tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-268712802024-03-13T16:12:57.191-07:00WhimA man should learn to detect and watch that gleam of light which flashes across his mind from within, more than the lustre of the firmament of bards and sages. [...] Else to-morrow a stranger will say with masterly good sense precisely what we have thought and felt all the time, and we shall be forced to take with shame our own opinion from another. --Ralph Waldo EmersonTracyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10878861630868233689noreply@blogger.comBlogger152125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-26871280.post-42725532160077713672008-06-11T23:49:00.001-07:002008-09-12T08:38:51.429-07:00National Doughnut DayJune found M. and I back in the LBC to visit <a href="http://www.wilsons.typepad.com/">the Wilsons</a> and meet Baby Audrey. One morning, Brian and I were up early with the kids, and we saw on the news that it was National Doughnut Day. I didn't even KNOW that there WAS a National Doughnut Day! Of course, I didn't need any better justification to go get some doughnuts, so we packed the kids in the car in their pajamas and took off to Krispy Kreme to get our free doughnuts!<br /><div style="text-align: center;"><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_UVcxmejNUxA/SMqMHjt4bAI/AAAAAAAAAq4/o2BbANa2OM0/s1600-h/IMG_4228.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_UVcxmejNUxA/SMqMHjt4bAI/AAAAAAAAAq4/o2BbANa2OM0/s400/IMG_4228.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5245158777501019138" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-style: italic;">Yay! Krispy Kreme!</span></span><br /></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_UVcxmejNUxA/SMqLw7mfvQI/AAAAAAAAAqw/1JeZDCSxhek/s1600-h/IMG_4226.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_UVcxmejNUxA/SMqLw7mfvQI/AAAAAAAAAqw/1JeZDCSxhek/s400/IMG_4226.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5245158388775501058" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-style: italic;">Decisions, decisions...</span></span><br /></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_UVcxmejNUxA/SMqLaO2zXyI/AAAAAAAAAqo/QEn_T9E-lLc/s1600-h/IMG_4231.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_UVcxmejNUxA/SMqLaO2zXyI/AAAAAAAAAqo/QEn_T9E-lLc/s400/IMG_4231.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5245157998807179042" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-style: italic;">A balanced and nutritious breakfast!</span></span><br /></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_UVcxmejNUxA/SMqLGHeCvVI/AAAAAAAAAqg/0S6MW8XbYyU/s1600-h/IMG_4233.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_UVcxmejNUxA/SMqLGHeCvVI/AAAAAAAAAqg/0S6MW8XbYyU/s400/IMG_4233.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5245157653226896722" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-style: italic;">We LOVE Doughnut Day!</span></span><br /></div>Tracyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10878861630868233689noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-26871280.post-33418561354408903152008-06-01T23:17:00.001-07:002008-09-12T08:25:19.959-07:00My Favorite Band in the WORLD!My birthday trip to Berkeley with <a href="http://themisadventuresofmicaela.blogspot.com/">Micaela</a> to see R.E.M. Back in May. Yes, I'm catching up.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_UVcxmejNUxA/SEOQ1Yy0IxI/AAAAAAAAApQ/QfU8zy0dv1Y/s1600-h/IMG_4090.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_UVcxmejNUxA/SEOQ1Yy0IxI/AAAAAAAAApQ/QfU8zy0dv1Y/s400/IMG_4090.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5207164841033474834" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-style: italic;">Navigating Berkeley can be difficult unless you spot a car to follow...</span></span><br /></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_UVcxmejNUxA/SEORo8GU0VI/AAAAAAAAApg/J-MmDzSWKCI/s1600-h/IMG_4100.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_UVcxmejNUxA/SEORo8GU0VI/AAAAAAAAApg/J-MmDzSWKCI/s400/IMG_4100.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5207165726683877714" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-style: italic;">Opening act...EURIPIDES!</span></span><br /></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_UVcxmejNUxA/SEORMJfbANI/AAAAAAAAApY/gOcIRLqrF7I/s1600-h/IMG_4095.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_UVcxmejNUxA/SEORMJfbANI/AAAAAAAAApY/gOcIRLqrF7I/s400/IMG_4095.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5207165232062595282" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-style: italic;">SO excited!</span></span><br /></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_UVcxmejNUxA/SEOSkNj_gJI/AAAAAAAAApo/bj-moJGKXdM/s1600-h/IMG_4107.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_UVcxmejNUxA/SEOSkNj_gJI/AAAAAAAAApo/bj-moJGKXdM/s400/IMG_4107.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5207166744983994514" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-style: italic;">My expansive seat space.</span></span><br /></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_UVcxmejNUxA/SEOS79nbGuI/AAAAAAAAApw/bIcxsvHgdsQ/s1600-h/IMG_4116.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_UVcxmejNUxA/SEOS79nbGuI/AAAAAAAAApw/bIcxsvHgdsQ/s400/IMG_4116.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5207167153020279522" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-style: italic;">You can never have too many Michael Stipes.</span></span><br /></div>Tracyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10878861630868233689noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-26871280.post-6839773250581694292008-06-01T22:18:00.000-07:002008-09-11T13:28:21.405-07:00Matilda's First Camping Trip<div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: left;">On Memorial Day we went on a short trip to Auburn to camp with my friend Hannah after her rafting trip. I wasn't sure if Matilda would be too into camping, but she loved it! Daddy was a little less enthused about the amount of dirt M. wanted to spread all over herself.<br /></div><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_UVcxmejNUxA/SEOEVLT3bQI/AAAAAAAAAm4/Vr5KgWXsMog/s1600-h/IMG_4038.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_UVcxmejNUxA/SEOEVLT3bQI/AAAAAAAAAm4/Vr5KgWXsMog/s400/IMG_4038.