Zombies and other ramblings

I think its kind of funny how accepting people are of a zombie apocalypse. No seriously. There are way more people then you would think that would actually enjoy a zombie apocalypse. The money made on the zombie genera alone should convince you. There are movies, books, video games, conventions, walks for goodness sakes. TV shows, toys, you name it and it has been zobified (is this a word?). Pretty cool. Personally I would love me a zombie apocalypse. Well maybe I would. I always thought it would be cool, but then thinking about it...late at night...I start to think rational like. I don't own a gun. Not one. I have a pretty nasty kitchen knife...and husband has this stick thing he used in karate class...but other then that...we don't have weapon one. And physical endurance. We live a cushy life, with food, climate control, running water...neither one of us has seen the inside of a gym in oh....ever...out run a zombie hoard...not likely. Now I can drive like its my job, but fighting a full grown zombie, with my bare hands...I lose that battle. Then its me that is either the main course, or the next zombie. This makes me think that I wouldn't like a zombie apocalypse after all...maybe a nice plaque would be better...or you know...an Ice Age, haven't had one of those in awhile. Maybe we should leave the zombies to the screenwriters.

Facebook has ruined my life. Really. It has. Every time they come up with something, and I get use to it, I expect every other website to do the same thing. Click on an image, escape to get out of it..no I have to go hit the stupid x in the corner.
Someone at work says something funny...I thumbs up! Like its 1980!
And its making me anti-social yeah. Because I figure, I have all the information I need from my friends by their status...no need to make contact now is there. Friend having a birthday - great thanks Facebook, I don't have to remember it, you did for me, so instead of sending a card or..God forbid...calling them I will just write on their wall, so they can "like" it and we will all have a happy day.

Lady Gaga - I spent way too much time hating on her. Really I did. Lady Gaga if some reason you stumble upon my blog, let me apologize for ever criticizing your work. Art really.

You see, I was shallow. Yes. I wanted to think you were just the next 'thing right now' and really, your not. You are not to be compared to anyone because you are unique. You have inspired a movement. You have told people its okay to be who they are. You have encouraged kids to be honest, and you have given a voice to bulling. For this I bow to you. It takes an extraordinary person to stand up and stand apart from the 'norm'. Although, while I understand the message, the meat dress.?? Not so sure on that one.

Occupy Wall Street - THANK YOU!!! Honestly THANK YOU!! I would do no justice adding to this, so I just say THANK YOU.

 

Can we just agree to end child abuse? I am so sick (seriously sick) of seeing children being abused. It happens way more then it should and its disgusting. Right now, this very second a kid could be getting abused. It needs to end. If you see something, say something. (that is a slogan for something...not sure what though). But honestly, if you see a kid that looks like its being hurt, tell someone...don't just assume someone else will. And by all that is right, before raising a hand, take a walk. I would love to read the news someday and not see a child abuse case. I seem to see them more and more each day. 

*Note the "see something say something" is from the Department of Homeland Security about raising awareness for terrorism. - Fitting cause I think people who hurt children should be considered terrorist.

I think of things that I want to blog while driving...a good time to think, but not to blog. Unfortunately, by the time I sit down at my computer I have forgotten my wonderful thoughts. Yes I could use a voice recorder, except that I hate my voice, so I would just spend the whole time listening to my ideas, cringing...I could write them down, but then I would probably just get into a crash or something...so I forget them. Maybe someday they will come back to me. For now, I have no way to end this post, its late (not really but with the time change is feels late), and my brain is mush...

On a random side note though, why do people always think zombie's go for brains? First of all in any zombie movie I have seen they usually go for the stomach...second, its pretty hard to get to the brain. Honestly. Much easier to go for an arm or a leg. So when portraying zombies, they shouldn't say "brains" they should something like 'food'. I admit its not that catchy, but defiantly more logical and believable..

I found two gems for pictures when searching "zombie brains" and had to share them both with you. Enjoy.

Be Proactive

I pick up Cody from school the other day and the following conversation takes place:

Me: "How was your day?"
Cody "Not good." he says very mournfully. I am thinking, darn the class fish died.
Me "Oh what happen?"
Cody "Because...everyone wasn't being proactive."
Me "Proactive? Everyone wasn't being proactive?"
Cody "Yep they weren't they were being bad."

I was floored. I knew he in a proactive school, they have the seven habits and the first one is to be proactive. They have a cheer. Be Proactive Be Be proactive. So I know he knows the word and probably does practice it. Still to hear your five year old tell you that people in his class weren't being proactive and this meant he had a bad day. Well it was rather funny.
This philosophy is actually based on a book The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People - by Stephen R. Covey which I didn't know. The seven habits are (in case you are curious):
1. Habit one: Be Proactive. (ah ha.)
2  Habit two: Begin with the end in mind
3. Habit three: Put first things first
4. Think win-win
5. Seek first to understand, then to be understood.
6. Synergize
7. Sharpen the saw.

There are definitions, whole chapters devoted to these, and I am sure Cody is learning about all of them. But most important folks ...be proactive. Its amazing what kids are learning these days.

I feel that my son marches to a beat of this own drum. Don't we all. I had a meeting with his teacher this week. The reason for the meeting was because he was having trouble interacting with kids in class. After the meeting with his teacher and the school psychologist it was decided that in addition to his speech and occupational therapy he should now also attend a social interaction group. To work on his social skills.

I feel a few ways about this. First of all, I am glad that he is in a school system that is on top of things. That really pays attention to its students. I feel very lucky that my son is getting this kind of attention. Especially knowing that there are so many children who get pushed through and don't get the help they need to succeed. I really wish every child had this much attention.

