facebook brings out the high schooler in people

canon digital rebel xsi

I honestly have never been a fan of FaceBook. I still don't see it's value beyond being a way of displaying very targeted ads. I play along because I secretly hope that one day I will have an epiphany and will see the reason everyone is so crazy about it. Until then, I watch and wait and frown at my laptop (a lot).

At first, I thought my problem with FaceBook was that I didn't like being Super-Poked. Isn't that something only my husband should do? The 'hide' feature took care of that problem.¹ Really though, it is the level of behavior many people exhibit on FaceBook that bothers me most - it's like we have been time warped back to high school (or beyond).

I see many people sharing things in an attempt to make themselves feel happy about themselves. I call these "the look at me, I'm awesome" posts. Really I should call them "the look at that lost soul" posts. I know you know what I am talking about. Some of you are nodding your heads right now. Heck, I get that we all want to feel good about ourselves, but there must be something more important to share than what came out of your child's you know where. And if not, then remember that listening is always more important than talking. Go toss a farm animal or play Scrabblious.

An even worse offense in my book, are those who call in the cheerleading squad to have a pity party - the "oh woe is me" posts. Again, I am not against the pity party per se. But if it is all you have to offer, or you really aren't being honest about what's got you down, I am going to bring a mirror and hold it up so that you see your life isn't so bad. Yes, I am the one posting about homeless children - because really no one on my friends list has a life that is all that bad.

I think the thing that bothers me most though, is the lack of empathy that people seem to have. From time to time, people do share some really hard stuff. Things like "my family member has cancer". And you know there are people who just want to hit the 'like' button and move on, except, they know that would be wrong. You can't like the idea that someone might die. And so most do nothing. How sad is that?

But even when someone has really good news - like they dedicated themselves and earned a promotion at their job, people can't seem to just offer a true word of congratulations. Again, how very sad. Could you really be that jealous? In theory the people on Facebook are supposed to be people you know. The people closest to you, or who at one time were close to you. They are people who shared a life experience (like high school or working under a crazy boss) that no one else did in quite the same way. And yet most of us can't seem to be bothered to do something that takes literally seconds - offer a kind word.

I am not letting people off the hook, but I do think that FaceBook shares some of the blame for the way people treat one another on it. It is a very passive aggressive application. The best example I have is that of defriending. When you add someone to FaceBook, the other person has to approve. But when you defriend someone, it lets you do it without any kind of notice. Many people find out because the person shows up on the right column under friend suggestions.

So think the next time before you hit "share". Are you really adding value to your friends? Are you having fun? Are you being truthful and caring? If something is really bothering you, let us know. That is what friends are for, after all.


_________________________________________________
¹If you don't know about the hide feature - it's great! It will let you hide things from your feed like Superpoke and Mafia Wars (and any of those other annoying applications that get people to waste hours in front of their screens so that FaceBook can generate ads). On the top right of an entry, you should see "Hide". It will let you select if you want to hide the application or the user. If you select the application, it will hide anyone who uses that application - not just the one user. And yes, you can hide people too. I admit to have done it, but only rarely when people are not thinking before they hit share. It keeps me from defriending everyone.


on the night stand :: Everything Matters! by Jr., Ron Currie.

and so november ends

canon digital rebel xsi

Yesterday we decided to give in, and returned to the happiest place on earth. It is the first time I have been there in decades for the holiday season. It did not disappoint.

The main thing I wanted to see was Small World. Oh wow! We waited in line for about 30 minutes in the middle of the afternoon. The holiday decorations inside were amazing. I loved how they matched the country with their actual holiday traditions. We knew though, that we needed to return after the sun went down for the light show.

We lucked out and only had to wait in line about 10 minutes for Buzz Lightyear. Then we walked around the Matterhorn, towards Small World. Even from afar, the lights were amazing. We only had one obstacle in our way - the parade.

We ended up in a line to get across the parade route. A cast member instructed us to walk fast, or we would have to wait for the next break in the parade to cross.

We made it across just fine. Then we made it to the front of Small World. Wow. Just wow.

Then we figured out where the end of the line was, an got in it. Even better, we managed to see the end of the parade up close. And just when it couldn't get any more awesome, the light show started as we were on the ramp down to the boats.

I have photos, but haven't downloaded them yet. Heck, I'm hoping to finish everything I had planned for Thanksgiving dinner sometime this week.



on the night stand :: The Curse of the Good Girl by Rachael Simmons.

why employers should not provide health insurance

canon digital rebel xsi

I know this isn't something I talk about often. I did, however, spend a number of years working for a large health insurance provider.

A few weeks ago, I listened to This American Life's 2-part series on health insurance reform. One of the most important questions it asked was why we should let our employers be in charge of our health insurance. The simple truth is, we shouldn't. Here are just a few reasons:

• The reality is that people who sick, cannot work. So if you get sick, and can't work, and lose your job, guess what else you lose? That's right, your health insurance. And please don't say COBRA. Anyone who has ever had to rely on COBRA knows that it is only a good idea in theory. Here is a NYT's Op-Ed piece on just this issue.


• Health care providers may have commercials in which they talk about the patient as being their customer, but the reality is if you have group health insurance from your employer - they are the customer - not you. Don't believe me. Ask what happens if your employer doesn't make a payment to your health insurance company. If you were to call your health insurance company, they wouldn't even tell you that your employer didn't pay, even if it was the reason they denied your claim.


• Employers usually decide which health care plan to provide employees based on what is most cost effective for the employer. So if your needs differ, you are either paying for something inadequate, or paying for something you don't need.


• Why have your health care (or of those in your family) tied to your job? There are many people out there right now who can't leave jobs they hate (or aren't serving them) for fear of losing health insurance. Conversely, why put your job at risk because you are forced to discuss a health issue of your or your family with your employer?

You can listen to This American Life's Episode 391: Less is More and Episode 392: Someone Else's Money for free at those links. I highly recommend you do. Then ask what real health care reform means.


on the night stand :: Trouble by Kate Christensen.

and so it goes

canon digital rebel xsi

Just some random thoughts about today:

• While I could probably live on turkey sandwiches for a week, B could not. So tonight we went out for Thai food.


• I think the dishes are multiplying - like bunnies!


• We are going to try eating oatmeal for breakfast until Christmas. Then bacon and eggs!


• It sprinkled today.


• The plan is to go to Disneyland tomorrow! Can't wait to see Small World decked out!!!

on the night stand :: Blueberry Girl by Neil Gaiman.

i survived another thanksgiving

canon digital rebel xsi

Thanksgiving dinner went off without any real issues. I ended up toning down the feast a bit. I not only realized this was way too much food for four people and one pre-schooler, but I was running out of time and oven space. I nixed the stuffed mushrooms and the corn souffle. I had just about run out of milk too, so that also meant the corn souffle was really not going to happen, even if I could find a place in the oven for it.

B was in charge of finishing tidying up the house, while I cooked. I came down to the kitchen around 8:30 am and pretty much went non-stop until 2:30 pm. I took a break to change my clothes, and laid down for about 5 minutes. Then it was back to check on the turkey, and get everything ready for that last half hour of getting everything to the table warm.

