Respect My Athori-tay

Respect My Athori-tay,
originally uploaded by Car2nGrl.

It's hard enough to be a security guard on, of all things, a Segway...but with a bike helmet too? Yeah, it's definitely hard to be a bad ass.


BTW, HAPPY BIRTHDAY THOMMY!

Vegas Day 2

What would Vegas be without Liberace?!

Seriously, if you go to Vegas, the Liberace Museum is a must and I mean that. It's the second time I've been there and I love that Liberace was so entertaining in so many ways.

''People ask how I can play with all those rings and I reply, 'Very well thank you.'''
---Liberace

Viva Las Vegas!

The Trillos are on the road again, heading for Vegas. Cher's in concert and we're taking Chris' mom to see her. While were in town, we're also going to meet up with Thommy and Geoffrey...who are in town to see Cher, of course.

We're staying at the Flamingo and it looks like the place has had a bit of a face lift since our last visit. Talk about Barbie's Dreamhouse. Lots of pink, brown, and orange. It actually reminds me of a diner I visited with my dad in the 70's...I think it was House of Pies. Mmmmm. Delicious!

Book2Movie Club

So a decade ago...gasp! Yes it's been that long...I did this thing called Movie Nite where I arranged for a group of friends to get together and watch a flick once a week. Over time I became the Movie Nite Dictator because, well, dictatorships just run more efficiently. (Actually, I got stuck with one too many movies that other people wanted to watch but didn't show up to view. I think that's how Hitler also got his start.)

Soon after Movie Nite ended, I joined a book club, which allowed me to take advantage of my commute time (as I was taking the train to work then) and read a bunch of books that I normally would not have read. Sad to say, the book club ''went on a break'', which I quickly translated to "went kaputz.''

A few more years have passed and I'm feeling it's time to try to bring the bands back together. Yes, that's ''bands'' plural. My thought was to create a ''Book2Movie'' Club. Once a month (which I figured would be easier than Movie Nite's weekly commitment) on a weekend (once again, figured a non-school night would be easier on all involved) we'd get together to watch a pre-determined movie.

''Pre-determined?'' you asked. Well, that's where the book part comes into play. The thought is read the book (or script if that's the case) of the movie chosen. Watch the movie. Then have lunch to discuss how the book was translated to film and (for those who didn't read the book) how the movie stands on its own.

That said, here's my suggestion for the first Book2Movie Club selection...Wanted which opens June 27th and is based on the graphic novel by Mark Millar and J.G. Jones. It also stars James McAvoy, Morgan Freeman, and, yes, Angelina Jolie. So, for those of you who are not quite sure about the ''book'' aspect of this venture...have no fear, things won't be too heady right off the bat.

Here are the rest of the details:

Date: Saturday, June 28
Time: TBD -- early show, to be following by lunch
Location: Sherman Oaks ArcLight (it's opening weekend, we're going to need the reserved seating)

As for future selections, I'll list my suggestions below but really, I hope this is something we can further refine with as we get together. Also, I normally wouldn't suggest opening weekend but what follows if the 4th of July holiday, which seemed just a problematic.

Well, let me know if you're interested in participating. I'll update you all again as we get closer to having actual showtimes.

I hope to see you at the Book2Movie Club.
---Catherine

Possible Future Selections:

August
• Towelhead: A Novel
  
  September
• Nights in Rodanthe
• Blindness (Harvest Book)
• Button, Button: Uncanny Stories
• Choke
  
  October
• Nick & Norah's Infinite Playlist
• How To Lose Friends And Alienate People: A Memoir
• Where the Wild Things Are
  
  November
• Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince (Book 6)
• The Curious Case of Benjamin Button: The Inspiration for the Upcoming Major Motion Picture
  
  December
• The Time Traveler's Wife
• Frost/Nixon: A Play (Faber and Faber Plays)

Lost There, Felt Here

Call me sick but I love that Harrison Ford's willing to get his chest waxed to make a point. OUCH! Deforestation is painful!

Hey, it could have been worse. He could have gone for a Brazilian.

That said. For Harrison's efforts, here what I pledge to do to help:

• Bring my own grocery bags to the market
• If I use plastic bags, Recycle them along with other plastic, glass, and metal containers
• Drink less individually bottled water
• Consume less and try to be a one garbage bag per week household
• Start a home garden (week-by-week, we're getting closer to this goal)
• Walk more (which also helps with the waistline)

Check out Conservation International's website for more information.

