Disneyland

Oh how I love Disneyland.

We're taking the kids next week and I am stupid excited. We haven't been in four years since we took our daughter there for her birthday and I think I'm more jazzed than the kids.

My son has never been so he doesn't have a point of reference. He's kind of excited but I don't think knows why. My daughter is kind of excited too, but she's torn between being happier over going to Disneyland or missing school. Understandable.

Disneyland is one of those memories for me that has never been sullied by anything unpleasant. Even arguing over who got the last E ticket (for those of you who remember those) can take the shine off the Magic Kingdom. I remember going on Space Mountain as a kid and being dazzled by the stars glowing in the darkness. That was my favorite ride for a long time. Now that I'm older I appreciate the Pirates of the Caribbean more. Who needs all the twists and turns of a roller coasted when you can watch the pirates chase the pirate wenches -- though now they've made it PC by having the wenches carrying platters of food so delicate minds won't think salacious thoughts.

Oh and the light parade. I used to love staying up late and watching the light parade. We're driving in Sunday and we're going to take the kids to see the parade once we get there. My daughter was a little scared of it the last time we went. I remember her being bothered by the snails that would drive around in circles. Hopefully she's forgotten that by now.

Sadly, my daughter isn't into the Princesses anymore. They're too babyish for her now. Fortunately she is replacing the Princess fixation with a healthy appreciation for Jack Sparrow and frankly, I can find no fault with that.

So here's looking forward to walking our legs to the bone, standing in lines and getting sunburned in the happiest place on Earth. I can't wait.

Sunny template gone, but this is cool...

Just me. Messing around.

Oh this is sunny, isn't it?

I found some new blogger templates and I'm messing around, as you can see. I like this one. It's all sunny and perky.

Anyway. Don't be too surprised if the blog looks different each time you come here. I may switch to Wordpress if I can't find a template in Blogger I like. So I'll be experimenting a bit.

Change is good though. Right?

Wow, is it time for my weekly post already?

My, how time flies.

I've had a pretty good week, though sometimes it's hard. I really hate using my blog as sort of a pity party, but I just can't help myself. So today I decided to start writing in a journal to kind of vent all the nonsense that's been building up in my head.

I wrote 28 pages today.

Aren't you glad I decided to inflict that on a journal rather than you?

I must say though, it's one of the best ideas I've had in a while. I used to do this when I was a teenager. High school is such an angst-ridden time anyway and whenever I had additional stress, the only way I knew how to express it was to write in a journal. I don't know why I haven't done this since then, but I think it's high time I rediscovered it.

But I feel good. I feel like I had a long talk with an understanding, non-judgemental and very patient girl friend, who just happens to be one hell of a good listener.

I'd forgotten how cathartic writing can be. I think anyone reading this understands what I mean. We're all bloggers right?

There is something fairly egotistical about blogging-- not that there's anything wrong with that. At least for me it is. I have humble expectations, but at the same time I like to think that what goes on in my head is relatable to someone. I'm not the funniest blogger by a long shot. But like a lot of people I lay my humanity out there, with all its warts and wrinkles, hoping to connect with someone who "gets" where I'm coming from.

I'm working on being less damaged and needy. I'd like to be able to have a conversation without laying my life story at someones feet hoping for commiseration. I don't feel like being that pathetic anymore.

But still, 28 pages in one day. I have a lot of junk rattling around in my head don't I?

But hey, tomorrow's another day. Maybe I'll only write 14.

Next step. Channeling all that writing energy into writing a friggin' book!

Last Minute Mom Stuff

I feel like this blog is my neglected child. I have two other blogs that focus on sci-fi and they take so much of my blogging time that I never seem to have the chance to use this personal blog. I suppose that's just as well, I have had a tendency to be too maudlin over the last few months and no one really wants to see that. Heck, when I read personal blogs, I prefer the funny stuff. I just wish I had better comic timing.

I'm yawning all over the place today. My daughter, who turns eight on Sunday, decides to remind me last night at 9:30pm that she needs cupcakes to take to school today. Doh! I should have remembered that myself but it slipped my mind. Well, almost. I thought of it last night before she reminded me but I thought, I can do it Monday, that's closer to her birthday anyway. But second graders don't think that way. The class celebration must be prior to, or on, the actual birthday. So, not wanting to be the mom who shafted her kid on her birthday I schlepped myself up to the store, got supplies, and was up to about midnight making cupcakes. Oh well, it's all for a good cause. She may not remember as she gets older that I made her cupcakes for school, but she sure as hell would remember if I didn't!

