Joy Joy for Christ is Born

If I could sing like this, I wouldn't have to lip sync in church. To think she's 15 years old. That voice is a true gift.

What Child is this, who, laid to rest
On Mary's lap, is sleeping?
Whom angels greet with anthems sweet

The Darker Side of Forty

Today. 46. Yikes.

I'm giving myself a pretty birthday song. And if you recognize it, just ignore that you may have first heard it in a Chrysler commercial. It's sweet nonetheless.

Blokus

Son #2 and I were in Barnes & Noble looking for ideas for the neighborhood gift swap. I came across a strategy game I had never seen before and asked, "What about Blokus?" which I pronounced BLOWkus.

He looked at the box and started laughing at me, "Uh mom, judging by the box, I'm guessing it's pronounced BLOCKus." He then spent the rest of our time in the store chuckling and repeating BLOWkus under his breath.

Now he's using it in all sorts of sentences.

The hubby and I were laughing our heads off the other night. Son #2 came down from his bedroom where he's supposed to be sleeping, "What's all the BLOWkus down here?"

This morning I told him he looked very handsome. "Yeah, that's a lot of BLOWkus."

I'm afraid of what's next.

Hooray for Geeks

This morning, I awoke to go swimming but first checked the RAC website to make sure there were no classes in the pool. Nope, none until 9:00 a.m. I arrived to find an 8:00 a.m. class beginning in 15 minutes.

Me: Your website is wrong. It says the Aqua-Cise class is at 9:00 a.m.

Front desk chick: I don't handle the website.

Me: Well, I don't appreciate driving all of the way here to discover that I cannot swim.

Front desk chick: (blank stare)

Me (leading the witness): Is there someone I can contact to get this corrected?

Front desk chick: I don't know. Maybe I could ask someone else when they get in?

Me: That would be great.

I love her not-my-problem, out-of-my-functional-silo, maybe-do attitude.

So I went home and on the way stopped at Tim Hortons because we had a sleepover last night and Son #2's friend loves vanilla dip donuts. (If you can't exercise, might as well eat disgusting sugar encrusted lipids for breakfast.)

Aside from the Geek Squad truck pulling in, the parking lot was otherwise empty. Being lazy from a lack of exercise at the gym, I opted for the drive-thru.

Me: I would like a dozen donuts.

Drive-thru dude: That'll be $6.49; drive up to the window.

Me: Don't you want to know what kind I want?

Dude: It's just assorted in the drive-thru. If you want to pick your donuts, you have to come it.

Me: But no one's behind me and the restaurant is empty.

Dude: Yeah, but you still have to come in.

So in I went. I love his follow-the-rules-even-when-ridiculous, no-can-do approach to customer satisfaction.

On the way in, the Geek Squad held the door for me. I, in turn, offered to hold the inside door for them but they wouldn't let me.

Geek: We're not only friendly guys, we're representing the fabulous Best Buy brand.

Say what???? Um, did I just hear that correctly? A delivery crew who is trained to serve customers, or potential customers, well even when popping in off the clock to grab donuts? And mention their brand name in the process?

Best Buy. My new heroes. Really, it doesn't take much.

Winter Wonderland

I find it hard to believe that it could get any more beautiful outside than it is right now. And I am not even a winter girl.

Thanks to my favorite great uncle (a.k.a. my grandfather's sister's husband's sister's husband's sister's husband thrice removed) who penned this fabulous song 30 years before I was born, I am facing unafraid, the plans that I made, walking in a winter wonderland.

When it snows, ain't it thrilling,
Though your nose gets a chilling
We'll frolic and play, the Eskimo way,
Walking in a winter wonderland

Hallelujah

Last night, due to a boss-related snafu, I had to drive back to work through the frozen tundra and grab a document from the fax machine. As I was driving home, the streets were quiet and blanketed with snow -- and Jeff Buckley came on the radio. Powerful song but even more gorgeous in the dark of night with the snow falling and Christmas lights twinkling everywhere. I heart Christmas!

Vacation Day!

