Leap Year 2012

Happy Leap Day, Internet!

Though how happy is it to be born on Leap Day? Not very, in my opinion. Unless, perhaps, you are a Jehovah's Witness, who doesn't celebrate birthdays. Then that would be rather convenient wouldn't it?

Persons born in a leap year, usually celebrate their birthdays on February 28, or less commonly on March 1. Better early, or late for that matter, than once every four years.

The reason for adding one extra day to the year, every four years is to keep the yearly calendar in sync with the seasonal calendar.

According to my calculations, I was born during a leap year. If I had been born on February 29th of my birth year I would only be 11 years young.

Maybe Leap Years are a great idea afterall?

Baby Kate is Missing! Again.

"Baby Kate is missing!" shouts Gio.  "Someone took her."

Someone took her all right.

Bug Bingo

Baby Kate loves Bug Bingo!

Found!

After going missing for a year, Baby Kate has  been found!

We missed her birthday while she was lost in the garage so today we are celebrating with rice "cakes," and a game, Master Labyrinth.

"Baby Kate is 6 years old in baby years," says Gio.

Happy birthday Baby Kate!

Let The Remodeling Begin!

Yes, we are doing a full remodel on our second bathroom. Good thing we have two.

And now that we are down to one lavatory, I hope this remodel is quick, easy, and everything a remodel SHOULD be.

I can do this. I can do this. Everything is going to be fine.

Here's a crazy thought: I might even use this bathroom when it's finished.

Exploratorium, San Francisco

We went to the Exploratorium, an interactive museum that incorporates science and art, in San Francisco, yesterday.

I learned a lot and the kids had fun. And the kids learned a lot and I had fun.

Yes, Internet the exploratorium makes learning entertaining with hundreds of mind boggling exhibits such as, the toilet drinking fountain.

Fort Point, San Francisco, California

Sand Art

Weston Beach, Point Lobos State Reserve, California.

The Huz took this picture of sand in Point Lobos State Reserve, where my Mom is a fabulous docent! And if I'm lucky she'll leave something to say about this picture in the comment section.

I see a mermaid. What do you see, Internet?

2/24/12 Correction: This is a photo of a rock formation, not sand, as my Mom the fabulous docent points out in the comment section of this post.

Polly Pelican

One of my favorite things in life is watching pelicans surf........

Chasing Mice

"Chasing mice is so exhausting," says Thena Kitty.

"Yeah, I'm beat," says Manny Mouse. "Phew, thanks goodness for cat naps, otherwise I'd never get a break."

Paintless In California

"All this laundry makes me sleepy," yawns Thena Kitty.

Today, was a painting-free day. That's right, Internet, today I was paintless because after days of painting I fell WAaaaaaaay behind on the laundry and other daily chores.

So, basically all I did today was play catch up on housework. It was fine. Though I just remembered the five loads of laundry waiting for me to put them away before I can go to sleep. Ooops!

"Folding, folding, folding keep the clothes a folding, fold high!"

Spring Is In The Wind

The Spring Equinox is March 20, but if the North West wind keeps blowing like she has been there's only one assumption to be made.

Spring is here!

Painting Painting Painting

"Rolling, rolling, rolling, keep those brushes rolling, roll high!"

Yes, Internet I've been painting again. I woke at 6 this morning began working. Around 10 I took a break to volunteer in Gio's class. Then I fled to the paint store for supplies.

Shortly, thereafter, I was, "rolling, rolling, rolling," and it wasn't down the river.

Tina and Mary would both be Proud of me. And now I'm ready for something, "nice and easy."

Or nice and rough.

Hit it Tina And Beyonce!

Yogi

"Ooooooommmmm," chants Yogi Luna Catananda.

Give Me Some Of That Energy, Kid

I'm ready for bed, but Gio is building a "whale exhibit," for an aquarium.

That's not all. Earlier he made a scroll.

If only I could syphon off some of his energy, I could rule the world. Or at least, catch up on the laundry.