She's a good kid though. I would've probably been kicking myself if I hadn't done it.

Not to get maudlin again (sorry!) but my parents have been known to forget my birthday. Not too much when I was little, but that's kind of hard when you have an 8-year-old reminding you every other second that their birthday is 2 days and 6--- no 5 hours and 45 minutes away. But there was this time when I was 10....

I'm not entirely sure they forgot my birthday but I think they did. I didn't get any birthday presents that year. My mom and dad gave me a card saying that my dad was going to build me a swing-set for my birthday. Bwahahahahahahah! I knew right then and there I'd never see the swing-set. My dad is not exactly a master builder. He put up a fence once and forgot to put in a gate. It was funny. We had this massive yard and my dad built a fence around the downstairs sliding door so we'd have a place to let the dogs out. But you could only get in and out of the yard through the slider since he forgot the gate. But he was so proud of that fence. It wasn't straight, but he built it.

I never asked my parents about the swing-set. I knew my dad wouldn't build it, but I also knew that if I pestered him enough to actually try, I'd end up with something sure to break my neck, so I let the whole thing lie. But I still think they forgot the birthday and tried to come up with a last minute promise so I wouldn't think they forgot. Wouldn't be the last time.

I wonder if my brothers had this happen to them too? I've never asked them and I probably won't. Why bother bringing up something that will just end up in a bitter conversation? (I know.. I know... why do I do this?) But in a way I'd like to know I wasn't alone in being a little forgotten.

Okay, I gotta shake this off. I don't want to be a downer. It's just I think of this stuff when my kids birthday's roll around. I know women have looooong memories but I suspect we all do when we're kids. And I sure as heck don't want my children to remember that I forgot to think they're important on their birthdays. I would deserve to be smacked for that.

Damn! Those Catholics are Good at the Guilt

I wonder if I should title this "us" Catholics, after all, I was raised in the church, confessions at 7 years old and everything.

Is it a sin to confess to something you didn't do just so you wouldn't waste the priest's time?

I thought I got away from the church though. I lapsed myself out of going to church, saying confession, lighting candles, rosaries and crossing myself. And I don't miss any of it.

But my husband has been feeling the guilt.

We haven't baptized our kids. I don't mind so much because I really don't believe that splashing some water on my kid's heads is going to make a damn bit of difference on where my kids will go when they die. (hopefully many many many years after me) But it's wearing on my husband so out of respect for his feelings (fear) we'll be baptizing them.

The church is a pain about the whole thing though. We had planned on getting our daughter baptized right after birth but the local church wanted us, and anyone who would be the godparents, to jump through some serious hoops. I remember classes were involved. Needless to say it didn't get done because no one we knew (relatives included) could do all the stuff the church demanded.

We're in a new area now and we'll be looking into the Catholic church out here to see what their demands are. What a pain.

I'm pretty comfortable with stepping outside the church and baptizing my kids in a Christian church of pretty much any denomination just to get it done with, but I bet my husband is going to insist on doing it the Catholic way. In most cases this wouldn't be a problem since I usually do everything. But I've been dragging my feet on this one and my husband so hates to do anything himself, so the process has been seriously stalled.

Why am I doing this? I'm not precisely sure. I don't have any problem with baptizing my kids, I just don't really buy into the biblical version of how I should live my life. I already do so many things the bible doesn't approve of, what's one more? I don't believe gay people are bad or evil, so I'm already cherry picking my belief system and the bible doesn't like a lot of the cherries I pick.

Does this mean I don't believe in God? Not necessarily. I just don't believe in the biblical version of God any more than I believe in Zeus. I can't disprove God exists so I guess I'll leave the option on the table that he could exist and leave it at that. Mostly I prefer to live my life according to the Golden Rule. You remember that don't you? "Do unto others as you would have them do unto you." Good words and ones to live by IMHO. I try to be ethical. I return wallets if I find them-- unopened (have done this), try not to lie (this should be easy but sometimes the "does this make me look fat" question has no tactful answer) and generally try not to curse or cut people off in traffic-- but no one is perfect.

Anyway. No Catholic guilt for me. I leave that to my husband.

Sad Day

One of my favorite people in the blog world has lost his father. If you get a chance, do me a favor and go by Furiousblog and say a kind word or two. He is one of the funniest, smartest and nicest people I have had a chance to "meet" online. I think once you see his blog and read his posts you'll agree.

My thoughts and prayers are with you Van.

Science and Fiction

I'm sorry for more stolen content from my sci-fi blog. But I though the one or two people who come to this blog might get a kick out of this post....

