Trip and I were discussing the Palin controversy last night, and the different opinions people -- particularly women -- have regarding a mother of 5 holding such a high powered and demanding position (not to mention the whole 17-year-old daughter being pregnant thing). We both learned something interesting from our conversation: Trip learned that her youngest child has Down syndrome; and I learned the term PFL, people-first language.
When I first told Trip about Palin's infant boy, I said, "she has a Down syndrome baby". Trip quickly corrected me, saying that with people-first language you should emphasize that they are a person first. The disability comes second. So I should have said, "she has a baby with Down syndrome". Wikipedia has a page dedicated to the topic (of course they do), with a very helpful table of examples.
Interesting tidbit I thought I'd pass along...
One more thing... I am not a fan of Palin, especially since she doesn't believe global warming is caused by humans, nor does she think polar bears should be listed as endangered (I can't even get my head around that one). But I do think she is entitled to a personal life, and conducting it as she chooses. I wouldn't make the same choices as her, but it's her life, let her live it.
Wednesday, September 3, 2008
Wednesday, August 27, 2008
Free Pie! Free Pie!
Two reasons to be happy on a Wednesday afternoon:
The Pie Hole Tour 2008:
- I just found out that one of my favorite shows from last year, Pushing Daisies is premiering October 1st.
- In some very clever marketing, ABC is kicking off the second season with a Pushing Daisies Touch of Wonder Tour. The tour will hit 10 cities across the U.S., with pop-up facsimiles of Ned's bakery, the Pie Hole, and offering free pie to all comers. I repeat, FREE PIE, people! Can you tell I'm excited about free pie! The super cutie website The Pie Maker has all the deets.
The Pie Hole Tour 2008:
- August 31: Anaheim, CA – Downtown Disney
- September 7: San Francisco, CA – Ghirardelli Square– Chocolate Festival
- September 10: Los Angeles, CA – Santa Monica 3rd Street Promenade
- September 12: Las Vegas, NV – Fashion Show Mall
- September 14: Phoenix, AZ – Westgate Complex
- September 17: Denver, CO – Larimer Square
- September 20: Dallas, TX – Addison Oktober Fest
- September 24: Chicago, IL – Lincoln Park
- September 26: Philadelphia, PA – The Shops at Liberty Place
- September 29: New York, NY – Times Square
Friday, August 22, 2008
Is It That Time of Year Already??
The most wonderful time of the year??
Yup - it's back! The 5 Cent Sale is back at BevMo! Cause I always gotta hook a brotha/sista up...
You know the drill -- buy one bottle at full price, get the second for 5 stinkin' cents. Of course there are only select bottles included in the sale, but they always throw in some good ones. Pick the 90 point wines if you're not sure what is good.
And shop online for easy in-store pick-up!
You know the drill -- buy one bottle at full price, get the second for 5 stinkin' cents. Of course there are only select bottles included in the sale, but they always throw in some good ones. Pick the 90 point wines if you're not sure what is good.
And shop online for easy in-store pick-up!
Cheers!
Wednesday, August 20, 2008
"You've Made This Day a Special Day By Just Being You."
Trip just got home from a teacher's kick-off meeting and made me Google a video they showed. He said it was something I had to see.
He was right.
In 1969, Fred Rogers appeared before the United States Senate Subcommittee on Communications. His goal was to support funding for PBS and the Corporation for Public Broadcasting, in response to significant proposed cuts by President Nixon. He passionately argues that alternative television programming like his Mister Rogers' Neighborhood helped encourage children to become happy and productive citizens, sometimes opposing less positive messages in media and in popular culture.
Watch in awe, as I did.
Just hearing his voice brought back memories of Rachel, Adam and I glued to the TV, watching the Neighborhood of Make-Believe. And what a voice -- the most heartfelt and pleasant voice I have ever, I will probably ever hear.
He was right.
In 1969, Fred Rogers appeared before the United States Senate Subcommittee on Communications. His goal was to support funding for PBS and the Corporation for Public Broadcasting, in response to significant proposed cuts by President Nixon. He passionately argues that alternative television programming like his Mister Rogers' Neighborhood helped encourage children to become happy and productive citizens, sometimes opposing less positive messages in media and in popular culture.
Watch in awe, as I did.
