1. The bub has pink eye. He woke up Friday morning, and his little eyes were all swollen and practically crusted shut. He was a champ at the doctor's office and so charming that even when he invited himself behind the reception desk, he was not rebuked by the staff but instead given not one but two "Melmo" (read: Elmo) stickers. As we walked out of the office, he kept marveling, "Two stickers. Two stickers." Thanks to the antibiotic, his eyes are almost all cleared up already. Per the doctor's orders, we put the drops in the corner of his eyes while they are closed and then bid him, "Open, open" so that the drops flush his eyes. The funny thing is that each time we say, "Open, open," the bub, in a related act of medical familiarity that he likely associates with recent visits to the doctor's office, opens his mouth and says "ahh" whilst keeping his eyes squeezed shut. So far I have not caught his pink eye as the doctor suggested I might. I have imagined, however, that my eyes are more itchy and sensitive than usual. Keep your fingers crossed for me.
2. The bub has a new nap time hobby. A couple of afternoons this week, the bub took his good, sweet time settling down for his nap. Beyond the typical cries of "Poop, poop," that he attempts to draw us back to him (it always works--as soon as we approach the gate, he sticks his butt against it so that we can smell for poop. 9 times out of 10, he smells fresh as a daisy and is just playing us), he has a new past-time. He opens the (supposedly child-proofed) door to his clothes closet and then proceeds to make a big pile of clothes on the floor of his room (usually right over his heating vent). He has on two occasions also pulled on his blackout shades until they have fallen off their rod. On Tuesday and Wednesday when I responded to his post-nap cries for "Mom," I entered his room to find clothes strewn about and more natural light than usual. I looked at the mess and then at the bub, who proclaimed, as though completely flummoxed, "Messy?! Messy?!". Apparently the mess bothered him because we couldn't proceed downstairs until I had returned the clothes to the closet and reattached the blackout shade.
3. The bub may be going to preschool in the fall. The bub's preschool attendance is only a maybe for a couple of reasons. First, as I am not in the loop in terms of preschool politics, I have no idea if just filling out an application and writing a $50 check for the application fee is enough. Second, the application was due February 1st. I had it all ready in advance (on January 31st) and wouldn't you know it, there was a huge snowstorm and the school was closed on February 1st. I left a rambling message on the voice mail in the admissions office. Then, I convinced my husband to fill out the application again at work (he had a copy of the one the school had faxed there) and then fax it to the school with a note stating that the hard copy and check would be there first thing on Monday. Again, I don't know what I'm up against here and if I would not have been better off flushing my $50 down the toilet, with the bub's help of course--he loves to flush, which leads to . . . Third, the bub will not be able to attend even this pre-preschool program for 2 1/2 year olds unless he is potty trained come fall. Despite my recent bragging, there hasn't been much potty action of late. So, we'll see. Preschool next year is not absolutely necessary by any means. I just thought the bub would enjoy it. Plus, we want to start him off in Catholic preschool to up his chances of being accepted at Notre Dame. I am totally kidding. We are not that twisted or desperate.
That's all I got.
Saturday, February 2, 2008
Tuesday, January 29, 2008
What is "shunting" and why does it sound sordid?
I apologize to you, my readers, that the posts of late at NTB have lacked both frequency and wit. I have no explanation except that I'm just not "feeling it" right now. (This seems a good time to mention that I have been overusing the phrases "I'm feeling it" and alternately, "I'm not feeling it" since my sister PITA's wedding back in July. Her photographer, who was awesome, narrated his artistic process throughout the day. He was often "feeling it," often inspired to say "bam," and often reduced to merely commenting "f---ing awesome." The day and the photos were f---ing awesome, NTB.) I think the winter weather has left me a little uninspired. Plus, my new year's resolution to buy less crap has kept me out of the stores as has the bub's new tendency to climb out of shopping carts despite being strapped in, resulting in limited new material for any "Retail Beat" posts and few opportunities to get into altercations with Target employees or random conversations with other shoppers.
