Charity Begins At (Your) Home.

The fabulous, prolific! Joni from Cote de Texas turned me on to this great organization, DonorsChoose.org. Teachers from public schools all over the country send in requests for everything from essential items such as writing paper and pencil sharpeners to art supplies for teachers who are only allotted $50/year (see what Joni did) to supplies to create an entire library, the list is endless.

You can select a state and a school, the cost of an item or project or the type of project you'd be interested in helping to fulfill such as science or art. You can donate any amount or fulfill the entire project. The great thing is that DonorsChoose.org buys the item (it has already negotiated the best price and determined related fees such as shipping) and sends the item directly to the teacher who requested it. I love it. They also send a disposable camera so the kids affected by your generosity can take pictures which are developed and sent to you along with thank you notes written by the kids. Now, I don't require that level of thanks for my gifts but it's so great to be able to see what your donation was actually used for.

Anyway, I am always looking for ways to help out locally and this organization provides the opportunity to help out kids in areas that don't receive enough governmental support (another topic in itself). Check it out. If you like, donate something. Next year, I would like to sponsor a project through my blog for Blogger's Challenge '09. I am late to the party for '08 but I did go to the site and donate a cash register so a local school could open a school store which many kids will use to create the store (through an entrepreneurship class), order, market and sell the merchandise, track inventory, audit the register and use the experience to get jobs in retail. I encourage you to go take a look at the wide variety of opportunities to give to teachers whose kids who will really benefit from your generosity.

I'm a Retard.

Will someone please explain to me what happened last night on "Mad Men?" Why did Don say he was Dick and who was that woman? Is he a twin? What's going on? Someone, please 'splain to me.

Windows to the World.

I love conservatories. My husband and I were lamenting the fact that because we live in the city on a tree-lined street we don't get enough sun to have a garden. If I can't have a garden, I'd really like is one of these:

All of the above conservatories by Amdega.

Tanglewood conservatory (pool house).

Our house is over 100 years old so these styles would complement it perfectly. Seems like a great place to curl up in winter with a book. Or write. Or draw. Or just daydream about spring.

Does Your Politics Define You?

I just saw the Oliver Stone movie, "W," and at the point where George and Laura Bush were first introduced and discussing things, it was clear that they did not see eye to eye on politics. Laura quickly said, "People are not defined by their politics," which I found interesting. So did W, as it left open what he thought was a closed door.

My first (late) husband was a Republican (at least when we met and for years thereafter) and my husband now is a Republican (currently registered as a Republican, a fiscal conservative supporting Obama). Mary Matalin is a rabid Republican strategist and her husband, James Carville, is an equally fervent Democratic strategist.

How can this be? I cannot speak to my parents about politics, yet my husband and I discuss politics even though we do not agree on all issues. We agree on major issues, I guess. And now, after years of being wrong and finally coming over from the dark side (hee hee) he has said he is registering Democrat first chance he gets. That the Republican party he belonged to no longer exists.

So, how is it that we are so passionate about our politics, yet Republicans fall in love with and marry Democrats everyday? And vice versa. Do people just pick their battles and politics isn't one? Is there always an "avoider" of confrontation in the relationship that doesn't let politics get in the way? What do you think?

Do our politics define us?

For Erin.

Wow, Erin, I had no idea that there was so much fodder on this topic. Which pic were you referring to? There's even a theory about McCain's "tongue jut" (although clearly these photos do not illustrate a mere tongue jut):

Retired FBI agent Joe Navarro, a Bluff Magazine columnist and author of "Read 'Em and Reap," a book on poker tells culled from his professional interrogation experience, has written about the “tongue jut,” which is exactly what McCain was doing in the Colbert debate clips. Its significance?

"Tongue-jutting behavior is a gesture used by people who think they have gotten away with something or are “caught” doing something. I have seen this behavior in flea markets both in the United States and in Russia, among street vendors in Lower Manhattan, at poker tables in Las Vegas, and in business meetings. In each case, the person made the gesture – tongue between the teeth without touching the lips – at the conclusion of some sort of a deal or as a final nonverbal statement. This behavior has several meanings – depending on specific situations – but is usually associated with one of these: I got caught (taking candy from a drawer), gleeful excitement (look at what I just did, Mom), I got away with something (and I didn’t get caught), I did something foolish, or I am naughty."

