Let the sorting... BEGIN!

I think it is high time I classified a few people into their proper houses. So here it is. I will attempt to classify people who tend to read this blog and ignore those who don't.



FARAH... Right then. I know just where to put you... Better be... GRYFFINDOR! Yes, you are sharp. Your intellect is there, you could have done great things for Ravenclaw, but you have a brave soul. Courageous and nobel. Yes, Gryffindor is just the place for you.

MORGAN... A ripe mind, that's for sure... You'll do best in... RAVENCLAW! You're strong in the ways of knowledge and wit. Your thoughts bring you great power. Ravenclaw will be a fine choice for you.



JON... I think you read this, so I'll include you... Hum. A good mind, that's true. A bold character. But where to sort you? Ah. I see. It wins out.. You are... GRYFFINDOR! Your quiet leadership and righteous character put you in line to be a strong leader. Yes, you will be amazed at the joys of the Gryffindor world.

ANONYMOUS... Yes... I have just the place for you... Let's make it... SLYTHERIN! You are cunning and sly. You never let us know who you are. Your biggest strength is your anonymity. Slyterine will suit you well, just be sure to stay out of trouble.



PARKER... Ah. A tricky one... You are cunning... Quick witted... Kind... Daring... ... you uh... Haven't read Harry Potter yet? Better make it Slytherin! You are loyal to your friends, but also crafty. Picking your friends carefully will help you stay afloat this year at school.

KEVIN... Yes. A ripe mind. Ready to learn... You make this easy... RAVENCLAW! Open a book or press play on an iPod. Yes, your brains and smarts will lead you to the right conclusions. You will serve the house of Ravenclaw well. Assuming you can crack the code to get into the common room.

*REBECCA... Somehow you snuck out the back door or just apparated into the castle... Good, good. I have a great place for you... GRYFFINDOR! You are a brave, noble soul. Filled with a quest for adventure and excitement. You value others, you would have been a great Hufflepuff, but your bravery and strength win out. Great things await for you... GREAT things.

SUSIE... Yes... You... The girl from the North. I see... Many places you could go... Better make it HUFFLEPUFF! You are a friend to all and a kind soul. You don't judge those who are different, you embrace the lot. You'll do great things for your house.



(KATIE AND JASON... You are in Slytherin. You rarely read my blog. Everyone knows 9 out 10 Slytherins don't read my blog.)

LISA... Ahh... An interesting mind here. You have talent no doubt... Potential... But where to place you? I know, better make it... HUFFLEPUFF. Yes, you will do great things for the house. You are giving and friendly. You share kindness to all you meet. You will join the rest and do great things.



KYLE... Hum. Ah! Ahlgren... I know just where to place you... GRYFFINDOR! You are courageous and adventurous. You take the right path and persevere. You shall carry the name Gryffindor well.

MUM... You are a tough one. Yes, so many choices for you. Ah, I know just the place to put you... Join your daughters in HUFFLEPUFF! You'll do well there to chat and meet. Drink a cup of tea in the common rooms for me.

DAD... You are ... No doubt about it... GRYFFINDOR! You are bold and courageous. Willing to step up to the plate and take bat. Gryffindor will do well to have you on their team.

The Things I've Done

I admit it. I have been rather busy these past few weeks. Blogs have suffered what with Vegas, Carmel, and anxious anticipation of HP6. But I have found an opportunity to get some real life things done. So here is the half of my To-Do List I have since completed:

We have started our Scrabble Tournament. So far we are dead even. However, I have been studying my u-less Q words and plan to attack! Get ready for qat, qaid, and qoph. Look out Fauf! Here I come!


We threw a spectacular 4th of July Party.


Thanks for the photos Ky and Li!

We went to both Vegas and Carmel. And delighted in each in its own respectable way.




We have watched A LOT of Seinfeld this summer. 8 Seasons to be precise. I have one more to go and I'm looking forward to it.


I submitted two chapters to my professor. Therefore I am one chapter away from completion of the degree I put off. That's good news.


I learned the difference between Hoth and Jaba and completed all of the Star Wars movies.



I have planned my entire semester (well, most of it) for my Hancock Class next term. It should be a lot of fun.