I do want to share a few thoughts about a new and consistent presence in our household: Thomas the Tank Engine and his friends. Back in the fall my husband received a letter from Toys 'R Us, informing him that as male toddlers near the age of two, they become very interested in playing with trains. The letter included a Thomas the Tank Engine miniature train car and a coupon for additional savings on Thomas products at Toys 'R Us. This is ridiculous, I thought at the time. How manipulative! Do they think I'm just going to start shelling out hundreds of dollars for Thomas products just because Toys 'R Us told me (or rather, told my husband--did they figure dads are the real suckers and may have more cash?) my son should start liking them now. I was also kind of horrified to realize that they would conduct such a targeted marketing campaign to households containing almost two year-olds. But then, we visited an awesome train display and the bub fell in love. We then continued to indulge his obsession with choo choos. Now, thanks to a combination of our consumerism, Christmas, and bub's second birthday, we have no shortage of Thomas products: Thomas pajamas, Thomas sheets for the bub's toddler bed, a Thomas toothbrush, several Thomas storybooks, several Thomas DVDs, Thomas slippers, and about six miniature train cars of Thomas and friends.
I feel no shame about the new presence of Thomas and friends in our home. Many of the Thomas items were gifts. We have not invested in any of the "big ticket" Thomas items of the sort that inspire the horror stories I have heard of parents who have spent upwards of a thousand dollars buying Thomas crap. We're not there. We're not close. We're not even on that track. NTB.
Right now, Thomas and friends and really all things choo choo are giving the bub a lot of joy. For a couple of weeks, he took to taking three miniature train cars to bed with him at naps and nighttime. Let me tell you that it is pretty stinking adorable to hear the bub ask for "Percy" (pronounced something like Poowrcy) and "Toby." There is also a bus named Bertie. We don't have a Bertie car, but the bub speaks of him often--"Boowrty." The Thomas toothbrush has inspired a new dedication to oral hygiene, which is nice. He has several times fished his Thomas pajamas out of the dirty laundry pile and started stripping his clothes in order to put them on.
And, of course, the bub also loves to watch his Thomas DVDs and the episodes of the show that we DVR. The show seems harmless enough, if a little boring. I'm not sure what technology goes into it, but it appears to be just actual wooden trains and people that are just moved around and filmed. The human characters are especially wooden, as in made of wood and rather expressionless. One amusing thing is that the man in charge of all the trains (and seemingly the entire island of Sodor, where the show is set) is called Sir Topham Hat. Sir Topham Hat is short (shorter than Mrs. Hat, I've noted) and a bit plump. He wears a three-piece suit and a top hat and looks like the stereotype of the early twentieth-century industrialist or perhaps like the Monopoly guy. When Sir Topham Hat removes his hat, he is bald. Often when Sir Topham Hat is on screen, the bub calls out, "Da da Da da." Funny stuff.
Here is where I am a little hesitant. The plots of these shows seem remarkably similar. In just about every show, one of the engines makes a mistake or fails to follow Sir Topham Hat's instructions. The engines don't make mistakes just out of laziness though, nor do they blow off Sir Topham Hat in order to shoot craps in Tidmouth Sheds or overdose on coal or anything. The engines are usually careless when they are dissatisfied with the job they are given. For example, Percy is told to deliver coal, but he wants to deliver rides for the carnival like the other trains. So, he ditches the coal and travels around seeing if they other engines with more glamorous cargo (and schoolkids cheering as they pass with bumper cars and such) need any help. Then, all the trains run out of coal and Percy has to hustle to do his original job. The lesson is the same at the end of every show. No matter what engine is featured, he/she learns that what matters most of all is being useful. I would go so far as to say that usefulness is the highest value on the island of Sodor. I don't have anything against being useful, but something about the constant harping on it makes me uncomfortable and smacks of poor Boxer and the glue factory. At this point though, I don't think the bub is actually following the plot so I won't worry that he is being brainwashed.
My only other concern is one of vocabulary. There's a song about Thomas and his friends that is often sung on the show: "They're two, they're four, they're six, they're eight / Shunting trucks and hauling freight / Red and green and brown and blue / They're the really useful crew . . ." See title above.