Dear Blog

When I started you about a year and half ago, I gave you a theme. I gave you a title and called you Fantasy and Sci-fi Lovin' and I've tried to stay true to you-- to the best of my ability.

But I had something of an epiphany today. At the gym.

Science fiction occurs in real life. Yep, it surely does. I know the "fiction" in the title would make it seem impossible, but I'm telling you, I see science and fiction together every single day I go to the gym.

Exhibit #1

Don't get me wrong. I totally admire the dedication it takes to get this physique. And maybe I'm a tad cynical, but I just don't see this body happening on a woman without some serious scientific intervention. Now, I don't know who this woman is, and I don't want to accuse her of using steroids if she hasn't in fact used them. But something tells me her voice is a tad husky.




Exhibit #2

This is another sort of science fiction I also see everyday at the gym. This woman is also apparently a famous female body builder, though I chose to focus on other....er....assets. I think it's safe to say that without the intervention of current medical advances, this woman's rather impressive rack wouldn't otherwise be possible-- not to mention gravity defying.







Exhibit #3

Oh jeez, I apologise for this. I really do. Some works of science fiction should remain a mystery. I promise, dear blog, to go back to my regular subjects tomorrow and leave the real world out of it. *shudder*

Brave New Frontier?

Another post pilfered from my sci-fi blog....

I have to admit, I'm kind of flummoxed by this story I read today. A transgendered man is pregnant with a baby girl and due to give birth this July.

Wow.

This gets my attention for a lot of reasons. I'm not particularly judgemental about straight-gay issues. I pretty much figure I have no business worrying about someone else's sex life. I don't even particularly care that a woman might decide to become a man and then have a baby. Whatever floats your boat.

What does get my attention is the medical intervention required to make this possible and the question of whether we may be messing around with Mother Nature a bit too much. According to the article I read in the Times Online, Thomas Beatie (formerly known as Tracy Lagondino) underwent gender reassignment surgery that involved chest reconstruction and testosterone therapy, but chose to keep his(?) reproductive rights (in other words, all the internal female organs).

The mind boggles.

The article mentions that Beatie stopped taking testosterone therapy and was able to conceive through artificial insemination without the need for additional hormone therapy. There is some concern that the baby could be affected by the testosterone that has been injected into his system over the last ten years since his ovaries and eggs have been exposed to the abnormally high levels the whole time. At this point I admit, I have a hard time thinking of Beatie as a "he" since I'm writing about eggs and ovaries, but legally, he is a man.

As I sit here writing this I do wonder if I have the right to judge the decision Beatie has made. I'm a little uncomfortable that this story makes me squirm a little bit. I like to think I'm open minded and I do think it's very brave of Beatie to come forward and talk about his story. His is married and his wife is unable to have children, which prompted his extraordinary choice to conceive.

At the same time I wonder at the things we, as humans, decide to do sometimes. I know a woman who used a method called MicroSorting to ensure that her last child would be a girl. I'm amazed, and yet appalled that we have gotten to the point that we are now choosing the gender of our children. I know-- I shouldn't make that kind of a judgement. But jeez, how much of a control freak do you have to be to go through that much trouble to make sure your kid is the proper gender? All I'm saying is that I can't say that only choosing to keep the male child has worked all that well for the Chinese, so maybe we should leave some things up to nature (or God if you prefer) to decide.

At any rate, science is allowing human beings to take remarkable liberties with our reproductive choices and I'm not sure what I think about it. One the one hand, I have friends who have beautiful children they wouldn't have been able to have without In Vitro fertilization and I can rationalize that as a good use of science. But can I argue that they are more deserving of a child than Beatie? Mostly, I'd say no. But there may be issues with the health of the baby Beatie is expecting due to his previous hormone therapy and I must admit, that makes me a little less open minded about his decision to conceive.

That said, the baby is on its way and I hope for a healthy happy child.

Happy Chocolate Bunny Day

Oh the Humanity

I don't know about you, but I'm a believer in always learning as you get older. Not only should we strive to learn new things, but I think it's important to learn from our mistakes. That seems like common sense, right? Most people think that way don't they? Well, maybe Elliot Spitzer hasn't learned that lesson yet, but we should try at least, right?

My parents don't seem to think so.

Sometimes I wonder how they managed to keep a roof over our heads. I mean, I really really wonder.

My brother called me a few days ago. He made the token effort to say I ought to call my mom. I made the token effort to agree, for a second or so, but then I started thinking about the manner in which they left and my voice started getting higher and higher and my brother finally told me why he really called.

