What is up with all the interest in pinterest? I see it all over people's blogs with references, "re-pins", etc. I've been on and didn't think it was all that fabulous. What's the big deal? Is there something about it I don't know? There was this one picture of a white pug wearing some huge black glasses on his nose. That kinda cracked me up. Other than that, I just don't get it. There are also some VERY interesting fashion photos. It reminds me why I didn't join the fashion industry as a career. Fill me in. What's all the fuss about and should I really take an interest in pinterest?
On a completely unrelated topic, I really love Netflix. Have I said that before? I do believe I have! It's so great to watch all sorts of TV series and movies whenever I want. I know they're getting flack because their pricing went up, but I still say it's one of the best deals in town. Mom even bought a "box" that they can get Netflix on in their bedroom. We have yet to set it up (my fault, dangit!), but I'm planning to figure that out this weekend for their 47th wedding anniversary (which is tomorrow). It rocks and I really enjoy it. It's worth every penny!
8/31/11
8/1/11
Pet Peeves
Let's just start the month off with a little complaining and get it out of the way right now. We all have pet peeves. Admit it. You have 'em. Some of mine have REALLY been bugging me lately, so I thought maybe sharing them here would get them out in the open and alleviate the "everyone I see is a punching bag!" feeling. Admit it. You've had that feeling, too.
Pet Peeve #1: People who like to "smother" me. I have a mom, thanks. I don't need you to look out for me or take care of me or baby me. Even if I didn't have a mom I think I'd still feel this way. Personal space people. Let me have it!
Pet Peeve #2: People who talk down to their kids. YOU birthed that kid. YOU raised that kid. If the kid is doing something stupid it's probably because you haven't taught them any differently. And, I swear, the next time I hear a derogatory remark from a mother to their kid such as, "Can't you read the label?" I'm going to throw a right hook that'll land me in jail.
Pet Peeve #3: People (hm, notice these all have to do with people ...) who argue when I tell them something I know to be true or when I say, "I can't remember." You will never be able to change what I know for myself, and you shouldn't basically call me a liar if you don't believe me when I say, "I don't remember." My brain either forgot about it or never knew it, so back off!
Pet Peeve #4: People who are still caught up in high school (even after, say, 35 or 40 years) and still think a "popular group" exists and want to be part of it. Get over it! You can always be nice to people, but there are some people you just can't be BFFs with because it would drain you emotionally, mentally, and any other -ally way. My being nice does NOT mean we are BFFs or that you have been given permission to stalk me, smother me, or be around me every minute. Find another hobby.
Pet Peeve #5: People who don't/can't laugh. Come on! Life is funny, dangit. There's SO much to laugh about! I'm a serious sort. I'm contemplative and analytical, sometimes boringly so, but when something deserves a laugh I give it and I give it loud and proud!
That's enough for today. Phew. It actually helps to have that down in written form. And if you're comment to this post has anything that resembles a "you shouldn't feel that way" comment, you can put yourself down as my pet peeve #6 because I'm human and I have feelings and I'm entitled to feel the way I feel and ain't nothin' gonna change it.
I feel so much lighter ....
Pet Peeve #1: People who like to "smother" me. I have a mom, thanks. I don't need you to look out for me or take care of me or baby me. Even if I didn't have a mom I think I'd still feel this way. Personal space people. Let me have it!
Pet Peeve #2: People who talk down to their kids. YOU birthed that kid. YOU raised that kid. If the kid is doing something stupid it's probably because you haven't taught them any differently. And, I swear, the next time I hear a derogatory remark from a mother to their kid such as, "Can't you read the label?" I'm going to throw a right hook that'll land me in jail.
Pet Peeve #3: People (hm, notice these all have to do with people ...) who argue when I tell them something I know to be true or when I say, "I can't remember." You will never be able to change what I know for myself, and you shouldn't basically call me a liar if you don't believe me when I say, "I don't remember." My brain either forgot about it or never knew it, so back off!
Pet Peeve #4: People who are still caught up in high school (even after, say, 35 or 40 years) and still think a "popular group" exists and want to be part of it. Get over it! You can always be nice to people, but there are some people you just can't be BFFs with because it would drain you emotionally, mentally, and any other -ally way. My being nice does NOT mean we are BFFs or that you have been given permission to stalk me, smother me, or be around me every minute. Find another hobby.
Pet Peeve #5: People who don't/can't laugh. Come on! Life is funny, dangit. There's SO much to laugh about! I'm a serious sort. I'm contemplative and analytical, sometimes boringly so, but when something deserves a laugh I give it and I give it loud and proud!
That's enough for today. Phew. It actually helps to have that down in written form. And if you're comment to this post has anything that resembles a "you shouldn't feel that way" comment, you can put yourself down as my pet peeve #6 because I'm human and I have feelings and I'm entitled to feel the way I feel and ain't nothin' gonna change it.
I feel so much lighter ....