Second though, I wonder is all this really necessary? I get the speech and occupational therapy I do. But social awkwardness? He inherited that from his parents. No joke. Personally, I think he does just fine. But I only see him with other kids at the park. I don't see him all day, for five days with the same group of kids, so what do I know, I am just the mom. I agreed to having a social interaction group, I mean hey what can it hurt. Apparently he even has a friend that goes to this group. I want him to be healthy, happy and to succeed in life and I want him to have the tools to do that. If this is what needs to be done then great. However, they did all this testing last December. Cody had just turned four. Just entered Pre-K (after being on a hiatus for two years from any kind of formal day care). So I am not sure how accurate these test were. I know, I know it sounds like a bias mom, making up excuses for her son. Honestly though, anyone who knows Cody would agree. I want them to re-test. I want them to re-test by December, and I guarantee those scores would be much better. This is where I get annoyed. Again, I am find with all these extra special classes...but I hate the PDD-NOS label. (which they are still branding him with). Its fine if he has it...but to use that test from a year ago...i don't know...doesn't seem like they are getting all the information. And fine. If my son has PDD-NOS and I have to make certain allowances in daily life to accommodate it, fine I will. Why? Because to me its not my son who has PDD-NOS or social awkwardness or speech issues or occupational problems...its CODY. My squash. Who I love more then anything. He is unique. I celebrate his uniqueness, I embrace it and I will work with it. Not try to conform him into what is suppose to be 'normal'. I know that isn't what the school is trying to do...I guess I am just tired of the labels. Tired of them trying to fit kids into these little boxes. Sometimes, you don't have a square kid. Sometimes you have a triangle. And really, triangles are more fun.

Pom Pom Jars

I'm not above bribing my five year old with pom poms. In fact, I think its the smartest thing we have done. We use them to enforce good behavior and punish bad. We have offenses that warrant pom poms being taken away, and usually there are warnings (with time outs) before it gets to that point.
For the most part, its just pom poms in. He is usually guaranteed three, and even so it takes about month to fill his jar.
When he fills it he gets to pick out a toy. We debated...money, toy, in the end he still doesn't seem to get the concept of money to buy things so we went with just getting him a toy. Within reason. We keep it under $25.00.

This month, he wanted a Violin. So for the second time, first time in his memory, we are off to Toys R Us.
Most people would scream, cry, get a root canal before taking a five year old to a toy store. But, my kid is actually pretty good in stores. I mean, yes he can be a pain, but not the all out freak show you see with some kids. For which I am thankful. Still...I was a tad apprehensive when I told him we were going to a Toy Store.
"It just sells toys?" He said with wide eyes
"Yep just a toy store and your going to be good right?"
"You mean it just sells toys? No toilet paper? Or food? Or anything?"
"Yep just toys."
"That. Is. The most amazing thing." Big huge bug eyes with sparkles in them. Well worth any anxiety I had about bring him.

We pull into the parking lot and he is all but bouncing in anticipation. We walking in and you can almost hear hallelujah from his smile.

Again, well worth any trouble this might cause. Because of his reaction I willing to spend a tad more on his toy. He doesn't know where to look first so we end up casing the place three or four times. He spends  good amount of time by the trains, then by the musical instruments (sadly no Violin's). We keep circling back to the cars, so I am thinking he is going to go with a new car. When we find the coolest toy (at least I thought for a kid who likes Cars and likes Remote Control ones to boot). A Mater RC car! I know coolest thing ever.

Price check showed just over 27. Perfect. "So you want to get this?" "hmm...maybe...lets see what else there is." Okay. We go around a few more times. Back to the cars...
But now...see now he has spotted something so cool, so amazing that it puts all other toys to shame. He is so excited...he is almost beyond words.
"Mommy...can I get this?"
"Really Cody? And entire toy store and this is what you find and want."
"Its the best thing ever and I have never had one."
"But...but its not a toy...you can't play with it."
"I know but I want it."
"Well what about Mater?"
"He's okay but I want this." Nothing I said could convince him otherwise. He wanted it. It was what he wanted to trade his pom poms for. A price check showed a whopping 10 bucks. I was getting out of this cheep. The whole way to the register I ask him if he is sure. He never wavers, through the rest of the store (because of course the cars are in the back of the store). He was determined. We paid, left the store, and it has hardly been out of his hands since.

Its always amazing to me what will please a child the most. For his birthday, balloons were the big hit over everything. For Christmas last year I think it was the trampoline.

What ever it is that makes them happy is worth it though. Whether its a toy or time. And of course usually, time makes up for every single toy in the world. Because, maybe its just me, but the time we spent looking together, driving to the store, and just hanging out, was more fun and more rewarding then the toy. Course, that might just be me...he might have just been happy to get the most amazing thing ever. Still...a mom can dream.

Oh what was it that was cooler then all the toys Toys R us has to offer? Why a buzz lightyear umbrella of course!

Road Ranting

I can't do this while driving but boy do I have some rants about people and how just down right STUPID they are.

First set - the slows...seriously. You have to do TEN miles UNDER the speed limit and break every two seconds? Really? Why? For what?
If I am lost, and trying to find a street, or a house number I PULL THE HELL OVER AND LET PEOPLE PASS ME!!! Its COMMON courtesy  to other drivers. Something that is LACKING in this country! I HATE when people can't do the recommended speed limit. I am not talking over, or in bad conditions, I am talking about normal every day driving. If its says 45 damn it, do it.