I let the turkey rest in a sink full of water, while I started on the gravy and the stuffing. The gravy required blanching 24 cloves of garlic three times. It isn't difficult, but labor intensive. While the garlic was blanching, I sauteed the onions and other vegetables.

Once the turkey was ready to go in the oven, I was somewhat relieved. If nothing else, we would have turkey and pie. There was a moment where I couldn't find the onions for the green bean casserole, but I just went and did something else. When I came back, I found them.

We ended up eating on the patio. It was 80F in LA yesterday. It was actually nice. Of course, it is still autumn, so once the sun starting setting, it got chilly, so we went inside.

We had pie a few hours later in the (formal) dining room. It is pretty ironic that I currently reside in a house that has three dining tables, that seat at least six people, after not having a dining table for so long.

At the end of the day, I was too busy and tired to really get upset or sad. I dragged my sore body downstairs to put the remaining food away. I was going to have a turkey sandwich, but really was too tired. I forced myself to do a load of dishes, and then went to bed.

It was nice not to deal with any family drama at least. Of course, it doesn't make for the most interesting of blog posts.


on the night stand :: 14 Cows for America by Carmen Deedy.

on thanksgiving

canon digital rebel xsi

It's funny. I've been trying to remember a Thanksgiving from my childhood, and can't. Isn't that weird?

I know we must have done something, but clearly it wasn't very memorable. Who knows?

We did go to my Aunt & Uncle's house one year. They are vegetarian. I remember my Aunt announcing that she had invited our father to dinner. We thought she was serious, but then discovered she meant she had cooked a turkey. That really was a big surprise.

The most memorable Thanksgiving was the one in Austin where the oven didn't turn on. I had the turkey already to go into the oven, only to discover that the oven was stone cold. I thought it was the pilot light, but turned out to be something much more serious.

Thankfully one of our guests was pretty handy, and agreed to come over early and fit it. My back up plan was pumpkin soup, and pie that someone was bringing. In the end, we had turkey around 11 pm. That was definitely a Thanksgiving to remember.


on the night stand :: This is Where I Leave You by Jonathan Tropper.

pie takes a long time

canon digital rebel xsi

I forgot how long pie takes to make. The crust itself, only takes a couple of minutes in the Cuisinart. But then it must be chilled. And then rolled. And then chilled. And then filled. And then chilled. And finally baked. And at long last cooled.

The apple pie I made wasn't difficult, but I started the process at 1pm, and it didn't get into the oven until after 5pm. Of course, I wasn't entirely focused on pie making - there is also cleaning to do. Still, I figure from the time you measure the flour, until the pie is completely cooled (which is essential), you are easily looking at 8 or more hours until pie.

I don't see how anyone can make pies and turkey at the same time. Even if you had two ovens, it would be quite a feat to pull off.

My plan was to also make the gravy and the popovers. After two pies, I am beat. Guess I will just get up extra early tomorrow.




on the night stand :: Both Ways Is The Only Way I Want It by Maile Meloy.

i will not be shopping at 4am

canon digital rebel xsi

Or at 5, 6, or even noon. I won't. I just think it is wrong. Each year it seems like these sales start earlier. Some stores, like Walmart, are reportedly staying open Thanksgiving night. This is being done to help keep the crowds under control, so that hopefully no one is trampled this year. Yes, people have died for this cause.

Now, while I understand needing an excuse to get away from the family - this is not the answer. It really isn't. Go for a walk. Take a nap. Phone a friend.

The sad thing is that the big deals that everyone is waiting in line, and skipping out on the family for is - wait for it - a television! If you have read any of this blog, you know how I feel about TV.

Black Friday is a sucker's game. The big retailers are pulling out all the stops to get you to buy stuff you don't need. They are preying on your sleep deprived, caffeine fueled, desire not to go home empty-handed. They know no one wants to stand outside for hours (in most places in the cold) and come home with nothing. You could have had a second slice of your favorite pie!

If you don't believe me, read Undomestic Diva's tale from last year. It's funny, but not in that way.

Remember, no one was born to shop. Here's a link to Buy Nothing Day. It's this Friday. It's simple - sleep in and enjoy. For more ideas, here is my annual rant.


on the night stand :: Lucky Breaks by Susan Patron.

a visit to the post office

canon digital rebel xsi

Today I felt like a suburban housewife. I went to the post office, the dry cleaner, picked up some take out, and stopped at Starbucks. The post office was the most interesting, so that will be my focus.

I haven't been to the post office in weeks, which really isn't like me. I am always sending stuff out. Today didn't make me want to go back anytime soon.

The line was nearly to the door when I arrived in the late afternoon. There was a woman at the automated machine, with a package that in no way shape or form, was going to fit into that box next to it. I would have gone the automated route, but one of my packages was leaving the country, so it wasn't an option. So in the line I waited.

There were three people working, but one was soon done for the day. This brought out the guy from the back who was willing to help anyone that didn't have a transaction that required money. The woman behind me, only needed a change of address form. The woman in front of me was also able to be helped. That still left at least 10 transactions ahead of me. And guessing from the look of things, most very going to be complicated.

The guy who was no ahead of me had two shirt size boxes wrapped in brown paper. He said he had paid for the postage already, but had to stay in line because he was shipping international. When he got to the counter, it was clear something was wrong. The other postal employee managed to help the guy ahead of him who was sending several packages to France, as well as me, and was still there. I am not sure what happened, but the postal worker couldn't scan the paperwork he had printed. And also it would seem that however he had weighed his packages was off by at least three pounds. No idea how it ended. I left.

I really think post offices should use a number system when there is a crowd. It gives people the chance to get the forms they need and fill them out before getting to the counter. I felt bad that I had to fill out the customs form at the counter, but the forms were on the other side of the room. I didn't want to end up behind two more people while i got the form.

I also watched the guy who came out and emptied the box next to the automatic machine. I could clearly see boxes inside that were well over the size limit. There is a large sign on the door to the box that explains to people that because of heightened security, you cannot put anything into the box over a certain size. I still have no idea what that woman did with her humungous box. I didn't see it when I left.

Also, I am a bit disappointed by the holiday stamps this year. I got a book of each, but am not inspired.


on the night stand :: Baking: from My Home to Yours by Dorie Greenspan

thanksgiving is almost here

canon digital rebel xsi

I am trying to stay organized about the upcoming holiday. Since I am doing all the cooking, but still want to spend some time with our guests, I think this is the key. Of course, there is always that last hour or so, which is a mad dash rush to get everything to the table, hot.

Here is the plan:

• Sunday: take the turkey out of the freezer.


• Monday: make the cranberry sauce.


• Tuesday: bake the garnet yams. I will let them cool, and store in a plastic bag until Thursday, when all I need to do is peel and mash and reheat with a bit of butter. Take the bread I've been saving for the stuffing out of the freezer, along with the sausage.


• Wednesday: bake the apple pie and the chocolate chunk pecan pie, along with the popovers (they can be reheated). Also may try to prep the stuffing.