Just hearing his voice brought back memories of Rachel, Adam and I glued to the TV, watching the Neighborhood of Make-Believe. And what a voice -- the most heartfelt and pleasant voice I have ever, I will probably ever hear.
Wednesday, August 13, 2008
An Exhibit Not to Be Missed!
Here in the Bay Area, we're so fortunate to have such a range of amazing museums: the de Young, the Legion of Honor, the Asian Art Museum, and of course the Museum of Modern Art, which Trip and I have been members of for some time now. But there are also some great places to view art right here in San Jose.
Some time last year, Trip and I decided to explore our local museums, and stumbled upon the fabulous Anno Domini, as well as a fabulous artist exhibiting -- Bruno 9Li from Sao Paolo, Brazil. Since the exhibit, Mysterium Tremendum, Bruno 9Li has experienced some great exposure here in San Jose, with a mural along the side of Anno Domini (which used to be Camera One) and a cover of The Wave magazine.
Well he's back with his second solo exhibit, META. It is a reflection on its Greek origin relating to the concept of "beyond." What lies beyond the perceptible reality that we share in our day to day lives? What follows our existence here on Earth? Bruno continues his process of drawing as a means of contemplative action while these ideas flow through him and into the art. He pulls his inspiration from the themes of spiritism, metaphysics, ovnis (UFOs) and exotic, aquatic plants and animals.
His work is hard to describe. It's graphically bold, colorful, and extremely intricate. It definitely has a street-art influence, but I wouldn't categorize him in such a way. From his website: He often speaks of "all being one," and is deeply aware of the unity of people, animals and nature itself. 9Li creates works of art that share this vision with his audience through epic encounters of natural and supernatural beings. These encounters, depending on the viewer, can be seen as mythic morality tales of the past, or a keen foretelling of the future.
Not only is his breathtaking work on display, but it is all surrounded by a beautiful site-specific installation that adds to the overall exhibit, bringing together all the pieces to this one magnificent vision.
There are still a couple of works available for purchase, but I was really surprised at how fast many of his pieces have sold. So if you are interested, you should act fast. Of course, you should also have $2700 of disposable income (Me, not so much. Sad.)
META
Solo Exhibit by Bruno 9li
Exhibit dates: 1st August thru 20th September, 2008.
Anno Domini // the second coming of Art & Design
366 So. First Street
San Jose, CA 95113
408.271.5155
Gallery & Store Hours:
Tuesday through Friday, noon - 7 p.m.
Saturday, noon - 5 p.m.
Some time last year, Trip and I decided to explore our local museums, and stumbled upon the fabulous Anno Domini, as well as a fabulous artist exhibiting -- Bruno 9Li from Sao Paolo, Brazil. Since the exhibit, Mysterium Tremendum, Bruno 9Li has experienced some great exposure here in San Jose, with a mural along the side of Anno Domini (which used to be Camera One) and a cover of The Wave magazine.
Well he's back with his second solo exhibit, META. It is a reflection on its Greek origin relating to the concept of "beyond." What lies beyond the perceptible reality that we share in our day to day lives? What follows our existence here on Earth? Bruno continues his process of drawing as a means of contemplative action while these ideas flow through him and into the art. He pulls his inspiration from the themes of spiritism, metaphysics, ovnis (UFOs) and exotic, aquatic plants and animals.
His work is hard to describe. It's graphically bold, colorful, and extremely intricate. It definitely has a street-art influence, but I wouldn't categorize him in such a way. From his website: He often speaks of "all being one," and is deeply aware of the unity of people, animals and nature itself. 9Li creates works of art that share this vision with his audience through epic encounters of natural and supernatural beings. These encounters, depending on the viewer, can be seen as mythic morality tales of the past, or a keen foretelling of the future.
Not only is his breathtaking work on display, but it is all surrounded by a beautiful site-specific installation that adds to the overall exhibit, bringing together all the pieces to this one magnificent vision.
There are still a couple of works available for purchase, but I was really surprised at how fast many of his pieces have sold. So if you are interested, you should act fast. Of course, you should also have $2700 of disposable income (Me, not so much. Sad.)
META
Solo Exhibit by Bruno 9li
Exhibit dates: 1st August thru 20th September, 2008.