Second - traffic lights. OMG! When did this become a need for a doctorate? Light is green...go! Light is red STOP. My FOUR year old knows this!? Why can't people who apparently passed a driving test follow it? I HATE when people run red lights, it drives me batty. Honestly! I hate when they try to sneak in on yellow light, knowing full well they are going to cause a gridlock! And Go for the love of God get off your phone and MOVE when the light changes! Instead of sitting there sipping your latte and reading the paper! You'll hear a lot less honking if you move when the light changes green.

This brings me to three though - pedestrians - yea you. Crossing against the light...STOP DOING IT! I saw it today, a family (three strollers a crap load of adults) light is green and they are crossing against it! Everyone with the green light had to wait for them to cross. And you do you think they hurried? Nope...took their sweet lazy ass time about it. SO RUDE! OBEY THE LAWS!





Fourth - The fluctuating speed. 45 30 50 25...PICK A SPEED AND STICK TO IT!

Fifth - The passing lane being used as a travel lane. OMG if you are going 45 on a 55 STAY OFF THE PASSING LANE! ITS FOR PEOPLE TO PASS YOUR SLOW ASS

Sixth - Don't use the breakdown lane as a passing lane...or for example at one of our lights. There are two lanes going left, one lane going straight, and one lane going right. This gem of a smarty decided to pass all of us who were waiting to go straight, and then cut out in front of us but nosing in. Really? Its people like this where I literally want to get out of my car and go at their taillights with a baseball bat. Seriously.

There would be a lot less traffic, and a lot less fender benders, and quite a few more peaceful people, if people would just follow the goddamn rules! We all (I hope) took a drivers ed course. We all (?) passed said driving course...why is this so hard? I just don't understand. I hate when two lanes merge into one causing a bottleneck. I'm with you. BUT if you know this is going to happen, be in the lane the stays. End. Of. Story. If you have to merge, wait your turn, if you are nice someone is bound to let you in. Don't be a dick.

Get. Off. Your. Phone. Whether you are texting/talking/emailing/twitting/whatever get. off. it. Its dangerous and stupid. For that matter stop trying apply your damn makeup or read the paper. Not smart. Stop doing it.

Read and obey the road signs. Its not like someone just stuck a deer crossing sign up to see if people would use caution. Oops I hit a deer should have paid attention to that sign back there. Sure the heck isn't for the deer!

Its frustrating to me to watch all this go on. For a few reasons. A) I have a child in my car. So I see any dumb driver as a potential threat tot my child's safety. B) I hate dumb people C) I like to get where I am going while I am still young and D) There are a lot of really expensive cars in my neighborhood, and quite frankly I don't want to be near any of them when one gets hit. Don't care if it was my car that did it or not. I just don't want to be around for that. So I get really angry when I see all this going on. I literally can sit a stop light through two or three rotations and just watch people do the dumbest shit. Its a wonder our traffic accidents aren't more in number. Seriously. Makes me believe in guardian angels, but even they can only do so much.

There are more things that just really get to me but its late, and I am tired and of course...not driving so alas...I am done for now. Seriously though when driving, think to yourself... Am I the driver that I want everyone else to be?

Land of the Free...ish

I went on a little bit of a rant with my good sister today...I feel like there is a little more purging to be done though.
The conversation started: Sister was watching one of those court shows, Judge Alan or something...a guy was suing his son and he was quoted telling his son, "I gave you a chance to change your lifestyle before I stopped speaking to you." His son is gay. Here is my rant.

We live in America, well I do. Its the land of the free, home of the brave and all that jazz. Men and woman have died to give us our freedom as we so patriotically shout out every Memorial Day and Fourth of July. They continue to fight for our freedoms. America's short history is written with the blood of these men and woman. So as a so called free country...why should it matter if some is gay or not? Hmm? Or if you are white/black? Catholic or Jewish? Hmm...Where is this written that its a free country...oh unless you are Hindu...not for you guys sorry. Its bull shit. Plain and simple. You can't have your free country and exclude people from it. Its just wrong. If you are an American citizen then in this country you should have freedoms. Freedom to marry whom we choose. Freedom to worship or not worship any deity of our choosing, free to be any color, free to be of any income status, or educational background. Free to be treated like free men and woman. The people of America deserve to live in the land that was fought for us to live in. Not in a country where freedom is for the select few. Where freedom is only a figure of speech.

I understand, everybody has an opinion. Your religion might tell you, homosexuality is bad. Who cares. Just because you accept it, doesn't mean you have to do it. I also understand that a lot of people won't agree with me. They think that by Joe and John getting married its going to ruin the whole country and our 'morals'. You know what I say? Look at the country.

Our debt...17 trillion and counting. Trillion. Think about that. Health care, is I am sorry, still a joke in this country. Unemployment is up 9.2 the highest its been for the longest since the 40's. Moral is down, crime is up. Housing market stinks...and they just announced that Boarders is closing. Sorry, but Joe and John getting married or Sally and Susan adopting a baby is the LEAST of our problems.

I love my country, don't get me wrong. With all its problems I love it. Why? Because I am free to write this blog. Because I am free to have as many babies as I want. Because I can work. Because I can dress the way that suits me. We just need to work on the rest of our so called freedoms. Legalize gay marriage.

For the love of everything everyone needs to calm down, and live and let live. Really. Just live. Be compassionate to those around you. Help who can help. Follow mama's advice, if you can't say something nice don't say anything at all. Raise your children to be tolerant of all people. Raise children to be respectful and helpful. Remember that what we do, the consequences get left to our children, and their children. Your footsteps leave an everlasting mark, tread carefully as you walk through life, tread peacefully.