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5207151093518658818" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-style: italic;">"This is MY log! Get your own!"</span></span><br /></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_UVcxmejNUxA/SEOEqSV0R_I/AAAAAAAAAnA/tdkQW2DFhPw/s1600-h/IMG_4056.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_UVcxmejNUxA/SEOEqSV0R_I/AAAAAAAAAnA/tdkQW2DFhPw/s400/IMG_4056.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5207151456183142386" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-style: italic;">Relaxing with Auntie Hannah</span></span><br /></div><br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_UVcxmejNUxA/SEOD_xkW-dI/AAAAAAAAAmw/AlbjWYrLVOc/s1600-h/IMG_4046.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_UVcxmejNUxA/SEOD_xkW-dI/AAAAAAAAAmw/AlbjWYrLVOc/s400/IMG_4046.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5207150725831260626" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-style: italic;">Enjoying the view...of dirt.</span></span><br /></div>Tracyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10878861630868233689noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-26871280.post-34558473100123631192008-05-29T14:51:00.001-07:002008-09-11T13:22:08.503-07:00Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of SUCK!<div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_UVcxmejNUxA/SMlytZOI-_I/AAAAAAAAAqQ/BgM520XRBto/s1600-h/IMG_3968.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_UVcxmejNUxA/SMlytZOI-_I/AAAAAAAAAqQ/BgM520XRBto/s400/IMG_3968.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5244849365239528434" border="0" /></a>So this entry has been sitting on my blog, unposted, since, well, my birthday. The reason for my extreme procrastination is that I originally intended to write a review of <span style="font-style: italic;">Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull</span> to go along with it, but every time I even thought about the movie, all I could do was weep silent tears of intense disappointment. You think I am exaggerating here, but I actually sat in my house, after everyone had left my birthday party, CRYING because I hated the movie SO MUCH!<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_UVcxmejNUxA/SEOOS9yKHYI/AAAAAAAAAoo/JHria_oBQIQ/s1600-h/IMG_3972.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5207162050644155778" style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer;" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_UVcxmejNUxA/SEOOS9yKHYI/AAAAAAAAAoo/JHria_oBQIQ/s200/IMG_3972.JPG" border="0" /></a>Perhaps I better explain my birthday party for those of you who weren't there. At midnight, on MY BIRTHDAY, the new Indiana Jones film opened. When I found out about this, I felt that it must be Steven Spielberg's and George Lucas's way of personally rewarding me for a lifetime of devotion. It was immediately obvious to me what had to be done...I had to have an Indiana Jones birthday party. The party, of course, would end with all of us attending the midnight showing of the film in our awesome costumes. My friends, being the great sports that they are, all went along with it. Thus, the greatest party ever conceived took place, with one minor drawback--THE MOVIE!<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_UVcxmejNUxA/SEONO5GzOyI/AAAAAAAAAoY/ZoSmPE7LMis/s1600-h/IMG_3979.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5207160881157454626" style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer;" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_UVcxmejNUxA/SEONO5GzOyI/AAAAAAAAAoY/ZoSmPE7LMis/s200/IMG_3979.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_UVcxmejNUxA/SMl1aDFv4rI/AAAAAAAAAqY/CGfqq0E-6Qg/s1600-h/IMG_3989.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_UVcxmejNUxA/SMl1aDFv4rI/AAAAAAAAAqY/CGfqq0E-6Qg/s200/IMG_3989.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5244852331416117938" border="0" /></a><span style="font-style: italic;">Kingdom of the Crystal Skull</span> was, for me, an even greater crime than the <span style="font-style: italic;">Star Wars</span> prequels. At least those films did little to mar the memory of the original trilogy, being set in a different time with mostly different characters. I just wrote them off as being more aimed towards a new generation of kids...let the kids have the new films, I will stick to the old. But this film, this so-called Indiana Jones film, has forever undermined my love of the character, the filmmakers, and all of the actors. I don't think I will ever be able to watch the original trilogy again with the same loving eye. For that, I want Spielberg and Lucas to PAY!<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_UVcxmejNUxA/SD8qdg8aMVI/AAAAAAAAAmg/VlRojAKnTUI/s1600-h/IMG_3986.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5205926380811465042" style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer;" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_UVcxmejNUxA/SD8qdg8aMVI/AAAAAAAAAmg/VlRojAKnTUI/s200/IMG_3986.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_UVcxmejNUxA/SD8qFg8aMUI/AAAAAAAAAmY/P8fpksjZIyQ/s1600-h/IMG_3988.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5205925968494604610" style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer;" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_UVcxmejNUxA/SD8qFg8aMUI/AAAAAAAAAmY/P8fpksjZIyQ/s200/IMG_3988.JPG" border="0" /></a>The reason that I am finally able to speak of this tragedy is that with the looming release of the DVD, I feel the need to warn anybody who didn't have the misfortune of already seeing this film...DON'T DO IT! Let that dog lie! Just pretend that the fourth movie doesn't exist! That's certainly what I am trying to do! And this morning, one of my favorite bloggers, <a href="http://puntabulous.com/2008/09/11/indiana-jones-when-nostalgia-fades/">Puntabulous</a>, posted a link to <a href="http://sci-fi-guys.com/2008/07/10/indiana-jones-and-the-kingdom-of-the-crystal-skull/">a brilliant review</a> of the film that articulates nearly everything I hated about the movie. It is long, but very funny and right on target. For all of you who have asked me over the past several months, "What didn't you like about the movie?"