Happy Valentine's Day

Yesterday I recieved an email from John Gray. John Gray, relationship guru and author of, "Men Are From Mars, and Women Are From Venus."

At first scan, I thought the email read, "three positions for Valentine's day."

"John Gray has gone from self help to sex help," I say to myself.

What Gray's email really said was "three ideas for passion this Valentine's day," which is basically the same thing, right?

And now onto a V-Day social issue. The issue of Gay Marriage. Prop H8, which takes away the right for gays to marry in California, was ruled unconstitutional in a Federal Appeals Court last week.

While the right for gays to marry in California is still on hold in California, the ruling could send the issue of gay marriage all the way to the highest court in the country, the United States Supreme Court. A final ruling at the highest judicial level against Prop H8 could have nationwide implications in favor of gay marriage.


An HBO documentary premieres tonight on HBO.

Flashback to 1958, to Mildred and Richard Loving, an interracial couple who married in Washington D.C. When the newly wed couple returned to their home in Virginia they were arrested in the middle of the night because it was illegal for whites to marry blacks. The Lovings were actually convicted for being interracially married, and had to leave their home and family in Virginia, for Washington D.C. where interracial marriages were legal to avoid serving jail time.

Their arrest took them on a 9 year long battle which was eventually settled by the United States Supreme Court, in a unanimous decision overturning the Lovings' conviction under the 14th Amendment's due process and equal protection of the law clauses. Finally, the Lovings could return home without fear of being convicted for their marriage.

Marriage is a right most people take for granted, except of course, for the people who are unconstitutionally denied the right to marry.

Ironically, President Obama's own parents' interracial marriage in 1961, was illegal in many states, yet President Obama does not support gay marriage.

All people should be afforded the same rights, including the right to marry. When the Lovings married in 1958, interracial marriages were illegal in many states. People actually believed the races shouldn't mingle.

"Heil Hitler!"

Just as some people believe gays shouldn't be allowed to marry today. Is there a difference between the Jim Crow laws of yesteryear that banned interracial marriages, and the laws that ban gay marriage today?

I don't see any difference, do you?

Every person, no matter the color of their skin, their religion, or their sexual orientation should be afforded equal rights and protection of the law. I took one law class in college, it was United States Constitutional law.

Maybe EVERYONE needs to take this class, so they can be understand the unconstitutionality of restricting a minority group's rights?

Happy Valentine's Day to all.


References:

Prop H8 Wiki

The Lovings Wiki

Ann Dunham Wiki

Grammys 2012

Amazing tribute by Jennifer Hudson to Whitney Houston


If Adele seemed a little off at times it had to be due to
her emotional high after winning a "ridiculous" six Grammys.


It's Monday, and I'm taking the morning off. Well, not totally off, I'm still doing laundry and taking care of the daily chores. But I'm doing it with the Grammys which I was too lazy to watch on the telly last night.

Amen for Tivo! Yes, some of us still have Tivo.

I'm not very far into the Grammys, but this year's show hosted by the formiddable rapper/actor extraordinaire and HOT LL Cool J, is all about the music, and dancing.

And Whitney.

Many of the artists gave some mention of their grief over Whitney Houston's untimely death.

If Houston was the angel of the night, then Adele was the darling, winning six Grammys including Record (really a song) of the Year, Song of the Year, both for "Rolling in the Deep," and Album of the Year, "21." Adele's album, "21," is great, if you're into dysfunctional relationships riddled with co-dependence.

Adele after winning album of the year had this to say: "This record (21) is inspired by something that is really normal and everyone's been through it, which is a rubbish relationship. And it's gone on to do things I can't tell you how I feel about it........it's been the most life changing year."

In summary, young or old, and all the artists in between, musicians are cool cats. Even Taylor Swift sounded good, trying to look tough during her performance of, "Mean."



My favorite grammy moments which will probably be deleted soon due to copyright infringement:

Alicia Keys and Bonnie Raitt tribute to the late great Etta James



Sorry Foo Fans I couldn't find a decent video of the Foo Fighters Grammy performance.