I do want to share a few thoughts about a new and consistent presence in our household: Thomas the Tank Engine and his friends. Back in the fall my husband received a letter from Toys 'R Us, informing him that as male toddlers near the age of two, they become very interested in playing with trains. The letter included a Thomas the Tank Engine miniature train car and a coupon for additional savings on Thomas products at Toys 'R Us. This is ridiculous, I thought at the time. How manipulative! Do they think I'm just going to start shelling out hundreds of dollars for Thomas products just because Toys 'R Us told me (or rather, told my husband--did they figure dads are the real suckers and may have more cash?) my son should start liking them now. I was also kind of horrified to realize that they would conduct such a targeted marketing campaign to households containing almost two year-olds. But then, we visited an awesome train display and the bub fell in love. We then continued to indulge his obsession with choo choos. Now, thanks to a combination of our consumerism, Christmas, and bub's second birthday, we have no shortage of Thomas products: Thomas pajamas, Thomas sheets for the bub's toddler bed, a Thomas toothbrush, several Thomas storybooks, several Thomas DVDs, Thomas slippers, and about six miniature train cars of Thomas and friends.
I feel no shame about the new presence of Thomas and friends in our home. Many of the Thomas items were gifts. We have not invested in any of the "big ticket" Thomas items of the sort that inspire the horror stories I have heard of parents who have spent upwards of a thousand dollars buying Thomas crap. We're not there. We're not close. We're not even on that track. NTB.
Right now, Thomas and friends and really all things choo choo are giving the bub a lot of joy. For a couple of weeks, he took to taking three miniature train cars to bed with him at naps and nighttime. Let me tell you that it is pretty stinking adorable to hear the bub ask for "Percy" (pronounced something like Poowrcy) and "Toby." There is also a bus named Bertie. We don't have a Bertie car, but the bub speaks of him often--"Boowrty." The Thomas toothbrush has inspired a new dedication to oral hygiene, which is nice. He has several times fished his Thomas pajamas out of the dirty laundry pile and started stripping his clothes in order to put them on.
And, of course, the bub also loves to watch his Thomas DVDs and the episodes of the show that we DVR. The show seems harmless enough, if a little boring. I'm not sure what technology goes into it, but it appears to be just actual wooden trains and people that are just moved around and filmed. The human characters are especially wooden, as in made of wood and rather expressionless. One amusing thing is that the man in charge of all the trains (and seemingly the entire island of Sodor, where the show is set) is called Sir Topham Hat. Sir Topham Hat is short (shorter than Mrs. Hat, I've noted) and a bit plump. He wears a three-piece suit and a top hat and looks like the stereotype of the early twentieth-century industrialist or perhaps like the Monopoly guy. When Sir Topham Hat removes his hat, he is bald. Often when Sir Topham Hat is on screen, the bub calls out, "Da da Da da." Funny stuff.
Here is where I am a little hesitant. The plots of these shows seem remarkably similar. In just about every show, one of the engines makes a mistake or fails to follow Sir Topham Hat's instructions. The engines don't make mistakes just out of laziness though, nor do they blow off Sir Topham Hat in order to shoot craps in Tidmouth Sheds or overdose on coal or anything. The engines are usually careless when they are dissatisfied with the job they are given. For example, Percy is told to deliver coal, but he wants to deliver rides for the carnival like the other trains. So, he ditches the coal and travels around seeing if they other engines with more glamorous cargo (and schoolkids cheering as they pass with bumper cars and such) need any help. Then, all the trains run out of coal and Percy has to hustle to do his original job. The lesson is the same at the end of every show. No matter what engine is featured, he/she learns that what matters most of all is being useful. I would go so far as to say that usefulness is the highest value on the island of Sodor. I don't have anything against being useful, but something about the constant harping on it makes me uncomfortable and smacks of poor Boxer and the glue factory. At this point though, I don't think the bub is actually following the plot so I won't worry that he is being brainwashed.
My only other concern is one of vocabulary. There's a song about Thomas and his friends that is often sung on the show: "They're two, they're four, they're six, they're eight / Shunting trucks and hauling freight / Red and green and brown and blue / They're the really useful crew . . ." See title above.
Saturday, January 26, 2008
Music Scene Queen
NTB, but I've got three different music-related experiences to relate.