Maybe. Maybe it's just gross.

I Am from the Land of Lincoln.

I love this. He is so awesome. This is what they are saying in Illinois about Obama. I can't believe I didn't vote for him in the primary. I voted for Hillary. I figured Hills would be great for 8, then Obama for 8 = 16 years of reasonable behavior in the White House.

Anyway. How proud were you last night when McCain was all beady-eyed and insane and Mr. Obama was as cool as a cucumber? That's the guy I want running things.

Worst Hair Day Ever.

So. After having spent about $180 yesterday on my monthly-ish hairjob, my daughter tells me today that it looks awfully "Flock of Seagulls" (see above).

I have to get a new stylist.

Food for Thought.

Obama/Biden vs. McCain/Palin - what if things were switched around? Think about it. Would the country's collective point of view be different? Could racism be the culprit?

Ponder the following:

What if the Obamas had paraded five children across the stage, including a three-month-old infant and an unwed, pregnant teenage daughter?

What if John McCain was a former president of the Harvard Law Review?

What if Barack Obama finished fifth from the bottom of his graduating class?

What if McCain had only married once, and Obama was a divorcee?

What if Obama was the candidate who left his first wife after a severe disfiguring car accident, when she no longer measured up to his standards?

What if Obama had met his second wife in a bar and had a long affair while he was still married?

What if Michelle Obama was the wife who not only became addicted to pain killers but also acquired them illegally through her charitable organization?

What if Cindy McCain had graduated from Harvard?

What if Obama had been a member of the Keating Five? (The Keating Five were five United States Senators accused of corruption in 1989, igniting a major political scandal as part of the larger Savings and Loan crisis of the late 1980s and early 1990s.)

What if McCain was a charismatic, eloquent speaker?

What if Obama couldn't read from a teleprompter?

What if Obama was the one who had military experience that included discipline problems and a record of crashing seven planes?

What if Obama was the one who was known to display publicly, on many occasions, a serious anger management problem?

What if Michelle Obama's family had made their money from beer distribution?

What if the Obamas had adopted a white child?

You could easily add to this list. If these questions reflected reality, do you really believe the election numbers would be as close as they are? This is what racism does. It covers up, rationalizes and minimizes positive qualities in one candidate and emphasizes negative qualities in another when there is a color difference.

Educational Background:

Barack Obama:
Columbia University - B.A. Political Science with a Specialization in International Relations.
Harvard - Juris Doctor (J.D.) Magna Cum Laude

Joseph Biden:
University of Delaware - B.A. in History and B.A. in Political Science.
Syracuse University College of Law - Juris Doctor (J.D.)

vs.

John McCain:
United States Naval Academy - Class rank: 894 of 899

Sarah Palin:
Hawaii Pacific University - 1 semester
North Idaho College - 2 semesters - general study
University of Idaho - 2 semesters - journalism
Matanuska-Susitna College - 1 semester
University of Idaho - 3 semesters - B.A. in Journalism

I found this on Anna Empiric's blog, Relish Small Pleasures; she found it on The Engaged Observer.

I'm Game.

Kalliope tagged me to share seven random, weird things about myself. This is different from the list six boring facts about yourself game. This is weird and random! Ha.

1) I started this blog because someone on another blog said I should. So I said, "Okay." And I did. Just like Sarah Palin - didn't blink, just said yes. I wrote my first post the next day. So, blame that person, whoever it was.

2) I got carded on my 48th birthday (this year) while I was trying to buy Dogfish Head beer. Oh, shit, does that make me Joe 6-pack?

3) I met my husband online.


4) I have my motorcycle license (required for my Vespa).

5) I worked in retail advertising and publishing and was heartsick when Macy's bought Marshall Field's in Chicago (the State Street store was my old employer) and changed the name! And removed the clock!! (Still heartsick...my favorite job ever.)


6) I love Elvis Impersonators! (That's where I was when I was barfed on - see several posts ago - when I wouldn't admit it. I was in Dewey Beach at the Annual Elvis Impersonator Competition. Seriously.). I do not love them all, but there is nothing better that seeing a roomful of Elvii and groups of them talking together. I just think it's hilarious. But the winner of the Dewey Beach Elvis contest? I love him. Kevin Mills. My next husband. To my husband's dismay, he is my current screensaver.


