. I'm not gonna do it. And I can always use it. I can parachute me there."
   
   
7. "That motherfucker's full of shit. He's shaking me down."
   
   
8. "Our recommendation is fire all those fucking people, get 'em the fuck out of there..."
   
   
9. "I could have made a larger announcement but wanted to see how they perform by the end of the year. If they don't perform, fuck 'em."
   
   
10. "Jesus Christ! The money I've been dropping in here, I could've bought a fuckin' Ferrari."

Hat tip: Benjamin Sarlin at The Daily Beast. For the answers, click here.

Eleventh Wordless Wednesday requires money

First official December play date

I confess

I'm completely swept up by the Obama birth certificate conspiracy.

In Donofrio v. Wells, Donofrio concedes Obama was born in Hawaii but argues that because Obama's Kenyan father was a British subject, Obama was also a British subject. (His mother was a U.S. citizen.) Obama's dual citizenship at birth prohibits him from being a natural born citizen of the U.S. This case just came up in front of the U.S. Supreme Court and the court turned down the appeal to intervene in the presidential election. Here's what that likely means:

The Supreme Court's appellate jurisdiction allows it to review state court decisions only if the state court adjudicated a federal right. Donofrio's complaint - notice it's Donofrio v. Wells, not Donofrio v. Obama - is that New Jersey's Secretary of State failed in her duties because she did not review Obama's eligibility. It's a state law on which his complaint rests, not a federal right. If I understand how this process works, that means the state's decision is final and this guy is out of gas. On a side note, I just read this guy is representing himself. Makes me think of the old adage, "a lawyer who represents himself has a fool for a client".

In Berg v. Obama, Berg questions the location of Obama's birth, argues Obama lost his citizenship when he moved to Indonesia with his mother, and takes issue with the fact that Obama refused to take the oath of allegiance upon returning to the States once he was 18 years of age. Berg references a source that seems HUGELY questionable to me: Wikipedia Italian Version. Wft? He has a list of other "suspicious" activity that would make Obama ineligible to run. To read the pdf, click here.

Anyway, I find all of this intriguing but the one thing that hasn't been explained well is this - Obama has released the Certificate of Live Birth which shows he was born in Hawaii. Why is this not sufficient proof that he is a natural born citizen? Just for the record, I think Obama is a natural born citizen.

Here's an interesting letter written by one of the electors who was inundated with emails regarding this issue that I thought was well written:

December 6, 2008

I have been asked by some concerned citizens as part of my Constitutional responsibility as a member of the College of Electors to review the evidence and make a determination regarding the natural born citizenship of Barack Hussein Obama II, or to join in a lawsuit against him in this matter. They have also forwarded a great deal of information to me which I have now reviewed.

After reading this information it is my opinion that none of it is conclusive in its own right. Most of it is speculation, rumor, or opinion rendered by “experts” or others whose qualifications and
motives are suspect. However, given the volume of information put forth, the question of Mr. Obama’s natural born citizenship was worth my understanding.

Since the United States Supreme Court has not rendered an opinion regarding the validity of the “natural born” status of a U.S. citizen or otherwise defined this term, I am therefore at liberty to make my own determination as a Presidential Elector. In my opinion a person is a natural born citizen if he or she is granted citizenship either at birth or at the age of majority by the United States government. And has never been required by the United States government to become
“naturalized” or take the oath of citizenship. This seems to me to be a straightforward and logical understanding of the term. If you are presumed to be a U.S. citizen at your birth, and no government entity says otherwise, then in fact you are.

If someone emigrates from another country to the United States, and wishes to become a citizen, that person must enter a legal process culminating in taking the oath of citizenship and being “naturalized.” This is why for example the current Governor of California cannot
claim “natural born” status and become the President of the United States. He was born an Austrian. He emigrated here. He sought citizenship. And he was “naturalized” in a ceremony conducted by United States officials.

And there is also in the United States the use of Common Law as a part of our judicial system. Most of the time the law is codified by us, but in fact there are traditions and understandings which have not always been codified. My point here is that for example if you have a right of way from your property across another person’s property to a road, that person after a specified period of time (dependent upon a particular state’s statutes) cannot suddenly decide that you cannot cross his property anymore to get to the road. It is presumed after a certain period of time that this right of way is a right that you retain since he did not protest your crossing his property for years.

These are the two bases upon which I have rendered my decision. Even if some or all of the scenarios to which these concerned citizens have pointed regarding Mr. Obama’s citizenship are true, two facts remain. The United States government has never required Mr. Obama to take the oath of citizenship, or even to render a decision at the age of majority between having U.S. citizenship and Kenyan citizenship, or U.S. citizenship and Indonesian citizenship. And he has lived here and been reared and educated as a U.S. citizen. It would seem to me that 47 years is a sufficient amount of time to have lived here as a U.S. citizen, with no government entity challenging it, for us and for Mr. Obama to presume that he is a natural born U.S. citizen.

Whether through clerical error, or bureaucratic malfeasance, or simply because it is actually true as was stated on October 31, 2008 by the Director of the Health Department for the State of Hawaii, that he was in fact born in Hawaii on August 4, 1961. Barack Hussein Obama II has been presumed by the United States government itself to be a natural born citizen of the United States for 47 years.