And now I am blogging again. As Kims says, "Nice..."

Well there it is. Ig has been busy, but what lies ahead? Only Newman and the other postal workers know that... But as for you... you'll have to wait a week.

Ode to Carmel

We love our anniversaries. We actually call them our Honeymoons. It just sounds better that way, don't you think? Well at any rate we came back last night from our third Honeymoon and I must say we had a great time. Here are a few pictures so you can enjoy the trip too.

I'm kind of ridiculous, so I made a little schedule for us to follow. I snuck it on her seat so when she got in the car: POOF! It was there.



First, we have made it a tradition to stop off at the Barn where we were married. It has changed slightly since the day of our wedding, but for the most part it remains beautifully classic.



After checking out the barn and driving up the 101, 68, and 1 we made it beautiful Carmel. It was gorgeous upon arrival! A lovely 71 degrees. So it was fitting that Farah had planned a quaint picnic lunch. We ate in the park, again, another tradition.


We love the galleries that are spread all throughout Carmel. Here's a picture we snuck of me with the Rabbi. No, not very great art, but funny.


Later that day I surprised Farah with one of our new obsessions: A Crossword. I created a 68 spot crossword. It was all based on people we know and things we find funny. She had a good time completing it in one of the little Coffee Houses we pop into when in Carmel.



In the late afternoon we drove to our hotel. This year we couldn't afford to stay in the Pine Inn (pictures to follow). But we did stay in a really nice Hyatt, which was really modern and kind of swanky. We liked our room and also enjoyed the lobby where I beat Farah at chess.




After settling in, we returned to Carmel and went to our second favorite restaurant: Casanova's. We had never been there in the evening so we were pleasantly surprised to find a lovely 3 course meal. The anti-pasti, aps, and entrees were all delightful, and just because we could we threw in dessert. It was fantastic. Though this picture shows Farah in her blue smock, she wore a completely different dress.



When we woke up in the morning we watched the MJ Ceremony and noticed how good Stevie Wonder is, and then took off for a sacred place. Here it is: Anton and Michel's. We love this place... I can't even describe it. Just look and enjoy:






We walked around Carmel, only to find our favorite gallery had closed due to that darn economy. So we decided to settle down in the Old Pine Inn and enjoy a game of Scrabble. So here I am, declaring my victory in the Pine Inn.


Isn't it kind of amazing?


So after viewing a few dozen galleries, eating great food, and enjoying the sights we decided to finish the Honeymoon off with my favorite dessert at Forge in the Forest. Honestly guys, this dessert is kind of amazing. Here is a picture of the Fauf waiting anxiously to eat the cookie/ice cream dessert:



So there it is Honeymoon Number 3.

Blogs of the World... UNITE!

My friends inspire me. I like my friends... a lot. They are great people and do kind of amazing things. Just yesterday I was scrolling though blogs thinking, "Yes. They've got it right." For instance: Jon has the world in photos. Who doesn't like a photo?

Morganhas this great give away on Fridays... Who doesn't like getting free stuff?

Farah (my BFF) gives lovely insights into her magical world. I mean, who doesn't like magic? And who doesn't like insights?

Kevin and Rebecca

both share funny pictures and musings on the delights of parenthood. I mean. That's a winner right there.

So I thought. Hum. Take them all and throw them into one blog and you have yourself a winner Michael. So that's what I'm thinking of doing. Taking all your blogs and making them mine. No, not in a Lisa and Kyle way... But, you know... Where they do the whole copying off of other people's blogs. But rather having a weekly theme day. (Like Morgan)

So, here's my brainstorm challenge for you: Come up with theme days. For instance it could look like this:

Sundays: Childhood Musings
Mondays: Anecdotes from Work
Tuesdays: Top 10 List
Wednesdays: Wonderful Insights into My Life
Thursdays: Thoughts of Randomness
Fridays: Things I'm Fearful Of
Saturdays: Snapshot Day

Anyway, you come up with the ideas and I'll mesh them to make a weekly schedule. Happy posting...