1. Once: As part of my New Year's resolution to use what I have, including my Blockbuster online membership, I recently watched the film Once and completely loved it. Once is set in Dublin and features a Hoover (that's what they say instead of vacuum in the UK) repair guy who also sings, plays the guitar, and writes songs. While playing his music on the sidewalk, he meets a woman from Eastern Europe (I didn't catch which country) who loves his songs and is a piano player herself. The movie is a musical, but doesn't feel like one in the same way that, say, Dreamgirls does. The story is just lovely--people finding, supporting, encouraging, inspiring, and enjoying each other. The ending is not exactly Hollywood but it is right and satisfying in its own way. Most of all, I loved the songs featured in the movie. The lead actor and actress are both musician/songwriters. If you click the links above, you can read more about the film and hear some of the songs. One warning is that, as with many movies set in England and Ireland, it is not always possible (at least for me) to catch every word the characters are saying, even though they are speaking English. Don't worry though, this movie is less about what is said so much about what is sung and what is understood through song.
2. Altar Boyz: One of our friends organized an evening out to see Altar Boyz at the Drury Lane Theater in Water Tower Place. I said "yes" and secured a babysitter without even asking what Altar Boyz was about. I totally enjoyed the show. Altar Boyz tells the story of a Christian boy band on the last night of their "Raise the Praise" tour. The music was great, the boy band dance choreography was hilariously impressive, and the story was really funny without being offensive to organized religion. It was just a lot of fun and if you're going to be in Chicago (or live here), you should check it out. The show is only ninety minutes and unless you are so hard-core religious that you can't laugh at yourself, I think you'd enjoy it. The only moment I didn't get was when one of the boy band members (the band is made up of four Catholics and one Jewish guy) says not to use the word "evolve." Growing up Catholic, I don't remember being taught any sort of anti-evolution agenda. So now I'm curious, did the topic just not get addressed? I know for sure none of my teachers was offering up Creationism as part of science class. All of that is just a tangent though and the evolution comment was not an integral part of the show at all. Back to the main point, Altar Boyz was a lot of fun and you should see it!
3. Girl Talk: I'm so pumped up. I'm heading over to the Metro on Clark Street to see the Girl Talk show. It's going to be awesome. I love DJs who mix and sample a bunch of stuff. Night Ripper is so dope. I can hardly wait until 11:30 p.m. this evening when the show starts.
Gotcha! Obviously, I am not attending this show and would not even know about it if not for the fact that our nephew (half of Summer 2007's Team Basement and an integral player in the carpet debacle of '07) was not currently sitting in our basement with six of his friends from the University of Illinois, waiting to walk over the the show and then crash in our basement man cave afterwards. The hubby and I will look forward to hearing all about it tomorrow, and I have to say that after researching Girl Talk to write this post, I am officially intrigued. But really, an 11:30 start time?! I do admit to being jealous of the cheese fries they are planning to eat at Wrigleyville Dogs after the show. Perhaps I'll set my alarm and meet them.
1. Once: As part of my New Year's resolution to use what I have, including my Blockbuster online membership, I recently watched the film Once and completely loved it. Once is set in Dublin and features a Hoover (that's what they say instead of vacuum in the UK) repair guy who also sings, plays the guitar, and writes songs. While playing his music on the sidewalk, he meets a woman from Eastern Europe (I didn't catch which country) who loves his songs and is a piano player herself. The movie is a musical, but doesn't feel like one in the same way that, say, Dreamgirls does. The story is just lovely--people finding, supporting, encouraging, inspiring, and enjoying each other. The ending is not exactly Hollywood but it is right and satisfying in its own way. Most of all, I loved the songs featured in the movie. The lead actor and actress are both musician/songwriters. If you click the links above, you can read more about the film and hear some of the songs. One warning is that, as with many movies set in England and Ireland, it is not always possible (at least for me) to catch every word the characters are saying, even though they are speaking English. Don't worry though, this movie is less about what is said so much about what is sung and what is understood through song.
