I've spent the bulk of the day dealing with photos - going through many to decide which ones I'd like to put in the frames I already have up in the master bath. You know - the bathroom I decided to paint ages ago and which has undergone a major overhaul that I'd love to show you - once I get these photos up. And today illustrates perfectly why I don't do much post-processing on my photos - this shit takes a long time to do. At least it does if you're me. I now realize that, when it comes to futher improving my photography skills, digital workflow is the area most in need of immediate attention. Seriously, I suck at it.
So. Photos. Here are a few pulled out of the pile (uh... file pile? what does one call a "pile" of 0's and 1's?) that I'll throw out here as a preview of posts to come. These are all from our trip to Vero Beach, FL back in late July. I had to save some of my very favorites to show off later. I'll get those up here soon, now that they're in a spot for easy uploading.
Hello, beautiful girl. I'm glad you like the beach.
And hello to you, crazy boy. You crack me up.
Soaring through the air, with an assist from Daddy.
Finding shells, all on her own.
Here's where we were. Last time we stayed here we were in one of the cottages you see on the right there. Not this time, though. Pretty, yes? The light was fading fast, so it was time to go in...
He doesn't look ready to go.
But there's always next time.
More to come later. My parents and sister are flying in tonight, and I have to go make sure beds are made and guest bathrooms well-stocked. After I go pick up my prints from Walgreens, of course.
Ask for extra hot mustard, please. And good fortune cookies - no stupid ones. Have them check. I'll expect this all promptly delivered at 5:30 sharp, or no tip for you.
(This exercise in creative writing is brought to you by What To Do When You Aren't Interested In Actually Blogging Because You Are Too Busy Enjoying Being Not Busy, Inc.)
Or "carnival", as the adults know it. Lots of fun times at carnivals this summer - this one was just the beginning. Speaking of beginning, I'm so far behind on posting photos that I'm going all the way back to the beginning of the summer. I'll try to keep it going for the next few days, to catch up. Be prepared for photo-heavy posts.
And here we go...
It's Riley's first ride, of the first carnival of the summer. He's a bit hesitant, as it's a tall slide...
Luckily, Marc was there to see him off.
There he goes! Do you think he likes it? It's hard to tell... looks like he could just be napping...
There it is.
Oh, yeah. What's next? Bring it on.
"This train seems cool, Mommy, but where are the other kids?"
"Hello?"
"All Aboard!"
"Man, that looks like fun. Wish I were old enough to ride. Maybe Daddy will take me on the Ferris Wheel."
Seriously, where were all the other kids? Another ride alone...
He doesn't seem to mind, though.
Nope, I don't think he minds at all.
Hey, look! Mason made it on a ride! Aren't we such kind and loving parents?
Also maybe a bit crazy. It's just what happens, I guess. Even to the best of them.
The mandatory stop at the water balloon race. I have such fond memories of this game. (Hello again, Phools!)
These feet don't belong to my children. I don't know who they belong to. I like them anyway.
It was a good night. Pretty much every night at a karma ball is a good night.
I have so many versions of this picture. I take the same shot everywhere we go. Him, in front with our babies. Me, in back with the camera. Never gets old.
Oh, right. I remember now. Let's see if I can recall how to put something in a post that isn't a YouTube video...
There it is. And there I am, on the left, with a penguin bottle opener or somesuch in my cleavage. There are no reasons. Don't ask me why. I'm standing with a number of my very bestest friends, all of whom had traveled a long distance to see Marc and I get married.
That's MamaYip next to me. I talked to her on the phone recently, but haven't seen her in 8 years or so, I think. Entirely too long. John/Duke is in the middle there, and he's an occasional commenter here. He looks bored, but don't be phooled - evil plans are lurking in his mind, for certain. Next to him is Greg, whose wedding we attended 2 years ago and is now a babydaddy (as is John) - and I haven't met any of their kids yet. That sucks. Then there's Becky, looking so calm and I don't know what's going on with her these days as we haven't spoken in a long time. More suckage. On the opposite end of me is Dean, who shares a brain with my husband and who I see all the time. So I don't need to go get all verklempt over him.
I really miss these people. The type and amount of fun we had in those days is illegal in many states.
... or however that old quote goes. Am too lazy to Google it just now. Perhaps one of you fine folks can help me out?
So, I'm back from the beach, and recovering from all that, plus dealing with some lovely virality/jungle fever/Ebola-itis. Complete with spots on my children. AWESOME. I promise, promise, PROMISE to get some photos and words out here soon, but today just ain't the day. Sad sad, sniffle, sniffle, I KNOW. I'd like to make a not-really-so-funny joke here about how nobody is reading anyway and blah blah blah, but as it turns out there was a comment on my last post wondering where I've been and, oh hell, I'll just quote it:
"Where has my favorite blogger of America gone?????"
IsweartoGodIdidnotmakethatup.