Guess where I am? *&^%$#@#$%$^%&&^%$##(*%$#@^^

It's the most wonderful time of the year
There'll be much mistletoe-ing
And CPUs will be glowing
When coworkers are near
It's the most wonderful time of the year

There'll be meetings for hosting
Strategies for toasting
And driving out in the snow
There'll be scary client stories
And tales of the glories of
vacations long, long ago

It's the most wonderful time of the year

Fauxbriety

On behalf of a girlfriend who I love and who will remain nameless, I just coined a new word: fauxbriety.

Definition: "Even though I'm swerving all over the road and catapulting my car over snowbanks, I swear I haven't had a drink in weeks."

She claims it was a combination of cold medicine and queasiness so, unless it happens again, I'll have to take her word for it. To the best of my knowledge, it's never happened before so the benefit of the doubt seems to be in order here. In the meantime, I simply plan to stay clear of her car.

Taxi!

Update: So much for being proud of myself. I just Googled my new word and it's been on Urban Dictionary since 2008. Darn it all. 

Photo Per Day: Town Hall

The Pittsford Town Hall looked so pretty this morning on my way to work. It was covered in snow and looked all Gingerbread House-y.

Seriously, I need to take photography lessons just to raise the bar to "presentable." I don't need to be the next Stieglitz just a tad less blurry. I could blame it on the fact that I was driving (slowly) at the time but that's just a cop-out.

Love and Other Things

Over the weekend, I discovered that:

1. A single martini feels much stronger when you subsequently have to navigate an airport. But cocktails with girlfriends trump more rational decisions any day.
2. JetBlue still doesn't have its act together. Their computer system somehow assigned more than one person per seat on our 10:40 p.m. flight to the ROC so they gave up and shouted to the boarding passengers "ignore your seat assignment and just grab the first seat that's open." Unable to bear the thought of a night in Queens, lil' ole alcohol-bolstered me forged ahead taking no prisoners. To quote Ted Nugent, it was a free-for-all. And I won. (Clasped hands raised in trophy pose.)
3. Playgrounds are very, very slippery when covered with snow. Dangerous yet heaps o' fun. Note to my vast readership of playground equipment developers: you should conduct in situ research during winter conditions to avoid lawsuits. Seriously. Even the wood chips underfoot were frozen. 
4. Snow covered slides will launch you (or in this case, me) into the air like a human cannonball.
5. Landing on your back is more palatable when dressed like Nanook of the North.
6. Lastly, ten year old boys have girlfriends. And they kiss. And use the word "love." They also share these details openly with their friend's mom (i.e., me) over hot soup. 

Photo Per Day #30: Creche and Burn

Ach. I missed the very last day of November. But in keeping with the spirit of the season, I have fully decorated my office. I put a couple of festive deer with a Christmas tree on my windowsill.

And I put a little nativity scene, purchased in Cancun a few years back, on my desk. Oh Joy!

But the more I glance over at Joseph, the more I'm convinced that he and and director Kevin Smith were separated at birth. Silent Bob. Silent Night.

 

My inner, underdeveloped Ansel Adams can now rest.

Photo Per Day #29: Geneva, NY

Today, I drove to a client in Northern PA and back but rather than heading down the less scenic 390, the hubby talked me into taking Route 14 which is also, unbeknown to me, faster. Duh. So I headed to Geneva and instead of going to my brother-in-law's cottage, I drove along the other side of the lake and saw those familiar sights from a new angle. The road-side of the inns directly across the lake from the cottage: Geneva on the Lake and Belhurst Castle. I now want to stay at both and wave to my sis from my upscale vantage point. So beautiful!

Anyhoo, instead of taking pictures of the cute little town of Watkins Glen or of the gazillion vineyards dotting the landscape (or even of the one, lone boater), I fell in love with the town (city?) of Geneva for the first time ever. Crime-riddled, decay-filled Geneva, NY with its boarded up storefronts is chock full of gorgeous architecture. Mansions dotting the lakefront. The lake itself. The whole package. I now personally want to restore the area to its former glory. A Geneva revival sans gunfights, welfare and crack whores. Could happen, right?

And I want to live here: smack dab in the middle of town with Christmas decorations on the lampposts and views of the lake from my backyard.

Photo Per Day #28: The Latest Cat Toy

When out in the living room there arose such a clatter,
I sprang from the couch to see what was the matter,
Oh right, two cats fighting over something . . .

Who knew an old Santa hat could be so much fun?