...read it and know.<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_UVcxmejNUxA/SEOPK_pO--I/AAAAAAAAAo4/S-a91VK5Wys/s1600-h/IMG_3999.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5207163013216271330" style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer;" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_UVcxmejNUxA/SEOPK_pO--I/AAAAAAAAAo4/S-a91VK5Wys/s200/IMG_3999.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_UVcxmejNUxA/SEONsCRHryI/AAAAAAAAAog/7-8FuOiGbD8/s1600-h/IMG_3981.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5207161381832863522" style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer;" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_UVcxmejNUxA/SEONsCRHryI/AAAAAAAAAog/7-8FuOiGbD8/s200/IMG_3981.JPG" border="0" /></a>Still, my party was great, and, as you can tell by now, the costumes were incredible. Hopefully I can allow the memory of the party to live on while the memory of the movie fades away until all I remember is a TRILOGY called Indiana Jones, AND NOTHING ELSE!<br /><br />And now a quiz for all you Indie fans out there:<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_UVcxmejNUxA/SEOM2LZG3EI/AAAAAAAAAoQ/_qAOKqHm_84/s1600-h/IMG_3974.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5207160456569347138" style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer;" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_UVcxmejNUxA/SEOM2LZG3EI/AAAAAAAAAoQ/_qAOKqHm_84/s200/IMG_3974.JPG" border="0" /></a>Match the costume with the picture!<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_UVcxmejNUxA/SEOQNqAhs_I/AAAAAAAAApI/8pG18JG0GXI/s1600-h/IMG_4001.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5207164158459622386" style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer;" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_UVcxmejNUxA/SEOQNqAhs_I/AAAAAAAAApI/8pG18JG0GXI/s200/IMG_4001.JPG" border="0" /></a><br />a)Marion Ravenwood<br />b) Colonel Vogel<br />c) Classic Indie (x2)<br />d) Adolf Hitler<br />e) Elsa Schneider<br />f) Willie Scott (Shanghai)<br />g) Jock the Seaplane Pilot<br />h) Kazim of the Brotherhood of the Cruciform Sword<br />i) Nightclub Indie (Shanghai)<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_UVcxmejNUxA/SD8lmA8aMSI/AAAAAAAAAmI/WgcEfPNW5-E/s1600-h/100_1376.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5205921029282214178" style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer;" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_UVcxmejNUxA/SD8lmA8aMSI/AAAAAAAAAmI/WgcEfPNW5-E/s200/100_1376.jpg" border="0" /></a>j) Indie's "Love You" Student (x2)<br />k) Short Round<br />l) Professor Indie<br />m) Willie Scott (India) (x2)<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_UVcxmejNUxA/SEOP1SwcPbI/AAAAAAAAApA/LTidj-upkcA/s1600-h/IMG_4003.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5207163739901279666" style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer;" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_UVcxmejNUxA/SEOP1SwcPbI/AAAAAAAAApA/LTidj-upkcA/s200/IMG_4003.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /></div>Tracyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10878861630868233689noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-26871280.post-21377385302436815702008-05-09T23:36:00.001-07:002008-06-11T23:48:29.379-07:00I Scream, You Scream...Today M. had her first ice cream cone.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_UVcxmejNUxA/SCXDWDKVfqI/AAAAAAAAAl8/1-fSHR69btM/s1600-h/IMG_3812.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_UVcxmejNUxA/SCXDWDKVfqI/AAAAAAAAAl8/1-fSHR69btM/s400/IMG_3812.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5198776128442302114" border="0" /></a>What you don't see here is how M. used her napkin to very carefully wipe up all her ice cream dribbles and clean her mouth between each and every bite.<br /><br />That's my kid!<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_UVcxmejNUxA/SCXDFDKVfpI/AAAAAAAAAl0/uqdrvVgxzk4/s1600-h/IMG_3822.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_UVcxmejNUxA/SCXDFDKVfpI/AAAAAAAAAl0/uqdrvVgxzk4/s400/IMG_3822.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5198775836384525970" border="0" /></a>Tracyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10878861630868233689noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-26871280.post-27313394746817053212008-05-08T21:37:00.000-07:002008-06-11T23:46:04.947-07:00...in which Tracy Becomes Certain that Dorkiness is Genetic..."Oh boy, it's game night! Daddy, do I need a d10 or a d20 to make this check?"<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_UVcxmejNUxA/SCPVdQw1NSI/AAAAAAAAAlU/lvG3JA1Yld8/s1600-h/DSCN0902.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_UVcxmejNUxA/SCPVdQw1NSI/AAAAAAAAAlU/lvG3JA1Yld8/s400/DSCN0902.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5198233093608387874" border="0" /></a><br />"You need to shake a die a LOT if you want a good roll!"<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_UVcxmejNUxA/SCPXnjKVfnI/AAAAAAAAAlk/6lGceKl0KJM/s1600-h/DSCN0906.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_UVcxmejNUxA/SCPXnjKVfnI/AAAAAAAAAlk/6lGceKl0KJM/s400/DSCN0906.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5198235469369146994" border="0" /></a><br /><br />"Oh my God! A natural 20!"<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_UVcxmejNUxA/SCPX5zKVfoI/AAAAAAAAAls/envbarvS07M/s1600-h/DSCN0908.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_UVcxmejNUxA/SCPX5zKVfoI/AAAAAAAAAls/envbarvS07M/s400/DSCN0908.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5198235782901759618" border="0" /></a><br />"I just can't believe how good I am at D&D!"<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_UVcxmejNUxA/SCPXWDKVfmI/AAAAAAAAAlc/xrm6KYPm3GA/s1600-h/DSCN0901.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_UVcxmejNUxA/SCPXWDKVfmI/AAAAAAAAAlc/xrm6KYPm3GA/s400/DSCN0901.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5198235168721436258" border="0" /></a>Tracyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10878861630868233689noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-26871280.post-6650886273979373852008-05-01T15:57:00.001-07:002008-06-11T23:41:15.260-07:00Joie de Vivre<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_UVcxmejNUxA/SBpK79Fgz-I/AAAAAAAAAlM/rCbewrt51JE/s1600-h/IMG_3779.