Number 4, Cupboard Under the Stairs

For those of you who may not follow Farah's Blog, I wanted to fill you in on a little project we have been working on. A few weeks ago we were at a party talking with people about things that would be fun to change about our homes. For the most part we couldn't think of much of anything (Sigh, we love our Manor). But we did mention we would like to expand our hallway closet, for storage and a little play space for future Shaws.

Well we made a few phone calls, spent a few Benjamins, and now-- Wah-La! It is done. Yesterday I installed some carpet in the room. We planned on painting it but decided we would paint a mural of some kind later in the year. The theme is bound to be either Narnia (Hence walking in the wardrobe) or Harry Potter (Hence the cupboard under the stairs). Chances are a Narnia theme will win out, because that theme is good for kids from a very young age till they are about 10. Harry Potter might be a little freaky. Though I do plan on storing my COMPLETE book collection under the stairs (cough, cough Parker. Where is my book!?!).

We expect it to be a wonderful room where our kids can pretend and go a little wild in. However once they grow older I fear the room will become a secret teen hang out. Youngsters will go in to plot schemes with water-balloons and toilet paper... and then... gasp possibly bring girlfriends and boyfriends to gasp kiss and cuddle. Oh dear. What have we gotten ourselves into! We better not have any co-ed birthday parties...

But for now, at least until our children have ridiculous hormones, it is a magical, innocent space. Either that or a Panic Room.

Summer Plans

Today I reflected on the fact that I have neglected to share with my loyal readers about my summer plans. Yes, this year we have some pretty big plans for the summer. So here is a list of our big trips we have planned. If you have any tourist destinations, please include them below.

First up on the agenda: Fabulous Las Vegas.

Though Parker hates the Vegas, I personally find it to be fabulous and wonderfully gaudy. At this destination I plan to enjoy the loose slots, interesting architecture, and the crazy people. Throw that all together with a good dinner and a wax museum and I'm set!

Next up on our travel plans is to the Romantic Get-Away of Carmel/Monterey.

We fell in love with this place two years ago, and now we make a point to go every year. This year we plan on doing a more abbreviated trip, but we will still have some fine dinning experiences as well as view some inspiring art. Our favorite art, if she is still there, is Nicholette and her dealer Donna. And our favorite dinning experience, if we can afford it, Anton and Michele's. Ah. If not, we'll certainly go to Casanova's and dine on the back porch. Simply lovely.

Our third trip on the Captain's Log is our journey down south to the Always Happening Santa Monica.

This trip will prove to be fun as we have never actually spent more than a day in Santa Monica together. We plan to walk down to some shops, check out the pier, and go into the shops and restaurants on the promenade. One place in particular is the Mexican Restaurant just a few blocks down from Ky and Li's house, Fauf will love it and scream memories of Carmel when we go there. It should be fun as it leads right into our big vacation...

Our final trip of the summer is the pond jump to Historic Rome.

I am extremely excited about this trip as I have never been to Rome. This week I rented the Chipmunk Adventure and saw glimpses of the ruins and the Colosseum. Just a glimpse of this reminded me how excited I am. We plan to stay in a little hotel in the heart of Rome and take two tours in the Vatican. In addition we are considering a day trip to Florence. Everyone so far has told me this is a must. At any rate we hope to take in the joys of Rome from gelatto to authentic Italian meals. Ah... sigh.

So there it is. The summer of the Ig and Fauf. Please remember to give us ideas in the comments section below.

"It is time!" exclaimed Rafiki

Today I am so excited because the Fauf comes home. I have had a great time hanging out with Jon and Mogan, and of course Adelaide. I have enjoyed eating snacks in bed and leaving my underwear hanging off of a lamp... But yes, I am excited about the Fauf arriving in Santa Maria tonight. Here are the top 5 things I am excited about:

5. Showing her my surprise for our Manor. I'll just leave a visual clue. Thanks for the help Jon and Morgan. I know the Fauf will love the gnome related goodness!


4. Going to SLO for the day. I just got a Barnes and Noble coupon and I think we should use it and go enjoy lunch out.


3. Watching more Seinfeld together.


2. Cuddling, etc. at night. I love having my own bed, but honestly nothing beats the Fauf scratching my back and talking to me at night.