Though I guess I can't swear that I didn't sleepwalk down here in the middle of the night and post it myself. Because how would I know? If it's me, I hope I'm paying myself something good. Anyhow, thanks for the love. I love you too, Internet. Every last sweaty drop of you. For you give me such goodness and joy, that I can only throw out some foot photos and ill-conceived ALLCAPS in hopes of someday repaying you.
In addition to my other sacrifices, I also attempt to share with you awesome things I find out here on the cutting edge of it all, usually in the trolling of other, much cooler blogs. Things like GT, or Girl Talk, mastermind of truly awesome mashups. Look, and judge for yourselves... I promise you won't be sorry:
He's offering the album up pay-what-you-want Radiohead style, which I love in that whole ANARCHY! way, though I didn't partake of it when Radiohead offered it, because I just don't do Radiohead. But I just might do this one.
Speaking of anarchy, I am considering asking for a Zune for my birthday. Don't tell Marc, he doesn't know yet. I'm not sure yet, but I'm AM sure I'll hear some strong opinions about it. It just feels so FIGHT THE POWER, which is funny, because since when did it become subversive to want to buy a Microsoft product?
(That's right - I don't have an iPod. All of my previous and current MP3 players have been Creative.)
Have you seen The Dark Knight yet? No? Well, why are still sitting there? GO! It's ok. I'll wait.
You're back?
Ok, now, let's talk about it. Did you love it as much as I did? I mean, I even liked it better than Batman Begins, which I loved, and I never love sequels better than originals. Well, ok, almost never. I was concerned that all the hype about Heath Ledger's performance was due to his unfortunate death, but I was wrong. He really was THAT good.
About 10 minutes into the movie, I recall thinking to myself that there was a minor criticism I was going to have to tell Marc about after the movie but - get this - by the end of the movie, I had forgotten all about. The criticism had never existed. And believe me, there are few things I enjoy in this world more than finding minor things to criticize.
Wait - ok, here's one. I heard rumblings on the Intarnets about "what's up with Batman's voice?" and I have to agree. While I get it, it was still distracting.
But that's it! That's all! Can you believe it?!!@#@!
Ok, what else, what else...
I was supposed to see The X-Files the night before last, but some person to remain unnamed bailed on me, and now I may never find the truth. Mulder and Scully have evaded me, and it makes me sad.
Oh, hey, books! Been reading lots of those. As you may have noticed on the sidebar on the right there, I'm deep into the Twilight series. I've read the first 3, and am waiting to pick up "Breaking Dawn" (note to self: DO NOT FORGET TO FIND THIS BEFORE YOU LEAVE FOR BEACH THIS WEEKEND). I picked up "Twilight" a couple months ago because I just kept hearing about it over and over, so I figured I'd better check it out. Took me a while to start it, because I was finishing the massive undertaking that was "Pillars of the Earth" (a bookclub pick and, as it turns out, I am the only one who has finished it. Hmph.)
(I'm about to talk about some general plot points of the series a bit, so maybe spoiler alert here, if you haven't read them and intend to? Go forward at your own risk, though I hardly think I'm sharing anything gasp-worthy! Bwahahaaha.)
Once I was in the middle of "Twilight", I began to feel a bit annoyed at myself for reading a series aimed at "Young Adults" until I was able to step back and realize that the emotional simplicity (what I mean is - while the writing itself is lush and descriptive, the story is not exactly deep) was simply a product of having a 17 year old girl for a narrator. Once I let go of that and let myself remember what it's like to think like a teenager, it's been a very fun ride. I look forward to seeing if Bella becomes a vampire - I'm Team Edward, of course - though I personally suspect she'll choose Jacob, and humanity, in the end. Though from a business perspective, it would be wise of the author to turn her, because think of the future books that storyline invites. Looking forward to sharing more thoughts on that once I finish the last book.
Speaking of books, new bookclub possibly happening tonight. Must start mainlining ibuprofen now.
Ok, since I'm on a roll, let's just round it out with brief discussions of music and television.
Music: I currently enjoy confusing myself over this special tribute to summertime, whiskey and teen sex:
Excepting his tendency to bust into an unnecessary scream in the middle of all of his songs, I like Kid Rock. But this song, "All Summer Long" for those who don't care to watch the video, is full of all sorts of conflicts for me. Basically, I don't want to like it, because the lyrics are terrible. "We were trying different things, we were smoking funny things" - ?!?!?! Besides, if I want a nostalgic summertime song, I have PLENTY of other options. The trouble, then, are those insidious samples... how DARE he entice a Midwestern girl like myself who was brought up on classic rock with BOTH "Werewolves of London" and "Sweet Home Alabama"? He must know my response is practically Pavlovian. I can't NOT listen - in fact, I turn it up when this song comes on. And for this, Kid Rock sorta sucks.
And on a separate note, here is my favorite song of the day (video is irrelevant - I just like the song):
And finally, TV. Still digging So You Think You Can Dance, rooting for Twitch, but thinking Katee will win. And Eureka is back, which makes me inordinately happy. Aren't you watching it? Here, check it out:
Aaaaand that's all I've got today. Must go do some beach prep. Anyone care to tell me about any great media-type stuff I'm missing?