Photo Per Day #27: Kitten Proofing

This year, with new kittens, we're decorating the tree in all non-breakables. And, unlike prior years where the tree was decorated by little people (i.e., bottom loaded), all of our ornaments are now strategically placed at the top of the tree where they can't be swatted down by furry creatures. It's an equally bizarre lookin' tree only a few short years later.

So what must one do with all of the pretty bulbs? Shove 'em in bowls, I say (and then take a fuzzy picture).

Photo Per Day #26: The Pub

Went out to meet my niece, in town from DC, for a drink tonight at the pub. Thankfully my girlfriend came with me because my niece didn't show for another 1.5 hours. So we went home. Beforehand, we had these.

Photo Per Day #25: Thanksgiving 2010

Happy Thanksgiving y'all. Today's picture is not of the succulent turkey that my brother-in-law Jim prepared. Or of the gorgeous spread that he and my sister offered at their home. Or the blazing fire. Or the smiling faces. Or the beautifully illustrated label on the wine that my mom bought. Instead, today's picture represents what families of nine year old boys know inside and out: how to stave off a holiday meltdown. Today's picture is of Son #2 at the supermarket picking out a box of store bought stuffing because he doesn't like the fresh mushrooms and delicious sausage in my sister's moist, homemade stuffing. Welcome to parenthood 2010. Dysfunction. Love. Thanksgiving. Whatever it takes for happiness.

Extra Photo Per Day: Sunset

Okay, so I missed two days of my self-imposed photographic compilation; however, I'm closing the gap with an extra photo today. This shot was taken by my brother-in-law, Jim, at his cottage last Friday night. I've never seen the lake that calm before.

Photo Per Day #24: Got the Time Tick Tick Ticking

Sooooo excited for Thanksgiving, a four-day weekend, the kickoff of the Christmas season, dinner at my sister's house, food, family fun, etc. Alone at work, I can't stop looking at the clock on the wall outside my office door. Got another day to get through . . . No such thing as tomorrow, only 1-2-3-go.

Photo Per Day #23: Diet Schmiet

I failed with Photo Per Day #22. Strike number two for this exercise. And 22 is my "lucky number." Wanna know where else I've failed miserably?

 

Flown straight from a UK-based client, via UPS, to my arse. Thanksgiving? Bring it on.

Photo Per Day #21: Powers Farm Market

Stopped by Powers Farm Market with Son #2 to feed the animals. It's been a few weeks since the Halloween haunted teepees/hayrides/pumpkin picking mayhem subsided and we thought they might be a bit lonely.

Photo Per Day #20: Chinchillin'

Today's guest photo was swiped from the Internets courtesy of our friend Stan Merrell's Facebook page. Stan, who was dubbed the "omnipresent documentarian of western New York culture" by local music critic Jeff Spevak, captured a colorful, shadowy shot of last night's Chinchillas show at our favorite hotspot Abilene. Thanks Stan! 

Photo Per Day #19: Roadrunner Roadrunner

My brother is in Paris on business. His daughter is visiting him for the weekend from university in Seville.

In a similar vein, I spend my life on the road hitting all sorts of exotic locales. With the radio on.

Photo Per Day #18: Beaujolais Nouveau

Tonight was the annual Beaujolais Nouveau party hosted by talented local agency, The Verdi Group. Due to a confluence of unplanned events, long client meetings, an emergency stop at the office, and an East Avenue traffic jam, coupled with a need to be home by 7:00 p.m. for the hubby's escape to a coaches' meeting for our son's Odyssey of the Mind team, I could only stay for 40 minutes. Argh.

But a great 40 minutes it was. Tables and tables of difficult-to-find, artisan cheeses accented with tiny flags denoting their country of origin with a little text on the variety, cow, etc. All to die for. My favorite was a mustard yellow, curried cheese that I just Googled and cannot find online. So I hung with my girlfriend Jennifer, enjoyed a glass of wine and ate heaps o' cheese.

Both Jen and I won free bottles of wine based on our submissions to their "cheese pun" contest. I was thrilled because who doesn't want a free bottle of wine (?) but also savvy enough to realize that all entrants won. Hey, you gotta be in it to win it. Whey to go! Gouda work . . .

Today's pic: Jen with her fabulous bottle of wine.