It issued him a Social Security number and a passport, obviously accepting his Hawaiian birth certificate without requiring a team of forensic scientists to examine it. He has lived in the United States as a U.S. citizen for his entire adult life. He has been not only a de facto U.S. citizen, he has been a de jure U.S. citizen. A citizenship conferred upon him by the United States government at his birth, and never questioned by any court, or executive branch official for 47 years. The United States government itself accepted his natural born citizenship when it issued him a passport without requiring him to take the oath of citizenship in a ceremony like all other immigrants to this country.

Therefore, as the Presidential Elector for the 6th Congressional District of North Carolina it is my Constitutional determination that Barack Hussein Obama II is a natural born citizen of the United States, and is qualified to become the 44th President of the United States of America. I will cast my Electoral College vote accordingly on December 15, 2008.

Sincerely,

Wayne Abraham

17 Days until Christmas

The good news is our family newsletter is done and I had zero problems getting copies printed at Kinko's today. This was a huge improvement over last year. Nearly all Christmas cards are signed, sealed, and ready for delivery. Darr just has to finish writing a little note to his mom and then we're good to go. The Christmas tree is up and decorated - the harmless ornaments placed near the bottom. All but three presents that have been purchased remain unwrapped. (Excluding stuff I bought for my own stocking. Yes, I do that. Darr hates Christmas so I am forced to.) By next Friday I'd like to have the remaining shopping finished up, all presents wrapped, stuff shipped as needed, and an idea of what we'll be making for dinner Christmas Eve.

On a side note, Henry is currently very upset that he is not being attended to. We're going on minute three and he is letting me know in no uncertain terms that my immediate response is expected. Poor kid. I'll give him another two minutes before going in to lie him back down and shush him. When it is SO ABUNDANTLY CLEAR to us parents that the children are tired, how is it that the kids miss the message? Did they not get the memo?

Santa's inbox

Sorry, you're going to have to click on the pic to make it big enough to read.

Santa is serious business

A Pudding Story

Today my mum gave me chocolate pudding in my very own cup so I could make pudding art.The best part of making pudding art is that you can eat the pudding. Edible art is the best kind of art, if you ask me.I call this piece "Winter's Harried Friday". It's postmodernism has a tendency towards reflexivity that rejects formal aesthetic theories in favor of spontaneity and discovery in creation.Plus, you get to lick chocolate pudding off your spoon.

Hazel

I just got an email about little Miss Hazel and have to share this because reading about Miss Hazel's experience scared me to death. The skinny is that little Miss Hazel swallowed a small battery from a remote control. After repeated trips to the ER they finally learned about the battery and removed it. Unfortunately, the battery leaked acid and burned her esophagus. Judging from today's post it looks as if Miss Hazel is getting better and that her parents are in good spirits. (Miss Hazel is currently working on her country western song about recent events.)

As parents there is only so much we can do to mitigate accidents. It is impossible to watch your kid every second of the day and keep every thing they touch from ending up in their mouths. So I guess my takeaway from this is that if you notice the back of a remote control is off and a battery is missing and then your baby starts acting funky - not eating, coughing, spitting up blood - you should DEMAND an x-ray. And you should never let arrogant doctors peg you as hysterical. It's your baby. No one knows your baby better than you.

We aren't a praying family but our thoughts are with Miss Hazel and her parents, family, and friends. Here's hoping the little trooper is back to her normal baby self soon.

Definition of dick whipped

A woman who stays at home to make spaghetti bolognese for her man while ironing his flannel shirts and entertaining their child.

Happy birthday, Darren!

I totally offered to order a cake from Piece of Cake but Darr wanted clafoutis. And since it's his birthday, it's his choice. With that in mind, I give ye...

Vanilla pear clafoutis

*The card reads: I said HAPPY BIRTHDAY. Tee hee.

An Early Morning Story

I was so excited it was my pops's birthday I had to wake up super early to get the party started. To thank me, my parents took me out for breakfast at 4:30am. There was only one place they could think of that would be open - Portland's own Hot Cake House. I had to ask, what's a hot cake?

When we were done, we dropped my pops at his new office. I thought it would be cool to check out the new digs when there weren't a bunch of people around to bother.

I was trying to snoop when my mum caught up with me. Drats! My evil plan to destroy the office was foiled.

I got to go for a ride around the office on this very comfortable chair. Yippee! Mum said this picture illustrates what happens when dad dresses me in the morn. Blue pajamas under a green and white shirt with red and blue socks. I see nothing wrong with it!

During my exploration I found the HUGEST BALL I'VE EVER SEEN. Whoa. That was one BIG ball.

Before mum and me left to get me back to bed, I met a new friend. He didn't even mind when I greeted him with the double high five. Quite possibly this was my most exciting early morning experience ever. I wonder what we'll do the next time I wake up at 4am.

Toddler drivers

Future speeding ticket collectors from Christie on Vimeo.

All Henry wants for Christmas

When the recent DWR catalog came with this foot-powered car on the cover, Henry fell in love. Now, every time he sees the catalog on the coffee table, he says "Cah!" and pulls the catalog over to examine it. Then he'll open the catalog up and find the other photos of the car. I had thought I was nearly done with my Christmas shopping for Huck but now I'm not so sure. I mean, it is pretty frickin' cute...