Even brothers need to vent.

First, you should know, my brother is the worlds most easygoing guy. He invented the word mellow. I mean, you'd have to be incredibly calm to lend someone $100k, not get it back, and then let them live with you. Me? I'd be in jail by now.

So once my brother calmed my tantrum down he started to tell me what it's like living with them on that side of the world.

Basically, nothing's changed.

My parents arranged to have their social security and my dad's disability checks sent over there and that's what everyone is living on. Fortunately the American dollar goes a long way in Thailand so they have more than enough. Of course the standard of living isn't like the U.S., but it's not bad. But my mom, who I remember as never being satisfied by anyplace we ever stayed at, is already wanting to move to a house on the beach. That's my mom. Even broke she wants the best of everything.

I guess the IRS also caught up with them. My dad hasn't paid taxes in years so the IRS has attached their money, but they're not really taking that much (especially considering how much they likely owe). There is a loophole though. The IRS can't take any money if you're making less that $20k -something a year-- I can't remember the exact number. So my parent's accountant is supposed to send a statement to the IRS showing my dad hasn't worked for the last few years. Of course my dad uses that as added justification as to why he can't work.

But get this, my parents are still spending all their money. My brother is going nuts. He's trying to keep them on a budget but they want to have everything and they're being insanely lazy. My mom was supposed to get her visa renewed but she didn't in time so now they're going to have to pay almost double-- which is just stupid since they had no reason not to get it done. They are the laziest people you can imagine. But the worst part is that they're withholding money from my brother. I am so disgusted by this. My dad is acting like he has the right to dole out the money on his whim even though he owes my brother more money than he could ever pay back. My sister-in-law and my mom went to the store to buy food and my mom was being super cheap about everything (she's only cheap when she's not spending on herself). So Yui (my sister-in-law) tells my brother and he asks my dad what's going on. Turns out my mom wants to go to Bangkok and spend the night in a hotel. So my dad tells her fine, don't spend money on food so they can splurge on a night out for themselves as the expense of my brother's family. Nice. These are the lovely people who raised me.

I'm sorry I keep belaboring this, but it's the story that never ends. Just when you think it can't get worse, it does.

There is a little bit of black comedy in this though. My mom and dad bought some sculptures about 15 years ago that I swear they thought were going to be their retirement. They had this 300lb marble angel that they told me they paid $10k for, but has a $30k appraisal. They also had a bronze sculpture that had an $18k appraisal. I kept harping on them for the last year to sell this stuff. They're broke and need the money, right? And I couldn't figure out why they just sat on this stuff. So when they left I told them I'd sell it and send the money to them. After talking to my brother I decided I would send the money to him though-- and I told him that on the phone. So the next day I got in touch with Bonhams and Butterfields in San Francisco. They're a very old, very prestigious auction house. I talked to a wonderful man with a very sophisticated British accent (my mother would have felt very chichi doing this) and he told me their stuff was basically worthless.

I'm sorry, but this is funny. My dad is one of those guys who thinks he can never be taken by anyone. Used car salesman, remember? If anyone pays $1000 too much on a car he'll give you hell and tell you that you "got your head ripped off." And laugh at you. Seriously. But the thing is, my dad is the biggest sucker for a good sales pitch. He's the guy who buy crap stock because some guy he met on the airplane said it was good. He buys stuff from people making calls from a boiler room.

The thing is, I always thought the appraisals on their stuff were suspect. They were written up by the same company that sold the items-- which has subsequently gone out of business. They misspelled words on the appraisal-- that should be a clue shouldn't it?

So my parents thought they had a 19th Century piece of art that turned out to have been made in Mexico about 30 years ago. They thought it would be worth more than $30k and I'll be lucky to get one thousand out of it. Yeah, that sounds about right. The other piece, the one that's supposed to be worth $18k is worth about $500.

I felt bad at first because I thought I wasn't going to be able to send my brother anything. But all may not be lost. My parents left 4 pieces of art by Peter Max (on the living room floor for anyone to take no less) that are signed and authenticated. Those might actually be worth something and my parents don't even know I have them. If I can get something for those that will go directly to my brother so he can recoup something out of this mess.

So my husband has more stories to tell at work and I have more material for my future therapy sessions.

Sorry for unloading again. But jeez, my parents are crazy. I wonder if they have alzheimer's.....

The Verdict so Far

I think it's been about 3 weeks since I've had any diet coke and I have to say, I have formed some opinions on the subject. This is by no means scientific, it's just me, not drinking diet cola or consuming any artificial sweeteners.