• Thursday: start with the turkey. Then finish off the stuffing. Next peel the potatoes. And put the green bean casserole and corn pudding together. Heat everything. Thank goodness for two ovens! Finally, make the gravy, carve the turkey, and enjoy!

on the night stand :: Otis by Loren Long.

i should be packing

canon digital rebel xsi

I moved the turkey to the fridge this morning. I can't believe we are now days away from the big day. Check your bird (if it is frozen) for thawing instructions. This is usually something that takes days - not hours. It is one of the pitfalls of Thanksgiving - waking up on Thursday morning to find that your turkey is still frozen. Don't let it happen to you.

Today marks three weeks since my iPhone went missing. My purse spilled out onto the backseat of the car last night. Secretly I hoped that I would reach down and discover my missing phone and all would be well with the world again. Ironically I left my RAZR back at the house, so for a moment thought I had somehow managed to misplace another phone.

Tomorrow we are dropping off a large shopping bag filled with little bottles of shampoo, conditioner, and body wash. It is part of what we have amassed over the last year of staying at hotels. It is going to the LA Regional Food Bank thanks to Vroman's Bookstore.

on the night stand :: Julie Andrew's Collection of Poems, Songs & Lullabies by Julie Andrews & Emma Walton Hamilton

the aftermath

canon digital rebel xsi

If you read my post from yesterday, you are probably wondering, what the heck happened. I am not even sure where to begin. Much of it is a big blur.

As you may have guessed, I was spared from being sent away; my sister was not as lucky. There was a bit of time (days, maybe a week) before the night that changed everything and my sister boarding a jet plane. For starters, she had to return to the mall and exchange Garfield and company for a winter coat.

There were also discussions as to whether or not this was the right thing. I wasn't really privy to them, but I do believe that my mother talked this over with her boyfriend. My sister, for the record, did not get along with him at all. Needless to say, he didn't have any problems with my Mom's plan, and on some level I do believe his approval gave my Mom the nudge she needed. I hate to say it, but he probably was also influential in my being allowed to stay.

At some point my Mom must have to come to me with the news. When my sister boarded that plane for Newark, she had no idea she wasn't coming back, but I did. I think I thought she knew, but didn't realize until many years later that she didn't. She believed it was just for the holidays. I still have this image of her walking to the gate at the airport in her new light blue puffy coat.

My Mom and I also boarded a plane - for San Francisco. We were staying with relatives who lived in Marin County at the time. I remember all of us joking about my sister being gone. They had never been fans of her either.

Things were going okay, and then suddenly, took a very bizarre turn. In the end, my Aunt, cousin, mother and I ended up at a hotel in Union Square. There was a fight. My Aunt may or may not have fallen down the steps trying to eavesdrop on my mother and Uncle's conversation, and they next thing I knew we were packing it up and driving across the Golden Gate Bridge.

Here's a random factoid. File under strange things I remember. The hotel where we stayed had "H"'s engraved on the towels. I really thought they were pretty and figured out how to write the "H", and used it in my signature from that point forward. Told you - random.

I know that it was weird returning to our apartment. I don't think I fully believed that my sister wasn't coming back. I figured if my mother didn't change her mind, my grandmother might. She was a recent widow, and while misery loves company, even my sister may have been a bit much.

I was told to clean out my sister's room. I remember finding a half-eaten PB&J under the bed. My sister was never a neat freak. I also found something that was like a diary. She didn't write in it much, but apparently had a crush on a boy. I closed the door, and we didn't go in there. My Mom said I could have her TV, but I didn't want it. We probably mailed her the rest of her things, but I have no memory of doing it.

I vaguely recall a phone call wherein it was revealed to my sister that she wasn't returning. That didn't go over well. She was pretty pissed. I couldn't blame her, but was definitely glad to have 3000 miles between us that night.

In an even more bizarre twist, my grandmother insisted that my sister be enrolled in private school. Of course, given her record, that wasn't going to be easy. It turned out though, that a space had opened up suddenly. That it itself was pretty random, but it would turn out that the student who left, was the youngest son of one of my mother's oldest friends, who it turned out was moving to northern California. He would manage to get a girl pregnant before he graduated, so maybe location doesn't matter after a certain point.

My mother and grandmother had come to some kind of agreement. She sent her money every month, even though my father lived with his mother on and off. Again, I wasn't in on all the details. At the same time though, the message being sent was that she was disowned. We rarely talked about my sister. There were no phone calls or letters. I often joked that I was now an oldest and only child. In many ways, I was.

We would move at the end of the school year. After our two years in the Valley, it was time to move up to the West Side, as promised. My Mom bought a brand-new condo with a roof deck. I felt like Cinderella. I think that was when it hit me that she really wasn't coming back. She didn't know our address.

When I started at the new school, I don't think anyone knew I had a sister. It was like this weird secret I had. Of course, eventually someone would ask, and I honestly had no idea what to say. I couldn't exactly explain this. Who would want to be friends with someone like me?

As expected, the story didn't have a happy ending. A couple of years later, my grandmother died. My sister was still a minor, and so my mother's sister agreed to take her in. Instead she robbed my grandmother's estate, and kicked my sister out. I think at that point my father stepped in, but may have also shown her the door. That was a very dark and ugly time. I was out of the house by then, so was spared much of the detail.

At one point though, my sister did call me. I was away at college. She was up to no good of some kind, and I called her on it. She told me to go fuck myself, and hung up. I wouldn't hear her voice again until after our mother died, and the call went pretty much the same way.

I have skimmed over some parts of the story, but you may already know how it ends. My sister died in March of 2003. She was 33-years old. I didn't find out until a year later, although part of me knew. The connection of sisters is powerful.


on the night stand :: Invisible Sisters

the night that changed everything

canon digital rebel xsi

I have no idea what is bringing this to the surface. It happened when I was 15, around the holidays. I couldn't even give you an exact date. But it truly was the night that changed my world forever, even if at the time I didn't realize its impact fully.

Like all incidents of this nature, it didn't just happen. It had been brewing for a while. The holidays were coming, and my Mom wanted to go up north and visit her brother and sister-in-law. My sister, did not want to come.

So my Mom gave her a choice. She could either stay with a friend, or visit the family on the east coast. Of course my sister wanted to stay at home alone - she was 14.

At one point my sister reportedly had found a friend who would take her in for a few days. My Mom wanted names and phone numbers. She wanted to talk to the girl's mother, and make sure everything was on the up and up. I guess it wasn't. So that left a trip to the Garden State to see my father and grandmother. My Mom made it very clear that my sister was too young to stay home alone. There was no way my Mom was serving time for being a negligent parent.

My sister came back to my Mom a few days later and pointed out that she didn't have proper clothing to spend a week in the cold snowy east. She did have a point. In Southern California, you really didn't need more than a jacket, so that's all we had. My Mom agreed, and gave my sister some money to buy a coat. She returned from the mall with stuffed animals, including one for my Mom with a small box of chocolate.

Needless to say, that did not go over well. My sister, I am sure, was surprised. How could our mother not be thrilled with such as gift? There was a huge ugly fight. My sister was sent to her room before my mother killed her.

