"Scared Straight" for young women

Don't they look happy.

These young women are my daughter and her friends. Those are not real babies- they are animatronic dolls that simulate real babies. They are programmed to cry at specific times for food or to be changed or just to be annoying. Just like real life. This photo was taken at around 6 pm. They are happy because they think that this is a piece of cake. The babies have been sleeping and just had a feeding, so they are cooing and happy. They think this will last.

HA.

The rest of the story: It didn't last. They were up all night. every hour or two the babies would wake up and cry. Because they all slept over at our house (genius move by the other moms BTW) they woke each other up taking care of their babies. Sadly for me they also woke ME up. And the wife. WE have been through this. WE have a note that says we are done. We have four and DID NOT enjoy this experience. WE don't even get extra credit for it.

The girls would not let me take an after photo. They were NOT smiling. They went to school in their pajamas. One night of this kicked their little tooshies. They WILL NOT be getting pregnant in the next couple of years. Boyfriends take note- if they do, I will bring the babies to YOUR house. YOU will live this dream FOREVER, not ME. I will make sure of that. But the girls will explain all this to you the next time you get frisky. If not, then we can talk while I clean the shotgun.

"I -state your name- do solemly swear..."

One of my least favorite phrases that my children utter (whine actually) is "why does he/she get to _______ when I don't get to?! It's not fair!" Well, it's my turn. Why does my daughter get to go to the Presidential Inauguration when I don't?! Perhaps being able to spell it is a gating factor....no, then our current president wouldn't have been able to attend (MIGHT have gotten it right the second time if properly coached) and it would look bad if the guy who is being inaugurated couldn't be there.... Anyway, she received an invitation due to her attendance at a previous Junior National Young Leaders Conference. I am so proud of her for all her achievements- she just charges ahead and does well in whatever environment she gets thrown into; I am happy to send her. I just wish I could go. I am actually a bit jealous of her. That and she can eat anything she wants and she doesn't gain weight.

BTW here is the entire text of the oath of office:

" I do solemnly swear (or affirm) that I will faithfully execute the Office of the President of the United States, and will to the best of my ability, preserve, protect, and defend the Constitution of the United States."
United States Constitution, Article II, Section 1, Clause 8.

Friggin' ECS Motherboards!

Twice. Twice! The eMachines computer survived three years with the daughter. Given the record of that particular vendor it was impressive. Then it made a "sad sound" (her term) and passed away. Motherboard- but given she had a printout of the new machine she "had to have" in order to keep her social standing, I am still a bit suspicious. Anyway, so I replaced the MB. The first board survived for oh, 20 minutes until it smoked and passed away. The Fry's guy was understanding, and gave me another. It seems these boards have a "history" at Fry's. I should have dug into the pile; I would have noticed all the Fry's discount labels, which means someone returned it. Anyway the second one worked well. Until now. It too has expired. Turns out the 10 year old, who will remain nameless, had "overclocked" it. Did you know what that was when you were 10? I would have thought I was late getting home for dinner (6PM SHARP! Any day, any season, no excuses). I now have to build a machine for the little guy from scratch. He has a list. A printed out list of items needed from Newegg. Complete with prices. I am beginning to see a pattern here.... possibly a sibling transfer of best practices.....

Friggin' ECS Motherboards!

Twice. Twice! The eMachines computer survived three years with the daughter. Given the record of that particular vendor it was impressive. Then it made a "sad sound" (her term) and passed away. Motherboard- but given she had a printout of the new machine she "had to have" in order to keep her social standing, I am still a bit suspicious. Anyway, so I replaced the MB. The first board survived for oh, 20 minutes until it smoked and passed away. The Fry's guy was understanding, and gave me another. It seems these boards have a "history" at Fry's. I should have dug into the pile; I would have noticed all the Fry's discount labels, which means someone returned it. Anyway the second one worked well. Until now. It too has expired. Turns out the 10 year old, who will remain nameless, had "overclocked" it. Did you know what that was when you were 10? I would have thought I was late getting home for dinner (6PM SHARP! Any day, any season, no excuses). I now have to build a machine for the little guy from scratch. He has a list. A printed out list of items needed from Newegg. Complete with prices. I am beginning to see a pattern here.... possibly a sibling transfer of best practices.....

The cell phone - pool connection

Today is going to be a very good day.

I always take it as a good omen when something happens that could be a disaster but turns out well. Dropping my cell phone into the pool fits into this category nicely.

I was out by the pool talking on the phone (job search networking activities) when helldog started barking. I had locked her out with me because the cleaners were coming and she annoys the heck out of them. When they arrived I knew she would let me know even though I could not hear the doorbell where I was in the yard. When she started barking I ended my call and got up to go get the door. In the process I snagged my foot on one of the chairs, and in my usual graceful way I executed a lovely tumble and recovery that ended up with me standing at the edge of the pool. I did not fall in ( unlike past occurrences) because I had repositioned the sitting area after the first "performance" in anticipation of future mishaps (big feet...). While I didn't go into the drink, the phone somehow was jettisoned into the air. It plopped into the pool, landing on it's end. the downward force drove it under water, and the air trapped inside the case (Palm Treo 700) popped it back into the air like a submarine breeching the surface. I made that futile grasp after it launched toward the pool, so I was hovering over the edge of the pool, at first aghast at my misfortune, and then overjoyed when it popped up and I was able to snatch it from midair before it made it's final dive to Davey Jone's locker. To my amazement the thing still worked. I opened the battery cover and there was only a drop or two of water around the seams! No matter what else happens today, I already have one small victory for which to be thankful.

Yay for me!