Easy answer - Don't Have Kids

I'll admit, I love reading the headlines and stories on Yahoo. Sometimes you find gems, a blogger who you start following cause they know how to deal with picky eaters. Or important information like who's who in Hollywood and what movies they are currently in.

Today I stumbled upon a very good one. A book coming out, entitled. Torn: The true stories of kids, Career and modern motherhood. A quote or two from this book.


"I wasn't feeling very empowered. I was feeling tricked and misled and angry. Why had I worked my ass off to start a career that I would only have to derail once I gave birth?"

..."Giving up the money (more than half our income) was hard. Giving up the label and prestige was harder…. Feeding her and getting her to sleep were victories. But where was the 'A' I was used to getting, and where was my bonus?"  

There are more like this. This is where I went off a bit. (Thankfully I have a very understanding husband who agrees with me).

Girls, if you want your big fancy career your super duper paycheck, designer clothing, etc. etc. and don't want that "spoiled" by having to have to 'gasp' be a mom, then don't. Seriously. Don't. The quote "tricked and misled and angry" by what? 

I got pregnant with out trying. I don't call it a mistake. I don't called it an oops. I call it gift. A wonderful miracle I didn't even know I needed. If you willingly think, career, husband okay time for kid and then say wait what? you mean I have to pick them up at daycare when they are sick? What's this a performance I have to attend, play dates, you mean they don't raise themselves? Then holy goodness DON'T have them! There are around 7billion people on this planet. That's right, over 7billion. I think the world can live with selfish people breeding. Fun fact, kids always know how you feel. Always.

If you can't put your career on the back burner, put yourself second, put your kids needs before you own, then you shouldn't have kids. Seriously wake up and think about that. That doesn't make you a bad person. It doesn't. You can adopt, later in life, you can have children once you are settled in your career. Freeze your eggs so they are ready when you are. Whatever, there are so many options. You don't have to go and have kids because society says to. Don't have them if you can't handle them.

It bothers me beyond belief when people use their kids as an excuse. "shucks, I would have gotten my doctorate, *looks at child* but you know..." "Yeah I use to be a size 0 *looks at baby* but you know..."
Man up damn it. Its a kid, your kid. Stop treating them like they are a mistake, or an obstacle.

This week, for an example. My son has half days all week. Sucks to be me right? No, why? I get to spend time with my son. Because the only regret I have working is that it takes me away from him. I get through this knowing he is having FUN and learning while I am slaving away. I have maybe five minutes ten with bad traffic, to go from worker bee to mom. I do this because I want to. I do this because I love being a mom. And I never asked to be one. This wasn't a quote 'choice'. I have dirty laundry that piles up, dust in the corners, and there is a mystery meat in the freezer that I keep forgetting to throw out. I like it. Yes it stresses me out, yes I get frustrated, but I wouldn't change it for anything. I don't remember the last time I got a good night sleep (okay that one I would gladly have back), my figure will probably never be the same. But I have laugh lines and I like them. My tummy is the perfect pillow for a little head, and they make a wonderful beverage called coffee that I am in favor of.

I posted an article this week for men to man up and be dads. Well women, you have to man up and be a mom too. Just because you have the ability to have babies doesn't mean you are exempt for the rest of their life. And it doesn't mean you get to blame them for ruining your life.

Graduation Day

Cody graduated from Southampton Elementary Preschool today - June 17, 2011. It was a very bittersweet moment for this mommy. It was bittersweet for a lot of reasons.
Sweet, because this was huge, nine months of his life. I have watched him grow, learn, and change. When he started he couldn't write his name, now still with difficulty, but he can. Also he can:
*count all the way to hundred
*Sing countless songs
*Knows his alphabet
*can draw/paint and color much better then before
*Can "build" better then before
*plays with other children more (which is a huge improvement)
*He is getting really good a phonics and rhyming and can "read" really simple words. Which I find fantastic.
*He can get undressed and dressed all by himself. He only has issues with real buttons.
*He can hit a softball when you throw it. (Not just tee-ball style)
He is an amazing little boy with so much light. So much energy. Every day he does or says something that makes me laugh and makes me take a moment and say, thank you. Thank you for allowing me to be the mother of  this precious amazing little person. I am so blessed.

This is a bitter moment too though. First and foremost that he will have another graduation next year. We still feel, with the impending move, and with his continuing delay, that it will be best for him to start Kindergarten at six. Still, when he was up there singing a song about going to Kindergarten I cried.

His "friends" whom I never really met for one reason or another but he will never see them again. I know, he is four, still. Its sad. He will never walk down those halls again (unless he chooses to do so when he is adult).

They were all up there, saying what they wanted to be when they grow up. I couldn't help but wonder, how many will see their dreams come true. Its depressing, I know, but for a moment that thought was there. All these innocent little faces. And for a moment I was sad that I won't see that same group up there for high school. It made me kind of mad all over again that we moved down here. My son should have had a home to grow up in and a school to go to his whole life. Like I did. I feel awful that we didn't give that to him. I am, of course, comforted to know that since we are doing preschool again, he will have the same group...still...It weighs on you as a parent. All the choices you make...even the little ones.

Anyway, enough of my exhausted pondering. It was a happy day. He did wonderfully, sang beautifully was so super adorable. He really is growing up and time is moving so fast. Before I know it, I will be writing about his high school graduation.