Photo Per Day #17: House Gawking

My girlfriend Gretchen, who lives across the street from my office, and I just took a morning walk through the neighborhood to pick out our next houses. Walking. Stalking. Gawking. Wishful thinking. Planning ahead. Living vicariously. Seeing how the other half lives. Voyeurism. Whatever you want to call it.

My next house. Sadly the whole house didn't fit in the frame.

My picture of Gretchen's next house came out a bit blurry so the house below is a reasonable facsimile. This only has a two-car garage but it'll do in a pinch.

An extra house for when friends come to town.

Anyone want to live here and hang out with us?

Photo Per Day #16: Sports Hero

Just watched the last few minutes of last night's amazing Rangers' game. Unreal.

Following is a picture of one of my favorite local athletes.

Photo Per Day #15: Morning Sky

There's a church on the way to my sister's house that posts pithy, thought provoking maxims on their lawn sign. I always slow down to read them. Yesterday's read, "Joy is not the absence of problems but the presence of God." Love that.

Back to work. 

 

Photo Per Day #14: Shufflin' Off

Our first stop yesterday, after hitting the Walden Galleria to return some boots, was Buffalo's Anchor Bar: original home of the chicken wing. In the Treacy and Wiersema value disciplines model, they've embraced a product leadership go-to-market strategy.

Operational efficiency, not so much. The place, pre-Sabres game, was jam jam jam packed. The wait for a table? An hour and a half. We headed to the bar where we found a place by the wall to stand and ordered two beers and 10 medium chicken wings. The wait for our wings? Somewhere between 45 and 60 minutes.

Customer intimacy, not a prayer. Over the loudspeaker, we would hear, "Jumby, party of 15, let us know if you're still here."

But the chicken wings were perfect. Crunchy and delicious. I would definitely go back but next time, I'll go earlier. Or not on a game day.

Photo Per Day #13: Public Market

This morning, my girlfriend Yams, the kids and I headed down to one of my favorite places in the city: the Rochester Public Market. This 105 year old establishment was recently voted the Best Farmers' Market in the U.S. narrowly beating my cousin Toni's market in Davis, CA. (Note: Let's go there when I come visit!)

I love the sights. The crowds. The people watching. The vendors. The colors. The fresh veggies. The fruits. Pretty much everything but the parking.

Photo Per Day #12: TGIF

Yea! It's almost the weekend! A few more hours of this view (below), an afternoon at a client site, and then the fun begins with a visit from my girlfriend Yammikins.

And if my bro is reading this, please note your name, actually your entire family's signatures, remain on the bottom of the white board in my office. We're just conducting business around the more important stuff in life.

Photo Per Day #11: Pool

This is how I start my day. Not every day but many. Usually I have the pool to myself. Today I shared it with a tiny woman who looked to be in her early 80s. At 5:30 a.m., she was already doing laps. When I entered the steam room at 6:30 a.m., she was in there, lying on the tiled bench, stark naked. (Another missed Photo Per Day opportunity. Too steamy. Ha.) She was facing the wall with her back/butt facing me. I wondered if I will be that carefree when I'm her age. For now, I'll keep my swimsuit on. It's in everyone's best interests.

Usually when I do laps, I meditate on the Lord's Prayer. I recite a single verse per lap and I focus on either a single word or an entire phrase. "Our Father. Our Father. Our. Not just mine but all of ours." I sometimes throw in a few Hail Marys for good measure because I think Mary is pretty awesome.

When I'm done, I float in a swimmer's savasana of sorts and relax. Today, after prayer, while floating like a bloated corpse, my brain was flooded with an old Squeeze song from when I was in college. While I don't think the writers intended it for God-like purposes, it really amazed me.

Take me I'm yours for dreams are made of this. Forever there'll be a heaven in your kiss.

Photo Per Day #10: Lucky

Last night, the lovely Heather G. and I met after work at black and blue for dirty martinis (mine had Tabasco and an oyster! yum.) and ribeye (rare!) with Gorgonzola sauce. Absolutely delicious. Who else was there you may ask? A client of mine who was having dinner with none other than Kareem Abdul-Jabbar. Fame in our midst! While that would have made for a fabulous Photo Per Day entry, I decided not to be that intrusive. I'm much too composed for that . . .