2. Altar Boyz: One of our friends organized an evening out to see Altar Boyz at the Drury Lane Theater in Water Tower Place. I said "yes" and secured a babysitter without even asking what Altar Boyz was about. I totally enjoyed the show. Altar Boyz tells the story of a Christian boy band on the last night of their "Raise the Praise" tour. The music was great, the boy band dance choreography was hilariously impressive, and the story was really funny without being offensive to organized religion. It was just a lot of fun and if you're going to be in Chicago (or live here), you should check it out. The show is only ninety minutes and unless you are so hard-core religious that you can't laugh at yourself, I think you'd enjoy it. The only moment I didn't get was when one of the boy band members (the band is made up of four Catholics and one Jewish guy) says not to use the word "evolve." Growing up Catholic, I don't remember being taught any sort of anti-evolution agenda. So now I'm curious, did the topic just not get addressed? I know for sure none of my teachers was offering up Creationism as part of science class. All of that is just a tangent though and the evolution comment was not an integral part of the show at all. Back to the main point, Altar Boyz was a lot of fun and you should see it!
3. Girl Talk: I'm so pumped up. I'm heading over to the Metro on Clark Street to see the Girl Talk show. It's going to be awesome. I love DJs who mix and sample a bunch of stuff. Night Ripper is so dope. I can hardly wait until 11:30 p.m. this evening when the show starts.
Gotcha! Obviously, I am not attending this show and would not even know about it if not for the fact that our nephew (half of Summer 2007's Team Basement and an integral player in the carpet debacle of '07) was not currently sitting in our basement with six of his friends from the University of Illinois, waiting to walk over the the show and then crash in our basement man cave afterwards. The hubby and I will look forward to hearing all about it tomorrow, and I have to say that after researching Girl Talk to write this post, I am officially intrigued. But really, an 11:30 start time?! I do admit to being jealous of the cheese fries they are planning to eat at Wrigleyville Dogs after the show. Perhaps I'll set my alarm and meet them.
Tuesday, January 22, 2008
. . . and I'm not even Suri's mom.
My sister LAP and I were laughing on the phone today because we both saw the same (or similar, I couldn't recall exactly what show I had watched, The Soup? Best Week Ever?) clips of Katie/Kate Holmes' appearance on Good Morning America. The clips are hilarious because Mrs. Tom Cruise shows like zero emotion or enthusiasm, even when talking about her daughter Suri. One of the witty commentators on the show I was watching claimed it was like Katie was talking about some stranger's kid she met once. My sister caught a clip that basically involved Katie telling a really boring story about being able to hem her own pants in a bind. Another of the commentators was joking, "Wow, Katie Holmes really has a way with an anecdote." Not.
I might have pulled a Katie myself in my above attempt to describe the humor I found in watching others mock her a bit. But all of this Holmes talk is just to avoid the post I was tempted to write which basically would have been yet another boring account of a soup I made that was fine, good even, but nothing special. Was it the fact that I added an extra half a cup of chicken broth that it lacked a little something despite receiving a five-star writing on the website where I found it? Would the fact that I used turkey from a breast that had been in my freezer for a few months now (and thus fulfilled one of my New Year's resolutions to use what I have) have made the story any more interesting? The answers are likely no and no. If you're at all curious though, it was Fiesta Turkey Soup and if you clicked the link to find the recipe, you may be wondering if I made the Green Chile Biscuits . . . unfortunately, I did not. Clearly there is nothing to brag about here.
I might have pulled a Katie myself in my above attempt to describe the humor I found in watching others mock her a bit. But all of this Holmes talk is just to avoid the post I was tempted to write which basically would have been yet another boring account of a soup I made that was fine, good even, but nothing special. Was it the fact that I added an extra half a cup of chicken broth that it lacked a little something despite receiving a five-star writing on the website where I found it? Would the fact that I used turkey from a breast that had been in my freezer for a few months now (and thus fulfilled one of my New Year's resolutions to use what I have) have made the story any more interesting? The answers are likely no and no. If you're at all curious though, it was Fiesta Turkey Soup and if you clicked the link to find the recipe, you may be wondering if I made the Green Chile Biscuits . . . unfortunately, I did not. Clearly there is nothing to brag about here.