7/26/11
(Two of) The Smithsonian(s)
Somewhere along the line, I didn't realize there were so many Smithsonians. There are, like, 17 of them, people! Yeah, it took me a while to catch on. And they're not all by each other. One was by Shauna's house near the Dulles airport. Who knew?! Not me. We only visited two of the museums - The American History and The Natural History. Both were fascinating and well worth the round-about walk we had to take to get there. Have I mentioned that D.C. is not a handicap friendly or stroller friendly town? It's not. We literally had to walk completely around the museums to get in with a stroller. Same ride for those in a wheelchair. Really stupid if you ask me.
In the American History museum we saw Julia Child's kitchen. Oh yes we did! I loved it!! That woman was SO organized. Check out the pictures and see what I mean. She even outlined where her pots and pans went so they never got lost in the kitchen cupboards. We need her to come back and help us with our kitchen! (Please ignore the strange people in my photos. And the glare. Shauna's husband, Matt, hadn't fixed my camera settings yet, so the lighting was off a bit.)
We also saw the First Ladies' dresses at the American History museum. That was kind of fun! Some were smaller than I imagined, and others were larger and taller than I imagined. These pictures were horrible, so view at your own discretion! For whatever reason, I just couldn't get the camera to focus very well and there was lots of glare and the lighting was poor. I've put the best pictures up, and that's not saying much.
At the time, I was reading Dan Brown's The Lost Symbol, so when we ran on to this statue I had to get a photo: (if you've read the book, you'll know why)
Our next stop was the Natural History museum where we saw loads of animals, including the huge elephant that you see in the Night at the Museum movie. It was a treat, and I was amazed to see how they put so many of the animals in real situations. They were very lifelike.
I think I might have disappointed Shauna. She kept asking, "Do you want to see Dorothy's shoes from The Wizard of Oz? Do you want to see this or that?" My answer was always, "Nah. I've seen enough." I really wasn't being a party pooper. There were just a few highlights I wanted to hit and we saw them all. No need to go the extra mile, especially while on vacation. :) It was great fun and I'd definitely go back to see more!
This is the "real" Smithsonian. I thought it was beautiful and wish we would have seen it up close. Pictures suffice for now though. Loved all of it and want to see more one day!
In the American History museum we saw Julia Child's kitchen. Oh yes we did! I loved it!! That woman was SO organized. Check out the pictures and see what I mean. She even outlined where her pots and pans went so they never got lost in the kitchen cupboards. We need her to come back and help us with our kitchen! (Please ignore the strange people in my photos. And the glare. Shauna's husband, Matt, hadn't fixed my camera settings yet, so the lighting was off a bit.)
We also saw the First Ladies' dresses at the American History museum. That was kind of fun! Some were smaller than I imagined, and others were larger and taller than I imagined. These pictures were horrible, so view at your own discretion! For whatever reason, I just couldn't get the camera to focus very well and there was lots of glare and the lighting was poor. I've put the best pictures up, and that's not saying much.
At the time, I was reading Dan Brown's The Lost Symbol, so when we ran on to this statue I had to get a photo: (if you've read the book, you'll know why)
Our next stop was the Natural History museum where we saw loads of animals, including the huge elephant that you see in the Night at the Museum movie. It was a treat, and I was amazed to see how they put so many of the animals in real situations. They were very lifelike.
I think I might have disappointed Shauna. She kept asking, "Do you want to see Dorothy's shoes from The Wizard of Oz? Do you want to see this or that?" My answer was always, "Nah. I've seen enough." I really wasn't being a party pooper. There were just a few highlights I wanted to hit and we saw them all. No need to go the extra mile, especially while on vacation. :) It was great fun and I'd definitely go back to see more!
This is the "real" Smithsonian. I thought it was beautiful and wish we would have seen it up close. Pictures suffice for now though. Loved all of it and want to see more one day!
Library of Congress
Holy gorgeous interior! I am SO jealous of Jefferson's library it's not even funny! That man had OODLES of books. On all subjects. And they were so old and you could smell the paper and the glue and the leather - oh my! Yes, people, these are the things that excite me. Take a look at this (long) set of pictures and see what I mean by gorgeous. I only wish some of the pictures would have turned out with more detail because they don't even do the place justice. It's incredibly beautiful!
At the end, we saw a Gershwin exhibit. Shauna HAD to have a picture with his piano, which makes sense to anyone that knows her. It was a real Steinway. And we saw his typewriter that was there, too. He wrote his own music and lyrics and was an amazing musician. That's why Shauna had her picture taken there and I didn't. I can still claim the fact that we played duets together though. It will be my "claim to fame" until the day I die. The Library of Congress is definitely a place I'd like to visit again when I have lots of time. And tissues. To wipe up all the drool I will so eagerly spend over Jefferson's library.
At the end, we saw a Gershwin exhibit. Shauna HAD to have a picture with his piano, which makes sense to anyone that knows her. It was a real Steinway. And we saw his typewriter that was there, too. He wrote his own music and lyrics and was an amazing musician. That's why Shauna had her picture taken there and I didn't. I can still claim the fact that we played duets together though. It will be my "claim to fame" until the day I die. The Library of Congress is definitely a place I'd like to visit again when I have lots of time. And tissues. To wipe up all the drool I will so eagerly spend over Jefferson's library.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)