Adam Levine singing "Surfer Girl," = WINNING!



Katy Perry must be singing to Russell Brand in this one, after the fall, that is. Sorry but what was she thinking forcing him to go through laser hair removal....



Carrie Underwood with Tony Bennett

Painting

North west winds were howling this morning when I woke up, so I didn't surf today.

Instead, I painted all day. I painted the trim around two doorways, as well as the trim around two large sliding glass doors.

Then I primed and prepped the wall that goes from the kitchen to the dining room.

I'm not sure what time I began, but it was some time in the late morning. I finished after eight.

Phew!

Fresh paint is so shiny, and it's not just the fumes talking. Yes, paint is a miracle worker. In fact, paint is almost as amazing as what I accomplish when I skip surfing for a day.

RIP Whitney Houston 1963-2012

Tragically, Whitney Houston has died at the age of 48 years young, leaving behind an 18 year-old daughter. For the New York Times obituary click here.

In her prime, Houston was a pop diva and one of the best selling musical artists of her time. As with many super stars who seem larger than life Houston had more than her seemingly fair share of problems from her rocky relationship with musical star Bobby Brown to her illness with drug addiction.

Everyone has struggles, but Houston's by default of career choice, were dramatically public. Life is hard enough without the world examining you under a microscope......

But whatever judgments the world holds over Houston, she leaves behind a musical legacy, and hopefully a lesson for all of us that addiction is an illness with dire consequences.

Run Sugarland ft Matt Nathanson

How did I miss the video premiere of, "Run," by Sugarland featuring Matt Nathanson yesterday?

All I have to say about this video is, "Yum!"

"Run," is perfect for a Friday night..................

The Miracle of Om-ing

Internet, this morning I experienced the power of Om.

It all started when this crazy lady was tail gating me on a two lane congested highway. I was going the speed limit, and I couldn't go any faster because there was traffic ahead of me.

I attempted to look in my mirror to get Tami Tail Gater to, "back off!"

But Tami Tail Gater got closer. The closer she got the more upset I became. And the more upset I became the closer she got. I could feel my adrenal glands dumping adrenaline into my bloodstream.

"I can't live my life stressed because this person is in a hurry and could care less about my 'space bubble,'" I tell myself.

Then I came up with a five minute plan that would help me relax, rather than spend 5 more minutes of life cursing the driver behind me. My plan was to chant, "Om," for five minutes.

After three minutes I felt a wave of calm wash over my anxiety. My plan had worked like I hoped. But, Internet, here's the surprising part. Tami Tail Gater stopped tail gating me for the rest of the time she was behind me.

Tami Tail Gater didn't even flip me the bird when she passed me on the road, as I was making my turn off the highway.

And that Internet is the miracle of "Om-ing."

Voxer

Internet, have you ever wanted to leave someone a voice message without actually calling them.

Now you can with an app called Voxer, which is available in the Android market as well as the iTunes (iPhone, iTouch, iPad) store for free!

Voxer bills itself as the app that turns a smartphone into a walkie talkie, otherwise known as push to talk. That's fun and all, but my favorite part is being able to leave a voice message for someone, that can be retrieved at their convenience.

Voxer is also able to send text and picture messages, talking in real time, as well location sharing and group chats. Voxer can do all this and more using either a 3g or wifi connection. I assume it also works with 4g, when 4g is available that is.

Did I mention Voxer is free? What are you waiting for?

The Ocean

Internet, I am certain the ocean is out to get me. And if you know anything about her, you know that's a bad thing.

Yesterday, I'm sitting in the water on my surfboard blabbing my head off to the BFF when a 2,000 pound sea lion sneaks up behind me.

"Ahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh!" I scream louder than I knew I could.

Sug Sea Lion was just about to swim away until he hears my terror, and says, "I'm going to have some fun with this land lover."

Then Sug Sea Lion starts swimming at me.

Right then I see a wave so I start paddling furiously towards the beach saying, "I hope I catch it!"