Afterward, we walked over to see a free, test screening of the movie Lucky which is playing for two nights only. Our friend Chris, the Executive Producer, and Avie Luthra, Director, were on hand to field questions after the film and gather input regarding what worked/what didn't work. For me, the pace of the movie was a bit slow at times and, because the soundtrack hasn't yet been laid, the depth of emotions typically evoked by music were missing. With that said, however, I think it is one of those films that may haunt me for a while. It is based on a short subject film that won 43 international film festival awards in 2007. It follows a ten year old orphan as he makes his way in South Africa and deals with race-related strife, poverty, dishonesty and other issues. Pretty intense subject matter but the approach was not too heavy handed. I honestly cannot wait to see it again after the final edits have been made and the soundtrack has been added. And I hope it does well. It was receiving great feedback last night.

In un-lucky news, one thing this Photo Per Day exercise is highlighting is my complete inability to take a good picture as evidenced by the photo below. With a dose of mild irony, the subject of this dark image, smiling and proudly displaying her buttered popcorn, works at the George Eastman House -- home of one of the greatest collections of photographs in the world. Somehow methinks this photo will never be in that esteemed collection. But note Lucky on the marquee behind her! How much fun would it be to see your name in lights?

I feel lucky, oh oh oh, I feel lucky, yeah
Hey Dwight, hey Lyle, boys, you don't have to fight
Hot dog, I'm feeling lucky tonight

Photo Per Day #9: Work

Eight, eight, I forget what eight is for. Yes, this is the second time I've quoted the Violent Femmes in as many months. And yes, I missed a day already.

I blame this place. With that bleak sky, it looks almost institutional.

 

Photo Per Day #7: Kitty Condo

Last night we hosted a bunch of nine year old boys for a sleepover. I think they had heaps o' fun. They played football and baseball outside in the freezing cold. Came in and played video games. Ate pizza and chocolate fondue (big hit). Received gift bags with Lego mini-figures and Brickarms weapons (because what Lego surfer dude is complete without an assault rifle?) Played more video games. Football in the basement. And they tried to stay up all night. 

Yep, the only night of the year when you don't want an extra hour . . .

Today's pic is post-mayhem: the kittens relaxing in their new Japanese style housing complex and looking at each other a la the Brady Bunch.

Time to go to sleep.

Photo Per Day #6: Acupuncture

I went to see one of my favorite women on the planet at 8:00 a.m. this morning: my acupuncturist, Deeanne Bevin. Today we talked about the usual stuff: health, work, stress, politics, faith, family and pooping.

Grannie gave me a highly desired gift certificate to an acupuncture session in a professional practice in an office building a few years ago. I was sooooooo excited! There was a menu of choices on the wall from which I could select (weight loss, smoking cessation, balance, etc.) I was told to take my clothes off and lie down on a cold hospital cot. The doctor then rapidly proceeded to stick tens of needles up and down my body with what looked and felt like a staple gun. He left my voodoo doll body to lie there freezing to death.

When I told Robert, my hair stylist, about this well intentioned but god-awful experience, he referred me to Deeanne. I now understand firsthand the difference in treatment styles. Night and day. Deeanne's practice is in a cozy little home. It's well lit and surrounded by trees and birds. It's also warm inside and the beds are heated. Most importantly, she knows eastern medicine inside and out. Unlike my first experience, it's both professional and personal. Chatting, examining my tongue, taking my pulse. And gently (for the most part!) hand placing needles in a few select areas of my body. I then relax (covered!), in a warm bed, while listening to beautiful music.

It's a great, great feeling to start the day back in bed . . . 

And stretch!

Photo Per Day #5: Stone

Tonight, I went to see our resident filmmaker's recent release Stone starring Robert De Niro, Edward Norton, Frances Conroy and the beautiful seductress Milla Jovovitch. While it's gotten some mixed reviews, I absolutely loved it. And I hate everything. (That means you, Forrest Gump.) It was shocking how much it reminded me of a Bob Rafelson film. (That's my nod to you, Jack Garner. You know who you are.) More in the Five Easy Pieces vein than his (hey, hey we're the) Monkeys pièce de résistance. But seriously, the performances were truly outstanding and the plot line extremely compelling if you like twisted faith-based/spiritual/religious/new age-y path-oriented topics (as I do).

