Wednesday, October 31, 2012

More Random Thoughts - Grumpy Edition

I am so ADD that I text myself random thoughts.
And since I'm so easily distracted, some of these are going to be old.

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I love watching Taylor Swift interviews.
She is hilarious and super smart and geeky and talented and fun.
Such a fascinating person.

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Katie Couric and Kelly Ripa 
are the most self-centered, annoying talk show hosts EVER.
I hate when they interview my favorites, 
because they make it all about themselves 
instead of interviewing this fabulous guest. 
Hmph.

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Ever feel totally overloaded by information? 
I read this today:
 Cool, right? 
I promptly forgot all 25 words. 

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Sometimes I think Thing 2 is a visionary genius
and Thing 1 is a writing genius.
But I might be biased.
Maybe.
Either way, I love that I get to hang out with them daily!

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Sometimes I feel like Sheldon in that scene where he says, 
"Maintaining five friendships promises to be a Herculean task. 
So, I’m going to have to let one of you go."
(I wish I could find the clip to that).

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NYT has an opinion piece called "The Busy Trap
It is a great article. 
I am guilty of what he says even though I totally agree with his opinion on it. 

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Stupid smartphones.

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Don't forget that the kids post on their "revue" blog now and then.
Links at side ------->

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Thing 2 has discovered that he loves sashimi.
I am convinced that we spend 10X more on food for our kids
than we would if we did the traditional mac-n-cheese thing,
but I don't care.
Mac-n-cheese is gross
 and I love that our kids eat so many different kinds of foods.

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I'm a online news junkie, 
(which is a problem when things like the Olympics happen before we see them).

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We've started watching "The Voice."
So far? Best singing competition on TV, in my opinion.
And I'm not just saying that because Adam Levine is one of the judges.
Really, I'm not.
Promise.

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 There is a trend happening.
More and more kids are opting out of going to college.
I loved college and we value education greatly.
I tend to think college (for education's sake more than for marketability)
is a great idea.
But I don't think it's for everyone.
And I see how hard it is for grads nowadays.
What do you say to young people who wonder?
I don't think it's the same answer for all.

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I hate when blogs auto play music when the page loads.
So annoying. 
It's like, "HERE. YOU WILL LISTEN TO MY MUSIC!"
You should have to opt-in if you care to listen.
Not opt-out once you're bombarded.

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Thing 2: "Mommy, are you ever going to be in the Olympics?"

Me: "Um, probably not."

Thing 2: "Well, if you did, I'd go and cheer for you."

Now, I know he really wants to go to London, 
 but I think the Proctor and Gamble "Thank you, Mom" commercials 
are getting to him. :P 
  (Said on 8/7/2012)

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Read "Are You My Mother" (graphic novel) 
and "Fun Home" (graphic novel) 
and Chopsticks (multi-media story). 
All very good and unique. 
Especially loved Alison Bechdel's books.

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Sometimes, among friends, it feels like I haven't had a conversation in a while 
that didn't involve the other person having their phone in their face 
for at least SOME part of it. 
Blech. 
Dislike this new social paradigm.

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August 27th:
School started today for the county. 
We had a fun D&D group over to play,
played outside in the beautiful sunshine,
played Minecraft,
read books, etc.
I love homeschooling SO much.

August 30th:
Just got back from the park. 
It's 81 degrees and sunny. 
School kids are in school adjacent to the park. 
We read books outside today 
and then met 7 friends 
and played Hunger Games and word games 
in the park. 
I love homeschooling
Little secret about home schoolers?
We love when school kids go back to school.
It feels like we reclaim the world 
(well, the playground anyway).
Not that we mind sharing, but it's nice to get it to ourselves, too.

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First it was Webkinz.
Then Wizard 101.
Now? Minecraft!

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I hear what some of my friends do to be involved with their kids' schools.
No way is that less work than homeschooling.

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I've missed blogging,
especially during this political season.
I love SNL during election seasons, too.
I've had so many thoughts to share,
but some are outdated now.
I did see this article
and wanted to comment that I think the author is spot on
when she says that Romney is seeking to distract attention
from questions he won't answer.
I've got so much more to say than that 
(Binders full of women?? Women must get home to cook dinner?? 
Big Bird?? Single mothers as scapegoats?? 5-point plan with no specifics?? 
Threatening to repeal the VERY same successful healthcare system 
he instituted in MA that he brags about all the time??
47%??
Neither of his states (MI, MA) even being contested 
because they're voting Obama??), 
but that will suffice for now.