Anno Domini // the second coming of Art & Design
366 So. First Street
San Jose, CA 95113
408.271.5155
Gallery & Store Hours:
Tuesday through Friday, noon - 7 p.m.
Saturday, noon - 5 p.m.
Tuesday, August 12, 2008
I Always Knew There Was A Big Underground Drag Kitty Scene.
Cat people. We are a rare breed aren't we.
We not only love our cats, we adore them. We even slightly worship them.
The other night, I looked at my cat, sleeping on his little cat couch, and shed a tear. If only he knew how much I loved him! (Of course hormones might have played a slight role in this moment.)
Well, my sister has shown me that there are some that take the adoration of their kitties to a whole new level.
Ladies and gentlemen, I introduce to you...
Kitty Wigs
Kitty freakin' wigs.
I did a Google search and there is an entire Kitty Wig group on Flickr. Of course there is.
Okay, I admit, I once put a little tiny Panthers helmet on Lemieux to take a picture to send to my mother-in-law. But a wig? I just don't think I can subject my boys to that. I mean, if they're into drag, I am a loving mother and will love and support them no matter what. But I'm not going to be the reason why they turn to a life of sin. (I've read I Am Not Myself These Days! I know what those girls are up to! Okay, I loved that book, but whatever.)
It doesn't matter anyways -- they're both more purple kinda gals.
Although Lemieux would rock that pink one like nobody's business.
Hmmmm... $50...
We not only love our cats, we adore them. We even slightly worship them.
The other night, I looked at my cat, sleeping on his little cat couch, and shed a tear. If only he knew how much I loved him! (Of course hormones might have played a slight role in this moment.)
Well, my sister has shown me that there are some that take the adoration of their kitties to a whole new level.
Ladies and gentlemen, I introduce to you...
Kitty Wigs
Kitty freakin' wigs.
I did a Google search and there is an entire Kitty Wig group on Flickr. Of course there is.
Okay, give me "depressed millionairess."
Now give me "I have no time for you, you stupid stupid human!"
Okay, I admit, I once put a little tiny Panthers helmet on Lemieux to take a picture to send to my mother-in-law. But a wig? I just don't think I can subject my boys to that. I mean, if they're into drag, I am a loving mother and will love and support them no matter what. But I'm not going to be the reason why they turn to a life of sin. (I've read I Am Not Myself These Days! I know what those girls are up to! Okay, I loved that book, but whatever.)
It doesn't matter anyways -- they're both more purple kinda gals.
Although Lemieux would rock that pink one like nobody's business.
Hmmmm... $50...
Monday, August 11, 2008
Do You Have Olympic Fever??
Wow - what a weekend. A weekend of me stuck to the couch watching hours of Olympic coverage. Awesomely stuck!
It all started with the most amazing opening ceremonies I can remember. Well, that actually started Saturday morning for me, as I had other plans Friday evening, so watched the full 4.5 hours commercial free (Yay DVR!). Oh, I take that back. Not completely commercial free, because that amazing United Air commercial caught my eye. Having just taking a motion graphics course, I watched this commercial in complete awe. The integration of traditional animation with 3D graphics and live action footage is top notch. I found it on YouTube, and of course the quality sucks, but you get the idea.
Love.It.
But going back to the opening ceremonies, there were many memorable moments. My personal favorite moments were the LED drum countdown (probably one of the coolest things I've ever seen), and then the little 9-year old boy from China that walked along side the flag carrying yao Ming (He was so tiny! Or perhaps looked tiny next to Yao Ming.) who went back and saved two classmates after the horrific 2008 Sichuan earthquake. Find me one person that didn't at least get a tiny bit choked up when they told that boy's story. (I of course, went through about 5 tissues).
So then the rest of the weekend was Men's basketball (was anyone else just smidgen worried when the Chinese started out so strong? Yao Ming with a three-pointer? WTF?), beach volleyball (with Kerri Walsh loosing her wedding ring during her and Misty May-Treanor's win - don't worry, they found it! - and the downpour during Gibb & Rosenthal's easy win) and gymnastics (and yes, I do believe a few of the Chinese girls' claims to be 16 are a bit suspect). Add in a few trips out of the house for some food, and that pretty much sums up my weekend.
