Custom Baby
Mood:  cool
Topic: family

I've been looking through the photo albums lately and am considering ordering some custom t-shirts with Baba's picture on them. Wouldn't that be the cutest? I could wear one on Fridays at work or to exercise. Though, I'd hate to sweat through one. Baba is so cute and precious these days, you wanna just take a million pictures and show him off. At the post office today, several women remarked about how pretty he is. I made my usual joke, "We don't know where he came from," implying he didn't get his good looks from us. But she didn't see the joke. Instead, she took a clsoe look at him and said, "Well, his father must be black. And you're part Asian, aren't you? That's why he's so beautiful." I told her she was very perceptive and kind. Cool, eh?

 

Blue Lists
Mood:  hungry
Topic: politics
Looking at the city search a different way, here's a list of Top 10 Liberal Cities in the U.S. The statistics used to make the list: individual contributions to democratic/liberal parties, voting in the 2004 election, the number of gay households from the last U.S. Census, etc. There were three lists based on city size. For us, I think we would have to live in a city larger than 100,000 people anyway.

1. Boston, MA
2. Cambridge, MA
3. Berkeley, CA
4. Oakland, CA
5. San Francisco, CA
6. New Haven, CT
7. Providence, RI
8. New York, NY
9. Baltimore, MD
10. Seattle, WA

They also listed the most liberal cities in various states. Interestingly, Decatur is the most "liberal" in Georgia! Yay! (That's where we live now, in case you didn't know!)

Memory Walk
Mood:  bright
Topic: health

Something I want to integrate into my exercise plan is participating in charity runs. You get to meet new people and support worthwhile charities. One race I was reading about is the Alzheimer's Memory Walk. Here's what that organization has to say about their event:

"The Alzheimer's Association Memory Walk® is the nation's largest event to raise awareness and funds for Alzheimer care, support and research – and it calls on volunteers of all ages to become champions in the fight against Alzheimer's. There are walks in more than 600 communities. A typical Memory Walk is a 2-3 mile walk held on a weekend morning in the fall. By teaming up with the Alzheimer's Association, you can walk with a purpose – and move us closer to a world without Alzheimer's. Together, we can MOVE a nation."

Alzheimer's is such a horrible tragedy for any family. Every now and then, I worry about the amount of deodorant I apply - aluminum has been linked to Alzheimer's. I have such hopes for growing old and enjoying life, having grandkids and adventures in my retirement. Being healthy is so important, which is why even steps you take now are really important. I really am determined to lose weight and be healthy. I wish it would happen faster, but it will happen.

Green List
Mood:  energetic
Topic: politics
I found this list of Top 10 Green Cities in the U.S. Of course, the list is from 2005. I've left off the details, but you can go read about the article for yourself if you're interested.

1. Austin, TX (no chance, since it's still in the South)
2. Boulder, CO
3. Chicago, IL
4. Honolulu, Hawaii
5. Madison, WI
6. Minneapolis, MN
7. Oakland, CA (big chance)
8. Portland, OR
9. San Francisco, CA
10. Seattle, WA

Runenrs up: Boston,MA, Athens, GA, and Lawrence, Kansas.

Toasted
Mood:  silly
Topic: random

When I was in college, my parents came to my graduation ceremony and also helped me move my stuff back to Georgia. The negative side of that was feeling rushed. THey packed me up so quickly, I forgot about my toaster oven. In the grand scheme of things, toaster ovens may not seem that important, but this was a birthday present from my brother. I remember all the yummy concoctions I had made using that toaster oven - parmasean toasted pita bread and strawberry strudels.

Our toaster recently broke. Maybe it's time for a new toaster oven. Then again, life without toast hasn't been that difficult to cope with.

War of the Yuppies
Mood:  hug me
Topic: family
We love our neighborhood, but are kinda tired of our majority white, yuppie neighbors. I think I like hipsters more than these people, who move in like a swarm of maggots on a dead body. They leave higher property taxes and McMansions in their wake. Hipsters, though costumed, are at least well-intentioned. They don't just feed off the neighborhood, draining its life blood.

In my MIL's neighborhood though, the streets are plaqued by teens in their teen costumes - baggy pants and boxers (and/or midriffs) cleverly exposed.

I guess we just want to live around everyday people, in their everyday costumes.

Crafty Business
Mood:  amorous
Topic: random

We went to scope out my tattoo today. I thought the tattoo parlour (are they still called that these days?) had the design I wanted, but I"ll have to print the one I want out. I don't want an exact replica of the image found, so hopefully the tattoo "artist" will do his magic.

R and Baba went to the nearby health food coop, to keep cool and get a drink. Also, they had a rule about kids not being in the tattoo studio (that sounds better). No crying babies, basically, which is understandable for a place with guys holding vibrating needles.

In the health food store, there was a guy selling jewelry on trade show displays. He actually had customers, too. That area is usually swarming with people selling their art or little trinkets anyway. With the right set-up, which the Godfrey Group sells online, you come off way more professional and trustworthy. Their easy-to-use webiste offers a variety of displays for retail stores, conferences, and festivals. Even crafty folks might need a nice display for the various craft fests, to sell handmade jewelry, cute stuffies, or screenprinted onesies.

Hopefully, if R's mom will watch Baba, we'll be able to go back to the tattoo studio and get my tat done.

Heat of the Night
Mood:  lazy
Topic: random
Hot. Another reason the South sucks. I want to move somewhere that has snow.

No Worries
Mood:  sharp
Topic: family

Ever since Baba was born I have on my list to become CPR certified. I almost had the chance working for the summer camp, but the class conflicted with our end of year stuff and was cancelled. The American Medical Research Institute offers an ACLS class completely online, in addition to PALS certification. I'll definitely be interested in these classes, so I can take Baba swimming. Maybe Rahim's worries will be alleviated if I demonstrate more knowledge of safety precautions. The cost of the course sequence sounds quite reasonable, and online courses are a perfect solution to today's busy schedules.

I haven't gone swimming this whole summer. I wish I could say that would change soon, but I'll be watching Baba all next week. Our babysitter is taking a well-deserved vacation. I'll have to write a post one day about how wonderful she is and how much she spoils Baba. I've recommended her to relatives and friends, who can check out her certifications and expertise.

I'll definitely pencil in some poolside time the last week. I'll also be getting my hair cut and going to the spa with the gift card Rahim got me for my birthday. A week of relaxation.

Burn
Mood:  lyrical
Topic: health
I could feel it when I got home, having spent at least 30 minutes in direct sunlight, plus the 40 minutes driving each way to work. My skin felt hot.  The watch tan line on my wrist seemed bolder. Will that line ever disappear? I haven't worn my watch on that wrist for a week! I applied sunscreen before going out on my bike, but I didn't do it early enough I think. I can see the outline of my exercise top on my back. If you have to apply the sunscreen thirty minutes before you go out (for the best protection), why do the commercials always happen at the beach or poolside? Anyway, I hope this extra "sun" that I feel doesn't turn into a sunburn. I'll make sure to drink plenty of water and maybe take some preventative acetaminophen.