The best way to get a sea lion to chase you is to paddle away from him. Yet, I cowardly paddle away from him knowing the results could be bad if he catches me.

Yes, sea lions bite!

Chomp!

Fortunately, I did catch the wave and I rode it all the way in, nearly onto the beach.

Then I proceeded to paddle back out for over five minutes, duck diving wave after wave after wave.

It was the first time in my life I didn't mind being caught inside because Sug Sea Lion was gone by the time I got back to the line up.

About fifteen minutes later, as I'm sitting outside a wave breaks just outside of me. It wasn't a big wave, but since I got bounced off the sandbar last May trying to scurry under a wave with my board, I've gotten into the bad habit of ditching my surfboard.

The main reason for holding onto the board is to protect it from the wave. But I've learned, for one trip to the emergency room I could buy almost two new boards instead.

And where can I buy new body parts? Ahem, see my point?

There is another reason for holding onto the surfboard, and that is it's a flotation device. I paddle a lot faster on my surfboard than I can swim without it.

Which leads to the next part of the story. As the wave begins to explode in front of me, I bail off the side of my board and swim for the bottom of the sea. Unfortunately, while I'm under water I feel my leash pop and my surfboard break free from it's tether, and my leg. Again.

Less than three weeks ago I broke another leash when a gnarly double overhead wave broke right in front me.

"Do you see my board?" I ask the BFF, when I come up for air.

"No, where'd it go?" she wonders looking towards shore.

Then I see a surfer sprinting towards the shore pound and I know exactly where my surfboard is. Getting beat up by crashing waves on the sand.

I swim in, while the surfer rescues my board, hoping Sug Sea Lion doesn't come after me again.

I feel naked without my board, yet overdressed for swimming in my confining 5/4 millimeter thick wetsuit.

Once I make it to land, I grab a backup leash out of the car and paddle back out for a few more fun waves, that I never catch.

Nursemaid Nana

"Look Mom, Nana is sleeping with the cats," says Gio.

Superbowl Sunday 46

After a few hours of organizing this morning, my brain asks, "When are we going surfing?"

"Honey, I kind of want to go surfing," I say to the Huz.

"Go surfing!" says the Huz.

But we're getting stuff done," I say.

"Do you want to go surfing or go crazy?" asks the Huz.

Needless to say, I chose surfing over crazy for the Huz's sake. I'm so nice.

After surfing seriously fun waves for an hour and a half, I rush home, pick up Gio, and drive to the roller rink.

We got in about an hour and 20 minutes of skating, which was about all I could handle after surfing. Good thing surfing is mainly an upper body exercise, while skating is mainly a lower body exercise.

And now I'm pretending to watch the Superbowl. Well, I did watch the Madonna halftime show. The woman is fit. Her lip syncing was a good as lip syncing can be. But her boots were made for walking and all sorts of other awesomeness.

The only reason I'm still pretending to watch the Superbowl is after everything I did today I feel like I played in one.

Yes I'm tired, but it's such a good tired.

"Who's winning?" asks the Huz, walking into the room.

"I have no idea," I say.

Rummaging

It's quite clear that I can no longer leave open drawers unattended.

Pets Behaving Badly Part 2

It's always challenging to run errands that involve buying food when Nadia Dog is in tow. Normally, when I leave her alone in the car, I tie her in, so she can't get to the food, but today I forgot.

"Nadia!" I shout. "I can't believe you ripped a hole in the cat food bag and ate it! Naughty dog!"

"Burp," was all she had to say for herself.

Then when we got home she had the nerve to ask, "Where's my dinner?"

Happy Groundhog Day

As readers can see from the picture, Punxsutawney Phil saw his shadow today, predicting six more weeks of Winter.

All I can say to PP is, "dude you really should try looking out the window when forecasting the weather."

California has had a dry, warm Winter so far. But February will be the real test because it tends to be one of the rainiest months of the year.

Pets Behaving Badly

This is the scene I came back to after surfing today: Nadia Dog licking up my remaining breakfast crumbs..  Good thing I ate breakie before I went surfing.