Later that night we were called to the table for dinner. We were having hot dogs and beans. Why I remember that, I don't know. But what I do remember is that dinner ended with my sister picking up her plate with her unfinished dinner, and flinging it across the table at my mother. She missed, but made her point. And what that, the night that changed everything begun.

Understandably, my Mom was livid. While my mother had seen my sister go after me on many an occasion (including one time where she came home to find my sister sitting on me so that I couldn't breathe), this was the first time my sister had done some physical towards her. My sister fled to her room, and I tried to stay out of the way, cleaning the mess that was left behind. That's how I overheard the phone conversation.

My Mom called my (paternal) grandmother. She said she couldn't do this any longer, and asked if my grandmother would take us in. Yes, us, as in my sister and me. I didn't hear the other end, but it was clear that my grandmother was more than willing. She truly did love us, even if she didn't understand everything that was about to happen.

This is where things get a bit fuzzy. I am not sure when I confronted my Mom about the whole package deal business, but I did. I knew on some level that a one-way trip to New Jersey would be the end of me. I had worked way too hard to come as far as I had, and I couldn't let anything - not even my sister - get in my way. And so I let my Mom have it. I literally felt like I was fighting for my life.

I told my Mom that it wasn't fair. I said that were were two different people. I pointed out that I hadn't done anything wrong. I wanted to go see my Aunt, Uncle, and cousin for Christmas. I hadn't gone to the mall for a coat and come back with a Garfield and Odie doll. I was an honor student at a Catholic school, making straight A's, and keeping myself out of trouble.

Of course through all of this I was yelling and crying. My Mom was not impressed with my theatrics and sent me away to my room. I was so stressed that on the way, my nose started bleeding.

All I remember was that seeing blood streaming down my face, set me off further. I was now inconsolable and crying hysterically in a ball on the floor of my room. I managed to get blood all over the place. It was on the white walls of my room and the light beige carpet, not to mention my face and clothes. My sister must have come out of her room at this point and saw me. I guess I thought I told her what was happening, but maybe I didn't, or she didn't understand me or believe me. I think she tried to help wipe some of the blood up lest my Mom's rage be further fueled.

At some point my Mom came into my room. She saw the blood and her initial reaction was that I was being way overly dramatic, and had tried to kill myself. Of course it felt like she was saying that I couldn't even do that right.


on the night stand :: Bright Sided: How the Relentless Promotion of Positive Thinking Has Undermined America by Barbara Ehrenreich

i love pie

canon digital rebel xsi

I am started to get excited about making Thanksgiving Day pie. We were watching Martha's pie show on the Tivo, and definitely inspired by the amazing pies.

It reminded me that I need to join the American Pie Council. I had planned on doing it over the summer, but didn't want to spend the $40 for a lifetime membership. But I figure if it keeps me dedicated to the art of pie making, why not? Did you even know that such an organization existed? Also, mark your calendars now - National Pie Day is January 23.

Today I also watched a live online pie crust demonstration by one of the bakers over at King Arthur Flour. Although I have made several pies from scratch now, I still have a few trouble spots. This woman was great! She went step-by-step on how to make a pie crust, and the pitfalls to avoid. Here are a few things I learned:

• When adding the water, do so a few tablespoons at a time, using a measuring cup designed for liquid measuring. It is very hard to get excess water out of a pie crust, so best to go slowly, and watch it.


• There is no magic formula to how much water a crust will need to take shape. It depends on the water in the air and in your flour as a result. At different times of the year, you may need significantly more or less liquid to get your dough to form a ball.


• When rolling out the dough, roll in one direction only. This will help keep the dough circular. [I think this may be my issue.]


• Also, when rolling dough, flip it from time to time. This will ensure that your dough isn't sticking to your work surface. If it does, lift your dough with a scraper, add some more flour to your work area, and continue rolling.


• Make sure you dough is rolled out enough so that you have an inch all around your pie plate. Hold your pie plate over your dough to figure this out - no ruler necessary.


• To get your dough to the pie plate without tearing, fold the dough in half twice. This will give you a quarter pie shape. Center the point of the dough, with the center of the plate, and carefully unfold. [This one I must try!]


• To prevent a pie that is gooey white on the bottom, roll out your top crust before adding the filling to the pie.

Even before I learned of the pumpkin shortage, I wasn't planning on making pumpkin pie this holiday. It truly isn't my favorite. I like it, but not enough to eat an entire pie, which is probably what would happen. I do really think that pumpkin is America's Marmite. I think that like Marmite, if you weren't raised on it, you just don't acquire a taste. We are having Germans to dinner. I suspect they would react to pumpkin the same way the French interns did that one year in San Francisco.

I am making an apple pie along with a chocolate pecan pie. We call the latter one brownie pie. I bet a certain little pilgrim cow might come join us for a slice.

on the night stand :: Pie by Ken Haedrich.

random list of eight

canon digital rebel xsi

I have a terrible headache today, so think I will just be random in eight:

1. Amused that Oxford English Dictionary named unfriend the word of the year. Not as amused that someone recently did, although took it back rather quickly.


2. I am looking forward to getting my hands on a copy the new Starbucks CD. You have to spend $15. Maybe buy some people in line a drink?


3. I really need a password book. I have too many accounts online. I just got myself locked out. Darn! Hate when that happens. I don't like calling customer service and admitting I am lame.


4. Still working on the Halloween photos from Disneyland. Hopefully before Christmas!


5. Tomorrow is Mickey Mouse's birthday! He's 82.


6. B is also taking the car into the shop tomorrow - hopefully they have the right parts this time.


7. Who knew I could get excited about leeks? They have made my broccoli soup even better.


8. When I was 3, I tried to flush my shoe down the loo, and backed up the plumbing in the entire building.

Told you they would be random! Oh, headache go away now. Ow!


on the night stand :: Await Your Reply by Dan Chaon.

the nightmare before christmas ride

canon digital rebel xsi

I am still working on the photos I took during Halloween at Disneyland, but thought I would share this one. It is from the Haunted Mansion, which has been transformed into The Nightmare Before Christmas. It is amazing. I think it will stay this way until the New Year.

It really is a whole different experience seeing the ride decked out this way. There are so many details - you have to get back in line - probably more than once - to take in all the details.

If you are familiar with the ride, this is the dining room scene. It actually smells like gingerbread as you pass through. It really is something to experience!


on the night stand :: Her Fearful Symmetry by Audrey Niffenegger.

it's national clean your refrigerator day

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Today is National Clean Out Your Refrigerator Day. No idea who started it, but I cleaned out the fridge anyway. To be honest, it needed it. I didn't find anything nasty - that happened weeks ago when I found a half of jalapeno bagel the in-laws left in the door because they won't throw any food away! And now there is plenty of room for that turkey to defrost next week.

As I wiped down the shelves, I was remembering when I was around 10, and we moved into a small rental house. It didn't come with a refrigerator, so we bought a second-hand one. It was brown, and huge. It had a freezer on the bottom. You stepped on a pedal to open the freezer. It was pretty clever, especially when you were trying to put the ice cube trays in it.

The first night we had the fridge, it made a very strange loud noise. It sounded like a space ship had landed in our kitchen. It woke us up. We ran out into the kitchen to see what was happening. It took a few nights, but we learned to get used to it.

