Uncommon Julia

I could have cheated and gone back to retake this, but I didn't.  This is a bit sad, considering my dad is/was a biologist and that I started my college career in that same track.  Good thing I switched to writing!

Sally Forth

After taking a couple of big, deep breaths (and a couple of big, deep glasses of wine - thanks Kristine, for drinking in my honor, by the way), I got a bit of perspective and decided to move forward with my big, big idea.  But it will be from a different tack. 

My original idea was a bit of a two-'fer: two internet tools that worked in tandem.  The other company I mentioned has only beat me to the punch on half of it.  So I'm seriously considering pushing forward with the other tool and pursing either a partnership, collaborative effort, or creating a tool that can "play nice" with others already in existence.

Onward and upward.

Sooner

Back in college, my boyfriend and I had an ongoing debate about who was more likely to become president first: a black man or a white woman.  It was a rather cynical debate in which he, as a black man, argued that white America would sooner welcome a woman into the oval office than anyone black.  I, as a woman (okay, girl), conversely argued that the male-based power structure would rather have a man of any color than a woman for president.

It was a friendly wager, and one we both pessimistically felt would never be answered in our lifetime.  (I know - whatever happened to youthful optimism?)  I am still amazed that there's a chance (albeit, not a sure thing) that we may find out before this year is out.  I haven't spoken with my old boyfriend in a few years, but I bet he's equally amazed.

I wish I could remember what he'd owe me if Obama wins...

Bummed. Really Bummed.

I think my big, big idea - which I've been working on diligently every spare hour for months - may have been scooped.  Someone else is first to market.

It's not exactly the same, but it is close and there's lots of overlap.

It makes me want to drink.  In the middle of the afternoon.  On a Tuesday.

Except that I have lots of work to do and mouths to feed.

Dammit, this sucks.

Making Me Laugh

I saw this story while checking my spamy e-mail account.  It's worth reading simply for the funny "analysis" from Yahoo! TV.

And it pairs nicely with this one.

So That's What It Feels Like to Matter

I've been caught off guard over the past two weeks with the amount of political attention suddenly focused on my state.  For all of my voting life, Texas has been a write-off state - an assumption - and as such, completely ignored by national-level politics.  Particularly democratic politics.

But now, we've got some pull.  Some leverage.  Some say-so in the form of the democratic primaries.  And I have to say, it feels good.  I had forgotten what it feels like to know your vote may actually count for something.

I'm not even a declared democrat.  I'm squarely in the independent camp, with strong tendencies that recklessly cross those red and blue lines in multiple places.  But here in Texas, any registered voter can vote in a primary.  But they can only choose one.  In other words, if you vote in the democratic primary, you can't in the republican (or independent, if there were such a thing).  And when the general election rolls around, you're free to vote for whomever you choose, regardless of party.  Since the democratic primary is really the only one with a looming question mark, it's a pretty easy choice.

So Todd and I both watched the debate last night (if you know Todd - the most a-political creature in the world - this was amazing in and of itself) and reveled in the feeling of mattering.  It made me feel giddy - almost like a naive teenager who hasn't yet learned that the world does not, in fact, rotate around her.  And I couldn't be happier to know that come November, I'll be making a choice between candidates I feel are capable, honest, and truly value voters.

Not to mention the joy I feel at the prospect of having a president who can actual string words together while speaking publicly!  What a change of pace!

Strep. Well, Probably.

Todd went to the doctor yesterday who took one look in his throat and proclaimed, "Yech!"

He did a quick strep, which was negative, but given the extreme swelling and bloody swabs, uncontrollable fever, sweats, and chills, he was pretty certain the test was wrong.  We should know the results of the old fashioned test today.

He sent him home with prescriptions for penicillin and vic0din.  Yeah - vic0din.  To which I proclaimed, "Do you know what I have to go through to get vic0din?!!  More than swabbing, that's what, buddy!"

But I didn't protest too loudly because he feels like ass.  Now my mission is to keep my kids germ free.  Oh, and to get my work done.  The two seem to be conflicting this morning, so I'm off to shower and devote both items my full attention.

__________________________________________

On the dad side, the doctor wasn't worried.  Dad's responded well to an increase in one of his meds and the slight arrhythmia isn't concerning.

So... what's keeping you guys hopping lately?

Sprung

My dad's heart is going to need its own category soon.

He was released from the hospital yesterday, but sent to see his cardiologist today to make sure everything is okay.  Apparently, the arrhythmia disappears when he's sleeping.  So mom and I were hypothesizing about the role stress may play.

His cardiologist is in the nearest "big" town, two-and-a-half hours away.  I hope the drive isn't too stressful.  We should know more by the end of the day.

In the meantime, Todd is still feeling awful.   Bad enough to make an appointment FOR HIMSELF, BY HIMSELF at the doctor's.  This is the only time in our nine year relationship that that has ever happened.  I hope they figure something out because I'm getting worn out.  Oh yeah, and I want him to feel better.  That too.

At My House...

... a phone call after 9:00 p.m. means someone's either in jail, pregnant, or in the hospital.  I believe that's a sign we're getting older old.

Five months ago it was my best friend telling me that she was pregnant with her third.  It was all very unexpected and she clicked over - putting her husband, whom she'd just told, on hold - to tell me the news.

Tonight, it was my mom, telling me that my dad is back in the hospital.  He's having arrhythmias.  I don't really know more than that.  Something to do with "throwing of PVCs" every other beat.  They're keeping him overnight at a minimum.  I don't really know how concerned to be at this point.  But I'm sure I'll spend some sleepless hours tonight trying to figure it out.

Say a prayer, will ya?

The Physics of Cooking

I hosted the Second Annual Mother-Daughter (and boys in tiaras) Valentine Tea Party at my house yesterday.  It was a blast.  It was also barely controlled chaos.  But what else would you expect with 10 children, five mothers, assorted dress-up clothes and cream cheese in bulk?

While preparing foods for the celebration I noted two interesting items:

1.  Cupcakes are intrinsically round.  They do not like being asked to do something else.  In fact, they are downright stubborn about it.  See?! 

If it weren't for the silicon forms, you'd have no idea those were heart-shaped, would you?  I tried to get creative with the icing, but even then, they still came across as festively-decorated regular 'ol cupcakes.

2. Cucumber is the only known compound to increase its mass when combined with cream cheese.  It's true.  Know how I know? Because I made two types of tea sandwiches: smoked salmon and cucumber mint.  Both use exactly one block of cream cheese.  But the cucumber sandwiches yielded THREE TIMES the amount of sandwiches.

This was the extent of the "physics" I studied for Valentine's Day, as Todd came down with cedar fever last night.  I hope your evening was more physical than mine. Wink, wink, nod, nod.