Oh wait... I forgot a sport. Ummm did anyone happen to watch the swimming? I know, only a bagillion people are curious as to how Micheal Phelps will perform. And since he broke World Records and claimed the Gold in his first two medal races -- which analysts claim to have been his hardest races these Olympic games -- well, dude is doing pretty well. Okay, really well. Okay, okay, mind-blowingly well. Better yet, freak of nature well.
Poor poor Lemieux. My little lap kitty that wants nothing more than to sleep on his mommy's belly every night. There he was, at 11:30 last night, well past our bedtime. Trip and I were watching TV, anxiously awaiting the Men's 4x100m relay race which the French were heavily favored, not to mention talking some smack on the US (doesn't that almost always end badly?). We didn't have our hopes up for a Gold, especially since the US were almost a body length behind going into that last leg. But wait... he's catching up... oh my gosh he's catching up! It's so close, it's super close. OH MY GOSH!!!! HE DID IT!!! THEY WON!!! THEY WON!!! Both Trip and I leapt up out of bed, sending poor Lemieux half way across the room, where he stopped and stared at us with eyes as big as saucers. I think we may have gone through one of his lives last night. Sorry boo boo. But holy cow, was that a race or what!! (Oh, and Micheal Phelps, if you're reading this, please feel free to scream like an animal and show every muscle in your body whenever you want, thank you.)
So the Johnson household, kitties and all, is in a full Olympic frenzy.
I can't believe we have over two more weeks of this!!
It all started with the most amazing opening ceremonies I can remember. Well, that actually started Saturday morning for me, as I had other plans Friday evening, so watched the full 4.5 hours commercial free (Yay DVR!). Oh, I take that back. Not completely commercial free, because that amazing United Air commercial caught my eye. Having just taking a motion graphics course, I watched this commercial in complete awe. The integration of traditional animation with 3D graphics and live action footage is top notch. I found it on YouTube, and of course the quality sucks, but you get the idea.
Love.It.
But going back to the opening ceremonies, there were many memorable moments. My personal favorite moments were the LED drum countdown (probably one of the coolest things I've ever seen), and then the little 9-year old boy from China that walked along side the flag carrying yao Ming (He was so tiny! Or perhaps looked tiny next to Yao Ming.) who went back and saved two classmates after the horrific 2008 Sichuan earthquake. Find me one person that didn't at least get a tiny bit choked up when they told that boy's story. (I of course, went through about 5 tissues).
So then the rest of the weekend was Men's basketball (was anyone else just smidgen worried when the Chinese started out so strong? Yao Ming with a three-pointer? WTF?), beach volleyball (with Kerri Walsh loosing her wedding ring during her and Misty May-Treanor's win - don't worry, they found it! - and the downpour during Gibb & Rosenthal's easy win) and gymnastics (and yes, I do believe a few of the Chinese girls' claims to be 16 are a bit suspect). Add in a few trips out of the house for some food, and that pretty much sums up my weekend.
Oh wait... I forgot a sport. Ummm did anyone happen to watch the swimming? I know, only a bagillion people are curious as to how Micheal Phelps will perform. And since he broke World Records and claimed the Gold in his first two medal races -- which analysts claim to have been his hardest races these Olympic games -- well, dude is doing pretty well. Okay, really well. Okay, okay, mind-blowingly well. Better yet, freak of nature well.
Poor poor Lemieux. My little lap kitty that wants nothing more than to sleep on his mommy's belly every night. There he was, at 11:30 last night, well past our bedtime. Trip and I were watching TV, anxiously awaiting the Men's 4x100m relay race which the French were heavily favored, not to mention talking some smack on the US (doesn't that almost always end badly?). We didn't have our hopes up for a Gold, especially since the US were almost a body length behind going into that last leg. But wait... he's catching up... oh my gosh he's catching up! It's so close, it's super close. OH MY GOSH!!!! HE DID IT!!! THEY WON!!! THEY WON!!! Both Trip and I leapt up out of bed, sending poor Lemieux half way across the room, where he stopped and stared at us with eyes as big as saucers. I think we may have gone through one of his lives last night. Sorry boo boo. But holy cow, was that a race or what!! (Oh, and Micheal Phelps, if you're reading this, please feel free to scream like an animal and show every muscle in your body whenever you want, thank you.)
So the Johnson household, kitties and all, is in a full Olympic frenzy.
I can't believe we have over two more weeks of this!!
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