It would seem that there was a problem with the fridge (perhaps something to do with that noise), but there wasn't much we could do. The worst of it was that it made ice - in the bottom of the refrigerator! What a pain that was to clean.

Somehow that job fell to me. I hated doing it, and probably made it a more difficult process letting it go for too long. I remember one afternoon spent trying everything I could think of to get a solid one-inch block of ice that had grown under the vegetable bins.

I tried melting the ice with pots of hot water. The idea was boil some water in a pot, and then place the entire pot onto the ice. No idea where I came up with this idea. When it didn't work very well, I probably tried pouring hot water on the ice, making an even bigger mess.

Next I got out the hammer and screwdriver, in an attempt to chisel away at the block of ice. I did finally get a piece of it out, but it took what felt like forever. Then all the ice sat in the sink to melt, while I mopped up the mess on the floor.

We kept that fridge until I started high school. We moved to an apartment that had a fridge. But even if it hadn't, that monster would not have fit in the allotted space. I was so thankful to not have to defrost the fridge any longer.



on the night stand :: Princess Hyacinth by Florence Perry Heide.

we got a turkey

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I don't know when the grocery stores decided to make the Thanksgiving turkey the loss leader, but every year it is more fun to watch the specials. Some years it is two-for-one turkeys. Other years, $10 off with coupon. There was even one year where you got a free small frozen bird, if you bought a fresh one.

Tonight we found ourself at the local Von's market. They were selling turkeys up to 16-pounds for $8, and over that for $10. Of course you had to spend $25, with some exclusions, but it seemed like a good deal, so we went for it.

Although the $10 turkeys were the better deal, I prefer to work with something on the smaller side. We are fortunate to have two ovens in the kitchen, but that means that they are smaller than most single ovens found under a stove. Plus, we really don't need a 22-pound bird for five people (our current guest count) - that's probably too many leftovers.

So we started looking though the turkey bin. Most of the $8 birds were in the 10-pound range - that's a tad small. We considered a smaller on from the $10 pile, but of course most of those were over 20-pounds. After a bit of searching, we found one just shy of 15 pounds - perfect!

Now all we had to do was buy some groceries. It was late, and we had really only planned on getting what we needed for the morning. I ended up getting a jar of my favorite pickles that were $6.79. Ouch! And of course some bottled water, and the pans for the turkey and stuffing. B found the last bottle of apple juice on sale. We got some eggs, milk, butter, and turkey sausage for our breakfast, and figured we would more than make the $25 minimum purchase. [Oh, and a box of donuts and some ice cream bars - why we don't shop the chain stores too often.]

We got into the express lane, with a full cart, but figuring we were within the 15 item limit. No one was ahead of us, or behind us. This should go quickly, we thought. There was even a friendly bagger ready at the wait. Unfortunately, the cashier rang up the turkey twice.

No worries, right, you just void out one, and all is well. Not quite. Somehow the computer couldn't handle that, and while it removed the extra turkey, it didn't remove the extra discount. So after some discussion with her fellow cashier, it was decided she would void the entire order, and do it again. Did I mention that the groceries were all bagged and in the cart?

Thankfully it went quickly. But still, that was probably more effort than required for a Butterball.


on the night stand :: Jamie's Food Revolution by Jamie Oliver.

day without food or day without a home

canon digital rebel xsi

This is the question I pose today: Would you rather go a day without eating or a spend a day on the streets?

I ask because as the holiday season is ramping up to full speed ahead, this is the time of year many people give to their local food banks. And while that is great, what I have become painfully aware that we often feed people, only to send them to the streets to sleep. And while there are many food and clothing drives, I have never heard of a housing drive for the homeless.

So again I ponder the question, which is would be more difficult? Certainly it is true that if you go without proper nutrition for long enough, it will kill you. But so can life on the streets, even with adequate food.

Going for a day without food would affect your body, mind, and spirit. Your stomach would grumble. You might also feel tired and even cranky. Your blood sugar would drop. You might feel dizzy. All of your energy would be focused on when you might get your next meal. You definitely would not be at your best.

Putting you on the street, would do something entirely different. It might feel like the rug had been pulled out from under you. That your safety net was gone. You might feel alone, not to mention frightened. Your body might feel cold as the temperature dropped after the sun set. Your mind might race as you tried to find somewhere safe, or thought of all the possible things that could happen if you let yourself close your eyes and drift off to sleep. You would probably end up feeling tired and maybe even dizzy. As for your spirit, it might be broken, or at least a bit drained, depending on what you saw during your time on the streets. It is hard to say.

I was fortunate that we never went hungry when I was growing up. There were some close calls. I remember one period where my Mom made a pot of spaghetti sauce that she had added too much red pepper flake, last well over a week. There were other times when the cupboards were pretty bare or we made some strange things with what we had on hand, but we never were without food.

The closest we came to homelessness was the night we fled from our father. We drove across California all night. We arrived in Los Angeles in the morning, but by evening had a roof over our heads.

When B and I came back to California the second time, we were living in an extended stay for a while, on and off. When we would change locations, we would usually need to be out by noon, but couldn't check into our next hotel until mid-afternoon. Those few hours left me feeling woozy. I would worry about all sorts of things. All of our stuff was packed in the car - would someone try to steal it? It is hard to explain, but I would feel off kilter. I would often snap at B for no apparent reason. I know it is not the same. I only mention this because I imagine actually being on the street so much worse, and cannot even imagine.

I stumbled upon SLO Homeless' blog today. He posted today about how we need to work as a community to make sure the homeless have access to a rod and reel, so they can leave homeless behind. I think he is onto to something.

I also don't want you to think I am saying helping the homeless around the holidays is a bad thing - it isn't. You can leave a comment on this post, and $10 will be donated to Second Harvest Food Bank. Land' End is also accepting gently used coats until November 30. So far they have collected over 8,000 coats!


on the night stand :: Juliet, Naked by Nick Horby.

in which i get a dm from scott simon

canon digital rebel xsi

Really, I was only trying to help get the word out about an amazing story. I am a big fan of NPR, and Weekend Edition, and Scott Simon¹. I am still not sure what exactly happened, or if anything more will come of it. I still love Twitter, and I think it is a very powerful tool. Maybe I need to use this experience to harness it's power a bit better.

Oh, and for those that don't use Twitter, DM stands for direct message. As the name implies, a direct message is a tweet that is only seen by the person you send it to. It's a way to communicate with someone without cluttering up your friends' Twitter stream.

Last night I saw a tweet from Scott Simon, host of NPR's Saturday Weekend Edition, about an group in New York raising money for Thanksgiving dinners for the needy of New York.² Here is the link. I had also seen an earlier tweet by Mark, the head of Invisible People, talking about how we tend to go crazy this time of year feeding the homeless, but forget about what they need even more - housing and jobs.

So I tweeted this, thinking maybe something might happen. And boy did it ever. I think in part because Mark tweeted this. Oh dear.

