Rare Political Post

This is not meant to be a political blog.  But this post is slightly breaking the rules. (And the occasional political post will keep Becki up to date on what is happening on the home front.)

I watched Hillary's speech last night at the Dem Convention.  If we had seen that Hillary on the stump; human, passionate, funny (and if she just hadn't voted for the damn Iraq war) she might have been on the podium as the nominee. 

She came down hard on the Hillary supporters that threaten to vote for McSame - a real come-to-Jesus speech about how if they were in it for her they owe it to the country to move their support to Obama as she has.

She did a great job in a situation that had to be difficult for her.  Brava!!!  

And a note from Monday night - Sasha Obama is the just cutest thing.

Surviving the Maze

We survived the sunflower maze today. A few rules:

1. Wear the bug spray. I could post pics of my bugbites but that would be gross.

2. Sunflowers are heavy. They also fall at about the same height as the human face. If you are following someone and the flowers are hanging over the path and the person you are following is pushing the flowers away they will whack you in the face on the way back. Do not follow too closely.

3. Don't be the person that has to be rescued from the maze at the end of the day by the staff.

4. Have fun.

Char-Gar's Engrish Tee Shirt

I couldn't get a good pic with my phone but in addition to the above words of wisdom it says ZEALOUS - POSITIVE MOOD.  I'll try to post a better pic later.

Sissy's Engrish Tee Shirt

I know that I shall daily strive to be in my most charming aureate pomposity!!!!

You're So Vain????

I am trying to wean myself off celebrity gossip sites.  I decided that I didn't need mean-spiritedness cluttering up my soul at this point.  I have moved on to fashion sites.  I like the Sartorialist-type sites where a roving photographer finds a regular person on the street whose outfit is particularly fetching, snaps a picture and posts it on a blog.  The commenters are mostly positive; even if they don't care for the outfit they will applaud the wearer's courage. There are few if any trolls.  I have found new ways to wear some of the things in my closet.

Today I discovered there are sites where people take pictures of themselves in their own outfits and post them on a daily basis.  Now initially, it seemed a little weird.  Not that I wouldn't be tempted to do it on a day I felt I had accomplished a higher than normal level of sartorial splendor.

Now if a stranger wants to take your picture on the street because you put together an interesting outfit that's one thing.  It's a compliment.  Taking a picture of your own outfit and posting seems self-congratulatory in a slightly inappropriate way.  On the other hand why not celebrate one's sense of personal style?  No need to be a celebrity or model or designer to have style and flaunt it.

So maybe the concept is not so weird.  People look.  I look.  Some find wardrobe inspiration and some just like the fact that these posters are brave enough to put themselves out there.

I'm Having This for Dinner - YUM

The American National Costume

Boston Daughter is spending fall semester at the University of Exeter, England.  One of the mailings suggested that international students bring along their 'national costume'. That seems to be one thing we lack here in the U.S., although it is fun to speculate what an American national costume might look like.  Here is what most of the world probably sees:

American National Costume - Female:

Capri length pants (alternative: mom jeans.  If this option is selected the accompanying tee-shirt must be tucked in)

Tee or sweatshirt with flower appliques (alternate shirt design: puppies, kittens, grandchildren, or a large American flag)

White socks (preferably short in length - especially if choosing the capri option -  leg must be visible between the top of the sock and the bottom of the pant)

Blindingly white Reebok sneakers

Visor (either hard plastic or fabric)

Fanny pack

Optional: oversized canvas tote for all the things accompanying male doesn't want to carry

American National Costume - Male

Shorts

Tee or sweatshirt with jingoistic or offensive slogan or large American flag (alternative: polo shirt with golf club, college or corporate logo)

Knee length socks (can be white, brown or black)

Blindingly white Reeboks (alternative: sandals...alternative 2: brown or black lace-up shoes)

Fanny pack

Camera (must be large and worn around neck)

Baseball style cap with, preferably, American sports team or military logo (alternative: golf club, college or corporate logo)

If traveling in a foreign country it is advisable that both the male and female costumes include a vinyl or canvas passport case worn on a lanyard like a necklace. 

Those are my ideas.  Anyone else?

Coincidence? I Think Not

This can't be a coincidence.  I DVR'd an episode of Shin Chan from Cartoon Network's Adult Swim last week.  A few days later I got an email from Amazon.com telling me that Season 1, Part 1 of Shin Chan was available on DVD.

Looks like AT&T and Amazon are in cahoots.