I think I'm really glad I stopped.

What prompted me to write this post tonight is that my left knee isn't hurting. That may not seem like a big deal, but I am so used to accommodating a sore knee that I almost don't know what to do without it. It's kind of a shock to sit in my chair and not have to contort my body in a way that doesn't stress my knee. I also tend to have chronic pain in my right shoulder that seems mostly absent these days. I've read that one of the side-effects of drinking carbonated soda is joint aches-- I think I believe it.

Now I'm sure the diet cola addicts are still sucking up their aspartame and shaking their heads at my new-agey silliness. But I think I'm on to something here.

Normally when I try to lose weight I have two problems; appetite and sugar cravings. Since I've ditched the diet cola, those problems have almost disappeared. That isn't to say that I never want any chocolate, but it's a lot easier to eat it in moderation right now. I've also been able to incorporate a lot more veggies into my diet without feeling the need to go back and demolish the leftovers from dinner.

Baby steps.

I don't weigh myself because scales are deadly to me. But I have lost an inch off of my waist, so I'd say that's progress. I'm still lifting weights and doing cardio six days a week too.

I'm not trying to say that I think going off of the diet cola will make your weight melt off. Goodness knows it takes at least twice as long to get off as it came on. (If you haven't ever watched "Supersize Me" by Morgan Spurlock, you should. He gained 25 pounds in one month of eating nothing but McDonalds food. It took him 4 months on a strict vegan diet to lose 20 pounds and another 6 to lose the last five-- so don't expect overnight results) I can't stress this enough to anyone trying to lose weight--with or without the diet coke-- be gentle with yourself. Don't expect overnight results.

I've decided I'm going to give this whole diet-coke-less thing at least a year (though I'll probably never drink it again) just to see what kind of a difference just changing one thing can make.

If you don't mind, I'll post regular updates. This works for me as kind of a journal I can use to keep track of my progress and note the changes I feel in my body. Hopefully I can encourage some other people to try this experiment with me.

If that sounds interesting to you-- One trick to not drinking soda is simply switching to something else. Some people have luck with tea but I wanted something cold. So I drink a tall glass of water and juice; 3/4 water to 1/4 juice. I avoid juices with artificial sweeteners and the high fructose corn syrup. So far the juice/water combo works well for me.

Tell me what you think? Anyone else tempted to leave the diet evil?

Who Would Make Your 'Laminated List?'

I have this post over on my sci-fi blog but it's a good fit here too...


I was watching New Amsterdam this evening and decided I have a new crush. The star of the show, Nikolaj Coster-Waldau, is hawt! I've also realized that I seem to have a particular type when it comes to the men I drool over. Maybe I'm the only one who sees it, but he reminds me a little of my main celebrity-crush, Hugh Jackman.

Anyway, thinking of these hot men reminded me of an episode of "Friends" that created the cultural phenomenon of the Laminated List. The urban dictionary defines the list as:

A list of the top 5 people, usually celebrities, with whom you could have sex with without repercussions, if the opportunity arose, regardless of whether you were in a relationship or not.

A woman's laminated list might be:
1.) Mel Gibson
2.) Brad Pitt
3.) Colin Ferrel
4.) Pierce Brosnan
5.) Russell Crowe

C'mon, don't tell me you've never considered who'd be on your list.

The funny part for me is that beyond Hugh Jackman, and now Nikolaj Coster-Waldau, I have a hard time coming up with a solid list. Well, okay, add Daniel Craig-- then it gets hard. The final two. Hmmm. Let me think. Brad Pitt? Good looking but not rugged enough. Jamie Bamber? Very good looking but I think he may be short. Orlando Bloom? Cute but too young. Justin Timberlake? Ditto. Jake Gyllenhaal? Ditto. Johnny Depp? Very nice but I like a man to look like he bathes once in a while. Harrison Ford? ...That's a tough one. But I seem to really favor men closer to my own age. Clive Owen? Ooooh, definite possibility.

So you can see my dilemma. It's hard to nail it down isn't it? So I guess my list -- so far-- would be.

1. Hugh Jackman (he is my first love)
2. Daniel Craig (Bond. Need I say more?)
3. Nikolaj Coster-Waldau (Sigh)
4. TBD
5. TBD

Now it's your turn. I'd like to know who you'd put on your list. I'm not going for sci-fi people either. Just those people who'd make your top five. Maybe I'll get some good suggestions...