And suddenly I found myself in Oz. Right around that part where the Scarecrow starts making snide comments about the Apple Trees to get them to give up their fruit. I saw a notification that I had received a direct message. I was shocked to see it was from none other than Scott Simon.

I tried to message Mark, but Tweet Deck was having issues. Instead, I tweeted this, since I couldn't direct message Scott Simon, as he doesn't follow me.

Then I saw a tweet from Mark, asking if I had heard something. I tweeted back that I had, and that his tweet about Scott Simon not being real or engaging got his attention.

I should point out that in between Mark's initial tweet, and the message from Scott Simon, I tweeted this. Of course I made the mistake of not mentioning the actual Twitter account, so it probably wasn't seen by Scott Simon.

There was also a bit of a discussion about how people should use Twitter. I tend to agree that there aren't any rules, and people can use it how they wish. I learned this from following Warren Whitlock, co-author of Twitter Revolution. Mark feels differently, and that's okay too. I honestly can't imagine trying to manage a Twitter account with a million followers.

I ended things with this tweet. My heart was still racing.

As I said, I don't know if anything more will come of this. I would like to point out though that Scott Simon recently gave a speech at TedxMidAtlantic about the art and importance of story telling. You can view it here. Ironically that is exactly what Mark has done with InvisiblePeople.tv - he has allowed homeless people to tell their stories. Mark traveled the country, talking to homeless people, with no more than an iPhone, and about $100 (along with a few sponsors like Ford and Hanes).

___________________________________________
¹And I hope I haven't left a bad impression, because Scott Simon is friends with Daniel Pinkwater, and that would just be awful.
²I later found this tweet from Soraya Darab, of the New York Times, about the NY food drive and retweeted it.

on the night stand :: The Yggyssey by Daniel Pinkwater.

on veteran's day

canon digital rebel xsi

I know that at at least one of my grandfathers served in the military. It is possible they both did. It just wasn't something really discussed.

My father was drafted for Vietnam, but he was rejected because of his flat feet. And maybe also because he was partially deaf in one ear (and maybe because the U.S. government realized giving him a gun was a bad idea). I often wonder what would have happened if he had gone off to war. My mom saved the clipping from the newspaper that showed his name on a list of local men that had been drafted. I once found it tucked away in a photo album, lost long ago. But beyond that, it wasn't mentioned.

Growing up I remember getting the day off from school. I might have gone to a parade when I was little, but if my Mom had work, it was a scramble to figure out what to do with us.

When I worked and I got the day off, I'm sad to report that I used it to prepare for Thanksgiving. I have always been offended by the sales though. I never understood that.

This year I have noticed a lot more companies offering specials for just for veterans. I know Applebee's gave away free meals today to veterans. A way of saying thank you for serving our country. I think this is more in line with the spirit of the day.

I also think it is important that people using today as an opportunity to bring to light some of the many problems that often plague our veterans. For example, there are estimates that many of the homeless out there, are veterans (in fact numbers I saw today were saying about 25%). And of those, over 3/4 of them have mental illness and/or drug addiction. There are also major issues regarding getting proper health care for veterans. One study found that over 2500 US veterans died last year due to lack of health insurance.

This four-minute interview sums things up. Meet Dale. He will make you think about how we should be treating our veterans.

Maybe tomorrow I'll tell you how I got messaged (DM'd) on Twitter by Scott Simon (yes, the guy from NPR).


on the night stand :: Moleskin Daily Planner 2010 (Large Red)

gratitude

canon digital rebel xsi

With Thanksgiving coming, many people are counting down November with daily gratitude lists. That puts me ten days behind. So here are ten things I am thankful for, in no particular order:

• My husband.


• My friends.


• Monster sheets - they keep me safe while I sleep.


• Plans for Thanksgiving. Yay for new traditions.


• A clean kitchen.


• The music of Danny Elfman. [Listened to the soundtrack from The Nightmare Before Christmas today - it was magical.]


• Morning pages.


• Eighty degree weather in November. It was gorgeous today with the windows open.


• Fresh, sweet raspberries. It's like tasting summer.


• My iBook - it keeps me connected.

on the night stand :: You Better Not Cry by Augusten Burroughs.

state of me

canon digital rebel xsi

I think I am slowly withdrawing. And yet I see small steps of progress. For example, today I got up (without prodding) at a decent hour, and made breakfast before B went off to work.

I feel like I have nothing to say. Part of that, I am sure, is because I am so isolated.

I finished all the laundry today. But I still feel like I got nothing done.

I was proud of myself for not freaking out when I realized that the bottom of the new quiche pan was missing, but felt like something was wrong with me. How does something like this not come home from the store?

I want to read and write, but haven't made any progress on those fronts. I did do my morning pages (in the morning even).

I feel guilty. And lonely. And mostly just very lost.

on the night stand :: Bad Mother by Ayelet Waldman

25 more things about me

canon digital rebel xsi

I am struggling today with something to write. So back to the old stand by. It's better than nothing, right?

25 More (very random) things about me:

1. I try not to judge books by their covers, but often that is how I remember them. People at bookstores run from me.


2. In a college acting class I was told that I was one of the best liars the instructor had ever seen.


3. Really though, I almost never lie.


4. I prefer essay tests to multiple choice.


5. I can remember peeling potatoes at the kitchen table with my grandmother & great-grandmother. I begged to do this chore, even though it usually ended with me cutting my finger.


6. When I was 5, I started cooking at the stove. I used a step stool (shaped like a rabbit) to reach.


7. Part of the reason I stayed in Austin, Texas, was because of Central Market, and amazing grocery store.


8. I miss the Andronico's (grocery) store in Walnut Creek, California.


9. I am making this quiche for dinner this week.


10. I sent a letter to Amy Carter when her father was in office. I got a postcard back.


11. A few years back I went to Jimmy Carter's book signing in Chicago.


12. Around the same time I went to my first Martha Stewart book signing.


13. My favorite drink at Starbucks, is a venti black tea lemonade, sweetened.


14. I am still not used to referring to B as my husband.


15. Because of Twitter, I got to help decorate a Rose Parade float last year.


16. I did a summer abroad program at Pembroke College at Cambridge University.


17. A world without chocolate, would be a terrible place (in my opinion, at least).


18. Despite my love of wrapping paper and ribbon, I am not great at wrapping presents.


19. Before I started Catholic school in the second grade, my dad told me horrible stories about mean nuns. I was so scared, I didn't talk to any of the sisters for at least my first week. I would only nod my head if asked something directly.


20. My favorite color is the green between lime and chartreuse.


21. Although my sister and I were a year apart, we only had the same teacher twice. Once my sister had the teacher before me. That was a nightmare.


22. Because of changing high schools, I missed out on American Literature.


23. I have re-read Alice in Wonderland more than any other book.


24. I wish I had the letters I wrote from camp. They were classic.


25. I am really looking forward to seeing Small World decked out for the holidays.

on the nightstand :: Otis by Loren Long.

three-way stops

canon digital rebel xsi

I am not sure how long 3-way stops have been around, but it seems like they have become commonplace at shopping malls in recent years. The idea is that traffic coming into the mall does not have to stop, while all other sides must wait. It reminds of of the song, Hotel California - you can check in anytime you like, but you can never leave.