7) I can play "Mary Had a Little Lamb" using my hands as a wind instrument (I know you're jealous, it's okay).

Okay, now I'm supposed to tag some people, so, as much as this seems like a chain letter, I am tagging peeps I think will be game:

1) Raina from If the Lampshade Fits even though I see she just tagged herself but with the other game of tag that's going around.
2) David from Midwestern Malaise
3) Erin from DesignCrisis
4) Stephanie from Even Cleveland
5) Cybill from Sorting It Out
6) Decorina from Decorina and Skylar even though she was already tagged by Kalliope; now she is double-dog-dared.
7) Nerdy Fashionista

The Rules:
1. Link to your tagger and list these rules on your blog.
2. Share 7 facts about yourself on your blog - some random, some weird.
3. Tag 7 people at the end of your post by leaving their names as well as links to their blog.
4. Let them know they have been tagged by leaving a comment on their blog.

Ina Garten Can Make Ice Water Fattening.

Don't get me wrong. I love Ina. I have every single one of her cookbooks and I am eagerly awaiting the day I can buy her new cookbook, "Back to Basics."

In fact, I just made dinner from it. I made the mustard roasted red snapper that appears in the November House Beautiful. It was delicious. It had capers and dijon and creme fraiche.

Creme fraiche. Ina Garten is the only person who can make fish fattening.

There is also an article on Ina's new "barn" house in East Hampton. I hate to say anything negative but I am so over barn houses.

The Barefoot Contessa's new kitchen.

And, personally, I liked the old kitchen better but this counter runs approximately 18 feet, so it's function all the way.

Now the secret recipe for sticky buns? Oh, brother. I am pre-ordering this baby.

Where Are You, My Little Domino?

Others have had you for weeks. I and all the bookstores in Delaware (okay, all in Wilmington and Browseabout in Rehoboth) are still slumming with the September issue.

Does anybody know what's going on? Does Domino have a beef with Joe Biden? Or vice-versa?

I don't subscribe to magazines because it drives me insane when I go to the bookstore and the new issue of something I subscribe to is in the bookstore before I get it. I prefer paying five times the subscription price (not really, but it's the price I pay, so to speak). And the mail reminders to send in my money for the next 12 months five minutes after I subscribed? Well, I'll admit it - I get too many. I can't keep track of what I've paid for.

So. Did everybody else in the country receive their October Domino Mag? Incidentally, Barnes & Noble said they will no longer be carrying Domino. *Sad face.* I hope another one isn't biting the dust...

I Love Yahoo News.

Oct 10, 2008

World markets plummet

European markets plunge again and Japan's Nikkei drops nearly 10 percent. » 'Gripped by fear'

• Japan to propose bailout
• Oil prices fall to one-year low

• World markets plunge after Wall St. fall
• Eva Longoria and other celebs' bad-hair days
• Candidates' famous relatives uncovered
• Winner of 2008 Nobel Peace Prize announced

You know, I woke up this morning reading about the world markets crashing after our stock market continues to crash and I was wondering whether it would disrupt the supply of food and gas when I was snapped back to reality with this sobering report: Eva Longoria has bad hair days, too.

Talk about giving you some perspective. Schwew. Poor Eva.

Oh, Deer.

My two favorite omnipresent trends: Imperial Trellis and Deerheads*. {sigh}

I've loved them since long before they became a trend. Why is everything so overdone these days? I have a couple of theories but I'd like to hear yours.

*Yes, faux. And resin antlers.

Will My Love For Imperial Trellis Never End?

I just got my September copy of Canadian House & Home - my contest winning booty from My Notting Hill (thanks again, Michele!). And what is there to taunt me but the ubiquitous I.T. that I covet and graces not one inch of my house. Why is that? I don't care if it's overdone, I love it. And I will love it until every single house in America has at least one pillow covered in it. *sniff*

Another of my favorites: Chloe Sevigny's entry hall (when does the new season of The Big Love start anyway? - crazy, interesting, weird show) from the defunct and sorely missed House & Garden.

There Is Beauty in Great Sadness.