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_UVcxmejNUxA/SBpK79Fgz-I/AAAAAAAAAlM/rCbewrt51JE/s400/IMG_3779.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5195547513995710434" border="0" /></a>Tracyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10878861630868233689noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-26871280.post-57573284154719326422008-04-30T09:52:00.001-07:002008-06-11T23:39:48.554-07:00...in which Tracy Begins Wondering if OCD is Genetic...<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_UVcxmejNUxA/SEOHJncJNeI/AAAAAAAAAnI/5DEAB1bXuOo/s1600-h/IMG_3775.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_UVcxmejNUxA/SEOHJncJNeI/AAAAAAAAAnI/5DEAB1bXuOo/s400/IMG_3775.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5207154193446024674" border="0" /></a>Tracyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10878861630868233689noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-26871280.post-50721095280135356172008-04-22T20:04:00.000-07:002008-06-11T23:38:06.225-07:00Earth Day BlossomsIn honor of Earth Day this year, I present the photos I took while walking to our local Earth Day celebration. It's days like this that remind me to get out of the car more often, even if it is just to see the flowers in my neighbors' yards.<br /><br />Have a very green day!<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_UVcxmejNUxA/SA-AMdFgz9I/AAAAAAAAAlE/ETiDHEin8NU/s1600-h/IMG_3697.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_UVcxmejNUxA/SA-AMdFgz9I/AAAAAAAAAlE/ETiDHEin8NU/s400/IMG_3697.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5192509846836006866" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_UVcxmejNUxA/SA9_o9Fgz8I/AAAAAAAAAk8/mByL6_UFjPM/s1600-h/IMG_3701.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_UVcxmejNUxA/SA9_o9Fgz8I/AAAAAAAAAk8/mByL6_UFjPM/s400/IMG_3701.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5192509236950650818" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_UVcxmejNUxA/SA9-8NFgz7I/AAAAAAAAAk0/5dbAUzaHWrc/s1600-h/IMG_3708.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_UVcxmejNUxA/SA9-8NFgz7I/AAAAAAAAAk0/5dbAUzaHWrc/s400/IMG_3708.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5192508468151504818" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_UVcxmejNUxA/SA9-jdFgz6I/AAAAAAAAAks/HIGKh6PSRc8/s1600-h/IMG_3712.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_UVcxmejNUxA/SA9-jdFgz6I/AAAAAAAAAks/HIGKh6PSRc8/s400/IMG_3712.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5192508042949742498" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_UVcxmejNUxA/SA9-GtFgz5I/AAAAAAAAAkk/WtCen0vTEho/s1600-h/IMG_3713.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_UVcxmejNUxA/SA9-GtFgz5I/AAAAAAAAAkk/WtCen0vTEho/s400/IMG_3713.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5192507549028503442" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_UVcxmejNUxA/SA99udFgz4I/AAAAAAAAAkc/skKG159ryqE/s1600-h/IMG_3714.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_UVcxmejNUxA/SA99udFgz4I/AAAAAAAAAkc/skKG159ryqE/s400/IMG_3714.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5192507132416675714" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_UVcxmejNUxA/SA99PtFgz3I/AAAAAAAAAkU/vHrg_LDPEXw/s1600-h/IMG_3716.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_UVcxmejNUxA/SA99PtFgz3I/AAAAAAAAAkU/vHrg_LDPEXw/s400/IMG_3716.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5192506604135698290" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_UVcxmejNUxA/SA97n9Fgz2I/AAAAAAAAAkM/sCUQd4u_7xo/s1600-h/IMG_3719.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_UVcxmejNUxA/SA97n9Fgz2I/AAAAAAAAAkM/sCUQd4u_7xo/s400/IMG_3719.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5192504821724270434" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_UVcxmejNUxA/SA969NFgz1I/AAAAAAAAAkE/F62Goyp0gFc/s1600-h/IMG_3725.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_UVcxmejNUxA/SA969NFgz1I/AAAAAAAAAkE/F62Goyp0gFc/s400/IMG_3725.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5192504087284862802" border="0" /></a>Tracyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10878861630868233689noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-26871280.post-60232633070009480662008-04-01T18:37:00.000-07:002008-06-11T23:34:04.873-07:00A Numbers GameM. may not love English words, but she loves counting. Thus it was that when Grandpa Gary visited us this week, he got to read <span style="font-style: italic;">8 Little Monkeys</span> 18 times. Because those dumb-ass monkeys never learn to stop bouncing on the freakin' bed!<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_UVcxmejNUxA/SEOMWdMLpoI/AAAAAAAAAoI/XJVy7AYUWPs/s1600-h/IMG_3695.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_UVcxmejNUxA/SEOMWdMLpoI/AAAAAAAAAoI/XJVy7AYUWPs/s400/IMG_3695.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5207159911591159426" border="0" /></a>Tracyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10878861630868233689noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-26871280.post-52920481372703225792008-03-31T18:29:00.001-07:002008-06-11T23:30:40.866-07:00Eastertime in the LBCEaster in Long Beach. There were eggs...<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_UVcxmejNUxA/SEOH_2iTp7I/AAAAAAAAAnQ/86jRyHwajY4/s1600-h/IMG_3620.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_UVcxmejNUxA/SEOH_2iTp7I/AAAAAAAAAnQ/86jRyHwajY4/s400/IMG_3620.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5207155125211342770" border="0" /></a><br />And adorable babies to hunt the eggs...<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_UVcxmejNUxA/SEOJCVgPRPI/AAAAAAAAAnY/6EuALlv9u2Y/s1600-h/IMG_3638.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_UVcxmejNUxA/SEOJCVgPRPI/AAAAAAAAAnY/6EuALlv9u2Y/s400/IMG_3638.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5207156267395532018" border="0" /></a><br />And Easter brunch at Parker's Lighthouse...<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_UVcxmejNUxA/SEOK-19PufI/AAAAAAAAAno/E_u-actw1ug/s1600-h/IMG_2305.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_UVcxmejNUxA/SEOK-19PufI/AAAAAAAAAno/E_u-actw1ug/s400/IMG_2305.