Racin'

As we waited for Thommy, Geof, and Jan to arrive for dinner, Parker and I took a walk around downtown Montrose and came across the quarter ride-ons. Last time I had an excuse to avoid them but this time...seeing that we were killing time anyways...well, we indulged.

First, Parker hopped into the race car. I could see the scenes from Cars replay in his head.

''Okay, here we go. Focus. Speed. I am speed. One winner, forty-two losers. I eat losers for breakfast.''

''No tires! Just gas!''

''Serpentine! Serpentine!"

After three rides in the car (each of which, I should mention, ended with ''Again!''), we took a turn on the nearby horse. I guess after tooling around in the race car, the horse was nothing. No steering...just hold on for dear life as the two bobbed up and down, up and down.

Ride 'em, Cowboy!

Sick Day Benefits

Sick Day Benefits,
originally uploaded by Car2nGrl.

Now that I think of it...with the temperature in the 100's, I wouldn't be surprised if Frankie was the one who conveniently help Parker get sick. Maybe by stealing the blankets as the two slept at night.

Yes. Look at that mug. He's definitely one manipulative dog.

Under the Weather

Under the Weather,
originally uploaded by Car2nGrl.

Parker was sent home with a 102+ fever. Have not fear. It's nothing that a little Motrin, blue otterpops, and a double feature of ''Cars'' and ''Toy Story'' can't fix.

Testing Mom's Limits

Testing Mom's Limits,
originally uploaded by Car2nGrl.

Out for sushi again. Based our our last experience, I decided to bring coloring tools. Once again, this worked swell; however, the marker (yes, washable) would make me nervous as Parker swung it around.

By the end of the evening, though, Parker was through coloring and decided to use the pen as a makeshift gun.

''No shooting,'' I warned him. ''Mommy doesn't like that.''

With his marker -- cap off, pointing up in the air -- gripped in both hands, Parker mischievously looked at me.

Show down.

Wait for it. Wait for it.

Moments later I hear it...quiet but audible. ''Pequew!''

I should have gone off on him but instead I laughed. Have no fear, I still took away the marker.

Totally Trendy

''Gardening organizations, seed wholesalers, and local nurseries are all reporting hikes in the number of people buying vegetable seeds and starter plants.

It's a trend that started slowly several years ago, spurred by concerns about food safety, food quality, and global warming, say garden mavens. But this year's gasoline and food price spikes have had what could be called a "Miracle-Gro" effect on the backyard garden movement. This year, 39 percent of people with backyards told the Garden Writers Association they planned to grow vegetables this year. That's up 5 percent from last year, after remaining relatively stable with only small increases for much of the past decade.''

Who knew the Trillos were soooo trendy.

Based on what's in the kitchen, looks like we'll be starting with pumpkins, sunflowers, watermelon, basil, and thyme. Based on what I normally purchase from the market, I'd also like to add scallions and tomatoes to the mix. Maybe even some butternut squash.

If we can keep the birds back, it also looks like we'll have a bumper crop of peaches. Maybe we'll even get a plum or two this year.

It's Not Too Late to Plan That June Wedding

''SAN FRANCISCO - California's Supreme Court declared gay couples in the nation's biggest state can marry...In its 4-3 ruling, the Republican-dominated high court struck down state laws against same-sex marriage and said domestic partnerships that provide many of the rights and benefits of matrimony are not enough.''

Finally a bit of sanity from our courts! I can't believe it's taken this long for California to recognize the legalize same-sex marriage. This state led the way with inter-racial marriage; you'd think it would be right up there with this similar issue. We've known for decades that separate is not equal. Why would this be any different?

Well Thommy and Geoffrey, no pressure but there's plenty of time to plan a June wedding. I'm sure we can easily find a tux for Parker if you need him to be the ring bearer. (And you already have that big screen TV, so I believe you don't have any other excuses for postponing the event!)

Where is Pumpkin?

Where is Pumpkin?
Originally uploaded by Car2nGrl

Just a little something to make you go 'Awwww.'

Where does your gasoline dollar go?Where does your gasoline dollar go?

Remember when you thought $1.50 for a gallon of gas was expensive?

In case you didn't catch this on the Colbert Report last week...

''Nation, I don’t know if you’ve heard this, but gas is getting kind of pricey. It’s getting to the point where I can’t burn anyone in effigy anymore.

Things are so bad, people have been driven to the point of madness, believing that they are the President and can pass laws abolishing gas taxes.