Harry Freaking Potter

Its Harry freaking Potter. The final movie is months away, so I thought I should write about the last 14 YEARS of my life.
Let me start with some facts.
Fact 1: J.K. Rowling is now a billionaire - 1.1 billion according to Forbes magazine.
Fact 2: She was unemployed when she finish her first book. So she went from unemployed to a billionaire in less then 10 years. Good for you.
Fact 3. The books have sold over 400 million world wide and have been translated in over 60 languages.

You can say what you want, but Harry Potter is winning. I don't know, but I am willing to bet just about everyone has either, read a book or watched at least one movie. Seriously. With a franchise that is worth billions, I mean he has his own THEME PARK! People come on, you all know who I speak of.

Movies are sold out before opening night. Midnight releases, sometimes even 1:00am and 3:00am showings. On multiple screens! You think I am kidding, ask a movie theater! Action figures, games, bedding, clothing, costumes, wands that light up when you say 'lumos' (if they don't have it they should), bags, website dedicated to harry potter, spin-off books, posters. furniture, food for goodness sake, glasses are cool now, thanks Harry! All of this, all of it because of one kid, Harry Freaking Potter. I remember standing in line at midnight waiting for the fourth, fifth, sixth, seventh books.

The characters, she wove in seven books, characters that are unforgettable. Characters that you love like your own best friend and characters you hate and fear. Not just characters, creatures that you wish were real, (or glad they aren't!), a world that you wish you could slip into to be a wizard or even a muggle that is on good terms with them. Jobs that you wish you could have, places you wish you could shop, and yes, battles that you wish you could fight. A school that makes your high school seem, well lacking truth be told.

Harry Potter has spawned paradies and in a round about way made some people rich and famous as well.

For example, Starkid - They do a musical called A Very Potter Musical. Which is funny as hell by the way. It received such an amazing following that they did A Very Potter Sequel. In these stars Darren Criss (among other VERY talented people!! Which for the sake of being fair I will list at the end of this). Darren Criss, you might know, is now a full fledged member of Glee. Don't know Glee, then get out from under your rock, even I know about it. Now Darren Criss is amazing and deserves to be in the spot light, but with out Harry Potter there wouldn't be A Very Potter Musical and he might never have gotten noticed. Chew on that.

 

Potter puppet pals - a youtube sensation with over a 100 million hits! (that was just on one they have many!) 

All of this, all of it because one woman dreamed a world unlike any other. And as (not to be too dramatic), an era comes to and end, I find that I ask myself. What's next? There have been great books before and since, there will be great books again. The scope of this book may not be matched for quiet sometime, and probably not in my life time. So what next? I always hate to finish a good book, but in this way I have finished a great series. Now, a great movie series is coming to an end. There will be tears, (read the seventh book you'll know why), there will be laughter. I am happy for the actors, Danial Radcliffe, Emma Watson, and Rupert Grint for growing up on stage and being part of a huge phenomenon and doing it with grace and still being people that you can look up to. I am glad Emma will be able to finish college now, and that Dan and Rupert will be able to pursue other acting venues. There are rumors of Rowling making more books, I have mixed feelings. If she were to do another series, different from Potter, I would be happy, but to continue, pre-date Harry, I don't know. 

The end of a era, for some people Harry Potter has been their life. Kids that are fifteen, sixteen early twenties even, have been reading and watching movies since childhood. For others, like me, we plan on keeping Harry alive by reading them to our kids. So now we say see you later to Harry Potter. Its not goodbye, not really, for he will always have a place in our hearts, and thankfully we can revisit Hogwarts often, by simply picking up our dear friend and reading again.

Stars of a Very Potter Musical -  Darren Criss, Joey Richter, Bonnie Gruesen, Jaime-Lynn Beatty, Lauren Lopez, Joe Walker. 
Starkid - There is is the website - enjoy their productions 

And I leave you with one last image... Sorcerer's Stone - Now... My how they have grown. 

 
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This is getting f*cking stupid.

McDonald's Happy Meal Law suit.

Am I the only parent who can say no to her child? Or can limit the things my child watches on TV? Seriously? Cody has NEVER seen an ad for McDonald's.(if we had then we would have rushed out to get the Shrek watches!! I want one!) I haven't seen one in so long, that I didn't know they had ads anymore. Honestly. When we drive by McDonald's he will ask for a milk shake (loves them), but when I say no for whatever reason he is fine with that. Knowing that its a TREAT! Not something we are indulging in every damn night.

I understand that childhood obesity is a huge issue. I also think its a parental issue. Not McDonald's, not Burger King, or Pizza Hut, sure isn't Lays or Pepsi Cola or whoever else you want to blame. Its parents. Pure. Simple. Facts. If you kid is fat its your fault. Did McD's force you to pull in and order a large fry and a ten piece nugget for your kid? No sure didn't. I don't ever remember a McD employee holding a gun to my head. You as the parent buy the food that comes into your house. You as the parent chose where to get take out. You as the parent control how much time you child spends on the computer/playing video games/watching TV. This is NOT a governtment issue, its not a corporation issue, its a FAMILY issue. I am so sick and tired of companies being blamed for things that are strickly parents faults.

Own up your own actions. Realize that your lifestyle will effect your child's. GET THE CHILD OUTSIDE!!

THE BIG K

And no, I am not talking about K-Mart. Kindergarten. That small right of passage for many five year old's born at the right time in the year.

A right of passage that will be delayed for Cody until he is six. Do not pity us, or Cody. While this decision was...suggested by his Preschool teacher, I think its been in the back of my mind for quiet sometime.