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5207158406410910194" border="0" /></a><br />And merry-go-round rides in Shoreline Village.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_UVcxmejNUxA/SEOL9ydj1aI/AAAAAAAAAoA/6YbinsLMEo0/s1600-h/IMG_2326.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_UVcxmejNUxA/SEOL9ydj1aI/AAAAAAAAAoA/6YbinsLMEo0/s320/IMG_2326.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5207159487804462498" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_UVcxmejNUxA/SEOLk8Sq0BI/AAAAAAAAAn4/1gjdNjXHL9g/s1600-h/IMG_2332.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_UVcxmejNUxA/SEOLk8Sq0BI/AAAAAAAAAn4/1gjdNjXHL9g/s320/IMG_2332.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5207159060946407442" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_UVcxmejNUxA/SEOLSKNpqSI/AAAAAAAAAnw/eSCIXdD4uZ0/s1600-h/IMG_2324.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_UVcxmejNUxA/SEOLSKNpqSI/AAAAAAAAAnw/eSCIXdD4uZ0/s320/IMG_2324.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5207158738265942306" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />Thank you Easter Bunny!Tracyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10878861630868233689noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-26871280.post-39450330514562060792008-03-13T14:12:00.001-07:002008-06-11T23:24:47.477-07:00Matilda, Version 1.5Today M. turned one and a half. I'm not one of those parents who throws a party or gives presents for my child's half-birthday--I hope a friend would beat me senseless if I was--but in many ways this day seemed like more of a milestone than her one-year birthday. She is more a toddler now than a baby, more of a little person than a little beastie I have to care for. We celebrated by throwing away all of her pacifiers and getting shots at the doctor--woo-hoo! She has not yet decided to speak English, although she is very fluent and expressive in Matilda-ese. She read aloud to the pediatrician from Dr. Seuss while he examined her. I couldn't resist the great light in the doctor's office, so I took the opportunity to shoot some half-birthday portraits.<br /><br />Happy half-birthday, Matilda!<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_UVcxmejNUxA/R9mwBLZ8m7I/AAAAAAAAAj0/dyeXNSPj8T0/s1600-h/us5.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_UVcxmejNUxA/R9mwBLZ8m7I/AAAAAAAAAj0/dyeXNSPj8T0/s200/us5.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5177362780927073202" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_UVcxmejNUxA/R9mv77Z8m6I/AAAAAAAAAjs/d2rVqoiidHU/s1600-h/us4.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_UVcxmejNUxA/R9mv77Z8m6I/AAAAAAAAAjs/d2rVqoiidHU/s200/us4.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5177362690732759970" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_UVcxmejNUxA/R9mv2LZ8m5I/AAAAAAAAAjk/hzq3WwE7WVk/s1600-h/us3.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_UVcxmejNUxA/R9mv2LZ8m5I/AAAAAAAAAjk/hzq3WwE7WVk/s200/us3.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5177362591948512146" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_UVcxmejNUxA/R9mvv7Z8m4I/AAAAAAAAAjc/fZA3tmKCkIk/s1600-h/us2.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_UVcxmejNUxA/R9mvv7Z8m4I/AAAAAAAAAjc/fZA3tmKCkIk/s200/us2.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5177362484574329730" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_UVcxmejNUxA/R9mvfLZ8m3I/AAAAAAAAAjU/OsDSksHdsxw/s1600-h/us1.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_UVcxmejNUxA/R9mvfLZ8m3I/AAAAAAAAAjU/OsDSksHdsxw/s200/us1.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5177362196811520882" border="0" /></a>Tracyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10878861630868233689noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-26871280.post-69082489593597507722008-03-12T10:48:00.001-07:002008-06-13T09:16:46.189-07:00Bestiality and the Toy IndustryA while back, my friend Tammy sent me a photo she saw in the paper of a new toy from the New York Toy Fair. She thought it would make me laugh...<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_UVcxmejNUxA/R9gXdbZ8mzI/AAAAAAAAAi0/8YjX95xTRL4/s1600-h/horsefromhell.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_UVcxmejNUxA/R9gXdbZ8mzI/AAAAAAAAAi0/8YjX95xTRL4/s400/horsefromhell.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5176913566002617138" border="0" /></a>And I did laugh...after I got up off the floor from the apoplectic fit that the sight of this monstrosity threw me into.<br /><br />I laughed because all I could think was, "It's a Whorse."<br /><br />I guess they've gone through every permutation of Bratz and now they have to start sexualizing animals since all the little girl dolls are good and slutted up.<br /><br />Lord help us.Tracyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10878861630868233689noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-26871280.post-5428922516222379802008-03-11T18:06:00.000-07:002008-03-11T18:09:40.999-07:00A Very Belated Birth StoryHere is a prize for all of you loyal readers. I have, only 18 months late, completed Matilda's birth story. You can read it <a href="http://sangsterrific.blogspot.com/2007/09/year-ago-today.html">here</a>. I started the post on her first birthday and only completed it today. So, if you are so inclined, you can read it. I know a lot of you have heard this story before, but it's a good one and worth reading. I will warn you, though, that it is very, very long and not for the queasy.Tracyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10878861630868233689noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-26871280.post-20465492720589556202008-03-11T09:43:00.000-07:002008-03-11T10:06:29.915-07:00The Long, Dark Winter of My Blog is OverSo here's the thing. I HATE this time of year. From New Year's Day to Easter just, well, sucks. The weather is horrible. TV is horrible. No decent movies are playing. Valentine's Day happens. There is NOTHING to do but sit in the house and pray for Spring. During these horrible few months, my creativity is sapped. I don't want to scrapbook, I don't want to write, and I certainly don't want to blog. But my fans, all seven of you, demand that I come back to the keyboard. OK fine. After Daylight Savings Time, my spirits are a lifting a bit, and I feel my need to create slowly coming back. Plus, we've had a long spurt of Global-Warming-Is-Really-Happening weather. So I'm gonna get warmed up by posting some pictures of the world's cutest baby, and then I'll go think about what I'm going to post tomorrow.