Diet Evil

I'm sure I've mentioned in past posts, since I can be a bit obsessive-compulsive on some subjects, my struggle to lose weight. I'm not talking about a ton of weight, but enough to bother me.

Ever since I had my first child I've struggled to lose weight. I was always thin prior to having kids and it has bugged me to no end that I can't get my svelte physique back. My obsessive nature has seen me exercising up to two hours a day and eating virtually nothing--with no results. I knew something was not right from the get-go but could never figure out what it was. I worked twice as hard as anyone I knew with half the results.

I didn't give up completely, but I've come close. Over the last year I haven't really been as rigorous as I was before because it has been too darned hard on my body. Running 4 miles a day has taken a brutal toll on my knees and they forced me to take a look at the fact that my body just isn't going to take too much abuse anymore.

The most frustrating part of this is that I gained about 20 pounds a little over a year ago due to what I now know was a hissy-fit thrown by my thyroid. Now, if any of you have ever had to deal with a thyroid that has decided to act up, you'll know it's hell. You get the joys of insomnia, dry skin and weight gain. Woo Hoo! I haven't had a lot of luck in dealing with my doctors over the years. I tell them I can't lose weight and they tell me I'm fine. Healthy as horse. Nothing to worry about.

So, out of total frustration I started using over-the-counter glandulars for my thyroid. And am I glad I did! They have been a godsend and I feel tons better. I saw my doctor last week and she tested my thyroid and it came back normal. Whew! This sh*t really works.

But I'm still overweight. Not tons. I can wear a size 10 or a 12 and that's not deadly at 5'9". But I wanna lose more weight (I whined).

And then I heard something on the TV that really got my attention.

I don't know how many of you are Diet Coke addicts like me, but maybe it's time to rethink that addiction. This article and others like it have been quite the eye opener for me. If you haven't heard, it seems that researchers are now seeing a correlation between diet coke consumption and obesity-- to an even higher degree than regular soda consumption.

Well knock me over with a feather.

I have thought on an intuitive level that I should stop drinking diet cola for some time. Mostly I was thinking in terms of the acid content and the fact that it can lead to osteoporosis. But weight gain? From a diet soda? No way!

I always assumed that diet cola was God's gift to me. I could enjoy a fizzy drink without any calories. But if any of you drink diet cola you have probably noticed that over time your consumption has increased. I used to drink one or two a day, but then it evolved into grabbing one right when I wake up and plowing through the majority of a six-pack throughout the day. But according to studies, the more diet soda you drink a day, the higher your risk of obesity.

Oh hell.

Apparently your risk of being overweight is significantly increased by just drinking one a day. Heck, the study suggests that just 1/2 can a day will prove deadly to you weight.

Now, if you're like me. You're probably all too ready to scoff at this study. I have read tons of posts on different blogs about this topic and I can't believe the amount of denial out there. People are seriously attached to their diet colas. I've heard people say it's the sugar industry that's behind the studies or the tree-hugging crowd trying to rain on our parade again. I've had friends react almost violently when I have suggested trying to wean ourselves off of the diet coke. They say things like but it's my only vice!

Believe me, I know. I've said if for years. I have a ten-year diet cola habit to break. But by golly I'm going to. I am tired of my body rebelling every time I try to lose a few pounds. And if you think I'm being overly dramatic, there are now studies that show diet cola is linked to metabolic syndrome, that lovely cluster of symptoms that include the inability to lose weight, high cholesterol, abdominal obesity and high blood sugar.

Some people are trying to say that there are other lifestyle factors that cause metobolic syndrome and that diet cola isn't to blame. I might be willing to give this some credence if I had not been dieting and exercising myself to death over the last ten years. I know, I mean, I know my body has been fighting me for a long long time and the only thing that makes any sense is the diet coke addiction. Some studies suggest that the artificial sweeteners in the drink actually stimulate appetite and sugar cravings.

You know what, I agree. I've been off the cola for a little over a week and I can't believe how much change I can see already. I haven't dropped 10 pounds (I wish) but my appetite and sugar cravings do seem significantly reduced. I have girl scout cookies sitting on top of the fridge and valentines candy in the pantry that I don't feel an immediate desire to devour. Wow. That's new.

So whether you agree with the dangers of diet cola, wish me luck. I'll be everyone's guinea pig if you'd like. I'll go off the soda-- and all artificial sweeteners-- and let you know if I see any results. That way, if you're not ready to give up the diet crack, you can at least think about it while you watch me fumble around and try to figure out what it is that's keeping the fat on my belly.