So here it is. Today was Cody's Preschool evaluation meeting (not the biggie at the end of month for his Therapy), but just regular Preschool for placement in Kindergarten. Or in his case, the fact that he isn't quiet ready. Mrs. H, his teacher, whom I admit to not liking much in the beginning of the year, is really amazing. She said that Cody, while brilliant of course, is still having a serious problem with his fine motor skills. He can barely write his name, or color. He still has a hard time cutting.
I confirmed this evaluation with his other teachers in his new school. They agreed that, while Cody was very smart (their words I promise), he was still 'little'. Cody was born in September, so he faces going to school with kids that were born an entire year before him. (those kids born in November). Even six months can be a huge difference. I agree. That and his fine motor skills, seem like really good reasons to hold him back one year. Let him get these things down, grow a little, and be ready and fit for Kindergarten when he is six.

This leads us with a bit of good news. A sign almost. See we were worried about when we were coming home. If we weren't able to come home by September we were going to have to wait until next summer. Now, with Cody not going to school full time, we are able to leave whenever we need/want to. Therefore, we will be able to come home in Fall. We are excited about this. We are excited that Cody will start 'real' school in Maine, where we went to school.

I know some people would be confused by this. But why push Cody. Really? There is no reason. Who says you have to start school at five? According to Mrs. H, Kindergarten (at least here in NY), is more like first grade. I want Cody to be ready for that. I honestly, in my heart, don't think he will be ready for that kind of environment in a few short months. I want Cody to succeed in life. The best way to do this, is make sure he is ready for school. Another year of therapy and growing will make a huge difference.

A parents life is full of choices, each one leading to a different outcome with another list of choices and paths. You never know if the one you choose is right, you can only make the one that you feel in your heart is right, and pray that it is. The one thing you want, is for your child to be happy, healthy, safe, and to succeed. In anyway they chose. No one can really tell you how to handle these things, and no one can really tell you what is right for your family, your children. Only you can do that. In the end, you do your best. That is all any good parent can be expected to do.

Reflections

It dawned on me while reading another friends blog, that I haven't updated on how Cody is doing in awhile. So I thought I should get right on that!

First check out my pumpkin. Three months old and four years old! I never thought I would say it, but BOY TIME FLIES!!!

For those of you who don't know yes this is a big, nasty bump on his head. His first real injury. I think that is pretty good at four! He was pushed on the playground. When ask why the kid pushed him Cody replied "I think maybe I was going to slow". Not a good reason to be pushed but a funny answer anyway.

So Cody has been receiving Occupational and Speech Therapy for about three months now. He goes to a wonderful school that is able to provide both.

These are things he has accomplished that he wasn't able or had a hard time doing before:

Occupational:
He can now zip his jackets/pants
He can now do buttons
Put on and secure shoes
Put on a jacket
write his name and a few other letters
Hold a pencil the right way
Hold a fork the right way
Make stick figures (this was my favorite!!)
Trace letters/numbers and shapes

Speech
Okay so with speech, he can speak just fine. Everyone can understand him. He has a hard time speaking which I know doesn't make sense, but its hard to explain. If you ask him how his day was he says "fine". No elaboration. No stories. Ask him what Toy Story is about...nada. Although, he can quote that and many other movies. Has no problem learning songs, phone numbers, address etc. Its getting the information from his brain to his mouth that seems to be the problem.

Anyway that being said Cody now:
Asks questions (never did before)
Elaborate on a story
Makes connections (i.e we were talking about fish and he made the connection that sea horses also lived underwater).
It may not seem like much but we defiantly notice a difference in his conversation skills.

Being at school is also helping with his social skills, which he was lacking too. I see it when I pick him up or drop him off. He says hi to his friends, and bye. Apparently he has a 'group' that he hangs with! :)

Now some Cody speak:
When I am 21 I'll drink soda. When I am 13 I'll do this dishes. When I am 14 I'll be the biggest
Daddy and I match, but you don't match. Nope Daddy and I have penis and you don't.
Daddy and I match, we have blue eyes, but you don't you have green.
One day I will be biggest and you be the littlest
I loved this one " You are going to take me a shower" Its so funny to hear them try to work out the language.
There are so many more, but I forget them :( I will have to try and write them down. He really comes up with some good ones. 

I was thinking back today about the 'early' years. (I know, I know WAY to early to be doing this) but I find my self doing it all the time. Missing stages already. But I was talking to a coworker and I was saying, I remember the endless nights, countless bottles, mounds of diapers, hours of screaming and calling my mom and crying saying this is horrid!! She would tell me, "Enjoy this time, savour every moment" Course I thought she was off her rocker. Now I know better. Just one more hour hold a newborn in my arms. Just one more toothless smile. One more baby giggle. Not to say that having a four year old isn't fun, because it is. I have learned, perhaps the hard way, to enjoy all the moments. Even the not so pleasant ones. Cody is an amazing son. I look at him, as I did tonight was he was getting ready for bed, and just say "I am so lucky." I get teary just thinking about how absolutely wonderful he is.

Its shocking to me what he has accomplished in four years. It may seem like he should be doing more. His peers can write sonnets and shoot hoops, and are black belts. Well, I think ANY child that can walk on their own after only being on this alien planet for four years is doing awesome. But not only can he walk, he goes to the bathroom, eats, dresses, writes, listens...and speaks! He picked up the language! Its amazing to me. Another friend of mine is pregnant. She just had her first ultrasound. The baby is the size of a grain of rice. They figure she is about 7 weeks along. The babies HEART BEAT is 130! 130!!! Its mind blowing and beautiful and just astounding. 7 weeks ago nothing, now there are cells forming, and a heart beating...in four years that year beat will be inside a beautiful boy or girl. Who will dress themselves/eat/talk/play. Wonders never cease. Life truly is amazing.