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_UVcxmejNUxA/R9a5vrZ8mwI/AAAAAAAAAic/ntdU65Brl5A/s1600-h/IMG_3451.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_UVcxmejNUxA/R9a5vrZ8mwI/AAAAAAAAAic/ntdU65Brl5A/s400/IMG_3451.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5176529050465508098" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-style: italic;">I LOVE the swings! Love 'em, love 'em, LOVE 'EM!</span></span><br /></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_UVcxmejNUxA/R9a6ILZ8mxI/AAAAAAAAAik/M1FocDqgSOM/s1600-h/IMG_3460.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_UVcxmejNUxA/R9a6ILZ8mxI/AAAAAAAAAik/M1FocDqgSOM/s400/IMG_3460.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5176529471372303122" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-style: italic;">I LOVE my brother! Love 'im, love 'im, love 'im!</span></span><br /></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_UVcxmejNUxA/R9a6frZ8myI/AAAAAAAAAis/MUNL2awsVFY/s1600-h/IMG_3485.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_UVcxmejNUxA/R9a6frZ8myI/AAAAAAAAAis/MUNL2awsVFY/s400/IMG_3485.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5176529875099228962" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-style: italic;">I LOVE my sunglasses! Love 'em, love 'em, love 'em!</span></span><br /><span style="font-size:78%;"><br /></span><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size:78%;"><span style="font-style: italic;">This post is dedicated to those people who ride my ass about not updating my blog: Lorna, Mom, Micaela, Doug, Meredith, Kat, and Tammy.</span></span><br /></div></div>Tracyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10878861630868233689noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-26871280.post-35036083385014230452008-01-11T21:30:00.000-08:002008-01-11T21:42:19.715-08:00Our Tiny Little FoodieWhen in a Vietnamese restaurant, do as the Vietnamese...<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_UVcxmejNUxA/R4hRm7Ftz2I/AAAAAAAAAiM/e3g4zvU1lbY/s1600-h/IMG_3337.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_UVcxmejNUxA/R4hRm7Ftz2I/AAAAAAAAAiM/e3g4zvU1lbY/s400/IMG_3337.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5154459502664077154" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-style: italic;">What are these sticks doing in my mouth?</span></span><br /></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_UVcxmejNUxA/R4hSLLFtz3I/AAAAAAAAAiU/HxpiU5XcxG4/s1600-h/IMG_3338.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_UVcxmejNUxA/R4hSLLFtz3I/AAAAAAAAAiU/HxpiU5XcxG4/s400/IMG_3338.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5154460125434335090" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-style: italic;">Okay, Daddy, I got this!</span></span><br /></div><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">Note: The goldfish are just an appetizer...she proceeded to chow down on some potstickers.</span>Tracyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10878861630868233689noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-26871280.post-76276903639483249092008-01-10T22:41:00.000-08:002008-01-11T13:37:11.630-08:00Meme Time<a href="http://allthatcomeswithit.com/archives/697">Dan</a> tagged me with this meme a few days ago, and since I forgot to include him in my <a href="http://sangsterrific.blogspot.com/2008/01/5-things-that-sated-my-anglophilia-this.html">anglophilia list</a>, the least I can do is reply.<br /><br /><br /><span style="font-size:180%;">Seven sets of eight things</span><br /><br /><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">8 things I am passionate about</span></span><br />Protecting the environment<br />Games<br />Rhetoric and critical thinking<br />Writing<br />Most things British<br />Food<br />Protecting our civil liberties by exercising our civic duties<br />My family<br /><br /><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">8 things I want to do before I die</span></span><br />Get a real job<br />Travel around the globe<br />Go to stunt driving school<br />Catch up on my scrapbooks<br />Eat at French Laundry<br />Pay off my student loans<br />Get fit<br />Rule the world<br /><br /><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">8 things I say often</span></span><br />“Please” and “Thank you”<br />“Stop that!”<br />“No!”<br />“Wha-wha-WHAT?!”<br />“For the love of all that is holy…”<br />“Whose turn is it?”<br />“PHONE!”<br />“I <span style="font-style: italic;">said</span> ‘excuse me!’”<br /><br /><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">8 books I have read recently</span></span><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">World Without End</span> – Ken Follett<br /><span style="font-style: italic;">Happier</span> – Tal Ben-Shahar<br /><span style="font-style: italic;">The Kite Runner</span> – Khaled Hosseini<br /><span style="font-style: italic;">Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows</span> – J.K. Rowling<br /><span style="font-style: italic;">Reviving Ophelia</span> – Mary Pipher<br /><span style="font-style: italic;">Getting Stoned with Savages</span> – J. Maarten Troost<br /><span style="font-style: italic;">Mayflower</span> – Nathaniel Philbrick<br /><span style="font-style: italic;">The Assault on Reason</span> – Al Gore<br /><br /><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">8 songs I could listen to over and over again</span></span><br />“One” – U2<br />“Muhammad My Friend” – Tori Amos<br />“Lord Raise Me Up” – Matisyahu<br />“Shining Star” – Earth Wind & Fire<br />“Miracles” – Jefferson Starship<br />“Sabatoge” – The Beastie Boys<br />“Three Little Birds” – Bob Marley<br />“Gold Dust Woman” – Fleetwood Mac<br /><br /><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">8 things that attract me to my best friends</span></span><br />Sense of humor<br />Kindness<br />Intelligence<br />Spontaneity<br />Loyalty<br />Generosity of spirit<br />Talkative<br />Willingness to be silly<br /><br /><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">8 people who should totally do this meme</span></span><br />The eight (OKAY, nine) people in my sidebar.Tracyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10878861630868233689noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-26871280.post-84289842770964029702008-01-08T11:35:00.000-08:002008-01-08T20:49:46.615-08:005 Things That Sated My Anglophilia This Week<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_UVcxmejNUxA/R4RRLrFtz0I/AAAAAAAAAh8/AJyAw43vNv8/s1600-h/henry8_14275_lg.gif"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_UVcxmejNUxA/R4RRLrFtz0I/AAAAAAAAAh8/AJyAw43vNv8/s200/henry8_14275_lg.gif" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5153333134605799234" border="0" /></a>1) <a style="font-style: italic;" href="http://www.sho.com/site/tudors/home.do">The Tudors</a>: If Showtime and HBO aired only original shows, I would happily cough up the money for premium cable. I am, however, unwilling to pay good money to sit through the crappy selections of movies just to watch the 3 or 4 shows I want to see that will come out on DVD eventually anyways. One of those shows is <span style="font-style: italic;">The Tudors</span>, which has been ripening on my Netflix list for months. I just got the first disc this week and am promptly hooked, despite the fact that Jonathan Rhys Meyers looks nothing like King Henry VIII.<br /><br />2) New episodes of <a style="font-style: italic;" href="http://www.bbc.co.uk/cbeebies/charlieandlola/">Charlie and Lola</a>: I play these while Matilda's in the room, even though she pretty much ignores each episode after the opening song plays. Still, I play them for HER.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_UVcxmejNUxA/R4RR27Ftz1I/AAAAAAAAAiE/7cYE_zxwK_c/s1600-h/bveyre.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_UVcxmejNUxA/R4RR27Ftz1I/AAAAAAAAAiE/7cYE_zxwK_c/s200/bveyre.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5153333877635141458" border="0" /></a>3) <a style="font-style: italic;" href="http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/masterpiece/janeeyre/index.html">Jane Eyre</a>: Absolutely the greatest adaptation I have ever seen! Thank you, <span style="font-style: italic;">Masterpiece Theatre</span>, for this intensely satisfying 3.5 hours of period drama. My toes curled.<br /><br />4) The <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bayeux_Tapestry">Bayeux Tapestry</a> couch gag on <a style="font-style: italic;" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/E_Pluribus_Wiggum">The Simpsons</a>: I cannot find a clip or even a picture of this week's brilliant couch gag, wherein the Battle of Hastings is replaced by a medieval battle between the Simpsons and the Flanders over the Simpsons' couch. Hopefully you saw or recorded it.<br /><br />5) <a style="font-style: italic;" href="http://www.amazon.com/Other-Boleyn-Girl-Philippa-Gregory/dp/0743227441/ref=pd_bbs_2?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1199853480&sr=8-2">The Other Boleyn Girl</a>: The book currently occupying my nightstand. I though I'd better read it before the movie comes out. I am, though, getting a little confused by reading this at the same time I'm watching <span style="font-style: italic;">The Tudors</span>. Still, there's no such thing as too much of a good thing.Tracyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10878861630868233689noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-26871280.post-57674149751269492292008-01-07T14:28:00.001-08:002008-01-07T14:33:57.273-08:00The Great Reading List of '08So I've been meaning to add a "Books I'm reading/read" widget for a while now, and what better time than the New Year to start tracking my reading habits? Nobody has ever questioned that I read <span style="font-style: italic;">a lot</span> (hello--Literature major?), but this year I will discover <span style="font-style: italic;">exactly</span> how many books I read. I'm even going to try to review the books I read, but we'll see how that goes...no promises. So far I haven't completed any books, so the two you see in my sidebar are both "in progress." Check it out!Tracyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10878861630868233689noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-26871280.post-32401608938239463772008-01-06T11:28:00.000-08:002008-01-06T22:07:56.613-08:00Who's Your Candidate?<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_UVcxmejNUxA/R4EwarFtzzI/AAAAAAAAAh0/eq2nxDZ9Mp8/s1600-h/SenatorJBiden1.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_UVcxmejNUxA/R4EwarFtzzI/AAAAAAAAAh0/eq2nxDZ9Mp8/s320/SenatorJBiden1.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5152452683489988402" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_UVcxmejNUxA/R4EwVLFtzyI/AAAAAAAAAhs/YMp72B31bZ8/s1600-h/kucinich.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_UVcxmejNUxA/R4EwVLFtzyI/AAAAAAAAAhs/YMp72B31bZ8/s320/kucinich.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5152452589000707874" border="0" /></a>Well, my boy Joe Biden has dropped out of the presidential race--I'm not at all surprised, but still disappointed. However, according to <a href="http://glassbooth.org/">this quiz</a>, I shouldn't have been supporting him in the first place--I should have been supporting Dennis Kucinich, with whom I agree on 94% of the issues important to me. Hmph. Who knew? Because, you know, HE has such a great chance at making it to the nomination! Second place is bat-shit crazy Mike Gravel, followed by Edwards, then Richardson, then Clinton, then Obama. Funny how my issues preferences seem to be inverse to how each candidate is doing. If I were a Republican, my best match would be Ron Paul (blech!) followed by John McCain.<br /><br />As much as I dislike one's civic duties being narrowed down to a five-minute quiz, I must admit, it's pretty cool and you should check it out. At least it's better than choosing/not choosing somebody because you just have a "good/bad feeling" about him/her.<br /><br />Let me know your results!Tracyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10878861630868233689noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-26871280.post-23995116903321558072008-01-05T11:45:00.000-08:002008-01-05T11:49:08.855-08:00Baby, It's Cold Outside<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_UVcxmejNUxA/R3_fD7FtzxI/AAAAAAAAAhk/W5wD_TT6HvM/s1600-h/IMG_3304.