Monumental Cemetery, Milan, Crying in Time

St. Kilda Cemetery, Victoria

by Peter Schipperheyn,
Mt Macedon Cemetery, Victoria via omnia flickr

Monumental Cemetery Milan, Last Kiss


Kerepesi Cemetery, Budapest

Highgate Cemetery West, London, via Picaddict flickr

Ivanhoe Cemetery, Ivanhoe, Illinois

Sunday Morning O.J.

Oh, yes, justice is a bitch. Read here.

Beauty and the Beach.

My favorite shop at the beach is the Shore Haus, owned by John and Chris. John worked in visual merchandising for Sak's in NYC before opening his own shop in Rehoboth Beach, Delaware.

They have a well-edited selection of furniture from places like Oly Studio and Vintage Vagabond and beautiful John Derian decoupage and Fornasetti ceramics and textiles (both exclusive to them in Delaware). They have lots of gorgeous candles and accessories, not to mention the best selection of outdoor furniture and garden ornaments, fountains and accessories. There's no one at the beach like them - or anywhere else in the state for that matter.

If you're ever in the area, stop by and see them. I think I'll do that this weekend (off-season is the best!).

What To Do Tonight?

Hmmmm. I have an entire evening ahead of me with nothing to do.

I've made my Obama phone calls and have annoyed most of southern PA and now I'm DEBATING whether to go to a movie or maybe just call it an early night. Like in bed at 9. Or maybe both.

Any ideas?

(As the kids say, "Psyche!")

Okay, in an effort to add some excitement to the debate (as if it will need any), I am including a link here to Palin Bingo. You can play along while drinking Moosehead and listening to the soundtrack from "Fargo."

Feel free to chime in on the "Create Your Own Bingo Card" because I think this game could be much funnier. I will start with the square "Track in Iraq".

Off to the liquor store.

Oh, a little something to tide you over until 9 pm. The 1984 Miss Alaska Swimsuit Competition, starring Miss Sarah Heath (Palin):

Subprime Primer.

Oh, it gets better. To see the entire slideshow, click here.

Famous Dicks.

Okay, let's make up from yesterday. Clearly, the bailout is a touchy subject. I'm sorry. I didn't mean to be a dick. But I'm not that much of a dick or I'd be in here: Dickipedia, the Wiki of Dicks.

Of course, you will find both famous and infamous dicks like Dick Cheney (and we all know he is not a dick because he is named Richard), Lance Armstrong, Kim Jong-il and Ralph Nader. But first, our favorite, most beauty-pageanty, Russia-spotting, wildlife-and-librarian-threatening dick of all...

Dick No. 1

"Sarah Louise Heath Palin (born February 11, 1964) is the current governor of Alaska, Republican vice presidential candidate, a compulsive breeder, and a major lady dick.

The only thing Sarah Palin seems to enjoy more than having children is giving those children ridiculous names and inadequate sex education.

Palin served as both a city councilor and mayor of Wasilla, Alaska, a nightmare of suburban sprawl located in the armpit of the state’s two major highways. Somehow, she was elected governor of Alaska in 2006, not only becoming the first woman, but also the hottest chick ever to hold the office.

On August 29, 2008, Republican presidential candidate Senator John McCain performed perhaps the greatest political mindfuck in American history by announcing that he had chosen Sarah Palin as his running mate. Palin celebrated by ovulating..." Go here for more.

But this is my favorite:

Dick No. 2

"Crude "Petroleum" Oil (born 65,000,000 BC) is a naturally occurring, flammable liquid found in rock formations on Earth, a complex mixture of hydrocarbons and organic compounds, a fossil fuel, the primary ingredient in gasoline (as well as derivatives like lubricants), and a dick.

At the time of its discovery, oil was an innocuous, helpful and celebrated substance. However, it has since become the biggest jerk among naturally forming chemical compounds.

Though many other dicks have started wars, caused pollution, destroyed economies, and formed the base for several lubricants, oil is by far the most prominent offender.

Just like human dicks, oil spent much of its early life not being a dick. It was simply content being a layer of sediment that was agreeable and pleasant to spend time with. All of that changed 100 million years later..." More on dickish oil, here.

I think everyone could use a laugh today. I know I could.