May 31, 2014

Apple Generation

Well, I did it. I finally joined most of the free world and got an iPhone. And it's lime green.
I had to do something as I will be leaving my current employer soon and they supplied a company Blackberry that I've also used as a personal phone. My new employer (which is actually my old employer - I was there for almost 10 years before joining my current employer 8+ years ago), provides reimbursement for using personal phone for business with an app for company email. I need to settle on a name though I'm not sure if it's a boy or girl yet. If a girl the name will be "Elphie" ... short for Elphaba, the green witch in the play Wicked ... if a boy the name will be Kermi ... short for Kermit the frog. I've already bought a wallet case with screen protector to ensure it's well taken care of. I'm looking forward to getting to know Elphie/Kermi on my upcoming trip to NYC. Lookout Manhattan, I have an iPhone!

May 29, 2014

RIP Maya Angelou

A gentle giant of a woman who offered inspiration, wisdom and activism through poetry is gone but never forgotten.

"I've learned that people will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel."

- Interview for Beautifully Said Magazine (2012)

"You may not control all the events that happen to you, but you can decide not to be reduced by them."

- Letter to My Daughter (2009)

"My mission in life is not merely to survive, but to thrive; and to do so with some passion, some compassion, some humor, and some style."
- Angelou's Facebook (2011)

"The need for change bulldozed a road down the center of my mind."
- I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings (1969)

"Try to be a rainbow in someone's cloud."

- Letter to My Daughter (2009)

"You are the sum total of everything you've ever seen, heard, eaten, smelled, been told, forgot - it's all there. Everything influences each of us, and because of that I try to make sure that my experiences are positive."

- Interview from the April 2011 edition of O Magazine (2011)

"One isn't necessarily born with courage, but one is born with potential. Without courage, we cannot practice any other virtue with consistency. We can't be kind, true, merciful, generous, or honest."

- Interview in USA TODAY (March 5, 1988)

"Love recognizes no barriers. It jumps hurdles, leaps fences, penetrates walls to arrive at its destination full of hope."

- Angelou's Facebook (Jan. 11, 2013)

May 23, 2014

The World Today Infographic

The World as 100 People
by JackHagley.
Explore more visuals like this one on the web's largest information design community - Visually.

May 14, 2014

Hippie or Pippi

All I wanted for Mother's Day was Chunky to get a haircut. See exhibit A to the right - lovely locks flowing in the wind at last week's track meet.
We have a family friend who is a stylist and generously comes to our house once a month to cut Hubby's hair. It's a geat deal - her hubby and mine visit, she gets caught up on the latest goings on around here and I get to see the second cutest baby boy ever (Chunky being THE cutest baby boy ever of course). I think I get the long straw.

You'll have to wait for the big reveal. Needless to say it wasn't cut as short as I'd like - everyone keeps reminding me it's only hair - but it's a start.

May 5, 2014

Fashionisto

I cannot believe I didn't blog once in the entire month of April. That's a first for me. I'm sure you missed me so I will do my best to make up for my lack of productivity this month. Let's start things off with a fashion post ... man style.

Chunky's stint at our K-8 parochial school is almost over. He is looking forward to high school and I am looking forward to the end of fundraising events and Christmas/Spring concerts that start with beginner band (the word cacophonous comes to mind). It is bittersweet however as it is the end of an era as we've had a child at this school since 2000 and I am very much looking forward to Chunky's stint as Captain Hook in the end of year school production of Peter Pan. In less than a month he'll be starting the summer before his freshman year of high school. How did this happen?! Before the summer begins however we have to get through graduation events ... nothing too crazy but of course we'll mark the occasion with photos and so I asked Chunky to "dress up". What to wear should be less dramatic for a boy, but Chunky is not your average boy ... he has particular tastes and likes to express his individualism. I made a deal with him ... I'd find clothes that were him and he'd get a haircut more on the hair later. So here's what I came up with:

The lobster tie is a nod to the role he had in last year's school play, Alice in Wonderland. I intentionally got Vans without laces because it reflects his laid back surfer style. And for some odd reason he's been talking about wanting red pants for the better part of a year. Mission accomplished. Stay tuned for official photos