Trout Pout

I've never had plastic surgery. I've never been injected with Botox or had anything surgically implanted into my chest.

I think I'm in the minority in my town. I went on a mommy's-night-out awhile ago and it dawned on my during dinner that there were more women at the table with breast implants than without.

Yikes!

My new gym membership has also provided a quite a view into how prevalent plastic surgery has become. I saw a woman in the locker room who had the scariest implants I have ever seen (and that's saying something since my mom had the old-school-hard-as-a-rock silicone implants) they puckered on the sides and left her with vaguely square shaped breast. Yowza.

But truthfully, I'm not trying to be judgemental when it comes to all the plastic surgery out there. When the most beautiful women in the world go under the knife, how is Ms. Average (like myself) supposed to feel? Take Elizabeth Hurley for example. I can't think of a women with more natural beauty, but she has become one of the many to inflate her lips into what has become infamously known as the "trout pout." And apparently Jessica Biel and Lindsay Lohan have followed suit. (I could mention the Paris Hilton pic, but do I really need to bother?)

The "trout pout" is the one the few forms of plastic surgery I haven't seen among my peers yet, which surprises me a little given what I have seen. My mom alone had implants and and eye job. I've had many friends get implants, lipo, Botox and the occasional tummy tuck.

If this seems excessive, remember, I live in California.

And I have personally felt the pressure to get plastic surgery. Prior to having kids I had a great figure-- super flat tummy, great ass-- but no boobs. I had a boyfriend who made not-so-subtle hints that I should get a boob job and I think my mom wouldn't have exactly frowned upon it. I'm glad to say I didn't cave to the pressure and ditched that boyfriend. This proved to be a good thing since childbirth brought me from and A to a C cup. Sure I have some extra cushion now and the abs aren't what they used to be. But I'm comfortable in my skin and plastic surgery isn't likely to improve upon that.

Like I said, I don't mean to be judgemental. If someone has a nose they don't like, by all means, get it fixed. But I gotta say, all this craziness over trying to stay young just doesn't seem to be working. Have you noticed that all celebrities running around with massive amounts of surgery seem to look worse? I mean, hello, Burt Reynolds? Joan Van Ark?

I hope we're just on the upside of a pendulum swing in the direction of plastic surgery that will wane on the down-swing. I sincerely hope that people will begin to realize that living healthy is the best means toward looking good. That gastric bypass surgery, lipo and face lifts are likely to only be a short-term fixes.

But I doubt it.

Nonetheless, I think mother nature is going to keep trying to tell us to leave well enough alone. I think we're going to keep seeing ridiculous looking celebrities trying to deny the effects of father time to disastrous effect. If we'll only bother to learn the lesson.

Me & Tina Fey

Have you ever had those moments when you decide to radically change your look? If you're a woman you probably do.

Last week I decided I was tired of being blond. I don't know why, but it seemed like time to go brunette again.

That isn't such a big change, but then I realized I needed glasses. I've been wearing contacts for over 20 years but they started bugging my eyes, so I needed to switch to glasses. I have an older pair, but they're the rimless style and very boring to me.

So I decided to go for some Nerd Chic and do the Tina-Fey-dark-framed things.

What do you think?

And no, I can't take a picture without the camera showing. I'm retarded when it comes to taking a pic while holding my arm out. I need a mirror.

And what about my artistic side view? You think you know what I look like but you wouldn't recognize me if you saw me face on-- since I'm not really blue and all... At least that's what I tell myself.

But the change is good. My husband gets to pretend he's going to bed with another woman and I can hide behind my glasses. We both win.

Checking My Ego at the Door

I got a gym membership.

I've been sweating it out running at 5:30 in the morning and that was surprisingly okay. Except my knees didn't think so.

I've been running for eight years and frankly, my knees are more than just a tad angry. I notice this the most when I sit in my recliner to play Guitar Hero. After amazing myself with my manual dexterity and masterful playing skills I will shift in my seat to gear up for my next virtuoso performance and notice that my knees have locked into place.

That kinda hurts.

So I was forced into thinking of another way to get some exercise and really, the only thing to do was sign up for the gym.

I've learned a couple of things.

First, I am in better shape than I thought. It turns out I'm pretty darn strong. When you sign up for the gym you get three sessions with a trainer and I am pleased to say that I can lift a lot of weight. This, I am sure, is because my 40lb son still insists that I lug him around all the time and that little sack of potatoes has given me some pretty strong arms and legs. Not only that, but running all the time has given me great endurance. I can do an hour long cardio kick-boxing class and not collapse on the floor.