Sunday, January 20, 2008
Book Beat: Three Titles
Here are some recent reads you may enjoy.
1. The Flawless Skin of Ugly People by Doug Crandell: This book is a fast but definitely not mindless read. There are some tough moments in the book, but ultimately it is a beautiful story that left me feeling hopeful. To quote Tom Perrotta's blurb on the cover, it is: "A strange, tender novel about love and shame and the multitude of ways in which people come to care for one another." I think it would be an ideal book club selection as it is an easy and quick read with plenty to discuss: spirituality, abuse, shame, secrets, love, marriage, acne, suburban anonymity, what defines a family, and much more.
2. Getting Rid of Matthew by Jane Fallon: This book is set in London, always a bonus for me. It has some amusing and witty moments and more to grapple with than its chick-lit-ish premise would suggest. It's the story of Helen who decides, once her lover finally leaves his wife for her, that she no longer wants him. Her attempts to get rid of Matthew while at the same time befriending his wife make for enjoyable reading. I listened to this on my ipod, but I don't think it's the kind of book that can only be enjoyed as an audiobook.
3. Housekeeping vs. the Dirt by Nick Hornby: Nick Hornby writes (or wrote? I don't know for sure what the status is) a book review column for a magazine called The Believer. This book is a collection of these columns. I love Hornby's sense of humor and love to read about possible titles to add to my "want to read" list so this book was ideal for me. What I enjoyed most was Hornby's introduction. He does a great job of talking about books and reading habits in a way that is not at all elitist. He stresses that some people are so hung up on what they "should read," that they don't read, don't read enough, or don't read books they actually enjoy.
What are you reading?
1. The Flawless Skin of Ugly People by Doug Crandell: This book is a fast but definitely not mindless read. There are some tough moments in the book, but ultimately it is a beautiful story that left me feeling hopeful. To quote Tom Perrotta's blurb on the cover, it is: "A strange, tender novel about love and shame and the multitude of ways in which people come to care for one another." I think it would be an ideal book club selection as it is an easy and quick read with plenty to discuss: spirituality, abuse, shame, secrets, love, marriage, acne, suburban anonymity, what defines a family, and much more.
2. Getting Rid of Matthew by Jane Fallon: This book is set in London, always a bonus for me. It has some amusing and witty moments and more to grapple with than its chick-lit-ish premise would suggest. It's the story of Helen who decides, once her lover finally leaves his wife for her, that she no longer wants him. Her attempts to get rid of Matthew while at the same time befriending his wife make for enjoyable reading. I listened to this on my ipod, but I don't think it's the kind of book that can only be enjoyed as an audiobook.
3. Housekeeping vs. the Dirt by Nick Hornby: Nick Hornby writes (or wrote? I don't know for sure what the status is) a book review column for a magazine called The Believer. This book is a collection of these columns. I love Hornby's sense of humor and love to read about possible titles to add to my "want to read" list so this book was ideal for me. What I enjoyed most was Hornby's introduction. He does a great job of talking about books and reading habits in a way that is not at all elitist. He stresses that some people are so hung up on what they "should read," that they don't read, don't read enough, or don't read books they actually enjoy.
What are you reading?
Friday, January 18, 2008
O Rodeo, Rodeo, Wherefore art thou Rodeo?
In the spirit of LAP's tribute to the golden arches, I would like to pause and share some thoughts on another fine establishment. Around 1999-2000, I developed a Burger King habit. By habit, I don't mean that I began going to Burger King once a week. I mean that I began going through the Burger King drive-thru every morning on my way to work. Every single morning. On Mondays, Tuesdays, and Thursdays, I ordered a plain biscuit and a large Diet Coke. On Wednesdays (hump day) and Fridays (as a TGIF treat), I ordered cini-minis and a large Diet Coke. I would not allow myself to begin eating these breakfast treats until I arrived at school (a good twenty-five minutes before I needed to be there). I would then turn on only one set of my classroom lights and sit in the semi-darkness at my desk. I would check email (I had no at-home internet access back then) and enjoy my breakfast. Looking back, I can see that this was a sad little ritual. At the time though, it was so important to me. Some mornings, it was only the promise of Burger King that got me out of bed, as in: "If you get up now and skip the shower, MEP, you can still get to Burger King."