So today's pic (albeit not an Annie Leibovitz caliber photo), clocking in before midnight (oh snap), is of our esteemed local director and his hot wife at the post-screening reception. Happy birthday Kris and John!

Photo Per Day #4: Funny Boy

Every once in a while, I test the kids' ability to stay out of trouble by peppering them with questions such as, "You're playing in the yard when some dude drives up and tells you that he cannot find his puppy. Do you help?" (Answer: no, freak.)

Last night, I asked the age-old don't let anyone know your parents are not home question, "I am out for a little while and the phone rings. Where do you tell them I am?"

Son #2: "I just tell them you can't come to the phone 'cause you're dropping some friends off at the lake."

Great. That'll work.

Tonight's picture is him greeting me at the door as I came home at 8:15 p.m. Crazy boy.

Photo Per Day #3: Election Night

Yesterday I had the honor of voting for one of my best friends from childhood who ran for NYS Senate. My eyes welled up with tears at the voting booth. I was picturing us playing kickball as kids. Camping on weekends in high school. Taking *sightseeing* trips to Mexico and Canada. Visiting colleges. Drinking blue whales at T's after her wedding still in our formal gowns. And on and on.

While she didn't win, she came close gaining an impressive 47% of the votes in our district.

This photo of two childhood girlfriends (and one hubby) was taken at the Hyatt downtown last night from the Democratic campaign headquarters. Tons of TV crews were stationed in the ballroom. We were in a river view suite on the 21st floor watching the results roll in. It felt like such an historic event and, while the outcome sadly wasn't in her favor, it was a privilege to be there. 

Photo Per Day #2: Monkey's Birthday

Happy birthday to my little man. May you enjoy your Mötley Crüe Greatest Hits and gazillion video games.

Photo Per Day #1: I want candy

Finally, the much anticipated first installment of my month-long, Photo Per Day series. I can feel the excitement building already. Heading out of the gate with not one but three pics of the loot from last night.

Son #2's collection. He was home first. Such a good boy.

Son #1's slightly larger collection (he arrived home 35 minutes after his 9:00 p.m. curfew) -- including the three Naruto Kunai knives that I skillfully made for him out of heavy folded paper, eye bolts, black duct tape and purple cord. Martha Stewart eat your heart out.

A close-up of the prized possession in Son #1's collection: a rubber ducky. So needed, in fact, that he and his friends started in another neighborhood to get it and then made their way back home. Note the fortune cookie to the side of the duck. Do you think that came with the duck or that another family ran out of candy and supplemented with "dessert" from their Chinese takeout? I'm voting for the latter.

Love Cats

The other night our littlest kitten, who is no longer little, was ill. He must have eaten a plant or something when out on the porch all afternoon. He was listless, vomiting, breathing shallowly and his heartbeat was rapid. Pretty scary stuff. And he didn't want to be touched at all. To avoid dehydration, I kept dipping my finger in his bowl and he would lick the water off.

Yesterday morning he was still not well but I got a call later from the hubby that the kitten was regaining strength, had eaten some canned food and was drinking from his water bowl. Phew.

Last night, I walked in the door and he ran over to me, climbed straight up my pant leg and clung to my sweater until I held him. Then he began rubbing his head all over my face and suckling on my lips. Frantic for love.

Loosely translated, he was saying "omgiwassoooosickanddidntknowwhattodoandandandandicouldbarelyliftmyheadorbreatheandiwassoscaredandthenyouleftandicouldntfindyouanywhereyouweregoneforpossiblyyearsandiwassoscaredandnowyourehomeanditfeltlikeyouwerenevercominghomeimissedyousoooomuchandandandandimsogladyourebackthatimnevergoingtoletyougo"

It feels good to be loved. Thank God he's okay.

We're on the Cakeside

Among other things, including video games and watching anything on the Military channel, Son #1 is really into food and cooking. He's willing to try anything bizarre on a menu and loves some pretty interesting dishes. (Hence the little gut he's already forming.)

Over the weekend, I bought a $3 hardcover cookbook for him filled with beautiful photos and recipes for chocolate cakes, cookies, pies, you name it. He wants to make everything in the book and share it all with Grannie (our favorite chocoholic).