Secondly, I have learned that I am in worse shape than I thought. I have done karate for years and that does involve standing in front of a mirror for an hour straight. But in karate we wear a little outfit called a gi, and those gi's are pretty baggy. At the gym there are lots of women running around in little gym outfits that prominently display their midriff and their oh-so-buffed arms. Me? Not so much. I am about the same size as Tyra Banks without the massive hooters and I have shoulders like a line-backer.

I don't think I'm going to be wearing a tank top to the cardio class again soon. I don't think my ego can take it.

Hmm, I Can't Decide if Winehouse Was Good or So So

Yes, I watched the Grammy's just so I could see Amy Winehouse.

Of course they put her on near the end. I wouldn't be surprised if they Grammy coordinators were sweating it the whole time. You know they had it organized so they could put her on in a moment's notice in case she threatened to bolt.

I can't help but feel bad for this poor thing though. Did you notice how many times she mentioned her husband Blake (her "Blake incarcerated") during her performance? I noticed at least 2 during the songs. There just seems something a little desperate about that. She also looked like she was too frail to stand up on the stage.

I hope she gets help at some point. There's obviously some talent there, just a tortured soul to go with it.

Me and My Shadow

I haven't had a dog in a long long time. I've always been a cat person. Cats are ideal for me because they don't ask for much. Most cats I've had mainly just demand food and the occasional leg to attack, and they're good.

Dogs on the other hand....

I mentioned before that I inherited a small ball of poodle fluff named Sassy. Sassy is the first dog I've had in awhile. We briefly adopted a dog about 6 years ago, but when she decided she was the alpha to my husband and started baring her teeth we spun her little hind-end around and out the front door real quick (on the advice of our local SPCA who promised to try and find a home for her without children). My daughter likes to say that Bear (the dog) "had issues."

So Sassy.

She is cute as can be. A little 8 pound fur ball that follows me everywhere. I don't think that I am usually a klutz. Well, maybe a little. But lately klutzy is my middle name. Every time I turn around to do anything, Sassy is there, entwined between my feet ready to lick her little heart out. (Let me tell you, that dog can roto-rooter your nose if you're not careful).

I hardly know what it's like to walk without a dog underfoot anymore. Walking down the stairs is now an acrobatic routine that I pray won't end up with me in a cast or a broken neck.

But oddly, I kind of like have the little fur-ball underfoot. I've never had a dog attached to me like this before. Growing up, our dogs usually took to my mom or my older brother. The cats usually liked me best but they never felt the need to follow me to the bathroom for a game of catch.

Yep, it's a whole new world.

But Do We Really Know Who They Are?

I've been blogging for almost a year and a half and for the most part it's been a really positive experience. I've become acquainted with a lot of great people and for me, it's been a good outlet and way to socialize when I'm feeling overwhelmed with being a stay-at-home mom.

But like anything else blogging can be abused-- if that's really the appropriate term. Over the last couple of days I've noticed something on two blogs that I regularly go to; appeals for money. I don't have a problem with people making money off of their blogs. I've toyed with the idea of doing PayPerPost so I could raise money for giveaways on my other blogs. There are several blogs that I respect who advertise and earn all kinds of money. I have no issue with that.

What I don't like is blatant appeals for money using a sob story of some kind. The fact is, I really don't know these people and have no idea if I'm being conned or not-- and let's face it, they're more than likely being dishonest.

One blog in particular caught my attention. The blogger (who shall remain nameless unless I find out for sure there is any wrongdoing going on) is one of those who has had ads and donation buttons on her blog for some time-- no big deal. But about a week or so ago she decides to put up a post about some pyramid-type business she's doing and wondering if anyone is interested in joining. Okaaaaay. Her credibility is dented a bit but not irreparable.

But then yesterday she puts up a post about her ailing grandparents and how they need money for meds and so on.

Am I wrong to be suspicious?

The post is all touchy-feely, sweet and certain to pull at the emotions. But is it real? I have no way of knowing. I do know, due to her gushing gratitude, that over $4000 has been raised by donations on her blog.

Granted, the people who donate are doing so of their own free will and they have the ability to question the credibility of the story as much as I do. But still, I have a feeling they're being conned.

Another blog has an appeal for money to help a young girl leave an abusive situation and go back home to her mom. There's pictures of the trailer she lives in and everything!

Yeah, I'm not buying it.

Sorry folks. No donations from me. I'll take my money directly to my local receiving home if you don't mind. It's nothing personal. I just don't know you people. Really.