They make my blood pressure rise. Is it really that difficult of a concept? They may not be fair, but I can't believe how hard it is for people to grasp. They seem to be there so that drivers using the protected turn signal, do not end up blocking the intersection, although technically that would be violating the rules of the road.

There is one particular 3-way stop on the way into the main branch of Newport Beach Library that makes me want to scream. Actually, I usually do scream. Although there is a sign telling people that traffic does not stop, the majority of people seem to ignore it. The result is that people who are supposed to stop, don't; whiles those that have the right of way, stop. Hilarity does not ensue.

Often when we leave the library, we go to the shopping center across the way. Sprinkles cupcakes is there, as is Sur La Table. To get there we have to go across this 3-way stop. I feel like I am putting my life in jeopardy. I think I hold my breath, the entire way across.

If there is a car behind me, they often beep at me, believing that I am turning right, and shouldn't have any problem with the oncoming vehicles. I usually flip them off. It is ugly. But really, what is the rush? Honestly I am surprised I have never seen an accident at the intersection.

As the holidays approach, I know it will only get worse. I have a feeling this is why we avoid the library until after the new year.


on the night stand :: Big Frog Can't Fit In by Mo Willems.

how well do you know me

canon digital rebel xsi

Am at a bit of a loss on what to write about today. I am tired of whining. So why not do a list?

Twenty-Five (very random) Things About Me

1. I am left-handed - the only one in my immediate family who is.


2. I have worn glasses since I was five.


3. My favorite holiday is Christmas.


4. If it were up to me, there wouldn't be a TV in the house.


5. The longest I ever lived in one place was five years.


6. It is a rare day when I don't drink at least one cup of tea.


7. I had my first email account in 1987.


8. One of my goals every year is to remember my friends' birthdays.


9. There are monsters on my bed (sheets).


10. The movie, Leaving Las Vegas, made me physically ill.


11. For as long as I can remember, I have loved books.


12. The last movie I saw at the theater was Toy Story & Toy Story 2 (in 3D).


13. When I saw Toy Story the first time, I had to leave because I forgot I was on the crisis line.


14. I logged over 1500 hours on a crisis line.


15. My first experience with a Mac was frustrating (because I was used to doing things the hard way).


16. I was a cheerleader.


17. And also on the drill team.


18. I love stationary.


19. One summer I worked as a vet's assistant. That was a crazy job.


20. Red Cup season at Starbucks makes me giddy.


21. I am very shy.


22. In fact, when I was 8, my Mom locked me outside because she was concerned about my introversion.


23. I have been doing the laundry since I was eight.


24. Tonight I made tomato soup from scratch along with homemade bread.


25. I have trouble finishing things.

on the night stand :: When You Reach Me by Rebecca Stead.

thanksgiving countdown

canon digital rebel xsi

Thanksgiving (in the US) is exactly three weeks away! We have decided to host this year, as I have had enough of driving turkeys across the San Gabriel Valley. Last year was so bizarre, I just can't do it again. While I understand B's Uncle's family was going through something, we had no idea until after the fact. Note to all: It isn't a good idea to invite people to your house for a holiday if you are not up to it. Really, we would have understood. What we didn't understand was showing up at the appointed time to what seemed to be an empty house. Standing in the driveway, holding a cooked 22-pound Butterball, is not my idea of a good time. So this year we start new traditions.

I have the menu planned: turkey with my grandmother's stuffing, cranberry walnut sauce, green bean casserole, yams, corn pudding, mashed potatoes, gravy, and popovers. Thank goodness this house has two ovens!! Dessert is still a bit undecided. Leaning towards an apple pie and a chocolate pecan (aka brownie) pie - might as well use both pie plates.

I have also started putting bread in the freezer for the stuffing. We ended up with four extra hot dog rolls from Trader Joes (after a World Series craving), so those are in there. I am also baking bread this week, so plan on putting some of that in the stuffing too. It really is the mixing of odds and ends that is the secret to making the stuffing so tasty.

We received some great coupons in the mail yesterday from Ralph's (essentially a $7 credit - thank you very much), so will go there and get the non-perishable items soon. The cranberry sauce recipe calls for red currant jam, which can be a challenge to find.

I should start pulling out recipes and making lists. Organization is the key to a successful Thanksgiving meal. Getting everything (and everyone) to the table at the same time is truly an art form.



on the night stand :: Big Sur Bakery Cookbook

married nine months

canon digital rebel xsi

Today marks our nine-month wedding anniversary. Time has really flown by - it doesn't feel like nine months have passed since we walked out of the court house that beautiful spring afternoon (it may have been February, but it was sunny and in the high 70's).

To be honest, it doesn't feel like that much has changed. Well, except my name. Actually I still have places that I need to change my name. It would also appear that my voter registration still has not changed. I have a feeling my name will still need to changed somewhere at the one-year mark.

Here's a fun fact: Disneyland is the one place that while both of us had been, we hadn't been as a couple (despite knowing each other over 20 years). We have remedied that, and are now season pass holders. It feels like joining a family. In fact, after you finish the paperwork, they do say welcome to the Disney family.

As for the other family, nothing has really changed there. But did anyone really think it would? We invited the SIL and her family to Thanksgiving, but they turned us down. Sort of expected though, too.



on the night stand :: What Do You Want From Me: Learning to Get Along with In-Laws by Terri Apter.

then the mail went astray

canon digital rebel xsi

November has been a bit bumpy - and we are only three days in. Yesterday our mail got delivered by UPS to an address three miles away! How is that even possible?

We have a PO Box at a UPS Store in Northern California. We got it when we first came back to California, and have kept it for three years now since we are still technically "between residences". If we are not up north, then once a week or so, they forward our mail to us. So how a UPS Store shipping a package via UPS gets lost is pretty daunting indeed.

B noticed that according to the tracking information sent by the UPS Store, the package was delivered at around 10:30am yesterday morning, and signed for by Edgar. He checked the porch, and the places our UPS guy usually hides packages, but found nothing. Given that B was downstairs around that time, having just returned from the car repair shop that ordered the wrong part, it seems like he would have heard the truck or the knock on the door, but didn't. He decided to give UPS a call and see what was up.

There was a problem with the phone connection, which certainly didn't help with getting the tracking number straight. It took them several tries, but the woman on the phone was able to look it up and sure enough saw that the package had been delivered. B told her that while that may be the case, it wasn't delivered here. She looked more closely, and sure enough it was delivered about three miles away to a business park.

The UPS rep asked B if he knew the area where the package had been misdelivered. He explained that he had a general idea where the address was located, but had never been there. He was then told to go pick it up himself. Seriously.

This is where the problem began. Apparently what must have happened was that a group of boxes were delivered to that address, and our box must have accidentally been in the pile. A quick search on Google revealed that there were more than one businesses at that location, so it wasn't like B could just walk in and claim his box. The correct answer would have been to send the UPS driver back to the location to claim the box from Edgar, the guy who signed for it.