One bonus of my Burger King habit was the friendship I forged with Jackie, the early morning assistant manager who ran the drive-thru window. Jackie had to get to Burger King at something like 4:45 every morning. She, her husband (a truck driver who was never home), and her daughter were living with his parents while they saved up for a house. We ended up exchanging Christmas and birthday gifts. We did not have too much time to talk each morning, but I always appreciated her positive attitude so early in the morning. My first year in Chicago, Jackie ended up taking a job as a teacher's aide at the high school where I worked. Who knows how our friendship might have blossomed had I stayed there another year.
I am fortunate enough to live within walking distance of a Burger King now, though I haven't befriended any of its employees . . . perhaps because I thankfully no longer need Burger King on a daily basis. In fact, I'd wager I had cini-minis less than 5 times in all of 2007 and not once so far in 2008. I do have a new Burger King obsession though (probably a once, maybe twice, a week thing): The Rodeo Cheeseburger.
Most people are unfamiliar with the Rodeo and so I actually consider this post a public service. The Rodeo Cheeseburger is about the same size as a regular cheeseburger, but it is topped with cheese, barbecue sauce, and--drumroll please--three perfect Burger King onion rings. It's got flavor and crunch (thanks to the onion ring) in a compact and inexpensive--it's a value menu item--package. Tastes so good when it hits your lips. From time to time it disappears from the BK menu, and those times are tough. But it's there now, and I want it that way. NTB.
One bonus of my Burger King habit was the friendship I forged with Jackie, the early morning assistant manager who ran the drive-thru window. Jackie had to get to Burger King at something like 4:45 every morning. She, her husband (a truck driver who was never home), and her daughter were living with his parents while they saved up for a house. We ended up exchanging Christmas and birthday gifts. We did not have too much time to talk each morning, but I always appreciated her positive attitude so early in the morning. My first year in Chicago, Jackie ended up taking a job as a teacher's aide at the high school where I worked. Who knows how our friendship might have blossomed had I stayed there another year.
I am fortunate enough to live within walking distance of a Burger King now, though I haven't befriended any of its employees . . . perhaps because I thankfully no longer need Burger King on a daily basis. In fact, I'd wager I had cini-minis less than 5 times in all of 2007 and not once so far in 2008. I do have a new Burger King obsession though (probably a once, maybe twice, a week thing): The Rodeo Cheeseburger.
Most people are unfamiliar with the Rodeo and so I actually consider this post a public service. The Rodeo Cheeseburger is about the same size as a regular cheeseburger, but it is topped with cheese, barbecue sauce, and--drumroll please--three perfect Burger King onion rings. It's got flavor and crunch (thanks to the onion ring) in a compact and inexpensive--it's a value menu item--package. Tastes so good when it hits your lips. From time to time it disappears from the BK menu, and those times are tough. But it's there now, and I want it that way. NTB.
Thursday, January 17, 2008
Bubdate: It's Potty Time
Wow, it's Thursday already and no post since Sunday. This week has really flown by. My mom is in town watching the bub so I have been working my tail off on my dissertation. It is so nice to have the company and the help, NTB. Just a couple of bubdates for you:
1. The bub has a new potty. It was a birthday present from me and the hubby (shady, I know). Since he's just two, I don't have any real immediate agenda when it comes to potty training. The current plan is just to see what happens. What's happening is that the bub is quite fond of the potty. NTB, but he has peed in the potty about six times (to much fanfare) and poo pooed twice (to much fanfare). He is nowhere near the point of being able to tell us when he needs to go, but if I strip him and seat him at the potty, he can usually deliver something. One interesting fact is that he so far likes to sit at his potty completely naked from the waist down, not even any socks. I may need to work on the socks part as it would be inconvenient and unsanitary to have him sans socks--a la Britney Spears*--once we reach the public bathroom stage (which I dread). The whole potty process gets a bit interrupted because the bub likes to stand up every 20-30 seconds or so to inspect the goods in the bowl. He also is over-fond of toilet paper, but who isn't? The potty's greatest feature in the bub's mind is that when its lid is down, it makes an ideal step stool, convenient for the endless hand-washing that he favors. The coolest feature that he does not know about is that it is a musical potty that is supposed to break into song when the goods hit the sensor. It does not seem to be working properly though, and I threw away the potty instruction manual, thinking, "I know how potties work." Ah well.