1. Playing Scrabble. Summer is certainly here and it is time for the Scrabble Tournament to begin. I plan to kick her butt this year. My thought is to play 35 games the best out of 35 wins.

Fight! Fight! Fight!

Today I was delighted when I drove down my street and saw 6 kids starting to have a water balloon fight. It was fun to think of them doing this to inaugurate the summer. But then I started to think, "What's wrong with us adults? We need to have some fun here." So I imagined what it would be like to watch adults do a water balloon fight. So here is my dream team for water balloon fighters:

Team Alpha-
Susan Boyle


Donald Trump


The Count


Joan Rivers


Team Omega-
The Bowler Hat Guy


Stephen Colbert


Mrs. Garrett


Oprah's BFF


Who do you think would win?

Mike.

There is a rumor on the street that Mike is here. Well, it's no rumor. It's true.

Mike is in town.

Get ready.

Nostalgic Moments

I have to say today is a nostalgic day. Today Fauf and I drove to Orcutt and parked just off of Patterson so we could walk to the Farmer's Market. The smells there are simply delightful. Freshly popped Kettle Corn with the scent of strawberries and roses... Mmm. Delightful.

After that we observed the new size at Blenders in the Grass (the world's mini-est smoothie at 12 oz.) and now we are residing in the Orcutt Library on the free Internet. Gotta love it.

I just picked up some "books" (think Kevin) and will enjoy these while the Fauf goes down South. At any rate, I encourage all of you to do something nostalgic today. Watch Lucy, eat an apple pie, or visit your elementary school... Be nostalgic.

Easy Like a Sunday Morning

I never understood Mr. Wonder's words when he sang this phrase. But today I get it. I woke up at about 8:00 and realized I didn't have to get out of bed for about 30-45 minutes. I've never, NEVER in my life had the ability to sleep in on a Sunday Morning. I must say I find it very enjoyable.

This week I plan on being quite productive with my time. I mean, just because I am on va-ca doesn't mean I am just going to sit around and do nothing... I mean, its me we're talking about people. So here is my to do list:

10. Submit more papers to my professor at Chapman. For those of you who have been following this saga please rest assured that I have submitted my paper, now she wants more.

9. Meet with next year's ASB to tell them their jobs and have them help me clean out some boxes.

8. Find someone willing to take on the Beast, otherwise known as our front lawn.

7. Hang Farah's giant picture in the Dining Room

6. Clean out my car. I don't even want to tell you what is in it.

5. Help Farah with her special project she needs to submit online. More to come on this one at another time...

4. Watch Episodes 5 and 6 of Star Wars. I mean, I can't remember the difference between Hoth and Jaba.

3. Resume my work outs with Bob. He is really mad at me for dropping the ball on this for about 2 weeks.

2. Meet with Hancock Staff to talk about my teaching job next year (part-time teaching).

1. Buy new shoes and jeans. For those of you who may not know this about me I hate buying jeans and I rarely look forward to buying shoes. But I will do it!

There it is the Week of Ig. Enjoy yours. (maybe I'll add some pictures to this ridiculous blog)

Morning

I think today I will just say:

I am so excited summer is here! I know you all who lead boring, normal jobs don't care... But the feeling of no work is great. I plan to take Fauf out around the Coast today and enjoy a little date. More to come. Maybe even pictures. Woot! Woot!

And the Cotton is High.

Summer is here baby.

I am so glad the year is over. It turned out to be a very good year, but the end was welcomed with open arms.

This summer I plan to ignore my teacherly duties and enjoy the bliss that is summer vacation (this will be a first!!). I think I will blog more than just once a month and even take some time to enjoy the view. So here's the Top 10 Things I am Looking Forward To:

10. Sleeping In
9. Eggo Waffles in the Morning
8. Bike Ride to Starbucks
7. Going out to eat at Restaurants I have never been to ('Cause who can risk that during the school year?)
6. Watching NetFlix during the week
5. Santa Monica
4. Judge Judy
3. Carmel
2. Las Vegas
1. Being with the Fauf

Hooray for Summer Break! (Forced Unemployment)