We made a few phone calls (oh the magic of Google), and tried to find Edgar without any luck. At one point, I actually was talking to someone in Fremont (okay, so Google isn't perfect), where one the companies is headquartered. No one I spoke to could understand what I was talking about. They all thought either they were shipping me a package, or I had shipped them a package - they couldn't get that UPS could misdeliver a package to a completely wrong address.

B then called the UPS Store, which is probably where he should have started. Even they had trouble understanding what he was explaining. But since they were technically the shipper, and have a relationship with UPS, they were really the only ones who could do anything, which really makes no sense, since they were 400 miles from the package, while we were just three.

The good news is the package showed up on the doorstep this morning. We have no idea what happened in between the calls to the UPS Store and UPS calling to tell us they were on the case. I am just glad this story had a happy ending.

Don't get me wrong, I still love UPS. They deliver millions of packages every year to the right place. It is just seems that the few that get misdirected take quite a bit of craziness to get back on track. This is not our first experience with boxes going to the wrong address. When we lived in Emeryville, a replacement battery sent from Apple, accidently got delivered about a mile away to the CompUSA store (reportedly the label fell off the box). In an even more bizarre twist, the guy who normally accepted packages for CompUSA was on vacation, so in the end Apple just shipped another battery.

on the night stand :: A Gate at the Stairs by Loorie Moore.

something wicked this way comes

canon digital rebel xsi

On Halloween night, just a bit before 1 o'clock in the morning, about a dozen people showed up in the hallway near our room. They were making quite a fuss. To be fair, sound traveled very strangely in our room, so it took us a while to figure out what was up. We overheard talk about not having a room key, and even a lost cell phone. It wasn't until we heard the doorknob rattle that we realized they were trying to get into our room!!

Clearly they had been partying, and were all three sheets to the wind. B went to the door (in his boxer shorts) and opened it, which made them realize why the card key they had was not working. They apologized, and B quickly closed the door. Then there was laughter and a pound (on the door). It didn't take them long to figure find their actual room - right next door (or maybe across the hall). And now the fun truly begins.

As I mentioned, sound traveled oddly in this room. And to make matters more disconcerting, it would seem that the vent opening along the hallway wall was somehow connected to their room. It was like we were now all in the same room with some kind of weird stereo sound effects gone awry. We couldn't quite make out everything they were saying, but we could hear them. There was one voice that did not stop talking until after the sun came up. I kid you not - this guy did not shut up the entire night. He was truly a loud, obnoxious drunk.

So the question became what to do about this? We have been in this situation before. It happens. Hotels have no real control over their guests. I get that. But it was the wee hours of the morning. Did we really want to switch rooms? If that was even possible. And somehow the idea of sending someone to tell them to be quiet seemed like a bad idea. More than likely it would probably only make them all the more noisy and obnoxious, not to mention it would be obvious who had lodged the complaint. And of course there was always the chance nothing would be done.

We decided to just bear it. The noise itself wouldn't have been so terrible, but then they started smoking (bad pot). So much for being in a non-smoking room. It truly is like the non-peeing section of the swimming pool - it doesn't exist. Since the windows didn't open, and turning the air up would only make the room cold, we had to just put up with that too. It was really miserable. Our room smelled like a skunk sprayed in it.

I fell asleep at some point, but was awoken at around 6am when someone came knocking on their room wanting to go on a beer run. That quieted things down for a little bit, as mister non-stop talker must have gone along to get more supplies.

The fun continued at around 8am when the housekeeping staff started knocking on our door, and all the rooms around us. It would seem that for fun someone took all the 'do not disturb' signs off the room doors. How juvenile - even if we were around the corner from Disneyland on Halloween.



on the night stand :: Eating Animals by Jonathan Safran Foer.

how i lost my iphone

canon digital rebel xsi

Yesterday I lost my iPhone. I have never lost a cell phone before. My husband, yes; me, no. He has actually gotten all but one back. This includes phones lost in NYC and Las Vegas taxi cabs, and even one lost on BART.

We were on our way to catch the hotel shuttle to Disneyland. I remember rushing around the room, and putting my iPhone in the top pouch of my camera bag. I also remember thinking that it wasn't very secure, but I could fix it when we got to the shuttle.

As it turned out, all that rushing was for nought. We missed the shuttle. That meant we had a half hour to wait. We checked out the deli off the lobby, but decided we would just wait on breakfast. B wanted to go to the room to get something, and I decided to stay in the lobby.

They had some computers set up, and I thought I would check my email. I sat down, and there are signs all over the place saying, "no one under 18 allowed to use the computers". Of course sitting next to me was someone clearly under 18 using the computer. I think it is a bit lame myself, but was a bit miffed as I could not remember our room number, so could not log on. That's when I decided to pull out my iPhone. That's also when I realized it was not there.

I headed to the elevator to check upstairs. B was getting off as I got there. I explained what had happened, and we headed upstairs together. The maid was already in the room, bed made. Apparently B had given her quite a scare when he returned to the room (she must have been waiting for us to leave). I checked on the couch, but couldn't find it. We tried calling it, but no luck.

We checked at the front desk on our way out, but of course it hadn't been turned in. I retraced my steps, but didn't find it. Rather than dwell on it, we caught the next shuttle, and had breakfast at Downtown Disney. We tried calling and texting the phone. At this point, the calls were going directly to voice mail.

We went back to the hotel for a break in the afternoon and pulled the room apart. We looked in the sheets, under the bed, in the couch, and in all of our bags and drawers. We checked at the front desk, and honestly was a bit disappointed with their response - do you need a phone to call it. When I thought it might have ended in the laundry, B called down, and they called the laundry, but found nothing.

B had realized that since I had MobileMe, I might be able to locate the iPhone that way. Unfortunately, I had not set it up. I felt beyond stupid. Of course, if the iPhone ended up in a commercial washing machine, it wouldn't matter. The good news is I did back up the phone before we left for the weekend. If you have MobileMe & and iPhone - go to their site right now, and make sure it is set up. The feature is very cool - if you have it set up right BEFORE you lose your phone. It can even play a sound for 2 minutes if you know it is say, in your house somewhere - even if you have the phone set to silent.

After dinner, and while waiting for the Monorail, B called AT&T to report the phone missing. He learned that I have about six weeks before I am eligible for an upgrade. We still had no idea though if the phone had been used or not. My MobileMe renews in about 5 weeks.

When we got back to the hotel for the night, I checked in at the front desk again. I explained in detail what had happened, and how I was 99.9% sure the phone was still in the hotel. They checked in their lost & found, but there was nothing. Again, I noted that I thought it might have accidently been sent to the laundry with the sheets. He told me that it was highly doubtful since the staff is trained to check carefully. Only problem with his theory is that when we first arrived at the hotel waiting in our room for us was a bottle of water, capped, but about 1/3 empty with a sign on it noting its price. How careful is that? He promised to call the laundry, but didn't follow up with us.

We of course checked again in the morning after a terrible night next to a room of partying pot smokers (another post), and were told that nothing had been turned in. B sent an email to the hotel manager. We shall see what happens. At this point we have gone to the AT&T store and replaced the SIM card. I am using my old RAZR - it feels so light!



on the night stand :: This is Where I Leave You by Jonathan Tropper.