I feel, as a parent, that I am getting...a second life so to speak. I get to live all over again, watching my son. I get to experience his experiences, see through his eyes, listen through his ears. I never in a million years thought that I would be part of something so wonderful. But here I am. With this beautiful, intelligent, funny, amazing little boy. I honestly feel like a very lucky mommy.

Its not what it seems.

Doesn't this look like fun?!

Okay its hard to tell from this box. This is the Gazillion Bubble Launcher. You stomp on the launch pad and swoosh up go the rocket with tons of bubbles trailing it. Yeah. You get this thing home and first of all, get it together. May not seem hard to some but I had a tad difficulty, of course it would have been easier if I hadn't misplaced the directions...moving on.

Finally you get this together, you get the bubble solution in, set the rocket in. Your anticipation is higher then your kids. You are expecting a gazillion bubbles to shoot out and fill the sky. Your son hovers over the launch pad, looks at you with big eyes and a wide smile. Three, two, one...nada. Nothing. Niente. Zip. Okay, so he didn't stomp hard enough, he is only 40ish pounds. "Try jumping sweetie". Three, two, one...okay up it goes. Wheres the bubbles? Oh of course, silly us, the solution came undone during the first try and were never set in again. Re-do rocket, make sure solution is all set...okay third time the charm. This time an adult is going to take over the launch. Watch this! Three, two, one....up ten maybe twelve feet, ten maybe twenty bubbles. Splat. Over. Done. How to explain it. Its like chocolate cake without sugar. Coffee without caffeine. I mean what is the point in a bubble launcher if...it doesn't launch. And if it doesn't spew bubbles that amaze you? Seriously. And lets talk about being cheaply made. Okay lets not because we will be here all night. Lets just say you are not getting your money worth.

This goes for a lot of kids toys though. Honestly. I can't think of how many things we have bought only to be broken not long after normal use. (by a toddler not an adult). For example, he got this flying disk thing last summer, you put the disk in push the button and wooo out flies this disk...yippee. Broke after a week. No joke. Lets see here, he had another bubble thing (kid likes bubbles), put the solution in like a water gun, and it shoots bubbles, lasted a month maybe. Piggy bank that counts, didn't last a day, though to be fair that could have been adult error.

On the other hand, he does have toys that he has literally had since he was a baby. He has this counting pig that he has had through three moves and since he was a baby. That not only still works, has never had batteries changed! Playschool I think. Good quality stuff. I think that is the trick. you have to find a company that builds quality affordable stuff.

But then, you get the 'some assembly required.' and a new parent thinks "No problem, we can do that." Ha yes you can...but you risk your marriage. In fact you risk your marriage, the potential safety of the product, and a few fingers. We tried putting a kitchen together for him one Christmas (oh did I mention you have to do this, at night, quietly, the day before holiday/birthday). It took four hours, and the damn thing was (ta da) cheaply made, not good quality at all, never quite worked right. Whether that was our poor putting together skills or because the product sucked, we will never know. The kids on the box seemed to enjoy it.

Tricycle...you know the plastic ones? Big Wheels or whatever? They don't come put together either, gotta put those together too. And if you are unfortunate enough to buy these things with your child. THEN get them home and have to have your child wait while you figure out how to put it together...God Help you! Honestly.

The worst thing about all this? After you have sliced your fingers getting the box open, after you have destroyed a pair of scissors on the plastic tie wraps. Once you have gotten blasted thing together, batteries in the right place, etc. Your child will play with it for all of ten minutes, and the grow tired of it. He/she might love it and play with it daily, or weekly or not at all. While you are left with cut fingers, broken tools, and  the promise that someday, they too will have children.

The awesomness of voice acting

What do,

All have in common? They were all voiced by one man. Peter Cullen to be exact. I find this amazing on so many levels that I had to share.

First lets start with Murky Dismal. For those of you who don't know (because you had a depraved childhood), he is the arch enemy of Rainbow Brite. His voice is whiny and extremely nervous sounding. A quote from Murky "I'll get that rainbow brat if its the last thing I do" In a nasty whiny voice.

Eeyore - okay if you don't know who Eeyore is I think you need help. BUT for the sake of argument, Eeyore is one of Winnie-the-Pooh's bests buddies. He is deeply depressed, always thinks the worst is happening. A quote from Eeyore "The sky is falling, always knew it would." in a very low downtrodden voice.

Optimus Fucking Prime. Okay sorry just Optimus Prime...leader of the Autobots. Very cool dude. Speaks with an commanding distinctive voice. Its deep, a little gargle, almost machine sounding. A quote from Optimist..."There's more to them, than meets the eye."

SO the same man did all three voices (and many others but those are the ones that jumped out at me). I think its is wonderful and amazing that he was able to convince the audience of three different characters. Three different personalities.

Ready for another mind blower?

Okay, so this is Splinter. He is the 'father' figure to the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles. His voice is scratchy, old and wise sounding. Never guess who this man is really famous for voice acting?

That is right friends! Our furry little friend Elmo is voiced by Kevin Clash. He also did the voice of Splinter in TMT. No joke. He is most famous for the work he does done with Elmo though ranging over twenty years voicing the little red monster that has entertained preschoolers for years.


Okay one more. I could go on all night, but really what's the point.

So here we have The man in the Yellow hat!

This sweet man was voiced by the same actor who did Megamind!!!