While Son #2 (aka hamslice) was trying on new DC skateboard shoes, Son #1 was showing him cakes that he could make for his upcoming birthday party.

"What if I make this chocolate gateau cake for your party? It looks so good!"

"I'd rather have a chocolate ghetto cake. Can you make one of those?"

A Photo Per Day

My girlfriend Ursula has been posting a daily photo on Facebook of her life for a month. Pictures include the view from her apartment, the street vendor from whom she buys her morning coffee, her bike, etc. And she's struggling. I keep thinking, "You live in Manhattan -- every street has a new photo op, no?" Not to mention that she's artistic and works for MOMA. It seems like it should be a relatively easy assignment for her but it's not.

I was wondering if I could do the same thing here for a month. How difficult would it be in a town where nothing happens? Apparently pretty darned tough. But I might try it during November -- a month in the Roc that's notoriously devoid of character. No falling leaves. No sunshine. No snow (hopefully). 

I'm a terrible photographer but I brought my camera with me yesterday, in preparation, just to see what I could capture.

First stop, early morning, my sister's new puppy barking at the waves outside the cottage. He was racing around so quickly I could barely capture him in the frame.

Then, off to the tiny Episcopalian church that's about one minute up the road where my little man rang the bell after the service. So stinkin' cute to see him pulling the giant cord and listen to the bells chiming.

 

After church, we went bowling where I somehow forgot to take pictures. What I should have captured were the insulting graphics that appeared on the giant screen above our lane. Dancing pins shouting "gutter ball." Great for a little kid's self-esteem (not to mention mine). 

Remembered the camera before lunch at Rio Tomatlan in Canandaigua. Como se dice, "yummy" en Espanol? It was here, after buying the kids new winter coats and gloves on the way to the restaurant, that I heard, "Thank you mom for the best day ever." Warms the heart. 

 

Intent on studying the selection of salsa verdes, the subject of the photo hides behind his menu.

Last stop on the way home, apple picking at the aptly named The Apple Farm. Riding the tractor . . . 

Picking yellow delicious . . .

Posing like the Fonz at the top of the hill camera askew . . .

And picking red delicious . . .

So tired at the end of the day, I could have slept while sitting upright but I let the Milkman do that for me  :)

Captain Obvious

I spend a few hours each Saturday watching Son #2 play baseball which I love. He's a fabulous pitcher and, on most days, a darned good hitter. And he's super cute. (Biased, I know.)

What I also enjoy is listening to the helpful comments from the dads watching from the sidelines.

"Swing if it's a good pitch."

"Try to hit the ball with the bat."

"Run if you make contact."

"Cover your base."

Really Dr. Smartypants?

At this age, most of the statements are positive reinforcement regardless of outcome. Good eye. Nice swing. And the parents basically root for any kid with a great hit or impressive catch regardless of team. One for all and all for one.

From what I've been told, this is preferable to the maniacal zeal that apparently comes as the kids and teams become more competitive. A fellow mom recently told me that, while her older son was playing a team across town, the home team parents were encouraging unethical plays and hurling slurs about the visiting kids being rich and snooty. After the game, which "our" team won, an upset woman stormed up to the coach and screamed, "I hope you all die on the ride home."

Wow. Lighten up, Francis. And, uh, nice role modeling.

With that said, I'll take a goofy remark any day.

"Pitch it over the plate son."

Pole Dancing

A few years ago, we went to Parents' Night at our kids' preschool. On the wall were pictures that our kids drew of us along with descriptions that they dictated and the teachers typed. Son #2's said, "My mama works in a church." My neighbors thought that was pretty darned funny.

My girlfriend Mary's said, "My mom has hairy legs." Classic. And even funnier. (She was absolutely mortified.)

Jennifer, my coworker, just told me that she had too many vodka and cranberries on a trip to Lake George years ago and ended up puking on the side of the road as her husband drove the family home from dinner. When they went to the second grade open house, her daughter had drawn the requisite "What I did over summer vacation" picture and wrote, "I painted the town red with my mommy." Yep, a fully illustrated reminder complete with a red line down the road.

You gotta love kids.

My friend Petey sent me a link to this story this morning. Oddly enough, I think this lady has all of us beat!