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_UVcxmejNUxA/R3_fD7FtzxI/AAAAAAAAAhk/W5wD_TT6HvM/s400/IMG_3304.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5152081757229403922" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_UVcxmejNUxA/R3_ewLFtzwI/AAAAAAAAAhc/ig5YGmsOVyo/s1600-h/IMG_3316.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_UVcxmejNUxA/R3_ewLFtzwI/AAAAAAAAAhc/ig5YGmsOVyo/s400/IMG_3316.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5152081417926987522" border="0" /></a>Tracyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10878861630868233689noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-26871280.post-85056112563579480192008-01-01T11:23:00.001-08:002008-01-01T11:45:49.898-08:00Welcoming 2008<div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_UVcxmejNUxA/R3qTdLFtztI/AAAAAAAAAhE/F1LFnRFlU3s/s1600-h/IMG_3292.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_UVcxmejNUxA/R3qTdLFtztI/AAAAAAAAAhE/F1LFnRFlU3s/s400/IMG_3292.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5150591253253836498" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-style: italic;">It ain't Vegas, but it's home.</span></span><br /></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_UVcxmejNUxA/R3qVCrFtzuI/AAAAAAAAAhM/lTGDqkUH9ls/s1600-h/IMG_3285.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_UVcxmejNUxA/R3qVCrFtzuI/AAAAAAAAAhM/lTGDqkUH9ls/s400/IMG_3285.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5150592997010558690" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-style: italic;">I love him just as much this year as last year.</span></span><br /></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_UVcxmejNUxA/R3qXdLFtzvI/AAAAAAAAAhU/McvEhvrS0a8/s1600-h/IMG_3254.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_UVcxmejNUxA/R3qXdLFtzvI/AAAAAAAAAhU/McvEhvrS0a8/s400/IMG_3254.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5150595651300347634" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-style: italic;">And a happy new year!</span></span><br /></div>Tracyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10878861630868233689noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-26871280.post-55878302325830966232007-12-30T02:23:00.000-08:002007-12-30T02:30:08.044-08:00Because I Have Nothing Better to DoI have started reviewing on <a href="http://www.yelp.com/reno-nv">Yelp</a>. Y'know, I was just sitting here in the middle of the night, and I was all like, <span style="font-style: italic;">you know what I need to do? Avoid my blog and start writing reviews for strangers on the internet</span>. But I've been having fun, so, whatever. Then I found out that I can get blog bling, so it's kind of like killing two birds with one stone. Check out my sidebar for links to my very important opinions on all things Reno. I've written six reviews so far. I've been going through all the places I've been in the past month. We eat out a lot in December. And January. And now that the internet is depending on my reviews, maybe we'll even eat out a lot in February.Tracyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10878861630868233689noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-26871280.post-27191648069977306212007-12-24T14:20:00.000-08:002007-12-24T14:47:03.336-08:00A Christmas Gift for You!As a Christmas gift for my readers (all 12 of them a day), I thought I would share the recipe for our favorite Christmas drink, Cola de Mono (Tail of the Monkey). It's not a secret recipe or anything--I got it out of the <span style="font-style: italic;">Sundays at Moosewood</span> cookbook (the only vegetarian cookbook allowed in our house) several years ago--but I <span style="font-style: italic;">have</span> included my tips for success, so MERRY CHRISTMAS!<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">What you will need:</span><br />12 cups of milk (whole or 2% work best)<br />2 cups of white sugar<br />5 cinnamon sticks<br />1/2 cup of instant coffee<br />2 teaspoons of vanilla extract<br />4 cups tequila<br /><br />A one gallon glass jug (buy a gallon of apple cider, drink the juice, and voila! you have a glass jug!<br />A large stockpot<br />A funnel<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">What to Do:</span><br />In stockpot, bring milk, sugar, and cinnamon sticks to a boil. (<span style="font-weight: bold;">Warning:</span> AS SOON AS the milk starts to boil, it will <span style="font-style: italic;">rapidly</span> foam over. This is why you need to use a large pot and keep a close eye on your milk...trust me, I have had to scrub milk off the stovetop more than once.)<br /><br />Remove milk from heat and stir in instant coffee. Let sit for an hour to cool down.<br /><br />Once cooled, remove cinnamon sticks and pour milk into gallon jug using funnel to avoid a really horrific mess (again, experience is the best teacher). Put in refrigerator to chill.<br /><br />Once chilled, add tequila and vanilla.<br /><br />Serve cold. "Tail" will keep in the refrigerator for up to 2 weeks, although it rarely lasts that long.<br /><br /><br />Despite the odd-sounding combination of ingredients, this drink is GOOD STUFF! However, because it is so tasty and so sweet, people have a tendency to suck it down. Beware, for the Tail of the Monkey will knock you right on your ass if you do not exercise restraint!<br /><br />Enjoy, and Merry Christmas!Tracyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10878861630868233689noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-26871280.post-81419522678920001352007-12-23T10:52:00.000-08:002007-12-24T11:55:47.683-08:00A Christmas Carol<object height="355" width="425">Thanks to my friend Jason for e-mailing me this very cool performance.<br /><br /><br /><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/2Fe11OlMiz8&rel=1"><param name="wmode" value="transparent"><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/2Fe11OlMiz8&rel=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" wmode="transparent" height="355" width="425"></embed></object>Tracyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10878861630868233689noreply@blogger.com0