And consumers, folks, are so angry at the gas companies that, for weeks now, the People of America’s Oil and Natural Gas Industry have been forced to run full page ads in newspapers all over the country.

Here’s one I saw today in today’s The USA Today. It asks, ''Where does your gasoline dollar go?'' I actually thought that was a trick question because you cannot actually buy gas for a dollar.

That is right nation. Oil is a zero profit business! I mean, they must have had a bake sale to pay for this ad. Yet, somehow, in 2007, Exxon Mobil made $1,300 a second. Thirteen hundred - yes, that’s a lot of money, but it is an unlucky number of hundreds.

That means that, even though 100% of the gasoline prices are canceled out by costs, these companies are somehow able to wring mind bending revenue out of the their not-for-profit venture. I think that’s pretty impressive. So, the next time you get a request from the Red Cross or The Humane Society, you send them 1 dollar. It is up to them to get 40.6 Billion out of it.''

Actually, in my opinion, the profit comes from the remaining $2.95, once that initial dollar is spent.

Project Garden: Week 2

So it looks like Chris and Parker are finally finished digging. Hopefully, that means we'll be planting next week. Those pumpkins are taking over the kitchen.

Breakfast of Champions

What do I want for Mother's Day? Chris knows. Only one thing...his french toast. Chris and Parker not only delivered but they threw in sweet and spicy bacon to boot! I love my guys!

By the way, I feel I should mention. ''Happy Mother's Day'' for Parker was more of a mix of ''Happy Birthday'' and ''Happy Mother's Day'', which seemed to come across as ''Happy Bad Mother's Day.'' Hmmm. Okay, duly noted.

Happy Mother's Day

In serious need

In serious need,
originally uploaded by Car2nGrl.

...of a pedicure. I'd normally blame improper footwear but he's the Hulk. He doesn't wear shoes.

Now I believe because of those skanky feet, Parker did not want to get anywhere near the Hulk. Sure, you don't want to make David Banner mad. But you really don't want to upset Parker. That can really ruin an afternoon.

And no one wants that because were at this theater on a mission...to see Iron Man.

Luxi's First Keep Out sign

luxi's first Keep Out sign,
originally uploaded by juanita.

I love this!

''This sign was discovered on Luxi's bedroom door. She says that it states Niko can only come in to sleep at night. The sign appears to charge $1 for such a privilege.''

You go, big sis! And don't forget the nickel's bigger than the dime and therefore worth more trick.

Noodles anyone?

Noodles anyone?,
originally uploaded by Car2nGrl.

Out on the town with Geof and we've discovered another good restaurant near Parker's daycare. Parker recommends the yakitori and the tempura.

Eureka!

Okay, next time we go to the bay area, it looks like we need to stop in Livermore because they have a light bulb that's been burning for 100 years now! Honest Injun!

The 4 watt bulb is 107+ years old. It was installed at the fire department hose cart house on L Street in 1901. Shortly after it moved to the main firehouse on Second. In 1903 it was moved to the new Station 1 on First and McLeod, and survived the renovation of the Firehouse in 1937. During it's first 75 years it was connected directly to the 110 Volt power line, and not to the back-up generator for fear of a power surge. In 1976 it was moved with a full police and fire truck escort to its present site at Fire Station 6, 4550 East Ave., Livermore, California. It was then hooked to a separate 120V power source with no interruptions since.

It's recognized as the oldest known working light bulb by Guinness Book of World Records & Ripley's Believe-It-or-Not.

Why has it been running so long? Well, it supposedly has a perfect vacuumed inside. Congratulations to the Shelby Electric Company for making a great light bulb out of handblown glass and a carbon filament.

And what has become of the great craftsman institution that made this bulb, you ask? They're out of business, of course. Sounds like they needed more repeat customers.

Project Garden: Week 1

Project Garden,
originally uploaded by Car2nGrl.

I guess this could actually be Week 2 since we planted the seeds the week before. Check out Parker's pumpkins! They're growing like gangbusters.

Now Parker and Chris are working outside to make a good home for the pumpkins and the other plants started in the kitchen garden. However, not only does dirt need to be amended, but the plot needs to be made gopher, rabbit and bird proof. That means a lot of rock hard dirt needs to be first removed.

Thank goodness my guys have the right tools.

Can I Get a Whoop! Whoop!

01May2008_FamilyVisit8,
originally uploaded by Barack Obama.

Thommy? Aimee? Are you seeing what I'm seeing? That's right. Barack is a lefty. Oh yeah!