Incredibly hansom criminal mastermind and master of all villainy. (his words not mine).

So in case you didn't know the man who voiced these guys is non other then....

 

WILL FERRELL!!! 

I know right? But very true...Although to his credit Will Ferrell plays many rolls. But that is another story. 

My whole point to this ramble is how amazing voice actor's really are. They say its easy (yes I watched the meet the cast of Kung Fu Panda). They get to come in wearing only their PJ's, not have makeup done blah blah. BUT they have to make us BELIEVE that the panda is talking, feeling, thinking. They give the charactor life. Through only their voice. I just find this so wonderful. Wonderful that one man can make us think he is a twenty foot robot and a depresed donkey. Amazing. 

One last thing. Have you ever watched a movie...sat there watching it and the whole time you are saying "I know that voice!" It bothers you so much that you can't really enjoy the show? 

Well those are the masters. They are the ones that can desguise their voices SO well, that when you find out who they are you say OMIGOSH NO WAY IS IT THEM!!! I leave you with one of those....

General from Planet 51. Okay if you haven't seen it, go see it, its cute. But this man is voiced by the amazing, talented, and heh hem...hansom....

GARY OLDMAN!!

What shall be our demise?

Is it going to be asteroid or global warming? WWIII or over population? Husband and I have a long going debate going on when it comes to the future and its technologies. Personally I think we are going to enter an I-Robot sort of world. Robots taking out the trash, doing deliveries etc. Husband seems to think that Star Trek is where its at. I am skeptical at best.

Robots - They are not okay!
I believe this is the closest to what will happen. Think of it we already have some of them in place! And what better place for robots...then...the military. I mean I don't want MY son dying in a pointless war, and I can just imagine the vote now Vote yes for robots going into combat Vote no and your children go instead! Yea even I would have to vote no on that. As I said we are already using them to some extent:

Know what this is? Its called a Drone. Its not manned. See there in the front where a person should be? Yeah no one is there. The guy driving this bad boy is miles and miles away sipping on a slippery looking at video screen. True facts look it up. Heck I will give the website: Drone Program. There you go!


Okay so we went from there to here:

This is the hummingbird drone. Again, controlled remotely while it goes off and does whatever the government can think up for it to do. Doesn't it look precious!! Imagine seeing in your backyard...

Okay so this is the military stuff we KNOW about. Let me repeat...that we KNOW about. God (and the military) alone know what they have come up with now.

Okay so now I jumped from Drones to insect drones. Now at what point do we get to this:

Yes laugh, but seriously remember at the beginning when I asked your son or this guy? This guy right! Who cares if he gets blown to bits. And you know what this thing probably wouldn't do anything it wasn't suppose to do. Its just parts. What you have to worry about it is where this is getting its commands from. And that my friends is the point. They can't all be Johny Fives and Wall-e's

Allow me a side jaunt here. I love Short Circuit I cried in the second one. Bawled. I still get teary. And I cried during Wall-E too and if we are honest, part of me feels bad for the 'old' robots that Will Smith's character is mean to in I-Robot. I am not heartless. I love a defected robot as much as the next person. That being said...I don't like AI....






Because really its AI that causes all the problems. (Artificial Intelligence to you non-techies) If said Terminator was ALWAYS being run by a guy then there probably wouldn't be an issue. It would be game over for the robot, but not the end of the world. Maybe kid gets demotion if he destroys too many. IF, however, we have an AI running them, (think I-robot and Skynet), then we are screwed. I will tell you why. In the case of I-Robot at least, AI  is right. We suck. We are rotten to our plant, ourselves, etc. They would eventually come to that conclusion. Skynet scenario um, why take orders from weaklings? And the winner is...ROBOTS every time. Less you have John Conner around. Then we might stand a chance.

Space - The final frontier

Okay so husbands. "To infinity and beyond!" He is convinced that we are running out of natural resources and we have to find other worlds or we are screwed. Okay. I'll buy that to a point. He thinks now that NASA isn't running the shuttle program, that its all being privatized, things are going to start happening real fast. We are going to see some major advancements in space travel.

 

Yeah I gotta say bull on this. He went on and on and on about some space bubble. If we could bend space then we could just shoot from one place to another....and I was all huh?!

  

So pretending for a moment that space warping is possible, what new terrors does this yield? Let me start off by saying I am live let live kind of person. Now, if we found a planet that was not inhabited by ANYTHING. Fine. Go there, make home whatever. BUT if the planet we find is like our beautiful Earth, then there is a good chance there would be some form of life on it. NOW how would we feel if people from another planet came down here to mess with us? Take over our planet and all? "Hi sorry we destroyed our planet can we come share yours?" Yeah...and they say "sorry guys we like clean water/air". What do we do? Leave? Go find another Earth like planet? Yeah...right. We take over! 

Of course, its the only way. Disgusting. See this might not be the 'demise' of our planet or human race but our morals? Oh yeah! Defiantly! 

Thankfully, well hopefully, we don't have this technology. Either of them. I pray that we never do. I know, I know we want the latest thing, the greatest whatever. But there is a time to say stop, and I think before we hand over the military to A.I. or start doing space bubbles and taking over planets, we should ask ourselves, why don't we fix the root of the problem? We want to flee like rats leaving a ship because our lands are spoiled...start cleaning them. We want to have robots/drones what have you fighting our wars, stop having them. I may be stupid, I might not know politics, or environmental issues, but I do know that fighting doesn't have to be the answer. Fleeing isn't the answer. Change. That is the only answer. And not a change in technology, a change with ourselves and towards our Earth, and our fellow man!