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What is with this new trend of asking people for donations 
when we shop, eat out, etc.?
It is really ANNOYING.
I have no problem donating to charitable causes,
but when I go out to eat, that's not the time.

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People letting me down? That really sucks.

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Hey Amazing Race, 
Met your new teams. 
We don't need pretty. We need interesting. 
Reference those we've cheered over time - Kentucky Boys, etc. 
We loved them because of who they are, not how they look. 

(Admittedly wrote that before the show started).
LOVE that show.

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 Read Jonathan Tropper's This is Where I Leave You
and Stephen Chbosky's The Perks of Being a Wallflower.
I liked them both.
First one was a fun, beach read. 
Not the greatest literary work ever, 
but funny characters and dialogue. Fun read!
Second one was a very edgy coming-of-age story
(wow, "young adult" novels have WAY more in them today 
than when we were kids!).
The overall tone and story was excellent.
It's entirely written in letters 
and I had to keep reading to find out what was up with Charlie.
I thought it had a great pay off. 
It was not what I expected at all.
Beautiful, touching story.

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Okay, some of these thoughts are from, like, 3 months ago.
I suck at keeping up on things.



8 comments:

Dr. Mark said...

I like the grumpy edition. It's kind of fun sometimes.

If you go all Sheldon Cooper on us please don't cut me out! ;)

Well, at least the phones weren't shoved in YOUR face. Oh, wait! They probably were! I'm with you on that one.

Jagged Rocks said...

I try very hard not to play/answer my phone when I am with other people.
I totally agree with being let down by people.
I am glad that you guys are OK out there.

Emily said...

Adam Levine is worth watching but I can't stand Christina Aguilera (admittedly, I've never watched even one second of that show, so maybe she's better than I think she is?).

My boys say they want to work at McDonald's/be a train engineer/garbage man when they grow up. My answer: "That's fine, after you've graduated from college." College shouldn't be a choice. Is that wrong of me?

I told Dave if he votes for Obama I'm not sure I can be married to him. Heh heh.

Boquinha said...

I actually really like her! She was NOT what I was expecting at all. I don't care for the singers/styles she chooses, but she actually has really good things to say, genuine advice, and she can SING. Which is SO MUCH MORE than I can say for Demi, Brittany (GAG!), J-Lo, etc. I LOVE the dynamic between all 4 judges (CeeLo is creepy, but the chemistry between all of them, especially Adam and Blake, is great!).

I don't know the answer, Emily. When I was growing up, my parents always said, "When you go to college" (never "if") and I'm glad I went and I continue to think it's a GOOD thing. But I'm not convinced it's for everyone and I'm not sure what to think anymore - things are changing so much with regard to society and education. I see lots of people who are quite happy and successful in other paths and I see college grads who aren't doing well, so I don't think it's cut and dry. That being said, I think getting more education (however that's done - formally or not) is always GOOD.

Boquinha said...

Also, thanks, Kim and Mark, for chiming in! I love hearing from you!!

Anonymous said...

I'd just like to add Romney's flip-flopping stances on abortion and gay marriage. Really--what will he stand for if elected? Also, I think his comments on women have the over-riding implication that stay at home moms are best. For example, "Ann's job was harder than mine." My wife is a stay at home mom. She's a great mom. I was raised by a single mom who recieved zero child support so didn't have the option to stay at home. (Well, she did I guess, but didn't want to raise me on welfare.) Also a great mom.

Glad you are back!

Anonymous said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Boquinha said...

Excellent point, Jimmy. I think you're right on his comments about women and his flip-flopping. I read a good article today that analyzed why he lost. It's not really his fault entirely. The GOP is imploding. I think they did a good job making the stupid Tea Partiers shut up, but there are still so many issues in the Grand Old Party, including a general out-of-touchness with social progress. There is so much they need to address. I hope this loss rallies them in a good way for the future. I'd like to feel more torn about my candidates and party options. :)