2. The bub has mastered the door doo-dads that we had on many of our doors to foil him. These baby-proofing items are intended to keep him from entering the bathroom, the pantry, the junk closet (where we store the "da-doh," that's play-doh for non-regular readers), and the steps to the basement. Obviously, this development presents a variety of challenges. Due to the bub's penchant for obsessive hand-washing, we have taken to locking the bathroom door from the inside and storing a key (courtesy of our home's former owners) above the door molding . . . nice feature when you're in a hurry.
3. The bub's switch to mustard as his condiment of choice was short-lived. That's what I get for (not) bragging about his new health-conscious ways. Now, he prefers a trio of condiments at every meal. It's become a routine. As his protein is cooking, he makes his request: "Ranch, mus, ketch." And I oblige. I dutifully squirt ranch dressing, ketchup, and mustard on his plate for all meals requiring dipping sauces (which is almost all of his meals). Last week, as he was eating dinner, I decided to make myself some tuna salad. It just sounded good. The photos below show how the bub occupied himself while I, a mere five feet away, busied myself with chopping celery and such.
Perhaps he felt his hair needed more conditioning?
Not to worry. I'll make sure he does not do the same with the goods in the potty. NTB.
*Really, it's not the time for Britney jokes. She is in serious trouble.
1. The bub has a new potty. It was a birthday present from me and the hubby (shady, I know). Since he's just two, I don't have any real immediate agenda when it comes to potty training. The current plan is just to see what happens. What's happening is that the bub is quite fond of the potty. NTB, but he has peed in the potty about six times (to much fanfare) and poo pooed twice (to much fanfare). He is nowhere near the point of being able to tell us when he needs to go, but if I strip him and seat him at the potty, he can usually deliver something. One interesting fact is that he so far likes to sit at his potty completely naked from the waist down, not even any socks. I may need to work on the socks part as it would be inconvenient and unsanitary to have him sans socks--a la Britney Spears*--once we reach the public bathroom stage (which I dread). The whole potty process gets a bit interrupted because the bub likes to stand up every 20-30 seconds or so to inspect the goods in the bowl. He also is over-fond of toilet paper, but who isn't? The potty's greatest feature in the bub's mind is that when its lid is down, it makes an ideal step stool, convenient for the endless hand-washing that he favors. The coolest feature that he does not know about is that it is a musical potty that is supposed to break into song when the goods hit the sensor. It does not seem to be working properly though, and I threw away the potty instruction manual, thinking, "I know how potties work." Ah well.
2. The bub has mastered the door doo-dads that we had on many of our doors to foil him. These baby-proofing items are intended to keep him from entering the bathroom, the pantry, the junk closet (where we store the "da-doh," that's play-doh for non-regular readers), and the steps to the basement. Obviously, this development presents a variety of challenges. Due to the bub's penchant for obsessive hand-washing, we have taken to locking the bathroom door from the inside and storing a key (courtesy of our home's former owners) above the door molding . . . nice feature when you're in a hurry.
3. The bub's switch to mustard as his condiment of choice was short-lived. That's what I get for (not) bragging about his new health-conscious ways. Now, he prefers a trio of condiments at every meal. It's become a routine. As his protein is cooking, he makes his request: "Ranch, mus, ketch." And I oblige. I dutifully squirt ranch dressing, ketchup, and mustard on his plate for all meals requiring dipping sauces (which is almost all of his meals). Last week, as he was eating dinner, I decided to make myself some tuna salad. It just sounded good. The photos below show how the bub occupied himself while I, a mere five feet away, busied myself with chopping celery and such.
Perhaps he felt his hair needed more conditioning?
Not to worry. I'll make sure he does not do the same with the goods in the potty. NTB.
*Really, it's not the time for Britney jokes. She is in serious trouble.
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